Murray Energy, the canary in the mineshaft for America and its source of power

Robert Murray, CEO of Murray Energy, Americas largest privately owned coal company, has been a strong and articulate defender of his industry. 

Murray has over 3,000 employees and their families, who depend on his leadership and good judgment for their livelihoods.  Countless thousands of other jobs depend on support industries that rely on the shipping, handling and processing of what he produces……Millions of Americans depend on Murray Energy to light and heat their homes for a modest price.

Mr. Murray is a frequent guest on television shows who seek him out for his business acumen & expertise on what it takes to keep Americas economic engine fueled.…. he has never shied away from speaking his mind.

Mr. Murray and I have been communicating over the future of America’s energy industry and what can be done to keep America’s energy prices affordable. 

I was taken by surprise when Mr. Murray sent me an email  with an excerpt from his private staff meeting held yesterday.  What I read within alarmed me, because he is a strong, steady, intelligent leader, whose history is not one of making knee jerk reactions. 

On the corner of the attached email was a note to me in his handwriting, telling me to feel free to use this information as I feel fit to do.  As a result I have decided to post it in its entirety and share it with my fellow Americans.

In a sign of the gravity that Mr. Murray feels America has come to, he accompanied the notes of his meeting with a prayer, which I will also post.

What I foresee in America

Staff Meeting November 7, 2012

1. Drastically reduced economic activity

2. Reduced electric power consumption

3. Drastically reduced coal markets w/worse coal pricing

4. Total destruction of the coal industry by 2030

5. Enactment of 12 EPA regs alone, by the Obama Administration

6. Per Sen Imhoffe: 3 regs on greenhouse gas, MACT & coal ash will cost USA 600 billion

7. Likely a carbon tax will be forced to subsidize the government and  “receivers” (Obama supporters) in the total destruction of the coal industry, as early as 2030.

8. All coal companies are performing drastically worse than their CEO’s and boards want to report and this is understandable with their concerns for stock prices/refinancing.

9. Most public companies will not be able to continue to emphasize any positive they had, while avoiding the negatives in their statements and opinions.

10. The markets will soon take away this ability from these public CEO’s/directors

11. Of course private companies will abandon this industry

12. We must prepare for this today and we cannot bleed cash waiting for competitors to be eliminated.

13. We must totally go into survival mode and generate all of the cash that we can from whatever we have left that can help us.

14. We must tear down all structures of Murray Energy and reassemble them.

15. While putting Murray Energy into a survival mode, I will be fighting allegations from radical Obama supporters, that you know are blatantly false and were inspired  only to shut down opposition to them on behalf of our employees, your area and our country.

16. We must be passionate and austere in all that we do.

Robert E. Murray

Chairman, President and CEO

My Prayer

Dear Lord:

The American people have made their choice. They have decided America must change its course, away from the principles of our founders….And away from the idea of individual freedom and individual responsibility….Away from capitalism, economic responsibility and personal acceptance.

America is no longer America.  We are a country in favor of redistribution, national weakness and reduced standard of living and lower levels of personal freedom.

My regret Lord is that our young people, including those in my own family, never will know what America was like, or could have been. They will pay the price in their reduced standard of living and most especially, reduced freedom.

The takers outvoted the producers. In response to this I have turned to my Bible and in II Peter, Chapter 1 vs. 4-9 it says: “To faith we are to add goodness; to goodness, knowledge; to knowledge, self control, perseverance; to perseverance; godliness; to godliness, kindness; to brotherly kindness, love.

Lord please forgive me and anyone with me in Murray Energy Corporation for the decisions we are now forced to make to preserve the very existence of any enterprises that you have helped us build. We ask for your guidance in this drastic time with the drastic decisions that will be made to have any hope of our survival as an American business enterprise.

Amen

Robert Murray

America voted to expand the nanny state, but who is paying the nanny?

 Last nights elections results didn’t change the balance of power much in Washington.  It is still headed in the direction of runaway spending, expanding entitlements with more and larger government services. Of course, this costs tremendous amounts of money

Bill O’Reilly summed up the election results yesterday:

“There are fifty percent of the voting public who want stuff. They want things. Who is going to give them things? President Obama. He knows it and ran on it. ... Twenty years ago, President Obama would have been roundly defeated by an establishment candidate like Mitt Romney.”

As I wrote in my October 21 piece, the left has capitalized on being the party of the government dependent entitlement society.  This population has been mobilized to vote and has tipped the balance of power. They are immune from the effects of a bad economy the private sector is mired in. Why should they care if taxes are raised? 

