John Legend on Tax Policy

This week, John Legend, who is well-known for covering Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" (and performed it better than Stevie, which is a rarity) was at the White House's Motown Celebration.

Leading up to the event, Legend said that he didn't need his tax cut. John Legend's selflessness maybe could start something, as there's a great idea to his comments: give it back! Americans not as wealthy as John Legend, or the liberal politicians who want to raise taxes on their people, would like that money as it's their money. Here's another great solution: make the tax cuts optional. If a liberal thinks he or she is getting too much money back from the government, he or she should have the right to give that money back. They like choice so much, they should be given that choice. In the end, let's see how many will give it back.

Libya: It's Past and Hope for its Future

Since 1969, Muammar Gaddafi has ruled Libya with an iron fist, restricting dissent, shutting his people from the outside world and severely punishing those that don't go with the flow. And surprisingly, Libya serves on the UN's Human Rights Commission. Most troubling about Gaddafi is his support for international terrorism, masterminding the 1986 bombing of a West Berlin discotheque that killed 2 American servicemen and wounding 50 others; the hijacking of pan Am Flight 73, where 3 Americans were killed; and the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over the skies of Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 178 Americans. For years, he protected the bomber and did not turn him over until 1999 to face justice in the Netherlands, under Scottish law, as a result of a crazy compromise. Even after renouncing his WMD program as a result of fears of a preemptive invasion by America under President Bush in the shadow of Iraq, Gaddafi has kept himself strong and relevant, by passing himself off as the diplomatic spokesperson of Africa, and has become stronger under Obama, while securing an early release for the Pan Am 103 bomber imprisoned in a Scottish prison. Despite that perceived strength, it looks as if he is on his last legs of leadership.

After over one week of Gaddafi's crazy speeches, ordering the military and to shoot its own people and the loss of support from his government officials, it looks as if Gaddafi is going to burn the place down while fighting to the death, shutting down oil facilities, causing crude prices to skyrocket.

Muammar Gaddafi needs to go. He is a murderer, terrorist and is responsible for the death of Americans. Hopefully, his people will get him out, however, we do not know what will come next. With no single opposition leader emerging, combined with the tribal background of Libya, there could be civil war looming. Civil war or no civil war, I do not have as high hopes for a country with no history of freedom and democracy to establish it overnight, but if the United States were to take a leadership position in the formation of a new Libyan government that gives freedom to its people, practices human rights and peacefully coexists in the world community, there is a chance that Libya will not fall into chaos. Unfortunately, the president has not handled the Libyan situation well. Substituting for the absence in American leadership, the British are taking the reins to rein in Gaddafi. Let's hope America and the world will follow.

Obama, Libya and a Lack of Consistency

One week after they began, President Obama has finally spoken publicly about the protests Libya. Sadly, this was more empty talk and further inconsistent policy from this president. In the Middle East alone, he ignored the 2009 Iran Green Movement that was severely put down by the mullahs, took ownership of the mob in Egypt and pushed for Mubrarak being deposed, yet with Libya, it took him just over one week to say something, despite Muammar Gadaffi ordering his police force and military to fire on those protesting. Examining the presidents statements and actions on the Middle East, it is very troubling how he is less willing to confront American enemies than their friends.

Outside of the Middle East, he has treated America's allies with disrespect and disregard, as he has done to Great Britain and Israel, yet he props up our enemies and lowers himself (and his office) to our economic competitors. In the long term, there could be consequences to the President's actions and one must ask will the allies be willing, in the future, to stand with America. Obama's inconsistencies remind me of a teacher who starts out the year as one who claims to enforce rules and closely manage the students, yet does not follow through, thus fomenting dissent and mayhem, and by the middle of the year, losing complete control and having a laughable classroom management style. In observing what is going on around the world in 2011, and especially in the Middle East, it looks as if America has lost control and is being laughed at, just like that inconsistent teacher.

Rahm is Mayor

Between dead fish, stabbing tables and naked finger wagging, we've heard all the stories about Rahm Emanuel. After his years as a Clinton Advisor, Congress, head of the DCCC and Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel has now been elected the next Mayor of Chicago. The third largest city in the United States, Chicago is well known throughout history for rough and tumble machine politics, with its mayor as the operator, as well as electoral shenanigans. Considering Emanuel's history of doing anything possible to get his political way, he's right at home.

Some believe Emanuel will use this opportunity as a stepping stone and those who voted for him (55%; no need for a runoff) believe he will be good for the City of Chicago. We shall see how this all plays out in the years to come.

Unprofessional Behavior by "Professionals"

In aiding the union protesters in Madison, Wisconsin, doctors are now writing fake excuse notes in order to give the teachers who are on "sick-outs" the legal cover needed for them to attend the protests, instead of teaching their children. These exchanges have been caught on video.

