How bad is the U.S. economy?

All year I've heard how bad off we are economically, but it this true? If we had a Democratic president right now, would the media be fixated on telling us everyday how terrible things are? Do they have an agenda in getting somebody else elected that is more important than facts?

I was sitting here listening to Barack Obama's "change" candidate, VP nominee Joe "I've been in Washington over 30 years" Biden prattle on for 10 minutes about everything wrong with our country. Barack Obama's been doing the same for months. From their descriptions, all but about 10% of the population is practically destitute. Sure, we've hit a rough spot, and times are difficult for folks. But, in many cases, what is the definition of "difficult" we are using?

*70% of folks own homes. Home ownership has never been greater in our nation's history. Of course, the average home size has doubled in the last 30 years.

*A generation ago, families were lucky to have one car. Now most have two, three, or four cars. And until recently, many of them were the big gas guzzling kind.

*96% of all mortgages are paid on time. Of course, the default rate more than tripled in the past several years as people took out loans for even bigger homes they couldn't afford.

*Americans gave away over $300 billion dollars in charitable contributions last year.

*In 2007, the national GDP (gross domestic product, or the value of what we produce) was almost $14 trillion dollars. That is bigger than the next four countries combined (Japan, Germany, China, UK).

I think many of us are greedy. The next "thing" is never enough. Everybody has to best their neighbors and friends. And for the past 25 years, we've been doing so. Maybe we have to make a few choices now, so we get grumpy and want the government to bail us out. You mean I can't put zero down on a house with a monthly payment that is 40% of my salary anymore? I shouldn't buy trucks & SUV's with near single digit gas mileage? I shouldn't take my kids to watch Kobe Bryant and pay $500?

This country is unbelievable in what we've achieved. Despite the network news media's daily axe grinding, we are still the envy of the world. When they need somebody to step up we do. When they need someone to buy their stuff we do. When they need someone to beat back communism and fascism we do. Let's go back to the days of Reagan and celebrate our republic's achievements. Are we perfect? Of course not. But we are the last great hope for freedom in this world and we should never forget it.

Global Warming...HMM...

Does anybody remember the 70's when we were headed for this massive ice age and told that life as we knew it was going to change forever? Well, I don't because I was only 2, but I've read a lot about it and you would've thought the sky was going to cave in and we were all going to be permanently frozen. Remind you of anything today?

First off, I'm all for conservation. We shouldn't treat the planet as if it is our personal waste dump. Conservation is a good thing. Finding alternative energy resources is a good thing. Thinking we can rely on nothing but wind and solar is dopey. It just isn't practical. Not only that, but it is very expensive. Ah, yes, and now to the real reason behind the debate.

America has many enemies and jealous neighbors. With the global warming argument, you have a reason to bash us. If we can force the U.S. into a box, they think, we can bring their economy to a halt. This is the real reason behind most of the rhetoric you hear. Many good folks who want to better their environment get linked up with these crazy groups who just want to use the issue to beat us up. They say all the scientists pretty much agree, but that isn't true. Many folks at NASA say the issue is fallacious. Al Gore points to ice melting but then doesn't tell you about the new ice forming in other areas of the arctic. He has pretty pictures, but they only tell one side of the story.

Not only that but the recent oil debate is ludicrous as well. Months ago, many of these folks were hollering for the Saudis to pump more oil but then refuse to let us find oil here. Say what?? Which country do you think does less to pollute the environmment, the Saudis or the U.S. ? The Iranians or the U.S? The Columbians or the U.S.? So, by not letting drilling move forward here, we are actually polluting the planet at a much faster rate. Where are the environmentalists on this argument?

So, by all means, go ahead and conserve. We all should. But the next time you fill up your tank, don't feel guilty about it. They don't make turbines powerful yet compact enough to run your car with wind power. And by the way, have you seen the mansions and cars most of these elistist conservationalists drive while lecturing the rest of us?

Is there another choice for president??

Less than 80 days until US citizens step into the booth to cast their vote for our highest office. Frankly can I sit this one out? My choice is between a liberal who loves being called liberal, and a liberal who hides behind the cover of an elephant.

On the left, we have Barack Obama, the choice of European elitists. While those of us in Middle America are hanging on to our guns and religion, Barack is overseas belittling American values and generally trashing our way of life. We are the stupid people. He is siding with the folks around the world who would like nothing better than seeing our republic fall in stature.

The pendulum swings wildly for this guy. The unborn don't seem to matter as much as the environment. America shouldn't be polluting the environment drilling for oil, but it is fine for Saudia Arabia to do so. Clarence Thomas can't measure up as a Supreme Court Justice, but Rev. Wright with his American bashing, and Bill Ayers with his terrorist leanings are people he seeks council and friendship with. The war in Iraq is wrong, but we should march into Afghanistan or Pakistan. Mexicans should be free to live here and not integrate, but Americans need to speak other languages like French.

Electing this guy surely means higher taxes, sky high gas prices, more government, lousy health care, appeasement to our enemies, and unrelenting socialism dumped on the American public. I never thought someone could be scarier than Mrs. Clinton, but I have no doubt she would've drifted to the right a bit, just like her husband did. Mr Obama? No way, this guy is hard core left. No thanks, Barack. I've already had enough of the blame America crowd. This man doesn't inspire individual hope and hard work. He inspires the "blame everyone else" crowd and promises a government that will rescue us from every ill. Plundering the rich and passing things to the poor will solve everything. I happen to like the rich...without them where would the jobs come from? Have you ever worked for a poor person?

Of course, I'm not thrilled with Mr. McCain either. Here is a liberal in sheep's clothing. He snubs conservatives every chance he gets. What can we expect from him? Remember his endless talking about the appeasement of law breakers sneaking into the country by granting them amnesty? Or how about McCain-Feingold?? McCain-Kennedy?? If they weren't squaring off, I can almost see it now, McCain-Obama. Remember when he was pro-tax 5 years ago, and now he is anti-tax today? Or being against offshore drilling until a month ago. He still thinks we should protect ANWR and the 2,000 acres out of 19 MILLION at all costs. Apparently, he hasn't seen the photos of the caribou huddled around the oil pipelines. On most social issues, this man is clearly liberal.

So there you have it, we have a social and economic liberal versus a social liberal/economic moderate. Ronald Reagan cannot be smiling today. The city on a shining hill just had its lights dimmed a bit. I've decided to hold my nose and vote for John McCain in November. While he is leeringly liberal, he does have several very good points that make him infinitely better than Barack.

*He recognizes our national sovereignty is tied to being on the offensive against those who would nuke us.

*He without question loves this county. As opposed to Mrs. "America has never given me reason to be proud" Obama. Sure, Barack didn't say it, but do you really think he disagrees with his wife?

*He hates earmarks, and unlike most other Repub's. and Dem's. might actually cut spending.

I just hope the single, under 30 crowd stays away from the polls. I'm tired of having my vote cancelled out by people who look to late night comedians to direct their vote instead of actually thinking about the issues. Voting for president requires more than 5 minutes of listening to David Letterman.