Despite my ability to shrug off other people’s nonsense and laugh at the enormous collection of bumper stickers many liberals display on their cars, I was recently shocked by a 20-something driving his huge truck with a bumper sticker that read: “When Bush Took Office, Gas Was $1.46.” Incongruity? Emotional wisdom?

Call me ignorant. Perhaps this instigating sticker has been around for a while, but these young people who cease to educate themselves on the issues before they proudly display trendy messages such as this are just sheep following the message of their flock.

I have always been without peer in making my own educated decisions based on researched facts, evaluating both sides of the issues, while staying as far away as possible from the liberal media trying to skew our views. But, people believe what they hear from those closest to them. It is much more trouble and much more time consuming to research the issues, find the truth and make lasting and well-informed decisions.

The bottom line is this: regardless of the issues as to why the gas prices soared, the majority of folks in America expect certain things in life to stay the same (as much as they tout change), such as trash pickup on Tuesdays, the cost of a haircut, a hotdog…and gas prices. But, in case people have forgotten our Founding Fathers formed a free market country. Inflation and global events affect just about everything in America and the world (let us not forget that the present cost for snacks, such as corn chips, has skyrocketed much due to Al Gore and his melodramatic movie and push for ethanol, causing farmers to sell corn at a higher price for gas rather than selling it for the food it is and that it creates).

The all-time peak in gas prices was in March 1981 following the start of the Iran-Iraq War the year before when gas prices rose to $2.50 per gallon. When adjusted for inflation, gas cost more in 1981 than it does today. And in 1973, following the OPEC Oil Embargo, gas prices averaged $1.81 per gallon. During those years, gas prices tripled, rising by almost 50 percent from 1973 to 1975, and by 80 percent in 1979 and 1980. People complain today because gas prices have doubled in a little more than three years. Take a look at the facts, the history. It’s been worse…much worse, and this administration has been through more, much more, than any other in history. 

Back to current times: The first six years of George Bush’s term were economically positive. Just over one year ago, the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit an all-time high, and consumer confidence was soaring. The price per gallon of gasoline was approximately $2.20. But then, after two years of a Democratic-run Congress, consumer confidence crashed and gas prices recently teetered between $3.50 to just over $4.00 per gallon.

It remains amazing to me how many people liken the gas prices to Bush and his low approval rating. Through the years of our many presidents, approval ratings have been low and high…some much lower than that for President Bush. But people see the here and now, the gas prices of today and not 30 years ago, and they even forget what happened last year—it’s in the past and it’s forgotten (literally).

You think that bumper sticker kid, who cares so much about the gas prices while he drives one of the biggest gas guzzlers there is, knows all this? Did he make an educated decision before he showed off his cynical opinion? And with gas prices as low as they are today, don’t you think he should consider removing this sticker, lest he continue to look like a fool?

All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move. Hey kid…if you really want to make some kind of statement, make sure you know the facts behind your statement first, and better timing for bumper sticker placement wouldn’t hurt either. And, of course, the obvious: if gas prices are bothering you, why are you driving a gas guzzler? Go figure.

When Obama’s in the House

When Obama’s in the house

we can praise the chosen one,

life will be easy; life will be grand…

don’t we all just wanna have fun?

When Obama’s in the house

a sad story becomes very true,

where most happy working people vote red

and bitter, angry liberals vote blue.

When Obama’s in the house

more money will come your way,

while successful people are punished

and their earned money is taken away.

When Obama’s in the house

the lottery will no longer be the answer,

because he won’t encourage work

while still promising happy ever after.

When Obama’s in the house

he’ll be the Robin Hood few comprehend,

where high profit is the enemy

and do-nothings are the friend.

When Obama’s in the house

so many non-workers will feel success;

project dwellers can buy flat-screened TVs

while the middle class live with less.

When Obama’s in the house

that middle class will have fallen for the lie,

but when Bush tax cuts end in 2010

to those cuts he’ll say “bye bye.”

When Obama’s in the house

one can’t help but feel at a loss;

a leader to so many needy people

but, many ask, at what high a cost?

When Obama’s in the house

voters will have never voted before;

some don’t know what’s really at stake

or what they’re truly voting for.

When Obama’s in the house

many liberals will probably remain mean,

while they tout peace and love not war

and that everything be green.

When Obama’s in the house

maybe we’ll all join hand-in-hand,

no longer with a stalwart defense plan

just ignorantly peaceful in a volatile land.

When Obama’s in the house

it will still be cool to complain,

people thinking they are owed something

while sadly becoming more and more vain.

