Free Auto Insurance, National Denial, and Alouette!

Yes, I know I've been on a commercial kick lately. But in my defense, most commercials and ads give a lot of fodder for questioning from those who find them usually so ridiculous.

Major auto insurance companies continually put in their commercials how changing to their policies saves you $400 or $500 a year from the other guy. On a television commercial, Jerry Newman left State Farm and his agent Jessica to save money at the 15 minute place [Geico]. He crashed his car through the brick wall of his house and wants to go back to State Farm. [Personally, I wouldn't cover him for anything. He's a bad risk.] And Jessica gives Jerry the spiel how he could save $400 or $500 by switching to State Farm from Geico. Now, think about that. If all these claims are accurate, a driver could switch a couple of times and come out with no cost insurance! Saved $400 in fifteen minutes by switching from State Farm to Geiko. Now he can save another $400 by switching from Geico back to State Farm Then, he can save $400 more by switching from State Farm to 21st Century, ad infinitum. How long before you reach a zero cost policy!
**

During a Press Conference in 2008, Barack Obama was asked by General Bill Ginn [USAF ret'd] '...why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played...?'

"...The General also noted for the Senator that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171... During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. At the very least, "Stand and Face It..."

[Remember, Barack Obama was running for the Presidency of the United States]

"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides...There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing...If that were our anthem,then I might salute it. We should consider to reinvent our National Anthem as well as to redesign our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we as a Nation of warring people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, whereas peace prevails. Perhaps a state or period of mutual concord between our governments. When I become President,I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation have placed upon the nations of Islam an unfair injustice. My wife disrespects the Flag for many personal reasons. Together she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past, many years ago. She has her views and I have mine...Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put aside my hatred. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path of hope. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country's First Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America."

Of course, the mainstream media buried this comment. And enough people out there still voted for him. And we have a total mess in this Country because of his policies and profligate spending. I don't suggest anyone ask him about the Constitution this time around. And let's hope our voter friends learn their lessons and vote for 'anybody but Obama!.' Except, of course, the Ron Paul chaos.
**
Target's recent commercial is backed by a 1958 recording of 'Alouette' by the Delta Rhythm Boys. Sounds great.
**

MyLowes, on the other hand, has chosen a more modern setting for its flying, swirling paint colors. The song is 'Colors', and it's written and sung by April Smith and the Great American Picture Show. I searched the group, and I'll be purchasing and downloading their album with the full version of colors. During my search, I also came across a duet named Secret Sisters. They remind me of the old duo Patience and Prudence. Their first album [late last year] has Sinatra's 'Something Stupid' on it, and I like the sound. I may be buying and downloading that one too.
**
Airoptix has a new set of Lenses 'for people who sleep in their lenses.' I don't know about you, but I sleep in my pajamas and a bed. I've never seen a lens big enough to sleep in. And I certainly wouldn't want it in my eye.
**
And finally, we have the Pizza Hut Dinner Box where the announcer enthusiastically states: "Best of all, the $10 dinner box is only ten bucks!" I wonder if the guy who thought that one up got a raise? "Remember, our nickel cigar is now a buck!" Instead of the Clio, these guys should be getting the asp.

Stupid Is as Stupid Does

Are we stupid in general? or do only some of us lose control of our brains at times?

As first found in the 'Stupid' books of Leland Gregory [but shortened and re-worded except where quoted]:

*According to the AP in 2004: a "Norwegian motorist is slapped with parking ticket while stuck in traffic jam." [Must be a new source of income for the City.]
*In 1996 according to a police report: a school bus driver and his friend were charged with child endangerment because they told scary stories to five and six year old passengers. [Overheard in prison: "I'm in this dump for mass murder, meat. What did you do?" "I told scary stories to my bus passenger children."]
*In 1991, Japan had its biggest traffic jam in history. After a typhoon, about 15,000 vehicles were at a standstill over 94 miles of road! [And no port-a-potties!]
*In 1993, a traffic commissioner dismissed a speeding ticket because the issuing cop's motorcycle was the wrong color. ??? It was painted blue and white instead of the required black and white. [The uniform, helmet, siren, chase, and stop apparently didn't give the motorist a clue---because black isn't blue! Give me a break!]
*A newspaper ad: "Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with rounded bottom for efficient beating." ['nuff said.]
*Warning found on a Korean kitchen knife: "Keep out of children." [Good advice for the continuation of the families.]
*A sign outside a furniture store in Virginia: "Antique tables made here daily." [Must be a distressed business.]
*An instruction sign on a camera back a few years ago: "This camera only works when there is film inside." [I guess air is not a good photographic medium.]
*Newspaper ad: "Christmas sale. Hand made gifts for the hard-to-find person." [Too many people playing hide-and-seek.]