The national debt of 16 trillion doesn’t affect them either, future generations will be saddled with this burden.  We ran out of our own money long ago and are now spending our children’s/grandchildren’s money to afford today’s entitlements.

But what is important to this base, is getting stuff today… President Obama and his party have done the best job of promising that. But nothing is free, everything comes with some sort of price tag.  That price is monetary and a loss of freedom from more intrusive big government protecting you from yourself by imposing its policies on you.

 Britain’s Prime Minster Margaret Thatcher said:  “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.” 

America had an opportunity yesterday to change that direction, but failed to grasp it when an alternative for fiscal responsibility was offered by the Romney candidacy.

Many Americans will now get what they voted for: A bigger and more intrusive nanny state…paid for by someone else, until they run out of money.

Voters in Pennsylvania and Ohio will become rich states if they vote for Romney

Voters in Pennsylvania and Ohio have a unique opportunity to make themselves energy producing giants this Tuesday, if they vote for the right candidate. 

As geologists and energy experts probe what’s under the ground in these two states, it is becoming apparent they are sitting on huge reserves of natural gas.  In addition to gas, they already have huge reserves of other forms of fossil fuels.

But in particular, the gas is near the surface and easy to obtain.  If there is willing government cooperation  from Washington DC, these states will be booming due to energy production.  State treasuries would be overflowing with royalties from the billions in energy sold.

Thousands of jobs would be created on exploration, recovery, pipelines, transportation and infrastructure.  Long-term employment would necessarily increase as companies look for qualified employees to help in recovering & marketing these resources.   

North Dakota is a prime example of what a state can do when they pursue their energy resources. With a 3% unemployment rate, they are the lowest rate in the nation. 

Under the last four years of the Obama administration, there has been a concerted effort to wage war on our energy sector. One of the key Obama EPA administrators was caught saying he wanted to crucify the energy industry. One of the biggest foes of Americas fossil fuel reserves, Bill McKibben, has the Presidents ear and was said to play a key role in his rejection of the Keystone Pipeline.

See McKibben Epstein ultimate energy debate November 5, at Duke University

For the last 4 years, the Obama administration has been quietly crucifying and hamstringing our energy sector.

The stark, easy to see result of this policy,  is to pull into the gas station and fill up your car for 100.00, when it only cost 50.00 4 years ago.

Governor Romney has already promised he will encourage responsible recovery of our energy resources the first day he takes control of the reins of government.

We have already seen what 4 years of Obama policies have done to our energy sector.  Energy plant shut downs-Coal mine bankruptcies-Huge tracts of federally controlled land barred from energy exploration-Billions in losses on taxpayer funded green energy schemes. The next 4 years will be all of the above, but on steroids,  as he will not have to answer to the voters again.

The choice is clear for the voters in Ohio and Pennsylvania.  With Romney you have the opportunity to become energy rich and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs.  At the same time you can help our country become energy self sufficient.

Unfolding Libyan scandal could sink Obama and end Hillary’s political career

As more information comes out on the murder of our Libyan Ambassador and 3 other Americans during the assault in Benghazi…. the more incriminating it gets for the higher ups in Washington DC.

Our murdered ambassador, Chris Stevens, had repeatedly been requesting more security  in the months before the attack.  Those requests seemed to have been routinely ignored.  Shockingly, we are now finding out, a key special security force was withdrawn shortly before the attack.

The administrations original story, “the attack was a spontaneous angry reaction to a video,” has been thoroughly debunked.  This makes the situation more dire politically for the administration, with only days before the election.

Conflicting stories and finger pointing are erupting between the State Department, the Whitehouse and the intelligence community.

To compound the problem for the Obama administration, Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, claimed yesterday, there was no “real time intel” to base a decision on whether to send help to the besieged consulate.

But according to Fox News,  CIA sources say there was a wealth of "real-time information" coming in, including two military surveillance drones and those who were on the ground.  The communication from the CIA annex about a mile away from the consulate was "constant":

The latest bombshell now shows the attack was a 7 hour ordeal.  There was plenty of time to send help to the besieged Americans.  Repeated pleas for help from those on the scene were denied by those higher up.

At one point during the battle a CIA operative pinpointed the mortar team which was bombarding the complex. He radioed for fire support from a Specter gunship, commonly used by U.S. Special Ops to provide support to teams on the ground.  Even though an American airbase was only an hour away, no gunships arrived. 

Further, Fox News learned, no Tier One Special operations forces, among them Delta Force operators, showed up to help, which were also within range and able to help if authorized.

