Football and Politics

On Monday Night Football, the Indianapolis Colts were leading the Cincinnati Bengals by 18 points going in to the fourth quarter. The Bengals marched the football down to Indianapolis's 11 yard line. It was fourth down, and considering the vast point differential, Cincinnati was undoubtedly going to go for the Touchdown. But no. Instead of taking the risk, the Bengals brought out the field goal kicker, who nailed the kick throuh the uprights. Yippee! 3 points! Nevermind that any chance the Bengals had of winning the game went down the drain. At least it looked better on the stat sheet than a failed fourth down conversion.

I could not help but see the parallel between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Republican Party. For instance, days before the 2006 midterm elections, the Senate was able to pass a bill which authorized the construction of a border fence over 700 miles of the 2000 mile border between the United States and Mexico. However, it gradually leaked out that while the bill passed the Senate by a wide margin, it had NO funding. In other words, nearly 80 Senators passed a bill to construct a border fence for the sole purpose of political expediency. Republicans wanted to inflate the stat sheet while doing nothing to solve America's nagging problems.

The federal budget deficit is yet another area where half measures have been put into place. Our Senators and Congressmen have decided to "trim" the budget, instead of drastically reducing spending and cutting government waste.

In recent years, politicians have kicked field goals instead of taking the risk and going for the win. While failure is a definite possibility, half-measures will never fix our problems or ensure that America wins the future.

LWS

Okay, I Guess I'm not that Important

I'll admit it, I think TIME's choice for Person of the Year is cop-out. Though the ongoing media revolution may be important now, I am hard pressed to see any great significance to the growing prominence of such media. Those of us who write blogs and utilize YouTube and MySpace may be generating a new medium of communication, but these accomplishments are deserving of very little acclaim.

When we examine previous winners of this coveted award, we see names such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Richard Nixon. The Person of the Year award should go to the individual (or individuals) who merit special recognition and who are charting a new path in the course of human history.

Most commentators thought that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would receive the award. Over the past year, Ahmadinejad has made headlines for his country's unwavering pursuit of nuclear power. His anti-Israeli comments and support for terrorist activity makes him the foremost power-player in the Middle East.

TIME's snub of Ahmadinejad is yet another example of how the media is downplaying the danger Iran poses to the West. Though Iran's leaders have called for America's demise, media outlets have continually turned a deaf ear to Ahmadinejad's regime. Our inability to fully assess the threat posed by Iran and radical Islam bears a startling parallel to our country's actions and attitudes toward Adolph Hitler in the months before World War II.

So ten years from now, will we see a transformed world through the use of MySpace or as a result of the firebrand, belligerent President of Iran. Both Pat Buchanan and I think the latter.

http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=53426

LWS

I Finally Won Something!!!

According to the Drudge Report and Fox News, YOU (or Me, I suppose) were named TIME Person of the Year. Due to the rise of user generated media such as blogs, YouTube, and MySpace, TIME Magazine has decided to bestow their coveted honor upon all of us. I feel so proud!

http://drudgereport.com/

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,236978,00.html

LWS

Evan Bayh will NOT Run for President

According to the Associated Press, Indiana Senator Evay Bayh will not seek the Democratic nomination for President in 2008. Though Yahoo! News reported two weeks ago that Bayh was set to launch a Presidential exploratory committee, Bayh gave the following reasons for scrapping his Presidential ambitions:

"At the end of the day, I concluded that due to circumstances beyond our control the odds were longer than I felt I could responsibly pursue," Bayh said in a statement. "This path - and these long odds - would have required me to be essentially absent from the Senate for the next year instead of working to help the people of my state and the nation."

It also appears that Bayh may be withdrawing from the Presidential race in order to concentrate on securing the Vice-Presidency. The two-term senator and two-term governor has a record of appealling to both sides of the aisle, an invaluable characteristic if the Democrats nominate an extreme liberal such as Barack Obama.

LWS

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061216/D8M1VRL80.html

First Obama Ad to Air in New Hampshire

According the the Union Leader, a draft Obama television ad will begin airing next week on station WMUR in New Hampshire. The ad is put out by draftobama.org. It can be accessed through the link below.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Granite+Status%3a+More+than+one+Dem+eyeing+2008+Senate+primary&articleId=e869bc14-1976-4be2-a83a-13240c203439

LWS

The USSR

The Financial Times reported today that Russia is set to cut off natural gas supplies to the former Soviet satellite countries of Belarus and Georgia, unless these countries agree to pay significantly higher prices for their needed energy. Ending Russian gas sales to Georgia should surprise no one. After all, it was only a few years ago they staged their "Rose Revolution" which succeeded in bringing the country out of the dark recesses of communism and into the light of transparent government and free market economics. Needless to say, this further encouraged an already growing rift between Russia and Georgia.

