Shock: 1 in 6 WVa’s receive food stamps

So maybe there’s some truth to my mom’s advice, “Don’t go to the grocery store at the first of the month.”

A recent study showed that 122,877 of West Virginia’s estimated 743,064 households receive food stamps. This is this the highest level of participation in 30 years.

West Virginia is a beautiful state that has rolling hills, beautiful rivers, and genuine people.  But they’ve always been lacking modern business development.  Just within the last few years, West Virginia changed their welcome sign from, “West Virginia: Wild and Wonderful” to “West Virginia: Open to Business.” Everyday as I cross over the Ohio River to enter Parkersburg, WV for my groceries, a bottle of wine, or a little shopping I see the sign as a subtle attempt to welcome business development into one of the poorest states in the country.  Parkersburg clearly has more business than my sleepy town across the river, but driving two miles outside of the Parkersburg city limits really limits one’s purchasing possibilities.  The closest sign of development is not for another 50 minutes to Ripley, WV and then another 40 minutes to Charleston.  And even in those towns, the economy exists because I-77 runs through the town.

I think education is the most valuable asset for West Virginia and other states and nations who have high levels of poverty. Education increases production possibilities more than any other factor. I notice an incredible difference in education levels in West Virginia and surrounding Appalachian communities between those on food stamps and those who are making it on their own.  Education in these Appalachian regions does not mean a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a prestigious Northeastern University.  Education can be from a vocational school, an apprenticeship in a union, or a two-year Associates degree.  It is important for the good people of West Virginia to take advantage of these opportunities that are abundant in this region.  Their government aid should not come in the form of food stamps. Instead, their government aid should be along the lines of pell grants, Sallie Mae loans, and education grants.

Education is the best way to empower citizens, and I think that West Virginia needs to encourage their citizens to better themselves through education.  It would increase the self worth of their citizenry and have lasting effects on the West Virginia economy. 

So, instead of welcoming visitors to West Virginia by saying, “Open for Business,” they should try to create their own business by educating their workforce and empowering their citizens.

Stay Tuned

The last two weeks have been absolutely crazily insane with everything in which I’m involved, so I have not had much extra time to even read the news, let alone comment on world events.

But do not fear – I will be back shortly…just not today.

Democrat Poll Numbers for Tuesday

As of now, Real Clear Politics has Hillary showing a lead in Ohio and Rhode Island with Obama only winning Texas.

Rhode Island:
46% Clinton
35% Obama

Ohio:
46.8% Clinton
43%    Obama

Texas:
46.2% Obama
43%    Clinton

Republicans mental health claimed to be better than Dems

Well I’ve had my suspicions about this, but Gallup confirms that 58% of Republicans claim to be in excellent mental health while only 38% of Democrats can say the same.

I have a feeling that this has something to do with Republicans’ beliefs of individual worth & sovereignty, the emphasis we place on personal responsibility, and independence from safety-net government programs.

Thats my opinion, but those numbers are facts.

Hillary visits my hometown

On the same stage I received my diploma, performed my senior showcase, and had countless cheerleading practices, Hillary Clinton addressed citizens of my town last night at 10:15PM appealing for their vote on next Tuesday’s election. 

I didn’t know people in Belpre stayed out past 10:00PM, but it looks like there was a decent showing.

 

There she is with Governor Ted Strickland and a few familiar faces behind her.  I like Governor Strickland a lot, he used to let me follow him around back when I was 11 and on through high school when he was still my Congressman.  I usually claim him as the one who got me interested in politics and consider myself lucky that he was tolerant of my interest as a young kid. 

Anyway, I want to know what the 1500 people packed in the Belpre High School gym last night think Hillary is going to do to help improve their life.

Belpre is home to about 6800 residents along the Ohio River in Southeastern Ohio.  Across the river is Parkersburg, West Virginia which consumes most of Belpre’s disposable income. Belpre is a dry town so there are no major restaurants, forcing weekend activity either across the river, or up the river to Marietta, Ohio.  The school system is small and getting smaller since it takes multiple times to get an operating levy passed, and provides only a few opportunities for advanced students.  Fewer kids usually go to college upon graduation than get married or go directly into the work force.  Recently about 10% or more join the military to serve our country.  The job market in Belpre consists of a few professional offices, but there are more pharmacies, gas stations, and used car lots than a town for 6800 would ever need.  Most people work at Kraton Polymers or another chemical plant on the river, or the Bureau of Public Debt (thanks to Senator Byrd) across the river. Belpre also is comprised of a growing elderly population, hence the need for pharmacies on every corner. So, in my opinion, what do the people of Belpre need right now? We need stronger schools, a stronger job market, and stronger health care and retirement systems.  What does Belpre NOT need right now? Hillary Clinton as President. Here’s why…

Hillary’s plan does nothing to empower American citizens.  Her plan for America is to provide a government that will provide for you. 

