The Hill aggregrates lawmaker ratings

The Hill has launched a new research tool to provide insight into the ideologies and voting records of every member of Congress. 
  
Using scores tagged to each lawmaker by 30 different advocacy organizations, The Hill has created a Lawmaker Ratings service — an easy reference where site visitors can check where elected representatives stand on different issues. 
  
There's a separate page for each of the 100 senators and 435 members of the House of Representatives. On each, The Hill has aggregated all the advocacy organizations' scores. It means people in government and other visitors can see the track records of any member of Congress on 13 broad issues with a one-stop shop at thehill.com  . 
  
This reference tool, updated whenever a new member arrives on Capitol Hill or an organization produces a new set of ratings, is available free at thehill.com  .

‘Fair Tax’ seen as wedge issue to push split between Republicans, Tea Party

Democrats are eyeing the “fair tax” as a wedge issue in the 2010 elections, hoping to force Republican candidates across the country to take a stand on the conservative proposal.
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/93455-fair-tax-seen-as-wedge-to-split-gop-tea-party
 
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Democrats are eyeing everything as a potential to split the conservative vote. We better keep our eye on the goal, be focused on winning the trophy, and be willing to vote the big picture rather than being one-issue voters (unless it something egregious)!!! Lets get conservatives in our elected offices and then next go around work on getting even BETTER candidates.
 

As someone commented on an earlier blog --- we should pull any new candidates voting record (as in, voted Dem, Republican or other) AND if they've been in office, also pull their votes while in office... research is EASY to do these days. It's also easy to get distorted and incomplete information from a candidates opponents so be sure NOT to take anything you read, get in the mail or see on the tube at face value. Go to the Internet and research before you accept any criticism or attack on a candidate you think is worth a potential vote.

Obama Gets No Health Care Bounce... well, duuuuhhh

A new Quinnipiac poll finds President Obama's job approval at 44%, his lowest approval rating since his inauguration.

Notes pollster Peter Brown: "President Obama's approval rating hovers at an all-time low. The White House had predicted passage of the health care overhaul would boost his fortunes, but that has not been the case, and that legislation itself remains decidedly unpopular."

The survey also finds that 53% of American voters are "very confident" or "somewhat confident" the president will make the right decision in nominating a U.S. Supreme Court justice, while 46% percent are "not too confident" or "not confident at all." Read more: Obama Gets No Health Care Bounce 
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OK readers, this is definitely an uh-duuuuh for most of us! And, unlike the mainstream media and Obamaites, we know it's not gonna do anything but go down, down, down as he keeps cramming his America-killing agenda down our liberty-loving throats.

Keep up the good work! Can you imagine what our world would look like if we didn't have so many patriots working so hard to reverse the socialistic agenda? if we didn't have talk radio to counter the lies? if we didn't have the Internet to connect so many like-minded Constitution supporting Americans together? 

To win the war we may need to lose a skirmish or two

Bob Schneider's graphic illustrates an excellent point: if we split the Republican vote in November, we may win a local skirmish, but lose the November battle and thus the overall war. If we ultimately lose the war for the soul of our country, those local election skirmishes that we win will be moot.

We need to keep the ultimate long-term goal in mind and not be short-sited when awarding our votes to candidates in the primaries and the November elections. We are trying to change a culture in Washington that makes the Mafia look like amateurs. It has grown and morphed for many, many years into our current day mess. It's going to take more than one or two elections to change it.

The election in November is a major battle in this war, and one we must win. If we slide in enough Republicans and true-conservatives to stem the lib tide in D.C. this year, then in subsequent elections we can work on getting rid of the remaining Republicans in name only (RINOs) and Alinksy-ites, and ultimately win the entire war. Winning the battle in November, even at the cost of a few lost local skirmishes, will make changing the culture and winning the war much more probable... and easier.

However, there's a balance. We still have to send a strong message to all those who want to jump into politics: you better walk the walk 'cause we won't put up with any disingenuous talk. We're awake, we're watching and we won't be going back to sleep. That could mean you have to make some tough choices if you're in an area where your choice is a great conservative third-party candidate, a Republican in name only (Rino) or lib Democrat... especially if your district or state leans to the left and voting for the best candidate hands the lib Dem the election.

Each election is going to be different. If the Independent is the most conservative and they have an excellent chance of winning, I'd say go for it, no quibbling. However, if there's only minimal difference, or if voting for the Independent could give the election to the lib and thus lose the battle in Washington for the soul of our country, consider holding your nose and voting for the Republican. Let the Republican know that you are only voting for them because you want to win the November battle. Let them know you'll be watching and that you will work hard to unseat them in the next election if they don't vote conservative. We can hold their feet to the fire for one term and if they don't measure up, we work to put a true conservative in the spot when they come up for re-election.

