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ReaganAdmirer
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Name: Paul
Country: United States
State: Arkansas
Metro: arkadelphia
Birthday: 11/10/1984
Gender: Male
Interests: Reading, studying, working (a lot), my girlfriend Sara, keeping up with my family and friends in Colorado, politics, history, and working some more.
Expertise: I know quite a bit about politics, but there is always more to learn there and so I can't consider myself an expert, other than that I know a whole lot about Roast Beef, and fast food and hospitality industry in general because of my work in those areas.
Occupation: Student
Industry: Hospitality
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  Frdom4me02
Member Since:
10/22/2005
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| I've
been a bad commentator as of recent. The past few days of work I
did not return home until late, and despite what might be thought I
also have a girlfriend who tolerates me and her and I had some time
together. Hence the reason for my absence. I will also take
a brief moment to say: AMERICAN MILITARY TROOPS MAKE ME PROUD TO BE AMERICAN! My
heart wells up with pride at the thought that a murdering evil man's
last vision was an American uniform. 6/7 from hence forth will be
Al Zarqawi's Dead Day! All right, since there are countless
others that have commented on this subject I'm going to do what I do
best. Feint and talk about something else. My various
fellow conservatives can continue to cover the story. For the
moment lets talk about a subject all of us know about but I think many
of us don't quite understand.
I have many times over my political career tried to define what is the exact difference between a conservative and a liberal. I
haven't actually made the argument on this particular website yet, so
we're going to try it in a new form that I find is striking cords and
helping define things for many people I talk to.
Note: If you're heavily into
politics you may find this hum-drum or "boring" so if that's the case,
I would suggest checking out another blog today. Or you just
might learn something.
Instead of simply saying the differences between the two ideologies I
have
begun to notice fundamental, defining behaviors and beliefs.
These do not necessarily divide upon party lines (although I think we
would all agree that one party is predominantly conservative, and the
other predominantly liberal), but these comparisons do tend to help
folks better understand and identify where their own beliefs and ideas
are aligned. As always, using a straw man argument setting up one
particular senator or example to knock down my whole comparison is not
allowed and will be ridiculed if used in a comment.
First of these comparisons is one that is a favorite of many conservative groups.
Conservatives believe that less government is more effective
government, while liberals believe that less government will result in
a weak, and non-functioning government. That's it.
Taking it one step further will put the two groups on opposite sides
again. Conservatives tend to believe that the 10th Amendment is
the clause that should have the priority in government, therefore
giving States the supremacy except in the cases that the Constitution
gives express authority to the federal government. Liberals tend
more to the application of the implied powers clause thereby setting
the federal government above the state in most cases. Any
questions?
Lets go to taxes.
Conservatives believe (and this is excluding the current Congress'
reckless spending) that more money in the pockets of Americans, the
better the economy will run. Liberals believe that the government
will accomplish things better if the money is put under its control
(hence, higher taxes). I will take this moment to point out that
many liberals on Capitol Hill ridiculing the Congress of spending too
much are not fiscally conservative, they're just angry that they
weren't in charge of it! Just a note.
Lets go to opportunities and decisions in general.
Conservatives believe that YOU the INDIVIDUAL can make better decisions
for yourself than the government can. Liberals believe that the
government can make the decision better for you. I have a feeling
there will be much attacking on this particular point, so having left
the blood in the water I'll go to the next one.
Liberals believe in an
equalization of RESULT. Conservatives, in an equalization of
OPPORTUNITY. I can't stress enough how fundamentally important
this one is (hence the different color). If you take nothing else
away from this post, take this one with you. Liberals believe
that by micromanaging everything and getting everyone to the same
arrival destination they're levelling the playing field.
Conservatives believe that if everyone has the same initial opportunity
then its fair enough. This is evidenced in education, racial
issues (affirmative action), welfare, and almost any other liberal
philosophy. Present the concept and I will show you how
conservatives want the equal opportunity and liberals the equal
result.
Lastly, conservatives have a great tendency to do what they see as
RIGHT and not as politically expedient. Liberals in this day and
age, sadly, feel that political expediency is far more important.
I have an entire grab bag full of examples, just ask.
I hope that this may have defined some differences for all of you who
chose to read it. I have a feeling I'll be delving into some of
these points more thoroughly in the near future. And as always,
comments, ideas, and debate are encouraging and I will attempt to
respond to all of them. Unless you're Sol, in which case, I'll
get you on the next post guaranteed.
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| Let
me begin by saying that I am absolutely elated at the traffic and
conversation that this site is generating. I didn't realize until
comments started coming in that yall were reading this. A
lot. That's good. Thank you to all for your comments, and
debate. It makes me really excited to be part of the xanga
community. There are some specific folks that I want to point out
in this regard, and then we'll get to the really good stuff.