But heroism stood front and center in spite of the indecision emanating from Washington.  Ex-SEAL Tyrone Woods, hearing the fire fight from his position at the CIA annex 1 mile from the consulate radioed for permission to go the aid of his fellow Americans.  Twice he was told to stand down.  After the 2^nd denial of his request, he and 3 others disobeyed orders and made their way to the consulate.  When they arrived, they came under fire, but were able to evacuate those who remained back to the CIA annex.

Heroic Ex SEAL Tyrone Woods was later killed defending against another attack on the CIA annex by the heavily armed militants. Woods had heard the urgent call for help from his fellow Americans and couldn’t turn a deaf ear.  For that he paid the ultimate price.

If the same measure of heroism that Tyrone Woods displayed prevailed in Washington DC…..Perhaps the deaths of our Americans in Libya could have been avoided.

Every day more shocking details of the Libyan disaster unfold and it gets worse for the Obama administration.  The first and most shocking fact is that we left our Ambassador woefully under protected and a sitting duck in a very hostile environment.  The 2^nd is that when they came under attack, the administration didn’t provide the help they needed to save their lives.

Vice President Biden, in another bizarre display of his personality disorder, tried to console the father of Chris Woods by telling him 'Did your son always have balls the size of cue balls?'  Charles Woods was highly offended by this remark and talked about this and other shabby treatment towards him by President Obama and Hillary Clinton, in a UK Mailonline article.

Some political pundits are saying this scandal is far worse than the Watergate scandal, which forced a President to resign.  In Watergate no one died. As this unfolds, the casualties to political careers could prove fatal to all of those involved, including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Final debate showcased Mitt Romney’s presidential demeanor -- Governor failed to fall into any of Barack Obama's traps over foreign policy

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama during their final presidential debate

Governor Mitt Romney was building momentum going into Monday's third, and final debate, and remained unchanged in the debate aftermath.

Debate polls will show it is about an even split, possibly even a few points in Barack Obama’s favor, but again, like the first and second debate, voters gave Romney overwhelming marks for their confidence that he could fix the economy.

Although supposed to be exclusively focused on foreign policy, Governor Romney cleverly shifted the discussion over to his strong suit, by saying a strong American economy will make us powerful in the foreign policy arena.

The Governor always had a pleasant smile on his face while he discussed the issues, in stark contrast to the glare and occasional scowl that president Obama had on his face. Compared to the first debate where President Obama barely looked at Mitt Romney, this time the President rarely took his eyes off of him. In someway this might have backfired on the President and made him appear too aggressive.

But Governor Romney was not going to fall into any of President Obama's traps and get mired in small wonkish details, he stayed focused on the big picture, as Dr, Charles Krauthammer noted shortly after the debate.

Krauthammer proclaimed “It’s unequivocal, Romney won.” 

He went on to observe that “Romney won, both strategically and tactically.”  Romney went large while Obama went small, amazingly small, by attacking Romney on in consequential charges that he invested in companies in China.  It made President Obama look petty and un-presidential.

Read more on the US Presidential Election 2012 here

But while Obama threw these petty charges his way Romney never got ruffled and kept an amused smile on his face.

At one point in the debate Romney said that our navy was at its lowest ship strength since 1917, far below recommendations by the navy to carry out its worldwide missions.  Obama leaped at the opportunity to try to demean Romney by saying “governor we now have ships that planes land on called aircraft carriers and we have boats that go underwater.” We can do more with far less. 

Of course the President overlooked the fact that Romney was quoting from present day naval experts on the need for a larger fleet than what we have presently.  But it was an example of the pettiness and personal insults the President used throughout the debate.

But Romney delivered a devastating blow to Obama when he criticized the Presidents apology tour to the Middle East, shortly on the heels of his inauguration and noted that the President visited all of those countries but neglected to visit our number one ally: Israel.  With the kicker: “They noticed.” 

President Obama had no coherent comeback to defray the bad taste his apology tour left in many Americans mouths and what a slap in the face it was to our friends and allies, the Israeli’s.

To sum it up, Dr. Krauthammer put it best: “Obama’s attacks were something you would expect in a race for “city council.”

“That’s not what you expect from the president.”

 Read more on the US Presidential Election 2012 here

 Ed's articles are carried in:

Eds articles are carried in:

IrishCentral

Energy independence-Politics & More

Carrollstandard.com

Tea Party Cheer

Tea Party Patriots

AMAC
Restoring Liberty

Why Ireland should want a Romney Presidency

A recent “poll” saying 96% of the Irish population would vote for Obama if given the chance, is mystifying to many Irish Americans. 

