This is what socialism looks like

Some current tax rates

United Kingdom:

Income Tax: 50%

VAT: 17.5% TOTAL: 67.5%

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France :

Income Tax: 40%

VAT: 19.6% TOTAL: 59.6%

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Greece :

Income Tax: 40%

VAT: 25% TOTAL: 65%

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Spain :

Income Tax: 45%

VAT: 16% TOTAL: 61%

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Portugal :

Income Tax: 42%

VAT: 20% TOTAL: 62%

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Sweden :

Income Tax: 55%

VAT: 25% TOTAL: 80%

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Norway :

Income Tax: 54.3%

VAT: 25% TOTAL: 79.3%

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Netherlands :

Income Tax: 52%

VAT: 19% TOTAL: 71%

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Denmark :

Income Tax: 58%

VAT: 25% TOTAL: 83%

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Finland :

Income Tax: 53%

VAT: 22% TOTAL: 75%

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If you've started to wonder what the real costs of socialism are going to be, once the full program in these United States hits your wallet, take a look at the table. As you digest these mind-boggling figures, keep in mind that in spite of these astronomical tax rates, these countries are still not financing their social welfare programs exclusively from tax revenues !

They are deeply mired in public debt of gargantuan proportions. Greece has reached the point where its debt is so huge it is in imminent danger of defaulting. That is the reason the European economic community has intervened to bail them out. If you are following the financial news, you know Spain and Portugal are right behind Greece.

The United States is now heading right down the same path. The VAT tax in the table is the national sales tax that Europeans pay. The Obama-era Transaction Tax looms largely. Don't know what that is??  Better find out.

It's time to take a really hard look at reality. Greece is a perfect example. Despite the socialist system that has ruled this country for decades, with a 65% tax rate, they are drowning in public debt, would have defaulted without hundreds of billions in bailout
money, and still. . .20% of their population lives in abject poverty.

What has all that socialism money bought, besides ultimate power for the politicians running the show? Do you think these people are "free"? They're NOT. They're slaves to their economic "system". This is where we are going unless we throw the present Congress and Obama out. Instead of spreading the wealth around, spread this
around. It might wake some people up.

--------- GOD BLESS AMERICA------------

Mourning in America

Sobering statistics! It is time for our elected officials to listen to US!

It is time to read Atlas Shrugged again

If you have never read Atlas Shrugged, and do not like where this country is headed, I suggest you pick up a copy - it was written in 1957 by Ayn Rand (who grew up in Communist Russia) but was so very prescient of what is happening in our country today. Check out this column from Bruce Bialosky where he talked about the medical profession and what they are saying. I have spoken to several doctors (about my age) and they are going to try continuing their practices for a couple of years, then are thinking about doing something else. We will lose all of these great physicians, who will be replaced with third world country doctors who are experienced in the "rationing" system of health care. Your care will then depend on how much value you are to the "collective". Good Luck with that!

Governor Charlie Crist Executive Orders

Back on July 13, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist signed Executive Orders 07-126, “Leadership by Example: Immediate Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Florida State Government”; Executive Order 07-127, “Immediate Actions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions within Florida”; and Executive Order 07-128, “Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change.”

The U. N. Agenda 21 Sustainability initiatives are being implemented in the State of Florida. Our government is quickly adopting all of the United Nations programs and policies. We do not have to participate in this - it is all a complex and convoluted means for "distribution of wealth". Anyone who espouses any kind of "green" initiative or smart growth or power, or transient oriented development are all speaking about the same thing. Keep your ears and eyes open and I will do the same.

Government’s Light Bulb Ban Is Just Plain Destructive | The Heritage Foundation

Is it me, or is this getting to be a bit too much? The federal government is now banning our perfectly dependable old fashioned incandescent light bulbs, made right here in the good old USA, and forcing us to replace them with CFL's made in China that "may have a few glitches". In this article Government’s Light Bulb Ban Is Just Plain Destructive The Heritage Foundation, the hazards of these new light bulbs are itemized. Not to mention they will be produced in China, and GE has closed the last plant in America to make them. Could be another case of "distribution of wealth"...Ya think?