- She wants a Universal health care system that mandates every person buy health insurance and if you can’t afford it there will be government subsidies.
- It looks like the only jobs that she wants to create will be government jobs: infrastructure, “green collar,” etc.
- Increased regulation on the mortgage industry, credit cards, insurance companies, trade agreements, and China’s currency (whaaat?).
- Mandate businesses offer sick days to all employees and extend unemployment insurance.
- Tax profits on the pharmaceutical, oil, and gas industries. (See my previous article on Hillary and Obama taxing your retirement.)

Her plan for America tells me a few things.  She doesn’t want Americans to be self-reliant and independent like the Founding Fathers intended.  She wants us to depend on her government programs. Her plan for America is not pro-business or pro-growth. Even Business Week magazine says so.  Who would work if you can get everything you need by not working? Don’t have money for food? Get food stamps.  Don’t have insurance? The government will give it to you.  Need money to pay for heating? Hillary’s emergency energy assistance program will pay for it!  And I guess it doesn’t matter that she taxes the profits of big industries that we all have in our IRAs and portfolios since she’ll provide us with a retirement plan.  She allows no choice for individual choice, and she thinks that since the Bush government has failed that expanding it will only make us all better off. 

Belpre, Ohio’s needs are not far out of line of many small American towns. Many small towns are struggling to keep their identity in a changing world with global competition. But Hillary won’t help us whether we’re in small town America, suburban towns, or big cities.  She does not welcome free market initiatives, the very liberty that makes America great.  If America is manipulated into voting for Hillary by broad generalizations and politically charged talking points, we will lose the vibrancy of the American dream which is made possible because we live in a country that supports the free market, private initiative, and individual choice.  That may sound extreme, but I don’t think I’m being irrational. 

So before you cast your vote, think about which candidate will empower America to live the American dream, and I think you’ll find that Hillary Clinton is not that candidate.

Mike Huckabee: A candidate of extremes

I decided to venture down to Warwick on Monday evening to hear Mike Huckabee address Rhode Islanders and appeal for their vote.  It was an interesting crowd, and I only recognized a few faces who were there mostly out of curiousity like myself.  The majority of the crowd seemed to be average, working class Americans who were inspired by Huckabee’s American dream life and decided to support his candidacy. One man I talked to had even driven three hours from New York to hear Huckabee’s speech. 

This was the third time I’ve heard Huckabee speak in person, and like most politicians with comfortable talking points, it was the third time I’ve heard the same message. However, this time I started thinking about his platform and how it is ideally in line with many conservatives, yet it is not practical or realistic. 

Consider what defines him as a candidate.

- He supports a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
- He believes in the Fair Tax which calls for repealing the 16th Amendment and will abolish the Internal Revenue Service.
- He also wants a Constitutional Amendment that protects the right to life.

During his speech in Warwick, these are the issues that he highlighted that make him stand apart from John McCain.  Mike Huckabee does have some beliefs that resonate with me and other conservatives. He supports a line-item veto, will make the Bush tax cuts permanent, will not set a time table for Iraq, wants to build a border fence, and believes in energy independence with free market solutions.  But it is not these issues that he talks about.  Most of these are very similar to John McCain’s platform, so he uses the extreme to distinguish himself.

The fact of the matter is that these three self-defining issues are not practical.  I am a Constitutionalist who believes that our constitution is not there to legislate morality, rather it is there to define our most basic fundamental liberties.  I agree with Mike Huckabee in that I am pro-life and do not think homosexual marriage should be allowed.  However, amending the Constitution should not be the vehicle to prevent this activity.  Changing this behavior starts with society and strong families.  In addition, amending the Constitution to include these amendments is nearly impossible.  This would require 2/3 vote of both the House and Senate, then 3/4 of the states to approve it.  Or, there could be a Constitutional Convention called by 2/3 of the states legislatures, but also this will need 3/4 of the states approval.  These are divisive issues and I do not think he has the slightest chance of getting it passed through our Democratic Congress and mostly Democratic state legislatures.  Mike Huckabee is as unrealistic as Obama’s platform of “hope,” whatever that might be.

Secondly, Mike Huckabee will not succeed in abolishing the IRS and implementing a Fair Tax.  This consumption tax and revenue neutral tax is a bad idea that will not fly with most Americans. He will face the same Constitutional difficulties of repealing the 16th Amendment that defines our income tax. So one would have to wonder if we would end up with an income tax and a consumption tax at 23%.  He says this will allow us to abolish the IRS but he is forgetting that someone will have to oversee who is spending what so that the monthly rebate checks for people below the poverty line and for all purchases of necessities are distributed properly.  This may not require a 67,000 page tax code, but it will require some tedious oversight and accurate record keeping.

