Making America Work Again

What normally would be considered good news has instead become the Progressive Democratic Socialists of America Apocalyptic News of the Week: June Jobs Numbers Beat Expectations with 213,000 New Payroll Jobs. WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!

First, from Nancy Pelosi:

Of course San Fran Nan is an avid adherent of the innovative economic theory of the Amazing Money Velocity of the Unemployment Dollar:

“For every dollar spent on unemployment benefits, the economy grows by, according to one estimate, $1.52; by others, $2. So somewhere in that range, but much more than is spent on it." - Pelosi, December, 2013

So you couldn’t expect her to appreciate people becoming economically self-reliant the old fashioned way. And Democratic Party Chair Tom Perez couldn’t wait to double down on Nancy’s stupid:

“With slow wage growth, rising health care premiums, and skyrocketing gas prices across the country, Donald Trump’s reckless policies are hurting millions of hardworking families…“Trump and Republicans in Congress are trying to build a winner-take-all economy that enriches their wealthy friends and saddles working families with the bill. Democrats want to create good-paying jobs and build an economy that works for everyone.”

I’m so old I remember when rising health care premiums and skyrocketing gas prices were considered a good thing by the Democrats.

“I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this message.”

Nan and Tom, lacking even a basic understanding of how such basic economic principles such as supply and demand work, can’t be blamed for not realizing that higher demand for labor might result in higher and faster growing wages. However, if we keep our porous borders open to welcome illegal immigrants who will work for the wages Americans won’t, that will not happen – so let’s do that!

Of course if we build a wall and shut down that flow we would even entice some of the millions of working age people currently sitting on their butts (mostly men – am I allowed to note that?) back into the work force.

Labor Participation Rate, 25 –54 YrsStrangely, even the labor participation rate is ticking up since Donald Trump started Making America Great Again.

Although I suspect that would be a bad thing too, given it’s Trump; and given the velocity of the welfare dollar and all.

Linked At: Larwyn’s Linx on Doug Ross@Journal, and Free Republic, Thanks!

#FLOTUSFriday – We Do Patriotism Right

#FLOTUSFriday, and this week’s sighting was exceptional: red, white and blue, worn right.

Or, as InStyle put it: “First Lady Melania Trump opted for a Fourth of July outfit that was dripping in patriotic symbolism.” [annotation mine]

While attending a picnic for military families at the White House, Melania stepped out in a blue and white gingham floor-length dress which she cinched at the waist with a bold, fire-engine red bow belt. The high-slit, which was only visible when the First Lady descended the stairs, gave us a peek at color-coordinated cherry pumps. The look—by Melania's favorite American designer, Ralph Lauren—is about as patriotic as you can get, save for literally wearing the American flag and accessorizing with a Bald Eagle. [and we all know the only time the Left wraps itelf in the American flag is to demand we respect the rights they would deny to those who disagree with them].

Or to burn it

Though gingham print has European origins [see? we’re all immigrants!], it has widely been associated with mid-century Americana—think Norman Rockwell images of the '50s, perhaps a picture-perfect family gathered on red-and-white checkered picnic blanket. Even the style of the shirt dress—with its tall collar and traditional fit-and-flare silhouette—seems like a nod to something old, something classic. Something of idyllic America.

We aren't surprised to see the First Lady in Ralph Lauren, either…The designer has long been synonymous with an "All-American" look, however, like the Trumps' style—which worships the old guard and wealth—Lauren's yacht-chic aesthetic has been called "exasperatingly hollow" by some critics in recent seasons.[you know, after he continued to dress FLOTUS despite demands from the smug establishment “creatives” that all self-respecting designers refuse to do so].

"[Lauren]'s goal has always been to exploit a particularly American notion of exceptionalism, aspiration and success—the kind of success that begets wealth," [need I point out this is a bad thing according to our betters?] wrote critic Robin Givhan of the designer's spring 2018 collection…She added that this "glossy" look of Lauren's collection was both "ill-timed" and suspicious in this particular political and social climate. "It leaves one feeling unsettled. It leaves one asking: What fresh lie is this?"

