Wednesday, March 29, 2017

MAKING SAUSAGE AND LAWS

I always heard that there are two things you don’t ever want to see. They are how laws are made and how sausage is made. Well, I have never made laws but I have  made sausage. Simply put, if the ingredients are good then the end product should be good also. Good sausage is the result of quality ingredients and seasonings mixed together by a good sausage maker and the product is delightful. Shouldn’t good laws be the same? If the parts going into the law are good, shouldn’t the law then be good also?

A terrible thing happened a few years ago. Barack Obama decided to put together a scheme to redistribute the wealth in this country by taking money from those who work for a living to pay for health insurance for those who don’t. It obviously hasn’t worked.

Why didn’t it work? Let’s consider the ingredients in that law. First and foremost, it included a large helping of lies and obfuscation. There was never a time when the cost of insurance under Obamacare was going down. There was never a time under Obamacare when one could keep his own doctor. Other ingredients in the recipe were equally bad which resulted in a bad law that is now doomed to fail.

A major ingredient in this mess was that there was absolutely no participation from the Republican party. It was completely a Democrat scheme. Obama called together his Democrat leaders and basically told them what was coming and that they should let all their fellow dems know how they will vote. The Democrats are very good at this. The Republicans could learn a lesson from them.

So now the Republicans are left with the chore of repairing the healthcare insurance industry in this country. The voters gave them everything they needed to make this repair. They elected a Republican House, Senate, and a Republican president. It should be as simple as the President calling in the leaders of the Republicans in the Congress and telling them how to vote. The problem is that it doesn’t happen that way in the Republican Party.

Lawmaking is a give and take process. It requires negotiation if it is done right. The Republicans have had seven years to come up with a replacement for Obamacare and they apparently haven’t put together a program that can get the necessary votes to pass Congressional muster.


This now is where lawmaking and sausage making take on similarities. This is where it gets real messy. This is how stupid money-wasting programs get through Congress. This is where we get programs that test the swimming ability of shrimp and other ridiculous “boondoggles.” Dissenting Congress people basically sell their vote in exchange for something that benefits some donor to their campaign. That’s an ingredient for bad sausage.

Clearly, though, the Congress has to repeal and replace Obamacare. I have heard estimates that within two years or less it will die from its own weight. That is going to throw millions and millions off of any health insurance plan. We will have a serious crisis on our hands and it will be the fault of Obama and the Democrats but I am sure they, with the help of the national media, will blame the Republicans for not fixing their mess.

Trump needs to call the leadership of both parties into the Oval Office and tell them in no uncertain terms, get me a bill I can sign and do it immediately or else. There are ten Democrat Senators facing reelection in two years and they are from states that Trump carried overwhelmingly. There are also Congressional districts all across this nation where many are hurting from the disaster of Obamacare. Nobody’s job is secure.

So, to all of them I say, get busy with the work we hired you to do or we will get somebody else to do it. Pass the sausage.

Ron Scarbro

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

LEARNING HOW TO LOSE

I was recently watching a college basketball game and noticed the cameras focusing on a young fan in the stands. This young man was apparently a big fan of the team which lost. He was devastated. His team was supposed to win. After all they were picked to win by the experts. He was in tears and inconsolable. It would be easy to feel sorry for this youngster, but I didn’t. I felt sorry that he had never learned how to lose.

The whole scene was reminiscent of a recent election where the person who was supposed to win, lost. Many supporters of that loser were inconsolable. Many were in tears. Some still are. Some are having trouble sleeping. Some just can’t seem to get on with their lives. These are people who have never learned how to lose.

Now, why is that? Could this be the result of “participation trophies?” One of the most important lessons one learns growing up is that there are wins and there are losses. How could you ever be proud of an accomplishment if everybody had the same accomplishment? It wouldn’t be an accomplishment. Unless you can feel the disappointment of a loss, you could never appreciate the thrill of a victory. Winning and losing are just parts of life.

What is going to happen to this young basketball fan when he goes out into life, gets a job, and faces the reality of the world? What will happen when he has to compete for jobs? What will happen when, as an employee, he has to compete for customers? You win some and you lose some. That’s life. If one cannot handle a loss, one is going to have a very difficult time getting through life.

It comes down to this. We are doing our youngsters no favors by denying them the necessary losses they must experience in life. Sooner or later they will in fact face the losses we have tried to hide them from and they will be ill prepared to deal with it. These are basic lessons of life. Here is another reality. We are rapidly becoming  a one-world economy. We will be competing with foreign countries and their philosophies. Are we preparing our children to work like the Asian countries prepare their children? I have heard that there are some schools who don’t want to give out grades because it might make some who don’t measure up feel bad. The idea of “valedictorian” is going by the wayside. It might make those who don’t accomplish as much feel bad. I think it was John Wayne who said, “Life is tough. It’s even tougher if you’re stupid.”