America, more than any other country in the world, has been a shining beacon of light on the hill for millions of Irish emigrants.  They left by the boatload and later plane load, for a country of opportunities to those who wanted to work hard to better themselves.

But the secret fuel for that beacon of light on the hill was capitalism.  America has been a land of opportunity for anyone who wanted to succeed, in spite of their birth circumstances.  America was not saddled with a caste system, or royal class that pre determined ones future. 

But over the years, there has been a creeping “entitlement attitude” rising in America.  Many special interests with an axe to grind for past  unfairness, real or perceived, have spawned a government industry, that doles out “fairness” with pre-selected winners and losers in society.

This attitude coalesced into a political coalition of special interests, helping to elect our last President. The result: More Americans are on public assistance than ever before, the country is spending money it doesn’t have and government is consuming a portion of our GDP at record levels.

A mentality that encourages government “service” by the forgiveness of student loans if you choose a lifetime of working for the government, rather than working in the private sector, sends the message as to where we are headed.

In short, America is pointed towards a socialist European model.  The same failed model where government bureaucrats determine what’s best for its citizens.

I was on Irish radio last week and the host asked me: “Would a President Romney be good for Ireland?”

My answer was, an unhesitating yes.  The raw truth in President Kennedy’s words many years ago: “A rising tide will lift all boats,” is very evident today.

An economically healthy America will raise the economies of the world, including and especially Ireland.  Mitt Romney is not a product of government largesse or government programs, he knows how to ignite America’s moribund economy by encouraging the private sector. See: America is poised for a post Obama comeback.

He has spelled this out in his 5 point economic plan to make America the world’s economic powerhouse.

He will unlock America’s energy resources & make us energy independent.

He will encourage and support school choice for parents and children to break the chains of a failed public education system. America will soon have an educated electorate.

He will encourage fair trade around the world and establish economic zones.

Immediately cut our insane budget deficit, by measuring the value of government programs with the question: Is it worth borrowing money from China to pay for it?

As a member of the private sector for many years Romney sees the many shackles put on America’s small businesses. He will change this and reverse the anti business climate in Washington, with one of encouragement.

There is a clear cut choice for Americans this November and the choice they make will determine the economic climate, not just for Americans, but for the rest of the world. 

With a vibrant, bustling, American economic juggernaut, everyone in the free world will enjoy its success.  Not only will America remain a place for Irish to emigrate to if they want to try their luck, many Irish may want to stay in Ireland as more economic opportunities arise in the homeland. This is the promise of a Romney presidency.

Eds articles are carried in:

IrishCentral

Energy independence-Politics & More

Carrollstandard.com

Tea Party Cheer

Tea Party Patriots

AMAC
Restoring Liberty

Why Mitt Romney won the debate despite what the media says -- Romney polled much better on key economic issues after stand-off

President Barack Obama and Republican presidential
candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (Credit: AP)

President Barack Obama showed up ready to rumble on Tuesday night at the Hofstra University. Unfortunately for him, so did Mitt Romney. 

But Romney had to debate the President and a mediator, who thought she had to pitch in to help out the President if he appeared in trouble.  Candy Crowley interrupted Romney 28 times, while she only admonished Obama nine times for exceeding his time.

There are analysts that say President Obama scored some debate points.  there are others who critiqued Romney for not taking advantage of clear openings to land a knockout blow on Obama.  But when the “fog of the debate” clears, polls will show that Mitt Romney has picked up more support from the American electorate.

After the debate flash polls showed that Obama had an edge in the debate.  But the question asked was who was the most improved from the Denver debate, of course that was Obama….and who performed close to expectations: Romney.

The left leaning CNN poll shortly after the debate, showed  Romney had a 58-40 edge on the issue of economics/ best plan for righting our economic ship.

Additionally Romney had the edge in the following 3 key areas:

Taxes                                   51-44

Solving budget deficit         59-36

Healthcare                           49-46

President Obama still had a slight edge on Mitt Romney when it comes to foreign policy.  But ominously for President Obama, the Benghazi attack is becoming a big issue.  Additionally it seems,  Al Quaeda and terrorism didn’t disappear from the scene when Osama Bin Laden was killed.

Another key item that will vex President Obama, is the sky high cost of gasoline plaguing Americans. Last night Mitt Romney was able to lay that blame squarely on the shoulders of Obamas last four years of energy policy.  

Political scientist Frank Luntz monitored a panel of 21 voters, many of whom previously voted for Obama in 2008.  After the debate, a majority of them said they will be voting for Romney.