It leaves me asking “what is wrong with you people?” Only our political, spiritual and cultural betters could make patriotic symbolism seem like a bad thing.

Linked At: Larwyn’s Linx on Doug Ross@Journal, and Free Republic, Thanks!

Let’s Make Congress the (Only) Legislative Branch Again

Lost in the 4th of July holiday festivities was this announcement, released July 3rd:

Attorney General Jeff Sessions today announced that, consistent with his November 2017 memorandum prohibiting the Department from making rules without following the procedures required by Congress, he is rescinding 24 guidance documents that were unnecessary, outdated, inconsistent with existing law, or otherwise improper.

“The American people deserve to have their voices heard and a government that is accountable to them. When issuing regulations, federal agencies must abide by constitutional principles and follow the rules set forth by Congress and the President. In previous administrations, however, agencies often tried to impose new rules on the American people without any public notice or comment period, simply by sending a letter or posting a guidance document on a website. That’s wrong, and it’s not good government.

“In the Trump administration, we are restoring the rule of law. That’s why in November I banned this practice at the Department and we began rescinding guidance documents that were issued improperly or that were simply inconsistent with current law.

“Today we are rescinding 24 more and continuing to put an end to unnecessary or improper rulemaking.” – US DOJ

Progressives swear that PDJT’s plans to streamline the regulatory bureaucracy is just partisan anti-Obama policy.

Seven of the 24 Obama-era rescinded “guidance documents” were focused on affirmative action. The guidance encouraged universities to consider race as a factor in promoting diversity in their student admissions. Gee, I’m so old that I remember the first time that sort of discrimination was considered illegal, because it was racist. But that was before regulatory agencies had a chance to interpreted it in their image and likeness.

Don’t expect progressives to take this action sitting down, there will be resistance. Because everyone knows Trump’s a racist.

Message to Congress: stop out-sourcing your responsibilities to unelected, unaccountable bureaucracies.

Linked At: Free Republic, Thanks!

The Fourth of July, 2018

I’ve got a crowd coming to celebrate the 4th on the deck, if it doesn’t rain.  If it does we’ll move indoors for a kitchen picnic. Either way, I still have a lot to do so I hope you enjoy my “best of the 4th” post. Happy Birthday America!

From 2010: Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

These founding documents were designed and declared with full knowledge of human nature and complete understanding of the soul’s tendencies. The result was the formation of a more perfect union which has stood the test of time in no small part due to the wisdom of these founders who crafted a near sacred separation of powers within the government they created.  Let us honor their courage, their genius and their foresight.

And for our part, let us be ever vigilant against those who would impinge on that greatness by opening the very gates that hold tyranny at bay.

From 2011: a pre-4th post from Camp David, Home For the Holiday: Feliz Quarto De Julio

Anyway, the long and short of it is Lady M decided to send me and Little Mo back to the Big White to weed and water the Big White Organic Garden of Versus in order to give our illegal Mexicans the rest of the Quarto de Julio weekend off.

From 2012:  Happy Birthday America! July 4, 2012 , in which we quote from Abraham Lincoln:

“The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep’s throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as a liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty, especially as the sheep was a black one.  Plainly the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of the word liberty.”

And a sort-of-recipe for some 4th of July s’mores that have been kicked up to notches unknown –  s’mores surrounded by chocolate chip cookies. Good old American access exceptionalism. Thank you, President Trump!

Warning: do not eat more than a baker’s dozen (one for each original state)

From 2013, As it Turns Out, We Were the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For, we have Paul Harvey’s video essay on the fate of the 56 men who believed liberty was so important that they pledged “…our lives, our fortune, our sacred honor” to ensure it.

From 2015, Weiners on Parade, a tiny  BBQ for tiny hamsters (h/t Blonde Gator). Creeper, if you’re out there, it’s the perfect meal for your new little buddy.