However, Russia's threat to end gas supplies to Belarus is somewhat unprecedented. As the Financial Times realized, Belarus "has been happy to remain in Moscow's orbit." However, "Analysts see the demand [a four-fold price increase for natural gas] as punishment for the failure....to deliver on promises of closer integration with Russia."

Russian actions should be a wake up call to the West. As more and more former satellite countries rebel against the motherland, Moscow is doing everything within its power to consolidate its rule and retain its influence over other regional political entities. A candid examination of Russian domestic and foreign policy will tell us a significant amount of information on where the country is headed.

Whether or not Putin was directly responsible for the death of Alexander Litvinenko, there is little doubt that his poisoning was carried out by the KGB remnants in Russia. The intrigue surrounding Litvinenko is indicative of the political situation in Russia. Dissidents are being jailed and thousands of Chechnians have vanished in the past decade.

Other freedoms are also being curtailed by the Russian government. As reprehensible as the movie "Borat" may be, we in America have the freedom to go see whatever movie we wish. Interestingly enough, the movie was recently banned by the Russian government, even though the movie does not criticize Russia in any way. Furthermore, Russia has given stringent guidelines and threatened to evict all NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) from the nation.

Freedom and governmental transparency in Russia is in dire straits. With the election of Boris Yelstin following the breakup of the Soviet Union in the early 90s, the Soviet Union was religated to the anals of history. However, recent events make me wonder if the USSR will rise from the pages of history textbooks an even stronger nemesis than before.

LWS

Even More Crowded

Two days ago, liberal Democrat Dennis Kucinich formally declared his candidacy for President. Kucinich is the most outspoken critic of the Iraq War, advocating a complete withdrawl and an end of funding for the war. Kucinich is so extreme that his views are frequently looked on with approbation from members of his own party. Though we have seen how an oustider like Howard Dean can gain grassroot's support, Kucinich has none of the charisma or base which Dean possessed during his unsuccessful run for the White House. Though he claims he fully expects to win, Dennis Kucinich's bid for the Presidency will only succeed in garnering attention to his cause.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N12345426.htm

LWS

Decision for Disaster

As I am sure most of you know, last week the Iraq Study Group released its long-awaited report on the status of the war in Iraq. Established 8 months ago, the bipartisan group was created to report the status of the war and also suggest tactical recommendations to the President. The committee claims that enacting their 70+ proposals would leave Iraq safe enough for US troops to begin being removed from Iraq in 2008.

However, as the Economist so poignantly asserted, setting an arbitrary date for troop withdrawl would be disastrous. Enacting such a proposal would mean that US troops must leave Iraq, even if the mission remains unaccomplished. Though the war strategy has been rather unsuccessful, leaving Iraq to the mercy of radical insurgents and the mullahs of Iran could very well embroil the Middle East in a full scale war.

Recently, information was obtained by several news sources which indicated that if the United States left Iraq soon, Saudi Arabia would flood the oil market in order to limit the capital Iran can use in fomenting a rebellion in Iraq. The Saudis and Iran are historical enemies and an insecure Iraq could tip the balance of power in the Middle East, setting off a disastrous regional struggle.

Though the Iraq Study Group may be right in concluding that Bush mishandled the Iraq War and that victory is far from near, to enact the proposals of the Baker-Hamilton Committee would damage US prestige and leave the Middle East in a state of instability and conflict.

