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ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS
Armstrong Williams is called "one of the most recognizable conservative voices in America" by The Washington Post. Williams is a pugnacious, provocative and principled voice for conservatives and Christian values in America's public debates.
ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS' BLOG
02/22/12
The Fed Finances the deficit
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Fed finances the deficit
If the Fed reserve didn't keep interest rates abnormally low, the federal deficit would soar by nearly $500 billion dollars in the first year. The arithmetic is simple, rates are 2 to 3 % lower than they should be: The outstanding Federal debt is $15 Trillion Dollars. 3% additional on $15 Trillion is $450 billion dollars additional deficit. By having these abnormal low interest rates, the fed is also discouraging Americans from saving money and encouraging them to borrow additional money to their already over leveraged balance sheets. The only option for our government repaying the federal debt is for the Federal Reserve to monetize the debt. What this means is the Fed will continue to increase the money supply, causing inflation and enabling the Federal Government to pay back debt obligations with debased cheap dollars.
The Federal Reserve is an unelected body without oversight from Congress or auditors. Who is the Fed responsible to other than itself ?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
The Fed Finances the deficit
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Fed finances the deficit
If the Fed reserve didn't keep interest rates abnormally low, the federal deficit would soar by nearly $500 billion dollars in the first year. The arithmetic is simple, rates are 2 to 3 % lower than they should be: The outstanding Federal debt is $15 Trillion Dollars. 3% additional on $15 Trillion is $450 billion dollars additional deficit. By having these abnormal low interest rates, the fed is also discouraging Americans from saving money and encouraging them to borrow additional money to their already over leveraged balance sheets. The only option for our government repaying the federal debt is for the Federal Reserve to monetize the debt. What this means is the Fed will continue to increase the money supply, causing inflation and enabling the Federal Government to pay back debt obligations with debased cheap dollars.
The Federal Reserve is an unelected body without oversight from Congress or auditors. Who is the Fed responsible to other than itself ?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/21/12
Europe is our economic example
BY: Armstrong Williams
Europe is our economic example.
As America follows Europe down the path of the social welfare state, we will see our wealthy dynamic capitalist economy slide into the economic lethargy of a state run economy. Our turn around will come, if at all, only when we, like Greece, hit economic bottom. At that point, we will realize the truth of Margret Thatcher’s words: “the problem with socialism is that pretty soon you run out of other people’s money.” Will it be too late at that point to turn around?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Europe is our economic example
BY: Armstrong Williams
Europe is our economic example.
As America follows Europe down the path of the social welfare state, we will see our wealthy dynamic capitalist economy slide into the economic lethargy of a state run economy. Our turn around will come, if at all, only when we, like Greece, hit economic bottom. At that point, we will realize the truth of Margret Thatcher’s words: “the problem with socialism is that pretty soon you run out of other people’s money.” Will it be too late at that point to turn around?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/20/12
Rising Socialism
BY: Armstrong Williams
Rising Socialism
Unless the American people regain a strong commitment to the traditional American values of self reliance, individual liberty, and equality of opportunity, our democracy will inevitably lead to socialism. We are seeing an erosion of respect for other people’s property rights and a decline in individual responsibility. We are seeing an increase in entitlement mentality and class envy in our society. Instead of looking in the mirror, we look for scapegoats to explain our misfortune. Unfortunately, this decline in our traditional values is being championed by the political establishment, including the President of the United States, the intellectual elite and the main stream media.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Rising Socialism
BY: Armstrong Williams
Rising Socialism
Unless the American people regain a strong commitment to the traditional American values of self reliance, individual liberty, and equality of opportunity, our democracy will inevitably lead to socialism. We are seeing an erosion of respect for other people’s property rights and a decline in individual responsibility. We are seeing an increase in entitlement mentality and class envy in our society. Instead of looking in the mirror, we look for scapegoats to explain our misfortune. Unfortunately, this decline in our traditional values is being championed by the political establishment, including the President of the United States, the intellectual elite and the main stream media.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/16/12
What will be Obama's lasting legacy ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
What will be Obama's lasting legacy ?
Would America have social security without Roosevelt? How would the world have been different if Roosevelt had not supported the allies before America’s entrance into World War II?
If Eisenhower had not begun the building of the interstate highway system in the 1950’s, would the American landscape have been very different?
What if Kennedy had not called Nikita Khrushchev’s bluff over the Cuban missile crisis? Could America have tolerated Russian missiles 90 miles off shore?
What would be the state of civil rights in America if Kennedy and Johnson had not been Presidents? It took former Speaker of the House LBJ to push through the Civil rights Act.
If Regan had not implemented his tax cuts and small government campaign, would America have been as prosperous in the late 20th and early 21st century? Would the “Iron Curtain” have fallen had Regan not challenged the “Evil Empire”?
Will Americans look back on the administration of Bill Clinton as the last time a federal budget was balanced?
And what will eventually be the historical significance of the Obama era ? Will he through his socialist agenda, precipitate the undoing of the American way of life ?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
What will be Obama's lasting legacy ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
What will be Obama's lasting legacy ?
Would America have social security without Roosevelt? How would the world have been different if Roosevelt had not supported the allies before America’s entrance into World War II?
If Eisenhower had not begun the building of the interstate highway system in the 1950’s, would the American landscape have been very different?
What if Kennedy had not called Nikita Khrushchev’s bluff over the Cuban missile crisis? Could America have tolerated Russian missiles 90 miles off shore?
What would be the state of civil rights in America if Kennedy and Johnson had not been Presidents? It took former Speaker of the House LBJ to push through the Civil rights Act.
If Regan had not implemented his tax cuts and small government campaign, would America have been as prosperous in the late 20th and early 21st century? Would the “Iron Curtain” have fallen had Regan not challenged the “Evil Empire”?
Will Americans look back on the administration of Bill Clinton as the last time a federal budget was balanced?
And what will eventually be the historical significance of the Obama era ? Will he through his socialist agenda, precipitate the undoing of the American way of life ?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/15/12
An era of no more Religion
BY: Armstrong Williams
An era of no more Religion
Does the Obama administration want to force the Catholic Church to abandon its missions in health, education and welfare in order to be true to its beliefs?
It could happen; it’s already beginning to happen. Due to the radical liberal homosexual agenda, Catholic Charities have already had to close down adoption agencies in states where it is considered unfair discrimination to refuse to give children to homosexual couples. By forcing the Catholic Church, history’s largest social service organization, out of business, aren’t we throwing out the baby and keeping the bath water?
Not only does the government want you to pay more in taxes to fund government welfare programs, but it wants to put out of business its chief competition—religion. Is this issue just another way for the government to increase its power in society by taking over these services? Is it better that those in need look to the Church or the government for help? Personally, I’d rather look to the Church.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
An era of no more Religion
BY: Armstrong Williams
An era of no more Religion
Does the Obama administration want to force the Catholic Church to abandon its missions in health, education and welfare in order to be true to its beliefs?
It could happen; it’s already beginning to happen. Due to the radical liberal homosexual agenda, Catholic Charities have already had to close down adoption agencies in states where it is considered unfair discrimination to refuse to give children to homosexual couples. By forcing the Catholic Church, history’s largest social service organization, out of business, aren’t we throwing out the baby and keeping the bath water?
Not only does the government want you to pay more in taxes to fund government welfare programs, but it wants to put out of business its chief competition—religion. Is this issue just another way for the government to increase its power in society by taking over these services? Is it better that those in need look to the Church or the government for help? Personally, I’d rather look to the Church.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/14/12
Misplaced attention: What is important?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Misplaced attention: What is important ?
This past weekend the entertainment world lost one of its biggest stars with the death of Whitney Houston. Based on the news coverage of this event you would think that much more
was loss than an individual life. Although any loss of life is tragic, the obsession of our culture with celebrity is reminiscent of the adulation bestowed upon royalty and sports figures
in many other cultures. This also reminds us of the undue attention paid to athletes and famous people in the Roman and Greek empires prior to their fall. At a time when our nation
faces enormous problems we do have time to be sympathetic to the loss of any life. We must learn to focus our attention and efforts on those problems that threaten our very existence.
We should cease living in a fantasy world created by the sports and entertainment industry which act like a narcotic but have no long term benefit.
This blog is in no way a judgement on the life of Ms. Houston, it's written to remind our larger society on the importance of focusing our attention on things that truly matter in our nation.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Misplaced attention: What is important?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Misplaced attention: What is important ?
This past weekend the entertainment world lost one of its biggest stars with the death of Whitney Houston. Based on the news coverage of this event you would think that much more
was loss than an individual life. Although any loss of life is tragic, the obsession of our culture with celebrity is reminiscent of the adulation bestowed upon royalty and sports figures
in many other cultures. This also reminds us of the undue attention paid to athletes and famous people in the Roman and Greek empires prior to their fall. At a time when our nation
faces enormous problems we do have time to be sympathetic to the loss of any life. We must learn to focus our attention and efforts on those problems that threaten our very existence.
We should cease living in a fantasy world created by the sports and entertainment industry which act like a narcotic but have no long term benefit.
This blog is in no way a judgement on the life of Ms. Houston, it's written to remind our larger society on the importance of focusing our attention on things that truly matter in our nation.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/13/12
The Emperor's new clothes
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama pulled a slight of hand with Obamacare Catholic church compromise.
The Emperor’s new clothes
The President’s Obama Care compromise is that Catholic charities don't have to offer contraceptives to its employees through their mandatory healthcare insurance policies. Instead their insurance companies must provide employees the contraceptives for free. This is not a compromise but a slight of hand.
Who does the administration think is going to pay for these contraceptives? If they think the insurance company out of the goodness of its heart will pay for these contraceptives out of profits, they are gravely mistaken. Instead, when the insurance company quotes a Catholic charity a health Insurance policy that excludes free contraceptives, they will knowingly price it at the same rate as that of an institution that must provide contraceptives to its employees. If they are prohibited from charging the Catholic charities the same rate as other institutions and must charge a lower rate, then the insurance companies will pass the costs on to all the non Catholic charities policy holders. That means the rest of America must subsidize contraceptives for the workers of Catholic charities.
My friends let me be the first to say that this is clearly not fair. Most of us have enough problems paying for our own contraceptives. The last thing we need is for Obama Care to make us pay for the contraceptives of employees of the Catholic Charities.
One would have to be blind and completely incoherent, not to recognize that somebody has to bear the cost of these contraceptives. If it’s not the Catholic charities it will be the other policy holders, meaning you and I bearing these costs. So, Mr. President, are you asking the rest of America to pay for your compromise with the Catholic Church? That is not fair. Or are you going to let the insurance companies pass on the cost of the free contraceptives to the Catholic charities through higher premiums for the contraceptive exclusion health care policies? That is not a compromise.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
The Emperor's new clothes
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama pulled a slight of hand with Obamacare Catholic church compromise.
The Emperor’s new clothes
The President’s Obama Care compromise is that Catholic charities don't have to offer contraceptives to its employees through their mandatory healthcare insurance policies. Instead their insurance companies must provide employees the contraceptives for free. This is not a compromise but a slight of hand.
Who does the administration think is going to pay for these contraceptives? If they think the insurance company out of the goodness of its heart will pay for these contraceptives out of profits, they are gravely mistaken. Instead, when the insurance company quotes a Catholic charity a health Insurance policy that excludes free contraceptives, they will knowingly price it at the same rate as that of an institution that must provide contraceptives to its employees. If they are prohibited from charging the Catholic charities the same rate as other institutions and must charge a lower rate, then the insurance companies will pass the costs on to all the non Catholic charities policy holders. That means the rest of America must subsidize contraceptives for the workers of Catholic charities.
My friends let me be the first to say that this is clearly not fair. Most of us have enough problems paying for our own contraceptives. The last thing we need is for Obama Care to make us pay for the contraceptives of employees of the Catholic Charities.
One would have to be blind and completely incoherent, not to recognize that somebody has to bear the cost of these contraceptives. If it’s not the Catholic charities it will be the other policy holders, meaning you and I bearing these costs. So, Mr. President, are you asking the rest of America to pay for your compromise with the Catholic Church? That is not fair. Or are you going to let the insurance companies pass on the cost of the free contraceptives to the Catholic charities through higher premiums for the contraceptive exclusion health care policies? That is not a compromise.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/10/12
America the coming secular nation
BY: Armstrong Williams
America, the coming secular nation
Isn't it convenient how this administration continue to manipulate our separation of church and state. In fact what they're doing is trampling on the first amendment without any conscious. Our government was never designed to control the church and the church should never have control over the government. This administration is constantly testing the waters to see how much they can further erode the rights of the people. There is no justification for forcing people to disregard their deeply held religious convictions in a "free" country. This coupled with the president's pronouncement a couple of years ago that we were not a Judeo-christian nation and his tolerance of restrictions on Catholic Priest who serve the military, calls into question his allegiance to our constitution. It is a small wonder that some of his associates have recently called for a review of the relevance of our constitution. If anyone doubted that our country is on the brink of major changes those doubts should now be removed. Are we willing to undergo such a radical change from our noble past ?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
America the coming secular nation
BY: Armstrong Williams
America, the coming secular nation
Isn't it convenient how this administration continue to manipulate our separation of church and state. In fact what they're doing is trampling on the first amendment without any conscious. Our government was never designed to control the church and the church should never have control over the government. This administration is constantly testing the waters to see how much they can further erode the rights of the people. There is no justification for forcing people to disregard their deeply held religious convictions in a "free" country. This coupled with the president's pronouncement a couple of years ago that we were not a Judeo-christian nation and his tolerance of restrictions on Catholic Priest who serve the military, calls into question his allegiance to our constitution. It is a small wonder that some of his associates have recently called for a review of the relevance of our constitution. If anyone doubted that our country is on the brink of major changes those doubts should now be removed. Are we willing to undergo such a radical change from our noble past ?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/09/12
Obama's Catholic church indignation
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Catholic church indignation
With unbelievable hubris, the Obamacarebureaucrats in Washington exclude the Church’s non-liturgical mission from the religious exemption ofObamacare. (Not the elected Congress, but self righteous bureaucrats made this decision!) These bureaucrats claim the Church serves non-Catholicsin its non-liturgical mission, and therefore this is not its core religious mission. Imagine, the bureaucrats understand the church’s mission better than theclergy! Even many liberal Catholics understand that the mission of the Catholic Church extends beyond the sanctuary.
It is well known that use of contraceptives and abortions are a violation of Catholic Church doctrine. Forcing Catholic institutions to fund contraception and abortions for its employees under Obamacare is clearly a violation of its doctrine and religious freedom.
Does the administration want to force the Catholic Church to abandon its missions in health, education and welfare in order to be true to its beliefs? Instead of Catholic Charities relying on charitable dollars to fund these missions, perhaps the government prefers to use taxpayer dollars to fund them! Is this issue just another way for the government to increase its power in society by taking over these services? Is it better that those in need look to the Church or the government for help? Personally, I’d rather look to the Church.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Obama's Catholic church indignation
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Catholic church indignation
With unbelievable hubris, the Obamacarebureaucrats in Washington exclude the Church’s non-liturgical mission from the religious exemption ofObamacare. (Not the elected Congress, but self righteous bureaucrats made this decision!) These bureaucrats claim the Church serves non-Catholicsin its non-liturgical mission, and therefore this is not its core religious mission. Imagine, the bureaucrats understand the church’s mission better than theclergy! Even many liberal Catholics understand that the mission of the Catholic Church extends beyond the sanctuary.
It is well known that use of contraceptives and abortions are a violation of Catholic Church doctrine. Forcing Catholic institutions to fund contraception and abortions for its employees under Obamacare is clearly a violation of its doctrine and religious freedom.
Does the administration want to force the Catholic Church to abandon its missions in health, education and welfare in order to be true to its beliefs? Instead of Catholic Charities relying on charitable dollars to fund these missions, perhaps the government prefers to use taxpayer dollars to fund them! Is this issue just another way for the government to increase its power in society by taking over these services? Is it better that those in need look to the Church or the government for help? Personally, I’d rather look to the Church.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/08/12
Conservatism ultimately win elections
BY: Armstrong Williams
Conservatism ultimately win elections
In 2012 we have yet another election year that is primarily a reaction against the establishment, and the country has swung back and forth yet again, unhappy with both parties. But why?
The problem with George W. Bush was not that he was conservative, but that he was not conservative enough-he hurt the credibility of the GOP by bloating the government further, and not just the military and the Department of Homeland Security, but, in his "compassionate" conservatism, blowing money on domestic spending as well.
If the Republicans stick to constitutional and classical liberal principles, they win elections. They got drunk with power after Gingrich took over in 1994, and didn't deliver on their promises. Since then, they have collectively failed to practice what they preach. The worst of their transgressions was the Medicare Part D entitlement that now-Speaker Boehner and President Bush added, worth around 13 trillion in unfunded dollars, hoping to bribe their way to a permanent majority.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Conservatism ultimately win elections
BY: Armstrong Williams
Conservatism ultimately win elections
In 2012 we have yet another election year that is primarily a reaction against the establishment, and the country has swung back and forth yet again, unhappy with both parties. But why?
The problem with George W. Bush was not that he was conservative, but that he was not conservative enough-he hurt the credibility of the GOP by bloating the government further, and not just the military and the Department of Homeland Security, but, in his "compassionate" conservatism, blowing money on domestic spending as well.
If the Republicans stick to constitutional and classical liberal principles, they win elections. They got drunk with power after Gingrich took over in 1994, and didn't deliver on their promises. Since then, they have collectively failed to practice what they preach. The worst of their transgressions was the Medicare Part D entitlement that now-Speaker Boehner and President Bush added, worth around 13 trillion in unfunded dollars, hoping to bribe their way to a permanent majority.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/07/12
Santorum Rising
BY: Armstrong Williams
Santorum Rising
Recent polling data indicates that Rick Santorum is rapidly moving up in the polls as the anti Romney candidate. Gingrich seems to be losing his edge in that category simply because of his continued mean spirited attacks, rather than focusing on issues that truly matter . Romney has permanently damaged himself among independents by destroying his nice guy image with negativism while not emphasizing his 59 point economic plan. It is rather pathetic that with so many glaring issues facing our diminishing nation, the Republican candidates can find nothing better to do than tear each other down. Rick Santorum has tried to focus on the issues and it's now paying dividends for him. If he can resist the urge to engage in the mud slinging he may in fact emerge as a serious challenge to Romney.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Santorum Rising
BY: Armstrong Williams
Santorum Rising
Recent polling data indicates that Rick Santorum is rapidly moving up in the polls as the anti Romney candidate. Gingrich seems to be losing his edge in that category simply because of his continued mean spirited attacks, rather than focusing on issues that truly matter . Romney has permanently damaged himself among independents by destroying his nice guy image with negativism while not emphasizing his 59 point economic plan. It is rather pathetic that with so many glaring issues facing our diminishing nation, the Republican candidates can find nothing better to do than tear each other down. Rick Santorum has tried to focus on the issues and it's now paying dividends for him. If he can resist the urge to engage in the mud slinging he may in fact emerge as a serious challenge to Romney.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/06/12
Why Obama needs Jon Huntsman (and others like him )
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why Obama needs Jon Huntsman (and others like him)
Friday’s impressive jobs report is a positive shot in the arm for what the economy needs about now. Politically speaking, adding 243,000 new jobs – the most since last April – is good news indeed for the President’s approval ratings.
What caused many economists to breathe a sigh of relief is that many in the private sector appear to be hiring again, including specialty trades such as manufacturing. While this is no time to be popping champagne and celebrating the demise of the Great Recession, last month’s jobs report tells us many things of the economy moving forward.
One of those indicators is foreign trade. This country is still the world’s #1 exporter, and it will not soon surrender that title. Over 96% of the world’s markets rest beyond our borders. We can only sell so many iPads and caramel mochas here stateside before we are stalled again in shallow economic waters.
Yes, American workers need foreign trade to boost employment here at home. That’s why the President should thank his former ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, and many more like him. Huntsman understands what a free market looks like, and he did as good a job as he could pushing Beijing to adopt similar open policies.
If the President has any hopes of turning this ship of state around and further lowering the unemployment rate, enhanced international commerce will be one pillar in that foundation. I don’t know how he should do it, but if Obama were smart (and I know he is), he should look for more individuals such as Huntsman in and around his cabinet.
I’m talking less about esoteric, policy-driven diplomats, and more business-savvy, commercially-minded folks who see dollar signs on behalf of the American economy. It’s time to get a sales force on the international trade stage – a U.S. “dream team” if you will, constantly pushing for American goods and know-how. The days of outsourcing are over, hopefully. The President said as much during his State of the Union. Let’s build on that quality-is-better mantra that Americans have been known for and renew the push beyond our shores.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Why Obama needs Jon Huntsman (and others like him )
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why Obama needs Jon Huntsman (and others like him)
Friday’s impressive jobs report is a positive shot in the arm for what the economy needs about now. Politically speaking, adding 243,000 new jobs – the most since last April – is good news indeed for the President’s approval ratings.
What caused many economists to breathe a sigh of relief is that many in the private sector appear to be hiring again, including specialty trades such as manufacturing. While this is no time to be popping champagne and celebrating the demise of the Great Recession, last month’s jobs report tells us many things of the economy moving forward.
One of those indicators is foreign trade. This country is still the world’s #1 exporter, and it will not soon surrender that title. Over 96% of the world’s markets rest beyond our borders. We can only sell so many iPads and caramel mochas here stateside before we are stalled again in shallow economic waters.
Yes, American workers need foreign trade to boost employment here at home. That’s why the President should thank his former ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, and many more like him. Huntsman understands what a free market looks like, and he did as good a job as he could pushing Beijing to adopt similar open policies.
If the President has any hopes of turning this ship of state around and further lowering the unemployment rate, enhanced international commerce will be one pillar in that foundation. I don’t know how he should do it, but if Obama were smart (and I know he is), he should look for more individuals such as Huntsman in and around his cabinet.
I’m talking less about esoteric, policy-driven diplomats, and more business-savvy, commercially-minded folks who see dollar signs on behalf of the American economy. It’s time to get a sales force on the international trade stage – a U.S. “dream team” if you will, constantly pushing for American goods and know-how. The days of outsourcing are over, hopefully. The President said as much during his State of the Union. Let’s build on that quality-is-better mantra that Americans have been known for and renew the push beyond our shores.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/03/12
Can and will they cut spending
BY: Armstrong Williams
Can and will they cut Spending
Our Congressional members plan for a serious budget reduction in the future does not
work without a big initial down payment in spending cuts. Today's
Congress cannot bind future congresses, and Congress has been
notoriously unreliable with respect to the fiscal management of the
country's finances. Only a naive observer of America's today's
political environment could believe that congress will constrain
spending to bring the deficit under control when the economy improves.
The only point that the left may have is that fiscal stimulus may have a
small temporary benefit when the money is originally spent, but the
extent of the benefit depends on how the money is spent, e.g.
infrastructure, tax rebates, government program, etc., and technical
arguments about the multiplier effect of the spending. However, it has a
negative impact when it is finally paid for.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Can and will they cut spending
BY: Armstrong Williams
Can and will they cut Spending
Our Congressional members plan for a serious budget reduction in the future does not
work without a big initial down payment in spending cuts. Today's
Congress cannot bind future congresses, and Congress has been
notoriously unreliable with respect to the fiscal management of the
country's finances. Only a naive observer of America's today's
political environment could believe that congress will constrain
spending to bring the deficit under control when the economy improves.
The only point that the left may have is that fiscal stimulus may have a
small temporary benefit when the money is originally spent, but the
extent of the benefit depends on how the money is spent, e.g.
infrastructure, tax rebates, government program, etc., and technical
arguments about the multiplier effect of the spending. However, it has a
negative impact when it is finally paid for.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/02/12
Obama's Military Prowess
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Military Prowess
I have been very critical of this President. Across the board, I often find myself in 180 degree disagreement with him and his administration's policies. Among those disappointments has been his handling of Iraq, and the sheer demagoguery he displayed regarding the War on Terror, beginning with Iraq and certainly including issues such as Guantanamo Bay.
But I have to admit, he gets credit on his handling of one area specifically - the use of the military's special forces.
The Commander-in-Chief's singular decision and authorization of the use of the military's best fighting soldiers in the killing of Osama Bin Laden was impressive. Just this past week, Obama again called on the SEALs to rescue two hostages held in a Somali compound. The stealth warriors eliminated their targets and returned the hostages to safety. All in a day's work.
I admire that. If it works, keep doing it. And that's precisely what Obama did. Relying on the intelligence of his generals and their tedious calculations, he made the right calls. And he may even do it again should the need(s) arise.
Sure, there might have been casualties. And there very well could be in the future. Every loss of American life is regrettable and tragic. But in the final analysis, and compared to alternatives (whole brigades subject to IEDs??), this is smart tactics and even smart politics.
It should come as no surprise, then, to see similar behaviors reflected in Obama's budget offering set to be unveiled later this month. Greater plus-ups for special forces and technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) make sense to the average American. Why work harder to remove the enemy when one can work smarter and from a secure location? And given tight budget constraints and legacy costs such as veterans benefits and other personnel needs that drain Pentagon budgets, credit this administration with trying to do more with less. There will always be a good reason for more spending. That's not the problem. The problem is we don't have the money. The sooner both sides start acting in the right way given that reality, the sooner we can begin to grow our way out of colossal debt.
Yes, his budget will be bloated and fat in other areas, including Defense. But on this one issue, the President has served us well.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Obama's Military Prowess
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Military Prowess
I have been very critical of this President. Across the board, I often find myself in 180 degree disagreement with him and his administration's policies. Among those disappointments has been his handling of Iraq, and the sheer demagoguery he displayed regarding the War on Terror, beginning with Iraq and certainly including issues such as Guantanamo Bay.
But I have to admit, he gets credit on his handling of one area specifically - the use of the military's special forces.
The Commander-in-Chief's singular decision and authorization of the use of the military's best fighting soldiers in the killing of Osama Bin Laden was impressive. Just this past week, Obama again called on the SEALs to rescue two hostages held in a Somali compound. The stealth warriors eliminated their targets and returned the hostages to safety. All in a day's work.
I admire that. If it works, keep doing it. And that's precisely what Obama did. Relying on the intelligence of his generals and their tedious calculations, he made the right calls. And he may even do it again should the need(s) arise.
Sure, there might have been casualties. And there very well could be in the future. Every loss of American life is regrettable and tragic. But in the final analysis, and compared to alternatives (whole brigades subject to IEDs??), this is smart tactics and even smart politics.
It should come as no surprise, then, to see similar behaviors reflected in Obama's budget offering set to be unveiled later this month. Greater plus-ups for special forces and technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) make sense to the average American. Why work harder to remove the enemy when one can work smarter and from a secure location? And given tight budget constraints and legacy costs such as veterans benefits and other personnel needs that drain Pentagon budgets, credit this administration with trying to do more with less. There will always be a good reason for more spending. That's not the problem. The problem is we don't have the money. The sooner both sides start acting in the right way given that reality, the sooner we can begin to grow our way out of colossal debt.
Yes, his budget will be bloated and fat in other areas, including Defense. But on this one issue, the President has served us well.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
02/01/12
Team Romney: Walk Like a Man
BY: Armstrong Williams
Team Romney: Walk Like a Man
The hit musical Jersey Boys is currently playing in Washington. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. It’s a great show depicting the rough-and-tumble life of Frankie Valli – frontman for the Four Seasons beginning in 1960.
Early in the group’s career, 1963 to be exact, Valli released his third of several #1 chart toppers – Walk Like a Man.
That should be the current theme song of the Romney campaign. Candidate Romney is doing all the right things, and getting not enough credit for it.
He ran a tight operation in Florida after a resounding defeat in South Carolina – with the ground game and institutional backing of key figures to secure the first place finish. And while we’re at it, folks, Romney won the Florida caucuses by a whopping landslide. It wasn't a race when the final ballots were tallied. Gingrich was a distant second. Yes, and Ron Paul had a mere 3%...
Romney going forward must now convince the base that he's a true conservative, which may be difficult in light of many of the statements he has made in the past and many of his actions as Governor of Massachusetts. He must now focus on the fact that that was the past and he has moved forward. He must continue to articulate the reasons he has changed. If he's able to do this he will be quite successful. He has certainly demonstrated that he can put fire in his speeches and not be a dull wall street type orator.
So Governor Romney should keep on doing what he’s doing. Take some Jersey Boys advice and walk like a man. Act as if he owns this nomination, and then go out there and show his fellow Republicans he’s the man for this job.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Team Romney: Walk Like a Man
BY: Armstrong Williams
Team Romney: Walk Like a Man
The hit musical Jersey Boys is currently playing in Washington. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. It’s a great show depicting the rough-and-tumble life of Frankie Valli – frontman for the Four Seasons beginning in 1960.
Early in the group’s career, 1963 to be exact, Valli released his third of several #1 chart toppers – Walk Like a Man.
That should be the current theme song of the Romney campaign. Candidate Romney is doing all the right things, and getting not enough credit for it.
He ran a tight operation in Florida after a resounding defeat in South Carolina – with the ground game and institutional backing of key figures to secure the first place finish. And while we’re at it, folks, Romney won the Florida caucuses by a whopping landslide. It wasn't a race when the final ballots were tallied. Gingrich was a distant second. Yes, and Ron Paul had a mere 3%...
Romney going forward must now convince the base that he's a true conservative, which may be difficult in light of many of the statements he has made in the past and many of his actions as Governor of Massachusetts. He must now focus on the fact that that was the past and he has moved forward. He must continue to articulate the reasons he has changed. If he's able to do this he will be quite successful. He has certainly demonstrated that he can put fire in his speeches and not be a dull wall street type orator.
So Governor Romney should keep on doing what he’s doing. Take some Jersey Boys advice and walk like a man. Act as if he owns this nomination, and then go out there and show his fellow Republicans he’s the man for this job.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
01/31/12
Why Newt is good for the GOP
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why Newt is good for the GOP
I thought long and hard about this blog title. It could take on many meanings. But more than any other, I believe Newt Gingrich's decision to remain in the primary race until the bitter end is good for the party because it will keep Mitt Romney battle-ready. Think about it. We saw just a little bit of a threat from Newt in South Carolina (many would call that a MAJOR threat!), and look at how the Romney machine mobilized. It was quite impressive. And if you weren't paying attention, you can be sure the Obama campaign in Chicago was.
One of Romney's closest advisors - former Bush 41 political director Ron Kaufman - used to ask any candidate who ever considered running for office, "Do you have a primary opponent?" If the candidate answered "No", the story goes he would tell them, "Well, see if you can get one...It only makes you tougher for your general election opponent."
In a perfect world, every candidate would be ready for his/her general election opponent from Day 1, but the reality is they're often not. I don't believe Mitt is quite ready for the bump-and-run, smash-mouth political show he will face with President Obama. But he will be. And Newt will help him steel his resolve, hone his message, and present his superior argument to the American voter that the four-year debacle we called Obama's presidency should end.
Embrace these few weeks, my friends. If past is prologue, the challengers nipping at Governor Romney's heels will forge him in the fires of mischaracterizations and misrepresentations - something he can expect in hellacious amounts from Obama.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Why Newt is good for the GOP
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why Newt is good for the GOP
I thought long and hard about this blog title. It could take on many meanings. But more than any other, I believe Newt Gingrich's decision to remain in the primary race until the bitter end is good for the party because it will keep Mitt Romney battle-ready. Think about it. We saw just a little bit of a threat from Newt in South Carolina (many would call that a MAJOR threat!), and look at how the Romney machine mobilized. It was quite impressive. And if you weren't paying attention, you can be sure the Obama campaign in Chicago was.
One of Romney's closest advisors - former Bush 41 political director Ron Kaufman - used to ask any candidate who ever considered running for office, "Do you have a primary opponent?" If the candidate answered "No", the story goes he would tell them, "Well, see if you can get one...It only makes you tougher for your general election opponent."
In a perfect world, every candidate would be ready for his/her general election opponent from Day 1, but the reality is they're often not. I don't believe Mitt is quite ready for the bump-and-run, smash-mouth political show he will face with President Obama. But he will be. And Newt will help him steel his resolve, hone his message, and present his superior argument to the American voter that the four-year debacle we called Obama's presidency should end.
Embrace these few weeks, my friends. If past is prologue, the challengers nipping at Governor Romney's heels will forge him in the fires of mischaracterizations and misrepresentations - something he can expect in hellacious amounts from Obama.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
01/30/12
Obama's Fall Surprise
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama Fall Surprise ?
As the fall elections for the presidency nears it will become increasingly clear that President Obama has no credible record of positive results on which to run.
The Obama campaign will and must resort to negative and demagoguery campaigning. However will it be adequate enough for his
return to four more years. Obama is in need of a huge bang such as the one he received after Osama Bin Laden was assassinated and it must occur
in relatively close proximity to the election. There are many opportunities that might afford such a bang, but probably the most likely would be an attack
on the nuclear facilities of Iran, which in their minds can be justified as an attempt to stabilize the Middle East and save the world from terrorists armed
with nuclear weapons.
Historically the president who is in office at the time of the commencement of war efforts receives a significant bounce in the
polls. A political animal such as President Obama will not be insensitive to this historical fact. If one watches closely you can understand the various
developments occurring now, which are the necessary ground work for such an attack. This is not to say that it will not become necessary to attack Iran if they
are indeed developing these weapons of mass destruction, but rather to question the timing which can be politically quite convenient.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Obama's Fall Surprise
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama Fall Surprise ?
As the fall elections for the presidency nears it will become increasingly clear that President Obama has no credible record of positive results on which to run.
The Obama campaign will and must resort to negative and demagoguery campaigning. However will it be adequate enough for his
return to four more years. Obama is in need of a huge bang such as the one he received after Osama Bin Laden was assassinated and it must occur
in relatively close proximity to the election. There are many opportunities that might afford such a bang, but probably the most likely would be an attack
on the nuclear facilities of Iran, which in their minds can be justified as an attempt to stabilize the Middle East and save the world from terrorists armed
with nuclear weapons.
Historically the president who is in office at the time of the commencement of war efforts receives a significant bounce in the
polls. A political animal such as President Obama will not be insensitive to this historical fact. If one watches closely you can understand the various
developments occurring now, which are the necessary ground work for such an attack. This is not to say that it will not become necessary to attack Iran if they
are indeed developing these weapons of mass destruction, but rather to question the timing which can be politically quite convenient.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
01/27/12
A Long road for Newt and Obama
BY: Armstrong Williams
A Long road for Newt and Obama.
Few stalwarts in the Republican Tent No are afraid of giving the party whomever they choose. Before we continue our rejoicing and being awe struck by Newt's resurgence , please know there are two states where Newt has not made the ballot. He continues to live cheaply on debates and, to my knowledge, still hasn't 'girded for the long haul' and done the real work of organizing a 50 state machine (pace not making it on to two state ballots). Remember, also, that we've largely adopted proportional representation in awarding delegates, so Romney's not getting 'skunked' in these contests. Just as President Obama out-organized Hillary, Romney has out-organized Newt (actually, since Newt's not organized, after Florida's vote it could be a walkover). I'd still describe Romney as the favorite to win the requisite delegate total. And, the prospects for a brokered convention are also slight. I think most understand that that would "seem" anti-democratic - that's why we stopped the party-boss smoke-filled room in the first place.
Wait until the battle's joined with the all of a sudden gloating and prideful Barack Obama. He is an incumbent, but not a strong one. He has lost, in large part, the force of rhetoric (not that he can't speak, but no one believes him anymore), and must defend what record he's compiled. That last will be hard with 8+ percent unemployment, roaring deficits, and incoherence in plans to address our long-range issues in energy, competitiveness, tax policy, entitlements etc, etc. He is in the minds of many a failed chief executive.
Dance now, for the summer cometh...and there will be little joy in the BHO tent.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
A Long road for Newt and Obama
BY: Armstrong Williams
A Long road for Newt and Obama.
Few stalwarts in the Republican Tent No are afraid of giving the party whomever they choose. Before we continue our rejoicing and being awe struck by Newt's resurgence , please know there are two states where Newt has not made the ballot. He continues to live cheaply on debates and, to my knowledge, still hasn't 'girded for the long haul' and done the real work of organizing a 50 state machine (pace not making it on to two state ballots). Remember, also, that we've largely adopted proportional representation in awarding delegates, so Romney's not getting 'skunked' in these contests. Just as President Obama out-organized Hillary, Romney has out-organized Newt (actually, since Newt's not organized, after Florida's vote it could be a walkover). I'd still describe Romney as the favorite to win the requisite delegate total. And, the prospects for a brokered convention are also slight. I think most understand that that would "seem" anti-democratic - that's why we stopped the party-boss smoke-filled room in the first place.
Wait until the battle's joined with the all of a sudden gloating and prideful Barack Obama. He is an incumbent, but not a strong one. He has lost, in large part, the force of rhetoric (not that he can't speak, but no one believes him anymore), and must defend what record he's compiled. That last will be hard with 8+ percent unemployment, roaring deficits, and incoherence in plans to address our long-range issues in energy, competitiveness, tax policy, entitlements etc, etc. He is in the minds of many a failed chief executive.
Dance now, for the summer cometh...and there will be little joy in the BHO tent.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
01/26/12
Welcome to the new America.
BY: Armstrong Williams
Welcome to the new America
Are Americans prepared for another four years of excessive spending, class warfare, and unremitting political correctness if President Obama finds a miraculous way to win reelection ?
Ronald Reagan succeeded wildly running for president with the slogan “It’s morning in America.” Would anyone believe it if a candidate tried that now? The most optimistic any of us could muster in the past decade was “hope and change,” and hope, as Spinoza said, is a form of sadness; it’s what you cling to when the present is too hard to bear. Now that even hope and change has left us, what are we to do?
It’s not morning in America; it’s nearly sundown. We need a sense of urgency. Things will not simply work out on their own; we must fix them before it is too late, and there is not much time left until then.
Let me officially welcome you to the new America.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
Welcome to the new America.
BY: Armstrong Williams
Welcome to the new America
Are Americans prepared for another four years of excessive spending, class warfare, and unremitting political correctness if President Obama finds a miraculous way to win reelection ?
Ronald Reagan succeeded wildly running for president with the slogan “It’s morning in America.” Would anyone believe it if a candidate tried that now? The most optimistic any of us could muster in the past decade was “hope and change,” and hope, as Spinoza said, is a form of sadness; it’s what you cling to when the present is too hard to bear. Now that even hope and change has left us, what are we to do?
It’s not morning in America; it’s nearly sundown. We need a sense of urgency. Things will not simply work out on their own; we must fix them before it is too late, and there is not much time left until then.
Let me officially welcome you to the new America.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and Come join the discussion live 4-5, 6-8 p.m. est at www.livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
or tune in 4-5 p.m est on S.C. WGCV, Sirius/XM Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m. est, 6-7 p.m. D.C. a.m. 730 WTNT, 7-8 p.m. WGNU a.m. 920 St Louis . Become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter
01/25/12
"No Juice" Obama
BY: Armstrong Williams
>
> "No Juice" Obama
>
> I have to hand it to President Obama, he talks a good game. That teleprompter
can help a man work wonders with the spoken word.
>
> It's evident I don't care much for the President's policies, but there's good
reason. And nowhere is that more evident than with Obama's approach to energy.
>
> Last night, the President again revisited the importance of home-grown energy,
beginning with renewables. That's just not smart policy, and he knows it. We
are sitting on a massive gold mine that the Keystone project could tap, and he
ignores it in the name of what - some untapped, underdeveloped, lesser sources
in the form of wind and switchgrass? C'mon.
>
> I believe the President made a major mistake in spending any time last evening
discussing alternative energy sources. Now the Republicans can hammer him on a
record of weak energy policies. Let's not forget the administration isn't
exactly strong on alternative energy. Can you say "Solyndra?" Any further talk
only reminds policy makers of his past blunders. The White House should
consider itself lucky if it can avoid jail time for anyone in the Energy
Department as a result of that solar power fiasco.
>
> Then there's cap-and-trade legislation this White House attempted to push
through in prior years. That initiative alone would have cost every American
higher energy bills. Talk about make-or-break for blue-collar America. Even
those inclined to support the President such as West Virginia Senator Manchin
could not toe that party line. These seemingly inconsequential policies are
taking their toll. The residual effects of the cap-and-trade fight still haunt
this Administration, and they shouldn't discount that moving forward.
>
> In the case of Keystone, the special interests this President loves to rail
against are driving his agenda. Sure, they're of a different breed
(pro-environmentalists), but they are special interests nonetheless. This
country and its people are hurting. We can't afford to deny the potential to
create 20,000 new domestic jobs because of a NIMBY scare or some other anemic
argument.
>
> This isn't the last word on Keystone. Expect House Republicans to leverage
the President's remarks against him. And while they may not damage him
directly, they will use it as a cudgel against his party in the respective
chambers.
>
> I suspect many Democrats in the coming weeks will be calling down to 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue begging the Administration to back away from its renewables
policies, or at the very least, be willing to compromise with the GOP on a more
comprehensive energy initiative.
>
> Maybe that's a good thing to come from last night's speech - we actually see
some bipartisan movement and consensus-building between both sides.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through
Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter
at www.twitter.com/arightside.
"No Juice" Obama
BY: Armstrong Williams
>
> "No Juice" Obama
>
> I have to hand it to President Obama, he talks a good game. That teleprompter
can help a man work wonders with the spoken word.
>
> It's evident I don't care much for the President's policies, but there's good
reason. And nowhere is that more evident than with Obama's approach to energy.
>
> Last night, the President again revisited the importance of home-grown energy,
beginning with renewables. That's just not smart policy, and he knows it. We
are sitting on a massive gold mine that the Keystone project could tap, and he
ignores it in the name of what - some untapped, underdeveloped, lesser sources
in the form of wind and switchgrass? C'mon.
>
> I believe the President made a major mistake in spending any time last evening
discussing alternative energy sources. Now the Republicans can hammer him on a
record of weak energy policies. Let's not forget the administration isn't
exactly strong on alternative energy. Can you say "Solyndra?" Any further talk
only reminds policy makers of his past blunders. The White House should
consider itself lucky if it can avoid jail time for anyone in the Energy
Department as a result of that solar power fiasco.
>
> Then there's cap-and-trade legislation this White House attempted to push
through in prior years. That initiative alone would have cost every American
higher energy bills. Talk about make-or-break for blue-collar America. Even
those inclined to support the President such as West Virginia Senator Manchin
could not toe that party line. These seemingly inconsequential policies are
taking their toll. The residual effects of the cap-and-trade fight still haunt
this Administration, and they shouldn't discount that moving forward.
>
> In the case of Keystone, the special interests this President loves to rail
against are driving his agenda. Sure, they're of a different breed
(pro-environmentalists), but they are special interests nonetheless. This
country and its people are hurting. We can't afford to deny the potential to
create 20,000 new domestic jobs because of a NIMBY scare or some other anemic
argument.
>
> This isn't the last word on Keystone. Expect House Republicans to leverage
the President's remarks against him. And while they may not damage him
directly, they will use it as a cudgel against his party in the respective
chambers.
>
> I suspect many Democrats in the coming weeks will be calling down to 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue begging the Administration to back away from its renewables
policies, or at the very least, be willing to compromise with the GOP on a more
comprehensive energy initiative.
>
> Maybe that's a good thing to come from last night's speech - we actually see
some bipartisan movement and consensus-building between both sides.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through
Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter
at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/24/12
NEWS FLASH: Newt is not the nominee
BY: ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS
NEWS FLASH: Newt is not the nominee
Saturday’s primary in South Carolina rocked the entire field. No doubt about it. But let’s not get carried away, folks. Yes, Newt Gingrich won handily with 40% of the vote. But now that the hangover has passed, let’s put the South Carolina primary in perspective.
A few hundred thousand votes in arguably one of the most conservative states in the Union does not a presidential candidate coronate. Gingrich won Saturday’s primary because of two red meat responses in packed convention centers that followed two bone-headed questions from moderators. Newt knew exactly what he was doing – he was playing to the crowd, and using the media and wacko leftist thought as the common enemy everyone in the room shared those nights.
That alone will not win the nomination. And it certainly will not win the presidency against a campaigner who is pretty adept at twisting words and waging class warfare.
I about lost my ham sandwich on Sunday when I read a close Gingrich ally telling reporters that Newt had “crossed the threshold of electability [last night].” WRONG.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The former Speaker is a brilliant debater. I don’t dispute that. But the average American voter wants to hear how their neighbor will get his/her job back; not high-minded rhetoric regarding food stamp policies or what an elite media peddler looks like. Americans don’t think and act in Washington ways. Gingrich needs to start sharing some bold ideas. He even hinted as much over the weekend. As reported in The Hill yesterday, "Gingrich downplayed his debate performances in his victory speech to supporters Saturday night, saying: 'It's not that I'm a good debater it's that I articulate the deepest felt values of the American people.'" He knows he needs to do better outside of just being a superb orator.
Think about it. Everyone recalls 9-9-9 and which candidate owned that policy. Can anyone name some thing that Gingrich would fix – other than he was against the Ryan Medicare plan before he was for it?
See what’s wrong here?
Early indications from Florida point to another heated primary. And last night’s debate only confirmed this will be a gunfight in the Sunshine State. It should tell Romney’s team what they’ve wanted all along – a race that will steel the the eventual nominee (their belief) and prepare him for a tough general campaign.
This is a new race now. Gingrich and Romney both are far from the prize, and for different reasons.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on 4-5 p.m EST on WGCV, 6-7 p.m. in DC AM 730 WTNT
Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday.
View & Listen to the live steam www.Livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
NEWS FLASH: Newt is not the nominee
BY: ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS
NEWS FLASH: Newt is not the nominee
Saturday’s primary in South Carolina rocked the entire field. No doubt about it. But let’s not get carried away, folks. Yes, Newt Gingrich won handily with 40% of the vote. But now that the hangover has passed, let’s put the South Carolina primary in perspective.
A few hundred thousand votes in arguably one of the most conservative states in the Union does not a presidential candidate coronate. Gingrich won Saturday’s primary because of two red meat responses in packed convention centers that followed two bone-headed questions from moderators. Newt knew exactly what he was doing – he was playing to the crowd, and using the media and wacko leftist thought as the common enemy everyone in the room shared those nights.
That alone will not win the nomination. And it certainly will not win the presidency against a campaigner who is pretty adept at twisting words and waging class warfare.
I about lost my ham sandwich on Sunday when I read a close Gingrich ally telling reporters that Newt had “crossed the threshold of electability [last night].” WRONG.
In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The former Speaker is a brilliant debater. I don’t dispute that. But the average American voter wants to hear how their neighbor will get his/her job back; not high-minded rhetoric regarding food stamp policies or what an elite media peddler looks like. Americans don’t think and act in Washington ways. Gingrich needs to start sharing some bold ideas. He even hinted as much over the weekend. As reported in The Hill yesterday, "Gingrich downplayed his debate performances in his victory speech to supporters Saturday night, saying: 'It's not that I'm a good debater it's that I articulate the deepest felt values of the American people.'" He knows he needs to do better outside of just being a superb orator.
Think about it. Everyone recalls 9-9-9 and which candidate owned that policy. Can anyone name some thing that Gingrich would fix – other than he was against the Ryan Medicare plan before he was for it?
See what’s wrong here?
Early indications from Florida point to another heated primary. And last night’s debate only confirmed this will be a gunfight in the Sunshine State. It should tell Romney’s team what they’ve wanted all along – a race that will steel the the eventual nominee (their belief) and prepare him for a tough general campaign.
This is a new race now. Gingrich and Romney both are far from the prize, and for different reasons.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on 4-5 p.m EST on WGCV, 6-7 p.m. in DC AM 730 WTNT
Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday.
View & Listen to the live steam www.Livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/23/12
Mainstream media blatant socialist agenda
BY: Armstrong Williams
Mainstream media blatant socialist agenda
The mainstream media basically gets to choose our president based on the degree to which they choose to scrutinize each candidate. Those that they champion (Obama) are barely vetted at all, whereas those they disdain are dissected to the nth degree. Hopefully the American people will awaken to this phenomenon and not allow themselves to be so easily manipulated. Ideally the elite media will regain a sense of responsibility and integrity as they carry out a most important function in a society blessed with the freedom of the press.
Why is it that the Mainstream media is unable to understand the ultimate result of the socialist agenda they along with our president, are driving? Do they not realize that if they are successful, freedom of the press will ultimately be eliminated as well as their jobs and way of life? Unfortunately ideologues are usually incapable of objective reasoning and this in fact may be the answer to the question.
The reason political punditry has been so inaccurate during this political cycle, is because the mood of the country has been altered in a way that hasn't been seen during our lifetime. The American people are frightened. Not so much that they will not receive their retirement fund, but rather they will lose the American way of life for future generations. For that reason they are willing to accept character defects in someone they feel that may have the possibility of reestablishing the American dream. Multiple polls continue to show that the vast majority strongly feels this nation is moving in the wrong direction. There is also a feeling that this election may be our last opportunity to change directions. All political pundits should be aware of this mood.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on 4-5 p.m EST on WGCV, 6-7 p.m. in DC AM 730 WTNT
Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday.
View & Listen to the live steam www.Livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Mainstream media blatant socialist agenda
BY: Armstrong Williams
Mainstream media blatant socialist agenda
The mainstream media basically gets to choose our president based on the degree to which they choose to scrutinize each candidate. Those that they champion (Obama) are barely vetted at all, whereas those they disdain are dissected to the nth degree. Hopefully the American people will awaken to this phenomenon and not allow themselves to be so easily manipulated. Ideally the elite media will regain a sense of responsibility and integrity as they carry out a most important function in a society blessed with the freedom of the press.
Why is it that the Mainstream media is unable to understand the ultimate result of the socialist agenda they along with our president, are driving? Do they not realize that if they are successful, freedom of the press will ultimately be eliminated as well as their jobs and way of life? Unfortunately ideologues are usually incapable of objective reasoning and this in fact may be the answer to the question.
The reason political punditry has been so inaccurate during this political cycle, is because the mood of the country has been altered in a way that hasn't been seen during our lifetime. The American people are frightened. Not so much that they will not receive their retirement fund, but rather they will lose the American way of life for future generations. For that reason they are willing to accept character defects in someone they feel that may have the possibility of reestablishing the American dream. Multiple polls continue to show that the vast majority strongly feels this nation is moving in the wrong direction. There is also a feeling that this election may be our last opportunity to change directions. All political pundits should be aware of this mood.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on 4-5 p.m EST on WGCV, 6-7 p.m. in DC AM 730 WTNT
Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday.
View & Listen to the live steam www.Livestream.com/armstrongwilliams
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/20/12
A noticeable invisibility in South Carolina
BY: Armstrong Williams
A noticeable invisibility in South Carolina
What I’ve found interesting these past few weeks is the noticeable absence of one heretofore prominent politician, even in his own state. I’m referring of course to South Carolina’s own Sen. Jim DeMint. Sure, he’s all over the Palmetto State, mixing and mingling with his constituents, and still very popular in the state. What I’m more puzzled by is the Senator’s lack of visibility on the national stage, especially when all eyes are on his home state and on a group that heralded him as its de facto kingmaker – the Tea Party.
I consider myself a regular consumer of political media, especially the cable daysides. And unless I’ve fallen asleep the past few weeks, DeMint just hasn’t been the regular fixture on the political circuit. I can’t say that I’ve seen him quoted in national publications who have been covering every angle of the GOP primary in the state. One would think someone so important to a movement such as the Tea Party might be given more prominence in the journalistic heavens, and yet he hasn’t.
Now, I like Jim DeMint a lot. He’s a true conservative. The point of this blog is not to question what he’s done but to publicly ponder the ‘why.’
It’s a safe bet the Tea Party has been on somewhat of a downward spiral lately. A Pew Research Center poll late last year confirmed the waning sentiment both nationally and in the hotbeds of congressional districts where Tea Party loyalists were elected. Some of this is media hype. It’s only natural a movement cannot hope to sustain a heightened level of enthusiasm day in and day out. After all, these are average Americans who have jobs and lives outside of politics.
But back to DeMint. I just find it interesting the South Carolina Senator has not been courted more by the candidates, at least not publicly. And if they are wooing him, DeMint’s not making a spectacle about it. If that’s his M.O., then more power to him. But it seems to me he would want to leverage the interest in his state and his Tea Party allegiances to only grow its power and influence. After all, politics is about influence – persuading your opponents and would-be supporters that yours is the right course of action.
I find it odd.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
A noticeable invisibility in South Carolina
BY: Armstrong Williams
A noticeable invisibility in South Carolina
What I’ve found interesting these past few weeks is the noticeable absence of one heretofore prominent politician, even in his own state. I’m referring of course to South Carolina’s own Sen. Jim DeMint. Sure, he’s all over the Palmetto State, mixing and mingling with his constituents, and still very popular in the state. What I’m more puzzled by is the Senator’s lack of visibility on the national stage, especially when all eyes are on his home state and on a group that heralded him as its de facto kingmaker – the Tea Party.
I consider myself a regular consumer of political media, especially the cable daysides. And unless I’ve fallen asleep the past few weeks, DeMint just hasn’t been the regular fixture on the political circuit. I can’t say that I’ve seen him quoted in national publications who have been covering every angle of the GOP primary in the state. One would think someone so important to a movement such as the Tea Party might be given more prominence in the journalistic heavens, and yet he hasn’t.
Now, I like Jim DeMint a lot. He’s a true conservative. The point of this blog is not to question what he’s done but to publicly ponder the ‘why.’
It’s a safe bet the Tea Party has been on somewhat of a downward spiral lately. A Pew Research Center poll late last year confirmed the waning sentiment both nationally and in the hotbeds of congressional districts where Tea Party loyalists were elected. Some of this is media hype. It’s only natural a movement cannot hope to sustain a heightened level of enthusiasm day in and day out. After all, these are average Americans who have jobs and lives outside of politics.
But back to DeMint. I just find it interesting the South Carolina Senator has not been courted more by the candidates, at least not publicly. And if they are wooing him, DeMint’s not making a spectacle about it. If that’s his M.O., then more power to him. But it seems to me he would want to leverage the interest in his state and his Tea Party allegiances to only grow its power and influence. After all, politics is about influence – persuading your opponents and would-be supporters that yours is the right course of action.
I find it odd.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/18/12
GOP candidates overview
BY: Armstrong Williams
GOP candidates overview.
Say what you will about Ron Paul, we know if he were elected President, he would use a butcher's knife to cut the Washington bureaucracy and the Federal budget. Of all the candidates he is a true believer in small government and individual freedom. He has clearly read and understands the Constitution. He is like a born again Christian who has a solid commitment to the new testament. But for his isolationist and unrealistic views of foreign policy he would make a tremendous change agent as President of the United States.
Gingrich and Romney are committed to fiscal conservatism but they are not committed to minimum government and individual freedom in the same spirit as Ron Paul. Romney will be a good conservator of the status quo. He has proven himself as a capable manager and administrator. His vision is for a well run efficient and low cost government, but not necessarily a small government. Gingrich is perhaps the most effective political operative on the presidential stage. He may be more committed to a smaller government than Romney, but he's constrained by the real politic of Washington, DC. This will severely limit what he can and will achieve. Santorum and Governor Perry are making an appeal to the social conservatives as their support base. In my judgement this is a mistake because the real issue in this race is the financial integrity of the United States government. The social issues are a side and ineffective show. The candidate all did an impressive job at this week's SC debate in outlining their positions on the critical issues . The GOP has nothing to be ashamed of with the field that now exist.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
GOP candidates overview
BY: Armstrong Williams
GOP candidates overview.
Say what you will about Ron Paul, we know if he were elected President, he would use a butcher's knife to cut the Washington bureaucracy and the Federal budget. Of all the candidates he is a true believer in small government and individual freedom. He has clearly read and understands the Constitution. He is like a born again Christian who has a solid commitment to the new testament. But for his isolationist and unrealistic views of foreign policy he would make a tremendous change agent as President of the United States.
Gingrich and Romney are committed to fiscal conservatism but they are not committed to minimum government and individual freedom in the same spirit as Ron Paul. Romney will be a good conservator of the status quo. He has proven himself as a capable manager and administrator. His vision is for a well run efficient and low cost government, but not necessarily a small government. Gingrich is perhaps the most effective political operative on the presidential stage. He may be more committed to a smaller government than Romney, but he's constrained by the real politic of Washington, DC. This will severely limit what he can and will achieve. Santorum and Governor Perry are making an appeal to the social conservatives as their support base. In my judgement this is a mistake because the real issue in this race is the financial integrity of the United States government. The social issues are a side and ineffective show. The candidate all did an impressive job at this week's SC debate in outlining their positions on the critical issues . The GOP has nothing to be ashamed of with the field that now exist.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/17/12
Newt returns to civility and logic
BY: Armstrong Williams
Newt returns to civility and logic.
Presidential candidate and former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich returned to his original game plan in last night's SC presidential debate of not being so negative towards his compatriots, but rather attacking the issues head on. He was particularly effective in responding to the issue of race. The questioner wanted to bait him about his earlier controversial race comments regarding janitorial jobs for youth. He clearly made the point that any type of job is good for young people, for it teaches them work ethic and set them on a path of self reliance. He was also highly effective with respect to foreign policy and how we should react towards our obvious enemies. His answers contrasted significantly with those of Ron Paul and Romney found himself echoing Gingrich. Santorum was Vanilla and not making big gaffe or scoring big points. Perry again maintained his role of comic relief. Given the fact that SC has correctly chosen the nominee for the GOP since 1980, the poll numbers over the next several days will be extremely revealing.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Newt returns to civility and logic
BY: Armstrong Williams
Newt returns to civility and logic.
Presidential candidate and former speaker of the House Newt Gingrich returned to his original game plan in last night's SC presidential debate of not being so negative towards his compatriots, but rather attacking the issues head on. He was particularly effective in responding to the issue of race. The questioner wanted to bait him about his earlier controversial race comments regarding janitorial jobs for youth. He clearly made the point that any type of job is good for young people, for it teaches them work ethic and set them on a path of self reliance. He was also highly effective with respect to foreign policy and how we should react towards our obvious enemies. His answers contrasted significantly with those of Ron Paul and Romney found himself echoing Gingrich. Santorum was Vanilla and not making big gaffe or scoring big points. Perry again maintained his role of comic relief. Given the fact that SC has correctly chosen the nominee for the GOP since 1980, the poll numbers over the next several days will be extremely revealing.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/16/12
MLK should be honored with more substantial progress
BY: Armstrong Williams
MLK should be honored with more substantial progress.
The black community currently faces, collectively, a series of problems, each related to the others, intertwined, each compounding one another, and we must face them all together; we as a nation cannot ignore any of them.
Interest groups, fundraisers, and politicians would like most to believe that circumstances can be changed with retooling underprivileged areas, as though people were robots, without any study of behaviors and free choices, which is about as effective as bringing a tennis racket to a baseball field.
Those in authority have their own agenda; they treat moral transgressions like food they pass over in a buffet line—they don’t want to hear or think about them, so they don’t. Against these well-funded politicians and interest groups feasting on the “social ills” of the black community, as though they are inanimate objects unable to make their own choices, we must affirm their freedom and look at the choices many of them make.
First, there is the family. The percentage of poor black children who live in single-mother households is 85%; such children are 4 times likely to live in poverty as those with two parents. Since a majority of black youth is being raised by single mothers, we must study these mothers. I have found that 38% of these mothers live below the poverty line, 62% of these mothers had never been married and almost half of them were also raised by single mothers! The lack of a proper family structure has become a revolving door of ill behavior. Is it possible that a horrible family structure could spill over to other areas of life including employment and education?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
MLK should be honored with more substantial progress
BY: Armstrong Williams
MLK should be honored with more substantial progress.
The black community currently faces, collectively, a series of problems, each related to the others, intertwined, each compounding one another, and we must face them all together; we as a nation cannot ignore any of them.
Interest groups, fundraisers, and politicians would like most to believe that circumstances can be changed with retooling underprivileged areas, as though people were robots, without any study of behaviors and free choices, which is about as effective as bringing a tennis racket to a baseball field.
Those in authority have their own agenda; they treat moral transgressions like food they pass over in a buffet line—they don’t want to hear or think about them, so they don’t. Against these well-funded politicians and interest groups feasting on the “social ills” of the black community, as though they are inanimate objects unable to make their own choices, we must affirm their freedom and look at the choices many of them make.
First, there is the family. The percentage of poor black children who live in single-mother households is 85%; such children are 4 times likely to live in poverty as those with two parents. Since a majority of black youth is being raised by single mothers, we must study these mothers. I have found that 38% of these mothers live below the poverty line, 62% of these mothers had never been married and almost half of them were also raised by single mothers! The lack of a proper family structure has become a revolving door of ill behavior. Is it possible that a horrible family structure could spill over to other areas of life including employment and education?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/12/12
A new kind of warfare
BY: Armstrong Williams
A new kind of warfare
A story that should certainly have your immediate attention is slowly developing in Iran. Over the past several months five Iranian Nuclear scientist have been assassinated. The latest one being yesterday when two motorcyclists attached a magnetic bomb to the car fender and rode away while detonating the bomb. No one has claimed responsibility and the Iranian government is accusing Israel and the USA of the assassinations for which they both vehemently denied any involvement. If in fact we are involved it might be a much easier way to stop their nuclear program than war. This could actually bring their nuclear development to a halt or at least drive it underground which would slow its progress significantly. Whoever is the mastermind behind these deadly attacks must have excellent intelligence in order to be successful without the hint of a trace. Many of these Iranian scientist and with good reason are fearful for their well being and more importantly their lives. Fear of death for many Iranian scientist is a good motivator in forcing them to rethink the repercussions of their deadly actions.
While this may seem barbaric it is not nearly as bad as inflicting thousands of casualties associated with war. Will this be a game changer in Iran's determination to develop an arsenal of nuclear weaponry.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
A new kind of warfare
BY: Armstrong Williams
A new kind of warfare
A story that should certainly have your immediate attention is slowly developing in Iran. Over the past several months five Iranian Nuclear scientist have been assassinated. The latest one being yesterday when two motorcyclists attached a magnetic bomb to the car fender and rode away while detonating the bomb. No one has claimed responsibility and the Iranian government is accusing Israel and the USA of the assassinations for which they both vehemently denied any involvement. If in fact we are involved it might be a much easier way to stop their nuclear program than war. This could actually bring their nuclear development to a halt or at least drive it underground which would slow its progress significantly. Whoever is the mastermind behind these deadly attacks must have excellent intelligence in order to be successful without the hint of a trace. Many of these Iranian scientist and with good reason are fearful for their well being and more importantly their lives. Fear of death for many Iranian scientist is a good motivator in forcing them to rethink the repercussions of their deadly actions.
While this may seem barbaric it is not nearly as bad as inflicting thousands of casualties associated with war. Will this be a game changer in Iran's determination to develop an arsenal of nuclear weaponry.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/11/12
Prelude to the Fall of the Obama White house
BY: Armstrong Williams
Prelude to the Fall of the Obama White house.
President Obama's White house is in disarray. Can any business Executive have conflict with the Obama's confidante, Valerie Jarrett and survive. Thus far Jarret is 10 - 0 vs her rivals. With the departing of Bill Daley and the appointment of yet another Chief of Staff we are witnessing 5 Chief of Staffs in less than 4 years. We are now observing the collapse of a desperate Administration who accurately and logically are concluding that they have little or no chance for reelection. I think its fair to conclude that they will come up with some new and interesting strategy to portray Obama as the only hope for those people in our society who feel that the good times have passed them by. This in the minds of Obama and company, includes most of America. Unfortunately for them the people are not as stupid as the administration think they are. Therefore they understand that if you destroy the financial foundation of our nation that ultimately no one will benefit. They also understand that the people are not each other's enemy and the class war fare agenda will ultimately back fire on President Obama. We could possibly have a landslide of great proportions in November that encompasses Congress as well as the White house. Hopefully the GOP would have learned by watching how severely the Democrats bungled things when they held the reins of both Houses and the White house and not misinterpret the meaning of the true mandate.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Prelude to the Fall of the Obama White house
BY: Armstrong Williams
Prelude to the Fall of the Obama White house.
President Obama's White house is in disarray. Can any business Executive have conflict with the Obama's confidante, Valerie Jarrett and survive. Thus far Jarret is 10 - 0 vs her rivals. With the departing of Bill Daley and the appointment of yet another Chief of Staff we are witnessing 5 Chief of Staffs in less than 4 years. We are now observing the collapse of a desperate Administration who accurately and logically are concluding that they have little or no chance for reelection. I think its fair to conclude that they will come up with some new and interesting strategy to portray Obama as the only hope for those people in our society who feel that the good times have passed them by. This in the minds of Obama and company, includes most of America. Unfortunately for them the people are not as stupid as the administration think they are. Therefore they understand that if you destroy the financial foundation of our nation that ultimately no one will benefit. They also understand that the people are not each other's enemy and the class war fare agenda will ultimately back fire on President Obama. We could possibly have a landslide of great proportions in November that encompasses Congress as well as the White house. Hopefully the GOP would have learned by watching how severely the Democrats bungled things when they held the reins of both Houses and the White house and not misinterpret the meaning of the true mandate.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/10/12
The Ron / Rand Paul hidden agenda
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Ron/Rand Paul hidden agenda
If Ron Paul is more moving to position his son as his successor on the presidential trail, he should come out and at least acknowledge the point. Sen. Rand Paul himself should begin to echo the case of what his father stands for, and how he believes he could carry that mantle in his own unique fashion. After all, the Tea Party movement is here to stay, and that’s several tens of thousands of instant supporters in his camp – some of the same ones who sent him as one of two of Kentucky’s favorite sons.
Further, Sen. Rand Paul should begin preparing himself by assuming a more leadership role in the Senate, if not in the true sense of the GOP hierarchy, at least in taking some tough stands on the issues of the day – beginning with the debt ceiling. Sure, we know where he stands, but will he LEAD his party and this country in some greater capacity.
Paul can’t win the 2012 nomination, but he has a cause and a collection of followers looking for its next genuine leader. Perhaps his son is the right person to step into that role. Only time will tell.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The Ron / Rand Paul hidden agenda
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Ron/Rand Paul hidden agenda
If Ron Paul is more moving to position his son as his successor on the presidential trail, he should come out and at least acknowledge the point. Sen. Rand Paul himself should begin to echo the case of what his father stands for, and how he believes he could carry that mantle in his own unique fashion. After all, the Tea Party movement is here to stay, and that’s several tens of thousands of instant supporters in his camp – some of the same ones who sent him as one of two of Kentucky’s favorite sons.
Further, Sen. Rand Paul should begin preparing himself by assuming a more leadership role in the Senate, if not in the true sense of the GOP hierarchy, at least in taking some tough stands on the issues of the day – beginning with the debt ceiling. Sure, we know where he stands, but will he LEAD his party and this country in some greater capacity.
Paul can’t win the 2012 nomination, but he has a cause and a collection of followers looking for its next genuine leader. Perhaps his son is the right person to step into that role. Only time will tell.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/09/12
Team Romney: Walk Like a Man
BY: Armstrong Williams
Team Romney: Walk Like a Man
The hit musical Jersey Boys is currently playing in Washington. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. It’s a great show depicting the rough-and-tumble life of Frankie Valli – frontman for the Four Seasons beginning in 1960.
Early in the group’s career, 1963 to be exact, Valli released his third of several #1 chart toppers – Walk Like a Man.
That should be the current theme song of the Romney campaign. Candidate Romney is doing all the right things, and getting none of the credit for it.
He ran a tight operation in Iowa – with the ground game and institutional backing of key figures to secure the first place finish. And while we’re at it, folks, Romney won the Iowa caucuses. He didn’t “tie” anyone. He won. Yes, it was a close race. But do you think the press would be saying Romney “tied” anyone if Rick Santorum or Ron Paul had finished first? Heck no. They would have pilloried the Massachusetts local for not finishing stronger and finishing the deed. That’s biased journalism if you ask me, and suggests the media wants to make the race even closer than it already is. And believe me, it’s close enough, as the results proved.
The same criticism can’t be leveled at Santorum’s camp. Make no mistake, he made a respectable showing, even with meager campaign resources. But the media can’t use that as a highlight for one candidate (Santorum), and treat it as a negative for another (Romney), by suggesting he is somehow buying this nomination.
So Governor Romney should keep on doing what he’s doing. Take some Jersey Boys advice and walk like a man. Act as if he owns this nomination, and then go out there and show his fellow Republicans he’s the man for this job.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Team Romney: Walk Like a Man
BY: Armstrong Williams
Team Romney: Walk Like a Man
The hit musical Jersey Boys is currently playing in Washington. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. It’s a great show depicting the rough-and-tumble life of Frankie Valli – frontman for the Four Seasons beginning in 1960.
Early in the group’s career, 1963 to be exact, Valli released his third of several #1 chart toppers – Walk Like a Man.
That should be the current theme song of the Romney campaign. Candidate Romney is doing all the right things, and getting none of the credit for it.
He ran a tight operation in Iowa – with the ground game and institutional backing of key figures to secure the first place finish. And while we’re at it, folks, Romney won the Iowa caucuses. He didn’t “tie” anyone. He won. Yes, it was a close race. But do you think the press would be saying Romney “tied” anyone if Rick Santorum or Ron Paul had finished first? Heck no. They would have pilloried the Massachusetts local for not finishing stronger and finishing the deed. That’s biased journalism if you ask me, and suggests the media wants to make the race even closer than it already is. And believe me, it’s close enough, as the results proved.
The same criticism can’t be leveled at Santorum’s camp. Make no mistake, he made a respectable showing, even with meager campaign resources. But the media can’t use that as a highlight for one candidate (Santorum), and treat it as a negative for another (Romney), by suggesting he is somehow buying this nomination.
So Governor Romney should keep on doing what he’s doing. Take some Jersey Boys advice and walk like a man. Act as if he owns this nomination, and then go out there and show his fellow Republicans he’s the man for this job.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/06/12
Rewarding innovation and not laziness
BY: Armstrong Williams
Rewarding innovation and not laziness
I believe businesses are not investing today because they feel or fear that the demand for their products or services is not there or not there in a large enough quantity to merit investment. Obviously this varies from business to business and from industry to industry.
Uncertainty in national leadership (especially the White house) sow continuous seeds of doubt and confusion: If combined with the well established fact that the leader is desirous of punishing the financially innovative to benefit and enrich the financially sloven, it is only a matter of time before it wreaks havoc on the productivity of the economy. Consequently businesses will cease to grow and future generations of entrepreneurial's will wither away. When this happens self doubt and confusion become the order of the day and a once great economic engine slowly disintegrates into a bygone era.
The seed of a profit motive based society that rewards work and innovation or a seed of doubt in the free-market system that rewards the entitled, either or which will become pervasive. It is up to the people to choose the leader who they think will grow them into a capitalistic world dominating economic engine and force to be reckon with for generations. The leader must set examples of what economic models despite their flaws has sustained the middle class and ultimately the nation for generations. A society is ultimately judge upon what it rewards, and in America’s case we should reward innovation and a good worth ethic. The examples that we set by rewarding the lazy and entitled have destroyed our economy and created an un warming welcome to investors, foreign and domestic.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Rewarding innovation and not laziness
BY: Armstrong Williams
Rewarding innovation and not laziness
I believe businesses are not investing today because they feel or fear that the demand for their products or services is not there or not there in a large enough quantity to merit investment. Obviously this varies from business to business and from industry to industry.
Uncertainty in national leadership (especially the White house) sow continuous seeds of doubt and confusion: If combined with the well established fact that the leader is desirous of punishing the financially innovative to benefit and enrich the financially sloven, it is only a matter of time before it wreaks havoc on the productivity of the economy. Consequently businesses will cease to grow and future generations of entrepreneurial's will wither away. When this happens self doubt and confusion become the order of the day and a once great economic engine slowly disintegrates into a bygone era.
The seed of a profit motive based society that rewards work and innovation or a seed of doubt in the free-market system that rewards the entitled, either or which will become pervasive. It is up to the people to choose the leader who they think will grow them into a capitalistic world dominating economic engine and force to be reckon with for generations. The leader must set examples of what economic models despite their flaws has sustained the middle class and ultimately the nation for generations. A society is ultimately judge upon what it rewards, and in America’s case we should reward innovation and a good worth ethic. The examples that we set by rewarding the lazy and entitled have destroyed our economy and created an un warming welcome to investors, foreign and domestic.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/05/12
The lost American home dream
BY: Armstrong Williams
The lost American home dream
One of the foundations of the American Dream has always been the hope of someday purchasing one's own home. In the past, however, it took nearly a lifetime of
sacrifice before most people could afford to do so.
The first decade of the new millennium in America bore witness to a viral explosion in real estate investment, fueled by low mortgage rates and
an abandonment of the equity markets . The nation created a new market overnight to continue the necessary growth in the United States
and with one simple key: home mortgage debt.
In the blink of an eye, the American consumers, companies and investment markets shifted from an investment practice and equity-oriented
philosophy that had characterized the dot-com era to a debt-fueled runaway train with no brakes.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The lost American home dream
BY: Armstrong Williams
The lost American home dream
One of the foundations of the American Dream has always been the hope of someday purchasing one's own home. In the past, however, it took nearly a lifetime of
sacrifice before most people could afford to do so.
The first decade of the new millennium in America bore witness to a viral explosion in real estate investment, fueled by low mortgage rates and
an abandonment of the equity markets . The nation created a new market overnight to continue the necessary growth in the United States
and with one simple key: home mortgage debt.
In the blink of an eye, the American consumers, companies and investment markets shifted from an investment practice and equity-oriented
philosophy that had characterized the dot-com era to a debt-fueled runaway train with no brakes.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/04/12
The GOP Candidates: ACT II
BY: Armstrong Williams
The GOP Candidates. ACT II
The problem for third place candidate Ron Paul in Iowa is that a caucus situation with a relatively right wing voting base is ideal for his candidacy and yet he's unable to capitalize. If he couldn't win in Iowa than he's toast everywhere else. My prediction is that his 15 minutes of fame as a viable candidate is over. Now it's time to focus on what are the other message emanating from the Iowa Caucus. Mitt Romney inability to break over the 25% margin tells us that with all of his advantages, 3/4 of the GOP voters are still in search of someone else.
Will that someone else be Rick Santorum or could Gingrich re-emerge again? It will truly depend on the traction that Santorum is able to gain in a State where it is impossible for him to visit every county, because he just doesn't have the time or financial resources. If he can remain strong in the described setting than he will remain a strong candidate for the next month. However the reality is he will now be attacked by Gingrich for this is necessary for Newt to have Romney isolated into a one on one situation. Romney has no incentive to attack Santorum for no other reason than the fact he needs the conservative wing to be split so that he can prevail. The most conservative GOP voters must be split in order for Romney to prevail. Rick Perry after his embarrassing showing in Iowa has no choice but to quit the race. Michelle Bachman should do the same but will stay around for one or two more primaries. Who will their supporters get behind once they are no longer in the race ? It is likely to be Gingrich or Santorum which will be a tremendous boost for the candidate that survives.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The GOP Candidates: ACT II
BY: Armstrong Williams
The GOP Candidates. ACT II
The problem for third place candidate Ron Paul in Iowa is that a caucus situation with a relatively right wing voting base is ideal for his candidacy and yet he's unable to capitalize. If he couldn't win in Iowa than he's toast everywhere else. My prediction is that his 15 minutes of fame as a viable candidate is over. Now it's time to focus on what are the other message emanating from the Iowa Caucus. Mitt Romney inability to break over the 25% margin tells us that with all of his advantages, 3/4 of the GOP voters are still in search of someone else.
Will that someone else be Rick Santorum or could Gingrich re-emerge again? It will truly depend on the traction that Santorum is able to gain in a State where it is impossible for him to visit every county, because he just doesn't have the time or financial resources. If he can remain strong in the described setting than he will remain a strong candidate for the next month. However the reality is he will now be attacked by Gingrich for this is necessary for Newt to have Romney isolated into a one on one situation. Romney has no incentive to attack Santorum for no other reason than the fact he needs the conservative wing to be split so that he can prevail. The most conservative GOP voters must be split in order for Romney to prevail. Rick Perry after his embarrassing showing in Iowa has no choice but to quit the race. Michelle Bachman should do the same but will stay around for one or two more primaries. Who will their supporters get behind once they are no longer in the race ? It is likely to be Gingrich or Santorum which will be a tremendous boost for the candidate that survives.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
01/03/12
Winners and losers in Iowa
BY: Armstrong Williams
Winners and losers in Iowa
The famed Iowa caucuses are this week, and it’s time for some predictions, along with some clear messages to a few candidates that it’s perhaps time to pack it up and head on home.