When Obama’s in the house

you’ll need to think for yourself no more,

because he’s smarter than our Founding Fathers

throwing our Constitution out the door.

When Obama’s in the house

he will cause a major disruption,

higher taxes and oppressive government

all while voted in via ACORN’s corruption.

When Obama’s in the house

personal responsibility will be put aside,

for those who want more and more given

while they give nothing back for a free ride.

When Obama’s in the house

an embarrassment to America it will be—

an attempt to suppress our drive and goals

to be successful in this great country.

When Obama’s in the house

conservatives will no doubt be aware,

kids and people voted because he’s cool…

because he’s a celeb without gray hair.

When Obama’s in the house

we’ll have a guy with terrorist friends,

who has become our newest president

regardless of the negative vibes that did send.

When Obama’s in the house

the government will guarantee success,

for people who don’t even make the effort

to do their very best.

When Obama’s in the house

he’ll spend more taxpayer money on the poor,

when we have so many programs already

with still so many yet in store.

When Obama’s in the house

charity will no longer be personal choice;

you will give to whom the government wants

and away will be taken your voice.

When Obama’s in the house

talk radio will probably be next to go—

how sad our only conservative voices

intimidate his self-serving show.

When Obama’s in the house

we will suddenly have to refuse,

that he heard every word Reverend Wright said

while sitting for 20 years in those pews.

When Obama’s in the house

we must believe his judgment for creeps,

but as most believe very strongly

you judge a guy by the company he keeps.

When Obama’s in the house

Socialism…it’s what’s for dinner:

Obama, the shepherd leading his sheep

where every American is a winner.

When Obama’s in the house

all conservatives will know quite surely,

that this lawyer was trained to conspire and fool

looking innocent to the voting jury.

When Obama’s in the house

many smart people will soon realize,

they should have voted for the guy of truth

not the hip guy quick to connive.

When Obama’s in the house

a light will again shine down in your sleep;

the Messiah will be leading something,

he’s the shepherd leading all you sheep!

When Obama’s in the house

you can settle down for a long winter’s nap.

Why you ask my fellow Americans?

Under Obama, you need no thinking cap!

When Obama’s in the house

the fight for more handouts has been won;

you can work as little as possible

when work by others for you will be done.

When Obama’s in the house

the housing mess is blamed on the wrong guy.

It was the Democrats who wanted all, rich or poor,

to have the pie in the sky.

When Obama’s in the house

you’ll continue to see things all wrong,

for it was rash homeowners without enough money

who carried this housing atrocity along.

When Obama’s in the house

you’ll ask, “Who is this housing trouble about?!”

A:  Most responsible people are doing just fine;

The irresponsible we are bailing out.

When Obama’s in the house

your vote for him will make things go away,

while we prudent homeowners waited

to buy our house…until we could pay!

When Obama’s in the house

will you be honest in due time?

Come on people, think again…

Who buys a house without putting down a dime?!

When Obama’s in the house

those who had nothing to lose will win again,

because they had to experience no pain

in order to get such great gain.

When Obama’s in the house

government-dependents will have a thrill,

but please remember those of us

who work hard to flit the bill!

When Obama’s in the house

try to think of things this way…

he knows gullible people are out there

and on those he does prey.

When Obama’s in the house

you needn’t try to succeed and be great,

because he will suppress the American dream

taking money you worked hard to create.

Why else would the Democratic Party win

if not for the less fortunate, as they say,

but that implies things came easy to the rich

forcing others to stay in such a way.

But the rich are not more fortunate

because their lives were a piece of cake;

they worked hard to succeed and create jobs,

While others just take, take, take.

As humans we desire greatly

to be part of something bigger than ourself,

and this year, that almighty and powerful something

Is Barack Hussein Obama himself!

While some remain optimistic

knowing the man who should win this great fate,

I’m afraid the right man might lose this battle…

the historic election of 2008.

Everyone seems to have the answers

or we all seem to know the truth,

but I hope you will all put country first

If you are buying this “95% of Americans will get a tax cut” rhetoric, eloquently spoken I might add, that Barack Obama is spewing out, you’re clearly not a smart shopper.  Obama knows the growing number of disciples who make up the majority of his audience and, in his leading role, plays to them impeccably.