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8381356

LWS

Democrats and Socialists: Kindred Spirits

European socialists pledged to renew strong ties with the United States government now that the Democratic Party is back in charge. According to Reuters, the Portugese socialist President said that Democrats can count on the support of European socialists. This should surprise few of you. For years now, the Democratic Party has been led by those who support many of the policies of socialism: universal healthcare, a large government bureaucracy, and wealth redistribution. The Democratic Party's pandering to socialists should be a warning signal to all of us. If you want higher taxes and more governmental control over your life, then by all means, vote Democrat.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=politicsNews&storyid=2006-12-07T204342Z_01_L0796336_RTRUKOC_0_US-EUROPE-SOCIALISTS-US.xml&src=rss&rpc=22

LWS

John Edwards Lines up Support

You heard it here...er...second. According to the New York Times, John Edwards is lining up support from donors for a 2008 Presidential run. However, there is simply NO way that the Democrats will pick Edwards to represent their party in the upcoming elections. First off, he is a former one-term Senator from North Carolina. On top of that, he missed several major senatorial votes and was absent from the Senate on most occassions. It still astonishes me that the Democrats picked him for Vice-President last time around. Our favorite personal injury lawyer lacks any real political acumen or experience. The Democrats learned their lesson the last time around. Furthermore, Edwards will need to raise a significant amount of capital before he can even run for the nomination. It takes a lot of ambulance chasing to raise 10 million dollars.

Poll of the Week: What should John Edwards do?
A. Run for President
B. Run for Senate
C. Chase more ambulances
D. Become a fashion model

Let me know what you think by posting a comment on this article.

LWS

Vilsack on Abortion

Through conducting added research, I was able to find Tom Vilsack's stance on abortion. All the information in this post is from whereIstand.com, a website which researches politician's viewpoints.

-Roe v. Wade should NOT be overturned

-Parental notification should be required of a minor before having an abortion

-Supports a ban on late-term abortion

-"The decision to have or not have an abortion is and should be the patient’s decision." (Tom Vilsack)

LWS

Shroud of Mystery

As reported by The Statesman last week, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack became the first Democrat to officially throw his hat in the 2008 Presidential ring. In our effort to keep you informed, The Statesman will examine each Presidential aspirant’s stance on the issues which affect you. This week we will examine the record of Tom Vilsack.

Despite being governor for two complete terms, Tom Vilsack’s stance on many important issues is undefined. On abortion, homosexual rights, and gun control, little information is available for us to analyze. However, we will examine the issues on which Vilsack has made a stance as governor.

On Foreign Policy:

“Vilsack proposed pulling troops out of southern and central Iraq, where most of the violence is occurring…But Vilsack said he would maintain some troops in the northern part of the country to allow for a quick response if the stability of the Mideast is at stake.

“A military presence may also be necessary to put pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear program, he said. Vilsack called for more aggressive diplomacy to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

“Once American troops are out of harm's way in Iraq, he said he'd encourage regional involvement in reconstruction.” (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/01/AR2006120100793.html)

I’m sure Iran would gladly help us construct and protect Iraqi democracy.

However, Vilsack did take a stand against the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty, commenting that the treaty must include emissions reductions by ALL countries, not merely the industrialized West. (http://www.ontheissues.org/Tom_Vilsack.htm)

On Domestic Policy:

“Vilsack in 2002 advocated and signed a law making English Iowa's official language,” though he has since apologized to minority groups.

(http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/16155230.htm)

Vilsack also supports school choice. (http://www.ontheissues.org/Tom_Vilsack.htm)

Surprisingly, Vilsack supports the creation of retirement savings accounts, a measure supported by most conservatives and decried as “privatization” by liberals. (http://www.ontheissues.org/Tom_Vilsack.htm)

However, Tom Vilsack vehemently opposes measure which would create a national sales tax in place of the income tax.

Needless to say, more information is needed about Tom Vilsack’s stance on the issues. Though a cursory examination of the above information would seem to indicate he is a political moderate, Vilsack must make more of his views public before he is to garner support from either side of the aisle.

LWS

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh to Launch Presidential Bid

Indiana Senator Evan Bayh will announce the creation of an exploratory committee for a 2008 Presidential bid within the next two weeks. According to Yahoo News, Bayh will also make trips to Vermont and Iowa, two states with early democratic primaries. The Indiana moderate finished 17th in a straw poll conducted by Reuters which ranked the likability of 20 possible Presidential candidates.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061201/ap_on_el_pr/bayh2008

Straw Poll : http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-11-27T220044Z_01_N27487084_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-POLITICS-POLL.xml&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage2

LWS

Mehlman: GOP Must Correct its Mistakes

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman warned the Republican Governors Association that the Republican Party must correct its mistakes, or face years in the minority. According to Mehlman, voters rejected Republicans last election cycle due to the erosion of their coservative principles of limited government and individual responsibility.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/30/AR2006113001270_pf.html

