A Letter from Harold Estes – 95 year old Veteran

Dear President Obama,

My name is Harold Estes, approaching 95 on December 13 of this year. People meeting me for the first time don’t believe my age because I remain wrinkle free and pretty much mentally alert.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1934 and served proudly before, during and after WW II retiring as a Master Chief Bos’n Mate. Now I live in a “rest home” located on the western end of Pearl Harbor, allowing me to keep alive the memories of 23 years of service to my country.

One of the benefits of my age, perhaps the only one, is to speak my mind, blunt and direct even to the head man.

So here goes.

I am amazed, angry and determined not to see my country die before I do, but you seem hell bent not to grant me that wish.

I can’t figure out what country you are the president of.
You fly around the world telling our friends and enemies despicable lies like:

” We’re no longer a Christian nation”

” America is arrogant” – (Your wife even

announced to the world,”America is mean-

spirited. ” Please tell her to try preaching

that nonsense to 23 generations of our

war dead buried all over the globe who

died for no other reason than to free a

whole lot of strangers from tyranny and

hopelessness.)
I’d say shame on the both of you, but I don’t think you like America, nor do I see an ounce of gratefulness in anything you do, for the obvious gifts this country has given you. To be without shame or gratefulness is a dangerous thing for a man sitting in the White House.

After 9/11 you said,” America hasn’t lived up to her ideals.”

Which ones did you mean? Was it the notion of personal liberty that 11,000 farmers and shopkeepers died for to win independence from the British? Or maybe the ideal that no man should be a slave to another man, that 500,000 men died for in the Civil War? I hope you didn’t mean the ideal 470,000 fathers, brothers, husbands, and a lot of fellas I knew personally died for in WWII, because we felt real strongly about not letting any nation push us around, because we stand for freedom.

I don’t think you mean the ideal that says equality is better than discrimination. You know the one that a whole lot of white people understood when they helped to get you elected.

Take a little advice from a very old geezer, young man.

Shape up and start acting like an American. If you don’t, I’ll do what I can to see you get shipped out of that fancy rental on Pennsylvania Avenue. You were elected to lead not to bow, apologize and kiss the hands of murderers and corrupt leaders who still treat their people like slaves.

And just who do you think you are telling the American people not to jump to conclusions and condemn that Muslim major who killed 13 of his fellow soldiers and wounded dozens more. You mean you don’t want us to do what you did when that white cop used force to subdue that black college professor in Massachusetts, who was putting up a fight? You don’t mind offending the police calling them stupid but you don’t want us to offend Muslim fanatics by calling them what they are, terrorists.

One more thing. I realize you never served in the military and never had to defend your country with your life, but you’re the Commander-in-Chief now, son. Do your job. When your battle-hardened field General asks you for 40,000 more troops to complete the mission, give them to him. But if you’re not in this fight to win, then get out. The life of one American soldier is not worth the best political strategy you’re thinking of.

You could be our greatest president because you face the greatest challenge ever presented to any president.
You’re not going to restore American greatness by bringing back our bloated economy. That’s not our greatest threat. Losing the heart and soul of who we are as Americans is our big fight now.
And I sure as hell don’t want to think my president is the enemy in this final battle.

Sincerely,
Harold B. Estes

When a 95 year old hero of the “the Greatest Generation”
stands up and speaks out like this, I think we owe it
to him to send his words to as many Americans as

