Healthcare Wisdom From Obama's Cousin

I just read a great piece on healthcare over on the Washington Times by Dr. Milton R. Wolf. Part of what makes this interesting is that it is both written by a doctor and that the doctor happens to be President Obama's 2nd cousin. Here is one part I really like!

One of America's founding principles is our trust in the people and their economic freedom to rule their own lives. We should decouple health insurance from employers and empower patients to be consumers once again. Allow them to determine the insurance plan that best meets their families' needs and which company will provide it. This will unleash a wave of competition that will drive costs down in a way that price controls never have. Eliminate the artificial state boundary rules that protect insurance companies from true competition and watch as voters demand that their state insurance commissioners get the heck out of the way. Innovative companies will drive down costs similar to how Geico and Progressive have worked for automobile insurance. And it won't cost taxpayers a trillion dollars in the process.

This free-market approach has worked for everything from high-definition TVs to breakfast cereals, but will it work for medicine? It already is. Take Lasik eye surgery, for example. Because patients are allowed to be informed consumers and can shop anywhere, doctors work hard for their business. Services, availability and expertise have all increased, and costs have decreased. Should consumers demand it, insurance companies - now answerable to you rather than your employer - would cover it.

Go check it out!

Let's Protest the Protesters!

Yes, I know that the California education budget keeps getting cut. Do I think it is great? No, not really. I do think it should lead to a restructuring of the whole system but that is another post;). But the Teachers' Unions are mad. They are organizing protests for this Thursday in Fresno and in Porterville.

“We’re trying to get all the associations and all the schools to stand up for education and let the Governor know that taking money away from education is not the right thing to do,” Porterville Educators Association President Stan Ennis said.

Well, I want to communicate somethings to the Unions. If we simply let go teachers who couldn't actually teach the kids instead of fighting costly battles to get them out we might make up some of the budget loss. That could save about a half a million dollars and that is for each bad teacher they have tried to get out. And that is just the cost for the ones that school districts have tried to get rid of. Many districts have found that the unions make it so costly and expensive, that it is cheaper to just hold on to the bad teachers. Some are left in the class room and some are relegated to other positions with in the districts.

So maybe we should go protest the unions as being the biggest problem in our educational budget fiasco. We know where they will be on Thursday!

(I know lots of good teachers, I am talking about the unions so don't yell at me about good teachers.)

Governor MoonBeam, Again?

It appears that Jerry Brown is going to announce his candidacy for California Governor tomorrow. It doesn't surprise me one bit that the announcement will be online. But, unfortunately, I think he has a really good chance of winning.

Now I don't really remember Jerry Brown being governor in the late 70's and early 80's but I do remember the crazy stories. Him sleeping on the floor of the governor's mansion, chilling with Linda Ronstadt, being an over all hippy, etc. But this isn't the same Jerry Brown.

This Jerry Brown seems to realize that being a party Democrat won't get him anything but screwed (because they did, many times) so he seems to have picked up his own sensibility. I saw it when he was mayor of Oakland and revamped the schools a bit with boot camps and such. He seems to have become much more fiscally aware and, dare I say, responsible? I can say that he has earned some of our respect.

Now all of this makes him quite dangerous. Can all he has done in the last 10-15 years combat the backlash of his previous governorship? I will probably never vote for him but I have to ask, is he a better option than another Wilson, Arnold and the like? At least this one wouldn't be labelled a Republican. But I don't think I can do it.

But do you think that Jerry Brown could really be our next governor?

(HT: Ken Malloy)

Healthcare Summit Sink Hole?

From everything I hear about yesterday's Health Care Summit it was boring. I mean really boring. I have only read a couple of pieces but I saw a lot of Twitter statuses fly by. Suffice it to say, not much was actually done and those who were there should receive an award for not going postal (I am talking about all you press, not the government types;).

But was there really anything done? Well, in the way of getting something passed or passable. No, not really. But I think in the net gain the Republicans/people against Obama's bill did well. From the Tweets and the some of the articles it seems that the Republicans were able to really show some of the holes in the health care bill. Now I am not saying that America no longer wants any health care relief (though I think the Fed's should just butt out completely) but I do think they don't want what has been put forth already. I also think the American people realize that the people in the Summit may not be the people to design anything in this realm at all.

I am curious to see what happens next but on the whole I think we are going to sink more time and effort into discussing the Health care issues than actually doing anything about it. So just stop now and hand control over to the people. And I mean all the control. Like portable insurance and an honest to goodness free market.

In Honor...

In honor of the one year anniversary of the Recovery Act I give you this.

Did I mention that it is also called Porkulous;).

Political Tidbits: Twittering and Cougars

Just a couple of interesting things on the political horizon. Not a lot to analyze but interesting all the same.

Apparently there are rumblings that John Cougar Mellencamp may end up running for Senator Bayh's seat. I don't know if this will happen of it the Democratic party in Indiana is just trying to get publicity.

Then, at an appearance yesterday Sarah Palin put her foot in it.

When asked what she felt the greatest threat to America is currently, audience members in the crowd piped up with cries of “Obama!” According to CBS, Palin was quick to respond with, “See, they said that, I didn’t. Just you watch now, too, because somebody will be here with their little Twittering thing, and it’s going to be on the Internet any minute now.”

Those at Mashable took this as a swing at Twitter but I don't really think it was. I think it was a swing at those people who tweet things that aren't necessarily true just to cause a problem. Sarah Palin seems to be very comfortable partaking in different social medias so I don't think she is writing Twitter off.

So what do you all think?

Budget Freeze?

This is done by the same people who did the 10,000 penny video. It does all make it seem a little pointless.

(HT: Why Homeschool)

The Debt Limit

I think this is a pretty simple telling. It really lays it out there for everyone to understand. This is almost the School House Rock version without the music.

(HT: Why Homeschool)

Why School Choice?

Cause Government Monopolies are bad!

I think this really hits the nail on the head! BTW, is it just me or does our presenter seem really young;)? Maybe I am just getting really old!

(HT: Hot Air)

Demon Sheep

So this is the scandalous commercial against Tom Campbell in the Republican primary for Senate. Going into viewing the commercial I thought that no matter what that I would support whom ever runs against Barbara Boxer. Now I am not sure.

