Peaceful gather to support the family of Christina Taylor Green

The following event is being organized by Smart Girl Politics:

Several of us (Smart Girl Politics) attended an organizational meeting tonight downtown regarding members of our community gathering in support of the family of Christina Taylor Green during her funeral on Thursday. As indicated in previous emails, Westboro Baptist is threatening to protest Christina’s funeral as well as the funerals of the other victims of Saturday’s tragic shooting.

Details for Thursday:

Location of the funeral: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 8650 North Shannon (on Shannon north of Magee on the east side of the street) www.seastucson.org

Time of funeral: 1:00 p.m.

Recommended time of arrival: 11:00 a.m.

Location of gathering for supporters: We will be lining the street along Shannon Road

Please remember that we are there to support the community and family, but not as attendees of the funeral. Please do not park in the church parking lot or follow the procession when they depart the church.

Parking: DO NOT PARK AT THE CHURCH – WE ARE NOT ATTENDING THE FUNERAL AND THAT PARKING IS FOR THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THE VICTIM. We are currently scouting parking locations. The location of the church is remote with very few places to park nearby, so we will be contacting other locations locally to get permission to park in their lots and shuttle people to the location where we will be assembling. More information to follow tomorrow. Shannon Road has plenty of parking along the road, but we are concerned that law enforcement will prohibit parking along the road due to the high profile nature of this funeral and the potential for conflict. Parking will be a problem, so please plan to carpool if at all possible.

Please be respectful to law enforcement and comply with their requests without question or challenging them. This is going to be a difficult day for law enforcement and our community.

We ask everyone to make sure that our overall tone is civil and respectful in accordance with the serious and somber circumstances of the day. Do not allow yourself to be provoked and bear in mind that our presence is about the victim and her family and loved ones and not about political ideology. The family has also asked for no media, so preserving the privacy and dignity of the family is our highest priority.

Please adhere to the following code of conduct:

*Please be peaceful with all other attendees and possible protestors at all times

*This is a non-partisan gathering of many members of our community, so please refrain from political discourse

*Please do not wear any clothing that has logos for political, activist or community groups. It has been requested that our community members that will be at the funeral to support the family all wear white.

*Please do not pass out any literature or use this gathering as an opportunity to promote a group or individual or religious viewpoint

*Please do not bring any signs. This is not a rally or protest, and signs and banners are not appropriate for a funeral.

Thank you for your willingness to support the Green family.

Jennifer Leslie & Chayah Masters

Smart Girl Politics

Did Sheriff Dupnik know about Jared Loughner?

Guest Opinion: by Jim Kelley of The Cholla Jumps

Jared Loughner is a product of Sheriff Dupnik’s office

This is the report that Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik has been dreading since the tragic event on Saturday January 8.

The sheriff has been editorializing and politicizing the event since he took the podium to report on the incident. His blaming of radio personalities and bloggers is a pre-emptive strike because Mr. Dupnik knows this tragedy lays at his feet and his office. Six people died on his watch and he could have prevented it. He needs to step up and start apologizing to the families of the victims instead of spinning this event to serve his own political agenda.

Jared Loughner, pronounced by the Sheriff as Lock-ner, saying it was the Polish pronunciation. Of course he meant Scott or Irish but that isn’t the point. The point is he and his office have had previous contact with the alleged assailant in the past and that is how he knows how to pronounce the name.

Jared Loughner has been making death threats by phone to many people in Pima County including staff of Pima Community College, radio personalities and local bloggers. When Pima County Sheriff’s Office was informed, his deputies assured the victims that he was being well managed by the mental health system. It was also suggested that further pressing of charges would be unnecessary and probably cause more problems than it solved as Jared Loughner has a family member that works for Pima County. Amy Loughner is a Natural Resource specialist for the Pima County Parks and Recreation. My sympathies and my heart goes out to her and the rest of Mr. Loughner’s family. This tragedy must be tearing them up inside wondering if they had done the right things in trying to manage Jared’s obvious mental instability.