Things I am most Thankful

The Things I am most thankful for…

• I know Thanksgiving was last week but over the past weekend it gave me an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and reflect on those things I am most thankful for.
• I am thankful we currently live in a country in which we can freely express our opinions. Unless of course the Obama Administration follows through on the recommendation of current Czar Cass Sunstien who proposes “the imposition of a “chilling effect” on “damaging rumors” – or the use of strong “corrective” measures to deter future rumormongers.” Quoted November 23, 2009 in an article written by Aaron Klein – World Net Daily. This basically means the taking away our First Amendment rights.
• I am thankful for the soldier – the young man or woman who of their own free will decided to participate in the protection of our great nation. For the man or woman who decided long ago to make a career of protecting our freedom. Except now the Obama administration has shown a lack of leadership by delaying his decision of his general’s additional troop request.
• I am thankful we Americans currently have the best medical system in the world. Unless of course Nancy and Harry follow through with the government overhaul and their socialized health care system which if you decide NOT to participate – they will fine and or throw you in prison. In addition to that they have provided provisions to federally fund all abortions. Yes, I think we can all agree reform is needed but not a total government takeover.
• I am thankful for a Representative Government in which we the citizens voice our selection via the ballot box. Except of course Steve Kagen has shown time and time again he does not represent the voters of the 8th District by voting time and time again with the extreme agenda of Nancy Pelosi. The 700 plus billion dollar Stimulus Bill which promised jobs – Where are they? Oh yes – a part of the stimulus bill Kagen voted for had over 700 million going toward wild horses in the west and another 3.8 million to build a bridge for turtles in Florida. Let us never forget he voted for 500 billion dollars in cuts to Medicare and the federal mandate to have every tax payer fund abortions.
• I am thankful that I currently live in the beautiful State of Wisconsin. Where it is still represents wholesome Midwestern family values. Except of course the current Democratically lead government just raised taxes on all by over two billion dollars on most everything from cigarettes, phones, cars, auto insurance, nursing homes, hospitals, income taxes and corporate taxes to name a few. Because of their leadership Wisconsin only lost 140,000 jobs and is now ranked in the top 10 worst economies in America.
• I am thankful for all those citizens who have remained silent are now finally starting to wake up and take notice to what is happening in America via the Tea Parties. I am thankful people who believe in free market competition, less government control and a government that adherer’s to the constitution are taking notice and getting involved.
• I am thankful for local leaders who typically have not participated in the political process are now organizing a Tea Party locally on December 5th at UW Marinette. Doors open at 12:00 pm – with speakers starting at 1:00pm. Come out and join the Conservative Revolution. Come and listen to speakers who will talk about the ideas of free market competition, less government and the constitutional rule of law. These are not Republican issues or Democratic issues. These are American Issues and we all need to come out and help take back our government on all levels.
• I am thankful for you…Mom & Dad, son and daughter, Grandma and Grandpa, brother and sister, friends, business owner, laborer, nurse, doctor, business person – I am thankful that we still live in a country where those who wish to take risks are rewarded for those risks unless of course Obama and the Democrats continue to inject themselves in to the private sector by making it more difficult for businesses to expand by their extreme agenda of tax everything that moves and breaths (thank you Hillary Clinton).

Till we meet again

10 Reasons to Join Republican Liberty Caucus

 

1. The RLC is the only one of these groups which works within the Republican Party as a national caucus promoting limited government. A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement. All of the members of the groups listed above can belong to different political parties or no political party at all.

Every RLC members is a dedicated Republican working inside the GOP to return it to the values on which it was founded and grew great. According to the RLC’s by-laws, the purpose of the RLC is:

The Caucus is a political action organization dedicated to promoting the ideals of individual rights, limited government and free enterprise within the Republican Party of the United States of America by:
A. Promoting these ideals among Party officials and its various organizations;
B. Identifying and supporting candidates sympathetic with these ideals;
C. Developing Caucus membership among Party registrants, officials, and officeholders.

There is simply no other organization with this expressed purpose AND the ability to do something to achieve these goals.

2. The RLC has had many victories, proving that an all-volunteer organization can be successful. On a wide array of issues – since 1991 – and in campaigns in many states, the RLC has attained political success through the voluntary actions of principled grassroots activists.

Our members aren’t paid to lobby, write letters to the editor, or run for office. RLC members participate in grassroots political action — not out of a lust for political power, but — out of love for country, principles, and party. Our members serve in elected positions and Republican Party positions throughout the country, each working hard to tilt the Party and public policy in the direction of free markets and limited government.

We are in the process of raising the funds necessary to hire permanent staff so we can expand our operations. Please contribute to our growth plans.

3. The RLC is dedicated to preserving individual liberty. The RLC Statement of Principles and Positions offers a clearly defined political agenda based on constitutionalism, individual liberty, small government and free markets. We have no litmus test for membership and do not exclude any citizen on the basis of ideological purity or conformity with Caucus positions on specific issues. We welcome every advocate of liberty and encourage members to join and participate in other pro-liberty coalitions and organizations.

That said, we believe that grassroots activity can best be achieved from the ground up — not the top down. All politics is local — all politics is personal.

By encouraging our chapter leaders to focus on state and local issues rather than on national issues, we pool our limited resources to strategically impact politics from the ground up. National issues are critical — and the RLC has expressed itself strongly in opposing bailouts and irresponsible spending,  demanding accountability for the Federal Reserve, protecting workers rights, expanding school choice and ending the War on Drugs,

The most impact will be achieved through ground-up, retail politics.

4. The RLC is a grassroots organization. As an IRS 527 non-profit membership organization, we are run by (and for) members who wish to influence political discourse and attain real-world results.

