Let’s Discuss the Political Climate & Current Issues

• Are people really disillusioned by the current state of politics, not matter the party? I believe they are and in this broadcast you’ll learn what to do about it as well as how to listen to the candidates declaring political aspirations with an open and educated mind!

Show Notes: Here are some points covered in today’s broadcast on the Political Climate

Thomas Jefferson said:

“If I could not go to Heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.”

 

    John Adams said: 

“There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.”

George Washington agreed, saying in his farewell presidential speech:

“The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism.”

Lets discuss:

• How do we really know what the candidate stands for and ignore rhetoric?
• Positions change – is there a place to see what they use to believe (for example candidates have been pro-life at one time and now are not.)?
• I can refer to the document in the government class that helps the kids go through what their position is?

 

Let’s think:

• What values are you looking for in a candidate?
• What issues are most important to you?
• How will you support your chosen candidate?

 

THE ISSUES: 

Many of these topics are covered in other broadcasts – search for these terms on the front page: Click here find them. I’ve suggested a few below under specific topics:

• The Economy  – Hope and Change
• Government spending and the national debt – Debt Crisis
• Immigration Reform – A Year In Review
• Foreign Policy, particularly ISIS and Russia – China?  – State of the World
• National Security  – Free Market and ISIS
• Climate change – Blog on the Topic of Politics Today

THE CANDIDATES:

Hilary’s Problems:

• Do nothing Senator
• Do nothing Secretary of State
• Benghazi
• Clinton Foundation
• She’s a rich person trying to get middle class and lower vote with anti-rich rhetoric
• Deleted emails from Secretary of State tenure
• Her attempt to position herself as a member of the middle class when she and her husband are multi-millionaires

Other Democrats:

• Bernie Sanders – Independent/Socialist, Vermont Senator
• Lincoln Chafee – Former Governor and Senator, Rhode Island

Republicans, declared candidates, with NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey of 251 Republican primary voters – ‘Could You See Yourself Supporting:’

• Marco Rubio 74%
• Jeb Bush 70%
• Scott Walker 61%
• Rand Paul 59%
• Ted Cruz 57%
• Mike Huckabee 52%
• Carly Fiorino 17%
• Ben Carson

 

 

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Common Core Exposed

Current Issues and the Constitution with Moderator Felice Gerwitz and special guest, Terry Marselle.

Terry is a teacher and the author of “Perfectly Incorrect” a book that uncovers why Common Core is psychologically and cognitively unsound.

About Terry: Terry has taught for the last 41 years with a few years left before he retires. He teaches psychology on the highschool level, and has a Master’s Degree in Psychology by the University of Hartford with a concentration in children’s cognition and the psychopathology of childhood.  In the 1980s, and for the next twenty+ years, Terry taught overseas, in (mostly) U.S. Embassy/Consulate schools. Upon returning to the US he was greeted with No Child Left Behind and now The Common Core. Terry couldn’t let the profession he loved, nor the students suffer without exposing the fallacies behind what Common Core professes.

Visit Terry Marselle’s website: CommonCoreNot

Purchase this 600+ page book on Kindle here:

Show Notes:

 

1. An Introduction to Terry Marselle 2. How did you learn about Common Core and your immediate reactions? 3. A synopsis of what you see Common Core’s role is in the future of teaching our youth. What you would say to parents or students directly – about the dangers and what can/will happen if it is allowed to continue? 4. The idea that education resides with the States instead of the Federal Government — The Constitution – about state sovereignty?) 10th Amendment? 5. What recourse do we have as 1. parents 2. students 3. educators

Terry Marselle – Perfectly Incorrect

One Page Summary – Main Points:

1. Common Core in K-6, and especially in K-3 years, are developmentally inappropriate in substantial ways.
2. One size does not fit all. Common Core directly contradicts well settled research on how people think and learn.
3. Common core is upwardly spiraling staircase of abstract, conceptual and intuitive thinking… only 30% of the population can do this naturally.
4. There is no evidentiary research to support its claims going forward that the curriculum is “college and career ready.”
5. Common Core is most probably unconstitutional at the federal level.

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Let’s Talk about – America’s Christian Foundations

& Current Events

We discuss many topics in this episode – and will hit upon America’s Christian Foundations – what do you think? Is America’s Christian Foundations evident? Did the freedom from religious persecution help form our constitution?

Here are the topics we discussed as well as a lively question and answer session with our live audience.

USA Direction Poll – 29% right direction 64% not

Netanyahu wins the election. 

