In America, Really?

I thought this article would be appropriate to pass on after our 4th celebrations.
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"That Will Never Happen In America!"

Steve McCullough

June 17, 2009
1. What if I had told you in October 2008, before the last presidential election, that before Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office, the federal government would be in control of both the mortgage and the banking industries? That 19 of America’s largest banks would be forced to undergo “stress tests” by the federal government which would determine that they were “insufficiently capitalized” so they must be supervised by the government? Would you have said, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

2. What if I had told you that within Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office the federal government would be the largest shareholder in the US Big Three automakers – Ford, GM, and Chrysler? That the government would kick out the CEO’s of these companies and appoint hand-picked executives with zero experience in the auto industry and that executive compensation would be determined not by a Board of Directors but by the government? Would you have said, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

3. What if I had told you that Barack Obama would appoint 21 “Czars”, without congressional approval, accountable only to him – not to the voters – who would have control over a wide range of US policy decisions? That there would be a Stimulus Accountability Czar, an Urban Czar, a Compensation Czar, an Iran Czar, an Auto Industry Czar, a Cyber Security Czar, an Energy Czar, a Bank Bailout Czar, and more than a dozen other government bureaucrats with unchecked regulatory powers over US domestic and foreign policy? Would you have said, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

4. What if I had told you that the federal deficit would be $915 billion in the first six months of the Obama presidency - with a projected annual deficit of $1.75 trillion - triple the $454.8 billion in 2008, for which the previous administration was highly criticized by Obama and his fellow Democrats? That congress would pass Obama’s $3.53 trillion federal budget for fiscal 2010? That the projected deficit over the next ten years would be greater than $10 trillion? Would you have said, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

5. What if I had told you that the Obama Justice Department would order FBI agents to read Miranda rights to high-value detainees captured on the battlefield and held at US military detention facilities in Afghanistan? That Obama would order the closing of the Guantanamo detention facility with no plan for the disposition of the 200-plus individuals held there? That several of the suspected terrorists at Guantanamo would be sent to live in freedom in Bermuda at the expense of the US government? Would you have said, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

6. What if I had told you that the federal government would seek powers to seize key companies whose failures could “jeopardize the financial system”? That a new regulatory agency would be proposed by Obama to control loans, credit cards, mortgage-backed securities, and other financial products offered to the public? Would you have said, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

7. What if I had told you that Obama would travel to the Middle East, bow before the Saudi king, and repeatedly apologize for America’s past actions? That he would travel to Latin America where he would warmly greet Venezuela’s strongman Hugo Chavez and sit passively in the audience while Nicaraguan Marxist thug Daniel Ortega charged America with terrorist aggression in Central America? Would you have said, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

8. Okay, now what if I were to tell you that Obama wants to dismantle conservative talk radio through the imposition of a new “Fairness Doctrine”? That he wants to curtail the First Amendment rights of those who may disagree with his policies via internet blogs, cable news networks, or advocacy ads? Would you say, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

9. What if I were to tell you that the Obama Justice Department wants to limit your Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms? That the federal government wants to reinstate the so-called “assault weapons” ban which would prohibit the sale of any type of firearm that requires the shooter to pull the trigger every time a round is fired? That Obama’s Attorney General wants to eliminate the sale of virtually all handguns, which most citizens choose for self-defense? Would you say, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

10. What if I were to tell you that the Obama plan is to eliminate states’ rights guaranteed by the Tenth Amendment and give the federal government sweeping new powers over policies currently under the province of local and state governments and voted on by the people? That Obama plans to control the schools, energy production, the environment, health care, and the wealth of every US citizen? Would you say, “C’mon, that will never happen in America”?

11. What if I were to tell you that the president, the courts, and the federal government have ignored the US Constitution and have seized powers which the founders of our country fought to restrict? That our last presidential election may have been our last truly free election for some time to come? That our next presidential election may look similar to the one recently held in Iran? I know, I know what you say, “That will never happen in America”.

Golf Shopping Network

If politics could pay the bills, I would be one happy camper. But it doesn't. Plus, I am long past those days of selling my soul for a dollar, so sometimes it is hard to make a living in my profession. Therefore, I have to invest time and effort into other endeavors to make ends meet.

This past weekend, I took a gig working at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. A fellow conservative business associate of mine owns a marketing company that became involved with the new Golf Shopping Network. Rich called on me and a few other of his associates to come to the PGA convention to find simple, cool golf products that would be perfect for the upcoming weekly show. In my younger years, I used to do PR for a touring/production company that had a national TV show so the gig definitely intrigued me enough to leave for the long weekend and go check it out.

I flew in not knowing what to expect. Rich said just get there and he would take care of the rest. Being a control freak, that was a big jump for me, but heck since surrendering my life to the good Lord above, I have rarely been disappointed in the wisdom of His ways. I wasn't disappointed this time either. In fact, I had a great weekend! The people associated with the show were just a pleasure to work with, they were all professionals with an amazing sense of humor...we even had a darling "hippie" who was a conservative too. I didn't know there were any out there!

The whole experience reminded me how important it is to surround yourself with ethical, talented people in any business endeavor. It does make a difference. I just wish politics operated this way too. Maybe those of us who care, will make it happen one day.

The PGA show itself was a HOOT! I used to date a Pro Golfer in my younger years and let me tell you, I wouldn't want to marry one but they sure are fun and full of life. The merchandise and cool golf gadgets were all a sight to behold. Everyone is being hurt by the economy, especially golf clubs, but I noticed a certain guarded optimism that you don't see in other industries.

I like the GSN concept because it addresses the economy situation. Everyone is going to have to rethink and retool their marketing strategies. Smart, savvy business people don't cut marketing efforts they just find ways to get more bang for their buck. The fact of the matter is, media in general is going to have to cut their rates just like retailers (although we went to Downtown Disney Saturday night and the prices were still ridiculous, the Mouse is going to have to get real very soon, I didn't see alot of people buying). GSN is definitely on the cutting edge of this necessary trend.

I am so very glad I got to see a new, fresh concept coming out of all this economy mess. It just shows that Free Market principles are alive and well in America...at least in the conservative realms of this country! Can we all say, Amen!