Posts Tagged ‘News’
The 7 Secrets of Political Consultants
In our follow-up to the 10 Things Elected Officials Don’t Want You to Know, in this month’s Groundswell, Matt Robbins exposes the 7 Secrets of Political Consultants.
Read MoreThe Top 14 Things Said to the Wisconsin Democratic Senators by Their Spouses Upon Their Return From Illinois
This past Saturday the 14 Democratic Senators from Wisconsin who had brazenly shirked their responsibilities to the people of Wisconsin by opting for a cowardly month long escapade across the border in Illinois, finally came back to their rightful place – Wisconsin.
And while the labor union and other assorted leftists gave them a “hero’s welcome” when they “bravely” (think storming the beaches at Normandy) made their way back to the capital in Madison, evidently the welcome they received from their spouses at home was not so welcoming.
Here is just a sampling of what might have been said to them by their spouses:
Read MoreNew Local Government Leaders Needed
What we are seeing in Wisconsin underscores why local government matters and why we need a new generation of local government leaders. The Left, particularly the Labor Movement is readjusting its focus to the local level. Labor already has control of many school boards and other local government bodies across the nation. That’s why there…
Read MoreTop 10 Ideas for MSNBC to Try In Order to Increase their Ratings
I am just going to come out say it: I loathe MSNBC. I really do. I cannot stand that network. At all.
And because of this, I LOVE the fact that they consistently get beat down in the ratings by Fox News. Seriously, I delight in their misery.
Thus, it is that I came up with some ideas for MSNBC in order to try in an attempt to raise their normal viewership (somewhere in the neighborhood of 87-92 folks nightly) to at least the lower triple digits.
Read MoreThe Battle In Wisconsin Continues
Last evening brought a whole new resurgence to the battle in Wisconsin. Finally, some of the stalemate was going to be overcome. The consequences of these actions are still somewhat unknown, but we are sure to be witnessing more history happening in Wisconsin.
Read MoreCollective Bargaining Is a Privilege, Not a Right
I keep hearing the narrative that somehow, as though it were written in stone, collective bargaining is a right for public sector unions. I would disagree entirely: collective bargaining is a privilege, not a right, for public sector unions. And you know what? About 50 years ago, the A.F.L.-C.I.O. agreed with me. The union’s Executive Council in 1959 said: “In terms of accepted collective bargaining procedures, government workers have no right beyond the authority to petition Congress — a right available to every citizen.”
Read MoreWisconsin Craziness Continues
It’s hard to believe that protests have now been going on in Madison for 16 days and 14 State Senators have been AWOL for 13 days now. Here is some of the latest news. A private citizen is suing one of these Senators to compel the Senator to return to the state Capitol. The Senate has voted on a resolution to impose a fine for Senators missing two or more days. Taxpayers continue to pay the salaries of these 14 AWOL Senators and are wondering when this all will end.
Read MoreWhat Are All These Protests About?
A week ago this past Tuesday, I was in Madison, WI to attend a conference with my colleague. The conference happened to coincide with the first day of protests against Governor Scott Walker and those who supported his Budget Repair Bill. Little did I know that American Majority would be playing a major role in this effort later in the week.
Read MoreTop Ten Things Elected Officials Don’t Want You to Know
American Majority recently announced our new monthly newsletter, aptly titled The Groundswell. Along with traditional updates including upcoming events, news from our alumni and free resources, we aim to offer insights you won’t find from typical organizations inside the beltway. For our inaugural issue National Executive Director Matt Robbins breaks down the top ten things our elected officials don’t want us to know. Check out the full text below.