Hilary Woes:

• Disappearing emails
• Did not sign exit form?
• Benghazi back in the news
• Fav. – 59%. MAR. FAV. 53%

Nuclear Negotiations With Iran

Two policemen shot in Ferguson MO

Keystone Pipeline:

• January 31, 2014, The State Department concluded in its final environmental assessment issued Friday that the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would be unlikely to alter global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Senate 62-36 – House 252-161 (incl. 31 democrats)
• President vetoes congressional legislation
• Hampers relations with Canada

USA fundamentally changed during last six years?

• National Debt
• Economic doldrums
• Government growth and expansion, bureaucratic malfeasance
• Affordable Care Act
• Abdication of leadership in foreign affairs
• Minimizing the Constitution

 America’s Christian Foundations

1. Freedom from religious persecution, colonial era
2. First Great Awakening mid – 18th century
3. Declaration of Independence is essentially a reflective summary of the American experience, pre-1776
4. Declaration of Independence recalled (1820s)
5. US Constitution, Constitutional Convention
6. Early America – Second Great Awakening (1790-1840)

We will discuss this in detail next time! 

The Constitution of the United States

* * * * * * * * * *

Article V

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; (Slave trade and income tax) and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

 

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Hope and Change? What Do You Think?

Personally I think there is always plenty of hope and change – but not necessarily GOOD change since the election of the President. However in six years you can be sure that 2000 years of history can’t be changed – and not with conservative watch dogs, thank-fully!

Do you know your civics? We discuss several states considering giving students a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services exam as a prerequisite for graduation. Most candidates who take the naturalization exam are presented ten questions which they answer orally and pass it, on average at 91 percent on their first try.

How did the American students fair in comparison? Here is a quick snapshot of the outcome of a random test given to students in the following states: Oklahoma: 2.8 percent passed; and Arizona: 3.5 percent passed. Reportedly only 23 percent knew that George Washington was the first president! Are you surprised?

Illegal Immigration:

• New report isis crossing Mexican border – need to secure border
• Illegal immigrant, Pedro Espinoza, released from prison, murders black youth Jamiel Shaw – 2008? Los Angeles
• Jeb Bush, 2013, “accelerated path to citizenship.” In the primaries, can he overcome this and his support for Common Core?

ISIS:

• New White House spin – Isis problem is poverty – Obama, Susan Rice, State Department spokeswoman
• Holy War?

Keystone Pipeline:

• January 31, 2014, The State Department concluded in its final environmental assessment issued Friday that the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would be unlikely to alter global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Senate 62-36 – House 252-161 (incl. 31 democrats)
• President vetoes congressional legislation
• Hampers relations with Canada

USA fundamentally changed during last six years?

• National Debt
• Economic doldrums
• Government growth and expansion, bureaucratic malfeasance
• Affordable Care Act
• Abdication of leadership in foreign affairs

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to Washington on Sunday (3/1) to press his case against an emerging deal on Iran’s nuclear program in a contentious address to the U.S. Congress, which he said he is delivering out of concern for Israel’s security.

America’s Christian Foundations

1. Freedom from religious persecution, colonial era
2. Declaration of Independence
3. Declaration of Independence recalled (1820s)
4. US Constitution, Constitutional Convention
5. Early America – Second Great Awakening (1790-1840)

Declaration of Independence Online Version: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

PDF – Please download this copy with highlights that Professor Wilson discussed.Declaration of Independence – Highlights For Show

 

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In this action packed show – Episode 36

We discuss ISIS and the issues surrounding the current president’s refusal to address address the terrorism issues head-on. The show also recaps captialism with a more through analysis — building on the last show here.

Show Notes:

Review Capitalism/Free Market

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3:  To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

Capitalism vs Socialism

Economic Recovery?

How can government stimulate small business growth, simple, tax cuts and deregulation.

SOU – middle class economics

Obama 2016 budget, $4 Trillion! ….

• $2.4 trillion spending increase
• $2.1 trillion tax increase
• $8.5 trillion national debt

Federal judge temporarily blocks Obama’s immigration executive action

A federal judge has granted a request by 26 states to temporarily block President Obama’s executive action on illegal immigration, allowing a lawsuit aimed at permanently stopping the orders to make its way through the courts.

