President Announces Troop Surge To Afghanistan In Address To Nation

President Obama has a difficult time tomorrow night in convincing the nation of his planned troop surge into Afghanistan. During the Campaign last year President Obama spoke of Afghanistan in the most dire situation and how the real conflict was in Afghanistan not Iraq. Throughout the campaign he stated that when he becomes President he would increase troop levels, unfortunately since he has been president his rhetoric has not matched his promises from the campaign.

From the beginning of his administration the only time that the President has spoken to the American people regarding Afghanistan was during his announcement in March of a comprehensive new strategy for Afghanistan, then briefly in August to a veterans group. Other than a few occasions, the president hasn’t spoken to the American people on why we should be involved in Afghanistan.

Often individuals when they find out that I have served in Afghanistan and well read on the situation ask me point blank questions regarding why are we still there? These questions point o a growing lack of clarity from this administration to the American people on our continued presence in Afghanistan.

Tomorrow when the president addresses the nation at the West Point Military Academy, he will be addressing four audiences. The first one is clear convincing the American people on our continued commitment and what it means to the security of this nation. Next he must convince members of his own party who are resisting any troop increase to Afghanistan. He then has to convince our NATO allies of our commitment and staying power as they will be asked to contribute additional forces that will supplement our own. Finally the Afghan people will want to know what are intentions are? Are we going to stay the course or will we abandon them like we have done so many times in the past!

Politics will play an enormous part in this equation, but if the president begins to plays partisan politics with this decision with the eye on the mid-term elections or how it will affect his re-election then it will have disastrous results.

This decision should be based on what is best for the nation’s security and nothing else!

President to Convene Job Summit Next Week

Washington is in panic mode right now with unemployment rising to the highest level in a generation and with the mid-term elections looming over the horizon, Democrats want to see this reversed before Americans head to the polls next November.

Currently Congressional Democrats are crafting a multi-billion dollar job bill and hope to be able to have before the president sometime in January. The question that I would pose to Congressional Democrats, since January you have been touting how the stimulus package saved us from the brink and even Vice President Joseph Biden spoke how the stimulus package created economic growth in the third quarter this year. Now you want to spend billions more, wasn’t the stimulus package supposed to keep unemployment from going higher than 8% as stated by the president?

The problem is both political parties are more concerned with helping their benefactors then helping small businesses grow. Democrats are anchored at the hip to labor and environmental groups and place their interests above sound business practices.

Republicans look to corporate America for support and small businesses get the shoved to the curb. Both parties need to look to small business as the link to economic security. Small Businesses account for close to 80% of all economic activity in this country. President Obama’s much touted economic stimulus bill went mainly to corporations, financial institutions, state governments, and auto companies everyone that created the financial mess in the first place.

You want to create economic growth then help small businesses succeed. The job summit that President Obama will convene next week will be have plenty of representatives from Corporate America, labor and other groups but I bet minimal participation will come from small businesses across America.

Right now there should be a freeze on all legislation out of Washington until it assesses how it impacts small businesses. One only has to look at California and how short sited government intervention created the financial mess California finds itself in.

Washington is heading in the same direction, it can be reversed but government intervention into the market place will have dire consequences for the nation. This President has spent more money in one year than any president in the history of the nation, yet unemployment continues to rise.

Help small business and you help America.

TV host Leeann Tweeden Served Thanksgiving Dinner to troops Serving in Afghanistan

FHM cover model and TV host Leeann Tweeden served up some Thanksgiving lunch to 5/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, on Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan.

Thanksgiving Being Served In Iraq

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division having Thanksgiving at Patrol Base Doria in Kirkuk, Iraq

Thanksgiving in Iraq

Service members stationed in Iraq preparing and eating a Thanksgiving dinner.

http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=73929

Let’s Remember Our Veterans This Thanksgiving

Across America millions of American’s will celebrate the joy of Thanksgiving with family and friends, but others will spend their Thanksgiving far from home and far from family. For those serving in the Armed Forces of this nation on the front lines of freedom in Iraq & Afghanistan they will be protecting the freedom that we cherish enabling us to be with our family.

This Thanksgiving let’s take the time to remember all that we have and the freedom that we enjoy. Take the time to say a prayer for our brave men & women who give up everything so that we may live in freedom. Too often we fail to realize all that we have and all the benefits that this nation has to offer. We seem to only dwell on the negative aspect of America, instead looking at its countless blessings.