In New Jersey, abuse of sick days is "theft of service" and depending on the district, can lead to the following: non-renewal (if not tenured), an eventual revocation of tenure, certification revocation, and even loss of pension. The Wisconsin law is similar. Furthermore, the doctors are committing fraud by writing out the sick letters and with all their years of study and preparation should know that "I'm sick of Scott Walker" is a figure of speech. At least the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board is following this up and may hold these physicians accountable for committing fraud.

In New Jersey, New Jersey Administrative Code Titles 6, 6A and 18A govern all public education institutions, I keep copies of the statutes in my personal library and it is sad that most teachers do not do this, let alone know the laws. Because I keep these statutes handy, I follow each and every law to the T and find it very upsetting when I see educators who do not, and because they are tenured, do not face any accountability for their actions. This has been witnessed on many occasions and is my biggest pet peeve about educator management. Furthermore, not abiding by the rules/law can not only put the educator in legal danger, but it sends the wrong message to the students, as they're required to follow procedure, yet the teachers are not. Especially if the students find out about teacher transgressions, it could lead to classroom management issues and prevent the learning process from progressing smoothly.

Scott Brown may not go "PATCO" on these employees who have broken the law, yet he doesn't seem to give indication that he will give in, thus, keeping a campaign promise, and setting precedent to other governors who are attempting to implement similar campaign promises.

UPDATE: FNC's Griff Jenkins goes right into the crowd to see the doctors writing the fake sick notes and the teachers proudly admitting to it.

John Thune: Not in 2012

News broke today that South Dakota Senator John Thune has declined seek the Republican nomination in the 2012 Presidential Election. Hints were given in his CPAC address that he would not run, as he alluded to fighting for America in the Senate. Thune has been seen as one of the most consistent conservatives in the "likely bunch" of 2012. Although he never served in an "executive position" in government, his years in the House of Representatives, along with the Senate would have positioned him well against a president with very little experience outside the Oval Office, as well as to advocate for the issues that most affect Americans, as well as to reverse the harm that has been done to this country in the past two years. With Thune's exit, this is a plus for the more conservative candidates in the field, if they choose to run.

Disgraceful Treatment of an American Hero

This shouldn't be much of a surprise, but it still is very sad and will likely anger many in America that an event like this occurs in America.

At Columbia University, the same Columbia University where Professor Nicholas DeGenova wished for "a million Mogadishus" in the leadup to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, student and former Army Staff Sergeant Anthony Maschek spoke at a university town hall meeting where he supported the return of ROTC to the campus. Because of the viewpoints he articulated, Staff Sergeant was shouted down, booed and heckled by the students gathered at what is supposedly a forum for a free exchange of ideas. It should also be noted that Maschek was gravely injured in a firefight in Iraq and went through a grueling rehabilitation process.

This tells me two things about the individuals gathered. First, they are ungrateful. Staff Sergeant Maschek and many others like him risk their lives and give up time with their family and friends to fight for their country and protect Americans so that evil does not come on American shores. If they knew what he and others like him did for this country, whether sleeping in a tent, carrying around heavy loads of equipment in 100+ degree weather, having eyes in the back of their head 24/7 to protect against the enemy, along with constantly worrying about coming home in a box, they'd shut up and instead say "thank you for protecting my right to speak my mind." Second, they're hypocrites. If somebody stood in their way to speak their minds, they'd protest them or attempt to take up the issue in court, as these protesters only deem THEIR point of view as willing to be heard. As a result, they do not have a true understanding of the 1st Amendment and interpret it to suit their interests.

It's very unfortunate these young adults lack the class their parents should have taught them, and I wonder if these young men and women at Columbia University, whose parents are spending $45,000/year+, are truly being educated. To be truly educated, they must receive both sides of the issues and on their own make an educated decision. With professors like DeGenova and presidents like Lee Bollinger who condone this behavior, they are doing their students a disservice, and in turn, their country, as it is these students who may one day be in leadership positions. If that is the case, it's time to be very, very afraid.

Kristi Noem at CPAC

A few months ago, during the campaign season, the candidacy of Kristi Noem caught my eye. Reading more about her background, I became even more impressed. She won her election, defeating incumbent Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, and currently represents South Dakota in Congress. Republicans will be closely watching her career in Congress, as she is a rising star, and if she continues to espouse and support Conservatism in her votes, she will do well. Her CPAC Address is below.

Donald Trump: A Viable Option in 2012?

Last week at CPAC, Donald Trump gave a speech that was well received, where he articulated his Conservative leanings.