I find the commercial ridiculous and stupid. But it is the primary and things get dirty within the party. But a few things hit me. Like why would Fiorina grasp at such obvious straws instead of doing a real piece? Well, when you are the person who ran a stable, work horse company like HP into the ground...You gotta knock somebody out by the knees in order to really be able to pose as the stable one.

Then there was the tag line. "Carly for California" What? Are you a high school cheerleader? You are a grown woman running for the Senate. Come on. And kudos to you, Campbell for making hay out of this!

A Shocking Mix Up

Now I must preface this with the fact I can't stand Jerry Tarkanian as a coach or any part of a University. I was mad when Fresno State hired him so maybe that prejudices me against Danny Tarkanian but....

How could you confuse Harry Reid and Ronald Reagan? In the clip Tarkanian refers to Reagan's renowned 11th Commandment. When I saw this posted I was sure that if Tarkanian did it, it was a one time slip. Well, watch the tape. Tarkanian says Reid instead of Reagan repeatedly.

If this is representative of Tarkanian as a candidate....Well, as much as I dislike Harry Reid I dislike the idea of an idiot Republican more. I would rather let everyone see someone bad in the seat and know that he is a Democrat!

(HT: The Hill)

Proving the Greatness of Socialized Medicine

So socialized medicine is supposed to be great right? I mean don't we all want what Canada has? Everyone can have great treatment and it will just be taken out of your check... Well, it isn't good enough for Canadian Premier Williams. He needs heart surgery and is going to travel over the border to avail himself of America's great health system. I have heard about this for years. That the wealthy in Canada (and frankly even the not so wealthy) will come to the US to have medical procedures done either due to our better quality or the expediency. So maybe all those who desire what Canada has should actual see what Canadians with a choice do.

I thought a commenter over at Instapundit had an interesting question. If Obamacare passes how will the Canadian healthcare system survive?

Condolences

Rep George Radanovich's wife, Ethie Weaver Radaovich, has passed away. My sympathy and prayers go out to Representative Radanovich, his son and all those who knew and loved her.

But now I have a question... Ethie and her battle with cancer was the prime reason that Rep Radanovich was not seeking another term in the House of Representatives. Is this effect what he is doing next? Can he/will he jump back into the race? Will he run for something a bit more local? Not to be callus but, is her passing so early in the campaign season a game changer?

Tea Anyone?

I didn't watch the State of the Union. Yes, I know that I am a bad American;). But between the internet and chatter on the street I wasn't worried about missing to much. But there was something I did miss (until NerdDad mentioned it and then I saw it on the Daily Show;). Speaker Pelosi had a silver tea set in front of her during the speech. I find that odd. Very odd. Now for many, many of my childhood and early adult years I watched the State of the Union and I don't recall ever seeing a silver tea set in front of anyone. N

Now frankly I had always been paying attention to the speech and the Presidents so did I just not notice? Is she that pretentious that she needs a special tea set instead of a glass of water like the Vice President? What is the deal?

Easy to Understand Economic Theory

Going to public school we were told that Keynes was what the economy was not only a simple theory. Much less a theory that had been disproven years ago. I love the fact that my kids will be taught many economic theories. Obviously I agree with Hayek. This is a great breakdown of the 2 theories!

What Does Brown Mean to Us All?

I, like many people, was watching the Senate race in Massachusetts with bated breath. It wasn't just a long held Democratic seat but a 47 year Kennedy held seat. The uber-Democratic seat. So it is very excited for me as a Republican to see the seat fall to Scott Brown. So what does this mean for the Democrats and their future in the next set of elections?

I hope this means that the American people are seeing the Democratic party and President Obama for what they are. Charles Krauthammer said it quite well:

Brown ran on a very specific, very clear agenda. Stop health care. Don't Mirandize terrorists. Don't raise taxes; cut them. And no more secret backroom deals with special interests.

These deals -- the Louisiana purchase, the Cornhusker kickback -- had engendered a national disgust with the corruption and arrogance of one-party rule. The final straw was the union payoff -- in which labor bosses smugly walked out of the White House with a five-year exemption from a ("Cadillac") health insurance tax Democrats were imposing on the 92 percent of private-sector workers who are not unionized.

So what does this mean for November? I hope that it starts with Barbara Boxer loosing her seat! Here is to another American Revolution!

How Far We Have Come Eh?

Photo from Flicker user Moose Greebles

I have grown up always hearing that girls need to be encouraged to develop their math and science skills. Supposedly we need to convince them that they are as good as boys in these arenas. This was a Lego ad from 1981. I love it! I think I even had those tennis shoes. But compare that to a girl screensaver picture available.

Isn't it great how far we have come:(? Now my best friend says that I am just being critical but tough. Sara says that they know this is the way to sell Legos to girls and if they would buy them the other way then Lego would advertise the old way. If she wants to play with figurines that is fine but then she doesn't need Legos. Now I will admit that I am a purist. I don't buy my boys themed sets either. I feel it goes against the creative nature of Legos. If these cutesy little Legos are the only way they want to market to girls, I say don't do us the favor! Lego, hear me! Encourage my daughters' creativity in creation not little silly pony games!

(HT: Feministing)

Google Takes a Stand!

As you may guess, I am not a big fan of China and it's policies against freedom. I will say that I have always been in the middle on the issue of us doing business with them. The idea that bringing a censored Internet to China is better than no Internet to China has always seemed to hold water with me. But it has always made me uneasy. While abstractly I understood, I knew that I couldn't ever pander to China even for money.

So I have to say that I am really happy that Google won't be pandering to China any more. They are "Reconsidering their approach to China". I was already a Google fan and this has just furthered this fondness! So who is next? Microsoft? Yahoo?

(HT: The Hill)

Harry Reid: The Hypocrisy of the Democratic Party

People (especially me) say things in the wrong way all the time! You sincerely apologize and move on. But sometimes your stupid statements reveal what you actually think. And how others deal with the situation reveals a lot about them too. So where am I going with this?

I think everyone has heard about Harry Reid's stupid statement about Obama from the campaign of calling him light skinned and with "no Negro dialect". Reid has apologized to President Obama just this last week because it is coming out in a book a couple of guys have written on the campaign and he was trying to get ahead of the curve. (Though it might had been avoided if he hadn't been the source on the issue in the book.)