LWS

Iowa Governor Launches Presidential Bid

The AP is reporting that Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack has officially entered the 2008 Presidential contest. Vilsack, whose second term as Governor will expire this January, is the first Democratic Party candidate to officially declare his candidacy.

http://breakingnews.nypost.com/dynamic/stories/V/VILSACK_2008?SITE=NYNYP&SECTION=HOME

LWS

Breaking News: Radiation Found on Two British Airways Aircraft

According to the Times of London, small amounts of radiation have been detected on two British Airways flights which recently returned from Moscow. The radiation was detected in connection with the investigation into the death of former KGB agent Alexander Litvineko. British Home Secretary John Reid will hold a news conference later on tonight to discuss the investigation.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2478909,00.html

LWS

The Google Revolution

Google has been accused of many things: patent infringement, intellectual copyright violations, and even (by some) of attempting to take over the world. But the Financial Times has leveled another accusation at the media mogul. Apparently, Google Earth has been boosting democratic activism in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain. According to last Sunday’s issue of the Financial Times, Google Earth is inspiring a revolution in the tiny kingdom.

Ever since the government of Bahrain blocked Google Earth due to its privacy violations of royal palaces, nearly everyone in the country has been Googling their nation. As is common with situation like this, the governmental ban has brought the use of the internet – and the visitation to banned websites – back in vogue. For instance, traffic on the website of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has increased three times. The opening up of Bahrain to technological advancement has had some surprising results.

Through using Google Earth, every Bahraini can see the societal stratification which exists in the region. Bahrain businessman Mahmood al-Yousif had this to say about the effect Google is having upon the country: “Some of the palaces take up more space than three or four villages nearby, and block access to the sea for fishermen. People knew this already. But they never saw it. All they saw were the surrounding walls.” Mr. Yousif and other activists believe that the increasing use of technology will lead to a more egalitarian society.

According to the Financial Times, unemployment is endemic among the lower classes. Up to 80% of the available land is owned by the aristocracy and royals, giving the lower classes little opportunity for advancement. As more and more people log on to the internet and visit their miniscule kingdom from cyberspace, the disproportionate wealth and land distribution will become even more apparent. In much the same way that technology is opening up China to outside influence, the increasing us of the internet – especially Google Earth – may bring the country of Bahrain out of the shadows and into the light of democracy

LWS

Gingrich: Free Speech Laws May Need to be Altered

Former Speaker of the House and possible Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich said that the threat of terrorism may require an altering in this country's free speech laws. Speaking at the Manchester Awards Banquet, Gingrich signaled that a "different set of rules" need to be implemented in order to stop terrorist recruiting. What do you think?

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Gingrich+raises+alarm+at+event+honoring+those+who+stand+up+for+freedom+of+speech&articleId=d3f4ee4e-1e90-475a-b1b0-bbcd5baedd78

LWS

Impeached Judge will NOT become Committee Chairman

In a surprise decision, sources close to the new Speaker of the House indicate that Representative Alcee Hastings will not become the committee chair for the House Intelligence Committee. Who knows? Maybe it was the firestorm caused by this blog's article entitled "Culture of Corruption" that led Nancy Pelosi to side against Hastings. However, it is still not clear whether Hastings will run for a subcommittee chair.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/11/28/D8LM9OJO0.html

*Check this blog tomorrow for a commentary on the revolution Google Earth is inspiring in the Middle East*

LWS

Article of the Week

In the December 4th issue of the Weekly Standard, William Kristol and Robert Kagan have an excellent article regarding the doctrine of appeasment as it pertains to the War in Iraq. The authors argue that appeasing Iran, Syria, and Hamas in order to facilitate a withdraw from Iraq would damage US credibility, while winning us few friends.

http://weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=12993&R=EEC720677


LWS

Obama '08?

