Category Archives: Eight Decades of Insights

by Barry Kelly | March 12, 2016 · 4:12 pm

INSIGHTS 254 FORGET THE LABELS-GET IT DONE

Are you as tired as I am of hearing politicians say I’m a true conservative or I hold strong liberal views or I’m a fiscal libertarian, or I vote for progressive candidates? Enough of the ideological purists. We’ve had one for the last 7 plus years. How has that worked out? Well, we elected twice, the worst president in living memory, if not in our total political history. So, over half of us must be attracted to candidates claiming to be ideological purists. Enough of this madness. Whatever their beliefs, it is what they do that counts. Can the candidate of our choice, protect Americans and the American nation? Can they govern within our economic realities? Do they understand how wealth is created? Will they surround themselves with smart people and listen to them and the American people?

We understand the difference between verbal claims and performance in the world of sports. If you don’t produce, you’re out. The coaches and managers don’t care about your political ideology. In each contest you have to prove you can do your job. Imagine a professional sports coach starting their interview for the head coaching job by saying, I’m a conservative, or a liberal, or a Presbyterian, or a Buddhist or a Muslim. Think the team’s owner would be impressed? The whole infatuation with purist titles is not relevant when it comes to solving problems and managing something as vast and complicated as our government.

President Obama got his job by speaking eloquently about his vision of transforming America. He had no experience managing anything. College instructors, community organizers and state or federal senators don’t manage anything. In President Obama’s case his ideology, was influenced, if not formed, by the writings of Mr. Saul Alinsky. Mr. Alinsky’s central premise is, “The Issue is never The Issue.” By that he meant issues don’t matter. Don’t even try to solve problems or fix things. Just use each issue to destroy the opposition. Take any side of any issue and change sides whenever it is to your advantage to do so. The end always justifies the means when your purpose is to take power away from those who have it and give it to those who don’t. Progressives, following Mr. Alinsky’s teaching, believe lying is not a bad thing. Hillary Clinton has also been influenced by Mr. Alinsky, whom she knew personally. Lying to accomplish goals is a part of her drive to win the highest office in the land.

I don’t care if the coaches of the professional sports teams I follow, share my personal beliefs or a political label with me. I just want them to build the team and win games. Let’s get over voting for ideological purity and elect someone who can solve problems and fix what’s wrong with the nation and put American back it is proper place in the world. Both our people and the world will benefit.

INSIGHTS 253 THE TRUMP PLAN

In a few hours we will see the Republican debate from Detroit. But what have we learned so far? Perhaps the most important thing we have learned is that the GOP establishment, that makes up the political class, does not trust the electorate to choose a candidate. Now that Donald Trump has convincingly won the title of the ‘front runner,’ the old guard is pulling out frantic efforts to stop him.

The latest offensive was a pathetic speech in Salt Lake City by Mitt Romney. It seems in the four years since he effusively thanked Trump for his endorsement, he has changed dramatically his view of Mr. Trump. Would he have made such a speech without support from the old line Republican establishment that gave us two losing candidates in the last eight years. This same group also pleaded with the Republican base to elected a Republican Senate and House in order to stop the Obama progressive program. They did absolutely nothing with the majorities we gave them but make excuses and cave into everything the President wanted. They failed to show the courage and resolve that was needed.

Trump has won all but a few state-wide contests and has energized huge across the board voter turnout. But a great number of these people voting for Trump are not conservatives or traditional members of the Republican Party. That is a good thing. The Republican political class did not listen to the old membership. Maybe they will finally figure out the people are angry and want real change from the last eight years of Obama progressivism. It is too late for them. This new movement of working people, men, women, Hispanics, evangelicals, young and old, middle class and professionals are in such vast numbers, it dwarfs the Tea Party that has now joined the stop Trump campaign.

