He hit the campaign trail and grabbed our attention because he didn’t sound like a politician.  He sounded more like a CEO.  He sounded like a cancer survivor.  He sounded like a neighbor who was a leader at the local church.  He sounded like a guy who has had enough of the liberal takeover of our government and the mentality of the elitists in this country doing all they can to take over every aspect of our everyday lives.  That’s why he got such momentum.  He would respond to questions asked at the debates with direct, witty, insightful, decisive, and well-thought-out answers.  We turned up the volume and leaned closer to the TV to hear more.  His 9-9-9 plan — although not perfect — was a marketing marvel.  What a great idea.  Simplify the tax code, make sure everyone pays something (even illegal aliens and law breakers) and not apologize about it.  As misunderstood and maligned as that plan was, it was not policy that dropped him from front-runner to also ran.

Mitt Romney can’t lock up the nomination because of his single-payer healthcare law in Massachusetts, he was for abortion before he was against abortion, and other questionable positions past and present that make conservatives wonder about his bone fides.  Gov Rick Perry dominated until his have a “heart” response to questioning about in-state tuition for illegal immigrants — another policy issue.  Newt Gingrich is looking great — but, there are loud rumblings about his work with the Heritage Foundation on a single-payer healthcare system.  Any of those candidates would be light years better than the current president.  But, the story was different with Herman Cain.  Other than an odd answer about his pro-life stance and a bit of confusion on a question about Libya, Herman Cain on the issues — was as conservative as you get on the trail.  Knowing they couldn’t attack on those issues — the media went digging for dirt.

You don’t know and I don’t know if Herman Cain sexually harassed anyone.  You know who knows?  The women and he know.  There is no proof of it and he denies it.  The story of the one woman who came forward is sketchy at best and her background would suggest she’s a gold-digger and publicity hound.  Even with that said — the media putting it out there took Can from front-runner to 2nd or third place almost overnight.  When he had once enjoyed 30+ percent support of women republicans he, days later, only enjoyed single digit support from the same demographic.  All of this BEFORE Ginger White would become a household name (in the homes where the race was being followed).  What does that tell us?  With no proof and only word of women who either currently work in the democrat administration or who a few months ago greeted Herman Cain with a hug at an event — the media can render a candidate null and void.  Before you scoff at what I just said because the public allegedly doesn’t trust the media, consider this.  Why did so many of you go from supporting Cain to suspecting Cain almost overnight — BEFORE Ginger White?  Because of what you learned from the media.  Face it — they set the narrative whether you want to admit it or not.

Ginger White claims she and Herman Cain had an almost 14 year affair.  Her proof?  He signed a couple of books for her (if that proves an affair, I’m sleeping with Bob Schieffer) and some phone records that show he had her number and he had hers.  They called and texted quite a bit.  He admits a friendship — she said it was so much more.  He says he financially was helping a friend, she says it was a ton more than that.  Because of this relationship — whatever it is — Herman Cain is no longer a candidate.  Did they have more than a friendship?  You don’t know and I don’t know.  You know who knows?  Herman Cain and Ginger White.  She says yes — he says no — the media says “Cheers” and “mission accomplished.”  On the issues, Herman Cain was a great candidate.

Should we have ignored the allegations?  The harassment allegations should have never even been reported until and unless there was some proof and there is none.  The Ginger White situation — much the same should have happened.  A TV station in Atlanta jumped on the chance to not only give her TV time.. but, as much as she wanted.  Their initial story on White was three or four times longer than any average TV story.  There was little or no proof and a Cain denial.  There is still no proof and he continues to deny – but, for all intents and purposes, the campaign was over.  Is it a problem if he did have an affair?  Absolutely for his wife and family — and absolutely for everyone who trusted him to be their candidate.  We Americans can forgive and accept a lot — but, we try our best to not vote for liars.  By the way, I hope this trend continues when President Obama asks you for your vote next year.  He’s not only lied consistently — but, he does it with such ease it’s scary.
What now for the GOP and for we conservatives?  We watch and listen closely.  We carefully examine the attacks the media is sure to bring against those who remain.  And, we do all we can to continue educating our friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers on how horrible the future of our great land looks if this administration were allowed to continue for another term.

I wish Herman Cain well.  If what White says is true — I hope he and his family and his God can work through it.  If not, then shame on the media and all of you who abandoned him on the word of a woman with a checkered past on a TV station looking for ratings during November sweeps.
But, what do I know?