In Middle English, the word 'balded' meant white. Ultimately, the word was shortened to 'bald,' and the American Eagle---with its white-feathered head---became known as a 'bald' eagle. [Despite the book title, I wouldn't say this fact is stupid. It's a factual explanation of something most of us glide over.]
****
Television commercials:
*In an ad for a Lawyers' Firm, a supposed client says: "...He was more than a lawyer. He was a human being..." [as opposed to, say, a shark?]
*Attend the MMI tech school and learn about motorcycles: "...I get up every day, and I love what I do..." [I love getting up every day also. It means my obituary won't be the morning's newspapers.]

Our children are currently being represented as dumb instead of smart, and the ad writers are as asinine as usual. Dumb down the population so you can sell more product. There's a Totino commercial making the rounds on television. Two boys are standing in front of a freezer [with no back, by the way] and calling Mom on the cell phone. "Mom, we're dying!" "No you're not. You're just hungry." They're at the freezer with the door wide open---and I always thought to die you had to stick your head in an oven. Staring them in the face is a bright yellow box of Totinos. They can't see it. Mom has to direct them to turn their gaze a few inches to the left where the yellow box is quite apparent. Okay they say. Thanks Mom. The boys grab the box, put the phone in the freezer, turn away while leaving the door wide open. At the table is a plate of Totino's exuding cigarette smoke to make you think they're hot and fresh. That's really something you would expect from Doug Hefernan or Arthur Spooner and Carrie. By the way, anyone remember: energy shortages? fatty fast food? education levels? common sense?

Lawyers in Sharkskin Suits

It's really getting ridiculous on TV with the attorney ads. The latest editions have suggested how the legal staffs prepare for them. As you know, medical literature describes all medications in detail, right through the chemistry. It tells you how the medication works and what organs it affects---Then, it gives you detailed information on side effects and warnings. "Don't take this medication if you have..." Do not exceed...pills in a 24-hour period. "Discuss with your doctor if you suffer from..." The information details go on aud nauseam about the dangers of the stuff. And, because of these sue-happy lawyers, any medication ad spends more time listing side effects than it does talking about the medication itself. Notice the magazine ads with two pages of medical information?

Lawyers Approaching the Bench by Jeff Leedy

Back to the commercials. Apparently, the attorneys' staffs read about the side effects and other important information about a drug, make an ad misleading the listener based on that information, and frighten them into shunning the medication in the first place. This causes needless suffering, but the lawyers catch a client or two from the many who call them trying to cash in on something. Is there any wonder why sharks are pictured in the dictionary at the description of attorney/lawyer? Anything to promote their business, eh?

In their defense, however, I'll say that on occasion they do a service---such as the recent commercials about the trans-vaginal mesh. There's a lot of controversy about the mesh's use, though the ad never mentions the health damage of doing nothing in the first place. A conundrum.

Talk to your doctor about medications you are prescribed. They all have side effects. They use the liver or kidneys to be processed after their medical applications, and then they leave, usually through the urine. Find out about interactions between drugs you're taking. Overdoses are generally where most of the problems are, followed by prior-medical problems and drug interactions. Every medication on the market has side effect, and the providers go into the necessary details about them.

I have gout in a big toe and arthritis in my hands. The only medication [other than habit-forming amounts of narcotics] that helps is the OTC Aleve aka Naproxen Sodium. Taken for a few days provides welcome relief. But the medication is removed via the kidneys, and because of diabetes, I only have a third of my kidney function left. So, the doctor told me not to take it more than once or twice a week---if I had to. If I took it more, I might end up with a complete kidney failure, and the lawyers would be crowding at my door for me to sue someone. There's nothing more scary than to wake up with a haze and see the grinning shark teeth of a lawyer 'there to protect my rights.'