Every victim of his threats previously must also be wondering if this tragedy could have been prevented if they had been more aggressive in pursuing charges against Mr. Loughner. Perhaps with a felony conviction he would never have been able to lawfully by the Glock 9mm Model 19 that he used to strike down the lives of six people and decimate 14 more.

This was not an act of politics. This was an act of a mentally disturbed young man hell bent on getting his 15 minutes of infamy. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department was aware of his violent nature and they failed to act appropriately. This tragedy leads right back to Sherriff Dupnik and all the spin in the world is not going to change that fact.

Live Blogging at the Arizona GOP Chairman’s Forum

I am currently at the Awhatukee GOP Chairman’s forum. The three candidates are present: Ron Carmichael, Marty Hermanson and Bruce Ash.

Lots of live discussion on our Twitter feed. Please check our Twitter feed to see all the live questions and answers. @sonoranalliance

I will also post additional questions here.

Continuing the candidate questions online, here are those questions that did not get answered due to time contraints. Each one of the candidates may answer them here in the comments or send their responses to sonoranalliance@gmail.com and I will post them later.

These are actual questions submitted by the audience.

  1. There have been many good ideas, plans and tactics presented; However, these all need people to make them happen. How will you (as Chairman) get the man-power to make your state vision come true?
  2. As Chairman which is more important to the party: Re-electing Republicans who do not advance the party’s principles, or supporting new primary candidates that do represent the principles?
  3. Fundraising is important but in a bad economy much more difficult. Republicans were successful in 2010 with limited money. If fundraising doesn’t yield what is desired, how else will you ensure success? Pinal County did it. What was the secret?
  4. How would you strategize getting a younger female demographic attracted to conservatism GOP? (ages 20-35)
  5. How will you spend the money you raise? What is your number one priority? Give an example of how you have spent money before.
  6. What did you yourself do for the congressional candidate in your district after the primary?
  7. What affiliation have you had with any federal congressman? If so, how?
  8. What positive directions do you see yourself taking the AZGOP?
  9. What happens if these money backers back out? What happens if they don’t come thru? How will you fundraise?
  10. What if a major financial donor decides they won’t give without strings attached?
  11. How come if AZ GOP needs so much money, why did Senator McCain spend $21 Million to defeat JD and not contribute to the AZ GOP? (McCain actually spent in excess of $24 Million in the 2010 Primary Election.)
  12. Do you support 1070 and/or The Dream Act?
  13. How much time would you provide to the AZ GOP?
  14. How can we have a unified party when one senator supports “comprehensive immigration reform” immediately after winning his next term and has done nothing to date to secure Arizona’s and the US’s border? These are extremely important to the grassroots conservatives.
  15. Give us an example – specifics please – of money you raised and how it was spent. (Not just money raised under your leadership.)
  16. (For Mr. Carmichael) You said you did not want to run for chairman but “some people” came to you and asked you to run. Who specifically? What are their names and did those names include Jon Kyl and John McCain?
  17. Isn’t the reason that money does not flow to AZ GOP is the Republicans now send their contributions directly to candidates, Tea Party Nation, Senator DeMint, etc? How can you appeal to them?
  18. You have spoken a lot about party unity. Around what exactly are Republicans to unify? Is it not our platform? What does the Party Chairman do if for example, our two elected Senators do the exact opposite to what our Party Platform clearly says: The Republican Party does not support any amnesty for illegal aliens?
  19. I want to donate money to specific candidates that I believe in. Not all Republican candidates are equal. Why should people donate money to the Party at large?
  20. What makes you different from the other two (candidates)? Why would you be a better choice?
  21. If you were NOT running, who would you support for Chairman?

Gabrielle Giffords: The Bravest Congresswoman I Know

Last March, I attended a town hall in the tiny town of Apache located northeast of Douglas in Southern Arizona. Hundreds of ranchers and members of the surrounding communities had gathered to meet with local and federal officials to discuss the tragic murder of rancher, Robert Krentz.

Needless to say, emotions were very heated.

