Who Were The Top Ten Most Libertarian Presidents?

Libertarians are fiscally conservative and socially liberal. They believe in complete economic freedom with very little, if no, regulation. They believe that individuals should be free to make choices for themselves and must accept responsibility for the consequences of the choices they make. Libertarianism is a social and economic philosophy, and it was this way of thinking that brought our fore-fathers together to create a new nation. It was the foundation that the Republican Party was built upon and, once upon a time, once stood for. Most of us, whether we like it or not, have this same outlook on life in general. You stay out of my business and I'll stay out of yours. Limited government, maximum liberty. believe it or not, we have actually had some politicians (including presidents) who have had this similar philosophy. So you see, it is possible to live in peace and prosperity, and be in control of your own destiny. Over the years we have been led to believe that the government is the answer to all our problems. No. We are. I would like to share with you my top ten most Libertarian thinkers that have sat in the oval office. 10. Ronald Reagan. Reagan is the only post-1929 President to be listed, and one of only two on this list who served in the 20th century. Reagan was quoted as saying that “the heart and soul” of conservatism is libertarianism. Additionally, he is much less hawkish than some modern conservatives wish to remember. While many of his efforts to shrink government were hindered by Congress (and Reagan himself favored some big government with projects like the War on Drugs), Reagan truly made it cool again to believe in small government. 9. Zachary Taylor. Taylor was President for a little over a year before his death in 1850. He signed the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty with the UK, which prevented either of the countries from seizing the Nicaragua Canal. In an attempt to prevent slavery from spreading to the Southwest, he opposed the Compromise of 1850. 8. Rutherford B. Hayes. Hayes oversaw the end of Reconstruction, working to protect black Americans who were being oppressed in the South. He was in favor of the gold standard and ended the “spoils system,” thereby appointing government officials by merit rather than through their political associations. He was a firm follower of the Monroe Doctrine, believing that the US should not intervene in other countries’ business. However, he used federal troops to break up the Great Railroad Strike. 7. George Washington. The Father of our Country, Washington was tasked with an unbelievable job: he was supposed to set the example for every person who followed him in office. He famously refused to be referred to in royal terms and graciously stepped down after his second term. In his Farewell Address, he warned against entangling alliances abroad, as well as a political party system. On the negative side, he appointed and followed the advice of central banking advocate Alexander Hamilton and used the military to break up the Whiskey Rebellion. 6. Martin Van Buren. Van Buren sought diplomacy with Mexico, in contrast to the hawkish policies of Andrew Jackson. He also advocated for lower tariffs and free trade. Throughout the Panic of 1837, he practiced free market policies, refusing to get the federal government involved. Van Buren did, however, follow through with the Trail of Tears plan enacted by Andrew Jackson. 5. John Tyler Tyler assumed office after the death of William Henry Harrison (who some may claim is the most libertarian President because he did not live long enough to do anything). Tyler served nearly a full 4-year term and used his veto power often, using it on the Third Bank on two separate occasions. He also ended the Second Seminole War and did not use federal troops during the Dorr Rebellion. However, he did annex Texas, which would eventually lead to the Mexican-American War. 4. Thomas Jefferson. Thought of by many as the epitome of modern-day libertarianism, Jefferson did his best to enact pro-liberty policies once he became President. He eliminated much of the “Hamiltonian” government excess that had been left behind by Presidents Washington and Adams. He also banned slavery in the Northwest Territory, as well as banning the International Slave Trade in 1807. While some libertarians may decry the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson is documented as having been very hesitant and thoughtful about the constitutionality of his actions. 3. James Madison. The Father of the Constitution, Madison very much continued the legacy of his predecessor Jefferson. Because of the successful economic policies of Jefferson, Madison inherited a budget surplus, and chose to cut taxes. He continued the assault on Hamilton’s national government infrastructure. He vetoed the creation of the Second Bank in 1814. Following the War of 1812, Madison had to deal with an opposition Congress, and government therefore saw some growth. However, in his final act as President, Madison vetoed the Bonus Bill of 1817, and used the occasion to criticize the Congress for so broadly interpreting the Taxing and Spending Powers of the Constitution. 2. Grover Cleveland. The only President to serve non-consecutive terms, Cleveland was one of the final “small government” Democrats. Upon his election, much like Hayes, he fought against the spoils system and additionally reduced the number of government workers. He opposed American imperialism and on several occasions prevented the US from engaging in military action. 1. Calvin Coolidge. “Silent Cal” tops my list for his role in cementing modern-day libertarian principles. Much like Reagan, Coolidge used the bully pulpit in an attempt to change the perception of how government should work. In an era which would see big government tax-and-spending Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover and Franklin Roosevelt, Coolidge stood apart. He succeeded Warren G. Harding in 1923 and served almost six years in the White House. He cut taxes substantially on at least three occasions and appointed laissez-faire actors to government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission and Interstate Commerce Commission. The federal debt was reduced by one-fourth as state and local governments grew substantially and surpassed the federal budget. Coolidge also vetoed farm subsidies, disdained federal intervention in flood control, spoke in favor of civil rights for blacks and Catholics and was wary of foreign entanglements. Notice that most of these guys were on my most conservative list as well. ( Calvin Coolidge made top spot in both categories.) Libertarians seek to substantially reduce the size and intrusiveness of government and cut and eliminate taxes at every opportunity. Believe that peaceful, honest people should be able to offer their goods and services to willing consumers without inappropriate interference from government. Believe that peaceful, honest people should decide for themselves how to live their lives, without fear of criminal or civil penalties. And they believe that government’s only responsibility, if any, should be protecting people from force and fraud. Like I said before, most everyone I know (including liberals!) agree with this philosophy. Our government truly believes that without them, fairness and personal freedom would not exist. Ha! Thanks for Reading!

