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The Wallet is Where the Heart Is
by Miriam Chu
Yes, that's cold, but it's also true and is often the big, defining point between Liberal Progressives and Conservatives.
When confronted with suffering amongst our fellow human beings, it is only a truly heartless individual who would not feel something should be done, but that is where Conservatives and Progressives diverge. While the Conservative reaches for their own wallet, the Progressive reaches for yours.
What we truly value and support, we support with our own hard earned money. Today, the people of our nation are suffering from extreme mismanagement by an out of control and lawless government. I commend people for donating to charities that are assisting the victims of this governmental malpractice, but it does nothing to prevent new suffering and additional victims.
Ultimately, we'll only make a real impact by changing things like term limits and abolishing the IRS. Those are necessary and worthy goals, but they are massive obstacles to tackle. We can, however, slow the Progressive train with a local and more immediate tactic. We need to change the management in Washington to stop this downward trend, and to do this, we must get new people elected. Reelecting the same old folks will never break the cycle. To get elected, new unknown candidates need money from donations. With no history of power, influence or connections, they must depend on us, the grassroots to have any chance of beating entrenched incumbents with massive war chests. Donations made directly to conservative candidates are the best way to show where your heart really is. It does not need to be much. One hundred $10 donations is the same amount as one $1000 donation.
And remember, dollar bills do not vote at the polls on Election Day. A less well-funded candidate can win if the people rally to support him. If you cannot donate much, financially, your direct effort in support of your favorite candidate can turn the tide. Knocking on doors, handing out literature and recruiting and educating friends and neighbors can be more valuable than gold.
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Let's Lighten Up for a Moment!
Seven Decades of Math In America
The Evolution in Teaching Math Since the 1950's
1. Teaching Math in 1950s - A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?
2. Teaching Math in 1960s - A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?
3. Teaching Math in 1970s - A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?
4. Teaching Math in 1980s - A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.
5. Teaching Math in 1990s - A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok.)
6. Teaching Math in 2000s - If you have special needs or just feel you need assistance because of race, color, religion, sex, age, childhood memories, criminal background, then don't answer and the correct answer will be provided for you. There are no wrong answers.
7a. Teaching Math in 2020 - Un registrador vende un camión cargado de madera de $1.650 (pesos). Su costo de producción es 4/5 del precio. ¿Cuál es su beneficio?
7b. Teaching Jihadi Math in 2020 - An infidel is stealing trees that belong to Allah and has insulted the prophet. How many suicide bombers are needed to take out a logging truck? Extra credit: If 1 suicide bomber gets 72 virgins how many virgins will 4 suicide bombers get?
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Ex-Im Bank Reauthorization
by Peggy Smetana
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization passed the House on Oct. 27, with the support of NC Representatives Renee Ellmers (R), G.K. Butterfield (D) and Alma Adams (D). The other ten NC Representatives voted against it.
Ellmers, Butterfield, Adams, as well as David Price, had previously signed a motion to discharge, which allowed the bill to avoid the normal committee procedures and be brought directly to House floor for a vote. At least with Ellmers, her vote was a forgone conclusion. At a recent Republican Women of Lee County meeting, one of our members challenged her on the issue. She replied with the astounding assertion that the questioner just wanted to put the 630 employees of Thomas Built Bus Corporation* out of work (presumably due to lack of export financing help from the Export-Import Bank).
If you are a constituent of one of these people, please contact her/him to express your thoughts and feeling about her/his vote for this corporate welfare and government bureaucracy bill. This is important regardless of the response you get because it lets them know this didn't go unnoticed and there are angry, actively involved voters out here.
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Ellmers
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202-225-4531
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Butterfield
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202-225-3101
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Adams
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202-225-1510
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Price
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202-225-1784
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*Upon investigation, I found that Thomas Built Buses is
owned by Daimler
. Welfare for another giant corporation strikes again.
Related links:
To see how all representatives voted, click
HERE
.
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h/t Legal Insurrection
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Don't Think About an Elephant
by Emily Stack
Many of us wonder what is causing the decline in our youth's conservative support and ideals. From personal experience, as a college student, I have an idea as to how all the youth of today are developing these less conservative ideals and biases against right-wing parties. Currently I am taking a course titled "Perceiving in a Social Context." During the first class I was informed it was primarily on prejudice and racism. Normally this writer is a fast reader but the book for this class has taxed my limits.