The setting was surreal as the sun lowered on the western horizon and hundreds of ranchers and cowboys stood around waiting to voice their fears, frustration and anger over what had just happened to their neighbor and good friend. There must have been a dozen news crews fully equipped with cameras and lights completely focused on the people, the moment and the intensity of what was happening. The scene was surreal as modern technology had been dropped right in the middle of the old west.

In the middle of it all, Gabrielle Giffords was there.

In the center of the gathering, stood a building that served as the town’s schoolhouse. Inside, Giffords was meeting with local authorities and the widow of Mr. Krentz, Susan. She was expressing her condolences.

Off in the distance stood the Chiracahua Mountains. Many of the ranchers were talking about the probability that we were being watched from these same hills by Mexican cartel scouts. (I later confirmed this speculation from my son, who is currently serving on the border in the same area.)

Nearly every rancher and cowboy there was armed and angry. These men and women were the real deal and they wanted answers and action.

I watched as the organizer of the meeting asked Gabrielle to speak to his people. Knowing where she stood on illegal immigration policy, I was certainly concerned that this was going to get ugly.

It didn’t.

Congresswoman Giffords spoke from the heart and listened as each rancher expressed anger, grief and frustration. I was amazed by the grave concern that she showed and how intently she listened. She was doing her job.

She didn’t run off and hide and she certainly didn’t politicize what was going on. While I don’t agree with Congresswoman Giffords on many political issues, I certainly applaud her for serving her constituents and especially for her incredible courage.

Here is the video of that meeting (as covered by KMSB) as well as some of my own:

Here is video I shot showing the gathering:

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Congresswoman Giffords, we are praying for your quick recovery. May God bless and heal you.

Follow Latest News at Political Arizona

Follow all the latest news on the Tucson mass shooting and condition of Congressman Gabrielle Giffords at Political Arizona.

Irresponsible People in Responsible Positions

Moments after the tragic shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona State Senator Linda Lopez blamed members of the Tea Party for the tragedy. What proof? What evidence? Senator Lopez had not one shred of evidence yet, she, nevertheless, irrationally blamed amorphous members of the Tea Party.

 Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who should have known better, displayed his lack of professionalism by deploring that Arizona had become “a mecca for prejudice and bigotry.”  What proof? What evidence?

 A deranged twenty-two year old male committed a horrendous act, killing and wounding innocent people. Was there proof of a conspiracy?  Among the assailants favorite books is the Communist Manifesto. It doesn’t sound like a Tea Party member to me.

 The actions and comments of Sheriff Dupnik and Senator Linda Lopez were plain stupid. But, here we have a case where Dupnik may be correct: Arizona may be a mecca for prejudice and bigotry . . . of irresponsible people in responsible positions.

 It would be in the best interest of Arizona for Sheriff Dupnik and Senator Lopez to resign their offices in shame.

Alexander & Goldman Show to discuss shooting of Gabrielle Giffords tonight

Join us tonight on our Phoenix radio show, the Alexander & Goldman Show tonight as we discuss the shooting of Arizona’s Democrat Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords earlier today. We’ll be giving live updates and analysis of this tragic event here in Arizona. While Giffords has been given an optimistic chance of recovery, Federal Court Judge John Roll, a Bush-appointee, and at least one other person have been reported dead. The shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, lists The Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf among his favorite books.  He calls himself a terrorist and claims not be religious in a YouTube video.

Please call in at 602.508.0960 and let us know your thoughts. Tune in locally to KKNT 960 AM or listen live online at KKNT960.com.

If we have time, we will also discuss efforts by the FCC to impose Net Neutrality on the internet.

A huge reason Carmichael should not be Az GOP State Chairman

Comments may be turned off elsewhere but here its open season.  Ron Carmichael, recruited by Hellon and Verdone is endorsed by Jon Kyl.  You know, the guy who in 2006 promised to “… do something about the border” and promptly forgot he said that after he was safely elected for six more years.  Kyl is the most compromising member of the Republican Party now serving in the U.S. Senate.  What makes Kyl more loathsome than his counterpart John McCain is that Kyl is much more accomplished at masking his real nature – something McCain either never learned or didn’t care about learning.