Today brings back many memories have countless Holiday spent overseas while serving with the Marines, but one holiday truly stands out was the one I spent Thanksgiving in Afghanistan. That day was like any other day, but the only difference was I knew it was Thanksgiving and my thoughts always went back to reflecting to my family.

My thoughts took me back into time as I reflected on past Thanksgivings and the wonderful holiday meal that was prepared by my mother who had the care of an angel. Her happiness was providing a bountiful meal for my brothers and myself with her joy seeing us devour the delicious meal.

The image would be interrupted by the sounds of conflict and bring me back to reality, but for a fleeting moment I was in another more tranquil place. Today, all military personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places across the globe will reflect back to their own Thanksgiving memories.

Let’s remember them and the sacrifice that they and their families give to us so we can be with our families. Today let’s think of them, it’s the least we can do!

What Hapens toThese Children When Taliban Return

Afghanistan is country with a long historical past with Americans only beginning to understand the complexity of this nation. Many pundits have articulated the need for the United States to exit Afghanistan as no nation has been successful there and our continued presence will have us suffer the same fate as Britain and Russia.

The problem with all the pundits is that there historical analysis is far of the mark, but the one question that I would like to pose to these experts is what happens to these children when we leave and let the Taliban return?

With my Deployment to Afghanistan in the aftermath of 9/11, the people and especially the children I encountered all want a better future. They see the United States not as an occupying force, but the one nation that forced the brutal Taliban regime from power. My greatest and lasting memory of my time in Afghanistan was providing school supplies to a girl’s school that is operating for the first time in almost a decade.

The photo attached is two small girls who received from my church in the states their first toy of any kind. The dolls were made by young girl in my church’s youth program as part of a project that sent over thirty five handmade Islamic friendly dolls to young girls in Afghanistan.

All the young girls that I had the chance to speak to all want an education and were thrilled beyond belief when Americans brought schools supplies providing an opportunity to further their education that had been denied by the Taliban.

Children all over Afghanistan want an education, the girl’s school that the U.S. military built was intended for 800, but over 1,000 showed up eager to learn. Contrast that with educational standards in the U.S. with our huge dropout rate and apathy toward education in many quarters. Here you have children eager to learn and learning in the most primitive setting.

What happens to the girls who received these dolls when the Taliban return? What happens to the 40% of Afghan girls receiving an education today? The pundits never speak of them as they are just pawns, but to those who served in Afghanistan I think of all these girls returning to brutality and depravation if the Taliban return!

Decision Next Week on Troop Surge to Afghanistan

The Obama Administration will announce his troop surge strategy to Afghanistan next week. Whatever strategy emerges next week this will be his and no one else; he owns this now! In March, the president made a strategic mistake by announcing a strategy that was not thought out, but really only articulated in broad concepts. There was no detailed thought out strategy put forward by the administration on the change of objectives from the previous administrations efforts in Afghanistan.

In fairness to the Administration the president inherited a war in Afghanistan from the Bush Administration who failed to provide a strategy in Afghanistan, nor did they have any effective civil-military plan, failed to coordinate with our NATO allies and administered ineffectively the international aid. Had the Bush Administration put together a viable coherent strategy for Afghanistan we may not be in this situation today.

With all that said, the President must stop re-visiting the past on what the Bush Administration failed to do in Afghanistan and what he failed to articulate in March by rushing into a strategy that was not fully thought out. His strategy has to have a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy for Afghanistan at the same time address the deteriorating situation in Pakistan.

The president must use all his powers of persuasion to gain the support of congress and most importantly the American people who have become skeptical of continued operations in Afghanistan. Partisan politics cannot be part of the equation as the stakes are too high for America to fail. Any failure on our part will only embolden Islamic extremism in the region and further destabilize the Central Asian region to our detriment.

When the president addresses the nation next week is other audience will be our NATO allies as they will watching and listening to his remarks. The president will have to convince our European allies to send more forces to Afghanistan and will have to be convinced they we have staying power. America’s track record is very thin in this respect.

The presidents has to come out forceful and decisively on what are the short term and long term strategy of our efforts and not paint them in broad rosy terms. The path ahead will be challenging and at times hard in terms in personal and material, but failure will have catastrophic consequence for the nation and the world.

Whatever strategy the president articulates to the nation next week he has to have the conviction to see it through and not buckle under to political pressure when the going gets tough.

The stakes are too high for us and the world!