There are numerous types of prejudice but it seems they are rather one-sided. Certain prejudices known as "Right-winged Authoritarian" and "Social Dominance Orientation" are attributed to the prejudice of those in the conservative parties. "Conservatives are more likely to see people as being responsible for negative outcomes they experience, such as poverty and unemployment" (
Whitley 2009
). To extend this idea in lecture, my professor stated that the conservative prejudice is not specifically a prejudice of race but more the unwillingness to support government programs to help regulate equality. This was an essential part of the teaching because we conservatives do not believe the government can create equality. The idea taught is that if a person does not want government to enforce equality, it makes her prejudiced. It has nothing to do with the fact she just dislikes big government.
There are many "studies" done on these prejudices but when they give statistical results, they manage to skip certain details. In one, the alternative to government's helpful programs was the person choosing to not want any change. "Although Whites generally supported various aspects of racial equality as general principles, they also generally opposed government intervention to enforce those principles" (Whitely 2009) In reference to this quote there was a chart from a study done that shows many supported the alternative (equality "As a general principle") to government regulation for creating equality. The conclusion Whitely drew is that because government programs are not supported by these people, they are prejudiced toward minorities.
People who are very supportive of equality and support government programs, but do not wish to associate with minorities are guilty of "Aversive Prejudice." According to this book, liberal parties tend to be more prejudiced in this way, but not hold other forms of prejudice. To me, this is the worst form of prejudice as it is this prejudice that I believe keeps the racism and prejudice alive in our society. In a society where we take away from others and give to the "more deserving," the real inequality begins to grow and keep the separation alive and well in all our minds.
How can we move past these prejudices if we are conditioned to constantly be aware of the differences between people? Don't offend anyone, and don't think about offending anyone! You might as well say, "Don't think about an elephant." These are my thoughts, but hey what do I know when I'm just another prejudiced, privileged white girl!
(Emily Stack is in her senior at UNCG and volunteers as the Secretary of the MTC Board.)
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h/t Legal Insurrection
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| Please patronize the businesses that support Moore Tea Citizens |
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The Oft Overlooked but Potentially Most Consequential Impact of Presidential and Senatorial Elections
by Neil Oakley
Recently, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
stated
, "One more liberal justice and our right to keep and bear arms is taken away from us by an activist court." In District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), the U.S. Supreme Court held that the right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment, is an individual right. In McDonald v. Chicago (2010), the Court held that this right was incorporated by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and applied to the states. The margins of both Court decisions were 5-4.
Thus, as constitutional lawyer David French
noted
, "Right now there are clearly four Supreme Court justices who are committed to the absurd view that the operative clause of the Second Amendment--'the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed'--doesn't actually mean 'the right of the people' and therefore doesn't encompass an individual right to own a weapon, even for self-defense. In other words, we're one Supreme Court justice away from a holding that the Second Amendment is essentially a dead letter, protecting the right to bear arms only within the context of militia service."
Democrat Hillary Clinton has mentioned that the United States should consider gun laws like those in Australia. Unless you've been under a rock, you know that Australia passed gun confiscation laws approximately 20 years ago. Don't be fooled by her fake Southern accent and alleged Arkansas roots. Hillary is all-in on the anti-Second Amendment bus ride.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is no better. While he claims to support Second Amendment rights due to the nature of the voters in Vermont (where gun ownership is commonplace), don't think for a minute that he won't be quick to flip-flop on this issue, especially considering that the anti-gun left holds serious sway in the Democrat primary.
Former Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-MD) may be the most vehement anti-2A candidate in the Democrat presidential primary. His malfeasance in this area is well noted among conservative Maryland voters, who saw him enact highly restrictive laws and regulations against law-abiding gun owners.
Presidents nominate Supreme Court justices who then face confirmation by the Senate. Currently, one justice (Ginsburg) is 82 years old and has had health issues. Two justices (Kennedy and Scalia) are 79 years old and another (Breyer) is 77. It is highly likely the next president will have an opportunity to shape the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court for years to come. Or, as David French says, "One more liberal justice, and we face a brave new world of gun control legislation."
Republican presidents do not always have a stellar track record of appointing Supreme Court justices. There have been some hits: Justice Alito (GW Bush), Justice Thomas (GHW Bush), Justice Scalia (Reagan) and Chief Justice Rehnquist (Reagan). There have also been some misses: Justice Stevens (Ford), Justice Souter (GHW Bush), Chief Justice Warren (Eisenhower), Justice Brennan (Eisenhower) and Justice Blackmun (Nixon); and some half-and-half: Chief Justice Roberts (GW Bush), Justice Kennedy (Reagan) and Justice O'Connor (Reagan).
