Tennis buddy with his wonderful and talented granddaughter who is a photography major at SCAD!
He just celebrated his birthday.
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Bad news surfaces at strange times.
We know Ole Bill has had his issues regarding taking advantage of women and yet many of them still swoon over him.
Either these women are unhappily married, sexually frustrated, married or not, or are just beyond belief.
The man is the antithesis of everything woman allegedly say they dislike regarding how they are treated etc.
Trump may not appeal to those who flip over Bill, but what about the rest of the women in this country? Are they really dumb or gullible enough to be sucked in by Hillary, who attacked those who claim Ole Bill , her husband, treated them?
I know I am from Mars, but I just do not understand those from Venus and I have been married 57 years collectively; 70% of my life. (See 1 below.)
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First impressions are difficult to erase but in Trump's case, Hillary keeps trying her best to give him all the opportunities he needs.
Personally I hope Trump stays on message throughout the remaining 50 or so days.
Based on a variety of polls "Trump Deplorables" are now gaining on "Clinton Adorables."
Hillary thought having "Over The Hill Bill" sub for her while she was recovering from her illness would be effective but I believe it simply reminded voters they are "Yesterday's Establishment" and America is looking for change.
This is long and was sent to me by a very dear friend and fellow memo reader. (See 2 below.)
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Maybe I am incapable of understanding subtleties as to why we should disregard enforcing the rule of law because it might effect some candidate campaigns or because the public are too uninformed to know the IRS has been turned against them and has become a gangster agency. Were it a non-government entity it would be subject to The Ricco Law and a series of penalties and charges.
In essence, if the government, its agencies and/or administrators are engaged in corrupt acts, according to the WSJ's Editorial Board, we have to take a variety of factors into consideration because politics is involved. I just don't get it because I am too obtuse I guess.
Curious how Kim Strassel feels about the editorial from the paper where she works in view of the fact her recent book focused on the IRS and Koskinen in great detail? (See 3 below.)
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More evidence Obama's Iran Deal, is falling apart and being violated by Iran's Mullah's. (See 4 below.)
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Dick
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1) BREAKING: Clinton Rape Scene Witness Breaks Silence to Reveal Gruesome Details
The nurse who found Juanita Broaddrick in her hotel room immediately after former President Bill Clinton allegedly raped her has broken her silence and come forward with her side of the story, and it was about as bad as it gets.
Norma Rogers worked for Broaddrick 38 years ago as a nurse when Broaddrick was a nursing home administrator. Broaddrick was also volunteering for then-Arkansas Attorney General Bill Clinton’s 1978 gubernatorial campaign.
The former nurse said she traveled to Little Rock for a convention with Broaddrick, and the the two shared a room at the city’s Camelot Hotel.
“She was crying,” said Rogers, who made an exclusive appearance on Bretibart’s “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio.”
“The thing I think I remember most is that her mouth was all swollen up. It was cut … Her pantyhose were all ripped,” Rogers said.
Rogers drove Broaddrick back home after the incident.
“I think we stopped at least twice to get ice. I would go up and get fresh ice and put it on her mouth because she was trying to keep her face from bruising and looking like something bad had happened to her, you know,” she said. “It was just crazy. The whole situation was just crazy.”Rogers said that looking back on the incident, she realized Broaddrick was in a state of shock.
“And as so many rape victims do, I think she blamed herself,” she explained. “She felt bad for what had happened because she felt like, you know, ‘Why was I not smart enough to figure this out and keep something like this from happening?'”
Rogers said Broaddrick asked her to keep what she knew confidential. She also said she had no doubt whatsoever that Broaddrick’s story was true. She added that there was no way Broaddrick could have acted the way she did unless she had survived a truly horrible experience.
Asked what she thought of Clinton, Rogers stated: “I have no respect for him at all.”
It’s hard to see how anyone could have respect for him after reading about her experience.
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2)I gave a presentation and discussion this week for a class at Senior U, a group that has previously been connected with Mercer University and now meets independently. After the class I was asked by some for a copy of my notes which I forwarded to them.
Thought some of my other friends might be interested in reading them. It’s rather long, so if you don’t choose to read it all, I’d suggest you skip to the highlighted 9 reasons I support Trump over Hillary.