I like Mike Huckabee a lot as a person and I, too, am inspired by him.  He is a product of the American dream. But I am also a realist and do not think he offers real solutions for America.  My ideology is not far out of line from his, but his methodology to enact it is not practical. 

I think most Americans have already realized this since he is all but out of the election right now. However, for my Huckabee friends in Rhode Island and Ohio who have yet to cast their vote, I hope you think again. 

Democrat delegate count to date

I’ve been wondering what the most recent delegate count is on the Democrat side, so here it is:

Overall
Obama 1,168
Clinton 1,018

Superdelegate
Obama 189
Clinton 256

Total
Obama 1,384
Clinton 1,300

Obama appears to have the momentum right now, he just won his 10th state in a row with Wisconsin the other night.  If this goes to the convention, I have no doubt Hillary will pull a backroom deal to sway the superdelegates.  But going on numbers alone, it is still unclear who the Democrat nominee will be.

Reflections on CPAC 2008 and McCain’s rise to the top

Anddd I’m back after a weeklong political hiatus.

After attending CPAC 2008, not only was I mentally and emotionally drained politically, but I picked up the nasty cold that is going around. So, I’m back and ready to go.

One of the most defining moments of my CPAC 2008 trip was witnessing Mitt Romney’s concession speech.  I did not have cell phone reception in the Regency Ballroom and so I did not get the countless text messages forewarning me of his concession an hour before it happened.  Romney’s speech was so dynamic and the response from the audience was genuinely enthusiastic…unlike McCain’s which consisted of half boos and half cheers from the crowd he bussed in to fill the audience. Besides Newt Gingrich, I would say that Mitt Romney received the best response from the crowd of all the speakers.  Perhaps this was because Romney was the only true conservative in the 2008 Republican race. Below is the video I captured of his concession.

 

 And yes, my shock is apparent by my gasp at the end. Go ahead and laugh.

Regardless, now that he is out I have started coming to terms with the likely McCain nomination and his possible presidency.  So far there are three things I like about John McCain:

1. He will not give in to the terrorists and is determined to win the war.
2. He has a proven record of fighting lobbyists and earmarks.
3. He has agreed to make the Bush tax cuts permanent.

I am still trying to learn more about his platform to convince myself he will be a fine president.  However, as of now I am voting for Mitt Romney in the March 4th primary since he is still listed on my Ohio absentee ballot.

One of the most obvious things to me at CPAC was that the conservative movement and Republican party is definitely split right now. There are those warhawks (and people in New Hampshire) who have always supported John McCain, but there are more of us who are fiscal conservatives and are concerned about illegal immigration who are not as happy about John McCain being the face of the Republican party.  John McCain knows this. He’s obviously working hard to bring in endorsements from well known conservatives, ie: George H.W. Bush, Mitt Romney. These endorsements do not mean much to me because they are nothing but attempts to unite the party.  They really tell me nothing about who ideologically aligns himself with McCain’s politics. Notice that he is being endorsed solely on his foreign policy stance.  I don’t hear endorsements based on his ability to bring back the U.S. economy, to end illegal immigration, to fix social security, or to fix our broken health care systems.  No one can argue that his military service to our country is uncomparable to most Americans’ and that he is the best candidate to lead our nation in a time of war. This will be a formidable issue for the Democrats who are soft on the war and want to negotiate with terrorists. If McCain wants to lure me and others with similar ideology, he needs to prove that he’s sympathetic to the conservative base. He can’t win without us.

Delegates to date

Going into Super Tuesday, here is a list of current delegate totals.

Republicans:
97 John McCain
92 Mitt Romney
29 Mike Huckabee
6 Ron Paul

Democrats:
232 Hillary Clinton
158 Barack Obama

Republican candidates need 1,191 out of 2,380 delegates, 463 of which are unpledged. There are a little over 1000 delegates up tomorrow. Of the Republican elections, New York, New Jersey, Missouri and Arizona, are winner take all states.

Democrat candidates need 2,025 of 4,049 delegates, 796 of which are superdelegates. The Democrats award delegates on a proportional system, not winner take all. Therefore, it will be difficult for a winner to arise out of Tuesday’s nearly 1700 delegates up for grabs.

For more reading, I’d suggest USA Today’s analysis of the “Delegate Math.”

Busy week…

I apologize for the lack of posts. I’d love to respond to the State of the Union, the proposed stimulus package, and Kennedy’s endorsement of Obama but I am swamped with work. Econometrics and meetings are taking over my life.

Check back later in the week…