So, has the Trillions Spent on the War on Poverty worked?

failed war on poverty

From economist Dan Mitchell, a chart showing the poverty rate since 1950.  It shows that before Federal Government insertion of itself radically into Society, Society was solving the poverty problem on its own.  Since then, the percentage in poverty has not really changed much.  You can also see (as Dan points out) that during the Presidencies of Reagan and Clinton, poverty rates started to decline once again.

Is it that Govt intervention stopped getting rid of poverty?  I am not able to say that, but I can state that with the spending of Trillions of dollars since LBJ began his Great Society, there has been precious little change of the plight of the poor – or has there been?  In fact, back in 2009 I posted this:

…“One in seven in total federal and state dollars now goes to welfare. But this is a completely unknown story,” Rector said. “This is not being reported. No one knows Obama is spending $10 trillion on welfare.”

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GrokTV Special Interview-NH State Senator Andy Sanborn (District 9) – Question 2: Where did the idea of using scooters for door-to-door campaigning; why not Segways?

I HAD to ask this question, based on his Presser showing the cute little scooters that he is using in meeting the folks (“residents tell me that I am the first politician to ever stand at their door step and introduce myself,”) in Bedford that is the new NH Senate District 9.  Why would he … Read more

Batman, culture, guns….freedom vs safety / security…..Second Amendment vs “Responsible” – Part 2-B on updating concealed carry doodling

Update: On my previous post, I had written that even if I had been in that crowd with a concealed pistol that I would not be sure if I would have made a definitive difference in stopping James Holmes:

Some were insistent that if someone had been carrying (open or concealed) in that theater, some of those that died or were hurt could have been saved.  I was the only dissenter in that if you looked at the environment and looked at how the shooter, James Holmes, had equipped himself, it would be unclear.  A dark theater, a deranged shooter who was in rapid fire mode wearing complete body armor (ballistic helmet, body armor including throat and groin protection) who also had thrown two “grenades” that emitted a noxious gas that affected breathing and sight (not sure exactly what as I haven’t seen or heard the details, but it could have been tear gas or pepper spray cannisters – or something homebrewed).  Mass confusion – people screaming, moving to get out; unless someone was a trained SWAT or Spec Ops operator used to working and reacting PROPERLY in such a situation, I’m not convinced if a single person would have been able to make a difference.

Oh sure, as a distraction I might have made a bit of a difference: somebody firing back would have given him something to think about, allowing others to escape.  But to stop him?  At the time I wrote that, I didn’t think so.  But then I read this from Clayton Cramer‘s blog:

TacticalGear.com filled an order received on July 2 from Holmes, who allegedly opened fire inside an Aurora, Colo., theater on Friday, killing 12 people. Holmes paid $306.79 for an urban assault vest, two magazine pouches and a tactical knife.

Chief Executive Officer Chad Weinman said despite its name, the urban assault vest is not bulletproof, but is simply a vest made for carrying accessories.

Get that?  James Holmes was not wearing full body armor – initial reports seem to be wrong (as always). Here’s a link to the tactical vests they have to offer – they HOLD things, not block rounds.  This means that IF the theater was NOT a self-proclaimed “gun-free” zone, IF some CCW holders had been carrying their firearms, they very well could have made a difference in the result.

Heck, I could have made a difference.  You never know, however, how one would react given actually being in such a scenario.  I hope that I would be counted as one of the Sheepdogs.  Sheepdog?  Yes.  From Eject, Eject, Eject (the blog that Bill Whittle did before joining PJ Media et al), here is part of one of my all time favorite posts that forever made me cognizant of being self-responsible and being responsible for others :

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So, is NH GOP Platform Chair Jennifer Horn going to take the Platform towards being Democrat-lite?

The present NH GOP Platform is a rather conservative document.  When it comes to spending (something that Government does rather too well unless brakes are applied to it), it works fairly well as a philosophical foundation.  Well, the NH GOP Platorm Committee is now meeting to review the Platform and to make changes to it.  A little birdie let me (and a couple others) know that the following is under discussion:

Simple question about the NHGOP platform: Should it say:
1) We will limit the growth of spending; or
2) We will reduce spending

It now says “Work to limit the growth of state spending”.  Well, for me, THIS is easy: REDUCE!  After all the Repubs in the House and Senate HAD to REDUCE the spending as the Democrats had deliberately left an $800 million deficit to be used as a club for cutting the services that they had put in using the “excessive” Fed stimulus money flowed in via Obama’s “slush funding”.  To go further, I suggest to the Birdie:

 “not only will we seek to reduce the State budget, but we will seek to reduce all of the unfunded mandates that the State requires of towns and cities which will result in reduced local property taxes as well.“

A two-fer!  Given that the Republican Party is supposed to be for limited government and not just  “well, we’ll settle for a slightly smaller (and slightly less expensive and taxing) government than the Democrats”, my answer back to the Birdie actually addresses two components of the Platform, so I thought “there, done!”.

And then the Birdie relayed more info, and I went – Here comes the cowards that can’t stand up to the heat!