The media “throws knives” for Scot Walker

Obama policy on Terrorism Back in the News

Breaking News:  45 Iraqi security troops murdered by burning

and

21 Coptic Christians murdered in Egypt

Last six years:

1. Arab Spring 2010 to present
2. Benghazi
3. Red Line
4. Syria – opportunity ignored
5. Iran and nukes
6. ISIS – “JV team”
7. Russia and Putin – open mike blunder

Critics:  Top brass in Pentagon:

• Leon Panetta – former Obama CIA Director
• Bob Gates – former Obama Secretary of Defense,
• Gen Jack Keene – four-star general and Vice Chief of Staff of the United US Army
• Dennis Ross, Former Mideast negotiator
• General Mike Flynn – Retired US Army lieutenant general, served as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, he says, “you cannot defeat an enemy you do not admit exists. How can you defeat an enemy if you don’t identify them?”
• Many More

ISIS/ISIL – Islamic State in Iraq, Syria and many other nations!

•  Are air strikes working?  ISIS Affiliates In (addition to Syria and Iraq):
• ·       Saudi Arabia
• ·       Iran
• ·       Algeria
• ·       Lybia
• ·       Yemen
• ·       Jordan
• ·       Afghanistan
• ·       Pakistan
• ·       Nigeria
• ·       Somalia
• ·       That’s 12 countries so far …will continue to plant affiliates

ISIS Crisis:

• ISIS attacks Ala Sahd ….US marines
• ISIS waging a holy war against Christians?
• Is it good policy to tell your enemy what you plan to do?
• Kayla Mueller – four Americans now murdered
• Sickening video surfaced showing black-clad jihadists marching 21 Coptic (Egyptian) Christians to a beach to be beheaded. TWO WAVES OF EGYPTIAN AIRSTRIKES attacked ISIS militants in neighboring Libya, killed 64 militants ….destroyed  training camps and weapons caches a day after Obama speaks of media hype
• In -The -Know Consensus: the threat from Muslim fanatics is growing and Obama admin does not have an effective srategy to deal with it

AUMF – Authorization to Use Military Force was requested:

Vague and non-specific language:

• THREE-YEAR limit?
• All necessary and appropriate steps to defeat the enemy?
• Would impose ban on enduring ground combat operations?
• Would not impose geographic restrictions?
• Democrats worry that it gives the president too much discretion to use ground troops to fight an open-ended war.
• Republicans have the opposite concern, believing that proposal’s ban on “enduring offensive ground operations” is too restrictive.
• Some believe that a new AUMF is not necessary …operations against terror are authorized by the 2002 AUMF

 

Obama “Mispeaks,” or Gaffes?

• ISIS is a media phenomenon because they over-hype
• Compare his responsibility to a big city mayor trying to stop crime?!
• ISIS is not Islamic??
• Comparing ISIS to Christians
• Yemen embassy closed (National Prayer Breakfast)
• Global warming greater threat than terrorism

 

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Let’s Talk about – Capitalism/ Free Market

with Professor Wilson and Moderated by Felice Gerwitz

Capitalism/Free Market – HISTORICAL overview

Woody shares a recap of the historical significance of capitalism and free market in the USA. This begins this sessions.

We take a look at the Constitution:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3:  To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

Economic Recovery?

• Third Quarter – GDP 5% growth in third quarter (July thru September)
• Fastest growth rate in 11 years
• Worst recovery in US history
• GDP growth lowest level since 1947
• Adult population employed 59%, down from 64% in 2000
• Stock Market up: Dow-Jones exceeded 18,000 for the first time
• Why? Internet sales are up, sinking personal debt, plunging oil prices, increased government contracts – the free market finally prevails
• Who takes credit?
• But, unemployment remains at 5.8%
• All net gains jobs since 2007 have gone to immigrants, legal and illegal – 2.5 million more immigrants, l.5 million fewer American citizens (Bureau Labor Statistics)
• Middle class wages stagnant
• 73% increase in health care premiums
• 35 million living in poverty, up from 18 million in 2007
• 2010-2014 – More small businesses closing than opening, 2% gap, taxes and regulation, ACA, focus on redistribution of wealth. Moving to European socialist government/economic system.
• How to stimulate small business growth, simple, tax cuts and deregulation.

Middle class economics?!?! – this is discussed.

Obama 2016 budget, $4 Trillion! ….

