The State of Our Unions

Time Magazine and Pew Research recently completed a study on the “Decline of Marriage and Rise of New Families.” Here’s a link to the full study:
http://pewsocialtrends.org/2010/11/18/the-decline-of-marriage-and-rise-of-new-families/

Among the findings:
About half of all adults in this country are married (52%). That’s compared to seven-in-ten (72%) in 1960.

More college graduates (64%) are married than those with just a high school diploma or less (48%).

Nearly four-in-ten (39%) Americans say that marriage is becoming obsolete.

Seven-in-ten (69%) say the trend toward more single women having children is bad for society, and 61% say that a child needs both a mother and father to grow up happily.

Three-quarters of all adults (76%) say their family is the most important element of their life.

More than six-in-ten (62%) survey respondents endorse the modern marriage in which the husband and wife both work and both take care of the household and children; this is up from 48% in 1977.

Some 67% of survey respondents say that in order to be ready for marriage, it’s very important for a man to be able to support his family financially; just 33% say the same about a woman.

In the Pew Research survey, 44% of all adults (and more than half of all adults ages 30 to 49) say they have cohabited (lived together without being married) at some point in their lives.


The findings are not surprising. As a society, we are still not turned off to the idea of marriage. Fifty-eight percent of those who have never been married still want to tie the knot at some point. And as Sociologist Andrew Cherlin observes in Time, “Getting married is a way to show family and friends that you have a successful personal life. It’s like the ultimate merit badge.” Also, our interest in celebrity “fairy tale” weddings would seem to point to a society that is still very must interested in marriage. Look no further than the engagement of Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton for proof.

But America’s concept of marriage might point to a larger picture of the changing values it holds. Just 30 percent of respondents surveyed believe the ideal marriage is one in which the husband provides financially and the wife takes care of the house and children. That’s compared to 43 percent of Americans surveyed in 1977.

For better or worse, women are no longer keeping house, making breakfast, and packing a lunch for the husband who is supporting the family. In 1978, fewer than half of all respondents thought that the best kind of marriage was one in which both the husband and wife worked outside the home. Now, 62 percent feel that’s the best marriage model. Though we haven’t completed broken ranks with the idea that the man should provide a “good” income, as 41 percent say this quality is very important for a good husband to have whereas just 19 percent said this was important for women.

Americans are also increasingly marrying people who are on the same socioeconomic and educational level as they are. In the 1960s, it was common for doctors to marry nurses and businessmen to propose to their secretaries. Now, “power couples” are all the rage.


So why are fewer people getting married? The simple answer, people expect more from their spouses. Like a college education for one. In 1990, more high school educated couples made it to the altar than college graduates by the age of 30. It is now the other way around. More (46 percent) of college graduates want to get married, and 44 percent of the less educated do.

Belinda Luscombe authored the Time article, “Marriage: What’s It Good For,” and writes that those with a college education want to wait until they launch their careers whereas, “the less educated will wait until they feel comfortable financially.”

She says the down economy has driven the 13 percent increase of couples in “cohabitation.” But, society has also become more accepting of “cohabitation,” or living together. In the Pew Research survey, 44% of all adults (and more than half of all adults ages 30 to 49) say they have cohabited at some point in their lives. Among those who have done so, about two-thirds (64%) say they thought of this living arrangement as a step toward marriage.

Forty-one percent of babies were born out of wedlock in 2008, an eightfold increase from 50 years ago. And 25 percent of kids now live in a single-parent home which is nearly triple the number of 1960. So it is not surprising that Americans (over three-quarters) still believe kids are best raised in a marriage.

I think the bottom line is that Americans still desire marriage as the ultimate pinnacle of personal success in their lives. But, many are prepared to settle for less in these dark, uncertain times. Since living together is less frowned upon than it used to be, people are beginning to “cohabitate” with the thought they will eventually get married (which more often than not, does not happen).

What is clear is that living together has not replaced the institution of marriage in the minds of Americans. Marriage is something that is still highly revered in our culture. Maybe too revered. So many of us now operate under the assumption that a perfect marriage is unattainable. And it is. Not one union has ever been perfect. We’ve also seen so many unions fall apart that we have become discouraged at the thought of ever getting married. But that doesn’t mean we should discount the institution as a whole. There are so many “good” marriages out there that it is still something we must all strive for in our lives.

Seventy-seven percent of Americans say it is easier for married people to raise a family (2 percent disagree). Thirty-five percent say it’s easier to be financially secure in a marriage (11 percent disagree). And Twenty-nine percent say happiness is more often found in marriage (29 percent) than not (5 percent).