But first, expect Mitt Romney to win this Tuesday. The overall GOP frontrunner has surprised pundits both in and out of the Hawkeye state with his deft campaigning and his behind-the-scenes courting of all the right power players. Even if Tea Party favorite Ron Paul edges out a victory over Romney, it’s still an important finish for the former Massachusetts governor.
An Iowa win or second place finish would position Romney nicely for New Hampshire and then South Carolina, Florida, etc. Yes, he finished second to Huckabee four years ago, but this time it’s different. And he knows it.
It also sends a clear message to the GOP establishment of who their “guy” needs to be. No more hand-wringing and waiting next to the water cooler for the next best thing. Been there, done that with oh, four or five others (remember: Trump, Perry, Christie, Cain, the list goes on). The party lieutenants need to step up and begin to get behind their frontrunner. We’re not there yet, but folks in the institutions need to begin to come to grips with Romney and become more focused on beating Obama.
Now, on to the losers. Even though former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is slated to do well in Iowa, the sensation is more like a roman candle firework – pretty to watch and loud, but short-lived and anti-climactic. Santorum knows this as well. He can do whatever he likes moving on to New Hampshire, but I fear this will be the high water mark of his presidential run.
Jon Huntsman and Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann should both exit stage right following Iowa. You can bet Bachmann will not. After all, she did win earlier this year. But neither has the staying power, and Huntsman just hasn’t caught fire with any constituency.
More importantly perhaps, a Romney win would send a message to Governor Perry and maybe even Newt Gingrich that their days are numbered. The allure of Perry started dissipating the day after he announced. What a flop. And while he still has a lot of money in the bank, he’s been able to do absolutely nothing with it, appealing to no one. He will need to take a long hard look at his campaign moving forward, and make some bold moves if he’s to do any better as the primaries move south.
This week may say more about the losers than it will the winner in Iowa. That’s typically how the first test of presidential muster follows. I personally will be watching for how Romney will treat his win and what he decides to do with it. There are plenty in the GOP establishment still sour on the smooth campaigner, and he needs to shore up that element pretty darn quickly. Obama is waiting in the wings ready to pounce.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Winners and losers in Iowa
BY: Armstrong Williams
Winners and losers in Iowa
The famed Iowa caucuses are this week, and it’s time for some predictions, along with some clear messages to a few candidates that it’s perhaps time to pack it up and head on home.
But first, expect Mitt Romney to win this Tuesday. The overall GOP frontrunner has surprised pundits both in and out of the Hawkeye state with his deft campaigning and his behind-the-scenes courting of all the right power players. Even if Tea Party favorite Ron Paul edges out a victory over Romney, it’s still an important finish for the former Massachusetts governor.
An Iowa win or second place finish would position Romney nicely for New Hampshire and then South Carolina, Florida, etc. Yes, he finished second to Huckabee four years ago, but this time it’s different. And he knows it.
It also sends a clear message to the GOP establishment of who their “guy” needs to be. No more hand-wringing and waiting next to the water cooler for the next best thing. Been there, done that with oh, four or five others (remember: Trump, Perry, Christie, Cain, the list goes on). The party lieutenants need to step up and begin to get behind their frontrunner. We’re not there yet, but folks in the institutions need to begin to come to grips with Romney and become more focused on beating Obama.
Now, on to the losers. Even though former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is slated to do well in Iowa, the sensation is more like a roman candle firework – pretty to watch and loud, but short-lived and anti-climactic. Santorum knows this as well. He can do whatever he likes moving on to New Hampshire, but I fear this will be the high water mark of his presidential run.
Jon Huntsman and Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann should both exit stage right following Iowa. You can bet Bachmann will not. After all, she did win earlier this year. But neither has the staying power, and Huntsman just hasn’t caught fire with any constituency.
More importantly perhaps, a Romney win would send a message to Governor Perry and maybe even Newt Gingrich that their days are numbered. The allure of Perry started dissipating the day after he announced. What a flop. And while he still has a lot of money in the bank, he’s been able to do absolutely nothing with it, appealing to no one. He will need to take a long hard look at his campaign moving forward, and make some bold moves if he’s to do any better as the primaries move south.
This week may say more about the losers than it will the winner in Iowa. That’s typically how the first test of presidential muster follows. I personally will be watching for how Romney will treat his win and what he decides to do with it. There are plenty in the GOP establishment still sour on the smooth campaigner, and he needs to shore up that element pretty darn quickly. Obama is waiting in the wings ready to pounce.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/22/11
Merry XMAS and Not happy holidays
BY: Armstrong Williams
Merry XMAS and Not Happy Holidays
It is interesting to watch people conduct themselves this time of year as they try to figure out whether they should say Merry Christmas or not based on the appearance and the belief of the person they're speaking with.
Whether you wish someone a Merry Christmas or not should have nothing to do with their belief or political philosophy, it is all about the holiday spirit.
Whether a person believes in the saving power of Jesus Christ or not is insignificant when it comes to wishing good will for a fellow human being. It's just like saying good morning to someone. Do you scrutinize and examine them before saying good morning, or are you actually hopeful they're having a good morning? If in fact we believe in the meaning of the season then their beliefs and politics become irrelevant. We are all children of the lord and deserve blessings one in the same.
We must stop being so artificially sensitive to something that is so good and wholesome. If we cease to capitulate to the destructive tendencies of political correctness we will diminish the pervasive dampening of the American spirit which, at this point and time, is in desperate need of revitalization.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Merry XMAS and Not happy holidays
BY: Armstrong Williams
Merry XMAS and Not Happy Holidays
It is interesting to watch people conduct themselves this time of year as they try to figure out whether they should say Merry Christmas or not based on the appearance and the belief of the person they're speaking with.
Whether you wish someone a Merry Christmas or not should have nothing to do with their belief or political philosophy, it is all about the holiday spirit.
Whether a person believes in the saving power of Jesus Christ or not is insignificant when it comes to wishing good will for a fellow human being. It's just like saying good morning to someone. Do you scrutinize and examine them before saying good morning, or are you actually hopeful they're having a good morning? If in fact we believe in the meaning of the season then their beliefs and politics become irrelevant. We are all children of the lord and deserve blessings one in the same.
We must stop being so artificially sensitive to something that is so good and wholesome. If we cease to capitulate to the destructive tendencies of political correctness we will diminish the pervasive dampening of the American spirit which, at this point and time, is in desperate need of revitalization.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/21/11
The Bigger Picture
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Bigger Picture
Just yesterday the House GOP rejected legislation that would have extended payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits for an extra two months. While it would have been great to see bipartisanship take a backseat to getting something done, I have to agree with House Speaker Boehner and his pursuit of tax cuts and how necessary it is to cut spending. It seems like Obama and his Democrats are missing the truly big picture.
You see, what is missing amongst all this payroll holiday tax talk is the admission that America is broke. We all know it, we all feel it, and at the very least we see it everyday in one form or another; America is Broke!
In order to pay for all of these tax cuts, and further expenditures, we have to borrow money from the Chinese. We, as United States citizens, are like drug addicts and the Chinese are our suppliers and loan sharks. Sure, an extra $80 or so is a lot of money to a lot of people, but it's not a large enough amount of money to hide the fact that it is borrowed money.
It's a rare case when increased debt can solve a debt problem. Very rare, and What About The Deficit!? Does no one mind their books anymore? 2012 will be the first year that the United States debt to GDP ratio will exceed 100%. Spending more money than you make is the quickest way to the poor house, and I don't want to see that for this great country of ours.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The Bigger Picture
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Bigger Picture
Just yesterday the House GOP rejected legislation that would have extended payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits for an extra two months. While it would have been great to see bipartisanship take a backseat to getting something done, I have to agree with House Speaker Boehner and his pursuit of tax cuts and how necessary it is to cut spending. It seems like Obama and his Democrats are missing the truly big picture.
You see, what is missing amongst all this payroll holiday tax talk is the admission that America is broke. We all know it, we all feel it, and at the very least we see it everyday in one form or another; America is Broke!
In order to pay for all of these tax cuts, and further expenditures, we have to borrow money from the Chinese. We, as United States citizens, are like drug addicts and the Chinese are our suppliers and loan sharks. Sure, an extra $80 or so is a lot of money to a lot of people, but it's not a large enough amount of money to hide the fact that it is borrowed money.
It's a rare case when increased debt can solve a debt problem. Very rare, and What About The Deficit!? Does no one mind their books anymore? 2012 will be the first year that the United States debt to GDP ratio will exceed 100%. Spending more money than you make is the quickest way to the poor house, and I don't want to see that for this great country of ours.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/20/11
Disappearing without a trace
BY: Armstrong Williams
Disappearing without a trace
How easily we forget. Hopefully the American people during this current election cycle will remember the lavish praise heaped upon John Corzine by President Obama and Vice President Biden. They told us he was one of the brightest and wisest members of their party. This is the same Corzine that presided over one of the largest financial debacles in the history of America in which $1.2 billion dollars of investors' capital disappeared without a trace. Perhaps it's also listening to individuals like Obama and Biden that is causing our financial freedoms to disappear without a trace.
While the President spends enormous amounts of money advertising to try and heap the negative attention on his opponents, we the people would be very wise to remember what this President has done in the past and not what he is now saying with his silver tongue, eloquence in the here and now. There's a well known saying, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." Let's make sure we're not shamed again.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Disappearing without a trace
BY: Armstrong Williams
Disappearing without a trace
How easily we forget. Hopefully the American people during this current election cycle will remember the lavish praise heaped upon John Corzine by President Obama and Vice President Biden. They told us he was one of the brightest and wisest members of their party. This is the same Corzine that presided over one of the largest financial debacles in the history of America in which $1.2 billion dollars of investors' capital disappeared without a trace. Perhaps it's also listening to individuals like Obama and Biden that is causing our financial freedoms to disappear without a trace.
While the President spends enormous amounts of money advertising to try and heap the negative attention on his opponents, we the people would be very wise to remember what this President has done in the past and not what he is now saying with his silver tongue, eloquence in the here and now. There's a well known saying, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." Let's make sure we're not shamed again.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/14/11
Business owners and private wealth individuals are hoarding cash
BY: Armstrong Williams
Business owners and private wealth individuals are hoarding cash
The business community realizes that the increased money supply is
financing government spending and the private sector must eventually pay
the piper. Many private wealth individuals and businessmen are hoarding
cash for fear of over regulation and the Obama administration strangling real
growth of the US economy.
Consequently, the business community is not investing as much
as it might because it is concerned about inflation and higher future
taxes to pay for the borrowing. Since business investment takes time
for a return, the business man making an investment now expecting a
return 2 or 3 years from now knows that his taxes are going to be
increased with the expiration of the Bush tax cuts and the 3.8% new
Obama care tax on unearned earnings. Thus the businessman is not
investing today because they know their return is being significantly
reduced 2 years from now.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Business owners and private wealth individuals are hoarding cash
BY: Armstrong Williams
Business owners and private wealth individuals are hoarding cash
The business community realizes that the increased money supply is
financing government spending and the private sector must eventually pay
the piper. Many private wealth individuals and businessmen are hoarding
cash for fear of over regulation and the Obama administration strangling real
growth of the US economy.
Consequently, the business community is not investing as much
as it might because it is concerned about inflation and higher future
taxes to pay for the borrowing. Since business investment takes time
for a return, the business man making an investment now expecting a
return 2 or 3 years from now knows that his taxes are going to be
increased with the expiration of the Bush tax cuts and the 3.8% new
Obama care tax on unearned earnings. Thus the businessman is not
investing today because they know their return is being significantly
reduced 2 years from now.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/13/11
Tax Credits to stimulate the economy ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Tax Credits to stimulate the economy ?
The ill conceived idea to stimulate the economy thru a tax credit for firms that
increase employment, shows an academic economist fundamental lack of
understanding of why companies increase employment. Jobs are a by-product
of increased sales and revenues. Companies do not like to hire employees.
They are expensive, require management and cannot be easily laid off in the
event of incompetence or loss of business. Companies increase employment
because they have additional business that needs to be processed, and they
cannot process it thru overtime or increased capital. No businessman in his
right mind would hire someone merely because labor is 10% cheaper because of
tax credits. He would only increase employment if that is his only
alternative to process additional business. If he has additional business,
then he will hire additional employees regardless of the 10% credit.
Therefore the credit is an inefficient way to increase employment and waste
of taxpayer money.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Tax Credits to stimulate the economy ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Tax Credits to stimulate the economy ?
The ill conceived idea to stimulate the economy thru a tax credit for firms that
increase employment, shows an academic economist fundamental lack of
understanding of why companies increase employment. Jobs are a by-product
of increased sales and revenues. Companies do not like to hire employees.
They are expensive, require management and cannot be easily laid off in the
event of incompetence or loss of business. Companies increase employment
because they have additional business that needs to be processed, and they
cannot process it thru overtime or increased capital. No businessman in his
right mind would hire someone merely because labor is 10% cheaper because of
tax credits. He would only increase employment if that is his only
alternative to process additional business. If he has additional business,
then he will hire additional employees regardless of the 10% credit.
Therefore the credit is an inefficient way to increase employment and waste
of taxpayer money.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/09/11
Men and Philandering ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Men and Philandering?
Do women who have been successfully and happily married for many years not want to know if their husband is committing adultery? Are there conditions that you don't embarrass your wife and family? Is it critical that the adulterous affair is purely sexual and not threatening to your wife and marriage stability? Is discretion paramount? While we're not advocating this behavior, many women who are successfully married realize that their husbands will never be angels and that sometimes adultery happens. Would you break up a happy marriage for adulterous behavior?
These questions have been swirling around in my head lately as the number of mass media indictments of adultery has been increasing at an ever more rapid pace. My confusion came to a head during the recent, what I would like to call, “Herman Cain Show.” Every other week there was a new allegation, or a new woman claiming to have been harassed by the former presidential hopeful.
At first it seemed like a joke and a lie, and a poorly scripted one at that, but there are only so many times you can hear a joke before it starts to sound true. At this point, there has been so much swirling around about Herman Cain’s nefarious ways that it is impossible to ignore or even give the benefit of the doubt. But more importantly, is this the way powerful men conduct themselves in relationships?
Do powerful men have a secret longing for the days of the bible when a man could have as many wives as they could afford? Or will the democratization ‘scare them straight?’ Only time will tell.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Men and Philandering ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Men and Philandering?
Do women who have been successfully and happily married for many years not want to know if their husband is committing adultery? Are there conditions that you don't embarrass your wife and family? Is it critical that the adulterous affair is purely sexual and not threatening to your wife and marriage stability? Is discretion paramount? While we're not advocating this behavior, many women who are successfully married realize that their husbands will never be angels and that sometimes adultery happens. Would you break up a happy marriage for adulterous behavior?
These questions have been swirling around in my head lately as the number of mass media indictments of adultery has been increasing at an ever more rapid pace. My confusion came to a head during the recent, what I would like to call, “Herman Cain Show.” Every other week there was a new allegation, or a new woman claiming to have been harassed by the former presidential hopeful.
At first it seemed like a joke and a lie, and a poorly scripted one at that, but there are only so many times you can hear a joke before it starts to sound true. At this point, there has been so much swirling around about Herman Cain’s nefarious ways that it is impossible to ignore or even give the benefit of the doubt. But more importantly, is this the way powerful men conduct themselves in relationships?
Do powerful men have a secret longing for the days of the bible when a man could have as many wives as they could afford? Or will the democratization ‘scare them straight?’ Only time will tell.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/08/11
The Invisible Man - Timothy F. Geithner, US Treasury Secretary
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Invisible Man - Timothy F. Geithner, US Treasury Secretary
Treasury Secretary Geithner in Europe this week announced his support for the German and French plan to stabilize the Euro-zone.
Secretary Geithner merely sings in the chorus among his colleagues- he is one among many. He was virtually tossed out of Europe in September when he told European leaders to put aside their differences and resolve issues related to the catastrophic risk for markets because if Europe didn't erect a stronger firewall to end the European debt crisis then the world would truly be in trouble.
The Europeans were quick to remind the US Treasury Secretary that he should return home and use his same rhetoric to deal with the US debt levels and it's own catastrophic risk with the pension fund crisis, the recent downgrade of US debt and possible future downgrades as well. Just yesterday in France, Secretary Geithner exclaimed his confidence that the Euro-zone countries will succeed in their restructuring. But wait, didn’t Secretary Geithner also say he was confident in the Super Committee’s ability to compromise on reforms? If the past is any indication of the future, then we are very seriously in trouble.
Mr. Geithner came to his position as an acknowledged self tax preparing cheater and has never gained favor with the American public. The citizens of the United States of America deserve better, we deserve a strong and respected Treasury Secretary. As the Europeans have so persistently told Mr. Geithner, it is time to go home.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The Invisible Man - Timothy F. Geithner, US Treasury Secretary
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Invisible Man - Timothy F. Geithner, US Treasury Secretary
Treasury Secretary Geithner in Europe this week announced his support for the German and French plan to stabilize the Euro-zone.
Secretary Geithner merely sings in the chorus among his colleagues- he is one among many. He was virtually tossed out of Europe in September when he told European leaders to put aside their differences and resolve issues related to the catastrophic risk for markets because if Europe didn't erect a stronger firewall to end the European debt crisis then the world would truly be in trouble.
The Europeans were quick to remind the US Treasury Secretary that he should return home and use his same rhetoric to deal with the US debt levels and it's own catastrophic risk with the pension fund crisis, the recent downgrade of US debt and possible future downgrades as well. Just yesterday in France, Secretary Geithner exclaimed his confidence that the Euro-zone countries will succeed in their restructuring. But wait, didn’t Secretary Geithner also say he was confident in the Super Committee’s ability to compromise on reforms? If the past is any indication of the future, then we are very seriously in trouble.
Mr. Geithner came to his position as an acknowledged self tax preparing cheater and has never gained favor with the American public. The citizens of the United States of America deserve better, we deserve a strong and respected Treasury Secretary. As the Europeans have so persistently told Mr. Geithner, it is time to go home.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/06/11
We are vastly different people today
BY: Armstrong Williams
We are vastly different people today.
We have seen worst times than we're facing in the world today. Situations in many ways were more desperate but we have not faced them with such a generation of people with weak resolve. When we were facing such great difficulty we had a strength of resolve and resiliency that we just don't witness in today's era. It truly is the result that you should anticipate. We have been doing everything possible to create this total dependency in the population. To a large degree that vision has succeeded. We faced the Revolutionary War, Civil war and cold war and all had the potential to destroy us. The difference is we're not the same kind of people. We yield more and more to the temptation of the European socialist state. The point of which is to create weak and passive populations, what De Tocqueville referred to Democracy in America as Industrial Sheep. Unfortunately the sheep are no long industrist they are just sheep. They're wondering around looking for someone to tell them what to think and what to do.
We now have a mentality among the poupulous that nanny government must care for their ever awakening need. This is the dangerous attitude that is tearing us apart at the seams.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
We are vastly different people today
BY: Armstrong Williams
We are vastly different people today.
We have seen worst times than we're facing in the world today. Situations in many ways were more desperate but we have not faced them with such a generation of people with weak resolve. When we were facing such great difficulty we had a strength of resolve and resiliency that we just don't witness in today's era. It truly is the result that you should anticipate. We have been doing everything possible to create this total dependency in the population. To a large degree that vision has succeeded. We faced the Revolutionary War, Civil war and cold war and all had the potential to destroy us. The difference is we're not the same kind of people. We yield more and more to the temptation of the European socialist state. The point of which is to create weak and passive populations, what De Tocqueville referred to Democracy in America as Industrial Sheep. Unfortunately the sheep are no long industrist they are just sheep. They're wondering around looking for someone to tell them what to think and what to do.
We now have a mentality among the poupulous that nanny government must care for their ever awakening need. This is the dangerous attitude that is tearing us apart at the seams.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
12/01/11
Man Up Cain
BY: Armstrong Williams
Man Up Cain
Marriage should be for a life time and couples should work through betrayal and challenges that many marriages are confronted with. Herman Cain and his wife Gloria have been married for over 40 years. When you've invested that much time in a marriage there's a part of you that doesn't want to destroy your marriage because of some allegations, no matter how intense, and you also do not want to once again be alone. Obviously a marriage for many couples is not judged on a season of allegations and challenges, especially when you've been in the relationship for 46 years. Why would Cain knowingly urge his wife to give interviews defending his character when he knew she would later be humiliated for doing so? He knew without a doubt that she was enabling a lie which to many is worse than betrayal. Either Gloria Cain is very naive or Herman Cain is very deceptive. Cain cannot repent unless he admits and acknowledges his wrong doing and serious character flaws. All we have seen from Cain is deceit and hypocrisy and no admission of guilt. He should just apologize to the people who have given him their faith and trust. Cain needs to man up, acknowledge his short comings, and not profit from this chaotic behavior.
We are watching the last hope of human kind be destroyed by a group of people that have bought into a false reality. We have forgotten what makes human beings strive and what we owe to God, we are destroying it all. It's no longer a theoretical possibility, it's a strong possibility. Just look at the acting and posturing from the failed Super Committee when they knew all along the meetings and constant rhetoric would be an utter failure. I am truly beginning to worry about my beloved America. Truly.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Man Up Cain
BY: Armstrong Williams
Man Up Cain
Marriage should be for a life time and couples should work through betrayal and challenges that many marriages are confronted with. Herman Cain and his wife Gloria have been married for over 40 years. When you've invested that much time in a marriage there's a part of you that doesn't want to destroy your marriage because of some allegations, no matter how intense, and you also do not want to once again be alone. Obviously a marriage for many couples is not judged on a season of allegations and challenges, especially when you've been in the relationship for 46 years. Why would Cain knowingly urge his wife to give interviews defending his character when he knew she would later be humiliated for doing so? He knew without a doubt that she was enabling a lie which to many is worse than betrayal. Either Gloria Cain is very naive or Herman Cain is very deceptive. Cain cannot repent unless he admits and acknowledges his wrong doing and serious character flaws. All we have seen from Cain is deceit and hypocrisy and no admission of guilt. He should just apologize to the people who have given him their faith and trust. Cain needs to man up, acknowledge his short comings, and not profit from this chaotic behavior.
We are watching the last hope of human kind be destroyed by a group of people that have bought into a false reality. We have forgotten what makes human beings strive and what we owe to God, we are destroying it all. It's no longer a theoretical possibility, it's a strong possibility. Just look at the acting and posturing from the failed Super Committee when they knew all along the meetings and constant rhetoric would be an utter failure. I am truly beginning to worry about my beloved America. Truly.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/28/11
The Eurozone is tanking
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Eurozone is tanking !
What's going on in Europe is scaring the living daylights out of me. The Germans cannot sell German government bonds to the bond market. They only sold about 40% of their sovereign bonds last week. This is the strongest country in Europe and they can't sell their Euro bonds? That is proof positive that investors have zero confidence in the Euro. They have confidence in Germany, but not the Euro. If Germany sells Euro bonds and the Euro market breaks up. German Euro bonds will convert to Deutsche Mark bonds and no one knows how they will be priced. Italy is a story unto itself, it has gone so far down the wrong path that, in an auction on Friday, it had to pay investors 6.5% on six-month bonds.
This is all so painful to watch, mostly because it is a true indictment of the final breakup of the Eurozone, but when it breaks up what are the implications for Europe, world trade, and the good ol' USA? All we know is that the short term impact of a break up will Not be good.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The Eurozone is tanking
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Eurozone is tanking !
What's going on in Europe is scaring the living daylights out of me. The Germans cannot sell German government bonds to the bond market. They only sold about 40% of their sovereign bonds last week. This is the strongest country in Europe and they can't sell their Euro bonds? That is proof positive that investors have zero confidence in the Euro. They have confidence in Germany, but not the Euro. If Germany sells Euro bonds and the Euro market breaks up. German Euro bonds will convert to Deutsche Mark bonds and no one knows how they will be priced. Italy is a story unto itself, it has gone so far down the wrong path that, in an auction on Friday, it had to pay investors 6.5% on six-month bonds.
This is all so painful to watch, mostly because it is a true indictment of the final breakup of the Eurozone, but when it breaks up what are the implications for Europe, world trade, and the good ol' USA? All we know is that the short term impact of a break up will Not be good.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/26/11
The Spoiled Pakistanis
The Spoiled Pakistanis
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Pakistanis continue to spit in our eyes despite all of our overtures and attempts to gain their friendship. They know we are over a barrel and we don't have the controls. Why have we given them so much autonomy? We have convinced ourselves that we need them so that we can pursue our goals in Afghanistan, but in order to find a solution to the Pakistani problem we must first reexamine our goals in Afghanistan. What are the realistic chances that we are going to convert them to a democratic society like ours? I suspect the chances are negative, it just won't happen.
By continuing to pursue democracy in Afghanistan we are simply wasting our time and resources just as Russia and every other society that has gone into Afghanistan over the century. This is perhaps a situation where we need to take the advice of the flight attendant, at the beginning of the flight who points out if there is a crisis place your own mask on first and then help the person next to you. We are quickly running out of options and are in of need major self examination and care before we can do anything to help the rest of the world.
How can we demand that other countries elect, or otherwise appoint, capable and astute leaders when the one that we have doesn't have the confidence of his own constituents? It is analogous to trying to sell landscaping services within your neighborhood while your own yard is a mess. It simple does not work.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The Spoiled Pakistanis
The Spoiled Pakistanis
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Pakistanis continue to spit in our eyes despite all of our overtures and attempts to gain their friendship. They know we are over a barrel and we don't have the controls. Why have we given them so much autonomy? We have convinced ourselves that we need them so that we can pursue our goals in Afghanistan, but in order to find a solution to the Pakistani problem we must first reexamine our goals in Afghanistan. What are the realistic chances that we are going to convert them to a democratic society like ours? I suspect the chances are negative, it just won't happen.
By continuing to pursue democracy in Afghanistan we are simply wasting our time and resources just as Russia and every other society that has gone into Afghanistan over the century. This is perhaps a situation where we need to take the advice of the flight attendant, at the beginning of the flight who points out if there is a crisis place your own mask on first and then help the person next to you. We are quickly running out of options and are in of need major self examination and care before we can do anything to help the rest of the world.
How can we demand that other countries elect, or otherwise appoint, capable and astute leaders when the one that we have doesn't have the confidence of his own constituents? It is analogous to trying to sell landscaping services within your neighborhood while your own yard is a mess. It simple does not work.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/22/11
Super Committee hidden agenda
BY: Armstrong Williams
Super Committee failure
Some people seem surprised that the "Super Committee" has failed to achieve its goal, but it should not come as a shock. The Republicans are committed to not raising taxes, which the president certainly knows, and the Democrats are not committed to reducing out of control entitlements. It was quite predictable that an agreement would not be reached, which is why candidate Gingrich called the panel the silliest thing he has ever heard of.
It does, however, provide an excellent excuse for the President who presides over a dysfunctional government, but wants to exempt himself as part of that dysfunction yet lay it on everyone else. Had the Super Committee been able to reach an agreement the economy would not have improved in any substantial way because we're dealing with a relatively small amount of money in comparison to our debt and deficit, the result would have been more focus on Obama and his lack of leadership.
President Obama's goal from the start was for the committee to fail, this way he can rail against Congress in the upcoming Presidential election. Hopefully at some point Congress and the people will begin to hold the President's feet to the fire and tell him that he is our leader, Commander in Chief, and not the Cheerleader in Chief.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Super Committee hidden agenda
BY: Armstrong Williams
Super Committee failure
Some people seem surprised that the "Super Committee" has failed to achieve its goal, but it should not come as a shock. The Republicans are committed to not raising taxes, which the president certainly knows, and the Democrats are not committed to reducing out of control entitlements. It was quite predictable that an agreement would not be reached, which is why candidate Gingrich called the panel the silliest thing he has ever heard of.
It does, however, provide an excellent excuse for the President who presides over a dysfunctional government, but wants to exempt himself as part of that dysfunction yet lay it on everyone else. Had the Super Committee been able to reach an agreement the economy would not have improved in any substantial way because we're dealing with a relatively small amount of money in comparison to our debt and deficit, the result would have been more focus on Obama and his lack of leadership.
President Obama's goal from the start was for the committee to fail, this way he can rail against Congress in the upcoming Presidential election. Hopefully at some point Congress and the people will begin to hold the President's feet to the fire and tell him that he is our leader, Commander in Chief, and not the Cheerleader in Chief.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/21/11
Gigantic Time bomb
BY: Armstrong Williams
Gigantic Time bomb
Unfunded medicare liability is $90 trillion. Unfunded Social Security is $20 trillion. How can any of us comprehend the kind of debt that this country has? I thought $15 trillion in debt was a lot, this is absolute nonsense. What do we fund these liabilities with when the money becomes worthless? It's like the universe, how do you get your hands around something that size!? There is no way this country is going to do anything but crash and burn, the only issue is on what day. When the government stops printing money, what happens? Medicare and Medicaid strongly indicates that big government is caring for most people in our nation and as a result they have a gigantic time bomb sitting on their balance sheet.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Gigantic Time bomb
BY: Armstrong Williams
Gigantic Time bomb
Unfunded medicare liability is $90 trillion. Unfunded Social Security is $20 trillion. How can any of us comprehend the kind of debt that this country has? I thought $15 trillion in debt was a lot, this is absolute nonsense. What do we fund these liabilities with when the money becomes worthless? It's like the universe, how do you get your hands around something that size!? There is no way this country is going to do anything but crash and burn, the only issue is on what day. When the government stops printing money, what happens? Medicare and Medicaid strongly indicates that big government is caring for most people in our nation and as a result they have a gigantic time bomb sitting on their balance sheet.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/18/11
A rare glimpse into Obama's thinking
BY: Armstrong Williams
A rare glimpse into Obama’s thinking
If you haven’t read Fortune Magazine’s piece on its 2011 “Business Person of the Year”: Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, it’s an interesting read. Reporter David Kaplan tells a compelling story not just of Schultz’s canny abilities in running a mega-powerful commercial titan such as Starbucks, but also how politically savvy the coffee magnate can be. Perhaps he never intended to wield such power, but according to the piece, he is.
And the President is paying attention as well. Evidently, earlier this September, Obama called Schultz to talk shop and seek his guidance on the current (weak) business climate across the country. Schultz had made it known that he was deeply concerned about the current trajectory (or nosedive) of the U.S. economy and what its leaders proposed to do about it.
Now, conversations between the leader of the country and a leader of a major U.S. company wouldn’t necessarily count as news. But what made this September conversation different is its timing. Obama called Schultz soon after the CEO announced in a public way that he was “disgusted with Washington’s dysfunction” and would no longer be making campaign contributions to incumbents in either party. Big news indeed. What hurt more was that Schultz is a big Democratic donor, and his inability to find his wallet for the foreseeable future bothered the White House immensely.
Let me get this straight. The best way to get the President’s attention is by announcing you’re not giving his party any more money? Are you serious?
And just to clear up any doubts he might’ve had in calling Schultz, Obama was quoted as saying, “I’d like to talk to you about a number of things, including your campaign initiative, as well as your thoughts on the economy and job creation.” What a joke.
What’s laughable is this President and his minions publicly decry contributions from major moguls, and PACs, yet quietly vie for the monetary attention.
When will the White House just come out and admit it's in full campaign mode? Stop trying to cover it up. It might make folks less inclined to avoid you if they know you intend to shake them down on why they're not giving campaign money this election cycle.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
A rare glimpse into Obama's thinking
BY: Armstrong Williams
A rare glimpse into Obama’s thinking
If you haven’t read Fortune Magazine’s piece on its 2011 “Business Person of the Year”: Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, it’s an interesting read. Reporter David Kaplan tells a compelling story not just of Schultz’s canny abilities in running a mega-powerful commercial titan such as Starbucks, but also how politically savvy the coffee magnate can be. Perhaps he never intended to wield such power, but according to the piece, he is.
And the President is paying attention as well. Evidently, earlier this September, Obama called Schultz to talk shop and seek his guidance on the current (weak) business climate across the country. Schultz had made it known that he was deeply concerned about the current trajectory (or nosedive) of the U.S. economy and what its leaders proposed to do about it.
Now, conversations between the leader of the country and a leader of a major U.S. company wouldn’t necessarily count as news. But what made this September conversation different is its timing. Obama called Schultz soon after the CEO announced in a public way that he was “disgusted with Washington’s dysfunction” and would no longer be making campaign contributions to incumbents in either party. Big news indeed. What hurt more was that Schultz is a big Democratic donor, and his inability to find his wallet for the foreseeable future bothered the White House immensely.
Let me get this straight. The best way to get the President’s attention is by announcing you’re not giving his party any more money? Are you serious?
And just to clear up any doubts he might’ve had in calling Schultz, Obama was quoted as saying, “I’d like to talk to you about a number of things, including your campaign initiative, as well as your thoughts on the economy and job creation.” What a joke.
What’s laughable is this President and his minions publicly decry contributions from major moguls, and PACs, yet quietly vie for the monetary attention.
When will the White House just come out and admit it's in full campaign mode? Stop trying to cover it up. It might make folks less inclined to avoid you if they know you intend to shake them down on why they're not giving campaign money this election cycle.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/16/11
Obamacare Supreme slippery slope
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obamacare Supreme Slippery Slope
If the Supreme Court were to allow the Obama administration to mandate purchases of health insurance, it would set an extraordinarily dangerous precedent, our government could tell its citizens how they must manage their own resources. This would establish a slippery slope of unfathomable complexity. It would start a transition into socialism and could only end with a communist dictatorship; it would be the beginning of the destruction of personal freedom in America.
Personal freedom has defined America since its inception and it is painful to see the very values on which we were founded, legally and literally, erode before our very eyes. As the old saying goes, if you give an inch they’ll take a mile; a health insurance mandate might not seem like much now, but allowing the government to determine how an individual should allocate their resources is the first step down a road that we, as Americans, should not want to travel.
What’s next, limiting and/or mandating the number of children conceived like China? Perhaps the next time one of our domestic car makers like Ford or GM is struggling the government can disallow the purchase of foreign cars. Or they could submit that, because our dollar is tanking any moneys that you earn beyond the limit of 300k monthly must go directly to the public coffers.
The big issue here is one that requires a bit of history. You see the original 13 states only accepted the idea of a federal government so long as its power remained limited, the line in the sand being drawn where an issue involved only one state; the Interstate Commerce Clause. The only way for our government to flex its muscle is by perverting the spirit of Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of our constitution and making health care national instead of state as it has been for decades. Once that dam breaks it will be far easier for our government to regulate the actions of any individual in any part of the United States and I, for one, don’t want ‘Big Brother’ breathing down my neck anymore than necessary.
Now that this case is before our nation's highest court it is my hope that some level of common sense will stir in the minds of the Supreme Court Justices. The Obamacare administration needs a serious reminder that a government that governs least governs best.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obamacare Supreme slippery slope
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obamacare Supreme Slippery Slope
If the Supreme Court were to allow the Obama administration to mandate purchases of health insurance, it would set an extraordinarily dangerous precedent, our government could tell its citizens how they must manage their own resources. This would establish a slippery slope of unfathomable complexity. It would start a transition into socialism and could only end with a communist dictatorship; it would be the beginning of the destruction of personal freedom in America.
Personal freedom has defined America since its inception and it is painful to see the very values on which we were founded, legally and literally, erode before our very eyes. As the old saying goes, if you give an inch they’ll take a mile; a health insurance mandate might not seem like much now, but allowing the government to determine how an individual should allocate their resources is the first step down a road that we, as Americans, should not want to travel.
What’s next, limiting and/or mandating the number of children conceived like China? Perhaps the next time one of our domestic car makers like Ford or GM is struggling the government can disallow the purchase of foreign cars. Or they could submit that, because our dollar is tanking any moneys that you earn beyond the limit of 300k monthly must go directly to the public coffers.
The big issue here is one that requires a bit of history. You see the original 13 states only accepted the idea of a federal government so long as its power remained limited, the line in the sand being drawn where an issue involved only one state; the Interstate Commerce Clause. The only way for our government to flex its muscle is by perverting the spirit of Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of our constitution and making health care national instead of state as it has been for decades. Once that dam breaks it will be far easier for our government to regulate the actions of any individual in any part of the United States and I, for one, don’t want ‘Big Brother’ breathing down my neck anymore than necessary.
Now that this case is before our nation's highest court it is my hope that some level of common sense will stir in the minds of the Supreme Court Justices. The Obamacare administration needs a serious reminder that a government that governs least governs best.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/15/11
My way or the Highway
BY: Armstrong Williams
My way or the Highway
John Corzine who is considered by many one of the smartest fixed income minds in the business took immeasurable risk with the capital of his firm. It was revealed that the company was leveraged 40-1. In summary, the company only had 2.5% equity invested against risk positions. Note: even in the height of the sub-prime crisis 40-1 leverage would have been considered extremely risk, where small movements in underlying positions could represent deleterious outcomes for investors. Did the my way or highway Jon Corzine not learn for the greatest financial meltdown seen in the US economy. The answer is simple, here is another example to the entrusted “gambling with other peoples money.” The irony of this is that in the August 2011 Bond deal there is a Key Man clause that states if Mr. Corzine departs prior to July 1, 2013 as MF Global’s full time chief executive officer due to his appointment to a federal position by the President of the United States and the confirmation of that appointment by the United States Senate, investors would get an additional 1.00% coupon on their existing 6.250% bonds. I beg to differ in that the “clause” should have said if John Corzine decides to increase the risk taking at MF Global similar to previous risk position at Goldman Sachs, investors should be redeemed their money at 100 cents on the dollar. Another alarming concern, there is approximately $600 million of unaccounted for customer funds.
Again the public trust has been breached by those who are entrusted to protect other people’s money. What is the difference between Corizine and Madoff? Corizine lost other people’s money by taking unnecessary and unapproved risks. Madoff stole other people’s money in a Ponzi scheme. What Corizine did may be technically legal but he certainly did not have approval from his shareholders to take “bet your company” risks. Where were the regulatory and supervisory agencies. I am beginning to think we may have to pad our mattresses again with money…..at least you know where it resides and if any is missing the house pet (cat or dog) can provide better answers than what we hear from the Wall Street experts (Regulators, Bankers etc)
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
LISTEN TO ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS LIVE TONIGHT AT 7:30 PM ON CNBC'S LARRY KUDLOW REPORT
My way or the Highway
BY: Armstrong Williams
My way or the Highway
John Corzine who is considered by many one of the smartest fixed income minds in the business took immeasurable risk with the capital of his firm. It was revealed that the company was leveraged 40-1. In summary, the company only had 2.5% equity invested against risk positions. Note: even in the height of the sub-prime crisis 40-1 leverage would have been considered extremely risk, where small movements in underlying positions could represent deleterious outcomes for investors. Did the my way or highway Jon Corzine not learn for the greatest financial meltdown seen in the US economy. The answer is simple, here is another example to the entrusted “gambling with other peoples money.” The irony of this is that in the August 2011 Bond deal there is a Key Man clause that states if Mr. Corzine departs prior to July 1, 2013 as MF Global’s full time chief executive officer due to his appointment to a federal position by the President of the United States and the confirmation of that appointment by the United States Senate, investors would get an additional 1.00% coupon on their existing 6.250% bonds. I beg to differ in that the “clause” should have said if John Corzine decides to increase the risk taking at MF Global similar to previous risk position at Goldman Sachs, investors should be redeemed their money at 100 cents on the dollar. Another alarming concern, there is approximately $600 million of unaccounted for customer funds.
Again the public trust has been breached by those who are entrusted to protect other people’s money. What is the difference between Corizine and Madoff? Corizine lost other people’s money by taking unnecessary and unapproved risks. Madoff stole other people’s money in a Ponzi scheme. What Corizine did may be technically legal but he certainly did not have approval from his shareholders to take “bet your company” risks. Where were the regulatory and supervisory agencies. I am beginning to think we may have to pad our mattresses again with money…..at least you know where it resides and if any is missing the house pet (cat or dog) can provide better answers than what we hear from the Wall Street experts (Regulators, Bankers etc)
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
LISTEN TO ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS LIVE TONIGHT AT 7:30 PM ON CNBC'S LARRY KUDLOW REPORT
11/11/11
What's best about our country, rests on our Veterans shoulders
BY: Armstrong Williams
What's best about our country, rests on our Veterans shoulders.
We often do not observe Veterans day as it should be. It's a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones and our family members who have served for the betterment of this great nation.
The thing to remember about war is that there are very few moments of individual gallantry. The individual combatant rarely dwarfs his surroundings. No John Wayne's to ride through a hale of enemy fire to save the day.
In fact, those one-dimensional embodiments of masculine striving are usually the first to die. Moments of war rarely allow for clarity.
War is a chaos where platoons of men are condemned to slaughter one another. War is a horror where one is ordered to kill strangers, to run in the face of enemy fire, to ignore the sight of his friends as they crumple to the ground. This lack of clarity becomes transparent to every soldier as his captain shouts, "Over the top men, everyone out!"
In that moment, each soldier finds himself engulfed in death and confusion. There is a scene in Steven Spielberg's film "Saving Private Ryan", in which a young man has his arm blown off. He stumbles around, gazing at his shattered limb, unsure of what to do.
War is detached horror.
War is confusion.
I mention this only to point out that those Veterans, who grappled with man's worst, did so to preserve man's best. As we remember our Veterans, it hardly seems enough to remember these soldiers in cliques of gallantry.
It is not enough to reduce the service of our patriots to an excuse for a really big sale – as do retailers.
It is not enough to dilute this holiday with ostentatious displays of consumerism and pageantry. After all, the importance of celebrating Veterans Day is not to celebrate per say, but to confirm the significance of their sacrifice.
Let us not forget that what is best about this country rests on our Veterans shoulders.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
What's best about our country, rests on our Veterans shoulders
BY: Armstrong Williams
What's best about our country, rests on our Veterans shoulders.
We often do not observe Veterans day as it should be. It's a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones and our family members who have served for the betterment of this great nation.
The thing to remember about war is that there are very few moments of individual gallantry. The individual combatant rarely dwarfs his surroundings. No John Wayne's to ride through a hale of enemy fire to save the day.
In fact, those one-dimensional embodiments of masculine striving are usually the first to die. Moments of war rarely allow for clarity.
War is a chaos where platoons of men are condemned to slaughter one another. War is a horror where one is ordered to kill strangers, to run in the face of enemy fire, to ignore the sight of his friends as they crumple to the ground. This lack of clarity becomes transparent to every soldier as his captain shouts, "Over the top men, everyone out!"
In that moment, each soldier finds himself engulfed in death and confusion. There is a scene in Steven Spielberg's film "Saving Private Ryan", in which a young man has his arm blown off. He stumbles around, gazing at his shattered limb, unsure of what to do.
War is detached horror.
War is confusion.
I mention this only to point out that those Veterans, who grappled with man's worst, did so to preserve man's best. As we remember our Veterans, it hardly seems enough to remember these soldiers in cliques of gallantry.
It is not enough to reduce the service of our patriots to an excuse for a really big sale – as do retailers.
It is not enough to dilute this holiday with ostentatious displays of consumerism and pageantry. After all, the importance of celebrating Veterans Day is not to celebrate per say, but to confirm the significance of their sacrifice.
Let us not forget that what is best about this country rests on our Veterans shoulders.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/10/11
Election Day lessons for Voters
BY: Armstrong Williams
Election Day lessons for Voters
I made an interesting observation Tuesday night. No political scientist would jump to confirm this, as it’s merely an anecdote, not rooted in fact. But if it’s anywhere close to the truth, we have serious problems facing our country in the coming years from simply a perspective of being an informed voter.
I found myself late Tuesday evening walking around an Alexandria suburb, and was amazed at all the political signs for a series of candidates. There were signs for Alexandria Clerk of Court and perhaps a state delegate or two. But the ones I noticed the most were indicative of a heated race for a state Senate seat in the area (don’t ask me what district it was; I live in DC remember!). But the two candidates were close to each other in one thing – their names.
The incumbent – a Democrat – was named Barker, while his opponent was named Baker. Baker was a Republican whom not many expected to win, even though pollsters predicted the Virginia Senate could shift from its historic Democratic dominance to Republican control this cycle.
So there I am, and clearly in the Democratic bastion of Alexandria, there were more signs for Barker, the incumbent. When I stopped and asked a passerby who he was voting for, he looked at me puzzled, then pointed at the Barker sign, and said, “I guess that fella.”
When I asked him why, he couldn’t offer a concrete answer, but sheepishly responded, “I guess because he has more signs, he must be doing something right…”
As laughable as that seems, it dawned on me that, in this day and age where any voter can simply key in a few letters such as “Barker” on a Google search, they can learn all they want about that person. And yet, voters still choose to be rationally ignorant. That’s the political science term for those who believe because so many vote, and the likelihood that their individual ballot will make any difference to the overall outcome is so small, they choose to not participate at all. Or, in this case, the voter allowed the last thing he saw prior to casting his ballot to persuade his judgment.
Then I continued my un-scientific experiment by asking someone upon exiting the voting precinct who they voted for, Barker or Baker. She replied she didn’t know, but the one with the “D” after his name, because she was a lifelong Democrat. Here again, she’s entitled to vote for whomever she likes. But can we say that was an informed decision? Had she bothered to do any comparative analyses on where the incumbent stood on say, K-12 education funding? She assumed that since he was a Democrat, he would be correct on the issues. But that’s not always a given. Instead of proactively seeking information, less than, for example, she would if buying a dishwasher, she chose not to.
The point here folks, is voting is a wonderful thing. It’s a tremendous power our Founders gave to us, and our troops fight to preserve. When we – yes, ALL of us – choose to put so little effort into that action, it belittles the process and the sacrifices made to preserve the privilege. Notwithstanding the fact that many choose not to even vote at all these days, yet when they do, it should be done with a little more consideration and time invested. After all, the decisions at the local level impact us more than any other.
Something to think about…
(By the way, the incumbent Barker won Tuesday's election handily)
Election Day lessons for Voters
BY: Armstrong Williams
Election Day lessons for Voters
I made an interesting observation Tuesday night. No political scientist would jump to confirm this, as it’s merely an anecdote, not rooted in fact. But if it’s anywhere close to the truth, we have serious problems facing our country in the coming years from simply a perspective of being an informed voter.
I found myself late Tuesday evening walking around an Alexandria suburb, and was amazed at all the political signs for a series of candidates. There were signs for Alexandria Clerk of Court and perhaps a state delegate or two. But the ones I noticed the most were indicative of a heated race for a state Senate seat in the area (don’t ask me what district it was; I live in DC remember!). But the two candidates were close to each other in one thing – their names.
The incumbent – a Democrat – was named Barker, while his opponent was named Baker. Baker was a Republican whom not many expected to win, even though pollsters predicted the Virginia Senate could shift from its historic Democratic dominance to Republican control this cycle.
So there I am, and clearly in the Democratic bastion of Alexandria, there were more signs for Barker, the incumbent. When I stopped and asked a passerby who he was voting for, he looked at me puzzled, then pointed at the Barker sign, and said, “I guess that fella.”
When I asked him why, he couldn’t offer a concrete answer, but sheepishly responded, “I guess because he has more signs, he must be doing something right…”
As laughable as that seems, it dawned on me that, in this day and age where any voter can simply key in a few letters such as “Barker” on a Google search, they can learn all they want about that person. And yet, voters still choose to be rationally ignorant. That’s the political science term for those who believe because so many vote, and the likelihood that their individual ballot will make any difference to the overall outcome is so small, they choose to not participate at all. Or, in this case, the voter allowed the last thing he saw prior to casting his ballot to persuade his judgment.
Then I continued my un-scientific experiment by asking someone upon exiting the voting precinct who they voted for, Barker or Baker. She replied she didn’t know, but the one with the “D” after his name, because she was a lifelong Democrat. Here again, she’s entitled to vote for whomever she likes. But can we say that was an informed decision? Had she bothered to do any comparative analyses on where the incumbent stood on say, K-12 education funding? She assumed that since he was a Democrat, he would be correct on the issues. But that’s not always a given. Instead of proactively seeking information, less than, for example, she would if buying a dishwasher, she chose not to.
The point here folks, is voting is a wonderful thing. It’s a tremendous power our Founders gave to us, and our troops fight to preserve. When we – yes, ALL of us – choose to put so little effort into that action, it belittles the process and the sacrifices made to preserve the privilege. Notwithstanding the fact that many choose not to even vote at all these days, yet when they do, it should be done with a little more consideration and time invested. After all, the decisions at the local level impact us more than any other.
Something to think about…
(By the way, the incumbent Barker won Tuesday's election handily)
11/09/11
Obama's dirty laundry
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Dirty Laundry
"I can't stand him. He's a liar," Sarkozy said of Netanyahu, according to the website.
Obama replied, "You're tired of him; what about me? I have to deal with him every day," the site reported. -CNN
In an off-mic situation Obama and Sarkozy are discovered not to trust Netanyahu and Sarkozy went so far as to call him a liar. Not only did Obama refuse to defend him, but chimed in by saying he has to "deal" with the Israeli Prime Minister everyday. The disdain of these two world leaders for there ally was apparent. It is also apparent that the President's support of Israel publicly is only a facade. I truly hope the American people are taking serious notes now that they have finally seen our President's true feelings about Israel and the fact that the uneasiness that has been created since Obama's tenure is deep seeded and very personal. So Obama can continue to give hollow speeches trying to ease the concerns of his Jewish constituency, but alas the dirty laundry is out in the open for everyone to see and finally understand. Amazingly, or perhaps not, the main stream media barely reported the story and yet if it were a Republican president causing such a gaffe that it would have been front page headlines for quite sometime. What does it mean when our President joined in the denigration of one of our most trusted traditional allies? What does it tell us when the mainstream media glosses over the story. It means that people need to learn to think for themselves and not trust a jaded media which instead of reporting the news, manipulates every situation to fit their agenda.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama's dirty laundry
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Dirty Laundry
"I can't stand him. He's a liar," Sarkozy said of Netanyahu, according to the website.
Obama replied, "You're tired of him; what about me? I have to deal with him every day," the site reported. -CNN
In an off-mic situation Obama and Sarkozy are discovered not to trust Netanyahu and Sarkozy went so far as to call him a liar. Not only did Obama refuse to defend him, but chimed in by saying he has to "deal" with the Israeli Prime Minister everyday. The disdain of these two world leaders for there ally was apparent. It is also apparent that the President's support of Israel publicly is only a facade. I truly hope the American people are taking serious notes now that they have finally seen our President's true feelings about Israel and the fact that the uneasiness that has been created since Obama's tenure is deep seeded and very personal. So Obama can continue to give hollow speeches trying to ease the concerns of his Jewish constituency, but alas the dirty laundry is out in the open for everyone to see and finally understand. Amazingly, or perhaps not, the main stream media barely reported the story and yet if it were a Republican president causing such a gaffe that it would have been front page headlines for quite sometime. What does it mean when our President joined in the denigration of one of our most trusted traditional allies? What does it tell us when the mainstream media glosses over the story. It means that people need to learn to think for themselves and not trust a jaded media which instead of reporting the news, manipulates every situation to fit their agenda.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/08/11
Consumerism
BY: Armstrong Williams
Consumerism
75% of our economy is built on consumer confidence, a foundation that is amorphous at best. Everything is great when going according to plan, but as soon as it gets hot in that kitchen you are left without any support whatsoever.
For our economy to be strong it has to be built on savings and investment. In addition to building up an emergency reserve, savings can also enable you to invest in companies that will provide you with residual income; the foundation of building wealth. In order to reach that point you will have to follow a path of delayed gratification. Just using a credit card and spending money that you don't have is the opposite of delayed gratification. Delayed gratification is what's necessary for success in any part of your life, not just the economy. We often must pass on the immediately available pleasure in our lives in order to focus on, and do, what is necessary to have a long term productive life. Compulsive behavior leads one to commit a sin every hour. You must discipline yourself and do what you need to do, not just what you want to do. Remember the popular song Feelings, Nothing More than Feelings? The point is that intellect has to come before feelings. When you think about it, President Obama was elected on 'Feelings, Nothing More than Feelings.' Obama is like the Dr. that has good bed side manners and he gives you a very soothing diagnosis that you have six weeks to live, but you feel great about it.
Think about it.
Hope and change?
Please let me remind you that Hope was and never will be a policy to return our nation to greatness. You must take action, which is lacking, and the action that we're taking is a good example of Einstein's warning that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Consumerism
BY: Armstrong Williams
Consumerism
75% of our economy is built on consumer confidence, a foundation that is amorphous at best. Everything is great when going according to plan, but as soon as it gets hot in that kitchen you are left without any support whatsoever.
For our economy to be strong it has to be built on savings and investment. In addition to building up an emergency reserve, savings can also enable you to invest in companies that will provide you with residual income; the foundation of building wealth. In order to reach that point you will have to follow a path of delayed gratification. Just using a credit card and spending money that you don't have is the opposite of delayed gratification. Delayed gratification is what's necessary for success in any part of your life, not just the economy. We often must pass on the immediately available pleasure in our lives in order to focus on, and do, what is necessary to have a long term productive life. Compulsive behavior leads one to commit a sin every hour. You must discipline yourself and do what you need to do, not just what you want to do. Remember the popular song Feelings, Nothing More than Feelings? The point is that intellect has to come before feelings. When you think about it, President Obama was elected on 'Feelings, Nothing More than Feelings.' Obama is like the Dr. that has good bed side manners and he gives you a very soothing diagnosis that you have six weeks to live, but you feel great about it.
Think about it.
Hope and change?
Please let me remind you that Hope was and never will be a policy to return our nation to greatness. You must take action, which is lacking, and the action that we're taking is a good example of Einstein's warning that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/07/11
The race for a Veep should begin now
BY: Armstrong Williams
The race for a Veep should begin now
I know this may seem far-fetched for Republicans, especially since a nominee hasn’t even been picked yet, but I believe whoever ultimately gets the nod must select a running mate fairly quickly. The rationale is it’s becoming more apparent (at least now) that Obama will give the GOP nominee a run for his money, even as his approval rating hovers at 40% and could slide further. Yet Obama continues to campaign from the Oval Office, and will continue to make in-roads into his base, getting them to the point where a vote for him is not more of the same, but instead a vote against the Republican Party.
The electorate is volatile, and whoever the nominee is will need every advantage they can, and that includes more spokespersons to challenge this president and his administration.
Let’s assume Mitt Romney wins. Prior to his poorly-handled scandals, Herman Cain would’ve made a nice veep pick. Even though Cain was strong on similar issues as Romney, his background and skin color would have siphoned some of the black vote from Obama, I believe.
But that alone should not have forced Romney’s hand. More than race, Romney needs to burnish his conservative bona fides, and that means he needs to pick someone with mass appeal to the conservative right, and yes, someone to the right of Romney.
It doesn’t need to be a governor, Romney has that on his resume. Though governors do tend to fare better on presidential runs than say, Senators. I personally like someone like Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), but many would say he’s untested and too young. One day, however…
Finally, Joe Biden is not exactly batting .1000 of late. His gaffes and blunders make him prime fodder for a GOP bulldog to come after him; the sooner the better.
As much as Republicans and much of the country would like to see Obama run out of Washington on a rail, this race is going to be close, and dirty. The GOP nominee would serve himself well if he made his VP pick well in advance of the GOP Convention in Tampa, then use that added attention to hammer the Obama camp.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The race for a Veep should begin now
BY: Armstrong Williams
The race for a Veep should begin now
I know this may seem far-fetched for Republicans, especially since a nominee hasn’t even been picked yet, but I believe whoever ultimately gets the nod must select a running mate fairly quickly. The rationale is it’s becoming more apparent (at least now) that Obama will give the GOP nominee a run for his money, even as his approval rating hovers at 40% and could slide further. Yet Obama continues to campaign from the Oval Office, and will continue to make in-roads into his base, getting them to the point where a vote for him is not more of the same, but instead a vote against the Republican Party.
The electorate is volatile, and whoever the nominee is will need every advantage they can, and that includes more spokespersons to challenge this president and his administration.
Let’s assume Mitt Romney wins. Prior to his poorly-handled scandals, Herman Cain would’ve made a nice veep pick. Even though Cain was strong on similar issues as Romney, his background and skin color would have siphoned some of the black vote from Obama, I believe.
But that alone should not have forced Romney’s hand. More than race, Romney needs to burnish his conservative bona fides, and that means he needs to pick someone with mass appeal to the conservative right, and yes, someone to the right of Romney.
It doesn’t need to be a governor, Romney has that on his resume. Though governors do tend to fare better on presidential runs than say, Senators. I personally like someone like Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), but many would say he’s untested and too young. One day, however…
Finally, Joe Biden is not exactly batting .1000 of late. His gaffes and blunders make him prime fodder for a GOP bulldog to come after him; the sooner the better.
As much as Republicans and much of the country would like to see Obama run out of Washington on a rail, this race is going to be close, and dirty. The GOP nominee would serve himself well if he made his VP pick well in advance of the GOP Convention in Tampa, then use that added attention to hammer the Obama camp.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/04/11
Super Committee deadline
BY: Armstrong Williams
To be clear: It’s entirely possible the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction can fail to meet its mandated purpose of recommending reductions from $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion from the federal budget by Thanksgiving. That’s a tall order. But they mustnot fail if we expect our governing institutions to retain what little credibility that remains among them.
The first casualty of an empty Super Committee is our nation’s economic health. Set aside for the moment the sheer need for austerity. If the panel were to miss its mark, economic chaos could ensue. Moody’s Investor Service has already lowered our nation’s stellar credit rating. And just last week, the credit house said that, while no downgrade is automatic, the Super Committee would serve it and Congress well by tackling big budget busters such as entitlement reform. Put another way, Congress should get out of its own way.
Not long ago, Democrats led by the President blamed consumer demand as the key inhibitor to economic growth in 2011. Then Republicans piled on and said it was looming uncertainty that paralyzed investors and businesses alike, freezing precious capital. Even Obama later subscribed to that reasoning. So why is it now, when both parties clearly have their fingers on the crux of the matter, they are singularly responsible for that very uncertainty and yet refuse to execute the steps to end it?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Super Committee deadline
BY: Armstrong Williams
To be clear: It’s entirely possible the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction can fail to meet its mandated purpose of recommending reductions from $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion from the federal budget by Thanksgiving. That’s a tall order. But they mustnot fail if we expect our governing institutions to retain what little credibility that remains among them.
The first casualty of an empty Super Committee is our nation’s economic health. Set aside for the moment the sheer need for austerity. If the panel were to miss its mark, economic chaos could ensue. Moody’s Investor Service has already lowered our nation’s stellar credit rating. And just last week, the credit house said that, while no downgrade is automatic, the Super Committee would serve it and Congress well by tackling big budget busters such as entitlement reform. Put another way, Congress should get out of its own way.
Not long ago, Democrats led by the President blamed consumer demand as the key inhibitor to economic growth in 2011. Then Republicans piled on and said it was looming uncertainty that paralyzed investors and businesses alike, freezing precious capital. Even Obama later subscribed to that reasoning. So why is it now, when both parties clearly have their fingers on the crux of the matter, they are singularly responsible for that very uncertainty and yet refuse to execute the steps to end it?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/02/11
Cain Must explain and move forward
BY: Armstrong Williams
Can Cain Explain
What you hear from some conservative commentators, that this is a “high-tech lynching” of an “uppity black conservative” and the media punishing him for being “black while conservative,” is either ludicrous or boring. Ludicrous, because you can’t for a minute tell me Politico wouldn’t have run the story if it had been Romney, Perry, Paul or Bachmann. It has nothing to do with his skin color and everything to do with the fact that this is what news does today, and maybe the fact that he’s a Republican. That’s what newspapers do today in the Age of Twitter – they report first, ask questions later. And if it’s not ludicrous, it’s boring, because we already know the media is biased against Republicans. So what? We’ve been saying that for years.
But on the question of race. Don’t Republicans hate it when they oppose Democrats ‘of color’ on policy or make a personal accusation – and the first response of that Democrat ‘of color’ and his/her defenders is to say, “You must be a racist.” Don’t Republicans hate that? Well, why is the first response from some conservatives that this must have to do with Cain’s race? That makes them guilty of the same race-baiting we accuse Democrats of. Let’s stick to the issue.
The real question is, why is Mr. Cain’s response so inconsistent and incoherent? Most Republican voters find it hard to believe he didn’t remember details about a significant accusation only 12 years old. Put yourself in his shoes, Bruce. You’re successful. You have ambitions. You have a career and a reputation. And two women make accusations that could end it all today. You’re telling me you wouldn’t have that episode seared into your brain and soul for the rest of your life? So Republicans are right to have questions about all this and wonder why he’s having so much trouble remembering.
Republicans are a forgiving group. If he’d been clear, consistent, and open about this from the beginning and if the accusations truly were baseless, he’d be fine and it would be yesterday’s news. Especially if it turns out this wasn’t about sex or infidelity but was instead about inappropriate office humor, as Mr. Cain is suggesting.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Cain Must explain and move forward
BY: Armstrong Williams
Can Cain Explain
What you hear from some conservative commentators, that this is a “high-tech lynching” of an “uppity black conservative” and the media punishing him for being “black while conservative,” is either ludicrous or boring. Ludicrous, because you can’t for a minute tell me Politico wouldn’t have run the story if it had been Romney, Perry, Paul or Bachmann. It has nothing to do with his skin color and everything to do with the fact that this is what news does today, and maybe the fact that he’s a Republican. That’s what newspapers do today in the Age of Twitter – they report first, ask questions later. And if it’s not ludicrous, it’s boring, because we already know the media is biased against Republicans. So what? We’ve been saying that for years.
But on the question of race. Don’t Republicans hate it when they oppose Democrats ‘of color’ on policy or make a personal accusation – and the first response of that Democrat ‘of color’ and his/her defenders is to say, “You must be a racist.” Don’t Republicans hate that? Well, why is the first response from some conservatives that this must have to do with Cain’s race? That makes them guilty of the same race-baiting we accuse Democrats of. Let’s stick to the issue.
The real question is, why is Mr. Cain’s response so inconsistent and incoherent? Most Republican voters find it hard to believe he didn’t remember details about a significant accusation only 12 years old. Put yourself in his shoes, Bruce. You’re successful. You have ambitions. You have a career and a reputation. And two women make accusations that could end it all today. You’re telling me you wouldn’t have that episode seared into your brain and soul for the rest of your life? So Republicans are right to have questions about all this and wonder why he’s having so much trouble remembering.
Republicans are a forgiving group. If he’d been clear, consistent, and open about this from the beginning and if the accusations truly were baseless, he’d be fine and it would be yesterday’s news. Especially if it turns out this wasn’t about sex or infidelity but was instead about inappropriate office humor, as Mr. Cain is suggesting.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
11/01/11
Immigration revisited
BY: Armstrong Williams
Immigration revisited
Is it possible to be pro-immigration in this country and still support the principles of the State of Alabama’s immigration laws, dubbed some of the strictest in the nation? Absolutely.
Sound paradoxical? Not at all.
First things first. Yes, the state’s laws are tough, and in some cases, questionable, as in one provision that requires students to document their immigration status before enrolling in school. The fact that less than 10% Hispanics failed to do so in recent weeks shouldn’t come as any surprise, if you believe that close to 10% of Alabama’s Hispanic population is here illegally. I don’t know the exact number in the state, but it’s not as if no one of Hispanic origin showed to school that day.
I hate to continue laying America’s toughest social problems – the economy, moral compass, immigration, etc. – at the feet of this president and Congress, but it’s their fault.
Alabama’s laws are based on a simple principle: If you’re in the state in such a manner that wantonly violates the laws of the land, then they’re going to do what the Feds are unwilling to do – step up and call you out.
If you don’t like the current immigration policies, then change the law! Don’t just complain about more responsible governments like Alabama’s who step up and actually enforce the laws on the books.
And listen, there is a role here for pro-immigration groups, both Hispanic and non – to play. It’s in everyone’s best interests to step up and clean up the immigration policies of the United States. Let’s end the confusion and the suspicious glances. Let’s end the mindless accusations such as one Alabama lawmaker, when he said he sponsored the bill because, “They were coming in here like thieves in the night and taking our jobs and tax revenue.” That’s a little over the top. Immigration violators are deserving of justice, not hatred. And when one slams into the other, then problems arise.
Congress and the president have a responsibility to address this issue; not bat it around every two or four years to score political points. Easier said than done? It shouldn’t be. Just look at states such as Arizona, South Carolina, Utah and Georgia. Alabama isn’t a border state, they’re just tired of waiting for the Feds to act. Aren’t we all.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Immigration revisited
BY: Armstrong Williams
Immigration revisited
Is it possible to be pro-immigration in this country and still support the principles of the State of Alabama’s immigration laws, dubbed some of the strictest in the nation? Absolutely.
Sound paradoxical? Not at all.
First things first. Yes, the state’s laws are tough, and in some cases, questionable, as in one provision that requires students to document their immigration status before enrolling in school. The fact that less than 10% Hispanics failed to do so in recent weeks shouldn’t come as any surprise, if you believe that close to 10% of Alabama’s Hispanic population is here illegally. I don’t know the exact number in the state, but it’s not as if no one of Hispanic origin showed to school that day.
I hate to continue laying America’s toughest social problems – the economy, moral compass, immigration, etc. – at the feet of this president and Congress, but it’s their fault.
Alabama’s laws are based on a simple principle: If you’re in the state in such a manner that wantonly violates the laws of the land, then they’re going to do what the Feds are unwilling to do – step up and call you out.
If you don’t like the current immigration policies, then change the law! Don’t just complain about more responsible governments like Alabama’s who step up and actually enforce the laws on the books.
And listen, there is a role here for pro-immigration groups, both Hispanic and non – to play. It’s in everyone’s best interests to step up and clean up the immigration policies of the United States. Let’s end the confusion and the suspicious glances. Let’s end the mindless accusations such as one Alabama lawmaker, when he said he sponsored the bill because, “They were coming in here like thieves in the night and taking our jobs and tax revenue.” That’s a little over the top. Immigration violators are deserving of justice, not hatred. And when one slams into the other, then problems arise.
Congress and the president have a responsibility to address this issue; not bat it around every two or four years to score political points. Easier said than done? It shouldn’t be. Just look at states such as Arizona, South Carolina, Utah and Georgia. Alabama isn’t a border state, they’re just tired of waiting for the Feds to act. Aren’t we all.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/31/11
A chink in Obama's armor
BY: Armstrong Williams
A chink in Obama’s armor
Stop right there, Mr. President. Whoever is advising you that it’s alright and not a contradiction in any way that you can continue to rail against lobbyists while lining your pockets with their political help is selling you some bad corn whiskey, as my grandfather used to say.
A report by the New York Times last week uncovered that over a dozen of the President’s top campaign fundraisers all have close ties to the lobbying industry. This during the very weeks where Obama is out on the political hustings (at taxpayers’ expense, mind you) throwing all sorts of invectives at fat cats on Wall Street and all those who “influence Washington.” Something’s not right when Obama takes such a purist position on campaign dollars and self-righteously condemns those who would peddle their agendas yet has a virtual money-machine behind the White House curtain.
An Obama spokesman said on Friday, “Barack Obama hasn’t accepted a dime from federal lobbyists or political action committees…” Okay, someone smart set up a technical definition of what constituted a lobbyist and then found a way to flirt the rules. So you don’t actually have a registered lobbyist giving you money. Isn’t it still the same, Mr. President, when they are paid by corporations to run around the country and collect or “bundle” that same money the same purposes? If it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, well, you get the picture.
This is a major chink in the President’s armor, because it begins to speak to his credibility on the campaign stump. I’m not exaggerating. The only bright side in his presidency are Obama’s personal likability scores among the voters; they believe he’s a genuinely sincere guy. But to see him and his campaign skirting around campaign issues in a campaign season…well, he begins to look a lot like Al Gore. And we all know what happened to Gore.
I personally don’t have an issue with accepting campaign dollars from lobbyists or corporations. The money will flow no matter what. Just look at McCain-Feingold and all the good that campaign-finance reform did…NOT.
Up until now, the President had some fairly firm ground upon which to attack Republicans, particularly with a ‘big business’ label. But if circumstances continue to show Obama is dipping his gravy ladle into the same cess pot of money as others, voters get cynical. And that’s the last thing the President needs now in this climate.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
A chink in Obama's armor
BY: Armstrong Williams
A chink in Obama’s armor
Stop right there, Mr. President. Whoever is advising you that it’s alright and not a contradiction in any way that you can continue to rail against lobbyists while lining your pockets with their political help is selling you some bad corn whiskey, as my grandfather used to say.
A report by the New York Times last week uncovered that over a dozen of the President’s top campaign fundraisers all have close ties to the lobbying industry. This during the very weeks where Obama is out on the political hustings (at taxpayers’ expense, mind you) throwing all sorts of invectives at fat cats on Wall Street and all those who “influence Washington.” Something’s not right when Obama takes such a purist position on campaign dollars and self-righteously condemns those who would peddle their agendas yet has a virtual money-machine behind the White House curtain.
An Obama spokesman said on Friday, “Barack Obama hasn’t accepted a dime from federal lobbyists or political action committees…” Okay, someone smart set up a technical definition of what constituted a lobbyist and then found a way to flirt the rules. So you don’t actually have a registered lobbyist giving you money. Isn’t it still the same, Mr. President, when they are paid by corporations to run around the country and collect or “bundle” that same money the same purposes? If it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, well, you get the picture.
This is a major chink in the President’s armor, because it begins to speak to his credibility on the campaign stump. I’m not exaggerating. The only bright side in his presidency are Obama’s personal likability scores among the voters; they believe he’s a genuinely sincere guy. But to see him and his campaign skirting around campaign issues in a campaign season…well, he begins to look a lot like Al Gore. And we all know what happened to Gore.
I personally don’t have an issue with accepting campaign dollars from lobbyists or corporations. The money will flow no matter what. Just look at McCain-Feingold and all the good that campaign-finance reform did…NOT.
Up until now, the President had some fairly firm ground upon which to attack Republicans, particularly with a ‘big business’ label. But if circumstances continue to show Obama is dipping his gravy ladle into the same cess pot of money as others, voters get cynical. And that’s the last thing the President needs now in this climate.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/27/11
America the beautiful
BY: Armstrong Williams
America the Beautiful
America is facing tough times: high unemployment, high debt, economic uncertainty, unstable relations amongst other nations, and the list goes on. I am not composing this article to magnify the issues. I am composing it for the individuals who are dealing with these issues on a daily basis: the soldiers in the trenches and the people facing tremendous odds and see no way out. The statistics that support defeat in this current economic climate are momentous, but to inform all readers LIFE IS NOT A STATISTICS TEST. Anyone facing hardship might not be blessed with millions, political status, or whatever trivial benefit your mind can conjure up but you are blessed with a choice. Many people think the greatness of a country lies within its tall buildings, economic exchanges, or political “status”.
Tall buildings don’t create tall buildings, and inanimate objects don’t create societies. This composition is an urge for the individuals to compete valiantly in the midst of speculative circumstances. The choice that lies within the hands of anyone reading this article is to survive or consensually become a victim. Embrace the challenges that you face daily, for they drive you to become better. Tap into your potential and ignite it with the inextinguishable flame of faith that can never, and will never, be defeated. Don’t ever let any movement or politician tell you that you are at the bottom. You may not be born with many means, but it’s not how you start it’s how you finish. Americans are not victims, we are winners. This country was not built on complaints, but actions driven by motivation to defeat a larger force. I am encouraging all Americans to consider the history of triumph and not consensual defeat. Did David complain to God about how big Goliath was? Did Churchill tuck and run against the Nazi’s? Did the Union concede to the excellent fighting ability of the South? Did Dr. King have the mentality that he and his followers were the bottom of all society? Did Steve Jobs give up and collect unemployment benefits after he was released from Apple? I think not.
Individuals that have lower means are actually at an advantage over those who do. The individuals with lower means are forced into a situation in which they must rely on their creative ability over inanimate objects. Everybody is blessed with a choice to compete or accept defeat regardless of circumstances. Competitors should not be focused on the difficulty of the problem, but the inefficiencies that the problems possess. We, as Americans, should obsess ourselves with solutions, not magnifying problems for that is what made us so great in the first place.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
America the beautiful
BY: Armstrong Williams
America the Beautiful
America is facing tough times: high unemployment, high debt, economic uncertainty, unstable relations amongst other nations, and the list goes on. I am not composing this article to magnify the issues. I am composing it for the individuals who are dealing with these issues on a daily basis: the soldiers in the trenches and the people facing tremendous odds and see no way out. The statistics that support defeat in this current economic climate are momentous, but to inform all readers LIFE IS NOT A STATISTICS TEST. Anyone facing hardship might not be blessed with millions, political status, or whatever trivial benefit your mind can conjure up but you are blessed with a choice. Many people think the greatness of a country lies within its tall buildings, economic exchanges, or political “status”.
Tall buildings don’t create tall buildings, and inanimate objects don’t create societies. This composition is an urge for the individuals to compete valiantly in the midst of speculative circumstances. The choice that lies within the hands of anyone reading this article is to survive or consensually become a victim. Embrace the challenges that you face daily, for they drive you to become better. Tap into your potential and ignite it with the inextinguishable flame of faith that can never, and will never, be defeated. Don’t ever let any movement or politician tell you that you are at the bottom. You may not be born with many means, but it’s not how you start it’s how you finish. Americans are not victims, we are winners. This country was not built on complaints, but actions driven by motivation to defeat a larger force. I am encouraging all Americans to consider the history of triumph and not consensual defeat. Did David complain to God about how big Goliath was? Did Churchill tuck and run against the Nazi’s? Did the Union concede to the excellent fighting ability of the South? Did Dr. King have the mentality that he and his followers were the bottom of all society? Did Steve Jobs give up and collect unemployment benefits after he was released from Apple? I think not.
Individuals that have lower means are actually at an advantage over those who do. The individuals with lower means are forced into a situation in which they must rely on their creative ability over inanimate objects. Everybody is blessed with a choice to compete or accept defeat regardless of circumstances. Competitors should not be focused on the difficulty of the problem, but the inefficiencies that the problems possess. We, as Americans, should obsess ourselves with solutions, not magnifying problems for that is what made us so great in the first place.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/25/11
No debt gifts for the Greeks
By: Armstrong Williams
No debt gifts for the Greeks
The last full week of October 2011 marked another bad week for Greece. Earlier Monday, the Athens stock market plummeted on news that the nation’s European allies had failed to meet an agreement to keep the nation afloat.
Greece’s bank shares took a beating on news they may be forced to accept higher losses on their government's bonds as part of the larger European deal.
And while the government seems paralyzed with inaction, the people of Greece (mostly public workers) took to the streets once again to protest.
I don’t generally have a problem with protesters. Ahh, who am I kidding – I usually do have a problem with them. The reason is they rarely can cite the reason for their anger. In this case, it’s even more evident as the protesters should be going after their policymakers for not taking the necessary steps for a return to long-term stability in the nation. Instead, they want a return to the status quo ante – an untenable state of affairs where government was seen as the answer to all of the country’s woes.
Sound familiar?
There’s a crisis of confidence in Europe right now, and its effects are spilling over in small but impactful ways in our country and its own inability to recover.
The sooner the eurozone’s leaders realize they need to address the Greek financial crisis for what it is – runaway government spending perpetrated and masked by irresponsible state leaders – the sooner the continent can prevent other larger nations from falling into similar situations.
I’m not one who wants to see an entire country suffer because of the ineptitude of a select few, but the example needs to be made of Greece for the greater good of other nations.
What kind of message does it send that a nation can pile billions of debt up and then, almost righteously, expect others to bail them out because they were “too big to fail?”