Obama and crew are coming at us from every angle imaginable. They aren't fighting on one front. They will split the vote wherever they can, they will undermine the tea party movement, manipulate or collude with the media to make us look bad and there's no doubt they'll sink however low they must to retain or increase their power.

If you think of this as a non-violent war, and try to think like a strategist, it will make that one-time nose holding a little easier if you're facing that position. Hopefully none of us will be put in that position! I'm tired of voting for the lesser evil, or not having good choices in the voting booth.

Let's shock 'em in November by taking even more seats than the pundits are projecting! Then let's continue to work together to get some truly good candidates in place for the next election cycles!

Election safety heads up...

The closer we get to elections the more attacks there will be on our blogs, websites, via email and on our social networking sites. During the last election my Facebook page got shut down right after I had an onslaught of lib activist friend requests, which I ignored. That's inconvenient, but it's nothing compared to some of the attacks that have been tried since!

I'm not a professional and I'm sure there are better tips for safety out there, but I wanted to pass along a few suggestions and things to watch out for prior to the real heat of the election.

- Turn on comment moderation if your blog has that capability. I use blogger for all of our blogs, mainly because we have so many contributors and it's vanilla easy for all levels. One thing I really like about it is the ability in settings to turn on comment moderation. Every comment is pre-screened and we can approve or allow.

- Turn on the feature which sends any posts to your blog to be copied to your inbox if available. Blogs are hacked all the time. You're going on your merry way while some hacker is posting crud on your blog. It's simple to turn on and easy to delete the email that arrives in your inbox with the blog you just wrote. Hopefully you'll never get one from a hacker who's posted.

- Change your passwords frequently... and make sure they're weird and that they're different for each social network, blog, etc. Use a combination of upper case, lower case letters, numbers and symbols. We all know that one, but most of us thing we're immune to hackers or we just get complacent. I have so many passwords I have to keep a little file next to my computer. Yep, that's technically another no-no!

- Never click a link unless you absolutely know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's safe. If your friends account has been hacked then you may get an email with a link that looks completely safe, but it's not.  Here are a few things I do to try and stay safe:

• I have a couple of bad, dummy email addresses set up at the beginning and at other points in my email address list. If someone hacks and tries to send using my email address book there are enough bad emails in the list (that look legit) that the email will bomb and get hung up in my send box. That something I've done for years, who knows if the hackers have figured out a way around it since I first started doing it!
• If you hover your mouse over a link without clicking on it the "real" address should show up on your status bar in Internet Explorer, Foxfire, your email status bar, etc. If you see a bunch of numbers, symbols, the words "friendlyhacker" (ha ha) or anything even slightly fishy, don't click.
• If in doubt you can always go onto the web and find the location by doing your own search. For instance is you get an email from Joe Smith's Conservative Network inviting you to read their articles, simply go type in the link yourself (assuming it's not weird) or do a search and go from there. 99% of the time I go that route these days rather than chancing it. But then again, I get over a thousand emails a day due to all the sites I maintain... I have to be more cautious than the average person.

- Make sure you have good firewalls, updated virus protection, etc. I use free stuff that I've downloaded via www.download.com. It's a CNet site and they test their stuff, give comments, and I give it high marks. I know there are others, that's just the one I've settled onto 'cause it's always more than met my needs for any software!

- Don't assume all bad stuff is from bad people. Recently I popped onto my Facebook page and saw a slew of avatars of naked men... My first thought was that I was going to unfriend this dude very fast. Then I popped over to his page, did a tiny, tiny bit of research and found he'd been hacked. A lot of people just unfriended him without considering that he may have been hacked.

- Be part of more than one social network and set up a blog. If Facebook shuts you down, you can use Twitter to inform friends and get back up and running quickly on a new page. When I got shut down I put the word out via blog and Twitter and within a few days had twice as many friends as I did when shut down. Word is out that Ning is considering charging, which means that many will move away from that platform. There are  lots of free social, canned website services and blogging sites available on the Internet. MySpace seems to have lost its luster in "our" circles, but it's still there... Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, WordPress, Ning, are just a few to check out.