Now President Obama has forgiven him and that is great but... There has been some chatter that Reid should resign from his leadership position. But why you ask? When Trent Lott (the former Republican Majority Leader back in the day) made a statement at Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party back in 2002 about how it would have been better if Thurmond had been elected president back in 1948, then we wouldn't have had the problems we were having. As a result many people on both side of the aisle called for him to step to down from his leadership position. This includes both Feinstein and Obama. They said how it wasn't appropriate to represent the party. But now all is forgiven with Reid in their eyes. Feinstein has even gone so far as to say

"I saw no Democrats jumping out there and condemning Senator Lott."

Please! Now I think that the Republicans should stop calling for Reid to step down. If the Democrats allow Reid to stay in power I think it will speak loads to the voting public. Reid's popularity is already in the toilet. So if this is what the Democrats want let it be.

I do have to say that I am amazed how hypocritical the Democratic party is being. Is this really no big deal? I am sure I will be blogging more about this in the future!

Just a Snack

So Representative Eric Massa(D-NY) challenged Dick Cheney to a debate. He thought that President Obama needs someone to stand up for him against the big bad Dick Cheney. What makes this little peon think he could take on Cheney? He eats little boys like that for a snack.

Conscious Sees Shadows, Goes Back in Hole for 60 More Years

Apparently deep, deep down Harry Reid does know the Health Care Bill is wrong. He initially voted against it! Yes, you read correctly. When the Senate clerk called on him he voted no. Almost immediately Reid did change his vote to "Aye" but still. I think part of him may want to do the right thing but then he appeared to kill it;).

Reid is attributing the no vote on being tired after fighting to get the bill through. What I don't get is why his tired default is the no vote? I tend to be a little loopy but more honest when I am drop dead tired. So is this what his heart really thinks?

Very entertaining.

Unknowningly Calling Them To Return Home

This poster was put out to 7,000 churches by the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) so that more Hispanics will participate in the census. I find it hilarious that the only problem that Washington Post seems to pick up on is the use of Christ for a secular purpose. It isn't until you land at the Corner (or actually were I started) that anyone points out the real crux of the matter.

Mary and Joseph were returning to the ancestral home ie leaving where they immigrated from. So really this poster is saying that all immigrants should return home. I find it hilarious that the Reverend who is heading up the boycott (because of the using Christ and God for vain, non-worshiping purposes) doesn't seem to remember the actual Christmas story and what Mary and Joseph are actually doing.

But at least they printed most of them in Spanish;).

10 Ways Dick Cheney Can Kill!

I saw this over on American Digest and loved it! It is paired with a piece on Cheney's interview with Politico.com.

Spelling Errors

I am a sloppy typist and a horrible speller, I totally admit it;). But..... I know this is going to come off nit picky but a State dinner is a big deal. A big enough deal that they should spring for a spell checker (a person not the software;) for all printed material put out at it. Apparently in our abundant federal budget there still isn't enough money for a spell checker because there were quite a few spelling errors in the menu. Now before you jump on me remember about formal dinners. At formal dinners a menu placed at every place setting. Go check out the errors over at Mom Logic.

Look for the union label

Union thugs right here in Fresno, CA:

Our Neighbor to the South and Do We Care?

NerdDad has been mentioning some of the issues Mexico is going through right now and how it isn't really being talked about very much. I have to be honest, I did really have a grasp on it at all. And I am assuming I am not the only one.

There is this great piece from FabiusMaximus that has lots of resources talking about some of the problems facing Mexico right now. It really looks like they are having a small civil war. That takes a toll on both the people and the economy. I was shocked to read in on of the excerpts that 14,000 have been killed in 3 years of their war on drugs. I already had heard different tidbits that said Mexico's economy is in free fall.

Why aren't we doing anything about this? People yell and scream about immigration but if you were in the middle of this wouldn't you do what ever it took to insure the safety (and feeding) of your family? Now I am not condoning illegal immigration at all, but...

Shouldn't we do something? I don't know what and on the whole I do believe that the US should keep its nose out of other countries business but... These are our neighbors and if they fall what kind of effect with that have on us? Our economy? Our security? Not to mention just the humanitarian side of it. I think this is a time that our national interest is the same as Mexico's because we would come in on the side of the government against drug lords. So what is stopping us?

I find this all a bit frustrating.

The Education of Jon Stewart and America (We Hope)

This is a great piece. Partly because it is just a hilariously true story about the shenanigans that Acorn pulls and partly because it is fun watching Jon Stewart's eyes being opened. Jon Stewart does say a couple of bad words but they are completely bleeped. I laughed so hard about the whole situation that I teared up a bit.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

Apparently Acorn claims the tapes have been altered but they have fired every employee in them.

Healthcare That We Can All Understand

I found this over at Why Homeschool. So simple and so true!

Really Interesting!

The Right Coast has a really interesting piece on Iran. While I knew that Iran used to be Persia and that it formerly had Nazi ties. But I didn't not realized that Iran means "Land of the Aryans". It has some other great info and links to more resources so go check it out!

So Who Do the Unions Work For?

We know that the teacher's unions don't work for the parents. We also know they don't work for the students. That is perfectly illustrated by the teacher who got her job back after getting her class to vote a boy out who has Asperger's.

But now it appears that they don't work for the teachers either. The teacher's union in Detroit is trying to get 70 teacher's fired because they didn't pay their dues. I just it just confirms what some of us already knew. The teachers unions are entities that only work to dupport the union itself. It is evidenced by their politics and now this.

Independence Day with a Bang?

I understand that the 4th of July is to celebrate all our rights but I have never heard about bringing your gun to church to celebrate. Apparently this is what 1 pastor inviting his parishioners to do for the June 27th service. Now you aren't allowed to bring them loaded (and there will private security to check) but there will be lots of festivities including a gun raffle. I find this really interesting, not disturbing but a little odd. I am curious if this give my pastor any ideas. I mean we do have a gun club at our church (well, they go somewhere else to shoot;). What do you think? Pastor?