The President Will Make a Decision Next Week on Troop Surge to Afghanistan

The Obama Administration will announce his troop surge strategy to Afghanistan next week. Whatever strategy emerges next week will be his and no one else; he owns this now! In March, the president made a strategic mistake by announcing a strategy that was not thought out, but really only broad concepts. There was no detailed strategy put forward by the administration on the change of objectives from the previous administrations efforts in Afghanistan.

In fairness to the Administration he inherited a war in Afghanistan from the Bush Administration who failed to have any strategy for Afghanistan, nor did it have any effective civil-military plan, failed to coordinate with our NATO allies and administered ineffectively the international aid. Had the Bush Administration put together a viable coherent strategy for Afghanistan we may not be in this situation today.

Now the President must stop re-visiting the past on what the Bush Administration failed to do in Afghanistan and what he failed to do in March by rushing into a strategy that was not fully thought out. His strategy has to have a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy for Afghanistan at the same time address the deteriorating situation in Pakistan.

The president must use all his powers of persuasion to gain the support of congress and most importantly the American people who have become skeptical of continued operations in Afghanistan. Partisan politics cannot be part of the equation as the stakes are too high for America to fail. Any failure on our part will only embolden Islamic extremism in the region and the world and further destabilize the Central Asian region to our detriment.

The presidents has to come out forceful and decisively on what are the short term and long term strategy of our efforts and not paint them in broad rosy terms. The path ahead will be challenging and at times hard in terms in personal and material, but failure will have catastrophic consequence for the nation and the world.

Whatever strategy the president articulates to the nation next week he has to have the conviction to see it through and not buckle under to political pressure when the going gets tough.
The stakes are too high for us and the world!

Joblessness a Threat to Americas National Security

Right now the greatest threat to the nations security is the vast numbers of unemployed Americans, but what is being done about it; nothing! The vast pools of unemployed Americans will reduce the amount of revenue that will enable the country to reduce the size of its national debt. The Obama Administrations only answer to this crisis is massive government spending that has only increased the size of the national debt and raised the number of Americans who are unemployed.

The economic stimulus plan that was ushered in the early days of this administration was supposed to stabilize unemployment at around 8%, but it is now 10.2% and by most economic forecasts will continue to go much higher. The economic stimulus has to be considered a failure went only to maintaining public sector employment with very little of it going to infrastructure improvement.

If you speak to small businesses across the nation that will tell you the same thing that there is a fear of what the future will bring. The administration just doesn’t get it businesses will not be spending any additional revenue to expand the employment in their companies as they know more taxes will be coming from Washington.

This congress and this administration are increasing the economic burden on small businesses who account for about 80% of economic activity in this country. Next month a job summit will be held in Washington, but most likely the only ones in attendance will be representatives from labor and corporations, but small businesses will be left in the cold as they don’t have the political clout that gives special interest money to the power brokers in Washington.

If this administration wants to create economic growth, then it needs to reduce the heavy tax burden on small businesses, over haul the cumbersome regulatory system, elevate the byzantine economic strangulation of suffocating environmental laws, and over haul the litigation system in this nation.

The administration has spent too much effort by bailing out banks and corporate America who placed short term profits over sound economic policy and placed America at the brink. Stop the bail outs, end corporate welfare and focus on small business will then America will be able to recover economically.

The future of America is in the hands of this administration! He can blame anyone he wants, but the mantle is on his shoulder and no one else. Mr. President Lead!

California Again Facing Fiscal Calamity

Same old story, but again California is facing fiscal calamity! How can the eight largest economy in the world be is such dire straits? The California crisis was caused by an irresponsible state government, with both Democrats and Republicans complicit for the mess that California faces.

During the Dot Com boom and real estate bubble that brought in a flood of revenue to state coffers with Democrats committing the state to unsustainable spending. Republicans were just as egregious by pushing reckless tax cuts that the state could not sustain, coupled with the massive bonds voted by taxpayers the state was unable to keep up current spending when revenues began to fall.

The combination of disastrous financial irresponsibility by both political parties and by taxpayer approved bond measures has the state near financial collapse.

The problem is that state has a chronic budget shortfall with each political party refusing to bend on taxes or spending reduction to solve the current budget nightmare the state finds itself. A combination of both will have to be looked at if the state is to recover.

Currently the state has a chaotic method of financing its budget by relying on a small percentage of wealthy Californians to pay for its fiscal spending. When this small percentage does well the state profits, but when they don’t the state suffers deeply. That is why the state fluctuates between boom or bust budgeting cycle of governing.

