The Reagan Coalition - Past, Present and Future

The Reagan coalition was a group of voters brought together by Republican Ronald Reagan in order to establish a major political realignment with his massive victory in the 1980 United States Presidential Election. Democrat Jimmy Carter's failure in majority of socio-economic groups made the formation of the Reagan Coalition possible.

The Past:

It was in the year 1984 that Reagan corroborated his support by claiming nearly 60% of the popular vote and carried 49 of the 50 states. The Reagan Democrats, who were mainly white, socially conservative blue-collar workers of the Northeast, were Democrats earlier but voted for the Republican in favor of Reagan's social conservatism on issues such as abortion, and to his hawkish foreign policy. However, these voters who brought landslide victories to Ronald did not vote for the Republicans in 1992 and 1996. Thus, the popular term "Reagan Coalition" soon fell into abandonment, except as a reference to the 1980s. The term is now usually used to describe the southern whites who permanently changed party affiliation from Democrat to Republican during the Reagan administration, and they have largely remained Republican to this day.

The Founding Principles of the Coalition:

• Individual Liberty
• Personal Responsibility
• National Security
• Limited Federalist National Government
• Free Market Capitalism
• Traditional American Values
• The Rule of Law

The Present: Obama Heading the Carter Way:

The biggest question that needs to be answered today is whether Obama can create a sensation and improve his favorable rating, which has recently dropped down to the below-50 mark, by revivifying the dilapidated Reagan Coalition. Obama's radical and expensive policies have caused his approval ratings to tank in a very short span of time. Several Conservatives have already started to believe that President Obama is headed more and more in a Jimmy Carter direction. With President's high expenses, government control of the economy, especially on energy, and apparent signs of retreat abroad, it seems like Jimmy Carter has again won his second term of office, 28 years after getting booted by the American electorate!

The Future: Are We Ready for Another Reagan Coalition?

Reagan had established himself into a redoubtable candidate by discussing politics and philosophy on the speaking circuit for years and then adhering to conservative values as the governor for 8 long years. it was his clear optimism that allowed him to form the coalition. He led the coalition to power in 1980 and people were aware about the agenda that he would follow as a President. But, the point of interest here is that it took a Carter to put Reagan in Office. If we go by what most Conservatives are feeling today, we already have a Carter ready in form of President Obama. But, do we have a Reagan ready to go? Years 2010 and 2012 will give Conservatives a golden opportunity to revive a kind of 'Reagan Coalition' if they could find a candidate who has the experience and credibility in office and activism to give it that kind of strength.

Find similar articles and more on Reagan Coalition Future at ReaganCoalition.Com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eshwarya_Patel http://www.pippoproducts.com/products

Merry Christmas

I wish you, my friends and family, all the same faith, hope, joy and love as was the Queen of Heaven's when she gave birth to Our Lord and Savior in that humble manger some 2000 years ago.

Thank-you for visitinghttp://www.pippoproducts.comand supporting me in all I do.

Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth.

Merry Christmas.

Joe Conigliaro

What Does California Need to Succeed - A Book Review

Perhaps, you realize that California State Government is in a huge financial crisis, one which has continued through several governors, and cost one Governor his governorship, as he was voted out of office and replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger. And yet still, the same fiscal challenges go on today, the gridlock in Sacramento is well known, and looks like it will continue to go on well into the future.

How did we get to here, where are we going in the future, and why hasn't all this already been fixed?

These are all complicated and complex problems. However, there is a very good book I'd like you to read which was written back in 2000. It explains the issues that occurred in the 1990s and the warnings and challenges for the new millennium. It's good to read about what happened previously, so we can understand how we got into this situation, and perhaps, why we went down the wrong road, and how to get back on track. The book that I'd like to recommend to you is called;

"California in the New Millennium - The Changing Social and Political Landscape" by Mark Baldassare, co-published with The Public Policy Institute of California; University Of California Press Los Angeles, California, 2000; (265 pp), ISBN: 0-520-22512-0.

This author takes a hard look at California's financing, and the challenges ahead. He is also an author of the book; "When Governments Fail: the Orange County Bankruptcy" published in 1998. He also wrote another book which I don't own but I'd like to find called; "Paradise: The Suburban Transformation in America," published in 1986.

When reading this book I was totally amazed at all the things that Mark got right, and all the challenges he outlined ahead, my only question is why did no one listen? I wonder if Tom McClintock has read this book, and if those are the reasons he made the statements he did during the last election when Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected. It seemed at the time that only, McClintock fully understood the fiscal responsibility, which would be necessary to take California into the future. After reading this book, it appears to me that this is the foundation of our errors, and more folks should understand these things/

The author warns about the changes in ethnic diversity facing California's future. Also how that will affect what is needed in the future. He goes through the statistics and demographics of the Latino population, and its rapid expansion, high birth rates, and the need for schools. How education will be paramount. He also talks about the racial divides, the incredible political distrust, and the challenges we face in California due to the division between the left-leaning Northern California, and the rest of Southern California's middle of the road and conservative and liberal mixed base.