• $2.4 trillion spending increase
• $2.1 trillion tax increase
• $8.5 trillion national debt

John Boehner and Benjamin Netanyahu Controversy

• Cold shoulder, Hostility began 2008
• Last year Hamas attacks Israel – president urges Israel be patient, praises Palestinian authority
• Recent refusal to meet with Netanyahu
• State Department using American taxpayer dollars to campaign in Israel election against Netanyahu

Obama policy on Terrorism Back in the News

• Last six years

1. Arab Spring 2010 to present
2. Benghazi
3. Red Line
4. Syria – opportunity ignored
5. Iran and nukes
6. ISIS – “JV team”
7. Russia and Putin – open mike blunder

• Critics: top brass in Pentagon, Leon Panetta – former Obama CIA Director, Bob Gates – former Obama Secretary of Defense – Gen Jack Keene – Former Mideast negotiator Dennis Ross – General Mike Flynn, “you cannot defeat an enemy you do not admit exists.”  Refusal to acknowledge Islamic, Muslim, Jihad elements of terrorism “How can you defeat an enemy if you don’t identify them?”

Self identified Republicans Presidential Candidates Poll

• Romney 21%
• Huckabee 19%
• Paul 10%
• Bush 9%

Romney drops out!

American Sniper Controversy

• American Sniper – A 2014 American biographical war drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Jason Hall.
• Based on the book American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle
• The film stars Bradley Cooper as Kyle and Sienna Miller as his wife Taya
• At the 87th Academy Awards, American Sniper received six nominations, including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for Cooper.

Shocker!  Speaking at a veterans’ event, First Lady Michelle Obama urged Hollywood to give a more accurate portrayal of veterans and defended the Oscar-nominated “American Sniper,” which has received criticism for its depiction of war.

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The State of Our World –

What is the state of our world in early 2015? What about the ramifications happening now that will impact us for years? Here is a birds eye view of some of the topics we discuss today. Be sure to get out a copy of your US Constitution – it helps get a grasp of what is taking place and how the country foundation helps put it all into perspective.

SHOW Notes:

In The News:

• Obama’s continuing decline – 37% approval, 55% disapprove
• ISIS continues its hold on territory in Syria and Iraq – SOU: “We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally, as we have done relentlessly since I took office to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies.”
• Charlie Hebdo massacre …
• Paris Je Suis Charlie march …all major world leaders join except Putin, Kim Jong Il, and Obama
• French, German and Belgian police arrested more than two dozen suspects in anti-terrorism raids Friday, as European authorities rushed to thwart more attacks by people with links to Islamic extremists in the Mideast.
• 5 more Yemeni terrorists released from Gitmo – Obama scheme to close Gitmo? – Senate to block?
• Duke University, ISLAM religion was be given more of a voice as the Duke Muslim community would begin chanting the adhan, the call to prayer, from the Duke Chapel bell tower on Fridays beginning this week …was to be chanted by Muslim students prior to the jummah prayer service that takes place in the chapel basement each Friday afternoon – after much protest Duke withdraws permission.  Free Zones?
• Pew Research on American families – 46% of children live in traditional family, down from 61% in 1980
• Jeb Bush taking heat over common core

Nineteen Republican candidates ranking  – The first number is the percentage of ballots the candidate was named on, whether as first, second or third choice (which may be more revealing at this early point in the race than the first place choices alone). The second is the percentage the candidate received of first place votes.

• Scott Walker–44/18.
• Ted Cruz–35/16.
• Ben Carson–26/10.
• Mitt Romney–24/12.
• Bobby Jindal–20/3.
• Jeb Bush–18/8.
• Marco Rubio–18/4.
• Rand Paul–16/6.
• John Kasich–15/4.
• Rick Perry–15/3.
• Mike Huckabee–12/3.
• John Bolton–10/3.
• Mike Pence–9/2.
• Chris Christie–8/2.
• Rick Santorum–7/2.

State of the Union – The State of the World

Article 2, Section 3

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REPUBLICAN AND A DEMOCRAT

Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person.  Romney gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his office for a job. He then took $20 out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.
Hillary was very impressed, so when they came to another homeless person, she decided to help.  She walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office.  She then reached into Romney’s pocket and got out $20. She kept $15 for her administrative fees and gave the homeless person $5.
State of the Union Message:

• Theme – Conflict
• Veto Keystone XL pipeline
• Veto GOP bills that would chip away at Obama Care, financial regulations and his recent immigration actions.
• Tax hikes on high earners & firms totaling $320-billion over 10 years.
• Free community college – federal government to cover 75 percent of the cost, states fund the rest
• Called anew for Congress to raise the minimum wage
• Lower down-payment requirements on qualified applicants for FHA loans.
• Protecting as many as 5 million law-abiding undocumented immigrants from the risk of summary deportation – stretching executive power
• Normalize relations with Cuba …Iran
• Cyber security reform

New Congress – 114th – The State of the World 

What does congress look like to date? And – what does the constitution have to say?

