A political showdown in the west Texas town of El Paso

Beto O'Rourk

Beto O'Rourke, wasn't an American household name before Tuesdays election, but today his name is creating quite a stir in political circles.  Beto pulled off a monumental upset of long term Texas Congressman, Silvestre Reyes, in the Democrat primary. He has now won the right to run as the Democrat candidate in this congressional district sitting on the border with Mexico.

El Paso, meaning "gateway to the north" was named by Spanish Conquistadors as they looked for a passage up into California.    The city has a rich history dating back hundreds of years with a heavy Spanish influence and had a reputation as a wild border town for years. .


During it's history, El Paso has been the scene of many shootouts, although today that is not a common occurrence.  But spent bullets and the sound of frequent gunfire do hit the town from it's sister city just across the Rio Grande, the violent Mexican city of Juarez.  Juarez is wracked by battles between rival drug cartels and the Mexican government, all vying for control of the strategically placed town and "gateway" to the rich market of America.

Beto O'Rourke has watched the violence increase across the border as the stakes get higher for the illegal drugs shipped into America.  He knows that if those drugs were somehow decriminalized and controlled in America, it would dry up the market and much of the violence would stop.   Beto has many other issues that are important to him, including the border and immigration reform,.

An El Paso native and city councilman, Beto was very aware of  issues facing his city and wasn't satisfied with how they were being represented in Washington. So he said it was time for change and decided to throw his hat in the ring and challenge 8 term incumbent,Congressman Silvestre Reyes.  But Reyes had the money, connections and a well oiled political machine behind him. He also had the backing of President Obama and former President Bill Clinton....So it was a courageous move for the young Beto O'Rourke to step in the ring with Congressman Reyes.

But the courage and determination of Beto O'Rourke didn't go unnoticed by an organization headed by another Irish American named Eric O'Keefe.  O'Keefe heads a powerful Political Action Committee called Campaign for Primary Accountability.  CPA has pledged to help America shed lifetime politicians who become more beholden to special interests in Washington than their own citizens.  Their goal is to  help new faces get into Congress.  CPA, is non partisan and will jump into any primary race no matter what the party. 
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Where Irish American Eric O'Keefe treads, incumbent politicians tremble

Ski masks, car bombs and executions, we have troubles on our border

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So when Eric O'Keefe  took notice of the political situation in this congressional district, he saw that with some help, political upstart Beto O'Rourke might be able to upset the status quo.  O'Keefe's organization jumped in with both feet and helped level the political playing field with 240K in funds to counter the incumbents financial firepower. 

Eric O'Keefe told me: " CPA communicated directly with voters about some of Reyes behavior that he would rather they overlook,including how his campaign and political connections bring direct financial benefits to his family members; and we also used direct voter contact to tell people that this primary election on May 30 was the only time they would have a real say in who would represent them in Congress.  We used social media advertising, email, phones, and even direct
voter contact with door-to-door communication."

O'Keefe went on: "We did all of that completely independently of the O'Rourke campaign. O'Rourke himself ran a solid campaign.   But as you know it is really tough going against an incumbent, and Reyes pulled out all the stops, including getting the endorsements of Bill Clinton and BHO."

So when the political gunsmoke cleared in this west Texas town of El Paso, Beto O'Rourke was standing tall as he defeated the seemingly invulnerable incumbent Reyes, by over 2,000 votes.  He now sees himself heading for the general election in a heavily Democrat district which will almost assuredly vote him into Congress.

Looks like there will be a new fresh face in Congress, thanks to a new  political guardian angel.  If Eric O'Keefe and his group of Patriots known as Campaign for Primary Accountability have their way, there will be crops of new faces in Washington DC.  I asked him if there was another race he had his eye on and his answer was:  "We have not locked onto anyone else yet... we are going state-by-state as we roll through the primary season."

Stay tuned for more upsets as the season rolls on.  As Charlie Mahtesian wrote recently in Politico "When Incumbents fall, you can usually find the Campaign for Primary Accountability’s fingerprints on the race"

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Will Governor Walker whip the left in Wisconsin recall?

Since 2010, Wisconsin has been ground zero in the battle for the political future of America. 