Read MoreIn Support of Governor Walker
American Majority, in conjunction with local Wisconsin Tea Party leaders today held a rally on the steps of the State Capitol in Madison in support of the common sense deficit reduction plans put forth by Governor Walker. The rally marks the first major effort by tea party members to direct their power and attention toward…
Read MoreI’m Talking About Glenn Beck Again
The Karate Kid and Ronald Reagan
As a child of the 1980’s, I protested vehemently when my wife recently went and rented the updated, Will Smith-ified version of The Karate Kid. The film stars his son, Jaden, and is a remake of sorts from the CLASSIC film of the same name that came out when I was six. And yes, I…
Read MoreCutting Spending Isn’t Easy
Once a person benefits from government spending, they rely upon it and will be extremely motivated to contact their elected officials if there is even a rumor of cutting that spending. Almost without fail, there will be stronger political pressure to not cut spending than the political pressure to reduce the spending. Moreover, government agencies always think their budgets should grow, regardless of the effectiveness or necessity of their programs. It takes a tremendous amount of courageous and commitment to see a proposed spending cut through to be enacted into law.
Read MoreBlame Dutch and Tracy
This last week, the conservative movement remembered Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday. Countless documentaries aired, new (and controversial) books were released, and hundreds of quotes were copied and pasted on twitter, Facebook, and countless forwarded emails. Now, I am not going to expound upon his politics, philosophy, personal life, marriages or children. What I will tell…
Read MoreAM-Trained State Rep Assists in Roadside Arrest
Lest anyone wonder whether we train the good guys, read here about newly-elected Oklahoma State Rep. Dustin Roberts (elected in Oklahoma’s “Little Dixie”) as he assisted a State Trooper in cuffing a really bad dude before backup could arrive.
Read MoreWhat Elections?
If I were to walk up to a random person today and ask him/her to share their thoughts on the upcoming spring elections in Kansas, I’m willing to bet that the response would be, “What elections?” These elections are so often forgotten about, and so few people actually vote in them, let alone volunteer on…
Read MoreHolding Fast
In the wake of new Republican House leadership, a weak State of the Union, and a looming March 4th deadline for a continuing budget resolution to keep government running and the Capitol’s lights on, conservatives find themselves pressed against an innate system of government largess and go-along mentality. While campaigning allows candidates to say much…
Read MoreWhat Is The Real Problem In America Today?
I postulated recently that society is suffering the lack of great thinkers. While I hold to the veracity of that statement, further dwelling has brought me to the conclusion that a lack of intellectual and philosophical titans is not, at least in itself, the greatest ailment that befalls us. It is great actions, more than…
Read MoreKeep Them Accountable
The Wisconsin Spring Primary Elections are less than a week away. But what happens after a new crop of elected officials arrives? Do they fall off your radar as you proceed with your daily life? Or, do you stay on top of their activities to ensure they are delivering on the promises they made during their campaigns?
Read MoreGoogle before you Tweet – it’s the new think before you speak!
Every once in a while, I receive emails from well- meaning friends that tell of all sorts of treacherous and nefarious things going on right under our noses. “Events” that are mind numbing to imagine yet happen and no one will pay attention because the media are part of the “global conspiracy”. You have probably…
Read MoreLow Education Standards = Low Outcome
I recently attended an event in Topeka, KS where Dr. Matthew Ladner, of the Goldwater Institute in Arizona, spoke on the importance of education reform. Lander expressed his thoughts on Florida’s successful K-12 reform and how each state should take note. Florida implemented a variety of improvements, and its students’ achievement levels increased. In turn,…
Read More“There Is Danger From All Men”
I recently rediscovered an incredible John Adams quote that I absolutely love. Ambition is one of the more ungovernable passions of the human heart. The love of power is insatiable and uncontrollable. There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be trust no man living with power to…
Read MoreState of Emergency
Governor Walker’s first State of the State was delivered on the same day he declared a state of emergency for 29 counties in Wisconsin. Don’t be confused. It wasn’t because of a lack of money to cover the budget shortfalls or the incorrect recording of expenditures; it was due to the snow storm of the year that is hitting many states throughout the country. Just like the snow storm, states are facing similar shortfalls in their budgets and looking for alternatives to make up for these deficits.
Read MorePaging Senator David Johnson~Where Are You?
Kudos to Senator David Johnson (D, Little Rock) who received ZERO dollars in per diem, mileage and expense money for 2010, according to an admirable enterprise story by Michael Wickline in Sunday’s Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Going back to 2009, during a regular session as is 2011’s session, Mr. Johnson received only $1081. I recognize Mr. Johnson…
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