Perhaps, Americans are just a little less willing to “fight the good fight.” Finding a good partner is hard. Marriage is harder. And in a world of arduous circumstances, we are just less willing to bite off another challenge in our personal lives. But as the old saying goes, “With great risk, comes great reward.” So let’s shoulder up some of that good old fashioned responsibility and jump in. Because marriage not only benefits the two individuals in them, they make for a better society.

This discussion will continue on Thursday, December 2nd on The Big Picture radio program. It airs live at noon eastern on Georgetown College's 93.7 WRVG-FMLP. Georgetown College counselor Megan Redditt and Ashley Babladelis, Georgetown College Area Coordinator for Campus Ministry, will weigh in on the institution of marriage. You can hear the discussion at this link: http://wrvg.georgetowncollege.edu/stream.htm

A Not So Puzzling Memorial Day Truth

For many years I have wondered why this nation’s youngest generation (my generation) struggles to understand the military service of their grandparents and great-grandparents. You see few young people in cemeteries or at Memorial Day services, unless they are drug there by their parents.

It certainly could be that these tributes are boring to them (I know they were to me at one time). But I think a larger reason might be behind their lack of interest. War-fighting is nowhere near as main-stream as it was 50 years ago. In fact, only a small sub-set of the population has a direct relative fighting in the military.

You have to go back to World War II or Vietnam to understand the impact that mass military mobilization can have on a society. Even if your father or brother wasn’t fighting in the war, your neighbor or relative was. The nation’s economy was pointed towards the war effort. Constant reminders existed wherever you went…work, school, or the store. Today, Americans can easily ignore the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq. They can go to the mall or to school without being reminded of the price military men and women are paying for them at that very second.

I think something can also be said for America’s war track record. WWII was this country's finest hour. We became the dominant world power with our victories over Germany and Japan. A budding middle class, road network, higher education, racial and economic equality were born out of that war.

Our efforts since then have not been so successful. We were able to deliver a stalemate at the 38th parallel in Korea. Yet, few remember Korean War Vets in the way we remember World War II or Vietnam Vets. The Vietnam War to this day leaves a sour taste in many Americans mouth, both from the actions in Indochina and here at home.

Operation Desert Storm was a huge success for the military, but was extremely short lived. And many Americans simply wish the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would just go away. They are tired of funding them and watching the casualties pile up on the evening newscasts.

Therefore, it’s no small mystery that the public now focuses on Memorial Day as the official start of the summer. They anxiously look forward to the backyard fun this day brings. And though I have never been one to bash family fun, I think it’s important that we pay proper homage to those who lost their lives so we can have barbeques and beach fun.

If only for the two or three days out of the year we are suppose to…

The Defining Symbol of Albion, IL

I recently conducted a poll on the defining symbol of America. The American Flag overwhelming defeated the Statue of Liberty and the Bald Eagle. But as the results came back to me, I began to wonder what the consensus would be on the defining symbol of Albion, IL. My hometown in Southern Illinois takes up just 2.2 square miles and contains all of 2,000 people. And though Albion resides in the second smallest county in the state, the town’s history rises above all others. Its memorable landmarks shed light not only on the town’s past, but on American small town life in general. It might be tough if you’ve never been here (and if you haven’t…consider a road trip). But, if you had to pick a defining symbol of the town to put on a postcard what would it be? The decision is harder than you might think…


The Courthouse-A timeless beauty, anchored in the center of the town. The clock tower was recently renovated. One of the oldest courthouses in the state of Illinois, it captures the spirit of small town life.


The Pagoda-Originally constructed to protect the downtown well, the pagoda has stood at the corner of Main and 5th Streets for nearly a century.


Albion Public Library-The oldest public library in the state of Illinois was established in 1819. It has resided at its current location, at the intersection of Main and 4th Streets, since 1922.


Brick Streets-The brick industry of Albion dates back to 1819, just one year after Illinois became a state. The Albion Shale Brick company was incorporated in 1900. Fourteen blocks of the historic brick streets remain in Albion.


Water Tower-There’s not much of a skyline to Albion (other than this landmark and the McDonalds sign), but for decades this tower has welcomed patrons to our beloved city.


Stewart & Son Store-It represents every little small town shop that ever existed in America. Though the store has not sold groceries in more than a decade, you can still find antiques in this relic.

The Defining Symbol of America...The Flag!

You voted the American Flag as the defining symbol of this country. And shouldn't it be? The 13-star version was adopted in 1777. Today's version was adopted in 1960, bearing 13 equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue canton that has 50 white stars. Old Glory is probably the most recognizable symbol of America to the rest of the world. The Stars and Stripes represent not only our government, but the ideology and ideas that go with it. Above, Astronaut Alan Shepard raises the flag on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 14 mission.

The American Dream...Tomorrow

News Commentator Paul Harvey once remarked, “Tomorrow has always been better than today, and it always will be.” An eternal optimist in every respect, Harvey constantly rang the bell of freedom in America during his life. As the host of Paul Harvey News & Comment and The Rest of the Story, his death in 2009 marked the end of an era for broadcasting and for this country’s greatest generation of Americans.