And Carmichael appears proud to be pictured with Henry Kissinger.  Someone hand me an airsick bag.

Surrender our Bill of Rights?

A m e r i c a n  P o s t – G a z e t t e

Distributed by C O M M O N  S E N S E , in Arizona
Friday, January 7, 2010

This article is a reprint from Seeing Red AZ – http://seeingredaz.wordpress.com/

Surrender our Bill of Rights?

January 7, 2011

This exchange between Wes Harris and Tom Husband epitomizes the differences in the mindset between the Grassroots Conservatives of our Republican Party and the political class who demand total subservience:
 
Wes you say, in part:
 
“It is totally unfair for any Chair of the Republican party or elected official to show “official” favoritism, in my opinion. What they do in the voting booth is their own business…what they do in public, even if they say that this is ‘their personal opinion’, is our business as elected P.C.s. We have our own minds and we will make them up on our own without “being led” (as Mr. Haney put it to me on Wednesday night). There is no doubt that Mr. Haney has been a fine and conservative leader for us…however, again in my opinion, he crossed the line on this one and I have freely told him that on more than one occasion…speaking as a P.C. and not for the Tea Party.”
 
Wes, make up my mind. Do “We have our own minds and we will make them up on our own…” or not. I challenged you to offer any credible evidence that Haney supported any candidate in his capacity as Chairman. It is incredible to think that one would have to give up their First Amendment rights in order to serve in the Republican Party. I won’t be silent and I support those brave enough to speak out.
 
In the telephone conversation we just had, you admitted that you have no evidence that Haney ever endorsed anyone in his capacity as Chairman. Only his capacity as a private citizen. Where we differ is that you believe that one must surrender their First Amendment rights when elected to political office. I strongly disagree. To ask one to surrender their rights under our Bill of Rights in order to hold political office is preposterous and I ask you to reconsider.
 
Wes, you go on to say: “But like Mr. Haney, my public remarks, even though offered as my own personal opinion, will most likely be read as that of the Tea Party…so I rest my case!” and then you put your Tea Party title below your name. Don’t you see that when you are writing as the head of a Tea Party, you are no longer offering your personal opinion? It would be taken as your personal opinion if you had just signed it as Wes Harris. You just lost your own case!
 
Best Regards,
 
Thomas F. Husband

Bruce Ash for Arizona Republican Party Chairman!

Arizona Republican National Committeeman, Bruce Ash, makes the case for his election to Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party. Conservatives, Republicans and Arizonans will benefit greatly by electing Bruce Ash to this important position. Bruce is a proven leader in the GOP and will be successful in bringing unity, recruitment of Republicans and candidates and financial health to the party.

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Arizona Republican Party State Chairman Candidate Town Hall!

Please join Republicans as they gather for a special State Chairman Candidate Town Hall meeting next Monday night!

The candidates for Arizona Republican State Party Chairman will discuss why Republicans should support them in their quest to lead the GOP.

This will be a great opportunity for you to meet the candidates and to let them hear from you before the election to be held on January 22nd.

All Republican State Committeemen are strongly encouraged to attend! 2012 is coming fast and we need to be ready with a strong leader at the helm of our state party. So unless you are completely satisfied with the direction of the nation, state and Republican party, you should make every effort to come out and meet these candidates. This is your evening and your chance to ask them questions. One of these candidates will be our next party Chairman, let them hear your voice before you cast your vote.

Attending: Bruce Ash, Marty Hermanson (invited but not confirmed)- Ron Carmichael
Date: Monday, January 10, 2011
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Pecos Community Center (located south of Chandler Blvd. on 48th Street in Ahwatukee)
Address: 17010 S. 48th Street, Phoenix

Sonoran Alliance will be live blogging from the event and other bloggers are encouraged to attend.