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Bill Clinton Endorses Maggie Hazz…um….Hasss….uh..Who Are You Again?

Bill Clinton in Nashua, No Reports of Sexual HarassmentThere have been no reports of sexual harassment (that’s Her-Ass-Meant) during President Bill Clinton’s recent drive-by endorsement of New Hampshire Democrat Margret ‘Louisville Slugger’ Hassan.  But Clinton did have enough time to say some stuff.

“There’s a great plan for the future of the state of New Hampshire: Smoke more, learn less,” Clinton said.

You’d think reducing tobacco taxes would be a plus for a guy with Bill Clinton’s ‘appreciation” for  cigars.  But hey, honestly you are right Mr. Bill.  Taxpayers should pay for someone elses kids to get drunk and earn a degree in the History of Gender Philosophy Studies .  Making them pay for their own education is so self -responsible and free market.  No one would want people like that.  And when they ‘graduate’ with a major in “The Catharsis of Economic Freedom And Opportunity Under Democrat Rule” they can stand in line for a job at Staples or Burger King and use their degree to keep the rain off their $500.00 iPhone.

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Guest Post by Mac Kittredge – Endorsement for Sam Cataldo

Mac has been a good friend to the ‘Grok as well as a long time advocate for individual Liberty and Freedom.  When he asked if we would post this, the answer was “absolutely!”

Sam’s the Man for NH State Senate (District 6)

Representative Sam Cataldo is running for NH State Senate. He brings the same focus and dedication that he brought to the NH House, because these jobs are critical to the welfare of New Hampshire! Tasks requiring far more than just good intentions, they require an extensive, diversified background and education; leadership and communication skills; hard work and dedication; and lots and lots of time.  The time requirements are very much greater in the Senate; it’s a full time job, and then some. Sam has a proven work ethic in the NH House, where he serves as Clerk for the Science, Technology and Energy Committee. He has the upbeat, collegial attitude of a cheerful warrior. He should, he’s a pilot and a Vietnam Era USAF veteran. He’s running because his oath to “Preserve and Protect” our nation and its Constitution didn’t come with an expiration date.

With wise and frugal spending, NH can balance its budget, but this alone is not enough to create a positive climate for free enterprise and job creation. Over-regulation, bureaucratic delays and massive red tape can discourage dynamic growth just as much as ruinous taxation. In view of this, Sam brings a wealth of practical, real-life experience; including six years in the legislature and over 50 years as a leader in business, engineering and technology. He wants to streamline state government, to continue lowering taxes and fees, to make NH future friendly and enhance the NH Advantage so that ours is the best state in which to live, get an education, find a job, raise a family or start a business.

To insure a bright future for our children, Sam will strive to return sovereign control of schools to the localities whenever practical. He recognizes that parents are the first and primary teachers of their own children, and that the job of the state legislature is to support this role. We must also empower local jurisdictions to provide for, fund and administer public schools; and that this must be decided by local voters, parents and their duly elected representatives; not by distant, unelected judges, however well intentioned.

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Is this a “Er, does the weatherman evah look out his windows before saying that the weather actually is” moment?

Oh dear, what are the gloom and doomers gonna do now?  Empirical data is just such a pain….it’s just not melting! According to a statement from the American Geophysical Union, announcing the new research: It turns out that past studies, which were based on computer models without any direct data for comparison or guidance, overestimate … Read more

Swing Away Maggie. Swing Away!

One can only imagine the media firestorm that would erupt from Democrat Party Chairman Ray Buckley and his troglodytes if Maggie “Louisville Slugger” Hassan was a Republican. John DiStaso-Granite Status (When) asked by an audience member: “How can you beat a Republican opponent in this state this year?” And just as she begins to answer, … Read more

Are we all about to start losing our private property rights? A parting gift from Gov. Lynch? Guest Post by Ken Eyring

Did you know that there is an executive commission that was set by Gov. Lynch to talk about water?  No big deal you say – yes it is.  Many homes in NH, if not most, depend on the water on their land for wells – or to be more technically correct, under your land.  Common law has been that what resides under your land belongs to you.  Period.  How do you think all those “shale millionaires” are now rich?  Wildcatters and energy companies are paying big bucks to explore and to frack the natural gas that lays under their land – and because they own it.

This “Lynch’s Last Gift” (“LLG”) wishes to administratively change this.  No House debate.  No Senate debate.  Just poorly noticed “listening session” (mostly during the day when ordinary people are working – but certainly attended by those that have NO problem in determining that your water belongs to them, er, all of us – the Collective.  THEY may not own the water, but they, sure as shootin’, are going to be the ones that will make the rules on how you can (or cannot) use that water.

That is under your property.  That you paid for when you bought your property (know it or not).  Ken Eyring has been tracking this situation for a little while and saw that they are looking for comments, so this is what he wrote (emphasis mine):

My Reply to the NH Water Sustainability Commission’s Request For Public Comment

The Water Sustainability Commission is seeking input from the public regarding management of NH’s water over the next 25 years — but unfortunately, they are not consistent with their collection methods.  They have published an online survey using Survey Monkey, and the questions are written in a way that can be easily skewed to support almost any conclusion.  There is no way to ensure the integrity of the results, since anyone can log on and take the survey multiple times.  In addition, from the beginning of July until July 19th, they accepted Public Comments without requiring identification.

