At about 2 minutes till 2 on Sunday, I looked down E. Third St. to check out the thundering hoard of Trick or Treaters about to descend on my house. Nothing! Then I listened for the hoard. Nothing! Then at about 2:15 they appeared three small kids and their mom. Well that’s good for a start. To make a long story short, the thundering hoard was in some other neighborhood, not on East Third! Part of the problem may have been that I made a sign that people had to READ telling them to go to the other door. Then like an idiot I put up another sign with an arrow pointing to the doorbell button.
On the eve of the midterm elections, a third-quarter GDP report showing a meager 2 percent growth rate is the final nail in the Obama Democrats’ political coffin.
The economic nails slowly have been hammered into that coffin all summer and fall. A spate of subpar economic statistics has shown the failure of the fiscal-stimulus spending program. And myriad tax and regulatory threats produced by new government policies have created a massive uncertainty overhang and a dismal jobs outlook. American businesses have gone on an investment-capital and hiring strike.
After next Tuesday’s election, Republicans will be the ultimate political power in the universe — or, at least, in the United States of America. That is, if GOP candidates perform anywhere near expectations and, indeed, capture even the slimmest majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
More powerful than the man who put the “O” in Obamania, the POTUS, the commander-in-chief with his finger on the nuclear trigger?
Well, yes. (Unless President Obama intends to aim missiles at the Congress. In which case, his popularity might improve.)
Sixty – plus or minus – excited supporters were on hand to greet the person they expect to be the next Speaker of the House… U.S. Congressman John Boehner.
They were looking for a positive, upbeat speech when Boehner arrived… and they weren’t disappointed.
Almost sixty-five years from the day that Gale E. Baker was honorably discharged from the U. S. Army, he was presented with the medals he had been awarded for his service during World War II. This memorable ceremonial occasion was the result of the efforts of his granddaughter Julain Jones and his great-granddaughter Jessica Jones.
Baker was taken prisoner in Germany in December of 1944, where he remained until his release in April 1945.
I am one of those species who will return to my nest after having an adventure of wherever life takes me. I will always be an American child despite the fact that I am a product of mixed race. I will also remain one of Darke County's daughters. I have this patriotic thing in my veins. However, I have a strong point of view as to what patriotism means to me.
When I was in elementary school, we had a student guest from overseas. This student wanted to go shopping for something to take back to her home country. Guess what? Did she buy something made in America? No, she spent hours, until our feet hurt walking, looking for a watch made from another country!
Over the years I’ve given former Pres. G.W. Bush a hard time over his Compassionate Conservatism. I understand why he coined it when he ran in 2000 but I believed then it would get him into trouble.
And it did. At least from my perspective. The Medicare Prescription Program and NCLB did little to help address the real problems yet cost the taxpayers a ton of money… at federal, state and local levels.
Susan Estrich is one of the more liberal columnists who often has something important to say, to both sides. In this copyrighted column, I believe she does just that…
The Final Days
A Commentary By Susan Estrich
Saturday, October 30, 2010
For half of the candidates on Tuesday's ballot, these are the days you remember.
If you win, you remember what comes next. But if you lose, you always second-guess what came before. You have years -- decades, even -- to Monday morning quarterback your campaign, to revisit what you should have thought, said or done, especially in the final days, when time almost stops and you campaign day and night and it seems (usually wrongly) like every decision you make is crucial.
Mostly, they aren't so crucial. Most races are "decided" even now. Polls don't vote, but they're usually right (especially when they show you losing). But if the races that really are still up for grabs have already dwindled, if the last-minute decisions mostly won't determine who wins or loses, for those who lose, these are the final minutes in the spotlight.
My best advice to candidates is very simple: Use them well. They may not determine whether you win or lose, but they will define you in the public eye. They will be the measure of your class. This is legacy time, whether that's what you were aiming for or not.
What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls
Showtime!