Wisconsin citizens found their backs against the wall after years of rule by the left.   Fed up with ever increasing entitlement spending, with debt burdens spiraling their tax bill out of control, in 2010 they voted for a new governor.  They also gave the new governor a majority in the legislature.  Together they worked to restore fiscal sanity by balancing the budget and taking back control from the unions who ruled the state.

Since 2010, Democrats and their allies in the unions poured everything they had to cripple the legislative process.  They  occupied the streets of Madison with 100,000 protesters and jammed the capitol building with mobs nearly making it impossible to conduct legislation.  In spite of these roadblocks, legislation was passed bringing change to Wisconsin, that had not been seen in years
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Tea Party is changing America without soiling a cop car, or occupying a city

Thousands fill the streets. Is Greece in Wisconsin?

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Undeterred, the left started an all out campaign to harass and intimidate legislators who dared carry out the will of the voters and tried to recall many of them.  But when the smoke cleared, their recall plan fell short and all they had to show for their efforts was a huge financial loss for themselves,  as well as the state of Wisconsin.

But the final drama has yet to be played out, as the left targets Governor Walker for  recall set for June 5. 

In only the 3rd time in our nations history, a sitting governor has been the focus of a recall election.  Millions of dollars in union and democrat funds have zeroed in on the Governor to throw him out of office.  Thousands of out of state workers have been brought in by democrat supporters to gather signatures and register new voters. 

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz said: "The Wisconsin recall race is a "dry run" for November."

But flying in the face of that statement, unions and Wisconsin Democrats have recently criticized the national democrat party for not stepping in more and helping out.  Then Ms. Schultz seemed to temper her statement and hedging her bets by saying:  "Wisconsin isn't such a big deal; no major repercussions if Democrats lose." 

For not being such a "big deal" record amounts of time and money have been poured into this state to effect the outcome of this election.  The Democrat National Chairman saying she is contemplating defeat in this recall, is a huge admission.

Polls in Wisconsin are proving that voters still like the Governor and he seems to be gathering steam, especially after a brilliant showing in a debate against his Democrat challenger last week. Additionally the Tea Party has been actively involved in Wisconsin, giving governor Walker a huge boosts.

If Governor Walker triumphs in this recall, he has survived everything national unions and the left can throw at him.  Contrary to Ms. Schultz saying there will be no "major repercussions for Democrats, political experts say a loss for Democrats in Wisconsin will be disastrous for them.  It will embolden Governors and legislators in other states to enact the same kind of changes seen in Wisconsin and gives the right momentum as the November elections loom.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Mitt Romney's school voucher push should headline suspended North Carolina teacher

The recent case of a North Carolina high school student berated by his teacher for daring to question her pro Obama rants, has opened a window into the public school classrooms of America.

For months the student had listened to the teacher during "open discussions" rant on about President Obama's virtues among other topics and would not tolerate any dissent.  It was basically a one way conversation and not an open discussion if you disagreed with her political beliefs.

Tonya Dixon-Neely, a teacher at North Rowan High School in North Carolina, caught on video scolding a student for speaking negatively about President Obama, has now been suspended, of course with pay....In the private sector this is called paid vacation.

Here's an excerpt from the exchange:

Teacher: “Let me tell you something now about me. As a teacher, I’m not supposed to allow you to disrespect the President of the United States. ”

Student: "I’m not.  I didn’t disrespect him, I was just asking a question.”

Teacher:  “You are. You do, you always do.”

Student “I have, I have different beliefs.”

Teacher:  “You can have a different belief, but you will not disrespect him in here.”

The teacher went on to say that when George Bush was President, people were arrested for saying bad things about him, saying, “You are not supposed to slander the President.
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Listen to teachers recorded outburst and interview of  the student and his mother on Fox and Friends

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In this teachers world it is slander to question the President of the United States.... And she is responsible for teaching hundreds of young minds?.  Will this "teacher" be kept on the payroll due to union rules that make it nearly impossible to get rid of incompetents in the system?

This teacher knows absolutely nothing about civics.

But the real question is, where did this teacher get her PC education to be able to assault our children with these false beliefs?  Sadly, for the most part,  parents have little choice where they can send their children for an education if they can't afford a private school..