There are nearly 120 pages of statistics, surveys, and summaries of how all the data was collected. In many cases this book is more of a research project than anything else, but the commentary within the book is absolutely incredible, it appears he is right on the money, it's just too bad no one was listening. I believe anyone who is running for public office, or running any agency in the great state of California needs to read this book. I also believe that county supervisors should be reading this book along with all the city managers.

Indeed, I am glad to have this book in my personal library, and I see many of the challenges in California as future challenges for other states. It would be silly for governors of other states not to read this book, or have it in their personal public-policy library. It is very telling, and very commanding. It's hard to debate much of anything in here, and even if you don't agree with the author's particular political persuasion or point of view, you have to understand his fiscal advice. We all need to think about this now, due to our current financial crisis. And, we cannot hide our heads in the sand, which the author himself warns, it is time that these issues were addressed, which is exactly as he stated back in 2000. Now, it's a decade later, but there is still time to fix things. So, I hope you will please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes in California's future. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow http://www.pippoproducts.com/products3

Crazy in America

"A national scandal" is the coined phrase Ms. Pfeiffer, an investigative reporter, uses to describe mentally ill persons and their shockingly tragic encounters with the criminal justice system. In this heartrending book she meticulously documents the stories of six mentally ill individuals who came into contact with the criminal justice system because of aberrant psychotic behaviors related to their illnesses and suffered tragic experiences in jails and prisons. This is the horrific story of how incarcerated mentally ill human beings are often subjected to dehumanizing experiences. It is a documentation of human beings in a system with "too little mental health care" and a system wherein "people are expendable in a society that's good at locking people up but not so good at setting them free."

This is the story of Shayne, who at the age of fourteen was diagnosed with acute schizophrenia. From that point on, she experienced extreme coping difficulties and over the years was hospitalized twenty-five times as well as spending time in prison. Much of her time in prison was spent in "the hole" because of her inability to follow prison rules. She successfully pulled out one of her eyeballs; two years later she succeeded in pulling out the other eyeball, completely blinding herself.

This is also the story of Luke, diagnosed as bipolar and addicted to drugs at a young age. Depression was also a part of his life. After being incarcerated for drug possession Luke's difficulty with coping skills escalated. He became increasingly emotionally frantic until, regrettably in desperation, he died from suicide.

This is the story of Joseph who had stolen several cars and ended up in a youth correctional facility where he could not successfully cope. After spending two months in a lockdown situation in a small cell with no TV, no family visits, no exercise, no personal possessions, no mental health services the severely distraught Joseph became another tragic statistic when he died from suicide at the age of eighteen.

Crazy in America is an intense, emotionally-draining portrayal of the lost lives of mentally ill individuals within a system that failed them, a system that failed to understand their illnesses and therefore failed to effectively treat them. The individuals are but a few of many that Ms. Pfeiffer could have portrayed. As the author states, "The mass of imprisoned humanity includes at least three hundred thousand people with mental illness." This book adds to the growing list of books addressing the ever increasing social problem of mental illness and incarceration.

The author is a strong advocate for change and has written numerous articles on incarcerated mentally ill persons. She clarifies her meaning of the word crazy. She does not use it to refer to mentally ill individuals; she uses it to describe what she says is the crazy way society reacts toward mentally ill individuals. Ms. Pfeiffer appropriately and fittingly concludes her book by stating, "America needs to try again to heal its ills and to help them heal themselves, with the wisdom of history and the knowledge that the people we will help, the people we will heal, will be ourselves."

Crazy in America by Mary Beth Pfeiffer Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2007, 272 pages Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nehemiah_Landes http://politicalfirestorm.blogspot.com/ Crazy in America: The Hidden Tragedy of Our Criminalized Mentally Ill

Foreign Policy of Founding Fathers

Albert Einstein said: "Politics is more difficult than physics."

I certainly agree considering how many of our national political figureheads over the years have aligned themselves to do business with the Saudi Royal family and other heavily financed special interest groups to finance their political and personal objectives.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy said: "Sometimes party loyalty asks too much."

Perhaps we would do well to hear from our Founding Fathers and revisit the foreign policy they gave us.

…Neither can any external coercive power convince the understanding of the poorest idiot, nor fines and prisons be judged fit and adequate penalties for faults purely intellectual…. William Penn (1644-1718) The Great Case of Liberty and Conscience 1670

The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms his strength into right, and obedience into duty. Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) The Social Contract 1762

The use of force alone is but temporary. It may subdue for a moment; but it does not remove the necessity of subduing again: and a nation is not governed, which is perpetually to be conquered. Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Second Speech on Conciliation with America, the Thirteen Resolutions, March 22, 1775

Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation—the last arguments to which kings resort. Patrick Henry (1736-1799) Speech at the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775

Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitor? Fallible men; men governed by bad passions, by private as well as public reasons. And why subject it to coercion? To produce uniformity. But is uniformity of opinion desirable? No more than of face and stature. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution. Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) The Federalist Papers 1787

Politics, like religion, hold up torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.