As we turn the page on a new decade and century, questions surround the future feasibility of the American Dream. For years it has stood tall in New York harbor, over America’s heartland, and to the other shining sea. I have already outlined the core principles of yesterday and today’s American Dream (freedom, opportunity, hard work, and determination). I felt I was pessimistic in my last post on America’s current feelings toward the American Dream. Or, maybe I over represented the views of a few cynics.

I am tremendously hopeful that in America’s heart, flag-waving, cross-bearing, and Uncle Sam-loving will continue for many decades to come. For millions of Americans in the heartland, the American Dream is the same now as it ever was and will ever be. Home ownership and the hard work, determination, and freedom that come with it are very important to the majority of Americans. And I do not fear that these desires will pass from American minds anytime soon.

“Each generation imagines that we’re all going to hell. Each generation goes through a little hell and comes out heat tempered and better than before.” I find these words of Paul Harvey particularly applicable in today’s age of doubt. With the 2000s as a small window, we saw the rise and fall of American opinion after 9/11, Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, and the recession. Whatever conflicts, internal and external, come our way over the course of the next century we must realize that our fathers and forefathers endured trial in defending their country principles. If we love the American Dream and aspire to it as much as we say we do, we must be willing to bear its burdens however unfavorable at the time they might be. So that we might preserve for future generation that two-story house with a white picket fence in a suburban neighborhood with a family of smiling faces in the front yard.

The American Dream...Today

For years the icon of the American Dream was a two-story house with a white picket fence in a suburban neighborhood with a family of smiling faces in the front yard. Not that it still isn’t, but Americans seem to demand more or less of themselves than they use to with this dream. In addition to the perfect house and family, they want the perfect job, church, car, weather forecast, and financial state. It’s true…we have become more selfish over the years. But one would think that our demands for more would only tighten America’s grip on the world. Instead, we’ve seen a less dominant America in the past few years than ever before. However, some Americans care less and less about obtaining the dream. So, in general, the idea of the American Dream is less universal than it used to be.

In March of 2007, Forbes.com polled 60 actors, artists, politicians and executives on what they thought is the essence of the American Dream. A few of the responses…

Tom Brokaw, Former Anchor and Managing Editor of NBC Nightly News
“To me, the American Dream is the freedom to choose to live how and where you want, to determine how you'll be governed and to provide your children with even more choices than you had.”

Ted Turner, Cable Television Pioneer
“We have to plan a simpler life and one that's kinder to the environment. We need to stress the quality of our lives and the importance of our relationship with our family and friends rather than consuming resources the way that the historical classic American Dream has been. We need to have a new dream and it's a global dream, one of peace in the world.”

Hugh Hefner, Playboy Founder
“I think the American Dream is personal, political and economic freedom. It’s what the Constitution assures, it’s an immigrant dream, and a dream which we most identify with, largely in part because the idea has been promoted worldwide through movies and American pop culture.”

Colin Powell, Former U.S. Secretary of State
“The American Dream is something that every immigrant brought to this country, as my parents did, and that is the ability to go as far as you can in life, limited only by your own dreams and willingness to work hard. And above all, the American Dream for these folks meant that your children will have the opportunity to do better than you will.”

http://www.forbes.com/2007/03/20/american-dream-oped-cx_de_dream0307_0322dream_land.html

Maybe the American Dream or citizen’s idea of the dream has changed little since the early 20th century? The common themes of personal and economic freedom, hard work, and opportunity for future success are still present in the minds of Americans today. But the concept of how those values look on paper or materialistically is somewhat different.

The role of government in American’s lives has been a point of contention recently with the passage of the new healthcare law. Clearly, Americans still highly value their personal freedoms and do not want the government to dictate what they can and cannot do. Yet, this healthcare bill passed so not everyone believes this to be true.

The country’s continually rising debt (almost 13 trillion dollars) has raised concern over what this current generation may be doing to future generations of Americans. But the money drain has not been plugged in Washington. Earmark and government agency spending is still out of control. Americans feel they are worse off than ever before. In the past, we always saw a brighter future for our posterity…not a darker one.

Also, men and women are working almost equally in the work force. So the notion of the perfect American family has changed from working dad, stay-at-home mom, and houseful of kids to working dad and mom with fewer kids.

Finally, Americans seem less willing to work hard to better themselves. We have more people than ever before seeking welfare benefits. Some argue that it is because of a down economy. But, Americans also are not seeking out jobs, even if the career might not be in their preferred area of choice. This is not true of a majority of Americans, but an increasing number nevertheless.