He made a lot of good points in the speech and also makes sense on the business and economics side of the issue, but a recent article questions Trump's conservatism. A truly principled conservative does not turn his/her back on any of the issues and we should question candidates on their hesitance. If Trump does run, it would be a good idea to answer these questions about political donations, as putting everything on the table allows one to make an educated decision when it comes to figuring out who will be at the top of the ticket in 2012.

Bowing Out, One by One

The incumbent Democrats in the Senate seeking re-election in 2012 are dwindling by the day. Today, New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman has decided against seeking re-election, joining Democrats Kent Conrad (ND), Jim Webb (VA) and Democrat Independent Joe Lieberman (CT). On the other side of the aisle, Republicans John Kyl (AZ) and Kay Bailey-Hutchison (TX) are also deciding to retire.

In 2012, Republicans need four seats to take the majority in the Senate, and of the four open seats being vacated by Democrats, Virginia and North Dakota heavily lean Republican, New Mexico is a toss-up and unless Tom Foley, who lost an extremely close gubernatorial race in 2010, runs, Connecticut leans Democrat.

In the seats being vacated by Republicans, both states lean Republican, yet, as a friend of mine states (and I agree with it), there is, assuming a full recovery, the "Gabrielle Giffords" question.

In one month, prospects for Republicans have improved. Between events this week and the possibility of Jeb Bush running, the Democrat incumbents in Wisconsin and Florida could very well drop out. Ohio, West Virginia and Missouri will also be states where the Republicans have the potential to gain a seat. Yes, it's early, but the recent bow outs are a hopeful sign the Republicans could regain the majority in the Senate, come 2013.

Peaceful Protests in Egypt?

After Hosni Mubarak's resignation in Egypt last week, President Obama spoke of the protesters and their peaceful actions.



The President's statements on the Egyptian military are accurate, as they did not go "Tiananmen Square" on the Egyptian citizens gathered in Tahrir Square. Their restraint is attributed to the fact that they sided against Mubarak staying in power. Also, since they are American trained, they as a unit, would be less willing to fire upon their own citizens.

With the mob, that's another story, as there are a few examples of their violent nature.

- Members of the mob assaulted CNN's Anderson Cooper
- Members of the mob assaulted Fox News Channel's Greg Palkot's and Olaf Wiig
- Members of the mob broke into the Egyptian Museum
- Members of the mob sexually assaulted raped CBS Correspondent Lara Logan

Let's hope the president chooses his rhetoric more carefully in the future, as this "revolution" in Egypt has not been peaceful, and is not over.

Last week, I spoke of the danger of the "Third Government" taking power in various revolutions in history. Remember, the Egyptian military is in charge (the 2nd government) and will "lead the transition." Today, we saw a dangerous sign of what could occur, as Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, returned to Egypt to give a speech in Tahrir Square. Some may believe this could be Egypt's "Khomeini moment," and while it is still early, these are troubling signs.

Mob Mentality in Madison, Wisconsin

For the past week, there have been large protests at the statehouse in Madison, Wisconsin, by members of the state's teachers unions, as they are protesting Governor Scott Walker's proposal that forces members to contribute to their pensions and pay for their health care costs. These massive protests have caused school districts across Wisconsin to shut down for days, bringing the learning process to a screeching halt for these students, who are sadly caught in the middle.

In addition to the school closings, the behavior from the unions has been absolutely atrocious. Between having their students tag along, to the ugly language they are using against Governor Walker, to breaking the law in their sick outs, the union leadership is trashing the reputation of the teachers, which they have fought hard to build over the 20th century. The supporters are no better, as the Obama Administration has its fingerprints all over these protests and Wisconsin Senate Democrats have high-tailed it out of the state, on the taxpayers dime, to halt the legislative process and delay the vote. It seems the only sane person in this is Scott Walker, who in the end, is trying to save money for the state and seems to have strong resolve.

Other states are familiar with this mob-like behavior, especially in New Jersey, between the 2001 Middletown Teachers Strike and Governor Chris Christie's attempt at reforms, which are not as draconian as in Wisconsin, and are unique in the country, as New Jersey has over 600 school districts, with their own Boards of Education, Superintendents and Administrators, as opposed to other states who have county and regional district organization; yet have brought out the ire of the teachers union and its members, as well as those who feel the governor has left mid-level, out-of-classroom administrators, out of the cuts. The sad fact is that we are in a recession that has also affected private industry, as companies nationwide have either frozen salaries, laid off workers or forced higher pension/healthcare contributions; and government does not have the money. In order to save jobs and strengthen educational offerings in years to come, these actions are necessary.