Thomas Jefferson

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct. Thomas Jefferson

Reason obeys itself; and Ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. Thomas Paine (1737-1809) Address and Declaration 1791

Force cannot change right. Thomas Jefferson – To John Cartwright, June 5, 1824

I repeat, that I have no disposition to withhold any information which the duty of my station will permit, or the public good shall require to be disclosed. George Washington – Address to the House of Representatives, March 30, 1796

I have always given it as my decided opinion that no nation had a right to inter-meddle in the internal concerns of another; and that, if this country could, consistent with its engagements, maintain a strict neutrality and thereby preserve peace. George Washington – Letter to James Monroe, August 25, 1796

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. …The nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. George Washington – Farewell Address, September 17, 1797

Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none should be our motto. Thomas Jefferson – First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801

If there be one principle more deeply rooted than any other in the mind of every American, it is that we should have nothing to do with conquest. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) Letter to William Short, 1791

We certainly cannot deny to other nations that principle whereon our own government is founded, that every nation has a right to govern itself internally under what forms it pleases, and to change these forms at its own will. Thomas Jefferson – To Thomas Pinckney, December 30, 1792

Europe, by her arms and by her negotiations, by force and by fraud, has extended her dominion over them all, Africa, Asia, an America have successively felt her domination. The superiority she has long maintained has tempted her to plume herself as the Mistress of the World, and to consider the rest of mankind as created for her benefit.

Alexander Hamilton on Colonialism, The Federalist Papers 1787

My ardent desire is to keep the United States free from political connections with every other country, to see them independent of all and under the influence of none. George Washington (Letter to Patrick Henry, October 9, 1795)

The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men. Samuel Adams (1722-1803) Father of the American Revolution in an article he wrote to the Boston Gazette, October 14, 1771

Political freedom includes in it every other blessing. All the pleasures of riches, science, virtue, and even religion itself derive their value from liberty alone. Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) Founder of the American Public Schools to Catharine Macaulay, January 18, 1769

Remember, that in all countries where the freedom of the poor has been taken away, in whole or in part, that the freedom of the rich lost its defence. The circle has ever continued to constrict, till lessening to a point it became absolute. Thomas Paine – A serious address to the people of Pennsylvania 1778

This country, which has given to the world the example of physical liberty, owes to it that of moral emancipation also. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) To John Adams, January 22, 1821

Because people may betray themselves …people ought to be enlightened, to be awakened, to be united, that after establishing a government they should watch over it, as well as obey it. James Madison (1751-1836) Essay in the National Gazette, December 20, 1792

The liberty of the press is essential to the security of the state. John Adams, Free-Press Clause, Massachusetts Constitution 1780

In every human breast, God has implanted a principle, which we call love of freedom; it is impatient of oppression and pants for deliverance. Phyllis Wheatley (1753-1784) The Boston Post-Boy 1774

“Wise statesmen as they were, they knew the tendency of prosperity to breed tyrants, and so they established these great self-evident truths, that when in the distant future some man, some faction, some interest, should set up the doctrine that none but rich men, or none but white men, were entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, their posterity might look up again to the Declaration of Independence . . . so that truth, and justice, and mercy, and all the humane and Christian virtues might not be extinguished from the land.” Abraham Lincoln on the founding fathers, August 17, 1858

“Give me liberty or give me death.” Patrick Henry March 23, 1775

“The people are the source of all authority and power.” John Adams, 1774

“I am persuaded and fully convinced that a permanent standing army [is a necessity].” George Washington, to Congress, September 2, 1776

“O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare to oppose not only the tyranny but the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression. Freedom hath been hunted around the globe. O! Receive the fugitive, and prepare in time an asylum for mankind.” Thomas Paine, Common Sense, January 10, 1776

“We have not yet applied to any foreign power for assistance, nor offered our commerce for their friendship.” Benjamin Franklin, 1775

“I trust the experience of error will enable us to act better in the future.” George Washington, 1781

“I have not yet begun to fight.” John Paul Jones, 1779

We mistake the object of our government, if we hope or wish that it is to make us respectable abroad. Conquest or superiority among other powers is not or ought not ever to be the object of republican systems. Charles Pinckney (1757-1824) Constitutional Convention, June 25, 1787

Indulging no passions which trespass on the rights or the repose of other nations, it has been the true glory of the United States to cultivate peace by observing justice, and to entitle themselves to the respect of the nations at war by fulfilling their neutral obligations with the most scrupulous impartiality. James Madison (1751-1836) First Inaugural Address – March 4, 1809

America well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extraction, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom. The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit. John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) Address, July 4, 1821

Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will be America’s heart, her benedictions and her prayers. But she does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. John Quincy Adams – Address, July 4, 1821

In the wars of the European powers in matters relating to themselves we have never taken any part, nor does it comport with our policy so to do. James Monroe – Annual message to Congress, December 2, 1823

Separated as we are from Europe by the great Atlantic ocean, we can have no concern in the wars of the European Governments nor in the causes which produce them. – James Monroe – Annual message to Congress, December 7, 1824

I confess I have the same fears for our South American brethren; the qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. They are the result of habit and long training, and for these they will require time and probably much suffering. Thomas Jefferson (Letter to Edward Everett, March 27, 1824)

“We must make the best of mankind as they are, since we cannot have them as we wish.” George Washington, 1776

“The advice nearest to my heart and deepest in my conviction is that the Union of the States be cherished and perpetuated.” President James Madison, “Advice to My Country,” October 1834

Malice toward none, charity for all.