So with all of that said, I think a majority of Americans if polled would still choose the two story house with a picket fence in a suburban neighborhood as the icon of the American Dream. A majority of Americans still probably want that dream and the values that come with it to become a reality for them. Going forward, however, the American Dream might resemble something entire different. It could be something more for a select few who apply themselves and less for those who do not. Because as previously mentioned we aren’t so willing to stop and appreciate what we’ve been given in this bountiful land. Many Americans want more and that could be our undoing. But more on that in my next post…

The American Dream….Yesterday

I want to start out by thanking those of you who have voted in my poll! You still have a few more days to vote on the defining symbol of America! I’ll have another poll on the American Dream in a few days. But speaking of “the dream”…

The American Dream has captured the imagination of millions of people across the world for centuries now. What it looks like and whether or not it’s still possible today and tomorrow is a matter of debate for a later date (but one I will tackle in due time). But how did it start, and what did it look like and mean to the citizens of this country in the past?

We commonly associate the American Dream with concepts like hard work, skill, luck, and imagination. When you say “American Dream,” folks instantly conjure up images of immigrants making their way past the Statue of Liberty to New York in search of a better life. Or, we think of settlers in covered wagons heading west in search of new land and resources. Today, it’s even associated with home ownership.

But the American Dream starts with the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence. That “all men are created equal” and are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Yet the phrase “American Dream” would come almost 60 years later when James Truslow Adams coined it in his book “Epic of America.”

He wrote that the American Dream has, “lured tens of millions of all nations to our shores in the past century (and) has not been a dream of material plenty, though that has doubtlessly counted heavily. It has been a dream of being able to grow to fullest development as a man and woman, unhampered by the barriers which had slowly been erected in the older civilizations, unrepressed by social orders which had developed for the benefit of classes rather than for the simple human being of any and every class.”

Yet, it has evolved into a dream of material plenty in addition to the development of mankind.

The ability to make a life for oneself based off your own hard work and determination was a foreign concept in the world. For the first time, people in the world were given the opportunity to succeed or fail based on their own sweat and grit with little interference from the government or anyone else. The buck stopped with you. In the nineteenth century, Americans were so giddy at the chance to own and work a piece of land that they virtually ignored the dangers of what that life might bring. Long oceanic passages brought on sickness in their quest to make it to America. And settler’s heading west saw threats from wildlife and weather systems. But the concept of prosperity for anyone who was willing to lay it all on the line overwhelmed any danger one might face.

Land itself was essential to the American Dream even after the frontier was closed. The idea of owning a plot of land is something that still drives Americans to work hard. We have historically been resource hungry and that need has only increased over the years with North America’s plentiful resources.

From its beginning the American dream has been found with the middle class and poor as some bar of achievement they should strive to reach. Millions of Americans bettered themselves because of the idea of the American Dream, it pushed them into a new mindset of what they thought was not possible before. The American Dream’s ability to transcend gender and racial boundaries is also important to note. Following the Civil War, many blacks headed west in search of the same life white’s hoped to cultivate. The women’s rights movement in the early 20th century also falls in line with the American Dream.

What does it look like today though? As time has gone on, more and more people have questioned the validity of the American Dream. But that’s a discussion for my next post…

The Symbol of America

It's been awhile since I last posted anything on this blog (January in fact, oops). But the History Channel's documentary America: The Story of Us has inspired me to get back to blogging. As I was watching Sunday's episode on The Civil War I wondered what the defining symbol of America looks like. Is it Lady Liberty in New York harbor? The Liberty Bell, ringing freedom over this vast continent? One of D.C.'s landmarks...the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, or the White House? The Bald Eagle? Maybe it's the flag itself? Please take the time to vote in my poll. I will be starting a three part series on the American Dream...yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Please look for and read these upcoming posts.

On High Alert

This country’s most recent run-in with terrorism has set off many red flags in the minds of Americans. President Obama verbally attacked his national security team yesterday for not recognizing the threat posed by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. The Nigerian man was able to board a Northwest flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day with explosives in his underwear. He will be in a federal courtroom this afternoon. But the questions raised by the incident refuse to go away, no matter how much the Obama administration would like to quiet the matter.

In the wake of 9/11, how was a suspected terrorist able to board an international flight with today’s security measures?

If the U.S. had the information to prevent the botched attack, why were government officials not able to piece it together in time to stop Abdulmutallab from boarding the flight?

Who should take responsibility for the incident?

Will the Obama Administration’s recently revamped security measures prevent any further attempts to terrorize American airplanes?

Is safety in the 21st century an illusion?