As one Eurozone analyst recently commented, “There is no prospect of revival in Greece until and unless Europe gets its act together. Greece will have to wait in this comatose state, zombified state, until Europe collapses or fixes its problems.”
While that statement may be accurate, it’s for a different reason. Europe won’t collapse, that much is certain. But to “fix” its problems, it must exact a form of economic punishment onto Greece the likes of which it has not seen. The sooner that can happen, the quicker the continent can begin to recover economically.
There is no easy way out for the Greeks. The pain is inevitable, the suffering is optional.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
No debt gifts for the Greeks
By: Armstrong Williams
No debt gifts for the Greeks
The last full week of October 2011 marked another bad week for Greece. Earlier Monday, the Athens stock market plummeted on news that the nation’s European allies had failed to meet an agreement to keep the nation afloat.
Greece’s bank shares took a beating on news they may be forced to accept higher losses on their government's bonds as part of the larger European deal.
And while the government seems paralyzed with inaction, the people of Greece (mostly public workers) took to the streets once again to protest.
I don’t generally have a problem with protesters. Ahh, who am I kidding – I usually do have a problem with them. The reason is they rarely can cite the reason for their anger. In this case, it’s even more evident as the protesters should be going after their policymakers for not taking the necessary steps for a return to long-term stability in the nation. Instead, they want a return to the status quo ante – an untenable state of affairs where government was seen as the answer to all of the country’s woes.
Sound familiar?
There’s a crisis of confidence in Europe right now, and its effects are spilling over in small but impactful ways in our country and its own inability to recover.
The sooner the eurozone’s leaders realize they need to address the Greek financial crisis for what it is – runaway government spending perpetrated and masked by irresponsible state leaders – the sooner the continent can prevent other larger nations from falling into similar situations.
I’m not one who wants to see an entire country suffer because of the ineptitude of a select few, but the example needs to be made of Greece for the greater good of other nations.
What kind of message does it send that a nation can pile billions of debt up and then, almost righteously, expect others to bail them out because they were “too big to fail?”
As one Eurozone analyst recently commented, “There is no prospect of revival in Greece until and unless Europe gets its act together. Greece will have to wait in this comatose state, zombified state, until Europe collapses or fixes its problems.”
While that statement may be accurate, it’s for a different reason. Europe won’t collapse, that much is certain. But to “fix” its problems, it must exact a form of economic punishment onto Greece the likes of which it has not seen. The sooner that can happen, the quicker the continent can begin to recover economically.
There is no easy way out for the Greeks. The pain is inevitable, the suffering is optional.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/20/11
Parasitic infestation of our nation
BY: Armstrong Williams
Parasitic infestation of our nation.
When our country and our system of government was established government worked, and it was accepted by patriots who were willing to sacrifice personal income and comfort in order to serve their fellow citizen and strengthen the fabric of our nation. Both government workers and politicians were not likely to seek lifetime positions because of the sacrificial nature of government service.
What would the founders think if they could see the situation today where Washington, DC is the richest city in the United States. Right now you're probably thinking to yourself, "Really? I find that hard to believe." Okay, click here. Interestingly enough this wealth has little or nothing to do with private industry. So what is it? Part of the reason for the wealth of this city is that, on average, Federal employees are compensated $126,000.00 annually. Perhaps someone should provide this information to the Occupy Wall Street Protesters so they can finally understand where the real target of their frustrations lie.
$126,000 is more than twice the compensation of the average American who supports these salaries out of their own pockets through taxation.
The government workers are parasites living off of everyone else and in many cases are contributing very little. In the last three years the number of federal employees has exploded and there are no signs in sight that this will slow down. In a time like ours where we are mired in a financial crisis can we really afford to maintain such a parasitic class in our nation?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Parasitic infestation of our nation
BY: Armstrong Williams
Parasitic infestation of our nation.
When our country and our system of government was established government worked, and it was accepted by patriots who were willing to sacrifice personal income and comfort in order to serve their fellow citizen and strengthen the fabric of our nation. Both government workers and politicians were not likely to seek lifetime positions because of the sacrificial nature of government service.
What would the founders think if they could see the situation today where Washington, DC is the richest city in the United States. Right now you're probably thinking to yourself, "Really? I find that hard to believe." Okay, click here. Interestingly enough this wealth has little or nothing to do with private industry. So what is it? Part of the reason for the wealth of this city is that, on average, Federal employees are compensated $126,000.00 annually. Perhaps someone should provide this information to the Occupy Wall Street Protesters so they can finally understand where the real target of their frustrations lie.
$126,000 is more than twice the compensation of the average American who supports these salaries out of their own pockets through taxation.
The government workers are parasites living off of everyone else and in many cases are contributing very little. In the last three years the number of federal employees has exploded and there are no signs in sight that this will slow down. In a time like ours where we are mired in a financial crisis can we really afford to maintain such a parasitic class in our nation?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/19/11
Economic Health
Economic Health
BY: Armstrong Williams
Long term chronic care for everyone, especially the elderly, is not affordable in Obamacare which is why they are scrambling to either remove that component of the bill or find some other monetary solution. Long term care is extraordinarily expensive, in fact in our current system over 40% of health care dollars are spent in the last six months of life. If you multiply that over an entire society you can begin to get an appreciation of the staggering amount of money we're talking about.
This is however one unaffordable component of the bill, in fact the entire Obamacare is unaffordable; one reason why so many employers are not hiring people. As an employer you automatically become responsible for huge healthcare benefits for every employee, significantly increasing the cost of hiring anyone on payroll. This is an excellent opportunity for people to awaken and understand that socialism will bankrupt capitalism. Capitalism is based upon the individual's responsibility for themselves and their families. Socialism is based on the governments responsibility for every individual. In order for socialism to work it must control all of the capital, which of course would be anathema for a capitalistic society. Therefore introducing Obamacare into a capitalistic society goes a long way towards destroying the whole concept of self reliance and financial independence. You cannot expect to continue a prosperous capitalist economy under a socialistic regime and there is ample historical evidence of this timeless truth. We must all hope that our system of government truly works and that the guardians of the constitution, the US Supreme Court will discard Obamacare, recognizing it's destructive nature.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Economic Health
Economic Health
BY: Armstrong Williams
Long term chronic care for everyone, especially the elderly, is not affordable in Obamacare which is why they are scrambling to either remove that component of the bill or find some other monetary solution. Long term care is extraordinarily expensive, in fact in our current system over 40% of health care dollars are spent in the last six months of life. If you multiply that over an entire society you can begin to get an appreciation of the staggering amount of money we're talking about.
This is however one unaffordable component of the bill, in fact the entire Obamacare is unaffordable; one reason why so many employers are not hiring people. As an employer you automatically become responsible for huge healthcare benefits for every employee, significantly increasing the cost of hiring anyone on payroll. This is an excellent opportunity for people to awaken and understand that socialism will bankrupt capitalism. Capitalism is based upon the individual's responsibility for themselves and their families. Socialism is based on the governments responsibility for every individual. In order for socialism to work it must control all of the capital, which of course would be anathema for a capitalistic society. Therefore introducing Obamacare into a capitalistic society goes a long way towards destroying the whole concept of self reliance and financial independence. You cannot expect to continue a prosperous capitalist economy under a socialistic regime and there is ample historical evidence of this timeless truth. We must all hope that our system of government truly works and that the guardians of the constitution, the US Supreme Court will discard Obamacare, recognizing it's destructive nature.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/18/11
A Bankrupt Jobs bill
A Bankrupt jobs bill
By
Armstrong Williams
Jesse Jackson Jr. Proposed jobs bill would have a devastating ripple effect on the US economy if it were to pass.
What about the Americans who make less than $40,000 per year; the equivalent of $19.25 an hour? 65% of American workersmake less than $40,000 per year. Do they not have an incentive to quit their jobs and become unemployed to increase their income? There are approximately 211 million workers in the US and 137 million make less than $40,000. For the ease of arithmetic, let us assume 100 million workers quit their jobs for these new government jobs. The cost to the taxpayer would be an additional $4.0 trillion. The total cost ofJackson’s program to the government would be a whopping$6.2 trillion or 44% of GDP. Is the Federal government bankrupt yet? Almost half the GDP would go to highly paid government jobs for the unemployed.
Uncle Sam would not be spared from this carnage. Without these businesses making profits and employing their highly paid employees, there would be few, if any, tax paying entities remaining to shoulder the crushing tax burden resulting from the government hiring the unemployed at $40,000 per year.
Of course, the Federal Reserve Bank would come to the rescueof the economy as it always does when it senses a potential financial disaster. It’s time honored solution to most financial problems is to print money. It this case, it would print a lot of money. If it wanted to save the economy, it would print enough money so that $40,000 in real terms would be less than today’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour or about $14,500 per year. This would require the Fed to triple the money supply. Therefore every dollar that you hold today would be worth $.33 if Jackson’s Job plan were to be “saved” by the Fed.
Fortunately, not even the Liberal Democrats in Congress are stupid enough to take Jackson’s job proposal seriously. Elementary arithmetic and common sense leads to theinescapable conclusion that $40,000 jobs for the unemployed would be an unmitigated economic disaster. But we all know that when media cameras are present, Congressmen tend to open their mouths before they think.
Unfortunately, members of Congress will not apply the logic of Jackson’s ridiculous jobs proposal to serious proposals ofextending unemployment benefits and raising the minimum wage. If they did, they would understand that extending unemployment benefits and having a high minimum wage also has a negative impact on the economy. The politically incorrect flip side of this argument is that reduced unemployment benefits and lower minimum wages would have a positive impact on the economy.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
A Bankrupt Jobs bill
A Bankrupt jobs bill
By
Armstrong Williams
Jesse Jackson Jr. Proposed jobs bill would have a devastating ripple effect on the US economy if it were to pass.
What about the Americans who make less than $40,000 per year; the equivalent of $19.25 an hour? 65% of American workersmake less than $40,000 per year. Do they not have an incentive to quit their jobs and become unemployed to increase their income? There are approximately 211 million workers in the US and 137 million make less than $40,000. For the ease of arithmetic, let us assume 100 million workers quit their jobs for these new government jobs. The cost to the taxpayer would be an additional $4.0 trillion. The total cost ofJackson’s program to the government would be a whopping$6.2 trillion or 44% of GDP. Is the Federal government bankrupt yet? Almost half the GDP would go to highly paid government jobs for the unemployed.
Uncle Sam would not be spared from this carnage. Without these businesses making profits and employing their highly paid employees, there would be few, if any, tax paying entities remaining to shoulder the crushing tax burden resulting from the government hiring the unemployed at $40,000 per year.
Of course, the Federal Reserve Bank would come to the rescueof the economy as it always does when it senses a potential financial disaster. It’s time honored solution to most financial problems is to print money. It this case, it would print a lot of money. If it wanted to save the economy, it would print enough money so that $40,000 in real terms would be less than today’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour or about $14,500 per year. This would require the Fed to triple the money supply. Therefore every dollar that you hold today would be worth $.33 if Jackson’s Job plan were to be “saved” by the Fed.
Fortunately, not even the Liberal Democrats in Congress are stupid enough to take Jackson’s job proposal seriously. Elementary arithmetic and common sense leads to theinescapable conclusion that $40,000 jobs for the unemployed would be an unmitigated economic disaster. But we all know that when media cameras are present, Congressmen tend to open their mouths before they think.
Unfortunately, members of Congress will not apply the logic of Jackson’s ridiculous jobs proposal to serious proposals ofextending unemployment benefits and raising the minimum wage. If they did, they would understand that extending unemployment benefits and having a high minimum wage also has a negative impact on the economy. The politically incorrect flip side of this argument is that reduced unemployment benefits and lower minimum wages would have a positive impact on the economy.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/17/11
A Bankrupt Jobs bill
A Bankrupt jobs bill
By
Armstrong Williams
Jesse Jackson Jr. Proposed jobs bill would have a devastating ripple effect on the US economy if it were to pass. The Chicago Congressmen is proposing that our Federal government paying $40,000 a year for all unemployed Americans.
Please bear in mind that there are 15 million unemployed Americans nation wide. The cost of the government employing them would be a staggering six hundred billion dollars. Try and wrap you common sense around this comic offering.
What about the Americans who make less than $40,000 per year; the equivalent of $19.25 an hour? 65% of American workersmake less than $40,000 per year. Do they not have an incentive to quit their jobs and become unemployed to increase their income? There are approximately 211 million workers in the US and 137 million make less than $40,000. For the ease of arithmetic, let us assume 100 million workers quit their jobs for these new government jobs. The cost to the taxpayer would be an additional $4.0 trillion. The total cost ofJackson’s program to the government would be a whopping$6.2 trillion or 44% of GDP. Is the Federal government bankrupt yet? Almost half the GDP would go to highly paid government jobs for the unemployed.
Uncle Sam would not be spared from this carnage. Without these businesses making profits and employing their highly paid employees, there would be few, if any, tax paying entities remaining to shoulder the crushing tax burden resulting from the government hiring the unemployed at $40,000 per year.
Of course, the Federal Reserve Bank would come to the rescueof the economy as it always does when it senses a potential financial disaster. It’s time honored solution to most financial problems is to print money. It this case, it would print a lot of money. If it wanted to save the economy, it would print enough money so that $40,000 in real terms would be less than today’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour or about $14,500 per year. This would require the Fed to triple the money supply. Therefore every dollar that you hold today would be worth $.33 if Jackson’s Job plan were to be “saved” by the Fed.
Fortunately, not even the Liberal Democrats in Congress are stupid enough to take Jackson’s job proposal seriously. Elementary arithmetic and common sense leads to theinescapable conclusion that $40,000 jobs for the unemployed would be an unmitigated economic disaster. But we all know that when media cameras are present, Congressmen tend to open their mouths before they think.
Unfortunately, members of Congress will not apply the logic of Jackson’s ridiculous jobs proposal to serious proposals ofextending unemployment benefits and raising the minimum wage. If they did, they would understand that extending unemployment benefits and having a high minimum wage also has a negative impact on the economy. The politically incorrect flip side of this argument is that reduced unemployment benefits and lower minimum wages would have a positive impact on the economy.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
A Bankrupt Jobs bill
A Bankrupt jobs bill
By
Armstrong Williams
Jesse Jackson Jr. Proposed jobs bill would have a devastating ripple effect on the US economy if it were to pass. The Chicago Congressmen is proposing that our Federal government paying $40,000 a year for all unemployed Americans.
Please bear in mind that there are 15 million unemployed Americans nation wide. The cost of the government employing them would be a staggering six hundred billion dollars. Try and wrap you common sense around this comic offering.
What about the Americans who make less than $40,000 per year; the equivalent of $19.25 an hour? 65% of American workersmake less than $40,000 per year. Do they not have an incentive to quit their jobs and become unemployed to increase their income? There are approximately 211 million workers in the US and 137 million make less than $40,000. For the ease of arithmetic, let us assume 100 million workers quit their jobs for these new government jobs. The cost to the taxpayer would be an additional $4.0 trillion. The total cost ofJackson’s program to the government would be a whopping$6.2 trillion or 44% of GDP. Is the Federal government bankrupt yet? Almost half the GDP would go to highly paid government jobs for the unemployed.
Uncle Sam would not be spared from this carnage. Without these businesses making profits and employing their highly paid employees, there would be few, if any, tax paying entities remaining to shoulder the crushing tax burden resulting from the government hiring the unemployed at $40,000 per year.
Of course, the Federal Reserve Bank would come to the rescueof the economy as it always does when it senses a potential financial disaster. It’s time honored solution to most financial problems is to print money. It this case, it would print a lot of money. If it wanted to save the economy, it would print enough money so that $40,000 in real terms would be less than today’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour or about $14,500 per year. This would require the Fed to triple the money supply. Therefore every dollar that you hold today would be worth $.33 if Jackson’s Job plan were to be “saved” by the Fed.
Fortunately, not even the Liberal Democrats in Congress are stupid enough to take Jackson’s job proposal seriously. Elementary arithmetic and common sense leads to theinescapable conclusion that $40,000 jobs for the unemployed would be an unmitigated economic disaster. But we all know that when media cameras are present, Congressmen tend to open their mouths before they think.
Unfortunately, members of Congress will not apply the logic of Jackson’s ridiculous jobs proposal to serious proposals ofextending unemployment benefits and raising the minimum wage. If they did, they would understand that extending unemployment benefits and having a high minimum wage also has a negative impact on the economy. The politically incorrect flip side of this argument is that reduced unemployment benefits and lower minimum wages would have a positive impact on the economy.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/14/11
Social Darwinism Prevails.
BY: Armstrong Williams
Social Darwinism Prevails.
The most dangerous place in America today is atop the polls of the Republican Presidential field. If you channel surf, or read daily publications, you will see that the only economic plan put forward in the campaign has been Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax reform which has become the subject of ridicule and scorn. It was ignored completely until he surged in the polls as the leading contender. Four years ago the number 1 candidate in the Republican poll was Giluiani at 30% and McCain was a measly 14%.
Remember the fable about the father whale and the son whale swimming through the whaling fleet. The father said to the son, "if you don't blow your spout they won't know where to aim the harpoon." This is one of life's less glorious lessons, particularly when it comes to politics and business. If you have success you become a target not only of your competitors but of people who have succumb to the sins of jealousy and envy. Your competitors are coming after you because they want to displace you as number one, the jealous get a thrill out of taking down those who are successful.
There is a German term "schaden freude" meaning one relishes the misery of another, especially those who appear to be on the apex of life. It is an inevitable hazard of being number 1 and you can see political examples in the GOP primaries. In European diplomacy for the last 500 years powers 2 and 3 have always ganged up on the top dog. In sports everybody hates the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees. In business everybody is trying to find a way to displace Microsoft Windows. How many fans does Walmart have in the Liberal media despite supplying low cost goods to middle America? Why is McDonald's always criticized for good tasting low cost meals? Remember, in the real world social Darwinism prevails. Everybody wants to take down the winner, and when that winner successfully defends their place we know they have earned it.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Social Darwinism Prevails.
BY: Armstrong Williams
Social Darwinism Prevails.
The most dangerous place in America today is atop the polls of the Republican Presidential field. If you channel surf, or read daily publications, you will see that the only economic plan put forward in the campaign has been Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax reform which has become the subject of ridicule and scorn. It was ignored completely until he surged in the polls as the leading contender. Four years ago the number 1 candidate in the Republican poll was Giluiani at 30% and McCain was a measly 14%.
Remember the fable about the father whale and the son whale swimming through the whaling fleet. The father said to the son, "if you don't blow your spout they won't know where to aim the harpoon." This is one of life's less glorious lessons, particularly when it comes to politics and business. If you have success you become a target not only of your competitors but of people who have succumb to the sins of jealousy and envy. Your competitors are coming after you because they want to displace you as number one, the jealous get a thrill out of taking down those who are successful.
There is a German term "schaden freude" meaning one relishes the misery of another, especially those who appear to be on the apex of life. It is an inevitable hazard of being number 1 and you can see political examples in the GOP primaries. In European diplomacy for the last 500 years powers 2 and 3 have always ganged up on the top dog. In sports everybody hates the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees. In business everybody is trying to find a way to displace Microsoft Windows. How many fans does Walmart have in the Liberal media despite supplying low cost goods to middle America? Why is McDonald's always criticized for good tasting low cost meals? Remember, in the real world social Darwinism prevails. Everybody wants to take down the winner, and when that winner successfully defends their place we know they have earned it.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/13/11
Can common sense prevail ?
Subject: Can common sense prevail ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Can common sense prevail ?
Some seem surprise that Hermain Cain is now the front runner. What Cain represents is something that has been severely lacking in political leadership, and that is common sense. Interestingly enough the vast majority of people in this country still have a modicum of common sense. Many politicians appear to have some when they first go to Washington and than rapidly lose it due to the influence of special interest groups, including organized political parties. If Mr. Cain can resist contamination by traditional Washington influences, he may prove to be just what our nation needs for restoration to greatness.
The Liberals must be twisting in the wind at the thought that the "racist" Republicans, including the Tea Party out of which Mr. Cain Sprung are endorsing to a large degree a black man. Could these racist actually not realize he's black or is it possible the moniker of racism is applied to the wrong party. If Mr. Cain becomes the nominee and chooses Mark Rubio as his VP the left wing will be in a severe quandary. A large component of what the left has always considered to be an unshakable voting base could abandon them. At which time they will have produce real and substantive policies and not emotional rhetoric.
Harry Belafonte, Cornell West, Tavis Smiley and others is it time for you to stop engaging in divisive rhetoric and turn your attention to ways of uplifting people instead of dividing them. When people listen to you they should go away with a sense of empowerment and ability rather than a sense of entitlement and impotence.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Can common sense prevail ?
Subject: Can common sense prevail ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Can common sense prevail ?
Some seem surprise that Hermain Cain is now the front runner. What Cain represents is something that has been severely lacking in political leadership, and that is common sense. Interestingly enough the vast majority of people in this country still have a modicum of common sense. Many politicians appear to have some when they first go to Washington and than rapidly lose it due to the influence of special interest groups, including organized political parties. If Mr. Cain can resist contamination by traditional Washington influences, he may prove to be just what our nation needs for restoration to greatness.
The Liberals must be twisting in the wind at the thought that the "racist" Republicans, including the Tea Party out of which Mr. Cain Sprung are endorsing to a large degree a black man. Could these racist actually not realize he's black or is it possible the moniker of racism is applied to the wrong party. If Mr. Cain becomes the nominee and chooses Mark Rubio as his VP the left wing will be in a severe quandary. A large component of what the left has always considered to be an unshakable voting base could abandon them. At which time they will have produce real and substantive policies and not emotional rhetoric.
Harry Belafonte, Cornell West, Tavis Smiley and others is it time for you to stop engaging in divisive rhetoric and turn your attention to ways of uplifting people instead of dividing them. When people listen to you they should go away with a sense of empowerment and ability rather than a sense of entitlement and impotence.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/12/11
Is there a black mindset ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Is there a black mindset ?
It's interesting that many of the so called black intellectuals have severely criticized Herman Cain for his social and political views. One has to wonder why they feel that anyone who is black must agree with their point of view, or otherwise has a suspect intellect. It does nothing except advance the negative stereotype that Black Americans are of a singular mindset, and undermines the efforts of the civil rights leaders of the past. Despite this, Herman Cain very wisely didn't react emotionally to Cornell West's diatribe, but rather calmly explained that his views were cultivated by growing up in the real world of hard work and economic reality as opposed to the artificial world of academia.
It is high time for the overall black community to recognize that each one of them has a brain and the ability to think and reach conclusions for themselves. They must be reminded that one of the strengths of this community that allowed them to survive slavery, Jim Crow, and violent racism was a system of values that transcended race or class. They also identified with Godly principles. It is my hope that this community will once again place principle above politics to the benefit of the entire country and not just Black Americans.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Is there a black mindset ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Is there a black mindset ?
It's interesting that many of the so called black intellectuals have severely criticized Herman Cain for his social and political views. One has to wonder why they feel that anyone who is black must agree with their point of view, or otherwise has a suspect intellect. It does nothing except advance the negative stereotype that Black Americans are of a singular mindset, and undermines the efforts of the civil rights leaders of the past. Despite this, Herman Cain very wisely didn't react emotionally to Cornell West's diatribe, but rather calmly explained that his views were cultivated by growing up in the real world of hard work and economic reality as opposed to the artificial world of academia.
It is high time for the overall black community to recognize that each one of them has a brain and the ability to think and reach conclusions for themselves. They must be reminded that one of the strengths of this community that allowed them to survive slavery, Jim Crow, and violent racism was a system of values that transcended race or class. They also identified with Godly principles. It is my hope that this community will once again place principle above politics to the benefit of the entire country and not just Black Americans.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/11/11
Most Litigious nation in the world
BY: Armstrong Williams
Most litigious nation in the world.
Republicans are right to draw a line in the sand. We have an obligation to say “no” to tax increases that do nothing to stem the profligate, big-government spending favored by the Democrats. Unchecked government spending is a road that, if traveled, will further plunge our nation into a downward spiral of economic weakness due to massive debt and uncontrollable entitlements, which Democrats will argue may only be solved by “redistributing wealth” through back-breaking tax increases that will erode the spirit and principles that distinguish our country leaving only a shadow of past greatness. That is what is at stake; the stakes have never been higher.
Conservatives cannot allow Republican lawmakers to soften or defect on the Party’s fundamental principles; or worse, align with those who are diametrically opposed to everything the GOP stands for: free enterprise, reasonable taxes, limited government and tort reform. Yes, tort reform and here’s why.
Ignoring tort reform has been devastating to taxpayers, the economy and American business. The U.S. is the most litigious nation in the world; it weakens us competitively and lessens respect for America’s legal system in the eyes of the world. The question isn’t how this critical issue fell from our sight lines to the sidelines. The question is: Why have we permitted trial lawyers to worm their way into our ranks to undermine GOP priorities and the Party itself?
Williams is the author of the new book "Reawakening Virtues". Listen to Williams daily on Sirius Power 128, 7pm-8pm and 4am-5am set. www.rightsidewire.com.
Most Litigious nation in the world
BY: Armstrong Williams
Most litigious nation in the world.
Republicans are right to draw a line in the sand. We have an obligation to say “no” to tax increases that do nothing to stem the profligate, big-government spending favored by the Democrats. Unchecked government spending is a road that, if traveled, will further plunge our nation into a downward spiral of economic weakness due to massive debt and uncontrollable entitlements, which Democrats will argue may only be solved by “redistributing wealth” through back-breaking tax increases that will erode the spirit and principles that distinguish our country leaving only a shadow of past greatness. That is what is at stake; the stakes have never been higher.
Conservatives cannot allow Republican lawmakers to soften or defect on the Party’s fundamental principles; or worse, align with those who are diametrically opposed to everything the GOP stands for: free enterprise, reasonable taxes, limited government and tort reform. Yes, tort reform and here’s why.
Ignoring tort reform has been devastating to taxpayers, the economy and American business. The U.S. is the most litigious nation in the world; it weakens us competitively and lessens respect for America’s legal system in the eyes of the world. The question isn’t how this critical issue fell from our sight lines to the sidelines. The question is: Why have we permitted trial lawyers to worm their way into our ranks to undermine GOP priorities and the Party itself?
Williams is the author of the new book "Reawakening Virtues". Listen to Williams daily on Sirius Power 128, 7pm-8pm and 4am-5am set. www.rightsidewire.com.
10/10/11
Bloomberg for President ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Bloomberg for President ?
Michael Bloomberg is making maneuvers to announce his candidacy for President and challenge Obama and the GOP field as an Independent. His strategy is to launch his campaign beginning August 2012 with a media blitz leading up to election day.
According to Crain's newspaper, Bloomberg's wealth increased by $2 Billion dollars from last year. He is preparing his personal war chest to fund his presidential race.
Can this strategy win Bloomberg the White house in 2012? His goal is to win in the Electoral College. His advisers believe Obama has a third of the electoral College locked, the GOP has a third and a well funded Independent could prevail in the Electoral College.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Bloomberg for President ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Bloomberg for President ?
Michael Bloomberg is making maneuvers to announce his candidacy for President and challenge Obama and the GOP field as an Independent. His strategy is to launch his campaign beginning August 2012 with a media blitz leading up to election day.
According to Crain's newspaper, Bloomberg's wealth increased by $2 Billion dollars from last year. He is preparing his personal war chest to fund his presidential race.
Can this strategy win Bloomberg the White house in 2012? His goal is to win in the Electoral College. His advisers believe Obama has a third of the electoral College locked, the GOP has a third and a well funded Independent could prevail in the Electoral College.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/07/11
Government spending dark side
BY: Armstrong Williams
Government spending dark side.
Government spending "crowds out" private spending. At best, it transfers a dollar of private spending through taxation to the public sector. However closer analysis of government spending confirms that it is less efficient in creating income and wealth than private spending. For example, no rational consumer buying a new car would destroy his old car worth $3,000 unless he was given $4,000 of someone else’s money in a “cash for clunkers” program to do so.
The liberal establishment maintains that it is not current taxation which finances the government deficit spending but debt. Thus it is not crowding out private spending. However, government debt crowds out private borrowing and investment. Liberal economists argue that government borrowing is not crowding out private investment because the banks have plenty of money to lend to the private sector. Unfortunately, in an attempt to protect depositors and the government guarantee of such deposits, the bank regulators have increased the credit underwriting standards on the banks. Consequently, banks are not lending to struggling small and medium sized businesses that need working capital to grow and create jobs.
Monetary stimulus is no longer an option. Over the past three years, the Federal Reserve has attempted to stimulate the economy by printing money and reducing short-term interest rates to near 0%. Unfortunately, this monetary stimulus is setting the stage for inflation.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Government spending dark side
BY: Armstrong Williams
Government spending dark side.
Government spending "crowds out" private spending. At best, it transfers a dollar of private spending through taxation to the public sector. However closer analysis of government spending confirms that it is less efficient in creating income and wealth than private spending. For example, no rational consumer buying a new car would destroy his old car worth $3,000 unless he was given $4,000 of someone else’s money in a “cash for clunkers” program to do so.
The liberal establishment maintains that it is not current taxation which finances the government deficit spending but debt. Thus it is not crowding out private spending. However, government debt crowds out private borrowing and investment. Liberal economists argue that government borrowing is not crowding out private investment because the banks have plenty of money to lend to the private sector. Unfortunately, in an attempt to protect depositors and the government guarantee of such deposits, the bank regulators have increased the credit underwriting standards on the banks. Consequently, banks are not lending to struggling small and medium sized businesses that need working capital to grow and create jobs.
Monetary stimulus is no longer an option. Over the past three years, the Federal Reserve has attempted to stimulate the economy by printing money and reducing short-term interest rates to near 0%. Unfortunately, this monetary stimulus is setting the stage for inflation.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/06/11
Time to focus on mechanics
Subject: Time to focus on mechanics
Thursday, October 6 Blog
BY: Armstrong Williams
Time to focus on mechanics
So New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is not running for the Republican nomination for president. It’s now time for the GOP to wipe away the tears and get down to the business of nominating the one who will in fact face President Obama next November. Make no mistake, it will be a formidable test. Obama and his team will bring several hundred million dollars to bear, attacking the Republican candidate with everything they have.
Equal to the task, you can bet Republicans will be loaded for bear – ready to lay into an abysmal record of dysfunction and borderline ineptitude.
And it’s on those points that Republican primary voters should base their decision. Let’s face it, Obama is struggling to run the nation. His economic team acts like they earned their economics degrees from an online bank that doubles as a college on weekends.
And all the talk recently over a new Obama makeover – a more charming president – plays right into the hands of someone who knows how to run an organization, not just talk a good game.
That’s right, 2012 may just be the year of the Technocrat-in-Chief. I’m referring to someone who knows the inner movements of an institution, what makes it tick, and how to turn things around when it’s no longer functioning properly. We’ve had “hope” and “change.” And just as the McCain bumper stickers of 2008 were right (“Hope is not an Agenda”), they had the wrong man for the job then.
I’m not officially endorsing him, but given these obvious revelations, Mitt Romney is looking more and more like the guy who can do the job, not just talk about the job. His very nature is mechanical, even his mannerisms. But doggone it, the guy knows what makes a company tick – from its people , to its culture, to its bottom line. And Lord knows our nation’s bottom line needs some adjusting.
So as the wannabes and the almost-rans have finally filtered out, we now know a few things about the present field: 1) Sarah Palin is NOT running for president; 2) Ron Paul will finally exit stage right as a viable presidential contender; 3) Herman Cain is a serious man with some serious gumption to say some serious things; 4) Rick Perry is fading fast; and 5) Mitt Romney, on paper at least, is looking like the technocrat who could get the job done. It may not be graceful and full of style, but hey, haven’t we tried that already?? Look where it got us.
Order Armstrong Williams' new book today on Amazon.com "Reawakening Virtues". Listen to Williams daily on Sirius Power 128, 7pm-8pm est. www.rightsidewire.com
Time to focus on mechanics
Subject: Time to focus on mechanics
Thursday, October 6 Blog
BY: Armstrong Williams
Time to focus on mechanics
So New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is not running for the Republican nomination for president. It’s now time for the GOP to wipe away the tears and get down to the business of nominating the one who will in fact face President Obama next November. Make no mistake, it will be a formidable test. Obama and his team will bring several hundred million dollars to bear, attacking the Republican candidate with everything they have.
Equal to the task, you can bet Republicans will be loaded for bear – ready to lay into an abysmal record of dysfunction and borderline ineptitude.
And it’s on those points that Republican primary voters should base their decision. Let’s face it, Obama is struggling to run the nation. His economic team acts like they earned their economics degrees from an online bank that doubles as a college on weekends.
And all the talk recently over a new Obama makeover – a more charming president – plays right into the hands of someone who knows how to run an organization, not just talk a good game.
That’s right, 2012 may just be the year of the Technocrat-in-Chief. I’m referring to someone who knows the inner movements of an institution, what makes it tick, and how to turn things around when it’s no longer functioning properly. We’ve had “hope” and “change.” And just as the McCain bumper stickers of 2008 were right (“Hope is not an Agenda”), they had the wrong man for the job then.
I’m not officially endorsing him, but given these obvious revelations, Mitt Romney is looking more and more like the guy who can do the job, not just talk about the job. His very nature is mechanical, even his mannerisms. But doggone it, the guy knows what makes a company tick – from its people , to its culture, to its bottom line. And Lord knows our nation’s bottom line needs some adjusting.
So as the wannabes and the almost-rans have finally filtered out, we now know a few things about the present field: 1) Sarah Palin is NOT running for president; 2) Ron Paul will finally exit stage right as a viable presidential contender; 3) Herman Cain is a serious man with some serious gumption to say some serious things; 4) Rick Perry is fading fast; and 5) Mitt Romney, on paper at least, is looking like the technocrat who could get the job done. It may not be graceful and full of style, but hey, haven’t we tried that already?? Look where it got us.
Order Armstrong Williams' new book today on Amazon.com "Reawakening Virtues". Listen to Williams daily on Sirius Power 128, 7pm-8pm est. www.rightsidewire.com
10/04/11
Obama's New Deal Rehash
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's New Deal Rehash
President Obama, the man who personally identified himself with the virtue of hope and as the embodiment of change, has the stalest ideas of anyone in Washington. A lot has been said about the jobs bill he keeps exhorting Congress to pass while it lingers in the Democrat-controlled Senate, namely that it is just a rehash of the stimulus package passed by the Democrat-controlled Congress in 2009. The only difference, of course, is that it will be paid for with tax increases—it’s an even worse idea.
Both stimuli are simply poor rehashes of the New Deal. Obama has bought into the long debunked myth that we spent our way out of the Great Depression. For those not familiar with the debunking, allow me to summarize briefly. Money has to come from somewhere, if you simply print money you inflate prices and have, in so doing, effectively wound up where you started.
It's sad that the facts of the Depression are so easily forgotten. Economist Lawrence Reed of the Mackinac Institute says President Herbert Hoover is mistakenly presented in standard history texts as a laissez-faire president while the reality is that he signed into law so many costly and foolish bills that one of Franklin Roosevelt’s top aides later said, “practically the whole New Deal was extrapolated from programs that Hoover started."
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama's New Deal Rehash
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's New Deal Rehash
President Obama, the man who personally identified himself with the virtue of hope and as the embodiment of change, has the stalest ideas of anyone in Washington. A lot has been said about the jobs bill he keeps exhorting Congress to pass while it lingers in the Democrat-controlled Senate, namely that it is just a rehash of the stimulus package passed by the Democrat-controlled Congress in 2009. The only difference, of course, is that it will be paid for with tax increases—it’s an even worse idea.
Both stimuli are simply poor rehashes of the New Deal. Obama has bought into the long debunked myth that we spent our way out of the Great Depression. For those not familiar with the debunking, allow me to summarize briefly. Money has to come from somewhere, if you simply print money you inflate prices and have, in so doing, effectively wound up where you started.
It's sad that the facts of the Depression are so easily forgotten. Economist Lawrence Reed of the Mackinac Institute says President Herbert Hoover is mistakenly presented in standard history texts as a laissez-faire president while the reality is that he signed into law so many costly and foolish bills that one of Franklin Roosevelt’s top aides later said, “practically the whole New Deal was extrapolated from programs that Hoover started."
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
10/03/11
The wrong way to campaign
The wrong way to campaign
BY: Armstrong Williams
I can’t figure former House Speaker Newt Gingrich out. The second tier candidate just doesn’t know when to put his best strengths forward while tempering his enormous ego.
While campaigning in Iowa over the weekend, Gingrich apparently told a crowd in the Hawkeye State the biggest reason to vote for him over his GOP rivals isn’t his ideas or even his new Contract with America. Gosh-darnit, he’s just plain smarter than the rest.
Huh?
“[I]f you watch them and watch me,” Gingrich told Iowans, “the difference in the depth of knowledge and the difference in the ability to debate Obama, the difference in actually having done it at the national level…I’m a pretty good mechanic who knows how to fix the car and the other folks are good at selling it. They’re nice people, but they don’t have the knowledge to do something like this on this scale. This is enormously complicated.”
What humility. What demurring decency. And this guy says he’s a populist? A man of the people? Which group – the megalomaniacal society of America?
It won’t take long for voters to realize that perhaps Gingrich is the wrong man for the job precisely because he thinks he can go up against President Obama. That’s one of the president’s largest weaknesses – his propensity to talk down to average Americans; to lecture them as though he is the Omniscient One.
Gingrich is following suit, and it doesn’t suit him well at all. This is the same candidate who, by the way, railed against the Ryan Medicare plan, only to apologize in less than 24 hours with a less-than-savvy response. Yeah, that’s smart alright.
It seems Gingrich is continuing his free-fall in this nominating race; so much so that, if he had any hopes of serving in a Cain/Romney/Perry/Christie cabinet, even those chances are dimming.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The wrong way to campaign
The wrong way to campaign
BY: Armstrong Williams
I can’t figure former House Speaker Newt Gingrich out. The second tier candidate just doesn’t know when to put his best strengths forward while tempering his enormous ego.
While campaigning in Iowa over the weekend, Gingrich apparently told a crowd in the Hawkeye State the biggest reason to vote for him over his GOP rivals isn’t his ideas or even his new Contract with America. Gosh-darnit, he’s just plain smarter than the rest.
Huh?
“[I]f you watch them and watch me,” Gingrich told Iowans, “the difference in the depth of knowledge and the difference in the ability to debate Obama, the difference in actually having done it at the national level…I’m a pretty good mechanic who knows how to fix the car and the other folks are good at selling it. They’re nice people, but they don’t have the knowledge to do something like this on this scale. This is enormously complicated.”
What humility. What demurring decency. And this guy says he’s a populist? A man of the people? Which group – the megalomaniacal society of America?
It won’t take long for voters to realize that perhaps Gingrich is the wrong man for the job precisely because he thinks he can go up against President Obama. That’s one of the president’s largest weaknesses – his propensity to talk down to average Americans; to lecture them as though he is the Omniscient One.
Gingrich is following suit, and it doesn’t suit him well at all. This is the same candidate who, by the way, railed against the Ryan Medicare plan, only to apologize in less than 24 hours with a less-than-savvy response. Yeah, that’s smart alright.
It seems Gingrich is continuing his free-fall in this nominating race; so much so that, if he had any hopes of serving in a Cain/Romney/Perry/Christie cabinet, even those chances are dimming.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/30/11
Joe Biden's moment of candor
BY: Armstrong Williams
Joe Biden’s moment of candor
Say what you will about the Vice President, but Joe Biden has one helluva mouth on him. Whether it’s telling the President in front of a large crowd (and a very hot mic) this is one big…er, well, you know…or telling a key swing presidential state that his boss is to blame for their financial woes, he’s nothing if he ain’t honest.
Early yesterday (while on a campaign swing, mind you), Joe Biden missed a key talking point while visiting a local Florida radio station. Apparently, the abysmal state of America’s economy is no longer former President Bush’s fault, but his own!
“There’s a lot of people in Florida that have good reason to be upset because they’ve lost jobs," Biden told WLRN in the interview. "Even though 50 some percent of the American people think the economy tanked because of the last administration, that's not relevant."
"What’s relevant is, we’re in charge. And right now, we are the ones in charge, and it’s gotten better but it hasn't gotten good enough. And in states like Florida it's even been more stagnant because of the real estate market.”
And now here come the RNC attack ads, Mr. Vice President…
Look, it seems everyone in the country BUT the White House knows the Obama Administration has underperformed in fixing the economy. I’m just glad someone high in the administration finally admitted it.
The sad truth here is there is still time to turn this economy around and take credit for it. If Obama would quit the shrill complaining and finger-pointing and go about responsibly addressing the nation’s woes, his handlers wouldn’t have to worry about Joe Biden going off the reservation.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Joe Biden's moment of candor
BY: Armstrong Williams
Joe Biden’s moment of candor
Say what you will about the Vice President, but Joe Biden has one helluva mouth on him. Whether it’s telling the President in front of a large crowd (and a very hot mic) this is one big…er, well, you know…or telling a key swing presidential state that his boss is to blame for their financial woes, he’s nothing if he ain’t honest.
Early yesterday (while on a campaign swing, mind you), Joe Biden missed a key talking point while visiting a local Florida radio station. Apparently, the abysmal state of America’s economy is no longer former President Bush’s fault, but his own!
“There’s a lot of people in Florida that have good reason to be upset because they’ve lost jobs," Biden told WLRN in the interview. "Even though 50 some percent of the American people think the economy tanked because of the last administration, that's not relevant."
"What’s relevant is, we’re in charge. And right now, we are the ones in charge, and it’s gotten better but it hasn't gotten good enough. And in states like Florida it's even been more stagnant because of the real estate market.”
And now here come the RNC attack ads, Mr. Vice President…
Look, it seems everyone in the country BUT the White House knows the Obama Administration has underperformed in fixing the economy. I’m just glad someone high in the administration finally admitted it.
The sad truth here is there is still time to turn this economy around and take credit for it. If Obama would quit the shrill complaining and finger-pointing and go about responsibly addressing the nation’s woes, his handlers wouldn’t have to worry about Joe Biden going off the reservation.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/29/11
Coke: The un-American cola?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Coke: The un-American cola?
I don’t care what anyone says, Coca-Cola is distinctly an American brand. Isn’t it the next line after “Mom,” “apple pie” and “baseball?” From it’s unique, Old Glory red color to the taste that launched a thousand ships, Coke belongs in the USA.
You may be asking: was there ever any doubt it would leave? Well, yeah.
That’s the word from Coke’s top executive earlier this week when asked what he felt about America’s tax policies. According to the Financial Times, CEO Muhtar Kent said “in many respects” it was easier dealing with the Chinese on business issues, which he compared the Communist country to a “well-managed company.” Kent went on to tell the FT, “In the west, we’re forgetting what really worked 20 years ago. In China and other markets around the world, you see the kind of attention to detail about how business works and how business creates employment.”
Now, set aside China’s abysmal human rights record and its terrible pollution propensities, because they have no bearing on what one of the world’s top executives just told us all – America is no longer open for business.
The world’s largest economy moves with the nimbleness of an elephant, and acts like an ass when it makes business decisions. Gee, I wonder where I’ve seen those two animals recently? Oh, right…they are the symbols of our country’s political parties. Go figure.
Look, there’s nothing like the cold hard truth of economic reality. You can criticize Kent for many things, but he’s right – the private sector is the job creator in this country, and throughout the world.
This Congress heralds its own virtues when its members avoid the 15th government shutdown in as many months, and we wonder why Wall Street quakes in its boots?
If you want to create jobs and generate commerce, you need to move product. You move product by staying competitive. It’s almost to a point where to be “competitive” in this country means you must’ve somehow swindled someone out of some thing. That’s the bogus line our president seems to parrot when he sees a company doing well.
“Let’s tax them, or regulate them…” he says. “Someone is making money? Oh, my, well this here family isn’t, so I guess we should ‘investigate’ what’s gone wrong…”
We need to end this assault on American businesses, and stop penalizing them through our tax code when they want to go out and market to 95% of the customers beyond American borders.
If Coca-Cola is worried about American know-how to attract business, so should the rest of the country.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Coke: The un-American cola?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Coke: The un-American cola?
I don’t care what anyone says, Coca-Cola is distinctly an American brand. Isn’t it the next line after “Mom,” “apple pie” and “baseball?” From it’s unique, Old Glory red color to the taste that launched a thousand ships, Coke belongs in the USA.
You may be asking: was there ever any doubt it would leave? Well, yeah.
That’s the word from Coke’s top executive earlier this week when asked what he felt about America’s tax policies. According to the Financial Times, CEO Muhtar Kent said “in many respects” it was easier dealing with the Chinese on business issues, which he compared the Communist country to a “well-managed company.” Kent went on to tell the FT, “In the west, we’re forgetting what really worked 20 years ago. In China and other markets around the world, you see the kind of attention to detail about how business works and how business creates employment.”
Now, set aside China’s abysmal human rights record and its terrible pollution propensities, because they have no bearing on what one of the world’s top executives just told us all – America is no longer open for business.
The world’s largest economy moves with the nimbleness of an elephant, and acts like an ass when it makes business decisions. Gee, I wonder where I’ve seen those two animals recently? Oh, right…they are the symbols of our country’s political parties. Go figure.
Look, there’s nothing like the cold hard truth of economic reality. You can criticize Kent for many things, but he’s right – the private sector is the job creator in this country, and throughout the world.
This Congress heralds its own virtues when its members avoid the 15th government shutdown in as many months, and we wonder why Wall Street quakes in its boots?
If you want to create jobs and generate commerce, you need to move product. You move product by staying competitive. It’s almost to a point where to be “competitive” in this country means you must’ve somehow swindled someone out of some thing. That’s the bogus line our president seems to parrot when he sees a company doing well.
“Let’s tax them, or regulate them…” he says. “Someone is making money? Oh, my, well this here family isn’t, so I guess we should ‘investigate’ what’s gone wrong…”
We need to end this assault on American businesses, and stop penalizing them through our tax code when they want to go out and market to 95% of the customers beyond American borders.
If Coca-Cola is worried about American know-how to attract business, so should the rest of the country.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/28/11
I miss Bill Clinton
I miss Bill Clinton
BY: Armstrong Williams
I never thought it would come to this. I never imagined a time post 2000 when I would actually lament a return to the past. But here we are, facing a recession as deep and even longer than the one in the early 1990s. A recession that ushered in none other than the Comeback Kid – President William Jefferson Clinton.
His was a presidency that brought us DNA samples; Don’t ask, Don’t tell; school uniforms; and wagging fingers regarding a certain intern.
But set all that aside (if you can), and recall some of the fiscal successes of his presidency, and it’s easy to long for those days again.
Yes, the United States enjoyed years of growing surpluses during the Clinton presidency – many of which could be attributed equally to the Republican Congress – but pair them together, and it’s easy to see why the country could use another Bill Clinton in place of the current Oval Office occupant. Here’s why:
One thing is evident regarding the Clinton years, he knew when he had been beat. Following the loss of both houses of Congress in 1994, the president rightly declared, “The era of Big Government is over.” He spent the next several years resisting that fact, but enacting policies that matched the statement. Remember welfare reform in 1996? It took a Republican Congress to force a liberal president to enact that landmark law. Yet it took a chief executive to do his part.
President Obama knows the era of big government in 2011 is over. It took the Tea Party to prove to him this fact. Now, he must repeat the steps of Clinton and work with Republicans to enact meaningful, center-right policies that reflect the will of this nation. Resistance is futile. Just look at the imminent loss of the Democrat-controlled Senate in 2012, and perhaps even the loss of Obama’s own job if he’s not careful in these upcoming months.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
I miss Bill Clinton
I miss Bill Clinton
BY: Armstrong Williams
I never thought it would come to this. I never imagined a time post 2000 when I would actually lament a return to the past. But here we are, facing a recession as deep and even longer than the one in the early 1990s. A recession that ushered in none other than the Comeback Kid – President William Jefferson Clinton.
His was a presidency that brought us DNA samples; Don’t ask, Don’t tell; school uniforms; and wagging fingers regarding a certain intern.
But set all that aside (if you can), and recall some of the fiscal successes of his presidency, and it’s easy to long for those days again.
Yes, the United States enjoyed years of growing surpluses during the Clinton presidency – many of which could be attributed equally to the Republican Congress – but pair them together, and it’s easy to see why the country could use another Bill Clinton in place of the current Oval Office occupant. Here’s why:
One thing is evident regarding the Clinton years, he knew when he had been beat. Following the loss of both houses of Congress in 1994, the president rightly declared, “The era of Big Government is over.” He spent the next several years resisting that fact, but enacting policies that matched the statement. Remember welfare reform in 1996? It took a Republican Congress to force a liberal president to enact that landmark law. Yet it took a chief executive to do his part.
President Obama knows the era of big government in 2011 is over. It took the Tea Party to prove to him this fact. Now, he must repeat the steps of Clinton and work with Republicans to enact meaningful, center-right policies that reflect the will of this nation. Resistance is futile. Just look at the imminent loss of the Democrat-controlled Senate in 2012, and perhaps even the loss of Obama’s own job if he’s not careful in these upcoming months.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/27/11
'A house is not a home if there's no one there.'
BY: Armstrong Williams
'A house is not a home if there's no one there.'
Even as housing prices decline, the average home price in America is still almost 4 times annual income, making financing a home the only option for many people. When housing finance first took hold as the primary method by which Americans bought home, in the 1950s, the average house cost about one year’s income. The run up in housing prices has made it such that even those who get into homes don’t actually own them for most of their lives. They finance, often a small fraction of the value of the home (holding less than 1% equity in many cases).
Today, with declining employment among young Americans, estimated at around 17% for those between 18 and 24, many have delayed long term commitments because of their inability to support a household. They are often priced out of the houses near major employment centers, and have had to resort to moving far out of metropolitan areas if they are to find an affordable home. In fact, the very term ‘affordable’ has taken on almost Orwellian significance, as many people find that they will essentially be in debt for most of their lives if they buy.
The effects on neighborhoods have been even more pernicious, with an estimated $500 billion a year in home equity lost since 2008. In 2009 alone, an estimated 91.5 million families lost more than $2 trillion dollar in nominal home value. With almost half of all home sales since 2008 being foreclosures and short sales, neighborhoods have been decimated. Not only has the home value for neighbors who stay in their homes been decimated, but so have the neighborhoods themselves. Some neighborhoods in places like Riverside County in California, and Louden County in Northern Virginia look almost like ghost towns, with practically brand new, vacant houses littering new developments. As Luther Vandross once said, ‘A house is not a home if there’s no one there.’ The same can be said of a neighborhood.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
'A house is not a home if there's no one there.'
BY: Armstrong Williams
'A house is not a home if there's no one there.'
Even as housing prices decline, the average home price in America is still almost 4 times annual income, making financing a home the only option for many people. When housing finance first took hold as the primary method by which Americans bought home, in the 1950s, the average house cost about one year’s income. The run up in housing prices has made it such that even those who get into homes don’t actually own them for most of their lives. They finance, often a small fraction of the value of the home (holding less than 1% equity in many cases).
Today, with declining employment among young Americans, estimated at around 17% for those between 18 and 24, many have delayed long term commitments because of their inability to support a household. They are often priced out of the houses near major employment centers, and have had to resort to moving far out of metropolitan areas if they are to find an affordable home. In fact, the very term ‘affordable’ has taken on almost Orwellian significance, as many people find that they will essentially be in debt for most of their lives if they buy.
The effects on neighborhoods have been even more pernicious, with an estimated $500 billion a year in home equity lost since 2008. In 2009 alone, an estimated 91.5 million families lost more than $2 trillion dollar in nominal home value. With almost half of all home sales since 2008 being foreclosures and short sales, neighborhoods have been decimated. Not only has the home value for neighbors who stay in their homes been decimated, but so have the neighborhoods themselves. Some neighborhoods in places like Riverside County in California, and Louden County in Northern Virginia look almost like ghost towns, with practically brand new, vacant houses littering new developments. As Luther Vandross once said, ‘A house is not a home if there’s no one there.’ The same can be said of a neighborhood.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/26/11
Herman Cain for Veep
BY: Armstrong Williams
Herman Cain for Veep
I continue to be impressed with Herman Cain. And after the kind of week he’s had - first during Thursday night’s GOP debates, and then winning Florida’s straw poll – it’s beginning to show this guy has given the presidency a lot of careful thought. And his views are resonating with the masses.
That’s what it takes to win this nomination – consideration over not just what it will take to pull this economy out of recession, but what to do about the other big problems we as a society face. You see, Cain doesn’t fixate on one thing. It all has a purpose, fits together.
That’s what comes through when you’re a veteran CEO. I see those same traits in him as I do in me when I run my business. It’s almost a black-and-white picture. I say “almost” because public policy is inherently grey. But even then, Cain seems to understand and appreciate the nuances of what he or the next President will face.
So why the title of this blog as Cain for VICE president? I just doubt he can win. The deck seems stacked against him. Not because of the color of his skin (isn’t it great, by the way, that in these times, we can say such things without hesitation? That’s progress.), but rather, he lacks the network and infrastructure to pull off the upset.
But even if he can’t go all the way and secure the GOP nomination, the ultimate winner should definitely take a look at this man for his #2 spot.
What a powerful ticket partner Cain would make; a successful business man who also takes time to study foreign relations and other executive mandates. Yet he doesn’t lose sight of the common sense that escapes Washington by the ton each and every day.
And unlike other so-called second tier candidates such as Jon Huntsman or Rick Santorum, there’s no desperation in Cain’s voice. He’s not trying to out-shout his peers on the stage. He has points to be made, and he’ll wait his turn to make them. But when it does come around to him, his responses are equally demonstrative and purposeful. His thoughts on Social Security last Thursday and how to reform the program, for example, showed the consideration he’s given these intractable issues we face.
Like I said, I continue to be impressed with Mr. Cain.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Herman Cain for Veep
BY: Armstrong Williams
Herman Cain for Veep
I continue to be impressed with Herman Cain. And after the kind of week he’s had - first during Thursday night’s GOP debates, and then winning Florida’s straw poll – it’s beginning to show this guy has given the presidency a lot of careful thought. And his views are resonating with the masses.
That’s what it takes to win this nomination – consideration over not just what it will take to pull this economy out of recession, but what to do about the other big problems we as a society face. You see, Cain doesn’t fixate on one thing. It all has a purpose, fits together.
That’s what comes through when you’re a veteran CEO. I see those same traits in him as I do in me when I run my business. It’s almost a black-and-white picture. I say “almost” because public policy is inherently grey. But even then, Cain seems to understand and appreciate the nuances of what he or the next President will face.
So why the title of this blog as Cain for VICE president? I just doubt he can win. The deck seems stacked against him. Not because of the color of his skin (isn’t it great, by the way, that in these times, we can say such things without hesitation? That’s progress.), but rather, he lacks the network and infrastructure to pull off the upset.
But even if he can’t go all the way and secure the GOP nomination, the ultimate winner should definitely take a look at this man for his #2 spot.
What a powerful ticket partner Cain would make; a successful business man who also takes time to study foreign relations and other executive mandates. Yet he doesn’t lose sight of the common sense that escapes Washington by the ton each and every day.
And unlike other so-called second tier candidates such as Jon Huntsman or Rick Santorum, there’s no desperation in Cain’s voice. He’s not trying to out-shout his peers on the stage. He has points to be made, and he’ll wait his turn to make them. But when it does come around to him, his responses are equally demonstrative and purposeful. His thoughts on Social Security last Thursday and how to reform the program, for example, showed the consideration he’s given these intractable issues we face.
Like I said, I continue to be impressed with Mr. Cain.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/22/11
Diplomatic Lunacy
BY: Armstrong Williams
Diplomatic Lunacy
Palestinian Authority efforts to secure statehood represent an abandonment of the very foundation of the peace process, which requires the Palestinians and Israelis to negotiate directly to resolve their conflict. The PA lusts for statehood despite its near-total reliance on foreign aid to prop up its frail economy and the government’s physical and political division between PA-controlled areas on the West Bank and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
The proposition of Palestinian statehood today is ludicrous: this would involve bestowing legitimacy on a government that includes a radical, Islamist terrorist group which is committed to the destruction of its neighbor Israel, has championed use of suicide terrorism to murder innocents, and has indiscriminately fired thousands of rockets into Israeli towns and cities after Israel withdrew completely from Gaza.
Should the U.N. really grant the precious gift of global recognition to a PA that pays salaries to known terrorists imprisoned in Israeli jails, honors suicide terrorists as martyrs and holds them up as role models for children?
The Palestinian strategy for leading the world down this misguided path is insidious. The PA is aiming to drive a wedge between the United States and Israel, undermining America’s role as an honest broker in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and marginalizing our country’s global standing by cloaking anti-Israel intent in the internationalization of the conflict.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Diplomatic Lunacy
BY: Armstrong Williams
Diplomatic Lunacy
Palestinian Authority efforts to secure statehood represent an abandonment of the very foundation of the peace process, which requires the Palestinians and Israelis to negotiate directly to resolve their conflict. The PA lusts for statehood despite its near-total reliance on foreign aid to prop up its frail economy and the government’s physical and political division between PA-controlled areas on the West Bank and the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
The proposition of Palestinian statehood today is ludicrous: this would involve bestowing legitimacy on a government that includes a radical, Islamist terrorist group which is committed to the destruction of its neighbor Israel, has championed use of suicide terrorism to murder innocents, and has indiscriminately fired thousands of rockets into Israeli towns and cities after Israel withdrew completely from Gaza.
Should the U.N. really grant the precious gift of global recognition to a PA that pays salaries to known terrorists imprisoned in Israeli jails, honors suicide terrorists as martyrs and holds them up as role models for children?
The Palestinian strategy for leading the world down this misguided path is insidious. The PA is aiming to drive a wedge between the United States and Israel, undermining America’s role as an honest broker in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and marginalizing our country’s global standing by cloaking anti-Israel intent in the internationalization of the conflict.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/21/11
The Plight of Farmers
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Plight of Farmers
Having grown up on a tobacco farm and worked at the US Department of Agriculture, I can tell you that the concerns that keep black farmers up at night are not unique and are mostly shared by farmers of all stripes. Aside from some specific issues of discrimination, black farmers worry about access to capital, pray for a little luck with the weather and wish for a more predictable regulatory environment. High levels of uncertainty translate into a lack of investments and lack of jobs on the farm just as on Wall Street. Farmers are practical people. They understand that uncertainty in the capital markets is tied to the economy as a whole. Their concerns about the weather are typically conveyed to a higher power, not Washington bureacrats. But when a seemingly endless stream of burdensome, costly and scientifically unfounded regulations threatens their livelihood, they expect the government to stop and consider their plight. And when the President visits rural America as he did this month and dismisses these concerns out of hand, it sends a clear message to them that now is not the time for new investments in the American farm.
Read Williams new book "Reawakening Virtues" on Amazon.com. Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 128
7-8pm & 4-5 am Mon- Fri. est. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him
on twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside
The Plight of Farmers
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Plight of Farmers
Having grown up on a tobacco farm and worked at the US Department of Agriculture, I can tell you that the concerns that keep black farmers up at night are not unique and are mostly shared by farmers of all stripes. Aside from some specific issues of discrimination, black farmers worry about access to capital, pray for a little luck with the weather and wish for a more predictable regulatory environment. High levels of uncertainty translate into a lack of investments and lack of jobs on the farm just as on Wall Street. Farmers are practical people. They understand that uncertainty in the capital markets is tied to the economy as a whole. Their concerns about the weather are typically conveyed to a higher power, not Washington bureacrats. But when a seemingly endless stream of burdensome, costly and scientifically unfounded regulations threatens their livelihood, they expect the government to stop and consider their plight. And when the President visits rural America as he did this month and dismisses these concerns out of hand, it sends a clear message to them that now is not the time for new investments in the American farm.
Read Williams new book "Reawakening Virtues" on Amazon.com. Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 128
7-8pm & 4-5 am Mon- Fri. est. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him
on twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside
09/20/11
Hold....Hold.....Hold
BY: Armstrong Williams
Hold. Hold. Hold....
The Republican Party and common sense thinking people in this country must maintain their core message. The core message is that the Federal Government has an unsustainable spending problem resulting in crippling deficits and an overbearing national debt that is a drag on America’s economy. To eliminate the deficit, government spending must be cut. Since entitlement spending on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is nearly 60% of the budget and growing significantly faster than national income, entitlement spending must be reduced. Increased taxes are not a viable option because history has shown that Congress uses increased tax receipts to increase government programs; not to pay down deficits. History also shows that increasing tax rates does not raise tax revenues in the long run.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Hold....Hold.....Hold
BY: Armstrong Williams
Hold. Hold. Hold....
The Republican Party and common sense thinking people in this country must maintain their core message. The core message is that the Federal Government has an unsustainable spending problem resulting in crippling deficits and an overbearing national debt that is a drag on America’s economy. To eliminate the deficit, government spending must be cut. Since entitlement spending on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is nearly 60% of the budget and growing significantly faster than national income, entitlement spending must be reduced. Increased taxes are not a viable option because history has shown that Congress uses increased tax receipts to increase government programs; not to pay down deficits. History also shows that increasing tax rates does not raise tax revenues in the long run.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/19/11
Obama's Economic trickery
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Economic trickery
The only economic metric that matters to most “Main Street” Americans is jobs. Unfortunately, the news on this front is getting progressively worst. Unemployment continues to remain stubbornly high at over 9.1%. The percentage of Americans working is 58.1%. This is the lowest percentage of Americans working since 1983 and Americans living in poverty is at an all time high of 15%.
Traditional Keynesian fiscal stimulus tools used by the Obama administration to stimulate the economy in 2009 and 2010 have been an unequivocal failure. Taxpayers paid in excess of $800 billion for this failed stimulus venture. As a result of this failure and the current political environment, these fiscal spending tools are not now available for stimulating the economy and creating jobs. Americans will not be duped into wasting more money on another failed stimulus package by calling for $1.5 trillion in new revenue as part of a plan to find more than $3 trillion in budget savings over the next 10 years. Obama's call for $450 billion in new stimulus dollars is just another trick on the public that will fail miserably.
The Federal Reserve Bank has also used traditional Keynesian monetary policy to stimulate the economy. Quantitative Easing (“QE”) I and QE ll have also failed to stimulate sustained growth in the economy. Given the status of current interest rates and the excess liquidity in the economy, it is unlikely that a new QE lll will work. Interest rates are at record lows. Reducing interest rates further is not practical. Even Fed President Geithner has ruled out QE lll.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama's Economic trickery
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Economic trickery
The only economic metric that matters to most “Main Street” Americans is jobs. Unfortunately, the news on this front is getting progressively worst. Unemployment continues to remain stubbornly high at over 9.1%. The percentage of Americans working is 58.1%. This is the lowest percentage of Americans working since 1983 and Americans living in poverty is at an all time high of 15%.
Traditional Keynesian fiscal stimulus tools used by the Obama administration to stimulate the economy in 2009 and 2010 have been an unequivocal failure. Taxpayers paid in excess of $800 billion for this failed stimulus venture. As a result of this failure and the current political environment, these fiscal spending tools are not now available for stimulating the economy and creating jobs. Americans will not be duped into wasting more money on another failed stimulus package by calling for $1.5 trillion in new revenue as part of a plan to find more than $3 trillion in budget savings over the next 10 years. Obama's call for $450 billion in new stimulus dollars is just another trick on the public that will fail miserably.
The Federal Reserve Bank has also used traditional Keynesian monetary policy to stimulate the economy. Quantitative Easing (“QE”) I and QE ll have also failed to stimulate sustained growth in the economy. Given the status of current interest rates and the excess liquidity in the economy, it is unlikely that a new QE lll will work. Interest rates are at record lows. Reducing interest rates further is not practical. Even Fed President Geithner has ruled out QE lll.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/15/11
What Won't Work for House Democrats in 2012
Lagos, Nigeria - The upset loss earlier this week in a special election to replace disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner - followed by a sure-win for Republicans out West in Nevada – does not bode well for congressional Democrats moving into 2012.
Sure, we’ll hear the usual banter that these special elections rarely serve as reliable bellwethers for national elections. Heck, I even said as much about the open Republican seat in New York26 earlier this year.
But this situation seems different. Not only are the stakes higher, and the presidential race draws nearer. Those factors alone should cause the national Democratic party to worry. But also, it signals to me a key plank in the Democrats’ attack platform is woefully overestimated by the Party, or it just plain won’t work anymore.
Of course, I’m referring to the Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget and how Democrats excoriated the House Republican for his courageous (and right) observations regarding the future of Medicare. Mr. Ryan was even so thoughtful as to offer some constructive thoughts on how to save the program. I find it odd that Democrats chose to ignore that “minor” detail. If someone were so politically bent to destroy a program as they allege, then why would the perpetrator think through a solution to keep that same program solvent?
At any rate, Democrats believed they had a magic elixir to help them win back the House in 2012, or at least make a respectable show of it.
They certainly tried the tactics in NY9 and NV2, throwing everything they could at the candidates to make the case stick. But it didn’t work.
GOP Party officials told me this morning they feel as though they can weather these attacks in pretty much any district moving into next year, especially in a New York seat where Democrats outnumber Republicans three-to-one in party registration. Granted, this race was more about the infidelities of Mr. Weiner, and Republicans can only rest so much on their laurels.
But it’s a positive note when demagoguing an issue will only get a candidate so far. Especially during a time when both parties should be serious regarding our nation’s debt. To play seniors versus defense issues in an attempt to score points is tired and old.
Let’s hope both sides learn a few lessons as we gear up for 2012.
What Won't Work for House Democrats in 2012
Lagos, Nigeria - The upset loss earlier this week in a special election to replace disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner - followed by a sure-win for Republicans out West in Nevada – does not bode well for congressional Democrats moving into 2012.
Sure, we’ll hear the usual banter that these special elections rarely serve as reliable bellwethers for national elections. Heck, I even said as much about the open Republican seat in New York26 earlier this year.
But this situation seems different. Not only are the stakes higher, and the presidential race draws nearer. Those factors alone should cause the national Democratic party to worry. But also, it signals to me a key plank in the Democrats’ attack platform is woefully overestimated by the Party, or it just plain won’t work anymore.
Of course, I’m referring to the Budget Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget and how Democrats excoriated the House Republican for his courageous (and right) observations regarding the future of Medicare. Mr. Ryan was even so thoughtful as to offer some constructive thoughts on how to save the program. I find it odd that Democrats chose to ignore that “minor” detail. If someone were so politically bent to destroy a program as they allege, then why would the perpetrator think through a solution to keep that same program solvent?
At any rate, Democrats believed they had a magic elixir to help them win back the House in 2012, or at least make a respectable show of it.
They certainly tried the tactics in NY9 and NV2, throwing everything they could at the candidates to make the case stick. But it didn’t work.
GOP Party officials told me this morning they feel as though they can weather these attacks in pretty much any district moving into next year, especially in a New York seat where Democrats outnumber Republicans three-to-one in party registration. Granted, this race was more about the infidelities of Mr. Weiner, and Republicans can only rest so much on their laurels.
But it’s a positive note when demagoguing an issue will only get a candidate so far. Especially during a time when both parties should be serious regarding our nation’s debt. To play seniors versus defense issues in an attempt to score points is tired and old.
Let’s hope both sides learn a few lessons as we gear up for 2012.
09/14/11
Revisiting 9-11 on Foreign Land
This week from my hotel Room in Lagos, Nigeria for the first time in almost 10 years I watched The Towers fall. I listened to the tales of widows, friends, and comrades as they recounted that day. I saw footage I’d never seen of firefighters running into the towers as others staggered out, and once again remembered the virtues of courage, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero. And I was overwhelmed with emotions. Just as hard as I had that day, maybe even more so because of what we’ve been through and where we are as a nation 10 years later.
It is always difficult, if not impossible, to vanquish fear and emotion and look at such an event rationally in the immediate aftermath. It is easy now to realize the mistakes our leaders made, but the 10th anniversary has allowed me to absolve some of those sins. It doesn’t necessarily justify all the actions of the past 10 years by both the Bush and Obama administrations, but it puts them in context.
As president, your number one goal should be to protect the American people. People that believe Bush didn’t feel the pain of those 2,977 deaths, or the deaths of the Soldiers he put in harms way in the War on Terror is deluding themselves. The same as those that think Pres. Obama doesn’t care about the troops that have died in the past 3 years are nimwits. Pres. Obama has expanded the war into Pakistan, strengthened the Patriot Act, and kept Guantanamo open because he cares, and he never wants anything like 9/11 to happen again.
We must realize that no person or group can destroy our country as long as we perceive and heed FDR’s warning- “the only thing to fear is fear itself.”
Revisiting 9-11 on Foreign Land
This week from my hotel Room in Lagos, Nigeria for the first time in almost 10 years I watched The Towers fall. I listened to the tales of widows, friends, and comrades as they recounted that day. I saw footage I’d never seen of firefighters running into the towers as others staggered out, and once again remembered the virtues of courage, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be a hero. And I was overwhelmed with emotions. Just as hard as I had that day, maybe even more so because of what we’ve been through and where we are as a nation 10 years later.
It is always difficult, if not impossible, to vanquish fear and emotion and look at such an event rationally in the immediate aftermath. It is easy now to realize the mistakes our leaders made, but the 10th anniversary has allowed me to absolve some of those sins. It doesn’t necessarily justify all the actions of the past 10 years by both the Bush and Obama administrations, but it puts them in context.
As president, your number one goal should be to protect the American people. People that believe Bush didn’t feel the pain of those 2,977 deaths, or the deaths of the Soldiers he put in harms way in the War on Terror is deluding themselves. The same as those that think Pres. Obama doesn’t care about the troops that have died in the past 3 years are nimwits. Pres. Obama has expanded the war into Pakistan, strengthened the Patriot Act, and kept Guantanamo open because he cares, and he never wants anything like 9/11 to happen again.
We must realize that no person or group can destroy our country as long as we perceive and heed FDR’s warning- “the only thing to fear is fear itself.”
09/09/11
Obama's New Mantra "Pass The Bill"
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's New Mantra "Pass The Bill"
President Obama proposed many things that should have been done earlier- tax cuts for the middle class, tax cuts for businesses, and money for infrastructure projects. In many ways I like his proposals, but then I can’t help but remember that he promised to rebuild our infrastructure and schools 3 years ago when he asked for, and received roughly $800 billion for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. We still haven’t seen much good from that law, other than payoffs to failed businesses like Solyndra and a dead economy. Also, while I like the extension of the 4.2% payroll tax rate, I can’t help but fear that cutting it to 3.1%, as he proposed, will only hasten the Social Security time bomb we all know will soon blow. Lastly, he learned from his past mistake by not offering any pie-in-the-sky number guarantee of the unemployment rate if this bill passes; however, he seems to be making the same mistake he did with the health care bill in that he offers no real specifics and hopes that it all works out after the bill is passed. For the sake of America, I hope whatever the final bill is, that it works, but having seen this movie before, count me skeptical.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama's New Mantra "Pass The Bill"
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's New Mantra "Pass The Bill"
President Obama proposed many things that should have been done earlier- tax cuts for the middle class, tax cuts for businesses, and money for infrastructure projects. In many ways I like his proposals, but then I can’t help but remember that he promised to rebuild our infrastructure and schools 3 years ago when he asked for, and received roughly $800 billion for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. We still haven’t seen much good from that law, other than payoffs to failed businesses like Solyndra and a dead economy. Also, while I like the extension of the 4.2% payroll tax rate, I can’t help but fear that cutting it to 3.1%, as he proposed, will only hasten the Social Security time bomb we all know will soon blow. Lastly, he learned from his past mistake by not offering any pie-in-the-sky number guarantee of the unemployment rate if this bill passes; however, he seems to be making the same mistake he did with the health care bill in that he offers no real specifics and hopes that it all works out after the bill is passed. For the sake of America, I hope whatever the final bill is, that it works, but having seen this movie before, count me skeptical.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook-www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/08/11
GOP Debate observations
BY: Armstrong Williams
GOP Debate observations
One thing that was apparent during last night's GOP presidential debate is that each of the candidates has a much better grasp of economic issues than our President. There were some who distinguished themselves with well-thought out answers and solutions. Mitt Romney, Gov. Perry and former Speaker New Gingrich were among the best to lay out well reasoned plans that not only offered constructive solutions, but revealed they know some of the intractable problems we as a nation face as well.
There were others who extinguished any enthusiasm that might have been otherwise present by simply trotting out tired sound bites. This schtick from the likes of Bachmann and Ron Paul is getting old, and I believe the typical Republican primary voter will see through the gauze of the rhetoric and start to tune those folks out.
Herman Cain continued to make a strong showing with his usual and logical self, but let’s get serious – as serious as some in the pundit world want to take him, he is not posting real numbers and support behind his candidacy.
As interesting as the candidates were, those who posed the questions were even more interesting because it was apparent that they were considerably more interested in stoking malcontent than impassioned debate. I don’t know how we remove the “reality TV” acts from these serious events, but it must at least begin to subside.
All in all, it was an extremely informative debate and Americans considering the 2012 elections are more educated about the GOP field of candidates.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
GOP Debate observations
BY: Armstrong Williams
GOP Debate observations
One thing that was apparent during last night's GOP presidential debate is that each of the candidates has a much better grasp of economic issues than our President. There were some who distinguished themselves with well-thought out answers and solutions. Mitt Romney, Gov. Perry and former Speaker New Gingrich were among the best to lay out well reasoned plans that not only offered constructive solutions, but revealed they know some of the intractable problems we as a nation face as well.
There were others who extinguished any enthusiasm that might have been otherwise present by simply trotting out tired sound bites. This schtick from the likes of Bachmann and Ron Paul is getting old, and I believe the typical Republican primary voter will see through the gauze of the rhetoric and start to tune those folks out.
Herman Cain continued to make a strong showing with his usual and logical self, but let’s get serious – as serious as some in the pundit world want to take him, he is not posting real numbers and support behind his candidacy.
As interesting as the candidates were, those who posed the questions were even more interesting because it was apparent that they were considerably more interested in stoking malcontent than impassioned debate. I don’t know how we remove the “reality TV” acts from these serious events, but it must at least begin to subside.
All in all, it was an extremely informative debate and Americans considering the 2012 elections are more educated about the GOP field of candidates.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/07/11
Obama's speech---what I hope to hear
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama’s speech – what I hope to hear
President Obama’s much anticipated speech on his jobs proposal this week will no doubt remind Americans why 1 out of every 10 of them is unemployed. He’ll wax and wane in his usual professorial manner over the tug and pull of supply and demand economics.
Let’s not forget that he will also feature some of his 2012 campaign lines – phrases on how we can’t return to the “failed policies of the past”…which someone in the White House feels that will continue to salve the wounds of Americans by blaming Bush.
What I hope to hear is an admission from the President. I would like, just once, to hear him acknowledge that government cannot create one job that is sustainable, profitable, and in the private sector. It’s very good at employing people, mind you. Just look at the tens of millions of federal employees who sucked off the federal largesse, especially during the burgeoning stimulus months.
But are any of those jobs sustainable, and does one dollar spent on a federal job outweigh and outlast one dollar spent creating a job in the private sector? Unequivocally, that answer is no. Simple logic defies anything to the contrary.
If I want to create a federal job, I must first borrow approximately 65 cents of every dollar from say, China, to fund that job. Not to mention the agency that employs the public worker will not pay federal income taxes the way a private sector employer would. And on the rarest of occasions, that building will not pay real estate taxes due to legacy purchases decades old, especially in Washington, DC.
So, please, Mr. President, enter into that august room on Thursday and admit the best jobs that last and yield the most benefit are the ones government does NOT create. Set the right conditions with regulatory and monetary policies, then get out of the way.
It won’t be easy. Corporations are hoarding cash. Why? They fear the government and its heavy-handedness. They fear bail-outs for otherwise inefficient casualties of economic Darwinism. And they fear the uncertainty of a tax code run amok.
So assuage those fears. Americans need to hear from someone who sounds more like he holds an MBA than a PhD. Let’s hope this president can give us that this week.
