Fat, dumb and happy: Can rich politicians truly represent us?

As the majority of middle class America struggles to keep up with economic uncertainty and punishing new health care regulations, the American political landscape is chalked full of extremely wealthy politicians that are far removed from the reality that our nation faces. Do these politicians truly represent us?

What happens to government when men of wealth are responsible for its day-to-day functions? Can Americans reasonably expect decisions to be made in their best interest when the majority of politicians will never have to worry about their own retirements, finances or future? How can a rich political class put aside its own selfish interests and instead focus on the people they supposedly represent?

The leaders of our republic are saturated with cash. President Barack Obama is worth nearly $10 million, but that’s only a drop in the bucket compared to others like Mitt Romney, who’s net worth is estimated at over $250 million, or John Kerry at $193 million, or Ted Kennedy at $163 million.

How about New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg? He’s worth a whopping $22 billion (yes, with a ‘b’). Arnold Schwarzenegger has nearly $400 million to his name, Jon Corzine enjoys a net worth of nearly $300 million and Darrell Issa at $220 million. Politicians like Diane Feinstein, Jay Rockefeller, Mark Warner, Bob Corker and countless others – names you probably have never heard of, but serve in our government – are worth 10s of millions of dollars.

But, this does not account for the money needed to win national elections. Including Super PAC spending, over $2 billion was spent on the 2012 presidential election alone. $2 billion on one election! That is more than the majority of Americans would see in 100 lifetimes.

This is not the way a democratic republic is supposed to work.

The elite cannot possibly rule over the masses in the best interest of the masses. It is human nature to look after your own well-being, and when millions of dollars are available to do so, it gets much easier. From lobbyists to kickbacks, from special interests to sweetheart deals, our political class is in the tank for nobody but themselves. Why else would a campaign cost $2 billion? Why is serving in our government worth spending more money than most Americans could ever dream of? Because our government harbors wealth and protects the elite.

But let me ask a simple question: Who better to represent the middle class than someone in the middle class? Serving in our government should be an honor and struggle, not a pulpit to be used to obtain and maintain wealth. A man or woman who works hard every day to put food on their table at night is a person that knows the reality of our nation, each and every day.

Not just knowing the struggle, but experiencing the struggle, keeps politicians honest. Sheltering politicians in Washington D.C. with taxpayer-funded aids, trips and resources removes the struggle that our political class needs to keep the best interests of the people in focus.

The people are forgotten as our political class continues to get rich.

Magpul to cater to Colorado residents after new gun restrictions

Posted by Steve Adcock

After the passage of new laws in several states that restrict a law-abiding citizen’s right to purchase firearms to keep their families safe from crime, gun companies like Magpul are taking swift and principled action. Magpul plans to move their headquarters away from Colorado in the coming months and cater to the needs of Colorado before new state restrictions are put in place.

According to a message released on their Facebook page, the manufacturer of gun accessories will sell Colorado residents up to 10 AR magazines a piece, charging customers a flat $5 shipping fee, and will allow those residents to bypass the current ordering queue. ”Before [new laws take effect], and Magpul is forced to leave the state in order to keep to our principles, we will be doing our best to get standard capacity PMAGs into the hands of any Colorado resident that wants them.”

“Our customers outside of Colorado,” the company noted, “please know that our PMAG production will continue at an ever-increasing rate until we do relocate, shipments to our distributors in other states will continue, and that we do not expect relocation to significantly impact PMAG production.”

Magpul’s headquarters at the moment is located in Boulder, Colorado – a western suburb of the state’s capital of Denver. Magpul’s yearly sales contribute over $85 million to the Colorado state treasury every year.

Ann Coulter makes a fool out of herself in front of 1000 Libertarians

Posted by Steve Adcock

Debating with liberals and conservatives at the International Students for Liberty conference in Washington D.C., raging conservative and political loudmouth Ann Coulter demonstrated how little she knows about the cause of freedom and liberty when she likened drug legalization and gay marriage to “sucking up to liberals” and “being pussies”.

The discussion was hosted by Libertarian John Stossel. Coulter, who apparently thought insulting a crowd of 1000 students with asinine and uninformed comments regarding the Libertarian position on social issues like drugs and gay marriage was a good idea, proved once again how little both liberals and conservatives know of true freedom. Liberty is not a comedy act, Ms. Coulter.