For more information, please call Mark at 480-234-3857 or email Mark@OracleRealty.net

This event co-sponsored by:

A.C.T. (Arizona Conservative Truth)
Arizona Liberty Project
Ahwatukee Tea Party
Freedom through Accountability
Liberty through

U.S. Senator Jon Kyl endorses Ron Carmichael for Arizona Republican Party Chairman

Ron Carmichael with Senator Kyl and Henry Kissinger

Ron Carmichael with Senator Kyl and Henry Kissinger

United States Senator Jon Kyl today announced his endorsement of Ron Carmichael for Arizona Republican Party Chairman, and in doing so, joined a growing list of Arizona GOP leaders who are supporting Ron in his bid for State Party Chairman. Senator Kyl’s endorsement cited Ron’s strong leadership skills and longtime involvement in the Arizona Republican Party:
“Ron Carmichael introduced me to the Arizona Republican Party when I moved to Phoenix in the mid-1960′s. Ron has always been a strong party Republican – focused on the nuts and bolts of party success like candidate recruitment, voter registration, get-out-the-vote, and fundraising. I wholeheartedly endorse his candidacy for State Chairman,” said Senator Jon Kyl.
Ron Carmichael has been a resident of Arizona since 1964, and has served as a district chairman, precinct committeeman, state committeeman, campaign advisor, and chairman for numerous candidates. Ron was also a Young Republican State Chairman in 1969 and Chairman of the 1971 Young Republican National Convention Committee.
“I welcome Senator Kyl’s endorsement in my campaign to become Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party,” Carmichael said. “His reelection in 2012 is a top priority and we must all work together to elect Republicans across this great state.”

Legislation would block school boards from funnelling public money to election campaigns

by Clint Bolick
Goldwater Institute

Sometimes a single sentence can send special-interest groups into a frenzy.
 
The latest example: House Bill 2002, sponsored by State Representative John Kavanagh, which would prohibit governmental entities from using taxpayer dollars to pay dues to groups that attempt to influence ballot outcomes.
 
It makes sense: state and local governments are forbidden from using public funds to support or oppose ballot measures. But the Arizona School Boards Association, though composed entirely of entities subject to the ban (more than 240 school district boards ranging from Phoenix Union and Tucson Unified to Yuma Elementary), copiously contributes to ballot measure campaigns – always, it seems, supporting tax increases or costly programs. Representative Kavanagh’s bill would curb this money-laundering scheme.
 
The proposed reform sends ASBA’s legislative defenders into a tizzy. State Representative Eric Meyer, who also serves on a school board, charges that the bill threatens ASBA’s free-speech rights.
 
You bet the bill implicates free-speech rights – those of taxpayers. It’s a maxim of free-speech law that government cannot compel taxpayers to support speech with which they disagree, which is why state law prohibits state and local governments from doing so.
 
But wait, ASBA’s defenders argue, the funds being used for politics come from the association’s private vendors. But that is impossible to verify, because ASBA contends it is immune from public-records laws – again, despite the fact that all of its members are subject to them.
 
Regardless, this is not about the private vendors seeking to influence politics, which of course they are free to do. The vendors, who want to sell products and services to school districts, pay to display their wares, which ASBA then turns into a political slush fund.
 
ASBA’s defenders in any other context would decry such campaign finance shell games. But they value too much ASBA’s financial support for their pet causes. HB2002 would put an end to this charade and ensure that school district funds – whether derived from taxpayers or vendors – are used for schools, not politics.

Clint Bolick is director of the Goldwater Institute’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.