CONSTITUTION:

Article 1, SECTION 5, Clause 2.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

SECTION. 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Characteristics of the 114th Congress:

• The new Congress is 80 percent white, 80 percent male and 92 percent Christian
• House: 246 Republicans – 188 Democrats – 58 margin – Biggest Republican advantage in 70 years
• Senate: 54 Republicans – 44 Democrats – 2 Independents

Minor Glitches:

• Tea Party vs. Centrists – both houses, McConnell …Boehner challenged by Reps. Louie Gohmert of Texas and Ted Yoho and Daniel Webster of Florida.
• Michael Grimm (R, NY) announced late Monday night plans to resign from Congress, after pleading guilty to a felony tax evasion charge last week.
• Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R, LA) spoke to a white supremacist group, European-American Unity and Rights Organization.

Five bills in motion:

• Keystone Pipeline
• Regulatory reform to limit federal agencies ability to write rules
• Alter a key section of Dodd Frank in a way that would give banks more freedom to operate
• Bill to block Obama’s amnesty plan
• Hire More Heroes Act – ACA exemptions for Vets so businesses can avoid the employee mandate.

 

 

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Let’s We Talk about – A Political Year in Review:

Felice and Woody talk about the year in review – highlights of the political arena in 2014  and an eye to the future.

Radio Show Notes:

Talk about our New Year resolutions – Woody and Felice share their resolutions with all of you. [Hint: Felice doesn’t think Woody’s resolution will last long

Review 2014, the good the bad and the ugly

Good:  Election 2014, Pope prays with Caliph for world peace, Economic Recovery

Bad:  Obama’s foreign policy moves, North Korea hacking SONY

Ugly:  Rise of ISIS and massacres – Ferguson, Michael Brown by Darren Wilson (shooting, riots and looting, cop hating, etc.)

 

Immigration:

How long have illegal immigrants been coming to America?

Should we deport all illegal immigrants or ….

Does amnesty for some have merit?

First, secure the border?  Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) drone program is ineffective and surveys less than 200 miles of the southwest border, according to an audit by the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General. 

The program operates 10 Predator B drones at a cost of more than $12,000 for every hour a drone spends in the air,

Court Options on Obama’s amnesty plan:

The first lawsuit, filed last week by a coalition of 24 states led by Texas.  Oklahoma is about to file, and other states may do so as well …why?

As for Congress, Rep. Robert Goodlatte, a Republican from Virginia, is spearheading a litigation movement.  Once the new Congress is sworn in, the House will file a complaint that the new Republican Senate will (very likely) then vote to join.

• New budget – funds Department of Homeland Security to February
• Not all Republicans agree: Lindsey Graham(R – SC) turned on his own party during a television interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” chiding Republicans for failing to pass immigration reform before President Obama issued an executive action granting amnesty to about 5 million illegals.
• Graham: “Is it the position of the Republican Party that the 11 million must be driven out? I have never been in that camp as being practical. I am in the camp of securing our borders first; fixing a broken legal immigration system, have an E-Verify program so you can’t cheat.
• Poll: Fox News reveals opposition to immigration amnesty Obama’s unilateral amnesty for millions of illegals.
• The poll shows that immigration is Obama’s worst rated area, where he has only 36 percent support and 60 percent opposition — 2 points more than the 58 percent who oppose Obamacare.
• And the other questions in the poll show that his 36 percent support is much softer than the hard opposition from 60 percent of respondents …one question showed that huge numbers worry that his amnesty will invite more illegals.
• Obama Immigration policy poll: 36% approve – 60% disapprove
• Finally, 49 percent of independents, 72 percent of Republicans and 29 percent of Democrats said it “very” likely that Obama’s “easing the immigration laws with his amnesty plan will result in more people entering the United States illegally.” Only 10 percent of independents, 13 percent of Democrats and 4 percent of Republicans said they were “not at all” concerned.

New Congress – 114th – Discuss organization

• The new Congress is 80 percent white, 80 percent male and 92 percent Christian
• House: 246 Republicans – 188 Democrats – 58 margin – Biggest Republican advantage in 70 years
• Senate: 54 Republicans – 44 Democrats – 2 Independents

Minor GLITCHES:

• Tea Party vs. Centrists – both houses, McConnell …Boehner challenged by Reps. Louie Gohmert of Texas and Ted Yoho and Daniel Webster of Florida.
• Michael Grimm (R, NY) announced late Monday night plans to resign from Congress, after pleading guilty to a felony tax evasion charge last week.
• Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R, LA) spoke to white supremacist group, European-American Unity and Rights Organization.