The Des Moines Register reported today that Illinois Senator Barack Obama has consulted top political advisors in Iowa regarding a possible 2008 Presidential run. Sources close to the first-term Senator disclose that Obama will likely make a decision regarding a Presidential run within the next few weeks.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061126/NEWS09/611260332

LWS

Top Saturday News Stories

New York Times: Mass. Governor Mitt Romney Sues to Compel Same-Sex Marriage Vote

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/us/25marriage.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Newsweek: Democratic Representative Bill Jefferson being investigated by the FBI.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15854850/

Newsweek: America not ready for a Mormon President.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15851488/

Christian Science Monitor: Holiday Spending Expected to grow by 5%

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1124/p01s02-usec.html

Reuters: Former Abu Ghraib Prison Commander Says Rumsfeld Approved Prisoner Abuse

http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2006-11-25T164527Z_01_L25726413_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-RUMSFELD.xml&src=rss&rpc=22

Human Events Online: University of Michigan will do “whatever it takes” to continue Affirmative Action.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=18186

The Conservative Majority

Though voters may have repudiated the Republican Party in the midterm elections, they clearly haven’t turned their back on Conservatism itself. A cursory examination of the various ballot initiatives in states around the country prove what the mainstream media fails to recognize: the average American is not a liberal, but a moderate conservative. For instance, seven (7) states passed amendments in support of traditional marriage. The only states to reject such an amendment was Arizona, where the proposition failed by two (2) percentage points. Considering that over a dozen states passed similar amendments in the 2004 elections, well over one third of states have passed constitutional amendments which define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. In some states, like Alabama, the initiative garnered support from 81% of the voters. Colorado voters also soundly rejected a proposition which would create domestic partner benefits for homosexual couples.

In the wake of last years Supreme Court ruling Kelo v. City of New London, over six (6) states passed amendments which limit the ability of the government to seize property via eminent domain. Initiatives which dealt with illegal immigration also met with rousing support. The voters in Arizona approved a plan which would deny bail to illegal immigrants involved in violent crimes. Colorado passed a more stringent measure which called for increased immigration enforcement.

More surprisingly, Michigan passed a ballot measure which bans affirmative action throughout the state. Colorado voters rejected an amendment which would have allowed an individual to possess less than one ounce of marijuana legally, and the citizens of Nevada rejected a similar measure. And finally, Arizona passed an amendment making English the official language of the state.

So what does all this information tell us? First of all, it indicates that the American people are far more conservative than the media would have us believe. Measures which protect traditional marriage, property rights, and repeal affirmative action are not initiatives which liberals favor. However, some measures which conservatives oppose also fell afoul of the voters. Six (6) states passed minimum wage hikes. Now, few states in the union adhere to the federal minimum wage of $5.15. In fact, the minimum wage in some states is as high as $7.00 an hour. Overall, however, the American people are moderate conservatives who favor initiatives which protect traditional American values and limit governmental intrusions into our lives.

The success and failure of certain ballot measures also tells us something about the Republican Party. After all, Republicans recently lost their majority in both houses of Congress and support for the President is hovering around 40%. This indicates that the Republican Party has drifted astray from its Conservative moorings and failed to deliver on its many promises to the American people. A perfunctory examination of the ballot initiatives this past election should bring hope, and regret, to all Conservatives. Regret for the time lost in implementing Social Security reform, Medicare reform, immigration reform, and a limiting of governmental power. But hope in the future of Conservatism and the American dream. A hope that one day, leaders will arise who will deliver on their promises and stand on principle.

Top News Stories of the Week

Breaking News: **Poisoned ex-KGB Spy Dies.**

Both Fox News and the Drudge Report are reporting that a former KGB spy who was poisoned three weeks ago has died of heart failure. Some suggest that Alexander Litvinenko's poisoning was ordered directly by Russian President Vladamir Putin.

The Assasination of the Lebanese Minister of Industry, Pierre Gemayel, Sparks Tension in the Region .

http://www.economist.com/daily/news/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8311582

New Party, New Lobbyists, Same Old Problem.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/22/AR2006112201940.html

Culture of Corruption

One reason voters gave for rejecting Republican candidates this past election cycle was the “culture of corruption” which permeated the national Republican Party. The Mark Foley and Tom Delay scandals have harmed the image of the party, though not irreparably. Though most Americans have knowledge of Republican ethics failings, only a few Americans seem to realize that the party they just gave a majority in the House and Senate has far fewer ethical scruples than their predecessors. John Murtha, Alcee Hastings, and Denny Hoyer are three senior democrats whose ethical failings supersede any Republican ethics violations, real or imaginary.

Last week, John Murtha lost in his bid to become House Majority leader. However, he did receive a significant amount of support from his party and its leader, Nancy Pelosi. In fact, John Murtha was an unindicted co-conspirator in the Abscam investigation of several years back. In a conversation with undercover FBI agents posing as Arab sheiks, Murtha said he would not accept a bribe…yet. The following is an excerpt from the conversation between the undercover agents and John Murtha. The full text is available at

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10426

AMOROSO: Let me ask you now we're here together. I was under the impression, okay, and I told Howard we were willing to pay. And, okay, [opens the drawer and shows money] I went out and got the fifty thousand. From what you're telling me, you're telling me that's not what, you know, that that's not what you...