Learn More:

Goldwater Institute: School districts use public money to influence Arizona elections

Goldwater Institute: Shameless Self-Promotion: How Politicians Use Your Money to Get Re-elected

Arizona Legislature: House Bill 2002

Arizona Legislature: Arizona Revised Statutes, 15-511, Use of school district or charter school resources or employees to influence elections

Arizona District Leaders Endorsing Ron Carmichael for Arizona Republican Party Chairman

Arizona Republican Party Chairman candidate Ron Carmichael today announced the endorsement of several former and current Legislative District Chairmen and Chairwomen of the Arizona Republican Party.  These local leaders have joined former and current State and County Chairmen in their support of Ron Carmichael as the next chairman of the Arizona Republican Party.
“The District GOP Chairmen and Chairwomen understand the importance of a strong grassroots organization when it comes to electing Republicans at the local level all the way up the ticket to President of the United States,” Carmichael said. “As a District leader myself,  I have assured all of them that I am committed to a vibrant grassroots effort in registering new Republicans as well as a well-funded Get-Out-The-Vote effort across the State.”
The list of current and former District Chairmen and Chairwomen supporting Ron Carmichael:

Donna Flanigan (Former Maricopa County Chairwoman)

Joe Abate (LD15)
Paul Brierley (LD21)
Jerry Brooks (LD21)
Judy Connell (LD12)
Wayne Gardner (LD19)
Tom Haney (LD11)
Rhonda King (LD12)
Mike Middleton (LD20)
Anthony Miller (LD20)
Jackie Miller (LD9)
Cheryl Pietkiewicz (LD7)
Donna Reagan (LD8)
Bernice Roberts (LD11)
Walt Stephenson (LD28)
Jim Ward (LD8)
Warren Whitney (LD11)

Arizona state government showing you the money

by Byron Schlomach, Ph.D.
Goldwater Institute

If you’re wondering how the state of Arizona is spending your money, you can now go online and find out. Thanks to a new law that required the state to build a transparency website, openbooks.az.gov came online last week, and offers a treasure trove of information.

A quick search of the website shows that the state spent a total of $33.6 billion in fiscal year 2010. Over half of that, $17.7 billion, was categorized as welfare payments. The state paid $972 million in interest charges on state debt. In the first three months of this fiscal year, the state has spent $90 million on interest. You can also find out just how busy the Treasurer’s office was during 2010 turning over those daily warrant notes. They made transactions that totaled in the neighborhood of $94 billion to keep the state financially afloat.

Openbooks.az.gov has taken Arizona from one of the least transparent states to, perhaps, one of the top 10. While the site is just a beginning and could use some refinements, it offers policymakers, legislators, and taxpayers important fiscal information, especially as the state looks for ways to rein in spending.

For years the Goldwater Institute has been calling for greater financial transparency and accountability at both the state and local levels. Thanks to openbooks.az.gov, we will now be able to more closely monitor how governments throughout the state spend our money.

Dr. Byron Schlomach is director of the Goldwater Institute’s Center for Economic Prosperity.

Learn More:

Goldwater Institute: Government transparency has bright future in Arizona

Goldwater Institute: Piercing the Fog: A Call for Greater Transparency in State and Local Government

Arizona General Accounting Office: Arizona Openbooks

The Great Constitutional Divide – or what is Glenn Beck upset about?

This is dedicated to Nancy Huzar and to all those readers who, while waking up to the Tea Party Experience, now find themselves in an unfamiliar landscape with career politicians all claiming to be “Common Sense Conservatives”.

As we begin the second decade of the 21st Century in the United States, perhaps we should reflect on the crossroads that loom before us.  Should we proceed along the path to a Old World European Socialist Democratic form of governance?  Or perhaps we should continue the moderate centrist Constitutional Republic form of governance bequeathed to us by the Founders of our country?

Today, the Progressive Left would have you believe that they are America’s center, that they represent a centrist value position of the majority of Americans… all 300+ million of us.  But do they?

Perhaps the United States is fundamentally a centrist country holding moderate values that allow for tolerance of the extremes.  Perhaps this recent election is a statement by that once silent majority that they reject the progressive socialist agenda that the current administration is pursuing seemingly at all costs.

Consider this:  It was rugged individualists who believed that redemption was an individual matter between themselves and Nature’s God founded America.  Contrast that with the individual who now resides in the White House.  It is his core belief, and that of those around him, that redemption collective.  It is in the  group, not the individual where one finds redemption.  How alien is that to what our Founders believed?  What’s worse, there is an entire cadre of adherents in academia working 24/7 to re-write history to suit their worldview.