Game of Thrones: Libertarian Edition

'Trade Wars' Don't Put Americans First

I'm a bit of a skeptic when it comes to tariffs. I don't believe in them. They completely undo true free trade. Tariffs are used to restrict imports by increasing the price of goods and services purchased from overseas and making them less attractive to consumers. A specific tariff is levied as a fixed fee based on the type of item, for example, $1,000 on any car. Let's keep this as real as possible Mr. President, the American consumer wants to save as much as possible and the majority of us don't care if its made here or overseas, they just want to save money. That's the cold hard truth. Ever since Nixon made that trade deal with China, it completely demoralized the American factory worker shutting down countless businesses and putting a lot of proud hard working Americans out of not only a job, but a career. Outsourcing jobs has been the replaced as the best way to succeed in this global economy. Now with these new tariffs that president Trump is imposing, whats left of our countries manufacturing will surely fall to the waste lands. The Trump administration is trying to sell its plan to slap tariffs on imported steel and aluminum as necessary for national security, but the import taxes are an unnecessary step that will hurt American manufacturers and increase prices on a wide range of products, from cars to beer cans. Last week, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross formally submitted to the White House a proposal for 24 percent tariffs on all steel imports. Alternatively, the plan calls for a 53 percent tariff on steel imported from 12 nations, including China, with import quotas on steel produced in all other countries, capping possible imports from those locations at 2017 levels. The proposal also calls for a tariff of 7.7 percent on aluminum imports from all countries, or a 23.6 percent import on products from five countries (China, Hong Kong, Russia, Venezuela, and Vietnam) with a quota on all imports from other places. The tariffs are necessary because relying on imported steel and aluminum "threatens to impair the national security," Ross said. The theory is that, because American weapons of war depend on steel and aluminum supplies, domestic producers must be protected from international supplies that could be cut-off in the event of a conflict. Domestic manufacturers are eager for more protectionism from the White House. In February, executives from the largest American steel companies wrote a letter to Trump encouraging "action to stop the relentless inflow of foreign steel." While those American steel manufacturers would benefit from the tariffs, a far larger slice of the economy would be hurt. According to 2015 Census data, steel mills employ about 140,000 Americans and add about $36 billion to the economy, but steel-consuming industries employ more than 6.5 million Americans and add $1 trillion to the economy. The CEO of an Ohio-based manufacturing company says his business is already paying significantly higher prices for rolls of steel—and that he will have little choice but to pass those costs on to his customers. Trump has pitched his tariffs as being in the best interest of national security. "If you don't have steel, you don't have a country," he famously tweeted shortly before announcing the 25 percent import tax. He is right in that respect. we desperately need to be economically independent if we are to save what is left of our "made in the USA" slogan as the best in the world. Trade is really not that complicated. Kids do it every day, and they know what they're doing. But something happens when they grow up. Most people never grasp the most basic economics. Almost everyone in public life is a protectionist to some extent. Even those who lean toward free trade talk as though countries—rather than individuals—trade. Hence their favorable reception of government trade agreements. Once you buy into that sort of collectivism, you are bound for trouble. Still, Americans trade every day with others, so they implicitly "know" why trade is good and why restriction is bad. They like variety, choice, and bargains. Yes, they are nationalists, so they think differently about trade the moment goods and money cross a national boundary. They see virtue in buying "American," even if "American" means many foreign factors of production. Nevertheless, when they shop, most of the time they act like free traders. We work to live, not vice versa. We live in a world of scarcity, which means we constantly have to make choices and face trade-offs. Time, energy, labor, and resources used in one way cannot be used in another. No, President Trump, it's not true that if you tax imported steel, we "will have protection for the first time in a long while." The opposite is true. If you raise tariffs on steel and aluminum, you punish consumers. Yes, such tariffs also punish Chinese producers and protect some American businesses and workers, but the tariffs will hurt many more Americans. They'll hurt every business that makes things from steel or aluminum. They'll hurt most everyone who buys anything. Tariffs are taxes, and they don't just affect inanimate metal objects. They punish people. Even if China "dumps" products—sells below their manufacturing cost—that just means that China hurts its people and gives us discounts. We win. We get products. All the Chinese get is paper with pictures of American presidents printed on it. What can they do with those? Either buy our products, or invest in America. Either way, we win. Did we learn nothing from what happened when President George W. Bush raised steel tariffs? The trade barriers protected 1,000 jobs. But they destroyed 200,000 other jobs. Bush wisely withdrew the tariffs. Trade only happens when both sides think they are better off for making the trade. Win-win, or it doesn't happen. Trade is always good because it is voluntary. Anyway, that's my opinion on this. I can only hope that these new tariffs truly work in our favor. Only time will tell. Thanks for reading!