A newly released Gallup Poll showed that Mitt Romney has jumped to a national lead against President Obama 51-45.  Thursday it increased 52-45

Romney’s popularity in the national polls is making a difference in swing states formerly assumed to be President Obama’s.  They are now very close or leaning Romney.

Pundits might say they give the edge to Obama in points in this last debate, but the points that really matter to Americans all belong to Mitt Romney.

Eds articles are carried in:

IrishCentral

Energy independence-Politics & More

Carrollstandard.com

Tea Party Cheer

Tea Party Patriots

AMAC
Restoring Liberty

Exciting new movie "Atlas Shrugged Part 2", timed for elections, according to producer - VIDEO

Still from "Atlas Shrugged Part 2"

The compelling and action packed trailer for the new movie Atlas Shrugged Part 2, puts you on the edge of your seat immediately.  It lights up your screen with explosions, political intrigue, plane crashes and high drama.  Add to it the discovery of a world changing source of energy; makes this a movie you can’t miss.  The trailer also has the fingerprints of veteran movie producer Harmon Kaslow all over it.

Watch the thrilling trailer:

The movie opened nationwide Friday and is based on the huge bestseller written over 50 years ago by Russian emigrant Ayn Rand.  Her experience living under a totalitarian regime, lead her to pen a futuristic novel, based on what could happen to our country if conditions lined up, when “Looters Law” was the driving force behind government policy. 

Her book has served as a waning to those who believe in capitalism and self responsibility.  It has helped shape the political philosophy of many on the right. Even though written years ago, many of the authors’ predictions of a totalitarian society seem to be taking shape, with government in control of key industries, picking winners and losers...And a looters law mentality creeping into the campaign rhetoric of "getting a fair shot."

I clicked on Fandango to buy tickets, while I picked up the phone to call Harmon Kaslow.

Following is my interview with Harmon Kaslow, Producer of Atlas Shrugged Part 2

So Harmon, is it by chance that your movie opens 3 weeks before the November Presidential elections “Absolutely by design! In a capitalistic way we planned to take advantage of the election fervor.  This faithful adaptation of the book offers an opportunity for swing voters to see what’s going on back in DC and help activate them to vote President Obama out of office.”

If Ayn Rand were alive today, what would her message be to us this close to Election Day?  “People!  You better right your ship now! You don’t want to go to part 3 of Atlas Shrugged!”

Not only did you find resistance by Hollywood to help produce this movie, John Aglialoro your partner, producer and financial backer, suffered a huge loss of 19 million  from a product liability lawsuit involving his exercise equipment company.  You really had to overcome hurdles to get this movie made.  “Yes the lawsuit was a real blow and a stark reminder of how the tort system is abused.  That 19 million dollar suit will mean thousands of people will lose their jobs. But John brought in other investors to help complete and market our film, he is an amazing man.  He aspires to bring Atlas shrugged Part 3 to the screen as well.”

Out of all of the films you have made how does Atlas Shrugged Part II compare to the others?  “No comparison!  All of my others were original works and or screenplays.  Atlas Shrugged is one of the greatest American novels ever written, it was a daunting task to bring the truth to the screen. Fortunately when John read it, it was life changing to him.  His focus was to stay true to the books intent; he provided the guidance and vision.  My job was the nuts and bolts of it.”

Having such conservative views in ground zero of Hollywood liberal elite, seems you would be an outcast: “Hollywood’s an interesting place.  Obviously actors and creative people are very supportive of Obama, when he comes here he scoops up millions.  But the studios are public companies and are driven by bottom line profits.  They defer a lot in the creative process to those who don’t have a direct economic interest in their corporations-It’s hard to balance their drive to make profitable films.

“In short the studios don’t have the courage of John Aglialoro to produce a movie of this type, faithfully adapting to the principles of this book.”

In the book, a way was found to power a  motor with only static electricity. Energy would be cheap and plentiful and the way the world turned would be revolutionized.    

“The handcuffs put on us by the enormous burden of expensive energy reduce our capacity to be creative.  Ironically in this book written over 50 years ago, she shows how transformative to society a cheap source of energy can be by the creative genius unleashed at Galt’s Gulch”.

“Part 3 of Atlas Shrugged will get much more into the sci-fi stuff when it gets produced.  In the meantime we are looking forward to millions of people seeing Atlas Shrugged part II to introduce the genius of Ayn Rand to them.”.

But until the time we have a breakthrough in technology that makes energy almost cost free, the alternative is to use our own fossil fuels to bring civilization forward.  There will be a great debate on this subject coming up November 5 at Duke University.  The name of it is McKibben vs. Epstein.  Check it out.