On Tuesday, America will elect a whole bunch of governors, a sizable part of the U.S. Senate and the entire House of Representatives. They do so at a time when most voters think it would be better to dump the entire Congress rather than to keep the crew that’s in there now. That’s not likely to happen, but there will probably be a change in control of the House even as the vast majority of incumbents get re-elected. But talk’s cheap in campaign seasons. This is what we know from our final week of surveys before Election Day.
As of Friday, the Rasmussen Reports Senate Election 2010 Balance of Power rankings project that Democrats will hold 48 Senate seats, while Republicans will get 45. Seven states – all now held by Democrats - are in the Toss-Up category (California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington, and West Virginia).
See the complete article at:
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/weekly_updates/what_they_told_us_reviewing_last_week_s_key_polls
I have not verified the specifics of the following, however I’ve done enough research to believe that if not 100 percent accurate, they present a reasonable picture of the last three years.
Budgets do not come from the White House. They come from Congress, and the party that controlled Congress since January 2007 is the Democrat Party. They controlled the budget process for FY 2008 and FY 2009, as well as FY 2010 and FY 2011. In that first year, they had to contend with George Bush, which caused them to compromise on spending, when Bush somewhat belatedly got tough on spending increases.
“Verity - the quality or state of being true or real; Balderdash – nonsense.”
Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Who’s your role model?
Verities & Balderdash
By Bob Robinson
I often complain about big government. I guess that’s kind of like my trademark. What people don’t usually remember is that I will complain about big business as well when I see examples of abuse or stupidity. I’ve also had a few royal battles with corporations who think they’re just as invulnerable as big government.
The following is almost identical to a former experience… believe it or not!
Be sure to cancel your credit cards before you die!
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Friday shows that 26% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-five percent (45%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -19 (see trends).
Overall, the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Balance of Power (Senate) summary shows Democrats likely to end up with 48 seats and Republicans with 45. Seven Senate races remain Toss-Ups (California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington, and West Virginia). Republicans need to win six of the seven Toss-Ups to win control. Currently, Republicans have a slight edge in five of the Toss-up states while Democrats have the edge in two.
For complete story...
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
Former President George W. Bush will speak during a Veterans Day tribute at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
The Nov. 11 event, to be held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, will coincide with the release of his memoir earlier in the week. During the event at the museum, Bush will honor all veterans, highlighting key points in his book that involve the U.S. military.
Democrats go trick-or-treating as Libertarians
WASHINGTON - In Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, and Maryland, Democrats have spent money on mailers and other printed items to inform voters about Libertarian candidates.
Libertarian Party (LP) Executive Director Wes Benedict said, "We're pleased to see Democrats spending their own money to promote Libertarian candidates. We hope Republicans will start doing the same thing soon."
$44,421 a year for part time work. That is the official salary for a sitting Darke County Commissioner. I was told it was $40K plus – in fact, I remember Terry Haworth commenting on it after I announced that I was running all those centuries ago – but I never checked it out.
In today’s world, with today’s issues and concerns, I can’t think of any position at the county level that would be part time. Especially not being one of three commissioners. If I discovered one thing during my year of campaigning, it was that these public servants are on call day and night, 24-7.
Note the new poll. Now that you have expressed your opinions of the most important quality in a candidate for Darke County Commissioner, please cast your vote for one of the three candidates.
Please note that you can only vote once… sorry, “vote early vote often” doesn’t work here.
The poll will stay up until the votes are counted Tuesday night.
Next week I’ll give you a breakdown of how you voted, what you considered the most important commissioner quality and how readers compared to the rest of the county.
Ohio Governor: Kasich (R) Keeps Narrow Lead Over Strickland (D)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Republican challenger John Kasich holds a slim lead over Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland in the closing days of the Ohio gubernatorial race.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Buckeye State shows Kasich with 48% support, while Strickland earns 44% of the vote. Three percent (3%) like some other candidate in the race, and four percent (4%) are undecided. The race remains a Toss-Up in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Gubernatorial Scorecard.