My Top 10 Most Liberal Big Government Presidents Of All Time

Now when I am referring to the term liberal, I am not necessarily talking about the "classic liberal" which is really the definition of today's Libertarian or social conservative. That being the right to be a free human being and have no interference from government. The Republican Party was founded on those principles and helped end slavery in America. Now this same party that once stood for personal and economic freedom has become just as much a pain in my ass as the Democrats are. That being said, I have devised a comprehensive list of the most "Big Government Commander's In Chief" for you to see how I compare to your thoughts and views on what makes us even want to elect someone like this in the first place. My guess is insecurity issues. We are all afraid to be on our own. We are afraid to take responsibility of our own failures. What we don't understand is that without failure, you will never learn what it truly means to succeed. We have a natural instinct to survive and we do not need the government's help for that. We need to learn to gain victory for ourselves through our own terms. Putting this list together made me realize that most of these President's were not necessarily bad people. They loved this country and did what they thought was best for it. Socialism is always introduced with the best intentions. However, it will always have the most horrible repercussions. Especially in a free society. This country was founded on individual freedom, and with that comes a HUGE responsibility. When we elect individuals to make our decisions for us, we do it with the understanding that they have the best intentions in mind. A month ago I did a piece on my most conservative Presidents of all time, so I thought I would show the other side of that coin. So here we go... 10. Richard Nixon. So I start my list of with a Republican? WTF? Nixon ended the war in Vietnam and ended the draft. For that I commend him. Everything after that is a bunch of big government nonsense. For starters, his trade deal with China. After that American workers were completely screwed. So he raised the minimum wage and then put limits on pricing of goods like gasoline. The stock market nearly crashed. Nixon's policies dampened inflation through 1972, although their aftereffects contributed to inflation during his second term and into the Ford administration. After Nixon won re-election, inflation was returning. He reimposed price controls in June 1973. The price controls became unpopular with the public and business-people, who saw powerful labor unions as preferable to the price board bureaucracy. The controls produced food shortages, as meat disappeared from grocery stores and farmers drowned chickens rather than sell them at a loss. 9. John F. Kennedy. JFK was a war hero, and prevented WW III. The Cuban missile crisis was his greatest accomplishment. That and his stand on civil rights gives him an A+ from me. His administration also did away with school prayer, changing it to "a moment of silence" and was the pre-courser to the moral breakdown in America that we see today. Coming from the one and only Roman Catholic President this was very disappointing. He was also in favor of open borders and raised taxes to help fund Welfare. 8. Andrew Johnson. Big Government moron who should have never been in public office. Racist. 7. Bill Clinton. Raised taxes on businesses, and the working class. Pushed for government healthcare. His domestic policy stunk. Tried like hell for more gun control. His foreign policy was horrible ie Somolia. 6. Jimmy Carter. Created the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. This was the beginning of the end of the coal industry and Public Education in America. It also raised inflation even more when OPEC raised the price of crude oil even more. He originated the shutdown of oil refineries in the U.S. He did make it legal for home-brewers to buy hops and yeast which had not been possible since 1921, so that was cool. His foreign policy was very diplomatic and he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for that. However, the Iran hostage crisis was a disaster. 5. Lyndon B. Johnson. His ambitious legislative agenda created the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Created the "Great Society" which raised taxes and instituted more government bureaucracy. I give him props for his crusade for Civil Rights. 4. Barrack Obama. Obamacare. Need I say more? Ok then I will. He hated the free market and was a champion for complete government control of our lives. Oh ya and let us not forget Benghazi! I almost put this clown at number one. It was a tough decision. 3. Woodrow Wilson. It's funny because most would argue that my top five were also the greatest Presidents of all time. (funny as in crazy!) Wilson created the income tax and the Federal Reserve. Before Wilson, everything that needed to be built was done by corporations and private donations. The Sedition Act of 1918 was pretty much a violation of the 1st Amendment. He did lead us to victory eventually in WWI. (Of course I have a strong belief that war, which was one of the bloodiest known to man, could have easily been prevented!) 2. Teddy Roosevelt. I know what you're thinking, " Don, Teddy Roosevelt was a war hero AND a Republican!" and while those statements are true, he also took great strides to push the progressive movement in America. He hated big business so much, he was known as the "trust buster". He believed that most businesses were corrupt so he left the Republican Party and created the progressive Bull Moose Party which went after corporations with an iron fist. He championed more government, but in doing that, he created the National Parks that we have today. His foreign policy led to the building of the Panama Canal and the occupation and reconstruction of the Philippines. 1. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Teddy's cousin, would shoulder us through the Great Depression and World War II. His "New Deal" created the welfare program and Social Security. Originally meant to be temporary and optional, it was as all social programs that are instituted, eventually made permanent and mandatory. In his 15 years as President he created 9 government agencies. He was so hard core about not giving up his station so much that he was elected four times. Term limits apparently did not go well with his agenda. Obviously these men did do great things for this country. Some of which I agree with, and most of which led to mess that we have to put up wit today. So to conclude with my post, I would like to quote some famous leaders who kind of went the other way than these that I have mentioned. "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money." -- Margaret Thatcher. The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help. Ronald Reagan. They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin. We are fast approaching the stage of the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by permission; which is the stage of the darkest periods of human history, the stage of rule by brute force. Ayn Rand. Thanks for reading!

God, Guns, Guts, and Glory (The Beginning Of The End Of The Old Republic)

As we prepare for Easter weekend 2018, I find myself remembering what that meant to me and my community as a young boy. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(John 3:16). I find myself wondering in today's world just who actually believes in that phrase now. It's a different America today then it was when I was a kid. America is degenerating on a moral level quite rapidly in fact, and I fear that this will be the key factor in whether or not we will continue as a free republic. According to a new Gallup poll, 82 percent of Republicans and 78 percent of Democrats say that moral values in the U.S.A. are only fair or downright poor. 40 years ago, only 33 percent of Americans felt that way. So what's happened? First, secular forces have destroyed any rendering of Judeo-Christian philosophy in the public school system. Many teachers are now ordered not to make value judgments on behavior and not to push any specific moral standards. Thus children receive little if any moral guidance in class. Second, with the rise of single parent homes, more and more American kids wind up unsupervised for long periods of time, left to the television set or the computer, where harmful material comes at them like rain in a thunderstorm. Third, major corporations now traffic in sex and violence to an extent never before seen in this country. Americans spend more than $10 billion a year on porn every year. And violent video games gross billions more for corporations. Fourth, peer pressure to actually reject immoral behavior is virtually non-existent in many places. The code of silence about bad behavior is an infectious disease among Americans. So as it stands, both Republicans and Democrats realize America is lacking a strong moral compass. Millions of American parents are trying hard to teach their children good values, but are besieged by the terrible influences beyond the home. The secularists have succeeded in drastically changing the moral tone in this country. And 80 percent of us see that change as a bad thing. However, there's no mass outcry about it. And until there is, America will continue its declining moral direction. Within this lack of belief that consequences and repercussions should determine your actions, lies the criminal element. The murderous element. The Stoneman Douglas students experienced a horrific trauma. No one can deny their grief or blame them for being impassioned. And allowance has to be made for the fact that they are teenagers, who universally believe that they know better than their hapless elders ( David Hogg says the problem is that their parents don’t know how to use a democracy). Maybe all of this can be written off as the work of overenthusiastic, underinformed 17-year-olds. But the student activists aren’t acting alone. They are promoted and praised by adults who should know better. To witness or experience tragedy is a terrible thing, and it is no easy thing for anyone to make sense of, and so from Job on through the stoics to the victims and heroes of the day before yesterday, the mystery of ineffable tragedy has been most often met by solemn silence. PTSD does not instill wisdom. But that doesn’t really matter to the cynical media, who cut back and forth between Stormy Daniels and the earnest pontifications of adolescents. A little perspective is in order. Time reports that since 2013, six adults and 35 children have been killed in school shootings in the U.S. While this is a tragedy, there are an average of 51 deaths by lightning strikes each year in the U.S. The likelihood that you will be killed by a lightning strike is six times greater than the likelihood that you will be killed in a school shooting. Inanimate objects to not commit mass murder...people do. Just as it was a responsible gun owner who knew right from wrong (good from evil) who saved the day in the Maryland shooting. Now there is another mindset poisoning our youth, and that is the lack of belief in American exceptionalism. American pride. "And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I wont forget the men who died who gave that right to me..." To me that's one of the greatest songs ever written. Sure, other nations love their homelands, but U.S. pride has historically been on a whole different level. For decades, the “Land of the Free” has been tied to American exceptionalism—the belief that the country is the indisputable greatest nation of all time. Yet, while we still sing the words before every sporting game, that distinctive pride is waning. For some, a decreasing belief in American exceptionalism is just a sign that the nation is taking its natural place among countries. Others feel that the loss of this belief is a clear symptom of an impending U.S. downfall—and they want desperately for the “Home of the Brave” to retake its leading place on the world stage. Either way, something definitely has happened to the nation’s pride. And every American should take note. Take note, and take action. Before it's too late. Thanks for reading!