CB
Notes used for presentation to an Atlanta group : Senior U. Sep. 14, 2016
As a businessman I view choosing a candidate similar to how I make decisions….and how Trump, as businessman also thinks:
· Summarize the situation…..what’s happening in the marketplace…trends, competitors, how they provide service, product, features, quality, pricing, marketing, sell, level of service, etc
·
What are our strengths & weaknesses
· Set a clear goal
· Determine how can we win? Develop written strategies and tactics…gain alignment….implement and measure results
For today’s discussion , we will discuss what the “situation” is re: big issues facing our country. Where are we today?.....
Then, I’ll position what Trump and Pence plan to do about it………. so we can win….as they say….”Make America Great again” . (Trump’s positions were taken from his speeches over the last few weeks).
Three big Issues:
1. National Security ……Foreign policy, Immigration & Neighborhood Security
2. Growing the Economy & Jobs
3. Healthcare
National Security & Foreign Policy..Situation
1. We live in a dangerous world….and it’s gotten worse in the last 8 years
§ When I was a delegate to 2008 convention…….meeting with Sen. Joe Lieberman,
§ He supported McCain because he said “ It’s crucial for our allies to respect us….and our enemies to fear us” He projected that “our allies would not respect Obama….and our enemies not fear him”
§ He was right……..Our enemies no longer fear us….and our allies no longer trust us……
2. Obama and Clinton have been Leading From Behind
§ Libya- U. S. toppled Gadhafi gov’t, then left…with no plan how the country would be ruled. This action was pushed by Hillary Clinton……and now the country is a mess. Rebel and terrorist groups, including ISIS, have moved in and gained a foothold. Not widely publicized is that the U.S. is now back in there conducting air strikes against ISIS.
§ Egypt - is pretty stable now, but not due to the efforts of Clinton or Obama….When President Mubarak was pushed out, our administration supported the elected Morsi Gov’t., even though it turned out to be controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood . As you probably know, the Muslim Brotherhood birthed numerous terrorist organizations, including Hamas … Fortunately for us, but not supported by Clinton , there was a military coup, which threw out the MB…and Al Sisi has stabilized the country. They have controlled the terrorism and are working well with Israel & the West.
§ Syria- We have “led from behind”, ignoring the “red line” position of Obama and done little to prevent over ½ million deaths …and counting….as the civil was goes on indefinitely. The U.S. wants Basher Al- Assad out of peace negotiations, while Russia has moved in to shore up Assad. The fear is this looks more and more like a proxy war between 2 global nuclear powers. (Remember The Spanish War?)
§ Iraq- It was a long process to stabilize that country, with some failures along the way. But after the surge recommended by General Petraeus and accepted by GW , there was relative peace. Journalists reported jogging in the streets. BUT…..Clinton and Obama failed in negotiating a standard of forces agreement to allow some U. S. troops to remain….to help stabilize the fledgling Iraqi gov’t. As a result, ISIS moved in, grew, flourished and took possession of significant territory. The Administration was keenly interested in pulling our troops out, mostly for political reasons and as a result left Iraq vulnerable. Today ISIS is fully operational in 18 countries with aspiring branches in 6 more, for a total of 24l Now we’re back in Iraq, conducting air strikes and slowly moving in “strategic” ground forces.
§ Afghanistan- Obama's limited surge of U.S. troops ( not as many as General's requested), and at same time he telegraphed to the terrorists when we’d pull most U.S. troops out. What kind of a feckless strategy is that? What’s left is a lot of corruption, no progress for peace between the Afghan Gov’t and the Taliban … who have recaptured parts of the countryside……and the continued draw down of U.S. troops gives the perception the U.S. is running from the Taliban.
§ Turkey- Erdogan, suppressed the attempted coup and is now building much relations w/Russia….rather than the West…..which jeopardizes Turkey's standing in NATO…and has the U.S. worried about withdrawing our nuclear arsenal housed there.
§ Iran- We legitimized Iran’s nuclear program, loosened the sanctions and freed up approx. $150 billion which Iran, the world’s biggest sponsor of terrorism, can use for any purpose, much of which they have already announced will be employed by Kuds , for terrorism. ..and we just paid them $400 million in ransom. These naive actions have not made the Iran regime more peaceful, rather they have continued to test missiles, threaten to shoot down our airplanes, intimidate our ships in the Gulf of Hormuz and threaten Israel, The Saudis and ourselves..
