State of the Union Speech 2012

This year the speech started with a huge round of applause from both sides of the aisle as Representative Giffords name was called out. The applause lasted for several minutes as members showed admiration for her strength and courage as she fights back from a near fatal shooting at one of her campaign rallies last year.

The President started with a soft “Thank you” as he received several minutes of recognition clapping and cheering his arrival. Speaker Boehner introduced the President as all others have in the past.  He stated last month he greeted many soldiers as they returned from war zones across the ocean signifying the end of the wars.

“For the first time in 9 years there are no American’s fighting in Iraq.” He continued stating the achievements of our military personal and extended a thought “Imagine what we could accomplish if we” worked like them.  He discussed how hard work pays off in any economy.  He talked about his relatives who were part of the America success story during the greatest days of this nation.

He discussed how everyone needs to get a shot and a fair shake and plays by the same set of rules. “What’s at stake are not Democrat values, Republican values, but American values.”  Hard working Americans struggled as the top members of organizations prospered with huge bonuses and payroll. “It was wrong” our President stated.

“In the last twenty-two months businesses have created more than 3 million jobs.” American manufacturers are hiring once again and his administration has placed in effect new rules so the greed of those CEO’s will never bring about another economic crisis again. He goes on to lay out a blue print for the future of America.

It beings with “American Manufacturing” and having the strength to set standards to help those businesses that were nearly bankrupt just a few years ago. “We bet on American Workers” and now the industry is back  because of the policies he initiated. A few weeks ago the President stated the CEO of Masterlock told him it makes sense to bring jobs back home now and they are at full capacity for the first time since 2005.

The President segued into the tax codes and policies for companies that outsource jobs. He also mentioned no company should have less of a tax burden for relocating out of the country. Business need to be rewarded for remaining here in the United States and those who leave must pay higher taxes.

Competitors must play by the rules and his administration has helped stop China and other nations from cheating the system. Tonight the President announced his plan to bring on a new agency that will monitor foreign countries and the products they ship into our country.  This ” Trade Enforcement Unit”  will inspect for counterfeit products being imported to level the playing field.

President Obama talked about our Education system and how we as a Nation must increase resources to keep the best teachers on the job and teach to learn not to test. He went on to say we need to get rid of those instructors who are not fit to teach the students. The President went on to insist every state keep students in school through graduation or until 18 without the ability to dropout.

Student aid was addressed next by insisting higher education do their part to keep costs down. Higher is an “economic imperative” that every American deserves to have.  ”I believe as strongly as ever we need to take on illegal immigration”.  ”We need comprehensive immigration reform right now.”   At this point he received a huge round of applause as he continued to address this issue.

“Women should earn equal pay for equal work” in our economy. Every individual should be supported for innovation and inventiveness. He now wants to tear down regulations that create problems for entrepreneurs. The President wants a bill on his desk so he can sign it.  American made energy is where our future is and according to the President we need to open more land to increase production and develop “Every available source of energy” with government help where needed.

Clean energy is the energy of the future. The President will not stop working towards this sector of energy regardless of the feelings of America.  He wants to give incentives to businesses to stop wasteful use of energy and subsidies for building the clean energy future.

Next, with the money we no longer a spending on war he wants to take half and pay down our debt and the other half to rebuild the infrastructure of our country.  This will create jobs for all Americans.

With the housing crisis the President wants to offer lower interest loans to homeowners in need. No more irresponsible behavior, rules will be enacted to prevent the problems elevated in the mortgage industry that created this crisis. He wants to take away incentives that make the playing field advantageous for one member of society and not another.

Anti-fraud laws will be adhered to and he wants new and sweeping legislation passed holding business entities accountable for fraudulent activity against society.  No longer should predatory lending practices be condoned.

Our tax policies need reform so millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share of taxes. 25% of millionaires pay less taxes than a million middle class members of this society. Those struggling in this economy do not need increases, they need relief.  Those fortunate enough to make millions should pay their fair share, that is all the President is asking. With this tax policy we can reduce our deficit according to President Obama.

Finally the President stated none of these issues can be worked on unless both parties work together to do what is good for the people and not just those in Congress or any other Federal employee.  The government needs to be reduced in size and the President wants freedom from Congress to enact these sweeping reforms without having Congress meddling.

