"Our Establishment Government"

As relevant now as it was on Oct. 8, 2013

You may have thought when you selected a political party to join it would be

one that best represented your views on governance. I know I did!

However, if you take the time to evaluate the behavior and performance of 

party leaders you may be disappointed. I know I was!

I have found political parties have more in common than what they disagree 

about. Single issues may distinguish them from each other, but the mechanism 

and centralization of governance makes them indistinguishable.

Such a realization places the citizens in a quandary, what should they do?

Democrats aren't as troubled as Republicans are. They view the expanse of 

government with new legislation and regulations as a positive, not restrictive

as most Republicans do.

But, if you are a Republican you may feel unrepresented as the people you 

elected also support the growth of government at the expense of principles

the party states it stands for.

I have yet to see the Republican Party seriously attempt to reign in any 

Federal agency in the thirty-odd years it controlled the White House. Nor, 

has a GOP controlled Congress ever reduced funding of any agency.

The message is clear, we do not have two political parties, merely two 

branches of an American establishment.

But, this is not only true of the US government, it is equally clear at the

state and local levels as well. 

Each state administers education and health programs as Congress directs 

them. No matter which party leads, both do what is required to ensure they

are in compliance with the Federal agencies that use funding and regulations 

to keep states in line, ignoring that each state was created as sovereign 

NOT subservient!

Yet, even to elected officials at the state level the word "sovereign" has no 

meaning. It has been replaced with another word, "compliance" for this will 

ensures Federal dollars  continue to flow to states which bow at the alter 

of Federal authority.

And worse, even members of Congress do not fight for the states they claim 

to represent as they too prefer Federal control rather than state control.

Let's not forget municipal governing bodies. Although most citizens rarely

take the time to learn what is occurring so close to their doorstep, they 

need to understand town councils wield a large amount of power too, often 

voting in concert, although split politically.

In cities and towns across the country, no matter which party is in control, 

whether they are thriving or barely getting by, all defer to Washington and 

do what is necessary to gain Federal dollars.

This can be seen in projects approved and how they are funded. Even for 

projects the public does not want local governing bodies approve them, 

driven by self-interests.

The evidence can be seen throughout our country; local municipal councils 

support the desires of businesses which fund their campaigns and compliance 

with Federal standards to receive Federal dollars.

No matter if its a new school or development, both will get approved, whether 

needed or not.  It is rare when such projects are rejected as the justification 

is usually "solid"; growth demands a new school, and another mall.

This is what we have become, an audience being entertained by political theater.

Tune in any night, listen to what these well rehearsed  "actors" (elected officials) 

have to say.

Notice how quickly our representatives have a solution no matter the complexity 

of the problem. They immediately know what is best, offering a neatly wrapped 

package of more government control and funded with more taxpayer money.

But, the performance of these actors will wear thin as the cost gets heavier with

each law passed, regulation applied, bond referendum approved and commercial

development built.

At some point we will be unable to sustain the wasteful "lifestyle" of the people 

we elect. The day is near, when the clock will strike twelve and the "Establishment

Party" 's party will be over!

This is what happens when a nation founded without political parties refused to

heed the warning of Washington and Madison, and let self-interests create two

distinct bodies and allowed them to morph into one, which deliberately isolates 

itself from the American people.

There was a time when I believed conservatives could become a force in the 

Republican Party but I doubt it now. 

My view has changed for its current leadership has failed conservatism. And any 

claim this is not true is made by someone in denial.

Our original pray God Bless America was answered, perhaps its time He helps America.

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A Warning Worth Heeding, more than 220 years later!

"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit

of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages & countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. 

But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders & miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security & repose in the absolute power of an Individual: and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty." 

 George Washington, September 19, 1796

George Washington said this six months before leaving office.  What he had observed troubled him, as he saw in America's future what most of us do not see in our present, 

the total disintegration of individual self-governing!

It may be more than odd that only the Washington Monument excludes a resemblance 

of George Washington.  Imagine if instead there was a statue of Washington's likeness peering down towards the Capitol to 'see' what he warned the nation of, not two chambers working in concert for the American people, but two parties working in conjunction to retain their power.

The American people have endured, even as the vitality of our nation slowly dies, leaving more than 300 million American solely dependent on a few hundred people who have amassed ultimate power over every part of our lives either directly with laws and regulations, or stealthy through the "conditioning" of American minds!

Our nation may survive, but not as it was intended to be. No, our corrupted governance has assured us it will never again rise to the heights our Founders envisioned!  We have swayed so far off the exact course painstaking developed we will never right our course until we have hit rock bottom where hopelessness triumphs over hollow acclamations that America remains the paragon of great governance.

There will be a time when the American people will get a peek behind the curtain and see the true intentions of those who govern.  They will see what they have never been told, that fraud, deceit, contempt and corruption are the tools of the political trade.  They will understand all the finger pointing is meant to delay actually doing something to address our nation's ills. For to heal our nation would mean to restore the power of governance to the American people.