Because of the importance of water to so many aspects of our lives, including life itself, my concerns were elevated as it became clear that the commission perceives all NH water as property of the state — disregarding our riparian water rights to the water in the wells on our personal property.

With all that in mind, I wanted to make sure I provided my concerns to the misguided direction the commission has taken since its inception — and to encourage everyone else to do the same by using this email address: watersustainabilitycommission@gmail.com, or via US Mail to the address below.  The deadline to provide feedback is July 31st.

Here is the letter that I sent to them:

Water Sustainability Commission
c/o Synchrony Advisors, LLC
10 Myrtle Street
Exeter, NH 03833

July 18, 2012

Dear Commissioners,

You have asked for public comment regarding “managing the water challenges faced by New Hampshire over the next 25 years.”

I’ll begin by expressing my belief that everything you eventually propose to the Governor should be based upon respect for our Constitutional Rights.  In one of your recent meetings, one of your commissioners raised a concern for Constitutionality… and I was stunned to hear another commissioner dismiss those concerns by stating they will let the courts decide.  That is a reckless disregard of the responsibilities that you have been entrusted with.

Your commissioners have also made statements that disregard our riparian rights to the well water on our personal property.  Some examples include:

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GrokTV Special Interview-NH State Senator Andy Sanborn (District 9) – Question 1: With everything thrown your way, why are you running again?

The ‘Grok was welcomed to The Draft (Concord, NH) when we interviewed NH State Senator Andy Sanborn (owner) as to why he was running for “virtual” re-election in a newly constructed district (“virtual”, as his original district was drawn out of existence).  We had all kinds of questions but did not get the chance to … Read more

Making Racists As Needed

MSDNC talking head Toure (Toure’ Too-Rah!) is  a race pimp, or at the very least a race-baiter.    If there was any room for debate about that, he has recently removed all doubt.

Waxing leftist-philosophic on the Aurora Massacre…

I would hope that it would be something like a Trayvon Martin situation that would make people think, ‘Wow. wrongful death, even though it’s a legal gun owner. How do we move forward from this situation?’ But so much of this issue, I think comes down to, ‘Let’s make sure law abiding white people are able to have access to guns and make sure that black criminals are not and that becomes part of the locus of the problem.

How about, let us make sure law abiding people have access to guns and criminals do not?  The law protects the rights of self defense for everyone, not that Toure’ would care.  He is too busy in this instance making racist hay and being racist himself, all at the same time.

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EMail Doodlings – Presidential warning still relevant, Part 2

I have previously posted the warning about leaving Obama at the levers of power in the general election from one of the email lists I’m on here.  It bothered me then, and it bothered me to do a similar warning a couple of months later:

Alright, I’ll say it – with all of the levers of the Executive Branch at his command, and his willingness to use them regardless of whether he has Constitutional or even legal authorization to have them do the actions he wants, how much of this Country will be left?  In the news and in the blogosphere, I see agency and department in the Executive Branch doing what bureaucracies have always done – push their authorizations to do more and more.  And lately, there is a very disturbing trend that, under Obama (knowing that there will NEVER be retribution from him from doing so), they are making rules and regulations that totally disregard their authorizing legislation.

Heck, Obama’s own policy of “We Can’t Wait” has publicly said that he will go around and disregard Congress pretty much any time he wants.  Robert, what will be the end result of 4 more years of what is rapidly becoming Obama’s reign as Monarch (vs a Constitutional Presidency)?

Look, I am not one of the Conservatives that dislikes Libertarianism – in fact, there is a lot that I embrace from a smaller govt standpoint as well as fiscal sanity.  There are also a lot of Conservatives like me that have reached out to make common cause with Libertarians regardless of what the Republican Party thinks of us as a result. While I am an official Delegate to the NH GOP, I doubt ANY one would ever categorize me as part of the “GOP Establishment”:

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That’s right, Andy has some experience with taxes

As this post points out, the ‘Grok started an interview series with NH State Senator Andy Sanborn which stimulated the hidden parts of the memory banks that brought up that Andy had been captured in a YouTube talking about all of the ways that the State of NH taxed him.  Here’s the link to that … Read more

Someone Ask Hassan-Endorsing UN Envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton – What Happened to “Building Back Better?”

Bill Clinton will be handing a steaming pile of an endorsement to New Hampshire Democrat candidate (for governor) Maggie Hassan, so while he’s here, can someone ask him what the hell happened in Haiti?

Not that long ago the left was suggesting that Clinton’s ‘Earthquake relief efforts there might be his lasting legacy.  (As opposed to the DNA on the Interns Blue Dress, perjury and impeachment?)  OK.  Well how’s that working out?

About as well as anyone could expect of any global UN relief effort “spearheaded” by a skirt chasing publicity hound like William Jefferson Clinton.

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