The political pundits are chanting what is the Trump program. Tell us the plans. When he does tell them, they don’t recognize the genius and simplicity of his message. They are all looking for big government solutions where a centralized government plan must be laid out and debated. Perhaps the clearest example is Mr. Trumps version of a replacement for Obamacare. He told us that Obamacare will be replaced with private insurance that will be able to sell their plans across state lines. This is not a big government implement plan. Sure some regulation will be needed, but the essence of the plan is private companies who will put out hundreds of plans to meet the needs of the populace. Capitalism cannot exist without competition. Some government subsidies will be need to help the very poor to get quality medical care. Decentralization is the way to go. Centralization always is the plan of big government, especially those who practice socialism. Effective management comes from clear lines of command and reasonable spans of control unlike the Obamacare structure. Remember the Rollout for Obamacare?

The second important area where Mr. Trump’s plans are ridiculed by the political class is in the area of foreign trade. No plan is necessary unless you are a big government believer or a socialist. No plan could fit all trade negotiations. What does work is smart, tough, experience negotiators. The people who whine about plans for foreign trade have never really been involved in trade deals or arms negotiations. It takes smart people not plans. Please let’s stop expecting real leaders to lay out plans for every situation. Yes, the military has plans and needs them. But they are called contingency plans and there are several of them to meet a wide range of threats and they are not revealed to the general public or our adversaries.

Vote your conscience. Pay no attention to the wailings of the political class. I hope every day we will get ‘term limits’ to get rid of our professional politicians who for, too long, have stopped listening to the people.

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Filed under Barry Kelly, Capitalism, centralization, class warfare, Conservative views, Eight Decades of Insights, Intelligence & Politics, Obamacare, political solutions, Presidential Debate, Progressives, Romney

by Barry Kelly | February 25, 2016 · 6:41 pm

INSIGHTS 252 Senator Sanders’ Big Lie

Why does Senator Sanders, a self-proclaimed socialist, draw such crowds to his rallies? The answer is not complicated. The historical message of the far left socialists, progressives or communists is attractive. It always has solutions to fix all of the problems of society. More equal distribution of wealth. Social welfare programs that support citizens from ‘cradle to grave.’ It’s not your fault you are not rich. The deck is stacked against you by the rich and powerful. The only way to get your rightful share is to take it from the few rich people and corporations.

All societies have victims. Victimhood is a very comfortable cloak for many citizens. It gives them an excuse for their failure to climb the success ladder. The socialist answer is to take the ladder away and hide it from all except the elite who always emerge to rule the government-owned and managed economy. The great truth about socialism and communism is that it never has improved the lives of the people. Those who were the victims remain victims, only now there is no hope once the socialist/progressive elite is in total control. There is no dissent. The people have the freedom of never having to make a choice. There are no choices except those offered by the governing elite.

While Senator Sanders is not an evil person but what he is preaching hides a very ugly ending. You see he knows what is good for you and the nation. He doesn’t tell you his message has always required a strong repressive police and security force to enforce the guidance of the elite managers. Socialism, progressivism and communism cannot govern without repression. For when you take away the freedom of choice from the people there will be dissent. The ugliness of the Sander’s way always begins with the necessity to force people to follow the rules of their elite rulers. Besides losing the freedom of individual choice, the people soon see a mantle of economic stagnation settle over their once productive economy. President Obama, Hillary Clinton and Senator Sanders cannot tell you where their way of government has ever worked. Because it never has. Look at Cuba, Russia, East Germany, China and even the pseudo socialist states of Europe. On a large-scale or small, as some of cooperatives tried in America, collective/socialist schemes have all failed for the same reason. The management of collectives of any kind requires repression that eventually is rejected by the people. Reality never matches the socialist message.

This message is taught in very few colleges or universities. These institutions are run mostly by an intellectual elite that believes in the message and promise of the left-wing ‘isms.’ Very few of these professors have ever really worked for a living or lived in a socialist country. They believe the message because it’s kinder, gentler promise than the reality of the rough and tumble of free market and capitalism. Anyone who is rich, and not a member of the socialist elite or a revolutionary, is an enemy of the majority of social study curriculums in our colleges and universities. Since the real truth of the Sanders’ message will not be taught in our education system, it is up to the rest of use to expose the real truth behind the attractive message of socialism. Just ask where has it ever delivered what it so seductively promises?