“This is why people think libertarians are pussies,” Coulter said of marijuana legalization. ”We’re living in a country that is 70 percent socialist, the government takes 60 percent of your money… And you want to suck up to your little liberal friends and say, ‘Oh, but we want to legalize pot.’”

“You know, if you’re a little more manly you would tell them what your position on employment discrimination is.” Ann Coulter – lecturing Libertarians on how to be true men.

Stossel then pressed Coulter on the issue of gay marriage. ”Why can’t gays get married like straights do?” he asked. To a widespread chorus of boos from the crowd, Coulter said gays can get married…to members of the opposite sex. “This is another one where you’re just sucking up to liberals,” Coulter said. “Liberals want to destroy the family so that you will have one loyalty, and that is to the government.” That’s cute.

Calling marriage the “most important institution to civilize young people”, Coulter supports making divorce more difficult instead, apparently favoring the idea of keeping unfit couples together for the sake of a “civilized youth” – however the math for that works out.

Appropriately, Stossel reminded the shock conservative commentator that the Libertarian position on gay marriage, like every other position, is about individual freedom and liberty to live your life without interference from an overarching governing body. “No, we believe the individual should be left alone,” he said.

I don’t know what you’re on, Ms. Coulter, but whatever it is, I am sure you’d make good money selling it to others – if it were legal.

American sheriffs unite to defy Obama’s gun grabbing laws

Posted by Jim Kuri

Joining a growing number of the nation’s law enforcement officials refusing to partake in unconstitutional actions ordered by the federal government, the sheriff of Linn County, Ore., sent a preemptive letter to Vice President Joe Biden stating he is prepared to refuse to enforce federal regulations “offending the constitutional rights of [Linn County] citizens.”

According to his letter to Biden, Sheriff Tim Mueller will also prohibit his department’s “enforcement of any unconstitutional regulations or orders by federal officers” within his jurisdiction.

Several states have passed law preventing local law enforcement officers from enforcing unconstitutional laws such as federal gun-control laws including Utah, South Dakota, Tennessee, Idaho and others. Recently Kentucky and Wyoming introduced similar legislation.

The Constitutional County Sheriff’s Association is in the process of publishing a list of the Constitutional County Sheriffs in individuals states who have taken an oath to seriously refuse to enforce laws that violate the Constitution such as gun laws being proposed by President Barack Obama and members of both houses of the U.S. Congress, according to Keith Broaders, the administrator for the CCSA, on Monday.

Every Sheriff is required by law to take an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. This is not just a suggestion, it is the duty of the Sheriff to enforce just laws and refuse to enforce laws that are not, according to Broaders.

For example, Maricopa County Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio told a local radio host the federal government is “going to have problem” if they expect him to confiscate guns from private citizens.

“I took [multiple] oaths of office, and they all say I will defend the Constitution of the United States,” Arpaio told Mike Broomhead of KFYI Radio in Phoenix.

“Now if they’re going to tell the sheriff that he’s going to go around picking up guns from everybody, they’re going to have a problem. I may not enforce that federal law,” Arpaio said according to World Net Daily.

“How can a County Sheriff honor his oath if he needs to obtain permission from the Supreme Court? The ultimate arbiter of the meaning of the Constitution is ‘We the People’ and the duly elected County Sheriff is elected by the people to represent the will of his constituents,” Broader added.

“As a County Sheriff you can serve only one master. Are you going to keep your oath and serve the people, or are you going to be the enforcer of unjust Federal rules, regulations, codes, ordinances and statutes?” said the CCSA founder.

“I want to know if you [as a law enforcement executive] plan to be a servant of the people or an administrative lap dog for the Federal agencies and bureaucrats?”

Ron Paul to write book on school choice, free markets

Posted by Steve Adcock

Recently retired Republican Representative and Libertarian-leaning Ron Paul has signed on to write a new book, titled “New School Manifesto”, that will push ideas that advocate for a free market approach to the United States’ educational system.

The book is set to be released in September, just as students return to class.

The book is said to reject the state-run monopoly on education in the country and instead focuses on giving people an affordable choice on where to send their children by creating competition through the free market. Paul says that parents should be the ultimate authority on their child’s education, not government.

Paul uses the postal service’s competitors, like UPS and FedEx, to support the idea that competition results in better and cheaper services for everyone.

“Ron Paul’s beliefs are always controversial, and even if you disagree with his principles, his arguments will make you think,” said Grand Central Publishing, Paul’s publisher.