The General, the President, the Failure of Duty

It is a shame that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has no regard for its primary client, the American veteran. Sadly, as we have seen with other federal agencies under this administration, there will be no accountability, other than the dismissal of an administrator who was scheduled to retire next week.

Is that how Barry and the boys want to play this? That this is "unacceptable" and will get "to the bottom of this" latest Obama scandal?

Where have we heard that line of "I got caught but I am blameless" diatribe? The IRS? NSA? GAO? FAST AND FURIOUS? AP? ROSEN? BENGHAZI?  The list goes on!

General Eric Shinseki, as reported in various media, including the ARMY TIMES via USA Today, has been aware of this unfolding failure of compliance for years, since he is the person who has the final review and approval of the GAO reports. Apparently, he also is finding this behavior in the various VA hospitals "unacceptable" (there is that word again) NOW. Why wasn't it "unacceptable" for the last five years?

Was it because he and his team were finally found to be unprepared and, ultimately, incompetent? And only Under Secretary Dr Petzel is the one to bear the consequences of this incompetence? And he was scheduled to retire on May 31? Please! Spare us another gratuitous line of false anger, Barry!

English: Eric K. Shinseki, Official portrait as Chief of Staff of the Army (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why isn't General Shinseki also being dismissed? Does he know too much about some of the failures and why they were permitted to occur? Was he, as a good soldier, following orders from his deceitful, dissembling and incompetent Commander in Chief? 

In the meantime, the doctors, nurses and administrators at the various hospitals altered documents, reports, schedules, etc., and because the statistics looked better than the reality, what was that result? Of course, my friends, bonuses for everyone! Just like at the IRS, the GAO and elsewhere.

In my view, if one wants to work for a bonus program as part of a total compensation package, perhaps working in private industry is the way to go. Then, you can be held accountable for your incompetence and failure to comply with the rules and regulations; and be fired for it. 

Certainly, this latest scandal just proves that the government could save billions of dollars annually by immediately eliminating ANY BONUS PROGRAM FOR ANY FEDERAL EMPLOYEE, not just the VA.

What about the families of the veterans whose lives ended so tragically without any proper medical treatment or end of life care? Will there be compensation for them? Probably not, since miraculously, there is no documentation other than the family member's word. Good job, Barry! You hate the military anyway, so this is ok in your little book. 

Friends, if you think this is an incompetence scandal exclusive to the VA and America's veterans, think again. This is the model of the federal program that will affect each of us under that panacea, lovingly called "Obamacare". Remember when Barry said during the 2012 campaign that he was "proud to have my name attached to" this piece of garbage? Well, this is what it will look like on a broad national level. Now we really know what was in that "signature piece of legislation."

Finally, how can the Lame Stream Media continue to stand idly by, knowing full well that the men and women who fought for the freedom of the press are being abused by a corrupt and totally incompetent administration? Will this FINALLY be the straw that forces the LSM to take a long, hard look at the gilded lily, to admit that the blooms have fallen off the bouquet of thorns? 

I hope so. Americans have lost faith in the Fourth Estate over its failure to report on all the scandals of this administration since January 20, 2009. What will it take for it finally to do its job, if not reporting EVERYTHING it knows about the mistreatment of our cherished veterans by Barry and his boys?

If not this... then what?

A Taxing Issue for Marijuana in Massachusetts

In Thursday's late online edition of the Boston Herald, it was reported that State Senator Brian A. Joyce — who wants all pot sales to be subject to the 6.25 percent sales tax — said he’s adding his amendment to the Senate budget that was released yesterday.

The entire article can be found in the Boston Herald link.

I wrote on April 14 in my commentary, Mary Jane's Business Model that states should certainly consider taxing marijuana, whether it is used for medical or recreational purposes. It is a tax which will be rolled (no pun intended) into the cost of the product sold at the dispensary. The add-on of 6.25% that Senator Joyce is writing into law seems to conform to the other States and the District of Columbia which have legalized marijuana for medical use. Only Illinois has not applied a sales tax at the point of sale from the distributor to the dispensary.

As of this writing, 22 States and the District have legalized it  for medical use and are in various stages to implement its sale, with more States ready to get on board.

English: Medical Marijuana surrounding a vaporizer for healthy intake of the medicine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Certainly, debate on this bill will be spirited since advocates on both sides of the proposal have raised legitimate arguments both for and against a tax on medical marijuana. The proponents for the tax understand it cannot be too high or buyers will continue to use the streets to purchase, while opponents feel additional taxes will prove to be burdensome for those already financially strapped due to higher medical costs.