Self-government does not come without a struggle. Certainly freedom is not free. It was purchased for us by the lives, fortunes, blood, and sacred of honor of our Founding Fathers. Let us therefore hold dear to the spirit in which they walked and founded our republic. May we always remain one nation under God, united in purpose and power.

Paul Davis is a political advisor, consultant, minister, and author of several books including God vs. Religion; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Stop Lusting & Start Living; and Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat. Paul is a life coach (relational & professional), popular worldwide keynote speaker, creative consultant, explorer, mediator, minister, liberator and dream-maker. Paul's compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul has served many in war-torn, impoverished and tsunami stricken regions of the earth. His organization Dream-Maker Ministries is building dreams, breaking limitations, and reviving nations. Paul's Breakthrough Seminars inspire, revive, awaken, impregnate with purpose, impart the fire of desire, catapult people into a new level of self-awareness, facilitate destiny discovery and dream fulfillment. Contact Paul to minister, speak at your event or for life coaching: RevivingNations@yahoo.com, 407-284-1705 http://www.DreamMakerMinistries.com, http://www.CreativeCommunications.TV Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Davis http://www.pippoproducts.com/products3.html

The Shenandoah Spy Begins Exciting Civil War Series!

I met Belle Boyd this past weekend, thanks to Francis Hamit, and was thrilled to meet and spend all my time with her! This first book in a series starts with The Shenandoah Spy: Being the True Life Adventures of Belle Boyd, CSA, "The Confederate Cleopatra."

"Belle Boyd was a real person, and became world famous as a spy for the Confederate Government...in September, 1862, [she] became the first woman in American history to be formally commissioned an Army officer." (Foreword) The book centers on her role as a scout and spy for the Confederate Army. If only a small percentage of the story were true, Belle was...one gutsy woman! I am thankful that Hamit is publishing her story, for she is a woman to be much admired and embraced by all Americans and especially our younger generation!

Belle was a true Southerner but she was not the typical "belle" as we think of most women of the south. True, she might have worn the big-hooped gowns, learned how to flirt with gentlemen as part of her training, and had her first "season" in Washington with the intent to find a suitable husband. However, when the war began, she was just 17 and she automatically sought to find ways to support the south.

Her first major role was to assist and then nurse at the hospitals. Perhaps it was her required intimacy with those men that first started her reputation. Or perhaps it was her shooting a drunk Yankee soldier who had attacked her mother. But it was her scouting and spying efforts that firmly established Belle's as a spy that could easily flirt and then finagle from the Yanks to learn and gain information to pass on to H. Turner Ashby, her immediate commanding officer, Jackson and other Confederate officers.

Hamit has created an exciting story of the civil war against which he tells Belle's story. Through extensive reading and research, he presents the major players and battles of the war, and includes his characters that effectively supplement actual soldiers and officers. He also considers the political issues as to why the war was started and by whom, whether slavery was a major or minor point and highlights the role of the professional soldiers who moved from war to war, fighting for pay rather than through dedication to the people and the cause they supported.

Two other points of interest for me were the drinking, theft and lack of courtesy shown by the majority of Yankee soldiers and the role of the slaves/servants as they chose to support their families (owners) rather than their supposed liberators.

As the author stated in his foreword, he wrote the novel to entertain readers. Whether or not he took license with the truth in telling the story, I for one believe he did exactly what he said he was doing! This is truly an entertaining, fantastic tale of the past and provides all the excitement, intrigue, action and suspense that readers expect and enjoy!

Francis Hamit has the knowledge, experience and interest to have picked a remarkable character from our historical documents upon which to build this series. I highly recommend that you get the first book, The Shenandoah Spy, now and watch for the next one coming, hopefully soon!

The Shenandoah Spy

By Francis Hamit

Brass Cannon Books

ISBN: 9781595959027

433 Pages

G. A. Bixler is co-owner of an online review site of Independent Professional Book Reviewers. She has over 40 years experience in educational administration and publishing. New or well-known, self-published, or small press authors are all welcomed! Compare our prices to other professional book review sites! http://www.Bookreviewers.org Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenda_Bixler http://www.pippoproducts.com/products

Dwight David Eisenhower - D-Day Broadcast

People of Western Europe: A landing was made this morning on the cost of France by troops of the Allied Expeditionary Force. This landing is part of the concerted United Nations plan for the liberations of Europe, made in conjunction with our great Russian allies... I call upon all who love freedom to stand with us now. Together we shall achieve victory. - Dwight David Eisenhower --

Broadcast on D-Day [June 6, 1944] from Bartlett's Familiar Quotations

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Was President Bush Really a Big Government Republican? Critics Say So

Why are most Americans against big government? Perhaps, the answer goes only back to our founding fathers and our Constitution. In this document it calls for a strong national defense and a weak federal government with strong state governments. A big federal government was not what the founding fathers had intended, and therefore, many Americans have a problem when it comes to the expansion, and interference into our daily lives, as we are told what to say, how to do things, and what is acceptable.