And from  2016 The 4th of July in Neverland, we witness the result of top ranked universities dropping the requirement that history majors study U.S. history:

To counter that sad state of affairs, which I note has not improved any with this year’s version,  I leave you with this, excerpted from Thomas Jefferson’s 1826 letter to Roger Chew Weightman on the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It reminds us what American Independence is really all about:

…our fellow citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made. may it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the Signal of arousing men to burst the chains, under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings & security of self-government. that form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. all eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. the general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view. the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of god. these are grounds of hope for others. for ourselves, let the annual return of this day .forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them…

I do hope Progressive Democratic Socialists can read and understand this.

Anyway, get those baked beans in the oven, the potato salad in the frig, the burgers, dogs, ribs and chicken on the grill and party like it’s 1776! We’re Making America Great Again! Mr. Jefferson would be proud.

Happy Birthday America – Long May You Run!

Linked At: Larwyn’s Linx on Doug Ross@Journal, and Free Republic, Thanks!

“Manic Depression Is A Frustrating Mess”

People have been  histrionically acting out since the day Donald J. Trump was elected president:

WARNING: Compilation NSFW - you know how disappointed Progs talk

Ex-president Barry has kept himself busy keeping the anti-Trump resistance machine ginned up. His minions, as always, take orders well as evidenced by last weekend’s Antifa violence and “family” marches against a policy President Trump rescinded two weeks ago. And I see Mad Maxie has revived her “peach foty fi” rant chant in time for the holiday weekend as well.

All of which reminds me of a song:

Manic Depression (certain liberties taken)

Manic Depression's touching my soul,
I know what I DON’T want,

but I just don't know how to go about getting it.

IMPEACHMENT, sweet IMPEACHMENT
drops from my finger, fingers
Manic Depression's captured my soul.

HILLARY so willing the sweet cause in vain,
you make love,
you break love,

it's-a all the same when it's...
when it's over, mama.

IMPEACHMENT sweet IMPEACHMENT,
I wish I could caress, caress, caress.
Manic Depression's a frustrating mess.

Well, I think I'll go turn myself off an' go on down.

Really ain't no use me hanging around.

In your kind of scene

IMPEACHMENT sweet IMPEACHMENT,
I wish I could caress, and kiss, kiss.
Manic Depression's a frustrating mess.

Is it any wonder that people are beginning to just #Walkaway from this lunacy?

And now, we return to our regularly scheduled programming. Let the potato salad making begin; we’ve got a birthday to celebrate tomorrow.

Linked At: Free Republic, Thanks!

World Socialists Unite! We’re All One Big Family.

Just a quick observation regarding the Mexican election: I can only assume Mexico likes America as they encourage so many of their citizens and foreign visitors passing through to move here. Why then did they elect a Socialist sworn to make Mexico more like Venezuela than America?

Mexico’s AMLO (Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador) Sweeps to Power in Historic Left-Wing Landslide.

Not necessarily a winning strategy in the long run

I think it must be the same game plan that Democrats have to Re-Make America. Socialism first, details to follow.

At the Ann Arbor “Families Belong Together” march: Open those Borders! Make the USA Venezuela!

Linked At: Larwyn’s Linx on Doug Ross@Journal, and Free Republic, Thanks!

Prepare to Celebrate

This is a dilemma: the 4th of July is on Wednesday so which weekend is technically “4th of July weekend” this year?  I checked my State’s fireworks schedule to see if that would give me a clue but it looks like those communities that don’t actually shoot them off on the 4th are split between the weekend before and after.

This leads me to conclude that Wednesday is the perfect day for the 4th as you can log a 9 day, two weekend holiday by spending only 4 days from your vacation bank. I haven’t worked (for compensation) for a long time now, but I do remember when that seemed exceptionally good value.

So if you’re combining America’s birthday with an early summer vacation, I wish you a very long, golden week of fireworks and patriotic treats – like these 4th of July brownies.

And if you’re the betting sort, do you want to bet that Google, who today celebrates Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz’s 372nd birthday,

will not bother to take note of America’s 242nd next Wednesday?

Linked At: Larwyn’s Linx on Doug Ross@Journal, and Free Republic, Thanks!