Lawyer in a Sharkskin Suit painting by Ryan Berkley

I wonder about these attorneys, though. I'll bet you even money that they use some of the same products they're railing against. You don't think an attorney is going to take an aspirin or a Tylenol for a headache? Is he concerned about liver failure? What about the other drugs they rail against: Avandia or insulin for diabetes; ? How do they treat or cure their afflictions---and they do have afflictions like other humans [as the woman said in one regularly televised ad "...he treated me well. He's more than a lawyer; he's a human being..." thus leading us to understand that the average lawyer [not in that firm] is not a human being]? What species is he?
***
According to a recent commercial, H & R Block is opening up millions of offices in your homes. Does that mean you reap the benefits of rent, insurance, cleaning, telephone, Internet access, profit sharing and the like? Does Block have to pay extra taxes for all those offices? There must be truth and more details in advertising.

From Gold to Insanity

"Look closely at history in the making..." begins the announcer for another 'gold' coin rip-off. He describes in detail a real coin before craftily crossing over to what he is actually selling: a coin 'proof' [not a real 'proof' in coin collecting] that is not a coin of the realm but a slug with 24karat gold 'cladding.' "...price can only be guaranteed for 7 days..." He slyly indicates that the 'coin' has 14mg of pure, 24 karat gold. But, at a $1,500 per troy ounce market value of gold, this clad 'coin' has only 68 cents worth of gold on it. So, the claims of the gold price skyrocketing, or the original 'coin' value rising don't mean anything. For every $100 increase in the market value of an ounce of gold, this 'proof' increases in value by 4-1/2 cents. Besides, the ad has been running for months, and the price never changes. This buffalo 'proof' isn't a coin, so it has no inherent value among collectors. And it only has 68 cents of gold applied over the unnamed base, thus it would cost too much for you to retrieve and use the gold. This 'proof' has no real value there either. [If the price of gold ever explodes to $5,000 per ounce, then this 'proof' will increase $1.58 in value.] I'm not aware of any secondary market for these things, and I doubt there's any market for the filmy gold because it costs more than the value of the gold to get it off the slug. If there was, the price for the entire unit would probably be around $1. If you need to spend ten dollars, you'd be better off buying a roll of quarters.

***

Any Conservatives or Republicans out there who are careful who they use for important services and protection should know that the Peter B Lewis [son of the founder and currently chairman of the board] of Progressive Insurance is a die hard Liberal/Democrat activist in the manner of George Soros. In fact, he contributed millions in cooperation with Soros to advertise for the legalization of marijuana. The billionaire is also a card carrying member of the ACLU and a rumored heavy marijuana user. Requiring matching funds from George Soros, Lewis gave $millions more to Liberal organizations such as MoveOn.org, Democracy Alliance, America Coming Together, and Media Matters. Thus some of your insurance premiums pay for this activism either through Progressive itself or the activities of the chairman. Lewis greatly improved his inherited wealth through Capitalism. He enlarged his company, has a nice ad campaign, and takes money regularly from Conservatives through his advertising at Conservative sites and organizations---and spends it on anti-Capitalist Liberal causes.

["...In 2009, Progressive was accused of ordering [...its...] advertisements off the air during the show broadcast of Glenn Beck on the Fox News Channel over comments made about U.S. President Barack Obama. Progressive stated that [...it...] never authorized [...its...] ads to be aired during Beck's program, and they aired in that time-slot due to Fox's error..."]---that's a typical answer from a Liberal-led corporation.

So, as much as I like the 'Flo' character, I'll pass on Progressive. I'm not helping any millionaire Loony Liberal damage the Country even more with his money.

***

Intelligent people are not surprised anymore with the utterances of Barack Obama. But....he did warn us. Yes he did! Back in 2008, he was very specific about his present and future plans.

[From Sunday's 07 Sept. 2008  11:48:04 EST,  Televised 'Meet the Press']

General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain WHY he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.
 
The General stated to Obama that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171..."During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present (except those in uniform) are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Or, at the very least, 'Stand and Face It.'"

Obama answered. "As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides". [Being an American is 'taking sides?'] "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression.." [Ask the European Countries who were under siege from the NAZIs or the Asian Nations under siege from the Japanese back in the middle of last Century.] "The anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all that sort of thing."

