Ronald Reagan – Page 4

Friday night videos – episode 57

The things I have sent to me…oh boy.

Of course, a sore subject on our side is President Obama’s State of the Union address, to which Renee Giachino of the Center for Individual Freedom responds.“Tired and disproven ideas.” Got that right. By the way, the owner of that building needs a handrail on that stair in the background.

But maybe the President was trying for one of these, great moments in liberal history.Let’s hope that works right or it’ll be a bad moment in monoblogue history.

Americans for Limited Government pays homage to Ronald Reagan by pointing out “taxes should hurt.”

Yes, he would have been 100 years old Sunday.

Since it was Groundhog Day earlier this week, the people at the Sunlight Foundation found it the ideal time to seek lobbying reform.

My idea of lobbying reform: get the money out of Washington through lower taxes! See how I tied those together?

The next video deserves a warning label for graphic violence, definitely NSFW. This is the punishment Islam metes out for adultery?

Since this is from Afghanistan, I would hope this is representative of the Taliban enemy and not our allies there – otherwise, there’s little point in staying.

I’d prefer a little more cheer in a war zone, and this video reminds us that making our soldiers laugh is important for morale.

To finish, here’s one from someone more representative of tolerance. Recorded at the Refuge, here’s Not My Own with “Giver Take.”

Until next time…

Friday night videos – episode 41

It’s back to the political for this edition of FNV, and I have plenty to choose from since I took the extra week.

You know, Americans aren’t happy with their government and its spending. So says the Senate Republicans.

Nice of them to use some video from my old hometown – the part about Senator Voinovich was taken from WNWO-TV, the NBC affiliate in Toledo.

As a matter of fact I find this next video pretty funny. The vain stumbling in search of a thought is the best part.

Sure Bob Ehrlich put it out, but when you’re caught you’re caught.

Even more funny is this spot for a phony product. Fortunately, I’m not in the market for it.

I still want the sticker I’ve seen which says: ‘You voted for Obama? Thanks a lot @$$hole!’

One group which still supports Obama and his agenda is the NAACP. While it smacks of ‘gotcha’ journalism, sometimes these guerrilla efforts are the best way to get the truth.

Human Events did the video, so consider the source before you demean the message.

Here’s another example of ‘gotcha’ journalism. But imagine if it were a pro-life group disseminating incorrect information – would you not see someone like Geraldo Rivera all over it?

I guess considering the fetus ‘medical waste’ makes it all better?

The next two videos are an impassioned plea from Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal regarding the oil drilling moratorium and jobs. This was at the ‘Rally for Economic Survival.’

If Governor Jindal can continue being a leader, he may yet be a factor in 2012. Do you wonder if President Obama is trying to make him look bad as a potential opponent?

I’m saving the best for last. Americans for Limited Government took time to remind us that next February marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of an American who fought for limited government as much as he could.

Ronald Reagan’s message seems a good way to bring this edition to a close.

A different tribute to Reagan

Had he lived to see the day, today would’ve been Ronald Reagan’s 99th birthday. Obviously most Republicans and conservatives cherish the memory of our 40th President but he also embodies a philosophy of conservative governance which inspires today’s generation of TEA Partiers. The Maryland Senate Republican Caucus recalls him this way:

Today would be President Ronald Reagan’s 99th birthday. In honor of this occasion, we…hope that Democrat leaders in state government will discover tax cuts as an avenue to spur economic growth in Maryland and lead the state out of the recession.

Unfortunately, Maryland has pursued the opposite course. As the state was entering a severe economic recession, General Assembly Democrats allowed Governor Martin O’Malley to foist the most historic, massive tax increase on our citizens.

Businesses already hammered by the recession were crushed by O’Malley’s anti-business pursuit of higher sales taxes, personal income taxes, corporate taxes and motor vehicle excise taxes. At the same time, O’Malley was adopting more stringent regulations that have added to the cost of doing business in Maryland.

In three short years, Maryland’s ranking as a state favorable for economic development has plummeted from 24th to 45th.

This was the biggest one-year drop ever in the history of the rankings and was based upon the tax hikes initiated by O’Malley: “Maryland’s drop from 24th to 45th out of 50 states on the Index is attributable to an increase in most of the state’s major taxes for FY 2009. They raised the corporate income tax rate to 8.25% from 7%, the sales tax rate to 6% from 5%, and the cigarette excise tax to $2.00 from $1.00 per pack. Maryland also created four new income tax brackets, raising taxes on filers earning more than $150,000 per year. The state’s top personal income tax rate is now 6.25% (up from 4.75%); that’s on top of a weighted average local option rate of 2.98%. Maryland now has by far the worst personal income tax in the country, with a significantly lower score than second-place California.”

With these kinds of rankings, it is obvious that Maryland needs a turn-around artist with the talents of President Reagan.

(snip)

An economic program for Maryland’s future must include a rollback of taxes and government regulations combined with true restraint on government spending in the FY11 budget.

For more on President Ronald Reagan and his successful economic policies, check out the links on our website at www.mdsenategop.com.

Having said that, I’m not sure Bob Ehrlich is a Ronald Reagan but should he be restored as governor I’m certainly hoping that the Republicans in the General Assembly keep him on the straight and narrow with more or less conservative principles.

But rolling back the tax increases would be a fine start. The governor would have control of spending given his power to create Maryland’s budget, but eliminating the taxation would force whoever creates the budget to do it prudently. Of course a prudent budget and taxation would help draw businesses back to Maryland, although eliminating some overregulation would also be a great help, and it’s there I’m not sure Bob Ehrlich would be forceful enough. Then again, having a Governor who rolls over for every last whim of the envirolobby isn’t doing much for us either.

Ronald Reagan carried Maryland as part of his 49-state landslide in 1984, so it’s obvious that a conservative message, well crafted, can carry the day in our state. The best way for Maryland Republicans to honor the memory of Ronald Reagan would be to fight for conservative governance he would be approving of.