I am a middle-income earning wife and mother, one of the two primary groups of people to whom he is speaking, but I don’t dare test his product.  Do the simple math: 95% of Americans will get a tax cut.  But, approximately 40% of Americans live off government money and pay no taxes whatsoever.  Therefore folks, we would be giving more money to almost half the people he speaks about who have done nothing to earn it.  We already have welfare and Medicaid systems in place, and any further charity should be an individual choice—not forgetting that American people are already the most charitable group around.  So, this 40% of government-loving people already receives checks provided to them via our pockets and hard work, yet you want to elect Barack Obama so they can get more…for nothing?! 

Punishing success is a crime, and giving more to people who don’t work, and in too many cases don't intend to work, is an even bigger crime, perpetuating laziness and a "do-nothing" society.  It’s like telling your dog “no,” he doesn’t listen, but you throw him the bone anyway.  Obama wants to throw an even larger bone to lazy dogs all over America and use more of our taxpayer money to do it.  Put simply, we work harder and harder for our families, and he will punish our work, making it easier for others not to work.  Imagine how our welfare checks and unemployment statistics will increase, not to mention the number of irresponsible American citizens.

Benjamin Franklin said, “I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.”  Obama wants to encourage the very thing Americans should be discouraging.  I have lived in east Africa and know what it means to be poor…really poor.  Poor in America means you get more for nothing, and in many cases, have a flat-screened television when your neighbor, who works hard to pay his mortgage and feed his children, cannot afford one. 

In the end, under an Obama presidency, hard-working and self-reliant Americans will be penalized.  If you think Obama is telling it straight, he isn’t. He’s talking in a way Americans want and need to hear it, because otherwise, they would read between the lines.  If you are a respectable and contributing American please do the research before you vote on November 4. 

I don’t know about you, but I have always learned you throw a bone to the good dog.

Jennifer A. Lloyd, Decatur, GA

Writer & Copy Editor, PROOFitASAP.com

Member and Contributor to NDRW (North DeKalb Republican Women)

Today, while the pundits were discussing whether Obama or McCain was more effective in last night’s debate and other back seat political know-it-alls were asking one another who was the clear winner, housewives and savvy grocery shoppers throughout America should have been talking about something else—McCain’s brilliant and forward-thinking comment about ethanol and its effect on the cost of food today. 

First, know that McCain is again the maverick in making this statement, as Al Gore has, in the last few years since his epic and theatrical depiction of global warming, hypnotized the nation and Hollywood, gaining an Emmy, a Nobel Prize and the enduring support of a huge majority of Americans with the need to be a part of something bigger—a greater good, if you will—regardless of whether or not his followers have thoroughly examined the issues. And, because of this, McCain took a chance in talking about something that isn’t, as the general public calls, “P.C.,” yet, something that is a matter of critical importance to all of us…bulls and bears, disciples and vanguards alike. 

Al Gore’s campaign over a still highly-suspect, human-induced climate change has certainly driven something, but it’s not a hybrid—it’s driven up the cost of salty snacks, among other food items in this country, and caused an inflation your typical American, not looking into the real causes, is blaming on President Bush. And, why not? He’s the obvious and usual suspect for those who don’t educate themselves to know otherwise. 

I visited the grocery store to purchase potato and corn chips last night before the debate. At over $3.00 a bag, I declined. Could I afford the chips? Certainly. But, it was the principle…they used to be just $1.50 and now they are over $3 dollars?! Forget it. And, I’m not alone. We are facing the most severe food price inflation in history according to many experts, and our next president must be aware of the problem…must care about it enough to make something happen.  That’s John McCain.

According to Benjamin Senauer, an applied economics professor at Minnesota, "It takes around 400 pounds of corn to make 25 gallons of ethanol.  It's not going to be a very good diet, but that's roughly enough to keep an adult person alive for a year." So why are we talking about people struggling with food costs? Or, as the liberal media puts it, “…people worrying every day about how to buy groceries with a limited paycheck.” Well folks, you can blame a lot—a real lot—on Al Gore and the rest of the ethanol hawkers.

McCain talked about this issue in the final debate—an issue that has, thus far, been overlooked.  But, it is a critical matter affecting all of us, whether high or low income, Democrat or Republican, every day. And it’s time we grocery shoppers unite and accept the candidate who sees the ethanol crisis for what it is—a travesty that must be altered immediately. When the average American sees such prices and blames rising food costs on President Bush, the typical reaction is to think the other side can solve the problem, in this case, Obama. Wrong. Obama supports continued ethanol production as part of his alternative fuel rhetoric, and under that plan, farmers will continue to sell corn for ethanol, getting more money in their pockets, while the corn sold for snack foods will lower. It’s basic supply and demand economics.