§ Russia - has “flexed its muscles”……taking over Crimea, staged troops on Ukraine’s border, and, as the U.S. has pulled back, Putin has filled the void and positioned iRussias as a major force in The Middle East
§ China- Is also making noise with a huge buildup in military spending and military expansion on islands in the South China Sea.
Trump on National Security: Foreign Policy
· The rise of ISIS and the mess in The Middle East is the direct result of decisions made by president Obama and Secretary of State Clinton. Look back at 2009: Libya was stable, Syria under control, Egypt ruled by a secular President and ally of the U.S., Iraq, finally stable with a reduction in violence, the group that became known as ISIS was non-existent and Iran was choked by economic sanctions.
· It all began with Obama’s Cairo speech, his and Clinton’s policy of “leading from behind” and probably his and Clinton’s greatest failure was not establishing a new Standard of Forces Agreement in Iraq, like we did after WW 2 in S. Korea, Japan, Europe. Without some U.S. troops to help keep the peace, Iraq surrendered our gains in the country and ISIS filled the void.
· One episode of bad judgement after another, Hillary Clinton and Obama’s policies launched ISIS into the world.
· Trump’s approach? As said in his Philadelphia speech last week:
1. Peace through strength…(Reagan)….that’s how to achieve a stable, peaceful world with less conflict and more common ground.
2. Advance core national interests- to promote regional stability and ease tensions around the world
3. The year of nation building will be over: the days of toppling regimes with no plan what to do the day after is over
4. Gradual reform, not sudden and radical changes should be our guiding objective in that region
· All actions must be oriented around the goal of halting the spread of radical Islam…a term he’s not afraid to use and which he finds necessary to identify so everyone knows who is the enemy. Clinton seems more concerned about not insulting Muslims than attacking the radical Islamist segment
· 88 Top generals and Admirals just endorsed his campaign
· Within 30 days of taking office, Trump’s generals will be required to present a plan to defeat and destroy ISIS
· He’ll call for an international conference focused on the goal….to discuss radical Islam .
· Work side by side with friendly Middle East nations including Israel
· Partner with King Abdullah of Jordan, President Sisi of Egypt, PM Netanyahu to extinguish the ideology of death…as well as NATO which has a new division focused on terrorism
· This will require military operations, cyber warfare, financial warfare, and ideological warfare. Rather than an apology tour, Trump will proudly promote our system of government and our way of life as the best in the world…..just like we did in defeating communism
· Show the world how proud we are to be American once again.
· Unlike Clinton, who risked many lives with her careless handing of sensitive information, Trump will not telegraph military plans or timetables to the enemy
· Fight not just limited to ISIS. He plans to decimate Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbollah….Iran’s surrogate.
· He will be a friend to all moderate Muslim reformers and speak out about the horrible practices in many Muslim countries of honor killings, where women are murdered by their relatives for dressing, marrying or acting in ways that violate strict fundamentalist teachings.
· Aggressive actions over “there”….will help prevent them from continuing to grow and come “here”.
National Security: Immigration Situation
§ Immigration- Our system is broken and our politicians have made little progress to fix it.
Our borders are porous, and our visa system has little discipline to track approved immigrants. Long lines for legal immigration.
§ We have 11 million illegals here, most of whom are law abiding, but some who have committed criminal acts and even if apprehended are not properly disciplined or deported.
