The Secret Problem with Jeb: Why Another Bush is not the Solution 1/2

by Nomad

Some in the Republican party still consider Jeb Bush a possible candidate in a run for the White House. This two-part series lays out the case against Bush in exact detail. 

In the last presidential election, many people were stunned at the quality of the candidates. They looked outside of the pool for a Republican candidate with solid credentials and a familiar name.  
One name that’s been put forward is former Florida governor, John Ellis “Jeb” Bush, the younger brother of the former president George W. Bush and  second son  of the former president, George H. W. Bush. As writer Joe Conason notes:

The first obstacle that Jeb would have to surmount is that to most Americans outside the Sunshine State, he is known only as the brother of George W. Bush, most recently named one of the two worst presidents in the past half-century by respondents to a Gallup poll—rated just above the late Richard M. Nixon, in fact.

Let’s face it. That’s a mighty heavy burden. You could even add another brother, Neil -master of the S & L crisis and a grandfather, Prescott who raised FDR's hackles for his banking deals with the Nazis. All and all it's quite a family hall of notoriety. Even his father was not what would call a major success, come to think of it. (Let's not get ahead of ourselves.)

Apart from the collective automatic flinching at the mention of the Bush name, Jeb Bush appears on the surface to have a lot going for him. Sean Trende, writing for RealClear Politics puts it this way:

For many conservative Republicans, the dream outcome of the primary season is a brokered convention. Disappointed in the four remaining choices, they hope to change horses in August, and draft their preferred candidate, be it Jeb Bush, Mitch Daniels, Chris Christie, or Paul Ryan.

But like a lot of things in the world of politics, appearances can be deceiving.

The Far Right vs. The Christian Ethic: Who is my Neighbor?

by Nomad

Although I wouldn't classify myself as a devout Christian, I have been raised as one and am familiar, at least, with the philosophy of the teachings. One of my favorite stories from the New Testament is the one known as “The Good Samaritan.”

Most people think of this story as a call to charity for those less fortunate and in this narrow sense, I suppose that is true. However, there's a lot more to it than just being a "do-gooder" or being politically correct and or even about doing a favor for somebody when he is down on his luck. It's not about being a "bleeding heart."

The parable does have that aspect, of course, but, like many famous parables, there's more than what meets the eye.

In the Next Election....

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We welcome your comments and opinions.

The 11 Reasons Why Ronald Reagan is Un-Electable in 2012

by Nomad

It's easy to like a politician like Ronald Reagan. Especially when you know actually know who he was or what he said. One thing is certain: if Reagan were running for president today, he would be shown the door by the same people who worship him. 

Asking the Reagan Fan

The next time you find yourself cornered by a gaggle of Fox News-loving Right-Wing radicals, you might try this fun exercise. With a rather blankly innocent look on your face (practice beforehand in a mirror)- ask these any one or all of these questions:

Would you ever vote for a Republican candidate that..  had been a Socialism-loving Democrat for 13 years before becoming a Republican? had once been a member of a Far Left wing organization that was on an FBI watch list for being Communistic? had been a union leader- for one of the largest unions in the country? later became an FBI informant, secretly reporting on his former friends? became involved with corrupt mob-connected unions? had signed into law a sweeping anti-gun bill for his state?  had signed into the largest single tax increase in the history of any state in the US- $1 billion in one step?  brought both moderates and liberals into his campaign and after victory gave them top jobs in his administration?  had, as governor, signed legislation that established collective bargaining for all the state’s municipal and country employees? had once declared that civil right legislation must be enforced “ at the point of a bayonet if necessary"? supported Affirmative Action?

If, as you'd expect, their faces flush and the veins bulge from their often-overheated foreheads and they rant, hoop and holler. "NO! Of course not."

You can simply say,"Then you mean... you wouldn't have voted for ...Ronald Reagan?"

It’s a cruel sport, as I shall presently explain.

The Powerful Speech that Made Santorum Throw Up and Lose Michigan and Arizona

Breaking News: James Murdoch Steps Down

by Nomad

According to the BBC, James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, has decided to step down from his position as executive chairman at News International the United Kingdom newspaper publishing division of News Corporation. 

News International publishes The Times, The Sun and The Sunday Times. News International has been the center of an ongoing scandal involving illegal phone-hacking and as a result, several top editors were arrested. Additionally the News of the World, once considered Murdoch's flagship, abruptly closed last year. 

James Murdoch, the son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, will now be taking on a new role. Rupert Murdoch issued this statement:

Faith in Politics Exposed: Controversial but Necessary Questions for the Presidential Candidates

by Nomad

Here's an excerpt from an NPR article, entitled "Has Obama Waged War on Religion?"

Newt Gingrich warns the U.S. is becoming a secular country, which would be a "nightmare." Rick Santorum says there's a clash between "man's laws and God's laws."

Religious conservatives see an escalating war with the Obama White House. One Catholic bishop called it "the most secularist administration in history." Another bishop says it is an "a-theocracy." Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, Conn., who heads the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' new Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty, believes the First Amendment is clear: The government cannot make people choose between obeying the law and following their faith.

Whether Newt Gingrich knows it or not, America is NOT becoming a secular state. It is a secular state and has been since its inception. It is in very real danger of becoming a theocratic state and that, many people would say, is the potential “nightmare.”