These protests are clearly exposing the problems with teachers unions, not only in Wisconsin, but across the country: tenure protections that allow teachers to flaunt the law, trash their clientele and stand by it, younger teachers who want to be in education that cannot find a job because of their high salary cost, "over-qualified" status, political affiliation or lack of political/administrative connection to the respective district; inconsistent protection between tenured and non-tenured teachers, along with not caring about their students and communities, and only their membership.

In the end, it's the younger teachers who want to see their profession respected that need to look the fear of being ostracized, physical harm and defamation of character by union leadership/allied administrators, straight in the eye, speak up and stand up to the union leadership that is destroying the reputation of teachers, while hampering their professional growth; and elect new union leadership that actually supports and advocates in the interests of teachers.

In Two Years, $900 Billion Down the Toilet

It needs to be noted that today is the Two Year Anniversary of the Barack Obama Stimulus Plan (aka the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Rightly so, the Republicans are reminding Americans about this really large and wasteful bill, all the promises that were made, the Democrat predictions and how it has equated to the picture above; money being flushed down the toilet. To further hit the point home, a very effective ad was produced.



Most importantly, the promise was that with this bill, unemployment would fall below 8%. Two years later, unemployment (U-3) has consistently been over 9%, and more and more Americans continue to apply for unemployment. Government has not learned that government cannot be the primary force behind an economic recovery, it must get out of the way and provide incentive for the private sector and private citizen to take the lead, as occurred in the 1980s.

It is very sad that a highly coveted bill, rammed through Congress at President Obama's heights in popularity, wastes taxpayer money and financially cripples generations to come, is a failure. American voters must remember this come 2012!

Scott Pulls a Christie

Newly elected Florida Governor Rick Scott made headlines today in pulling a Chris Christie, by killing the high speed rail project to be built between Tampa and Orlando. His reasoning consists of the Florida taxpayers being on the hook for cost overruns and the potential for low ridership.

These two reasons are fair, as cost overruns are common in public work projects; just look at the "Big Dig," the years long Boston Public Works project that had extreme cost overruns. (along with substandard construction that caused death). In Florida, when looking at the length of the first stage of the High Speed Rail, it is only going to be in a 70 mile region of central Florida, is not even reaching Tampa International Airport (ends in Ybor City) and the potentially busiest stops, Orlando International Airport and Disney World, are only a distance of 25 miles and are easily accessible by road in the largest car rental market in the world. The building of the Central Florida Greenway has alleviated much of the traffic on the Beach Line, and also takes driving on I-4 out of the equation for those going from MCO to Disney. Furthermore, I-4 between Orlando/Disney and Tampa is now 6-10 lanes, and when I drove this route in December, observed many improvements in movement since the last time I drove that route over ten years ago.

Despite Governor Scott's call, Republican members of Congress in Central Florida are working with the Department of Transportation to attempt to go around Scott and keep the rest of Florida outside of the I-4 Corridor on the hook. This is unfortunate because they are pretty much flipping the proverbial bird to the voters that elected them with the false premise those Representatives will be liked because they bring home the Federal bacon.

Rick Scott should be respected for this decision, along with giving clear reasons to his constituents, as Christie did a few months ago, and I believe he has the will and resolve to see it through.

Allen West Wows 'Em

At this year's CPAC in Washington, DC, Congressman and Lt. Col. (Ret) Allen West played the role of keynote speaker. Below, is the speech. (starts at 8:25 of clip)



Apparently, the speech was cut off because CSPAN aired President Obama's 15 minute weekly address. Accidental or intentional? We shall soon find out.

This was one of the most amazing and uplifting speeches I have heard come out of Washington in a long while! West spoke of how Conservatism, the Constitution, accompanied by a strong and consistent adherence to both, will lead to, as the Congressman put it, "a new dawn in America." He gives a clear route and specific solutions to the problems the United States faces.

The Congressman came on my radar screen back in 2010 as someone to watch, when I first saw this speech. He faced character smears and hostile attacks during his run, yet still defeated Ron Klein in Florida's 22nd District, (who in a classless display, conceded late). Democrats see him as a threat, almost to the level of Sarah Palin, and will be gunning for him in 2012. After looking at the vile, racist comments already written on the Huffington Post's coverage of his CPAC speech, it's likely to be as bad as anything we've ever seen, as time and time again, left-leaning contempt for right-leaning African-Americans (ignored by the NAACP) takes place.

Allen West, during his military career, was a strong and competent leader, relied upon by those under his command, and now that he is in Congress, I expect great things from him in and am sure more will join in my praises of him after seeing this speech. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a rising star in the Republican Party in Congressman/Lt. Col. Allen West!

Happy Birthday, Sarah

"The 'Right' Solutions" would like to take a moment out of this very busy news day to wish Sarah Palin a Happy 47th Birthday and many more happy and healthy birthdays to come!