Eds articles are carried in:

IrishCentral

Energy independence-Politics & More

Carrollstandard.com

Tea Party Cheer

Tea Party Patriots

AMAC
Restoring Liberty

Joe Biden & the nation lost last nights debate on all counts

Last night at the Vice Presidential debate in Kentucky, the nation got to witness the last vestiges of dignity get stripped away from the office of Vice President.  This administration’s all out quest to remain in power saw truth and dignity sacrificed for that goal.  

Joe Biden’s conjured up inner outrage lead to a spectacle on stage never duplicated in past debates of this magnitude.  Smiling bizarrely while the conversation centered on our soldiers being killed in Afghanistan, Biden even laughed out loud ( insanely?) while the conversation shifted to the possibility of a nuclear armed Iran.  Joe was seen by many as a deranged and cranky old man last night.

But one positive aspect for “green energy” emerged. Many folks in the alternative energy business thought Joes expensive teeth could be a new found source to power solar panels, as he flashed them constantly and inappropriately last night.

The only ones who seem to roar with approval are the far left, who were looking for blood after Mitt Romney dismantled President Obama in last weeks debate.  But Romney, unlike Biden, did his work without rudely and thuggishly butting in while the President was talking. 

Instead of battling Paul Ryan using ideas and truth, Biden was like Stephen King’s Pennywise the clown armed with a crude club. Biden interrupted Ryan in mid sentence 82 times and even butted into the moderator mid sentence several times for good measure.

Biden was able to get away with many complete and false statements yesterday with the aid of the moderator, who cut off Ryan's responses before he could rebut a Biden falsehood….. Of course  Joes own thuggish behavior made it difficult to complete a thought.

What is left today is a bucket full of fact checks that show Joe had an utter disregard for the truth, ranging from the Libyan embassy scandal to Medicare, to Iran and our relations with Israel.  

Today many women were expressing their disappointment in the Vice Presidents demeanor last night.  To them he appeared to be a bully, especially when he pointed his finger at the moderator and lectured her.  Some women said Biden reminded them of ex boyfriends who wouldn’t take no for an answer.  Or more ominously, the type of overbearing man they would fear to work around.

The left was cheered by this spectacle and feel vindicated, however we are quickly losing the ability to have an honest debate in this country, if last night is an example of our present discourse.

At this rate, we will be choosing candidates for their gladiatorial skills, rather than their oratorical skills.

Eds articles are carried in:

IrishCentral

Energy independence-Politics & More

Carrollstandard.com

Tea Party Cheer

Tea Party Patriots

AMAC
Restoring Liberty

Is Debbie Wasserman Schultz headed for her last showdown? She faces competition from Karen Harrington

Karen Harrington

Democrat Committee Chair, DebbieWasserman-Schultz has been a polarizing figure in congress since 2005.  Known as a bomb thrower on the level of Howard Dean, her reputation for outrageous statements has been augmented by her lack of candor.

But Wasserman Schultz has been getting hammered in the polls in her south Florida Congressional district, especially since the DNC floor fight to take  God and the backing of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel from their platform. See floor fight

Wasserman-Schultz has been uncharacteristically silent/evasive on that fight and it has only inflamed speculation she tacitly endorsed the original platform of no God and no Jerusalem.

I talked to Karen Harrington, the GOP candidate for Floridas 20^th Congressional district to get an update on how her campaign is doing.  The last time we spoke was in February as she aimed to win the GOP primary for her party. See interview: Irish American GOPcontender Karen Harrington takes on top Democrat in Florida race

I asked Karen to update us on her quest to unseat Wasserman Schultz, as well as her opinion on a few issues which will shape the future of our country:

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz

What is your opinion about businesses either reducing employees or changing them to part time status to avoid being in the grasp of Obamacare mandates. She said: “ I am not surprised; this administration doesn’t understand, the private sector will do everything it can to survive. If it means laying off employees, or causing under employment in order to remain in business, they will do it. Obamacare will kill the economy.”

How are the polls looking for you?  “We are delighted; our latest polling shows we are in perfect position with 25% of Democrats saying they will be voting for us. We are only 5 points behind, but there is a 16% undecided factor, which never bodes well for an incumbent.”

“We have received over 1.4 million in donations from 18,000 donors from all 50 states. Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Mark Levin, Michelle Bachman and a whole host of others have thrown their weight behind my campaign.  The Tea Party has been instrumental in their support of me, especially the local gathering which is comprised of independents/democrats and republicans.”

