Syndication Weekly

It's the economy stupid. Those were the sentiments of Bill Clinton the first time he ran for President and the title of Phyllis Schafly's latest column. Politics sometimes comes down to a catchphrase and may get you elected. Bill used the feeling about the economy back in '92 to beat Bush the elder out of a second term. Schafly ask whether the same thing might happen this election cycle. After all we have all been hit over the head with economic talk from talking heads that have been predicting disaster on a daily basis. We even have another Clinton running for office, but no Bush although you would not no it from the Democratic candidates campaign rhetoric. Mantra seems to be what we hear from both sides of the aisle and Schafly ask if it will be nothing more then the same. Both sides seem to have their answers that can be pulled out of their pockets are read off at a moment's notice. The column points out that it has been certain U.S. policies that have created much of our current problems. This would include our dealings with immigration which has been minimal or pathetically inept. In Schafly's mind Free Trade has not lived up to its monikor, and the U.S. worker has payed the price. A debate over Free Trade can take place at another time. I agree that many are looking for those who can restore jobs and are looking at the candidates for answers.
http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2008/jan08/08-01-23.html
Courtesy of www.eagleforum.org

Syndication Weekly

Jonah Goldberg is not a fan of Iowa's first in the nation status. To be fair his latest column states that no state should have all the power. I was very interested to read Mr. Goldberg's comments as an Iowan. I would agree that perhaps the world is not holding their breath to see which Republican and which Democrat should be their party's nominee for president. By judging the interest in this country be media migration to the state, I would rate it very high. But the argument may be moot as Iowa has been chosen to be first and such attention might follow any state which found itself first. Goldberg does praise the people of Iowa for their niceness, and for having a great steakhouse in Montour. His comments are not simply directed at the Hawkeye state but go for New Hampshire, or any one state in the union. He writes that no one state should have all the power. Goldberg writes about how stupid caucusing is as compared to voting. One involves a secret ballot the other a song and dance in front of your neighbors that involves politicking and jockeying for bodies to make a certain candidate viable. Mr. Goldberg describes it as, "a mix of Chinese fire drill, Politburo theatrics, and Roman priestly ceremony. I would agree with that comparison, I am glad that as a Republican we are left with a simple straw poll vote. For as much as we value tradition, I think the choice of a caucus is somewhat antiquated. If we want as much participation we should aim at creating a process all want to participate in. Mr. Goldberg also makes the participation argument in which he points to the relatively small numbers that take part in the caucus. I think that this is not unique to Iowa but overall participation in our political process in nowhere near where it should be. Maybe some other states would do a better job, as a native Iowan I must admit I enjoy the attention our small state gets every four years. We draw attention from the nation as pundits, media, and other observers come to watch the process unfold. This is rare attention for our state, those same individuals are not flocking every year to watch the corn grow. In the concluding statements Mr. Goldberg provides a solution to the problem by instituting that the states rotate. In doing so Mr. Goldberg states that by doing so it will ensure, "that the country isn't hostage by the same left-wing and right-wing populists every four years."
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODZjOGE1YmY0OGEyNzdhN2QyY2Q1OTlhNzZjMTgzYzg=
Courtesy of National Review Online, www.nationalreview.com

Syndication Weekly

I introduce into this weekly feature, a women, Mona Charen. She is a very accomplished syndicated columnist, and political analyst. In her latest column she addresses the press and presents a challenge for them to consider. Charen discusses the recent rash of episodes involving disturbed individuals who commit heinous crimes. She points to the Omaha shooter, the man at the Hillary Clinton headquarters in New Hampshire, and the Virginia Tech tragedy. The problem is the coverage of the media who gives these people a name and face. The thought is that this might lead to copycats that will respond with their own attention-seeking behavior. That is Charen's message in this column, these are individuals seeking fame. With a life of little notice or distinction these types of people seek out that one glorious moment when the whole world will know their name. This is where the danger in presenting these people with a stage to conduct their gruesome play. It seems to be an ever increasing reality of our society that is mesmerized by reality t.v., Charen writes about the American lust for fame. She calls upon the media to take ownership of the problem, because it a problem for them to handle alone. Charen points to the fact that the media has limited itself to not publishing the names of rape victims. She would ask the same treatment for those who commit such horrendous crimes. As she puts it, "deny oxygen to this terrible fire," I could not agree more.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MonaCharen/2007/12/07/a_challenge_to_the_press
Courtesy of www.townhall.com

Syndication Weekly

In a belated return to my regularly scheduled blog contribution I turn to the venerable conservative columnist, George Will. In his latest writings, Will focuses on the issue created by Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii, who aims to get special recognition for "Native Hawaiians." Will points out the favor that this singling out of a racial group would garner from the likes of Hermann Goering himself. The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act would set up a Native Hawaiian Governing Entity which might lead to issues of, reparations, Independence, or even secession. Much opposition has been voiced against the legislation by groups and individuals for differing reasons

Opposition to the Akaka Bill includes:
1.Those who believe that the bill is unconstitutionally race-based;
2.Those who believe that it could begin the process of secession of a single racial group from the United States;
3.Those who believe that it could thwart the process of secession of Hawaii from the United States and the restoration of an independent Hawaiian nation controlled by native Hawaiians (native Hawaiian sovereignty activists);
4.The United States Commission on Civil Rights
5.The administration under President George W. Bush, which issued a letter arguing against the earlier version of the bill
6.Aloha for All, a Hawaii based civil rights group;
7.The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a Hawaii based think-tank
Source material taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akaka_Bill

As Will points out in his article, Congress does not create tribes but recognizes them by measure of certain stated criteria. The many who read about such lesson should not be surprised to know that it is being lead by a Democrat. The party has certainly tried to fight every social fight and to correct every perceived wrong, even if it must be created by their legislation. The problem is the few Republicans who have gone along with the legislation. A further example of a few individuals who have not figured out their proper role in government. The nation that we have tried to build as one of oneness and undivided will once again have to stand up against the forces of liberals who try to divide and separate.

Taken from George Will's article, Guess who is fomenting racial disharmony in paradise? http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/will112907.php3, Courtesy of The Jewish World Review

Syndication Weekly

Cal Thomas discusses the problem with both Democrats and Republicans. He sees their current governance as ineffective, and that they need to work in tandum to produce beneficial legislation. Cal Thomas is also the author of, with liberal Democrat strategist Bob Beckel, Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That is Destroying America.
Carrots and Sticks
http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/thomas110107.php3
Courtesy of www.drudgereport.com

Syndication Weekly

In this first installment I present one of the most recent articles by Charles Krauthammer. Krauthammer is a prominent, conservative columnist and one of my favorites. The column points out the uncanny ability of Hillary Clinton to sit on the fence on many issues. This ability to navigate through policy, and to always leave room to wriggle free from previous positions earns her the title of, The Great Navigator. As Mr. Krauthammer writes, Mrs. Clinton rivals the great explorer Columbus as she navigates her way towards the presidency.
The Great Navigator
By Charles Krauthammer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/11/AR2007101101598.html