Many folks in the media and all the critics on the left side of the political spectrum, along with some of those Republicans or conservatives, and even libertarians, which moved away from the GOP, and moved over to Obama & Co. say things such as; "That Bush is a Big Government Republican is undeniable." In fact, recently a political pundit brought up this conversation with me, and believed it was an unarguable point of contention.

Was President Bush really a big government Republican? If you look at what he did in office you do see increases in the size of government in some of the sectors. But overall, one has to ask if that is actually a fair assessment. Okay but the government's number one job is to protect the American people and President Bush's largest increases in government were for The Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, FEMA, which are all part of protecting the American people. Expanding the military to fight away is not a "big government" move in and of itself. Please consider this.

Lance Winslow is a retired franchisor - Lance Winslow's Bio. Lance Winslow is formerly the CEO of WashGuys family of franchises for instance one of Lance Winslow's favorite companies on the team;http://www.windowwashguys.com/links.shtml. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow http://www.pippoproducts.com

Ronald Reagan in Private - A Memoir of My Years in the White House

By Jim Kuhn, Executive Assistant to the President
Publisher: Sentinel 2004

What is it like to be the personal assistant to one of the United States', arguably the world's, most popular presidents? This book opens your eyes to the logistics involved in a presidential campaign as well as daily life at the White House. Written from the perspective of the Executive Assistant to the President, who in this case also worked on two Reagan presidential campaigns as an advance man, is really quite amazing revealing all that goes into "an appointment" or an "appearance" by the President.

There are certainly insights into the personality and demeanor of President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan in the book as well as personal anecdotes, but this is by no means a "tell-all" or biography of the man. Jim Kuhn is a die-hard fan of the Reagans' and you will not find one negative word about them in the book. The author spent day and night with or very near the president for four years and still has only praise for his boss.

I found the section about the negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev in 1985 and 1986 especially interesting coming from the perspective of the personal assistant. There were a number of details in the meetings that appeared to contribute greatly to the outcome. It was also revealing to hear about President Reagan's response when talks broke down and success seemed to escape him. If you enjoy reading about history or real people and real events, this is a nice "light read".

Terri Marks is a baby boomer wife, mother and grandmother in Madison, Wisconsin. She has a life full of colorful events and observations. Her hobbies are bird-watching, gardening and serving at her church. She publishes her own ezine at http://www.calicowoman.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terri_Marks http://www.pippoproducts.com

Ronald Reagan's Republican Party

"We're the party that wants to see an America in which people can still get rich." -- Ronald Reagan - Remark at Republican congressional diner Washington D.C. [May 4, 1982]

from Bartlett's Familiar Quotations

http://www.pippoproducts.com/familyfinance/index.html

American Conservative Political Philosophy

The Classical Conservative Definition:

A classical conservative values tradition and freedom over governmental power. Conservatives, under this definition, advocate a free market economy without governmental intervention. Conservatives tend to view government as a necessary evil, whose primary responsibility is to protect people from violation of their rights and freedom by others. Conservatives distinguish this from government taking action to guarantee people's rights and freedom (a subtle, but important distinction). Conservatives think of morality as something that binds people into groups through loyalty and authority (in certain cases, substituting religion for authority). Conservatives tend to be tribalists.

There is likely not as much difference between the two philosophies as you may have thought. The distinctions are subtle, but they do lead to a different philosophy of both the purpose, and responsibilities of government. Distinctions between the two philosophies shift and morph to suit the politics of the day.

Conservatives are usually regarded as associated with the Republican Party, liberals with the Democratic Party. This is an over-generalization.

Both parties embrace certain conservative and liberal tendencies. Moreover, it does not account for those that do not affiliate with either party, standing as independents, a very large segment of America's political society.

FOUNDERS OF CONSERVATISM

Edmund Burke is often regarded as the founder of the conservative philosophy. Burke stated in 1791 that it was not necessary to tear apart society to cure its evils:

"An ignorant man who is not fool enough to meddle with his clock, is however sufficiently confident to think he can safely take to pieces, and put together at his pleasure, a moral machine of another guise, importance and complexity, composed of far other wheels, and springs, and balances, and counteracting and co-operating powers.

Men little think how immorally they act in rashly meddling with what they do not understand. Their delusive good intention is no sort of excuse for their presumption. They who truly mean well must be fearful of acting ill."

Burke professed that change should only be made when fully aware of the consequences of the actions. Society is complex and interconnected, so changes must be made with deliberation and knowledge of history. The damage from miscalculated changes can be too disastrous to society, to do otherwise.

