GEAR-HEAD ZEN

Sometimes I find that my inspiration for the things I write come from very unlikely sources. One example of this is a 1972 Chevy Pick-up that I purchased in hopes of fixing up and making a profit. I used to do this quite often when I was younger, as I had more free time then. Now that I am married with child (and one on the way), I feel added pressure to finish this project ASAP. Yesterday, I was tearing the front end of this truck apart when my mind started to wander a bit. I was thinking back to all of the vehicles I had rebuilt for profit in my younger years when it dawned on me. I was a conservative much earlier in life than I realized.
You see, even though I had many liberal leanings at one point in my life, my actions were decidedly "right wing". I was not content to sit and complain about not having extra spending cash. I did something about it. I don't recall wasting valuable oxygen blaming others for my lot in life, I made attempts to remedy my situation. I didn't come running to the government for hand-outs. I made do with what I had.
As I layed waste to rusty fenders and rotted wiring harnesses, I realized that teenagers today would rarely be caught dead with a wrench in their hand. Much less out of a desire to put some extra change in their pockets. Rather, many would just as soon demand a few bucks from Ma and Pa. Consequently, this lack of ambition also prevents a lot of kids from having any technical ability, leaving them at the mercy of technicians and repairmen, while costing them more money as well. Not to mention being unable to play the hero when a young lady's car won't start.
Rugged individualism, work ethic, and independence were more than just rare words not too long ago. I refer to that period as "the good ol' days". So as I torque the bolts and set the timing, I am also trying to set an example for my daughter and teenage nephews. I hope to pass on lessons I learned along time ago, before I even knew they were lessons.
Lessons like: If you can't find a job, make your own. If you want something, work for it, earn it. Have something to show for your work that will exist after you're gone. Let your work be your legacy. Let your work be your portfolio. Let your work be your example. But most of all, work hard, save your money and take satisfaction in having earned it yourself.

TED KENNEDY

As a conservative, I have no problem saying that I pretty much despise everything that Ted Kennedy has done since the day he entered politics. But, as a human being, I must say that even this anti-American political enemy is not deserving of something as horrible as brain cancer. When I first heard that he had blacked-out, I must admit that I was hoping he had contracted something just serious enough to force him into retirement, but not seriously enough to effect his daily life. Unfortunately, fate has dealt him a grim set of cards.
I sincerely hope that he will make a speedy recovery, but I suspect that this is not going to happen due to the seriousness of that type of cancer. He is in my prayers.

Kennedy's situation is not without political irony. For years, the Left has been pushing for socialised health care and commonly cites countries like Cuba, Canada, and England as models for such a system. They also like to tell us how awful America's current health care system is. The words "crises" or "failing" are usually used to describe it. So this begs a few questions.
Why was Kennedy taken to an American hospital in Massachusetts after his seizure? Why has he still not been flown to Cuba where he can access the world's most advanced medical treatment? Surely a multi-millionaire such as Ted Kennedy could afford a ticket to Cuba? I know the leadership of Cuba would welcome him with open arms, if for no other reason than to make points with the media.
I just don't understand why the Kennedy family would settle for third-rate American medical care for the patriarch of their family. Love him or hate him, he is a living legend and deserves more than the primitive, abysmal care he would receive in the United States. I think that Micheal Moore and Nancy Pelosi should use the power of the bully pulpit to demand he be air-lifted to Cuba immediately for treatment.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EXPLAINED