A little more business acumen in our White House can only help this economy. Heck, he’s tried everything else…
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama's speech---what I hope to hear
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama’s speech – what I hope to hear
President Obama’s much anticipated speech on his jobs proposal this week will no doubt remind Americans why 1 out of every 10 of them is unemployed. He’ll wax and wane in his usual professorial manner over the tug and pull of supply and demand economics.
Let’s not forget that he will also feature some of his 2012 campaign lines – phrases on how we can’t return to the “failed policies of the past”…which someone in the White House feels that will continue to salve the wounds of Americans by blaming Bush.
What I hope to hear is an admission from the President. I would like, just once, to hear him acknowledge that government cannot create one job that is sustainable, profitable, and in the private sector. It’s very good at employing people, mind you. Just look at the tens of millions of federal employees who sucked off the federal largesse, especially during the burgeoning stimulus months.
But are any of those jobs sustainable, and does one dollar spent on a federal job outweigh and outlast one dollar spent creating a job in the private sector? Unequivocally, that answer is no. Simple logic defies anything to the contrary.
If I want to create a federal job, I must first borrow approximately 65 cents of every dollar from say, China, to fund that job. Not to mention the agency that employs the public worker will not pay federal income taxes the way a private sector employer would. And on the rarest of occasions, that building will not pay real estate taxes due to legacy purchases decades old, especially in Washington, DC.
So, please, Mr. President, enter into that august room on Thursday and admit the best jobs that last and yield the most benefit are the ones government does NOT create. Set the right conditions with regulatory and monetary policies, then get out of the way.
It won’t be easy. Corporations are hoarding cash. Why? They fear the government and its heavy-handedness. They fear bail-outs for otherwise inefficient casualties of economic Darwinism. And they fear the uncertainty of a tax code run amok.
So assuage those fears. Americans need to hear from someone who sounds more like he holds an MBA than a PhD. Let’s hope this president can give us that this week.
A little more business acumen in our White House can only help this economy. Heck, he’s tried everything else…
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/06/11
Who is responsible for the current financial crisis?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Who is responsible for the current financial crisis?
The financial community is not the sole cause of the current crisis. It did what Congress wanted it to do i.e. make risky loans to home owners who would not otherwise get a loan in the unregulated mortgage market. American consumers were encouraged to buy homes whether they could afford them or not. Homeowners were also under the mistaken belief that home ownership was an investment and not a housing expense. The annual costs of home ownership with mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance can be over 10% of the value of a home. That means a home has to appreciate more than 10% annually in order for a home to be a good investment.
These housing policies significantly contributed to driving up the prices of residential real estate over the past 20 years. They also contributed to overleveraged homeowners and more risky mortgage loans held by banks and investors. However it was the regulation of financial institutions which contributed to the bust of the housing bubble and caused the financial crisis we have today.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Who is responsible for the current financial crisis?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Who is responsible for the current financial crisis?
The financial community is not the sole cause of the current crisis. It did what Congress wanted it to do i.e. make risky loans to home owners who would not otherwise get a loan in the unregulated mortgage market. American consumers were encouraged to buy homes whether they could afford them or not. Homeowners were also under the mistaken belief that home ownership was an investment and not a housing expense. The annual costs of home ownership with mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance can be over 10% of the value of a home. That means a home has to appreciate more than 10% annually in order for a home to be a good investment.
These housing policies significantly contributed to driving up the prices of residential real estate over the past 20 years. They also contributed to overleveraged homeowners and more risky mortgage loans held by banks and investors. However it was the regulation of financial institutions which contributed to the bust of the housing bubble and caused the financial crisis we have today.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
09/01/11
Another missed opportunity at détente
-
BY: Armstrong Williams
Another missed opportunity at détente
There they go again. Both Republicans and the White House are shirking what remains of their constitutional duties to represent the will of the people and actually come to agreement on the toughest issues facing this nation, and now they’re squabbling over when the President will give yet another speech? While it appears they may have worked this out and let the President have his day in the sun, it’s another example of the sheer dysfunctional nature of our current leaders.
Set aside for the moment the fact that all this President does is SPEAK. There are no actions coming from either him or his so called economic team. He went around the country on a bus to do what – listen to people tell him what he already knew – that they’re out of a job?!?
Speaker John Boehner again missed a golden opportunity to ease tensions with the White House, prove that he is the bigger man in these tenuous discussions, and set the table for what everyone knows will be a difficult season of negotiations as the so-called Super Committee convenes.
So Obama wants to give a prime time address. Let him! What political damage can he possibly inflict, Mr. Speaker? It’s not as if your pollsters are telling you his popularity will meteorically rise. If past is prologue, this will be another dud of a speech.
Remember the last joint session? When the President gave some (lame) speech on how health care will pull this economy out of recession and save the country? Well, it didn’t happen.
The biggest jolt Obama’s ratings have had this year is when we got Osama Bin Laden. Would anyone have wished that didn’t happen just to keep Obama down?
Give me a break. When is someone on Capitol Hill going to start acting like an adult and force this President to either engage on real deficit reduction, economy growing, or just shut up?
Thank the good Lord the House Republicans didn’t try to salvage the GOP presidential debates as a legitimate reason for postponing Obama’s address. If anything, frankly I wish the candidates would be MORE engaged on these matters. Flex some presidential heft for a change and push yourself out there on how we should address these problems. Or here’s an idea – at least lay out some principles that both sides should bear in mind when negotiating. Or try to be the Mediator-in-Chief early by saying they ought to get in a room and stay there until a decision is reached.
And by the way, if you’re going to offer a reason on why the leader of the country and the free world can’t address a joint session of Congress, please don’t blame security. What a lame excuse.
We have some big weeks ahead of us, Congress. Let’s keep the amateur hour to a minimum for a change…
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Another missed opportunity at détente
-
BY: Armstrong Williams
Another missed opportunity at détente
There they go again. Both Republicans and the White House are shirking what remains of their constitutional duties to represent the will of the people and actually come to agreement on the toughest issues facing this nation, and now they’re squabbling over when the President will give yet another speech? While it appears they may have worked this out and let the President have his day in the sun, it’s another example of the sheer dysfunctional nature of our current leaders.
Set aside for the moment the fact that all this President does is SPEAK. There are no actions coming from either him or his so called economic team. He went around the country on a bus to do what – listen to people tell him what he already knew – that they’re out of a job?!?
Speaker John Boehner again missed a golden opportunity to ease tensions with the White House, prove that he is the bigger man in these tenuous discussions, and set the table for what everyone knows will be a difficult season of negotiations as the so-called Super Committee convenes.
So Obama wants to give a prime time address. Let him! What political damage can he possibly inflict, Mr. Speaker? It’s not as if your pollsters are telling you his popularity will meteorically rise. If past is prologue, this will be another dud of a speech.
Remember the last joint session? When the President gave some (lame) speech on how health care will pull this economy out of recession and save the country? Well, it didn’t happen.
The biggest jolt Obama’s ratings have had this year is when we got Osama Bin Laden. Would anyone have wished that didn’t happen just to keep Obama down?
Give me a break. When is someone on Capitol Hill going to start acting like an adult and force this President to either engage on real deficit reduction, economy growing, or just shut up?
Thank the good Lord the House Republicans didn’t try to salvage the GOP presidential debates as a legitimate reason for postponing Obama’s address. If anything, frankly I wish the candidates would be MORE engaged on these matters. Flex some presidential heft for a change and push yourself out there on how we should address these problems. Or here’s an idea – at least lay out some principles that both sides should bear in mind when negotiating. Or try to be the Mediator-in-Chief early by saying they ought to get in a room and stay there until a decision is reached.
And by the way, if you’re going to offer a reason on why the leader of the country and the free world can’t address a joint session of Congress, please don’t blame security. What a lame excuse.
We have some big weeks ahead of us, Congress. Let’s keep the amateur hour to a minimum for a change…
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/31/11
Denial of Individual freedom and Liberties
BY: Armstrong Williams
Denial of Individual freedom and Liberties
The federal government has used the guise of Civil Rights to make a grab at American rights. They have used Civil Rights to greatly expand federal powers including the Interstate Commerce Laws, privacy restrictions, and economic control over business. This has placed minorities into a position where mainstream America see the protection of minority rights as hand in hand with the denial of their own individual freedom and Liberties.
In no way am I asserting that the denial of basic rights to American Blacks was appropriate. However, some of the mechanisms by which those rights were delivered, opened the door for concentrated private interest operating through the institution of government to steal American freedom and wealth.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Denial of Individual freedom and Liberties
BY: Armstrong Williams
Denial of Individual freedom and Liberties
The federal government has used the guise of Civil Rights to make a grab at American rights. They have used Civil Rights to greatly expand federal powers including the Interstate Commerce Laws, privacy restrictions, and economic control over business. This has placed minorities into a position where mainstream America see the protection of minority rights as hand in hand with the denial of their own individual freedom and Liberties.
In no way am I asserting that the denial of basic rights to American Blacks was appropriate. However, some of the mechanisms by which those rights were delivered, opened the door for concentrated private interest operating through the institution of government to steal American freedom and wealth.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/29/11
The poorer get poorer and the rich get richer
The poorer get poorer and the rich get richer
By: Armstrong Williams
August 29, 2011
Perhaps one of the most misunderstood minorities today is not
racial or ethnic. In fact, the minority I'm referring to comes with
people of every race, color, creed and religion - the wealthy. Make
no mistake about it. Building wealth is one of the most difficult
things someone can do, which is why so few people do it. How few?
Wealth estimates derived from 1998 Federal estate tax return data
show that about 6.5 million individuals in the United States had
gross assets of $625,000 or more and represented about 3.4 percent of
the U.S. adult population. As a group, they owned more than $11.1
trillion in total assets or 32.6 percent of the total U.S. personal
asset holdings. That's 3.4 percent of the population representing
32.6 percent of the country's wealth!
The wealthy are a true minority in the world and are often criticized and ridiculed for
their success in spite of the fact that everyone, given the choice, would
rather try it rich than continue being poor. I don't know where it
originated, but the cliché "the poor get poorer and the rich get
richer" has been in use for some time, implying that the poor will
never rise out of poverty. Is this true? Why do people stay mired in
poverty while others can pass on generational wealth?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The poorer get poorer and the rich get richer
The poorer get poorer and the rich get richer
By: Armstrong Williams
August 29, 2011
Perhaps one of the most misunderstood minorities today is not
racial or ethnic. In fact, the minority I'm referring to comes with
people of every race, color, creed and religion - the wealthy. Make
no mistake about it. Building wealth is one of the most difficult
things someone can do, which is why so few people do it. How few?
Wealth estimates derived from 1998 Federal estate tax return data
show that about 6.5 million individuals in the United States had
gross assets of $625,000 or more and represented about 3.4 percent of
the U.S. adult population. As a group, they owned more than $11.1
trillion in total assets or 32.6 percent of the total U.S. personal
asset holdings. That's 3.4 percent of the population representing
32.6 percent of the country's wealth!
The wealthy are a true minority in the world and are often criticized and ridiculed for
their success in spite of the fact that everyone, given the choice, would
rather try it rich than continue being poor. I don't know where it
originated, but the cliché "the poor get poorer and the rich get
richer" has been in use for some time, implying that the poor will
never rise out of poverty. Is this true? Why do people stay mired in
poverty while others can pass on generational wealth?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/26/11
We can handle the truth
BY: Armstrong Williams
We can handle the Truth
The American people are just plain tired of the lies at this point. No amount of Fed goosing the economy is going to bring back the consumer without more jobs. It’s time to realize that the overall economy has decoupled from the stock market. Despite what the companies look like – flush with cash and impressive balance sheets, one is hard pressed to find major industries with actual demand growth. It’s even rarer to find industries that are hiring people. Most of the newfound fitness in corporate America has come from cutting the fat, and laying people off. But corporate belts have reached the last loophole. They’re as tight as they can get without cutting off their own circulation.
Let’s just call this what it is. It’s not a ‘Great Recession’ anymore. This is a classic depression – a state of the economy when individuals and corporations have to sell their long term assets to fund current necessities. Let’s do away with all the double-speak, and false confidence-inducing rhetoric (stimulus, quantitative easing, low headline inflation, jobless recovery, and all that) and come out and level with the American people. Come on. They already know, and they just want you to say it. Surely there are a few good men in Washington who can handle the truth.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
We can handle the truth
BY: Armstrong Williams
We can handle the Truth
The American people are just plain tired of the lies at this point. No amount of Fed goosing the economy is going to bring back the consumer without more jobs. It’s time to realize that the overall economy has decoupled from the stock market. Despite what the companies look like – flush with cash and impressive balance sheets, one is hard pressed to find major industries with actual demand growth. It’s even rarer to find industries that are hiring people. Most of the newfound fitness in corporate America has come from cutting the fat, and laying people off. But corporate belts have reached the last loophole. They’re as tight as they can get without cutting off their own circulation.
Let’s just call this what it is. It’s not a ‘Great Recession’ anymore. This is a classic depression – a state of the economy when individuals and corporations have to sell their long term assets to fund current necessities. Let’s do away with all the double-speak, and false confidence-inducing rhetoric (stimulus, quantitative easing, low headline inflation, jobless recovery, and all that) and come out and level with the American people. Come on. They already know, and they just want you to say it. Surely there are a few good men in Washington who can handle the truth.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/25/11
"When you fail to plan, you plan to fail"
BY: Armstrong Williams
"When you fail to plan, you plan to fail"
The biggest mistake people make in terms of financial management is that they live only in the here and now, and discount their future needs. Bad move when it comes to your finances. You have to take responsibility now. Make a strict budget and stick to it. Don’t get caught in a cycle of credit debt that prevents you from saving for the future. Every person can and should start planning for the future today. Sadly, many people postpone planning for retirement. Either they don’t want to take time and effort away from their present activities, or they assume that they lack the financial abilities to be truly successful. Neither reason is valid. Really, it comes down to daily financial management.
You have to prioritize your financial expenses. Instead of taking out loans to buy a larger home or a flashier car, make it a point to live below your means. Stop spending foolishly on weddings and budget that money for future unexpected financial challenges. Never go in credit card debt for today’s needs. Make sure you have some financial padding to cover emergencies such as illness, or temporary unemployment. Most importantly, set aside 12% of your earnings for the future. Then make sure you grow that retirement savings by diversifying your risks, and investing with a sound long term strategy. That’s the surest way to join the ranks of America’s millionaires. Of course, you’ll never see that common sense bit of advice on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. But it is the best way to enjoy better lives down the road.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
"When you fail to plan, you plan to fail"
BY: Armstrong Williams
"When you fail to plan, you plan to fail"
The biggest mistake people make in terms of financial management is that they live only in the here and now, and discount their future needs. Bad move when it comes to your finances. You have to take responsibility now. Make a strict budget and stick to it. Don’t get caught in a cycle of credit debt that prevents you from saving for the future. Every person can and should start planning for the future today. Sadly, many people postpone planning for retirement. Either they don’t want to take time and effort away from their present activities, or they assume that they lack the financial abilities to be truly successful. Neither reason is valid. Really, it comes down to daily financial management.
You have to prioritize your financial expenses. Instead of taking out loans to buy a larger home or a flashier car, make it a point to live below your means. Stop spending foolishly on weddings and budget that money for future unexpected financial challenges. Never go in credit card debt for today’s needs. Make sure you have some financial padding to cover emergencies such as illness, or temporary unemployment. Most importantly, set aside 12% of your earnings for the future. Then make sure you grow that retirement savings by diversifying your risks, and investing with a sound long term strategy. That’s the surest way to join the ranks of America’s millionaires. Of course, you’ll never see that common sense bit of advice on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. But it is the best way to enjoy better lives down the road.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/24/11
Calling for Leadership
BY: Armstrong Williams
Calling for Leadership
The fire of popular discontentment that has consumed the Middle East and is rapidly spreading in Europe may well leap across the oceans to America. The conditions are ripe for conflagration -- the tinder is dry, and the powder keg is close at hand. The consequences of the recent government budget cuts have yet to hit home for the average American, but it will soon. And, compounding already high unemployment and declining social benefits, the American people are suffering from political and business leadership that is woefully out of touch with the masses. To wit President Obama’s massive spending on national health insurance instead of focusing on jobs; Wall Street’s arrogant insistence on keeping its’ tax allowances for luxury expenditures while the rest of the country scrambles to survive; the frightening inability of both parties in Congress to look beyond anything but their own reelection and sectarian interests; the downgrade of American debt by the ratings agencies, and the rapid debasement of individual savings caused by massive Fed money printing.
Although these problems are overwhelming they are not insurmountable with good Moral Leadership.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Calling for Leadership
BY: Armstrong Williams
Calling for Leadership
The fire of popular discontentment that has consumed the Middle East and is rapidly spreading in Europe may well leap across the oceans to America. The conditions are ripe for conflagration -- the tinder is dry, and the powder keg is close at hand. The consequences of the recent government budget cuts have yet to hit home for the average American, but it will soon. And, compounding already high unemployment and declining social benefits, the American people are suffering from political and business leadership that is woefully out of touch with the masses. To wit President Obama’s massive spending on national health insurance instead of focusing on jobs; Wall Street’s arrogant insistence on keeping its’ tax allowances for luxury expenditures while the rest of the country scrambles to survive; the frightening inability of both parties in Congress to look beyond anything but their own reelection and sectarian interests; the downgrade of American debt by the ratings agencies, and the rapid debasement of individual savings caused by massive Fed money printing.
Although these problems are overwhelming they are not insurmountable with good Moral Leadership.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/23/11
The stalled economy
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Stalled Economy
Let us recap: When the stimulus packaged was passed by Congress , President Obama assured Americans that this huge unfunded spending proposal was necessary to keep unemployment from rising and would restore growth to the recessionary economy. On July 11, 2009 President Obama said the stimulus package “worked as intended...” “The recovery plan was not designed to work over four months. It is designed to work over two years (my emphasis)…" Unfortunately this is not how the stimulus package was sold to the American people. In his January 24th 2009 radio address the President said the purpose of the stimulus plan is “to immediately (my emphasis) jumpstart job creation as well as long-term economic growth.” Immediately is not two years. In fairness to Obama, he also told the American people that “this is not just a short-term program to boost employment. It’s one that will invest in our most important priorities like energy and education; health care and a new infrastructure.” In other words, the real purpose of the stimulus package was to substantially increase government spending using economic stimulus and job recovery as a smoke screen to sell the American people. Unfortunately, at the time, mainstream media was too intoxicated with Obama mania to point out the real purpose of the stimulus package to the American people.
At this point, very few economists and businessmen see light at the end of the recessionary tunnel. When the $78720Billion package was passed by Congress in February 2009, the unemployment rate was 8.1%. If the purpose of the stimulus package was to keep employment from increasing beyond 8.1% and to stimulate economic growth, it has so far failed. Since February 2009, the unemployment rate increased to 9.5% and is expected to exceed 10% by the end of 2011. US Gross Domestic Product is expected to have declined about 1-2% in the 2nd quarter after declining 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Clearly, the fiscal policies and the proposed agenda of the Obama administration have not yet helped mitigate the recession. However, if the purpose was to substantially increase government spending, it has succeeded.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The stalled economy
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Stalled Economy
Let us recap: When the stimulus packaged was passed by Congress , President Obama assured Americans that this huge unfunded spending proposal was necessary to keep unemployment from rising and would restore growth to the recessionary economy. On July 11, 2009 President Obama said the stimulus package “worked as intended...” “The recovery plan was not designed to work over four months. It is designed to work over two years (my emphasis)…" Unfortunately this is not how the stimulus package was sold to the American people. In his January 24th 2009 radio address the President said the purpose of the stimulus plan is “to immediately (my emphasis) jumpstart job creation as well as long-term economic growth.” Immediately is not two years. In fairness to Obama, he also told the American people that “this is not just a short-term program to boost employment. It’s one that will invest in our most important priorities like energy and education; health care and a new infrastructure.” In other words, the real purpose of the stimulus package was to substantially increase government spending using economic stimulus and job recovery as a smoke screen to sell the American people. Unfortunately, at the time, mainstream media was too intoxicated with Obama mania to point out the real purpose of the stimulus package to the American people.
At this point, very few economists and businessmen see light at the end of the recessionary tunnel. When the $78720Billion package was passed by Congress in February 2009, the unemployment rate was 8.1%. If the purpose of the stimulus package was to keep employment from increasing beyond 8.1% and to stimulate economic growth, it has so far failed. Since February 2009, the unemployment rate increased to 9.5% and is expected to exceed 10% by the end of 2011. US Gross Domestic Product is expected to have declined about 1-2% in the 2nd quarter after declining 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Clearly, the fiscal policies and the proposed agenda of the Obama administration have not yet helped mitigate the recession. However, if the purpose was to substantially increase government spending, it has succeeded.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/22/11
Crises produce times of political detente
BY: Armstrong Williams
Crises produce times of political detente
Historically, great crises produce times of political détente in Washington. The Social Security crisis of the early 80s. The deep recessions and subsequent Kemp-Roth reforms of 1981. The September 11th terrorist attacks. Those are but three examples of when both parties came together to enact some difficult but landmark policies. And in the wake of those tough fights where both sides gave a little, there was an era of comity. Oh it didn’t last for long, but it was there. It was a time when legislators were reminded of why they came to Washington in the first place. They reflected on their great stations in history, and how the threads of their own stories would weave into the fabric and future of this nation.
www.rightsidewire.com
Crises produce times of political detente
BY: Armstrong Williams
Crises produce times of political detente
Historically, great crises produce times of political détente in Washington. The Social Security crisis of the early 80s. The deep recessions and subsequent Kemp-Roth reforms of 1981. The September 11th terrorist attacks. Those are but three examples of when both parties came together to enact some difficult but landmark policies. And in the wake of those tough fights where both sides gave a little, there was an era of comity. Oh it didn’t last for long, but it was there. It was a time when legislators were reminded of why they came to Washington in the first place. They reflected on their great stations in history, and how the threads of their own stories would weave into the fabric and future of this nation.
www.rightsidewire.com
08/17/11
Will they return and show real leadership?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Will they return and show real leadership?
Whew, aren’t we glad that is over…for now.
It’s been a few weeks since lawmakers took this country to the precipice of financial ruin, seemingly reveled in their fleeting power to do so, and then gingerly backed us all away. I can’t help but think they actually enjoyed the ride. Lord knows we watched every minute unfold in excruciating detail. And at every turn, lawmakers were not laboring in sweats, up at all hours of the night. No, they golfed with each other, sauntered over to the West Wing and sat around while press pools took pictures.
Then they had the audacity to troll out to the microphones, after presumably making sound, principled arguments for why we couldn’t go the other party’s direction, and proceed to rip their opponents’ heads off in the media.
How many times did we see such shenanigans played out? On both sides?
Then in the final minutes, cooler heads prevailed. The president looked presidential (finally). The Speaker and congressional leaders came together and cut a deal to raise the debt limit. Only they didn’t strike a “grand bargain.” In classic congressional gamesmanship, they kicked the can down the road. Sure, tough decisions were made, but not the toughest. Not the ones that would set us on a path out of default. They agreed to come back in a few months and finish the hard work.
Will they and can they do the hard work and show real leadership when they return after Labor Day?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Will they return and show real leadership?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Will they return and show real leadership?
Whew, aren’t we glad that is over…for now.
It’s been a few weeks since lawmakers took this country to the precipice of financial ruin, seemingly reveled in their fleeting power to do so, and then gingerly backed us all away. I can’t help but think they actually enjoyed the ride. Lord knows we watched every minute unfold in excruciating detail. And at every turn, lawmakers were not laboring in sweats, up at all hours of the night. No, they golfed with each other, sauntered over to the West Wing and sat around while press pools took pictures.
Then they had the audacity to troll out to the microphones, after presumably making sound, principled arguments for why we couldn’t go the other party’s direction, and proceed to rip their opponents’ heads off in the media.
How many times did we see such shenanigans played out? On both sides?
Then in the final minutes, cooler heads prevailed. The president looked presidential (finally). The Speaker and congressional leaders came together and cut a deal to raise the debt limit. Only they didn’t strike a “grand bargain.” In classic congressional gamesmanship, they kicked the can down the road. Sure, tough decisions were made, but not the toughest. Not the ones that would set us on a path out of default. They agreed to come back in a few months and finish the hard work.
Will they and can they do the hard work and show real leadership when they return after Labor Day?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/16/11
Global warming is irrevelant
BY: Armstrong Williams
Global warming is irrelevant
Readers, Readers, Readers: I'm agonizing and debating my thoughts, slightly. What I have argued and debated in the past is that industrial activity - anthropogenic activity - has consequences, e.g. the putting of large amounts of carbon based materials into the environment. Whether that causes "global warming" I don't know and I submit can't be proven given the paucity of the data base - how can you prove an underlying climatic cycle that may be hundreds or thousands of years long in periodicity with just about 100 years of so of truly detailed and reliable data? And, once you understand that base cycle you still have to prove that there is a causal connection - not a spurious correlation - between any observed deviation and the base cycle. So, no...I don't agree that there is a demonstrable/proveable "anthropogenic component of global warming." What there is, however, is a change in the chemistry of the world's oceans due to its service as a carbon sink for the planet. I truly don't know if that's changed the weather, or, if so, how and how much it has done so. Those that say they know are engaging in faith-based statements, not science as I was taught it. In fact, to make a stronger statement, it is pretty much infeasible to say anything "scientifically" about cosmology - the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe - as it is a single-run system. Remember, a science experiment is demonstrable, repeatable and measurable. How do you do that with the origin of the universe? That's why things like the big bang THEORY are just that.....theories. And things like gravity and aspects of thermodynamics can be termed laws. We can run experiments in gravity and thermodynamics - repeatable and measurable ones - and when we observe things that are invariant, we can call them laws: law of gravity, first and second laws of thermodynamics etc.
Now, given you now know what I really think, whether it is connected with global warming or not, carbon-based pollution is just that...pollution. I'm anti-pollution, so I would support reasonable, commensurate steps to combat carbon-based pollution. And, yes, in addition to being pro-tree, I am also pro-children. In fact, I'm so "pro-children" that I think they shouldn't be arbitrarily destroyed in their mothers' wombs, but that's a different argument.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Global warming is irrevelant
BY: Armstrong Williams
Global warming is irrelevant
Readers, Readers, Readers: I'm agonizing and debating my thoughts, slightly. What I have argued and debated in the past is that industrial activity - anthropogenic activity - has consequences, e.g. the putting of large amounts of carbon based materials into the environment. Whether that causes "global warming" I don't know and I submit can't be proven given the paucity of the data base - how can you prove an underlying climatic cycle that may be hundreds or thousands of years long in periodicity with just about 100 years of so of truly detailed and reliable data? And, once you understand that base cycle you still have to prove that there is a causal connection - not a spurious correlation - between any observed deviation and the base cycle. So, no...I don't agree that there is a demonstrable/proveable "anthropogenic component of global warming." What there is, however, is a change in the chemistry of the world's oceans due to its service as a carbon sink for the planet. I truly don't know if that's changed the weather, or, if so, how and how much it has done so. Those that say they know are engaging in faith-based statements, not science as I was taught it. In fact, to make a stronger statement, it is pretty much infeasible to say anything "scientifically" about cosmology - the origin, structure, and space-time relationships of the universe - as it is a single-run system. Remember, a science experiment is demonstrable, repeatable and measurable. How do you do that with the origin of the universe? That's why things like the big bang THEORY are just that.....theories. And things like gravity and aspects of thermodynamics can be termed laws. We can run experiments in gravity and thermodynamics - repeatable and measurable ones - and when we observe things that are invariant, we can call them laws: law of gravity, first and second laws of thermodynamics etc.
Now, given you now know what I really think, whether it is connected with global warming or not, carbon-based pollution is just that...pollution. I'm anti-pollution, so I would support reasonable, commensurate steps to combat carbon-based pollution. And, yes, in addition to being pro-tree, I am also pro-children. In fact, I'm so "pro-children" that I think they shouldn't be arbitrarily destroyed in their mothers' wombs, but that's a different argument.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/15/11
Social unrest, justified and unjustified
BY: Armstrong Williams
Social unrest, justified and unjustified.
The fire of popular discontentment that has consumed the Middle East and is rapidly spreading in Europe may well leap across the oceans to America. The conditions are ripe, the tinder is dry, and the powder keg is close at hand. The consequences of the government recent budget cuts have yet to hit home for the average American. But compounding already high unemployment and declining social benefits, the American people are suffering from a political and business leadership that is woefully out of touch with the masses. To wit President Obama’s massive spending on national health insurance instead of focusing on jobs; Wall Street’s arrogant insistence on keeping its’ tax allowances for luxury expenditures while the rest of the country scrambles to survive; the frightening inability of both parties in Congress to look beyond anything but their own reelection and sectarian interests; the downgrade of American debt by the ratings agencies, and the rapid debasement of the U.S. currency by massive Fed lending.
Let us not be as clueless as the leaders of Britain and the Middle East. Why is it so obvious to us that the repressive regimes in Tunisia and Egypt had outlived their time, and clueless to the fact that those same influences are forcing change in our society?
It is crucial that the under privilege people in this nation recognize that the opportunities for financial success still exist and that no one is depriving them of those desires, unlike many of the other nations of the world. They should not be confused and must recognize that the American dream, which is a foundation of our nation is alive and thriving.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Social unrest, justified and unjustified
BY: Armstrong Williams
Social unrest, justified and unjustified.
The fire of popular discontentment that has consumed the Middle East and is rapidly spreading in Europe may well leap across the oceans to America. The conditions are ripe, the tinder is dry, and the powder keg is close at hand. The consequences of the government recent budget cuts have yet to hit home for the average American. But compounding already high unemployment and declining social benefits, the American people are suffering from a political and business leadership that is woefully out of touch with the masses. To wit President Obama’s massive spending on national health insurance instead of focusing on jobs; Wall Street’s arrogant insistence on keeping its’ tax allowances for luxury expenditures while the rest of the country scrambles to survive; the frightening inability of both parties in Congress to look beyond anything but their own reelection and sectarian interests; the downgrade of American debt by the ratings agencies, and the rapid debasement of the U.S. currency by massive Fed lending.
Let us not be as clueless as the leaders of Britain and the Middle East. Why is it so obvious to us that the repressive regimes in Tunisia and Egypt had outlived their time, and clueless to the fact that those same influences are forcing change in our society?
It is crucial that the under privilege people in this nation recognize that the opportunities for financial success still exist and that no one is depriving them of those desires, unlike many of the other nations of the world. They should not be confused and must recognize that the American dream, which is a foundation of our nation is alive and thriving.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/04/11
Putting In Work
Putting In Work:
By Armstrong Williams
Now that the debt ceiling charade is over (for now) and the politicians have smugly retreated to their lavish homes and offices (Abandoning the FAA in the process), the average American is faced with the stark reality. How are we going to get back to work to rebuild the wealth that was lost over the past few years?
Let’s clear the air first. No matter what Washington promises about creating jobs, it can’t deliver. That would be like Dorothy and her friends expecting the Wizard of Oz to grant them some brains, heart and courage along with a ticket back to Kansas. It just won’t happen. Look at what has happened in America thus far. Despite the massive, debt-fueled bailout of the big banks and automakers, banks haven’t started lending again and employment remains anemic. While the perverse logic of Washington and Wall Street might tell you that incurring massive additional debt will lead to growth, main-street is not so naive. The average consumer and business owner has refused to take on additional debt. Consumers are paying down credit cards and declining new offers. Businesses are exchanging debt for equity at a growing pace. This deleveraging process is likely to continue for some time, and the American consumer is not likely to be the work horse of the international economy in the future. Getting rid of debt and excess spending is a good thing for our country.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Putting In Work
Putting In Work:
By Armstrong Williams
Now that the debt ceiling charade is over (for now) and the politicians have smugly retreated to their lavish homes and offices (Abandoning the FAA in the process), the average American is faced with the stark reality. How are we going to get back to work to rebuild the wealth that was lost over the past few years?
Let’s clear the air first. No matter what Washington promises about creating jobs, it can’t deliver. That would be like Dorothy and her friends expecting the Wizard of Oz to grant them some brains, heart and courage along with a ticket back to Kansas. It just won’t happen. Look at what has happened in America thus far. Despite the massive, debt-fueled bailout of the big banks and automakers, banks haven’t started lending again and employment remains anemic. While the perverse logic of Washington and Wall Street might tell you that incurring massive additional debt will lead to growth, main-street is not so naive. The average consumer and business owner has refused to take on additional debt. Consumers are paying down credit cards and declining new offers. Businesses are exchanging debt for equity at a growing pace. This deleveraging process is likely to continue for some time, and the American consumer is not likely to be the work horse of the international economy in the future. Getting rid of debt and excess spending is a good thing for our country.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/02/11
The other things
BY: Armstrong Williams
The other things:
I can't but think that the "original sin" in getting us to where we are now (on the brink of the Today's Aug 2 limitation on borrowing - it is NOT a default date as there would have been plenty of money to pay the Treasuries that are due [couple trillion in receipts and a few hundred billion in debt service] - the real issue is that without further borrowing, it is the OTHER things the USG does that it won't have the money to do) is this: Why didn't the POTUS use the vast power of writing the budget to set his priorities in this coming fight. I think this is a FUNDAMENTAL mistake on his part. Had he sent a serious document to the Congress, they would've had to contend with it. As it was, he sent something so execrable that it got not a single vote, R or D, losing 97-0. This was not just a tactical error, it was an abdication of his real duty to propose serious legislation. It boggles my mind that a president wouldn't do that. In fact, one of the problems with this whole process is that we've ignored 'regular order' - you know, proposing a bill, referral to committee, hearings, markups, then vote out of committee and to the floor for debate/vote. We used to CONSIDER legislation, now we argue about really important things: TARP, Obamacare, now the debt limit, until a vote is jammed through (less the world come to an end). No debate worthy of the name, no regular order, and NO deliberation. It is a terrible way to make policy. In fact, it reduces policy to the political. That is a shame, regardless where you stand on the political spectrum.
But, the point of this little missive was to point out where we started off the tracks: no credible budget submission by the administration. I believe the likeliest explanation is that BHO was determined to make the R's detail their preferred cuts to entitlements (all the better to demagogue with) - he's done this, but he never submitted a real proposal (as the head of the CBO said: "we don't score speeches"). I should also point out that the only proposals that have been actually submitted as legislation and voted on are from the R's: the Ryan budget, and the cut-cap-balance. The latter only lost for the lack of four votes switching in the senate. I would also point out that both Switzerland and Germany have balanced budget provisions in their basic laws, so this is not a Neanderthal proposal. And deficits can be run and taxes raised under the proposal but they require super majorities (2/3, I'd prefer only 3/5 but they didn't ask me).
Why are we repeating the mistake of GHWB? What good is it to give this administration more money to play with? Or, what good does it do to propose raising taxes on anyone in challenged economic times? This first step Debt ceiling measure which easily passed the House yesterday - and it is only a first step - has to be about spending reductions. Then we get to tax reform and entitlement reform for the long run in turn. In fact, that is what we MUST do now. We simply don't have time for anything else. We'll see the Senate finalize extending the debt limit for the short term today while tax/entitlement reform/further spending cuts are worked. There aren't the votes for anything else. Of course, we can always miscalculate. And, BHO has shown nothing if not the ability to miscalculate throughout this one: foregoing the chance to send a real budget; thinking he could 'stare down' or otherwise intimidate R's into tax rate increases, etc.
We'll see. What should have taken several days to accomplish in both chambers of congress, actually dragged on for several months at the expense of we the people. This is what they call high drama and the eleventh hour deal which is sealed just before the clock strikes midnight. Shame, Shame, Shame. When will American's finally awaken to the fact that both sides are one and the same.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The other things
BY: Armstrong Williams
The other things:
I can't but think that the "original sin" in getting us to where we are now (on the brink of the Today's Aug 2 limitation on borrowing - it is NOT a default date as there would have been plenty of money to pay the Treasuries that are due [couple trillion in receipts and a few hundred billion in debt service] - the real issue is that without further borrowing, it is the OTHER things the USG does that it won't have the money to do) is this: Why didn't the POTUS use the vast power of writing the budget to set his priorities in this coming fight. I think this is a FUNDAMENTAL mistake on his part. Had he sent a serious document to the Congress, they would've had to contend with it. As it was, he sent something so execrable that it got not a single vote, R or D, losing 97-0. This was not just a tactical error, it was an abdication of his real duty to propose serious legislation. It boggles my mind that a president wouldn't do that. In fact, one of the problems with this whole process is that we've ignored 'regular order' - you know, proposing a bill, referral to committee, hearings, markups, then vote out of committee and to the floor for debate/vote. We used to CONSIDER legislation, now we argue about really important things: TARP, Obamacare, now the debt limit, until a vote is jammed through (less the world come to an end). No debate worthy of the name, no regular order, and NO deliberation. It is a terrible way to make policy. In fact, it reduces policy to the political. That is a shame, regardless where you stand on the political spectrum.
But, the point of this little missive was to point out where we started off the tracks: no credible budget submission by the administration. I believe the likeliest explanation is that BHO was determined to make the R's detail their preferred cuts to entitlements (all the better to demagogue with) - he's done this, but he never submitted a real proposal (as the head of the CBO said: "we don't score speeches"). I should also point out that the only proposals that have been actually submitted as legislation and voted on are from the R's: the Ryan budget, and the cut-cap-balance. The latter only lost for the lack of four votes switching in the senate. I would also point out that both Switzerland and Germany have balanced budget provisions in their basic laws, so this is not a Neanderthal proposal. And deficits can be run and taxes raised under the proposal but they require super majorities (2/3, I'd prefer only 3/5 but they didn't ask me).
Why are we repeating the mistake of GHWB? What good is it to give this administration more money to play with? Or, what good does it do to propose raising taxes on anyone in challenged economic times? This first step Debt ceiling measure which easily passed the House yesterday - and it is only a first step - has to be about spending reductions. Then we get to tax reform and entitlement reform for the long run in turn. In fact, that is what we MUST do now. We simply don't have time for anything else. We'll see the Senate finalize extending the debt limit for the short term today while tax/entitlement reform/further spending cuts are worked. There aren't the votes for anything else. Of course, we can always miscalculate. And, BHO has shown nothing if not the ability to miscalculate throughout this one: foregoing the chance to send a real budget; thinking he could 'stare down' or otherwise intimidate R's into tax rate increases, etc.
We'll see. What should have taken several days to accomplish in both chambers of congress, actually dragged on for several months at the expense of we the people. This is what they call high drama and the eleventh hour deal which is sealed just before the clock strikes midnight. Shame, Shame, Shame. When will American's finally awaken to the fact that both sides are one and the same.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
08/01/11
Sins of the father
BY: Armstrong Williams
Sins of the father
Once again, the civic leaders inside this city leave a mark that’s just as soon forgotten. This time, Marion Christopher Barry, the son of Washington’s former mayor, Marion Barry, was indicted on possession of drugs and PCP.
Insert your favorite joke here about the apple not falling too far from the tree or whatever euphemism you care to use.
Apparently, Marion Jr. was dealing the same substances his father was notorious for while running this city. And when the 5-0 came knocking, Junior jumped out his window and fled. At least he was smarter than the old man to have an apartment where a jump wouldn’t kill him. It was only a matter, of time, however, before he returned to his apartment and was arrested.
This is sad, folks. Just sad. But I guess we all have to step back and ask, “What did we expect?”
In 1990, Barry the Elder was deep into his third term as mayor of Washington. But that ride came to an abrupt end as he was caught in an FBI sting operation that filmed the public official smoking crack cocaine and blaming everyone but himself for his actions.
Unfortunately episodes and recurrences like the Barrys’ happen every day in America. The sins of the father spill over onto the son. Why? They learn this behavior. There is no authority figure in the home to set what’s right from wrong for the children.
We know children, they are led by example, and when the only example they have to follow is that of a criminal deviant, deviancy soon follows.
WARNING: shameless plug about to occur!! This is exactly one of the issues I discuss in my new book, Reawakening Virtues (available in your favorite bookstore or online at Amazon.com). How can society ever hope to better itself when parents don’t wake up, stand up, and shape up to be more active participants in how their children are raised.
When parents do more in the home, society as a whole benefits. There’s no better social program than a good home. No, good homes don’t always exist, but so long as parents carelessly shirk their duties to raise their children in good, honorable, and morally-sound directions, we’ll see more Marion Barry’s in court and prison.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Sins of the father
BY: Armstrong Williams
Sins of the father
Once again, the civic leaders inside this city leave a mark that’s just as soon forgotten. This time, Marion Christopher Barry, the son of Washington’s former mayor, Marion Barry, was indicted on possession of drugs and PCP.
Insert your favorite joke here about the apple not falling too far from the tree or whatever euphemism you care to use.
Apparently, Marion Jr. was dealing the same substances his father was notorious for while running this city. And when the 5-0 came knocking, Junior jumped out his window and fled. At least he was smarter than the old man to have an apartment where a jump wouldn’t kill him. It was only a matter, of time, however, before he returned to his apartment and was arrested.
This is sad, folks. Just sad. But I guess we all have to step back and ask, “What did we expect?”
In 1990, Barry the Elder was deep into his third term as mayor of Washington. But that ride came to an abrupt end as he was caught in an FBI sting operation that filmed the public official smoking crack cocaine and blaming everyone but himself for his actions.
Unfortunately episodes and recurrences like the Barrys’ happen every day in America. The sins of the father spill over onto the son. Why? They learn this behavior. There is no authority figure in the home to set what’s right from wrong for the children.
We know children, they are led by example, and when the only example they have to follow is that of a criminal deviant, deviancy soon follows.
WARNING: shameless plug about to occur!! This is exactly one of the issues I discuss in my new book, Reawakening Virtues (available in your favorite bookstore or online at Amazon.com). How can society ever hope to better itself when parents don’t wake up, stand up, and shape up to be more active participants in how their children are raised.
When parents do more in the home, society as a whole benefits. There’s no better social program than a good home. No, good homes don’t always exist, but so long as parents carelessly shirk their duties to raise their children in good, honorable, and morally-sound directions, we’ll see more Marion Barry’s in court and prison.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/29/11
The path to wealth building
BY: Armstrong Williams
The path to wealth building
The fastest way to build wealth is to associate with the right people. Likewise, the fastest way to the poorhouse is to associate with the wrong people or try to achieve wealth independently. You cannot get rich on your own. If you develop relationships with successful individuals, you will greatly enhance your opportunities for financial stability. Finding a mentor who can advise and counsel you about your personal situation is a great way to learn the ins and outs of the financial world. Mentors not only provide positive reinforcement and a vast amount of real life knowledge, but they help provide connections, business opportunities, and potential partnerships. Even if these relationships don’t prove to be financial booms, they allow you to expand your network and improve your business and communications skills. Finally, examine your social scene and beware of those who are negative, jealous, and consumed with envy and are hurting your chances to succeed and realize your true entrepreneurial potential.
Like anything else, building wealth takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and focus. If you truly want to experience financial stability, then you absolutely must be willing to sacrifice and spend the necessary time to achieve your goals. Besides creating a strong work ethic, you must cultivate your creative side and continually challenge yourself to be innovative and thinking outside the box. Leaving your comfort zone is a key aspect of improving innovation. You must be willing to try new things, experience different customs, and participate in unusual situations so that your breadth of knowledge grows wider. The more creative you become, the more your hard work will pay off.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The path to wealth building
BY: Armstrong Williams
The path to wealth building
The fastest way to build wealth is to associate with the right people. Likewise, the fastest way to the poorhouse is to associate with the wrong people or try to achieve wealth independently. You cannot get rich on your own. If you develop relationships with successful individuals, you will greatly enhance your opportunities for financial stability. Finding a mentor who can advise and counsel you about your personal situation is a great way to learn the ins and outs of the financial world. Mentors not only provide positive reinforcement and a vast amount of real life knowledge, but they help provide connections, business opportunities, and potential partnerships. Even if these relationships don’t prove to be financial booms, they allow you to expand your network and improve your business and communications skills. Finally, examine your social scene and beware of those who are negative, jealous, and consumed with envy and are hurting your chances to succeed and realize your true entrepreneurial potential.
Like anything else, building wealth takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and focus. If you truly want to experience financial stability, then you absolutely must be willing to sacrifice and spend the necessary time to achieve your goals. Besides creating a strong work ethic, you must cultivate your creative side and continually challenge yourself to be innovative and thinking outside the box. Leaving your comfort zone is a key aspect of improving innovation. You must be willing to try new things, experience different customs, and participate in unusual situations so that your breadth of knowledge grows wider. The more creative you become, the more your hard work will pay off.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/28/11
Billionaire Assets
BY: Armstrong Williams
Billionaire Assets
Money itself is inert, and like an idea, it has no value unless it is actively employed or exchanged to get work accomplished. And just like an idea can be good or bad, money can be used constructively or destructively.
When money is used constructively, money creates or buys an asset. An asset is something that creates income, can appreciate in value, and sometimes allows for tax advantages like a piece of real estate or a business. I would also add that the best assets to have are those that make you a return on your investment (i.e. puts money back in your pocket). When money is used destructively or irresponsibly, it creates a liability. A liability is something that depreciates in value, increases your expenses, or in accounting terms that means takes money out of your pocket. Credit card debt, also called consumer debt, is the best and most extreme example of a liability because you continue to pay for something that provides you no benefit. Cars, for example, are another liability because they decrease in value over time and you pay insurance and maintenance. Unlike the credit card debt, they do provide the benefit of transportation.
Building wealth is all about acquiring assets with assets. (A job is not an asset because you do not own it and you have no equity from it you can pass on to someone else like you can with a business or real estate). A person is an asset (or a liability!) and that’s why companies have human resource divisions—to locate and place their assets. What determines if people are assets (or liabilities) are two things everyone has: a body and a mind. From the neck down a person’s labor is worth about $20/hr. So what is a person’s value from the neck up? Billions of dollars. Thought process is the only thing separating a janitor from a professor or a ditch digger from a billionaire. How do we think about how we spend our time and money?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Billionaire Assets
BY: Armstrong Williams
Billionaire Assets
Money itself is inert, and like an idea, it has no value unless it is actively employed or exchanged to get work accomplished. And just like an idea can be good or bad, money can be used constructively or destructively.
When money is used constructively, money creates or buys an asset. An asset is something that creates income, can appreciate in value, and sometimes allows for tax advantages like a piece of real estate or a business. I would also add that the best assets to have are those that make you a return on your investment (i.e. puts money back in your pocket). When money is used destructively or irresponsibly, it creates a liability. A liability is something that depreciates in value, increases your expenses, or in accounting terms that means takes money out of your pocket. Credit card debt, also called consumer debt, is the best and most extreme example of a liability because you continue to pay for something that provides you no benefit. Cars, for example, are another liability because they decrease in value over time and you pay insurance and maintenance. Unlike the credit card debt, they do provide the benefit of transportation.
Building wealth is all about acquiring assets with assets. (A job is not an asset because you do not own it and you have no equity from it you can pass on to someone else like you can with a business or real estate). A person is an asset (or a liability!) and that’s why companies have human resource divisions—to locate and place their assets. What determines if people are assets (or liabilities) are two things everyone has: a body and a mind. From the neck down a person’s labor is worth about $20/hr. So what is a person’s value from the neck up? Billions of dollars. Thought process is the only thing separating a janitor from a professor or a ditch digger from a billionaire. How do we think about how we spend our time and money?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/27/11
The will of the people
The will of the people
By Armstrong Williams - 07/27/11 08:53 AM ET
The president's speech Monday night was typical of his entire presidency; he demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of fundamental economics and leadership.
Once again he implicated President Bush as the cause of all our economic problems. Once again he demonized the rich without acknowledging the fact that the leader of his own party, Harry Reid, put forth a plan that includes no increase in taxes on anyone. This is because Reid recognizes that the additional revenues that would be generated by increasing taxes on the rich wouldn't come close to solving the problem.
Calls for such increases are gimmicks to stoke the fires of class warfare and to garner more political support for himself. Obama obviously thinks that we are extraordinarily simplistic and don't have the ability to open our eyes and truly understand this economic crisis. He believes if he repeats something enough, many will begin to believe that it is fact. I believe that he will be shocked to discover that we the people are not as naive as he is.
Or perhaps I am wrong; perhaps the American people are naïve; perhaps if he repeats himself enough times, then what he says really will be taken as fact. The possibility is frightening. Can our country survive another term under President Obama? Will Obama follow the fate of Bush I? Can he truly be serious about raising taxes in this struggling economy ? Are many in this nation, and his blind followers, really unable to see the painstakingly clear economic ineptitude exemplified by our president? There are so many questions but so few answers.
Maybe an egregious and continuing failure in the presidency is what it will take for the American people to reawaken to the fact that this is our country and the government works for us! The future of this nation should not be at their whim, or held hostage to silly budget negotiations. The future of this nation is, and should be, the will of the people!
The will of the people
The will of the people
By Armstrong Williams - 07/27/11 08:53 AM ET
The president's speech Monday night was typical of his entire presidency; he demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of fundamental economics and leadership.
Once again he implicated President Bush as the cause of all our economic problems. Once again he demonized the rich without acknowledging the fact that the leader of his own party, Harry Reid, put forth a plan that includes no increase in taxes on anyone. This is because Reid recognizes that the additional revenues that would be generated by increasing taxes on the rich wouldn't come close to solving the problem.
Calls for such increases are gimmicks to stoke the fires of class warfare and to garner more political support for himself. Obama obviously thinks that we are extraordinarily simplistic and don't have the ability to open our eyes and truly understand this economic crisis. He believes if he repeats something enough, many will begin to believe that it is fact. I believe that he will be shocked to discover that we the people are not as naive as he is.
Or perhaps I am wrong; perhaps the American people are naïve; perhaps if he repeats himself enough times, then what he says really will be taken as fact. The possibility is frightening. Can our country survive another term under President Obama? Will Obama follow the fate of Bush I? Can he truly be serious about raising taxes in this struggling economy ? Are many in this nation, and his blind followers, really unable to see the painstakingly clear economic ineptitude exemplified by our president? There are so many questions but so few answers.
Maybe an egregious and continuing failure in the presidency is what it will take for the American people to reawaken to the fact that this is our country and the government works for us! The future of this nation should not be at their whim, or held hostage to silly budget negotiations. The future of this nation is, and should be, the will of the people!
07/26/11
America's Deepening Immorality
America’s deepening immorality
By Armstrong Williams - 07/26/11 08:51 AM ET
An utterly riveting cable TV show called “Love Crimes of Kabul” follows the stories of Afghan women who have been imprisoned for breaking strict Sharia law governing sex outside of marriage. Their crimes would be hardly recognizable in the United States: adultery, fornication, prostitution and lewd behavior have become pretty much the norm here.
In one fascinating episode, a young woman has become pregnant while unmarried. Her parents turn her in to the authorities in disgrace. Her father laments that each time he goes out in public he shields his face out of shame. The neighborhood gossip is unbearable, cries the mother. Her lover is also charged and awaits trial in a neighboring jail.
As the episode develops, the parents attempt to negotiate a quick wedding. If they get married before the trial, perhaps the judge will be more lenient — prison sentences for moral crimes range from two to 15 years in Afghanistan. The situation presents a hardship for both families. The young man comes from a poor family and has no job or dowry to offer. The young woman’s family laments that if she does not get married she faces the prospect of raising her child in prison — and when she gets out she would have no viable options for marriage (in Afghanistan, virginity is a prized asset). After a series of negotiations conducted by the young man’s uncle, the handcuffed couple gets married in family court just before they are set to face trial.
The judge hears the case. He reviews the evidence — including a confession by the young woman, a medical test confirming her pregnancy and eyewitness accounts from a neighbor who caught them in the act. He concludes that they are guilty. However, he notes, the strength of the family unit is a fundamental value in Islam. He considers the fact that they are now married, and urges them to return home to raise their family in earnest. He sentences them to time served. The newlyweds are elated. The families are happy because their honor has been restored.
Let’s pan to America circa 2011. A young unmarried woman has a child out of wedlock. Nothing happens. The father abandons her and the baby girl. He is not held accountable. The young lady is poor, has trouble raising the child alone, and therefore neglects her. The toddler goes missing. A massive search ensues. The young woman goes out and parties like a rock star. Eventually the toddler’s decaying corpse is found in the woods with duct tape covering her mouth, discarded like a piece of trash. A media circus ensues. The woman is charged with murder. It gets even more sordid. Her winning defense is that she lied about the "accidental" death of her child because of the trauma of sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her own father. She is acquitted by a jury of her peers.
Which outcome would you rather have? A dead child or a strong young family supported by the community?
Comments (17)
America's Deepening Immorality
America’s deepening immorality
By Armstrong Williams - 07/26/11 08:51 AM ET
An utterly riveting cable TV show called “Love Crimes of Kabul” follows the stories of Afghan women who have been imprisoned for breaking strict Sharia law governing sex outside of marriage. Their crimes would be hardly recognizable in the United States: adultery, fornication, prostitution and lewd behavior have become pretty much the norm here.
In one fascinating episode, a young woman has become pregnant while unmarried. Her parents turn her in to the authorities in disgrace. Her father laments that each time he goes out in public he shields his face out of shame. The neighborhood gossip is unbearable, cries the mother. Her lover is also charged and awaits trial in a neighboring jail.
As the episode develops, the parents attempt to negotiate a quick wedding. If they get married before the trial, perhaps the judge will be more lenient — prison sentences for moral crimes range from two to 15 years in Afghanistan. The situation presents a hardship for both families. The young man comes from a poor family and has no job or dowry to offer. The young woman’s family laments that if she does not get married she faces the prospect of raising her child in prison — and when she gets out she would have no viable options for marriage (in Afghanistan, virginity is a prized asset). After a series of negotiations conducted by the young man’s uncle, the handcuffed couple gets married in family court just before they are set to face trial.
The judge hears the case. He reviews the evidence — including a confession by the young woman, a medical test confirming her pregnancy and eyewitness accounts from a neighbor who caught them in the act. He concludes that they are guilty. However, he notes, the strength of the family unit is a fundamental value in Islam. He considers the fact that they are now married, and urges them to return home to raise their family in earnest. He sentences them to time served. The newlyweds are elated. The families are happy because their honor has been restored.
Let’s pan to America circa 2011. A young unmarried woman has a child out of wedlock. Nothing happens. The father abandons her and the baby girl. He is not held accountable. The young lady is poor, has trouble raising the child alone, and therefore neglects her. The toddler goes missing. A massive search ensues. The young woman goes out and parties like a rock star. Eventually the toddler’s decaying corpse is found in the woods with duct tape covering her mouth, discarded like a piece of trash. A media circus ensues. The woman is charged with murder. It gets even more sordid. Her winning defense is that she lied about the "accidental" death of her child because of the trauma of sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her own father. She is acquitted by a jury of her peers.
Which outcome would you rather have? A dead child or a strong young family supported by the community?
Comments (17)
07/25/11
A terrible gamble
A terrible gamble
By Armstrong Williams - 07/25/11 08:34 AM ET
If you’ve been living in the United States during the past three months and you're not aware of this “debt crisis” everyone inside the Beltway is talking about, then you’re living under a rock.
The sad truth is, the rest of the world knows about it as well, they’re watching, and let’s just say they’re even more scared than we are on these shores. The reason? The U.S. dollar acts as the reserve currency for hosts of commodities traded every second of every day around the world. Further, the dollar also acts as the “pegged” currency from which many more goods and services are linked, most notably oil.
And for anyone waking up yesterday in London, they would have read this headline in the The Sunday Times: “WASHINGTON PLAYS POKER WITH WORLD ECONOMY.” The editorial from which that headline came goes on to say, “It would be unthinkable now were it not for a dangerous stand-off between the White House and Congress over the country’s debt. … With this humiliating and destabilising threat hanging over them, one would expect politicians in Washington would be rushing to strike a deal. Far from it. They are engaged in a game of political brinkmanship. The U.S. economy is in danger of looking alarmingly dysfunctional.”
Dysfunctional, ladies and gentlemen. And after the weekend’s events, I have to say I’m not sure what sort of poker game House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is trying to play, let alone win.
I’m on a roll with this “poker” analogy, so let’s keep it going. Both the White House and congressional Republicans are holding measly hands, say, a jack and 10 off-suit. The rest of their hand is full of meaningless low cards, and they’re essentially drawing dead. They’ve both gone all in, and at best, they will split the pot.
Yet here we find ourselves barely 10 days from “Debt-ageddon” and it seems both sides are trying to out-bluff and out-maneuver the other. For what? What would it accomplish? Are these politicians so hell-bent on beating the other side that they have forgotten why they’re working round the clock — to save the financial health of the country?
Let’s be honest, both sides are to blame here, so they should stop jockeying for more political points, because it will do neither any good.
Of course, if the Speaker keeps up this “exit strategy” where he leaves seemingly every other day, then Americans may decide at whose feet they would lay responsibility. Even a recent Fox News poll said Americans would blame congressional Republicans, not the president, if the U.S. were to default on its loan obligations. That’s a Fox poll, folks. That should scare Republicans, but more importantly, it should tell them that, even if they are right on the mission here (which they are), they’re doing a terrible job of sharing that with the American people.
Either way, this is a terrible gamble to make. I’d just as soon see both sides fold and start the talks fresh than risk going right up until the deadline with no deal. Every day they dawdle, the world’s financial markets squirm at such political brinksmanship.
Comments (5)
A terrible gamble
A terrible gamble
By Armstrong Williams - 07/25/11 08:34 AM ET
If you’ve been living in the United States during the past three months and you're not aware of this “debt crisis” everyone inside the Beltway is talking about, then you’re living under a rock.
The sad truth is, the rest of the world knows about it as well, they’re watching, and let’s just say they’re even more scared than we are on these shores. The reason? The U.S. dollar acts as the reserve currency for hosts of commodities traded every second of every day around the world. Further, the dollar also acts as the “pegged” currency from which many more goods and services are linked, most notably oil.
And for anyone waking up yesterday in London, they would have read this headline in the The Sunday Times: “WASHINGTON PLAYS POKER WITH WORLD ECONOMY.” The editorial from which that headline came goes on to say, “It would be unthinkable now were it not for a dangerous stand-off between the White House and Congress over the country’s debt. … With this humiliating and destabilising threat hanging over them, one would expect politicians in Washington would be rushing to strike a deal. Far from it. They are engaged in a game of political brinkmanship. The U.S. economy is in danger of looking alarmingly dysfunctional.”
Dysfunctional, ladies and gentlemen. And after the weekend’s events, I have to say I’m not sure what sort of poker game House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is trying to play, let alone win.
I’m on a roll with this “poker” analogy, so let’s keep it going. Both the White House and congressional Republicans are holding measly hands, say, a jack and 10 off-suit. The rest of their hand is full of meaningless low cards, and they’re essentially drawing dead. They’ve both gone all in, and at best, they will split the pot.
Yet here we find ourselves barely 10 days from “Debt-ageddon” and it seems both sides are trying to out-bluff and out-maneuver the other. For what? What would it accomplish? Are these politicians so hell-bent on beating the other side that they have forgotten why they’re working round the clock — to save the financial health of the country?
Let’s be honest, both sides are to blame here, so they should stop jockeying for more political points, because it will do neither any good.
Of course, if the Speaker keeps up this “exit strategy” where he leaves seemingly every other day, then Americans may decide at whose feet they would lay responsibility. Even a recent Fox News poll said Americans would blame congressional Republicans, not the president, if the U.S. were to default on its loan obligations. That’s a Fox poll, folks. That should scare Republicans, but more importantly, it should tell them that, even if they are right on the mission here (which they are), they’re doing a terrible job of sharing that with the American people.
Either way, this is a terrible gamble to make. I’d just as soon see both sides fold and start the talks fresh than risk going right up until the deadline with no deal. Every day they dawdle, the world’s financial markets squirm at such political brinksmanship.
Comments (5)
07/22/11
A dumb move
A dumb move
By Armstrong Williams - 07/22/11 08:49 AM ET
As Washington, Wall Street and virtually every other major institution in this country remained engrossed this week in the ongoing debt-ceiling negotiations, another federal feat occurred that received very little fanfare even though it has broad implications for our country.
I’m referring to the landing of NASA’s final mission of the shuttle Atlantis following its last 13-day mission.
That’s right, folks, after yesterday, there will not be another human spaceflight for at least four to five years, according to industry experts.
You see, someone at the White House had the bright idea that the federal government shouldn’t be in the manned exploration of space business anymore, but rather the private sector should be.
I know what you’re thinking — this is Armstrong Williams arguing for government to do something over the private sector? In this instance, I think it’s smart for the feds to remain intimately involved in how we as Americans explore, understand and ultimately dominate the final frontier.
The talk now is for human spaceflight to be run primarily by private-sector interests, yet bankrolled by NASA. Terrific, now the space agency will transition from recruiting and training the best scientists in the world into acting as government regulators.
And therein lies the problem — this is one area that has not been tested and approved. Notwithstanding the fact that this economy is teetering on the brink of another recession, can we really expect private enterprise to step up when, if anything, entrepreneurs and innovators of all stripes are hedging their bets?
And what of the major talent in science and technology NASA loses by shifting to this new role as overseer? Will companies eagerly move to recruit that talent before a major brain drain occurs?
I just fear a move of this magnitude should have been debated and deliberated more by Congress and other experts. Humans are just beginning to understand the marvels of this universe. Many of the answers to future problems, I believe, do not lie on this planet.
Don’t we limit our potential as Americans if we’re forced to hitch rides into space with the Russians or the Chinese? And if the private sector does in fact keep pace with technological advances, will its aims be equally altruistic, or will the next seat to Mars go to the highest bidder, as opposed to the smartest physicist?
Too many questions and not enough answers make the grounding of our human spaceflight program a very dumb move.
A dumb move
A dumb move
By Armstrong Williams - 07/22/11 08:49 AM ET
As Washington, Wall Street and virtually every other major institution in this country remained engrossed this week in the ongoing debt-ceiling negotiations, another federal feat occurred that received very little fanfare even though it has broad implications for our country.
I’m referring to the landing of NASA’s final mission of the shuttle Atlantis following its last 13-day mission.
That’s right, folks, after yesterday, there will not be another human spaceflight for at least four to five years, according to industry experts.
You see, someone at the White House had the bright idea that the federal government shouldn’t be in the manned exploration of space business anymore, but rather the private sector should be.
I know what you’re thinking — this is Armstrong Williams arguing for government to do something over the private sector? In this instance, I think it’s smart for the feds to remain intimately involved in how we as Americans explore, understand and ultimately dominate the final frontier.
The talk now is for human spaceflight to be run primarily by private-sector interests, yet bankrolled by NASA. Terrific, now the space agency will transition from recruiting and training the best scientists in the world into acting as government regulators.
And therein lies the problem — this is one area that has not been tested and approved. Notwithstanding the fact that this economy is teetering on the brink of another recession, can we really expect private enterprise to step up when, if anything, entrepreneurs and innovators of all stripes are hedging their bets?
And what of the major talent in science and technology NASA loses by shifting to this new role as overseer? Will companies eagerly move to recruit that talent before a major brain drain occurs?
I just fear a move of this magnitude should have been debated and deliberated more by Congress and other experts. Humans are just beginning to understand the marvels of this universe. Many of the answers to future problems, I believe, do not lie on this planet.
Don’t we limit our potential as Americans if we’re forced to hitch rides into space with the Russians or the Chinese? And if the private sector does in fact keep pace with technological advances, will its aims be equally altruistic, or will the next seat to Mars go to the highest bidder, as opposed to the smartest physicist?
Too many questions and not enough answers make the grounding of our human spaceflight program a very dumb move.
07/22/11
America's Deepening Immorality
America’s Deepening Immorality
By Armstrong Williams
An utterly riveting cable TV show called the “Love Crimes of Kabul” follows the stories of Afghan women who have been imprisoned for breaking strict Sharia law governing sex outside of marriage. Their crimes would be hardly recognizable in the United States: adultery, fornication, prostitution and lewd behavior have become pretty much the norm here.
In one fascinating episode, a young woman has become pregnant while unmarried. Her parents turn her into the authorities in disgrace. Her father laments that each time he goes out in public he shields his face out of shame. The neighborhood gossip is unbearable, cries the mother. Her lover is also charged and awaits trial in a neighboring jail.
As the episode develops, the parents attempt to negotiate a quick wedding. If they get married before the trial, perhaps the judge will be more lenient – prison sentences for moral crimes range from 2-15 years in Afghanistan. The situation presents a hardship for both families. The young man comes from a poor family and has no job or dowry to offer. The young woman’s family laments that if she does not get married she faces the prospect of raising her child in prison -- and when she gets out she would have no viable options for marriage (in Afghanistan, virginity is a prized asset). After a series of negotiations conducted by the young man’s uncle, the handcuffed couple gets married in family court just before they are set to face trial.
The judge hears the case. He reviews the evidence – including a confession by the young woman, a medical test confirming her pregnancy, and eyewitness accounts from a neighbor who caught them in the act. He concludes that they are guilty. However, he notes, the strength of the family unit is a fundamental value in Islam. He considers the fact that they are now married, and urges them to return home to raise their family in earnest. He sentences them to time served. The newlyweds are elated. The families are happy because their honor has been restored.
Let’s pan to America circa 2011. A young unmarried woman has a child out of wedlock. Nothing happens. The father abandons her and the baby girl. He is not held accountable. The young lady is poor, has trouble raising the child alone, and therefore neglects her. The toddler goes missing. A massive search ensues. The young woman goes out and parties like a rock star. Eventually the toddler’s decaying corpse is found in the woods with duct tape covering her mouth, discarded like a piece of trash. A media circus ensues. The woman is charged with murder. It gets even more sordid. Her winning defense is that she lied about the ‘accidental’ death of her child because of the trauma of sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her own father. She is acquitted by a jury of her peers.
Which outcome would you rather have? A dead child or a strong young family supported by the community?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
America's Deepening Immorality
America’s Deepening Immorality
By Armstrong Williams
An utterly riveting cable TV show called the “Love Crimes of Kabul” follows the stories of Afghan women who have been imprisoned for breaking strict Sharia law governing sex outside of marriage. Their crimes would be hardly recognizable in the United States: adultery, fornication, prostitution and lewd behavior have become pretty much the norm here.
In one fascinating episode, a young woman has become pregnant while unmarried. Her parents turn her into the authorities in disgrace. Her father laments that each time he goes out in public he shields his face out of shame. The neighborhood gossip is unbearable, cries the mother. Her lover is also charged and awaits trial in a neighboring jail.
As the episode develops, the parents attempt to negotiate a quick wedding. If they get married before the trial, perhaps the judge will be more lenient – prison sentences for moral crimes range from 2-15 years in Afghanistan. The situation presents a hardship for both families. The young man comes from a poor family and has no job or dowry to offer. The young woman’s family laments that if she does not get married she faces the prospect of raising her child in prison -- and when she gets out she would have no viable options for marriage (in Afghanistan, virginity is a prized asset). After a series of negotiations conducted by the young man’s uncle, the handcuffed couple gets married in family court just before they are set to face trial.
The judge hears the case. He reviews the evidence – including a confession by the young woman, a medical test confirming her pregnancy, and eyewitness accounts from a neighbor who caught them in the act. He concludes that they are guilty. However, he notes, the strength of the family unit is a fundamental value in Islam. He considers the fact that they are now married, and urges them to return home to raise their family in earnest. He sentences them to time served. The newlyweds are elated. The families are happy because their honor has been restored.
Let’s pan to America circa 2011. A young unmarried woman has a child out of wedlock. Nothing happens. The father abandons her and the baby girl. He is not held accountable. The young lady is poor, has trouble raising the child alone, and therefore neglects her. The toddler goes missing. A massive search ensues. The young woman goes out and parties like a rock star. Eventually the toddler’s decaying corpse is found in the woods with duct tape covering her mouth, discarded like a piece of trash. A media circus ensues. The woman is charged with murder. It gets even more sordid. Her winning defense is that she lied about the ‘accidental’ death of her child because of the trauma of sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of her own father. She is acquitted by a jury of her peers.
Which outcome would you rather have? A dead child or a strong young family supported by the community?
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/21/11
Rational Exuberance
Rational Exuberance:
By Armstrong Williams
We have to face the fact that tough times lie ahead. But just because we all might have to tighten our belts, does not mean we should fall pray to a gloomy outlook. In times of struggle, we must take comfort in the certainty that the economy will once again rebound, and times of plenty must eventually return.
An economy is life writ large. It is a word that conveys sum individuals’ hopes, desires, ambitions, triumphs and frustrations. At any given time, these individual trajectories are going in all directions. As one company goes bankrupt, throwing thousands of people out of work, a leveraged-buyout firm finds it can buy the leftover assets at a fire sale price. It cobbles together the bones of defunct companies and breathes life into them, giving rise to new opportunities for employment and shareholder wealth.
The falling dollar has, for some, signaled a falling sky, a dimming horizon. But for others, the dollar’s decline has given rise to a whole new world of opportunity. As the value of the U.S. dollar falls, imported goods become more expensive, and domestic industries, long thought dead, spring life again. Look at companies like American Apparel, one of the few U.S. clothing retailers that rely on domestic manufacturing. The U.S. textile industry, a dominant international force a hundred years ago, fell prey to cheap manufacturing in Asia and other foreign countries. Today, most of our clothing is made abroad. But companies like American Apparel, who manufactures their clothing domestically at a Los Angeles, California facility, finds their businesses flourishing amid a diminished import market.
The bright side of high fuel costs and a weak dollar is that is makes it more difficult for foreign imports to displace American products. In fact, because of the weak dollar, American assets are particularly attractive abroad.
During times of struggle, whether individually or collectively, we would do well to look ahead to the coming bounty and prepare for it. We should not get so consumed by our hardships that we fail to see the good that can become of them – or rather what we make of them. This is a time for rational exuberance. We know we will get through this, and when we do, we, as a nation will be fitter, stronger and better adapted to the realities of this brave new world. It is just a matter of time.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Rational Exuberance
Rational Exuberance:
By Armstrong Williams
We have to face the fact that tough times lie ahead. But just because we all might have to tighten our belts, does not mean we should fall pray to a gloomy outlook. In times of struggle, we must take comfort in the certainty that the economy will once again rebound, and times of plenty must eventually return.
An economy is life writ large. It is a word that conveys sum individuals’ hopes, desires, ambitions, triumphs and frustrations. At any given time, these individual trajectories are going in all directions. As one company goes bankrupt, throwing thousands of people out of work, a leveraged-buyout firm finds it can buy the leftover assets at a fire sale price. It cobbles together the bones of defunct companies and breathes life into them, giving rise to new opportunities for employment and shareholder wealth.
The falling dollar has, for some, signaled a falling sky, a dimming horizon. But for others, the dollar’s decline has given rise to a whole new world of opportunity. As the value of the U.S. dollar falls, imported goods become more expensive, and domestic industries, long thought dead, spring life again. Look at companies like American Apparel, one of the few U.S. clothing retailers that rely on domestic manufacturing. The U.S. textile industry, a dominant international force a hundred years ago, fell prey to cheap manufacturing in Asia and other foreign countries. Today, most of our clothing is made abroad. But companies like American Apparel, who manufactures their clothing domestically at a Los Angeles, California facility, finds their businesses flourishing amid a diminished import market.
The bright side of high fuel costs and a weak dollar is that is makes it more difficult for foreign imports to displace American products. In fact, because of the weak dollar, American assets are particularly attractive abroad.
During times of struggle, whether individually or collectively, we would do well to look ahead to the coming bounty and prepare for it. We should not get so consumed by our hardships that we fail to see the good that can become of them – or rather what we make of them. This is a time for rational exuberance. We know we will get through this, and when we do, we, as a nation will be fitter, stronger and better adapted to the realities of this brave new world. It is just a matter of time.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/20/11
We are in desperate need of Superior Leadership
BY: Armstrong Williams
We are in desperate need of Superior Leadership:
There is another dilemma facing politicians regarding the debt ceiling. If the debt ceiling is not increased, the US government will have to make drastic cuts in spending. This will have a negative impact in the short-term on both the economy and the AAA credit rating of US debt by the rating agencies. According to a recent WSJ/NBC poll, 55% of Americans believe that not raising the debt ceiling will create serious problems. Unfortunately, if the debt ceiling is increased without a major restructuring of the government’s budget leading to a balanced budget, the deficits and national debt will continue to grow. This will also have a negative impact on the long-term prospects for the economy and the government’s credit rating. Furthermore, it will push the deficit and debt crisis into the future where it will be even more painful to solve.
In the debate on raising the debt ceiling above the current level of $14.3 trillion, neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have a winning political strategy. Both parties agree that the current and projected deficit is too large. The best solution to balancing the budget and reducing the national debt depends on one’s political philosophy. If you are a conservative, you want to cut spending, including entitlement spending, and reduce marginal tax rates. Let private sector growth generate increased individual income and increased tax revenues. If you are a liberal, you want to keep government big, increase entitlements and finance it all with other people’s money, i.e. increased taxes on the rich. While that path may not grow the income of the country as fast as the conservative philosophy, liberals believe that Americans will be better off because elected politicians, not the free market, will “fairly” allocate and redistribute America’s income according to their political goals.
Fortunately for the Republicans’ election prospects in 2012, but unfortunately for America, on President Obama’s watch the economic recovery has been a disaster. The only thing that matters to most Americans right now is jobs and economic well-being. When Mr. Obama took office in January 2009, the labor participation rate was 64.8% compared to 64.1% in June 2011, and the unemployment rate was 8% versus 9.2% today. Voters are much less concerned about political philosophy than their actual economic well-being. Consequently the political debate over the debt ceiling is a sideshow for most Americans. The political class needs to accept the fact that neither side will be able to emerge with a clear victory from the debt ceiling debate, which is merely one battle in a much larger ideological conflict.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
We are in desperate need of Superior Leadership
BY: Armstrong Williams
We are in desperate need of Superior Leadership:
There is another dilemma facing politicians regarding the debt ceiling. If the debt ceiling is not increased, the US government will have to make drastic cuts in spending. This will have a negative impact in the short-term on both the economy and the AAA credit rating of US debt by the rating agencies. According to a recent WSJ/NBC poll, 55% of Americans believe that not raising the debt ceiling will create serious problems. Unfortunately, if the debt ceiling is increased without a major restructuring of the government’s budget leading to a balanced budget, the deficits and national debt will continue to grow. This will also have a negative impact on the long-term prospects for the economy and the government’s credit rating. Furthermore, it will push the deficit and debt crisis into the future where it will be even more painful to solve.
In the debate on raising the debt ceiling above the current level of $14.3 trillion, neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have a winning political strategy. Both parties agree that the current and projected deficit is too large. The best solution to balancing the budget and reducing the national debt depends on one’s political philosophy. If you are a conservative, you want to cut spending, including entitlement spending, and reduce marginal tax rates. Let private sector growth generate increased individual income and increased tax revenues. If you are a liberal, you want to keep government big, increase entitlements and finance it all with other people’s money, i.e. increased taxes on the rich. While that path may not grow the income of the country as fast as the conservative philosophy, liberals believe that Americans will be better off because elected politicians, not the free market, will “fairly” allocate and redistribute America’s income according to their political goals.
Fortunately for the Republicans’ election prospects in 2012, but unfortunately for America, on President Obama’s watch the economic recovery has been a disaster. The only thing that matters to most Americans right now is jobs and economic well-being. When Mr. Obama took office in January 2009, the labor participation rate was 64.8% compared to 64.1% in June 2011, and the unemployment rate was 8% versus 9.2% today. Voters are much less concerned about political philosophy than their actual economic well-being. Consequently the political debate over the debt ceiling is a sideshow for most Americans. The political class needs to accept the fact that neither side will be able to emerge with a clear victory from the debt ceiling debate, which is merely one battle in a much larger ideological conflict.
Read Armstrong Williams, author of the brand new book Reawakening Virtues, content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/19/11
Our nation's future is at stake !
BY: Armstrong Williams
Our nation's future is at stake !
The Congress now faces a choice. It must choose between the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. One or the other is certain. If House and Senate members take the easy way out of these debt talks, they and this nation will come to regret those actions. Regret defined here is an emotional and intelligent dislike for personal past behaviors. And that is clearly what they, and we, will face if we don’t turn this corner toward fiscal austerity.
