Bowing to the pressure, spineless Republican leaders...

Once again our elected Republicans in Congress have delivered the

"punch" as instructed by their opponents in and out of the media.

On this occasion the knockout blow comes with the removal of Iowa

representative Steve King who has been condemned for stating, 

“White nationalist, white supremacist, Western civilization — how 

did that language become offensive?” in an interview with the 

NY Times.

Apparently Rep. King went against the "holy grail" of the Left that

decides what can be said, then proceeds to denigrate anyone whose

remarks IT finds offensive.

Rep. King, who I met during a Washington rally organized by Black 

ministers on the impact on Black communities of illegal immigration, 

is anything but!  

At the rally King was joined by a few other Republicans, including 

Jeff Sessions and Ted Cruz.  At no time did I see Rep McCarthy, 

the GOP leader who took away King's committee seat, in attendance!

I called Rep. King's office to offer support but his mailbox was full, 

so I could not leave a message. I took this as an encouraging sign 

of support. His number is 202 225 4426 if you want to do likewise.

I also called Rep. McCarthy's office, stating my displeasure of his 

action  against a good, decent, representative like King. His number

is 202 225 2915.

Consider doing so yourselves....

Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/

Its not personal, its business..

Three headlines recently caught my attention......

 "Netflix drops satire episode critical of Saudi Arabia"

"Airbnb removes Israeli West Bank settlements listings"   

"Vatican signs historic deal with China, critics 
denounce sellout" 

What could they possibly have in common?

To begin,

"Netflix confirmed Tuesday it removed an episode of a satirical 
comedy show that criticizes Saudi Arabia, after officials in the 
kingdom complained." 

The full story can be found on this link, https://yhoo.it/2F0jYGW

As I read this I thought of the double standard often used by 
businesses, based on how far they will go to ensure they have 
access to markets around the world. And since we have been 
conditioned to this behavior I do not expect Netflix to be criticized 
for dropping any degree of "artistic integrity", to continue to be 
allowed access to the Saudi market.

Conversely "Airbnb" a vacation rental company, refuses to do
business in Israel, citing its disagreement with settlements being built, https://cnn.it/2TqDkJv

This is the upside down world where two different standards, each
based on what can best be described as a 'totalitarian' litmus test, 
exist.

Companies that have accepted China's strong arm tactics in order 
to sell products, are the same ones that fight against, even minor 
suggestions, made by our own government, to protect personal 
privacy and even national security!

Companies understand an unwritten "two standard" system found
in nations in the Middle East and Asia, that have a stranglehold 
on its people, different than found here in the United States and 
other Western democracies. 

We have seen time and again American companies give up whatever 
it takes to ensure they have access to markets around the world,
with the exception being in our country where most quickly 'defend' 
their resistance to even the simplest requests no matter the reason, 
using supposed rights protected in our Constitution.

Lastly, companies are not alone in such behavior. Even the Vatican
can be seen submitting to national requests as it did recently with
its recent "agreement" with China over appointment of bishops, by
allowing the government to have final say, something that would not
happen here.   Full story, https://bit.ly/2OMfkOP

These are the times we live in, call it globalism run a muck! 

Replies always welcome.

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A veto worth the cost.....

Mr. President, 

As the year nears its close, once again the failure of Congress to pass

a budget necessitates a short term spending bill to prevent a partial

shutdown a small percentage of our government.

Your opponents in and out of the media will focus and ridicule your
campaign promise to build a wall to protect our southern border as
the reason, rather than Congress which again fails to perform its most
important responsibility.

The Senate has sent a stopgap two month spending bill across to the
House without the money for the wall that will surely be passed, and 

attention will turn to your hand and "pen". 

The unanswered question, "Will you sign this bill?"  

I strongly suggest you do not.  Funding the wall may be getting attention,

but the failure of Congress is the reason for this annual budgetary 'drama'.

Your signature should not brake a campaign promise to protect national
security.  The fault falls squarely on where it belongs,  Congress. If it wants
this bill passed, they can do with an override of your veto.  