“America is back” is the message from leaders from all around the world. As President, Obama intends to continue to work with all nations helping to secure our country and those of our allies.  Our armed Force Members are to be taken care of better than they had been in the past. As President funding for military has increased each year and will continue to do so as those members serve our Nation.

This was a much different State of the Union speech than any of his previous ones.  The President offered solutions, addressing the problems facing America today.  This was a Clinton moment as he moved away from his far left visions for this nation and came to the middle.

Many of the problems we have are because Congress is broken and both parties continually vote on issues good for their personal agenda or that of campaign contributors.  The United States can succeed with citizens working together with their representatives to pass legislation that is good for the Nation. This was one of the Presidents better speeches due to the fact he finally stopped placing blame on everyone but him for the State of the Union.

What he failed to mention was the trillions of dollars spent that we don’t have. What he failed to mention was the fact Congress and Harry Reid have not passed a budget in 1000 days which is required by law.  What he failed to mention was how we were going to pay for all these new and exciting programs to help lead us down this path of productivity.

Merry Christmas

With Christmas just a few short days away we at Patriot Express wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.  If you’re celebrating another holiday we wish you a Happy Holiday for you and your family.

This year has been exciting and rewarding as we traveled a path never anticipated.  We hope all your dreams and aspirations are met with conviction and dedication as you travel the path of life in the upcoming year.  Peace to all as we celebrate with family and friends and we will be back once again as the New Year rings in.  Thank you from all at Patriot Express Radio.

Insider Trading is illegal

“It is unlawful to use or employ any stop-loss order in connection with the purchase or sale, of any security registered on a national securities exchange, in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors.” as stated in Section 10 of the ” Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Everybody understands insider trading is illegal, unless you’re in Congress, the Executive Branch or the Legislative Branch of our Government.  For years the American citizens feelings towards Congress have been plummeting in an uncontrollable spiral downward as we learn details concerning their moral character, ethical standards along with their blatant attempts to bride other members for votes on specific bills they need passed.  With the issue of insider trading we are led to believe  Congress passed a law which exempt them from following the rule regulating trades.

According to the Committee on Insider Trading, Congress is not nor never have been exempt from these laws.  Members who trade with information received during the course of duties in Congress are breaking Securities Exchange laws.  Members of all branches of government continually exasperated their declining popularity with the American People as they use their positions to engage in unethical behaviors that would land the average citizen locked up behind bars for many years.

Not to long ago, Martha Stewart went to jail for gaining an unfair advantage over the average citizen walking the streets of America with information gained that wasn’t public knowledge.  Recently  Primary Global Research led Sales Representative, James Fleishman was found guilty in Manhattan of insider trading and will be sentenced December 21, 2011.

During the three and a half hour hearing the panel interpreted the law as no one is exempt from insider trading laws and elected officials need to be held at a higher standard with repercussions to those who conduct business with unsavory behavior.  Representative Sean Duffy (R) Wisconsin asked that legislation being considered (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act, H.R. 1148)  should hold all members to strict reporting requirements. One such requirement would be to report to the House within three days of a stock trade.

Committee Member Representative Walter B. Jones (R) N.C.  interrupted Rep. Duffy to interject this statement concerning the questionable trades,  ”If nothing else comes from this but meaningful legislation that the Congresses of next year and the year after that they know what is right and wrong then the American people will win.”   I find it unfathomable that members of Congress do not already know what is right and wrong with the way they conduct the business of our Country for their own personal gain.

Our goal now as voting members of this Country must be to elect representatives who will conduct the business of our Nation responsibility, ethically and following the Constitution when presenting legislation. Our nation is in peril as we continue to spend 42 cents out of every dollar that we don’t have. The insanity must stop in Washington relatively soon. If we do not elect officials with the interest of the nation ahead of their own we will be a troubled nation.

We borrow 43 cents out of every dollar we spend right now. We borrow 4 billion dollars a day to continue down this path of self-destruction which doesn’t seem to affect most members of Congress as their re-election campaigns are more important to them.  When you vote in the upcoming election, know your candidates and find out who will serve our nation instead of their self interests.

70 years ago, it happened

Tomorrow we revisit the attack on Pearl Harbor which transpired 70 years ago.  Beginning at 7:53 AM, Japanese dive bombers dropped 1760 pound explosives on the decks of our fleet destroying 8 Battleships including the USS Arizona. Our Military Family went to work defending the sovereignty of our land with little regard for their personal safety shooting at the Kamikaze pilots with all they had. The surprise attack took 2403 lives that day and wounded more than a 1000 others in just under the two-hour raid.