(HT: Jim Boren)

Supreme Education

Since the President is appointing a Supreme Court Justice it is a great time to find out information on previous justices. In that vein I recommend going over to The Stimulist and read about 5 of the most surprising appointments. I don't agree with the degree of surprise on some of them but it is a great read! I personally don't think that Black and his KKK membership really was all that shocking in relation to FDR's appointment of him.

Food for Thought

This doesn't even account for how many children choose to not walk in their parents Christian faith. So what do you all think about this? Does it make you want to have more kids? Less? Don't care? Let's converse;).

$100 Million Dollars

I found this really interesting (and true). My friend Nick posted it over at Facebook and I thought it was something all could be intrigued by!

Bank Failure and Foreclosures

CNN has a very interesting map of where the bank failures and home foreclosures are at (per state). I was kind of shocked to see here in California our foreclosure rate was under 5%.

(HT: Why Homeschool)

Obama and Keyes on Christianity

What makes me the most nervous about Obama and his Christianity is that he would need to ask Christ if he is "going up or going down". I can say that I am saved because Christ died for me and that it isn't in negotiation.

My Vote is...

Since we the people apparently own 80% of AIG I vote we don't dump another $30 million into it. Fire all the people running it and what ever we do, don't let someone who works for the federal government run it either. Ugh!

More Biden

Warning: Uses the S word.


Need I say more?

We think this is a good idea? Really?

I have found the way we know that the stimulus package isn't going to do anything, they are having Joe Biden overseeing it. He couldn't even properly give out the web address (www.recovery.org). Hit & Run compares it to trusting Uncle Billy with the bank's money in It's a Wonderful Life.

Just a Little Fun!

What the Heck!!!

I guess Obama really is the press savy President. So press savy that he is employing the press in odd positions. At least the is what I thought when I heard the announcement of Dr. Sanjay Gupta as Surgeon General. For those of you not familiar with Dr. Gupta he is a corespondent and commentator on CNN. But that didn't bother me as much as Leon Panetta for the head of the CIA. Panetta was in the House from Monterey, CA and was Bill Clinton's chief of staff. Did you notice there was not 1 mention of intellegience work (and possibly no intelligence in his work, but that is a separate issue)? I asked NerdDad what stopped me from being the head of the CIA and he said I couldn't because I never helped Bill Clinton hide dead bodies in the trunk of my car. If I would have known that was all it took;).

Rethinking Conspiracies

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a hugely cynical person. I, unfortunately, am very rarely shocked by the bad behavior of politicians. But, it has happened.

The governor of Illinois brazenly put up for sale his appointment of Barack Obama’s successor in the United States Senate, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

In recorded conversations with advisers, the governor, Rod R. Blagojevich, seemed alternately boastful, flip and spiteful about the Senate choice, which he crassly likened at one point to that of a sports agent shopping around a free agent for the steepest price, a federal affidavit showed. At times, he even weighed aloud appointing himself to the job, the prosecutors said.

Now I am not shocked that a governor was selling a Senate seat, per se, but that he was doing it so blatantly. I mean, there is the implicit bribes. You might pick someone that will pay you back someday but to open up bidding? Ugh!

But I am not the only one that was shocked. All of this has made Scott Adams (of Dilbert fame) re-examine the whole idea that conspiracy theories could be plausible.

So in the light of the whole Senate buy off attempt, what conspiracies suddenly make more sense to you?

Praise for Biden

I know, a shocking statement and yes this is still the NerdFamily Blog. Apparently Biden has realized his limitations.

The declaration results from an attention-getting article coming from the Las Vegas Sun, which is reporting Sunday in a story by Washington Bureau reporter Lisa Mascaro that the new Congress “will reassert its constitutional independence from the White House by barring the vice president from joining in internal Senate deliberations, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said in an interview with the Sun.”

Yeah, Cheney may have go and talked to a lot of people but he just talked. Obviously Biden has realized that for the future of Obama's presidency and the party's success, he should just keep his mouth shut. We call that a win/win. A win for the Democrats because they don't have to be scared of Biden's mouth and a win for American because we can forget he is the vice president;).

Schwarzenegger Says Californians are Poorer Than Previously Thought, Must Take More Money

So California finally got a budget after forever but then they underestimated the taxes the state would take in. That is because everyone has less money and is spending less money. So to make up for it The Governator wants to enact a 1.5 cent tax hike. Yea, that sounds right. People are broke so let us make them broker.

Over and over and over (until it's over)

We watched the all first presidential debate, some of the second, and none of the third. Here's video proof that we didn't miss much.

There's definitely something wrong with the presidential debate system, as it's just a game to see how many of your pre-rehearsed talking points you can recite. Now I wonder how many of Obama's sound-bites you'll hear again during his half-hour commercial tonight. (Not me, I've seen enough.)

Obama's past elections

Barack Obama is a current U.S. Senator, and a former Illinois State Senator, so you probably figure that he's used to running against his political opponents.

From The Corner

In 1996 Obama goes to court, challenges the petition signatures of mostly African-American voters, and gets all his rivals eliminated from the ballot and so de facto runs unopposed.

In 2004 sealed divorce records were strangely released destroying the chances of his chief Democratic rival Blair Hull; then in the general, lightning again struck, and Republican front-runner Jack Ryan's sealed divorce records were likewise mysteriously released—and he too crashed, in effect, leaving Obama without a serious primary or general election rival.

Hilarity and Palin!

For those of you who don't have Tivo, don't stay up late or live on Mars;).




The slightly less funny cold open:

Don't Trust Politicians

I started watching John Stossel's special on 20/20 (love Tivo) and he was talking about how people trusted the candidates who are running for president. Ah! That is everyone's first mistake.

We are not elected a messiah or even a Moses. We are conducting a nation wide job interview. It is time people treated it as such. So what does that look like? Well, think about your own job experience. You give the prospective employer you resume then based on that and your interview they decide to hire you. You decide to accept the job based upon the expectations that were outlined for you.

NerdDad is currently working on a software feature with another person. The employer can't hold NerdDad accountable for the other person's productivity but they can hold him accountable (read: fire him if he doesn't produce) for his work. NerdDad didn't get his job to miracoulously produce every product for his company but to complete his job.

