Quote du jour

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

-Preamble to the Constitution of the United States

Here's To You, Mr. Jefferson!

An homage to Simon and Garfunkle!

Hat tip Newsbusters
Cross posted at Say Anything

Extinguishing Liberty

Michael Ramirez, on target as usual!

Quote du jour

The U.S. Constitution is less than a quarter the length of the owner's manual for a 1998 Toyota Camry, and yet it has managed to keep 300 million of the world's most unruly, passionate and energetic people safe, prosperous and free.

-P. J. O'Rourke

God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood

It's okay if you get a little misty eyed!

A Little Saturday Night Music

The U.S. Marine Corps Hymn

Stars and Stripes Forever -John Philip Sousa

Happy Fourth of July!

Quote du jour

"It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment, independence now and independence forever."

-Daniel Webster

Clueless in California- Meet Noreen Evans!

There's a joke about a woman who says she can't be overdrawn on her bank account because she still has checks! In California, we elect our jokes to the legislature! (with apologies to the state of Minnesota!)
Case in point is Santa Rosa Democrat Noreen Evans. Noreen is a state assemblywoman (asssemblyperson?) who made the news recently with the following statement:

Well, there is this mantra out there - "live within our means" - and while that sounds really nice . . . and it sounds really responsible, it's meaningless. Our means are completely within our control . . . We have just given away huge corporate subsidies in February; we have given away other tax reductions over many, many years; we've created tax loopholes; in good times, we routinely give away taxes, and then in lean times we never replace those tax deductions or close those loopholes. . . . So "live within our means" doesn't mean anything. The fact is, we have a state with a population that have [sic] needs that we have a moral obligation to provide.

Did you get that? "Live within our means" doesn't mean anything, it's "meaningless"!
Keep in mind that the state of California is broke and handing out IOUs in lieu of cash these days! Not only does living within your means not mean anything, but according to this shining example of modern liberalism, we have a moral obligation to spend more than we take in!

What about a moral obligation to good stewardship of public funds? Could it be that in taking care of the needs of the population, one needs to be careful about other discretionary use of tax dollars in order to insure that there will be enough to take care of those needs?

How about the needs of people to have jobs and to keep enough of their own money that they do not become wards of the state? If you keep raising taxes on business, forcing employers out of the state, then there are fewer taxpayers to pay taxes. And more unemployed people.

The idea that every state expenditure is necessary, or that every good idea has to be implemented by the state is not conducive to fiscal responsibility. The idea that the taxpayer is "morally obligated" to fund every want that the state legislature perceives as "need" is unrealistic.

That's why there's a budget, Ms. Evans. That's why the state constitution requires that the budget be balanced every year. You probably took an oath to uphold that constitution when you assumed office. If you didn't then you should have!

Responsible adults don't regularly spend more than they make. On those occasions when they do, they'd better have a pretty darn good reason for it. Not just a warm fuzzy feeling about spending other people's money!

I heard Ms. Evans on the radio, but thanks to real clear politics for a transcript of her remarks!
Cross posted at Say Anything

Friday Night Babe

Tonight's FNB is Beyoncé Knowles!

Madison Avenue: What Were They Thinking?

Some bizarre blasts from the past, courtesy of Retro Comedy:









Yikes!

Quote du jour

Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

-Alexander Hamilton

"Where's The Beef, Obama?"

Clara Peller, bless her heart, made this a catch phrase of the '80s.



Lady Cincinnatus points to a GOP effort without nearly the same kick! Although it is time someone asked Obama, Where's the beef, when it comes to creating or sustaining jobs?



Cross posted at Say Anything

From that Ideological Bastion of Tolerance: Folks Who Burn Other People's American Flags!

A "soft spoken" Marine, minding his own business had two flags burned on his front porch in North Dallas: One American flag, and another for the Marine Corps he served in.

Gee! If you had to guess the ideology of the perpetrators, who would you profile?

I'm thinking drive-by Amish gang members!

Hat tip Michelle Malkin
Cross Posted at Say Anything

The Bumbler-in-Chief Goes to War

Suppose General Dwight D. Eisenhower figured out that the best way to fight WWII was not to engage the Germans where they actually lived, but to have his men settle down in small hamlets in Britain and walk to work with the people they were there to protect? Great idea, eh? What a difference a Commander-in-Chief makes to the way the military conducts itself at war!

Once Marine units arrive in their designated towns and villages, they have been instructed to build and live in small outposts among the local population. The brigade's commander, Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, said his Marines will focus their efforts on protecting civilians from the Taliban and on restoring Afghan government services, instead of mounting a series of hunt-and-kill missions against the insurgents.

"We're doing this very differently," Nicholson said to his senior officers a few hours before the mission began. "We're going to be with the people. We're not going to drive to work. We're going to walk to work."

"Differently"? Yeah! I'll say! You can do it right or you can do it differently! This is going to get people killed for no good reason. Another reason why it is desirable to elect a Commander-in-Chief who has at least the slightest acquaintance with the military and its mission!

Is this the most boneheaded thing you've heard of in a long time?
As Commander-in-Chief, Obama votes "Present"!

Hat tip Radarsite
Cross Posted at Say Anything

Quote du jour

Here is a handy-dandy way to determine whether the failure to order some exam or treatment constitutes rationing: If the patient were the president, would he get it? If he'd get it and you wouldn't, it's rationing.

-Michael Kinsley

One Man's Glass Ceiling is Another Man's Glass Floor!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Sear Tower has a new, glass observation ledge that is very cool!