§ It's estimated that 40% of the illegals here today came in on a legal Visa and overstayed. No effective tracking system
*Sanctuary cities are allowed where illegal immigrants can feel safe from prosecution or deportation
§ We have an increasing number of terrorist attacks on our soil…all with some ties to immigrants and Islamist terrorism- 9/11, Ft. Hood shooting, Boston Bombing, San Bernadino attack, the Orlando attack…
§ Most people don’t know that a U.S. Senate subcommittee identified 380 foreign born individuals that have been charged with terrorism or related offences between 9/11 and 2014
Trump on National Security: Immigration
· A New immigration policy is needed
· Reforms should be made to our laws and policies to make life better for all Americans
· Work with Mexican government to reduce flow of illegal drugs, guns and people
· Trump’s proposals take into account immigration’s impact on jobs, wages, housing, schools, tax bills, and overall security and general living conditions
1. Wall on Southern Border…w/sensors above & below ground, aerial surveillance, and additional manpower…5000 more border agents
2. End the Catch & release program- once caught they will be detained until they can be removed to the country from which they came
3. Zero tolerance for criminal aliens- end Obama’s deadly non-enforcement policies, supported by HRC which allowed criminal aliens to roam our streets- since 2013 over 300,000 criminal aliens have been allowed to return into U.S. communities. Restore the highly successful Secure Communities Program and expand the popular 287(g) partnerships. Both of these have been gutted by the current Administration. Support the passage of Kate’s law
4. Block funding for sanctuary cities….no taxpayer dollars
5. Cancel unconstitutional Executive Orders and enforce all immigration laws…including amnesty to five million illegal immigrants ( which HRC supports)
6. Suspend visas for any place where adequate screening can’t occur
7. Insure other countries take their people back when we order them deported- 23 countries have refused – Due to a Supreme Court decision if violent criminals can’t be sent home they have to be released into our communities - As Sec. of State, Clinto could have insisted HRC refuse to issue visas to these countries but did not do so. As a result thousands of criminal aliens have been released into our communities
8. Complete the biometric entry-exit visa tracking system- last year alone nearly 500,000 individuals overstayed their temporary visas
9. Turn off the jobs and benefits magnet- - ensure that an efficient E-Verify system is in place and used to fullest extent to assure businesses only hire people who are in the country legally. Same for benefits_- Center for Immigration Studies estimates that 62 % of households headed by illegal immigrants receive some sort of cash or non-cash welfare…like food stamps and housing
10. Reform legal immigration to serve best interests of America and its workers, the forgotten people. Adjust immigration to bring in people who enrich our country……based upon merit, skill proficiency, education and needs. Establish controls to open jobs to American workers first and boost wages
Note:
1. Hillary endorses a pathway to full & equal citizenship for all illegals
2. Wants to “protect” our borders….not "secure" …basically gives lip service to shutting them and controlling them
3. Allow all, legal and illegal, regardless of immigration status to join Obamacare
National Security: Neighborhood Security Situation
§ Neighborhood security- Many of our inner cities are not safe. For 2 years, American police departments have endured relentless attacks…driven by the Black Lives Matter movement, amplified by the media and echoed by Clinton and Obama alleging U.S. law enforcement is a racist threat to African Americans. The result? In what some call the “Ferguson effect”, police, in many areas, have backed off on proactive police and the result is an appalling increase in shootings and murders in many cities across America. In Chicago, as an example, year to date, police have made 82% fewer “pedestrian stops”. The result: homicides are up 47%...516 people have been murdered
§ Do we still have some racism? Sure….btw..there’s also still some prejudice against Jews, Gays, Asians, and there always will be some. The Black Lives Matter movement is the loudest voice blaming it on the police; a completely false narrative. Aside from a few isolated cases, statistics bear this out: Using Chicago as an example; In the first 6 months of 2016, there were 2090 people shot in the city. Only 9 of those were by police officers and some of which were black. Since Mr. Obama took office, over 3500 people have been killed by guns in Chicago, mostly black on black killings. You can see it almost every night on local news programs. But the only incidents that receive national media attention are rare ones where a black was shot by a white policemen, whether it justified or not. Other cities, like NYC have had a dramatic reduction in homicides. Down 38% during Bloomberg’s tenure and about 50% during Giuliani’s.
Trump on Neighborhood Security -Law and Order must be restored
§ Victims of riots, violence and destruction are law abiding African American citizens living in these neighborhoods…who deserve protection…it affects their jobs, homes, schools and communities
§ Trump supports the great work done by our law enforcement officers. He disagrees with the narrative pushed by the Obama Administration and HRC that our police are a racist force in our society and which fosters an anti-police atmosphere in America. The problem in our poorest communities is there aren’t enough police , and jobs.
§ Trump endorses the successful policies that have worked in NYC and will work to implement these in other cities, like Chicago, where there have been more homicides ytd than in LA and NYC combined. Just last month there were 92 homicides, most ever in one month..and as I said, there have been 516 so far this year, more than all of 2015.
