A Holiday Tour of My Home!

A Holiday Tour of My Home!

My budget this year for decorations was ... wait for it ... ZERO!!

Yes, the hubby and I decided to shave unnecessary expenses to avoid the hangover credit card bill in January.  So I went to work with what I had in the house and was able to add a few personal touches that were DIRT CHEAP!!

So I armed myself with a roll of burlap, festive looking wine & liquor bottles and a can of fake snow.  Hers's what I came up with ...

Are We Really Free? Why Free Markets are ESSENTIAL to Free People.

Free Markets are born out of Free People.  If we want to remain free people we must embrace free markets.  Why is that?

Well, what does it mean to be a free human being?  Our founders gave us a few ideas but you can boil it down to our RIGHT to private property.  What is private property?

Private Property

Physical Property (land & possessions)

The Body Property (your physical being and labor)

Property of the Mind (your intelligence, your beliefs, your conscience or religion)

Any attempt by government to control our Physical, Body or Mind Property is an erosion of our natural right to private property.  If we want to be truly free than we must limit the ability of a central authority to dictate how we are to make use of our private property.  Otherwise … at some point we lose our freedom and become slaves.

So imagine a bunch of free people running around town not being manipulated, forced or coerced by a government entity regarding their private property – how does society interact?  Well we certainly don’t sit in caves and rock back in forth all day!  We have dreams, desires, ambitions, physical needs and wants.  In addition we have a immediate, central driving ambition ...the survival instinct.  We MUST put a roof over our heads and feed ourselves and our families in order to survive.

So out of free men and their desire to not only survive but THRIVE - will emerge the free exchange of each man’s private property.  We work to survive and we TRADE our skills to live better and happier!  Some people excel at literature and the arts, others are great at baking or entertaining, some love math and science.  And because most people would rather spend their days doing the things they love and are interested in they specialize in the areas that they excel! 

Therefore … you will eventually have free men trading their private property in order to survive and pursue happiness with their lives.

So what do they trade?

Free Market Trade

Can exchange physical property … buying or selling land or goods

Can exchange body property … voluntary exchange of labor for cash/goods

Can exchange mind property … voluntary exchange of creativity, ingenuity or innovation

Despite what you may have learned in college humanities ... free markets are NOT huge corporations, greedy investors, shady derivative markets or crony capitalists.  They are very simply the conditions that exist when free men voluntarily exchange their private property.  Free markets are the ONLY natural extension of free men. 

Now that doesn't mean that you don’t have certain laws and systems that can be instituted by a community of people to protect the right of men to freely trade their private property.  Or that free markets cannot be corrupted with liars, cheaters and manipulators.  But the “problems” of a free market are not inherent in the system.  They are the problems (greed, lust for power, hatred or jealousy) that have plagued the world since the beginning of time.

Understanding the necessity of some, very limited government involvement in the area of trade we must always acknowledge that government manipulations and invasions in the free market are always at the expense of our personal freedoms.  The act of giving public funds to one free citizen that is deemed to be poor, must always involve the confiscation of private property from another free citizen. 

We can certainly debate whether or not governments should be empowered to confiscate the private property of its citizens for "public welfare".  However, we must all acknowledge the fact that any government involvement or attempt to control/manipulate the free markets represents an erosion of our natural rights & freedoms.  

Let's always consider that when we empower our government to engage in charity!

Fred Upton Should Read This

Dear Mr. President, Diane Feinstein, Mary Landrieu, Kay Hagan and any other Democrat in a swing state,

Right now you are calling for a “fix” to the Obamacare Problem.  Some of you are clamoring for a congressional bill to reinstate the health insurance of 5 million Americans.   

Your ideas are a JOKE.

Forget the fact that you CAN’T reinstate health insurance plans that are illegal under the ObamaCare Law.  The plans are gone.  In addition – it is unfair and unreasonable for you to brazenly take private insurance companies and their customers on another unpredictable and unfair roller coaster ride.

The Republicans are as opposed to Obamacare as they were the fateful day it passed and they would be dishonest and disingenuous if they lifted a finger to help you out of this mess that you created for yourselves.  And if you think the Republicans are going to aid and abet you in perpetrating this crime against Americans or help President Obama FIX this monstrosity called Obamacare you are sadly mistaken.

The reason that Republicans won’t help you is that ObamaCare hurts Americans. 

It damages the economy, it kills jobs and it steals hard earned income from every taxpaying citizen.  The fact is Republicans believe that this law is the biggest mistake that ever happened in Washington DC.  And it has had devastating effect on millions of Americans.

More importantly … Republicans won’t bail you out of this one because you DON’T DESERVE IT.

You have lost all credibility with American People.