- Look for conservative alternatives to Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, etc. Heritage is working hard to get their alternative to YouTube going, ditto on a few others. Even if they're fledglings and don't have all the bells and whistles join and use if you have the time. Support those conservative networks. Aside from giving support, another big reason for doing so is that you can bet that if things continue the way they're going more and more conservatives will be banned or shut down on lib owned media (such as Blogger and Facebook). Best case we'll be closely monitored and may have someone from the gov't knocking on our door before long. Lest you think I'm being paranoid I was talking to a an acquaintance at a tea party event a few weeks ago who had that happen to them! Turned out to be nothing in the end, but it didn't do much for the old heart rate to have suits knocking at the door with ID badges ;-)

This has nothing to do with security, but it may save you some time... I have my blog set up to feed to Twitter, and Twitter set up to feed to my Facebook page. I still go on those sites and post comments when I have time, but it sure does save a lot of time to have an auto feed! Check out www.twitterfeed.com and www.feedburner.com for a couple of easy to use methods of setting up feeds.

I know there are a lot of other safety tips, and I may share more later as they pop into my brain. However, most of you know some great ways to protect yourselves on-line, and there are all kinds of blogs and sites set up that focus on those issues. Go check 'em out. Don't get so paranoid that you're system chugs at dinosaur speed due to all the protections you have on your computer though. Balance is more than just a word ... stay safe, be alert and know that as I type some lib nut job is scheming for ways to thwart our efforts some how, some way.

Stern to Resign from SEIU

Ben Smith breaks the news that Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern, a prominent labor leader and a key player in the Democratic party, will resign from the organization he helped build after 14 years at the helm.

The news came as a shock to many, though those close to Stern "had expected him to resign during the first term of the president he helped elect, and after the achievement he'd spent years focusing on, widening access to health care." More: Stern to Resign from SEIU 

 

Inquiring minds want to know... what's he going to become? Obama's Secretary of Labor???

Pataki Seems to be Gillibrand's Last Threat

A new Quinnipiac poll in New York finds that if former Gov. George Pataki (R) jumps into the U.S. Senate race, he would beat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D), 45% to 40%.

Gillibrand beats the only announced Republican candidate, Bruce Blakeman (R), 47% to 25%.

Notes pollster Maurice Carroll: "The threat to Gillibrand always has been from the Democratic left, but that seems to have evaporated. On the Republican side, former Gov. George Pataki could give her a run. IF he decides to run, that is."

Gillibrand now has a 47% job approval rating -- her highest score since she was appopinted Senator last year. More: Pataki Seems to be Gillibrand's Last Threat

47% Say Repeal of Health Care Law Will Be Good for Economy

Forty-seven percent (47%) of voters nationwide believe repeal of the recently passed health care law will be good for the economy. (47% Say Repeal of Health Care Law Will Be Good for Economy -- links to rest of story on Rasmussen)

Supreme Court Justice Stevens to retire

We'd already heard he was going to retire, but this gives a purported time frame. I understood that Obama was wanting him to wait until after the elections...

By Bridget Johnson

Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens is going to retire when the court wraps up its work for the summer break. DEVELOPING...

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/91331-supreme-court-justice-stevens-to-retire

NPR archive describes Obama as 'Kenyan-born'

File this one under "classic"... he he he, I just think it's funny...

NPR archive describes Obama as 'Kenyan-born'

Those crazy "birthers" are citing National Public Radio. Really? NPR? Archives for the tax-supported organization reveal that a 2008 report described then-Sen. Barack Obama as "Kenyan-born" and a "son of Africa."

Read the latest now on WND.com

Need a good laugh?

If the election were held today, I'd win. - Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV), in an interview with the Nevada Appeal...

http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20100407/NEWS/100409635/1070&ParentProfile=1058

Stupak to Retire?

First Read: "With just a few days to go before the end of this recess, House Democrats are cautiously optimistic that they could get through it without a single retirement announcement. That said, there is still a concern that some important incumbents in districts that they are uniquely suited could call it quits. At the top of the concern list this week: Michigan Democrat Bart Stupak. The Democrat best known this year as the Democrat who delivered the winning margin of votes for the president's health-care reform bill is said to be simply exhausted.

Read more: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/04/07/stupak_to_retire.html#ixzz0kVsXWhQR

Obama Institutes New Personal Safety Policy as Extension of New Nuclear Policy

While citizens in the United States and across the world buzz about the new Obama nuclear policy which calls for ultimate trust in other nations such as Russia and China, many have missed the secondary Personal Safety Policy attached as an addendum.

In keeping with "no nukes" if countries attack the United States with other less equal weapons (as defined by the Obama administration), citizens of the United States will now be called upon to react similarly in the event they are attacked.