The state needs an equitable overhaul of how the state brings in revenue that will aline the state into more reasonable and steady financial revenue stream that removes the state from the boom and bust cycle.

The other and more perverse area that has to be addressed is that the state has to have a better accounting of how it spends its money. Too often state spending has been high jacked by labor, environmental and anti-business groups that place their interests above what is best for the state.

California public spending is rife with corruption, gross misappropriation of spending that borders on criminal that is akin to how Enron operated.

This situation by Sacramento has made California one of the worst states to operate a business and to retire in. The adage is you make your money in California but retire to other states!

The state needs major changes and with the current gubernatorial election less than a year away neither candidate has articulated a coherent plan for overcoming the crisis that California faces.

The state is heading for bankruptcy and the people of the state will suffer as a result and with it will be a drag on the national economy! Washington better look how California is governed, because you are heading the same direction!

China Lectures U.S. About National Debt

China lectures the United States during President Obama recent trip to the Asia about its continued federal debt. It’s strange that China, a communist nation is growing concerned with capitalist America over huge government spending.

The previous administration was reckless and paid no attention to the mounting debt that the nation accumulated, and during the campaign candidate Obama was right to complain about the ballooning federal expenditures.

Fast forward to President Obama’s Administration and his policies and those of Congressional Democrats are now making President Bush and Congressional Republicans look like fiscal stewards of fiscal responsibility.

Since the Obama Administration assumed the presidency in January federal expenditures have soared to astronomical heights and will continue with the current health care reform legislation now be crafted in the Senate.

China and other nations are highly concerned with massive debt being accumulated and are wary of their investments as they hold billions of U.S. treasury notes. This nation must first begin to get a handle on massive government spending that will have a direct impact on inflation and higher interest rates.

The presidents massive spending in the public sector will do nothing to create or simulate job growth. Only by unleashing the creativity of private sector, investing in infrastructure that produce innovation in manufacturing, technology, research and development areas will the nation produce the revenue stream that will begin to lower the deficit.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs have always been the back bone of this nation, but unless this administration seeks to lessen the burden placed on it by overzealous federal government it will continue the economic spiral of decline. The administration has to stop listening to highhanded labor and environmental groups who only enrich themselves at the expense of the nation.

Remember in President Eisenhower’s Farewell address to the nation he stated,” We must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.”

As a nation we should fear those who will highjack public policy for their own design!

The Economy Still Sputters Along

President Obama campaigned last year that he would not be beholden to special interest and that his administration will stand up for the American people. I guess that was all campaign rhetoric! It has recently been reported that Andy Stern, President of the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) a labor union that has provided close to $60 million 2008 political campaign has had over 20 visits to the White House.

When speaking against special interests group is fashionable as long as it’s the other guy’s special interests that you are criticizing. Do other groups who have opinions that our different from the president have the same access?

The stimulus package that the this administration touts as keeping the economy from heading to the brink of financial disaster seems to go to those groups that supported the president, including state and local governments backed by municipal unions that supported Democratic candidates.

At the same time that U.S. stimulus package was being spent on bloated government projects with minimal spending on infrastructure project, China was enacting its own stimulus spending and almost all of it was spent on infrastructure spending: their economy is expanding while ours is contracting.

What are we getting with all this government spending? Nothing but bloated government spending that is bankrupting this country!

Does small business have the same access as labor? This administration came to power with the mantle of “Change We Can Believe In.” The change we got was special interests that favor this president get the support and taxpayer funding at the expense of the American people.

The economy will continue to decline and more Americans will face dire financial situations until this president puts Americans first!

I am not holding my breath!

U.S. Fiscal Solvency a Threat To National Security

Right now America faces a grave threat to its national security, not from a foreign threat, this one is self inflicted; the inability of the federal government to control spending! Both political parties contributed to the massive federal debt and both parties have done nothing to reign in government spending.

Republicans speak of the reckless nature of President Obama and the Democratic controlled congress accelerated government spending this year, but when Republicans controlled both branches of government adding to federal debt was a minor annoyance.

The fact remains that Washington must begin to reign in government spending or this nation will face serious repercussions. Currently we are witnessing the rise of the cost of gold, and the lowering of the dollar, now in the short term this helps U.S. exports overseas, as it makes are exports cheaper, but this cannot be sustained forever.