In the end, compromise and common sense must prevail in Massachusetts. We will see how this plays out as legislators resolve next year’s budget and the various amendments attached to it.

Hopefully, in the end, this issue will be resolved with little fanfare and less stress than most people anticipate. After all, Massachusetts does not want to see its marijuana law take an unnecessary hit as it tries to get its law off the ground.

Otherwise, those who medically need marijuana as a solution will instead see their panacea to pain and suffering go up in smoke.

Finding the Truth: Watergate and Benghazi

To my Republican, Democrat, Liberal, Conservative and Independent friends: we are Americans first and as Americans, we should welcome the investigation to be made by the House Select Committee on Benghazi, no matter where it leads.

For those of us who remember the current events of 1972, which ultimately led to the resignation of a President in the face of certain impeachment, and deservedly so, Republicans screamed witch hunt much like Democrats are screaming now. But as we discovered to our collective horror that such despicable action and activity could be made by one who was sworn to uphold the Constitution, and didn't, we were all satisfied that the Committee did the job it was supposed to do.

Find the truth, wherever it leads.

During the Watergate investigation, we learned new terms like, abuse of power, stonewalling, follow the money, obstruction of justice, and terms that cannot be published in this family-rated site. We also learned that the chief law enforcement officer of our nation actively directed a third-rate burglary from his offices inside the Department of Justice, and that the Counsel to the President acted as a messenger between the burglars and the Chief of Staff to the President, and even to the President himself, all to assure the President's re-election in what was considered a close race in early 1972.

Yes, many laws were broken, but no one died.

What are the supporters of this President afraid of with a similar investigation of a terrible event in our history? That he abused his power? Obstructed justice? Lied for political advantage? Manipulated the truth for his self-serving ego?

Richard Nixon was quoted as saying that the American people had to right to know if their President was a crook. It took some time, but in the end, while he didn't actually steal money or goods, he nearly stole the sanctity of what we all held near and dear: that the idea of the Constitution, you know, the document which makes us who we are, was almost stolen away in the dead of night on June 21, 1972. Or, at least, inside the Oval Office during a conversation that day between the President and his advisors.

Wouldn't this President's supporters want to make certain the same thing did NOT happen between September 11, 2012 and at the point Susan Rice went on the Sunday morning news shows on September 16? Certainly, if the President were misled by someone on his staff or within the Administration, wouldn't even the President want that individual revealed who committed the crime which is now hampering his second term? Wouldn’t we all want to know who gave the order to our military to stand down, leaving an American ambassador and three key members of his team on the field of battle to die a horrible death, with nary a finger lifted to attempt to save them?

 Wouldn't that, at this point, be the difference it really makes?

So, who can stand there now, with a straight face and say that Benghazi and Watergate are really any different? Anyone? If you still do, then you either enjoy being lied to by your "government" or you will believe anything blindly which is spoken by Jay Carney, the modern-day Ron Zeigler, who ultimately has destroyed himself and his credibility, by lying for this Administration, much like Zeigler did for Nixon's until August 9, 1974.

Face it, folks. It is time to be honest with ourselves, even if our government isn't honest with us, and admit we were lied to by key members of the Obama Administration, in order to protect individuals who have now caused this second Constitutional crisis in forty years. We have, as we learned by Watergate, the right to believe that our constitutionally elected officers, and that administration, are held to the same standard of law as the rest of us. Otherwise, what is the point?

If the Minority Leader and her minions still wish to abrogate their duties not to serve on the Select Committee that certainly is their right. But, she has no right to prohibit or prevent other sincere individuals of her party from serving their Nation to request to the Speaker to serve, without prejudice, on a Committee, Constitutionally authorized, whose sole purpose is to find the truth, no matter where it leads. Those who do finally serve will show that Country before Party is one of our highest ideals.

Let us end the partisan bickering of an event, which is threatening to irreversibly divide us along party lines, and instead, unite us as Americans to find the truth, no matter where it leads. That really is the American way, isn't it?

North Carolina In Play

As many of you know, I supported Heather Grant for many reasons, mostly for political reasons, and one very important personal reason: the fact that she is a Nurse Practitioner. As you may know, nurses generally have a special place in my heart, especially since it was a Nurse Practitioner who realized I had cancer in July, 2011.