These are all good questions with not so easy answers. Safety must be the chief purpose of the government. Without it, philosopher Thomas Hobbes would say, “human life would be nasty, brutish, and short.” Now America is a long way from the “state of nature” described here. But clearly the world’s skies are not as safe as we might have thought. I think we are safer than we were before 9/11, but only to a certain extent. Officials can implement all the security measures in the world and concerns will still exist. And at some point, personal freedom comes into the conversation. The new body scanners have raised privacy concerns that the government feels justified in violating. We sacrifice some freedom to the government in order to ensure our survival (another belief of Hobbes). But should the government have the ability to run a full body scan in a public airport on each citizen?

Perhaps the answer to it all lies in America playing offense rather than defense in fighting terror. We must take the fight to their backyards rather than give them the opportunity to test our security safeguards. And this is a reality that I do not believe the Obama Administration has fully understood. This county must go to great extents to extinguish terrorism wherever it exists; on the streets of Baghdad, in the mountains of Afghanistan, or in the capitol of Iran. Sitting back, waiting for threats to come our way will only further burden the people’s fate in its government’s ability to keep them safe. Until this administration is willing to play to win rather than to not lose, its citizens remain…on high alert.

RIP Ted Kennedy

If you didn't know better you would have thought the procession through Washington, D.C. was for the passing of a President not a Senator. But then again Ted Kennedy was no ordinary Senator. He was the most prominent living member of America's royal family. And for many years...46 of them in fact...he rung the bell for liberals on Capitol Hill. That's not to say he wasn't wrong, or terrible misguided on many issues. The "cause of his life" was universal healthcare and no doubt many democrats will use his death as political firewood to stir up more debate on this bankrupt endeavor. However, I saw Ted Kennedy as a very honest man and I think many of his downfalls were brought on by the way he was raised. His trouble with women became well documented in the press. Many could also never forgive him for fleeing the scene of a car wreck on Chappaquiddick Island. The passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, died that night and the incident damaged his chances of ever becoming President. But he owned up to his mistake by asking the Massachusetts electorate whether he should stay in office. We all know he did and he went on to pass more that 300 bills on immigration, AIDS reform, education, and civil rights. And though I supported the Republican resurgence in 96', it wouldn't have been anywhere near as interesting without Kennedy's vocal opposition. May the Lion of the Senate rest in peace...

Bunning Bows Out

The flood gates have opened...Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning will not seek re-election in 2010. Bunning's announcement Monday wasn't a shock to many GOP leaders in the Bluegrass...it was almost expected. The 77 year old pitcher turned politician struggled to raise the necessary money it would take to run a competitive race, blaming fellow Republicans for drying up his funds. Bunning wouldn't point out particular backstabers, but its well known that Kentucky's other senator...Mitch McConnell...has been leading a rebellion against him. The news excited Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Bowling Green Physician Rand Paul as both Republicans have been on the sidelines waiting to jump into a Bunning-less race. It's expected there so called "exploratory committees" will turn into full-flegged campaigns in the days to come. The path is perhaps trickier to navigate for Liet. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo and AG Jack Conway...Democrats who declared their intention to run months ago. Mongiardo and Conway would have benefited from all the gunfire within the GOP had Bunning stayed in the race. Even with Bunning's departure, deciding on a favorite this early in the race would be foolish. Nevertheless, the change is landscape is important to note.

America's Slobbering Love Affair: Brett Favre

Like the left-wing media and Barack Obama during the presidential election...the sports world can't get enough of Brett Favre. The latest episode of the soap opera played out on the premiere of "Joe Buck Live" on HBO last night. When asked by Buck if he would come out of retirement to play again, Favre said..."Ummm...maybe." Favre's reply was unsatisfactory to Buck who pressed the three time NFL MVP for a sure answer. One things for certain...if he's coming back...it will be in a Vikings uniform. Minnesota is the only team Favre has spoken to and according to Favre it would be a "perfect fit" considering he knows the Vikings offense, "well enough to teach it." The ol' gunslinger did verify that he recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his throwing arm and will know in several weeks whether he'll be able to put on the cleats for a 19th NFL season. Favre said he realizes that people are tired of the roller coaster ride of drama ESPN has taken us on these past couple of weeks. "It is what it is," said Favre. So what's the big picture here? Do we take Favre at his word or say enough is enough from Mr. Congeniality? At times during the interview...Favre looked completely honest and real...understanding that his legacy and image were at stake with the viewer at home. However, small smirks also broke out on his face when asked if he would return...leading you to think he actually was enjoying that roller coaster ride spoken of above. Though Favre has appeared to turn his back on the Packers and Jets front office; I don't believe the quarterback ever gave up on his teammates when he was with those organizations. He's one of the greatest competitors to ever play the game...and finding a way to feed that hunger without the game of football is something I believe Favre has struggled with more than other past NFL greats (and I ultimately think that is what keeps him coming back). So the "hatters" take that Favre is stirring the pot as a way to continue to put the spotlight on himself...for selfish reasons...is something I do not think he is into. Favre commented that he rarely sees reports about himself in the media....and I can't picture him sitting at home smiling as SportsCenter reports on the latest dose of Brett Favre news. His foundation has donated over $2 million to charities in Mississippi and Wisconsin. On the other hand, Favre has made many mistakes...going into and coming out of retirement on more than one occasion (mistakes I think he would acknowledge). He hasn't been able to make decisions in a decent timeframe regarding his comeback(s). This has largely led to the demise of strong frienships he's built with the city of Green Bay and the Packers organization from 92-08. Though, we now know ESPN was wrong in reporting there ever was a timeframe between the Vikings and Favre (I think there's a whole lot behind the scenes we don't know). And like so many of us who wake up each morning and feel differently about an issue...Favre wants to ensure that he's doing the right thing with regards to playing in the NFL. He doesn't want to do it half-heartedly or have it make a negative impact on his family. Cut the man some slack...at least enough for him to continue to make the sports world interesting. At any rate...it's great TV! And please...stay tuned for the next episode of "America's Slobbering Love Affair: Brett Favre."