Maintaining a large debt makes foreign investors nervous as they at some point will refuse to finance our extravagant spending without our ability to reduce our federal debt. Currently our fate is in the hands of foreign creditors such as China & Japan to name a few, if that continues it compromises our economy at home.

The Obama Administration is perusing a flawed strategy of massive government spending to spur the nation’s economy out its current economic stagnation. A misinterpretation of history by this administration will only continue the stagnation of the nation’s economy and not the growth sought.

The administration needs to focus on getting American business back to concept of long range planning and not short term profit at the expense of sustained economic activity. Right now the heart and soul of American economic growth are languishing in over regulation, high rate of taxation, byzantine economic laws, government policies that place labor over the laws of economics that cripple small businesses and entrepreneurs from expanding economic growth.

Right now what is stifling economic growth is government and bloated corporations that have failed basic laws of business! It seems odd that as I was putting my business together the first thing was putting together a viable and comprehensive business plan; but major corporations don’t have to! This is beyond comprehension!

If the Obama fails to control spending, fails to spur economic growth then the American economy will face economic stagnation and continued economic uncertainty.

Still No Decision On Afghan Troop Increase

The Obama Administration still hasn’t made the decision on sending additional troops to Afghanistan as requested by General Stanley McChrystal back in August. Wednesday the President met with his National Security team and expressed displeasure with the options presented and sent Defense officials back to the Pentagon to re-define different strategy options.

The Administration is receiving conflicting information from various national security experts all under the guise of history repeating itself reflecting back into time when President Lyndon Johnson had to chart a similar course. The president must understand that one can misinterpret history and come to a different conclusion.

Too often the decision to send forces into harm’s way are difficult and complex, but always the analogy of Vietnam rears its ugly head. Similarities will always be there, but each conflict is different, in this situation one can be mislead into a false reading of past conflicts that hamper ones decision making capability.

In fairness to the Administration the critique from former Vice President Dick Chaney is unwarranted, had the Bush Administration funded, sourced and placed together a viable coherent strategy for Afghanistan we may not be in this situation today. Now President Obama must realize he is now president and has to stop revisiting the past and make his decision, to continue to focus on the missteps of the previous administration just brings you back to the current crisis. Unfortunately President Obama is falling into the same trap as the previous administration by perusing a strategy of engagement at the same time wanting an exit strategy.

General McChrystal presented a detailed thought provoking comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy that gives the United States the chance to turn the situation around. Too often we are left with political pundits on both sides of the political spectrum debating Afghanistan on flawed information and the misreading of history.

This is not Vietnam, this is Afghanistan! The perception the administration is conveying is he doesn’t know what he wants to do, and whatever strategy ultimately develops the impression that his stomach isn’t in this fight and will find any excuse to abandon Afghanistan.

The citizens of Afghanistan look at America not as occupiers in the mold of the Russians and British but one of liberating them from the repressive Taliban regime. The problem is that they are unsure of are staying power, as they realize whatever transpires they will be stuck with the consequences.

To the pundits who articulate withdrawal or the counterterrorism strategy advocated by Vice President Joseph Biden, the question must be asked what happens to the people who supported us or the 40% of Afghan girls currently attending school today when the Taliban return?

The consequence of failure will be on this administration and no one else!

Remembering Those Who Serve

Today, the nation takes time to remember the sacrifices of all veterans who have served this nation whether in peace or in war. Right now thousands of brave men and women are serving in harms’ way in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of the globe to preserve the liberty we enjoy.

Often many of those in uniform sacrifice every being of their body so that this nation can enjoy the fruits of liberty. Americans should pause and reflect on those who sacrifice everything that enable us to spend time with our families.

We begin this month by remembering all those men & women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of liberty and then end the month celebrating Thanksgiving as a time to reflect all we are thank full for. I am always thankful for what this country offers and what this nation offers the world!

Whenever trouble stirs or a crisis erupts the world looks to America and often it’s the armed forces who answer that call that brings peace to a trouble land or rescues a nation in despair.

Too often individuals speak of contempt for this nation, but one only needs to remember what this nation brought to the world. At no time has America had any design on any area of the world except the piece of land that holds the final resting place of service personnel who lost their lives.

This Veterans Day, let’s take the time and remember all those who serve in the armed forces of this great nation, but also those who have served the cause of freedom, but have never come home that lay in the battlefields across the globe. In the last century their lives have ended in places called Belleau Wood, the Argonne, Omaha Beach, Salerno, and half way around the world on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Pork Chop Hill, The Chosin Reservoir, and hundreds of rice paddies and jungles in Vietnam.