U.S. Education Secretary Vows to Make American Children 'Good Environmental Citizens' | CNSnews.com

We had better take back our government this November! It is make it or break it time!

Check out this article U.S. Education Secretary Vows to Make American Children 'Good Environmental Citizens' CNSnews.com. Their goal is to begin "educating" our kids starting at kindergarten through federally subsidized school programs to "teach them about climate change and prepare them to contribute to the work force through green jobs." This is not education, this is INDOCTRINATION! There should be a gigantic "house cleaning" to eliminate the Department of Education. Educating our children is OUR job. It is not the responsibility of the federal government. Get involved! Join PTA! Make sure you know what your kids are being taught!

U.K. Budget Calculator - What Would You Cut?

I found this interesting piece in the BBC UK News. They actually have a budget calculator so that you can try to make adjustments in different areas of government spending to cut the necessary 50 Billion Pounds from next the 2014/2015 budget. When you make cuts you see exactly how it will impact the services provided by the British government. Very interesting approach to letting them know there will be tough times ahead.

On a lighter note, or perhaps not, Robert Plant, of Led Zeppelin fame, appeared on Jimmy Fallon last week and they were speaking of age, and Robert said he was "of an age" now (62) where he qualified for government assistance with his energy bill this winter. They are issuing fuel allotments because an "excess" of people died last year due to not being able to pay their energy bills and froze to death or suffered pneumonia and died. The number was close to 40,000! Sobering stuff.

Oh, and Jimmy Page can ride the buses for free now!

Old Story - Extreme left telling Jews to shut up, sacrifice themselves for other causes, or ELSE!

This is an outstanding analysis and comparison of 1930s-1940s Russia and Germany with events unfolding today, by Barry Rubin, on one of my favorite blog sites Yid With Lid. I feel it is extremely important to share with my followers and friends.Perhaps it is time to understand, Communism is just Fascism without the guns pointed at your head!

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 33rd Annual Award Gala

Our President omits a very important piece in reciting a portion of the Declaration of Independence, the part where we are endowed "by our Creator" with certain unalienable rights. I have one question. Was this omitted because he cannot recite it correctly (as I am sure all of you can) or because he does not believe this to be a fact? This is at about the 22.3 minute mark.

Busted - Orlando Mosque Finances Hamas Fundraiser

"The Worst of Both" The Real Charlie Crist Commercial

Welcome to Gaza (Part 1 of 2)

Interesting view of what is really going on in Gaza. Not quite what we are being told, is it? Got this from www.newzeal.blogspot.com, follow their site, they have a lot of good international information.

It's expensive to "go green"

Good commentary on how our "stimulus" money has been spent, from Moe Lane in the Red State Morning Briefing in his column today Sic Transit Gloria Green Jobs. As I have stated before the old saying "Greed is good" should now be "Green is good".

I hope this alarms you like it does me - This is not right people!

Man Assaulted & Arrested at Alaska State Fair for ‘Impeach Obama’ Sign

- Watch more Politics Videos at Vodpod.

YID With LID: White House Tells Insurance Industry: SHUT UP About Obamacare-Caused Rate Hikes Or Else

Great article from YID With LID: White House Tells Insurance Industry: SHUT UP About Obamacare-Caused Rate Hikes Or Else regarding the heavy handed HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' veiled threat to the insurance industry that if they raise premiums for coverage with the explanation that the new Affordable Health Care Act requires them to provide more coverage, they may find themselves not being able to participate in the Obamacare pool of insurers. "The White House wants the insurance companies silenced, HHS Secretary Sebelius sent a letter to the AHIP an insurance industry advocacy group. The letter written in a threatening tone said in part:

Given the importance of the new protections and the facts about their impact on costs, I ask for your help in stopping misinformation and scare tactics about the Affordable Care Act. Moreover, I want AHIP’s members to be put on notice: the Administration, in partnership with states, will not tolerate unjustified rate hikes in the name of consumer protections. "

The insurance industry is trying to remain solvent in a time when they are being forced into issuing policies with mandated coverages that expose them to more risk and exposure. The across the board "generic" policy coverage mandate will necessarily raise the cost of each policy - who does not understand this? (other than the White House) In a related article by Michael F. Cannon at Cato at Liberty he describes in more detail the impact the Affordable Care Act will have on several health insurers. He states "The Journal even included this handy chart, where the blue bars show how much ObamaCare will add to the cost of certain health plans in 2011."