2012: The Year of Hope for the Party of Lincoln

The countdown on hannity.com says it all...Republicans are ready for change. Just 4 months into office, the American people have seen a lot from the 44th President. The closing of Gitmo, the lift of the ban on stem cell research, a new stimulus bill, car bailouts and failures, a new budget that forces the Government to borrow $0.50 on every $1, new emission standards, a Supreme Court Nominee, speech to the Muslim world, etc. No doubt, even greater socialistic-like policies await. Therefore, Republicans simply can't wait until the 2016 election to put a elephant in the White House. Universal Healthcare (as defined by this administration) will be all but a reality by that point in time. Republicans have to get back to the drawing board in order to solidify support around an individual that can lead the country. Someone who possesses the conservative qualities to appeal to the GOP base, who can still pick up moderate votes along the way. And so...with 1243 days till the 2012 Presidential Election, Yours Truly decided to put on the pundit helmet and throw out possible Republican hopefuls...

Rush Limbaugh...you must be kidding right? The critically acclaimed "Voice of the GOP" has taken a severe stance on the current administration and with nearly 15 million tuning in mon-fri to listen to his banter...he has quite a following. Slim chance the talk show host runs, however...after all Republicans need someone to turn to day in and day out for comfort. Rowe's Rating *

Sarah Palin...how could she not run? A shocking pick by John McCain as his Vice Presidential candidate in 08', the Alaska Govenor shows all the signs of running in 12'. She'll get re-elected in her home state for 10'. She's already gone through the mad criticism machine that is the left-wing media. She appeals to many in middle America. She'll have more years of experience as a govenor by 12'. However, she's not too popular with moderates and even many conservatives in the party do not care for her much. Bottom Line...Republicans are best to pass on Palin for the 12' nomination. She's a patriot...but many will never give her the 2nd shot she deserves. Rowe's Rating...**

Haley Barbour...Govenor of Mississippi. A Southernor who has done an unbelievable job restoring the ravaged coast of his state following Hurrican Katrina. No one will question his ability to handle a crisis. Because of term limits in his state...he can't run for govenor again...a fact that makes it more likely he'll run for President. He's got some baggage that NBC wouldn't have to dig to deep to find, however. Rowe's Rating...**

Bobby Jindal...Governor of Louisiana. For one, he's an Asian running a Southern State. Maybe that helps attract minorities in 12'? After Hurricane Katrina the state of Louisiana looked like the underworld. Homes destroyed, lives lost, cities in rubble...it was a mess. Jindal takes some credit for turning the state around. Not the most charasmatic, however. Rowe's Rating...**

Tim Pawlenty...Govenor of the Minnesota. He was just passed over by McCain for the 08' VP nominee. He can appeal to the broad base. He can win the Great Lake States (exception of Illinois). He's not too well known, however. He'll be a player for the 12' nomination...Rowe's Rating...***

Mark Sanford...Govenor of South Carolina. A Conservative from a Southern State who will not only bring smiles to the faces of Republicans, but to the faces of Libertarians as well. A Reformer, but again...not a lot of name recognition. He could win back some of the states lost in the 08' election however. Rowe's Rating...***

Mike Huckabee...Fmr. Governor of Arkansas, Southern Baptist Minister, and Host of Huckabee on Fox News. I was worried that after the election...Huckabee would fall off the map. The exact opposite has happened...he's weighed in heavily on the political scene keeping his followers and critics close. A man I felt should have grabbed the nomination in 08' is likely to run in 12'. He's got the values and experience to run this grand country. As the people in Iowa found out...he's a very likeable guy...it's just takes time for the magic to wear on. But, will he run (I hope....)?Rowe's Rating...****

Newt Gingrich...Fmr. Speaker of the House, Fox News Contributor, and Author. Of everyone I've mentioned...I think Newt's the strongest. He knows the political spectrum better than anyone I've ever seen. He's got the experience...and the facts and charisma to go with them. In 95' he was Time Magazine's Person of the Year...leading the Republican Revolution that took back the House after 40 years of Democratic domination. Can Newt Gingrich bring hope to the Party of Lincoln? Rowe's Rating *****

But, it's early, more faces will appear on the scene as the months and years fly by...