The Top 10 Major Irish Contributions To The World

As I recover from yet another epic St. Patrick's Day fest, I tend to ponder on just what it means to be Irish. There are an estimated 14 million people in the U.S. alone who claim this heritage. The total world wide is over 80 million. So just what is it about having Irish blood that makes us so proud? The truth is since the first Celtic settlements on the emerald isle over 3000 years ago, the Irish have been changing and shaping our world like no other race. With that never quit attitude, and the stubbornness to see any hardship through to its end. They gave birth to modern music and dancing and Hurling is considered one of the oldest team sports in the world. Here is a look at my top 10 major Irish contributions to the U.S. and the world. 10. Milk chocolate: In the 18th century Sir Hans Sloane, from County Down, encountered cocoa while he was in Jamaica, where the locals drank it mixed with water, and he is reported to have found it nauseating. However, he devised a means of mixing it with milk to make it more pleasant. When he returned to England, he brought his chocolate recipe back with him. By the 19th century, Cadburys was selling tins of Sloane's drinking chocolate. 9. Guinness: Enough said. 8. Splitting the atom: Ernest Thomas Sinton Walton, a physicist from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, won the Nobel Prize for his work with John Cockcroft. In the late 1920s/early 1930s, the two conducted "atom-smashing" experiments at Cambridge University. Walton became the first person to artificially split the atom. 7. Nickel Zinc battery: The battery was developed by an Irish chemist, Dr. James J. Drumm (1897–1974) and installed in four two-car railway sets, between 1932 and 1948, for use on the Dublin-Bray railway line. Today it is used to power cell phones. 6. Monorail: Louis Brennan, from Mayo, was the inventor of the monorail. He did much of the work on a monorail locomotive which was kept upright by a gyrostat. In 1903 he patented a system that he designed for military use; he successfully demonstrated the system, on November 10, 1909, in Gillingham, England. 5. Color photography: John Joly, from County Down, was the first to invent the color photograph back in 1894, although it did not gain widespread acceptance until many years later. 4. The Tank: When Winston Churchill, in 1915, issued an all points bulletin for the invention of a machine capable of withstanding rifle fire, flattening barbed wire fences, and rolling over no man’s land Irishman Walter Gordon Wilson obliged by inventing the modern tank. 3. Tractor: Harry Ferguson, from Northern Ireland, a bicycle repair man with a genius for mechanical inventions, invented the modern tractor as well as the first four wheel drive Formula One racing car. 2. Submarine: John Philip Holland, from Clare, invented the submarine and it was commissioned in 1900 by the US Navy. 1. Automobile: Henry Ford, son of an Irish immigrant, transformed the world with his low price automobile which created modern life, suburbs, highways, mobility etc, forever. Irish immigrants also built this nation. From railroads to skyscrapers to ships, you name it, and it was probably built by an Irishman. James Hoban from County Killkenny, designed the White House. Irish immigrants also made up more than 80% of the soldiers and sailors during the American Revolution, and the American Civil War. There is a joke that the Irish would have ruled the world had alcohol not been created. I almost believe that. By the way, it's also considered the sexiest accent in the world! I hope everyone had a great St. Paddy's Day and thanks for reading!

In The Wake Of Another Mass Shooting; What Do We Do Now?