Obama continued: "The National Anthem should be 'swapped' for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing'.  If that were our anthem, then, I might salute it.  In my opinion, we should consider reinventing our National Anthem as well as 'redesign' our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love.  It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren.  If we, as a Nation of warring people, conduct ourselves like the nations of Islam, where peace prevails - - - perhaps a state or period of mutual accord could exist between our governments ..." [Islamic nations are peaceful?? Our Nation's loss of lives for others and spilling blood in defense of freedom don't count in Obama's vision---those things were Bush's fault.]

Obama then, doesn't understand American History, dislikes our flag, dislikes our anthem, wants to disarm America until the Muslims like it, and believes that peace prevails in the Middle Eastern Muslim nations. Seeing how he's stuck close to his plan, we can't afford any more time with him in charge. He's dismantling our security and forcing us into socialism and communism. All while he takes numerous taxpayer-paid vacations and golf trips. God help us!

Christmas 1907-2011

This is a poem of 100 years ago. The
reference to 'central' is to the telephone exchange at
the time. There were no button or even dial phones
in those early years. Hello Central? Give me the
drugstore---but not if Mr. Gower's alone.

Twas the night after Christmas in Santa-Claus land
And to rest from his labors St. Nicholas planned.
The reindeer were turned out to pasture and all
The ten thousand assistants discharged till the fall.
The furry great-coat was laid safely away
With the boots and the cap with its tassel so gay,
And toasting his toes by a merry wood fire,
What more could a weary old Santa desire?
So he puffed at his pipe and remarked to his wife,
"This amply makes up for my strenuous life!
From climbing down chimneys my legs fairly ache,
But it's well worth the while for the dear children's sake.
I'd bruise every bone in my body to see
The darlings' delight in a gift-laden tree!"
Just then came a sound like a telephone bell—
Though why they should have such a thing I can't tell—
St. Nick gave a snort and exclaimed in a rage,
"Bad luck to inventions of this modern age!"
He grabbed the receiver—his face wore a frown
As he roared in the mouth-piece, "I will not come down
To exchange any toys like an up-to-date store,
Ring off, I'll not listen to anything more!"
Then he settled himself by the comforting blaze
And waxed reminiscent of halcyon days
When children were happy with simplest of toys:
A doll for the girls and a drum for the boys—
But again came that noisy disturber of peace
The telephone bell—would the sound never cease?
"Run and answer it, wife, all my patience has fled,
If they keep this thing up I shall wish I were dead!
I have worked night and day the best part of a year
To supply all the children, and what do I hear—
A boy who declares he received roller-skates
When he wanted a gun—and a cross girl who states
That she asked for a new Victor talking machine
And I brought her a sled, so she thinks I am 'mean!'"
Poor St. Nicholas looked just the picture of woe,
He needed some auto-suggestion, you know,
To make him think things were all coming out right,
For he didn't get one wink of slumber that night!
The telephone wire was kept sizzling hot
By children disgusted with presents they'd got,
And when the bright sun showed its face in the sky
The Santa-Claus family were ready to cry!
Just then something happened—a way of escape,
Though it came in the funniest possible shape—
An aeronaut, sorely in need of a meal,
Descended for breakfast—it seemed quite ideal!
For the end of it was, he invited his host
Out to try the balloon, of whose speed he could boast.
St. Nick, who was nothing if not a good sport,
Was delighted to go, and as quick as a thought
Climbed into the car for a flight in the air—
"No telephone bells can disturb me up there!
And, wife, if it suits me I'll count it no crime
To stay up till ready for next Christmas time!"

-- Anne P. L. Field c1907

A very Merry Christmas to all!

Local Vocals

Excerpted from ‘Name That Sound’ a biographical essay:

During the week we’d often see a funeral, and sometimes on Saturday or Sunday a wedding. One of the joys of being an altar boy was being called to serve at a funeral during school hours. I don’t mean the funeral was a joy---we were properly respectful. We were just happy to feel important enough to be called from class and spend a few hours away from education and the nuns. The weekend wedding was a real perk, and living across street led to my being called for the services quite often. A wedding [one server,] unless it was a mass [two servers,] didn’t take long, and the best man usually paid us altar boys a stipend. That extra cash meant a lot to us kids of the cloth.

With a Catholic bride and a Catholic groom, we opened the altar gates and the service was performed at the foot of the altar. With the Mass, the bride and groom had prie-dieus to kneel on also at the foot of the altar.