However, Democrat presidents know EXACTLY whom they are appointing, and their ideological backgrounds: Justices Sotomayor and Kagan (Obama), Justices Breyer and Ginsburg (Clinton) and Justice Thurgood Marshall (LBJ). Quickly! Name the last conservative Supreme Court justice appointed by a Democrat president. I'll wait. (Partial credit if you named Justice Byron "Whizzer" White, appointed by JFK.)
The 2016 election--both presidential and senatorial--is critical because of its impact on the Supreme Court. Are we prepared to see our rights eroded further by the addition of liberal justices? Do you want to see Justice Scalia replaced by someone appointed by President Hillary? Even if you don't like some of Justice Kennedy's rulings, how would you like President Bernie picking his replacement?
When considering whom to vote for in the 2016 primary, look at the candidates' track records on judges. For senators, see how they voted in confirmation hearings for judicial appointments from Obama or Bill Clinton. For governors, do the research and look at their appointments to their state judiciary. For other candidates, examine the surrounding circumstances and see how they respond to questions about this topic. For instance, did you know Donald Trump said he would like to appoint judges like
his sister
--a federal judge who was appointed to her seat by Bill Clinton--to the US Supreme Court? For all candidates, consider their own track records of constitutional governance. Do the same thing for candidates for US Senate, who have to vote on all judicial nominations.
Choose wisely...or, I should say, judiciously.
(Neil Oakley is a practicing attorney in Moore Co. and volunteers his time as a board member of MTC and the Chair of the MTC Program Committee)
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November Dinner Program
We have another great lineup of speakers for you! This month, our featured speaker will be Hal Weatherman, Chief of Staff for Lt. Gov. Dan Forest (R). Mr. Weatherman will speak on "Campaigns and Energizing the Base."
You will also have a chance to meet two candidates: Larry Holmquist, Republican candidate for US Senate in the primary against Richard Burr; and Judge Valerie Zachary (R), who is running for a full term on the NC Court of Appeals. For more details and to submit your reservation, see the
MTC Website
.
Moore County Municipal Elections
Vote! Local office is often the first step for future county, state and national politicians, so your vote for an "insignificant" office can not only impact your community and property taxes, it might also have much great ramifications years from now. If you missed early voting, the cities of Moore Co. have their elections tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, so get out and vote for legitimately conservative candidates.
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Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations... can never effect a reform.
~ Susan B. Anthony
The people ought to take no selfish attitude of pressing for removing moderate and fair taxes which might produce a deficit.
We must keep our budget balanced for each year. T
hat is the corner stone of our national credit, the trifling price we pay to command the lowest rate of interest of any great power in the world. Any surplus can be applied to debt reduction, and debt reduction is tax reduction.
~ Calvin Coolidge
When young Americans vote Democrat it takes my breath away at how ignorant they are. Giving my generation all these benefits so that we can spend all this money on ourselves... and you will pay it for us! I've got to hand it to you young people, maybe
YOU'RE the greatest generation!
~ Dennis Prager
It is hardly possible to build anything if frustration, bitterness and a mood of helplessness prevail.
~ Lech Wałęsa
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Did You Know?
Individual Americans (you) pay all "corporate" or "business" taxes. If this is news to you, it may sound like political rhetoric, but it is harsh reality. Here's how it works...
The taxes any business pays are a business expense. Just like the cost of its lease, insurance, payroll, etc., taxes are part of the cost of doing business. An entrepreneur only makes money when his sales exceed the total of all his costs. Each new cost forces him to raise the price of his goods or services in order to stay solvent. To illustrate how this works, consider oil and oranges. When the price of crude oil goes up, so does the price of airline tickets and the cost driving to New Jersey for Thanksgiving. When the cost of oranges goes up due to a widespread freeze in Florida, the price of your juice follows. So, when the state and federal governments impose new or higher corporate taxes, the corporation has to make it up. It has options, but all of them impact individuals: It can raise prices or cut back on the quality of its products or services. That hits the consumer. It can reduce its workforce or cutback on wages or benefits. That hits the employee. Either way, individual Americans pay the price when politicians reach into American pockets.
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How Do I Do That?
If you want to contact one of Moore County's politicians, or look at his voting record or Website, what do you do?
✘ Use a search engine or click through a county, state or national goverment Website? You could, but it might take some time and become frustrating. I don't recommend that.
✔︎ A better idea? Go to your MTC Website and click "Politicians" from the menu along the top of every page (see a
screenshot). For more information, go to the
How To Find Things page.
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