MURTHA: I'm not interested.

AMOROSO: Okay.

MURTHA: At this point.

AMOROSO: Okay.

MURTHA: You know, we do business for a while, maybe I'll be interested, maybe I won't, you know.

AMOROSO: Okay, hey like I say, if the way you're wanting to do business is by us investing, or putting some money in a bank that you either owe a favor or they owe you a favor, or if we put the money in they'll do something for you, if that's the way you want the favor, that's fine. Okay? What I told Howard, when I mentioned it to Howard, I said to him, "Look, it's worth fifty thousand." I said, if, as honest as I am with you, and I told him I says, "If...the thing were to change, if for some reason it changes, whoever the guy is has got the option, either he says, 'Hey, that's not what you told me, based on that, I can't do anything for you,' or..."

MURTHA: I wouldn't do business any other way.

Murtha has also referred to the ethics reform supported by Nancy Pelosi as “crap”.

And yet, Murtha is hardly the most corrupt member of the new majority. Alcee Hastings, who will now become the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terror and Homeland Security, is the epitome of corruption. However, few Americans know of Congressman Hastings previous occupation. Alcee Hastings was once a federal judge in the state of Florida. Several years after his appointment, Hastings was impeached for corruption and perjury after he solicited a bribe. And no, he was not impeached by a Republican Congress. He was impeached by a Democratic controlled House. Even Nancy Pelosi voted to impeach Hastings. But now Hastings has the honor of serving as a representative of the state of Florida and a senior member in the Democratic Party.

Alas, even the new House Majority leader is far from innocent. The November issue of the Washington Monthly had this to say about Hoyer:

“The enthusiasm with which Hoyer has raised money from K Street, his resistance to serious lobbying reform, and his general comfort with the Washington establishment all imply a politician with little interest in systemic change. Indeed, Hoyer’s contention that the problem lies not with lobbying practices as a whole, but rather with individual corrupt members of Congress, suggests he genuinely sees little need for such change.”

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2006_10/009817.php

Though they may have regained power, the American people will not be fooled long. The true colors of the Democrats will soon be shown. Their party does not represent the party of change and transparency. Au Contraire. Allowing men like Murtha, Hastings, and Hoyer to lead them, the Democratic Party has sealed its own fate and lost the opportunity to bring ethics reform to Washington.

-LWS-

Top News Stories of the Week

John McCain launches exploratory committee for a possible 2008 Presidential run.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,228900,00.html

Friction between the European Union and Turkey might tear apart any chance Turkey has of joining the EU.

http://iht.com/articles/2006/11/08/news/turkey.php

Germany may charge Donald Rumsfeld over Prisoner Abuse.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/printout/0,8816,1557842,00.html

Elton John: "I would ban religion completely."

http://drudgereport.com/flash1.htm

-LWS-

Why We Lost

It was indeed a dark week for the Republican Party. The loss of Senators such as Conrad Burns, Jim Talent, Mike Dewine, Rick Santorum, and George Allen is not only a blow to the Republican party, it is also a blow to this country. The innagural post of this blog is dedicated to the Conservative ideal embodied by these noble warriors.

When Republicans took back the House of Representatives in 1994, we all expected the country to change. What is remarkable, is, in fact, how little it changed. With Newt Gingrich's "Contract for America", Conservatives and Moderates alike believed that the Republican Party would succeed in making the country a better place. Hopes were high that the Republican Congress would fix Social Security, Medicare, Immigration, and a host of similar problems plaguing this country.

However, as time went on, it became clear that the Republicans would not fix these problems. Most of the party gave up on Gingrich's "Contract for America" and contented themselves with remaining in power by embracing the status quo.

In the past dozen years of Republican dominance in Congress, little has changed. The reforms we were promised never occurred, the ideals we held in common were never put into practice. The Republicans defeated themselves this past Tuesday. They defeated themselves because they lost sight of their goals, embraced partisan politics, and lost the backbone to deal with issues of national importance. While the Republicans did make some progress (the partial birth abortion ban), they deserved to lose the election. They failed their Conservative base, the Republican Party, and the American people.

-LWS-