First, thanks to wildmanoncampus who was kind enough to spar with me
verbally for a bit last night. I think both of us learned some
things. The same goes to the lovely contrapasso who has tolerated
me longer than most. You're a good friend m'lady. Also,
thank you Critical_Review. Either you're the most sarcastic
person I haven't met, or you believe in the people of this country just
as much as I do. You continue to fuel me, and I am honored to
provide the same service to you. To all of those who have linked
me, argued with me on your xanga, been kind enough to join me in
friendly conversation, or just commented on my page thank you.
Please continue. That being said, lets talk.
Here in Arkansas, there was recently passed a law during the education special session. This law had absolutely nothing to do with education, except maybe to chase off even smaller businesses in Arkansas.
This law was the Minimum Wage increase. The minimum wage in
Arkansas was increased from 5.15 to 6.25. Hold here with me
because I'm about to catch a whole load of flak.
I think this law was the worst kind of politicking. From my party
and from the Democrats. It was simple grandstanding by a few
politicians. That's all it was. Wanna know how I know
that? Ask yourselves a few questions. First, who do you
know that works for minimum wage? I'm not talking 5.50. I'm
not talking 5.25. Minimum wage. 5.15 Who works for
that?
As many know, I was a manager of an Arby's here in Arkansas. Not
a single one of my high school workers was paid less than 6.00 an
hour. None. I know that for a fact because I hired
them. Unless they had absolutely no experience whatsoever they
worked for no less than 6.25. Since then, many have received
raises beyond that mark. This law just devalued those
raises.
See, the problem is that it's not a blanket raise as many interpret it
as. Everyone isn't receiving a 1.10 raise. Nope, come
October 1, the completely unskilled laborer will simply make
more. And what will be the effects you say? Why, do you
seriously think Walmart is going to shoulder this extra cost in
labor? Do you think fast food is going to cover the cost of such
an increase? Nope. Prices are headed up. Lets put it
in terms nearly everyone agrees on. Without going into the completely separate debate of gas prices lets put
it in terms that everyone can agree on. When a barrel of oil goes
up in price, do you think we pay for it at the pump? Yes we
do. So if the cost of producing a good (factory workers wages) or
selling a good (stockers or burger flippers or the most unskilled labor
you can think of) becomes more expensive, do you think that companies
are going to pay the extra cost? NO WAY! Consumers
are going to pay the costs. And that means prices are going to go
up, something that you and I have to pay for. This is fine for
the government, as it means more tax revenue because of an increase in
sales tax revenue, but its more money from yours and my pockets with no more bang for our buck. This also sets a dangerous precedent.
The argument made to me by supporters of this bill (not Republicans,
they're far worse on this issue) is that people out there working for
this lowly minimum wage neeeeeeeeeed (kind of like whaaaaaaaa) this
increase in their pay. I'm unimpressed. As an employer, I
value good skilled workers and want to help make their lives better
through my pay to them. So, I give them raises. As a
worker, I will work my guts out
for a good employer and I despise those poor workers around me who have
jobs but don't perform their work. It destroys the morale of your
good workers when poor ones receive raises. The precedent I'm
talking about is that here in Arkansas, any time a "workers advocate"
group wants to get a raise for unskilled laborers, all they have to do
is prod the legislature. I despise that intervention by
government in the market and would never vote for such an increase as
your legislative representative. If you want a better job, go out
and find it. I know the fast food industry is having to hire
workers at better and better wages because more and more teenagers
(unskilled laborers) are going to better, higher paying jobs!
SHOCK! So, instead of petitioning the legislature for a decrease
in jobs (how bizarre is that? We'll see.) the employers of Burger
King, McDonalds, Popeyes, etc., have increased the wages they're
offering workers! WOW! So the free market increases
wages? Adam Smith was right? NO WAY!
Finally ( and I promise this will be the last point because I know this
is getting really long), Arkansans want jobs. We want good, high
paying, technologically advanced, retirement creating jobs. By
increasing expenses for small businesses that can't necessarily afford
them in the first place, we have just destroyed many of those
jobs. I would never begin a business in Arkansas, not just
because of the wages increase but a number of other factors.
However, this is a perfect example of the oxymoron that exists in this
state. We want higher wages, we have to buckle down work for
them. My current job title is Management Trainee or MT. The
joke is that the real term is Money's Tight. But we're all
delighted because we work for this company to reach a better tomorrow
to provide for our future families, selves, relatives, and to live
comfortably and help others. At least those are my reasons.
But we're all excited and not getting paid that much. We don't
need the government to mandate a raise for us.
Live in another state? Make certain your state legislature
doesn't do this. Don't know how? email me and I'll help
you. Here in Arkansas, it's already passed and all we can do is
hope that next session they'll repeal it.
Vote for me and I will support an umpire-style policy to the state
economy. (email for details I'm trying to cut this off. If I get
lots of emails I'll address it at a sooner than later date.)