What is alarming is that, instead of the White House understanding the impact of their Affordable Care Act and working with the industry to reduce the  all-inclusive coverage demands of this act, they instead send a threatening letter basically telling the insurance companies to just SHUT UP about it!

Governor Christie Responds To Teacher During Town Hall

More conservative "porn". I love this guy!

A Progressive in Republican clothes

Tuesday evening Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe came to speak to the USF Student Government regarding light rail and their support of the 14% increase in the county sales tax. Frank Hernandez introduced Commissioner Sharpe, stating that Hillsborough County is in “dire need” of mass transit.

Commissioner Sharpe spoke about his blueprint for the future of the county. His focus is on creating jobs, high paying jobs, such as in the life sciences, so that the students at USF today will want to continue to live and work in this area after graduation. He said that in the past we have been focused on jobs in industries such as housing and agriculture, both of which are not growing here. (Where are they growing?) He stated that we need a good transit system and that would attract these high paying jobs to the Tampa Bay area. Commissioner Sharpe acknowledged that he was going against his party and was even challenged in the primary. He said that the Republican party is wrong on this issue.

He went on to say that the county grew rapidly in the past several years, and the cheapest and fastest way to accommodate the growth resulted in the sprawl we have today. People that bought homes in communities in south Hillsborough County with as many as 4 golf courses in a single development have created traffic problems. He stated that golf course communities are getting old. Who wants to live like that today? The new way to go is to build vertical, bring people together in more densely populated areas, with walk and bike trails, and more buses. He wants more buses, smaller buses, along with the light rail and the speed rail. This will make us economically competitive and will entice business to come here and the university students of today will want to stay here after they graduate, to work and make a life here.

I asked him about the negative cost of running the buses, which is about $40 million a year, and where that shortfall came from and what is that taking away from other county services. He said it was paid through property taxes, but did not comment further on that.

I also asked him if he thought that an 8% sales tax, which would be the highest in the state, would have a negative impact on bringing business and people here. He said that we do not have a state income tax and that Pasco, Pinellas and Polk will also be increasing their sales tax in the near future.

He also said they just signed a deal to grow algae as a fuel alternative on 600 acres in the county. I will check into that further.

The students speak of sustainability as if they understand what it means. At 18-21 years of age, when you either still live at home or are living in high density dorms or apartments, and are physically able to ride your bicycle around the campus or take the buses from one side to another, the convenience makes it understandable why one would be for the rail. Perhaps they should ask their parents, who very possibly live in gated golf course communities on a nice 1/2 acre of land, why they worked so hard all their lives just to end up being consigned to such an awful existence.

These bright young students should understand that the entire sustainability propaganda is straight out of the U. N. Agenda 21 doctrine, and buying into it strips away their God-given rights of life, liberty and their Constitutional rights of property ownership and freedom to live where they choose. In this column from the Canada Free Press posted on August 15, 2010, by Henry Lamb, he discusses the bill being presented by Senator Christopher Dodd called the "Livable Communities Act." S. 1619. It is currently on a fast track to being presented for a vote. Ever so silently and swiftly our government is taking away our freedoms.

There are two issues currently in play which will be covered in the next few articles. The CLEAR Act and President Obama's Executive Order regarding the creation of a National Ocean Council. Chilling stuff!

Save the light bulbs

If you do not already know, the EPA has passed a regulation that, beginning in 2014, we all have to change to these new light bulbs. In the Red State Morning Briefing, Erick Erickson asks Republicans to do one thing, and one thing only, which is to save the light bulbs. They are more dangerous than our incandescent bulbs (due to the mercury content) and come with specific instructions as to their disposal. And to top it off, only China makes them! This is just another example of the federal government's attempt to encroach on our freedom.

Judge cites homeschoolers for violating U.N. mandate

This is yet another reason to get as far away from the United Nations as possible before it is too late. Judge cites homeschoolers for violating U.N. mandate in Botswana, but they are having greater influence in European countries and here in the United States. It is a violation of the Constitution for the "state" to tell us what our children should and should not be taught.