The public education system has broken down into a broken record.  You can see the end product in the Occupy movement,  mostly young people who feel cheated because life isn't giving them what they had been promised after receiving their "education".  Of course if they would have received an education, heavy in mathematics, science, engineering, or medicine, there would be recruiters banging on their doors to offer them jobs.

The public school industry, dominated by public sector unions whose leaders have stated on the record their main goal is power.  Their default message is? More money. This message is starting to ring hollow and parents are voting with their feet when given the opportunity,  by sending their children to newly established charter schools and alternative education institutions.  These alternatives in public education, not fettered with the same constraints and bureaucracy that regular public schools have, are flooded with applicants and have huge waiting lists.

This hunger by parents to escape the mediocrity of the public education industry has not gone unnoticed in political circles and there is a movement afoot to offer help to desperate parents who want a real education for their children.

Mitt Romney has come out boldly in favor of school choice.  The simple answer to this is to offer parents vouchers for the same amount of money which is given schools per pupil.  These vouchers can be taken to a school of their choice, public or private,  that will pay for their children's education. 

This is a win win situation for our nations future and our children.  It opens up the education industry to competition, something unheard of these days. If schools want students, then they must offer a good product or go by the wayside....because the newly opened school down the street will.  Good teachers will be kept, excellent teachers will be rewarded and cherished. Teachers like Tonya-Dison Neely will be fired.

Instead of hi tech/science/engineering and medicine begging to import foreign workers because there are not enough qualified applicants being produced by our schools...foreign countries will be recruiting students from our schools to fill their workforces.

School vouchers, school choice....The time has come for our country to move forward with this.  But it will take courageous leaders to bring these changes about.  It can start by electing a President who is willing to take the steps necessary to implement this monumental leap.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Will Greece print the drachma? Will California soon follow and print the cali?

Will Greece start printing the drachma?

With the unfolding economic crisis hitting the EU,  speculation is running rampant that Greece will not adopt the austerity measures it's partners are demanding in order to get bailed out.

Greece has been the economic poster child for run away socialist entitlement spending that has cratered it's economy.  Even the hint of trying to rein in the out of control spending driving it into an economic death spiral,  brings thousands into the streets in violent protests.

Being a sovereign country the Greeks can drop the euro and go back to printing their own currency.  Rumor has it, the drachma  (Greek currency)  printing presses mothballed for years,  are getting serviced and ready to start printing again.  Of course what will the drachma value be worth on the world market?
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Now President Obama tells Greece to eat their peas


California: The canary in the mineshaft

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 California is in a similar situation to Greece.  Facing a 16 billion dollar budget deficit this year alone, California is also buckling under long term debt and obligations of hundreds of billions of dollars . Top heavy in unsustainable entitlements, social programs and public employee unions who pretty much hold sway over whatever gets done in the capital, California's golden state status, has been downgraded to a nickle alloy.

If California's Governor's new tax schemes don't get approval from the voters and quite possibly even if they do, California is facing an economic calamity that could  push it into bankruptcy.  Many of it's cities have followed the states economic path of irresponsible labor contracts and run away spending finding themselves teetering on fiscal insolvency.

It wasn't long ago when California found itself out of cash and resorted to printed IOU's in lieu of paying their bills. An IOU is just another word for a promissory note, which is currency.

Will California follow Greece's lead and print their own currency? Why not, they have so much in common.  A Mediterranean climate, generous social welfare programs and run away spending.

The new currency's name should have a California flair to it, so it should be named the cali.

Since they are environmentally conscious, the printing presses (manufactured in China) will be powered only by solar and wind.  

The new cali of course, would be printed on 100% recycled paper.   The ink used to print the new rainbow colored cali, will be of the highest quality and environmentally sensitive soy ink.

The bills of various denominations, would have pictures of great names in California's history...Perhaps the ones who steered California to the financial precipice it now finds itself on? There is a long list of potential candidates.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Obama's energy policy pushing America back to the future

Americas reliable energy resources are being attacked on all levels.  When was the last time a nuclear power plant was built in America?  Even hydro electric dams are under assault & being torn down in the name of environmentalism.  Energy Secretary Steven Chu said he would like to see our gasoline prices the same as Europeans.  Of course  environmentalists on the left have been waging war on coal, oil and gas for years.