“We have support over a wide spectrum of political beliefs, where Wasserman Schultz is perceived as far left and has a narrow band of support.  My candidacy offers the voters of Florida a clear cut choice between DWS and myself. We call this campaign  Americas Race.”

In fact Harrington feels today’s democrat party has been hijacked by the far left, she sees many democrats switching to the GOP where they feel they have more representation. “If John F. Kennedy were alive today he would not be a member of today’s democrat party.”

As we discussed last time, the present administration has been waging a war against our energy sector, especially coal.  Governor Romney declared in his speech he would stop the war on coal and back efforts to make us totally energy independent.  Would you support those efforts if you were a member of congress?

“It’s a tragedy what the government has been doing to our coal manufacturing sector. Operations shutting down, companies going bankrupt and projects under assault by the out of control EPA, are going to damage our country.  We always get accused of not caring about the environment, etc., when nothing could be further from the truth.  We want to see responsible use of our natural resources in making us become energy independent and I will wholeheartedly help a Romney administration attain that.”

“The government needs to become a team player with our energy sector and not an adversary.”

With that being said, there is debate that will pit the ideology fueling the war on our energy sector against a strong voice defending the fossil fuel sector this November 5 at Duke University.  It should be considered a must see by Americans who care about the future of our country: See McKibben vs. Epstein.

Karen Harrington also told Speaker of the House,John Boehner when she met him: “He and the GOP will have to earn my respect in order to keep my support.  I just recently switched from being an independent to becoming a registered republican and I don’t believe in a go along to get along attitude.”

If Karen achieves success this November, her victory will send a clear message to Washington and she will go there with a wide coalition of Americans behind her.

 Eds articles are carried in:

IrishCentral

Energy independence-Politics & More

Carrollstandard.com

Tea Party Cheer

Tea Party Patriots

AMAC
Restoring Liberty

Presidential debate summed up: My kingdom for a teleprompter - AUDIO

Last night’s Presidential debate exposed America to a Mitt Romney they didn’t know existed.

After months of being painted as a gaffe prone, aloof plutocrat, by millions of dollars in attack ads, a large percentage of the population had come to believe Mitt Romney was a heartless, CEO. A man who would steal the pennies off your dead mothers eyes if he got the chance.

But an animated, fully engaged and caring Mitt Romney appeared on the debate stage last night.  His warm smile and friendly demeanor, belied the shock and awe he had in store for Obama and his millions of supporters on the left.

Mitt Romney was clearly in control during the debate as he spoke his truth and would not allow it to be twisted by President Obama.

At one point Romney, was quick to correct a misstatement by the President when he said: “Mr. President you are entitled to your own plane and the Whitehouse, but not to the facts. I am not going to cut education if I become President.”

Years of being in the business world clearly showed that Mitt Romney could debate and counter punch without a script or notes, he spoke directly at President Obama, as the President looked down, seemingly searching for words on the notepad in front of him. 

President Obama rarely looked at Mitt Romney throughout the debate.  Perhaps it was a technique to show disdain for Romney.  But whatever the reason, it made President Obama look to be in a secondary position.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Presidential and Vice Presidential debate schedule:

Vice Presidential debate   October 11

Presidential debate            October 16

Presidential debate            October 22

-------------------------------------------------------------

To the trained eye it seemed President Obama came in unprepared to dig deeper into issues than some of the standard sound bytes and statements he has repeated in the past.

But, more importantly, it seemed President Obama was clearly not ready to have to defend his record and he was not accustomed to being questioned like he was.  As President he has been shielded by a mostly compliant media and rarely asked a tough question.  As President he has been able to dismiss tough questions and rarely, if ever, was a follow up given.

President Obamas failure to produce a budget in three years has shown he does not have the  skill needed to compromise and work out a deal.  His rampant use of executive orders, and willfully not enforcing law he disagrees with, shows a willingness to bypass constitutional checks and balances in order to pursue political goals.  This attitude reflects a regal one rather than a presidential one…and that’s what was on stage last night.

Last nights performance showed clearly President Obama is much more comfortable with a teleprompter in front of him, lecturing and giving flowery speeches. 

One of the stark moments of the debate was when Obama claimed huge oil companies receive billions in tax subsidies.  Romney was able to quickly correct that misstatement by saying most of those credits went to small oil companies for their exploration expenses. But then he put the sledgehammer down saying: (paraphrased) “You spent 90 billion on green energy companies that have almost all failed and coincidentally the people affiliated with them happen to be large donors to you.”

Romney finished it off with: Those 90 billion dollars you wasted on failed green energy companies equaled 50 years of the oil tax credit.  Furthermore that 90 billion could have paid for the 2 million teachers you want to hire.”