You lied hundreds of times when you said we could keep our health care plans and our doctors.

You lied when promised Americans that their healthcare costs would go DOWN by $2500 per year.

You KNEW that 5 million Americans would lose their health care when the private mandate set in.

You NOW know that as many as 50 to 100 Million MORE Americans will lose their healthcare when the employer mandates set in.

You refused to compromise or work with Republicans for Health Care Reform in 2009.

You crafted a BILL that was universally opposed by Republicans but you didn’t care.

You used procedural tricks, PORK kickbacks and deception to pass Obamacare at midnight on Christmas Eve in the House of Representatives.

Then you manipulated the rules of the Senate after Scott Brown was elected in Massachusetts to block Obamacare.

You ignored the will of the American People who have NEVER supported Obamacare as a majority.

You passed ObamaCare without reading it.

Let me say that again … You passed The Affordable Care Act without READING IT!

One more time … You voted YES on a 2,000 page MegaBill WITHOUT READING THE DAMN BILL!

You ignored President Obama when he issued multiple executive orders changing the LAW … which was illegal and unconstitutional.

You ignored President Obama when he issued multiple executive orders to exempt his cronies in the unions and in the corporations that donated to his campaigns.

You exempted yourself, your staff and Washington DC cronies from ObamaCare while shoving it down the throat of every single American Citizen.

You refused to even meet with Ted Cruz,  Mike Lee or House Republicans 5 weeks ago when they were desperately trying to fix this. 

You refused to defund, delay or even marginally change Obamacare. 

You said the words “We will not compromise” and “I will not compromise” more times than one can remember.

You demonized anyone who tried to fix or change Obamacare and painted them as radicals, haters, extremists, hostage takers and terrorists.

And amazingly … You managed to fail miserably and spectacularly at creating a simple website with 3 years lead time and 600 million taxpayer dollars.

That is $600,000,000 taxpayer dollars to create a website.  A WEBSITE!

And you want the American People to trust you to run healthcare?

The answer is no.  NO!

You don’t get a bailout.  You don’t get a second chance.  Not from the Republicans and not from the American People. You have failed in every sense of the word.  You colossal failures will have ripple effects of pain on Americans for years to come.  The damage you have left in your wake will take many years to fix.

You plan sucked.  It didn’t work. And the only way to FIX IT is to REPEAL the damn thing. 

PERIOD.  (to quote Obama)

Fashion & Politics

I’ve decided to rename this blog ‘Fashion & Politics’.  Why?

Well first the obvious reason, I’m a chick and I love clothes and fashion.  Shopping, primping, make-up, hair and a nice mani/pedi now and then with the gals. 

And I like taking selfies of my outfits. What can I say?

I’m also obsessed with politics, current events, government, culture and debate.  I always have been … it’s a passion built into my nature and my soul for as long as I can remember.

So I have this crazy notion that fashion and politics are interrelated. 

But how possibly can you marry fashion and politics?  They seem to occupy completely opposite ends of the spectrum.  And while fashion occasionally delves into politics (think Kirsten Gillibrand featured in Vogue)… politics rarely delves into fashion (think Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits).

In fact, fashion among Republican politicians is about as rare as the spotted owl. The last (and only) Republican woman grudgingly applauded for her fashion sense was Nancy Regan.  And when the fashionable set isn’t completely ignoring Republican women, they devolve into complete ‘Mean Girl’ territory.   Who can forget the twin Newsweek covers of Michelle Bachmann looking like a wild eyed lunatic and Sarah Palin in spandex lollipops?

The folks at Newsweek were total jerks … but the “hip” factor does seem elusive to many Republicans.

Hollywood, the media and pop culture have seemingly rejected Conservatism and the GOP.  And the truth is that Republicans do have a problem.  They seem old, out of style and curmudgeony. They are not appealing to younger generations. They are perceived as out-of-touch, antiquated and out of ideas.  The GOP needs to appeal to new voters.  But gaining favor among the young and cool does not necessarily mean changing your core values.  It might just mean tweaking your logo.

I’ve worked in advertising & marketing for ten years.  As an advertising executive I’ve sold everything from radio to billboards to network television.  I’ve helped hundreds of clients write and produce advertising campaigns.  If I’ve learned anything from this experience it is this:

Image. Matters. 

The first impression is vitally important and the image you portray can help you get your foot in the door and break down barriers.  Is image the most important thing?  Absolutely, positively NO!  A bad product will have trouble selling regardless of how fancy the packaging.  Bad ideas, bad policies and a lackluster track record won’t be fixed with a smart outfit and cool demeanor.  (Actually, I  take that back.  It actually worked for Obama.)

But thankfully image is one of the easiest things to tweak without compromising core values.