People’s view of the proper role of government is a continuum stretching from the extreme Left (Totalitarian Communism) to the extreme Right (Totalitarian Fascism).  Most Americans hold Moderate Values and fall as “Centrists” on this scale.

The current administration in Washington, and those of its allies on college and university campuses, tend to fall much further to the left of center than do most Americans.  This is one reason that voting districts in large urban areas and around major universities tend to be “Blue” on the election maps while large tracts of suburban and rural America vote “Red”.  The election of 2010 drove this contrast to the forefront of the county’s awareness.  It would be a strategic mistake for the statist members of the Republican Party if they didn’t pay close attention to the message of 2010.

America is becoming polarized, pulled to the left of the Constitutional Divide by an increasingly aggressive Socialist minority with their vision of a Collective utopia.  It is any wonder that today; the majority of Americans have such poor esteem for their members of Congress?  Is it any wonder that today, a majority of American’s sense something is terribly wrong?  It is exactly this awakening that drives talk radio and edutainment shows like Glenn Beck.  Americans know that the “Hope & Change” they were promised isn’t consistent with America’s core centrist moderate values.

Take this simple test.  Remember, each is a sliding scale from Left to Right.  Ask yourself; “What do I believe?  Do I believe in individualism or collectivism?  Which describes my thoughts best?”

Well, there it is, the Great Constitutional Divide[1].  Given that most Americans describe themselves as being “in the center” you may correctly conclude that the column on the right most accurately describes most Americans and, the column on the right is pretty much the center for the United States.  The stress many are feeling is that of a minority within the government, the major media and in our colleges and universities who are tugging us unwillingly into their Brave New World.

While this has been evolving since the early 20th Century, we may thank Barak Hussain Obama for forcing the issue and for waking up the great silent majority.  Just remember, you are the center and they are the extreme.



[1] With many thanks to Alan Korwin for providing most of the contrasting text within the two boxes. Be sure to visit him at www.gunlaws.com

Congressman John Shadegg Named Goldwater Institute Senior Fellow

PHOENIX – Retiring U.S. Representative John Shadegg of Arizona has joined the Goldwater Institute as a Senior Fellow, where he will help fulfill its mission of economic freedom and limited government.

Congressman Shadegg is stepping down from public office after 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He originally was elected as part of the freshman class of 1994 that ushered in the Contract with America and a major overhaul of the welfare system that put more people to work. He represents Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District and announced his retirement from Congress in January 2010.

Congressman Shadegg is known for his fiscal conservatism, his commitment to smaller government, and his advocacy for energy policy that decreases our dependence on foreign sources. He is also one of three U.S. congressmen who are plaintiffs in the Goldwater Institute’s legal challenge to the Obama Health Care Plan, which violates the rights of members of Congress by not allowing their oversight or repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board— a commission with sweeping authority to regulate health care markets. In fact, long before the Obama Health Care Plan became the law of the land, Shadegg was a champion of market-driven health care reform, leading efforts that pushed for the freedom to buy and sell health insurance across state lines.

“John Shadegg has the respect of people throughout the United States for consistently standing up for the most important principles when so many other politicians lose their way after spending a few years in Washington, D.C.,” said Darcy Olsen, president and CEO of the Goldwater Institute. “We are excited that he can join us to work on finding the right answers to the challenges of rebuilding our economy and protecting our freedom.”

As a Senior Fellow, Congressman Shadegg will support the Goldwater Institute by sharing his experience and expertise with resident scholars, reviewing research, and participating in Institute roundtables and forums. The Goldwater Institute selects its Senior Fellows for their exceptional knowledge, commitment to limited government and economic freedom, and their personal character.

For information on all of the Goldwater Institute’s Senior Fellows, visit www.goldwaterinstitute.org/seniorfellows. The Goldwater Institute is an independent government watchdog that develops innovative, principled solutions to issues facing the states and whose work is made possible by the generosity of its supporters.