The RLC is not run by a secretive board of directors and is not restrained by a small group of wealthy contributors or celebrity mentors. We are funded by you and our national board is elected from our membership. The RLC’s National Board encourages state chapters to use innovation and creativity to advance the organization’s mission and principles.

The organization is directed by members at the local and state levels for the benefit of individual members who wish to engage in the political process. We don’t focus on national publicity or media events, but engage in retail politics — one-on-one, at local community, precinct, and county levels.

The RLC leadership provides advice to member affiliates, but it does not run its state chapters. Our state chapters have autonomy because they know the political landscape in their area better than anyone else. The RLC puts its main focus on local political action rather than lobbying on national issues because we believe our successes will come from the ground up — not from the top down.

5. The RLC has a rich tradition and is therefore a sustainable organization. The RLC has existed since 1991; our vibrant history — rich with many successes — encourages us to keep fighting in 2010, 2012, and beyond.  Since its early days, the RLC has stood firm against abuse of power and has worked to fulfill the visions of the Founders and the intent of the U.S. Constitution.

6. The RLC is a 527 group but also operates a PAC. A 527 group is created primarily to influence the nomination, election, appointment or defeat of candidates for public office and is unregulated by the FEC.

The PAC allows our organization to provide donations to select candidates in races where we can have a strategic impact. Over the years, the PAC has donated money to candidates who had shown a dedication to liberty and responsible government and helped them win election.

Working inside the GOP the RLC can do things which organizations working outside the party structure are legally restricted from like endorsing candidates and participating in party political activities.

7. The RLC recruits and supports liberty candidates. The RLCUSA-PAC is the RLC’s affiliated Political Action Committee (PAC), which allows members to support specific federal candidates endorsed by RLC members within the legal framework for campaign financing. The PAC distributes funds to the most promising liberty candidates in Republican primaries and general elections, as a compliment to our member’s participation in those campaigns.

In 2008, for example, former RLC Board member Carol McGuire was elected to the New Hampshire legislature and Kent County RLC Chair Justin Amash was elected to the Michigan legislature.

RLC state affiliate organizations have also established their own state-based PACs to distribute contributions to state legislative, executive, and local Republican races. Unlike other organizations, we contribute directly to campaigns by encouraging member participation and financial contributions to actual political contests.

8. Every RLC activist is a volunteer dedicated to furthering the RLC’s principles. Our members want to achieve success and are genuinely working for change in the GOP. They want aren’t just passive subscribers, but genuine activists whose input and participation is valued.

Moreover, our members believe that principles play a key role in politics, but they also want to work with party leaders and other GOP groups to make a better and more successful party for all Republicans.  We believe that all Republicans share many of our core beliefs and we work with them to find common ground.

If Americans are ever going to be receptive to the message of individual liberty and limited government, it is not going to take more than a public policy paper or a nice speech.  It will come as a direct result of grassroots activists taking our message to the people.  Our message is not just about one issue, one bill or one crisis.   Our message is about strengthening our local communities and increasing prosperity in every state through the principles of individual liberty and limited government.

9. The RLC successfully balances ideological purity (principles) with a strong desire to implement our principles (success). Morton Blackwell, founder of the Leadership Institute, once said that if one “truly believe[s] in their cause” then “they owe it to themselves to work to implement their ideals.”

The RLC believes that the ideals of liberty are fundamental to our republic and to the Republican party.  The nation and the party may have strayed from those ideals from time to time, but when the people demand liberty their leaders will have to answer.

Advocates for liberty have had a tremendous track record in shaping our national public policy debates time and time again working through think-tanks and the media. We want to take those ideas and make them a reality and shape them into policy for the nation.  We believe that this is the destiny of the Republican Party.

10. The RLC is willing to work with a variety of groups on single-issue causes, bridging the gap. The RLC has — and will continue to — work with establishment Republicans, moderate Republicans, the religious right, various types of Democrats, Independents, Greens, and those not engaged in politics at all on issues of mutual concern.

We have partnered with left-leaning groups such as the Bill of Rights Defense Committee and the American Civil Liberties Union and right-leaning groups like Gun Owners of America and the National Taxpayers Union.

We are affiliated with The Liberty Coalition and have endorsed the objectives of the Free State Project, Castle Coalition, and Marijuana Policy Project.

The RLC continues to bridge the gap between constitutionalists & libertarians and individuals who are unfamiliar with our ideas. We are successful by standing firm on principle while simultaneously working to enact our principles via the political process.