I plan to remain friends with Heather going forward, as I feel she is a decent human being and someone I know shares many of my values and opinions on the issues of the day. Thank you, Heather, for showing us how to run a clean campaign, talking up yourself without dragging buckets of mud to throw against your opponents.

Thom Tillis was the big winner in North Carolina on Tuesday, capturing more than the 40% necessary to avoid a run-off. As I said in my commentary "The Importance of North Carolina" from May 5,  "If no candidate gets at least 40% of the vote, the runner-up has the option to request that run-off," and further stated which would work "to the detriment of the winner and would boost Senator Hagan's chances for re-election."

Well, in spite of Senator Hagan's spin and that of her aides, Mr. Tillis certainly is a viable candidate poised to defeat the Senator in November. Ultimately, as it stands now, like most Americans, North Carolinians by a wide margin dislike Obamacare, which Ms. Hagan enthusiastically supports. That will be the issue in North Carolina, followed by who could do the best job for the middle class.

Senator Rand Paul, who had backed Tea Party favorite, Greg Bannon, posted to Facebook, his support for Mr. Tillis, emphasizing it was "time for our party to unite" to defeat Hagan. In addition, Rob Engstrom, national political director of the US Chamber said, "Tillis is the candidate best positioned to defeat Sen. Hagan in November, and he provides a clear contrast on issues important to our Members." He continued, "We welcome that debate" who best could provide economic growth in North Carolina.

I wholeheartedly agree. On November 4, vote for Thom Tillis as North Carolina's next Senator.    

The Importance of North Carolina

On Tuesday, May 6, North Carolina will hold its primaries. The race, I think, of the most importance is the Republican race for US Senator. Barring a run-off, the winner's next battle will be against Senator Kay Hagan in November.

If no candidate gets at least 40% of the vote, the runner-up has the option to request that run-off, which would be held on July 15. That would work, I believe, to the detriment of the winner and would boost Senator Hagan's chances for re-election.

Presently, there are eight candidates on the ballot. The top four, based on polls, are Heather Grant, Thom Tillis, Greg Bannon and Mark Harris. Each of these individuals is truly qualified for the post, more so than the incumbent, as they all have leadership skills.

​- ​Thom Tillis is the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives

​- Greg Bannon is a physician and Tea Party Activist

​- ​Mark Harris is Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Charlotte and President of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina

​- ​Heather Grant is a Nurse Practitioner and retired First Lieutenant (promotable) who was  Branch Chief of Behavioral Health Care Coordination at Ft Bliss, Texas

Based on polls, Ms. Grant is trailing the three men,  but it is a funny thing about polls. As I wrote in my commentary on April 21, The Poll on Polls

"The only poll which matters is the one taken on Primary Day or Election Day. But not all polls are about candidates, right? Issues of the day probably in the long run, matter more. It is the issues which influence our feelings about a candidate, how he or she measures up to our own values."

I have looked at all four of the Republican front-runners in North Carolina and I believe, as I said above, each is qualified based on his experience and leadership skills. But based on my own set of values, if I were a resident of North Carolina, I would vote for Heather Grant.

I believe that she understands the problems we all face, living from paycheck to paycheck, maintaining a home, raising children, in an economy which is uncertain, at best. Over the last year, I have spoken with her several times and found her to be an articulate, thoughtful person who truly gets it. She is able to take on difficult problems and find solutions which make sense.

In a field clustered with so many qualified men, she is the bright spot who will be able to take on Kay Hagan on an equal footing, without being called a "bully" by the Main Stream Media, but it is up to the residents of North Carolina to make that distinction on Tuesday, as much as I have now.

For all this and more, I am looking forward to calling Heather Grant, Senator Grant in January. Let's make that a reality. 

Loyalty, the Constitution and Us

A friend of mine posted a picture on Facebook on Thursday which resulted in a spirited conversation on the subject. Please bear with me as I would like to share it with you.

She posted: Loyalty - noun: the state or quality, or an instance of being loyal. Faithfulness to commitments or obligations.

She commented: This is what most of our politicians seem not to have toward the Constitution or to the American citizens.

I replied: Being loyal to the Constitution is not same as being loyal to the leader of a government. We don't require loyalty oaths, do we? We pledge allegiance to the flag which is the physical symbol of the United States. We take an oath to support and defend the Constitution. We don't do either to a man or woman. We are not Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, the PRC, Cuba or any other totalitarian state.