This is not to say conservatives oppose change. Conservatives recognize that change is necessary in society; however, conservatives move at a slower pace than liberals.

The Modern Conservative Movement

Many credit Russell Kirk's 1953 book, "The Conservative Mind" with the birth of the modern conservative movement in the United States. In 1957, Kirk condensed he beliefs in "The Essence of Conservatism:"

"...The conservative is a person who endeavors to conserve the best in our traditions and our institutions, reconciling that best with necessary reform from time to time...Our American War of Independence...especially in the works of John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, we find a sober and tested conservatism founded upon an understanding of history and human nature. The Constitution which the leaders of that generation drew up has proved to be the most successful conservative device in all history."

In this statement, Kirk restated that the U.S. Constitution is an instrument that protects people from abuse by government; in that regard, the Constitution must be strictly interpreted to guarantee that protection.

Barry Goldwater was the first politician to waive the modern conservative banner. His book, "The Conscience of a Conservative" was required reading at Harvard, at least for a while. When running for president in 1964, Goldwater promised to enforce the U.S. Constitution.

However, it was Ronald Reagan that legitimized the conservative political philosophy as President in 1980. He ran on a platform of cutting government, as he did when governor in California, where his main reform was in welfare.

As President, Reagan cut taxes in his first year. Whether as a direct result or not, the U.S. economy began an unprecedented economic boom in 1982 that lasted until 2001. However, Reagan will also be remembered for not only his economic forecast in 1982, but his prophesy that: "The march of freedom and democracy ... will leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash-heap of history as it has left other tyrannies which stifle the freedom and muzzle the self-expression of the people."

The fall of the Berlin wall came in 1989, followed by the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

CONCLUSION

In looking at the above comparison of conservative and liberal values, it is apparent that arguments can be made for the value of either position. However, such a limited view misses the point. Combining both philosophies can take the best from each to provide solutions to our problems.

As an example, take the issue of trust as to whether government is the best answer to our problems. Conservatives are wary to trust government as the answer; liberals tend to see government as a necessary evil, but still the best answer to solve our problems. Both are appropriate views. Our Founding Fathers recognized this dilemma and developed a system of checks and balances, a separation of powers for an effective government, but one that never developed too much power over its citizens.

The Founding Fathers listened to both sides of the conservative and liberal argument to try to find a system that meets the needs of all.

Today, our society needs to move forward to meet new challenges; liberals say we need new solutions to those challenges; conservatives say we need to trust proven solutions because miscalculation could make our problems worse. Again, both views have value; and a blending of both is likely the best answer: learn from the past, while we forge the future.

Unfortunately, our politics have become too polarized and too divisive. People take positions rather than work together. Political parties provide those positions. Many Republicans revert to religion as a bastion, while many Democrats turn their party into a religion.

After obtaining a degree in political science, I embarked on a career in insurance and government. For the last 21 years, I have worked for local government and government associations. I have written articles, as well as manuals, assisting local government in effectively managing their activities and exposures. I have also provided training in these areas, been a frequent speaker at educational seminars, and acted as President of an association of governmental employees. During this time, I continued an interest in the politics that is embedded in government and where politics is leading this nation in the Twenty First Century. Rick Lawrence, June 6, 2009 Ricklawrence13@live.com http://www.DemosResPublica.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Lawrence

"Open Letters to George W. Bush" author Case Wagenvoord: BOOK REVIEW

Open Letters to George W. Bush

Case Wagenvoord

iUniverse (2005)

ISBN 0595361978

Reviewed by Joanne Benham for Reader Views (6/06)

This book is a tongue-in-cheek satire of government and big business, told through a series of letters to President Bush from a fictional character called Belacqua Jones, described by the author as a meth-addicted psychopath, half a bubble off plumb.

Belacqua Jones is an ardent admirer of George W. Bush and possesses keen insight into the political machine. That insight is clearly evident in this book as Jones comments on every aspect of Bush’s presidency and offers invaluable advice to further his political career. Some of Jones’ suggestions: Enhance the value of death. If someone has an illness such as cancer, offer painkillers rather than medicine to fight the disease. Morphine is much cheaper than chemotherapy. Keep the rest of the world impoverished so that the US can maintain its standard of living. Shore up Social Security by making cigarette smoking mandatory for children. If he wishes to eliminate Social Security, he can just abolish retirement. Problem solved. The big corporations can take back all the money they put into the 401 (k)s and give enormous bonuses to the top executives as they so richly deserve.

Jones is also looking out for George’s interests, such as warning him about the Ashlee Simpson debacle. It takes an astute player to recognize the potential harm Simpson could do the political machine.

At times Jones shows astonishing vision, such as urging the canonization of Judas Iscariot by the Vatican. How could anyone, except a meth-addicted psychopath, half a bubble off plumb, realize that Judas was a victim, actually a sacrifice to the greater good?