The Confirmation Battle Begins

The President's first nominee to the nation's highest court, Sonia Sotomayor, will begin the long, painstaking confirmation process Tuesday. The formal hearing is still a month or more away, but the ever important private meetings with top senators will take place in the days to come. Sotomayor will be asked about her views on gay rights, abortion, affirmative action, judicial temperament, constitutional interpretation, etc. She'll have to clarify an outrageous statement she made about a wise latino women possessing more judgement than that of a white male. Sotomayor will also have to answer for many of her rulings that, on paper, seem to discriminate against whites...the firemen case is an example of this notion. She's gone through a similar process twice before...approved as a federal trial judge in 92' and when she was elevated to NY's Second Circuit Court of Appeals, her current post, in 97'. The stakes, however, weren't as high as they are now. Her appointment will be for life and she will be ruling in Obama ideology long after he leaves the White House. Hopefully, Republicans will ignore the far left zealots and haters who paint any criticism against this woman as racial discrimination. This nomination is too important for the Grand Ole Party to run and hide!

Where's W. Now?

Since George W. left Washington in January he's largely avoided much of the social spotlight in light of a quieter, more laid back retirement. Though the Bush bashing from the late night talk show hosts, the NY Times, and NBC News has not completely resided, they have switched much of their focus to the "awe-factor" of President Obama. The former President only serves as a blame child for any mistakes the great change agent makes. The reason I bring all of this up is due to an article published in Newsweek Magazine this past week. These are the same folks who published an article on "The Decline and Fall of Christian America." So even before I perused the info they managed to scrape up on him (Bush didn't voluntarily contriubute to their story...as he shouldn't...Newsweek is an extremely left-wing operation out to get him), I knew what I was getting into. As we all know, Laura and George have settled in a suburb of Dallas in a neighboorhood that Newsweek magazine feels is full of Bush blow-hards...rich oilmen and executives alike. They insisted on pointing out that Bush's homestate of Texas was a wealthy benefactor for him during his rise from the governorship to the Presidency and now to mention his name, even within Republican circles, "is a little like Lord Voldemort's" (chief villan of the Harry Potter book and movie series). "It is a name that shall not be spoken," a reply Newsweek got out of a political consultant Bill Miller. They pointed out that Bush dropped by a local elementary school and he asked the children if they knew who he was. One child replied, "George Washington?" To which George W. replied...George Washington Bush (what a comeback!). Newsweek also made a point to mention that Democrats have made solid gains in the state once a Republican Machine...Obama secured 44% of the vote in Texas during the election and Kerry only picked up 38%. Newsweek forgets one of Texas' own ran in 2004...naturally the Republicans get a greater share of the vote. Texas has always had a strong Democratic hold as well...what about LBJ? They brought up the fact George W. is raising money for his new Presidential Library which will be built on the campus of Southern Methodist University, which according to Newsweek will, "wound the school's academic independence in the process." The whole article was a disgrace for the once famed Newsweek brand. I truly believe that Bush's image 20-25 years down the road will be greatly improved. Bush is slated to release his memoir currently titled "Decision Points" in 2012 which I believe will be a solid defense and insight into many of the reasons he chose to make some of the costly decisions he did while in office. We've heard enough testimony from the prosecution on the failures of the Bush Administration (NY Times, NBC News, etc.)...I'm ready for the defense!

Fighting Back

Finally, the Bush Administration is fighting back against accusations of harsh interrogation techniques of captured terrorists. Dick Cheney, the former Vice President, recently sat down with Fox News's Sean Hannity defending Bush interrogation techniques, saying that they were necessary when an attack on the United States was a likely possibility. According to many far-left advocates, however, the Bush Administration represents the essence of a human rights violator. Liberal media institutions like NBC News and the NY Times wish for officials to use only those interrogation techniques described in the Army Field Manual...essentially, polite conversation. Which is absoultely insane considering millions of Americans lives are on the line. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to put a suspected terrorist through temporary discomfort (like waterboarding), to gain valuable information that could pose a threat to the country. Yet, many members of Congress are pushing the Obama White House to prosecute officials of the Bush Administration for their use of such techniques. And, as it appears, Obama is willing to back a bi-partisan investigation that would ignite the country. Let me make this clear....prosecuting Bush officials for their use of harsh interrogation techniques, which ultimately kept Americans safe, would be permanately damaging for the legacy of Mr. Obama.

