http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=email_en&sid=ar2de0RP4ebo

Atlas Shrugged should be required reading to vote; its common sense to live.

In a related article, see  http://www.charlotteobserver.com/408/story/770382.html.
As a follow up, take a look at http://business.clemson.edu/BBTCENTER/cci/index.htm, this from a grant from BB&T.

This makes me want to switch my meager account to BB&T.

Two important events occurred this weekend that are worth noting. Neither solves all concerns, but both give hope.

With one of the largest GOP Conventions in NC history, the 2009 Convention this weekend left no question that the Grand Old Party is alive and well in North Carolina. And, judging from the number first-time delegates in attendance, we are all fed up with the GOP’s move-to-center and the (continue reading…)

As North Carolina Republicans prepare for the 2009 State Convention next weekend, it is critical that we realize what is at stake: Nothing less than the greatest opportunity of our lifetime. It is the opportunity to get right what has gone wrong, to draw a sharp contrast with the current administration; the opportunity to get on the same page before it is too late; the opportunity to fix Republicanism- rest assured it is broken.

Unfortunately, these will not occur.

This weekend we will elect a new chairman, consider as many as 22 resolutions and go home. Frankly, I am frustrated with our candidates for Chair. We must, however, select (continue reading…)

In the coming weeks as judge Sotomayor goes through the fire of confirmation as an US Supreme Court justice we should tune our ears to the rhetoric of both the left and the right. When we hear the screams of fear and foul play or the sweet voices of empathy and compassion, we must use our capacity for reasoning and detection to understand why those voices are being raised. We will hear more on the evils of policy making from the bench and personal agendas and biases. We will hear more of life experiences and overcoming hardship. But, does any of that matter? It’s hard to tell right now, yet here is how I see it.

It is the responsibility of our Supreme Court to (continue reading…)

One of the great open secrets of our society is the simplicity of the single document from which all law must spring, the Constitution. It is an outline of government, it is the rulebook, and it is the ultimate law to which all laws must be accountable.

The US Constitution is far simpler than most appear to realize; it can be read in a matter of minutes. My copy will fit in a shirt pocket. The greatest kept secret is that (continue reading…)

I’ve recently received several copies of an email that is circulating. Most of the forwards that I receive are not worth my time to read; this one however is different- and worth consideration this weekend, though I take one exception to it.

It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the veteran, not the campus organizer who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

The exception that I will take is (continue reading…)

The far left coast has for years pandered to every special interest group, every organization, and every perceived need, except that of the smallest minority- the individual. On Tuesday, the individual fought back, and won… at least for a day.

California’s budget woes have been stated and restated, all the while ignored by the elected officials- which include “republican” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a democrat controlled legislature. Following the tax increases by the state last February, the legislature refused (continue reading…)

I told you so… (see Open Letter to Republicans.)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124208505896608647.html

And this is just the begining…

There may be nothing that brings a greater feeling of patriotism than the Stars and Stripes. Immortalized in song and memory; will anyone forget the emotion brought on by the display of flags everywhere on September 12, 2001; the Stars and Stripes Forever,  or our National Anthem, which is of course about the flag. Since its adoption on June 14, 1777, it has been a symbol of unity, a symbol of pride, and of freedom. Perhaps over time, we have made an idol of the flag, and in doing so, forgotten what it represents.

Some generations ago, the flag that brought about this loyalty looked much different. Although red, white and blue, there were no stars. In the years leading up to the Revolution, our Founding Fathers held to an allegiance to their king; one they believed was chosen (continue reading…)

Open letter to Republicans

As President Obama continues to invent new ways to subvert the US Constitution and destroy Capitalism, the NC General Assembly appears to be marching in step-for-step time. 2009 will be a year to which generations of freedom-loving people shall point. A year in which we will see more clearly than ever before, the subversion of everything the Founders created, a bastardization of everything that has made America the greatest nation the world has ever known.

A perfect example is the proposed smoking ban in North Carolina. Many justify the ban based on the will of the majority, public health, or the general welfare. In reality, the sole issue is individual rights.

William Pitt stated, “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.” There can be no question that necessity has been (continue reading…)