For a mixed marriage---Catholic and non-Catholic---the service was performed at the altar rail. It was just as solemn and joyous for the participants. Sometimes, the bride went over to the side altar to pray to Mary while ‘Panis Angelicus’ [Food of the Angels] or ‘Ave Maria’ [Hail Mary] was played by the organist.

In the 1960s we had a fifth Mass early Sunday afternoon [about 1 pm or 2 pm.] It was for the Spanish-speaking parishioners, with the homily in their language. Since I never attended one, I don’t know whether the Mass was conducted in Latin or Spanish---probably the latter.

On holydays, such as Easter and Christmas, the traffic near our house was unbelievable. I watched the action for each Mass: Chevy Bel Air and Coupe, Chevrolet Styleline Sedan; Ford Edsel, Ford Custom, high-flowered hats; compact hats; Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Fairlane 500; Fedora; Packard Clipper, Packard Hawk; Easter dress with a fancy hat; Nash Metropolitan, Nash Ambassador, Nash Statesman; billowing scarves; Plymouth Belvedere, Plymouth Suburban; Dodge Coronet, Dodge Regent, Dodge Sierra; lush overcoats and wind-blown faces; Oldsmobile Super 88, Oldsmobile Firestar; Pontiac Starchief; Studebaker Champion, Studebaker Commander, Studebaker Golden Hawk, Studebaker Lark; laughing families; Buick Roadmaster, Buick Special, Buick Riviera; Hudson Jet, Hudson Commodore, Hudson Hornet; Mercury Sun Valley, Mercury Monterey, Mercury Voyager; DeSoto Adventurer, DeSoto Power Master; Caddie, or Lincoln; Frazer Manhattan; Kaiser-Frazer Henry J---but rarely a foreign car.

We were a hard-working parish. The really rich people, except for the Nowns Sisters must have gone to Church somewhere else. Some people who kept away from Sunday Mass all year showed up on Easter and Christmas. Services during Holy Week were also well attended. We had lengthy services on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I remember attending everything, even when I wasn’t serving as an altar boy.

Holy Week started on Palm Sunday. We had the passing out of blessed and dried palm fronds as a symbol of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. We were also read the Passion from the gospel. I didn’t like this as a kid because it was so long and only a repetition from the previous year. In the early fifties, everyone had to stand during the reading. Later on, the parishioners could sit---a deterrent to fainting spells.

We saw the reverence of Holy Thursday and the black sadness of Good Friday. And the anticipation and joy of Holy Saturday. These feelings led to the majesty of Easter Sunday. That morning with the lilies and other flowers represented the glorious feeling among us all, though I know as a little kid, I was more interested in the various treats of the day. The wafty flower aroma from the Easter Lilies was all about the church and added to the freshness of the Mass and ceremonies. We celebrated the rising from the dead of Jesus over two thousand years ago.

All through the fifties we had the same three elderly women as our church choir. [They may not have been elderly in the 1950s, but they sounded like it.] Mrs. Hallinan, Mrs. Hegewald, and another whose name I’m sorry to say I don’t remember. The third also played the organ. They sang in tune, but their assumed ages showed in their voices. They sounded dark and ominous and were well suited for funerals. I only wish we had had some younger singers to brighten the wedding and other joyous ceremonies, or some sinners of any age to appreciate the dark singing.

But there in the fifties, the ‘triumvirate’ had a stranglehold on the Church singing rights. I doubt anyone could have joined or replaced them. It would have been a heresy. No singers need apply. Perhaps their most annoying moments were their cranking out litanies during high Mass. As is often quoted: ‘A voice which could shatter glass!’

To be perfectly honest, I preferred and still prefer the old Latin, or Tridentine, Mass to the modern one in the vernacular of the parishioners. I go to a Latin Mass whenever and wherever I can find one, and I watch Midnight Mass from the Vatican every Christmas Eve instead of watching another version of ‘A Christmas Carol.’ Neither one however, is like the Masses I remember---although the St Peter’s mass comes close. By using the vernacular as mandated by the Vatican II council, a lot of mystery and ceremony seems lost.

The ‘numinous’ [inborn religious sense] has to fight an uphill battle to remain on an even keel. Protestant theologian, Rudolf Otto in his 1923 book ‘The Idea of the Holy’, discussed this concept. He has good, if somewhat dense, arguments and discussions of the presence of God and holiness. A mysterious aura is very important to a person’s belief. Take it away, as with the demise of the Latin Mass, and you create Catholics of convenience and the modern day, certainly not with the same devoutness as in the past.