This mindset couldn't have been any more apparent when I was attacked for writing a column about governments "war on coal".

An environmentalist had his simplistic answer to my column on the war on coal. He just claimed that "coal kills" and people needed to revert to a simpler lifestyle,  use less energy and make that energy "green".  He bragged how he used wood to heat his home, along with wind and solar.  He tried to stay "off the grid" as much as possible, in the rural lifestyle he enjoys.  Of course on further questioning, he did admit to the use of "auxiliary power" in order to supplement his off the grid lifestyle for cooking and refrigeration.

He suggested people move out of cities to get closer to nature and live off the grid.  It was certainly interesting listening to him with his simple answer to stave off the pending "climate crisis" and save the world....All of the simple answers without thinking about the consequences to society.  In Washington,  that same mindset of government planners who know what's best for us is on vivid display. They are not afraid to let reason stand in the way of their Utopian plan.  Their plan will, like in the movie, take us "back to the future"

For the millions of people who don't have access to firewood, or govt subsidized solar, or wind systems to supplement their power needs, there is still the need for plentiful cheap power.

The world has seen other Utopian dreamers in the past.  China's Premiere, Mao, ordered his "great leap forward" to modernize China.  Reports are that over 60 million people died of exposure and starvation in 4 years. 

Americas engine of prosperity is powered by cheap and nowadays relatively clean energy, this is the backbone of American might. We are still a great manufacturing country in spite of  inroads by other countries.  But our new high tech information age, is requiring the use of even more power.

Companies such as Google and Apple use the power equivalent of small cities in order to keep their data centers providing vast amounts of information.  Many of these power hungry companies, although waving the "green banner,"  are quietly moving their data centers,  to other states that have lower cost electricity powered by coal.

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We have already seen a great migration of American companies to foreign shores, due to lower labor costs, less taxation and far less regulation.  How long will it be before the next impetus for Corporations to leave our shores is due to high energy prices? President Obama already said his policies would necessarily make our utility prices skyrocket?  I believe he was telling the truth

I asked Janet Gellici,  the CEO of the American Coal Council, to give me an idea of  the assault her sector of energy producers was under by the Obama administration:

She said "The Obama Administration’s intent has been to increase the cost of coal in an attempt to level the playing field for more expensive energy resources, i.e., renewables.  They have been doing this primarily through excessive regulation of coal utilities and coal producers ~ in the process of attempting to bankrupt the coal industry, he’s contributing to the economic demise of our country".

The bulk of our electrical energy production is from coal and natural gas, with nuclear and hydro electric farther down the line.  "Renewables" such as wind and solar, provide a tiny fraction of Americas energy needs in spite of billions thrown at them by the social engineers in Washington DC.

The free market has a way of determining winners and losers, in spite of government meddling.  Let the energy industry compete to determine what the cheapest & cleanest source of energy will be. Due to private sector technological advances, we have abundance of natural gas.  We also have an abundance of cheap coal reserves that can fulfill our energy needs for hundreds of years.

Innovations in the clean burning of gas, coal and oil have made remarkable advances in recent years, to the point that when you look at a modern coal fired power plant, it is hard to tell whether it is on or not.  Let's use our ingenuity to find even cleaner and more efficient ways to use our energy natural resources.  Lets encourage these industries instead of punish them.  After all,  if our energy prices "necessarily skyrocket" many of us might be forced to "live off the grid." and we all might end up "back to the future."


The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

The "war on women" backfires on Democrats, but media silent

New polls show there has been an eight point shift in Mitt Romney s favor ability with women.  Previously President Obama had the momentum with women scoring 49-43% over GOP challenger Mitt Romney. But there has been a tremendous swing towards Romney showing he is ahead in this key demographic, being favored 48-46%, over President Obama.

The months of portraying Republicans as "waging a war on women" by keeping them, metaphorically and literally, barefoot and pregnant, has backfired on Democrat strategists.  Todays polls show their "chickens are coming home to roost."

The reason their scheme has failed?  Because there is no war on women, real or imaginary by the GOP, or Mitt Romney.