The pain of regret will leave its scar for years. Even if we extend the debt ceiling in some artificial or short-term way, regret will still haunt us. For it will mean that policymakers weren’t prepared to make the difficult and lasting decisions to avoid such calamities in the future. That is why this debate embodies so many other policy discussions. Think about it – future negotiations over taxes, entitlements, new programs, old programs – they will all hinge on how this Congress emerges from these discussions. Will both sides agree that enough is enough, and put an end to the credit card mentality that has gripped this government?
The pain of discipline is equally unpleasant. I won’t mince words. It will not be easy or free of deep afflictions. We passed that threshold decades ago. Discipline means the tough decisions were made in the name of long-term dividends. We will surely benefit if Congress can get a grip on its spending habits. More importantly, our economy will breathe a little easier and run more smoothly without the crushing saddle of debt.
Yes, folks, it’s time to remind policymakers and every American that these debt negotiations will bring pain the likes of which we have not seen as a prosperous nation. But the first step toward economic recovery is first acknowledging the inevitable.
The stakes are getting higher. These next few days are critical.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Our nation's future is at stake !
BY: Armstrong Williams
Our nation's future is at stake !
The Congress now faces a choice. It must choose between the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. One or the other is certain. If House and Senate members take the easy way out of these debt talks, they and this nation will come to regret those actions. Regret defined here is an emotional and intelligent dislike for personal past behaviors. And that is clearly what they, and we, will face if we don’t turn this corner toward fiscal austerity.
The pain of regret will leave its scar for years. Even if we extend the debt ceiling in some artificial or short-term way, regret will still haunt us. For it will mean that policymakers weren’t prepared to make the difficult and lasting decisions to avoid such calamities in the future. That is why this debate embodies so many other policy discussions. Think about it – future negotiations over taxes, entitlements, new programs, old programs – they will all hinge on how this Congress emerges from these discussions. Will both sides agree that enough is enough, and put an end to the credit card mentality that has gripped this government?
The pain of discipline is equally unpleasant. I won’t mince words. It will not be easy or free of deep afflictions. We passed that threshold decades ago. Discipline means the tough decisions were made in the name of long-term dividends. We will surely benefit if Congress can get a grip on its spending habits. More importantly, our economy will breathe a little easier and run more smoothly without the crushing saddle of debt.
Yes, folks, it’s time to remind policymakers and every American that these debt negotiations will bring pain the likes of which we have not seen as a prosperous nation. But the first step toward economic recovery is first acknowledging the inevitable.
The stakes are getting higher. These next few days are critical.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/18/11
McConnell plan a red herring
BY: Armstrong Williams
McConnell plan a red herring
The Hill reporters Erik Wasson and Alex Bolton each had a unique perspective on the debt talks coming out of the weekend with regards to Senator Mitch McConnell’s “plan B.” This of course is the fallback plan that would give President Obama the power to raise the debt ceiling on his own, with a few caveats and demands along the way.
The more I study this, the more I agree with those Wasson interviewed regarding the outcome. Nothing good, neither politically nor policy-wise, can come of this effort.
Yes, the plan would raise the debt ceiling, but at what cost?
First of all, I fear McConnell’s motivations for granting this authority to the White House are less than noble. If pressed, I think McConnell himself would agree he’s trying to score political points on this and help his Republican counterparts in the House.
But this fallback plan has no long-term intentions or goals. Like most initiatives coming out of both the House and Senate, it merely kicks the can down the road, all while “sending a message.” We don’t need any more of those types of negotiations.
I’m glad the likes of Sen. Marco Rubio told The Hill’s Bolton, “The problem isn’t the debt ceiling, it’s the debt.” Truer words have never been spoken.
If the rank-and-file on both sides of the dome get this, how come the leadership does not?
Just look at Senate Majority Leader Reid. He’s been going along with the McConnell fallback option. That alone should tell you something’s not right. It’s clear he’s willing to give the President an increase at all costs, which is another reason to oppose this effort.
The lesson heading into this week is still the same one from weeks prior – there is no “quick fix” and it certainly won’t be easy.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
McConnell plan a red herring
BY: Armstrong Williams
McConnell plan a red herring
The Hill reporters Erik Wasson and Alex Bolton each had a unique perspective on the debt talks coming out of the weekend with regards to Senator Mitch McConnell’s “plan B.” This of course is the fallback plan that would give President Obama the power to raise the debt ceiling on his own, with a few caveats and demands along the way.
The more I study this, the more I agree with those Wasson interviewed regarding the outcome. Nothing good, neither politically nor policy-wise, can come of this effort.
Yes, the plan would raise the debt ceiling, but at what cost?
First of all, I fear McConnell’s motivations for granting this authority to the White House are less than noble. If pressed, I think McConnell himself would agree he’s trying to score political points on this and help his Republican counterparts in the House.
But this fallback plan has no long-term intentions or goals. Like most initiatives coming out of both the House and Senate, it merely kicks the can down the road, all while “sending a message.” We don’t need any more of those types of negotiations.
I’m glad the likes of Sen. Marco Rubio told The Hill’s Bolton, “The problem isn’t the debt ceiling, it’s the debt.” Truer words have never been spoken.
If the rank-and-file on both sides of the dome get this, how come the leadership does not?
Just look at Senate Majority Leader Reid. He’s been going along with the McConnell fallback option. That alone should tell you something’s not right. It’s clear he’s willing to give the President an increase at all costs, which is another reason to oppose this effort.
The lesson heading into this week is still the same one from weeks prior – there is no “quick fix” and it certainly won’t be easy.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/14/11
Wall Street Weighs in on Debt Talks
BY: Armstrong Williams
Wall Street Weighs in on Debt Talks
Well folks, if you didn’t think it was crunch time for lawmakers in Washington, it’s clear now. Talk is cheap. That’s not me saying it. That’s one of the big three credit agencies, Moody’s Investor Service, which threatened yesterday after the markets closed that the U.S. risked losing its top-notch credit rating if it couldn’t fix the debt mess.
Some Democrats would see that announcement as proof positive that Republicans are playing with fire here and they should abandon their childish antics to force President Obama to deep spending cuts.
What nonsense.
If the Republicans were to allow the limit on the debt ceiling to be raised, it would give the country what, a two-year reprieve? We need long-term reform and austerity, not short-term political fixes that get us through the next election. That’s how we get in trouble every few years.
What Moody’s announcement does tell me is that gridlock in Washington is not isolated only to the Federal City. That rhetoric and lack of action means something to real-world people out trying to move products, goods and services in a global economy.
Both parties are responsible for this mess. And the sooner lawmakers on both sides stop running to their favorite cable studios after every meeting at the White House to blast the other side with cheap insults, the sooner we can address some serious issues.
I’ve learned one thing this month that should continue to teach future leaders lessons for decades – we can’t afford to have politicians who sit around and do nothing and expect to get reelected. It’s no longer enough to “wait till November” to let elections decide who the winner and loser are in the prior cycle.
Voters should pay close attention to this impasse. Billions of dollars and perhaps trillions more in lost economic activity hang in the balance. Unlike Ireland, Spain, Greece and other countries who either have or come eerily close to default, the U.S. can actually DO SOMETHING about its current fiscal straits. And that does not mean a quick vote to raise the debt ceiling. In effect, all we would be doing is taking out another credit card. We don’t do that at home when we’re tens of thousands in debt. Why should our federal government do the same when we’re trillions in the hole?
The stakes are getting higher. These next few days are critical.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Wall Street Weighs in on Debt Talks
BY: Armstrong Williams
Wall Street Weighs in on Debt Talks
Well folks, if you didn’t think it was crunch time for lawmakers in Washington, it’s clear now. Talk is cheap. That’s not me saying it. That’s one of the big three credit agencies, Moody’s Investor Service, which threatened yesterday after the markets closed that the U.S. risked losing its top-notch credit rating if it couldn’t fix the debt mess.
Some Democrats would see that announcement as proof positive that Republicans are playing with fire here and they should abandon their childish antics to force President Obama to deep spending cuts.
What nonsense.
If the Republicans were to allow the limit on the debt ceiling to be raised, it would give the country what, a two-year reprieve? We need long-term reform and austerity, not short-term political fixes that get us through the next election. That’s how we get in trouble every few years.
What Moody’s announcement does tell me is that gridlock in Washington is not isolated only to the Federal City. That rhetoric and lack of action means something to real-world people out trying to move products, goods and services in a global economy.
Both parties are responsible for this mess. And the sooner lawmakers on both sides stop running to their favorite cable studios after every meeting at the White House to blast the other side with cheap insults, the sooner we can address some serious issues.
I’ve learned one thing this month that should continue to teach future leaders lessons for decades – we can’t afford to have politicians who sit around and do nothing and expect to get reelected. It’s no longer enough to “wait till November” to let elections decide who the winner and loser are in the prior cycle.
Voters should pay close attention to this impasse. Billions of dollars and perhaps trillions more in lost economic activity hang in the balance. Unlike Ireland, Spain, Greece and other countries who either have or come eerily close to default, the U.S. can actually DO SOMETHING about its current fiscal straits. And that does not mean a quick vote to raise the debt ceiling. In effect, all we would be doing is taking out another credit card. We don’t do that at home when we’re tens of thousands in debt. Why should our federal government do the same when we’re trillions in the hole?
The stakes are getting higher. These next few days are critical.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/12/11
Symbolic Independence
BY: Armstrong Williams
Symbolic Independence
South Sudan is a sparsely populated and largely undeveloped land full of lush savanna, jungle and the famous Sud – a vast collection of swamps that form the source of the Nile River in Sudan. Until now, these largely dispersed and independent tribal groups have been joined together in hopes of defeating a common enemy. But it remains to be seen whether they can actually form a strong enough national identity to garner the political and economic capacity they will need to survive as an independent nation. Especially now, any decline in national unity or collective purpose will weaken the new South Sudan considerably. The disparate groups will especially need such unity if they are to effectively negotiate the oil pipeline stranglehold currently enjoyed by the North.
At the end of the day, the logic of two Sudans is hard to fathom. They share so many natural networks; rivers, animal and human migration patterns, and natural resources. The best scenario that could arise from this new period of separation is that each side truly appreciates how much they depend upon the other. The stakes are high for economic cooperation, especially around oil exports, which form the largest share of each economy. South Sudan can neither produce nor export without help from the North. Northern Sudan’s trading prowess and port access is useless without products to sell and distribute.
The optimal scenario is that the two countries would eventually develop a pragmatic approach to matters of mutual concern. But for now, good fences will have to suffice. For the South that means a resolution of the border demarcation in Abyei, the contested, oil rich region around the North South border. For the North, it means that the South must largely stay out of the internecine conflicts in Darfur and Southern Kordufan – something that will be difficult for Southerners given the strong ethnic ties, and the support they enjoyed from those regions during the independence struggle.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Symbolic Independence
BY: Armstrong Williams
Symbolic Independence
South Sudan is a sparsely populated and largely undeveloped land full of lush savanna, jungle and the famous Sud – a vast collection of swamps that form the source of the Nile River in Sudan. Until now, these largely dispersed and independent tribal groups have been joined together in hopes of defeating a common enemy. But it remains to be seen whether they can actually form a strong enough national identity to garner the political and economic capacity they will need to survive as an independent nation. Especially now, any decline in national unity or collective purpose will weaken the new South Sudan considerably. The disparate groups will especially need such unity if they are to effectively negotiate the oil pipeline stranglehold currently enjoyed by the North.
At the end of the day, the logic of two Sudans is hard to fathom. They share so many natural networks; rivers, animal and human migration patterns, and natural resources. The best scenario that could arise from this new period of separation is that each side truly appreciates how much they depend upon the other. The stakes are high for economic cooperation, especially around oil exports, which form the largest share of each economy. South Sudan can neither produce nor export without help from the North. Northern Sudan’s trading prowess and port access is useless without products to sell and distribute.
The optimal scenario is that the two countries would eventually develop a pragmatic approach to matters of mutual concern. But for now, good fences will have to suffice. For the South that means a resolution of the border demarcation in Abyei, the contested, oil rich region around the North South border. For the North, it means that the South must largely stay out of the internecine conflicts in Darfur and Southern Kordufan – something that will be difficult for Southerners given the strong ethnic ties, and the support they enjoyed from those regions during the independence struggle.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/12/11
A role for Sen. McConnell to play
BY: Armstrong Williams
A role for Sen. McConnell to play
I’ll probably get some angry mail for this, but I’m a little disappointed in the Senate Republican leader lately. By any sober assessment, he’s really been sitting on the sidelines of the current debt ceiling negotiations. Rumor was a few weeks ago, House and Senate GOP staff were swapping mixed signals between the two leaders’ offices over what deals would be acceptable to the other chamber.
It’s hard enough to negotiate with Democrats. I can’t imagine first figuring out what Sen. McConnell needs to have in order to move forward with his support.
I’d like to see the Minority Leader take a more forceful role in the talks in the coming weeks. The press corps is certainly willing to give him an audience whenever he speaks. But simply appearing on FOX News Sunday shows doesn’t quite rise to the level that others such as Speaker Boehner and President Obama have elevated themselves to.
A lot hangs in the balance. Many believe the Senate is on the verge of switching to Republican control. Yet if McConnell can’t seem to create a unified voice coming out of his party, that could seriously hamper his electoral chances come next November.
I get it – the Senate is full of 100 individual, often lone voices. But all the more reason for McConnell to try and coordinate as many as he can now. The potential fallout if he does not is evident. You can bet Democrats will skewer Senate Republicans if Sen. Reid starts forcing the rank-and-file to take difficult votes.
I don’t like the way this is shaping up in the Senate. There is less of a Tea Party influence, and more of a good old-fashioned missed opportunity on the part of the Kentucky Senator.
Watch in the coming weeks if McConnell steps up more. He certainly possesses the political gravitas and respect of his colleagues. Now it’s time to see him off the sidelines and into the “game” a bit more on these debt discussions.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
A role for Sen. McConnell to play
BY: Armstrong Williams
A role for Sen. McConnell to play
I’ll probably get some angry mail for this, but I’m a little disappointed in the Senate Republican leader lately. By any sober assessment, he’s really been sitting on the sidelines of the current debt ceiling negotiations. Rumor was a few weeks ago, House and Senate GOP staff were swapping mixed signals between the two leaders’ offices over what deals would be acceptable to the other chamber.
It’s hard enough to negotiate with Democrats. I can’t imagine first figuring out what Sen. McConnell needs to have in order to move forward with his support.
I’d like to see the Minority Leader take a more forceful role in the talks in the coming weeks. The press corps is certainly willing to give him an audience whenever he speaks. But simply appearing on FOX News Sunday shows doesn’t quite rise to the level that others such as Speaker Boehner and President Obama have elevated themselves to.
A lot hangs in the balance. Many believe the Senate is on the verge of switching to Republican control. Yet if McConnell can’t seem to create a unified voice coming out of his party, that could seriously hamper his electoral chances come next November.
I get it – the Senate is full of 100 individual, often lone voices. But all the more reason for McConnell to try and coordinate as many as he can now. The potential fallout if he does not is evident. You can bet Democrats will skewer Senate Republicans if Sen. Reid starts forcing the rank-and-file to take difficult votes.
I don’t like the way this is shaping up in the Senate. There is less of a Tea Party influence, and more of a good old-fashioned missed opportunity on the part of the Kentucky Senator.
Watch in the coming weeks if McConnell steps up more. He certainly possesses the political gravitas and respect of his colleagues. Now it’s time to see him off the sidelines and into the “game” a bit more on these debt discussions.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/11/11
Stay the course on debt negotiations
BY: Armstrong Williams
Stay the course on debt negotiations
You best settle in folks, because the ongoing debate surrounding the debt ceiling talks between the White House and House Republicans is just starting to get good. Detect a sense of optimism in my writing? You should.
I’m not as optimistic about an impending deal as I am excited over this entire process; IF (and that’s a big “If”) this continues on a current path of both sides doing some real soul-searching on what they can and can’t live without.
We must stay the course. As someone said early yesterday morning, “In Washington, the obvious has become the impossible.” The federal government is no closer to avoiding default on its loans, which makes these negotiations all the more imperative.
We are getting a firsthand view of the difficult issues both parties are facing when it comes to compromise. Neither side will win on this issue. And perhaps the sooner both the President and Speaker Boehner realize that, the quicker we can reach a resolution.
Both parties will be able to go into the November elections claiming victory and the ability to criticize the other party for items and options they put on the table. That’s okay.
What a seminal moment in our nation’s history I feel we are watching here. No, it’s not pretty, but we are seeing the branches of government butting heads and fighting with each other for the good of the country. What would be the absolute worst thing at this time is if both sides felt they had a better option of just walking away from the process and taking their chances next November.
We’ve seen that movie too many times, Mr. and Mrs. America. We cannot afford to wait for another meaningless “mandate of the people” that invariably gets misinterpreted by either winning party.
No, now is the time to stay the course on these negotiations. Small setbacks and walking away episodes are fine, so long as both return, with clear minds, and a fresh perspective on how to fix what has been broken for decades.
We are just in the beginning stages of what will be a long era of fiscal austerity. I applaud both parties in the House and Senate (less the White House, but that’s a topic for a future column) for seeing the legacy-setting moves they are making here today. Policymakers will not fix these ailments in one budget cycle. It’s refreshing to see some long-term thinking on the part of Washington.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Stay the course on debt negotiations
BY: Armstrong Williams
Stay the course on debt negotiations
You best settle in folks, because the ongoing debate surrounding the debt ceiling talks between the White House and House Republicans is just starting to get good. Detect a sense of optimism in my writing? You should.
I’m not as optimistic about an impending deal as I am excited over this entire process; IF (and that’s a big “If”) this continues on a current path of both sides doing some real soul-searching on what they can and can’t live without.
We must stay the course. As someone said early yesterday morning, “In Washington, the obvious has become the impossible.” The federal government is no closer to avoiding default on its loans, which makes these negotiations all the more imperative.
We are getting a firsthand view of the difficult issues both parties are facing when it comes to compromise. Neither side will win on this issue. And perhaps the sooner both the President and Speaker Boehner realize that, the quicker we can reach a resolution.
Both parties will be able to go into the November elections claiming victory and the ability to criticize the other party for items and options they put on the table. That’s okay.
What a seminal moment in our nation’s history I feel we are watching here. No, it’s not pretty, but we are seeing the branches of government butting heads and fighting with each other for the good of the country. What would be the absolute worst thing at this time is if both sides felt they had a better option of just walking away from the process and taking their chances next November.
We’ve seen that movie too many times, Mr. and Mrs. America. We cannot afford to wait for another meaningless “mandate of the people” that invariably gets misinterpreted by either winning party.
No, now is the time to stay the course on these negotiations. Small setbacks and walking away episodes are fine, so long as both return, with clear minds, and a fresh perspective on how to fix what has been broken for decades.
We are just in the beginning stages of what will be a long era of fiscal austerity. I applaud both parties in the House and Senate (less the White House, but that’s a topic for a future column) for seeing the legacy-setting moves they are making here today. Policymakers will not fix these ailments in one budget cycle. It’s refreshing to see some long-term thinking on the part of Washington.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/08/11
For one to win, another must lose
BY: Armstrong Williams
For one to win, another must lose.
My parents taught us to respect money, but not to worship it or allow it to possess you. They taught us how to build enduring wealth through an unbreakable value system based on principles and uncompromising virtues. Attaining wealth without faith, compassion, integrity and concern for bringing others along, can lead to emptiness and despair.
The national lottery, "Survivor," "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," "Big Brother," etc., have become staples of our cultural consciousness. These shows and events - and their promise of instant fortune - nourish our secret desires for power and respect. The common thread: all of these game shows carry the suggestion of an alternative, an escape from the daily drudgery of work. They promise that with a million dollars, all of our problems and anxieties will disappear.
The message probably has a special resonance in America where citizens have been weaned on the myth that fortune awaits them. Lacking a sense of genuine cultural history, Americans have been bound together by a common belief in credit. Capitalism is our motherland and our cultural heritage was forged in the post-Civil War boom, when shrewd men took advantage of the Industrial Revolution to secure vast fortunes. From their success, sprang the notion that in America, a better life awaited. This rags to riches theme formed a powerful folklore; one that linked capitalism with the beautiful possibilities of life. The capitalist system is built upon the notion that the friction of workers competing against one another benefits the consumer and thus the economy. The classic definition of capitalism is that for one to win, another must lose.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
For one to win, another must lose
BY: Armstrong Williams
For one to win, another must lose.
My parents taught us to respect money, but not to worship it or allow it to possess you. They taught us how to build enduring wealth through an unbreakable value system based on principles and uncompromising virtues. Attaining wealth without faith, compassion, integrity and concern for bringing others along, can lead to emptiness and despair.
The national lottery, "Survivor," "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," "Big Brother," etc., have become staples of our cultural consciousness. These shows and events - and their promise of instant fortune - nourish our secret desires for power and respect. The common thread: all of these game shows carry the suggestion of an alternative, an escape from the daily drudgery of work. They promise that with a million dollars, all of our problems and anxieties will disappear.
The message probably has a special resonance in America where citizens have been weaned on the myth that fortune awaits them. Lacking a sense of genuine cultural history, Americans have been bound together by a common belief in credit. Capitalism is our motherland and our cultural heritage was forged in the post-Civil War boom, when shrewd men took advantage of the Industrial Revolution to secure vast fortunes. From their success, sprang the notion that in America, a better life awaited. This rags to riches theme formed a powerful folklore; one that linked capitalism with the beautiful possibilities of life. The capitalist system is built upon the notion that the friction of workers competing against one another benefits the consumer and thus the economy. The classic definition of capitalism is that for one to win, another must lose.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/07/11
TSA Lack of Respect
BY: Armstrong Williams
TSA Lack of Respect
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." ~Lord Acton 1887
Have you traveled by air recently? Have you been one of the many lucky enough to be groped by the TSA? Every week there is a report of some TSA agents at some airport in, what I still like to believe, our great nation clearly overstepping boundaries, and every subsequent report is worse than the last.
There is one story that has gotten a lot of publicity recently and rightly so. Apparently a 95-year-old Lukemia patient on her way to an assisted living facility required further screening because there was something "wet" in her diaper. Something wet? In a diaper!? Heaven's No!!
Many of the agents employed at Home Land Security airports are not people of great accomplishment, and are not the most intellectually sophisticated people in our society. Yet when given a badge and some authority they allow the power to intoxicate them in believing they can mistreat and humiliate people at their whim. Unfortunately there seems to be no oversight of this behavior and, in fact, some of the supervisors also engage in this deplorable behavior. While it is true that we need to be vigilant against terrorist activity this should not be done at the expense of the freedom and dignity of our citizenry. We should devote as much attention to being respectful to the constituents of our great nation as we do to protecting it.
After all, the TSA goes through this dog and pony show to make us feel safe, but how safe can we feel when there exists the possibility that we've paid several hundred dollars only to be molested and publicly humiliated by the very same people responsible for our flight safety. Or even worse you could have been the parent forced to watch as your crying 6 year old daughter had her nether regions searched by a government agent fulfilling their duty. Disgusting.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
TSA Lack of Respect
BY: Armstrong Williams
TSA Lack of Respect
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." ~Lord Acton 1887
Have you traveled by air recently? Have you been one of the many lucky enough to be groped by the TSA? Every week there is a report of some TSA agents at some airport in, what I still like to believe, our great nation clearly overstepping boundaries, and every subsequent report is worse than the last.
There is one story that has gotten a lot of publicity recently and rightly so. Apparently a 95-year-old Lukemia patient on her way to an assisted living facility required further screening because there was something "wet" in her diaper. Something wet? In a diaper!? Heaven's No!!
Many of the agents employed at Home Land Security airports are not people of great accomplishment, and are not the most intellectually sophisticated people in our society. Yet when given a badge and some authority they allow the power to intoxicate them in believing they can mistreat and humiliate people at their whim. Unfortunately there seems to be no oversight of this behavior and, in fact, some of the supervisors also engage in this deplorable behavior. While it is true that we need to be vigilant against terrorist activity this should not be done at the expense of the freedom and dignity of our citizenry. We should devote as much attention to being respectful to the constituents of our great nation as we do to protecting it.
After all, the TSA goes through this dog and pony show to make us feel safe, but how safe can we feel when there exists the possibility that we've paid several hundred dollars only to be molested and publicly humiliated by the very same people responsible for our flight safety. Or even worse you could have been the parent forced to watch as your crying 6 year old daughter had her nether regions searched by a government agent fulfilling their duty. Disgusting.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/06/11
Casey Anthony
BY: Armstrong Williams
NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE OF MIND
Casey Anthony.
Do we yet have another OJ Simpson like case in which someone who is obviously guilty walks free to the dismay of so many?
The little that we do know as fact is confounding at best. The mother does not report her child missing for a month, that in and of itself is unimaginable. When it finally is reported she relates that the child was abducted by a house keeper that does not exist and then it somehow became her wealthy boyfriend that abducted the child until it became clear that he did not exist. Let us not forget the duct tape found around the baby. How do you explain that in the context of an accidental death? And since when do we put duct tape on our babies? Placing all these facts together stretches the limits of credulity to think this woman is innocent, which is why her lawyers wouldn't allow her to testify. Casey Anthony's hands were obviously unclean, and they were hiding it, but then again that is what they were paid for. The jury had, but did not exercise, an option of returning a conviction less than first degree murder. No justice for the child, and the mother must live the rest of her life with her conscience never at peace.
Yes, the judicial system worked. She faced her accuser and, by a jury of her peers, Casey Anthony was acquitted. But is that enough? Should we as a society just go about our normal lives in the wake of such tragedy? But if we should not, then who among us should stand up and say, “Something’s not right here”?
We live in a world full of gray, I get that. Casey Anthony murders her two year old daughter-by accidental drowning or whatever fantasy you may choose to assign to the unquestionable death of this innocent life- and is found not guilty. Only in America.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Casey Anthony
BY: Armstrong Williams
NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE OF MIND
Casey Anthony.
Do we yet have another OJ Simpson like case in which someone who is obviously guilty walks free to the dismay of so many?
The little that we do know as fact is confounding at best. The mother does not report her child missing for a month, that in and of itself is unimaginable. When it finally is reported she relates that the child was abducted by a house keeper that does not exist and then it somehow became her wealthy boyfriend that abducted the child until it became clear that he did not exist. Let us not forget the duct tape found around the baby. How do you explain that in the context of an accidental death? And since when do we put duct tape on our babies? Placing all these facts together stretches the limits of credulity to think this woman is innocent, which is why her lawyers wouldn't allow her to testify. Casey Anthony's hands were obviously unclean, and they were hiding it, but then again that is what they were paid for. The jury had, but did not exercise, an option of returning a conviction less than first degree murder. No justice for the child, and the mother must live the rest of her life with her conscience never at peace.
Yes, the judicial system worked. She faced her accuser and, by a jury of her peers, Casey Anthony was acquitted. But is that enough? Should we as a society just go about our normal lives in the wake of such tragedy? But if we should not, then who among us should stand up and say, “Something’s not right here”?
We live in a world full of gray, I get that. Casey Anthony murders her two year old daughter-by accidental drowning or whatever fantasy you may choose to assign to the unquestionable death of this innocent life- and is found not guilty. Only in America.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/05/11
Enslaved on Independence Day
BY: Armstrong Williams
Enslaved on Independence Day
Every day we as humans are poised to learn lessons, or at least be reminded of them. This week, those lessons should be even more profound as we celebrate our nation’s independence.
It’s funny but sad at how so few Americans truly know what our Founding Fathers faced those centuries ago. As the most powerful army in the world was assembling on the shores of the New World with more soldiers than even our largest cities, these men were assembling in a hall to pen a manifesto of freedom.
At the end of the Declaration, they dedicated their lives, their entire property and their honor to this cause – this commitment to a principle that all persons should live free. Yes, they were willing to give everything for freedom. What sacrifice. What willingness to see a dream so noble come true with so much on the line.
That lesson should be heeded for our nation’s lawmakers today as we move into the final days of this debt ceiling debate. What are they willing to sacrifice beyond their own proximate goal to get reelected? Sure, they say they are speaking on behalf of their constituents, but are they really?
Isn’t it the case that what Americans want most – more than anything else – is the ability to live as free as they can? To live and work and leave a better life for their children? How can that be when our government is doing all it can to ensure our children are enslaved in oceans of debt?
It’s evident to me that freedom is embodied in every last American and what many communicate to me on my radio show and in the thousands of emails and letters I receive. They don’t want to be led. No, these voters and individuals want leaders in Washington to carry out the will of the people. There’s a big difference there. To be led is to say that we are lemmings – less than fully intelligent and waiting for the sage wisdom of those in Washington to lead us to some promised land of Federal largesse. Not so.
What Americans really want is a group of lawmakers with a transcendent principle of freedom constantly acting as the lens through which all policy is viewed. If something enables or inspires individual liberty and freedom (and doesn’t impose some obligation on our fellow man), then they should pursue such policies. That is the will of most Americans, and they want lawmakers to enact that will – not mindlessly lead them where we all don’t want to go.
Let’s think about that as we celebrate our independence this glorious week .
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Enslaved on Independence Day
BY: Armstrong Williams
Enslaved on Independence Day
Every day we as humans are poised to learn lessons, or at least be reminded of them. This week, those lessons should be even more profound as we celebrate our nation’s independence.
It’s funny but sad at how so few Americans truly know what our Founding Fathers faced those centuries ago. As the most powerful army in the world was assembling on the shores of the New World with more soldiers than even our largest cities, these men were assembling in a hall to pen a manifesto of freedom.
At the end of the Declaration, they dedicated their lives, their entire property and their honor to this cause – this commitment to a principle that all persons should live free. Yes, they were willing to give everything for freedom. What sacrifice. What willingness to see a dream so noble come true with so much on the line.
That lesson should be heeded for our nation’s lawmakers today as we move into the final days of this debt ceiling debate. What are they willing to sacrifice beyond their own proximate goal to get reelected? Sure, they say they are speaking on behalf of their constituents, but are they really?
Isn’t it the case that what Americans want most – more than anything else – is the ability to live as free as they can? To live and work and leave a better life for their children? How can that be when our government is doing all it can to ensure our children are enslaved in oceans of debt?
It’s evident to me that freedom is embodied in every last American and what many communicate to me on my radio show and in the thousands of emails and letters I receive. They don’t want to be led. No, these voters and individuals want leaders in Washington to carry out the will of the people. There’s a big difference there. To be led is to say that we are lemmings – less than fully intelligent and waiting for the sage wisdom of those in Washington to lead us to some promised land of Federal largesse. Not so.
What Americans really want is a group of lawmakers with a transcendent principle of freedom constantly acting as the lens through which all policy is viewed. If something enables or inspires individual liberty and freedom (and doesn’t impose some obligation on our fellow man), then they should pursue such policies. That is the will of most Americans, and they want lawmakers to enact that will – not mindlessly lead them where we all don’t want to go.
Let’s think about that as we celebrate our independence this glorious week .
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
07/01/11
An opening for Pelosi
BY: Armstrong Williams
An opening for Pelosi
She doesn’t know it yet, but the week following the July 4th Congressional recess, Rep. Nancy Pelosi has an opportunity to step up on behalf of her party and lead the House, at least, out of its current gridlock over the debt limit debate.
What prompts me to say such a thing is that all eyes are now focused on the President, Speaker Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. That combo alone should cause someone of her great pride and sense of leadership to want to get in the mix.
But set egos aside for a moment, because that’s what ultimately trips up the players in this town. No, the former House Speaker can and should insert herself into the mix by extending an olive branch to the man who bested her and her party and offer to assist House Republicans with a way out of this current stalemate.
There are many plus sides to this tactic. Pelosi knows House Rs could easily roll her and the Democrats in the chamber. She also knows she’s less than two dozen seats from reclaiming the majority. And despite what she told reporters a few weeks ago that her party is in the minority, they don’t have to lead, I believe she could leverage her position for a long-term good.
Think about it, Republicans hold a tenuous grasp on the majority to begin with. Democrats also have now secured their election-year cudgel with which they will bash House Republicans (Medicare). But she has nothing to offer the voters come next November. No new plan or even a good reason why voters should send her party back to Washington in 2012 with the majority.
If she negotiates a deal with Republicans, she can prove to the country that her party is the one interested in solutions and compromise. That Democrats are no longer the party of “No” and they can not only protect vital programs such as Medicare, they’re also in touch with the harsh realities facing this country.
What else does she have to stand on if she disregards this window of opportunity? Nothing. Even the White House is quietly questioning her strength outside of her fundraising prowess. And if President Obama is reelected to another term, the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue will be forced to deal with the current leadership vacuum in the House. Democrats simply cannot do the things for the country Obama wants to do with the stale, same old guard in control.
Something to think about in the coming weeks.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
An opening for Pelosi
BY: Armstrong Williams
An opening for Pelosi
She doesn’t know it yet, but the week following the July 4th Congressional recess, Rep. Nancy Pelosi has an opportunity to step up on behalf of her party and lead the House, at least, out of its current gridlock over the debt limit debate.
What prompts me to say such a thing is that all eyes are now focused on the President, Speaker Boehner, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. That combo alone should cause someone of her great pride and sense of leadership to want to get in the mix.
But set egos aside for a moment, because that’s what ultimately trips up the players in this town. No, the former House Speaker can and should insert herself into the mix by extending an olive branch to the man who bested her and her party and offer to assist House Republicans with a way out of this current stalemate.
There are many plus sides to this tactic. Pelosi knows House Rs could easily roll her and the Democrats in the chamber. She also knows she’s less than two dozen seats from reclaiming the majority. And despite what she told reporters a few weeks ago that her party is in the minority, they don’t have to lead, I believe she could leverage her position for a long-term good.
Think about it, Republicans hold a tenuous grasp on the majority to begin with. Democrats also have now secured their election-year cudgel with which they will bash House Republicans (Medicare). But she has nothing to offer the voters come next November. No new plan or even a good reason why voters should send her party back to Washington in 2012 with the majority.
If she negotiates a deal with Republicans, she can prove to the country that her party is the one interested in solutions and compromise. That Democrats are no longer the party of “No” and they can not only protect vital programs such as Medicare, they’re also in touch with the harsh realities facing this country.
What else does she have to stand on if she disregards this window of opportunity? Nothing. Even the White House is quietly questioning her strength outside of her fundraising prowess. And if President Obama is reelected to another term, the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue will be forced to deal with the current leadership vacuum in the House. Democrats simply cannot do the things for the country Obama wants to do with the stale, same old guard in control.
Something to think about in the coming weeks.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8pm and 4-5am, Monday through Friday.
Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/30/11
Myth of Hiring Unemployed Workers
Congress is considering a tax credit or reduction in employer social security payments to stimulate hiring of unemployed workers. Unfortunately the proponents of these programs show a fundamental lack of understanding of why companies increase employment. Jobs are a by-product of increased sales and revenues. Capitalist companies do not hire workers merely to employ a larger work force. This may happen in socialist economies but certainly not capitalist economies. In a modern capitalist economy, employees are expensive, require management and cannot be easily laid off in the event of incompetence or loss of business. Companies only increase employment because they have additional business that needs to be processed. No business hiresadditional labor because tax credits make it 10% cheaper. It hires additional labor only as the last alternative to servicing its current and expected business. Furthermore, if the company has additional business, then it will hire additional employees regardless of the 10% tax credit. Therefore the tax credit is an inefficient way to increase employment and waste of taxpayer money.
Myth of Hiring Unemployed Workers
Congress is considering a tax credit or reduction in employer social security payments to stimulate hiring of unemployed workers. Unfortunately the proponents of these programs show a fundamental lack of understanding of why companies increase employment. Jobs are a by-product of increased sales and revenues. Capitalist companies do not hire workers merely to employ a larger work force. This may happen in socialist economies but certainly not capitalist economies. In a modern capitalist economy, employees are expensive, require management and cannot be easily laid off in the event of incompetence or loss of business. Companies only increase employment because they have additional business that needs to be processed. No business hiresadditional labor because tax credits make it 10% cheaper. It hires additional labor only as the last alternative to servicing its current and expected business. Furthermore, if the company has additional business, then it will hire additional employees regardless of the 10% tax credit. Therefore the tax credit is an inefficient way to increase employment and waste of taxpayer money.
06/29/11
TSA's Lack of Respect
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." ~Lord Acton 1887
Have you traveled by air recently? Have you been one of the many lucky enough to be groped by the TSA? Every week there is a report of some TSA agents at some airport in, what I still like to believe, our great nation clearly overstepping boundaries, and every subsequent report is worse than the last.
There is one story that has gotten a lot of publicity recently and rightly so. Apparently a 95-year-old Lukemia patient on her way to an assisted living facility required further screening because there was something "wet" in her diaper. Something wet? In a diaper!? Heaven's No!!
Many of the agents employed at Home Land Security airports are not people of great accomplishment, and are not the most intellectually sophisticated people in our society. Yet when given a badge and some authority they allow the power to intoxicate them in believing they can mistreat and humiliate people at their whim. Unfortunately there seems to be no oversight of this behavior and, in fact, some of the supervisors also engage in this deplorable behavior. While it is true that we need to be vigilant against terrorist activity this should not be done at the expense of the freedom and dignity of our citizenry. We should devote as much attention to being respectful to the constituents of our great nation as we do to protecting it.
After all, the TSA goes through this dog and pony show to make us feel safe, but how safe can we feel when there exists the possibility that we've paid several hundred dollars only to be molested and publicly humiliated by the very same people responsible for our flight safety. Or even worse you could have been the parent forced to watch as your crying 6 year old daughter had her nether regions searched by a government agent fulfilling their duty. Disgusting.
TSA's Lack of Respect
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." ~Lord Acton 1887
Have you traveled by air recently? Have you been one of the many lucky enough to be groped by the TSA? Every week there is a report of some TSA agents at some airport in, what I still like to believe, our great nation clearly overstepping boundaries, and every subsequent report is worse than the last.
There is one story that has gotten a lot of publicity recently and rightly so. Apparently a 95-year-old Lukemia patient on her way to an assisted living facility required further screening because there was something "wet" in her diaper. Something wet? In a diaper!? Heaven's No!!
Many of the agents employed at Home Land Security airports are not people of great accomplishment, and are not the most intellectually sophisticated people in our society. Yet when given a badge and some authority they allow the power to intoxicate them in believing they can mistreat and humiliate people at their whim. Unfortunately there seems to be no oversight of this behavior and, in fact, some of the supervisors also engage in this deplorable behavior. While it is true that we need to be vigilant against terrorist activity this should not be done at the expense of the freedom and dignity of our citizenry. We should devote as much attention to being respectful to the constituents of our great nation as we do to protecting it.
After all, the TSA goes through this dog and pony show to make us feel safe, but how safe can we feel when there exists the possibility that we've paid several hundred dollars only to be molested and publicly humiliated by the very same people responsible for our flight safety. Or even worse you could have been the parent forced to watch as your crying 6 year old daughter had her nether regions searched by a government agent fulfilling their duty. Disgusting.
06/28/11
There are no sacred cows.
BY: Armstrong Williams
There are no sacred cows
When it comes to executing the decisions that matter, that truly impacts this country for generations to come, three set of people come to mind: those who don’t know what’s happening, those who watch what’s happening, and those who make things happen.
I won’t attempt to draw parallels between the three known political factions with the “doers” versus those who dawdle, for all bear some responsibility of seemingly waiting for something good to happen to them through no actions of their own. But let’s single out that specific category of “those who do” and determine what exactly it will take to turn any member of either party into genuine catalysts for change.
I’ve studied the debt ceiling debate and the impending crisis surrounding it for months now, and a very important characteristics come to mind on what is needed to address and solve this intractable problem.
A critical element to resolving any impasse dealing with spending the people’s money is compromise. As often as the term is tossed about, very few policymakers are willing to practice it, at least not when it comes to debt reduction. Notice how I did not use the word “consensus.” Long viewed as the preferred term of lawmakers because it suggested that both sides moved to the middle of a particular piece of legislation without surrendering one’s key agenda. Today, that can no longer be the case.
We need true sacrifice if the country is to return to fiscal balance. Taken further, that means both sides must acquiesce to significant, painful cuts. There can be no other way. The softer, easier alternatives of the past are just that – in the past. We can’t auction off the Post Office, shutter the Education Department or end federal funding of the NEA to pay for the piles of debt both parties have amassed through the generations.
Cuts, and deep ones at that, must be on the table and proffered by both sides. There are no sacred cows. Every day, Americans understand this truism more and more. They see it in the hard realities of no jobs being created, private investments and innovation being stifled because of federal spending “crowding out” such enterprising pursuits. The federal leviathan is slowly constricting our economy. The voters now understand that. It’s time those they elected did as well, and made some hard choices to address all of our concerns.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
There are no sacred cows.
BY: Armstrong Williams
There are no sacred cows
When it comes to executing the decisions that matter, that truly impacts this country for generations to come, three set of people come to mind: those who don’t know what’s happening, those who watch what’s happening, and those who make things happen.
I won’t attempt to draw parallels between the three known political factions with the “doers” versus those who dawdle, for all bear some responsibility of seemingly waiting for something good to happen to them through no actions of their own. But let’s single out that specific category of “those who do” and determine what exactly it will take to turn any member of either party into genuine catalysts for change.
I’ve studied the debt ceiling debate and the impending crisis surrounding it for months now, and a very important characteristics come to mind on what is needed to address and solve this intractable problem.
A critical element to resolving any impasse dealing with spending the people’s money is compromise. As often as the term is tossed about, very few policymakers are willing to practice it, at least not when it comes to debt reduction. Notice how I did not use the word “consensus.” Long viewed as the preferred term of lawmakers because it suggested that both sides moved to the middle of a particular piece of legislation without surrendering one’s key agenda. Today, that can no longer be the case.
We need true sacrifice if the country is to return to fiscal balance. Taken further, that means both sides must acquiesce to significant, painful cuts. There can be no other way. The softer, easier alternatives of the past are just that – in the past. We can’t auction off the Post Office, shutter the Education Department or end federal funding of the NEA to pay for the piles of debt both parties have amassed through the generations.
Cuts, and deep ones at that, must be on the table and proffered by both sides. There are no sacred cows. Every day, Americans understand this truism more and more. They see it in the hard realities of no jobs being created, private investments and innovation being stifled because of federal spending “crowding out” such enterprising pursuits. The federal leviathan is slowly constricting our economy. The voters now understand that. It’s time those they elected did as well, and made some hard choices to address all of our concerns.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/27/11
Why Newt Should Step Down
Another week has passed and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is still in the race for the GOP nomination. Why that is the case is beyond me.
Let’s face it, the only one who believes Newt has a chance is Newt himself, and as time and history have both proved, that’s not enough. In fact, that’s a sure sign the guy needs to drop out of the presidential race.
The entire Republican field has lapped him. They’re pushing hard in Iowa, New Hampshire, even in South Carolina and Florida. They’re making the nation’s former top lawmaker look sort of silly in his views on policies he once knew like the back of his hand (can someone say Medicare?).
C’mon, when you’ve lost your policy compass, your entire fundraising team, and you’d rather go on a two-week cruise in the middle of the presidential season, then it’s time to hang up your spurs and go back to running a health care think tank.
But Newt said over the weekend he’s raring to go. In fact, the loss of his staff was not a setback, but rather a situation that now allows him to feel “liberated.” What many would see as a string of bad luck and a reflection of a weak candidate, Gingrich instead see it as an opportunity to “focus on big solutions” as he told FOX News over the weekend and not match the pattern of Washington insider consultants.
Give me a break. Why is everything with the Speaker a major shift in the forces of the universe – all working together for his good? The fact that his entire team disintegrated in front of him is not a plus. It’s a minus. Only Al Gore or John Edwards would view such twists and abandonment as “liberating.”
Ok, so he wants to put a good spin on the fact that his campaign is unraveling. But therein lies a good lesson in life for Newt to learn – when it’s time to throw in the towel. There are still plenty of good money-making years left in his life, as a consultant.
Give up the White House quixotic pursuit, Mr. Speaker. You are better off, and the country as well, if you return to espousing big, Republican, conservative ideas and letting the pros of this generation run the White House’s current occupant out of a job next year.
Why Newt Should Step Down
Another week has passed and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is still in the race for the GOP nomination. Why that is the case is beyond me.
Let’s face it, the only one who believes Newt has a chance is Newt himself, and as time and history have both proved, that’s not enough. In fact, that’s a sure sign the guy needs to drop out of the presidential race.
The entire Republican field has lapped him. They’re pushing hard in Iowa, New Hampshire, even in South Carolina and Florida. They’re making the nation’s former top lawmaker look sort of silly in his views on policies he once knew like the back of his hand (can someone say Medicare?).
C’mon, when you’ve lost your policy compass, your entire fundraising team, and you’d rather go on a two-week cruise in the middle of the presidential season, then it’s time to hang up your spurs and go back to running a health care think tank.
But Newt said over the weekend he’s raring to go. In fact, the loss of his staff was not a setback, but rather a situation that now allows him to feel “liberated.” What many would see as a string of bad luck and a reflection of a weak candidate, Gingrich instead see it as an opportunity to “focus on big solutions” as he told FOX News over the weekend and not match the pattern of Washington insider consultants.
Give me a break. Why is everything with the Speaker a major shift in the forces of the universe – all working together for his good? The fact that his entire team disintegrated in front of him is not a plus. It’s a minus. Only Al Gore or John Edwards would view such twists and abandonment as “liberating.”
Ok, so he wants to put a good spin on the fact that his campaign is unraveling. But therein lies a good lesson in life for Newt to learn – when it’s time to throw in the towel. There are still plenty of good money-making years left in his life, as a consultant.
Give up the White House quixotic pursuit, Mr. Speaker. You are better off, and the country as well, if you return to espousing big, Republican, conservative ideas and letting the pros of this generation run the White House’s current occupant out of a job next year.
06/24/11
Time to call the Democrats' bluff on debt deal
BY: Armstrong Williams
Time to call the Democrats’ bluff on debt deal
Vice President Joe Biden’s bicameral, bipartisan talks went into the ditch early yesterday when House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl – the top Republicans in the negotiations – walked out over a deal that would ultimately involve Republicans agreeing to tax hikes.
A lot of progress had been made heretofore, and Republicans sort of knew when the question would come around to tax hikes to help eat into the nation’s massive debt, it would be gut check time. Republicans have a great argument – this is absolutely the worse time to be raising taxes, on anyone. If you don’t believe there is a ripple effect, just ask the White House why it decided to release millions of gallons of crude from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserves. They know that even the slightest bit of relief at any consumer outlet – the pump, the grocery store, even from the Tax Man – has to be a good thing.
So Democrats know they’re playing with a new Third Rail of American politics – tax hikes. And it looks like they don’t want to be electrocuted.
By the same token, we must get a deal. We must begin to eat away at this country’s debt.
So here’s what I propose. We all know the Democrats aren’t truly serious about cutting spending, especially not on their Holy Grails of Social Security and Medicare, even though that’s where the most revenue can and should come.
So call their bluffs. Republicans should go ahead and say they are open to revenue raisers of some sort, but ONLY to the point that the amount of cuts is in direct proportion to the amount that spending ultimately contributed to the national debt. In other words, if the debt totals were the result of eight parts spending, and one part tax relief of the past, then suspend for the time being the fact that tax cuts actually SPUR the economy and mandate one thing: Democrats must agree they will cut eight dollars in spending from the debt for every one dollar they seek to raise in taxes.
I personally believe the ratio is more like 15:1 or even 35:1, but that’s not the point.
There’s no way Democrats will agree to such a deal, so call their bluff on the tax hikes. Because if Republicans don’t, they’ll be susceptible to charges such as the one Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made today that the GOP isn’t really serious about trimming the debt – a classic (yet lame) line used often in this town.
Republicans win either way – we either step closer to ending this constricting debt or Democrats end up looking like fools because they can’t kick the spending addiction they’ve come to love through the decades.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Time to call the Democrats' bluff on debt deal
BY: Armstrong Williams
Time to call the Democrats’ bluff on debt deal
Vice President Joe Biden’s bicameral, bipartisan talks went into the ditch early yesterday when House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl – the top Republicans in the negotiations – walked out over a deal that would ultimately involve Republicans agreeing to tax hikes.
A lot of progress had been made heretofore, and Republicans sort of knew when the question would come around to tax hikes to help eat into the nation’s massive debt, it would be gut check time. Republicans have a great argument – this is absolutely the worse time to be raising taxes, on anyone. If you don’t believe there is a ripple effect, just ask the White House why it decided to release millions of gallons of crude from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserves. They know that even the slightest bit of relief at any consumer outlet – the pump, the grocery store, even from the Tax Man – has to be a good thing.
So Democrats know they’re playing with a new Third Rail of American politics – tax hikes. And it looks like they don’t want to be electrocuted.
By the same token, we must get a deal. We must begin to eat away at this country’s debt.
So here’s what I propose. We all know the Democrats aren’t truly serious about cutting spending, especially not on their Holy Grails of Social Security and Medicare, even though that’s where the most revenue can and should come.
So call their bluffs. Republicans should go ahead and say they are open to revenue raisers of some sort, but ONLY to the point that the amount of cuts is in direct proportion to the amount that spending ultimately contributed to the national debt. In other words, if the debt totals were the result of eight parts spending, and one part tax relief of the past, then suspend for the time being the fact that tax cuts actually SPUR the economy and mandate one thing: Democrats must agree they will cut eight dollars in spending from the debt for every one dollar they seek to raise in taxes.
I personally believe the ratio is more like 15:1 or even 35:1, but that’s not the point.
There’s no way Democrats will agree to such a deal, so call their bluff on the tax hikes. Because if Republicans don’t, they’ll be susceptible to charges such as the one Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made today that the GOP isn’t really serious about trimming the debt – a classic (yet lame) line used often in this town.
Republicans win either way – we either step closer to ending this constricting debt or Democrats end up looking like fools because they can’t kick the spending addiction they’ve come to love through the decades.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/23/11
Behavior-action-must rule the day
BY: Armstrong Williams
Behavior-action-must rule the day
It’s tempting to simplify and view Washington DC as the lair of three different types of people – Democrats, Republicans, and now the ever-growing Tea Party faithful. Pundits and political scientists are prone to slide the actors of this political drama into these three columns. When you know where one sits, it’s easier to understand where they will stand on the issues of the day.
Yet when it comes to executing the decisions that matter, that will truly impact this country for generations to come, another set of three come to mind: those who don’t know what’s happening, those who watch what’s happening, and those who make things happen.
I won’t attempt to draw parallels between the three known political factions with the “doers” versus those who dawdle, for all bear some responsibility of seemingly waiting for something good to happen to them through no actions of their own.
It is in this instance where lawmakers must examine themselves and prove they are worthy. The pursuit of self-esteem must yield to self-control. We live today in a society where emotion precedes behavior. If lawmakers feel good about a path they are taking, they’re more apt to choose it. Such an outcome will not and cannot occur with the debt. Behavior – action – must rule the day. And those actions of austerity must continue whether a lawmaker feels good about it or not.
America is waiting for its next class of political heroes. And I sense those who step forward and answer the call will be remembered less as Republican or Democrat, and more as those who chose to stop watching the process and started transforming the process.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Behavior-action-must rule the day
BY: Armstrong Williams
Behavior-action-must rule the day
It’s tempting to simplify and view Washington DC as the lair of three different types of people – Democrats, Republicans, and now the ever-growing Tea Party faithful. Pundits and political scientists are prone to slide the actors of this political drama into these three columns. When you know where one sits, it’s easier to understand where they will stand on the issues of the day.
Yet when it comes to executing the decisions that matter, that will truly impact this country for generations to come, another set of three come to mind: those who don’t know what’s happening, those who watch what’s happening, and those who make things happen.
I won’t attempt to draw parallels between the three known political factions with the “doers” versus those who dawdle, for all bear some responsibility of seemingly waiting for something good to happen to them through no actions of their own.
It is in this instance where lawmakers must examine themselves and prove they are worthy. The pursuit of self-esteem must yield to self-control. We live today in a society where emotion precedes behavior. If lawmakers feel good about a path they are taking, they’re more apt to choose it. Such an outcome will not and cannot occur with the debt. Behavior – action – must rule the day. And those actions of austerity must continue whether a lawmaker feels good about it or not.
America is waiting for its next class of political heroes. And I sense those who step forward and answer the call will be remembered less as Republican or Democrat, and more as those who chose to stop watching the process and started transforming the process.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/22/11
Obama's Constitutional Crisis?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Constitutional Crisis ?
Why is our President trying to create a constitutional crisis over the war powers act. Under the war powers act the President can engage in hostile activities for 90 days or he needs congressional approval. It is clear that US is engaged in hostile activities in Libya, when it sends drones to bomb Khadaffi forces and Military targets. It may be less clear when we're spending ten million dollars daily to support the NATO alliance in its aggression against Khadaffi. Nevertheless, a large segment of the GOP and the Democratic Party would have supported Obama's position in Libya if he had chosen to go before Congress. By choosing to ignore the war powers act, the President has set the stage for a constitutional crisis between his right to commit US forces and Congress prerogative to declare War.
Why is our president setting up a confrontation with Congress over Libya?
The principle reason the constitution gives Congress the final authority on war is because the American people must be united in any hostile activities and our forefather's were concerned about President's who would set us on a collision coarse without the approval of we the people.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama's Constitutional Crisis?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Constitutional Crisis ?
Why is our President trying to create a constitutional crisis over the war powers act. Under the war powers act the President can engage in hostile activities for 90 days or he needs congressional approval. It is clear that US is engaged in hostile activities in Libya, when it sends drones to bomb Khadaffi forces and Military targets. It may be less clear when we're spending ten million dollars daily to support the NATO alliance in its aggression against Khadaffi. Nevertheless, a large segment of the GOP and the Democratic Party would have supported Obama's position in Libya if he had chosen to go before Congress. By choosing to ignore the war powers act, the President has set the stage for a constitutional crisis between his right to commit US forces and Congress prerogative to declare War.
Why is our president setting up a confrontation with Congress over Libya?
The principle reason the constitution gives Congress the final authority on war is because the American people must be united in any hostile activities and our forefather's were concerned about President's who would set us on a collision coarse without the approval of we the people.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/21/11
Reelection is the arch-enemy of courage
BY: Armstrong Williams
Reelection is the arch-enemy of courage
One thing is certain, the American people are growing tired of those who offer excuses for their inactivity. Earlier this month, a Washington Post poll asked which party Americans trust the most to address the country’s largest problems. A record 20 percent of Americans indicated they put their faith in “neither” party, the highest percentage in over three decades. One in five doesn’t trust either party to set aside its partisanship long enough to tackle the big issues. Think about that; not abortion, or farm credits or even welfare. We’re talking about the ability of our country to meet its financial obligations, and 20 percent of Americans would rather see the milkman take an honest stab at it. Hence the need for “doers”, those who are willing to check their party labels at the door, and, consequences be damned, they’re going to do what they feel is in the best interests of their constituents.
Keep in mind that courage without the first element – compromise – is folly. It’s not enough to get tough with the issues, one must be willing to not only go after someone else’s ox, they must be willing to place their own on the altar of fiscal discipline.
Reelection is the arch-enemy of courage. The two cannot coexist peacefully in this debt reduction climate. At the very least, policymakers must rearrange their priorities to the point where getting elected to office is not the first and last thoughts that dictate the positions they take. It’s happening now with the collection of House Republican freshmen, and it will only fester as voters grow weary of gridlock.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Reelection is the arch-enemy of courage
BY: Armstrong Williams
Reelection is the arch-enemy of courage
One thing is certain, the American people are growing tired of those who offer excuses for their inactivity. Earlier this month, a Washington Post poll asked which party Americans trust the most to address the country’s largest problems. A record 20 percent of Americans indicated they put their faith in “neither” party, the highest percentage in over three decades. One in five doesn’t trust either party to set aside its partisanship long enough to tackle the big issues. Think about that; not abortion, or farm credits or even welfare. We’re talking about the ability of our country to meet its financial obligations, and 20 percent of Americans would rather see the milkman take an honest stab at it. Hence the need for “doers”, those who are willing to check their party labels at the door, and, consequences be damned, they’re going to do what they feel is in the best interests of their constituents.
Keep in mind that courage without the first element – compromise – is folly. It’s not enough to get tough with the issues, one must be willing to not only go after someone else’s ox, they must be willing to place their own on the altar of fiscal discipline.
Reelection is the arch-enemy of courage. The two cannot coexist peacefully in this debt reduction climate. At the very least, policymakers must rearrange their priorities to the point where getting elected to office is not the first and last thoughts that dictate the positions they take. It’s happening now with the collection of House Republican freshmen, and it will only fester as voters grow weary of gridlock.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/20/11
Run Rick, Run !
BY: Armstrong Williams
Run Rick, Run!
There were a lot of interesting speeches and political talk coming out of this year’s Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans this past weekend, but the one everyone seems to keep mentioning is Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
The Lone Star State chief executive proved he knows a thing or two about states’ rights, the 10th Amendment, and the confiscatory nature of the federal government. Tea Party faithful will like that. Yet the governor has also shown that he can execute. During some lean years around the country where unemployment hovers in the high 9s, Texas posted a May unemployment of a steady 8 percent. Prior to the Great Recession, Texas counted itself as one of the strongest job creators in the private sector, many of whom laid that credit at Perry’s feet.
So it’s no surprise the Texas governor would immediately vault to the top of the GOP nominating ranks if he were to decide to run. But isn’t that expected? It’s also no surprise that the party faithful are less than enchanted with the current crop of candidates, and one more contender of Perry’s background and charisma would certainly shake up the field. It would also test the mettle of Romney and Pawlenty, something the entire process should welcome, for it only makes them more formidable against a strong Democrat opponent.
Perhaps Perry’s strongest trait is his chief executive status of a large, diverse state. Certainly Bush 43 got a bump by virtue of the fact that he heralded from the Republic of Texas. Then there’s the fact he’s a governor, and voters historically like the notion of governors going on to run for president.
Perry’s liabilities are equally clear. He’s from Texas. Americans are still hung over from the Bush era. I’m not sure they’re ready for another candidate who comes closest to mirroring a Bush. Perry is also coming in late to this dance. Some will argue there is still plenty of time, and given Perry’s fundraising prowess, perhaps that’s accurate. But presidential races are growing more and more formulaic through the cycles. As one veteran recently told me, presidential wannabes need to plan as though they are always running, then opt to withdraw. They can’t exactly plan as though they’re not running, only to change their mind and opt in. That latter scenario describes Perry’s “don’t make me do it” situation.
So “run Rick, run.” It’s anybody’s nomination at this point.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Run Rick, Run !
BY: Armstrong Williams
Run Rick, Run!
There were a lot of interesting speeches and political talk coming out of this year’s Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans this past weekend, but the one everyone seems to keep mentioning is Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
The Lone Star State chief executive proved he knows a thing or two about states’ rights, the 10th Amendment, and the confiscatory nature of the federal government. Tea Party faithful will like that. Yet the governor has also shown that he can execute. During some lean years around the country where unemployment hovers in the high 9s, Texas posted a May unemployment of a steady 8 percent. Prior to the Great Recession, Texas counted itself as one of the strongest job creators in the private sector, many of whom laid that credit at Perry’s feet.
So it’s no surprise the Texas governor would immediately vault to the top of the GOP nominating ranks if he were to decide to run. But isn’t that expected? It’s also no surprise that the party faithful are less than enchanted with the current crop of candidates, and one more contender of Perry’s background and charisma would certainly shake up the field. It would also test the mettle of Romney and Pawlenty, something the entire process should welcome, for it only makes them more formidable against a strong Democrat opponent.
Perhaps Perry’s strongest trait is his chief executive status of a large, diverse state. Certainly Bush 43 got a bump by virtue of the fact that he heralded from the Republic of Texas. Then there’s the fact he’s a governor, and voters historically like the notion of governors going on to run for president.
Perry’s liabilities are equally clear. He’s from Texas. Americans are still hung over from the Bush era. I’m not sure they’re ready for another candidate who comes closest to mirroring a Bush. Perry is also coming in late to this dance. Some will argue there is still plenty of time, and given Perry’s fundraising prowess, perhaps that’s accurate. But presidential races are growing more and more formulaic through the cycles. As one veteran recently told me, presidential wannabes need to plan as though they are always running, then opt to withdraw. They can’t exactly plan as though they’re not running, only to change their mind and opt in. That latter scenario describes Perry’s “don’t make me do it” situation.
So “run Rick, run.” It’s anybody’s nomination at this point.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/17/11
Enduring Lessons of my Father
BY: Armstrong Williams
Enduring Lessons of my Father
Like most parents, my father expected a lot of his 10 children (eight boys and two girls) and he pushed them - by encouragement and the occasional lash - to fulfill their potential. I remember the strong grip of his hands as he taught me how to throw. Just as I remember, with perfect vividness, the strength of his arms as he hugged me after I won the 1976 high school oratory contest, or the abundance of joy in his face as I received my college diploma. More importantly, though, my father was there when I didn't meet his expectations. He taught us the personal satisfaction of doing a job well, but he never abandoned us when we fell short of our aspirations. Beyond the father/son cliches of practicing sports together, dad was always there. It is amazing what men can achieve when their father's believe in them.
My father's idea of manhood was bound up in a deeply spiritual mandate to fulfill one's potential. The values that he taught me - personal responsibility, economic independence, thrift, the importance of having a strong work ethic, the joy of learning, ambition and perseverance - I now realize are essential ingredients to success When we embrace these timeless values, the walls between us fall and other differences - skin color, background and politics - become inconsequential. We see that we all want an essential joy for our families and ourselves. There is more uniting us than there is dividing us.
My father understood that faith and family values were the foundation that helped us navigate our lives. Those same beliefs are what motivate my siblings and I as we go about our lives. Every day we try to model our conduct on the example that my father set. We thank him for teaching us right from wrong and instilling in us the values that have kept us searching and striving to stay on the right side of our Creator.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Enduring Lessons of my Father
BY: Armstrong Williams
Enduring Lessons of my Father
Like most parents, my father expected a lot of his 10 children (eight boys and two girls) and he pushed them - by encouragement and the occasional lash - to fulfill their potential. I remember the strong grip of his hands as he taught me how to throw. Just as I remember, with perfect vividness, the strength of his arms as he hugged me after I won the 1976 high school oratory contest, or the abundance of joy in his face as I received my college diploma. More importantly, though, my father was there when I didn't meet his expectations. He taught us the personal satisfaction of doing a job well, but he never abandoned us when we fell short of our aspirations. Beyond the father/son cliches of practicing sports together, dad was always there. It is amazing what men can achieve when their father's believe in them.
My father's idea of manhood was bound up in a deeply spiritual mandate to fulfill one's potential. The values that he taught me - personal responsibility, economic independence, thrift, the importance of having a strong work ethic, the joy of learning, ambition and perseverance - I now realize are essential ingredients to success When we embrace these timeless values, the walls between us fall and other differences - skin color, background and politics - become inconsequential. We see that we all want an essential joy for our families and ourselves. There is more uniting us than there is dividing us.
My father understood that faith and family values were the foundation that helped us navigate our lives. Those same beliefs are what motivate my siblings and I as we go about our lives. Every day we try to model our conduct on the example that my father set. We thank him for teaching us right from wrong and instilling in us the values that have kept us searching and striving to stay on the right side of our Creator.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/16/11
The President and Puerto Rico
BY: Armstrong Williams
The President and Puerto Rico
President Obama gave a speech earlier this week in Puerto Rico. What’s significant about that visit wasn’t the speech, or some new stance on the issue that has been the one consistent question on the part of the Commonwealth – statehood - rather, it was the fact the President chose to visit the place at all.
Not since John Kennedy was president in 1961 has a sitting Chief Executive visited the island. That’s almost 50 years since the leader of that territory – the President to all Americans – visited in some official capacity.
I find that amazing and sad at the same time. It’s sad because this nation needs to feel like a country again – the “united” in United States has frankly exited stage right. We are too consumed with our own individual identities, self-worth, and self-absorption that we have lost all track of what makes us distinctly American and, more importantly, how we share that kindred spirit with each other.
So kudos to the President for this move. While it wasn’t bold in any foreign or domestic policy sense, it does say a lot about this Administration’s desire to reach out to all in the land. Sure, there were political motivations. But are the Republicans more upset at the White House trying to secure a strong Puerto Rican demographic in Florida – a key swing state – or are they mad they didn’t think to send one of Obama’s GOP predecessors there first? Hello George W. Bush…
Suspend the political calculus for a moment and see this visit for what it was – an important check-in by the Commander-in-Chief on a spot of land that is very important to us as a nation.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The President and Puerto Rico
BY: Armstrong Williams
The President and Puerto Rico
President Obama gave a speech earlier this week in Puerto Rico. What’s significant about that visit wasn’t the speech, or some new stance on the issue that has been the one consistent question on the part of the Commonwealth – statehood - rather, it was the fact the President chose to visit the place at all.
Not since John Kennedy was president in 1961 has a sitting Chief Executive visited the island. That’s almost 50 years since the leader of that territory – the President to all Americans – visited in some official capacity.
I find that amazing and sad at the same time. It’s sad because this nation needs to feel like a country again – the “united” in United States has frankly exited stage right. We are too consumed with our own individual identities, self-worth, and self-absorption that we have lost all track of what makes us distinctly American and, more importantly, how we share that kindred spirit with each other.
So kudos to the President for this move. While it wasn’t bold in any foreign or domestic policy sense, it does say a lot about this Administration’s desire to reach out to all in the land. Sure, there were political motivations. But are the Republicans more upset at the White House trying to secure a strong Puerto Rican demographic in Florida – a key swing state – or are they mad they didn’t think to send one of Obama’s GOP predecessors there first? Hello George W. Bush…
Suspend the political calculus for a moment and see this visit for what it was – an important check-in by the Commander-in-Chief on a spot of land that is very important to us as a nation.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/15/11
Fair & Logical Taxation
BY: Armstrong Williams
Fair & Logical Taxation
Is it hard to understand why the GOP isn't advocating a major overhaul of our tax structure? Our tax code is so complex that no one, regardless of how compulsive they are, can comply with every aspect of it. Which means that is possible for anyone to be cited for a tax violation at the will of the government. Now it is true that our financial crisis requires an enhanced revenue stream for the government but it is idiocy to attempt to achieve this by higher taxes. There is a much more logical way to achieve enhanced revenue and not destroy the economy in the process, we must reform the system and make it fair and equitable for everyone including the rich who are also we the people. The first step is closing loop holes, which simply allow manipulation and corruption, and second is lowering tax rates to a level that is reasonable for everyone. These measures would include significant simplification of the tax code which, as a bonus, reduces the risk to every tax payer of being cited for an infraction. Since raising taxes consistently results in revenue decreases for the government and lowering taxes consistently increase revenue, a combination of lowering tax rates and closing tax loop holes should result in a windfall for our government while at the same time raising the spirit of the people.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Fair & Logical Taxation
BY: Armstrong Williams
Fair & Logical Taxation
Is it hard to understand why the GOP isn't advocating a major overhaul of our tax structure? Our tax code is so complex that no one, regardless of how compulsive they are, can comply with every aspect of it. Which means that is possible for anyone to be cited for a tax violation at the will of the government. Now it is true that our financial crisis requires an enhanced revenue stream for the government but it is idiocy to attempt to achieve this by higher taxes. There is a much more logical way to achieve enhanced revenue and not destroy the economy in the process, we must reform the system and make it fair and equitable for everyone including the rich who are also we the people. The first step is closing loop holes, which simply allow manipulation and corruption, and second is lowering tax rates to a level that is reasonable for everyone. These measures would include significant simplification of the tax code which, as a bonus, reduces the risk to every tax payer of being cited for an infraction. Since raising taxes consistently results in revenue decreases for the government and lowering taxes consistently increase revenue, a combination of lowering tax rates and closing tax loop holes should result in a windfall for our government while at the same time raising the spirit of the people.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/14/11
Leadership and Indiscretion
Leadership and indiscretions
By Armstrong Williams
What is it that makes us all think we can get away with it? And by all, I mean all men. It seems that across the board, and irrespective of political affiliation, men have failed at exhibiting the better part of valor when it comes to sex. The recent and devastating implosions of once powerful men, whether Arnold Schwarzenegger, Congressman Anthony Weiner or Senator John Edwards suggest a powerful connection between sex, power and the public eye.
But what many forget is the fact that married men cheat all the time. The alarming divorce rate and rate of out of wedlock births alone is proof enough of this. So it should come of no surprise that men who reach the pinnacles of power succumb to some of the same problems that mere mortals struggle with every day. Or should it? After all, people in power know that fame is a double edged sword. It amplifies your successes and failures alike. You would think that discretion in sexual matters would be on the first page of the public figure’s handbook. And yet, time and again, the sexual indiscretions of powerful men spill out of the bedroom and onto the front page.
But this brings up a real question about leadership. Some would question whether a man who has cheated on his spouse and lied about it to the public the way Congressman Weiner did is really fit for leadership. My question is, given what we know now about men in power and a few exceptional women, are they any less qualified once their indiscretions have surfaced than they were before so?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Leadership and Indiscretion
Leadership and indiscretions
By Armstrong Williams
What is it that makes us all think we can get away with it? And by all, I mean all men. It seems that across the board, and irrespective of political affiliation, men have failed at exhibiting the better part of valor when it comes to sex. The recent and devastating implosions of once powerful men, whether Arnold Schwarzenegger, Congressman Anthony Weiner or Senator John Edwards suggest a powerful connection between sex, power and the public eye.
But what many forget is the fact that married men cheat all the time. The alarming divorce rate and rate of out of wedlock births alone is proof enough of this. So it should come of no surprise that men who reach the pinnacles of power succumb to some of the same problems that mere mortals struggle with every day. Or should it? After all, people in power know that fame is a double edged sword. It amplifies your successes and failures alike. You would think that discretion in sexual matters would be on the first page of the public figure’s handbook. And yet, time and again, the sexual indiscretions of powerful men spill out of the bedroom and onto the front page.
But this brings up a real question about leadership. Some would question whether a man who has cheated on his spouse and lied about it to the public the way Congressman Weiner did is really fit for leadership. My question is, given what we know now about men in power and a few exceptional women, are they any less qualified once their indiscretions have surfaced than they were before so?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/13/11
Joke's on the press after Palin email witch-hunt turns up zilch
BY: Armstrong Williams
Joke's on the press corps after Palin email witch-hunt turns up zilch
It was the biggest non-story story in Washington since Al Gore’s global warming tirades. I’m talking about the release of thousands of emails of former Governor Sarah Palin last Friday in Juneau, Alaska. The release of emails (printed on paper) had reporters forming lines the lengths of which made the O.J. Simpson trial look like a queue at the local Dairy Queen.
News outlets such as the Washington Post publicly heralded their “read em here first” status. Never mind that no reporter had actually spent any time and bothered to read them. The editors just wanted to get the “full coverage” mantra out in order to light up the Google tote board.
That was Friday. By Saturday, a shocking revelation ripped through the nation’s headlines: Palin had a 3rd email account!! Oh, the political tremors that were felt then! No lie, folks. That was the headline if you weren’t following. Surely, there would be something more salacious to uncover, no? I have three email accounts. Does the Washington Post want to put a dozen reporters on the case?
More breaking news revealed from poring over the Lost Scrolls of Palin – she used her email to discuss the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens. Wow, what amazing sleuth work on the part of the mainstream media. Here we have the sitting governor of the state whose most powerful son – the senior Senator – has been indicted and she (gasped) wanted to discuss the matter! Someone call Rod Blagojevich and tell him that’s how one uses email – not to sell a Senate seat to the highest bidder.
And then finally on Sunday, the coup de grace. The Associated Press reporting that Palin’s emails painted her as an “image conscious, driven leader angling for higher office.” Well now, they just described every member of the U.S. House and Senate. Chuck Schumer, look out.
This would be funny if the handling of the release by the media weren’t so sad. If only the press corps threw the same amount of time and energy into uncovering why this Administration can’t seem to create one job in the private sector.
The Huffington Post’s John Linkins said it best on Friday when pondering if the press was really performing a public service, or just wasting a lot of time in scouring through mundane and overall meaningless emails, saying, “…It’s really not hard to think that the joke might somehow be on us.”
Indeed, it is.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Joke's on the press after Palin email witch-hunt turns up zilch
BY: Armstrong Williams
Joke's on the press corps after Palin email witch-hunt turns up zilch
It was the biggest non-story story in Washington since Al Gore’s global warming tirades. I’m talking about the release of thousands of emails of former Governor Sarah Palin last Friday in Juneau, Alaska. The release of emails (printed on paper) had reporters forming lines the lengths of which made the O.J. Simpson trial look like a queue at the local Dairy Queen.
News outlets such as the Washington Post publicly heralded their “read em here first” status. Never mind that no reporter had actually spent any time and bothered to read them. The editors just wanted to get the “full coverage” mantra out in order to light up the Google tote board.
That was Friday. By Saturday, a shocking revelation ripped through the nation’s headlines: Palin had a 3rd email account!! Oh, the political tremors that were felt then! No lie, folks. That was the headline if you weren’t following. Surely, there would be something more salacious to uncover, no? I have three email accounts. Does the Washington Post want to put a dozen reporters on the case?
More breaking news revealed from poring over the Lost Scrolls of Palin – she used her email to discuss the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens. Wow, what amazing sleuth work on the part of the mainstream media. Here we have the sitting governor of the state whose most powerful son – the senior Senator – has been indicted and she (gasped) wanted to discuss the matter! Someone call Rod Blagojevich and tell him that’s how one uses email – not to sell a Senate seat to the highest bidder.
And then finally on Sunday, the coup de grace. The Associated Press reporting that Palin’s emails painted her as an “image conscious, driven leader angling for higher office.” Well now, they just described every member of the U.S. House and Senate. Chuck Schumer, look out.
This would be funny if the handling of the release by the media weren’t so sad. If only the press corps threw the same amount of time and energy into uncovering why this Administration can’t seem to create one job in the private sector.
The Huffington Post’s John Linkins said it best on Friday when pondering if the press was really performing a public service, or just wasting a lot of time in scouring through mundane and overall meaningless emails, saying, “…It’s really not hard to think that the joke might somehow be on us.”
Indeed, it is.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/10/11
Privatizing Social Security
BY: Armstrong Williams
Privatizing Social Security
You can only raise taxes or increase the retirement age by so much. The problem of too few workers supporting too many retirees will continue to lurk as long as infant mortality rates continue to decrease and life expectancy continues to increase.
The only way to actually solve the problem is to transfer our Social Security taxes into privately managed universal savings accounts. Under such a system, each individual would be responsible for managing his or her retirement savings. Rather than have money bogged down in a low-yield Treasury bill (as currently is the case), an individual could benefit from much higher rates of return in the stock market.
Under a privatized system, a worker can simply enter into a computer his desired benefits and retirement age. The computer then specifies how much he must withdraw from his salary each month in order to meet those goals. In such a manner, the worker can sculpt his retirement savings to meet his individual needs.
Giving people more of a choice in their retirement planning will better connect them to the economy. Each American will understand that his retirement savings rest in the well-being of the economy. Consequently, the populace will be less likely to make a run on their banks at the first signs of financial tremors.
The free-market economy will strengthen as citizens exert control over their financial well-being, rather than relying upon the government to administer aid like some subtle narcotic.
The alternative is to continue ignoring the problem. Most of our politicians are comfortable with that. Social Security is one of those issues that can only get a politician in trouble — mostly because citizens rely on it, but they generally don't know how it works. That's the real reason that a Social Security overhaul currently lacks enough votes to pass through the Senate — politicians are scared to touch it.
Unfortunately if they don't find the courage to overhaul the system, it is either going to collapse or its maintenance is going to result in crushing tax rates for our children.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Privatizing Social Security
BY: Armstrong Williams
Privatizing Social Security
You can only raise taxes or increase the retirement age by so much. The problem of too few workers supporting too many retirees will continue to lurk as long as infant mortality rates continue to decrease and life expectancy continues to increase.
The only way to actually solve the problem is to transfer our Social Security taxes into privately managed universal savings accounts. Under such a system, each individual would be responsible for managing his or her retirement savings. Rather than have money bogged down in a low-yield Treasury bill (as currently is the case), an individual could benefit from much higher rates of return in the stock market.