Although I don’t agree with everything Case Wagenvoord writes, I found that I was in agreement with much more of what he has written than I anticipated. A brilliant, satirical book, I would urge everyone to sit down and browse through this work. Since the book is a series of letters, in no particular order, you can jump around, picking the chapter headings that intrigue you. Some of my favorites…The Iron Colon, Tree-Huggers, The Benefits of Torture, God Bless the Democrats, Stoning and Human Sacrifice.

Joanne Benham is a reviewer for Reader Views. http://www.readerviews.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irene_Watson Open Letters to George W. Bush: Letters to W from his ardent admirer Belacqua Jones http://www.pippoproducts.com/products3.html

The Ex-Presidents of the United States of America - George Bush the Elder, Part Four

He secured the Republican nomination for the 1988 Presidential election and chose US Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana as his running mate, they were pitted against the Dukakis/Bentsen Democratic ticket. The subsequent general election is viewed as one of the nastiest that ever took place, Bush won it on an electoral votes landslide, becoming the first Acting Vice President to be elected President. He was in office when the Communist governments in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe collapsed.

Indeed, his Presidency was dominated by foreign policy. He sent troops to Panama in 1989 to overthrow the regime of Manuel Noriega and in 1991 committed US forces to repel the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The success of the latter had the effect of soaring his popularity levels at home, this would be it's peak, it would plummet from here on in as domestic problems would come to the fore. The economy went into massive decline, forcing Bush into an embarrassing reverse turn on his famous election slogan of 'Read my lips - no new taxes' - he now had to raise taxes. His health was also beginning to give some cause for concern, he was diagnosed as having a mild heart condition and in 1992 he collapsed vomiting in the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister.

His domestic failures led him to lose the 1992 Presidential election to Bill Clinton. Since his 1992 retirement, Bush has retied with his wife, Barbara to their home in the exclusive neighbourhood of Tanglewood in Houston and they spend their summers at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport in Maine. Bush also holds his won fishing tournament in Islamorada, an island in the Florida Keys.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source Russell Shortt, http://www.exploringireland.net - http://www.visitscotlandtours.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Shortt http://www.pippoproducts.com/business

Ronald Reagan on Government

"Government is like a big baby -- an alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other." -- Ronald Reagan Remark while campaigning for governor of California [1965]

Beyond Vietnam - A Time to Break Silence - Analysis!

Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence was delivered by Martin Luther King Jr., on April 4, 1967, at a meeting of concerned clergy and laity at Riverside Church in New York City, New York. The essence of the speech focused on the war in Vietnam. The belief of the clergy took the theme of silence is betrayal. The conclusion was reached that they must speak out against the war over the objection that peace and civil right do not mix. King viewed such comments as a tragic misunderstanding of the world. He emphasized that he was not at the meeting to speak to China, Russia, the National Liberation Front, and/or Hanoi. He was there to speak to his fellow Americans who have the responsibility of ending the conflict that has extracted a heavy price on Vietnam and America.

Regarding the importance of getting involved in the Vietnam War, King enumerated seven major reasons to bring the war to an end based on moral vision. He stated that Vietnam is connected to the struggle he and others have been fighting in America for the poor. However, the buildup of the war has broken the program by society going mad over the war. As a result, the war is as an enemy of the poor, which has taken away vital resources from programs for the poor. He has also considered the dilemma the sons of poor Americans who are fighting and dying in extraordinary high numbers in Southeast Asia are facing as tragic, especially when they were not even able to attend the same school in America, or live on the same block, which he referred to as manipulation of the poor.

He believed that change would come to America through nonviolent action. Therefore, he must raise his voice against the violence inflicted on the oppressed for the sake of America and cannot remain silent. He affirmed the motto of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is "To save the soul of America," which cannot be saved if it is destroying the souls of people across the world. Additionally, as a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, his belief is that this commission require him to work harder than ever for "the brotherhood of man," thus, his calling extend beyond national allegiances.

He declared that he share with all men the calling to be a son of the living God; that God is concerned with the suffering of helpless and outcast children; that ministers are called to speak for the weak, the voiceless, victims of our nation, and its enemy; that Vietnam has been living under the madness of war for three continuous decades; and there will be no solution until we hear the broken voices of Americans and Vietnamese.

He mentioned that the Vietnamese must be looking at Americans as strange liberators while pondering America's madness of the war. Since Vietnam had its independence in 1945 from the French and Japanese, America has supported the French in trying to take back its former colony by funding practically the entire cost of the war for the French. He proclaimed that America is a victim of Western arrogance for rejecting the revolutionary government seeking self-determination in Vietnam. As a result, our planes are dropping bombs on Vietnamese villages, women and children; poisoning their water; killing their crops; destroying their trees; leaving them homeless; begging for food; and selling their sisters and mothers to our soldiers. In this regard, we must speak for them because they are also our brothers in our struggle.