No matter how many Sandra Flukes, get set up to testify how unjust life is because they might have to pay something for their birth control pills.  Or how many imaginary "Julias" are portrayed by the Obama re-election committee showing how, through state planning, they are cradle to grave government dependents......There are millions of women who deny these ploys and see where the real war is these days.

The real war on women is a failing economy under policies by the present administration. This administration who thinks more government is the answer to any problem. 
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 Women are welcome to the highest level of achievement by the GOP,  there are no glass ceilings to stop them from achieving any goal they may want. Women are looking at Mitt Romney s success as a businessman, Governor, humanitarian and architect of a hugely successful Olympic Game and see that his leadership could turn the economy around.

You would think this important seismic shift in public opinion would gain headlines with the main stream media, but there is barely a mention of it.  After months of aiding and abetting the Obama re-election campaign by hyping the "war on women," Obama and the mainstream media have little to show for their efforts.

The facts is, the economy and the deficit are of main concern to Americans and that is where their focus is, no matter how many sideline issues, or shiny objects are thrown out by the Democrats.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com

Tea Party is changing America without soiling a cop car, or occupying a city

The Tea Party surfaces and flexes its political muscle at election time.  The Tea Party has galvanized Americans into action without occupying one city or breaking one merchants window...They're working within the system to affect change where it matters, at the political level.

Tuesdays elections were a wake up call for the political establishment in America. Even more so for the main stream media who were busy trying to bury the Tea Party with stories of them becoming  irrelevant. But while they focused their attention on our cities under assault by the "Occupy Movement", the Tea Party was busy organizing it's forces and preparing for elections.

Other groups of citizens, alarmed at the course the left has set the country on, have paid attention to the Tea party message of smaller government, balanced budget and taking a hard look at long term incumbent politicians who go along to get along.
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Where Irish American  Eric O'Keefe treads, incumbent politicians tremble

Power to the people! The Tea Party can't be bought

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In Wisconsin the Tea Party and other citizen groups have battled back against outside union forces who poured millions into a campaign to remove the sitting Governor, Scott Walker.  Tuesdays primary elections saw record turnouts of voters who went to the polls to show their solidarity and support,for the Governor, even though it was not necessary for them to vote.  The Governor got more votes than his two Democrat opponents combined.  He is now up by 5% in the polls,  with the main recall election against him less than a month away.

In Indiana the Tea Party and affiliated organizations, flexed their political muscle again when their candidate unseated long time incumbent Republican Senator Dick Lugar, who was gunning for a 6th term.  Democrats expressed shock at Lugars loss, describing him as a "reasonable" and experienced Senator.  Tea Party members and many Republicans said he was an out of touch incumbent who had been in office too long and called him a Rino (Republican in name only).

Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Lugar's loss "a tragedy for the Senate." Conservatives and Tea Party members say John Kerrys comments vindicate Indianas result, since Kerry is the epitome of big govt and failed govt programs.

In the meantime in North Carolina, the Democrats might be ruing the day they chose that state to hold their Presidential Convention, where the Tea Party has been organizing and consolidating.  It might not be the friendly Democrat state that was thought.  Tuesday citizens flocked overwhelmingly to vote for Mitt Romney and to amend their state constitution to outlaw gay marriage and defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

After Obama and the Democrats 3 year war on energy, the citizens of West Virginia went to the polls in the Democrat primary, where only President Obama and a Texas prison inmate were on the ballot.  The prison inmate garnered 42% of the Democrat vote.  When their Senator was asked if he voted for President Obama in the primary, he wouldn't answer the question.  Senator Manchin is a Democrat.

Even when their candidates don't win, the Tea Party makes a mark and sets the tone.  In Utah they have targeted long term Republican Senator Orrin Hatch.  He was able to beat back their challenger, but only by becoming more in line with the Tea Partys principles.

The Tea Party is not dormant,  it is very active and looking to get even more engaged in the upcoming political process.   It spurred monumental change to the political landscape in the 2010 elections and it is cranking up to do the same in the 2012 elections.  They will accomplish this change by being respectful to their fellow citizens.

The most unique gifts: Time capsules in American and world history: lifemagforsale.com

For other points of view visit Carroll Standard: carrollstandard.com