She responded: Is the Oath of Office a commitment or obligation?  Should they be held accountable for faithfulness to those? They are our Representatives supposedly; do they make commitments to us? Should they be faithful in those? That is what I'm referring to. By the way, the iCaucus vetting requires commitments on fiscal, limited government, and constitutional principles.

I stated: I believe the Oath of Office includes both a commitment AND an obligation.  They are obliged to us, the people they work for and they

English: Detail of Preamble to Constitution of the United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

must uphold the commitment to defend and protect the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. This current Congress, as well as those elected since 2006, have failed miserably as they put party and the man ahead of the people. As I recall that would be Nazi, Communist and other non-American forms of government. Certainly, it is not a representative democracy or republican federalist government.

She answered: Ahh! Now I see what you were referring to LOL. Thank you for clarifying for me :)

I stated: I knew you knew. But does the great unwashed? Sadly, most of us forgot our junior high and high school civics and social studies.

She replied: That is why it is incumbent on all of US to reach out beyond our comfort zones and quit speaking only to the choir. They will never know if they don't receive the education or if they have received the revised education.

I responded: I do and so do you. I agree generally with the principles of iCaucus. I think u know that about me.

She answered: Yes, I do know that about you, lol.

We went on to other topics at this point.

I share this with you so that you understand that there are many who feel as I do, and you do, too. It is really up to all of us to try to carry the message that seems to be lost in our schools and colleges.

Sadly, school boards and administrators are more concerned about state aid than about educating our children. I have talked to many teachers across this country (one of the many benefits of social media) and to a person they all indicated that their curriculum requires that in all classes, they must teach to the state test. Even in Civics, Social Studies and History.

The points that were raised in that conversation point to the lack of real knowledge how our government is SUPPOSED to work. Our kids require remedial learning of the American government. Instead, for so many years, students have learned their Civics from 30-second sound bites.

These are the leaders upcoming over the next 20 years. We need to get them up to speed on Jeffersonian Democracy, and fast! In addition, our current bevy of leaders needs to remember that their loyalties aren't to the Democrats or Republicans or to Bush or to Obama or anyone else, except "WE THE PEOPLE". 

You know, the first three words to the American scripture we call "The Constitution of the United States of America."

Bi-Partisanship and Medical Marijuana

Florida's State Senate exercised some real common sense on Monday, April 28. In a stunningly overwhelming vote by Florida's senate​, by a vote of 36-3, the State Senate voted to legalize a strain of low-THC marijuana called Charlotte's web to be used to treat epileptic seizures in children. It was reported on Tuesday by the Associated Press via MyFox Tampa Bay that this bill which will help sick children will now go to the Florida House for its consideration. 

​As you​ know, I am a firm believer in Medical Marijuana, despite what studies at Northwestern and the Journal of the American Heart Association may have revealed. There are so many other studies which have shown that marijuana which was used medicinally had so many more healing properties. As with any drug including alcohol,  if it is abused of course there will be negative outcomes. Certainly, if it is used for the intended reason, the benefits will outweigh the detriments.

As you may know, there is an initiative on the Florida ballot in November to consider a Constitutional Amendment to approve the legalization and usage of medical marijuana. In addition, a FOX 13 poll taken on Monday revealed that 88%, you read that right, EIGHTY-EIGHT PERCENT of their viewers, think medical marijuana should be legalized. That is a real indication how the vote will go in November.

Medical marijuana Acapulco gold (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The bill, as passed in the Senate, had real bi-partisan support. The House bill also has bi-partisan support with Republican Matt Gaetz and Democrat Katie Edwards as co-sponsors of the House version of the bill. With that much support, the conference to iron out differences should be an easy affair. Opponents of the bills have indicated since the FDA hasn't approved marijuana or any of its ancillary substances, they are uncomfortable to vote in favor of medical marijuana. Sounds like a cop-out to me.

It is time for all lawmakers and us to put our big boy and big girl pants on and take a stand to finally use marijuana as a medical solution to so many illnesses and side effects of their "cures". I realize that cannabidiol (CBD) and THC are at least borderline controlled substances. But then, so is the formula that makes Jack Daniels, Seagrams 7, Budweiser and Merlot.

We need to be adults about marijuana and finally recognize it for its medical benefits. As of this writing, there are 21 states and the District of Columbia which have legalized it for its medical benefits. Surely, at least five more states will do so by the end of the year. It is time to pass a comprehensive law which will legalize it nationally for medicinal purposes.

You know how I feel about this issue. How do you feel?