What to expect:

• Action on Keystone pipeline
• Jobs Bill, including initiative for hiring veterans
• Tweaking ACA – 40 hr work week, medical devices tax, individual and business mandate
• Iran sanctions
• Next budget …deficit cuts and funding Homeland Security

Economic Recovery!

• Third Quarter – GDP 5% growth in third quarter (July thru September)
• Fastest growth rate in 11 years
• Stock Market up: Dow-Jones exceeded 18,000 for the first time
• Why? Internet sales are up, sinking personal debt, plunging oil prices, increased government contracts – the free market finally prevails
• Who takes credit?
• But, unemployment remains at 5.8%

 

 

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Listen to this podcast and here is additional show notes for you on the topic of Politics, Atheists and Christmas – by Professor Woody Wilson and Moderator: Felice Gerwitz

Show Notes: Politics, Athesists and Christmas – The following material is intended encourage readers to pursue additional online research.

Atheists and Christmas:

Who are atheists?  What is their problem?  Why do they attack Christianity?

Atheists are bitter because they find existence to be empty and meaningless… Apparently, during our short time on this Earth, they are determined to drag the rest of us down with them.

Amendment I:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Angry, Anti-Christian Atheists’ Efforts to Shut Down Christmas Parade Backfires… BIG TIME!

Author: Editor, Posted: December 8, 2014

The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation is a perpetually offended atheist group.

They unethically use the threat of legal action to bully municipalities and schools into conforming to their secular demands or face MASSIVE legal bills.

Fortunately, they just saw their efforts to stop a Christmas parade backfire… in a huge way!

In Piedmont, Alabama, city officials were under so much pressure from the atheist organization that parade organizers were forced to cancel this year’s parade theme: “Keep Christ in Christmas.”

Thankfully, all the lawsuits in the world can’t stop free men and women from proclaiming their faith and standing for the real meaning of Christmas. This is a huge win for Christmas and traditional values, as this story is going viral.

However, that didn’t stop the people of Piedmont from expressing their Christian faith and showing their love of Jesus Christ:

Mayor Bill Baker said the desire to have a religious theme for the Christmas parade was in response to a conflict earlier in the year with the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

The Wisconsin-based atheist organization contacted Piedmont City Schools earlier this year with the threat of a lawsuit if perceived school-sponsored prayer continued before football games. The high school stopped using the stadium loudspeakers and instead began holding a moment of silence. Many students and fans said the Lord’s prayer during the break.

The FFRF learned of the “Keep Christ in Christmas” parade theme and sent another letter to city officials. The city agreed to go back to the usual title, the City of Piedmont Christmas Parade.

That motivated Piedmont residents to exercise their freedoms of religion and speech Thursday night. There was a prayer circle before the parade, and many marchers carried signs with “Keep Christ in Christmas” handwritten or printed on them.

“This anti-religious group that started all this stuff, I really believe this has backfired on them,” mayor Baker said.

“What has happened now is the city of Piedmont, great city to live in, great people, has rallied. They have caused our parade to be bigger and better with more emphasis placed on Christianity.”

Baker said the turnout at this year’s Christmas parade was the city’s largest ever.

“There’s people in there wearing t-shirts that are of a religious nature. It just went crazy, out of sight, in a positive way, and I’m so excited,” he said.

 

CIA Report:

Can we remember what it was like in the days after the 9/11 attacks?  Can we today feel the anger and the fear?

Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) Chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee

The report, released on Tuesday, details tactics and methods for obtaining information from those either involved or associated with planning the 9/11 attacks.

Tactics included confining individuals to small boxes, weeks of sleep deprivation, simulated drowning, slapping, and threats to kill, harm or sexually abuse families of the captives.

(Obama’s Drone Strikes?)

 Torture (liberals) or enhanced interrogation (CIA, conservatives)  Enhanced interrogation or Torture?  Karl Rove:  To inculcate fear and panic

 Vice President Dick Cheney strongly disputed the report, saying “we did exactly what needed to be done in order to catch those who were guilty on 9/11 and prevent another attack, and we were successful on both parts.”