Recently, a struggling radio station in our area made the wise decision to change formats from the same box of records that everyone else plays, to "all talk". This was a smart decision considering that there was poor reception for AM in our area, and no talk radio at all on FM. Better yet was their choice of weekly programming. Glenn Beck is followed by Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham, Micheal Savage and John Gibson. To throw the lefties a bone, they end with Allan Combs. Needless to say, when I accidentally came across this station, I was in "high cotton". That is, until I tuned in on the weekend.
Sunday afternoon I got into my truck anxiously waiting to hear what Sunday's programming would include, when I was suddenly transported to land far away. Yep, they were broadcasting an all Spanish radio program. Later that day, I read the local paper where they had written an article about this new show.
Being a believer in the second amendment, I wrote into the on-line response message board to voice my opinion. As expected, my comments sparked a debate.
My point was that programming in Spanish (or any other language) is a fast-track to segregation and separatism. I explained that when you do this, you are giving new immigrants (legal or otherwise) one more reason to not assimilate to America. I also asserted that the executives at this new station were selling-out America with their choice of Sunday programming.
This then lead to a discussion about ILLEGAL immigration. I was surprised as to how many people there are who just don't get the concept. So for those reading this blog who might fit this category of people...I'll explain.

The difference between legal and ILLEGAL immigration is akin to the difference between buying a car and stealing one. The first clue is that an ILLEGAL immigrant has broken the law. To understand why that's a big deal, you need to understand why we have immigration laws in the first place.
Think of America as your house. I would be willing to bet that you have a door on your house. That door probably has a lock. I would also assume that you have some method of seeing who might be knocking at your door. Maybe a peep-hole, security camera or simply an adjacent window. That's because you want to see who might be requesting access to your family's home. Do you know them? Are they on the "Wanted" poster at your post office? Do they have a weapon? Do they look ill?
Rightly, you would probably ask them through the door who they are and what are their intentions. You do this for the same reasons. Does their story add up? Do they mention a common acquaintance? Do they offer a way to check their story? If not, you have the opportunity to deny them access to your family. Not out of hate or bigotry, but simple logic and security.

Most likely, you have not taken the door off the hinges and allowed anyone in the area to access your fridgerator, and medicine cabinet. That's because you would be a fool to do so. These are the same principals that apply to our immigration policy.
You see, when you come here ILLEGALLY you are not screened for communicable diseases. You are not checked for a criminal record. You take no oath of loyalty to our nation. You are not part of any program designed to help you assimilate to American culture and customs. You have no sponsor willing to vouch for you. You are not being motivated to learn our laws or system of government. But worst of all, you have jumped the line in front of thousands who take the time and have enough respect for their new home to follow the proper procedure for immigrating to this country. You are no better than anyone who would jump the rail at Six Flags and cut in front of those waiting to ride the coaster.

It's ironic that some of the same people who would be offended if someone cut in line ahead of them, see no problem with ILLEGAL immigration. It's also ironic that a radio station that spends all week explaining the folly of ILLEGAL immigration and non-assimilation would take time on the weekend to promote those very things.

LIVE! FROM ISRAEL! IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!!!

Lorne Micheals couldn't write a sketch this funny on his best day.
President Bush addresses Israel and remarks on the folly of treating tyrants and dictators as legitimate leaders by initiating unconditional talks with them. He uses the ambiguous term "some" to refer to those who believe in such a policy. Enter stage left: Barak Obamma tripping over himself, waving his arms wildly and screaming at the top of his lungs "HEY, THAT'S ME! I'M THE APPEASER! LOOK AT ME! I TALK TO TERRORISTS!" Then, quietly, Bush say's "I was taking about Jimmy Carter". They then flash forward to the week prior to the general election where Obamma has been reduced to filling Hillary Clinton's water glass and rubbing her feet as she orders him around while calling him "little Jimmy".

THE BRIGHT SIDE

If there is a list of tenets that describe conservative doctrine, in the top tier would have to be the ability to accept reality. Being a conservative, I have had to accept the cold hard reality that I have no candidate in the 08' election. Even if John McCain could win, he is only a thimble full of issues away from being a Democrat anyway. No matter how you slice it, we are entering the dark ages regarding conservative philosophy, and our country is going to suffer greatly for it.
Accepting this reality has lead me to a crossroads. I can spiral into a depression that will surely end my marriage and cause me to lose all faith in humanity as a whole, or I can look at the bright side. I choose the latter.
Yes, there is a bright side to liberals having total control of our government. My theory is based on the old concept that sometimes things need to get worse before they get better. It is also based on things I know from history. So here is a list of silver linings to the cloud that is coming to a sky near you.