In closing, there are 62 million reasons, the people that voted for you and
 have not wavered since the day you were elected.
  

Don't sacrifice your principles to protect Congressional folly.

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2018 Mid-Term Election Recap....

 "It could have been worse!"

This is how I sum up this election, both here in North Carolina

and across the country.

Across the nation, Democrats took the majority in the US House, 

adding approx. thirty seats.  This should have not been a surprise 

on two accounts.

First, the failure of Republican leadership under both John Boehner 

and outgoing speaker Paul Ryan. Neither man did as promised, 

on time balanced budgets, not continuing resolutions, immigration
reform, reduce wasteful spending, lowering taxes, all that Trump

attempted to do, keeping "their" promises.

Apparently, President Trump "promises made, promises kept" 

do not mean much to either Boehner or Ryan. 

The second was the reversal of fortunes in states that Trump won, 

notably West Virginia, Michigan and Pennsylvania.  Give Democrats 

credit, they stepped up while state Republicans let Trump's successes

slip away.

For what its worth, the thirty-plus Democrat gain is about equal

to the 80% advantage the forty-five incumbent Republicans who 

are retiring would have had, a key factor in making these battles 

more competitive.

The Senate was another matter as Republicans even gained seats
that ensures this chamber will not be a 'rubber stamp' for whatever

comes from the House.

Holding the Senate ensures President Trump's next Supreme Court

nominee will get a fair confirmation hearing, unlike the one for Justice

Kavanaugh, which Democrats undermined. 

Under Mitch McConnell the Senate will be a firewall against 

Democrat legislation pushed in House bills.

Equally important, the Florida seat of incumbent Sen. Nelson was 

defeated by Rick Scott. And Texas seat was 'saved' as Cruz held.

Two important governorships were also won by Republicans,

Florida and Georgia, ensuring the South can counter Democrat
influence on the West Coast. 

Last observation, despite the numerous appearances at rallies, 

Trump's 'star power' was not enough to help many Republicans 

win their own elections. 

I am sure some in the Republican Party will look at our 'larger than
life' president and  filter through the media and elsewhere much of
the blame is his. Republican voters across the country know otherwise.

Republicans still have a big job ahead of them, having squandered
their recent success.

Here in North Carolina, Republicans kept majorities in both chambers
of our General Assembly, but they no longer have veto-proof control

over legislation. 

(Note: I think this is good, as I believe every governor should be in
partnership with the people's representatives)

Also, four of the six state amendments did pass, including voter-id,
victim's rights, and limit on state tax and right to hunt. This success
came in the face of a well-funded campaign to "defeat all amendments".

Wake County became deeper 'blue' as Democrats continue to control
most municipalities and the county. This will almost guarantee more
debt will be added and lead to the next increase in our property taxes.

Stay tuned and more importantly, stay involved.

Feedback always appreciated...

Feel free to enter in comments section below, or email, ajbruno14@gmail.com "Point of View" blog http://ajbruno14.blogspot.com/

A pox on political consultants..

The fortunes garnered under Republican leadership, nationally

and state wide,  should make the upcoming mid-term election 

an overwhelming success, not a razor thin margin that can go 

either way. Why is this so?

I believe it is due to those seeking elected office not modeling

campaign ads after Donald Trump who continually reminded

voters what he would do if elected and equally important, what

he has done in the past two years.

Yes, President Trump does use bombast to label those against

his policies, most often after he has been attacked. But, anyone 

who has followed his campaign rallies can probably repeat from

memory the achievements, unemployment down, jobs up, 

economy growing, etc.

So why do so many seeking political office rely on negative ads

to promote their candidacy?  

I fault political consultants, an 'establishment' group that gets

little attention but wield a lot of influence during election seasons.

Unfortunately, most consultants rely on the same playbook, 

offering voters negative messages against opponents rather

than pointing to their own successes.

We have been told for years that "negative ads work", but do 

we really know for sure since the majority of campaigns only 

produce negative ads.