He specified that Hanoi has consider the presence of American troops in support of the Diem regime in Vietnam as a breach of the Geneva Convention, and that our president did not state there was an overture for peace made before by the parties. He notified the audience how Ho Chi Ming has watched the buildup of American forces as America spoke about peace; that Ming has been listening to the international rumors of a invasion of the north; and that Ming has watched the pre-invasion strategies of the most powerful nation on earth, which include dropping of bombs as an aggressor on the poor and the weak thousands of miles away from its own shores.

King made known that he is deeply concerned about the safety of our troops; that we are adding cynicism to the process of death; and that none of the things we are fighting for are really involved. He further added that our troops must know that our government sent them into Vietnam for the sophisticated and the wealthy, while we are creating hell for the poor; therefore, we must give a voice to the voiceless people of Vietnam. In this regard, he asserted that there will be no meaningful solution until we have heard their broken cries and have made some meaningful solution to hear their plea.

King communicated that the madness of war must cease. Additionally, in the name of God, we must stop the destruction of Vietnamese' homes and their culture. He mentioned that he is speaking to the leaders of his country as an American and for the people of the world who are shocked by the path America has taken. He then quoted the words of a great Buddhist leader who stated:

Each day the war goes on the hatred increase in the hearts of the Vietnamese and in the hearts of those of humanitarian instinct... Americans are forcing their friends to become their enemies... America is incurring deep psychological and political defeat...America will never again be the image of revolution, freedom and democracy but the image of violence and militarism.

In this light, he indicated that continuing the war would show the world we have no honorable intentions in Vietnam, and our hope is to drag China into a war so we would be able to bomb its nuclear installations. He stated the world has demanded a greater sense of maturity from America

He enumerated the following actions for America's atonement of sins: an end to all bombing in Vietnam; unilateral cease fire; prevention of battle grounds in Southeast Asia; recognition of the National Liberation Front; a set date from removal of all foreign forces from Vietnam in accordance with the 1954 Geneva Convention; granting of asylum to Vietnamese suffering persecution; and the payment of reparations for harm done.

With respect to continuing protest of the war, he requested the churches and synagogues to continue urging America to disengage from Vietnam and encouraged the ministers to seek conscious objector's status. He brought up that America is on the wrong side of the world's revolution, because we now consider property and material things more important than people; thus, we are approaching spiritual death.

On the issue of the importance of people, he revealed that all over the world men are revolting against the old system of exploitation and oppression, and new systems of justice and equality are being born. As a result, we should desire love to be the ultimate force and saving grace of life and not death and evil. Additionally, he reinforced that powers without compassion; might without morality; and strength without sight, will drag America down the corridor of shame; therefore, we must rededicate ourselves to a beautiful world, which is the calling of the sons of God.

He ended his message with an eloquent poem written by James Russell Lowell, addressing the issues of love not war; good not evil; light not darkness; and how God is keeping watch over His people.

Joseph S. Spence, Sr. (aka "Epulaeryu Master"), is the author of "The Awakened One Poetics" (2009), which is published in seven different languages. He also co-authored two poetry books, "A Trilogy of Poetry, Prose and Thoughts for the Mind, Body and Soul" (2005), and "Trilogy Moments for the Mind, Body and Soul," (2006). He invented the Epulaeryu poetry form, which focuses on succulent cuisines. Joseph is a Goodwill Ambassador for the state of Arkansas. He has completed over twenty years of service with the U.S. Army. http://www.trilogypoetry.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Spence,_Sr. http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45a/058.html http://www.pippoproducts.com/products.html

The Ex-Presidents of the United States of America - George Bush the Elder, Part Three

In 1976, President Ford recalled Bush from China and appointed him as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, his brief was to restore morale and transform the way the agency was perceived by the public and by Congress. When the Democrats came to power in 1977, Bush became Chairman of the Executive Committee of the First International Bank in Houston. Bush sought the Republican nomination for the 1980 Presidential campaign, exploiting the contacts he had made as Chairman of the Republican National Committee and as a prominent Texas businessman with corporate interests in the East.

Bush soon emerged as the principal challenger to the former Governor of California, Ronald Reagan, the Republican frontrunner. Although Reagan later defeated Bush, surprisingly he selected him as his running mate and hence placing him on the winning Republican presidential ticket of 1980. Bush proved to be a loyal, hard-working supporter of the President who maintained a low profile presence, providing quiet counsel to Reagan and gained his confidence.

When Reagan was shot and seriously wounded in 1981, Bush flew in from Dallas immediately, his aides advised him to take the helicopter to the White House to illustrate to the public that the government was still operating normally. Bush refused stating "only the President lands on the South Lawn", this made a serious impression on Reagan, the two men became very close, lunching regularly on Thursdays in the Oval Office. When Reagan was re-nominated in 1984, Bush retained the Vice-Presidency, continuing in his role in the background offering advice and counsel.

Russell Shortt is a travel consultant with Exploring Ireland, the leading specialists in customised, private escorted tours, escorted coach tours and independent self drive tours of Ireland. Article source Russell Shortt, http://www.exploringireland.net - http://www.visitscotlandtours.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Shortt http://www.pippoproducts.com