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     ”Is there no republican that can be gracious and statesman-like in this situation? We removed a dictator in six months, losing no American soldiers, spending like a billions dollars rather than a trillion dollars, and engendering what appears to be goodwill to people who now have a prideful story of their own independence to tell — (softly) not to mention oil, they have oil. Anybody wanna give credit?…(After showing clips of key GOP Senators crediting Britain and France) What the f&^k is wrong with you people? Honestly, what is wrong with you? Are you that small? (Taking on their voice) ‘You know what else, we really gotta give credit to the Chinese. Without the invention of gunpowder…’”

Unfortunately, what Stewart either purposely omits or has just not studied the topic enough to know is we a. had no business taking sides in Libya and b. the rebels the Obama administration chose to support are known to have ties to Al Qaeda. You remember them right?   They attacked us on a beautiful summer day in 2001?  There are tons of news stories about the links.  Here’s just one.  I guess that didn’t matter. Qaddafi was bad, right? Who cares about congressional approval or that we were becoming bedfellows with terrorists. Whatever it takes to get the job done right? Why Qaddafi?  Why now?  Much like those who ousted Mubarak, these rebels do not have freedom and liberty and democracy in mind.  They are people who have ties to radical Islam (see Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt) and are seeking to force Islamic law on their country.  How’s that “freedom” we supported by the ouster of Mubarak working out in Egypt?  Last I checked, there are tanks and armed military keeping an eye on the protests there and the Muslim Brotherhood expected to play a large role in forming the new government there.  And, remember that peace accord between Egypt and Israel?  Those in Egypt now say that went away with Mubarak.

The president, you and I agree on one thing for sure.  We do NOT like dictators and they should all fall.  But, if the Obama Doctrine is to take out all of the evil dictators around the world, why not start with the really bad guys.  When he had an opportunity to intervene in Iran as the rulers of that country were killing civilians in the street after stealing an election, our president said “It’s not productive, given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, to be seen as meddling – the U.S. president meddling in Iranian elections.”  Help me understand how the Libyan dictator was more appropriate to take action against than the crazy man in Iran.  How did it make more sense to take out Mubarak or Qaddafi (who we had control over) than Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or the mullahs in Iran?

How was our support for the “rebels” in Libya better for the world or OUR interests than going after the Castro brothers in Cuba who are 90 miles from out coast and have oppressed millions for nearly 60 years now?  Why not go after Kim Jong Il who’s people have zero human or civil rights — much less much electricity?  Have you seen this picture?  Why not go after Hugo Chavez who is becoming Castro Jr by the day?  Why not go after China where 1.6 billion people don’t have as much as drinkable water in their taps and where you’re imprisoned or killed if you disagree with the government.

Give me a break, Jon Stewart.  Get a clue.  You want to celebrate this administration’s circumventing of congress and much of the world to take sides in a civil war?  I think you’re the one who has something wrong with you.

By the way, what do you think the new Libya will look like?  Just like what we see unfolding in Egypt, here’s what Libyans can expect.  Can you say Sharia Law?  Click Here.

Thoughts?  Shoot me an email or a message on Facebook.

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Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Part 2

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Having said that, I am a commentator — and editorialist. I have never and will never run away from an opinion that is varying from those I interview. That has always been the case when I have interviewed the governor. I disagreed with the governor on the Trans Texas Corridor and went at him on it. On my show, face to face, he said, “the Trans Texas Corridor is dead.” He responded to the people of the great state of Texas and their disdain over that project by killing it. He did something similar when it came to the HPV vaccine. He signed the order for the vaccines — then backed off when the people spoke. He seems at the very least reticent to do the same when it comes to immigration. Fact is, if he wants to win the nomination — and I think he’d be a great nominee — he’s going to have to face the music on what to do with illegal immigrants here in the country. He’s also going to have to revisit his belief that those here illegally qualify to have their education subsidized by the rest of us.

As for his performance in tonight’s debate? I give him a C. I felt the swagger was missing many times and his answers wandered at others. That’s not okay when you’re facing an attack dog like Rick Santorum and a polished New Englander like Mitt Romney. He was sharp at times but, more often seemed introspective and almost quiet. It’s not the Rick Perry we here in Texas know. Was he tired? Did he have something else on his mind? Was he hungry? Guess what — it doesn’t matter. What does matter is what people who watched that debate will take away about him and his chances we be made or broken by these debates. When it’s go time — it’s go time and I’m not sure the governor gave it the go he’s capable of giving it.

Quick personal anecdote. I used to work at a tiny FM in Belle Glade, Florida. It was a 52 mile drive for me each way and I constantly found myself running late. One day on the way out, I was stopped not ONCE but, TWICE for speeding. I got two tickets costing tons of money I didn’t have. Boy was I angry. I got on the air and was disgruntled, unenthusiastic, short with my words and snappy about what I was saying. My boss heard me and walked in and asked, “hey Joe — you having a bad day?” “Sure am,” I said. He said, “well, I don’t give a f^%&, you have a job to do. Suck it up and sound good on my radio station or get off my air.” Point well-taken.