Mike Tate – Leader (Big Mouth) of Wisconsin Democrats

This is what the leader of the Wisconsin Democratic Party thinks of the citizens of Wisconsin…

Here is what I said: “These are extremist elements pulling together, distinct vocal minorities that frankly don’t believe in this country. They don’t want to see more people have access to quality affordable health care; they don’t want clean air and water. They fundamentally don’t understand how the American government, economy and capitalism work.”

I meant what I said, and I’m not afraid to say it again.

Just because you throw the biggest temper tantrum doesn’t mean you can silence the majority of Americans who want fundamental change in this country.

History is riddled with examples of vocal fringe groups that have risen to oppose progress and success. From the red-baiting McCartyhyites to the Know-Nothings and the KKK, we have seen this story unfold many times in the past. Fueled by ignorance, racism and intolerance, these groups have done everything in their power to obstruct progress – often resorting to intimidation and violence.

We will not be intimidated, and we won’t back down.

This moment is too important. The American people voted for change in November, and our President is fighting to implement that change. We will not sit idly by while these extremists pretend to be mainstream Americans. Their views couldn’t be any more out of touch with average, working people.

One sign at the protest in Milwaukee over the weekend read “Obama, Osama: Both bombed the American people,” while right-wing, anti-worker pundit Michelle Malkin told those gathered “I’ve never been so proud in my lifetime to be part of this angry mob.”

What do Wisconsin Republicans think of this extremist rhetoric? As Republican candidate for Governor Scott Walker said over the weekend, “I’m with them.”

I have a message for Scott Walker and his extremist allies: You will find out soon enough that Wisconsin is not with you.

You and I know that hate speech and misinformation isn’t what Wisconsin families need, and it’s not what America needs.

We need fundamental change in this country. And with your help the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will continue to fight back against this right-wing extremism.

Your gift of $5, $25, $50, $100, or whatever you can afford will help us cut through the incendiary rhetoric and move Wisconsin forward.

Together, we can rise above the scare tactics, temper tantrums, name-calling, and false claims to bring about the change we need.

Sincerely,

Mike Tate
Chair, Democratic Party of Wisconsin

Kagen proud of his Vote on Health Care

Steve Kagen talks of Transparency?

Should Mary Landrieu be charged with Prostitution?

$300,000,000 for a vote?

This is the headline from the NYTimes:

Landrueu Seems to Be Leaning Reids Way

If anyone is doing any leaning or bending over for that matter it’s the other 49 states who will be taking a $300,000,000 rectal

4 C’s of Performance

Living in NE Wisconsin one has a tendency of becoming a Green Bay Packers Fan which I’ll admit – I am.  Actually, my Grandfather on my Mom’s side could have played for the Packers back in the 1930’s with Curly Lambeau however he had a good job at the local coal company so…as they say, the rest is history.

Anyway – Ron Wolf who was the Packers General Manager during the rebuilding years of Brett Farve & Reggie White wrote a book called “The Packer Way”.  In this book he talks about the 4 C’s to measure performance.

They are:

1. Expect Certain Devotion
2. Expect Certain Dedication
3. Expect Certain Work Ethic
4. Expect Certain Results

We can apply these principals to any business/political opportunity.  Honestly speaking, we are missing in all four categories with a majority of our representatives – both Republican and Democrat.

• Devotion – Which is another word for PASSION.  What will trip your trigger?  Will you devote yourself 100% to making sure you understand even if it hurts?
• Dedication- Once the true passion is discovered, dedication will no longer be a question.
• Work Ethic-  Again – PASSION is the key.  If you can truly find your passion.  Define what it is that makes you passionate – work ethic will never be an issue.  How many people who are “well-off” work because they “love” what they do.  Success comes from finding passion for what it is that you do in life.  Understanding how the political process impacts the ROI of your work ethic is important.
• Results – Your passion will push you toward the results you expect from yourself and your team.

SO – what’s the key to understanding?  PASSION.  Finding what truly motivates you to live day to day so you can plan for your future.

Through this evaluation process I have found my true passion lies in Coaching - I guess I am a disgruntled teacher.  I have many friends who are Teachers and I can honestly say I am jealous of their opportunity to influence kids.

I have coached at the High School, Collegiate and elementary levels.  I have a true passion for taking a mediocre athlete or now sales person and working with them so they can elevate their game/performance.  It’s an amazing feeling to work with someone who has thought they had limited ability and you help them realize their limitations are really self induced.  Then realizing you had a hand in rekindling their internal flame is AWESOME!