To simplify the complex legal terminology of the addendum, effective April 15th if a person is attacked by a knife wielding malcontent they must first determine if the person is a friend or acquaintance. If they are somehow known to the person being attacked, they must use similar or lesser weapons to defend themselves.

For example, if the person being attacked is in possession of a gun, they may not use it --- they must put down their gun and either find a knife or other weapon of similar or lesser capability to the knife to defend themselves. Please refer to the list included in the addendum to determine allowed weapon similarities and capabilities.

In the event the person being attacked does not know the attacker, they may use their gun or defend themselves but must be prepared to prove they nor any of their friends were not acquainted in any manner with the attacker.

If they know beyond doubt that the person is an enemy, for instance the person clearly indicates they are enemies, they are on the FBI most wanted list, they have outstanding criminal warrants, or similar, then guns or any weapon of choice may be used.

The policy mimics the stance of the Obama administration in regards to nuclear attacks in that citizens are now allowed designate certain individuals as "rogues" or enemies in advance. Rogues and enemies may be registered in advance on the new "Rogue Persons of Interest" (RPI) listing. Certain exclusions, requirements and possible legal ramifications are noted in the fine print of the RPI thus we suggest that those choosing to register rogues and enemies should first consult their attorney. The RPI will be in place no later than April 20th according to the addendum overview.

It is also suggested that those who believe they may at some point in their life might suffer a mugging, a home invasion, car snatching or other attack on their being should check the RIP listing regularly. Local law enforcement agencies will be required to host local listings and the Obama regime will also host a national list at www.roguepersons.us.gov and www.yourenemies.us.gov.

More details will follow as we delve deeper into the new policy.

Union Behind D.C. Pro-Amnesty Protest Spends Nearly $700k in 4th Qtr. Lobbying

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) spent more than $683,000 lobbying Congress during the fourth-quarter. According to the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, much of this was spent lobbying on behalf of immigration reform, health care, and labor laws.

The $683,000 figure is more than double the amount the union spent on Congressional lobbying during the third quarter and represents how desperately the SEIU wishes Congress to act on its core issues -- comprehensive amnesty being one of the most important issues.

http://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/march-30-2010/union-behind-dc-pro-amnesty-protest-spends-nearly-700k-4th-qtr-lobbying.html?jid=424045&lid=9&rid=3281&tid=634385

Whole Foods working to curb Facebook-based scam

Upscale grocery conglomerate Whole Foods Market said Friday that it is continuing to clamp down on a series of Facebook-based scams that entice users with a purported $500 gift card from the Austin, Texas-based supermarket chain.

The scam has been spreading virally through Facebook via "fan pages" with names like "Whole Foods Market Free $500 Gift Card Limited - first 12,000 fans only" and "Whole Foods FREE $500 Gift Card! Only Available for 36 hours!" The fan page asks Facebook users to add it as a fan, thus pushing awareness of the page through those users' Facebook networks, and then asks them to fill out a credit assessment and other forms that request personal information. The scam then uses a form of malware to crash users' computers and the information they have entered is left vulnerable.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-20001665-83.html?tag=nl.e757 

I know I usually stick to political stuff on this blog, but I have so many friends on Facebook I felt I had to pass this one along... be careful always... I think most (probably all) of you would run in the other direction if asked for personal info, but it never hurts to pass along another warning just in case.

And they want to run your health care...

Obama’s EPA Gave Energy Star Certification to ‘Gas-Powered Clock Radio’ and 14 Other Phony Products, GAO Says
(CNSNews.com) – The EPA certified that a “gas-powered clock radio” was an energy-efficient product under the government’s Energy Star program, despite the fact that neither the clock nor its manufacturer ever existed. The clock and 14 other phony products were part of an investigation into the Energy Star program conducted by the Government Accountability Office, which submitted 20 fraudulent Energy Star applications from four fake companies. GAO said the fact that it could so easily dupe the government shows that the Energy Star program provides scant assurance for consumers.

... and they can't count either....

Obama’s Student Loan Takeover Adds Billions to Deficit According to 'Fair Value' Accounting, CBO Says
(CNSNews.com) - The student loan overhaul legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama on Tuesday could add $52 billion to the deficit between 2010 and 2020 when the cost of the market risks and the loans' administrative expenses are taken into consideration, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office reported.


They can't run the Post Office, they can't run, well, anything with a drop of efficiency... and they want us to trust 'em with our health now? We REALLY need to make sure we change out Congress and then the Presidency or we are looking at 1984 x 100 real, real soon.