§ NYC Policies:
1. Better police training- Bloomberg contends NYC has the best training in the country. Police are instructed to pull a gun only as a last resort. He contends that 80% of their officers retire without EVER shooting their weapon while on duty
2. Put the police where the crime is- not in wealthy neighborhoods, but in high crime areas, which are usually in black and Hispanic neighborhoods
3. Stop suspicious people….and search- controversial but significantly reduces crime and homicides…….keeps guns off the streets
4. Reform the criminal justice system to keep violent criminals off the streets
Economy & Jobs: Situation
§ Summary- There has been improvement since 2008, the official unemployment is down, the stock market has done well as the government has injected over $4 trillion in newly printed money. Wealthy people, who are invested in the market have done well but the middle class has not: The economy has limped along. This year the GDP is only up around 1% vs the average annual growth rate from 1948-2007 of 3.5%. Although the recession ended 6 months into Obama’s first term, a WSJ headline on July 30th was “ Worst Economic Recovery Since 1949”. Obama will be the first President ever….to never have at least one year of 3% GDP growth.
§ A robust economy creates jobs, raises wages and wealth for everyone.
1. 94.3 million outside of the labor force vs 80.5 million when Obama took office…a 14 million increase
2. Household income has declined about $4,000…lower than 16 years ago
3. Home ownership is at its lowest rate in 51 years
4. There are almost 50 million on food stamps, 12 million have been added
5. 58% of African Americans are either out of the labor force or unemployed
6. 0ne in five U. S. household without a single member in the labor force
7. $ trillions of profits earned overseas by U.S. companies are being kept there, rather than bringing these dollars home for domestic investment and growth…primarily to avoid the 35% corporate tax rate, highest in the world
8. There have been so many additional government regulations implemented that job creators spend time jumping through bureaucratic hoops rather than expanding opportunities and spending capital. Paul Ryan has estimated over regulation costs $1.9 trillion/year just to comply with Washington’s rules… this results in lack of growth and productivity. Bernie Marcus' comment…
9. We are not creating enough jobs, incomes are not rising…and by the time Obama leaves office we will have almost doubled the national debt. Our debt at the end of the Bush term was approx.. $10 trillion; by Jan. it is predicted to be just shy of $21 trillion. Obama. will have increased the federal debt as much as the first 43 Presidents combined.
10. Taxes are burdensome, costly and job killers. Rules and regulations too complicated to understand. IRS code is 2600 pages; tax laws span 70,000 pages . That’s almost 3x the amount of bureaucratic red tape since the last reform in 1986. This drags people down and leaves businesses buried in paperwork and compliance issues. And the agency charged with overseeing all of this—the IRS—has repeatedly violated the trust of the American taxpayer.
11. U. S. business taxes are the highest among major industrialized nations. …almost 40% when you add in State taxes. We punish companies for making products in the U.S.. If businesses move to have products made overseas, they’re taxed at a lower rate and they can ship products back to the U.S. tax-free
12. More than 50 companies have moved their headquarters overseas to avoid our taxes…some are well known like Medtronics and Burger King
13. $ trillions of company profits are parked overseas to avoid burdensome U.S. taxes
14. The Obama-Clinton energy policies have significantly raised electrical energy costs and eliminated thousands of coal jobs- Michigan has lost 50,000 coal jobs West Va. employment has been decimated.
15. Clinton embraces Obama’s energy restrictions and plans to go after the oil and natural gas production which employs 10 million Americans.
Trump Plans to Make America Grow again…..Economy & taxes
· Revise the tax code so they work FOR not AGAINST us to promote economic growth and opportunity
· Focuses on three principles- simplification, growth and reform…overriding goal- keep jobs and wealth in America
· Simplification- Reduce the number of brackets from 7 to 3……Rates same as House Republicans have proposed: 12, 25 and 33 percent. For many Americans the rate will be zero. Biggest tax revolution since the Kennedy/Reagan Tax reforms which unleashed years of economic growth and job creation
· Growth- Revise taxes to incentivise businesses to invest in the U.S. : Reduce business taxes so no company will pay more than 15% of their business income in taxes.
· Apply a 10% tax on $ trillions parked overseas so that is invested in the U.S. for growth and job creation
· Eliminate the death tax
· Regulatory reforms- Remove the anchor dragging us down…..the 2,000 new regulations unilaterally issued by the Obama administration…..each a hidden tax on consumers and a lead weight on the economy
· Trump will issue a temporary moratorium on new agency regulations
· He’ll cancel all unnecessary regulations
· Renegotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership….so more beneficial to the U.S.