Vote for me and I will vote to put such important economic and social
questions on a ballot so that its not only I deciding, but all of
us.
Vote Paul Laubach November 7.
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| Good question. I am running for a number of reasons.
First, I truly believe that the
people of Arkansas (and particularly my district, 20) deserve better
representation in Little Rock, and someone who will stand up for them
against larger, more invasive, more bloated state government.
Someone who will go to the legislature with the belief that it's the
people of Arkansas, not the politicians of Little Rock who create more
jobs, better communities, and generally a better place to live here in
Arkansas.
I run because I think that any
state that boasts FedEx and Walmart should be able to hold it's head
high and compete against the best states in the Union on all levels,
including education, healthcare, and taxes. Arkansans have led
the way in several major areas, including our future governor Asa being
the first Undersecretary of the Dept. of Homeland Security. We
have no reason to stop just because some of our politicians in Little
Rock think that their personal paychecks are more important.
Which brings us to my final point
(for this post): corruption. Not a single person in Arkansas
blieves that our system isn't rife with corruption. Someone new
has to go to Little Rock to help weed such corruption out. I am
that man.
So, for those of you who think that someone is too young, and perhaps
should be out drinking, partying, or thinking of getting married, take
another look.
I will vote to reduce Arkansas' taxes
I will vote to help prosecuting attorneys across Arkansas prosecute corrupt public officials.
I will vote to lower the
inhibitive tax structure on Arkansas business' so they can prosper and
in order to entice more jobs to Arkansas.
Vote for Paul Laubach on November 7.
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| I'm
annoyed. Just a little bit. Before you read this rant, I
would suggest that you check out this news article on FOXNews:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198060,00.html
All
right. Read that? We have a country founded on a MORAL
fabric. This also happens to be derived from GOD amd from
CHRISTIANITY! I don't care how much liberals hate it. In
fact, I would like to volunteer an opportunity to all liberals to leave
my country. A mass exodus is coming soon (hopefully for illegal
aliens) and I invite our liberal brethren to join them. Go to
Mexico, Canada, your beloved Europe, or the true utopia, IRAN! If
you don't want to acknowledge that there is no way something greater
than you, then please, by all means, go.
For myself, having stood amongst
the Colorado Rockies, flying over the planes of America, driving cross
country, I have come to the conclusion that the idea of God is not
ludicrous. In fact, the idea of there NOT being a God is far more
ridiculous to me. You mean to tell me that everything here on
this planet is an ACCIDENT?!
Okay. Sure.
This made me really angry. The courts and lobbyist groups are destroying our country.
I'm angry enough to not make a
plug in this entry. Suffice it to say that I will not reverse my
opinion on this and I will work to lessen the influence of such groups
when I am elected.
I'll put up a bit more thought out post later.
Paul
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| The Senate passed a bill of
"sweeping" immigration reform this week which amounts to about jack
squat in my opinion, so I thought now would be a good point to address
something about this issue that I think is important.
Any Senator, Representative, Governor, President, etc., that encourage "full sweeping reform" and want it in ONE BILL is
lying to you. Any politician worth their salt (and believe me,
many of these politicians are lying, swindling, rodents but they ARE
good) knows that immigration policy is possibly teh most complex policy
that our country faces today. Everything from border patrol to
foreign policy, to economic policy are affected by immigration.
To write one bill and say, "Here's the answer!" is akin to taking out a
40 lb. sledgehammer and hammering 150 nails horizontally into a fence
and call it good.
Whether they say it or not, no federal politician believes that this is
a good idea, and so folks like Teddy Kennedy and the cowardly senators
that voted with him are intentionally pulling the wool over your
eyes. This is not easy for me to say, because there are some
senators in this pack that I believe in, such as Sen. Brownback of
Kansas. However, it must be said. I am extremely
disappointed in the Republicans who were willing to try this
sledgehammer method.
Also, watch the press. You'll notice that both houses of
congress passed versions of immigration reform. The press is
trumpeting the Senate bill, so look at the House version and pray that
it's the one that makes it through the joint committee.
The major points I wanna state here are: that politicians who are
unwilling to break down the issue have different interests at heart,
and the other point is that every politician no matter party that is
currently in office (with few to no exceptions) is beholden to
illegals. Their thoughts are whoever legalizes them first gets
their votes. This is a destructive line of thinking, but it's
followed by almost all of our elected officials. Want a
change? Vote for me.
I believe deportation IS viable.
I believe businesses SHOULD be punished for keeping illegals on their employment roles.
I believe that immigration is not a hopeless problem for the US or for Arkansas.
I believe that it will take a person of principles to stand up and stop
the politicians from giving us over to the likes of Mexico.
Vote Paul Laubach November 8 - For District 20 State Representative and a better Arkansas tomorrow - today.
As always, questions and comments are welcome.
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