In the years she has been on the national scene, Sarah Palin has withstood some of the dirtiest and nastiest smears from those on the left (and the right) and continues to rise above them, showing herself to be a strong, competent politician; one of the most consistent Conservatives who may be running in 2012. I am still saddened to see that she has not been given the proper credit for pulling McCain's numbers up on Election Night 2008, preventing him from becoming the next Walter Mondale or Barry Goldwater in terms of electoral defeats.

On the bright side, I am pleased to see fellow Gen-X Conservatives, such as Jedediah Bila, support her (Bila's comments at 9:06), and I'm sure we'll see the number of supporters grow in years to come, especially if Sarah runs.

Thank you, Sarah Palin, for what you do, and here's to many more years fighting the Conservative fight for the American people!

Hosni Mubarak is Out; Now What?

Three weeks ago, we saw some large and, at times, violent protests in Egypt, centering out of Cairo's Tahrir Square. Today, Hosni Mubarak called it quits, resigning his position as "president." After watching events the past week, events which have been changing by the moment, this change was inevitable. In Egypt, the military is quite strong, (American built and trained) influential and highly regarded, and the fact that they did not go "Tiananmen Square" on their own people brought about this change.

The military will now lead the "peaceful transfer of power." Now comes the hard part.

When we look back in history at various revolutions, it's the "third government" that becomes the problem. For example, in France, after the Bourbon Dynasty was overthrown, the Jacobins and Robespierre took power in/from the newly formed French Government; in Russia after the Romanov Dynasty was overthrown, Lenin and the Bolsheviks took power from the Provisional Government led by Alexander Kerensky; and in Iran after the Shah was overthrown, Ayatollah Khomeini tossed out the head of the provisional government, Mehdi Bazargran.

Following the steps of history, Egyptians, including the Egyptian Copts, Israel and the United States should be very, very concerned with the Muslim Brotherhood having any role in a the new Egyptian Government, as their recent rhetoric, history and the preferences of some in Egypt, is very troubling and could lead this country of 80 million people, with a 1 million man, American built and trained military, down a really scary road.

We do not yet know what will happen, but the military will be key for keeping control and facilitating a peaceful transition, and President Obama/the United States must be consistent in its handling of the situation, while making it clear the Muslim Brotherhood is not to take power in a new Egypt. It could all work out; or it could lead to the Domino Affect of the 21st century, Barack Obama having a Jimmy Carter moment, or Israel having her back pushed against the wall against an increasingly hostile Arab region.

It is a tenuous situation which "The 'Right' Solutions" hopes the United States watches very closely, and does not let the new Egypt become the next Iran.

CBO: -800,000 Jobs

In testimony today before the House Budget Committee, Doug Elmendorf, Director of the Congressional Budget Office, testified today that 800,000 jobs will be lost as a result of ObamaCare. This testimony provides further evidence the Healthcare law is a major factor as to why the unemployment rate is frighteningly high, has no end in sight, and also why there are 729 American companies have applied for and acquired waivers to ObamaCare.

Continuing their march, the House of Representatives will vote next week to defund ObamaCare, wisely not waiting for the courts to decide, and instead, taking the proper steps to dismantling this irresponsible and unconstitutional law.

With this new CBO evidence, there is a growing wind at the backs of Republicans who want toss out this legislation and replace it with responsible legislation that will not be at the cost of jobs for Americans. The Republican House is off to a good start, but I hope they continue to keep their eyes on the ball!

Example of Not Thinking Before Posting

A few months ago, I posted a blog entry about students, teachers, social networking, and do's/don't's for both. One of the most important lessons is to think before posting. It looks like a high school teacher did not follow that simple advice. Central Bucks County (PA) English Teacher, Natalie Munroe was suspended over posting mean-spirited comments about her students on her blog.

From an educator's point of view, yes, there may be days where students may try the patience of the teacher; yes, there may be days when the teacher thinks the students could work harder; yes, there may be times when the teacher observes behaviors that shouldn't be practiced, but it is NEVER an excuse to attack the students in an online forum for all the world to see. Ms. Munroe's behavior lacks sensible thinking, her character comes into question and she lost any authority and/or respect she had over/from the students, as they will band together to support their peers. Teachers, whether they like it or not, are leaders, and they must lead by example. This action does not set a good example to the students in proper online behavior. Furthermore, there is the chance for legal action by the parents, under defamation of character, not just against the teacher, but against the school district.

Sadly, there are educators like this in American schools, and sadly, many are tenured. I wish teachers like this, frankly, would get the heck out of the profession, either quit, retire, or change their career, as it's these people who give a bad name to the profession and take up a classroom from a teacher who would actually want to be there.