It’s kinda what I wanted to say to the governor tonight. You have a couple of hours to shine as many of us know you can. He did NOT present himself as the confident, no-nonsense man many Texans know him to be. I don’t know why — and frankly, don’t care. The job at hand is to show you can be the next president of the United States. And, unfortunately, that means bring it every single time.

To the actual issues. The governor did just fine when it came to the HPV issue. He’s defended himself well before and did a great job tonight. That issue, I believe, goes away now. Social Security is another topic he was attacked on again — and did just fine. It is a Ponzi scheme — and saying that is not a negative. Saying he’s got a way to save it and will not take it away from anyone who gets it was good.. at least better than not really offering a plan for that program in the future. But, all of the wind came out of the governor’s sails and he seemed to lose his confidence and energy on immigration. The issue of a border wall or fence is red meat for conservatives and he was an easy target on that as he’s against such a structure. But, he, yet again, proved to be especially vulnerable on the issue of in-state tuition for illegals.

Fact is, the governor believes anyone who gets a public K-12 education in Texas (illegals cannot be denied an education as per a Supreme Court ruling) and who has lived in this great state for three years should be able to get in state tuition. This is looked at as an invitation for people to come here illegally and reap the benefits of our tax dollars to subsidize their education. As a matter of fact, three other candidates (Bachmann, Romney and Santorum) called this policy a “magnet” for illegals (one wonders if they planned on using the same word to attack Perry’s stance on this issue). Conservatives disagree with this policy vehemently. The argument the governor has used is not resonating either. His comments that allowing for in-state tuition will somehow keep illegals off of the entitlement dole doesn’t make sense as exposed by Rick Santorum. Santorum’s point was — why offer the “magnet” of in-state tuition? If they want to go to a Texas higher-learning institution, they should pay full price. Period. And, he’s right.

My biggest surprise from the debate was not that this is what the governor believes. It’s that he doesn’t have a better answer prepared for the question. He and his people know it’s coming and still there is not an answer ready to get republicans and conservatives to come to a better understanding of why this makes sense. A good question might be, “why won’t the governor listen to the people and make a similar decision as he did to the unpopular TTC and HPV issues?”

Do I think the governor still has a good shot? Yes! I think there is much work to do on the issue of immigration, however. And, that work needs to be done quickly.

For what it’s worth, I feel Herman Cain won the debate.

If you like this — why not “share” it with your connections. I look forward to your comments!

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So, what to do if you’re president Obama? Go after the evil rich and the evil corporations. You know, the people who employ us. He wants THEM to pay their “fair share.” At first, he went on and on and on about how the rich can “afford to pay a little more.” Those who were “most fortunate” could afford to “pay a little more.” That didn’t resonate with the American people. We believe in hard work and achieving success. We believe we should keep the largest amount of our earnings as possible while still funding a necessary government. We do NOT believe in punishing hard work, ambition and determination. That plan failed. The American people rejected, out-of-pocket, the idea that those who have earned a lot were somehow the bad guys and expansive, overbearing government was the right path. What to do if you’re president Obama and/or the rest of the ultra-liberal power structure. You know, the folks who truly believe they’re smarter than we are and know best what we should eat, drink, drive, earn and how we should spend our money and our time. Then a light bulb appeared over their heads. They had a plan.

They decided, “let’s pretend the ultra-rich like Warren Buffett are paying less income taxes than their secretaries.” Yeah, that’s it. It wouldn’t matter if it’s true — just that it would be effective.

They started out with Buffett writing an op-ed (http://ow.ly/6yZUC) complaining that he and other billionaires are not paying enough and that the government has been coddling the mega-rich for far too long. He probably did it just on a whim. Doubtful it was a plan between the administration and him. That would be crazy. Of course, they idea that his secretary is paying a higher income tax rate than Buffett is lunacy and just not true. But, it’s a great narrative if they can get the American people to buy the lie. Let’s make it seem plausible and sell it as if it’s tax rate versus tax rate. Anyone with half a brain would balk. Say what? This guy is worth 50 billion dollars — with a B! That would be disgusting. His poor, unappreciated secretary. Now, time for a reality check.