Under a privatized system, a worker can simply enter into a computer his desired benefits and retirement age. The computer then specifies how much he must withdraw from his salary each month in order to meet those goals. In such a manner, the worker can sculpt his retirement savings to meet his individual needs.
Giving people more of a choice in their retirement planning will better connect them to the economy. Each American will understand that his retirement savings rest in the well-being of the economy. Consequently, the populace will be less likely to make a run on their banks at the first signs of financial tremors.
The free-market economy will strengthen as citizens exert control over their financial well-being, rather than relying upon the government to administer aid like some subtle narcotic.
The alternative is to continue ignoring the problem. Most of our politicians are comfortable with that. Social Security is one of those issues that can only get a politician in trouble — mostly because citizens rely on it, but they generally don't know how it works. That's the real reason that a Social Security overhaul currently lacks enough votes to pass through the Senate — politicians are scared to touch it.
Unfortunately if they don't find the courage to overhaul the system, it is either going to collapse or its maintenance is going to result in crushing tax rates for our children.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/09/11
Gutter Journalism at Newsweek
BY: Armstrong Williams
Gutter Journalism at Newsweek
If you ever needed a reason for why news magazines are starving for attention and consumer dollars, just stroll down the aisle of your favorite supermarket and you can judge this industry by its cover(s) alone. They’re pathetic. They continually fight against their very core to deliver cutting-edge journalism that compiles the top stories of the week, and instead look increasingly like their neighboring world wrestling federation pubs.
I couldn’t believe what I saw last night while in my area bookstore. I had heard about Newsweek’s controversial cover of Governor Mitt Romney and a colleague remarking how “tasteless” it was, but it didn’t hit home until I actually saw it.
There on the cover I saw some gangly body with the head of Mitt Romney photo-shopped on top. The idea was to borrow a theme from the Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon” and affix some political twist with a back-handed compliment that all those darn Mormons are just so successful these days… What gives?? As if anyone outside of Manhattan would pick up on such stupidity.
This is beyond poor taste or junior varsity decision-making by Newsweek’s editors. They were clearly trying to make a statement – to mock the Republican’s presidential front-runner and remind everyone who didn’t already know that Mitt Romney was some “crazy” Mormon.
Why is it that Newsweek and other mainstream media publications can feign outrage and trot out all sorts of “isms” when it suits their agendas, yet it’s perfectly acceptable mock others as they deem? Will Newsweek’s editors next run a photo of Rick Santorum on a Catholic cross with some cute headline of his messianic drive toward the White House? Where is the line? And who at Newsweek gets to decide?
The sad commentary here is that Newsweek is now notorious for such infantile moves. And their chief target during the past few years has been Sarah Palin. The magazine’s disdain for the Alaskan governor is palpable. On its Oct. 13, 2008 issue, Newsweek ran an extreme close-up shot of Palin on its cover. Only that one was not photo-shopped, revealing less-than-flattering views of her deep pores, stray facial hair and other blemishes a woman would never want shared. Ever see that with Hillary Clinton when she was running? Let’s put it this way, if the same photo was taken of Vice President Joe Biden, we could probably count the number of ear hairs the man had, as well as how many of his teeth were beginning to yellow.
Not to be outdone, Newsweek followed up with a mid-November 2009 cover of Palin on its cover showing her legs in some high-cut shorts. The shot was actually not taken by Newsweek, but instead bootlegged off a cover shoot Palin did for Runner’s World magazine.
This is a world-class news magazine. Why does it need to stoop to such lows to advance its agenda and tear down conservatives?
Try and think of one shot of President Obama on the cover of a magazine in an equally unflattering light. You can’t.
The Newsweek Romney cover is beyond the pale. Draw a parallel to our sitting president if you disagree.
Would anyone cry foul if Obama were running for president and Newsweek depicted him in the colorful Maasai tribal garb of his father’s African homeland, Kenya? You get the idea and the stereotype formed there. No one would dare accept such an overtly racist depiction. And yet Newsweek shamelessly bashes a man for his religious faith, and we’re expected to view that as all in good taste?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside
Gutter Journalism at Newsweek
BY: Armstrong Williams
Gutter Journalism at Newsweek
If you ever needed a reason for why news magazines are starving for attention and consumer dollars, just stroll down the aisle of your favorite supermarket and you can judge this industry by its cover(s) alone. They’re pathetic. They continually fight against their very core to deliver cutting-edge journalism that compiles the top stories of the week, and instead look increasingly like their neighboring world wrestling federation pubs.
I couldn’t believe what I saw last night while in my area bookstore. I had heard about Newsweek’s controversial cover of Governor Mitt Romney and a colleague remarking how “tasteless” it was, but it didn’t hit home until I actually saw it.
There on the cover I saw some gangly body with the head of Mitt Romney photo-shopped on top. The idea was to borrow a theme from the Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon” and affix some political twist with a back-handed compliment that all those darn Mormons are just so successful these days… What gives?? As if anyone outside of Manhattan would pick up on such stupidity.
This is beyond poor taste or junior varsity decision-making by Newsweek’s editors. They were clearly trying to make a statement – to mock the Republican’s presidential front-runner and remind everyone who didn’t already know that Mitt Romney was some “crazy” Mormon.
Why is it that Newsweek and other mainstream media publications can feign outrage and trot out all sorts of “isms” when it suits their agendas, yet it’s perfectly acceptable mock others as they deem? Will Newsweek’s editors next run a photo of Rick Santorum on a Catholic cross with some cute headline of his messianic drive toward the White House? Where is the line? And who at Newsweek gets to decide?
The sad commentary here is that Newsweek is now notorious for such infantile moves. And their chief target during the past few years has been Sarah Palin. The magazine’s disdain for the Alaskan governor is palpable. On its Oct. 13, 2008 issue, Newsweek ran an extreme close-up shot of Palin on its cover. Only that one was not photo-shopped, revealing less-than-flattering views of her deep pores, stray facial hair and other blemishes a woman would never want shared. Ever see that with Hillary Clinton when she was running? Let’s put it this way, if the same photo was taken of Vice President Joe Biden, we could probably count the number of ear hairs the man had, as well as how many of his teeth were beginning to yellow.
Not to be outdone, Newsweek followed up with a mid-November 2009 cover of Palin on its cover showing her legs in some high-cut shorts. The shot was actually not taken by Newsweek, but instead bootlegged off a cover shoot Palin did for Runner’s World magazine.
This is a world-class news magazine. Why does it need to stoop to such lows to advance its agenda and tear down conservatives?
Try and think of one shot of President Obama on the cover of a magazine in an equally unflattering light. You can’t.
The Newsweek Romney cover is beyond the pale. Draw a parallel to our sitting president if you disagree.
Would anyone cry foul if Obama were running for president and Newsweek depicted him in the colorful Maasai tribal garb of his father’s African homeland, Kenya? You get the idea and the stereotype formed there. No one would dare accept such an overtly racist depiction. And yet Newsweek shamelessly bashes a man for his religious faith, and we’re expected to view that as all in good taste?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside
06/08/11
Calamity vs Opportunity
BY: Armstrong Williams
Calamity v Opportunity
The magnitude of global events over the past few years signals a shift in the world’s geopolitical order. Economic growth in the major developed nations has slowed and the world is looking to emerging economies to drive global expansion. We have been the lynchpin for the global economy for decades, what nations are now prepared to lead the way if the once great US of A continues to spiral economically out of control? America’s identity has been strongly defined by its commitment to the less fortunate, The New Deal, War on Poverty, and social insurance programs have helped America develop social cohesion. However, these same programs are bankrupting and negatively impacting our economy and our human capital is paying a huge price as a result. We should know from the past that the models of Communism and Socialism have not sustained themselves and in many ways have self-destructed. In the long haul capitalism, which built America, is the best model for long existing super powers.
Whenever great change occurs things fall apart, but that is not the end of the story. In the place of old traditions, new ones inevitably emerge. As the world becomes more complex and interdependent, local relationships give way to national relationships and broader interdependencies. To the casual observer, this process of coming together on the global stage might appear chaotic and fraught with uncertainties, but the courageous and far sighted recognize change for what it is: an opportunity to grow.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Calamity vs Opportunity
BY: Armstrong Williams
Calamity v Opportunity
The magnitude of global events over the past few years signals a shift in the world’s geopolitical order. Economic growth in the major developed nations has slowed and the world is looking to emerging economies to drive global expansion. We have been the lynchpin for the global economy for decades, what nations are now prepared to lead the way if the once great US of A continues to spiral economically out of control? America’s identity has been strongly defined by its commitment to the less fortunate, The New Deal, War on Poverty, and social insurance programs have helped America develop social cohesion. However, these same programs are bankrupting and negatively impacting our economy and our human capital is paying a huge price as a result. We should know from the past that the models of Communism and Socialism have not sustained themselves and in many ways have self-destructed. In the long haul capitalism, which built America, is the best model for long existing super powers.
Whenever great change occurs things fall apart, but that is not the end of the story. In the place of old traditions, new ones inevitably emerge. As the world becomes more complex and interdependent, local relationships give way to national relationships and broader interdependencies. To the casual observer, this process of coming together on the global stage might appear chaotic and fraught with uncertainties, but the courageous and far sighted recognize change for what it is: an opportunity to grow.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/07/11
The end of Rep. Anthony Weiner
BY: Armstrong Williams
The end of Rep. Anthony Weiner
Shocking revelations yesterday of lewd texts sent via Twitter by New York Congressman Anthony Weiner can only point to one outcome – he must resign.
It’s the best move for him, but more importantly, it’s the best thing for his family, notably his young bride and his nascent marriage.
I felt Weiner did a fairly nice job at his press conference confronting his sins head on. But what undercut his entire effort was the part in his statement where he indicated he would not resign his post. It was as if he was saying, “I did something wrong, but it doesn’t rise to the level of my ending my political career.”
If revealed body parts alone were indications of degrees of the offense, then Weiner loses his seat as well. Just look at his up-state colleague, former Rep. Chris Lee. He merely sent shirtless photos of himself, and immediately stepped down.
Weiner has been sexting and/or texting girls other than his wife for years now, and he thinks he can side-step or outlast this revelation through one press conference?
This whole episode suggests the story is not yet fully written. I suspect Weiner did more than just text these women. Or if that was all he did, then there is someone else where he crossed the line, physically. Perhaps time will tell. Why else would he decide, at the moment when it appeared he was escaping this brouhaha, that it was time to come clean if he had nothing else to hide?
The fact that Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has called for a congressional ethics investigation should tip us off that she’s first and foremost protecting the party. Good for her. It’s not worth forfeiting the principles of her caucus for a pol who has been all about himself. For not only has Weiner alienated himself with his pompous ways, but he also attacked vehemently the national press corps, essentially calling them all liars, scoffing at their questions.
This entire episode is bad for representative government. Ensign, Vitter, Lee, Schwarzenegger, Edwards…what’s next? Both parties must realize the personal peccadillos of its members must move to the back of the room. When these members arrive in Washington, they need to have their game faces on. The quickest way to restore some of the MAJOR credibility this institution has lost is to actually move legislation and achieve something on behalf of the true owners of government – the people.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The end of Rep. Anthony Weiner
BY: Armstrong Williams
The end of Rep. Anthony Weiner
Shocking revelations yesterday of lewd texts sent via Twitter by New York Congressman Anthony Weiner can only point to one outcome – he must resign.
It’s the best move for him, but more importantly, it’s the best thing for his family, notably his young bride and his nascent marriage.
I felt Weiner did a fairly nice job at his press conference confronting his sins head on. But what undercut his entire effort was the part in his statement where he indicated he would not resign his post. It was as if he was saying, “I did something wrong, but it doesn’t rise to the level of my ending my political career.”
If revealed body parts alone were indications of degrees of the offense, then Weiner loses his seat as well. Just look at his up-state colleague, former Rep. Chris Lee. He merely sent shirtless photos of himself, and immediately stepped down.
Weiner has been sexting and/or texting girls other than his wife for years now, and he thinks he can side-step or outlast this revelation through one press conference?
This whole episode suggests the story is not yet fully written. I suspect Weiner did more than just text these women. Or if that was all he did, then there is someone else where he crossed the line, physically. Perhaps time will tell. Why else would he decide, at the moment when it appeared he was escaping this brouhaha, that it was time to come clean if he had nothing else to hide?
The fact that Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has called for a congressional ethics investigation should tip us off that she’s first and foremost protecting the party. Good for her. It’s not worth forfeiting the principles of her caucus for a pol who has been all about himself. For not only has Weiner alienated himself with his pompous ways, but he also attacked vehemently the national press corps, essentially calling them all liars, scoffing at their questions.
This entire episode is bad for representative government. Ensign, Vitter, Lee, Schwarzenegger, Edwards…what’s next? Both parties must realize the personal peccadillos of its members must move to the back of the room. When these members arrive in Washington, they need to have their game faces on. The quickest way to restore some of the MAJOR credibility this institution has lost is to actually move legislation and achieve something on behalf of the true owners of government – the people.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/06/11
Immigration, Immigration, Immigration
BY: Armstrong Williams
Immigration, Immigration, Immigration:
Illegal immigrant labor is a performance enhancing drug with wide side effects. By hiring illegals, companies get an edge over other firms that don’t. They buy cheap labor from individuals who have no civil rights whatsoever: they cannot complain if they are cheated on their paycheck, protest unhealthy working conditions, or reject wages beneath the minimum federal wage level. If they do complain, they can be immediately detained and sent back to their countries of origin with none of the due process that would be accorded an American citizen. And so this keeps them in their place – a place of legal limbo - and gives U.S. firms access to what is essentially slave labor.
Before now, we’ve had a tacit agreement between big business and big government to leave the immigration issue unresolved. After all, illegal labor has acted as a subsidy to businesses and consumers of the cheap labor. But that arrangement seems to be cracking, and that’s a good thing. The American people want their borders defended and their rights protected by the Government that they, the citizens, have elected. This is especially true in a recession when Americans are facing unprecedented unemployment, debt and declining living standards.
The recent Supreme Court ruling was right for America – legally, factually and morally. But the Supreme Court’s vocal minority, along with a strange bedfellows' coalition of big business and civil rights organizations would have you believe that a reasonable business regulation is an encroachment on the civil rights of legal immigrants. Nothing could be further from the truth. The regulations are narrowly tailored in accordance with Federal definitions of “illegal” status, and they accord appropriate due process for the offending corporations. No one can be rejected for a job because they “look” illegal. But businesses have the additional responsibility of verifying an applicant’s immigration status. All of the normal civil rights protections for workers has been undisturbed by the ruling.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Immigration, Immigration, Immigration
BY: Armstrong Williams
Immigration, Immigration, Immigration:
Illegal immigrant labor is a performance enhancing drug with wide side effects. By hiring illegals, companies get an edge over other firms that don’t. They buy cheap labor from individuals who have no civil rights whatsoever: they cannot complain if they are cheated on their paycheck, protest unhealthy working conditions, or reject wages beneath the minimum federal wage level. If they do complain, they can be immediately detained and sent back to their countries of origin with none of the due process that would be accorded an American citizen. And so this keeps them in their place – a place of legal limbo - and gives U.S. firms access to what is essentially slave labor.
Before now, we’ve had a tacit agreement between big business and big government to leave the immigration issue unresolved. After all, illegal labor has acted as a subsidy to businesses and consumers of the cheap labor. But that arrangement seems to be cracking, and that’s a good thing. The American people want their borders defended and their rights protected by the Government that they, the citizens, have elected. This is especially true in a recession when Americans are facing unprecedented unemployment, debt and declining living standards.
The recent Supreme Court ruling was right for America – legally, factually and morally. But the Supreme Court’s vocal minority, along with a strange bedfellows' coalition of big business and civil rights organizations would have you believe that a reasonable business regulation is an encroachment on the civil rights of legal immigrants. Nothing could be further from the truth. The regulations are narrowly tailored in accordance with Federal definitions of “illegal” status, and they accord appropriate due process for the offending corporations. No one can be rejected for a job because they “look” illegal. But businesses have the additional responsibility of verifying an applicant’s immigration status. All of the normal civil rights protections for workers has been undisturbed by the ruling.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
06/03/11
Vegetables Make Me Sick?
The recent outbreak of E.Coli in the produce of the European Union started my thoughts down a path I hope I will never have to find the end of. What happens when I can no longer trust what I require for sustenance?
More than 2,000 people have fallen ill and more than a dozen have lost their lives due to the outbreak. I do my best to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as often as possible, and as a consumer with limited resources it would be out of the realm of possibility for me to test everything that I ate. For this reason we have a trust of our food suppliers that is borne of the marketplace. We believe that our food suppliers will not sell us contaminated products if for no other reason than to protect their brand name. Nobody wants to be known as the supplier of mal-effected consumables which is why Spanish farmers were outraged that Germany chose to point the finger at them. While I understand that Germany wants to solve the problem and exonerate themselves, they must understand that a public lambasting is not the best solution. It is the European Union after all. Regardless, the finger-pointing and the lack of progress in their investigation isn’t the most alarming part of this story.
What really made me worrisome was to discover that if this type of outbreak were to happen in the United States it would be legal. Yes, legal. Growers and processors in the United States are not required to test food for disease causing agents, like bacteria or other microorganisms, before it is shipped to grocery stores and markets. Let me say that again. In the United States of America our food suppliers are not required to make sure the food they produce is safe to eat before it is shipped. Despite this, our track record here in the US has not been terrible which places me in a bit of a dilemma, does that mean we should trust our suppliers more, or less?
-AW
Vegetables Make Me Sick?
The recent outbreak of E.Coli in the produce of the European Union started my thoughts down a path I hope I will never have to find the end of. What happens when I can no longer trust what I require for sustenance?
More than 2,000 people have fallen ill and more than a dozen have lost their lives due to the outbreak. I do my best to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as often as possible, and as a consumer with limited resources it would be out of the realm of possibility for me to test everything that I ate. For this reason we have a trust of our food suppliers that is borne of the marketplace. We believe that our food suppliers will not sell us contaminated products if for no other reason than to protect their brand name. Nobody wants to be known as the supplier of mal-effected consumables which is why Spanish farmers were outraged that Germany chose to point the finger at them. While I understand that Germany wants to solve the problem and exonerate themselves, they must understand that a public lambasting is not the best solution. It is the European Union after all. Regardless, the finger-pointing and the lack of progress in their investigation isn’t the most alarming part of this story.
What really made me worrisome was to discover that if this type of outbreak were to happen in the United States it would be legal. Yes, legal. Growers and processors in the United States are not required to test food for disease causing agents, like bacteria or other microorganisms, before it is shipped to grocery stores and markets. Let me say that again. In the United States of America our food suppliers are not required to make sure the food they produce is safe to eat before it is shipped. Despite this, our track record here in the US has not been terrible which places me in a bit of a dilemma, does that mean we should trust our suppliers more, or less?
-AW
06/02/11
By Surgery or Scissor
Watching our congress fight over the budget and now the debt ceiling is sickening. How did we, as a country, get to the point where our elected officials are so rife with incompetence that they’re looking down the barrel of a gun, can see the bullet in the chamber, and yet still want to argue over whether or not it will kill. I don’t get it, the most powerful government in the world falling prey to it’s own financial imprudence. Furthermore, what does all of this say about us, the people of the United States of America, if these are our elected representatives; the very people we choose to champion our best interests in government.
This reminds me of those people you hear about being neck-deep in credit card debt and choose to resolve the issue by getting more credit. Is insolvency one of our Nation’s core values? I am starting to think that this administration believes it is. First Wall Street was too big to fail and got bailed out and now Medicare is too important to reform? Who is going to bail us out? I will give you one hint; it won’t be the Chinese.
If you can’t stay afloat you don’t add more water to the ship, you roll up your pant legs and start bailing. Which, in financial terms, would mean to cut spending. Drastically. The excess expenditures are there to be cut, and it needs to be done, by surgery or scissor.
-AW
By Surgery or Scissor
Watching our congress fight over the budget and now the debt ceiling is sickening. How did we, as a country, get to the point where our elected officials are so rife with incompetence that they’re looking down the barrel of a gun, can see the bullet in the chamber, and yet still want to argue over whether or not it will kill. I don’t get it, the most powerful government in the world falling prey to it’s own financial imprudence. Furthermore, what does all of this say about us, the people of the United States of America, if these are our elected representatives; the very people we choose to champion our best interests in government.
This reminds me of those people you hear about being neck-deep in credit card debt and choose to resolve the issue by getting more credit. Is insolvency one of our Nation’s core values? I am starting to think that this administration believes it is. First Wall Street was too big to fail and got bailed out and now Medicare is too important to reform? Who is going to bail us out? I will give you one hint; it won’t be the Chinese.
If you can’t stay afloat you don’t add more water to the ship, you roll up your pant legs and start bailing. Which, in financial terms, would mean to cut spending. Drastically. The excess expenditures are there to be cut, and it needs to be done, by surgery or scissor.
-AW
06/01/11
Saint Sarah, Our "Joan of Arc"
BY: Armstrong Williams
Saint Sarah, Our "Joan of Arc"
The media finally has some excitement to report in the political arena as Sarah Palin has once again invigorated their pens. Is she running is she not? Can she win? Will she win? Even her recent ‘One Nation’ bus tour has been put under the lens of a microscope, the inspection revealing that the bus tour (according to realclearpolitics.com) is actually a campaign test run.
Why is she such a lightning rod? She is perpetually lambasted, and yet, the media can't seem to get enough, and if she's as stupid and inconsequential as she's portrayed, then why are they so fascinated with her? Maybe the answer lies in the fact that she's non-traditional and represents a serious threat to the political status quo, be that Democrat or Republican. She certainly isn’t lacking in charisma, people are drawn to, and cheer for, her at every turn. It's as if she has used politics to become a legitimate celebrity but has maintained enough clout to still be considered a political threat. Despite her celebrity status among politicians she has been so damaged by relentless attacks that she's probably not a viable presidential candidate. But really, who can say?
Regardless, one must admire her fortitude and courage. No matter how many times, or in what way she is attacked she just keeps on trucking, keeps on being Sarah Palin. We can only hope some of the other Republican candidates will learn some important things from her daily sacrifice.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Saint Sarah, Our "Joan of Arc"
BY: Armstrong Williams
Saint Sarah, Our "Joan of Arc"
The media finally has some excitement to report in the political arena as Sarah Palin has once again invigorated their pens. Is she running is she not? Can she win? Will she win? Even her recent ‘One Nation’ bus tour has been put under the lens of a microscope, the inspection revealing that the bus tour (according to realclearpolitics.com) is actually a campaign test run.
Why is she such a lightning rod? She is perpetually lambasted, and yet, the media can't seem to get enough, and if she's as stupid and inconsequential as she's portrayed, then why are they so fascinated with her? Maybe the answer lies in the fact that she's non-traditional and represents a serious threat to the political status quo, be that Democrat or Republican. She certainly isn’t lacking in charisma, people are drawn to, and cheer for, her at every turn. It's as if she has used politics to become a legitimate celebrity but has maintained enough clout to still be considered a political threat. Despite her celebrity status among politicians she has been so damaged by relentless attacks that she's probably not a viable presidential candidate. But really, who can say?
Regardless, one must admire her fortitude and courage. No matter how many times, or in what way she is attacked she just keeps on trucking, keeps on being Sarah Palin. We can only hope some of the other Republican candidates will learn some important things from her daily sacrifice.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/31/11
Republican presidential calculus with Palin in the race
BY: Armstrong Williams
Republican presidential calculus with Palin in the race
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is back in the news again. If you never tune off FOX News, she never left the prime time spotlight. But this time, it’s different, it seems.
Her posse has loaded up a big RV and she’s taking a bus tour around some of the most historic sites in the land. All of this launched, of course, during Sunday’s Rolling Thunder – a must-attend event for any biker or Harley rider to roll through downtown Washington DC to honor the fallen, POWs, and MIAs during the Vietnam conflict.
Full of class, the riders welcomed Palin so long as she didn’t turn the event into a political circus and away from its true and needed purpose.
But what does Palin’s latest move mean to the GOP nominating calculus? For months now, I had it on good authority the governor was not running. She was attending functions in Iowa alright, but charging fees (a no-no in the caucus state) for appearances and book-signings. It all seemed as though she was ready to turn the idea of a Palin on the Republican ticket into a windfall.
Others with similar pedigrees quickly filled the vacuum she left.
And yet here we are, still very very early in the nominating process, and Palin is drawing crowds that would make even Barack Obama green with envy.
But is she running? Even her staff won’t release details to the press corps on the nature of her stops, let alone times and locations. And when asked if she is indeed running, Palin’s stock answer is, “I’m thinking about it.” Will somebody please pass that information along to Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann?
Her candidacy for the nomination is ripe to fill the void Palin left. Yet if Palin returns, that’s too much “girl power” for the right to handle.
Here’s who it does help – Mitt Romney. The former governor and businessman now looks to be the most sane, smart choice so long as candidates such as Ron Paul, Palin and Bachmann join in the fray. Romney may also be charting his own path to the presidency this cycle by not paying so much attention in Iowa – a state he knows he can’t win – and instead spending more time in New Hampshire (where he’ll formally announce this week) and other early primary states.
Suffice it to say the GOP field is wide open. Even Herman Cain will stand to gain in a state such as Iowa so long as Republican voters are still sorting through their choices. One thing I’m eager to see in the coming weeks is which candidate is increasingly proving he or she is the most electable in an Obama matchup. I’ve yet to see that trait emerge in the early days of the season.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Re
Republican presidential calculus with Palin in the race
BY: Armstrong Williams
Republican presidential calculus with Palin in the race
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is back in the news again. If you never tune off FOX News, she never left the prime time spotlight. But this time, it’s different, it seems.
Her posse has loaded up a big RV and she’s taking a bus tour around some of the most historic sites in the land. All of this launched, of course, during Sunday’s Rolling Thunder – a must-attend event for any biker or Harley rider to roll through downtown Washington DC to honor the fallen, POWs, and MIAs during the Vietnam conflict.
Full of class, the riders welcomed Palin so long as she didn’t turn the event into a political circus and away from its true and needed purpose.
But what does Palin’s latest move mean to the GOP nominating calculus? For months now, I had it on good authority the governor was not running. She was attending functions in Iowa alright, but charging fees (a no-no in the caucus state) for appearances and book-signings. It all seemed as though she was ready to turn the idea of a Palin on the Republican ticket into a windfall.
Others with similar pedigrees quickly filled the vacuum she left.
And yet here we are, still very very early in the nominating process, and Palin is drawing crowds that would make even Barack Obama green with envy.
But is she running? Even her staff won’t release details to the press corps on the nature of her stops, let alone times and locations. And when asked if she is indeed running, Palin’s stock answer is, “I’m thinking about it.” Will somebody please pass that information along to Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann?
Her candidacy for the nomination is ripe to fill the void Palin left. Yet if Palin returns, that’s too much “girl power” for the right to handle.
Here’s who it does help – Mitt Romney. The former governor and businessman now looks to be the most sane, smart choice so long as candidates such as Ron Paul, Palin and Bachmann join in the fray. Romney may also be charting his own path to the presidency this cycle by not paying so much attention in Iowa – a state he knows he can’t win – and instead spending more time in New Hampshire (where he’ll formally announce this week) and other early primary states.
Suffice it to say the GOP field is wide open. Even Herman Cain will stand to gain in a state such as Iowa so long as Republican voters are still sorting through their choices. One thing I’m eager to see in the coming weeks is which candidate is increasingly proving he or she is the most electable in an Obama matchup. I’ve yet to see that trait emerge in the early days of the season.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Re
05/30/11
Memorial Day Remembrance
BY: Armstrong Williams
Memorial Day Remembrance
Lest we forget, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's wars.
Established in the 1860s during the American Civil War, Memorial Day tapped into the general human need to honor our dead who had contributed honorably to this great country.
Many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice have ignored the true meaning of Memorial Day.
We often do not observe the day as it should be. It's a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones and our family members who have given their lives for the betterment of this great nation.
The thing to remember about war is that there are very few moments of individual gallantry. The individual combatant rarely dwarfs his surroundings. No John Waynes to ride through a hale of enemy fire to save the day.
In fact, those one-dimensional embodiments of masculine striving are usually the first to die. Moments of war rarely allow for clarity.
War is a chaos where platoons of men are condemned to slaughter one another. War is a horror where one is ordered to kill strangers, to run in the face of enemy fire, to ignore the sight of his friends as they crumple to the ground. This lack of clarity becomes transparent to every soldier as his captain shouts, "Over the top men, everyone out!"
In that moment, each soldier finds himself engulfed in death and confusion. There is a scene in Steven Spielberg's film "Saving Private Ryan", in which a young man has his arm blown off. He stumbles around, gazing at his shattered limb, unsure of what to do.
War is detached horror.
War is confusion.
With this in mind, do something different this Memorial Day.
Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
Visit memorials and fly U.S. flags at half-staff until noon and pledge to aid the disabled veterans, widows, widowers and orphans of those that died in conflicts and wars.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Memorial Day Remembrance
BY: Armstrong Williams
Memorial Day Remembrance
Lest we forget, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's wars.
Established in the 1860s during the American Civil War, Memorial Day tapped into the general human need to honor our dead who had contributed honorably to this great country.
Many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice have ignored the true meaning of Memorial Day.
We often do not observe the day as it should be. It's a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones and our family members who have given their lives for the betterment of this great nation.
The thing to remember about war is that there are very few moments of individual gallantry. The individual combatant rarely dwarfs his surroundings. No John Waynes to ride through a hale of enemy fire to save the day.
In fact, those one-dimensional embodiments of masculine striving are usually the first to die. Moments of war rarely allow for clarity.
War is a chaos where platoons of men are condemned to slaughter one another. War is a horror where one is ordered to kill strangers, to run in the face of enemy fire, to ignore the sight of his friends as they crumple to the ground. This lack of clarity becomes transparent to every soldier as his captain shouts, "Over the top men, everyone out!"
In that moment, each soldier finds himself engulfed in death and confusion. There is a scene in Steven Spielberg's film "Saving Private Ryan", in which a young man has his arm blown off. He stumbles around, gazing at his shattered limb, unsure of what to do.
War is detached horror.
War is confusion.
With this in mind, do something different this Memorial Day.
Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
Visit memorials and fly U.S. flags at half-staff until noon and pledge to aid the disabled veterans, widows, widowers and orphans of those that died in conflicts and wars.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/27/11
The Politics of Shared Sacrifice
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Politics Of Shared Sacrifice
According to recent polls, most Americans believe that the dangers of further debt increases outweigh the dangers of defaulting on our current debt. The politicians have done an excellent job of selling the obvious. Bankers and economists, the holders of that debt, largely disagree with mainstream sentiment because it ultimately means they don't get paid back. But the political calculus among the general electorate is more complicated ---
While, according to polls, most people agree with the Republican position that the national debt is a ticking time bomb, and even that painful sacrifices are needed, the political disconnect occurs over what people perceive as the Republicans' unwillingness to share the sacrifice -- that is, they want to impose painful spending cuts on the poor and elderly, while giving away massive tax breaks to the rich and well connected. And they want all of this after the business community was bailed out of the banking crisis with taxpayer funds -- the bailouts being the major cause of our increased debt levels. This is a ripe opportunity to play political arbitrage by the Dems, and they've used it to their advantage recently.
So here you have businesses sitting on free taxpayer (borrowed) cash and complaining about tax increases, while trying to force those same taxpayers to swallow cuts to essential social programs. People are beginning to see this as a disingenuous, not to mention fundamentally unfair, approach to fixing the economy.
Until this conundrum is resolved, America will continue to be in a stalemate over the debt and the structural adjustments we need to foster long term growth…and the bills will keep mounting.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The Politics of Shared Sacrifice
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Politics Of Shared Sacrifice
According to recent polls, most Americans believe that the dangers of further debt increases outweigh the dangers of defaulting on our current debt. The politicians have done an excellent job of selling the obvious. Bankers and economists, the holders of that debt, largely disagree with mainstream sentiment because it ultimately means they don't get paid back. But the political calculus among the general electorate is more complicated ---
While, according to polls, most people agree with the Republican position that the national debt is a ticking time bomb, and even that painful sacrifices are needed, the political disconnect occurs over what people perceive as the Republicans' unwillingness to share the sacrifice -- that is, they want to impose painful spending cuts on the poor and elderly, while giving away massive tax breaks to the rich and well connected. And they want all of this after the business community was bailed out of the banking crisis with taxpayer funds -- the bailouts being the major cause of our increased debt levels. This is a ripe opportunity to play political arbitrage by the Dems, and they've used it to their advantage recently.
So here you have businesses sitting on free taxpayer (borrowed) cash and complaining about tax increases, while trying to force those same taxpayers to swallow cuts to essential social programs. People are beginning to see this as a disingenuous, not to mention fundamentally unfair, approach to fixing the economy.
Until this conundrum is resolved, America will continue to be in a stalemate over the debt and the structural adjustments we need to foster long term growth…and the bills will keep mounting.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/26/11
Our Government is on the verge of collapsing
BY: Armstrong Williams
The ensuing debate over spending, debt ceilings, and entitlement reforms holds far more than the process hostage. Our entire system of government hangs in a delicate balance.
Government does not create anything. It does not manufacture a good, or yield a product that’s traded on the open market. Instead, it confiscates our individual monies and redistributes those funds in a manner it deems best. So in that regard, money is the lifeblood of government; without which it essentially ceases to exist.
Hence the reason that this time, this current debate over repairing and repaying our national debt, is so critical. For if our government falls, the institutions that have come to rely on that “full faith and credit” guarantee are in turn, capable of collapsing as well.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Our Government is on the verge of collapsing
BY: Armstrong Williams
The ensuing debate over spending, debt ceilings, and entitlement reforms holds far more than the process hostage. Our entire system of government hangs in a delicate balance.
Government does not create anything. It does not manufacture a good, or yield a product that’s traded on the open market. Instead, it confiscates our individual monies and redistributes those funds in a manner it deems best. So in that regard, money is the lifeblood of government; without which it essentially ceases to exist.
Hence the reason that this time, this current debate over repairing and repaying our national debt, is so critical. For if our government falls, the institutions that have come to rely on that “full faith and credit” guarantee are in turn, capable of collapsing as well.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/25/11
Big-Business Religion
BY: Armstrong Williams
Big-Business Religion
Corporations and parishioners are increasingly coming together to spread the word of God and make money. All across the country, churches — once intimate places of spiritual interconnectedness — have been replaced by stadiums of worship that utilize advanced technological innovations to awe, edify and rip off those in attendance.
The jig goes something like this: Corporations underwrite the construction of vast religious complexes that awe people into regular attendance. The preacher's image is projected onto a big screen. His calm baritone is beamed out by state-of-the-art speakers. From all sides, his voice fills the room. The seats shake as he gives expression to the word of God.
It's a rousing experience to be sure, and one that is increasingly paid for by corporations. In return for their funding, the churches circulate corporate promotional calendars and fliers and, if the corporation is really lucky, broadcast an endorsement straight from the pulpit. Trusting the pastor's judgment, the flock simply surrenders its money to whatever service the corporation is hawking. In such a manner, countless Christians are fleeced every year.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Big-Business Religion
BY: Armstrong Williams
Big-Business Religion
Corporations and parishioners are increasingly coming together to spread the word of God and make money. All across the country, churches — once intimate places of spiritual interconnectedness — have been replaced by stadiums of worship that utilize advanced technological innovations to awe, edify and rip off those in attendance.
The jig goes something like this: Corporations underwrite the construction of vast religious complexes that awe people into regular attendance. The preacher's image is projected onto a big screen. His calm baritone is beamed out by state-of-the-art speakers. From all sides, his voice fills the room. The seats shake as he gives expression to the word of God.
It's a rousing experience to be sure, and one that is increasingly paid for by corporations. In return for their funding, the churches circulate corporate promotional calendars and fliers and, if the corporation is really lucky, broadcast an endorsement straight from the pulpit. Trusting the pastor's judgment, the flock simply surrenders its money to whatever service the corporation is hawking. In such a manner, countless Christians are fleeced every year.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/24/11
Special election with devastating consequences
BY: Armstrong Williams
A special election with significant consequences
A special election is being held today in New York’s 26th Congressional District, a seat once held by Rep. Chris Lee (R). You’ll recall Lee was the member forced to resign after pictures of his shirtless frame appeared on the Internet while he was soliciting sex, yet still happily married.
There’s no question the vote will be a nail biter. The reliably Republican district is a nail biter as Democrat Kate Hochul has whipped her opponent, Jane Corwin, silly with relentless attacks over her party’s support for Medicare reforms. Corwin has fought the good fight, but the Ryan plan she backs is definitely weighing her down. It’s understandable. The Ryan plan for Medicare is a tough political pill. Voters are anxious. And they’re also naïve.
Recriminations are already flowing from Republican enclaves here in Washington, as political insiders are going on the record (now, of all times) saying “they told you so” that the Medicare reforms were a non-winner.
Let’s face it folks, Medicare is broke. The non-partisan actuaries dropped a few more years from its life just last week. And here we have (seniors first among them) a set of voters that continues to want something for nothing.
I said as much when the GOP re-took control of the House late last year – if they think they are entering a new era of a “permanent majority” then they’re smoking something funny.
These are difficult times that demand serious leadership. The country saw that Democrats under Barack Obama are incapable of said leadership, so they reverted back to a party that was sober enough to admit we’re in a fiscal hurt locker.
And now, when the tough decisions come due, and voters are faced with the choice, they’re not liking the options. Republicans should count on that, and yet, they SHOULD STILL MOVE FORWARD!
Now is not the time for those of weak constitutions. Republicans didn’t get elected to then turn around and get re-elected two years later. Someone please show them the door if they believed anything but…
They were elected in 2010 to change this town. And to stare down the largest of federal leviathans – entitlement spending – and do something about it.
Now is the time to fix Medicare, and Social Security. Damn the fallout, let’s do the right thing!
If Democrats showed any courage, it was certainly on health care. The polls said it was a political stinker, and still they voted in lock-step for the measure. Now they think that one day they may be vindicated. Even if they're wrong (which they are), you have to hand it to them -- they felt in their heart of hearts they were doing the right thing. Can someone show a Republican that playbook?
The same argument could be made for Republicans and Medicare; only with this issue, history will prove them right. Fate does not reward nor assign hero status to those who merely continue the status quo. There are no milestones that mark monotony.
An argument could be made in the special election that conservative views in the form of a 3rd party, Tea Party, candidate is what will ultimately cause Corwin to lose if she does in fact fall tonight.
It's difficult to say if this race is a harbinger of things to come if Republicans don’t abandon their bid to reform Medicare. Yet one thing is certain, there may not be a better time to mend a broken program. And if Republicans let political expediency govern their decisions this year, our grandchildren will see a different Medicare alright…one that no longer exists because it went insolvent in 2024.
www.rightsidewire.com
Special election with devastating consequences
BY: Armstrong Williams
A special election with significant consequences
A special election is being held today in New York’s 26th Congressional District, a seat once held by Rep. Chris Lee (R). You’ll recall Lee was the member forced to resign after pictures of his shirtless frame appeared on the Internet while he was soliciting sex, yet still happily married.
There’s no question the vote will be a nail biter. The reliably Republican district is a nail biter as Democrat Kate Hochul has whipped her opponent, Jane Corwin, silly with relentless attacks over her party’s support for Medicare reforms. Corwin has fought the good fight, but the Ryan plan she backs is definitely weighing her down. It’s understandable. The Ryan plan for Medicare is a tough political pill. Voters are anxious. And they’re also naïve.
Recriminations are already flowing from Republican enclaves here in Washington, as political insiders are going on the record (now, of all times) saying “they told you so” that the Medicare reforms were a non-winner.
Let’s face it folks, Medicare is broke. The non-partisan actuaries dropped a few more years from its life just last week. And here we have (seniors first among them) a set of voters that continues to want something for nothing.
I said as much when the GOP re-took control of the House late last year – if they think they are entering a new era of a “permanent majority” then they’re smoking something funny.
These are difficult times that demand serious leadership. The country saw that Democrats under Barack Obama are incapable of said leadership, so they reverted back to a party that was sober enough to admit we’re in a fiscal hurt locker.
And now, when the tough decisions come due, and voters are faced with the choice, they’re not liking the options. Republicans should count on that, and yet, they SHOULD STILL MOVE FORWARD!
Now is not the time for those of weak constitutions. Republicans didn’t get elected to then turn around and get re-elected two years later. Someone please show them the door if they believed anything but…
They were elected in 2010 to change this town. And to stare down the largest of federal leviathans – entitlement spending – and do something about it.
Now is the time to fix Medicare, and Social Security. Damn the fallout, let’s do the right thing!
If Democrats showed any courage, it was certainly on health care. The polls said it was a political stinker, and still they voted in lock-step for the measure. Now they think that one day they may be vindicated. Even if they're wrong (which they are), you have to hand it to them -- they felt in their heart of hearts they were doing the right thing. Can someone show a Republican that playbook?
The same argument could be made for Republicans and Medicare; only with this issue, history will prove them right. Fate does not reward nor assign hero status to those who merely continue the status quo. There are no milestones that mark monotony.
An argument could be made in the special election that conservative views in the form of a 3rd party, Tea Party, candidate is what will ultimately cause Corwin to lose if she does in fact fall tonight.
It's difficult to say if this race is a harbinger of things to come if Republicans don’t abandon their bid to reform Medicare. Yet one thing is certain, there may not be a better time to mend a broken program. And if Republicans let political expediency govern their decisions this year, our grandchildren will see a different Medicare alright…one that no longer exists because it went insolvent in 2024.
www.rightsidewire.com
05/23/11
What's next for the California GOP?
BY: Armstrong Williams
What’s next for the California GOP?
The ignominious fall of former Governor and cheating husband Arnold Schwarzenegger is pretty pathetic in itself. As allegations of still more women who slept with the “governator” spring up (ahem), there’s one question that many political watchers should be asking – what’s next for the Republican Party in California?
I know what you’re thinking: “What does a Hollywood actor’s sexual peccadillos have to do with the state’s political party?” Nothing if you look at the question that way. But let’s be honest, until Arnold Schwarzenegger came along in that 70-something person gubernatorial race over seven years ago, the state’s Republicans were floundering.
Schwarzenegger did what no Republican has done since arguably Pete Wilson – unite the different factions of the party into one unified front. Even then, Schwarzenegger’s leadership in Sacramento was spotty at times. The state still faces billions in budget shortfalls and more runaway spending. And the GOP continues its infighting at the local levels.
The best, most recent indicators of that situation lie with the defeat of Republican challenger Meg Whitman by Jerry Brown for the right to succeed Schwarzenegger. One might say the state leans decidedly blue, but Jerry Brown? Wasn’t he governor back in the 80s?? C’mon folks. This guy gives new meaning to the term “also-ran”.
Taken a step further, Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein are probably at their weakest politically in years, and still no Republican challenger has given these two a run for their money.
A lot hinges on the national party paying attention to the largest state in the union. If left to those inside the state to continue handling how Republicans fare, it could pose serious problems come next November in the presidential election. Even if the electoral-rich state goes for President Obama, how the process of winning California unfolds could mean the difference between millions more invested there by Democrats. If the Obama camp faces any friction at all next year given the overall mood of Americans, they may be forced to spend tens of millions extra in a state that would otherwise go handily for the president.
And without a national, fairly popular Republican such as Schwarzenegger keeping Democrats honest, that could prove problematic for the national party.
Waiting until next fall to decide if the Republican nominee wants to contest Obama in California will be too late. Republicans should take the steps now to soften the ground politically for their nominee. That begins with elevating lesser-known but smart pols such as House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy into the media spotlight. These small but smart moves now will help come next year.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
What's next for the California GOP?
BY: Armstrong Williams
What’s next for the California GOP?
The ignominious fall of former Governor and cheating husband Arnold Schwarzenegger is pretty pathetic in itself. As allegations of still more women who slept with the “governator” spring up (ahem), there’s one question that many political watchers should be asking – what’s next for the Republican Party in California?
I know what you’re thinking: “What does a Hollywood actor’s sexual peccadillos have to do with the state’s political party?” Nothing if you look at the question that way. But let’s be honest, until Arnold Schwarzenegger came along in that 70-something person gubernatorial race over seven years ago, the state’s Republicans were floundering.
Schwarzenegger did what no Republican has done since arguably Pete Wilson – unite the different factions of the party into one unified front. Even then, Schwarzenegger’s leadership in Sacramento was spotty at times. The state still faces billions in budget shortfalls and more runaway spending. And the GOP continues its infighting at the local levels.
The best, most recent indicators of that situation lie with the defeat of Republican challenger Meg Whitman by Jerry Brown for the right to succeed Schwarzenegger. One might say the state leans decidedly blue, but Jerry Brown? Wasn’t he governor back in the 80s?? C’mon folks. This guy gives new meaning to the term “also-ran”.
Taken a step further, Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein are probably at their weakest politically in years, and still no Republican challenger has given these two a run for their money.
A lot hinges on the national party paying attention to the largest state in the union. If left to those inside the state to continue handling how Republicans fare, it could pose serious problems come next November in the presidential election. Even if the electoral-rich state goes for President Obama, how the process of winning California unfolds could mean the difference between millions more invested there by Democrats. If the Obama camp faces any friction at all next year given the overall mood of Americans, they may be forced to spend tens of millions extra in a state that would otherwise go handily for the president.
And without a national, fairly popular Republican such as Schwarzenegger keeping Democrats honest, that could prove problematic for the national party.
Waiting until next fall to decide if the Republican nominee wants to contest Obama in California will be too late. Republicans should take the steps now to soften the ground politically for their nominee. That begins with elevating lesser-known but smart pols such as House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy into the media spotlight. These small but smart moves now will help come next year.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/20/11
Imperfect Experts
BY: Armstrong Williams
Imperfect Experts
It’s obvious by now that the latest collapse of the U.S. stock market and the ensuing recession was spearheaded by experts – those same people who received fancy degrees from Ivy League institutions. They sold the public on their complex mathematical models purporting to show huge profits – all the while masking the risk of a total blow up. In many respects, this is the societal effect of a miseducated population. It is the result of an over-reliance by many people on the advice of experts, and the reliance of those experts on theoretical constructs that have little bearing on the real world. It is a classic case of mistaking the map for the territory. Popular writer and educator Nassim Taleb, when describing the cause of the market collapse, was blunter. He aptly describes it as a case of “scholarship without erudition.”
Taleb’s argument is simple yet nuanced. By concentrating for a long time on complex problems, experts tend to become experts in solving known problems -- such as the probability of winning a casino game (where all of the possibilities are known). But this tunnel view prevents them from considering the broader factors that account for real world events in which there is no complete information – be it business performance, the stock market, or the riskiness of complex financial derivatives. In part, it is the level of education that deludes them into believing that they can manage the complexity of making large bets for small gains.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Imperfect Experts
BY: Armstrong Williams
Imperfect Experts
It’s obvious by now that the latest collapse of the U.S. stock market and the ensuing recession was spearheaded by experts – those same people who received fancy degrees from Ivy League institutions. They sold the public on their complex mathematical models purporting to show huge profits – all the while masking the risk of a total blow up. In many respects, this is the societal effect of a miseducated population. It is the result of an over-reliance by many people on the advice of experts, and the reliance of those experts on theoretical constructs that have little bearing on the real world. It is a classic case of mistaking the map for the territory. Popular writer and educator Nassim Taleb, when describing the cause of the market collapse, was blunter. He aptly describes it as a case of “scholarship without erudition.”
Taleb’s argument is simple yet nuanced. By concentrating for a long time on complex problems, experts tend to become experts in solving known problems -- such as the probability of winning a casino game (where all of the possibilities are known). But this tunnel view prevents them from considering the broader factors that account for real world events in which there is no complete information – be it business performance, the stock market, or the riskiness of complex financial derivatives. In part, it is the level of education that deludes them into believing that they can manage the complexity of making large bets for small gains.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/19/11
Herman Cain moves up
BY: Armstrong Williams
Herman Cain moves up
What’s wrong with Newt Gingrich these days? Barely a week after kicking off his triumphant procession of intellectual conservatism in action, the former Speaker of the House gaffes on the one show he used to dust in his sleep – Meet the Press.
Medicare must be Gingrich’s Achilles heel. Even years following his “wither on the vine” line, he now calls the one reasonable plan to save Medicare “right-wing social engineering” as though he copied it off The New Republic’s website.
Then on Tuesday, he apparently hosts a conference call to say he didn’t mean it. Gingrich was just joshing. So can we please move on now with the business of picking a Republican who can beat Barack Obama?
I’m sorry, but you don’t get a free pass after that sort of week. This legislative brainiac has been on Meet the Press no fewer than 34 times through the years, and he follows his appearance by saying “it didn’t occur to me going in that you’d have a series of setups.”…?? Please.
Okay, I’ll let it go. But it is the missteps and just plain dumb moves like that which make the candidacy of a Herman Cain – the proclaimed winner of South Carolina’s GOP presidential debate – look increasingly appealing by the day.
Words like “articulate” “measured” and “sensible” have been used by my viewers and radio show listeners to describe Cain’s fledgling, almost Quixotic pursuit of the presidency.
It’s fair to say that candidates such as Cain have a tough race in front of them, but isn’t that what the race for the presidency should be about? The rise of the lesser-known because he wants to better this country? In some twisted way, wasn’t that the most appealing part of Donald Trump – he knew how to run a business and tell it like it is?
Is Herman Cain, a CEO of a major franchise, the Donald-lite of this 2012 election? Does he have all the attractive qualities of an M.B.A. type minus the ego (and the hair)?
The lesson of Newt Gingrich’s policy foibles this past weekend prove this Republican race is wide open. But one thing is clear – the party needs to quickly separate the wheat from the chaff, because Obama’s presidential campaign is having one good laugh right now at their expense.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Herman Cain moves up
BY: Armstrong Williams
Herman Cain moves up
What’s wrong with Newt Gingrich these days? Barely a week after kicking off his triumphant procession of intellectual conservatism in action, the former Speaker of the House gaffes on the one show he used to dust in his sleep – Meet the Press.
Medicare must be Gingrich’s Achilles heel. Even years following his “wither on the vine” line, he now calls the one reasonable plan to save Medicare “right-wing social engineering” as though he copied it off The New Republic’s website.
Then on Tuesday, he apparently hosts a conference call to say he didn’t mean it. Gingrich was just joshing. So can we please move on now with the business of picking a Republican who can beat Barack Obama?
I’m sorry, but you don’t get a free pass after that sort of week. This legislative brainiac has been on Meet the Press no fewer than 34 times through the years, and he follows his appearance by saying “it didn’t occur to me going in that you’d have a series of setups.”…?? Please.
Okay, I’ll let it go. But it is the missteps and just plain dumb moves like that which make the candidacy of a Herman Cain – the proclaimed winner of South Carolina’s GOP presidential debate – look increasingly appealing by the day.
Words like “articulate” “measured” and “sensible” have been used by my viewers and radio show listeners to describe Cain’s fledgling, almost Quixotic pursuit of the presidency.
It’s fair to say that candidates such as Cain have a tough race in front of them, but isn’t that what the race for the presidency should be about? The rise of the lesser-known because he wants to better this country? In some twisted way, wasn’t that the most appealing part of Donald Trump – he knew how to run a business and tell it like it is?
Is Herman Cain, a CEO of a major franchise, the Donald-lite of this 2012 election? Does he have all the attractive qualities of an M.B.A. type minus the ego (and the hair)?
The lesson of Newt Gingrich’s policy foibles this past weekend prove this Republican race is wide open. But one thing is clear – the party needs to quickly separate the wheat from the chaff, because Obama’s presidential campaign is having one good laugh right now at their expense.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/18/11
What is the future of American Prosperity?
BY: Armstrong Williams
What is the future of American Prosperity?
The US has too many lawyers, entertainers, would be sports players, writers, government workers, etc. We have a dearth of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, stonemasons, bricklayers, nurses, indigenous American MDs, skilled factory workers and engineers. Our educational system is not training our students for jobs in the 21st century. Our youth, our future, are unable to meet the demands of our market-based economy.
Too many of our youth get caught up in glitz glamour and shortcuts; the life of Aesop's Hare. Yet that is not the way that the United States achieved prosperity, the United States of America is the greatest country in the history of the world due to the hard work, moral striving, and and unprecedented diligence of its people; the life of Aesop's Tortoise. Many of our founding fathers were craftsmen themselves and they understood the value of being skilled at a trade. Working hard and toiling long hours until they achieved excellence at any given thing.
Contemporary United States culture is all about the easy dollar and simple life, it is the rare soul who wishes to let blood, sweat, and tears for the sake of achievement, and it is those rare few that are the success stories we take pride in who continues to build and strengthen our nation. The question is, if we take so much pride in the few of us that prove hard work and diligence pays time and time again then why are there so many of us that scoff at the notion of commitment to continued excellence and execution?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
What is the future of American Prosperity?
BY: Armstrong Williams
What is the future of American Prosperity?
The US has too many lawyers, entertainers, would be sports players, writers, government workers, etc. We have a dearth of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, stonemasons, bricklayers, nurses, indigenous American MDs, skilled factory workers and engineers. Our educational system is not training our students for jobs in the 21st century. Our youth, our future, are unable to meet the demands of our market-based economy.
Too many of our youth get caught up in glitz glamour and shortcuts; the life of Aesop's Hare. Yet that is not the way that the United States achieved prosperity, the United States of America is the greatest country in the history of the world due to the hard work, moral striving, and and unprecedented diligence of its people; the life of Aesop's Tortoise. Many of our founding fathers were craftsmen themselves and they understood the value of being skilled at a trade. Working hard and toiling long hours until they achieved excellence at any given thing.
Contemporary United States culture is all about the easy dollar and simple life, it is the rare soul who wishes to let blood, sweat, and tears for the sake of achievement, and it is those rare few that are the success stories we take pride in who continues to build and strengthen our nation. The question is, if we take so much pride in the few of us that prove hard work and diligence pays time and time again then why are there so many of us that scoff at the notion of commitment to continued excellence and execution?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/16/11
What the Huckabee decision means
BY: Armstrong Williams
What the Huckabee decision means
The political world caught its breath over the weekend regarding Mike Huckabee’s decision not to seek the Republican nomination for the presidency. To many, it was a non-news event. They had predicted all along the former Arkansas governor was just too cozy in his popular TV environment to hit the hustings in what promises to be a smash-mouth affair.
Let’s acknowledge that point. Let’s also acknowledge that this GOP race is wide open. But we knew that before Huckabee made his announcement.
What we don’t know right now is who’s in the best position to capture a solid portion of the Republican base – the Southern states?
Mike Huckabee spoke to a large segment of that population, in addition to coming from the area, his folksy preaching style mesmerized many and connected with the Southern voter on multiple levels, not the least of which was a firm faith in God and an evangelical flair.
The only other Southern candidate in the race – Newt Gingrich from Georgia – lacks those key traits. Yes, it’s no secret Gingrich has been trying for years to restore the luster his very presence brought to the political realm. But this is one area where the former Speaker’s trysts rise up and haunt him.
Folks in the South have a real problem with that infidelity factor, and they don’t tend to dismiss hypocrisy so quickly.
Add to the calculus the fact that Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is no longer in the race, and the Southern vote seems ripe for the picking if the right candidate comes along to appeal to their issues.
All the candidates know this. The real trick is deciding what secures the largest segments of that voting bloc. Is it an appeal to the basics of the Founding Fathers, which was rooted in the Protestant work ethic and other biblical teachings? How about a more direct appeal to touchstone issues such as abortion and gun control?
As pressing as topics such as high gas prices, runaway government spending, and America’s questionable place in the world, one would think these “old-school” political bones have out-lived their appeal.
Yet it may serve a Mitt Romney well to re-tool some of his campaign speeches toward a spiritual message – something that, on the surface at least, hearkens back to his own Mormon religion and the deep theological premises both Mormonism and other Protestant-based religions stand upon.
Look, it’s too early to gauge just what will sway a Southern voter, let alone if it will have broad appeal. The South today looks far different than even the early 2000’s when George W. Bush beat back an aggressive challenge from Sen. John McCain. Don’t believe me? Just look at how North Carolina and Virginia voted in the last presidential…
But chance favors the best prepared. And the road to the GOP nomination may once again run straight through the Bible Belt.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
What the Huckabee decision means
BY: Armstrong Williams
What the Huckabee decision means
The political world caught its breath over the weekend regarding Mike Huckabee’s decision not to seek the Republican nomination for the presidency. To many, it was a non-news event. They had predicted all along the former Arkansas governor was just too cozy in his popular TV environment to hit the hustings in what promises to be a smash-mouth affair.
Let’s acknowledge that point. Let’s also acknowledge that this GOP race is wide open. But we knew that before Huckabee made his announcement.
What we don’t know right now is who’s in the best position to capture a solid portion of the Republican base – the Southern states?
Mike Huckabee spoke to a large segment of that population, in addition to coming from the area, his folksy preaching style mesmerized many and connected with the Southern voter on multiple levels, not the least of which was a firm faith in God and an evangelical flair.
The only other Southern candidate in the race – Newt Gingrich from Georgia – lacks those key traits. Yes, it’s no secret Gingrich has been trying for years to restore the luster his very presence brought to the political realm. But this is one area where the former Speaker’s trysts rise up and haunt him.
Folks in the South have a real problem with that infidelity factor, and they don’t tend to dismiss hypocrisy so quickly.
Add to the calculus the fact that Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is no longer in the race, and the Southern vote seems ripe for the picking if the right candidate comes along to appeal to their issues.
All the candidates know this. The real trick is deciding what secures the largest segments of that voting bloc. Is it an appeal to the basics of the Founding Fathers, which was rooted in the Protestant work ethic and other biblical teachings? How about a more direct appeal to touchstone issues such as abortion and gun control?
As pressing as topics such as high gas prices, runaway government spending, and America’s questionable place in the world, one would think these “old-school” political bones have out-lived their appeal.
Yet it may serve a Mitt Romney well to re-tool some of his campaign speeches toward a spiritual message – something that, on the surface at least, hearkens back to his own Mormon religion and the deep theological premises both Mormonism and other Protestant-based religions stand upon.
Look, it’s too early to gauge just what will sway a Southern voter, let alone if it will have broad appeal. The South today looks far different than even the early 2000’s when George W. Bush beat back an aggressive challenge from Sen. John McCain. Don’t believe me? Just look at how North Carolina and Virginia voted in the last presidential…
But chance favors the best prepared. And the road to the GOP nomination may once again run straight through the Bible Belt.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/13/11
The week that was in Washington
BY: Armstrong Williams
The week that was in Washington
Today is Friday the 13th, but after the sort of events we’ve seen here in town and around the country, one would think the entire week was cursed with oddities and questionable decisions…at least for politics.
Perhaps the oddest move of the week rests again at the doorstep of the White House. This time, the Justice Department’s decision to allow family members to visit detainees at Guantanamo Bay. I can’t figure this one out, folks. Less than 10 days after destroying the world’s top terrorists, we give the guy a proper Muslim burial (because the radical Islamists will appreciate our gesture…not), and now we want to allow other would-be terrorists to spend time with family members? What kind of message does that send? Who is it meant to please? What’s next – conjugal visits with some of the virgins promised these murderers before the after-life? I don’t get it.
It’s almost as if the Obama Administration can’t let a good deed go without having to follow-up behind it with some bone-headed move meant to appease not Americans, but some other constituency that gave this president his Nobel peace prize. I’m not sure who’s whispering into the president’s ear, but I can’t believe they’re thinking these moves thorough in an election year.
If this week is an indication of what’s to come, you better strap yourselves in for a long and wild ride, folks.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The week that was in Washington
BY: Armstrong Williams
The week that was in Washington
Today is Friday the 13th, but after the sort of events we’ve seen here in town and around the country, one would think the entire week was cursed with oddities and questionable decisions…at least for politics.
Perhaps the oddest move of the week rests again at the doorstep of the White House. This time, the Justice Department’s decision to allow family members to visit detainees at Guantanamo Bay. I can’t figure this one out, folks. Less than 10 days after destroying the world’s top terrorists, we give the guy a proper Muslim burial (because the radical Islamists will appreciate our gesture…not), and now we want to allow other would-be terrorists to spend time with family members? What kind of message does that send? Who is it meant to please? What’s next – conjugal visits with some of the virgins promised these murderers before the after-life? I don’t get it.
It’s almost as if the Obama Administration can’t let a good deed go without having to follow-up behind it with some bone-headed move meant to appease not Americans, but some other constituency that gave this president his Nobel peace prize. I’m not sure who’s whispering into the president’s ear, but I can’t believe they’re thinking these moves thorough in an election year.
If this week is an indication of what’s to come, you better strap yourselves in for a long and wild ride, folks.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/12/11
The Economics of Marriage
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Economics of Marriage
Currently, our culture is concerned with our three front wars, education, health care,
the assassination of Bin Laden, and the economy -- and rightfully so. All of these things are
critical to the success of our nation. That being true, preserving the
institution of marriage is the single most important issue facing our country
today, because it strengthens our social foundations. A strong marriage creates
a strong household; a strong household produces strong children; and strong
children produce a strong society. It's a cycle that has been forgotten or
ignored the past 50 years. But until our leaders start fighting for marriage in
Congress, our churches start focusing on marriage in their places of worship,
and each of us start working on our own marriages in our households, our country
will continue to fall short.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The Economics of Marriage
BY: Armstrong Williams
The Economics of Marriage
Currently, our culture is concerned with our three front wars, education, health care,
the assassination of Bin Laden, and the economy -- and rightfully so. All of these things are
critical to the success of our nation. That being true, preserving the
institution of marriage is the single most important issue facing our country
today, because it strengthens our social foundations. A strong marriage creates
a strong household; a strong household produces strong children; and strong
children produce a strong society. It's a cycle that has been forgotten or
ignored the past 50 years. But until our leaders start fighting for marriage in
Congress, our churches start focusing on marriage in their places of worship,
and each of us start working on our own marriages in our households, our country
will continue to fall short.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/11/11
Excuses Justify doing nothing
BY: Armstrong Williams
Excuses Justify doing nothing
You don't make money by making excuses for your or other people's poverty. You make money by finding market based solutions to the issues and causes of poverty. Excuses justify doing nothing. This implies that it's someone else's fault. It could very well be someone else's fault, but it won't solve the problem. People in poverty and people who want to help them need to find market based solutions which incentivizes responses to opportunities. There are many opportunities to make money in the world, from the young shoe shine boy with his kit looking for customers on main street, to the software engineer who writes a sensational program for social networking. Both are individuals responding to opportunities in the market. They are fulfilling a need and therefore deserve to be duly compensated.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Excuses Justify doing nothing
BY: Armstrong Williams
Excuses Justify doing nothing
You don't make money by making excuses for your or other people's poverty. You make money by finding market based solutions to the issues and causes of poverty. Excuses justify doing nothing. This implies that it's someone else's fault. It could very well be someone else's fault, but it won't solve the problem. People in poverty and people who want to help them need to find market based solutions which incentivizes responses to opportunities. There are many opportunities to make money in the world, from the young shoe shine boy with his kit looking for customers on main street, to the software engineer who writes a sensational program for social networking. Both are individuals responding to opportunities in the market. They are fulfilling a need and therefore deserve to be duly compensated.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius Power 128, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/10/11
Black Sabotage
BY: Armstrong Williams
Black Sabotage.
The civil rights movement was born out of an intense struggle to enjoy those basic human rights we associate with happiness. Early leaders of the movement settled on the theory that American society was primarily characterized by racism and that American institutions were grounded in the maintenance of racial privilege. Many of the black politicians who swept into office on the heels of the movement consciously embodied this organizing principle. Their legislative remedies were predicated on the belief that the problems of black people, whether its high crime rates, drug use, poor educational performance, were, primarily, if not entirely, the result of white racism. Their obligation was to promote and protect their constituents by offering remedies to specific aspects of racial discrimination (i.e., segregated schools, disparity in pay, public accommodations, etc.) In other words, they wed their legitimacy to the belief that all the problems confronting blacks were rooted in racism.
To this day, many black officeholders depend on the perception of on-going, widespread racism in order to remain competitive in the electoral process. They underplay the dramatic improvements in economic and social status experienced by blacks over the last 40 years. Large numbers of their constituents, particularly those who came to age during the overt racism of the past half century, continue to believe that the problems confronting the black lower class stem primarily from racism.
Herein lies the greatest missed opportunity of the civil rights movement. They never prepared for the day when America would find the moral compass to embrace minorities as their equals. Their entire public image, their very legitimacy as political and cultural spokespersons--was predicated on the rhetoric of a black versus white war. As Justice Clarence Thomas once observed, the [civil rights] revolution missed a larger point by merely changing the status [of minorities] from invisible to victimized.
Tragically, this point was also missed by the pop culture, which glorifies images of black misogyny, violence and victimization. We hold up gansta rappers as models of achievement. Hey, they’re just keeping it real we say. Meanwhile our children stare at these sociopaths with adoring eyes. They emulate their mean sense of entitlement, their broken English, and their violence, because this is what the popular culture tells us it means to be black. How tragic!!!
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Black Sabotage
BY: Armstrong Williams
Black Sabotage.
The civil rights movement was born out of an intense struggle to enjoy those basic human rights we associate with happiness. Early leaders of the movement settled on the theory that American society was primarily characterized by racism and that American institutions were grounded in the maintenance of racial privilege. Many of the black politicians who swept into office on the heels of the movement consciously embodied this organizing principle. Their legislative remedies were predicated on the belief that the problems of black people, whether its high crime rates, drug use, poor educational performance, were, primarily, if not entirely, the result of white racism. Their obligation was to promote and protect their constituents by offering remedies to specific aspects of racial discrimination (i.e., segregated schools, disparity in pay, public accommodations, etc.) In other words, they wed their legitimacy to the belief that all the problems confronting blacks were rooted in racism.
To this day, many black officeholders depend on the perception of on-going, widespread racism in order to remain competitive in the electoral process. They underplay the dramatic improvements in economic and social status experienced by blacks over the last 40 years. Large numbers of their constituents, particularly those who came to age during the overt racism of the past half century, continue to believe that the problems confronting the black lower class stem primarily from racism.
Herein lies the greatest missed opportunity of the civil rights movement. They never prepared for the day when America would find the moral compass to embrace minorities as their equals. Their entire public image, their very legitimacy as political and cultural spokespersons--was predicated on the rhetoric of a black versus white war. As Justice Clarence Thomas once observed, the [civil rights] revolution missed a larger point by merely changing the status [of minorities] from invisible to victimized.
Tragically, this point was also missed by the pop culture, which glorifies images of black misogyny, violence and victimization. We hold up gansta rappers as models of achievement. Hey, they’re just keeping it real we say. Meanwhile our children stare at these sociopaths with adoring eyes. They emulate their mean sense of entitlement, their broken English, and their violence, because this is what the popular culture tells us it means to be black. How tragic!!!
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/09/11
Poor form in Louisiana
BY: Armstrong Williams
Poor form in Louisiana
Back in April, two Louisiana state Republican legislators introduced a “birther” bill clearly to score some political points and try to make themselves relevant, I suppose. Specifically, the measure required that any presidential candidate seeking to be on the Louisiana ballot would need to swear out an affidavit that he was in fact a U.S. citizen, then offer a birth certificate to validate the claim.
Less than a week later, the office of Governor Bobby Jindal said he would sign the bill if it made it to his desk.
I have just one question surrounding this issue, “Are you serious?”
Why Louisiana? Other states are considering similar measures, so the foolishness of such a move is not lost solely down on the Bayou. But come on folks. Doesn’t the state’s lawmakers have enough to worry about with unemployment, high gas prices and other pressing domestic concerns to be moving legislation that will not improve one life inside its borders? Not to mention the ongoing clean-up from the BP oil spill that continues to haunt every major industry along the Gulf.
This is bad politics turned into bad policy. And it needs to stop.
But wait, it gets more laughable. Less than two weeks after President Obama succumbs to some invisible pressure to settle once and for all his own birth on American soil, Governor Jindal somehow feels compelled to do the same.
We all knew Jindal is of Indian origins, but that’s where it ended. No one ever questioned his citizenship. So why does he choose to release his own birth certificate over the weekend? His office was apparently responding to an editorial in a local New Orleans newspaper that said Jindal might face similar “birther” questions should he ever decide to run for president if a Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) bill ever became law.
But here, again, bad politics and bad policy meet. No one honestly believes Sen. Vitter’s bill will go anywhere in the U.S. Senate. In fact, there are some who would just as soon see Vitter himself leave the august body given his recent peccadillos.
And now the astute governor takes this weak bait and responds? What’s sad here is this latest move by Governor Jindal says more about his political rookie-ness than any desire to run for the highest office in the land.
I'm sure the voters want to see an Obama-Jindal debate where the two spend an hour talking about who's more "American" than the other...
Republicans need to think long and hard about what their agenda is going to be moving into this presidential election cycle. So far, I haven't heard much by way of substance, and heaven knows there's plenty of issues to talk about.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Poor form in Louisiana
BY: Armstrong Williams
Poor form in Louisiana
Back in April, two Louisiana state Republican legislators introduced a “birther” bill clearly to score some political points and try to make themselves relevant, I suppose. Specifically, the measure required that any presidential candidate seeking to be on the Louisiana ballot would need to swear out an affidavit that he was in fact a U.S. citizen, then offer a birth certificate to validate the claim.
Less than a week later, the office of Governor Bobby Jindal said he would sign the bill if it made it to his desk.
I have just one question surrounding this issue, “Are you serious?”
Why Louisiana? Other states are considering similar measures, so the foolishness of such a move is not lost solely down on the Bayou. But come on folks. Doesn’t the state’s lawmakers have enough to worry about with unemployment, high gas prices and other pressing domestic concerns to be moving legislation that will not improve one life inside its borders? Not to mention the ongoing clean-up from the BP oil spill that continues to haunt every major industry along the Gulf.
This is bad politics turned into bad policy. And it needs to stop.
But wait, it gets more laughable. Less than two weeks after President Obama succumbs to some invisible pressure to settle once and for all his own birth on American soil, Governor Jindal somehow feels compelled to do the same.
We all knew Jindal is of Indian origins, but that’s where it ended. No one ever questioned his citizenship. So why does he choose to release his own birth certificate over the weekend? His office was apparently responding to an editorial in a local New Orleans newspaper that said Jindal might face similar “birther” questions should he ever decide to run for president if a Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) bill ever became law.
But here, again, bad politics and bad policy meet. No one honestly believes Sen. Vitter’s bill will go anywhere in the U.S. Senate. In fact, there are some who would just as soon see Vitter himself leave the august body given his recent peccadillos.
And now the astute governor takes this weak bait and responds? What’s sad here is this latest move by Governor Jindal says more about his political rookie-ness than any desire to run for the highest office in the land.
I'm sure the voters want to see an Obama-Jindal debate where the two spend an hour talking about who's more "American" than the other...
Republicans need to think long and hard about what their agenda is going to be moving into this presidential election cycle. So far, I haven't heard much by way of substance, and heaven knows there's plenty of issues to talk about.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/08/11
Greatest wonder of them all, a Mother's Love
BY: Armstrong Williams
Greatest wonder of them all, A Mother's Love.
My Mother, now in her 80’s, is sweet and adorable and is in much more need of her children than ever before. Yes, she gives the impression that she’s still tough and independent, but the simple things remind me that she’s getting older and that I need to enjoy every waking moment with her.
Knowing that we all have an anointed time on this earth I make each day and moment count with my Mother and other mothers that have mentored me along the way. Every morning without interruption, at 5 AM I call my Mother and it’s as if she’s hearing from me for the first time. She’s having cataract surgery soon and I made it clear that I would be home to be by her side. Her response, “son, I sure appreciate it.”
The sadness of all of this is that so many sons and daughters these days go through life never understanding what it means to really have loved and been loved unconditionally by the progenitors of our society. The Bible’s definition of love could not have described a mother’s love for her children more poignantly.
My siblings and I never have to wonder where our blessing lies in life because just hearing her gentle voice or seeing her caring face is a reminder of all the love we’ve received. In my lifetime, I have seen five of the original seven wonders of the world: Taj Mahal, the Pyramids, the ruins of the Parthenon, the Great Wall of China, and what’s left of the hanging gardens of Babylon. Those are incredible and magnificent creations, but I’ve concluded that the greatest wonder of them all is a Mother’s love.
Greatest wonder of them all, a Mother's Love
BY: Armstrong Williams
Greatest wonder of them all, A Mother's Love.
My Mother, now in her 80’s, is sweet and adorable and is in much more need of her children than ever before. Yes, she gives the impression that she’s still tough and independent, but the simple things remind me that she’s getting older and that I need to enjoy every waking moment with her.
Knowing that we all have an anointed time on this earth I make each day and moment count with my Mother and other mothers that have mentored me along the way. Every morning without interruption, at 5 AM I call my Mother and it’s as if she’s hearing from me for the first time. She’s having cataract surgery soon and I made it clear that I would be home to be by her side. Her response, “son, I sure appreciate it.”
The sadness of all of this is that so many sons and daughters these days go through life never understanding what it means to really have loved and been loved unconditionally by the progenitors of our society. The Bible’s definition of love could not have described a mother’s love for her children more poignantly.
My siblings and I never have to wonder where our blessing lies in life because just hearing her gentle voice or seeing her caring face is a reminder of all the love we’ve received. In my lifetime, I have seen five of the original seven wonders of the world: Taj Mahal, the Pyramids, the ruins of the Parthenon, the Great Wall of China, and what’s left of the hanging gardens of Babylon. Those are incredible and magnificent creations, but I’ve concluded that the greatest wonder of them all is a Mother’s love.
05/06/11
IRAQ---Should we Go or Stay
BY: Armstrong Williams
IRAQ --Should we Go or Stay?
The United States is clearly willing, but the Iraqi people and more problematically Iraq's Council of Representatives must take the steps necessary to allow some U.S. forces to remain. It is definitely in their interest and ours... A half century later we maintain thousands of troops in South Korea and one must question the logic of not maintaining a similiar partnership with Iraq --- especially in the next five years. With an ever expanding Iran and a seemingly endless number of nefarious extremist elements operating in the Middle East -- If we abruptly close up shop in Iraq how does this play out?
IRAQ Should we Go or Stay?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
IRAQ---Should we Go or Stay
BY: Armstrong Williams
IRAQ --Should we Go or Stay?
The United States is clearly willing, but the Iraqi people and more problematically Iraq's Council of Representatives must take the steps necessary to allow some U.S. forces to remain. It is definitely in their interest and ours... A half century later we maintain thousands of troops in South Korea and one must question the logic of not maintaining a similiar partnership with Iraq --- especially in the next five years. With an ever expanding Iran and a seemingly endless number of nefarious extremist elements operating in the Middle East -- If we abruptly close up shop in Iraq how does this play out?
IRAQ Should we Go or Stay?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/05/11
Previewing tonight's GOP debates
BY: Armstrong Williams
Previewing tonight’s GOP debates
Say what you will about the debate tonight in my home state of South Carolina. Question the depth of the star power if you must. You may even wonder aloud if topics that matter most to the average American voter will come up (anyone for a few birther questions?). But one thing is certain – a winner will emerge.
And for one of the five in attendance, that could mean a nice shot in the arm. However, the boost will benefit and sustain some candidates more than others.
Put another way, there are essentially only two individuals tonight who need this win. Of the five, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty have the most to gain (and lose) tonight. On paper, they blow away the rest of the admittedly weak field. They have the background and time spent in the true public spotlight and legislative arenas to mount legitimate campaigns.
I’d wager that no one could even name the state Gary Johnson presided over, much less the public office he held (New Mexico’s governor). Former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza Herman Cain puts new meaning to the word “longshot.” And then there’s Texas congressman Ron Paul. What can you say about him. He can definitely mobilize a conservative voting bloc, but in terms of broad appeal and an agenda that would attract the much-needed vote of independents, he misses the mark.
Tonight is also a laboratory for myriad attack lines against President Obama. Rest assured the political wordsmiths will be rolling out new themes and messages to see which ones stick.