The Central Bucks County School District made the right decision and we will see if they will be brave enough to go head to head with the teachers union to move to revoke her tenure for this disgraceful and inexusible action.

The President's Priorities

Last Sunday, live, before the Super Bowl, Bill O'Reilly interviewed President Obama at the White House. The interview, in its entirety, won't be critiqued here, however, there was one thing said in the interview that raises a red flag for not just me, but for many of us. Below is the entire live interview and the transcript of the questioned response.

O'REILLY: OK. Worst part of this job? What's the worst, absolute worst part of being president of the United States?

OBAMA: Worst part of the job is, first of all, I've got a jacket on on Super Bowl Sunday.

O'REILLY: That's true.

OBAMA: If I wasn't president, that would not be happening.

O'REILLY: I have a tie. You don't have a tie.

OBAMA: The biggest problem for me is being in the bubble. It's very hard to escape. You know, you can't go to the corner...

O'REILLY: Everybody watching every move you make.

OBAMA: Every move you make. And you -- over time, you know, what happens is you feel like -- that you're not able to just have a spontaneous conversation with folks.

O'REILLY: Yes.

OBAMA: And that's a loss. That's a big loss.

After the pointless banter/filibustering, the president arrived at his response: "being in the bubble." As president, that's a gimme in today's age of 24/7 news coverage and knowing the consequences beforehand, he should have thought about that before running. And by the looks of one of his Five Guys runs, he enjoys it, so his outrage seems a little disingenuous.

Even more telling was that his response revolved around him, giving fuel to those who think he is a narcissist. This is a consistent pattern in his presidency and it is unfortunate, because the American Presidency is bigger than just one man (or woman). A successful leader, whether in or out of politics, gives credit to others for successes and works with others to come to solutions. If a leader forgets about those around him, he (or she) will eventually lose followers.

Instead of revolving around himself, President Obama would have better served himself had he focused on military decision-making, as those decisions can have a direct impact on the lives of those who volunteer to serve to protect and defend the United States.

As a result of this question and answer, Bill O'Reilly indirectly showed Americans the priorities of this president.

Super Bowl XLV: Well, at Least the Game was Good

Super Bowl XLV has come and gone, with the Green Bay Packers defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25. The game was quite exciting, with both teams having highs and lows throughout the game, and the game itself went down to the last few minutes!

Over the years, the Super Bowl has become a great big cultural spectacle and this year held true. Leading up the game, Dallas was hit by some nasty winter weather, which is not a regular happening in North Texas, that canceled many flights DFW and prevented fans from arriving early. The thaw from the cold temeratures also forced ice/snow to fall from the roof of Cowboys Stadium, causing injuries. Fans were also turned away at the doors to Cowboys Stadium (and those who weren't turned away were redirected to different areas of the stadium) because the temporary seats were not yet ready.

On game day, the musical performaces did not live up to expectations. Christina Aguilera sang one of the worst renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner and even GOT THE LYRICS WRONG; coming nowhere near the caliber of performances by Whitney Houston or Carrie Underwood, but closer to the performances of Roseanne Barr or Frank Drebin. The Halftime Show featuring the Black-Eyed Peas and a really bad Guns-N-Roses cover did not come off well, causing fans to wish they were watching Bruce Springsteen from 2009 or U2 from 2002.

The commercials were not bad, but nothing to the level of Reebok's Terry Tate-Office Linebacker, Audi's Green Police or Coca-Cola's "Mean" Joe Green. I was able to pull out one honorable mention and my top 3:

- Honorable Mention: VW and The Force: A little boy is dressed as Darth Vader trying to "use the force." His Dad came to the rescue, unlike the 2010 holiday commercials I spoke about (1:50) on Cavuto.



- Snickers 2011: Building on the success they had from last year's Betty White commercial.




- Bridgestone with the beaver: Because the driver had Bridgestone tires and was able to weave out of the way of the beaver, months later on the same route, was able to stop short in front of a large tree cut down by the beaver to block the driver from a fallen out bridge/raging river.



- And the best one was the Chevorlet/OnStar/Facebook commercial: The young man gets a goodnight kiss from his first date with a pretty young lady. As he's driving his Chevrolet home, he calls his OnStar to check his Facebook newsfeed, where he learns that his date updated her status to "Best First Date, Ever."



This commercial speaks to the power of Facebook, the impact is has on American culture and the fact that nearly 10% of the world population is on Facebook. Maybe it is also indirectly foreshadowing what will happen on Oscar night this year.

The Reagan Centennial

Had he lived past 2004, President Ronald Reagan would have been 100 years old today. As a youngster, I remember Reagan quite well, thought him to be a good speaker and a soothing voice in times of tragedy; and as I grew older, I read about what he did as president and admired him even more!