At least 17 people were killed in a Florida high school shooting on Valentine’s Day, the latest mass shooting in the United States. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel identified the suspect as 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, a former student who had been expelled from the school for disciplinary reasons. Cruz was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and ordered held without bond. Officials have not identified a motive for the shooting. It doesn’t surprise me that authorities were aware of the killer in Parkland, even before he acted. This is often the case, given our national approach to mental illness. Our God-given freedoms are dangerous. We are free to love, yet equally free to do otherwise. Our American liberties are equally dangerous. With freedom comes great responsibility, and accountability. As a culture, we are hesitant to restrict people’s freedoms, and we lack the financial resources to do so, even if we wanted to. We have a system in place to house someone once he or she commits a crime, but far fewer options to house someone once they are declared mentally ill. Among other recent tragedies are the November massacre of 26 worshipers at a rural Texas church and the October killing of 58 people at a music festival in Las Vegas. With each tragedy, we hear arguments about gun violence, mental health, how firearms should be regulated and what’s driving the prevalence of mass shootings. In the wake of the Parkland shooting massacre, there is a natural and emotional nationwide outrage for some serious "gun control". I read one gallup poll that states that 77% of Americans want more gun control in America. This is a trend that I believe is only going to escalate. Many people are just plain sick and tired of our government not doing anything about the recent mass shootings that have seemingly plagued our country. From Arizona to Washington, students walked out of schools in support of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students a week after their classmates were silenced by gunfire. And in Tallahassee, Stoneman Douglas students who survived the Parkland shooting massacre chanted louder than ever: "Vote them out!" Their words echoed through the hallways of the state Capitol, where they demanded a ban on weapons like the one used to kill their friends and teachers. In a day filled with emotion and tears, groups of survivors of the Florida shooting and parents of victims stood feet away from President Donald Trump, Florida's governor and lawmakers. They pleaded for changes in gun law as the nation grapples with how to prevent mass shootings in schools. Throughout a 34-year span, from 1966 to 2006, there were six mass public shootings that resulted in the deaths of 10 or more people. Two happened in educational institutions: the 1966 tower shooting at the University of Texas, Austin, and the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. In recent years, mass shootings have been resulting in more casualties. The Congressional Research Service found that from 2007 to 2013, there were seven mass public shootings in which 10 or more people were killed, and two of those incidents happened in schools. Those were the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting and the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. In the 10 mass school shootings from June 2013 to February 2018, 44 people were killed and 68 injured. What really drives these "sickos" to commit such heinous acts of pre-meditated murder? Why are there more mass killings than ever before? What really motivates someone to be so angry as to take another human beings life? Let me first get this out of the way by bluntly stating that this is NOT a gun problem, this is a moral and mental health crisis that has been inoculated into our citizens (and especially our children!) since the 70's! Simply put, we have allowed our mentally ill to run rampant through the streets AND we have created a Godless society where "love one another as I have loved you" is replaced by hate and kill. Our moral compass is not only broken, it has shattered in to a hundred pieces, irreparable. It has now been replaced by the idea that selfishness is actually a good character. Wrath, as an alternative to empathy. In my opinion, this world is going to hell in a hand basket quick if we don't wake the fuck up! Banning certain rifles and "bump stocks" is NOT the answer! Raising the purchase age is a joke! A gun is not functional until somebody picks it up. It does NOTHING BUT SIT THERE! It is the human being that creates these horrific acts of death, and it doesn't matter if it is a gun or a home-made explosive. Madness will always find a way to carry out destruction and lets face it, pure evil. Everyone thinks that this is the governments problem to solve and its not, it's ours. And it starts at home. It starts with teaching our children the value of life, and what a true gift from God it really is. It starts with real education. Not the dumbed down government version that has been poisoning our children's minds for decades now. It starts with love, and parents actually giving a shit about what their kids are learning and where they're at! We need more control over our schools and what they are actually teaching our children. Until that happens, it's up to us. We also need to take this mental health crisis SERIOUSLY! The warning signs were all over this kid and no one even bothered to pay attention. And the fact is people, that football coach Aaron Feis threw himself in front of students as bullets hailed down to save his students. He was a gun owner and if he would have been allowed to carry a weapon that day, non of that would have even happened! In my eyes Coach Feis did the only other thing that he could have done. He put others lives before himself. I know that "thoughts and prayers" will not bring these teachers and kids back. Nothing will bring them back. We need to stop pointing fingers, and take steps to make sure our kids are protected from this kind of tragedy. President Trump had a great idea that I wholeheartedly agree with in allowing teachers to carry on school grounds. To me that is a step in the right direction. In times like this, it’s easy to say that Parkland would never have occurred if the killer didn’t have access to guns. But it’s just as accurate to say that Parkland would never have occurred if the mentally ill killer had been institutionalized. Last week’s mass shooting that claimed 17 lives at a high school in Parkland, Florida leaves many of us searching for answers. Our free will is an important part of the answer. If God exists and wants us to genuinely love one another, he must first allow us something dangerous: personal freedom. This kind of liberty is risky, because it must also allow us the freedom to do great harm. Human free agency is a double-edged knife, and each of us must decide how we will handle it responsibly. I would like to conclude with extending my deepest condolences and prayers to the parents and to the families who now have to go on without their loved ones and their children and try to make sense of all this. May God hold you in the palm of his hand. Thank you for reading.

What Makes A President "Great" (My Top 10 Most Conservative Presidents)