Will Mitt Romney and Donald Trump be watching? They’d be fools not to. It’s the beginning of the presidential selection process for the GOP. More importantly, FOX News will be covering it. That’s a direct line to millions of primary voters in key states.
So despite the impressiveness of the slate of contenders tonight, traction will be gained, messages will be tested, and one candidate may begin to see the stars aligning in his favor…
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Previewing tonight's GOP debates
BY: Armstrong Williams
Previewing tonight’s GOP debates
Say what you will about the debate tonight in my home state of South Carolina. Question the depth of the star power if you must. You may even wonder aloud if topics that matter most to the average American voter will come up (anyone for a few birther questions?). But one thing is certain – a winner will emerge.
And for one of the five in attendance, that could mean a nice shot in the arm. However, the boost will benefit and sustain some candidates more than others.
Put another way, there are essentially only two individuals tonight who need this win. Of the five, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty have the most to gain (and lose) tonight. On paper, they blow away the rest of the admittedly weak field. They have the background and time spent in the true public spotlight and legislative arenas to mount legitimate campaigns.
I’d wager that no one could even name the state Gary Johnson presided over, much less the public office he held (New Mexico’s governor). Former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza Herman Cain puts new meaning to the word “longshot.” And then there’s Texas congressman Ron Paul. What can you say about him. He can definitely mobilize a conservative voting bloc, but in terms of broad appeal and an agenda that would attract the much-needed vote of independents, he misses the mark.
Tonight is also a laboratory for myriad attack lines against President Obama. Rest assured the political wordsmiths will be rolling out new themes and messages to see which ones stick.
Will Mitt Romney and Donald Trump be watching? They’d be fools not to. It’s the beginning of the presidential selection process for the GOP. More importantly, FOX News will be covering it. That’s a direct line to millions of primary voters in key states.
So despite the impressiveness of the slate of contenders tonight, traction will be gained, messages will be tested, and one candidate may begin to see the stars aligning in his favor…
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/03/11
Quite a week for Western Civilization
BY: Armstrong Williams
Quite a week for Western Civilization
From my perspective, this has been a remarkable three days this weekend. Two central institutions of Western civilization were affirmed: the Roman Catholic Church (what remains of the Roman Empire); and the British monarchy (the symbol of the British Empire); and the slaying of Osama bin Laden (the leading western antagonist of the Islamic strain) with the implements of western technical prowess.
The Roman Empire and the British Empire were the incubator and primary global distributor, respectively, of the essentials of western civilization: Judeo-Christian ethics and Christianity, classical learning, technology, and, latterly, liberal democracy and market economics/free trade. T o watch a million people in London (outstripping even the attendance at the 1981 wedding of Charles-Diana), and an estimated two million in Rome for the beatification of Pope John Paul II was an indication that though both are under challenge, these central institutions of western-ism have a remarkable resilience and ability still to captivate.
The killing of bin Laden indicates that the US – today’s primary exemplar of ‘the West’ – still has the ability to stalk its enemies, and to liquidate them. That this took over a decade in the case of bin Laden is a tribute to the assiduousness of American administrations of both parties to accomplish this goal. While so many are pointing particularly to China (whose growth, though large, is, I believe, premised on a financial house of cards) and the passing of the West, these last three days show something remarkable: a West still intact, still predominant, and still the central actor on the world stage.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Quite a week for Western Civilization
BY: Armstrong Williams
Quite a week for Western Civilization
From my perspective, this has been a remarkable three days this weekend. Two central institutions of Western civilization were affirmed: the Roman Catholic Church (what remains of the Roman Empire); and the British monarchy (the symbol of the British Empire); and the slaying of Osama bin Laden (the leading western antagonist of the Islamic strain) with the implements of western technical prowess.
The Roman Empire and the British Empire were the incubator and primary global distributor, respectively, of the essentials of western civilization: Judeo-Christian ethics and Christianity, classical learning, technology, and, latterly, liberal democracy and market economics/free trade. T o watch a million people in London (outstripping even the attendance at the 1981 wedding of Charles-Diana), and an estimated two million in Rome for the beatification of Pope John Paul II was an indication that though both are under challenge, these central institutions of western-ism have a remarkable resilience and ability still to captivate.
The killing of bin Laden indicates that the US – today’s primary exemplar of ‘the West’ – still has the ability to stalk its enemies, and to liquidate them. That this took over a decade in the case of bin Laden is a tribute to the assiduousness of American administrations of both parties to accomplish this goal. While so many are pointing particularly to China (whose growth, though large, is, I believe, premised on a financial house of cards) and the passing of the West, these last three days show something remarkable: a West still intact, still predominant, and still the central actor on the world stage.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
05/02/11
The poster child of terror
BY: Armstrong Williams
R.I.D. – The poster child of terror
Dead at last. Dead at last. Thank God almighty.
The most wanted terrorist in the world is now rotting away in dust. Due to an American “military action” we got our man.
A special debt of gratitude goes out to the men and women in uniform for their tireless months and years of sacrifice – running this pestilence down and eradicating him. Predator drones finished what others started on 9/12. We didn’t wait. We couldn’t wait. Too many Americans lost their lives that fateful day. It may have taken years to bring this to pass, but it did occur. And now justice has been served.
Didn’t we know in our heart of hearts this would happen? That it was only a matter of time before good ol’ American ingenuity and know-how would wipe this menace from the earth?
Al Qaida operatives will spew their usual banter. That UBL was no longer responsible for the day-to-day operations of the terrorist organization. That business as usual will continue, and that the new center of the network will remain in Yemen, not Afghanistan or Pakistan where it was believed the rat was holed up.
But that doesn’t matter. The psychological impact of this event is enormous. It’s huge for the country, but it holds even larger accolades and praise for our military. Nearly 47,000 Americans were either killed or wounded in both Iraq and Afghanistan essentially fighting because of this man. The threat of terrorism will remain, make no mistake. But this man represented so much. He stood for fear and death, and as a symbol for striking at the most powerful nation on earth. He was the poster child of terror. To take him out in the way it happened will send a clear message to those contemplating similar actions.
Indeed, this is a turning point in the global war on terror. It sends a new message to the world that actions have consequences. That we will make you pay if you threaten and harm these United States.
We now need to exploit the global message that his death brings. We need to reach out to the moderate Muslims in the world and call on them to work with us to end the scourge of terrorism in the Middle East. The world doesn’t need any more Usama bin Ladens. Let’s turn the page of history and embark on a new era of peace.
Rest in despair, bin Laden. Not one soul in this country will mourn your loss.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
The poster child of terror
BY: Armstrong Williams
R.I.D. – The poster child of terror
Dead at last. Dead at last. Thank God almighty.
The most wanted terrorist in the world is now rotting away in dust. Due to an American “military action” we got our man.
A special debt of gratitude goes out to the men and women in uniform for their tireless months and years of sacrifice – running this pestilence down and eradicating him. Predator drones finished what others started on 9/12. We didn’t wait. We couldn’t wait. Too many Americans lost their lives that fateful day. It may have taken years to bring this to pass, but it did occur. And now justice has been served.
Didn’t we know in our heart of hearts this would happen? That it was only a matter of time before good ol’ American ingenuity and know-how would wipe this menace from the earth?
Al Qaida operatives will spew their usual banter. That UBL was no longer responsible for the day-to-day operations of the terrorist organization. That business as usual will continue, and that the new center of the network will remain in Yemen, not Afghanistan or Pakistan where it was believed the rat was holed up.
But that doesn’t matter. The psychological impact of this event is enormous. It’s huge for the country, but it holds even larger accolades and praise for our military. Nearly 47,000 Americans were either killed or wounded in both Iraq and Afghanistan essentially fighting because of this man. The threat of terrorism will remain, make no mistake. But this man represented so much. He stood for fear and death, and as a symbol for striking at the most powerful nation on earth. He was the poster child of terror. To take him out in the way it happened will send a clear message to those contemplating similar actions.
Indeed, this is a turning point in the global war on terror. It sends a new message to the world that actions have consequences. That we will make you pay if you threaten and harm these United States.
We now need to exploit the global message that his death brings. We need to reach out to the moderate Muslims in the world and call on them to work with us to end the scourge of terrorism in the Middle East. The world doesn’t need any more Usama bin Ladens. Let’s turn the page of history and embark on a new era of peace.
Rest in despair, bin Laden. Not one soul in this country will mourn your loss.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/29/11
Terrorist Tweet
Subject: Terrorist Tweet
Armstrong Williams
Have you tweeted today? Or ever? I bet you have used Facebook today. As a country we fall in love with the unbridled technological progress that the great minds of our country afford us. It can do so much good for us, it connects us with long lost friends, family, and otherwise. It allows us to stay up to date, up to the minute in some instances of events around the corner and around the world. All of this is absolutely fantastic when it helps us out, but we are often remiss in our consideration of the negative ramifications of these very same advances.
Today's Washington Times has a cover-story entitled 'Terrorists discover uses for Twitter' that sheds light on the use of social media for the promulgation of terrorist propaganda. Twitter was created as a system for sending out group text messages but has evolved into a micro-blogging outlet where a celebrity like Charlie Sheen can have over one million followers, otherwise known as subscribers, that receive his messages the instant he presses 'Tweet' (you see where I'm going with this). Imagine, the spontaneous gathering of several thousand terrorists called to action with a death knell of 140 characters or less. This type of mass dissemination has governments on high alert, and for good reason.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Terrorist Tweet
Subject: Terrorist Tweet
Armstrong Williams
Have you tweeted today? Or ever? I bet you have used Facebook today. As a country we fall in love with the unbridled technological progress that the great minds of our country afford us. It can do so much good for us, it connects us with long lost friends, family, and otherwise. It allows us to stay up to date, up to the minute in some instances of events around the corner and around the world. All of this is absolutely fantastic when it helps us out, but we are often remiss in our consideration of the negative ramifications of these very same advances.
Today's Washington Times has a cover-story entitled 'Terrorists discover uses for Twitter' that sheds light on the use of social media for the promulgation of terrorist propaganda. Twitter was created as a system for sending out group text messages but has evolved into a micro-blogging outlet where a celebrity like Charlie Sheen can have over one million followers, otherwise known as subscribers, that receive his messages the instant he presses 'Tweet' (you see where I'm going with this). Imagine, the spontaneous gathering of several thousand terrorists called to action with a death knell of 140 characters or less. This type of mass dissemination has governments on high alert, and for good reason.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/28/11
Obama's policies are Americans worst enemy
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's policies are Americans worst enemy.
President Obama's administration and his political team are becoming increasingly tone deaf. Everyday Americans aren’t visiting town halls of Republicans to complain about draconian cuts. They’re coming to gripe the majority party isn’t cutting enough. We've had many tax cuts over the past 20 years but no spending decreases. The lack of discipline created by a broken political system now has us on the verge of bankruptcy.
This is a seminal moment in our nation’s understanding of fiscal policy. The billions and trillions are starting to matter. They’re no longer “just on paper” and meaningless terms with no real impact on individual families and businesses. The fear is there and it’s palpable. And Americans are starting to sort out in their own minds what a bankrupt nation could mean to them and their futures.
When will this Administration grasp that? How many more houses must foreclose and businesses fail before someone on the president’s economic team realizes these policies are a joke??
So don’t worry when we’re 19 months out who will rise up among the GOP and assume his/her rightful place in the presidential pantheon. There’s plenty of time for that.
From my own perspective, I’m more interested in seeing how much farther down the road of disrepair the current administration will take us. Obama's continued policies are Americans worst enemy and nightmare right now. Republicans would do well to get out of his way.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama's policies are Americans worst enemy
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's policies are Americans worst enemy.
President Obama's administration and his political team are becoming increasingly tone deaf. Everyday Americans aren’t visiting town halls of Republicans to complain about draconian cuts. They’re coming to gripe the majority party isn’t cutting enough. We've had many tax cuts over the past 20 years but no spending decreases. The lack of discipline created by a broken political system now has us on the verge of bankruptcy.
This is a seminal moment in our nation’s understanding of fiscal policy. The billions and trillions are starting to matter. They’re no longer “just on paper” and meaningless terms with no real impact on individual families and businesses. The fear is there and it’s palpable. And Americans are starting to sort out in their own minds what a bankrupt nation could mean to them and their futures.
When will this Administration grasp that? How many more houses must foreclose and businesses fail before someone on the president’s economic team realizes these policies are a joke??
So don’t worry when we’re 19 months out who will rise up among the GOP and assume his/her rightful place in the presidential pantheon. There’s plenty of time for that.
From my own perspective, I’m more interested in seeing how much farther down the road of disrepair the current administration will take us. Obama's continued policies are Americans worst enemy and nightmare right now. Republicans would do well to get out of his way.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/27/11
Rs v. Obama
BY: Armstrong Williams
Rs v. Obama
Mark my words, the sudden exit of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour from the Republican presidential nomination race will be followed by many more. The prospects will either bow out before they ever catch any fire (Rick Santorum) or they may never enter the race at all because of the writing on the wall (Michele Bachmann).
Put simply, these candidates lack the fire to stir men’s souls. They can’t mobilize the voter base across the wide swath they know they’ll need to win the White House. It’s more than just the entire Republican “base”, and more than even some disgruntled, out of work Independent voters. And it’s certainly more than the Tea Party faction.
The winning Republican candidate will need all of these blocs. But can it be done? Of course. Yet I don’t believe that candidate has emerged.
Even if the person who defeats President Obama is among the crowded field today in the form of a Romney or Daniels or even Pawlenty, the 2012 election won’t even be about them. I’m serious.
This race is all about Obama. He’s weak politically, and if current trends continue, his brand and stock will only fall. $4/gallon gas prices? A plummeting dollar? Borrowing 47 cents on every dollar we spend? That’s only the beginning folks, unless this White House can put some significant punch back into this economy.
I’m not saying it won’t be a fistfight. Obama’s campaign is gearing up for one helluva contest. Media buyers are already predicting this election cycle to tip the $2 billion scale in terms of ad buys and placements in the next 18 months. Yep, that’s “billion” with a “b”.
A GOP candidate will emerge, and he will be battle-hardened from a rigorous primary that will force him all over the Republican spectrum. You can bet on that. But the less this is about personalities and the more it’s about the direction of the country and the principles that the Obama White House has made clear it owns (larger government, paternalistic nannyism), then the voters will send a clear message.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Rs v. Obama
BY: Armstrong Williams
Rs v. Obama
Mark my words, the sudden exit of Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour from the Republican presidential nomination race will be followed by many more. The prospects will either bow out before they ever catch any fire (Rick Santorum) or they may never enter the race at all because of the writing on the wall (Michele Bachmann).
Put simply, these candidates lack the fire to stir men’s souls. They can’t mobilize the voter base across the wide swath they know they’ll need to win the White House. It’s more than just the entire Republican “base”, and more than even some disgruntled, out of work Independent voters. And it’s certainly more than the Tea Party faction.
The winning Republican candidate will need all of these blocs. But can it be done? Of course. Yet I don’t believe that candidate has emerged.
Even if the person who defeats President Obama is among the crowded field today in the form of a Romney or Daniels or even Pawlenty, the 2012 election won’t even be about them. I’m serious.
This race is all about Obama. He’s weak politically, and if current trends continue, his brand and stock will only fall. $4/gallon gas prices? A plummeting dollar? Borrowing 47 cents on every dollar we spend? That’s only the beginning folks, unless this White House can put some significant punch back into this economy.
I’m not saying it won’t be a fistfight. Obama’s campaign is gearing up for one helluva contest. Media buyers are already predicting this election cycle to tip the $2 billion scale in terms of ad buys and placements in the next 18 months. Yep, that’s “billion” with a “b”.
A GOP candidate will emerge, and he will be battle-hardened from a rigorous primary that will force him all over the Republican spectrum. You can bet on that. But the less this is about personalities and the more it’s about the direction of the country and the principles that the Obama White House has made clear it owns (larger government, paternalistic nannyism), then the voters will send a clear message.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/26/11
Will America be spared the same fate?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Will America be spared from the same fate?
In the midst of a season that has provided riveting political theatre – the budget extension impasse and the impending battle over raising the debt ceiling – a bright ideological line has emerged between the two major political parties. It is not about whether we must reduce our debt (both sides ostensibly agree that we must), but about where those cuts should come from. But let’s be clear; without a serious challenge by congressional Republicans, the seriousness of America’s debt situation would not occupy its’ rightful place the forefront of the political debate.
Let’s face it. The U.S. Government is bankrupt. Its liabilities exceed its revenues by over 200% by some estimates. If it were not for America’s status as a reserve currency – a status earned by the nation’s long history of political stability and economic growth -- we would find ourselves in the same position as Greece and Portugal. Those countries are not only unable to repay the principle amount they’ve borrowed, but also have trouble meeting the minimum debt service payments without additional borrowing. In what appears to be an inexorable death spiral – borrowing costs rising, while revenues are falling – it appears those countries are going into default.
While the European Central bank has tried to bolster Europe’s failing economies with lending of last resort, it has thus far failed to stem the tide of economic logic: At a certain level, when you owe more than you make, your creditors get skittish and demand higher interest rates to compensate for the risk of default. Creditors in Europe fought their version Fed, and, contrary to popular wisdom in the U.S., they appear to be winning, putting the people of those countries at their mercy. In sum, the people of Greece and Portugal have become serfs in their own country. The land they live on and the houses they live in do not belong to them anymore. Moreover, their political system is being increasingly controlled -- not by their elected leaders, but by unelected supers-sovereigns such as the IMF and ECB.
Will America be spared from the same fate?
Will America be spared the same fate?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Will America be spared from the same fate?
In the midst of a season that has provided riveting political theatre – the budget extension impasse and the impending battle over raising the debt ceiling – a bright ideological line has emerged between the two major political parties. It is not about whether we must reduce our debt (both sides ostensibly agree that we must), but about where those cuts should come from. But let’s be clear; without a serious challenge by congressional Republicans, the seriousness of America’s debt situation would not occupy its’ rightful place the forefront of the political debate.
Let’s face it. The U.S. Government is bankrupt. Its liabilities exceed its revenues by over 200% by some estimates. If it were not for America’s status as a reserve currency – a status earned by the nation’s long history of political stability and economic growth -- we would find ourselves in the same position as Greece and Portugal. Those countries are not only unable to repay the principle amount they’ve borrowed, but also have trouble meeting the minimum debt service payments without additional borrowing. In what appears to be an inexorable death spiral – borrowing costs rising, while revenues are falling – it appears those countries are going into default.
While the European Central bank has tried to bolster Europe’s failing economies with lending of last resort, it has thus far failed to stem the tide of economic logic: At a certain level, when you owe more than you make, your creditors get skittish and demand higher interest rates to compensate for the risk of default. Creditors in Europe fought their version Fed, and, contrary to popular wisdom in the U.S., they appear to be winning, putting the people of those countries at their mercy. In sum, the people of Greece and Portugal have become serfs in their own country. The land they live on and the houses they live in do not belong to them anymore. Moreover, their political system is being increasingly controlled -- not by their elected leaders, but by unelected supers-sovereigns such as the IMF and ECB.
Will America be spared from the same fate?
04/25/11
Is Our Government the best Engine for Futue Growth?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Is our Government the best engine for future growth?
Major U.S. investors, including Pacific Investment Management Co. Manager Bill Gross, have exited the U.S. debt market, citing the increasing riskiness of the assets on its books relative to the interest rate it pays to bond holders. They are not likely to return until interest rates rise. And, with total federal debt having ballooned to an astronomical $14 trillion, a rise in borrowing costs would have catastrophic effects on the government´s ability to meet its debt service obligations.
But what seems to get lost in the ideological debate is the fundamental truth. A country with declining national growth should not attempt to fill the gap with a rash of borrowing. At some point, using additional long-term borrowing to support short-term consumption — whether its bank bailouts, stimulus spending or unemployment benefits — constrains future growth. The Obama administration has attempted to phrase the borrowing as an "investment" in future growth.
But there is a real question as to whether the government is the best engine for investing in the growth America needs to get out of debt. The ideological line starts here. Would we rather have government "invest" our money for us, or is private enterprise the more appropriate conduit for achieving long term growth?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Is Our Government the best Engine for Futue Growth?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Is our Government the best engine for future growth?
Major U.S. investors, including Pacific Investment Management Co. Manager Bill Gross, have exited the U.S. debt market, citing the increasing riskiness of the assets on its books relative to the interest rate it pays to bond holders. They are not likely to return until interest rates rise. And, with total federal debt having ballooned to an astronomical $14 trillion, a rise in borrowing costs would have catastrophic effects on the government´s ability to meet its debt service obligations.
But what seems to get lost in the ideological debate is the fundamental truth. A country with declining national growth should not attempt to fill the gap with a rash of borrowing. At some point, using additional long-term borrowing to support short-term consumption — whether its bank bailouts, stimulus spending or unemployment benefits — constrains future growth. The Obama administration has attempted to phrase the borrowing as an "investment" in future growth.
But there is a real question as to whether the government is the best engine for investing in the growth America needs to get out of debt. The ideological line starts here. Would we rather have government "invest" our money for us, or is private enterprise the more appropriate conduit for achieving long term growth?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/22/11
Easter Reflections
BY: Armstrong Williams
Easter Reflections
Many Christians around the world begin celebrating Easter with Lent, a 40-day period before Easter which begins on Ash Wednesday; Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday, celebrates the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where people spread palm branches and clothing before him; Good Friday, the day Jesus died on the cross and then, Easter Sunday, Jesus' resurrection.
As I reflect back on my many journey's to Israel, the visit to the Mount of Olives where Jesus had his last supper is a reminder of what Easter really means. Many people think of Easter as the colored eggs, plenty of candy, and the Easter Bunny. But I am reminded of Christ's final journey-from the place where Pontius Pilate condemned him to die, to where he bore his own cross, to the site where he was hung, to the tomb where he rose from the dead. These steps leading to Christ's crucifixion leave me awakened to the truly beautiful possibilities of life because the very moment Jesus rose from the dead, was the very moment we would be given everlasting life. Christians would now receive new life after death.
As I passed through the garden of Gethsemane where Christ was delivered to the Romans and paraded through the streets of Jerusalem, before being nailed to a cross, in between two criminals, I recalled that, even as Christ hung on the cross, he saved the repentant soul of one of those criminals. Christ always reached out to those who were different than Himself.
As Christians, we feel comfortable with other Christians. We feel safety in worshipping together. We feel peace in socializing together. And we feel righteousness in standing against those who seek to bring moral and ethical decay to the culture of this nation. But is it enough to just stand together? Is it enough to just stand against? Should we not also, as Christ did, reach out to those who believe and behave differently from us? When was the last time you saw someone in desperation and extended your hand?
We should not make the mistake of thinking that those who believe and behave differently from us cannot be good people. It is too easy to say that those who believe as we do are good and those who believe otherwise are bad. That worldview, while convenient and expedient, is compassionless and ill conceived.
Christians must reach out to those who do not believe. We must provide an example that will inspire others to follow. We must see the good in others. We must condemn behavior and not people. We have nothing to fear in reaching out. Those who believe differently will not shake our beliefs. Those who act differently will not change our behavior. As long as we are grounded in faith, we can walk securely with anyone, anywhere.
Easter Reflections
BY: Armstrong Williams
Easter Reflections
Many Christians around the world begin celebrating Easter with Lent, a 40-day period before Easter which begins on Ash Wednesday; Holy Week, which begins with Palm Sunday, celebrates the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where people spread palm branches and clothing before him; Good Friday, the day Jesus died on the cross and then, Easter Sunday, Jesus' resurrection.
As I reflect back on my many journey's to Israel, the visit to the Mount of Olives where Jesus had his last supper is a reminder of what Easter really means. Many people think of Easter as the colored eggs, plenty of candy, and the Easter Bunny. But I am reminded of Christ's final journey-from the place where Pontius Pilate condemned him to die, to where he bore his own cross, to the site where he was hung, to the tomb where he rose from the dead. These steps leading to Christ's crucifixion leave me awakened to the truly beautiful possibilities of life because the very moment Jesus rose from the dead, was the very moment we would be given everlasting life. Christians would now receive new life after death.
As I passed through the garden of Gethsemane where Christ was delivered to the Romans and paraded through the streets of Jerusalem, before being nailed to a cross, in between two criminals, I recalled that, even as Christ hung on the cross, he saved the repentant soul of one of those criminals. Christ always reached out to those who were different than Himself.
As Christians, we feel comfortable with other Christians. We feel safety in worshipping together. We feel peace in socializing together. And we feel righteousness in standing against those who seek to bring moral and ethical decay to the culture of this nation. But is it enough to just stand together? Is it enough to just stand against? Should we not also, as Christ did, reach out to those who believe and behave differently from us? When was the last time you saw someone in desperation and extended your hand?
We should not make the mistake of thinking that those who believe and behave differently from us cannot be good people. It is too easy to say that those who believe as we do are good and those who believe otherwise are bad. That worldview, while convenient and expedient, is compassionless and ill conceived.
Christians must reach out to those who do not believe. We must provide an example that will inspire others to follow. We must see the good in others. We must condemn behavior and not people. We have nothing to fear in reaching out. Those who believe differently will not shake our beliefs. Those who act differently will not change our behavior. As long as we are grounded in faith, we can walk securely with anyone, anywhere.
04/21/11
We are Bankrupt
BY: Armstrong Williams
We are Bankrupt?
How can our U.S Government have a triple A rating credit when you borrow 47 cents of every dollar to meet your financial obligations. If GE borrowed 47 percent of all bills they must pay on a monthly basis, that's bankruptcy. There's not enough cash flow to continue your business. Do we have any standard of behavior? Our money is being spent to care for those who make little effort to care for themselves. Can you imagine that 47% of all people pay no taxes and they want to continue taxing us to make up for it. Isn't it time that we go to a consumption tax that is linear where everyone is treated the same.
Debt creates instability. Hillary Clinton commented how can we criticize China's economic policies when we're in debt to them . With shareholders you can only lose what you've invested, but debt leveraged allows you to make outside gains from various small movements in growth but also magnifies the losses from very small declines in growth. Ultimately the debt has to be repaid from tax revenue. The pie will not expand to justify taking on more debt.
Why trust the S&P for they are the same people that gave Lehman's brothers a triple A rating six months before they collapsed. These ratings agencies are politically motivated, if it were any country other than the US, the ratings would have already fallen.
Who can tell that we're bankrupt or not because we continue to print dollars and debt in form of bonds and notes.
We are Bankrupt
BY: Armstrong Williams
We are Bankrupt?
How can our U.S Government have a triple A rating credit when you borrow 47 cents of every dollar to meet your financial obligations. If GE borrowed 47 percent of all bills they must pay on a monthly basis, that's bankruptcy. There's not enough cash flow to continue your business. Do we have any standard of behavior? Our money is being spent to care for those who make little effort to care for themselves. Can you imagine that 47% of all people pay no taxes and they want to continue taxing us to make up for it. Isn't it time that we go to a consumption tax that is linear where everyone is treated the same.
Debt creates instability. Hillary Clinton commented how can we criticize China's economic policies when we're in debt to them . With shareholders you can only lose what you've invested, but debt leveraged allows you to make outside gains from various small movements in growth but also magnifies the losses from very small declines in growth. Ultimately the debt has to be repaid from tax revenue. The pie will not expand to justify taking on more debt.
Why trust the S&P for they are the same people that gave Lehman's brothers a triple A rating six months before they collapsed. These ratings agencies are politically motivated, if it were any country other than the US, the ratings would have already fallen.
Who can tell that we're bankrupt or not because we continue to print dollars and debt in form of bonds and notes.
04/20/11
Fear of Math and Science
BY: Armstrong Williams
Fear of Math and Science.
We can all agree that many children these days prefer not to study very much; I’m not sure if it’s because they are so busy with other things, or they just have been handed so much that the idea of hard work is foreign to them. But whatever the reason, it’s obvious to parents and teachers across America that kids aren’t putting in the effort to excel in math and science. One explanation may be because math and science generally demand specific solutions, meaning either a right or wrong answer. So for a lot of kids who are scared to fail, or sadly even scared to try, math and science are just pushed away at all costs. Instead, more kids focus on subjects like History and English which tend to be more philosophical and interpretive which allows for more wiggle room and less hurt feelings. Don't misinterpret my meaning, subjects like History and English are imperative to education and add great value to society, but they are not the only things our children should be learning. It is a fact that far more people study these subjects because they fear complete failure in math or science, where strict guidelines and exact answers are expected. Unfortunately, 20% off will not make a $40 shirt cost $20 no matter how much you 'feel' that it should; the shirt would still cost you $32. Also, science tells us that it is impossible to hear a bullet, because they travel faster than the speed of sound.
Do you really think that with the brain that either evolution handed down, or God bestowed upon us, we are incapable of learning science and math if we put our mind to it? Absolutely not! We can all learn everything taught in school, it merely requires effort, determination, and perseverance. And once learned it is empowering and enjoyable to utilize these new-learned skills. We must pass along this attitude to our children and demand that lawmakers, teachers, and administrators make math and science a priority in our schools again. Then we must put away our calculators, brush up on our arithmetic, and show our children that even old dogs can break out old tricks. We may not always need math and we may not always like science, but we must always learn and hone these valuable subjects and skills. Given today's financial crisis this nation faces, a better understanding of math could make the difference between foreclosure and having peace of mind with your home purchase.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Fear of Math and Science
BY: Armstrong Williams
Fear of Math and Science.
We can all agree that many children these days prefer not to study very much; I’m not sure if it’s because they are so busy with other things, or they just have been handed so much that the idea of hard work is foreign to them. But whatever the reason, it’s obvious to parents and teachers across America that kids aren’t putting in the effort to excel in math and science. One explanation may be because math and science generally demand specific solutions, meaning either a right or wrong answer. So for a lot of kids who are scared to fail, or sadly even scared to try, math and science are just pushed away at all costs. Instead, more kids focus on subjects like History and English which tend to be more philosophical and interpretive which allows for more wiggle room and less hurt feelings. Don't misinterpret my meaning, subjects like History and English are imperative to education and add great value to society, but they are not the only things our children should be learning. It is a fact that far more people study these subjects because they fear complete failure in math or science, where strict guidelines and exact answers are expected. Unfortunately, 20% off will not make a $40 shirt cost $20 no matter how much you 'feel' that it should; the shirt would still cost you $32. Also, science tells us that it is impossible to hear a bullet, because they travel faster than the speed of sound.
Do you really think that with the brain that either evolution handed down, or God bestowed upon us, we are incapable of learning science and math if we put our mind to it? Absolutely not! We can all learn everything taught in school, it merely requires effort, determination, and perseverance. And once learned it is empowering and enjoyable to utilize these new-learned skills. We must pass along this attitude to our children and demand that lawmakers, teachers, and administrators make math and science a priority in our schools again. Then we must put away our calculators, brush up on our arithmetic, and show our children that even old dogs can break out old tricks. We may not always need math and we may not always like science, but we must always learn and hone these valuable subjects and skills. Given today's financial crisis this nation faces, a better understanding of math could make the difference between foreclosure and having peace of mind with your home purchase.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/19/11
Can We Finally Admit That Racism is Dead?
Can We Finally Admit That Racism is Dead?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Liberals have their racist supporters, e.g. certain union members. Many liberals will advise that their Ivy League black friends, should not have gone to Wall Street to make a fortune and participate in the American dream. They strongly feel that they should go back to the ghetto and help their people. They do not tell that to the wasp, Jews, Poles, Italians, etc., only the blacks. That is truly racist and condescending. It is especially racist when black and white liberals , tell black conservatives that they are betraying their people because they want smaller government and individual freedom. Remember, government perpetuated slavery and racism in this country for nearly 200 years. Why should we trust it to keep it from returning as government policy? (Arguably, well intentioned affirmative action programs perpetuate racism.) Having said that, a movement with racist supporters does not mean that the movement is racist.
A person is not racist because he is against affirmative action. I am in favor of a color blind society. That means excluding race as a factor in school admissions, hiring and every other aspect of American society. America got into trouble with Jim Crow laws that perpetuated racism after emancipation. Affirmative action programs perpetuate racism after the repeal of the Jim Crow laws. Am I a racist because I am against affirmative action? Restrictions on immigration is not necessarily racist. There is a good argument to make that America restricts immigration to maintain the country’s culture and to facilitate assimilation. My personal belief is that we should have one American melting pot. I think the multiculturalism now in vogue in certain circles results in a Balkanized America. Racism is an emotionally charged word which liberals use to stop discussion of the substantive issues involved in the Tea Party movement. Please tell me the substantive Tea Party issues that you disagree with?
Even assuming that some Tea Party members are racist, that is not a reason not to form a coalition with them in areas where we agree there needs to be change, like huge government deficits and outrageous taxes. After all, America formed an alliance with Stalin to defeat Hitler. Even the American communists, socialists and liberals supported the monstrous Stalin in the 1930’s and 1940’s, because they thought it furthered the higher goal of worldwide socialism and communism.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Can We Finally Admit That Racism is Dead?
Can We Finally Admit That Racism is Dead?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Liberals have their racist supporters, e.g. certain union members. Many liberals will advise that their Ivy League black friends, should not have gone to Wall Street to make a fortune and participate in the American dream. They strongly feel that they should go back to the ghetto and help their people. They do not tell that to the wasp, Jews, Poles, Italians, etc., only the blacks. That is truly racist and condescending. It is especially racist when black and white liberals , tell black conservatives that they are betraying their people because they want smaller government and individual freedom. Remember, government perpetuated slavery and racism in this country for nearly 200 years. Why should we trust it to keep it from returning as government policy? (Arguably, well intentioned affirmative action programs perpetuate racism.) Having said that, a movement with racist supporters does not mean that the movement is racist.
A person is not racist because he is against affirmative action. I am in favor of a color blind society. That means excluding race as a factor in school admissions, hiring and every other aspect of American society. America got into trouble with Jim Crow laws that perpetuated racism after emancipation. Affirmative action programs perpetuate racism after the repeal of the Jim Crow laws. Am I a racist because I am against affirmative action? Restrictions on immigration is not necessarily racist. There is a good argument to make that America restricts immigration to maintain the country’s culture and to facilitate assimilation. My personal belief is that we should have one American melting pot. I think the multiculturalism now in vogue in certain circles results in a Balkanized America. Racism is an emotionally charged word which liberals use to stop discussion of the substantive issues involved in the Tea Party movement. Please tell me the substantive Tea Party issues that you disagree with?
Even assuming that some Tea Party members are racist, that is not a reason not to form a coalition with them in areas where we agree there needs to be change, like huge government deficits and outrageous taxes. After all, America formed an alliance with Stalin to defeat Hitler. Even the American communists, socialists and liberals supported the monstrous Stalin in the 1930’s and 1940’s, because they thought it furthered the higher goal of worldwide socialism and communism.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/18/11
A Tax Season to Remember
BY: Armstrong Williams
A Tax Season to Remember
From whom much is given, more is expected. This is the agreement we all take when we decide to avail ourselves of the abundant wealth that this country can afford us. This tax season, many people will complain about their tax dollars going down the Government waste hole. We will rail against the politicians who either tax us too much, spend too largely, or tax someone else too little. And we'll complain about the bottomless pit of debt in which our nation has become almost inextricably enmeshed.
These are real problems to be sure, and they are pressing. But before we get too down in the dumps, it's time we thanked our stars that we actually live in a country in which it is possible to make enough wealth to have a high tax bill in the first place. A little faith would reveal that God knows exactly what he's doing. Politicians, government, and yes, that most hated of all obligation of citizenry -- taxes -- are all part of the system that in the end has enabled Americans to build incredible fortunes for themselves and their families. We should be mindful of their excess, and work together to minimize the waste, fraud and abuse that comes with a Government that has become too large. But what we should remind ourselves of most, is the continued resiliency of America, which is evidenced by our prosperity despite the encumbrances placed upon us by our governments.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
A Tax Season to Remember
BY: Armstrong Williams
A Tax Season to Remember
From whom much is given, more is expected. This is the agreement we all take when we decide to avail ourselves of the abundant wealth that this country can afford us. This tax season, many people will complain about their tax dollars going down the Government waste hole. We will rail against the politicians who either tax us too much, spend too largely, or tax someone else too little. And we'll complain about the bottomless pit of debt in which our nation has become almost inextricably enmeshed.
These are real problems to be sure, and they are pressing. But before we get too down in the dumps, it's time we thanked our stars that we actually live in a country in which it is possible to make enough wealth to have a high tax bill in the first place. A little faith would reveal that God knows exactly what he's doing. Politicians, government, and yes, that most hated of all obligation of citizenry -- taxes -- are all part of the system that in the end has enabled Americans to build incredible fortunes for themselves and their families. We should be mindful of their excess, and work together to minimize the waste, fraud and abuse that comes with a Government that has become too large. But what we should remind ourselves of most, is the continued resiliency of America, which is evidenced by our prosperity despite the encumbrances placed upon us by our governments.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/15/11
Serious about spending our money
BY: Armstrong Williams
Serious about spending our money
Our President Barack Obama seems to believe that a percentage of private income already belongs to the Government. He uses language that suggests tax cuts are theft of government owned properties. His language is most condescending in the sense that he's not asking us to contribute but rather forcing us to pay. Not only that, but he's forcing us to pay for priorities that are not chosen by those he proposes to hand the stiff bill to. Liberals assume that any money we earn belongs to the government and we should be happy that our government allows us to keep a portion of it. Will they not be satisfied until they take all of "their" money back?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Serious about spending our money
BY: Armstrong Williams
Serious about spending our money
Our President Barack Obama seems to believe that a percentage of private income already belongs to the Government. He uses language that suggests tax cuts are theft of government owned properties. His language is most condescending in the sense that he's not asking us to contribute but rather forcing us to pay. Not only that, but he's forcing us to pay for priorities that are not chosen by those he proposes to hand the stiff bill to. Liberals assume that any money we earn belongs to the government and we should be happy that our government allows us to keep a portion of it. Will they not be satisfied until they take all of "their" money back?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/14/11
Obama's path of Economic Destruction: The Race Against the Clock
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Path of Economic Destruction: The Race Against the Clock
President Obama, in a moment of insanity, stated emphatically that wealthy people want to pay more taxes it's just that our government hasn't asked them to. He went on to say that rich people like himself don't need any more tax cuts. Many would agree with you Mr. President if all of their necessities were provided for by the tax payers. This man is so out of touch with reality, he has no concept of what life truly is for everyday people. To believe that someone who makes $200,000 annually is rich is preposterous. By the time uncle sam takes his share, at best you're left with $135,000.00. Also, what about your mortgage, kids, healthcare, food, and paying your bills. Many universities now consider annual family income of $200,000.00 eligible for financial aid. They recognize that this salary level doesn't provide a family with much discretionary income.
Is our President that naive or his he intentionally hell bent on destroying our nation? Anyone with a modicum of economic sense would know that with our extraordinarily fragile economy, raising taxes is a non starter. We know that when taxes are lower, income to the federal government increases. Now we have a situation where our deficit is so large that you can confiscate a 100% of what the rich have and it wouldn't put a dent in our debt crisis. Therefore Obama's proposals are idiotic and make no sense. Taxing can't and will not solve the problem and will only exacerbate the growing debt. Either our president is too naive to understand simple economics or he's smart enough to understand how to accomplish his goal of permanently damaging the American economy. Both scenarios spell doom for our once great economic engine.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama's path of Economic Destruction: The Race Against the Clock
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama's Path of Economic Destruction: The Race Against the Clock
President Obama, in a moment of insanity, stated emphatically that wealthy people want to pay more taxes it's just that our government hasn't asked them to. He went on to say that rich people like himself don't need any more tax cuts. Many would agree with you Mr. President if all of their necessities were provided for by the tax payers. This man is so out of touch with reality, he has no concept of what life truly is for everyday people. To believe that someone who makes $200,000 annually is rich is preposterous. By the time uncle sam takes his share, at best you're left with $135,000.00. Also, what about your mortgage, kids, healthcare, food, and paying your bills. Many universities now consider annual family income of $200,000.00 eligible for financial aid. They recognize that this salary level doesn't provide a family with much discretionary income.
Is our President that naive or his he intentionally hell bent on destroying our nation? Anyone with a modicum of economic sense would know that with our extraordinarily fragile economy, raising taxes is a non starter. We know that when taxes are lower, income to the federal government increases. Now we have a situation where our deficit is so large that you can confiscate a 100% of what the rich have and it wouldn't put a dent in our debt crisis. Therefore Obama's proposals are idiotic and make no sense. Taxing can't and will not solve the problem and will only exacerbate the growing debt. Either our president is too naive to understand simple economics or he's smart enough to understand how to accomplish his goal of permanently damaging the American economy. Both scenarios spell doom for our once great economic engine.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/13/11
Understanding the Debt Ceiling
BY: Armstrong Williams
Understanding the Debt Ceiling
For many people the debt ceiling is an arcane concept. They have no of idea the impact it has or what impact it could have on America's economy. When the Federal Government has large deficits, it is spending more money than it is taking in, in taxes. This excess spending must be financed by debt. If the government is not allowed to issue more debt or borrow more money it has no way of funding the spending programs that it is legally required to fund. It has a very difficult path at that point.
First it must stop spending, on not just non-essential government programs but on all government programs. Its spending will be limited to the amount of tax revenue. Government spending cuts mean that large numbers of federal employees must be furloughed, transfer programs such as medicare and Medicaid will not be funded and other government spending with federal contractors such as highways, airports etc. will be curtailed. If we immediately stop these services and transfer payments it will have a negative impact on the economy, including the loss of jobs. The second major impact has to do with the supply of money. Federal debt forms the basis of capital used in our banking system. The third major impact has to do with the issuance of federal debt instruments. When federal debt matures which takes 30 to 60 days after the debt ceiling is not extended, the government will have no alternative to paying off maturing debt. This means the US government has the potential of defaulting on its legal obligations to bond holders throughout the world. A default on government debt will throw the international monetary system and the entire global economy into chaos.
Sixty five percent of Americans public support appears to be in favor of not extending the debt ceiling. The catastrophic impact of not extending the debt ceilings gives the Republican in congress much leverage. We the people implicitly understand that the Federal Government is out of control and that the national debt is too big and shouldn't be increased. What many don't understand is that the only way to accomplish this is to stop spending on items that affect all Americans, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, block grants to states, highways etc. The leverage this gives to congress is that the Democrats and the President recognize not extending the debt ceiling as catastrophic to the world economy.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Understanding the Debt Ceiling
BY: Armstrong Williams
Understanding the Debt Ceiling
For many people the debt ceiling is an arcane concept. They have no of idea the impact it has or what impact it could have on America's economy. When the Federal Government has large deficits, it is spending more money than it is taking in, in taxes. This excess spending must be financed by debt. If the government is not allowed to issue more debt or borrow more money it has no way of funding the spending programs that it is legally required to fund. It has a very difficult path at that point.
First it must stop spending, on not just non-essential government programs but on all government programs. Its spending will be limited to the amount of tax revenue. Government spending cuts mean that large numbers of federal employees must be furloughed, transfer programs such as medicare and Medicaid will not be funded and other government spending with federal contractors such as highways, airports etc. will be curtailed. If we immediately stop these services and transfer payments it will have a negative impact on the economy, including the loss of jobs. The second major impact has to do with the supply of money. Federal debt forms the basis of capital used in our banking system. The third major impact has to do with the issuance of federal debt instruments. When federal debt matures which takes 30 to 60 days after the debt ceiling is not extended, the government will have no alternative to paying off maturing debt. This means the US government has the potential of defaulting on its legal obligations to bond holders throughout the world. A default on government debt will throw the international monetary system and the entire global economy into chaos.
Sixty five percent of Americans public support appears to be in favor of not extending the debt ceiling. The catastrophic impact of not extending the debt ceilings gives the Republican in congress much leverage. We the people implicitly understand that the Federal Government is out of control and that the national debt is too big and shouldn't be increased. What many don't understand is that the only way to accomplish this is to stop spending on items that affect all Americans, such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, block grants to states, highways etc. The leverage this gives to congress is that the Democrats and the President recognize not extending the debt ceiling as catastrophic to the world economy.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/12/11
What The Discovery of a Record Haul In Libyan Assets
What The Discovery of a Record Haul In Libyan Assets Portends for The U.S.
By Armstrong Williams
There something distinctly fishy about the Treasury Department’s lightning fast and allegedly “surprise” discovery of over $30 billion in Libyan Government assets stored in U.S. banks. The Obama administration has lauded this as a major and unexpected victory in its effort to dislodge the Gaddafi regime. That may be so, but the implications of such a large deposit by Libya have deeper and far more disturbing implications. Could Libya have been in the process of purchasing a major stake in America’s critical infrastructure?
First, it is strange that Libya -- a Government that has traditionally been wary of storing its’ assets in a place where they could be confiscated by the U.S. government -- would keep almost half of its estimated $70 billion sovereign wealth fund (Libyan Investment Authority or ‘LIA’) in U.S. banks. After all, Libyan assets had been frozen before, most notably in 1986. In fact, most Arab nations, even those friendly to the U.S. had been reluctant to keep their assets within U.S. jurisdiction after the U.S. froze Iranian government assets in 1979. Admittedly, relations with Libya have warmed in recent years since it was removed from the U.S. list of official state sponsors of terrorism in 2005. Still, the old wounds run deep, and Qaddafi is, if nothing else, a shrewd operator. Clearly, if he were taking such a big risk he must have had assurances from on high.
The second strange aspect problem is the speed with which the Treasury department identified and froze the assets. According to the Washington Post, treasury officials expected to find somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million in Libyan assets, and were surprised when they pulled in a record haul for U.S. assets freezes. It’s strange, not just because the disparity between what was expected and what was eventually found – but because of information recently disclosed in the Wiki leaks cables. The cables revealed that Libyan officials revealed in a discussion with the U.S. Ambassador in January that LIA had roughly “$32 billion in liquidity, mostly in bank deposits that will give us good long-term returns.” A 2009 annual report suggested that the company held roughly 78% of its investments in “short term financial instruments abroad.”
So rather than feel particularly elated about finding $30 billion of Libyan Government funds conveniently parked in a U.S. bank, the news makes one wonder. Is America up for sale? Or worse yet, has it already been sold, and to whom?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Portends for The U.S.
By Armstrong Williams
There something distinctly fishy about the Treasury Department’s lightning fast and allegedly “surprise” discovery of over $30 billion in Libyan Government assets stored in U.S. banks. The Obama administration has lauded this as a major and unexpected victory in its effort to dislodge the Gaddafi regime. That may be so, but the implications of such a large deposit by Libya have deeper and far more disturbing implications. Could Libya have been in the process of purchasing a major stake in America’s critical infrastructure?
First, it is strange that Libya -- a Government that has traditionally been wary of storing its’ assets in a place where they could be confiscated by the U.S. government -- would keep almost half of its estimated $70 billion sovereign wealth fund (Libyan Investment Authority or ‘LIA’) in U.S. banks. After all, Libyan assets had been frozen before, most notably in 1986. In fact, most Arab nations, even those friendly to the U.S. had been reluctant to keep their assets within U.S. jurisdiction after the U.S. froze Iranian government assets in 1979. Admittedly, relations with Libya have warmed in recent years since it was removed from the U.S. list of official state sponsors of terrorism in 2005. Still, the old wounds run deep, and Qaddafi is, if nothing else, a shrewd operator. Clearly, if he were taking such a big risk he must have had assurances from on high.
The second strange aspect problem is the speed with which the Treasury department identified and froze the assets. According to the Washington Post, treasury officials expected to find somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million in Libyan assets, and were surprised when they pulled in a record haul for U.S. assets freezes. It’s strange, not just because the disparity between what was expected and what was eventually found – but because of information recently disclosed in the Wiki leaks cables. The cables revealed that Libyan officials revealed in a discussion with the U.S. Ambassador in January that LIA had roughly “$32 billion in liquidity, mostly in bank deposits that will give us good long-term returns.” A 2009 annual report suggested that the company held roughly 78% of its investments in “short term financial instruments abroad.”
So rather than feel particularly elated about finding $30 billion of Libyan Government funds conveniently parked in a U.S. bank, the news makes one wonder. Is America up for sale? Or worse yet, has it already been sold, and to whom?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
What The Discovery of a Record Haul In Libyan Assets
What The Discovery of a Record Haul In Libyan Assets Portends for The U.S.
By Armstrong Williams
There something distinctly fishy about the Treasury Department’s lightning fast and allegedly “surprise” discovery of over $30 billion in Libyan Government assets stored in U.S. banks. The Obama administration has lauded this as a major and unexpected victory in its effort to dislodge the Gaddafi regime. That may be so, but the implications of such a large deposit by Libya have deeper and far more disturbing implications. Could Libya have been in the process of purchasing a major stake in America’s critical infrastructure?
First, it is strange that Libya -- a Government that has traditionally been wary of storing its’ assets in a place where they could be confiscated by the U.S. government -- would keep almost half of its estimated $70 billion sovereign wealth fund (Libyan Investment Authority or ‘LIA’) in U.S. banks. After all, Libyan assets had been frozen before, most notably in 1986. In fact, most Arab nations, even those friendly to the U.S. had been reluctant to keep their assets within U.S. jurisdiction after the U.S. froze Iranian government assets in 1979. Admittedly, relations with Libya have warmed in recent years since it was removed from the U.S. list of official state sponsors of terrorism in 2005. Still, the old wounds run deep, and Qaddafi is, if nothing else, a shrewd operator. Clearly, if he were taking such a big risk he must have had assurances from on high.
The second strange aspect problem is the speed with which the Treasury department identified and froze the assets. According to the Washington Post, treasury officials expected to find somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million in Libyan assets, and were surprised when they pulled in a record haul for U.S. assets freezes. It’s strange, not just because the disparity between what was expected and what was eventually found – but because of information recently disclosed in the Wiki leaks cables. The cables revealed that Libyan officials revealed in a discussion with the U.S. Ambassador in January that LIA had roughly “$32 billion in liquidity, mostly in bank deposits that will give us good long-term returns.” A 2009 annual report suggested that the company held roughly 78% of its investments in “short term financial instruments abroad.”
So rather than feel particularly elated about finding $30 billion of Libyan Government funds conveniently parked in a U.S. bank, the news makes one wonder. Is America up for sale? Or worse yet, has it already been sold, and to whom?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Portends for The U.S.
By Armstrong Williams
There something distinctly fishy about the Treasury Department’s lightning fast and allegedly “surprise” discovery of over $30 billion in Libyan Government assets stored in U.S. banks. The Obama administration has lauded this as a major and unexpected victory in its effort to dislodge the Gaddafi regime. That may be so, but the implications of such a large deposit by Libya have deeper and far more disturbing implications. Could Libya have been in the process of purchasing a major stake in America’s critical infrastructure?
First, it is strange that Libya -- a Government that has traditionally been wary of storing its’ assets in a place where they could be confiscated by the U.S. government -- would keep almost half of its estimated $70 billion sovereign wealth fund (Libyan Investment Authority or ‘LIA’) in U.S. banks. After all, Libyan assets had been frozen before, most notably in 1986. In fact, most Arab nations, even those friendly to the U.S. had been reluctant to keep their assets within U.S. jurisdiction after the U.S. froze Iranian government assets in 1979. Admittedly, relations with Libya have warmed in recent years since it was removed from the U.S. list of official state sponsors of terrorism in 2005. Still, the old wounds run deep, and Qaddafi is, if nothing else, a shrewd operator. Clearly, if he were taking such a big risk he must have had assurances from on high.
The second strange aspect problem is the speed with which the Treasury department identified and froze the assets. According to the Washington Post, treasury officials expected to find somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 million in Libyan assets, and were surprised when they pulled in a record haul for U.S. assets freezes. It’s strange, not just because the disparity between what was expected and what was eventually found – but because of information recently disclosed in the Wiki leaks cables. The cables revealed that Libyan officials revealed in a discussion with the U.S. Ambassador in January that LIA had roughly “$32 billion in liquidity, mostly in bank deposits that will give us good long-term returns.” A 2009 annual report suggested that the company held roughly 78% of its investments in “short term financial instruments abroad.”
So rather than feel particularly elated about finding $30 billion of Libyan Government funds conveniently parked in a U.S. bank, the news makes one wonder. Is America up for sale? Or worse yet, has it already been sold, and to whom?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/11/11
"High saver" vs Average saver"
BY: Armstrong Williams
"High saver" vs "Average saver"
Let us examine what happens to the wealth and income of a “high saver” and an “average saver” with a middle class salary of $50,000 per year. Without getting into the appropriate portfolio strategy for this middle class investor, let us assume that our saver receives a 6% rate of return on his investments. This return is below the average return achieved by most private pension funds over the past 50 years and below the 8% assumed by most government pension funds.
If the middle class wage earner is “high saver” who saves 10% of his annual salary or $5,000 per year, his wealth will be $70,000 at the end of 10 years. His annual income from this wealth will be $4,800. If he does not get a raise in his salary, his total income will be $54,800 or 9.6% higher than if he had not saved. The really amazing result of being a high saver is that by the time he retires 45 years later, he is a millionaire worth over $1.1 million. This nest egg is generating an income of $68,000 per year. His total income from salary and investment is $118,000 per year, 136% higher than his salary alone. He will not only replace his salary when he retires, his retirement income will be 36% higher than his salary. This is not the man who hits the lottery or invents the better mouse trap. This is the “millionaire next door”!
Unfortunately, the average American saves only about 2% of his income. The “average saver,” making the same $50,000 salary as the “high saver”, puts 2% of his salary or $1,000 per year into his investment account. At the end of 10 years, his wealth is $14,000 and his income from investments is $840 per year. His total income, assuming no salary increases, is $50,840 or 1.6% higher than his salary. When he retires 45 years later, his nest egg is worth $225,000 and it earns $13,500 per year. Clearly, this is not enough to replace his salary when he retires.
At the end of their respective careers, the high saver is a millionaire and the average saver is considered a low income retiree. The high saver’s income the year before retirement is 1.9 times that of the low saver! Yet the high saver and the low saver started out with equal incomes and earned the same salary over their working careers. It is important to recall that the average saver spent $180,000 more over his 45 year working career than the high saver. The growing disparity in income over the 45 year period was solely due to the thrifty behavior of the high saver. Yet, Americans are asked to feel sorry for the improvident average saver, and view the income and wealth of the high saver millionaire as a source of taxes to subsidize the retirement of the average saver.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
"High saver" vs Average saver"
BY: Armstrong Williams
"High saver" vs "Average saver"
Let us examine what happens to the wealth and income of a “high saver” and an “average saver” with a middle class salary of $50,000 per year. Without getting into the appropriate portfolio strategy for this middle class investor, let us assume that our saver receives a 6% rate of return on his investments. This return is below the average return achieved by most private pension funds over the past 50 years and below the 8% assumed by most government pension funds.
If the middle class wage earner is “high saver” who saves 10% of his annual salary or $5,000 per year, his wealth will be $70,000 at the end of 10 years. His annual income from this wealth will be $4,800. If he does not get a raise in his salary, his total income will be $54,800 or 9.6% higher than if he had not saved. The really amazing result of being a high saver is that by the time he retires 45 years later, he is a millionaire worth over $1.1 million. This nest egg is generating an income of $68,000 per year. His total income from salary and investment is $118,000 per year, 136% higher than his salary alone. He will not only replace his salary when he retires, his retirement income will be 36% higher than his salary. This is not the man who hits the lottery or invents the better mouse trap. This is the “millionaire next door”!
Unfortunately, the average American saves only about 2% of his income. The “average saver,” making the same $50,000 salary as the “high saver”, puts 2% of his salary or $1,000 per year into his investment account. At the end of 10 years, his wealth is $14,000 and his income from investments is $840 per year. His total income, assuming no salary increases, is $50,840 or 1.6% higher than his salary. When he retires 45 years later, his nest egg is worth $225,000 and it earns $13,500 per year. Clearly, this is not enough to replace his salary when he retires.
At the end of their respective careers, the high saver is a millionaire and the average saver is considered a low income retiree. The high saver’s income the year before retirement is 1.9 times that of the low saver! Yet the high saver and the low saver started out with equal incomes and earned the same salary over their working careers. It is important to recall that the average saver spent $180,000 more over his 45 year working career than the high saver. The growing disparity in income over the 45 year period was solely due to the thrifty behavior of the high saver. Yet, Americans are asked to feel sorry for the improvident average saver, and view the income and wealth of the high saver millionaire as a source of taxes to subsidize the retirement of the average saver.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/08/11
Be Astonished
BY: Armstrong Williams
Be Astonished
There are a lot of Washingtonians who, try as they might, they have a hard time carrying what they heard in church on Sundays to the workplace on Mondays. I’m no different. But yesterday, I got to thinking about what a country preacher told me many moons ago regarding life in general.
He challenged the congregation to do three things: 1) Pay attention; 2) Be astonished; and 3) Tell others.
Think about that. If we all paid a bit more attention to the things around us, how much more aware would we be – of the difficulties others may be facing, the burdens they’re carrying? The same thought applies to life and living in this country. The events around the world should have us all as Americans paying attention to just how fortunate we are to know and practice freedom.
If we practice that first principle, the second one should come easy…be astonished. When consciously thinking of that yesterday, I was indeed amazed at all the things around me. The cherry blossoms blooming, the snow on the ground (in late March!), the sheer humanity of our fellow Americans and the billions in giving we’ve shared for say, our Japanese neighbors.
Finally, we need to tell others. Clearly the pastor had the gospel in mind when discussing these three, but apply that third principle to better living in our everyday lives. Let me give you an example.
I was emailing a colleague the other day on what I felt to be a simple subject. She emailed me back, not quite understanding my point, and asking three more questions in the process. I then prepared to fire off a response to her not only clarifying my original request, but then trying to fold in answers to her other questions and then thinking about how they all should apply to the original email. See my point??
I was better off picking up the phone and just speaking with her.
In today’s technologically-driven world, just because we CAN communicate in different, more impersonal ways, doesn’t mean we SHOULD. I think more of our coworkers, friends, acquaintances, and strangers would feel each other’s humanity a bit more deeply if we practiced paying attention, being astonished, and telling others.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Be Astonished
BY: Armstrong Williams
Be Astonished
There are a lot of Washingtonians who, try as they might, they have a hard time carrying what they heard in church on Sundays to the workplace on Mondays. I’m no different. But yesterday, I got to thinking about what a country preacher told me many moons ago regarding life in general.
He challenged the congregation to do three things: 1) Pay attention; 2) Be astonished; and 3) Tell others.
Think about that. If we all paid a bit more attention to the things around us, how much more aware would we be – of the difficulties others may be facing, the burdens they’re carrying? The same thought applies to life and living in this country. The events around the world should have us all as Americans paying attention to just how fortunate we are to know and practice freedom.
If we practice that first principle, the second one should come easy…be astonished. When consciously thinking of that yesterday, I was indeed amazed at all the things around me. The cherry blossoms blooming, the snow on the ground (in late March!), the sheer humanity of our fellow Americans and the billions in giving we’ve shared for say, our Japanese neighbors.
Finally, we need to tell others. Clearly the pastor had the gospel in mind when discussing these three, but apply that third principle to better living in our everyday lives. Let me give you an example.
I was emailing a colleague the other day on what I felt to be a simple subject. She emailed me back, not quite understanding my point, and asking three more questions in the process. I then prepared to fire off a response to her not only clarifying my original request, but then trying to fold in answers to her other questions and then thinking about how they all should apply to the original email. See my point??
I was better off picking up the phone and just speaking with her.
In today’s technologically-driven world, just because we CAN communicate in different, more impersonal ways, doesn’t mean we SHOULD. I think more of our coworkers, friends, acquaintances, and strangers would feel each other’s humanity a bit more deeply if we practiced paying attention, being astonished, and telling others.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/07/11
Cut it or Shut it
BY: Armstrong Williams
Cut it or shut it.
Cut it or shut it? Cut it or shut it was the mantra of the Tea Party Patriots recently on Capitol Hill. Senate Democrats don't get it. Schumer and Reid are in total denial that we are facing a serious economic crisis in our nation. They're similar to a credit card and check book holder who don't make the connection that the cookie jar is empty. We've had enough. People in general have lost faith in our government's ability to manage its way out of financial disaster. Un-policed politicians will never correct this bankruptcy path. There is so much spending going on that is not grounded in reality, that the new movement must take on drastic measures of cut it our shut it. The day of reckoning is here and the longer the Schumer and Reid's remain in denial the more it looks like a spending addict with a serious addiction. We must now demand, "Cut it or Shut it!"
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Cut it or Shut it
BY: Armstrong Williams
Cut it or shut it.
Cut it or shut it? Cut it or shut it was the mantra of the Tea Party Patriots recently on Capitol Hill. Senate Democrats don't get it. Schumer and Reid are in total denial that we are facing a serious economic crisis in our nation. They're similar to a credit card and check book holder who don't make the connection that the cookie jar is empty. We've had enough. People in general have lost faith in our government's ability to manage its way out of financial disaster. Un-policed politicians will never correct this bankruptcy path. There is so much spending going on that is not grounded in reality, that the new movement must take on drastic measures of cut it our shut it. The day of reckoning is here and the longer the Schumer and Reid's remain in denial the more it looks like a spending addict with a serious addiction. We must now demand, "Cut it or Shut it!"
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/06/11
One Burning Question
One Burning Question
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why the outrage in Afghanistan over one Florida pastor's burning of a copy of the Koran? Isn't it a form of idolatry in both Christian and Islamic faith to worship objects and symbols? What does it say about the state of faith when the medium corrupts the message? Radical Islamic groups seem especially prone to exalting symbolism over other moral strictures – such as protecting the innocent and acting justly. Perversely, they seem to find it highly immoral for women to be seen uncovered in public – but not immoral to ruthlessly kill innocent men, women, and children in brutal terror attacks.
What does it portend about America’s deepening commitments in the Middle East, when it must deal with both partners and adversaries for whom death is preferable to a perceived dishonor?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
One Burning Question
One Burning Question
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why the outrage in Afghanistan over one Florida pastor's burning of a copy of the Koran? Isn't it a form of idolatry in both Christian and Islamic faith to worship objects and symbols? What does it say about the state of faith when the medium corrupts the message? Radical Islamic groups seem especially prone to exalting symbolism over other moral strictures – such as protecting the innocent and acting justly. Perversely, they seem to find it highly immoral for women to be seen uncovered in public – but not immoral to ruthlessly kill innocent men, women, and children in brutal terror attacks.
What does it portend about America’s deepening commitments in the Middle East, when it must deal with both partners and adversaries for whom death is preferable to a perceived dishonor?
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/05/11
Is Government a Necessary Evil ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Is Government a necessary Evil ?
Many believe that Government is a necessary evil in a society of free men. It is a device that must be used sparingly and eyed with suspicion, for it's tendency is to accumulate in the name of protection, what truly belongs to a just and good people.
Because the laws governing society have become so complex, ordinary people often feel helplessly lost and feel they have to rely on experts just to perform basic, ordinary functions as citizens. Laws governing the voting process require proof of identification that can be difficult to obtain. The system of taxation has become opaque, fuzzy and susceptible to all forms of trickery and abuse. Small business owners find themselves bound by a mind-numbing set of regulations that impede the basic economic engine of our country from growing, stifle innovation, and discourage the entrepreneurial spirit. And our members of Congress have succumbed to the self-serving and amoral dictum, when fighting to fund this or what worthless project, that it's going to be spent somewhere, so why not in my district? Is there any surprise that our national debt is soaring at 14 trillion dollars and steadily rising. We certainly have lowered the standard for what's right and wrong, haven't we? In no small part because the laws are so complex and self-contradictory that we've almost been left with no other way to look at moral matters.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Is Government a Necessary Evil ?
BY: Armstrong Williams
Is Government a necessary Evil ?
Many believe that Government is a necessary evil in a society of free men. It is a device that must be used sparingly and eyed with suspicion, for it's tendency is to accumulate in the name of protection, what truly belongs to a just and good people.
Because the laws governing society have become so complex, ordinary people often feel helplessly lost and feel they have to rely on experts just to perform basic, ordinary functions as citizens. Laws governing the voting process require proof of identification that can be difficult to obtain. The system of taxation has become opaque, fuzzy and susceptible to all forms of trickery and abuse. Small business owners find themselves bound by a mind-numbing set of regulations that impede the basic economic engine of our country from growing, stifle innovation, and discourage the entrepreneurial spirit. And our members of Congress have succumbed to the self-serving and amoral dictum, when fighting to fund this or what worthless project, that it's going to be spent somewhere, so why not in my district? Is there any surprise that our national debt is soaring at 14 trillion dollars and steadily rising. We certainly have lowered the standard for what's right and wrong, haven't we? In no small part because the laws are so complex and self-contradictory that we've almost been left with no other way to look at moral matters.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/04/11
Obama and the Black Vote 2012
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama and the Black Vote 2012
President Obama has officially launched his reelection campaign for 2012. His strongest constituency remains American Blacks, while many others have wandered in the wilderness or have abandoned him for now.
In light of the statistics, with Blacks only comprising slightly more than 1/8th of the population, Obama would probably do well to steer clear of race in general during his upcoming reelection season. After all, he was elected as the president of the United States, which includes Blacks, but the other 87% of the country as well. Even if every single Black person in the United States (including those in prison) voted against him, there's still another nearly 7/8ths of the population to attempt to sway. If anything, this should be given more thought. The more likely scenario is that many Blacks will continue to harbor unrealistic expectations and it would be wiser to cater to the U.S populace in general. A disillusioned Black community is likely to do what it has always done: vote Democrat, typical and not very powerful, because there's no need to try to get their vote. Additionally,if they feel the way they've felt, they'll probably just not even bother voting.
Perhaps some may say it's actually problematic that Obama's skin happens to be dark, because that means he's expected to be a Black Superman. He is expected to do the "Black" thing in any situation where race is involved. What may not be so obvious is that the "Black" thing isn't agreed upon within the Black community, so the "Black" things could arguably be anything, would definitely be prejudiced, and coming from the president would actually be, dare I say it, racist! This obviously puts Obama in a difficult situation. It didn't help that he was given the Nobel Peace Prize as he was taking office (before he'd had a chance to do anything). The expectations upon his shoulders were so staggering, it's quite possible that they were impossible expectations. The midterm elections showed how the populace was unhappy with his performance under those extremely high demands. Stay tuned!
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama and the Black Vote 2012
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama and the Black Vote 2012
President Obama has officially launched his reelection campaign for 2012. His strongest constituency remains American Blacks, while many others have wandered in the wilderness or have abandoned him for now.
In light of the statistics, with Blacks only comprising slightly more than 1/8th of the population, Obama would probably do well to steer clear of race in general during his upcoming reelection season. After all, he was elected as the president of the United States, which includes Blacks, but the other 87% of the country as well. Even if every single Black person in the United States (including those in prison) voted against him, there's still another nearly 7/8ths of the population to attempt to sway. If anything, this should be given more thought. The more likely scenario is that many Blacks will continue to harbor unrealistic expectations and it would be wiser to cater to the U.S populace in general. A disillusioned Black community is likely to do what it has always done: vote Democrat, typical and not very powerful, because there's no need to try to get their vote. Additionally,if they feel the way they've felt, they'll probably just not even bother voting.
Perhaps some may say it's actually problematic that Obama's skin happens to be dark, because that means he's expected to be a Black Superman. He is expected to do the "Black" thing in any situation where race is involved. What may not be so obvious is that the "Black" thing isn't agreed upon within the Black community, so the "Black" things could arguably be anything, would definitely be prejudiced, and coming from the president would actually be, dare I say it, racist! This obviously puts Obama in a difficult situation. It didn't help that he was given the Nobel Peace Prize as he was taking office (before he'd had a chance to do anything). The expectations upon his shoulders were so staggering, it's quite possible that they were impossible expectations. The midterm elections showed how the populace was unhappy with his performance under those extremely high demands. Stay tuned!
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
04/01/11
Talking to myself and becoming frustrated
BY: Armstrong Williams
TaIking to myself and becoming frustrated
My recent harshness about the president comes because this is a bit of an “own goal.” We did not have to get involved – an Arab dictator is oppressing his people…that is hardly news, or, unless our interests are directly involved, not our issue. Also, given the perlious state of our finances and our already full military plate, it is simply not prudent to indulge in superfluous actions. But, there I go again…once I get started on any logic train thinking about this I find myself banging the keyboard and crying out loud in frustration.
What is obvious is that he is making it up as he goes along. Having been talked into easing the consciences of Hillary and Susan Rice, he is now dealing with the fallout. Having made a rash proclamation that Gadhaffi must go, he is being pulled to inevitable conclusions: an American president always seems bound to back his statements; if he’s protecting the Libyan people from Gadhaffi, the only real solution is regime change; if the rebels can’t do it, then he’s got to do it. This ‘doubling down’ effect is obvious in the new debate about arming the rebels. Arming rebels we don’t know or understand, but who we know have an al Qaeda component is insane. But, this whole episode is borderline ludicrous. With the basics of the strategy so awful, I find it hard not to be very, very critical.
I don’t see how this was handled “well”. Nor do I see Egypt as being in the ‘well done’ category. The long-term implications of undermining an ally will not be lost on this region: not by the Arabs and not by the Israelis. He now has an established track record as an unreliable partner. It’s already bit us in Bahrain . And, if we’re looking for places ancillary to our interests to ‘do good’, how about Ivory Coast, where a brutal dictator is currently engaged in killing his people. I am also increasingly angry about the sheer mendacity on display: “kinetic military action”; “we won’t be involved on the ground” (when we have CIA operatives there now); “humanitarian mission” when we’ve moved in A-10s and AC-130s to fly close support for the rebels. And, please, please don’t forget the abuse of the War Powers Act (to say nothing of Congress’ sole discretion to authorize military action) as we were not threatened with imminent attack, and his ‘notification’ efforts were perfunctory in the extreme. Waste, and sheer, utter, unmitigated incompetence always disappoint me. When it involves the treasure of the nation, and potentially the lives of our servicemen, it is unconscionable. Sorry, but this just boils my blood.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Talking to myself and becoming frustrated
BY: Armstrong Williams
TaIking to myself and becoming frustrated
My recent harshness about the president comes because this is a bit of an “own goal.” We did not have to get involved – an Arab dictator is oppressing his people…that is hardly news, or, unless our interests are directly involved, not our issue. Also, given the perlious state of our finances and our already full military plate, it is simply not prudent to indulge in superfluous actions. But, there I go again…once I get started on any logic train thinking about this I find myself banging the keyboard and crying out loud in frustration.
What is obvious is that he is making it up as he goes along. Having been talked into easing the consciences of Hillary and Susan Rice, he is now dealing with the fallout. Having made a rash proclamation that Gadhaffi must go, he is being pulled to inevitable conclusions: an American president always seems bound to back his statements; if he’s protecting the Libyan people from Gadhaffi, the only real solution is regime change; if the rebels can’t do it, then he’s got to do it. This ‘doubling down’ effect is obvious in the new debate about arming the rebels. Arming rebels we don’t know or understand, but who we know have an al Qaeda component is insane. But, this whole episode is borderline ludicrous. With the basics of the strategy so awful, I find it hard not to be very, very critical.
I don’t see how this was handled “well”. Nor do I see Egypt as being in the ‘well done’ category. The long-term implications of undermining an ally will not be lost on this region: not by the Arabs and not by the Israelis. He now has an established track record as an unreliable partner. It’s already bit us in Bahrain . And, if we’re looking for places ancillary to our interests to ‘do good’, how about Ivory Coast, where a brutal dictator is currently engaged in killing his people. I am also increasingly angry about the sheer mendacity on display: “kinetic military action”; “we won’t be involved on the ground” (when we have CIA operatives there now); “humanitarian mission” when we’ve moved in A-10s and AC-130s to fly close support for the rebels. And, please, please don’t forget the abuse of the War Powers Act (to say nothing of Congress’ sole discretion to authorize military action) as we were not threatened with imminent attack, and his ‘notification’ efforts were perfunctory in the extreme. Waste, and sheer, utter, unmitigated incompetence always disappoint me. When it involves the treasure of the nation, and potentially the lives of our servicemen, it is unconscionable. Sorry, but this just boils my blood.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/30/11
Acting like Gaddafi, you win.
BY: Armstrong Williams
Acting like Gaddafi, you win.
As Rebel fighters are fleeing under fire from a key town in eastern Libya, it’s now apparent that the Obama administration will not forcefully remove Gaddafi from power. Whew. Guess who’s resting easy in Tripoli! Sure, the Obama Administration wants the tyrant tossed. Why else would U.S. warplanes be pounding his military? But dropping a hint and showing him the door are two different things. While allied forces convening in London today insist Gaddafi must go, they are clueless as to how they can achieve this end goal.
Hello out there?
It is clear that President Obama has begun an illegal war - and if not illegal, then an unwise and unauthorized one - war on the cheap is not new, and has predictable outcomes. I'm intrigued by how some reporters have actually said counterfactual things like, "allied air power prevented a blood bath." It isn't possible to know what allied air power prevented, we can only observe what it did, how many civilians have died from our trying to protect them? Air power's utility shrinks when the fighting goes urban and none of us can possibly know what's going on there. The air strikes have been limited to the eastern part of Libya, shielding and creating a rebel redoubt without imperiling Gaddafi's power base in western Libya.
Further, I’m baffled why this President is still hung up on “humanitarian” relief and that being part of the reason behind the mission. Did someone from the Nobel Committee phone the Oval Office in recent weeks and remind the president there is a return policy on his Peace Prize if he gets too far out there? Come on. The American people know what’s going on here. Gaddafi is running roughshod over the rebels, the United States needed to help. That meant killing as many pro-Gaddafi forces as we could find. To do anything else would send a message to other parts of the world that if you act like Mubarak in Egypt, you lose. If you act like Gaddafi, torturing and killing your own, you win.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Acting like Gaddafi, you win.
BY: Armstrong Williams
Acting like Gaddafi, you win.
As Rebel fighters are fleeing under fire from a key town in eastern Libya, it’s now apparent that the Obama administration will not forcefully remove Gaddafi from power. Whew. Guess who’s resting easy in Tripoli! Sure, the Obama Administration wants the tyrant tossed. Why else would U.S. warplanes be pounding his military? But dropping a hint and showing him the door are two different things. While allied forces convening in London today insist Gaddafi must go, they are clueless as to how they can achieve this end goal.
Hello out there?
It is clear that President Obama has begun an illegal war - and if not illegal, then an unwise and unauthorized one - war on the cheap is not new, and has predictable outcomes. I'm intrigued by how some reporters have actually said counterfactual things like, "allied air power prevented a blood bath." It isn't possible to know what allied air power prevented, we can only observe what it did, how many civilians have died from our trying to protect them? Air power's utility shrinks when the fighting goes urban and none of us can possibly know what's going on there. The air strikes have been limited to the eastern part of Libya, shielding and creating a rebel redoubt without imperiling Gaddafi's power base in western Libya.
Further, I’m baffled why this President is still hung up on “humanitarian” relief and that being part of the reason behind the mission. Did someone from the Nobel Committee phone the Oval Office in recent weeks and remind the president there is a return policy on his Peace Prize if he gets too far out there? Come on. The American people know what’s going on here. Gaddafi is running roughshod over the rebels, the United States needed to help. That meant killing as many pro-Gaddafi forces as we could find. To do anything else would send a message to other parts of the world that if you act like Mubarak in Egypt, you lose. If you act like Gaddafi, torturing and killing your own, you win.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/29/11
Paradox of Social Network vs Wealth and Equality
BY: Armstrong Williams
Paradox of Social Network vs Wealth and Equality
When the government provides you with a safety net that provides a comfortable living in the event of misfortune, you are less likely to save money. Before Social Security if you wanted a comfortable retirement you had to save. Before unemployment insurance if you lost your job you had to save. If you had a health issue you hoped you had saved enough
These circumstances force people to save money as a personal insurance policy. But now that we have social safety nets Americans are not required to save in order to maintain their economic status in the event of a change in life circumstances. Therefore government safety net programs, such as Social Security, unemployment benefits and national healthcare result in a much lower savings rate among working Americans. It is not surprising that as the American welfare state increases its reach, the wealthy become relatively more wealthy. The increased reach of welfare programs is bad, it is an indicator that working Americans are saving less and are unable to reap the benefits of having savings working for them in the form of investments.