Tea Parties

This past Wednesday thousands upon thousands of Americans gathered at cities across the United States all in the name of fiscal responsibility. In Cincinnati, approximately 7,000 people crowded Fountain Square in protest of the government spending millions of dollars on federal stimulus projects. Fox News showed images of thousands outside the Alamo in Texas, the State Capitol of California in Sacramento, Atlanta, GA, Washington, D.C., and the list goes on and on. Picket line signs bared slogans such as “Taxed Too Much Already,” “Don’t Ruin Our Future,” “Give Me Liberty…Not Debt,” and “The United Socialist States of America.” Some were even dressed in colonial wigs with tea bags hanging from their glasses. As House Minority Leader John Boehner, an Ohio Republican would put it, “Across our nation, thousands of Americans are participating in taxpayer tea parties today for one simple reason: overtaxed families and small businesses have had enough.” And it all happened on April 15th, also known as Tax Day, a day that every American loathes to no end. The TEA, Taxed Enough Already, Parties were not organized by big Republican backers wishing to mudsling President Obama and his financial advisors. This was a grassroots movement against crazed government spending that threatens to destroy the lives of Americans not even born yet. And it was all rightly so. The big spending cannot be attributed to only the Republican or Democratic Party, both are at fault. The stimulus bill during the end of the Bush Administration was just the first toll that sparked much of the public outcry that has led to our government whipping out green bills at record pace. But, at least the Republican Party recognized the huge grass roots movement. Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, Mark Stanford, Governor of South Carolina, and Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana, were all involved in Tea Parties in their respective states. Not surprisingly, the Obama White House failed to even make note of the events. The bottom line is that Americans have had enough. Often times, it takes this kind of political participation, unconventional participation, for government leaders to wake up and realize their mistakes.

Christianity and the Mainstream Media

It's no mystery that the mainstream media has willed to deconstruct the so called "evangelical movement" in this country for many years. The real question is why? The United States was founded upon Godly principals, and with over 70% of Americans claiming themselves to be Christians, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense why the media doesn't take a more pro-Christianity stance than they do. Evangelical voters play a huge factor in political elections, epecially in the Southern States. Films in recent years like The Passion of the Christ and Facing the Giants have been huge successes. So, again, why is the media so biased toward evangelicals in this country? The answers...too many biblical points contradict with the media's social agenda. The Bible strongly speaks out against many social injustices like abortion and gay-marriage, both issues are media strongholds. Many of the journalists and editors at the big media corportations (like GE...which owns NBC News, a far left institution) are also extremely liberal, and only serve to cast a shadow of hatred on the evangelical movement. Finally, the Media toy with those who will not fight back. Those folks who they can continually polk with a stick again and again. The Bible speaks on loving another person as one's own self, and therefore, Christians are above the mudslinging that the media take part in everyday.

Responsibility

The entire financial crisis began back in July of 2007 when there was a loss of confidence by investors in the value of mortgages in the United States. As a result, lawmakers hurried to inject a substantial amount of capital into the financial markets using the United States Federal Reserve Bank. Granted, no one can credit the current crisis to any one lawmaker or any one financial committee. The mess was bigger than anyone could have ever expected. But, many of the decisions made by lawmakers after the demise of the housing industry have only come to worsen an economy that was already sliding downward. That being said, I think it's time that Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Ben Bernanke, and Tim Geithner, and every other politician in Washington stop pointing fingers and own up to the mistakes that they have made during this grave situation. Because, it's not going to be government intervention that will solve our problems, but officials allowing time for the markets and industries to correct themselves. I think former President Herber Hoover put it best when speaking on this subject, "Economoic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the economic body-the producers and consumers themselves."

Tough Times for President Obama

For maybe the first time in his political career, Obama is on the ropes! According to Rasmussen Reports, only 56% of Americans say that they approve of the President's performance so far, and only 35% of the folks believe that the country is heading in the right direction. Do these numbers sound similar to reports we were receiving during the end of the Bush Administration? You bet ya! Clearly, the President is worried by the diminishing poll numbers, the economy downfall, and the recent AIG developments. His solution...be a guest on the Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno! And to tell you the truth, maybe that isn't such a bad idea. Obama will work his smooth image that carried him through the election, and he'll answer softball questions while doing it. But, a few nights away from Corruptionville, USA isn't going to clean up an economic mess that would make the folks at Rumpke grimace. Clearly the country is on the backburner at the current time. And granted, he inherited a world of problems. But at the same time, he knew what he was getting into. Should things continue down this slipperly slope that Obama is creating, he will not be remebered as the change agent/FDR that he boasted he was during the campaign. Instead, he'll have to be likened to one of this country's finest fallen heros...Jimmy Carter...