Two weeks ago, Kasich held a three-point lead, 48% to 45%, the closest the race has been since early August and Strickland’s best showing since May. This is now the sixth straight survey to show Kasich’s support between 47% and 50%. Strickland has picked up 39% to 45% of the vote in those same polls.
Left to right: Dave Niley, Democrat; Keith Smith, Independent; and Mike Stegall, Republican.
Forum brings out similarities, differences
Commissioner candidates goals for the office similar
By Bob Robinson
Three candidates for Darke County Commissioner – David Niley (D), Keith Smith (I), and Mike Stegall (R) – faced off Monday at the League of Women Voters Candidates Forum, clarifying their positions to Darke County voters.
Attendees discovered differences were minor, mainly in their approaches to the issues. Regarding the “hot” items, such as economic development, sales taxes increases and county ownership of Wagner Avenue, all three candidates were in agreement: yes, no and no.
A Prayer and the Pledge of Alligiance to our Flag started this meeting.
The DARKE T.E.A. PATRIOTS Signs are available for all of Darke County
“This section of the weekly report actually started during the first meeting of this group held on January 18, 2010. During that meeting, a common concern regarding the County Commissioner race, primary at that time, and the Attorney General race, included Dave Yost at that time, and the concensus that we should clearly identify who we as a group support. Well, that was almost nine months ago, the primary occurred May 4, but the discussion has remained the same, never-the-less.” Although the preceding was included in the last report, it was intentionally included in this report.
Key Club officers made their first appearance on WTGR's Community Ties program last week. They talked about the Key Club program and they way it's grown over the past few years. They also talked about upcoming events, including their Trick or Treat for FISH this Sunday and their Rake 'n Run on Nov. 7. Left to right: Kent Holmes, President; Prita Mehtal, Secretary; Angela Borgerding, Vice President; Mariah Reitz, Div. 3 Lt. Gov. Ohio District; and Alex Micas, Community Ties host.
This would typically be a V&B except 1) I try to stay away from political in my V&Bs and 2) as far as I’m concerned, it’s someone’s legitimate “opinion,” subject to the same treatment as mine, Pat Buchanan’s or anyone else’s. Let me know what you think.
A Different Slant On The Obama Presidency
One 82-year-old lady loves Obama and she may have a very good point. She says that Obama is amazing, and is rebuilding the American dream! She gives us an entirely new slant on the "amazing" job Obama is doing, and she says that she will thank God for the President. Keep reading for her additional comments and an explanation.
Dry Ice to be Manufactured from Ethanol Plant CO2 Supply Agreement Reached between The Andersons Marathon Ethanol and Continental Carbonic Products, Inc.
MAUMEE, Ohio - October 6, 2010 - The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC (TAME), a partnership between The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANDE) and Marathon Petroleum Company LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO), announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Continental Carbonic Products, Inc. for the supply of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the TAME plant in Greenville, Ohio. The agreement provides Continental Carbonic a critical input to build a new 50,000-square-foot dry ice manufacturing facility.
Community Leaders, land owners, and interested citizens to meet November 10, 2010 to explore benefits of potential wind projects
Union City - The Union City Community Economic Development Committee (UCCEDC) will be hosting a community gathering to discuss the issue of wind energy on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 7 PM at Mississinawa Valley High School. The event has been organized in response to the number of wind farms under development in the region and to discuss their potential impact on both Darke County, Ohio and Randolph County, Indiana. Food and drinks will be provided and the public is encouraged to attend.
I checked this out courtesy of a ‘heads up’ from a Tea Party member in California. See her email following this foxnews.com report.
Nevada Voters Complain Of Problems At Polls
Clark County Insists Election Fraud-Free
LAS VEGAS -- Some voters in Boulder City complained on Monday that their ballot had been cast before they went to the polls, raising questions about Clark County's electronic voting machines.
Voter Joyce Ferrara said when they went to vote for Republican Sharron Angle, her Democratic opponent, Sen. Harry Reid's name was already checked.