In terms of endorsing and articulating Conservatism, Ronald Reagan was the total package! George W. Bush had his conservative moments, but overall, was not as conservative as Reagan. Faced with great challenges in terms of righting the economic ship, bringing the Cold War to an end and raising the military strength and worldwide respect of the United States, he was successful in his eight years in Washington. Furthermore, whether being shot at ("Tell Nancy I forgot to duck") or speaking of/to adversaries, humor was a mainstay in presidency, as was positivity and optimism.

In the end, Ronald Reagan trusted the American people over Congress and effectively went directly to the American people to achieve success in his agenda. There are many lessons to be learned from Ronald Reagan and it is my hope that both political parties study closely, his leadership during those eight years; not just in words, but in action!

Thank you, President Reagan, for your service and contributions, as you have and still do inspire many!

Michael Reagan on Ronald Reagan

As we approach the centennial of the birth of Ronald Reagan this Sunday (Which I promise I will touch upon on Sunday), Republicans, Conservatives and those reminiscent of the presidency of Ronald Reagan are fondly remembering the events leading up to and including his presidency.

On Friday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the New Jersey Reagan Day dinner. At this gathering in Morris County, New Jersey's most populous Republican County, 600 gathered, with such famous faces as Assemblyman Jay Webber, Senator Joe Pennacchio, Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, and former Governor Thomas Kean, among others, to hear Michael Reagan, Ronald Reagan's first son, give the keynote address of the evening's event. Michael Reagan shared memories that spoke of the character of Ronald Reagan, the leadership of Ronald Reagan, how Reagan's character and leadership is sorely missing in Washington today, and the impression his father had upon him.

Below are two clips of Michael Reagan's keynote speech. In the fist clip, Michael Reagan speaks of his father, his reaction to the 1976 Primary, which he lost and his 1976 Republican National Convention speech. In the second clip, Michael Reagan speaks of his father's ability to teach, as well as his act of keeping a promise.






"The 'Right' Solutions" would like to give an extreme Hat Tip and thank you to Jay Webber and the New Jersey Reagan Day organization for a successful and enjoyable event that did a great job in remembering the legacy of the greatest President of the 20th Century!

Solutions to 9%?

Being the first Friday of the month, the previous month's unemployment numbers come out, and in the case of January 2011, the U-3 (those receiving unemployment benefits) is at 9%, 4 tenths lower than the January report. While on the surface, it sounds like good news, it is not, and one must read into the specifics to see how the government is arriving at these numbers; and it may lead many to accuse the government of "cooking the books." Despite the lower U-3, the numbers leave many questions to be asked, as 36,000 new jobs does not make a recovery. The truth is that many counted under U-3 figures have "given up" looking for work, and as a result, fall under U-6, which is not widely reported, being at 17.3%.

These numbers are very dangerous to our economy and way of life. There are many who are unemployed that are frustrated and would rather work then have the government cut them a check. Among the unemployed are a large number of 20-35 year olds, who overwhelmingly voted for the President in 2008, and I hope they start realize they have been taken advantage of and ask loudly, "Where are the jobs?"

'The "Right" Solutions' has called for tax cuts, in income and capital gains, to ameliorate this situation, as that money not taken by the government could go toward paying additional employees that can be hired. Easy solution, right? Well, for the past two years it seems nobody in Washington has been listening and we hope the Republicans who were elected can force the issue and educate the American people on the benefits of cutting taxes to create jobs.

It seems the only person doing anything about this crisis is Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who is filing a motion to fast track the Virginia Health Care case to the US Supreme Court. The uncertainty that ObamaCare has created is a major factor to the hampering of job creation, so having the Supreme Court take the case up now and rule on it (I believe they will rule it unconstitutional) can provide closure and be a force in allowing for job creation, as thanks to a Republican House, President Obama will never again have the ability to ram through another radical law like ObamaCare.

Israel and the Situation in Egypt

With the events in Egypt, the one country in the region that is closely watching the situation is Israel, as aside from the Egyptian people, they have the most to lose.

The Jerusalem Post's Caroline Glick spoke of the situation in the Middle East on Mark Levin's radio show.




The one think I noticed, and Mark Levin states it at the end of the clip, is the deep concern and worry that Caroline Glick shows through the tone in her voice. And rightly so, she darn well should be; as should the Israeli people.

Since 1978 and the signing of the Camp David Accords, Israel has been at peace with Egypt. Because of this peace, Israel has been economically prosperous, and they are able to get away with spending less on the IDF. Egypt has also benefitted from the Camp David Accords, as their tourism industry has prospered, and the additional aid given by the United States has been spent on their military, which is nearly 1 million strong, including American technology and American training. If Muslim Brotherhood takes power, they have already stated their intention to void the peace treaty. With Iran to the east of Israel, and a leader who has called for the destruction of the Jewish state, the stakes are high and Israel has much to be concerned about.