Where is the "morning in America" ads that President Reagan

campaigned on in 1980?  Don't expect to find any among the

consultants advising most campaigns.

But, we do see it each time President Trump mentions 'make 

America great again'.  The thousands that attend his rallies

know exactly what he means, applaud and cheer the one

person that refuses to denigrate our nation while recognizing

the successes of American businesses and their workers.

Republican incumbents relying on negative ads against their

opponents rather than promote the successes of the party

have taken the positive 'oxygen' out of their campaigns.

Even the amount spent on consultants should be questioned

after the surprising victory of President Trump who spent very

 little while Jeb Bush led his other challengers spending over

$130 million, several stories were written  questioning the value

of  political consultants

Will this mid-term be a repeat of previous ones where majorities

get 'flipped'.  If it is the question needs to be asked, what value

do political consultants really have when majorities are so easily

defeated?

In less than a week we will know.......

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"Every Mother's Son"

"Every Mother's Son", forms an unbreakable bond, one the

'#MeToo' movement seeks to shatter when it finds a 'son' 

guilty solely on an accusation and a 'mother' brokenhearted 

watching his life destroyed and being unable to stop it.

Unfortunately, a troubling number of women with a righteous

contempt for those accused of sexual assault believe any man

is guilty even without learning the facts supporting the accusation.

They are frozen in their thinking, guilty must be the verdict!

To them, all accusations are credible, nor are they interested in

jurisprudence that allows accusations presented and adjudicated

under the law.  They find the process too slow, too 'messy' and

more importantly, too risky, as the results of "justice being served" 

might prove the alleged innocent.

This is the world  the '#MeToo' the movement wants to live in,
but it is also the world lived in before, during the  "Inquisition", 

started in 12th century France!

Every mother's son should not pay a price for something he did

 not do.

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Should Non-Profits be allowed to use "political intimidation"

Its my understanding that non-profit status is a privilege 

the IRS grants to organizations which meet criteria within 

the code. Within this code we find non-profits "must be 

organized and operated exclusively for "exempt purposes".

With more than 1.5 million non-profits its impossible for the 

IRS to properly oversee that only 'exempt purposes' occur, 

which opens the door for the privilege to be abused, even to 

the point of doing damage to individuals, businesses and 

even other non-profits.

Which brings me to the subject question... 

Should Non-Profits be allowed to used "political intimidation"? 

Intimidation can take many forms, but is easily recognized when 

the damage is inflicted. And, by any reasonable understanding 

'intimidation' would not fit into the category of an exempt purpose.

Recently this abuse of non-profit guidelines was seen at the

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Planned Parenthood,

two prominent non-profits, more political activist organizations

than non-partisan non-profits.

The Southern Poverty Law Center  (SPLC), doesn't even try to 

hide its desire to  intimidate.  It has shamelessly promoted its

list of "hate groups" which it actively publicizes and uses to 

destroy, through intimidation, as has done quite often and 

successfully for years.

The SPLC's intimidation campaign is now seeking to destroy the 

David Horowitz Freedom Center by contacting the two largest 

credit card services,  Mastercard and Visa, demanding they 

refuse to do business  with his Freedom Center, that would 

shut down its primary fund raising mechanism.  

The story: https://bit.ly/2OYUzPW

Most recently Planned Parenthood successfully got an Austin 

movie theater to not show the movie, "Gosnell", the true story 

of an abortion doctor now in jail.  The target is not a single

theater it is ANY theater that dares to show it.

 Story: https://bit.ly/2xNHmDt

Non-profit status was included it the original Revenue Act 

of  1913 for a purpose, but it was not to do harm through 

threats or intimidation. The laudable reasons for non-profits

seem to be forgotten when zealots run them.

Non-profit were meant to "further a social cause or advocate

a point of view", but not at the expense lawful enterprises or

individuals. 

It one thing to address issues but quite another to intimidate 

businesses  as these two non-profits and I am sure so many 

others are doing. Its time the IRS gets tough on these abuses. 

Regards,

Anthony Bruno