Unfortunately, no one knows when this time will come, or the state of our nation when it does.

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The failure to raise all boats!

As I drive around Wake County and its neighboring counties I see

the growth thanks to an improving economy and a location which
appears to have endless opportunities and numerous amenities!

But, I also see beyond Wake county's horizon where the prospects
are not much better than a decade earlier.  

These communities have not "kept up", with income, better skilled workforce, or business opportunities. There seems to be little prospect of  these poorer, mostly rural counties to join the ones

thriving as they are in our most desirous state. 

I'm sure what I see is not limited to NC. Across the country the 

same "recipe" is being applied, developers targeting prime areas 

and ignoring most others.

States are aware of the problem, but unwittingly are doing exactly
what has created this problem, an economic divide. Among our 100
counties, the only a small percentage are doing well, while the majority continue to struggle.

To combat this problem politicians offer manufactured govt.
solutions which rarely work for the long term in poorer counties.

Struggling counties use incentives to make them more appealing
based on the belief  this will  entice developers. Unfortunately,
any such enticements are rarely worth the cost as developers 

need to see near term benefit or they will abandon these areas.

No matter how many incentives are offered, demand to live and
work in the counties with the greatest opportunities will remain. 

Developers will continue to squeeze in as many businesses and
homes as they are allowed.  And, judging by the permits approved,
the "traffic signal" to control development is stuck on green!

Consider Cary, a town of 150,000, now 125,000 more than when
I moved here twenty-five years ago.  The projection is to grow to
200,000 within 3-4 years!  Yet, town govt. seems little concerned
beyond adding staff to provide services!

While Cary and other towns focus on their responsibilities to keep

tax rates low by allowing excessive growth they are also sucking
the "oxygen" from so many towns on life support!

Wake, Durham and Chatham counties would be wise to limit further

development and prioritize amenities for current residents.  There is
little need to build more schools for "growth". With a moratorium on development  counties can focus and invest to improve education for
150,000 students rather than spend money to build new schools for the next 50,000!

This is a very hard sell. Developers have no incentive to build in area where they will not  maximize their investment.

But, counties "incentives" must be for more than greater revenue, its about the quality of life for all North Carolinians, not only those who reside in the high demand regions.

The evidence is clear.  Cary today would be unrecognizable to residents living here twenty five years ago while hundreds of small towns across the state look today as they did then.

Town officials in prosperous communities agree development should continue as it has been the past fifty never.  But, they must recognize what they do locally hurts countless communities across the state.

To aid small communities will take more than targeted tax breaks and incentives. It will take a cooperative effort of rich and poor counties to ensure development in prosperous communities don't hurt poorer ones.  

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Congratulations! You've been accepted to.......

Receiving an acceptance letter from a university
is a highlight for every graduating senior and
a proud moment for parents.

Unfortunately, most parents and students have no
idea of the climate at many universities across
the country, its never mentioned in promotional
literature.


Universities describe the outstanding programs
to prepare students for careers of their choice,
and provide a wide range of offerings that allows
them to broaden their horizons beyond the rigors
of career preparation.

Every aspect of university living is described,
albeit one, the 'cultural climate' , often an
inhibiting factor students and parents have the
right to know about, but never do, until they
arrive on campus.

This is not about ideological education which
parents have learned to accept, the price they
are willing to pay so their children will get
a diploma that open doors throughout their lives.

This concern should go much deeper, it borders
on anarchy, shutting down schools unless they
comply with demands.

Its time questions need to be raised.

Shouldn't universities be required to provide
applicants information on what occurs on campus
beyond the boundaries of education?

Shouldn't students learn that some have free
speech while others are muzzled?

Parents who pay tens of thousands of dollars in
tuition have the right know of the protests and
sit-ins by students meant to disrupt their child's
education until contrived demands are met,

What was once a rare occurrence has become routine
at universities large and small whether they are
highly acclaimed or run of the mill.


Such protests are not spontaneous, there is a
commonality. The same issues raised at Dartmouth
were also voiced in Univ. of Minn. Spontaneity is
the last word to describe what is going on!

The concern needs to go beyond the demands of
protesting students, it should also apply to the
"adults", the ones who produce appealing college
literature and cash the tuition checks!

Rather than clearly defining the boundaries of
behavior and defend administration policies most
university presidents admit fault for whatever
criticism protesters have, apologize and, in the
case of the University of Missouri, resign!

So much seems to be unraveling at institutions
around us, much we ignore. But when the toxicity
touches our children directly we must protest too!

Its also time university presidents display backbones.


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Non-Profits putting its "thumb" on the scale of American governance.

Not much thought is given to the subject of non-profits, but the public

needs to understand the power this "industry" has.

In good times or bad the American people have always given generously 

to charities. This abundance of giving has also "given" birth to an 

entire industry, tax exempt non-profits!

Federal and state tax laws allow exemption for qualifying organizations, 

resulting in more than 1,500,000 non profits ranging from education,

environment, health care and even sports! 