This is how we should view the presidency. There is a job with requirements. Then we look at the candidates' interview, evaluate how their experience and temperament line up with the position and choose. Keep in mind that you are hiring for the position of President, not be all to end all. The first thing to do is go , brace yourself, read the Constitution! The Founding Fathers did a decent job of laying out what is expected. Then keep in mind that if either of these candidates could fix all of our and the government's ails they would have done it already. They wouldn't have been dependent on our little votes. They are just humans and therefore defecient in many areas and mostly jerks (who else would want the job?).

So take the emotion out of this election. Know what the Presidential job is and don't confuse it with the whole Congress. Look at the candidate's history and resume. Then choose. Wisely!

Ben Stein, Paulson and the Economy

The NY Times has a very good article from Ben Stein. He really helps to offer a perspective as to what has caused some of the economic issues. He also talked about how Paulson had the chutzpah to ask that he not be held responsible for the $700 Billion he wanted in the bailout.

(HT: Bridget Johnson)

Another T-Shirt Incident

Here is the basic situation: a school is having one of those themed dressing days. This time it is red, white and blue. A kid comes in with a homemade red, white and blue anti-Obama shirt. He is told to wear it inside out or be suspended. He chose suspension. Oy!

(HT: Electric Venom)

More Government Growth?

It looks like we are getting a Cabinet level Copyright Czar. Now copyright infringement was already being persecuted by the Federal government so does it really need to be grown to this level? Is this growing the nanny state and just taking more tax money or do you think it actually protects the capitalist society?

Biden the Idiot (Again)

So what did Senator Joe Biden do this time?

From Senator and Vice-Presidential candidate Joe Biden on CBS News:

Part of what a leader does is to instill confidence, is demonstrate that he or she knows what they're talking about, and communicates to people, if you listen to me, and follow what I'm suggesting, we can fix this. When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on television, and didn't just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed, he said, look, here's what happened.

So what is the problem? Well, FDR wasn't President when the Stock Market crashed and the Depression began. Even if he was, tv isn't how he would have communicated with the public.

Volokh cuts Biden slack saying that he is just tired and speaking off the cuff. But I don't give him the same slack. He wanted to show how great the Democrats were and didn't have a real life example so he made up something somewhat believable.

Christianity and Taxing the Wealthy

Chris B over at RedBlueChristian has a great piece on why taxing the rich at a higher rate and therefore charging them their "fair share" is wrong. A thought I am left with is if God had a flat rate in tithe, where do we get off having a sliding scale?

Yet Another Reason We Homeschool

Recently my inbox has been flooded with pieces talking about how something needs to be done about the proposed Harvey Milk Day in California public schools.

I have to say that I am a bit ambivalent because it seems to fall in line with the purpose of socialized education. Which is to inhibit the development of Judeo-Christian values. This is what is called a "Dog Bites Man Story". If a man bites a dog, that is news. But is a dog bites a man, not so much because that is what dogs do. Homosexuality has become mainstream within the school system. So what makes you think that they wouldn't be looking for pioneers to celebrate? Just like when school became integrated we then began celebrating heroes of the integration (such as Martin Luther King Jr.). I am not saying that these people are equal in achievement. Harvey Milk is famous for being an openly gay politician who was killed for it. So he is the perfect martyr.

What worries me more is the situation that arose recently in Dos Palos where a kid was punished for wearing a shirt that depicted the US flag. And why?

The assistant principal initially thought Shelly's T-shirt violated a clause of the school dress code that does not allow "shirts/blouses that promote specific races, cultures, or ethnicities."

As NerdDad said when he heard about it, we have to be careful to not offend anyone who doesn't like America like the teachers. While I understand that the schools don't support my values but now they are blatant about their dislike for America. I think at this point, these type of situations are more dangerous than Harvey Milk Day.

But the overriding issue? I don't know what to say to parents who have their kids in school who are angry about Harvey Milk and say,"Call the Governor". My gut says, "You already handed you kids over to the school system. What did you expect? And do you really think a phone call will fix it all?" I know it is harsh but unfortunately true. If you don't like the influence of the system on your child (Harvey Milk Day, etc) the only thing you can really do to stop it is to remove the child from the situation.

Now do I just abandon the school system? No, I vote for change (and not Obama;) and do try to change things but not at the cost of my kids.

There is my rant for the day.

Preach It Girls!

I am Sarah Palin. I am a conservative woman!

(HT: Gateway Pundit)

Yet Another Reason for McCain/Palin

I remember when I no longer wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up. It was when I was in 6th or 7th grade and my mom was in law school. There was all kinds of dumb things going on but when someone took books out of the law library so no one else could use them for the class assignment (according to my mom, I do not know this first hand) and they would be guaranteed the best grade. That did it. I was in junior high and realized how immature they all were. I wanted out of junior high and they all seemed to be clamoring to get back to it.

That taints my over all view, I admit it. I know good lawyers but on the whole... And these 2 dorks aren't going to be the exceptions to the lawyer stereo types. So don't vote for Obama/Biden.

(HT: American Digest)

Biden the Idiot

I was watching Good Morning America this morning at the hospital while NerdDad was having his surgery and they were talking about the Palin speech. I haven’t seen it yet (it is on the Tivo) but it sounds like it was good. Then they had Senator Joe Biden on. He said that he was in the air when her speech started so he missed about a third of it.

So that leaves the question. Do we want to elect someone Vice President when he was smart enough/capable enough to get the same text that the press had ahead of time? Or that he couldn’t have someone tivo/record it so he could see all of it before he went on tv shows to comment?

Idiot.

Hillary Humor

Who can't use a little giggle at Hillary's expense. Well, maybe it isn't funny because it might be true;).

Is it Tigh/Roslin '08?

Some of you may remember my previous post that paralleled John McCain and Colonel Saul Tigh of Battlestar. Well it is nice to know that we are not the only Battlestar Galatica fans in the Republican Party. That is obvious by Palin's distinct Roslinesque look;). Thanks to Michael Doyle over at BurnLab for this awesome graphic!

(We totally are supporting the McCain/Palin ticket but that doesn't mean we have lost our sense of humor.)

First Woman VP?