A Big Thanks To Our Sheepdogs

This letter was written by Charles Grennel and his comrades, veterans of the Global War On Terror. Grennel is an Army Reservist who spent two years in Iraq and was a principal in putting together the first Iraq elections in January 2005.

They wrote it to Jill Edwards, student at the University of Washington, who did not want to honor Medal of Honor winner USMC Colonel Greg Boyington.

Ms. Edwards, other students and faculty do not think those who serve in the U.S. armed services are good role models.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: Jill Edwards, Student, University of Washington

Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs

Miss Edwards, I read of your student activity regarding the proposed memorial to Colonel Greg Boyington, USMC, and a Medal of Honor winner. I suspect you will receive many angry emails from conservative people like me.

You may be too young to appreciate fully the sacrifices of generations of servicemen and servicewomen on whose shoulders you and your fellow students stand. I forgive you for the untutored ways of youth and your naivete. It may be that you are simply a sheep. There's no dishonor in being a sheep, as long as you know and accept what you are.

William J. Bennett, in a lecture to the United States Naval Academy November 24, 1997, said "Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident. We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people, not capable of hurting each other except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

Then there are the wolves who feed on the sheep without mercy. Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that, or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

Then there are sheepdogs, and I'm a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf. If you have no capacity for violence, then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep. If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined [yourself as] an aggressive sociopath, a wolf. But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the unsheltered path.

Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.

We know that the sheep live in denial, that is what makes them sheep.

They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world They can accept the fact that fires can happen, which is why they want fire extinguishers, fire sprinklers, fire alarms, and fire exits throughout their kids' schools. But many of them are outraged at the idea of putting an armed police officer in their kids' school. Our children are thousands of times more likely to be killed or seriously injured by school violence than fire, but the sheep's only response to the possibility of violence is denial. The idea of someone coming to kill or harm their child is just too hard. So they choose the path of denial.

The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot, and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. The world cannot work any other way, at least not in a representative democracy or a republic, such as ours. Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land.

They would prefer that he didn't tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports, in camouflage fatigues, holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go Baa. Until the wolf shows up Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog.

The students, the victims, at Columbine High School were big, tough high school students, and under ordinary circumstances would not have had the time of day for a police officer. They were not bad kids; they just had nothing to say to a cop. When the school was under attack, however, and SWAT teams were clearing the rooms and hallways, the officers had to physically peel those clinging, sobbing kids off of them.

This is how the little lambs feel about their sheepdog, when the wolf is at the door. Look at what happened after September 11, 2001, when the wolf pounded hard on the door. Remember how America, more than ever before, felt differently about their law enforcement officers and military personnel? Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be.

Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter. He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed, right along with the young ones.

Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. The sheep pretend the wolf will never come, but the sheepdog lives for that day.

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, most of the sheep, that is, most citizens in America, said "Thank God I wasn't on one of those planes" The sheepdogs, the warriors, said "Dear God, I wish I could have been on one of those planes. Maybe I could have made a difference." You want to be able to make a difference. There is nothing morally superior about the sheepdog, the warrior, but he does have one real advantage. Only one. And that is that he is able to survive and thrive in an environment that would destroy 98 percent of the population.

Research was conducted a few years ago with individuals convicted of violent crimes. These cons were in prison for serious, predatory crimes of violence: assaults, murders, and killing law enforcement officers. The vast majority said they specifically targeted victims by body language:

Slumped walk, passive behavior, and lack of awareness. They chose their victims like big cats do in Africa, when they select one out of the herd that is least able to protect itself.

Some people may be destined to be sheep, and others might be genetically primed to be wolves or sheepdogs. But I believe that most people can choose which one they want to be, and I'm proud to say that more and more Americans are choosing to become sheepdogs.

Seven months after the attack on September 11, 2001, Todd Beamer was honored in his hometown of Cranbury, New Jersey. Todd, as you recall, was the man on Flight 93 over Pennsylvania who called on his cell phone to alert an operator from United Airlines about the hijacking. When they learned of the other three passenger planes that had been used as weapons, Todd and the other passengers confronted the terrorist hijackers. In one hour, a transformation occurred among the passengers - athletes, business people, and parents - from sheep to sheepdogs - and together they fought the wolves, ultimately saving an unknown number of lives on the ground.