· He has detailed a 7 point plan for trade reform….which includes strong protections against currency manipulation, tariffs against countries who cheat by unfairly subsidizing their goods, and a renegotiation of NAFTA…...so we get a better deal.
· China is responsible for nearly ½ of our trade deficit……but engages in illegal export subsidies, currency manipulation and rampant theft of intellectual property. Trump will negotiate better trade practices for the benefit of the U.S.
· Re: Energy- Trump will end the war on great American industries, like coal and natural gas..and unleash an energy revolution that will bring new wealth to our country
· Institute for Energy research estimates lifting restrictions on all sources of American energy will increase GDP by more than $100 billion annually and add 500,000 new jobs and wages by over $30 billion over the next 7 years
Healthcare Situation
§ The good news is that approx.. 12.7 million people many of whom were not covered previously have signed up for ACA- Obamacare. But , Obamacare is driving up premium and deductible costs for individuals, families and businesses. It’s forcing people off plans they like. And it’s fueling waste, fraud and abuse.
1. R.S. Andrews experience
2. Promise: healthcare reform would lower premiums for the typical family by $2500. Instead job-based coverage increased by $3775
3. Promise: Americans would be able to keep their plan. Instead, millions have lost coverage as insurers were forced to cancel policies that didn’t comply with Obamacare’s requirements
4. Obamacare imposes over $1 trillion in tax hikes
5. Obamacare does not address a major cost driver: medical liability …..the system hurts the very people it’s meant to help. Injured patients receive only 46 cents of every dollar awarded while the balance goes to lawyers and administrative fees
6. 52% of small businesses that don’t offer healthcare say the primary reason is cost
7. Medicaid: The status quo is unsustainable: the federal share of outlays is set to double over the coming decade to more than $624 billion
8. Major companies are dropping out of the exchanges- Aetna, United Healthcare, Humana and others. Aetna lost $430 million in the exchanges last year . Exchange networks have significantly fewer providers This year they decreased by over 1/3, and with these major providers dropping out, in many areas of the country there will only be one choice left. In 60% of Georgia’s counties there will be only one “choice”…Blue Cross Blue Shield….and they have already announced a 21% premium increase for 2017.
9. Of the 12.7 million enrolled in the exchanges,83% receive premium subsidies..and in some areas, like Mississippi 96% receive subsidies
10. 2016-7 premium increases: company plans 16% avg; Obamacare 24%; in Tenn. 46%, MS 43%, Kent. 23%
11. In addition to the premium increases, deductibles are averaging $6000, and co-pays have dramatically increased
12. Summary: More people are covered…but consumers have few choices and the Affordable Care Act has become the Unaffordable Care Act for many: due to what Bernie Sanders shouted for months about ”those outrageously high deductibles and premiums”.
Trump re: Healthcare
· Full repeal of Obamacare
· Implement a series of reforms based upon free market principles….which will broaden access…make healthcare more affordable……and improve quality of care for all Americans….
· Republicans have been offering most of these reforms from the beginning……Tom Price story
· Allow the sale of health insurance across state lines…..creating competition….costs will go down and customer satisfaction will go up
· Fewer policy mandates….allow people to choose from a menu of services to build policies right for them
· Allow individuals to fully deduct health insurance premiums….like businesses currently do
· Allow individuals to use Health Savings Accounts (HSA's). Contributions into HSA's would be tax free and allowed to accumulate.
· Require price transparency from all healthcare providers…especially doctors and healthcare organizations like clinics and hospitals…so you can shop for best prices for procedures, exams
· Block grant Medicaid to the States…..States know their people's needs best and incentives to seek out and eliminate fraud, waste and abuse
· Remove barriers to entry into free markets for drug providers that offer safe, reliable and cheaper products. Do what is right for consumers….not protect special interests. Allow consumers to access imported, safe and dependable drugs from overseas to provide more options
· These are just a start of ways to broaden access and lower costs
Why vote for Donald Trump?