I have to say that I wasn't very familiar with Governor Sarah Palin before this afternoon. Frankly, because I have 4 kids and went a got a haircut, I still haven't done a lot of research on her. But, what I know I like! There are 2 issues I have already heard of.

First, it appears some of the Mommy Wars are starting. In one of my homeschooling groups a message was posted that you can't be a good mom and balance it all. She was disappointed in the Republican party for picking someone who would be neglecting her family. There was no proof that she neglects her family. Apparently she has her baby with her and has it well under control. I think that it would be a shame for women to start slinging this issue around. While I stay home I think everyone has different situations that work well for them. Do I believe that on the whole everything goes better if mom stays home? Sure, that is why I stay home. But, I only make my own choices and even those are based on today's circumstances. If things change so may my actions.

The second issue I have bandied about is her lack of experience. I haven't looked at her complete resume but...Being the governor of Alaska seems to be better experience than being a junior senator. And that is their candidate for President, not vp.

The last issue is a woman in leadership. I DON'T CARE. I want to see the right person for the right job, regardless of sex.

For the first time I am looking forward to the Vice Presidential debates. She is going to wipe the floor with Biden;).

NerdDad reminded me of the Cheney/Lieberman debate. I did look forward to that but not in the same way. I looked forward to Cheney but Lieberman was too boring to look forward to. While I don't like Biden , he is entertaining (like a train wreck or the show Wipeout).

Now That the Picks Out

Now that McCain's announced his pick for Vice President you should go over and see his short list. It is complete with hand written notes;).

Adam Smith on Public School

On a recent family trip to the library (what else do you expect from a group called the NerdFamily? ;) NerdDad found a great book. It is P. J. O'Rourke's On The Wealth of Nations (Books That Changed the World). Now we here in the Nerd Family are huge P.J. O'Rourke fans, and we can speak of his greatness further in the future, so NerdDad checked it out and found that Adam Smith had his opinions on school and how it should work.

This piece got NerdDad's attention and then he had to share with me;):

Adam Smith was only a tepid fan of public education. As he went on to explain in book 5 of Wealth, he thought that some government subsidy of education was needed so that "even the common labourer may afford it." Teachers, however, should be "partly, but not wholly paid" by the state. "In modern times the diligence of public teachers is more or less corrupted by the circumstances, which render them more or less independent of their success and reputation," wrote Smith, making his modern times sound like ours. And Smith believed that certain very prestigious institutions of higher learning were teaching "a mere useless and pedantic heap of sophistry and nonsense." Was UC Berkeley even around back then?

O'Rourke then goes on to further expand on Smith's views. About how there was value in an ability and not just being a highly (or overpaid) specialist. This is all tied into how our economy works and what should be valued.

To me this further proves that merit of the public school educational experience isn't the education because the public education system can be skewed by itself, its beliefs and its own social agenda. The public education system is not at all driven by what would be considered useful knowledge or what is good and productive. Just as God created man in His image, the public education system is trying to create a society of its own ideals and creation rather than concentrating on the knowledge it is getting paid to pass on.

The DNC: Really Classing Up the Joint

Apparently I have been wrong in my feelings that the DNC convention and all the liberal protests surrounding it will be a tasteless show of their ill will toward any people who have morals. This is evidenced by the fact that in the many crazy activities going on that week Public Enemy will be gracing everyone with a free concert.

The band's performance was announced Monday, along with three speakers who will bolster the efforts of the activist group Re-create 68.

For those unclear on the slant of Re-create 68, the are also sponsoring speaker Cindy Sheehan.

Here is a glimpse of the band, for those who aren't familiar.

Led by rapper Chuck D, Public Enemy is a pioneer of political hip-hop with groundbreaking albums such as 1988's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and 1990's Fear of a Black Planet. Chuck D continues to comment on issues both in song and in the media, including a radio show on Air America Radio. His sidekick, rapper Flavor Flav, has struggled with an addiction to crack cocaine and has starred in the reality TV show Flavor of Love.

(HT: Bridget Johnson)

You have been BarackRoll'd

Its like being RickRoll'd but funnier!

(HT: Heather@Beehive)

Affair Today, Daddy Tomorrow

So a month ago John Edwards wasn't having an affair. Now he admits to the affair. So in another month will he admit to being the baby's father?

Rehearing on the Big CA Homeschool Case

For those of you who might be interested, Ann has a piece on what happened at the rehearing this week. Now we just wait for the outcome.....

Breaking News: Tim Russert is Dead

Tim Russert has passed away from a heart attack at the age of 58. The host of Meet the Press had the heart attack while recording voice overs an upcoming episode. I knew that Russert had been in politics for ever, working for people like Daniel Patrick Moynihan, but I didn't realize that he won an Emmy for his coverage of Ronald Reagan's funeral. While I didn't always agreed with his political views, he did such a balanced job on Meet the Press that I always liked watching the show. His presence will definitely be missed.

Technorati Tags: Tim Russert

Defense Department Shake Ups

So the Secretary of Defense is "accepting" the resignations of the Air Force Secretary and Chief of Staff due to some slip ups in Nuclear security. That seems like a good reason. I do love the wording of accepting resignations instead of firing their butts!

(HT: Two Babes and a Brain)

Gay Marriage Coming Soon to California

Apparently they will be starting to have same sex marriages(or gay marriages for the search engines;) in California on June 17, 2008. According to this article, the state said that the date is set that far in the future to give the state Supreme Court time to step in. It seems all that will stop it in the near future is for the Supreme Court to issue a stay.

The new procedure isn't really all that shocking. The paperwork that the county clerks will have with not say bride and groom. Also if registered domestic partners are marrying the same person, they don't have to dissolve the partnership first.

I am interested in seeing how this all shakes out.

How dare you keep your own money!

If you are unaware of all financial life here is a harsh truth, in the last few years property values have dropped. Especially in California, a lot. Part of the bills you pay when you own a home is property taxes which are usually a percentage of your property value. This tax price is usually only decided on when you buy or sell the property. But , and this is a big but, apparently you can have it assessed for other reasons and that can effect your tax. (This is something we at the Nerd Family household are currently looking into for ourselves.)