Four CIA Directors contend that valuable information was retrieved – George Tennant, Porter Goss, Michael Haydn, John Brennan

• Stopped future attacks
• Capture other terrorist leaders
• Nuclear attack? Water? Electrical grid?  9/11 sophisticated attack so ….
• Got Bin Laden

Additional Notes:

• Report cost $50 million taxpayer money
• Report did not interview CIA directors or anyone else involve in the program
• Appears to be political

 

Bush and Obama Departments of Justice found no prosecutable offense – Holder’s people investigate for three years (trying to find case against Bush administration?)

 

Why did Senate Democrats release report 10 years later?:

• Change the conversation towards 2016 presidential election?
• Next two years of constant and changing attacks on Republican in the mainstream media?
• Feinstein losing chairmanship of Intelligence Committee?

 Poll on CIA enhanced interrogation:

Justified 51%

Unjustified 29%

Don’t Know 20%

 Were Terror attacks prevented by enhanced interrogation:

Yes 46%

No 28%

 Budget – $1.1 trillion:

Omnibus/CRomnibus

The Senate passed a $1.1 trillion spending bill late Saturday that funds the government through next September, averting a partial government shutdown and sending the measure to President Obama’s desk.

The legislation locks in spending levels negotiated in recent years between Republicans and Democrats

Obama – “there are a bunch of provisions in this bill that I really do not like,” and said the bill flows from “the divided government that the American people voted for.”

The Senate voted 56-40 – The measure provides money for nearly the entire government through the end of the current budget year Sept. 30. The sole exception is the Department of Homeland Security, which is funded only until Feb. 27.

Ted Cruz and Elizabeth Warren:

Cruz – says bill funds Obama’s amnesty

Warren – says bill cuts Dodd/Frank and allows more corporate election donations.

Updated 1:18 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12: The House passed the CRomnibus Thursday night 219-206, with 162 Republicans and 57 Democrats voting for the bill, and 67 Republicans and 139 Democrats voting against. While the vote was close, the breakdown split along familiar lines. But there were some interesting trends and deviations in the vote.  0

Keep in Mind -Democrats will lose control of the Senate in January because of heavy losses in midterm elections last month and will go deeper into a House minority than at any time in nearly 70 years.

 However, that didn’t stop the people of Piedmont from expressing their Christian faith and showing their love of Jesus Christ:

Mayor Bill Baker said the desire to have a religious theme for the Christmas parade was in response to a conflict earlier in the year with the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

The Wisconsin-based atheist organization contacted Piedmont City Schools earlier this year with the threat of a lawsuit if perceived school-sponsored prayer continued before football games. The high school stopped using the stadium loudspeakers and instead began holding a moment of silence. Many students and fans said the Lord’s prayer during the break.

The FFRF learned of the “Keep Christ in Christmas” parade theme and sent another letter to city officials. The city agreed to go back to the usual title, the City of Piedmont Christmas Parade.

That motivated Piedmont residents to exercise their freedoms of religion and speech Thursday night. There was a prayer circle before the parade, and many marchers carried signs with “Keep Christ in Christmas” handwritten or printed on them.

“This anti-religious group that started all this stuff, I really believe this has backfired on them,” mayor Baker said.

“What has happened now is the city of Piedmont, great city to live in, great people, has rallied. They have caused our parade to be bigger and better with more emphasis placed on Christianity.”

Baker said the turnout at this year’s Christmas parade was the city’s largest ever.

“There’s people in there wearing t-shirts that are of a religious nature. It just went crazy, out of sight, in a positive way, and I’m so excited,” he said.

 

 

The post Politics, Atheists and Christmas appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Why do men run for the thankless job of being president of the USA? Listen to the episode to learn more as well as other topics such as funding for the Louisiana Senate race, the candidates in the running, Obama’s 10-point amnesty blueprint (which many say is Unconstitutional) as well as the Republican reaction and more!

Here are a few links Professor Wilson would like you to view:

Fox News – GOP Table for 2016

Fox News – Inside Texas Planned Lawsuit Over Obama Executive Action

Fox News – Representative Goodlatte on Fallout over Immigration Action

Show Notes:

Some topics were touched upon and others more deeply discussed. Listen to this show for all the details.