You have probably heard the old saying that "anybody can grow up to be President." But, not everybody is cut out to be President. It takes a special kind of person, someone tough, smart, and driven, just to run for the job. It takes still more talent and character to hold up under the pressures of life in the White House. With Presidents Day coming up, I thought that I would talk and debate on just what it takes to be a great "Commander In Chief" This is very subjective as you know, we all have different views and perspectives on what makes this country great. We elect our leaders based upon our core values that we share with them in hopes that they will apply our values to govern for the good of the citizens. However, that doesn't always pan out the way we want it. Americans expect a lot from their Presidents. Understandably, they want the President to take quick action on problems facing the nation, such as crime and the economy. However, the U.S. Constitution limits the President's power to act. Only Congress can pass legislation, and Congress sometimes moves slowly. The President can only approve or veto (reject) legislation that Congress passes. Even then, Congress can override a veto and make it the law. The Supreme Court can also limit the President's power by ruling that a law or action violates the U.S. Constitution. The President has less power than the average voter thinks he does. He can't simply by himself make major domestic policies. In dealing with foreign countries, the President has more freedom. That is because he must react quickly to threats and opportunities from other countries. Even so, Congress and the courts can limit the President's actions. Also, the President must get Congress to approve any big decision, such as declaring war or approving a treaty. Despite these limitations, Presidents have incredible power. Much of that power is informal, meaning it is not spelled out anywhere in the U.S. Constitution or laws. For instance, President Theodore Roosevelt (in office 1901-1909) said that his office gave him a "bully pulpit" a powerful platform that lets him draw attention to key issues. Theodore Roosevelt was an expert at using the bully pulpit to drum up support for his policies. So was his cousin, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945). Franklin Roosevelt led the U.S. through two of its greatest crises: the Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II. His radio addresses, called "fireside chats," drew huge audiences. Before one speech, Roosevelt asked people to buy maps so that they could follow his explanation of World War II events. His request produced a nationwide run on maps, and about 80 percent of Americans listened to his speech. Character. Charisma. These are certainly two big attributes to have when your the "Big Kahuna". The President must be that mediator who can bring us all together especially during crisis. I have been studying our U.S. History and the Presidents who have served for most of my life and I really find it fascinating. This is by far my best subject to discuss, but I must tell you that I am very biased when it comes to picking the best Presidents that our country has ever had. It is no secret that I label myself as a Constitutional Conservative. I believe that our country was intended to be governed the way our fore-fathers intended. I believe that the Bill Of Rights are non-negotiable, and that our U.S. Constitution was one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. Our framers were nothing short of genius. Many of you who read my blog probably agree with my political philosophy, and with most of what I have to say. (181 subscribers!- but I'm not bragging or anything) And if you don't agree, but still are compelled to read my conservative rants, then that is even better! Maybe my common sense ideas might just turn some of you around? If not, I am always up for a good political debate! (but I will have to warn all my liberal friends out there that they better do their homework if they want to get in the ring with me!) I pull NO punches, so get your facts straight. Now like I have stated before, my top 10 POTUS are going to come as close to my epitome as I could possibly research. Obviously anyone else would have a different opinion on how they would line up, so let me start by giving you my best definition on what I believe is a Conservative. (There is just way too many new definitions out there ie: Neo-Cons ect. and I just want to keep it simple.) Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems. NO GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE! Now I could get more specific by diving into the major issues in this country, but I save that for other posts. However, we cannot define conservatism by the policies we think are best in this particular moment. Rather, we must define the policies we think are best as those which flow from the principles of conservatism. Policies follow from principles, not vice versa. The most significant feature of American politics today is the chasm that divides our government officials and the resulting failure of our government to achieve meaningful progress on the looming fiscal issues that threaten our generation and future generations. The conventional wisdom is to blame the politicians. This is the easy way out, since it involves blaming someone other than ourselves. The fact is that we, not our politicians, are to blame. Our elected representatives, now more than ever, are held accountable by a system of hyper-democracy where a single misstep can doom a career. During the 1950s, political histories have shown, politicians were giants on Capitol Hill. They wielded immense power. This power was often abused, but politicians were also able to exercise discretion, to work with opponents to make compromises, and had fewer incentives to sling mud. Today, our representatives are little more than mirrors of the most rabid and best organized constituencies powerful enough to hold them hostage. Political contests are now about power and mobilization, not cooperation and compromise. That being said I believe that President Trump, if anything, will go down in history as the one who actually tried to bring compromise and cooperation to D.C. Trump didn't make my list though we will see if I need to revise this in seven years. So, without further eloquence, here is my top 10 most conservative Presidents who will range form conservative(ish) to the greatest ever to serve. 10. George W. Bush (2001-2009) He certainly has a mixed record by allowing spending to soar, but conservatives can applaud the Bush tax cuts, Supreme Court nominees, and strong response to 9/11. 9. William McKinley (1896-1901) Reduced taxes, encouraged growth of domestic industry, was definitely a business friendly administration. Helped Cuba to gain their independence from Spain. 8. James Monroe (1817-1825): The Monroe Doctrine in 1823 was a warning to the European powers to stay out of the New World and it kept the United States from becoming involved in foreign entanglements for most of the rest of the century. Monroe opposed excessive government spending and vetoed a bill to make repairs on the national Cumberland Road, saying that “Congress does not possess the power under the Constitution to pass such a law.” 7. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809): Jefferson served the country better before he became President as author of the Declaration of Independence. His troubled second term left the nation’s military unprepared for the ensuing battle with the British in the War of 1812. But he favored states’ rights and a limited federal government, repealed many federal taxes, and was a fierce opponent of government debt. If a tenet of conservatism is getting the best bang for the taxpayers’ buck, then Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase qualifies as one of history’s great bargains. 6. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961): America’s postwar economy boomed during the Eisenhower presidency. Ike stood firm in opposition to the menace posed by the Soviet Union and repeatedly warned against deficit spending. After two decades of turmoil marked by the Depression and war, the Eisenhower Era of peace and prosperity was just the tonic America needed to emerge as a global superpower. The building of the interstate highway system is one of the few massive federal projects that conservatives can applaud. 5. Grover Cleveland (1885-1889, 1893-1897): Cleveland was a pro-business Democrat who supported lower tariffs and battled government corruption, patronage, and high taxes. He broke the Pullman Strike of 1894, which was threatening to paralyze the nation’s transportation system. He vetoed 584 bills in his eight years mostly to cut excessive spending, yet had only seven vetoes overridden. 4. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865): Abraham Lincoln saved the Union and freed the slaves. For that alone, he should be celebrated by conservatives. But Lincoln also tied together the principles of the Constitution and the Declaration into a shared group of principles — the antecedent of today’s conservative ideology. Conservatives may not like his suspension of habeas corpus during the Civil War or his disregard of states’ rights, but preserving the Union warrants Lincoln’s inclusion on this list. Few have been as eloquent as Lincoln when he said at the hallowed ground of Gettysburg, “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.” 3. George Washington (1789-1797): After leading the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolution, Washington was instrumental in setting the United States on a course of liberty and limited government. By eschewing attempts to make him a monarch, Washington ensured the American experiment would indeed be democratic. His words, “The Constitution is the guide, which I never will abandon,” should be the motto of every U.S. President. 2. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989): Reagan stared down the Soviet Union, bringing the Cold War to an end at long last. He championed free markets and limited government, and his across-the-board tax cuts breathed new life into a faltering economy. The Gipper’s constant reminder that the United States was a “shining city on a hill” gave rebirth to the notion of American exceptionalism. Presidents’ Day offers us an opportunity to learn from the examples of great presidents who offer guidance for today’s challenges. For conservatives, the most important president to re-examine is Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge was the most effective, most eloquent, and most conservative American president since the Civil War. And his ideas have a great deal of meaning for us today. Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929): “Silent Cal” presided over a booming economy as he slashed income and corporate taxes, limited regulations on private business, and retired a major part of the national debt. He once astutely said, “Nothing is easier than spending the public money. It doesn’t appear to belong to anybody,” and his presidency was a testimony to that philosophy of government thrift. From 1921-1924 annual federal spending was reduced by a remarkable 43 percent, from $5.1 billion to $2.4 billion (That’s not a misprint: a 43 percent reduction in federal spending!). Tax measures passed in 1921, 1924, and 1926 reduced the top marginal income tax rate from 73 percent to 24 percent (Again, not a misprint). Such reductions in income tax rates are unimaginable today. Thanks to his fiscal conservatism, Coolidge was able to reduce tax rates and still reduce the national debt by almost a third, from $24 billion to $16.9 billion. Much of this work was accomplished by the Bureau of the Budget, which imposed extensive cost savings in government. Given these accomplishments, it is surprising that Coolidge has been neglected by historians. Compared to many of the more highly-ranked presidents in historians’ rankings, Coolidge’s administration was far more peaceful and consequential. Though he would likely have won a second full term in office in 1928, he declined to run. His reasoning was simple: “We draw our presidents from the people. It is a wholesome thing for them to return to the people. I came from them. I wish to be one of them again.” He did not envision a president as someone who stood above the people, godlike, towering over them. He came from the people, and returned quietly to engage in self-government alongside them. I almost put Reagan at the top of this list as I grew up in this era and grew quite fond of his philosophy as well. All of these former leaders have such compelling backgrounds and I encourage anyone interested to research yourselves and enjoy! Like I have stated earlier, your lists may be quite different from mine as everyone's definition of greatness will mainly depend on the values that you- the individual- hold most dear. I thank you for your time. E Pluribus Unim!