As we honor our fallen heroes be reminded without our militia this Great Nation would not exist as our Founding Fathers intended it to be. We would not have a Constitution that has withstood all that has been presented to her. We as a nation would have crumbled. For over two hundred and fifty years this nation has been able to prosper because of the uniqueness of the people who came here for freedoms not allowed anywhere else in the World.

December 7, 1941 “A date which will live in infamy” as President Roosevelt stated to Congress and the World over a live radio broadcast just one day after the attack asking Congress for a “Declaration of War” citing the Japanese as our enemy.  World War II would be a struggle to remain free unlike the first World War where we became allies ensuring their freedom from Nazi Germany.

Be thankful for what we have here in America and thank those armed forces members who routinely are put in harms way so we can continue to work and prosper without fear of our Government seizing our land, money and children. God Bless America and all our Military Families out there.

Is Newt the one

With all that is happening in the Republican Party is Newt the one to lead our nation out of despair into prosperity?  The polls from Iowa show Newt with a strong lead over Mitt Romney. Just a few months ago Newt Gingrich had no money, no support, no chance of being in the top 7 let along the number one spot. Today he leads 28 -12 in the Insider/Advantage poll conducted by Newsmax.

Ron Paul came in second with 13 points, one point ahead of Romney. The Republican voters in Iowa are making a statement against Mitt at this time.  They don’t feel he is the candidate to beat President Obama.  Talking to voters across the nation, the one thing  they have in common, they don’t want a candidate that changes positions at every function he attends. That is what Mitt Romney represents to a large sect of voters.

In a Republican Forum held in Fairfax Virginia yesterday twelve individuals stated their views on all the candidates. Mitt was represented as a candidate that sways with the crowd and will say or do whatever the moment requires as a “Polished” candidate would.  This stigma will follow Romney until Gingrich loses momentum as the most intelligent candidate with the solutions needed to lead our nation back into prosperity.

 

 

Global Challenges Ahead

Tonight the Republican Candidates for President of the United States of America took to the stage for the eleventh time since the start of the campaign season.  ”Live from Constitution Hall” in Washington D.C., Wolfe Blitzer began the telecast as moderator for this debate to discuss Foreign Policy sponsored by CNN, The Heritage Foundation and The American Enterprise Institute.

The questions came from all sponsors and individuals across the nation using social media outlets.  Each candidate had the opportunity to discuss each question as they deemed fit. No quick 15 second or 30 second responses but well thought out detailed information people could digest.

The questions dealt with the economy, foreign policy towards Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan,Pakistan and Israel.  Each candidate answered fully and with great detail outlining their plan if they were the President of the United States.  All candidates refrained from knock  out punches to fellow candidates and directed the punches toward the President himself.

They all agreed Obama lacks the leadership skills needed and has demonstrated his inability to continue as our Commander and Chief.  The Super Committee failed because the President left it up to Congress to come  up with the cuts. Rick Perry stated as President he would have been working day and night with Congress to pass the cuts so they wouldn’t need the Super Committee which turned out to be a “Super failure.”

Newt again commanded grand applause as he discussed the real issues that were not being addressed and that is our Foreign Policy should be about protecting the sovereignty of our land and not some political action that can’t be won.  We need to have a policy that the countries will understand. They need to know we mean business when we address the terrorists problems infiltrating borders all across the world.

Ron Paul still continues to emphasize the liberties we have should not be eroded because we think someone may be a terrorist.  He believes the “Patriot Act” is one such law that needs to be removed because it tramples on our rights as Americans.  Congressmen Paul remains the Candidate that is a true believer in our Constitution and will remain the voice of freedom for all Americans.

Illegal immigration was a hot topic once again.  The former speaker of the House believes those who go to church, have an education and have been here for many years can not be thrown out of this nation which is a form of amnesty.  He was asked about his backing of amnesty reform bill under Reagan  to which he responded that the law was passed with the precondition that the borders would be secure and the country would have the ability to remove those illegal immigrants from that point on.