The wailing and gnashing of teeth can be heard from the far left this morning.  Comedian, misogynist and 1 million dollar donor to the Obama campaign, Bill Maher said: “I can't believe I'm saying this, but Obamas performance clearly shows he needs a teleprompter. He did however make a lot of good points; unfortunately they were all in Romney’s favor.”

Far left celebrity and activist Michael Moore summed up his feeling about Obamas performance last night when he said: “More performances like last night and Obama will be voting for Romney.”

Another extremely important debate is coming November 5, at Duke University.  Although not presidential, this debate will expose the agenda behind the war on our energy sector.  It will expose why our nations wealth is being siphoned away by green energy schemes such as Solyndra, Fisker and a whole host of other names. Please visit this site for details Debate! McKibben vs. Epstein

Energy independence-Politics & More

Carrollstandard.com

Tea Party Cheer

Tea Party Patriots

AMAC
Restoring Liberty

Obamas cruel war on energy and the poor, will be exposed in a public debate on election eve

Beneath the campaign rhetoric emanating from the Obama White house is a stark policy reality that is harming America.   

When President Obama began his term as President, the average price for a gallon of gasoline was about 1.80,  today it is 4.20.  Many folks don’t remember this and the Obama administration wants you to forget it.

Caged in a government report that said consumer spending was up, administration officials would want you to think it is a sign of an improving economy.  But the details reveal the real reason: People are spending more on expensive gasoline.

President Obamas energy Secretary, Steven Chu, has been quoted,  he wants to see US gasoline prices equal to European levels....Interesting coming from a man who does not own a car.  

In spite of the administrations crowing about oil production being up, it really is in spite of his policies. Oil companies are exploiting resources found on private and state land.  While massive amounts of federal land, loaded with energy resources, are blocked from exploration by the Obama administration.

This administration has blocked efforts to bring oil in from Canada through the Keystone pipeline.  As a result China is buying the oil meant to come to our country.

The coal industry, Americas main source of electrical generation, is reeling from attack after attack by this administrations "legislation through regulation."  Due to the EPA, coal operations are laying off workers and declaring bankruptcy, in a time when every domestic job is precious.

 President Obama previously vowed he would bankrupt any coal fired power plant that attempted to be built in our country.  He also said this would necessarily make our utility rates skyrocket.  Yes he said that.

Folks with a lot of money can afford to pay more to fuel up their cars with expensive gas, or pay hundreds of dollars a month to pay their utility bills to heat and light up their homes.  But the poor and middle class are already on the edge and every penny increase in the cost of energy to them, might mean a decision as to whether to put food on their table or put gas in their car.

The suffering caused to Americans  is barely getting any attention in the main stream media as we approach the November elections.  Higher energy costs affect everything we rely on to live: Food, shelter and clothing.

The driving force behind the Obama administrations war on fossil energy, is that the use of it is causing “climate change," and poisoning the earth....it must be stopped. The environmental industry, which puts mankind's needs very low on the totem pole of priorities, has the Presidents ear and donates millions of dollars to his re-election effort. So no one expects any changes in the Whitehouse policy if he gets a 2nd term.

But most of the high profile environmentalists & the politicians they support, don't mind having one way conversations regarding their views and promoting their science in their quest to destroy our fossil fuel industries.  But most shy away from a real debate...Have you ever heard Al Gore actually debate a knowledgeable expert and have to defend his "earth has a fever"views?  I haven't. I also haven't heard any of the other high profile environmentalists defend their positions in a public debate setting, where they actually have to answer tough questions....But that is about to change

Watch full debate here

In late July, environmentalist icon Bill McKibben–a man who has been instrumental in crippling the coal industry and stopping the Keystone XL pipeline–announced his intention to create a movement to demonize and dismantle the fossil fuel industry. The industry, he declared, is “Public Enemy Number One.”

But Alex Epstein, the founder of Center for Industrial Progress and pioneer of the powerful environmental case for fossil fuels, challenged McKibben to a public debate: "Are fossil fuels a risk to the planet or do fossil fuels improve the planet?"

This debate will be held November 5 at Duke University. It is in a public setting and will have major attention from all corners of the world.  A showdown between the environmental industry & the very energy industry it has been trying to destroy.  There will be no place to run and no place to hide.  

Here is the website that will give you the details and an accompanying video: Debate McKibben vs. Epstein

 Eds articles are carried in:

IrishCentral

Energy independence-Politics & More

Carrollstandard.com

Tea Party Cheer

Tea Party Patriots

AMAC

Restoring Liberty