So what would be the problem with a home owner getting a tax break because their home is worth less? Well, a good portion of the tax goes into the school districts. In Larry Ellison's case he will be taking $250,000 a year out of the Portola Valley School District. Apparently his home value has dropped about $100 million from the districts assessment (or wasn't worth that to begin with) and he doesn't want to pay tax on it. Imagine! So based on everything he is due a $3 million refund. There is an entire article about the effect on the school district in the Palo Alto Daily News.

Now am I shocked or angry that they felt the need to do an article on the effect? No, but the issue is that it is his money and he has a right to it regardless of how much of it he has. That means that I have a right to my money too! I think that governments are going to fight all of these reassessments because they "need" the money more. That is just another case of the government thinking they can spend my money better than me. I say scrap the whole tax system and give me my money;)!

Court to Reconsider

For all those keeping up on the California Homeschooling drama, the court is going to reconsider their decision. As far as I can tell in the first article I have found, this is not a complete rehearing of the case. They are inviting educators and teacher's unions to submit written arguments. We shall see.

NY Gov Resinged, Finally!

I first heard about the issues surrounding Eliot Spitzer on Monday. He has been caught up in the call-girl scandal that was discovered by a wire tap. All along I heard he was going to resign but never did. Well, he has now. The part I don't buy in the whole story was:

Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in disgrace Wednesday after getting caught in a call-girl scandal that shattered his corruption-fighting, straight-arrow image, saying: "I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work."

Yea right. He resigned after he go his plea bargain. I don't view this as a resignation but a excuse. You know what I mean, a "this is why I won't be at work any more" excuse. What do ya'all think?

Homeschoolers: Be Ye Attentive But Not Panicked

I have been emailed quite a bit about the ruling that came down in LA County last week. Some people had wondered if I had heard about it while I have been sick since I hadn't blogged on it. Yes, I have heard but I am not worried, yet. First of all, I encourage everyone to read the ruling. Don't rely on news reports, articles and others to give you a picture. Go find out for yourself.

Having read the ruling (or what ever it is the court released), I have strong concerns but nothing has actually changed yet. The most concerning part is this part:

It is clear to us that enrollment and
attendance in a public full-time day school is required by California law for minor
children unless (1) the child is enrolled in a private full-time day school and actually
attends that private school, (2) the child is tutored by a person holding a valid state
teaching credential for the grade being taught, or (3) one of the other few statutory
exemptions to compulsory public school attendance (Ed. Code, § 48220 et seq.) applies
to the child.

While this is very alarming as a legal precedent, nothing has changed. You can still go file your forms to homeschool in the State of California. Now the HSLDA is currently doing many things to deal with this ruling. The big one that has made it around the homeschooling internet is the petition to get the ruling depublished. From what I have read, depublishing the verdict means nothing has changed. Then this ruling will not be reversed but it will not be considered part of the body of law which constitutes legal precedent. On the whole I am not a big fan of depublishing any verdicts. I think it should either right or wrong. This is a very political way to tell the court what they did in that case was right but let's not use it for everyone. Some things I have read said that this is the easiest way to deal with it because it rocks the boat the least.

I don't really think that the State of California is going to change how we homeschool or if they do, not very much. A big benefit that I do see out of all of this is unification. I am on a few yahoo groups and I am seeing secular, unschoolers, and Christians homeschoolers banding together for a common cause. I think this is great! Studies have shown that homeschooling in whatever form is better for the kids and for society. We need to come together and protect our rights together! I would love to see the homeschoolers of California to maintain some of this unity after this issue has been dealt with.

Technorati Tags: homeschooling, California

Larry Norman and Ronald Reagan

There is a great article on Larry Norman, his fondness for Ronald Reagan, and the affect Norman had on others all centered around a NRB convention in 1984.

(HT: The Weave)

New Obama Slogan

Scott over at GOP Vixen has a great new slogan for Barak Obama, "BAAA-RACK, BAAA-RACK. Barack Obama, man of the sheeple". I agree that it would make a great bumper sticker.

Jack Nicholson Shills for Hillary?

Of course, I don't support Hillary but I thought this was interesting. I also have no idea where it originated with be it Nicholson or other wise.

(HT: GOP Vixen)

Another Great Man Passes

William F. Buckley Jr. died today. There is already a touching tribute, or more appropriately a series of tributes up at National Review. He is an icon in the conservative movement. I personally enjoy the debate he had with Gore Vidal (due to language I am only posting a link). He wasn't a party man but a man of principals and he would take on anyone. May there be more like him. My sympathies and prayers to all who loved him and cared for him.

Battlestar Galactica and Politics

Now I know where I have seen John McCain before. Apparently he is Colonel Tigh (or a replecant model of;)who was revealed as a Cylon. For those who don't watch Battlestar Galactica (Why don't you? I have been meaning to talk to you about this) the Cylons are robots who are trying to eliminate humanity. I love the images that appear to be done by the Metamerist for Pieniazek.

(HT: Adam Pieniazek)

Technorati Tags: McCain, Battlestar Galactica, ScifiChannel

Hilary, Huckabee and PJ

I have heard all the hubbub about Mike Huckabee's subliminal ad, which I thought was hogwash. But I hadn't heard about Hilary's ad where she give us many "great gifts" (including universal healthcare, universal pre-k, etc) until I was reading Jonah Goldberg's piece at National Review. He pointed out the obvious point to me.... Gifts are given freely and cost the receiver nothing and that isn't the case with these things. As a matter of fact I think they could bankrupt us. Jonah went on to quote one of my favorites (both the book and the author) in comparing the candidates, P. J. O’Rourke’s Parliament of Whores.

“I have only one firm belief about the American political system, and that is this: God is a Republican and Santa Claus is a Democrat,” wrote the indispensable O’Rourke.

“God” he explained, is “a stern fellow, patriarchal rather than paternal and a great believer in rules and regulations. He holds men strictly accountable for their actions. He has little apparent concern for the material well being of the disadvantaged. ... God is unsentimental. It is very hard to get into God’s heavenly country club.”

P. J. continues: “Santa Claus is another matter. ... He’s nonthreatening. He’s always cheerful. And he loves animals. He may know who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, but he never does anything about it. He gives everyone everything they want without the thought of a quid pro quo.”