Think Obamacare handled our health care concerns? Not according to Connie Hair at humanevents.com…
Grim Diagnosis: 200 Days of Obamacare
by Connie Hair
10/26/2010
Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and John Barrasso (R-Wy.), the only two medical doctors serving in the United State Senate, have released a new report on the implementation of Obamacare at the 200 day mark.
Don't forget to check out the Mother of the Munchkins blog... link on the right side of this page!
No regrets
Mother of the Munchkins
Bethany J. Royer
As I stated in a previous column I’ve been on the hunt for an answer as to why I had yet another failed marriage. Why I was at this point in my life, so unplanned, but not entirely unexpected either. I wasn’t even sure of the question, there were too many things to speculate, worry over, and frown upon.
GOP Braces for 'Epidemic' ACORN-style Vote Fraud in Midterms
By: David A. Patten
Monday, 25 Oct 2010 12:20 PM
Like the mythological hydra that grew two heads for every one cut off, the controversial ACORN group has been reborn under a swarm of new names and poses an "epidemic" voter-fraud threat that could alter the outcome of midterm elections, GOP leaders warn.
David Norcross, chairman of the Republican National Lawyers Association, tells Newsmax.TV in an exclusive interview that the community-organizing group ACORN "absolutely" has re-emerged since it was disbanded in March following a rash of voter-fraud investigations.
"Some of the old ACORN groups are back at it again," Norcross tells Newsmax.TV. "They use quotas for registration. That encourages people to go out and sign up anybody, or nobody — just sign up addresses and things like that."
DAYTON — Despite a geographic advantage for Democrats, the state Republican Party believes its challenger, Bill Beagle, has a legitimate shot to defeat incumbent Fred Strahorn in the 5th District Ohio Senate race.
Strahorn, D-Dayton, was appointed to the seat last year after Democrat Tom Roberts was appointed by Gov. Ted Strickland to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission.
Term limits would have forbidden Roberts to run for re-election this year.
Strahorn spent eight years as the Ohio House 40th District’s representative before the appointment.
What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls
Saturday, October 23, 2010
What a difference four years make.
Just before the November 2006 midterm elections, 47% of Likely Voters hoped their vote would keep control of the U.S. Senate in the hands of the Democrats. Now, 51% say they'd like Republicans to be in charge of the Senate.
But then most voters think their representative in Congress does not deserve reelection if he or she voted for the national health care law, the auto bailouts or the $787-billion economic stimulus plan. All are considered among the major achievements of Democrats in the House and Senate since few Republicans voted for any of them.
COLUMBUS — Democratic incumbent Ted Strickland and Republican John Kasich are in a neck-and-neck scramble in the governor’s race heading into the final week of campaigning, according to a new Dayton Daily News/Ohio Newspaper poll.
Their support is roughly even among likely voters: Kasich, 49 percent; Strickland, 47 percent, with 5 percent undecided or backing another candidate.
“Verity - the quality or state of being true or real; Balderdash – nonsense.”
Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Two perspectives of faith
Verities & Balderdash
By Bob Robinson
This is what might happen when you little faith…
On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys named Freddie Lee and Steven Lynn filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.
'One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me' said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence.
A web site address was sent to me by a couple of my liberal friends. I’m not sure what the impetus was… my column about needing more Boehners or just an honest desire to show me the other side of the story.
Either way, I appreciated it and checked it out. There were nine stories on the home page. Following is a brief “out-take” from each. Just so I won’t be accused of pulling inflammatory comments out of context, I’ve included the site address at the end of this article. You can read each article in its entirety.
The fact-resistant faction… on Ronald Reagan:
Some of the worst crimes of the American Presidency were committed at the exact time that the aforementioned 1981 Inaugural Address was being given: the Hostages were being released in IRAN in exchange for arms to finance the Contras. Reagan destroyed the government and economy, created fear, crime and worse.