Republicans want to appeal to younger voters.  Progressive consultants are telling them that to achieve that, they must change who they are and everything they believe in.  They must approve of gay marriage, abandon the abortion issue, support amnesty and embrace social welfare programs to reach these elusive young voters. This is the only way to move into the 21^st Century and be relevant.

That advice is dumb. 

This is like telling Coca Cola to change their famous recipe to appeal to Millenials.  It’s like telling Colonel Sanders to add a spice or two to his fried chicken.  Every marketing expert and advertising guru knows that the legends in product marketing never mess with the original … they just TWEAK the packaging!

Republicans don’t need to change their core values in order to appeal to younger generations.  They just need a good image overhaul and new creative language that effectively articulates conservatism to the younger set.  They need to identify what draws Millenials to Libertarianism and EMBRACE IT! 

Republicans actually have an amazing marketing opportunity.  They can excite their conservative base and introduce limited government to a whole new generation of young voters who are open and receptive to Libertarian values.  The Millennials are ripe for the picking and if Republicans were smart they would seize this moment and tailor their message to these new voters.

And at the end of the day … maybe consider a few makeovers?  After all … it is infinitely easier to tweak your wardrobe, hair and language than to sacrifice everything you believe in.  

New York Sex Scandals: Why Silent Democrats Are Abusers Themselves

I have experienced sexual harassment first hand.  As a young mother and working full time as the sole breadwinner to put my husband through his doctoral program ... I landed a good job that paid well.  The money was the only perk.

During my employment, I suffered humiliating sexual harassment from a top manager who answered only to the owner of the company.  His nearly daily abuse included sexual comments about my physical appearance; legs, breasts and bottom.  He would make loud statements like:

"Who did you have sex with to land that account?"
"You look like a dirty slut today"
"Your t*** look huge in that shirt"  

His comments were made in the presence of other male managers and the owner.  His abuse was tolerated and nothing was ever done to help me or stop the harassment.  The rumor was that this manager had access to and knowledge of questionable businesses dealings by the owner.  It was widely known and accepted that he would never be fired. This was my first introduction to corruption and how it trickles down from the top to hurt people at the bottom. 

The owner was not able to help a female staffer (myself) because of his own skeletons.  He and the other managers ignored the abuse.  They allowed it to continue for years.  They were in fact ... abusers themselves.

I'm a strong woman.  I had to support my family so I tried to ignore it the best I could. Eventually I quit my job and moved on with my life.  But it was an incredibly difficult and uncomfortable situation to deal with, effected my self esteem and took many years to get over.  I often think about women who have come after me and are undoubtedly subjected to the same abuse.

Which is why I am writing this blog in an attempt to use my voice to help the women involved in politics in Albany and New York.

The sexual abuse, illicit conduct and outrageous behavior by the Democrats in Albany HAS GOT TO STOP.  These scoundrels must be kicked out of office forever and disciplined.  Those who have been complicit in covering up their indiscretions should also be kicked out of office and disciplined. Democrats who have remained silent about these scandals must be called out by state and LOCAL media to explain why this type of hostile environment is acceptable in Albany. (Hellooo? Governor Cuomo?)

Vito Lopez (D), the powerful Brooklyn Democratic Leader was accused of illicit sexual harassment, groping female staffers and commenting on their legs and breasts. He stepped down from office.  However, one year earlier Speaker Sheldon Silver ... the most powerful man in Albany paid over $100,000 in NY taxpayer money to hush up earlier allegations of sexual harassment against Lopez.  Then, Speaker Silver HIMSELF was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior.  

Now, Assemblyman Micah Kellner (D) has been accused of inappropriate sexual communications with a young female staffer four years ago.  Once again ... Speaker Silver's office KNEW of these allegations and BLOCKED the investigation.  

Elliot Spitzer (D) and Anthony Wiener (D) also ride on New York's creepy ass, disgusting old man train with their unbelievable hubris in running for office despite felony charges, adultery and just basic nastiness. The only thing more unbelievable is New Yorker's acceptance of these smarmy losers.

When will the women of New York WAKE UP?  These are our sisters, daughters and friends. Why are we silent and not DEMANDING repercussions?

Why can't NY Democrats understand that party loyalty cannot trump ethical response to abuse?  And why can't NY voters realize that these type of men are not fit to hold elected office?

Men who abuse women will abuse power.  Men who aid and abet abusers will abuse power. Men who are silent on abusers tacitly condone the abuse. Women who condone abusers deny other women the right to a safe and secure workplace.  

Ultimately ... they (New York Democrats) are complicit in the abuse of innocent women. They are all abusers. 

Their silence is their answer.  And if you are looking for a War on Women ... look no further than the Democrats currently controlling our state.