In our lifetime they fell in the Persian Gulf, Somalia, the mountains of Afghanistan, Fallujah, Nasiriyah, Ramadi, and on the streets of Baghdad.

This Veterans Day, let us remember those who are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the globe preserving the freedoms that we enjoy.

Freedom is too precious a gift not to remember the gallant warriors serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. Lets honor all who serve, it’s the least we can do!

High Unemployment Still Confronts America

Next year begins the all important mid-term election with both Republicans and Democrats looking for any political advantage that will give them victory in 2010. The nation is still one year away and anything can happen that will shape the electoral landscape, a foreign crisis or as we see now the economy will the core issue for most voters.

Right now more than any issues the economy will be the issue that voters will be concerned with as they head to the polls in 2010. If the economy is still in its current stagnation with unemployment high then it will be a long night for Democrats, but if the economy begins to rebound then expect the Democrats to retain their majority in Congress.

Right now a lot of uncertainty faces the Democrats in Congress. Last week unemployment rose to 10.2% the highest since the recession of the early 80’s, and the current debate on health care reform have numerous Democrats worried as they know that whatever happens they will be held accountable.

The best answer for Democrats is that unemployment needs to start coming down and the uncertainty that has plagued America has to be changed or else the Democrats will face dim electoral prospect.

This doesn’t make it easier for Republicans; they need to come up a viable message that focuses more on issues that Americans care about and less on social issues. A queue for them is looking at the Virginia Gubernatorial race as a key to success in 2010. Republican Bob McDonnell won by focusing more on issues that voter cared about and less on social issues.

The 2010 election will be all about the economy! All other issues will be second tier issues, even the war in Afghanistan will not be addressed as more Americans are worried about if they will have a job or be able to find quality jobs.

Candidates that focus on economic issues will have a better chance than those that focus on social or engage in partisan politics. The facts are this “It’s the Economy Stupid.”

Stock Market Surges, but Americans Still Suffer

The U.S. Stock Market hit record highs today, but this still does nothing to translate into anything benefiting average Americans. The recession that began in 2007, with economist stating that the recession seems to ebbing, unfortunately for those unemployed they are not seeing any job creation.

The change that President Obama brought to Washington was massive government spending, government takeover of the auto industry and various financial institutions has only deepened the debt this nation owes.

Washington seems more concerned bailing out corporations and the financial sector but leaves small businesses and entrepreneurs out in the cold. Washington needs to re-focus its attention on this beleaguered sector as they don’t have the political clout or receive political contributions that emanates from the various special interest money that comes from corporate America or organized labor to the power brokers.

The last time unemployment soared above 10% was during the presidency of Ronald Regan, but unlike the Obama Administration, President Reagan cut taxes, reined in regulation that enabled those in small business and entrepreneurs to hire, invest and take the necessary risk taking that spurs economic growth.

The idea that government spending will somehow spur economic growth is pure fallacy. Government spending will only deepen the debt the nation faces and will not create economic growth, but create economic stagnation.

The nation cannot wait until Washington figures it out, it has to act now. The longer it waits the deeper Americas economic situation becomes and you will see higher unemployment as a result.

Unemployment Jumps To 10.2%

The nation’s unemployment jumped to its highest levels since 1983. This should come as no surprise to anyone, as Washington continues to peruse failed economic policies that only exacerbate the economic climate in this country.

Washington should realize that you can’t spend your way out of this calamity and that government intervention into the market place will ultimately lead to further economic decline.

This administration is misguided if it thinks that the stimulus package is working, all it did was save government jobs or create more government employment, as it only added to the massive government debt. The nation doesn’t need more government involvement in the market place, but needs the government to foster policies that will allow small businesses and business startups to be established.

The real problem with the Obama administration is his lack of business experience, with few if any members of his administration with business experience. To many Washington officials have spent most of their lives in academia or government service with little experience in the business world. This lack of experience is hampering his efforts for solving America’s economic crisis as they believe that government is the answer.

The solution to America’s economic stagnation emanates not out of Washington, but from the creative spirit of the American entrepreneur. Too often legislation that passes Congress hampers business growth. Recently we have seen Congress push Cap & Trade legislation, and the current health care bills being debated continue to cause more economic instability that will hamper small businesses from beginning to hire more employee’s and expand their operation.