Edmund Burke said "There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men." Here is the point I want to emphasize, especially to the thousands of police officers and soldiers I speak to each year. In nature, the sheep, real sheep, are born as sheep. Sheepdogs are born that way, and so are wolves. They don't have a choice.

But you are not a critter. As a human being, you can be whatever you want to be. It is a conscious, moral decision. If you want to be a sheep, then you can be a sheep - and that is okay, but you must understand the price you pay. When the wolf comes, you and your loved ones are going to die, if there is not a sheepdog there to protect you.

If you want to be a wolf, you can be one, but the sheepdogs are going to hunt you down, and you will never have rest, safety, trust, or love. But if you want to be a sheepdog and walk the warrior's path, then you must make a conscious and moral decision every day to dedicate, equip, and prepare yourself to thrive in that toxic, corrosive moment when the wolf comes knocking at the door.

This business of being a sheep or a sheepdog is not a yes/no dichotomy.

It is not an all-or-nothing, either-or choice. It is a matter of degrees, a continuum. On one end is an abject, head-in-the-sand-sheep, and on the other end is the ultimate warrior. Few people exist completely on one end or the other. Most of us live somewhere in between.

Since 9/11, almost everyone in America took a step up that continuum, away from denial. The sheep took a few steps toward accepting and appreciating their warriors, and the warriors started taking their job more seriously.

Its OK to be a sheep, but do not kick the sheepdog. Indeed, the sheepdog may just run a little harder, strive to protect a little better, and be fully prepared to pay an ultimate price in battle and spirit with the sheep moving from "baa" to "thanks."

We do not call for gifts or freedoms beyond our lot. We just need a small pat on the head, a smile, and a thank you, to fill the emotional tank which is drained protecting the sheep. And, when our number is called by The Almighty, and day retreats into night, a small prayer before the heavens just may be in order to say thanks for letting you continue to be a sheep. And be grateful for the millions of American sheepdogs who permit you the freedom to express even bad ideas.

Charles Grennel

Never Gonna Stand For This by Teachenor Clark

Something to consider as we debate a mosque near Ground Zero

In an article from CBN.com Islamization of Paris A warning to the West  the Muslim call to prayer has become an infringement on individual rights to be able to enter or exit their homes during this time of worship in the streets. Remember, there are 5 daily prayers required of Muslims. When a religion infringes on another's freedoms to pursue normal activities and quiet enjoyment in their homes and neighborhoods there must be action to stop it. Everything they are doing is against the law but still they do it. The police do not interfere. Is this what we want in New York City (or anywhere else in America)? We all worship as we please, but in our churches, temples or synagogues, and not at the expense, inconvenience and dare I say intimidation of others. As I posted in an earlier article, Ban The Burqa, non-believers are shouted at and harassed for not dressing appropriately and are afraid to leave their homes. We cannot allow this to happen in America.

Jerome Hudson at the Restoring Honor Rally in D.C.

In an article in Human Events on August 31, 2010, A Black Man Goes To Glenn Beck's Rally Jerome Hudson expresses his experiences at the rally. It takes a strong person like this young man to open his heart and his mind to the awareness that what we are about is all-inclusive, regardless of race, religion, sex or creed. It is about human rights, human liberty and freedom from any kind of bondage imposed on us, either by men or by government. Our rights come from God and they are unalienable, which means they cannot be taken away by anyone. It is "the Law of Nature or Nature's God and is eternal in it's goodness; it is universal in its application. It is a code of "right reason" from the Creator himself. It cannot be altered. It cannot be repealed. It cannot be abandoned by legislators or the people themselves, even though they may pretend to do so. In Natural Law we are dealing with factors of absolute reality. It is basic in its principles, comprehensive to the human mind, and totally correct and morally right in its general operation." - The 5000 Year Leap - Great Book!

Black Conservatives Blast Al Sharpton Protesters in DC 8/28

This woman understands what the tea party movement is about! LIFE AND LIBERTY!