What I am going to do has to allow me to fulfill my PASSION in helping as many people as possible understand the political arena.

Stay Tuned

Ted

PS -watch this video from Coach K of Duke University.  He speaks of where he feels the focus of coaching should be.  We can apply this philosophy to understanding the political arena as well.

• -

Are you Linked In?

For those of you looking to take networking to a new level you really need to look at www.linkedin.com. It is a great networking tool for anyone seeking employment, partnerships or just contact old employees/employers.

This site is primarily for professionals looking to make contacts within their respective professions. Looking for a new career? Linkedin.com
Looking to make contacts? www.linkedin.com

The follwing is taken from the following link: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2009/02/10-ways-to-use.html#axzz0TIzAYoGB
Here are ten tips to help use LinkedIn to find a job. If you know someone who’s looking for a job, forward them these tips along with an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Before trying these tips, make sure you’ve filled out your profile and added at least twenty connections

1.Get the word out. Tell your network that you’re looking for a new position because a job search these days requires the “law of big numbers” There is no stigma that you’re looking right now, so the more people who know you’re looking, the more likely you’ll find a job. Recently, LinkedIn added “status updates” which you can use to let your network know about your newly emancipated status.

2.Get LinkedIn recommendations from your colleagues. A strong recommendation from your manager highlights your strengths and shows that you were a valued employee. This is especially helpful if you were recently laid off, and there is no better time to ask for this than when your manager is feeling bad because she laid you off. If you were a manager yourself, recommendations from your employees can also highlight leadership qualities.
3.Find out where people with your backgrounds are working. Find companies that employ people like you by doing an advanced search for people in your area who have your skills. For example, if you’re a web developer in Seattle, search profiles in your zip code using keywords with your skills (for example, JavaScript, XHTML, Ruby on Rails) to see which companies employ people like you.

4.Find out where people at a company came from. LinkedIn “Company Profiles” show the career path of people before they began work there. This is very useful data to figure out what a company is looking for in new hires. For example, Microsoft employees worked at Hewlett-Packard and Oracle.

5.Find out where people from a company go next. LinkedIn’s “Company Profiles” also tell you where people go after leaving the company. You can use this to track where people go after leaving your company as well as employees of other companies in your sector. (You could make the case that this feature also enables to figure out which companies to avoid, but I digress.)

6.Check if a company is still hiring. Company pages on LinkedIn include a section called “New Hires” that lists people who have recently joined the company. If you have real chutzpah, you can ask these new hires how they got their new job. At the very least you can examine their backgrounds to surmise what made them attractive to the new employer.

7.Get to the hiring manager. LinkedIn’s job search engine allows you to search for any kind of job you want. However, when you view the results, pay close attention to the ones that you’re no more than two degrees away from. This means that you know someone who knows the person that posted the job—it can’t get much better than that. (Power tip: two degrees is about the limit for getting to hiring managers. I never help friends of friends of friends.) Another way to find companies that you have ties to is by looking at the “Companies in Your Network” section on LinkedIn’s Job Search page.

8.Get to the right HR person. The best case is getting to the hiring manager via someone who knows him, but if that isn’t possible you can still use LinkedIn to find someone inside the company to walk your resume to the hiring manager or HR department. When someone receives a resume from a coworker even if she doesn’t know the coworker, she almost always pays attention to it.

9.Find out the secret job requirements. Job listings rarely spell out entirely or exactly what a hiring manager is seeking. Find a connection at the company who can get the inside scoop on what really matters for the job. You can do this by searching for the company name; the results will show you who in your network connects you to the company. If you don’t have an inside connection, look at profiles of the people who work at the company to get an idea of their backgrounds and important skills.

10.Find startups to join. Maybe this recession is God telling you it’s time to try a startup. But great startups are hard to find. Play around with LinkedIn’s advanced search engine using “startup” or “stealth” in the keyword or company field. You can also narrow by industry (for example, startups in the Web 2.0, wireless, or biotech sectors). If large companies can’t offer “job security,” open up your search to include startups.

11.Build your network before you need it. As a last tip, no matter how the economy or your career is doing, having a strong network is a good form of job security. Don’t wait until times are tough to nurture your network. The key to networking (or “schmozing”), however, is filled with counter-intuitiveness. First, it’s not who you know—it’s who knows of you. Second, Great schmoozers are not thinking “What can this person do for me?” To the contrary, they are thinking, “What can I do for this person?” For more on schmoozing, read “The Art of Schmoozing.”

Time For A Cool Change

As the Song says – Time for a Cool Change