1. Halt the spread of Radical Islam……..vs……………… lead from behind and continue the current feckless policies
2. Make America grow again……3-4% GDP growth…with thousands of real good paying jobs…..prosperity……….vs stagnation…accept the current anemic economy with 1% GDP growth
3. Repeal and replace Obamacare with programs that actually lower cost and increase quality of care…….vs accept the current costly, bureaucratic program that is lowering healthcare quality….and will bankrupt the country
4. Implement an immigration program that finally secures the border, with manpower and policies that keep out undesirable aliens while allowing desired immigrants to come in, become part of our culture……….……vs give lip service to controlling our borders and giving amnesty to those who broke the law and came in illegally
5. Support our police, and effective policing to keep neighborhoods safe……………vs condemn our law enforcement officers and erroneously blame them for inner city problems
6. Rebuild our military strength to maintain peace through strength………….vs continuing to ignore the need to update military equipment and lose our edge over Russia, China and others
7. Strongly support Israel….73 % of Republicans support Israel’s actions re: Palestinians…vs. only 45% of Democrats. ( Ivanka, Donald Jr. and Eric all have Jewish spouses)
8. Expand educational opportunities supporting Charter schools, digital and alternative learning techniques…concentrating on what’s best for the kids…..vs protecting the teachers unions, and administrators which keep kids locked in non-functioning failing schools
9. Appoint Supreme Court Judges who believe in the Constitution and separation of powers…….vs appointing judges, who, although unelected and unaccountable, feel it is appropriate to circumvent Congress MAKE laws not just interpret and enforce laws per the Constitution
A Christian Pastor’s Analysis of the U.S. Election Drama
I know that probably all of my Democratic Friends will probably vote for Hillary! But because of many failures she has made and because I disagree with many of the things she wants to do, I personally could never vote for her.
Is Trump good for America? I mentioned Sunday that I would speak on this next week. Unfortunately, I found that I was shoehorning this topic into my planned message. To properly present what I want to speak on Sunday, I may have to leave the Donald out of it! But let me take a minute for those that wonder and give some of my thoughts.
When I first heard that Trump (DT) was entering the race last year, I told my wife that perhaps it was a good thing for the party and America. I knew that he was not a "saint," but I thought that he would be like a bull in a china shop. He is a disrupt-er and I believe America could use a fresh thinker especially in the political arena. I didn't think he would get the nomination, but that he would shake up politics as usual. I was correct on the shaking up!
Lance Wallnau likens him to a biblical Cyrus. Someone who is dynamically used of God even though not perceived by many as a God follower. God has used many people in history that I would probably not like or agree with. I’m not sure I would have liked all the disciples, or David, or Moses. Somehow, God did not seem compelled to consult with me on His choices!
I have always admired Winston Churchill. He is seen as one of the greatest national leaders in the 20th century. Last year, I had the privilege of going through the War Museum in London. Winston is a key feature. His life is controversial. He was not always celebrated as a great leader. He was a bombastic, cigar smoking, at times crude, even misogynistic leader. It is alleged that he told off color stories to his children before bedtime! A woman once told him he was disgustingly drunk. His response was "My dear, you are disgustingly ugly, but tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be ugly!"
There are many websites that discuss the outlandish comments and activities of this great world leader. But, he had exactly what was needed to stop Hitler at the Channel, to rouse a nation to never give up and to partner with America to find final victory in Europe. You probably wouldn't want him as your pastor, maybe not even your father, but he was the right leader for that moment in England's history. Such a brazen man that would go up to the roof of his quarters in central London and smoke cigars as Hitler’s air force bombed all around him. I’m not sure I would have voted for him... but he was the right man!
I think it would be awesome to have a righteous leader, one that understood the intricacies of the economy, health care, defense, immigration, with great sensitivity to religious institutions, a heart for the poor, a vision for the future. If that leader was a praying person, formidable in the word of God and loved the local church, I would rejoice! I do not think that is the choice we will have in November.
Instead... we will look for someone who is imperfect, yet will fit the times we are living in. Particularly, that ‘whoever’ we vote for, will be someone who might possibly have the opportunity to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices. That could radically shape our culture in America for the next 30 years. The America of our grandchildren could be very different... and that may not be good. We cannot stand on the sidelines. A non-vote is a passive vote for a direction we may very well regret.
So... is Donald Trump good for America? I honestly believe that he has been already. He has shaken the political system. Do his comments offend me? At times! Do I agree with all he says? Not at all! But could he be a “Cyrus” being raised up by God to preserve America? Nobody liked Gen. Patton, but he sure WAS an instrument of the United States for the right things.
This I know. I will vote for the best chance for America. I will pray for our leaders as I have already. In the end - God will continue to be my source and my hope. I do believe that God has had a hand in America's history. I hope and pray that He will also have a saving hand in America’s future.