Fact is, Warren Buffett doesn’t take a pay check. If he did, he’d pay the top marginal rate of 35 percent on his income. His secretary DOES receive a pay check and therefore DOES pay income tax. Therefore, his secretary could be at the lowest possible rate (above zero percent) and still pay a higher rate than her boss. But, I thought he was worth 50 billions dollars. How does that happen if he has no income? Buffett’s income comes from dividends and capital gains. They are taxed at 15 percent. “Well, that’s not fair,” you might say. Hold on just a minute. Consider where the money Buffett invests comes from. It’s not like he was born with buckets of money (and that would be a lot of buckets) just waiting to be invested. He had to either a. earn it through paychecks with which he would have paid the progressive tax rate the rest of us pay or b. from other investments on which he would have paid 15 percent.

So, it’s safe to assume, if Buffett didn’t simply find the money, he’s paid a tax of some sort at least once but possibly over and over again as he reinvests it. I hope this clears up the lie that he is somehow paying less in taxes than his secretary. It’s a lie the president hopes will allow him to draw people who were reticent to ask the rich and corporations more toward his point of view which of course is bigger government, more power and control and less freedom.

It’s great to be free to agree with the president or disagree. But, keep in mind, if you’re siding with him on the idea that the rich aren’t paying their “fair share” and need to pay more; the president nor congress has any plan to cut you a check and send it to you. They would only increase the pace at which they spend money they don’t yet have.

One last point that is worth mentioning. I have never ever been offered a job by nor have I ever worked for a poor person. The rich and/or corporations are who employ us. Attacking their income or cash flow would only serve to increase the unemployment rolls and continue to insure the economy will stagnate.

Thoughts? Post away. If this makes sense to you — why not click on “share?”

http://www.facebook.com/notes/joe-pags/so-warren-buffett-pays-less-income-tax-than-his-secretary-huh/10150319231973950

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My Interview on The Blaze

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Sam — our second born — can’t remember a time without Fuzzy in her life — and Gabby, who’s not even 11 — well, looked at fuzzy as a sibling practically.

Jenny and I moved around a lot — even before the children came — because of this crazy career I chose. It’s been hard — and trying — and exhilarating — and worth it. By our side, the entire time, was Fuzzy.

We all talk about unconditional love — and you know what, it’s BS! There are always conditions. If you didn’t call — or write — or smile at the right time — or like the dinner I made — or take the garbage — or watch my favorite program and enjoy it with me — you might get the silent treatment or land in the proverbial “doghouse.” Not with our beloved pets — not with Fuzzy. She didn’t care. She loved us all — so much. She protected my family and me. If you came anywhere near our house — she’d set off a barrage of barks to warn anyone to back off. If she didn’t like our daughters’ dates — she’d let them know immediately. When we had a new baby in the house — she’d lay next to her and protect her as if she was her own.

One of Fuzzy’s great joys in life — other than running around the house like a maniac on top of the couch back to the floor on to the chair back to the floor — tearing around from room to room tail-wagging, tongue flopping around — she loved jumping in the car and going for a ride. We’d just crack the window a little — just enough for that big nose of hers to stick out if she wanted.. she just loved it.. and we loved her.

Back in the day when I played my saxophone more often.. she’d run to the room when I was practicing — and when I’d hit certain notes — she’d howl along with me. It was pure joy for both of us — and honestly, some days, her notes sounded better than mine.

I was on the air this morning on KPRC in Houston when my wife gave me word that Fuzzy died. A shot in the heart for sure. When I could — I went to Fuzzy and thanked her for being such a great friend.. and rubbed her head one last time. She was 18 — a good long life for a dog — but, for my family and me, it went by far too quickly. We’ve shed a lot of tears today — because she gave us so much joy. We’ll miss her terribly. Thank God for the time we got to spend with our little Fuzzball.

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Okay — couple of things Mr. President:

1. There are only two cars I can find that are street legal that get 8 miles to the gallon of gasoline. One is a Bugatti — the other a Lamborghini. Suffice it to say, if you can afford one of those two cars, you’re not worried about how much gas costs.
2. There is something you can do about gas prices right now. This moment. Take a break from whatever vacation you’re either currently on, or packing for and step up to the nearest microphone and television camera. Say these four words, “We’re going to drill!” Watch what happens to the price of crude then.

By the way, Mr. President, telling people with paid off cars to trade them in for a car that will require a monthly payment isn’t the smartest of advice. And, if your’e suggesting getting a hybrid or straight electric car — sorry, but most Amercans can’t afford 28k for a Prius much less the 40k MSRP for the Chevy Volt.

Just stop the game, Mr. President. Telling us out of one side of your mouth that we must decrease our dependence on foreign oil while telling Brazil out of the other side of your mouth that you hope America will be one of the first customers of that country’s newly harvested crude. Just say the word, President Obama — “Drill.”

But, what do I know?

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thoughts?

1. As Promised — The 100 miles per gallon carburetor I mentioned oil plummeting in the 70s or 80s because...

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