Washington needs to foster the competitive spirit of entrepreneurship that encourages individuals to start a business. Too often Washington produces policies that have an alternate effect on the market place.

Washington needs to encourage small businesses, help individuals open a business, let the market place be the true engine of economic growth and the American economy will rebound to a level that will make America the envy of the world.

Elections Over Now What?

The euphoria of the Tuesday’s election has now subsided into partisan banter on who won and who lost, but to the American people it’s back to reality: What plan does Washington have in solving the economic misery that Americans find themselves in!

The election should serve as a backdrop that partisan politics will not be tolerated as Americans want answers to the economy. Independent voters who both parties seem to claim as their own have stated they want elected officials to worry more about creating good quality jobs, stop the massive government debt that is emanating from Washington, pass real health care reform that wil not bankrupt this nation.

With both political parties using this election to format strategy for the upcoming 2010 mid-term elections, candidates who aspire to political office will have to articulate what they will accomplish if elected. Current office holders can not complain how the past administration got us into this mess but what they have done or not done while in office.

Governor elect Robert McDonnell of Virginia ran his race discussing core issues that resonate with voters with a message regarding jobs, education, transportation, and other economic related issues faced by voters. This will be the model not the exception on running for office!

Governor Jon Corzine too often made this election about Former President George Bush instead of what voters were more concerned with was the economy and his lack of handling of these issues. If Democrats want to retain the majority in Congress they will have to stop reiterating the Bush theme, if they continue that approach they will lose!

Republicans must stop running campaigns based solely on social issues and focus on issues that voters can rally behind. What will be their solution to the economic stagnation gripping the country?

The 2010 will be more a reflection of where the country is and on President Obama’s performance in office. If the economy improves it favors the Democrats, if the economy is stagnating then it favors the Republican. Be prepared for an interesting year!

Republicans win Big in NJ & Virginia

Last night Republicans won big in New Jersey and Virginia, but came up short in New York’s 23rd Congressional District. The Republicans can at least savor the moment for now as they have been pounded at the polls in both 2006 & 2008 elections. These wins give them a glimmer of hope for making resurgence as they head into the 2010 mid-term election.

The Republicans have to be careful that they do not read too much into this election as a repudiation of President Obama’s performance in office. The citizens of these states are more concerned with local issues than any national electoral significance.

The economy was the top concern for voters and in New Jersey as voters voted for Chris Christie and sent Governor Jon Corzine packing. This election had more to do with corruption and economic issues or lack of economic growth voters see in New Jersey.

In Virginia, Bob McDonnell defeated R. Creigh Deeds in a landslide victory with McDonnell focusing on bread and butter issues then social issues advocated by Deeds. The citizens of both states want answers to the more pressing issues of getting the economy back on track.

As the Republican move forward they should look how McDonnell ran his campaign by focusing on economic, education and other quality of life issues that voters are concerned with then social issues.

The Republican Party has to give voters a reason to vote for them, they cannot be the party of “No” they have to stand for something. The Republican Party has to be less the party of Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck and more the party that propelled Ronald Reagan into the White House a generation ago.

Americans are more concerned with will they have a job tomorrow, quality education for their children, or will they lose health care coverage if they get sick. What about the future, as they see the rising debt being accumulated by Washington.

The voters are telling Washington loud and clear start focusing on the needs of the nation and leave the petty partisan politics behind. If the Republican Party continues to engage in the politics of the past they will be consigned to languish in the political wilderness for the foreseeable future.

Democrats and Republicans Failed America

The citizens of Virginia, New Jersey and New York’s 23rd congressional district will be going to the polls today and both political parties will try to spin the election results in favor of their party. Unfortunately the American people see it differently as both Republican and Democratic parties have created the mess that America finds itself in.

Too often nepotism and greed are the theme both political parties have been wallowing at the trough of partisan politics. Both parties claim to speak for America but too often they are only concerned with furthering their own partisan agenda.

When the Republicans controlled the power structure in Washington all too often greed and party politics was the order of the day. Currently Republicans complain of massive government spending by the Obama administration, but when they governed fiscal disciple was further from their thoughts as they rang up massive government spending.

The Democrats are in power and the same rings true for them. After having won the election last November they misinterpreted the mandate they were given. Too often the theme was “Change We Can Believe In,” however the American people did not expect the change to be a liberal agenda that has seen government spending sore to historical levels with no end in sight.

Both parties are more concerned with their own self interest then solving the nation’s problems. Whatever the election results are, the American people want Washington to re-start the engine of job growth not economic stagnation, health care reform that truly reforms the system but not bankrupt the nation.