1. We will finally find out how high gas prices will have to go before people actually do something about it.
2. Hunting will once again become fashionable and socially acceptable because of the high cost of groceries.
3. Jobs will become so scarce that even the most liberal among us will become bitter about illegal immigration.
4. Syria and/or Iran will take over Iraq after our surrender/pull-out, giving me the right to say "I told you so".
5. #4 will embolden terrorists around the globe to attack the United States again. This will show the country how wrong the libs were and lead to a new conservative up-rising.
6. Israel will be forced to take drastic actions against newly emboldened terrorists.
7. Russia, North Korea and/or China will feel left out and ultimately try to attack Israel, sparking a new world war.
8. A new world war will remind the slackers in this country about their priorities in life.
9. Manliness and rugged individualism will not only become fashionable, they will be necessary to survive.
10. Feeling their oats, liberals and Muslims will try to get away with too much, too fast and turn the world against them.
11. Government cheese is great with crackers and spam.
12. You'll meet new friends and reunite with old ones at the unemployment line.
13. I'll have really cool stories about the second depression to bore my grandchildren with.
14. My kids will not only know the value of a dollar, they will cherish it.
15. Teenagers will no longer be able to afford tattoos and body piercings.
16. Since pharmecuticle companies will be out of business, people will have to deal with their emotional problems the old fasioned way...beers or Bibles.
17. Everyone else's car will be as crappy as mine.
18. I will be proven right.

FORD TRIES TO STARVE US

When Ford Motor Company decided to court the gay market, I rolled my eyes and accepted it. After all, that is what the free market is all about...selling your product to as many people as possible. When I learned that Henry Ford was an anti-Semite, I moved on. After all, he's dead so who cares? When I watched the offensive commercial last year that involved a divorced father being "allowed" to join his ex-wife and children on a day trip in their new Ford product, I gritted my teeth and considered never buying another Ford. I had to mull it over though because I really like Mustangs and F-series trucks. After tonight, the "mulling" is over.
I saw a Ford commercial that caused me to lose all hope for humanity. OK, that may be a bit dramatic, but it did cause me to assume that the Ford Motor Company is no longer competent enough to build a car safe enough to transport my family around in.
The commercial in question focused on the foam that Ford puts in their seats. For years, they and every other car manufacturer known to man has used polymer based foams that have posed no problems thus far. Think about it, of all the problems you have had with your car, has the foam in your seat ever kept you up at night? No. In keeping with the "it ain't broke, so let's fix it" mentality that is infecting so many of America's institutions and traditions, Ford decided to drive up the cost of their vehicles by researching and developing a new soy based foam to replace the old-school foam they used to use. Yes, I said SOY!
Have we learned nothing from the folly of turning our food into fuel? Now, we're going to turn our food into a place to sit as well? It seems like we are tripping over ourselves trying to find new ways to make food more expensive and scarce. The worst part about this is the pride that Ford seems to have from making such a short-sighted decision. It's like bragging about discovering that you can wipe your butt with sand paper instead of Charmin.
In a related story, I would like to announce that I have recently purchased a 1972 CHEVROLET pick-up that I will be restoring as time and money permit. I passed on a Ford F-150.

SOLVING THE HEALTH CARE "CRISES"

Step one: Stop ILLEGAL immigration. It is one of the biggest causes of high overhead in the healthcare industry.

Step two: Legislate real tort reform. Excessive litigation and the resulting malpractice insurance premiums drive healthcare costs through the roof.

Step three: Cut government red tape. Excessive oversight and regulation does nothing more than delay medical advancements and causes the need for billions in paperwork and lawyer fees.

Step four: Stop assuming that it is the government's job to provide your health care. It isn't. It is your job to shop around and research the best plan for you. It is your ability to choose that will keep prices in-check through competition in the free market.