Pope Prays in Mosque in Istanbul

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-visits-iconic-religious-sites-istanbul-073647316.html

Outside groups pour money into Louisiana’s Senate runoff

Louisiana Republican Senate candidate Bill Cassidy holds a double-digit lead
Conservative groups are taking no chances and have poured a half-million dollars into the race during its home stretch. Conservative groups have spent $565,000 on issue ads in the last week
Liberal groups have spent $168,000 over the same period, less than a third of their counterparts’ expenditures. Republicans are assured 53 seats in the upcoming Senate even if Landrieu manages an upset.
Landrieu’s loss would leave Florida Sen. Bill Nelson as the last remaining senator from the Deep South.
Why Run for President?  (For president, six reasons, plus my four)

1.      To Change the country’s direction
2.      To make history
3.      To make a point
4.      To boost their brand
5.      Because it’s the family business
6.      Because lightning sometime strikes
7.       Ego, sense of power
8.       They are persuaded by peers and party
9.       They believe deeply that they can make a difference
10.   They are super patriotic

Democrat Candidates:
·     Vice President Joe Biden (Delaware)
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (New York) (Far Left seeking alternative)

• • ·     Elizabeth Warren, Senator Massachusetts
    ·     US Senator Joe Manchin (West Virginia)
    ·     US Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont)
    ·     Governor Martin O’Malley (Maryland)
    ·     US Senator Bernie Sanders (Independent-Vermont) Exploratory committee

Republican Candidates (list is most likely/prominent of 24!):

• Marco Rubio – Senator Florida
• Rand Paul – Senator Kentucky
• Chris Christie  – Governor New Jersey
• Ted Cruz  – Senator Texas
• Jeb Bush  – Former Governor Florida
• Ben Carson – Neurosurgeon
• Mitt Romney  – Former Governor Massachusetts
• Mike Huckabee – Former Governor Arkansas
• Paul Ryan – Representative
• Bobby Jindal – Wisconsin (VP candidate w/Romney 2012)
• Rick Perry – Governor Texas
• Rick Santorum – Former Senator Pennsylvania
• Nikki Haley – Governor South Carolina
• Scott Walker – Governor Wisconsin
• President Obama’s approval suffers in new poll –
  Now at 39% – Reaction to Amnesty plan?

Obama’s 10-point Amnesty Plan

But we could only find seven – just seems like more of the same for this administration – if anyone knows of the other three – let us know!

1. “Deferred action” amnesty for illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children – extends same provisions for parents of U.S. citizens and “legal permanent residents.” – 5 million
2. Expand the number of young people allowed to remain in the U.S. to about 300,000
3. Many of these illegal immigrants will become eligible for Social Security and Medicare benefits once they reach retirement age.
4. Increased border security
5. Higher pay for immigration officers,
6. Getting rid of the “Secure Communities” program – Secure Communities is an American deportation program that relies on partnership among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – focuses resources on identifying and removing the most serious criminal offenders first and foremost.
7. Changing the “removal priorities” to target serious criminals for deportation.

Republican Reactions:

Congress can withhold funding
Congress can take legal action
Congress can hold series of public hearings
Texas and Oklahoma to file lawsuits

The post Why Run For President appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Old Congress and New Congress – What Can We the People Expect?

Be Sure to Visit the Show Notes after the live session – Nov. 19th at 1:00 EDT We will have a quick election summary and then look at Article 1 Section 4 ; Amendment XX Section 1 and 2 ; The Issues Facing Congress; Amnesty and Obama’s 10-Part Plan; Article 1 Section 8; The Court Appointments; Attorney General Appointment & Keystone Pipeline and more!

Show Notes:
Election summary – use Weekly standard
Old Congress/New Congress, (1113th/114th) how it works – votes still being counted

When they meet:

Article I Section. 4.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

AMENDMENT XX
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933.
Section 1.
The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.
Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Lets get into the issues now facing Congress:

Amnesty – EXCLUSIVE: President Obama is planning to unveil a 10-part plan for overhauling U.S. immigration policy via executive action — including suspending deportations for millions — as early as next Friday, a source close to the White House told Fox News.

Article I Section. 8.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
4. To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

Court Appointments – explain cloture

Attorney General Appointment – President Obama could hardly have found a less polarizing choice to succeed Eric Holder as head the Department of Justice than Loretta Lynch, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Her nomination will be a good test of intentions for Republicans who say they want to govern rather than merely obstruct the president.
For starters, Ms. Lynch, 55, has already been confirmed — twice — by the Senate, once when she served as chief federal prosecutor in Brooklyn under President Clinton (1999-2001), and again in the same position under President Obama since 2010. Her qualifications are not in doubt.

Keystone Pipeline – Reid/Landrieu (Cassidy leads by 16 points)
• 30,000 jobs to star with …well paying
• Boost to domestic manufacturing
• Lower gas prices at the pumps
• Reduce dependence on middle eastern and other foreign sources

Jonathan Gruber – Read Article

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