Crossing The Great Political Divide (Breakdown Of Trump's State Of The Union)

I'm not very big on "State Of The Union" addresses or political speeches of any kind really. In the past it really all sounded like a bunch of bullshit to tell us what we want to hear, and not exactly what they(the elected) had in mind. Reagan had some really good State of The Union addresses, especially the first one. G.W. had a very convincing one in 01 as well. That was the last time that I had actually sat through an entire State Of The Union speech was in January of 2001. Up until now, I would just catch a glimpse then quickly change the channel. Trump, with all of his "off the cuff" tweets and the fact that he really does wear his heart on his sleeve, absolutely had me curious and even excited to watch his first State Of The Union. After watching and listening to his entire speech, I have come to two definitive conclusions. The first is that our President really does (in my opinion) care about the well-being of the citizens of this great country. He loves this country, and wants to see it governed the way it was meant to be governed. And two, There truly is a political and social divide between both parties. The Dems went out of their way to not only shun, but scoff at most everything he had to say. The only time I saw the Democrats stand up and clap, was when he addressed the United States Military. Several members of congress were also spotted on their phones as well. What blatant disrespect! He should have had secret service agents check their phones at the door! During the last couple of days I've been reading some huge negative responses coming from the liberal media as well. I am convinced that this man is never going to catch a break. They have loathed Trump since day one and it doesn't look like it will change anytime soon. He offered several times during his speech to work together with democrats. Extending his hand to them as if to say "come on guys, how can you not agree with this?" Mr. President, I'm sorry but there is not a rational bone in any of their narrow mined bodies! These morons are going to keep pouting well into the next election. Get ready Dems! You can look forward to 7 more years of sulking and stomping your feet! The simple fact is that this is just what America needs, and has been needing for a long while now. One of my favorite lines from his speech was " We are going to come up with ideas that will not benefit any of us in Washington, and we will all not get what we want. We will come up with solutions that will actually benefit the people that we are elected to represent." So humble, and right on the nail Mr. President! Trump's first year in office has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since President Trump was elected, Democrats have done nothing but reject, obstruct and resist – kicking and screaming every step of the way. Yet that has not deterred our president. In fact, he has kept his eye on the prize: prioritizing the very people who put him in office. Because of that, he has had a historically successful first year in office. President Trump just delivered the biggest set of tax cuts in over 30 years, after rallying Congress and the American people around a plan that puts more money into our pockets. He has cut 10 regulations for each new one added, saving the country billions of dollars. The American economy is great again. The unemployment rate is down to a 17-year low of 4.1 percent and the labor market has exceeded expectations by adding hundreds of thousands of new jobs. The gross domestic product is rising beyond expectations, consumer confidence is at a 17-year high, small businesses are growing and the stock market is soaring. The president was quick to nominate federal judges during his first year, with 19 confirmed by the Senate so far. He’s had the most circuit court judges confirmed during a president’s first year, and appointed widely respected Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court soon after taking office. He’s boosting pay for our troops, growing our military, and giving them the equipment they need to remain the world’s top fighting force. He’s restoring accountability to the Department of Veterans Affairs, because he knows our nation’s heroes deserve much better than they’ve been getting. The president boldly stood for American leadership during a historic United Nations address, where he outlined a forceful new strategy toward nations that pose the greatest security threats to the United States. He was clear and unapologetic about our nation’s new policy: America First. President Trump has made the southern border harder to illegally cross – arrests of people trying to cross illegally into the United States from Mexico are at the lowest point since 1971. His vision for merit-based immigration is one that will reward those who follow our laws, make our country better and are proud to call themselves Americans. The administration is also working to eradicate the most violent street gangs from our nation, and is tackling our nation’s drug addiction and opioid abuse crisis. He’s stayed true to the commitments he made on the campaign trail, after taking office, and again during his joint address to Congress earlier this year. The president has done all of this and more, without taking a salary. He promised he’d donate it, so that’s what he’s done. He donated his first quarters salary which was an estimated $77,000 to The National Parks and Forestry. His second quarterly salary was without hesitation donated to the Department of Education. The third was donated to help fight the war on opioid addiction. Can you remember the last President who gave up his salary to actually help the country? Wouldn't that be something if ALL of Congress gave up their salaries in the form of donations. Let's face it, this is the ONLY time that this is ever going to happen again from a sitting President. We probably will never hear another President put God, country, and patriotism in the same sentence either. During Trump's State Of The Union, he called out BOTH parties daring them to come together and actually make a difference, for the sake and FUTURE of the American people. I would like to close with my favorite quote of the Presidents speech- "Americans fill the world with art and music. They push the bounds of science and discovery. And they forever remind us of what we should never forget: The people dreamed this country. The people built this country. And it is the people who are making America great again. As long as we are proud of who we are, and what we are fighting for, there is nothing we cannot achieve."