Every group committed to advancing its cause organize as a non-profit

to receive favorable treatment by the government. This is troubling 

since the largest non-profits use its considerable "muscle" to wield

political power!

Most well known are the Red Cross, National Rifle Assoc. and Planned 

Parenthood. Less known are the National Football League, Harvard 

University, United Auto Workers the PGA and US Chambers of Commerce,

they also reside in the safe tax haven non-profit status provides.

But, having tax exempt status is not enough for these already well-

healed organizations. 

However, they want more, in the form of political clout which is why
most have offices in Washington, DC, in the shadow of Congress, making
it convenient to visit legislators who will do their bidding for more
favorable treatment  which provides a tremendous edge that individuals
will never have.

The only true access for citizens occurs on the 2nd Tuesday of November,
Election Day!

Most may not view this as a concern since they believe non-profits are

self-less, doing what govt does not or will not do!

Its easy to defend the good work of the Red Cross, Catholic  Charities
and many hospitals. But when we view the non-profit "industry" as the
behemoth it actually is, totaling more than $1 trillion, we should be
concerned.

Lastly, is problem which reared its disturbing head recently when we 

learned some organizations were refused non-profit status based on 

political decisions rather than failure to meet qualifications.

Upon investigation the refusal was a pattern found at the IRS, which 

determines eligibility. This being true puts our nation in perilous 

political waters!

What can be done to end the abuse of power and the corruptibility which 

comes with influence? 

"Means test" may be a partial solution. Eligibility for non-profit
status should be set by size. Let the 'big fish' swim on their own.

Continue to allow tax exempt status to the thousands of small
organization spread across our nation, but end the financial benefit
for major non-profits who use their financial muscle to influence
Congress. Let them use their influence once a year, as we do, on
Election Day!

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A migrant does not a "refugee" make!!!!

Whether people are for or against the migration of Syrians to the US,

most label these migrants as "refugees". I contend this is incorrect. 

Refugees do not normally seek asylum as these Syrians want to do. I can 

think of no group who 'select' where they want to go, preferring to go 

thousands of miles away from the most suitable alternative homeland,

nearby nations where language, religion and custom are more fitting. 

Something is odd about this and should not warrant  the  "crisis" label.

Nor, its suspect that only now the 'crisis' is occurring even though the 

Syrian civil war/uprising is more than three years old. Why now, and why

at this point in time is transportation at the ready to provide passage 

from the Arab world to Europe and beyond? This too is not what I would

label a "crisis".

Its also suspect Arab states have refused to do what Europe and the US is 

offering, accept these Syrians. Apparently, these states don't view this 

as the humanitarian crisis as Europe and the US insists it is.

These are points which need to be understood, for once they are, we will 

see exactly what this is, a manufactured crisis  to accommodate hundreds 

of thousands of Syrians who have no desire to remain in Syria and an Arab 

world which refuses to welcome them. 

 

And for those who attempt to throw a "guilt trip" on anyone who says the 

Syrians should not come here; rather them impugn us, appreciate the reasons 

for our position.  This is the farthest from a 'guilt trip' any American can

have, as our country has done more in the name of humanity than all other

nations, including the largest, China! 

No country has taken in as many immigrants as we have.  Illegals now residing

in the US tally up to anywhere between 10 and 20 million. Haven't the American

people done enough? This is not said to self-congratulate ourselves, merely an acknowledgement what we have done.

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Scalia's Voice of Reason needs to be Heeded!

Justice Antonin Scalia is no stranger to public criticism for remarks that make those in some quarters uncomfortable. 

Most recently he came under fire for daring to bring to light a problem in higher education universities are reluctant to seek an answer to, why a high percentage of Black students fail at the university level. 

As is Scalia style, he goes right to the heart of the problem, when he suggests African American students might fare better in a "slower-track school" rather than more competitive colleges.

Scalia's remark came when the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case about race-based admissions, on practices at the University of Texas. He questioned whether some minority students are hurt by the policy because it helped them gain admittance to schools where they might not be able to academically compete.

"There are those who contend that it does not benefit African Americans to get them into the University of Texas where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less-advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well," Scalia said referencing an amicus brief.

Civil rights lawyers and critics naturally jumped on Scalia as he touched upon something the university system purposefully does not have, equal admittance standards for all applicants! 

Such shortsighted "best intentions" have given birth to an educational calamity for Black students, with statistics  showing a high percentage of them perform poorly.

"Right sizing" all, not just Blacks, students needs to drive the admission process.  Relaxing the standards for any applicant, whether he is a minority or a child of privilege, does neither the student or university any good.

Scalia's point is cemented by the higher percentage of Blacks who drop out.  He doesn't point blame as civil rights attorneys want us to believe.  

But, there is blame, and falls on poor performing schools providing inferior K-12 education.  This has created problems universities must wrestle with, relaxed standards, remedial education, and less than the best instruction.

Universities should be concerned about the failure of any group struggling through the college experience, but rather than attack the "messenger" let's understand the "message" and take positive action!

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