All candidates received air time to discuss their views. Rick, Mitt, and Newt seemed to gain the most time as Ron, Herman, Rick, Jon and Michele had to interrupt every so often to have their voices heard more than every 15 minutes.  Wolfe attempted to have all candidates respond to the questions but candidates demanded more time to respond to allegations presented against them by fellow candidates.

All candidates performed well with no major gaffs or stumbles.  Jon Huntsman did well with his foreign policy knowledge. Romney again did well showing he had a grasp on foreign policy.   There was no clear winner in this debate as all candidates  as they all did well because they all had the opportunity to talk about issues in depth.    If the polls change tomorrow there will be just a few points one way or another with no significant rise for any of the candidates.

Click here to view the debate in its entirety once available on-line.

Congressmen Heck wants money

Today I read an invitation from Congressmen Joe Heck explaining how we need to support his campaign for re-election.  In it he stated “We need more Republicans in Washington“.

Our  District 3 Representative is concerned with how “Washington operates” since he was elected to office last year as Democrats continue to spend our tax dollars with little regard where it is going and how it is being spent.

Toward the last paragraph of the campaign letter he emphasized a career politician will run against him in the upcoming election with a “History of raising taxes, increasing regulations and growing government” which makes the choice clear why we must vote for Joe Heck.

As I read I had to look back just a few short months ago on the vote to raise the debt ceiling on more time or our country will default on its debts. Our Congressmen Joe Heck voted for it, stating to his constituents  in a RJ interview,  ”The fact we have dollar-for-dollar spending cuts associated with the debt limit increase, no new taxes and real accountability measures were the three things I wanted to see, and those three things are there,”

This appears to be more of the same, campaign against raising taxes, doing what is right for the country and then caving in to an increase in our debt ceiling with nothing but empty promises as we have seen in all debt ceiling increased negotiations.

Joe, if you want to win re-election how about telling those Nevadans in your District you will reduce spending in Washington and then offer a solution to how you plan to accomplish that task.  The debt ceiling is not the issue, the spending is.

Taxpayers on Hook For 535 Million

Today Steven Chu, Energy Secretary entered the Rayburn Office building inWashingtonD.C.to testify at the Energy and Commerce Sub Committee on Oversight and Investigation.

Chairman, Representative Cliff Stearns (R) Florida opened the hearing concerning the 535 million dollar loan guarantee to the now defunct Solyndra Company. “It is readily apparent that senior officials in the administration put politics before the stewardship of taxpayer’s dollars”.

The investigation has been active for 9 months with many questions surfacing on why the Department of Energy would guarantee this loan at the end of the Bush administration would not make the loan guarantee stating DOE had too many issues with the cash flow of the company and the liquidity remained unresolved.  They ended discussions with Solyndra.

Later in the month President Obama was inaugurated and Steven Chu was put in charge of the DOE.  Secretary Chu pushed the loan though quickly and pressed for action on this company.  Solyndra was labeled “A Litmus test” to fund Green projects.

The Office of Budget Management could not score the company correctly and 6 months after receiving the 535 million dollars Solyndra was struggling and one year later they started to default on the terms of the loan.

At that point Secretary Chu made several waivers and “Last minute offers” subordinating the loans to private investors according to Rep. Stearns and now we have huge problems with a few of the loans Secretary Chu pushed through. Several have blown up and now have filed for bankruptcy. The President and colleagues have never addressed these loans and have made statements such as this one, “Hey, sometimes these things just don’t work out”.

Secretary Chu testimony was given under oath as is any testimony in front of Congressional Committees under Title 18, Section 1001 under United States Code.  The Secretary was asked if he would require Consul and he rejected before being sworn in.

Secretary Chu opened with a five minute statement addressing the clean energy sector and the race to bring the industry to America. There are hundreds of billions of dollars spent on Clean Energy around the world.  “Over 50 countries offer some kind of public financing” for the industryChuexpressed.

Through the loan programs there are over 38 companies working on reducing our countries dependence on fossil fuels.  These companies need the funding from the government to achieve their goals as private sector funds are not available currently to loan all these start-up industry.

Solyndra had invested nearly a billion dollars of private funds to the business before applying for the half a billion dollar loan through DOE.  The Secretary looked at all information available and felt he was doing what was right and good for the taxpayers of this nation. “As Secretary of Energy the finally decisions on Solyndra were mine” Secretary Chu emphatically went on, “I did not make any decision based on political considerations”.  His decision to loan the money to Solyndra was based on information provided to him from experience professions.