If America wants to reduce its income and wealth disparity it needs to shrink the social safety network by enabling Americans to wean themselves off the welfare system through intelligent saving and educated investment.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Paradox of Social Network vs Wealth and Equality
BY: Armstrong Williams
Paradox of Social Network vs Wealth and Equality
When the government provides you with a safety net that provides a comfortable living in the event of misfortune, you are less likely to save money. Before Social Security if you wanted a comfortable retirement you had to save. Before unemployment insurance if you lost your job you had to save. If you had a health issue you hoped you had saved enough
These circumstances force people to save money as a personal insurance policy. But now that we have social safety nets Americans are not required to save in order to maintain their economic status in the event of a change in life circumstances. Therefore government safety net programs, such as Social Security, unemployment benefits and national healthcare result in a much lower savings rate among working Americans. It is not surprising that as the American welfare state increases its reach, the wealthy become relatively more wealthy. The increased reach of welfare programs is bad, it is an indicator that working Americans are saving less and are unable to reap the benefits of having savings working for them in the form of investments.
If America wants to reduce its income and wealth disparity it needs to shrink the social safety network by enabling Americans to wean themselves off the welfare system through intelligent saving and educated investment.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/28/11
Why Donald Trump won't be president
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why Donald Trump won’t be president
I was a big fan of Donald Trump’s exploratory moves for the presidency. I saw those interviews the money mogul did on Fox News recently. I have to admit, I was impressed. He was poised, and told host Neil Cavuto he was “embarrassed” for this country. Ashamed that the world viewed us so poorly, and he was just the fella to try and right the ship of state. Aside from his usual ramblings about his money (I can’t see a blue collar worker subscribing to that), the Donald made a lot of sense.
Take note: I was a big fan…
I wish the comment wasn’t in the past tense. But then I watched Trump appear on a dayside show called The View on Wednesday, and he single-handedly tanked his entire campaign.
It was on that show that Donald tussled with Whoopi Goldberg. But the exchange was not over serious issues of how this country is in total debt; or why this president should have a better story to tell regarding Libya, Afghanistan…you name it. No, Donald Trump pulled a rookie move – he took the bait of a host who knows nothing about politics. He thought he was smarter than she was.
Donald engaged in an argument with Goldberg that no one – whether in Washington or elsewhere - believes is a serious policy concern, let alone a personal one. We’re talking about why or why not President Obama won’t show his birth certificate. Yep, the Donald is a “birther.” Give me a break, folks.
I know many Hill readers question why and where this president refuses to reveal his birth certificate, but every time anyone brings the topic up, they are immediately relegated to the “not serious” pile.
I’m sorry, it’s true. With all the issues facing this nation, and a wannabe leader of the free world chooses to have a deep conversation about whether Obama was born in this country? Please.
All Whoopi had to do was pull the race card, which she did, and Trump was in over his head. Oh, he won’t think so, but he was. It wasn’t even a serious forum. The View? That’s a venue where you wax nostalgic about your first kiss, or where you were when you watched your first Harry Potter movie with the kids. You don’t talk about political conspiracy theories. And you certainly don’t do it on a show where Whoopi’s producers have access to an APPLAUSE button for the audience to make her look good and you look like an imbecile.
I know Donald Trump is smart. But that might be part of his problem. He’s too smart for his own good. And the moment you start believing that you’re going to set a liberal host like Whoopi Goldberg or Barbara Walters straight, you lose.
That play might have worked on Rosie, but not here. If Donald Trump keeps pulling such amateur moves, he won’t be around long enough to get his exploratory committee off the ground.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Why Donald Trump won't be president
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why Donald Trump won’t be president
I was a big fan of Donald Trump’s exploratory moves for the presidency. I saw those interviews the money mogul did on Fox News recently. I have to admit, I was impressed. He was poised, and told host Neil Cavuto he was “embarrassed” for this country. Ashamed that the world viewed us so poorly, and he was just the fella to try and right the ship of state. Aside from his usual ramblings about his money (I can’t see a blue collar worker subscribing to that), the Donald made a lot of sense.
Take note: I was a big fan…
I wish the comment wasn’t in the past tense. But then I watched Trump appear on a dayside show called The View on Wednesday, and he single-handedly tanked his entire campaign.
It was on that show that Donald tussled with Whoopi Goldberg. But the exchange was not over serious issues of how this country is in total debt; or why this president should have a better story to tell regarding Libya, Afghanistan…you name it. No, Donald Trump pulled a rookie move – he took the bait of a host who knows nothing about politics. He thought he was smarter than she was.
Donald engaged in an argument with Goldberg that no one – whether in Washington or elsewhere - believes is a serious policy concern, let alone a personal one. We’re talking about why or why not President Obama won’t show his birth certificate. Yep, the Donald is a “birther.” Give me a break, folks.
I know many Hill readers question why and where this president refuses to reveal his birth certificate, but every time anyone brings the topic up, they are immediately relegated to the “not serious” pile.
I’m sorry, it’s true. With all the issues facing this nation, and a wannabe leader of the free world chooses to have a deep conversation about whether Obama was born in this country? Please.
All Whoopi had to do was pull the race card, which she did, and Trump was in over his head. Oh, he won’t think so, but he was. It wasn’t even a serious forum. The View? That’s a venue where you wax nostalgic about your first kiss, or where you were when you watched your first Harry Potter movie with the kids. You don’t talk about political conspiracy theories. And you certainly don’t do it on a show where Whoopi’s producers have access to an APPLAUSE button for the audience to make her look good and you look like an imbecile.
I know Donald Trump is smart. But that might be part of his problem. He’s too smart for his own good. And the moment you start believing that you’re going to set a liberal host like Whoopi Goldberg or Barbara Walters straight, you lose.
That play might have worked on Rosie, but not here. If Donald Trump keeps pulling such amateur moves, he won’t be around long enough to get his exploratory committee off the ground.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/22/11
Six Billion Dollar Joke
BY: Armstrong Williams
Six Billion Dollar Joke?
During the Bush era I thoughts his budget deficit of several hundred billions dollars was irresponsible, until this new crop of leaders found there way into congress and gave new meaning to the word, irresponsible. They incurred budget deficits of 1.5 trillion dollars. The Democrats proposal to eliminate a mere SIX BILLION DOLLARS to close the deficit is a joke and we all should be insulted by this gesture. It's like sending one slice of bread to feed Haitian refugees after the earth quake in Port Au Prince.
6 billion dollars towards our deficit is less than 2/10 of 1% (.2) of the total budget. It's equivalent to somebody with a $45,000 yearly income who spends $65,000 a year trying to reduce their $20,000 overspending by $80.00 a year or someone with a $10,000 credit card bill making payments of $20 a year. It will take 500 years to pay off the credit card bill at 0% interest.
Congress needs to make a credible effort to trim spending, before our nation becomes another bankrupt state like Argentina.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Six Billion Dollar Joke
BY: Armstrong Williams
Six Billion Dollar Joke?
During the Bush era I thoughts his budget deficit of several hundred billions dollars was irresponsible, until this new crop of leaders found there way into congress and gave new meaning to the word, irresponsible. They incurred budget deficits of 1.5 trillion dollars. The Democrats proposal to eliminate a mere SIX BILLION DOLLARS to close the deficit is a joke and we all should be insulted by this gesture. It's like sending one slice of bread to feed Haitian refugees after the earth quake in Port Au Prince.
6 billion dollars towards our deficit is less than 2/10 of 1% (.2) of the total budget. It's equivalent to somebody with a $45,000 yearly income who spends $65,000 a year trying to reduce their $20,000 overspending by $80.00 a year or someone with a $10,000 credit card bill making payments of $20 a year. It will take 500 years to pay off the credit card bill at 0% interest.
Congress needs to make a credible effort to trim spending, before our nation becomes another bankrupt state like Argentina.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/22/11
Time to define the Obama Doctrine
BY: Armstrong Williams
Time to define the Obama Doctrine
The current tenuous situation in Libya poses a big dilemma for this Administration. What baffles me is that it doesn’t have to be this way.
As the bombs fall and the missiles fly, it’s clear the world wants Gaddafi gone. Even the Arab League acknowledges that point. So for President Obama to state a similar line, there’s not much foreign policy wisdom flowing forth. Yet as Congressional voices grow louder for clarity on “the mission”, this White House has turned to some pretty lame reasons for the U.S.’s presence over Libya.
“Humanitarian actions” to protect the citizens of Libya…Is that the best they can do? When the President states he wants Gaddafi deposed, that should be enough. And yet we have an administration that is stepping on its message by releasing statements in the name of protecting the people of Libya. A noble cause, yes, but to carry that logic through, then shouldn’t this country have acted sooner and not waited until the tyrant’s forces were about to deliver the deathblow to the opposition?
Why now?
By the same token, Congressional Republicans should give the President some time to work both diplomatically and militarily to secure the country and establish necessary ties with UN allies. Hurling hollow questions of “what’s next??” doesn’t really advance any substantive debate. Not now. Further, the only thing we should be concerned with is finishing the job (and we know what that job is) and making sure our soldiers come home.
So now is the time for Obama to set his doctrine. Appearing in a joint media availability with the president of Chile won’t cut it (bad PR move, Mr. Carney). No, we need a major presidential address. Such an act would also set the stage for American foreign policy moves toward other totalitarian regimes who might be reconsidering their actions given the latest events.
The world is watching the United States. That’s a good place for us to be right now. It’s where we as a country thrive. Obama should embrace this moment; not dally with what to call a military offensive against a crazed tyrant.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Time to define the Obama Doctrine
BY: Armstrong Williams
Time to define the Obama Doctrine
The current tenuous situation in Libya poses a big dilemma for this Administration. What baffles me is that it doesn’t have to be this way.
As the bombs fall and the missiles fly, it’s clear the world wants Gaddafi gone. Even the Arab League acknowledges that point. So for President Obama to state a similar line, there’s not much foreign policy wisdom flowing forth. Yet as Congressional voices grow louder for clarity on “the mission”, this White House has turned to some pretty lame reasons for the U.S.’s presence over Libya.
“Humanitarian actions” to protect the citizens of Libya…Is that the best they can do? When the President states he wants Gaddafi deposed, that should be enough. And yet we have an administration that is stepping on its message by releasing statements in the name of protecting the people of Libya. A noble cause, yes, but to carry that logic through, then shouldn’t this country have acted sooner and not waited until the tyrant’s forces were about to deliver the deathblow to the opposition?
Why now?
By the same token, Congressional Republicans should give the President some time to work both diplomatically and militarily to secure the country and establish necessary ties with UN allies. Hurling hollow questions of “what’s next??” doesn’t really advance any substantive debate. Not now. Further, the only thing we should be concerned with is finishing the job (and we know what that job is) and making sure our soldiers come home.
So now is the time for Obama to set his doctrine. Appearing in a joint media availability with the president of Chile won’t cut it (bad PR move, Mr. Carney). No, we need a major presidential address. Such an act would also set the stage for American foreign policy moves toward other totalitarian regimes who might be reconsidering their actions given the latest events.
The world is watching the United States. That’s a good place for us to be right now. It’s where we as a country thrive. Obama should embrace this moment; not dally with what to call a military offensive against a crazed tyrant.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/21/11
American Ingenuity
BY: Armstrong Williams
American Ingenuity
The Internet as we know it today started as a small Department of Defense project as early as 1969. Back then, the Pentagon was looking for an alternate way of communicating beyond the telephone system during wartime threats. The best plan was to communicate across a “web” of networked computers – a program that was to be run by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Created just after the Soviets launched Sputnik in 1959 and long heralded as the wiz-bang arm of the Pentagon, DARPA quickly stepped into action and perfected the ARPANET as it was first called, by 1983.
Just think, American ingenuity has done what hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars, thousands of soldiers’ lives, and all the might of the U.S. military war machine could not – spread democracy like a prairie fire.
Maybe that’s the lesson we as Americans can take from the volatile yet history-setting events unfolding half a world away. The desire for self-rule and independence is insatiable. No matter how big a stick we may carry, sometimes even the softest of words can wield the greatest influences.
Thought can in fact produce action, and spark a sense of community and solidarity, even when those passions are less than 140 characters. Didn’t we as a young people recognize this truism some 250 years ago? Only then, our rallying cries came in the form of Federalist Papers and words such as “Don’t Tread on Me.”
We are embarking on a new Age of Freedom. The world’s youth know this. To them, freedom rests in the palm of their hands. We as a beacon of that hope and representative government would serve ourselves well to keep looking for ways to share technology with them.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
American Ingenuity
BY: Armstrong Williams
American Ingenuity
The Internet as we know it today started as a small Department of Defense project as early as 1969. Back then, the Pentagon was looking for an alternate way of communicating beyond the telephone system during wartime threats. The best plan was to communicate across a “web” of networked computers – a program that was to be run by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Created just after the Soviets launched Sputnik in 1959 and long heralded as the wiz-bang arm of the Pentagon, DARPA quickly stepped into action and perfected the ARPANET as it was first called, by 1983.
Just think, American ingenuity has done what hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars, thousands of soldiers’ lives, and all the might of the U.S. military war machine could not – spread democracy like a prairie fire.
Maybe that’s the lesson we as Americans can take from the volatile yet history-setting events unfolding half a world away. The desire for self-rule and independence is insatiable. No matter how big a stick we may carry, sometimes even the softest of words can wield the greatest influences.
Thought can in fact produce action, and spark a sense of community and solidarity, even when those passions are less than 140 characters. Didn’t we as a young people recognize this truism some 250 years ago? Only then, our rallying cries came in the form of Federalist Papers and words such as “Don’t Tread on Me.”
We are embarking on a new Age of Freedom. The world’s youth know this. To them, freedom rests in the palm of their hands. We as a beacon of that hope and representative government would serve ourselves well to keep looking for ways to share technology with them.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/18/11
Repatriating Offshore Profits
BY: Armstrong Williams
Repatriating Offshore Profits
One of the reasons that banks are less aggressive in lending to the private sector in a recession is that government regulators are more likely to “criticize” risky loans to the private sector. Banks with criticized loans are forced to write-down these loans and consequently have less money available to lend. There are more criticized loans in a recession, so banks have to rebuild their capital by reducing lending and lending only to the safest borrowers. Therefore in a recession, government bank regulators force banks to be more conservative in their lending to the private sector which leads the banks to buy more government bonds. In my more cynical moments, I wonder if the economic geniuses in the Treasury Department, Bank Regulatory Agencies and the Federal Reserve understand that they can force the banks to fund a larger portion of the huge federal deficit with cheap money by criticizing more bank loans to the private sector and crowding out private lending.
The analysis above assumes that all corporate excess money was kept in the US. As a practical matter much of the unused corporate money is in off shore accounts being invested in foreign government bonds and private foreign loans. It is not being spent in the US because US tax policy severely penalizes US companies that repatriate offshore profits. The US corporate tax rate is 35%, the highest in the developed world. The tax rates in Europe and Asia range from 10-25%. If US companies repatriate that money back to the US, they will have to pay an additional tax of 10-25% (the difference between the US corporate tax rate and the foreign tax rate.) For example, if Microsoft has $1 billion from profits in its Hong Kong account, it would have to pay a repatriation tax of 15%, $150 million, to the US government to repatriate the money back to the US. Are you surprised that they leave the money in Hong Kong? No other country materially taxes repatriated earnings made foreign countries. This means that they cannot spend, invest or distribute to shareholders the money from these offshore accounts in the US without a severe tax penalty!
The bottom line is that government tax and bank regulatory policy is responsible for much of the idle cash in corporate tills sitting on the side lines during this recession.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Repatriating Offshore Profits
BY: Armstrong Williams
Repatriating Offshore Profits
One of the reasons that banks are less aggressive in lending to the private sector in a recession is that government regulators are more likely to “criticize” risky loans to the private sector. Banks with criticized loans are forced to write-down these loans and consequently have less money available to lend. There are more criticized loans in a recession, so banks have to rebuild their capital by reducing lending and lending only to the safest borrowers. Therefore in a recession, government bank regulators force banks to be more conservative in their lending to the private sector which leads the banks to buy more government bonds. In my more cynical moments, I wonder if the economic geniuses in the Treasury Department, Bank Regulatory Agencies and the Federal Reserve understand that they can force the banks to fund a larger portion of the huge federal deficit with cheap money by criticizing more bank loans to the private sector and crowding out private lending.
The analysis above assumes that all corporate excess money was kept in the US. As a practical matter much of the unused corporate money is in off shore accounts being invested in foreign government bonds and private foreign loans. It is not being spent in the US because US tax policy severely penalizes US companies that repatriate offshore profits. The US corporate tax rate is 35%, the highest in the developed world. The tax rates in Europe and Asia range from 10-25%. If US companies repatriate that money back to the US, they will have to pay an additional tax of 10-25% (the difference between the US corporate tax rate and the foreign tax rate.) For example, if Microsoft has $1 billion from profits in its Hong Kong account, it would have to pay a repatriation tax of 15%, $150 million, to the US government to repatriate the money back to the US. Are you surprised that they leave the money in Hong Kong? No other country materially taxes repatriated earnings made foreign countries. This means that they cannot spend, invest or distribute to shareholders the money from these offshore accounts in the US without a severe tax penalty!
The bottom line is that government tax and bank regulatory policy is responsible for much of the idle cash in corporate tills sitting on the side lines during this recession.
Read Armstrong Williams content on RightSideWire.com and listen daily on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/17/11
Leadership
Leadership
By Armstrong Williams -
The chickens have finally come home to roost.
We're at the 3 a.m. call that candidate Hillary Clinton foreshadowed during her 2008 presidential campaign. She warned that electing a president with little or no experience would place our nation in danger by not knowing what to do in times of crisis.
President Obama probably has good intentions, yet he continues to tread lightly on the world stage. At this very moment there is a clarion call for strong leadership from the United States as the lone superpower on earth. Many crises are constantly erupting around the globe and the world is screaming for leadership with backbone and clarity.
As much as some may believe in non-exceptionalism, we are exceptional and must provide guidance and vision through these turbulent times we find ourselves in. We are by default world leaders and must remove our heads from the sand and take up the task.
Leadership requires taking risks. Obama is risk-averse. To put it simply, a leader must lead, and not perpetually ruminate.
www.rightsidewire.com
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Leadership
Leadership
By Armstrong Williams -
The chickens have finally come home to roost.
We're at the 3 a.m. call that candidate Hillary Clinton foreshadowed during her 2008 presidential campaign. She warned that electing a president with little or no experience would place our nation in danger by not knowing what to do in times of crisis.
President Obama probably has good intentions, yet he continues to tread lightly on the world stage. At this very moment there is a clarion call for strong leadership from the United States as the lone superpower on earth. Many crises are constantly erupting around the globe and the world is screaming for leadership with backbone and clarity.
As much as some may believe in non-exceptionalism, we are exceptional and must provide guidance and vision through these turbulent times we find ourselves in. We are by default world leaders and must remove our heads from the sand and take up the task.
Leadership requires taking risks. Obama is risk-averse. To put it simply, a leader must lead, and not perpetually ruminate.
www.rightsidewire.com
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/16/11
American benevolence in the wake of tragedy
BY: Armstrong Williams
American benevolence in the wake of tragedy
What happened in Japan is truly awful. In the wake of a devastating earthquake that shook the island nation to its very core lies destruction, loss of life, and a solemn emptiness that will be felt for generations. That’s the soul of the Japanese – they care for their own in unimaginable ways. From the manner in which they treat their country’s elderly (many remain with their families to their last days, not in institutions), to their disciplined work ethic, there is much to be admired. Just look at the story of those fearless 50 who, as I write this, are dug in deep of a nuclear reactor core trying to defuse that situation.
But another soul was laid bare this week in response to the tragedy – the benevolent, giving spirit of the American people. From our government to individuals such as The Hill readers, each gives of their time, talents and fortunes to help a people half a world away. Even $10 at a time makes a world of difference.
For example, hours after the quake struck, American churches were mobilizing. The Church of 7th Day Adventists set up relief stations for Japanese commuters who were trapped in subway cars due to loss of electrical power.
That’s what makes me proud to be an American. We don’t think to step up and step into the middle of the devastation. Our emergency response crews are on the next planes out of the country. The teams from Fairfax, Va… I swear they must live on planes and in vehicles – driving from one disaster area to the next.
We saw it in Haiti, New Zealand, and now in Japan. The American sense of giving is seemingly bottomless.
And that’s what the world needs right now. I’m not talking about a renewed sense of American exceptionalism. Forget that clap-trap for now. I’m talking about a plain, God-fearing sense of giving. Of love for a brother. No love is greater.
So let’s celebrate that today, even as we mourn for a nation in the throes of despair.
American benevolence in the wake of tragedy
BY: Armstrong Williams
American benevolence in the wake of tragedy
What happened in Japan is truly awful. In the wake of a devastating earthquake that shook the island nation to its very core lies destruction, loss of life, and a solemn emptiness that will be felt for generations. That’s the soul of the Japanese – they care for their own in unimaginable ways. From the manner in which they treat their country’s elderly (many remain with their families to their last days, not in institutions), to their disciplined work ethic, there is much to be admired. Just look at the story of those fearless 50 who, as I write this, are dug in deep of a nuclear reactor core trying to defuse that situation.
But another soul was laid bare this week in response to the tragedy – the benevolent, giving spirit of the American people. From our government to individuals such as The Hill readers, each gives of their time, talents and fortunes to help a people half a world away. Even $10 at a time makes a world of difference.
For example, hours after the quake struck, American churches were mobilizing. The Church of 7th Day Adventists set up relief stations for Japanese commuters who were trapped in subway cars due to loss of electrical power.
That’s what makes me proud to be an American. We don’t think to step up and step into the middle of the devastation. Our emergency response crews are on the next planes out of the country. The teams from Fairfax, Va… I swear they must live on planes and in vehicles – driving from one disaster area to the next.
We saw it in Haiti, New Zealand, and now in Japan. The American sense of giving is seemingly bottomless.
And that’s what the world needs right now. I’m not talking about a renewed sense of American exceptionalism. Forget that clap-trap for now. I’m talking about a plain, God-fearing sense of giving. Of love for a brother. No love is greater.
So let’s celebrate that today, even as we mourn for a nation in the throes of despair.
03/14/11
When’s crossing street safer than standing on curb?
Learning to cross the street safely is one of the first things a child is taught after he or she learns to walk. The first lesson: Cross at the crosswalk. Second, only cross when the pedestrian light is on. And, the cardinal rule: Always look both ways before crossing.
The financial markets made folly of these rules of thumb over the past three years, transforming once-seasoned street-crossers into mere toddlers overnight. People withdrew their investments from the roiling equity markets and sought safe havens in cash. Mattresses replaced major financial institutions as the most trusted stewards of national wealth.
Pedestrian investors came to no longer believe in the safety signals. After all, they had lost money on home mortgages that, up until 2008, were considered among the world's safest investments. Almost all the economic models showed that housing values would never decline. But decline they did. For those who lost their investments, it was like getting hit when the light was green. A few of the more cautious investors even looked both ways and foresaw the bursting mortgage bubble. They wisely moved into other investments, thinking that the crisis would be contained within the housing industry. They were wrong. The mess spilled into the overall economy, causing a global financial meltdown. The goody-two shoes got hit, too.
Those who managed to survive limped to the curb, where they stayed put for two years. The merest movement startled them. With a look of betrayal in their eyes, they looked up at their parents — the media pundits and the federal government — for answers. They instinctively reached for a comforting hand, placing their precious eggs in the federal government's nest. The year 2008 witnessed record purchases of U.S. treasuries by foreign and domestic investors looking for a safe place to ride out the storm.
The rush to safe haven started out as a reflexive, instinct-driven stampede, but quickly turned existential. Fear became the new normal. The question turned from "When is it really safe to cross the road?" to "Why would a chicken ever cross the road in the first place?" People were so concerned about preserving what little capital they had left that they lost all concern for how to grow their wealth. Not losing became the new winning.
But the hole was so deep that the government feared a downward economic spiral if it did not enable the worst drivers — those that in fact caused the crash — the nation's financial institutions. The mantra "too big to fail" echoed with mind-numbing repetition throughout the halls of government. Ultimately, the politicians heeded the call, propping up the banks with the largest bailouts in history. The government took most of the bad assets off the private firms' books and converted them into a public debt. After the bailouts, it was expected that the private financial institutions would be freed up to lend money to distressed individuals and businesses and get the economy rolling again.
But that didn't happen. As time has revealed, instead of using government largess to help troubled consumers and small businesses, the banks hoarded the cash, and compensated themselves handsomely. In fact, in 2009, less than a year after the government bailed them out, Wall Street rewarded itself with almost $144 billion, the largest compensation package in its history.
Moreover, the firms still held plenty of toxic mortgages on their books. And to add insult to injury: They lied about just needing to bail out their clients. After the dust settled, it came to light that Goldman Sachs, one of the supposedly least affected banks and one of the most arrogantly opposed to government regulation — received almost $3 billion in government funds to bail out its own losing trades.
Needless to say, investors were not impressed. They clung to the sidelines. There were, to borrow a term from the estimable Donald H. Rumsfeld, there were too many "unknown unknowns" out in the street. Meanwhile, the government's borrowing spree diluted the value of the dollar so much that yields on short-term treasuries trailed nominal inflation. Even while hugging the curb, investors were getting sideswiped. The second round of government debt issuance, QE 2, lowered returns on "safe money" further and forced shellshocked investors back into the street. As a result, the stock market rallied in the last months of 2010 and early 2011.
Many pundits celebrated the stock market rally as a sign of the return of consumer confidence. This was far from the case. The big, "dumb" money (as many Wall Street traders glibly refer to it) — institutional investors such as state pension funds and private insurance pools — could not survive on the near-zero interest rates they earned on public debt and were forced back into the street.
Their actuarial models, the means by which they paid claims, assumed risk-adjusted returns averaging between 5 percent and 8 percent. They were now earning less than 2 percent. Not only had they lost upwards of 40 percent of their capital in the downturn, but the anemic, jobless recovery combined with the retiring baby-boom population, placed serious strains on their resources. The risk of not crossing the street spelled certain failure, even as the unknown risks of crossing loomed.
The situation in the street is not much better (and maybe worse) than it was in 2008. The same large firms control the majority of the nation's financial assets. Only now, thanks to mergers and government bailouts, they're even bigger. Individuals at the helm of these firms largely escaped scrutiny, not to mention punishment, because the problem was chalked up to "systemic risk." Therefore, the same incentives that drove these firms to ignore the stop signs and run over pedestrians persist today. And one more thing: The U.S. government, supposedly the grown-up in the game, became the most risky institution in America.
When is crossing the street safer than standing on the curb? When there is no curb.
• "The Armstrong Williams Show" is broadcast on Sirius/XM Satellite's Power 169 channel from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter aat www.twitter.com/arightside.
When’s crossing street safer than standing on curb?
Learning to cross the street safely is one of the first things a child is taught after he or she learns to walk. The first lesson: Cross at the crosswalk. Second, only cross when the pedestrian light is on. And, the cardinal rule: Always look both ways before crossing.
The financial markets made folly of these rules of thumb over the past three years, transforming once-seasoned street-crossers into mere toddlers overnight. People withdrew their investments from the roiling equity markets and sought safe havens in cash. Mattresses replaced major financial institutions as the most trusted stewards of national wealth.
Pedestrian investors came to no longer believe in the safety signals. After all, they had lost money on home mortgages that, up until 2008, were considered among the world's safest investments. Almost all the economic models showed that housing values would never decline. But decline they did. For those who lost their investments, it was like getting hit when the light was green. A few of the more cautious investors even looked both ways and foresaw the bursting mortgage bubble. They wisely moved into other investments, thinking that the crisis would be contained within the housing industry. They were wrong. The mess spilled into the overall economy, causing a global financial meltdown. The goody-two shoes got hit, too.
Those who managed to survive limped to the curb, where they stayed put for two years. The merest movement startled them. With a look of betrayal in their eyes, they looked up at their parents — the media pundits and the federal government — for answers. They instinctively reached for a comforting hand, placing their precious eggs in the federal government's nest. The year 2008 witnessed record purchases of U.S. treasuries by foreign and domestic investors looking for a safe place to ride out the storm.
The rush to safe haven started out as a reflexive, instinct-driven stampede, but quickly turned existential. Fear became the new normal. The question turned from "When is it really safe to cross the road?" to "Why would a chicken ever cross the road in the first place?" People were so concerned about preserving what little capital they had left that they lost all concern for how to grow their wealth. Not losing became the new winning.
But the hole was so deep that the government feared a downward economic spiral if it did not enable the worst drivers — those that in fact caused the crash — the nation's financial institutions. The mantra "too big to fail" echoed with mind-numbing repetition throughout the halls of government. Ultimately, the politicians heeded the call, propping up the banks with the largest bailouts in history. The government took most of the bad assets off the private firms' books and converted them into a public debt. After the bailouts, it was expected that the private financial institutions would be freed up to lend money to distressed individuals and businesses and get the economy rolling again.
But that didn't happen. As time has revealed, instead of using government largess to help troubled consumers and small businesses, the banks hoarded the cash, and compensated themselves handsomely. In fact, in 2009, less than a year after the government bailed them out, Wall Street rewarded itself with almost $144 billion, the largest compensation package in its history.
Moreover, the firms still held plenty of toxic mortgages on their books. And to add insult to injury: They lied about just needing to bail out their clients. After the dust settled, it came to light that Goldman Sachs, one of the supposedly least affected banks and one of the most arrogantly opposed to government regulation — received almost $3 billion in government funds to bail out its own losing trades.
Needless to say, investors were not impressed. They clung to the sidelines. There were, to borrow a term from the estimable Donald H. Rumsfeld, there were too many "unknown unknowns" out in the street. Meanwhile, the government's borrowing spree diluted the value of the dollar so much that yields on short-term treasuries trailed nominal inflation. Even while hugging the curb, investors were getting sideswiped. The second round of government debt issuance, QE 2, lowered returns on "safe money" further and forced shellshocked investors back into the street. As a result, the stock market rallied in the last months of 2010 and early 2011.
Many pundits celebrated the stock market rally as a sign of the return of consumer confidence. This was far from the case. The big, "dumb" money (as many Wall Street traders glibly refer to it) — institutional investors such as state pension funds and private insurance pools — could not survive on the near-zero interest rates they earned on public debt and were forced back into the street.
Their actuarial models, the means by which they paid claims, assumed risk-adjusted returns averaging between 5 percent and 8 percent. They were now earning less than 2 percent. Not only had they lost upwards of 40 percent of their capital in the downturn, but the anemic, jobless recovery combined with the retiring baby-boom population, placed serious strains on their resources. The risk of not crossing the street spelled certain failure, even as the unknown risks of crossing loomed.
The situation in the street is not much better (and maybe worse) than it was in 2008. The same large firms control the majority of the nation's financial assets. Only now, thanks to mergers and government bailouts, they're even bigger. Individuals at the helm of these firms largely escaped scrutiny, not to mention punishment, because the problem was chalked up to "systemic risk." Therefore, the same incentives that drove these firms to ignore the stop signs and run over pedestrians persist today. And one more thing: The U.S. government, supposedly the grown-up in the game, became the most risky institution in America.
When is crossing the street safer than standing on the curb? When there is no curb.
• "The Armstrong Williams Show" is broadcast on Sirius/XM Satellite's Power 169 channel from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter aat www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/12/11
Abortion and the 2012 Elections
BY: Armstrong Williams
Abortion and the 2012 Elections
Just when you thought the 2012 election cycle would be all about economic and domestic policies, the third rail of social politics - abortion – rears its head.
The latest chapter in our nation’s struggles over what to do about the topic unfolds out of Texas. The Lone Star State’s General Assembly has approved separate bills in both the House and Senate forcing women seeking abortions to also get a sonogram 24 hours prior to the procedure.
Women’s rights groups howled. Democratic lawmakers in the Texas legislature cried foul.
But what were the complaints? Republicans pushing the bill said it only seems fair and right to ask a woman who was about to make one of the most difficult decisions of her life to a) think about it an extra day; and b) to at least understand that the fetus she was about to abort was in fact a living entity with a heartbeat. Is that so wrong?
Opponents didn’t challenge those fundamental questions. Instead, they chose to trot out traditional lofty statements such as “the reproductive rights of women will be set back generations…” and “this interferes with the doctor-patient relationship…” yadda yadda yadda.
"It is not the jelly on the belly that most of you think. This is government intrusion at its best," said Texas state Rep. Carol Alvarado during a debate on the House floor last week. That’s correct, this procedure would involve an ultrasound scan in the woman’s uterus. No question, that is invasive. But isn’t, too, an abortion? Isn’t that invasive?
If abortions should in fact be “legal yet rare” in this country, then doesn’t everyone contemplating such a move owe it to themselves and the unborn to at least THINK about it first?
That’s what bothers me most about the pro-abortion movement, especially as these arguments evolve through the decades. At first, it was “life of the mother.” Then it was “health” which opened to mental health, and that was loosely translated to mean, “Well, if she’s going to be depressed by the thought of having a kid, then let’s go ahead and offer abortions there, too.”
I’m sorry, this is a difficult decision. And I think women (and the fathers of these children) to not have to avoid the very real thoughts and anguish that go into the action of terminating a heartbeat shouldn't be allowed to proceed with an abortion. Unfortunately in life, one must pay a high price to learn a valuable lesson. And the price of abortion should come with such a lesson.
Since when do we in this country owe it to any citizen – man or woman – that they don’t have to think about the consequences of their actions? After all, isn’t that all the Texas bill is asking – that potential mothers and fathers consider what the outcomes of their decisions may be?
If abortion is to return to the stage of national politics on this particular question, then let it be so. For such is a debate that perhaps we should have, and on many levels. Whether in how we spend taxpayer dollars, ration health care, or fund priorities, we as a society cannot continue to believe that the decisions each of us makes have no bearing, impact, or weight on who we are as human beings. To protect life is to be human.
Read more of my content at www.rightsidewire.com and follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside
Abortion and the 2012 Elections
BY: Armstrong Williams
Abortion and the 2012 Elections
Just when you thought the 2012 election cycle would be all about economic and domestic policies, the third rail of social politics - abortion – rears its head.
The latest chapter in our nation’s struggles over what to do about the topic unfolds out of Texas. The Lone Star State’s General Assembly has approved separate bills in both the House and Senate forcing women seeking abortions to also get a sonogram 24 hours prior to the procedure.
Women’s rights groups howled. Democratic lawmakers in the Texas legislature cried foul.
But what were the complaints? Republicans pushing the bill said it only seems fair and right to ask a woman who was about to make one of the most difficult decisions of her life to a) think about it an extra day; and b) to at least understand that the fetus she was about to abort was in fact a living entity with a heartbeat. Is that so wrong?
Opponents didn’t challenge those fundamental questions. Instead, they chose to trot out traditional lofty statements such as “the reproductive rights of women will be set back generations…” and “this interferes with the doctor-patient relationship…” yadda yadda yadda.
"It is not the jelly on the belly that most of you think. This is government intrusion at its best," said Texas state Rep. Carol Alvarado during a debate on the House floor last week. That’s correct, this procedure would involve an ultrasound scan in the woman’s uterus. No question, that is invasive. But isn’t, too, an abortion? Isn’t that invasive?
If abortions should in fact be “legal yet rare” in this country, then doesn’t everyone contemplating such a move owe it to themselves and the unborn to at least THINK about it first?
That’s what bothers me most about the pro-abortion movement, especially as these arguments evolve through the decades. At first, it was “life of the mother.” Then it was “health” which opened to mental health, and that was loosely translated to mean, “Well, if she’s going to be depressed by the thought of having a kid, then let’s go ahead and offer abortions there, too.”
I’m sorry, this is a difficult decision. And I think women (and the fathers of these children) to not have to avoid the very real thoughts and anguish that go into the action of terminating a heartbeat shouldn't be allowed to proceed with an abortion. Unfortunately in life, one must pay a high price to learn a valuable lesson. And the price of abortion should come with such a lesson.
Since when do we in this country owe it to any citizen – man or woman – that they don’t have to think about the consequences of their actions? After all, isn’t that all the Texas bill is asking – that potential mothers and fathers consider what the outcomes of their decisions may be?
If abortion is to return to the stage of national politics on this particular question, then let it be so. For such is a debate that perhaps we should have, and on many levels. Whether in how we spend taxpayer dollars, ration health care, or fund priorities, we as a society cannot continue to believe that the decisions each of us makes have no bearing, impact, or weight on who we are as human beings. To protect life is to be human.
Read more of my content at www.rightsidewire.com and follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside
03/11/11
Michael Moore's Hypocrisy
BY: Armstrong Williams
Subject: Michael Moore's Hypocrisy
Michael Moore says the top 400 richest Americans' wealth now exceeds the cumulative affluence of bottom 50% of American population, 155 million people. For all of Michael Moore's faults, this statement is true. However, the message he attempts to make is impotent due to his own hypocrisy and his shallow understanding of why the wealthy are prosperous.
What’s strikes about Michael Moore is that he is a man that rails against capitalism and recently said, “…(rich people’s money) is not theirs, that's a national resource, that's ours. We all have this -- we all benefit from this or we all suffer as a result of not having it." For those that don’t know, Michael Moore is worth over $50 million. He made that fortune in our capitalist system by being a capitalist himself. I don’t see Mr. Moore rushing to give away his millions to the bottom 50% of income earners, nor have I heard that he voluntarily donated millions to the federal government.
So the hypocrite, Michael Moore, also commented on the poor state of affluence in the African American community, basically laying the blame for their economic plight at eh feet of the wealthy. What he fails to do is look at the root causes of the African American poverty, causes that are true of the impoverished of every demographic.
The first reason is the decline of the African America family reflected by low rates of marriage and high rate of out of wedlock births approaching 80%. Next is the lack of business and entrepreneurial culture that encourages savings and creates wealth. There is also an over dependence on government programs which discourage savings because the government will bail you out. Finally is the prevalence of the “victim mentality” which says it is not worth pursuing the American dream because of racism.
If Michael Moore is correct, then it’s a reasonable guesstimate that the top 20 wealthiest Americans’ wealth exceeds the combined wealth of the entire African American population. This assumes cumulative wealth of the top 20 of only $400 billion (Gates and Buffett are $100 billion combined) and it assumes average wealth among 40 million African Americans of $10,000 per capita, which is very high.
It's not a surprise that the top 400 wealthiest Americans owns more than the bottom 50% combined. These individuals continue to exemplify superior financial stewardship, which embodies the wise us of the resources they continue to multiply.
This is a result of values that include a clear culture of entrepreneurship. Remember, 75% of the people in the Forbes 400 were not on this list 25 years ago. This reminds us that the top 80% of the wealth earners are self-made… just like Michael Moore.
Read more of Armstrong Williams' content at www.rightsidewire.com. and follow him on twitter at twitter.com/arightside.
Michael Moore's Hypocrisy
BY: Armstrong Williams
Subject: Michael Moore's Hypocrisy
Michael Moore says the top 400 richest Americans' wealth now exceeds the cumulative affluence of bottom 50% of American population, 155 million people. For all of Michael Moore's faults, this statement is true. However, the message he attempts to make is impotent due to his own hypocrisy and his shallow understanding of why the wealthy are prosperous.
What’s strikes about Michael Moore is that he is a man that rails against capitalism and recently said, “…(rich people’s money) is not theirs, that's a national resource, that's ours. We all have this -- we all benefit from this or we all suffer as a result of not having it." For those that don’t know, Michael Moore is worth over $50 million. He made that fortune in our capitalist system by being a capitalist himself. I don’t see Mr. Moore rushing to give away his millions to the bottom 50% of income earners, nor have I heard that he voluntarily donated millions to the federal government.
So the hypocrite, Michael Moore, also commented on the poor state of affluence in the African American community, basically laying the blame for their economic plight at eh feet of the wealthy. What he fails to do is look at the root causes of the African American poverty, causes that are true of the impoverished of every demographic.
The first reason is the decline of the African America family reflected by low rates of marriage and high rate of out of wedlock births approaching 80%. Next is the lack of business and entrepreneurial culture that encourages savings and creates wealth. There is also an over dependence on government programs which discourage savings because the government will bail you out. Finally is the prevalence of the “victim mentality” which says it is not worth pursuing the American dream because of racism.
If Michael Moore is correct, then it’s a reasonable guesstimate that the top 20 wealthiest Americans’ wealth exceeds the combined wealth of the entire African American population. This assumes cumulative wealth of the top 20 of only $400 billion (Gates and Buffett are $100 billion combined) and it assumes average wealth among 40 million African Americans of $10,000 per capita, which is very high.
It's not a surprise that the top 400 wealthiest Americans owns more than the bottom 50% combined. These individuals continue to exemplify superior financial stewardship, which embodies the wise us of the resources they continue to multiply.
This is a result of values that include a clear culture of entrepreneurship. Remember, 75% of the people in the Forbes 400 were not on this list 25 years ago. This reminds us that the top 80% of the wealth earners are self-made… just like Michael Moore.
Read more of Armstrong Williams' content at www.rightsidewire.com. and follow him on twitter at twitter.com/arightside.
03/10/11
Time for the U.S. to step in on Libyan civil war
BY: Armstrong Williams
Time for the U.S. to step in on Libyan civil war
A lot has been written and said recently over the United States’ position with respect to the Libyan government’s conflict with its people. The situation on the ground is near levels of full scale civil war. And after this weekend, it appears Col. Gaddafi seems to be taking back what many rebels captured in the initial throes of this campaign.
That’s unfortunate, and I would argue certainly not in the best interests of the U.S. nor for stability in the region. Concepts of “the devil I know…” are continuously brought up when comparing the tyrant to what could replace him in that leadership vacuum.
But the potential for terror far outweighs any downsides of a leaderless Libya, at least in my mind. And for these reasons, the United States should begin to get more engaged in the region. A few reasons:
First, the “leaderless” part of Libya’s new storyline following the fall of Gaddafi won’t last long. Just as in years past, someone from inside the country will step forward, and the U.S. and our allies will ease in that transition, if only with human aid and funds alone. That form of diplomacy we’re pretty good at.
Second, as former ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton recently stated, the window for the U.S. to actually make a difference and impact the outcome of this conflict is rapidly closing. Gaddafi’s henchmen are suppressing the opposition. If we wait too long, there may be no one left to help. At least not in any organized, systematic way.
Sen. John McCain agrees. That’s why he’s called for some sort of enforcement of a no-fly zone and an enhanced American presence in the country.
No one is talking about troops. Even if they were, the public’s appetite just isn’t there. But the president is missing an opportunity here to exert some foreign affairs leadership. Gaddafi is certifiable. No one disputes that.
Now is not the time to be timid. By the same token, we don’t need another Iraq or Afghanistan. Yet we shouldn’t let our apprehensions over those two conflicts cloud the good judgment that Libya is a country where the U.S. can step in and end this charade Gaddafi has perpetuated for too long.
Read More of my content at www.rightsidewire.com. Follow us on twitter @arightside.
Time for the U.S. to step in on Libyan civil war
BY: Armstrong Williams
Time for the U.S. to step in on Libyan civil war
A lot has been written and said recently over the United States’ position with respect to the Libyan government’s conflict with its people. The situation on the ground is near levels of full scale civil war. And after this weekend, it appears Col. Gaddafi seems to be taking back what many rebels captured in the initial throes of this campaign.
That’s unfortunate, and I would argue certainly not in the best interests of the U.S. nor for stability in the region. Concepts of “the devil I know…” are continuously brought up when comparing the tyrant to what could replace him in that leadership vacuum.
But the potential for terror far outweighs any downsides of a leaderless Libya, at least in my mind. And for these reasons, the United States should begin to get more engaged in the region. A few reasons:
First, the “leaderless” part of Libya’s new storyline following the fall of Gaddafi won’t last long. Just as in years past, someone from inside the country will step forward, and the U.S. and our allies will ease in that transition, if only with human aid and funds alone. That form of diplomacy we’re pretty good at.
Second, as former ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton recently stated, the window for the U.S. to actually make a difference and impact the outcome of this conflict is rapidly closing. Gaddafi’s henchmen are suppressing the opposition. If we wait too long, there may be no one left to help. At least not in any organized, systematic way.
Sen. John McCain agrees. That’s why he’s called for some sort of enforcement of a no-fly zone and an enhanced American presence in the country.
No one is talking about troops. Even if they were, the public’s appetite just isn’t there. But the president is missing an opportunity here to exert some foreign affairs leadership. Gaddafi is certifiable. No one disputes that.
Now is not the time to be timid. By the same token, we don’t need another Iraq or Afghanistan. Yet we shouldn’t let our apprehensions over those two conflicts cloud the good judgment that Libya is a country where the U.S. can step in and end this charade Gaddafi has perpetuated for too long.
Read More of my content at www.rightsidewire.com. Follow us on twitter @arightside.
03/08/11
A new playing field in the Senate
BY: Armstrong Williams
A new playing field in the Senate
Tuesday, March 8 Blog
GOP fundraising firms and political operatives are smacking their chops lately over the playing field that is shaping up in the U.S. Senate come 2012. For many, the reality that five Democratic Senators would already hang up their spurs and ride off in the sunset never really crossed their minds.
Yet that is what’s happened in recent months. From Joe Lieberman (I-CT), a recovering Democrat who ran as an independent to Sens. Kent Conrad (ND), Daniel Akaka (HI), Jim Webb (VA) and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, many stalwarts of the chamber are packing it in.
A recent story inside the Beltway pegged the Senators as tired of “the grind” of every cycle, having to raise money and grip and grin through the election season. But I sense it’s more than that. After all, these folks belong to the most exclusive club in the world. Being in the Senate isn’t exactly retail politics, especially when you only have to run every six years, and fundraising is made all the more easy since every Senator chairs at least one committee or subcommittee. The constituencies are there to generate the cash.
No, this is much bigger, and much worse for the Democratic Party. They’re tired of defending the liberal agenda of President Obama. And the deck is stacked against them for the next 18 months.
For states such as Virginia, North Dakota and even now in Hawaii, it’s not so easy to kow-tow to an agenda as far left as Obama’s. They saw the writing on the wall, and I can’t say that I blame them for throwing in the towel so early when this president has seemingly doubled down on his blueprint.
At least two more are quietly mulling their future. Nebraska’s Ben Nelson and Wisconsin’s Herb Kohl have been rumored as pondering exits of their own. Nelson would certainly feel the heat in his home state, and not just from the Tea Party. Independents are scratching their hands over his votes in recent years, and what exactly this “free-thinker” was thinking when he cast AYE for so many of Obama’s plans.
A path is now open to that magical number of 51 in the Senate for Mitch McConnell. The stakes are much higher, on both sides. Majority Leader Reid can’t count on his party faithful to toe the line as regularly as before. This also means Sen. McConnell needs to pay more attention to how his House counterparts are faring on key items such as spending reductions. For soon, he could have the opportunity to move their actions forward in a body that now has no appetite for these conservative actions.
These next few months will spin an interesting tale of politics and policy. I’d watch for several more “mavericks” step out, and several new faces emerge to take leadership roles on both sides of the aisle.
www.rightsidewire.com
A new playing field in the Senate
BY: Armstrong Williams
A new playing field in the Senate
Tuesday, March 8 Blog
GOP fundraising firms and political operatives are smacking their chops lately over the playing field that is shaping up in the U.S. Senate come 2012. For many, the reality that five Democratic Senators would already hang up their spurs and ride off in the sunset never really crossed their minds.
Yet that is what’s happened in recent months. From Joe Lieberman (I-CT), a recovering Democrat who ran as an independent to Sens. Kent Conrad (ND), Daniel Akaka (HI), Jim Webb (VA) and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, many stalwarts of the chamber are packing it in.
A recent story inside the Beltway pegged the Senators as tired of “the grind” of every cycle, having to raise money and grip and grin through the election season. But I sense it’s more than that. After all, these folks belong to the most exclusive club in the world. Being in the Senate isn’t exactly retail politics, especially when you only have to run every six years, and fundraising is made all the more easy since every Senator chairs at least one committee or subcommittee. The constituencies are there to generate the cash.
No, this is much bigger, and much worse for the Democratic Party. They’re tired of defending the liberal agenda of President Obama. And the deck is stacked against them for the next 18 months.
For states such as Virginia, North Dakota and even now in Hawaii, it’s not so easy to kow-tow to an agenda as far left as Obama’s. They saw the writing on the wall, and I can’t say that I blame them for throwing in the towel so early when this president has seemingly doubled down on his blueprint.
At least two more are quietly mulling their future. Nebraska’s Ben Nelson and Wisconsin’s Herb Kohl have been rumored as pondering exits of their own. Nelson would certainly feel the heat in his home state, and not just from the Tea Party. Independents are scratching their hands over his votes in recent years, and what exactly this “free-thinker” was thinking when he cast AYE for so many of Obama’s plans.
A path is now open to that magical number of 51 in the Senate for Mitch McConnell. The stakes are much higher, on both sides. Majority Leader Reid can’t count on his party faithful to toe the line as regularly as before. This also means Sen. McConnell needs to pay more attention to how his House counterparts are faring on key items such as spending reductions. For soon, he could have the opportunity to move their actions forward in a body that now has no appetite for these conservative actions.
These next few months will spin an interesting tale of politics and policy. I’d watch for several more “mavericks” step out, and several new faces emerge to take leadership roles on both sides of the aisle.
www.rightsidewire.com
03/07/11
Unintended consequences
Unfortunately, President Obama does not understand the basic laws of physics. Isaac Newton's third law of motion states that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. Nor does Mr. Obama understand the basic principles of economics, including the law of unintended consequences and creating a "moral hazard." A moral hazard is created when a person behaves differently from how he would have if he had to bear the risks of his behavior.
Every time Mr. Obama attempts to repair a problem by government intervention, he creates a more serious problem. An example of the law of unintended consequences is the president's attempt to solve the financial crises by increasing the regulation of the American financial system.
These attempts over time "to fix and regulate" the financial markets have resulted in the loss of U.S. dominance in the financial sector. The most recent egregious example of this loss is the potential German acquisition of the iconic New York Stock Exchange.
Another example of the law of unintended consequences includes the stimulus spending programs that fail to create jobs but result in the ballooning of our national debt. The stimulus spending took money from the efficiently run private sector in the form of higher taxes and reduced availability of debt and spent it in the inefficient public sector. Jobs created by public-sector spending merely displaced jobs lost by forgone private-sector spending. There are too many moving parts to the American economy for one individual, even a very smart one, to consistently predict the outcome of government intervention in the economy.
The president has created a number of moral hazards by trying to bail out Americans whose risky behavior got them into trouble. An example of the moral hazard being created in Washington is the attempt to relieve monthly payments of families in economic distress whose mortgages are under water. As a result of this program, taxpayers who lived modestly, saved and did not overextend themselves with mortgage debt are being asked to subsidize their profligate neighbors who bought bigger houses than they could afford.
No discussion about unintended consequences can fail to mention the health care bill. The president and congressional Democrats insisted that the bill, which they acknowledged not actually reading, decreases health insurance rates, providing affordable (or even "free") care for everyone. When the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said the initiative would make health care more expensive, the Democrats told the American people that the CBO was wrong and then insisted it check again. As if by magic, the CBO took another look and declared it was wrong and that the federal government would make money if it suddenly took over a third of the economy.
After the bill was enacted, major corporations suddenly started saying they would have to drop their health care benefits unless the government gave them a waiver. Health insurance companies announced that rates would be skyrocketing because of mandates in the law. And the CBO came back and stated that the revised findings were wrong and that Obamacare would cost $1 trillion over the next decade. Does that sound like a fiscally responsible bill when our country is $14 trillion in debt?
The most egregious moral hazard has been created in the financial and business sector where companies and banks that are "too big to fail" have been bailed out with taxpayer money. These institutions include General Motors, Chrysler, Citibank, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Institutions that paid fat bonuses to executives and outrageous benefits to union workers were rescued by taxpayer money when they should have gone bankrupt. With an institution that is "too big to fail," it is "heads, I win" with risky behavior, and "tails," the taxpayer loses when risky behavior results in financial losses.
Of course, the president isn't the first to be struck with this malady, but it seems to affect politicians more than any other group. Part of the reason is that they are always beholden to their base and the interest groups that financially support them. This causes them to constantly overlook the ways policy harms the whole of society in favor of helping the small group. Then there is the fact that politicians regularly get upset when the CBO and independent commissions call them on the detrimental consequences of the latest policy. The politicians then respond in one of two ways: They either tell the CBO/commissions that the findings are wrong and to come back with another answer more suited to that politician's sensibilities, or they commit fraud and send inaccurate numbers (while hiding additional funding in other bills) in order to produce a more "pleasing" conclusion.
Is it too much to ask our president to consider all the ramifications before shoving another ill-advised policy down the throats of the American people? We've seen time and time again that Mr. Obama is slow to come to any conclusion or policy decision like in the Afghanistan surge and addressing the crises in Egypt and Libya. So why not take the time to examine all the outcomes first? Then have an honest discussion with the American public about the pros and the cons of a decision. Not only will it force the president to deal with unintended consequences, but it also would elevate the public discourse by creating a more informed electorate.
• Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Mondays through Fridays. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Unintended consequences
Unfortunately, President Obama does not understand the basic laws of physics. Isaac Newton's third law of motion states that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. Nor does Mr. Obama understand the basic principles of economics, including the law of unintended consequences and creating a "moral hazard." A moral hazard is created when a person behaves differently from how he would have if he had to bear the risks of his behavior.
Every time Mr. Obama attempts to repair a problem by government intervention, he creates a more serious problem. An example of the law of unintended consequences is the president's attempt to solve the financial crises by increasing the regulation of the American financial system.
These attempts over time "to fix and regulate" the financial markets have resulted in the loss of U.S. dominance in the financial sector. The most recent egregious example of this loss is the potential German acquisition of the iconic New York Stock Exchange.
Another example of the law of unintended consequences includes the stimulus spending programs that fail to create jobs but result in the ballooning of our national debt. The stimulus spending took money from the efficiently run private sector in the form of higher taxes and reduced availability of debt and spent it in the inefficient public sector. Jobs created by public-sector spending merely displaced jobs lost by forgone private-sector spending. There are too many moving parts to the American economy for one individual, even a very smart one, to consistently predict the outcome of government intervention in the economy.
The president has created a number of moral hazards by trying to bail out Americans whose risky behavior got them into trouble. An example of the moral hazard being created in Washington is the attempt to relieve monthly payments of families in economic distress whose mortgages are under water. As a result of this program, taxpayers who lived modestly, saved and did not overextend themselves with mortgage debt are being asked to subsidize their profligate neighbors who bought bigger houses than they could afford.
No discussion about unintended consequences can fail to mention the health care bill. The president and congressional Democrats insisted that the bill, which they acknowledged not actually reading, decreases health insurance rates, providing affordable (or even "free") care for everyone. When the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said the initiative would make health care more expensive, the Democrats told the American people that the CBO was wrong and then insisted it check again. As if by magic, the CBO took another look and declared it was wrong and that the federal government would make money if it suddenly took over a third of the economy.
After the bill was enacted, major corporations suddenly started saying they would have to drop their health care benefits unless the government gave them a waiver. Health insurance companies announced that rates would be skyrocketing because of mandates in the law. And the CBO came back and stated that the revised findings were wrong and that Obamacare would cost $1 trillion over the next decade. Does that sound like a fiscally responsible bill when our country is $14 trillion in debt?
The most egregious moral hazard has been created in the financial and business sector where companies and banks that are "too big to fail" have been bailed out with taxpayer money. These institutions include General Motors, Chrysler, Citibank, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Institutions that paid fat bonuses to executives and outrageous benefits to union workers were rescued by taxpayer money when they should have gone bankrupt. With an institution that is "too big to fail," it is "heads, I win" with risky behavior, and "tails," the taxpayer loses when risky behavior results in financial losses.
Of course, the president isn't the first to be struck with this malady, but it seems to affect politicians more than any other group. Part of the reason is that they are always beholden to their base and the interest groups that financially support them. This causes them to constantly overlook the ways policy harms the whole of society in favor of helping the small group. Then there is the fact that politicians regularly get upset when the CBO and independent commissions call them on the detrimental consequences of the latest policy. The politicians then respond in one of two ways: They either tell the CBO/commissions that the findings are wrong and to come back with another answer more suited to that politician's sensibilities, or they commit fraud and send inaccurate numbers (while hiding additional funding in other bills) in order to produce a more "pleasing" conclusion.
Is it too much to ask our president to consider all the ramifications before shoving another ill-advised policy down the throats of the American people? We've seen time and time again that Mr. Obama is slow to come to any conclusion or policy decision like in the Afghanistan surge and addressing the crises in Egypt and Libya. So why not take the time to examine all the outcomes first? Then have an honest discussion with the American public about the pros and the cons of a decision. Not only will it force the president to deal with unintended consequences, but it also would elevate the public discourse by creating a more informed electorate.
• Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Mondays through Fridays. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/07/11
Creating Moral Hazards
BY: Armstrong Williams
Creating Moral Hazards
President Obama has created a number of moral hazards by trying to bail out Americans whose risky behavior got them into trouble. An example of the moral hazard being created in Washington is the attempt to relieve monthly mortgage payments of families in economic distress whose mortgages are under water. As a result of this program, taxpayers who lived modestly, saved and did not over-extend themselves with excessive mortgage debt are being asked to subsidize their profligate neighbors who bought bigger houses than they could afford.
The most egregious moral hazard has been created in the financial and business sector where companies and banks that are “too big to fail” have been bailed out with taxpayer money. These institutions include GM, Chrysler, Citibank, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Institutions that paid fat bonuses to executives and outrageous benefits to union workers were rescued by taxpayer money when they should have gone bankrupt. With an institution that is “too big to fail”, it is “heads, I win” with risky behavior; and “tails”, the taxpayer looses when risky behavior results in financial losses.
www.rightsidewire.com
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Creating Moral Hazards
BY: Armstrong Williams
Creating Moral Hazards
President Obama has created a number of moral hazards by trying to bail out Americans whose risky behavior got them into trouble. An example of the moral hazard being created in Washington is the attempt to relieve monthly mortgage payments of families in economic distress whose mortgages are under water. As a result of this program, taxpayers who lived modestly, saved and did not over-extend themselves with excessive mortgage debt are being asked to subsidize their profligate neighbors who bought bigger houses than they could afford.
The most egregious moral hazard has been created in the financial and business sector where companies and banks that are “too big to fail” have been bailed out with taxpayer money. These institutions include GM, Chrysler, Citibank, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Institutions that paid fat bonuses to executives and outrageous benefits to union workers were rescued by taxpayer money when they should have gone bankrupt. With an institution that is “too big to fail”, it is “heads, I win” with risky behavior; and “tails”, the taxpayer looses when risky behavior results in financial losses.
www.rightsidewire.com
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/04/11
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves"
BY: Armstrong Williams
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves"
The popular uprisings of recent weeks are home-grown reactions to the oppression everyday people have suffered from successive governments going all the way back to the Ottoman Empire. They are an indication that theocracies as a form of government do not measure up to the realities of today’s world. The demonstrations thus viewed, denote the growing political maturity in the Arab world. With a relatively young population, they have access to the West through the television and the social media. They are eager to join the rest of the world and they admire American prosperity. The reigning regimes in much of the Arab world are holdovers from a bygone era. They came to power at a time in which the West was concerned about Soviet expansionism and Israel was concerned about Islamic extremism.
It is inconsistent with Christian ideals and values for America to cynically bolster political regimes in the Arab world that deny their people the basic freedoms that we almost take for granted in the West. One of our greatest leaders, Abraham Lincoln, famously said that "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, cannot long retain it." Our continued freedom is dependent upon fulfilling our moral duty to fight for the freedom of people in the Arab world. There are risks to taking a principled stand. As we know from our own revolutionary war, many people were afraid that radical elements within the American society would upset the order that had been established by the British. Not all colonial citizens supported the acts of the Constitutional Convention; and certainly the American nation that emerged was not without its flaws. There was and remains a crack in the liberty bell.
Unlike Egypt, however, America was blessed with the opportunity to grow and mature in ‘splendid isolation.’ We enjoyed an abundant land and a wide sea separating us from the political intrigue and factiousness of Europe and Asia. We had time to develop our nation – time Egypt and the Arab world unfortunately, may not have. The world is so interconnected that nascent democracies will be instantly burdened with the demands placed on mature nations. This is not yesterday’s American Revolution.
www.rightsidewire.com
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves"
BY: Armstrong Williams
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves"
The popular uprisings of recent weeks are home-grown reactions to the oppression everyday people have suffered from successive governments going all the way back to the Ottoman Empire. They are an indication that theocracies as a form of government do not measure up to the realities of today’s world. The demonstrations thus viewed, denote the growing political maturity in the Arab world. With a relatively young population, they have access to the West through the television and the social media. They are eager to join the rest of the world and they admire American prosperity. The reigning regimes in much of the Arab world are holdovers from a bygone era. They came to power at a time in which the West was concerned about Soviet expansionism and Israel was concerned about Islamic extremism.
It is inconsistent with Christian ideals and values for America to cynically bolster political regimes in the Arab world that deny their people the basic freedoms that we almost take for granted in the West. One of our greatest leaders, Abraham Lincoln, famously said that "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, cannot long retain it." Our continued freedom is dependent upon fulfilling our moral duty to fight for the freedom of people in the Arab world. There are risks to taking a principled stand. As we know from our own revolutionary war, many people were afraid that radical elements within the American society would upset the order that had been established by the British. Not all colonial citizens supported the acts of the Constitutional Convention; and certainly the American nation that emerged was not without its flaws. There was and remains a crack in the liberty bell.
Unlike Egypt, however, America was blessed with the opportunity to grow and mature in ‘splendid isolation.’ We enjoyed an abundant land and a wide sea separating us from the political intrigue and factiousness of Europe and Asia. We had time to develop our nation – time Egypt and the Arab world unfortunately, may not have. The world is so interconnected that nascent democracies will be instantly burdened with the demands placed on mature nations. This is not yesterday’s American Revolution.
www.rightsidewire.com
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/03/11
Why we might need a government shutdown
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why we might need a government shutdown
The cable daysides are chock full of stories lately over what Federal offices and monuments would close and what would remain open in the event of a government shutdown resulting from the budget showdown.
The usual cries abound over Social Security checks halting (not likely) and post offices closing (who cares).
But a closing of Federal doors for a few days, weeks, or even months – while it would have short-term consequences – might not be a bad thing in the long run.
Think about it, we are on a collision course with bankruptcy now. By that I mean we have more outstanding debts against us than we do money to pay for it. The Treasury might be able to move billions around to stave off the crisis for years at a time, but sooner or later, someone needs to get paid. It’s that real, and that serious.
Add to the equation that, all things being equal, this problem only exacerbates by the days and years. We’re not getting better, despite House Republicans’ best efforts. We’re getting worse – deeper into debt.
So the reality is, at some point, maybe not in our lifetimes, the government could easily shut down. Not because of partisan wrangling and weak threats of politicians walking away, but due to the simple fact that our creditors around the world come calling. It could happen sooner if they all decided to do it at once, but our diplomatic prowess would prevent such an effort.
So if the government shut down now, we as a nation would certainly feel its effects. It would be devastating. But what if a shutdown today meant that our leaders would get their butts into gear to prevent total collapse of the economy as we know it in say, 20 years? Because NO American, Democrat or Republican, would ever let the effects of a shutdown happen again. They would march on Washington by the hundreds of thousands.
It would be the financial equivalent of 3-mile Island – when the threat of a meltdown set the nuclear power race back by decades. It would crystalize in the minds of every American just how horrific and unnecessary such a crisis would be.
In other words, friends, we as a nation may need to SEE a shutdown to prevent the real, much worse, version from ever occurring in our country.
It’s sad that our nation’s leaders play a glorified game of chicken today surrounding such a serious issue, and yet they still don’t appreciate it enough to do anything about it.
www.rightsidewire.com
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Why we might need a government shutdown
BY: Armstrong Williams
Why we might need a government shutdown
The cable daysides are chock full of stories lately over what Federal offices and monuments would close and what would remain open in the event of a government shutdown resulting from the budget showdown.
The usual cries abound over Social Security checks halting (not likely) and post offices closing (who cares).
But a closing of Federal doors for a few days, weeks, or even months – while it would have short-term consequences – might not be a bad thing in the long run.
Think about it, we are on a collision course with bankruptcy now. By that I mean we have more outstanding debts against us than we do money to pay for it. The Treasury might be able to move billions around to stave off the crisis for years at a time, but sooner or later, someone needs to get paid. It’s that real, and that serious.
Add to the equation that, all things being equal, this problem only exacerbates by the days and years. We’re not getting better, despite House Republicans’ best efforts. We’re getting worse – deeper into debt.
So the reality is, at some point, maybe not in our lifetimes, the government could easily shut down. Not because of partisan wrangling and weak threats of politicians walking away, but due to the simple fact that our creditors around the world come calling. It could happen sooner if they all decided to do it at once, but our diplomatic prowess would prevent such an effort.
So if the government shut down now, we as a nation would certainly feel its effects. It would be devastating. But what if a shutdown today meant that our leaders would get their butts into gear to prevent total collapse of the economy as we know it in say, 20 years? Because NO American, Democrat or Republican, would ever let the effects of a shutdown happen again. They would march on Washington by the hundreds of thousands.
It would be the financial equivalent of 3-mile Island – when the threat of a meltdown set the nuclear power race back by decades. It would crystalize in the minds of every American just how horrific and unnecessary such a crisis would be.
In other words, friends, we as a nation may need to SEE a shutdown to prevent the real, much worse, version from ever occurring in our country.
It’s sad that our nation’s leaders play a glorified game of chicken today surrounding such a serious issue, and yet they still don’t appreciate it enough to do anything about it.
www.rightsidewire.com
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
03/02/11
Misguided Celebration
Many pundits celebrated the stock market rally as a sign of the return of consumer confidence. This was far from the case. The big ‘dumb’ money (as many Wall Street traders glibly refer to it) – institutional investors such as state pension funds and private insurance pools – could not survive on the near zero interest rates they earned on public debt, and were forced back into the street. Their actuarial models, the means by which they paid claims, assumed risk-adjusted returns averaging between 5-8%. They were now earning less than 2%. Not only had they lost upwards of 40% of their capital in the downturn, but the anemic, jobless recovery combined with the retiring baby boom population, placed serious strains on their resources. The risk of not crossing the street spelled certain failure, even as the unknown risks of crossing loomed.
www.rightsidewire.com
Misguided Celebration
Many pundits celebrated the stock market rally as a sign of the return of consumer confidence. This was far from the case. The big ‘dumb’ money (as many Wall Street traders glibly refer to it) – institutional investors such as state pension funds and private insurance pools – could not survive on the near zero interest rates they earned on public debt, and were forced back into the street. Their actuarial models, the means by which they paid claims, assumed risk-adjusted returns averaging between 5-8%. They were now earning less than 2%. Not only had they lost upwards of 40% of their capital in the downturn, but the anemic, jobless recovery combined with the retiring baby boom population, placed serious strains on their resources. The risk of not crossing the street spelled certain failure, even as the unknown risks of crossing loomed.
www.rightsidewire.com
03/01/11
Obama in search of a more pleasing conclusion
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama in search of a more pleasing conclusion.
President Barack Obama isn’t the first to be struck with the malady that he finds himself in, but it seems to affect politicians more than any other group. Part of the reason is that they are always beholden to their base and the interest groups that financially support them. This causes them to constantly overlook the ways policy harms the whole of society in favor of helping the small group. Then there is the fact that politicians regularly get upset when the Congressional Budget Office and independent commissions call them on the detrimental consequences of the latest policy. The politicians then respond in one of two ways- they either tell the CBO/commissions that the findings are wrong and to come back with another answer more suited to that politician’s sensibilities, or they commit fraud and send inaccurate numbers (while hiding additional funding in other bills) in order to produce a more… “pleasing” conclusion.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
Obama in search of a more pleasing conclusion
BY: Armstrong Williams
Obama in search of a more pleasing conclusion.
President Barack Obama isn’t the first to be struck with the malady that he finds himself in, but it seems to affect politicians more than any other group. Part of the reason is that they are always beholden to their base and the interest groups that financially support them. This causes them to constantly overlook the ways policy harms the whole of society in favor of helping the small group. Then there is the fact that politicians regularly get upset when the Congressional Budget Office and independent commissions call them on the detrimental consequences of the latest policy. The politicians then respond in one of two ways- they either tell the CBO/commissions that the findings are wrong and to come back with another answer more suited to that politician’s sensibilities, or they commit fraud and send inaccurate numbers (while hiding additional funding in other bills) in order to produce a more… “pleasing” conclusion.
Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.
02/28/11
Principle Over Political Expediency
Some startling revelations have come out of the fracas going on in Wisconsin over Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature facing off against public-sector unions, namely the teachers union.
From 2001 to 2010, Wisconsin taxpayers paid more than $8 billion for state employee health care coverage, while state employees contributed $398 million, less than 5 percent of the total costs. From 2000 to 2009, taxpayers paid $12.6 billion for public employee pensions, while the employees contributed $55.4 million, less than 0.5 percent of the total cost.
Public employees are guaranteed final salaries for life. Not only that, you get to add on other positions for mega pensions. So if you were a firefighter and a teacher, you get two pensions at your last salary in both jobs. Retired public employees regularly receive pension in excess of $100,000, again — guaranteed for life. And who pays for these folks not to work? You and I, the taxpayers. We are their meal tickets for their entire lives, yet when times are tough and we ask them to share the burden, they yell and scream that they are entitled to every penny they never had to contribute.
And many will claim the disparity between private- and public-sector pay as a reason that public employees should receive such largesse.
However, study after study is showing that government employees are making more than their private-sector contemporaries, especially on the lower/middle part of the economic scale. So not only do they get paid better, they get annual cost-of-living increases, locality adjustments, inflation adjustments, full medical and, of course, the obscenely great pension.
Most people should be horrified and shocked by this terrible imbalance. Unions need to be cut down to some level of normalcy and reality. It's not that we're anti-union and they're bad people, it's just that taxpayers can ill afford to foot this bill.
The protests also have helped to shine a light on the inherent problems when public-sector unions negotiate with government. Public-sector unions give major contributions to elected officials with whom they negotiate. This is the same as if the Teamsters bribed and helped appoint the CEO of Southwest Airlines in order to then negotiate a better deal that would actually harm Southwest.
The other major difference is that if the hypothetical Teamster CEO gives into the union to the detriment of the company, the company goes bankrupt and everyone loses their job. The private-sector unions have incentives to compromise in order to guarantee the health of the company (GM, their union and government bailouts being the exception).
Politicians have no such incentive to generally oppose public union demands — they get re-election support and boot the real financial problems of such lousy contracts down the line to their eventual successors. That way they can lie and promise the world because they are never going to be truly held accountable when the whole Ponzi scheme falls apart. This is no different from what Bernie Madoff did, yet the public, and especially the progressives, liberals and union lackeys, lap it up and sanctimoniously justify it.
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said it best the other day while addressing the New Jersey state firefighters convention. "Here's the deal: I understand you're angry, and I understand you're frustrated, and I understand you feel deceived and betrayed." He continued, "For 20 years, governors have come into this room and lied to you, promised you benefits that they had no way of paying for, making promises they knew they couldn't keep, and just hoping that they wouldn't be the man or woman left holding the bag. I understand why you feel angry and betrayed and deceived by those people. Here's what I don't understand. Why are you booing the first guy who came in here and told you the truth?
"The way we used to think about politics and, unfortunately, the way I fear they're thinking about politics still in Washington" incorporates "the old playbook, [which] says, 'Lie, deceive, obfuscate and make it to the next election.'"
After seeing a report noting that New Jerseys pensions will be insolvent by 2020, he was told not to worry about it because he wont be governor anymore. "That's the way politics has been practiced in our country for too long. … So I said to those firefighters, 'You may hate me now, but 15 years from now, when you have a pension to collect because of what I did, you'll be looking for my address on the Internet so you can send me a thank-you note."
It puzzles me to no end that the left (and, unfortunately, several on the right) cannot recognize that their agendas and ideas for foolishly spending taxpayers money is jeopardizing this country's future, plunging us into debt and attaching the strings that make us puppets to foreign masters. Public employee unions and their lavish guaranteed benefits are major causes of the coming collapse, yet too many would rather focus on what th
Principle Over Political Expediency
Some startling revelations have come out of the fracas going on in Wisconsin over Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature facing off against public-sector unions, namely the teachers union.
From 2001 to 2010, Wisconsin taxpayers paid more than $8 billion for state employee health care coverage, while state employees contributed $398 million, less than 5 percent of the total costs. From 2000 to 2009, taxpayers paid $12.6 billion for public employee pensions, while the employees contributed $55.4 million, less than 0.5 percent of the total cost.
Public employees are guaranteed final salaries for life. Not only that, you get to add on other positions for mega pensions. So if you were a firefighter and a teacher, you get two pensions at your last salary in both jobs. Retired public employees regularly receive pension in excess of $100,000, again — guaranteed for life. And who pays for these folks not to work? You and I, the taxpayers. We are their meal tickets for their entire lives, yet when times are tough and we ask them to share the burden, they yell and scream that they are entitled to every penny they never had to contribute.
And many will claim the disparity between private- and public-sector pay as a reason that public employees should receive such largesse.
However, study after study is showing that government employees are making more than their private-sector contemporaries, especially on the lower/middle part of the economic scale. So not only do they get paid better, they get annual cost-of-living increases, locality adjustments, inflation adjustments, full medical and, of course, the obscenely great pension.
Most people should be horrified and shocked by this terrible imbalance. Unions need to be cut down to some level of normalcy and reality. It's not that we're anti-union and they're bad people, it's just that taxpayers can ill afford to foot this bill.
The protests also have helped to shine a light on the inherent problems when public-sector unions negotiate with government. Public-sector unions give major contributions to elected officials with whom they negotiate. This is the same as if the Teamsters bribed and helped appoint the CEO of Southwest Airlines in order to then negotiate a better deal that would actually harm Southwest.
The other major difference is that if the hypothetical Teamster CEO gives into the union to the detriment of the company, the company goes bankrupt and everyone loses their job. The private-sector unions have incentives to compromise in order to guarantee the health of the company (GM, their union and government bailouts being the exception).
Politicians have no such incentive to generally oppose public union demands — they get re-election support and boot the real financial problems of such lousy contracts down the line to their eventual successors. That way they can lie and promise the world because they are never going to be truly held accountable when the whole Ponzi scheme falls apart. This is no different from what Bernie Madoff did, yet the public, and especially the progressives, liberals and union lackeys, lap it up and sanctimoniously justify it.
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey said it best the other day while addressing the New Jersey state firefighters convention. "Here's the deal: I understand you're angry, and I understand you're frustrated, and I understand you feel deceived and betrayed." He continued, "For 20 years, governors have come into this room and lied to you, promised you benefits that they had no way of paying for, making promises they knew they couldn't keep, and just hoping that they wouldn't be the man or woman left holding the bag. I understand why you feel angry and betrayed and deceived by those people. Here's what I don't understand. Why are you booing the first guy who came in here and told you the truth?
"The way we used to think about politics and, unfortunately, the way I fear they're thinking about politics still in Washington" incorporates "the old playbook, [which] says, 'Lie, deceive, obfuscate and make it to the next election.'"
After seeing a report noting that New Jerseys pensions will be insolvent by 2020, he was told not to worry about it because he wont be governor anymore. "That's the way politics has been practiced in our country for too long. … So I said to those firefighters, 'You may hate me now, but 15 years from now, when you have a pension to collect because of what I did, you'll be looking for my address on the Internet so you can send me a thank-you note."
It puzzles me to no end that the left (and, unfortunately, several on the right) cannot recognize that their agendas and ideas for foolishly spending taxpayers money is jeopardizing this country's future, plunging us into debt and attaching the strings that make us puppets to foreign masters. Public employee unions and their lavish guaranteed benefits are major causes of the coming collapse, yet too many would rather focus on what th