In the Latin Mass, we didn’t shake hands and wish each other peace as we do in the vernacular Mass. After the service [or prayer; Mass is actually considered a prayer,] we made the effort to treat our neighbors with respect and courtesy every day. That’s what we were taught, and that was a most important attitude. ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’ is an old, established concept. But, I wasn’t always successful.

Application Form for Candidates for the Offices of Representative, Senator and President of the USA

This test must be completed by the candidate [not a staff member] at one time, at a controlled location, without staff around, and with independent proctors. Answer the questions clearly, completely and without evasion or misleading statements. Time limit is two hours. The candidate must go through an airport-type full body scan before answering the essay questions. Appropriate official documents must be included with each test. The test will be signed at the end to indicate the candidate's true beliefs are presented within, and he/she will not be permitted crib notes, televisors, or other assistance in answering. All cell phones will be confiscated for the duration of the exam. The answers and documents will be reviewed by an independent group. All answers and copies of documents will be released to the public. Proctors for this monitoring must be thoroughly vetted by the FBI and CIA.

1. Where were you born? Under what circumstances? Who were your grandparents? Answer in detail. Did you go to college? Where and for how long? Did you graduate? [submit a transcript and copy of your diploma; submit an official Birth Certificate, and not a certificate of birth that doesn't mean anything.]

2. What is your view on abortion? Do you believe in infant life or death? Do you blame an innocent child for the circumstances surrounding its conception? Expand your answer and give details. How would you respond to the following?: Abortion is not the murder of a human being. Abortion is the murder of a human being. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are viable actions for a modern society.

3. What is your view on the size and scope of the Federal Government? Give details. Do you believe in unlimited taxes on Americans to finance Congressional mandates? How much is enough for a Federal Debt? Where do you draw the line? How can we best reduce the debt and annual deficit and should we? How do you view pork and earmarks? What is the relationship between the States and the Federal Government?

4. Are you a Socialist or Communist or Liberal or Progressive or Conservative or Libertarian or other term? Give examples of your political experience that shows what your ideology really is and why you believe in it. Provide examples of political positions you have held.

5. What are your qualifications for this office? Be specific in your giving of details. What is your prior political or management experience? How does this qualify you for this new elected office you want? Do you believe that judicious bribery is needed to complete political ends? Where would you be comfortable with such an action.

6. Do you take an oath to protect the Constitution as it is written or as you want it to be? Please be specific and expand on your answer. What are your views on Constitutional amendments?

7. Do you support all parts of the Constitution---including the amendments---as written? What part[s] of the Constitution are you against and not likely to protect? Please expand your answer and give examples. For example, the second Amendment to the Constitution reads: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." How do you understand and support this?

8. What is your position on welfare? Will you help rein in the costs? Will you hold fathers responsible for providing support and not disappearing into the sunset? Will you deny persons the collecting welfare when they don't need it? What is your position on ILLEGAL immigration? [Don't confuse it with legal immigration.] Will you support the necessary protection of our borders and reduce illegal immigration logically?

9. Do you support our troops in all ways at all times? [Disregard what their civilian orders are.] How have you shown your support in the past? What is your total view on the military? Please expand your answers with specific examples.

10. Our founding fathers were religious, and they included God in their writings and documents. They only guaranteed rights in the Constitution. They didn't create them. Do you support God or Atheism in government? The 1st [read: predominate concern] Amendment to the Constitution reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Provide explanations of your beliefs in regard to this Amendment. How does removing crosses from public places, prohibiting school prayer, or banning the use of the word 'God' in political discourse mesh with this 1st Amendment? How do such actions not run afoul of it?

I _________________________ declare that the above answers are true to my beliefs and ideology and make no excuses for them. I have not equivocated or evaded any answer, and I have not simply answered them to best serve my purposes in the upcoming election. And I promise to resign any office I might be in if I ever deviate from this philosphy.

_______________________________________ The signature must be notarized.

________________________________

Please Note for the Journalists:
The Attitude of candidate when completing the essay questions.
The Length of time taken to complete the essay questions.
The Amount of sweat coming from each candidate.