Benjamin Netanyahu, in a Reagan-esque manner, during his recent address to the Knesset, eloquently spoke of the two worlds of thought regarding Egypt:

“We have two separate worlds here, two opposites, two world views: that of the free, democratic world and that of the radical world. Which one of them will prevail in Egypt?” –

That is the question we are all asking, including Israel, and we hope and pray a new Egypt embraces the views of the free and democratic world.

Constitutional Crisis and Republican Reactions

Tuesday's decision out of Florida that deemed ObamaCare unconstitutional shook the earth! What further shook the earth is that Vinson's ruling voided the law, as it did not contain a severability clause. Since the ruling, the Obama Administration has vowed to ignore the ruling and keep moving forward. By flipping the bird to the court, the administration has ignited a Constitutional crisis and continues to show their unwillingness to listen to and follow the will of the people.

If I am Pam Bondi, current Florida Attorney General who will see this case through, I would be making my way to Pensacola to appear before Judge Vinson and present him with the evidence of this defiance. When Judge Vinson is presented with this evidence, he will have no choice but to hold the administration in contempt, and then can issue an injunction, which he had originally decided against, as he believed the system of checks and balances would be followed. The administration's behavior in regards to the court and healthcare will likely be a campaign issue in 2012.

While the court case progresses, we fortunately see the Republicans not waiting around for the decision and instead, fighting the good fight in the Senate, as a repeal vote occurred today. While it did not pass, (51-47 vote) that does not mean the fight is over. If enough constituent opinions can be stated to some the Senators, namely Joe Manchin (WV), Jim Webb (VA), Claire McCaskill (MO), Bob Casey (PA), Bill Nelson (FL), Ben Nelson (NE), Jeff Bingaman (NM), Sherrod Brown (OH), Herb Kohl (WI), and John Tester (MT); all of whom are likely running for re-election in 2012 and will likely face a close election, there is the chance these Senators can be brought to change their votes, in the interest of saving their seats, if repeal comes up again for a vote. At that point, Obama will have to either veto or stand by this law.

In the end, the records of both sides will be clearly visible as we approach the 2012 election. And if the Supreme Court gets this by 2012 and rules it unconstitutional, the president's chances for re-election will be severely impacted.

DNC Chooses the 2012 Convention Site

And the winner is...Charlotte, North Carolina.

News broke today that the Democrat National Committee has chosen Charlotte as the host city for its 2012 Convention, to take place the first week of September, 2012. There is no word yet as to whether Obama (or a Democrat who may defeat him in a primary) will give their acceptance speech from the Time Warner Cable Arena or Bank of America Stadium.

Also in the running were St. Louis, Cleveland and Minneapolis. While I understand the political decision in choosing Charlotte, considering Democrats want to win North Carolina again (not likely in 2012), a Convention in Charlotte can pose potential distractions. First, North Carolina is the least unionized state and the Time Warner Cable Arena's workers are not unionized, something that will likely tick off the Democrat base and get them screaming, taking attention away from Obama or the Democrat candidate. Then there is former NC Senator/Kerry's Veep/2008 Presidential nominee/current sleazebag, John Edwards, and the chance he could be indicted for illegal misuse of campaign donations. A trial in his homestate would be a major diversion from the political show and will remind Americans about the Democrat "culture of corruption." Nothing against Charlotte; it's a great city, but there is too much political baggage.

Republicans, whose 2012 Convention will be in Tampa, at the St. Pete Times Forum (And I predict Senator Marco Rubio as the Keynote Speaker), have the potential to be very happy about their opposition's decision!

For Fun...Men and Attractive Female Anchors

They do studies on the most obvious things these days. One such is a recent study that found men are distracted by beautiful anchorwomen...DUH! I actually think they gain the man's attention, and can get higher ratings as a result, especially when they are intelligent and tough interviewers, (I disagree with the study that states beautiful anchors are not intelligent) but that attention may not get a thumbs up if the man is watching the beautiful anchor's broadcast, with his wife.

On a side note, I find it funny when the guest is so taken with an anchor that he openly hits on her during the live broadcast. Big tip of the cap to Ainsley Earhardt for taking this with grace a couple of years ago!

NOTE: The beautiful (I might also add intelligent) anchor pictured above is Alicia Vitarelli, formerly of News 12, currently of ABC 6 Action News in Philadelphia. I had the pleasure of meeting her during her time at News 12 and she couldn't have been any nicer!