Both parties have failed to articulate why we are involved in Afghanistan, and why more forces are needed. Both parties look differently at those serving in the armed forces. One party looks at the military with disgust, while the other supports those who serve as long they or their families don’t have to serve.

It’s time America take back its country, this means get out and be informed and vote. Too often America takes an apathetic approach of governing, one only has to look at California and how that state has been run into fiscal insolvency.

If we fail to take back our country and elect individuals who have real answers and hold them accountable then we will see this nation rise to historic level. America’s best days are not behind us but in front of us.

Economy Sputters Along

Washington touts the recent gains of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) prove that the stimulus is working and that the worst of the recession is over. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner interviewed on “Meet the Press” Sunday explained how the stimulus package passed early this year helped bring the nation back from the brink of economic disaster. When pressed he was vague on gauging how many jobs were saved, or how to say the stimulus package worked!

Now we read that CIT Group Inc one of the banks that received taxpayer funding has filed for Bankruptcy, after receiving $2.3 Billion in government bailout; now it is highly unlikely that the government will get this money back. Since the administration has been in office money has followed out of Washington at an alarming rate and yet we have seen the deficit rise to historic levels, unemployment hovering close to 10%, and job prospects have failed to materialize like the president promised.

If this administration wants to create economic growth then start helping small businesses! The administration in one hand begins to help small businesses by easing credit but then on the flip side it makes it harder for businesses to create growth by handcuffing them with anti-growth legislation.

Today the president meet with his Economic Recovery Advisory Board, which included leaders from labor and business, unfortunately absent at the meeting was representative’s from small business.

Too often Washington listen’s to corporate America at the expense of small business! The administration needs to understand that 80% of all jobs created in this nation are by small business. Right now small businesses and entrepreneurs have a difficult time getting credit, burden by cumbersome regulatory laws, chaotic and confusing environmental regulation. Businesses consistently have to deal with litigation that consistently goes against business and pro-labor laws that Washington enacts to support its labor power brokers that goes against any semblance economic principles.

Washington needs to stop subsidizing and supporting corporate America and help small businesses across America. Once small business feels like they can grow without waiting to see what comes out of Washington and then you will see economic growth. If Washington doesn’t change its policy, America will only see economic stagnation!

Afghan Decision Still Waits on President

The decision to send additional military forces to Afghanistan that the current ground commander General Stanley McChrystal requested back in August still awaits the president’s approval. The decision was to be made on or before the November 7th Afghanistan runoff election has been complicated by the announcement by former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah to withdraw from the runoff.

This action should not be the trigger that the president uses in not allowing more troops to be sent to Afghanistan. The counterinsurgency strategy presented by General McChrystal had been put together in the most comprehensive manner utilizing the talents and expertise of many inside and out of uniform and across the political spectrum.

The counterinsurgency strategy advocated by General McChrystal requires more forces to be used that protect the population from Taliban attack, this same approach worked successfully as part of the Iraq surge of 2007-2008. All counterinsurgency strategy places a premium on protecting the population first and foremost! Protecting the population this strategy then can begin at the same time by building up the institutions of the Afghan government to include its army and police forces.

Pundits across the political isle take the wrong analogy from history when they often use the term that this is the “graveyard of empires” and will lead the U.S. too defeat in Afghanistan. If these same pundits would re-read history they would find out that dating back to Alexander the Great, British and Russians all have tried to conquer Afghanistan and impose its own government on the nation.

The Afghan people remember that the United States came to Afghanistan in 2001 not as an invading army but liberated them from the ruthless Taliban regime. Currently they know U.S. forces protect them in the day, but then are intimidated by the Taliban at night. A forceful and robust counterinsurgency strategy articulated by Gen. McChrystal would have U.S. forces spread out among the population centers protecting the people at the same time building up other elements of Afghan governance.

The president needs to stop worrying about having a viable government partner in Kabul and realize that the people of Afghanistan are more concerned with their safety then what happens in Kabul. Once safety is assured the U.S. can focus on the stability and quality of the government and its impact on the Afghan people.

The president should focus less on the advice from his political advisors and more on his advice from those who know how to fight a counterinsurgency. Each day he waits the situation gets worse and it seems that he is looking for any excuse not to send the forces requested or split the difference between counterinsurgency strategy and counterterrorism approach.

It’s time for the president to make a decision!