The Unity

Obviously, we've been hearing a lot about our new President and how everyone is behind him. After all, millions of people went to the Mall in D.C. to witness the historic inauguration. Certainly, the election of the first African American to the Presidency is outstanding.

However, it's important to remember that tens of millions of people voted against President Obama. While we respect his position as the chief executive, we certainly can (and will) disagree on many things.

One would not think that tens of millions of Americans had voted against the President if they watched or read the news these past few days. In fact, one might believe that the country is completely behind the President and the subsequent policies that he wishes to enact. I honestly do not remember the same honeymoon for former President Bush when he was elected twice.

Which brings me to today's cartoon.




Frankly, it speaks volumes about the past few days.

"Something will have to go"

The state budget is somewhere on the order of 5% to 10% out of balance, and something will have to be cut. Where's the state legislature going to bring out the trimming shears?

A New Year

The Election of 2008 has concluded, as has 2008 itself. As we enter the final year of the 00s, we’ll be saying goodbye to President Bush, and hello to President Obama. Besides the obvious switch of the political party in control of the White House, we’re going to be seeing several years where the Republican Party is in the Congressional wilderness as well.

One thing is painfully obvious: The Republican Party was crushed in the 2006 elections and soundly defeated in the 2008 elections. As such, we Republicans will begin this year looking to rebuild/rebrand or whatever you want to call what the party will be trying to do in the upcoming year(s). However, this rebuilding should NOT start from the top. We should rebuild from the bottom up. How do we do this exactly? For starters, we need to have superior local organization, among other things. Ultimately, though, we need to be able to communicate our ideas successfully to the citizens of Dallas County, the state of Iowa, and the entire United States. As conservatives, we know our ideas have merit…we know they have value…and for the most part, we know that they work.

However, let’s be honest…we’re not in charge anymore. The Democrats control:

• The Presidency
• The Senate
• The House of Representatives
• The State Senate
• The State House
• The Governor’s Mansion

Now, we have some fantastic Republican office holders here in Dallas County at the local level, but as for the state and national government, it’s pretty much all about the Democrats.

During this year, my posts here at 1007 E. Grand will be analyzing several things:

• Legislation moving through Congress and the state House and Senate
• President Obama’s ideas and policies
• The re-branding of the Republican Party…and more.

2008 was a pretty rough year, all things considered. Let’s hope for a better 2009.

A New President

I salute Senator Barack Obama for becoming President of the United States. I also salute Senator John McCain for his service to this nation. During the heat of the political battle, we, of course, get rather passionate, disagreeable, and downright snarky. However, it is a testament to this republic that our elections are safe and free.

Senator Obama, you have broken a huge barrier, and we wish you the best as you become this nation’s 44th president. Certainly, we will disagree (on a plethora of things), but I hope that your leadership helps our country continue down the road to prosperity and perpetual freedom.

God bless.

P.S. On a personal note, I like Barack Obama…except for his policies and ideas.