MIT name Solyndra as one of the top 50 innovative companies of the times.  The market deteriorated and caused a decline in the market causing the monetary loss in the Clean Energy industry.  The problems may not have happened had the economy not faulted.

During the hearing Secretary Chu was asked if he knew that subordinating the loan was illegal and could not occur.   He informed the committee the General Consul informed him he could subordinate the loan and decided to do that with hopes Solyndra would come out of the financial problems within the company.

This hearing went on for over two hours with both sides asking tough questions to get to the bottom of why this company was given the loan when so much information was out there showing the financial difficulties the company was having.

Rep. Waxman and Rep. DeGette both addressed the Clean Energy race and continually emphasized who important it was we get off the fossil fuels to move toward the clean energy businesses and the Republicans are misrepresenting the problems in this case. Waxman “It’s pretty obvious what’s going on in this hearing room” as he asked the Secretary if the loans were made for political favors to a campaign donor, which Chu denied. Mr. Waxman stated the Republicans and big oil are creating a scandal plain and simple.

Ultimately when asked by Representative John Sullivan (R) Oklahoma if he would guarantee this loan today knowing what he knows now he stated “Certainly knowing what I know now we’d say no”.

Now taxpayers are on the hook for more waste as this loan was pushed through knowing there were huge risks within the company.  Secretary Chu revealed he pushed many loans through quickly knowing the Clean Energy industry was up and coming with many issues unanswered.

Veterans Day, Honoring our Military

Veterans Day, Honoring our Military families who sacrifice so much for us to live in a free society.  Honoring those who served giving of themselves to protect what they believe is right.

In Las Vegas VFW Post 1753 presents the Annual Veterans Day Parade on 11-11-11 at 10:00am on the corner of 4th and Gass.  Each year the City of Las Vegas brings together bands, ROTC members, military members from as far back as the World Wars to march in the largest parade for our Veterans West of the Mississippi.

This day is a day to honor those who sacrifice so much of their lives so we don’t have too. This day is about our VETERANS both old and young who shows a love of country most citizens can not or will not.  This day is to honor and respect these fine folks for who they are and what they do for our Nation.

This is not a day politicians should be waving their banners and traveling in a motorcade in the parades. This day is for our Veterans and should be honored as such.  Politicians please show respect and honor those members for one day without political affiliation or self promotion. I thank you for those who don’t use the Veterans Day Parade as a political platform.

Thank you to all of our military family who have served honorably protecting the rights and liberties of this great nation. We owe a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot express.  

Alan Simpson Laid It On The Line

Today former Republican Senator from Wyoming Alan Simpson laid it on the line as he answers questions on Fox News “Happening Now” program.  During his telephone interview Alan emphasized the importance of getting our national debt under control.

As he spoke to the Super Committee put in charge of reining in the out of control spending Alan stated with total conviction, “We don’t need charts when we go out, we don’t use power points, we just say if you spend more than you earn you lose your butt.” As the committee members hash out the details to cut 1.2 trillion dollars from the deficit Alan is wary they will accomplish the goals ahead of them.

With our National Debt close to 15 trillion dollars and a Congress that continues to borrow more than revenues received Alan had this to say to them, “If you spend a buck and borrow 42 cents of it, you’ve got to be stupid!”  The time has come for partisan politics to stop and start working for the good of the nation and it’s citizens before the country goes bankrupt.

The Senator believes Congress needs to remove the obstacles that hinder the progress of passing legislation that will elevate the economic drain on our nation.  The lobbyists and special interests groups dictate to our elected officials what they expect or the campaign contributions will dry up. His words of wisdom to Congress is to make the tough choices and do what is right for America.

This situation we are experiencing today  is at the critical point for our nation. Mr. Simpson goes on to say “This is it, if we don’t do something the markets are gonna respond, the tipping point will come, interest will go up, inflation will go up and guess who gets hurt the worse, the little guy.”

The time has come for our elected officials to start listening to the voice of the people to do what is right for this nation.  As concerned citizens we expect to hear the truth and have our elected officials offer us solutions to the problem instead of continually telling us the problem and never putting solutions on the table.

It is refreshing to hear any politician speaking boldly and bluntly about the direction our country is heading and where we will be if we fail to address these problems head on.  Mr. Simpson many of us who have heard you agree with your assessment of the situation.