“Santa Claus is preferable to God in every way but one,” O’Rourke concluded. “There is no such thing as Santa Claus.”

I have included both commercials so you can get the feel.

Two Different Versions! Two Different Morals!

I got this from my friend Heather. Normally, I don't encourage such thing but I really liked this one.

OLD VERSION:

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building
his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and
plays the summer away.

Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!

---------------------------------------------------------------------


MODERN VERSION:

The ant works ha rd in the withering heat all summer long,
building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances
and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and
demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well-fed while
others are cold and starving.

CBS, NBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the
shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable
home with a table filled with food. Americans are stunned by the sharp
contrast.

How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor
grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper, and
everybody cries when they sing, "It's Not Easy Being Green."

Jesse Jackson stages a demon stration in front of the ant's house
where the news stations film the group singing, 'We shall overcome.'
Jesse then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's
sake.

Nancy Pelosi & John Kerry explain in an interview with Larry King
that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and
both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair
share.

Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper
Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs
and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is
confiscated by the government.

Hillary gets her old law firm to represent the grasshopper in a defamation
suit against the ant, and the case is tried before a panel of federal judges
that Bill Clint on appointed from a list of
single-parent welfare recipients.

The ant loses the case.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper finishing up the last
bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which
just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because
he doesn't maintain it.

The ant has disappeared in the snow.

The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident and the
house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who
terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote

Giving Huckabee a Chance

With Fred Thompson being a bit of a disappointment I am going to start looking into Mike Huckabee. While I only saw part of the debate last night, I was impressed by what I saw and what I have heard. My concern is that NerdDad has heard that he is a big spending Republican. That is my one really big problem with George W. Bush. So what do you all think of Mike Huckabee?

Friedman on Schools (Choir Style)

Is there really anything more I need to say?

Thanksgiving: A Celebration of Individual Rights

NerdDad found this great article by John Stossel over at RealClearPolitics about Thanksgiving. It point out that communal living spelled disaster for the Pilgrims and that it was only through individual land (and therefore production) that the Pilgrims were able to survive.

"So as it well appeared that famine must still ensue the next year also, if not some way prevented," wrote Gov. William Bradford in his diary. The colonists, he said, "began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop than they had done, that they might not still thus languish in misery. At length after much debate of things, [I] (with the advice of the chiefest among them) gave way that they should set corn every man for his own particular, and in that regard trust to themselves. ... And so assigned to every family a parcel of land."

If only they pointed that out in school.

Greatest Political Ad Ever!

Regardless if you like Huckabee or not, this is a great commercial.

(HT: GOP Vixen)

Are All Politicians Cut From the Same Cloth?

A interesting development came up when Lynne Chenney was researching a memoir of growing up in the western state of Wyoming. Come to find out Dick Chenney and Barak Obama are 8th or 9th cousins. So is it true that we are all being ruled by these uber-families;)? You know, the Kennedy/Schwarzeneggers and the Obama/Chenneys;).

I just think this is all cute and funny.

Planned Parenthood Charged

Planned Parenthood in Kansas has been charged with 107 criminal counts. About time they got charged. What I find sad is that False Information is a Non-Person Felony but a Unlawful Late Term Abortion is a Misdemeanor.

(HT: Michelle Malkin)

Oh Joy, I live in a Nanny State

California has become the 3rd state to enact a ban on being in a car, smoking with kids. While I don't smoke (asthmatic and would probably die;) I just don't like the government telling me what to do with my kids. This is a slippery slope....

Deaths

Madeline L'Engle died Thursday at age 88. She was the author of Wrinkle in Time and many other great books. Literature and the world will miss her.

Pastor D. James Kennedy also dies this week at age 76. He actually died as a result of a heart attack he had in December. While I listened to him on the radio in hugh school and college, I was shocked (pleasantly) to see he was a founding member of the Moral Majority. He will also be greatly missed.

Both families are in my prayers.

New York Nanny State

Once again New York City has a new ban. This time it is parents smoking in a car with kids. Now I don't smoke, don't like smoking, can't have people smoke around me and I have asthma. Those issues are not the issue. The issue is how much control should the government have? This is private property with their own kids. It is a slippery slope. Smoking around your kids is bad. So is cussing, eating cookies, not getting enough sleep, etc. So are we going to fine everything? Will there be a checklist for raising your kids? I think the biggest thing that scares me about this is that I live in California and can see it happening here.

This also reveals a truth I have known for a while. Bloomberg may be a Republican but he is not conservative. While he hasn't signed off on this specific law he did have some comments pertaining to this subject.

When asked in January about a similar proposal in Rockland County, Mr. Bloomberg said people should have the right to smoke in their own cars, but "if it's a child in the car, who doesn't have the ability to speak up and protect themselves, then society does start to have an interest."

(HT: Two Babes and a Brain)

Supreme Court Upholds Partial Birth Ban

This just in! In a 5-4 ruling the US Supreme Court has upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban as being Constitutional. They said that it didn't effect a woman's right to have an abortion but the method. Very Good!

How could you educate for $25000 a person?

I am assuming better than the Washington DC schools. According to the Washington Post the kids of the district have a few ideas:

Among the things that they wanted to see in every public school: "books when school starts," "heat in winter," "air conditioning in summer," "healthy meals," "water fountains that work," "music and art classes," "counselors who are able to help us" and "teachers who care about their students and can teach."

My question is what are they already spending the money on? This is yet another reason for vouchers or even tax credits for schooling.

(HT: Joanne Jacobs)

What will 2007 look like?

Over at Jewish World Review, James Lileks take a hilarious look back at 2007 from January 1st 2008. One section stood out in both hilarity and truth;).

American politics were in that blessed period between elections, but jockeying continued for the presidential spot in both parties. Hillary Clinton made a masterful move to the center by coming out against gay marriage for stem cells; Barack Obama continued to run on a platform of being Barack Obama, and Mitt Romney continued to remind people of his impressive chin. Rudy Guiliani rolled out a new campaign slogan: "Why? Because I'll Nuke Them Old-School Style if I Have To, and You Know It," while John McCain's team came up with a GOP base-tested slogan, "Suck It Up, Haters! It's Him or the Witch."

NerdDad says the McCain slogan is all ready for the bumper stickers.