The Democratic Party: Corruption, Communism, with Crashing and Burning

These last eight years have been something else to say the least. Especially this last year. Outright defiance and corruption just to get rid of a sitting president. Speaking at a town hall meeting, Republican Allen West made the startling claim that many of his fellow members of the U.S. House of Representatives are members of the Communist Party. As of late, this statement by the former Army Colonel really got me to thinking. His accusation may not be that far out there. After everything that has happened to the United States in the last eight years, my fear is that Colonel West may have hit the nail on the head. When the moderator at the meeting asked, "What percentage of the American legislature do you think are card-carrying Marxists or International Socialist?" West replied, "It's a good question. I believe there's about 78 to 81 members of the Democrat Party who are members of the Communist Party. ... It’s called the Congressional Progressive Caucus." It is a fact that the Communist Party has publicly referred to the Progressive Caucus as its allies. The Progressive Caucus speaks for itself. These individuals certainly aren't proponents of free markets or individual economic freedom. On Facebook, West elaborated: "I stand by the point of my comments. The press wants to write gotcha stories and talk semantics, but just look at the words and actions of the Progressive Caucus. You can call them socialist, Marxist, communist or whatever you want, but the point is, they oppose free markets and individual economic freedom, they want to redistribute wealth, and they want to see the nation fundamentally transformed. Now whomever reads this be it Democrat or Republican, Liberal or Conservative or even Libertarian, is smart enough to know the difference between Liberalism and straight up Communism. Yes, there is a vast difference, or there at least used to be anyway. Now a days it's getting very hard to tell, and it seems as though the definitions and explanations blend into one another like cream into coffee.(It's still coffee- just a bit lighter) So why does this weigh on my intellect so? Knowing the history of how successful communism has been in the past, why should I even worry? We all know that during Election 2016, The DNC lied, cheated, and stole the nomination from Bernie. Then rigged the election to try to get Hillary in and still lost! The DNC Chairmanship to replace the corrupt Donna Brazile (who had replaced the corrupt Debbie Wasserman-Schulz) featured Hillary-Obama puppet Tom Perez and Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison, who wanted to further the Bernie Revolution of unfettered socialism—and he praised the Muslim Brotherhood. Who can forget the Idaho DNC candidate who announced: “It’s my job to tell white men to sit down and shut up!” Another contender from Arkansas was booted … because he was from Arkansas. Great idea, Democrats—kick Southerners in the teeth, and keep asking yourselves why you keep losing. Yeah, smart. Instead of course corruption, the Democrats have embraced more socialistic lunacy. Wait, let’s tell it like it is: The DNC (in my opinion) has gone full commie. This is the modern Democratic Party, people: from slavery to secession, to segregation and socialism, and now outright communism as their mantra. Is it any wonder that working class, gun-rack voters (those bitter clingers) are rejecting the Democratic Party? Over the years they have successfully gained control over every aspect of our lives here in the good ol' U.S.A. Our inalienable rights have been turned into historical ash. Burned by the flames of so called socialistic justice. Personal and economic freedom in this country is on the brink of extinction. These new "Democrats" tread a fine line. The current democratic party champions itself on being the defenders of the poor, and in doing so they create more destitution to justify their existence. This current party also uses many marxist tactics such as leveling charges against political counterparts that they are guilty of committing, trying to control academia, the press, and the entertainment industry. The democratic party also minimizes and attempts to weaken the middle class which is a goal of communism. This political entity also commits one of the worst offenses which is class warfare. The Democrats are more similar to Communists than any person or party in the country. They favor redistribution of the wealth making it so that when you work hard and make a lot of money, you are actually working for the benefit of other people rather than earning what you work for. With their philosophy, all of your life's work does not belong to you but instead belongs to the people who sit on welfare programs collecting money from the government. They ban as many civil liberties as they can, and they infringe on the second amendment. They are power hungry, raise taxes based on income to "equalize" the country. I truly believe that had it not been for our Constitution, the Obama administration would have turned this beloved country communist. Democrats Platform = Marx's Communist Manifesto And if you don't believe that then look it up. The Communist state uses its coercive powers to seize the wealth and properties of those who have earned financial security by their own hands. Communism does not help poor people; rather, Communism makes people poor so that they have to become dependent on the Communist state and therefore beholden to those in charge of the government. Communism is the ultimate exploitative monopoly. No competitors (market alternatives) are allowed. All major industries, including food, banking, transportation, communication, and insurance are owned and operated as state monopolies. Any of these look familiar? Marx: A heavy progressive and graduated tax Centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly. Centralization of the means of communication and transportation in the hands of the state. Abolition of private property in land and application of all rents of land to public purpose. These are but just a few of Marx's pillars of Communism. You tell me, are we closer to this or the Founder's intent in the Constitution? Now enter Donald Trump. Completely reversing and undoing everything that the Obama administration had set out to accomplish. While doing so, he has single handedly exposed this socialist uprising in its truest most purest form. And the leaders of this uprising aren't just pissed, they want him out by any means necessary. They want to see his head on a silver platter. We the people who are intelligent enough to realize this, must stand our ground and try to give as much support as we can so this does not happen. We really need to band together to protect and preserve our freedoms. Remember people, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."- Ronald Reagan. Thanks for reading, and lets all have a prosperous 2018!