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3)
The Impeachment Distraction
Koskinen and the IRS deserve rebuke, but not if it costs the Senate.
John Koskinen before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in Washington, D.C. on June 23, 2014. PHOTO: EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY
House Speaker Paul Ryan has managed to unite his fractious GOP caucus around some common campaign goals. So it’s a pity that two months from an election some House Members are driving an issue that could cost Republicans control of the Senate.
Louisiana Rep. John Fleming on Tuesday moved on a privileged resolution to force the House to vote as soon as Thursday to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. The IRS chief has earned public opprobrium, but the timing of this effort could boomerang and end up making the IRS less accountable.
These columns have been out front in documenting Mr. Koskinen’s failures after he promised to clean up the IRS following its political targeting of conservative nonprofits. Mr. Koskinen has failed to be candid with Congress and defied subpoenas. Documents requested by Congress were destroyed on his watch. He’s done nothing to reform the agency and he has supported a new draft regulation, now in temporary abeyance, that would reinforce the agency’s political vetting.
The question is whether impeachment is the right remedy at the current political moment. The case for it is that Congress needs to reassert its own powers against a runaway executive branch. President Obama has diminished the power of the purse and won’t prosecute contempt citations against witnesses who refuse to testify on Capitol Hill. Impeachment is about all Congress has left.
The problem is that a trial is doomed to fail in the Senate, where a two-thirds vote is required to convict. There are differing views on whether a House impeachment vote triggers an automatic Senate trial, but if it does this could require vulnerable GOP incumbents to stay in Washington at the height of the campaign. This would be a gift to Democrats trying to regain the majority.
Senate Democrats might insist on dragging out a trial, even blocking a budget vote as a way to shut down the government after its funding runs out Sept. 30. Most voters have no idea who Mr. Koskinen is, and they are likely to consider impeachment this close to Election Day to be a political stunt and distraction.
No doubt many House Members genuinely believe Mr. Koskinen deserves impeachment, but other Republicans have legitimate doubts that his offenses rise to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanors” mentioned in the Constitution. An impeachment trial now will divide Republicans while uniting Democrats. Why take the risk when Mr. Koskinen is leaving office in a mere four months?
Congress needs to think seriously about how to reassert its powers no matter who wins the White House. But the reality is that a Senate Democratic majority would make that task impossible. Republicans should focus on re-electing their majorities in Congress as a check on the next President, instead of making self-defeating political gestures.
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Iran is determined to open up a terror front against Israel by strengthening Hezbollah’s fortifications on the Golan Heights, former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon stated on Thursday. Speaking at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Ya’alon noted that “the dozens or so attacks perpetrated from the Syrian side of the Golan Heights against us, it was Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces trying to open a terror front against us.” Hezbollah is now armed with more than 100,000 rockets, he noted. Gaza-based terror organizations Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have also benefited from their relationship with Iran by “getting know how how to produce rockets, more accurate rockets, or even unmanned air vehicles.”
Israel has demonstrated its determination to prevent Iran from setting up terror infrastructure in the Golan Heights. In January 2015, an Israeli airstrike killed Iranian and Hezbollah commanders who wereattempting to establish terrorist infrastructure on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Four months later, the Israeli Air Force struck a weapons shipment convoy on the Syria-Lebanon border. And last December, Samir Kuntar, a Hezbollah-affiliated terrorist who was imprisoned for decades for the murder of an Israeli father and his four-year-old daughter in 1979, was assassinated after reportedly working to build up Hezbollah’s infrastructure and attack capacity on the Golan. “We have a red line, a boundary that we will not allow to be broken,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized when visiting Moscow in June. “Iran will not be allowed, using Hezbollah, to use Syrian territory to attack us and open up another terrorist front against us in the Golan.”
Hezbollah relies on Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to allow his territory to be used as a land bridge between Lebanon and Iran, which it can use to transport weapons and soldiers. Because of the importance of this route, the terrorist group has become highly invested in Assad’s survival. Around 1,500 Hezbollah fighters have been killed in the Syrian civil war. Israeli analyst Daniel Nisman toldThe Financial Times in January that if the Assad regime were to take decisive control of the Syrian Golan from rebel groups, “that could be Iran’s way to put in a second front and a second Gaza or a second southern Lebanon.”
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