INSIGHTS 251 WHO DO WE NEED?

Tomorrow we vote in South Caroline for the Republican candidate of our choice. There are several good choices. All are better than any Democrat running or thinking about running. But which candidate is right for the time.

President Obama with his socialist power down of the America’s economy and military to make us fit into some demented international scheme of income distribution, both between people and nations, will leave a giant mess behind as his legacy.

The economy is in a shambles, debt is nearly out of control, America’s best in the world medical system will soon be a thing of the past. Our military manpower and experience level has been eroded. Weapon systems are outdated and nothing new is being developed to upgrade them. Care of our Veterans is shameful. No one is responsible and no one is accountable for the disgrace. The civil service is politicalized. It is no longer an unofficial check on executive power abuse. Agencies and Departments of the government have grown beyond the need and have increased the scope of their charters. Probably the IRS is the worst. Followed by the EPA, HHS, Justice, and DHS.

We need someone who is a recognized problem solver and isn’t directed by some archaic inner ideology. A pragmatist is needed, not a politician. Our situation requires a president with enough brashness and ego to charge ahead and ignore the calls for political correctness, study, and endless debate. Of all the candidates, I believe only Mr. Trump fills that bill. He is not the smartest or the most knowledgeable in foreign policy but I think his credentials as a deal maker are tailored made for the mess the progressive regime of Obama and company have crafted over the last seven years. In other times I would be supporting Mrs. Fiorina and Senator Rubio. They are truly the smartest and most knowledgeable regarding foreign policy and military affairs. But our need is more critical. The progressive china must be broken and quickly. America can be made great again.

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Filed under Barry Kelly, Conservative views, democrats, Eight Decades of Insights, foreign policy, Intelligence & Politics, Obama, political solutions, Politics, Presidential Debate, Progressives

by Barry Kelly | February 11, 2016 · 5:16 pm

INSIGHTS 250 Bernie’s Version of Socialism

If you heard Bernie Sanders’s victory speech or manifesto after his victory in New Hampshire, you’ll know what he plans to do if he is elected. Give the gadfly Senator credit. He did win, he’s not hiding his agenda and he is honest, even when he extolls the promises of socialism. He really believes his rhetoric. Remember this is a guy who took his bride to the Soviet Union for a honeymoon when the gulags were over flowing and the socialist/communist government was showing its willingness to crush all dissent and spread their brand of totalitarian government throughout the world.

Senator Sanders’s message is appealing to those who don’t care to learn from history. Education, medical care, high wages, infrastructure jobs, much higher taxes on the rich, destroy Wall Street, tax, regulate and punish corporations, equality of wages, no foreign wars are the main categories of his message. And it is all for free. It is not your fault you are not rich. The corporations, big banks, Wall Street, drug companies, the rich and all Republicans are in a vast conspiracy to deny you your just share. Lenin promised ‘land, bread, peace’ to the Russian people near the end of WWI. What they got was far different. The buds of democracy where frozen, millions of dissenters or suspected dissenters were killed and or imprisoned. All the freedoms we enjoyed today were never delivered by those promising the values of socialism and big government.

Socialism under Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro, or the inmates running North Korea all promised the people great things while depriving them of everything. Socialism always results in loss of individual freedom, human rights and hope for a better future. It rewards its followers with never ending repression and a bare subsistence economy. The only people who do well in a socialist economy are the small group of elites who always end up running the socialist/communist government.

Senator Sanders’s message is no different and the result will be the same. Like the attractive, crowd pleasing, politicians before him the message is wonderful, the results will be awful. To decode his message, follow the money. Like all the other Socialists/Communists/Progressives he cannot tell you in any detail where the money is coming from. You won’t hear anything other than the money will come from taxing and regulating the rich and corporations. The message about creating jobs by a massive rebuilding and repair of our roads, bridges, airports and rails sounds promising, until you realize infrastructure jobs do not create wealth. The money must come from somewhere else. That somewhere else is you.