Don’t get me wrong. I love winning. In my lifetime I have experienced both winning and losing. Coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser.” That’s a little harsh but the lesson is that one should learn from his losses to make them into winners. I have had many losses in my life but they have been overshadowed by my wins. In fact my biggest win in life is my wife. Her presence in my life has made the losses less painful and the wins all the more special.

The current upheaval being perpetrated by the left is going to pass. Soon their antics will go the way of all snowflakes. Once the sun hits them, they disappear and it couldn’t happen soon enough for me. Winners will continue to emerge and there will be losers. Let’s hope the losers learn from their experience.

Ron Scarbro

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

STRANGER THAN FICTION

Every week I sit down to write this column. I try to find interesting items in the news to report and comment on. A friend recently suggested that I should write a novel. As I view the current situation I am convinced that fiction would fade by comparison to the actual events happening in the world today. Truth is definitely stranger than  fiction in our world today.

We all are aware that many of our colleges are offering “safe spaces” for their students so they will have a place to hide from the ugliness of truth and any opposing view. Those who choose to live in complete denial of the facts of life and the true politics of today can go to these spaces and hug their stuffed animals and read a bedtime story. Some even offer therapy dogs to help these students deal with reality. Do you really think a fiction writer could come up with anything more dramatic than what these so-called institutes of higher learning are providing to the next generation of Americans?

Southern Illinois University has decided to go one better for their students. They are offering a new therapy for disenchanted students who are having trouble dealing with events of the day. It is called “nap time.” Students are encouraged to go to the library and take a nap. But, they should dream during these naps, and not just any dream that a young pre-adult might have. No, they must have dreams of diversity. By controlling what these dreams are all about, it is believed that a new more diversity loving person will emerge from their nap. And everybody will live happily ever after. Do you wonder, as do I, what the parents who are shelling out thousands for their kids’ education might think about this bit of nonsense?

Not to be outdone, a high school in Valley, Iowa has decided to terminate a long- standing tradition of allowing students to wear patriotic clothing with the colors of our flag during basketball games. In their wisdom they decided that to show any patriotism for America might be offensive to teams who come there to play because they might have players and parents who are immigrants from other countries.

Well guess what? I am offended. I am offended that any community would allow such egregious behavior from their school board. These morons are responsible for turning out the next generation and some of these students may well have to don those colors to fight for the freedom that we enjoy. Whoever is responsible for this new violation of American rights should be fired immediately and replaced by true patriots who understand what it means to be an American. I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised by these actions because these school administrators are products of the very universities we spoke about earlier in the piece.

I have often thought about writing the “great American novel” Barb, but I don’t think my imagination could compete with the reality of today. We have a national media hell bent on self-destruction by editing the news with their leftist agenda and trying at every opportunity to make our duly elected President look bad. The American people told us and them in no uncertain terms that they were dissatisfied with the direction of this country and voted to change it. The national media just doesn’t get it. Their denial is at their own peril.

One day soon we may well have to once again take up arms to defend this country. We may well have to look to these young people to fight for our freedom as did their parents and grandparents. I wonder what it would be like to share a foxhole with one of these spoiled children? God help us.

I think for now I will just stay with reporting facts and leave the fiction to Dr. Seuss.

Ron Scarbro

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

DISRESPECT AT A NEW LOW

Like most of you I watched President Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress. I witnessed the overwhelming adoration shown to Carryn Owens, widow of slain Navy Seal Ryan Owens. I was moved by the applause and the respect afforded to her and her fallen husband. It was what I would expect for our heroes and their families. Apparently not everyone though felt the need to honor the Owens. I wondered as I watched the Democrats sitting on their hands, how could these people, or for that matter anyone, not be affected positively by this show of respect.

I guess I have just misjudged the new Democrats and their regard for what being an American is all about. Right after the speech the left began offering their pitiful opinions. First, we heard from a Clinton operative named Dan Grilo. He thought Mrs. Owens looked like an idiot standing up and clapping for her dead husband. Then we saw that bastion of virtue, Michael Moore, make fun of this dead hero and his widow. This, apparently is the new face of the Democrat Party.

And so, I ask you Democrats, are you proud today of your new spokespeople? Do they reflect your views? Are you happy to see this young widow defamed and made fun of all in your name?

Here is a fact. Michael Moore couldn’t shine the boots of a Navy Seal like Ryan Owens or anyone in the military for that matter. Moore and his ilk are the most disgusting examples of smug self-righteous morons inhabiting our planet today. I remember as a child, I used to have to feed the hogs at my home farm. We called it “slopping the hogs.” What always amazed me was that no matter what was in the bucket of feed, or “slop” as we called it, it always smelled the same. As I look at Moore, a human bucket of slop, I am reminded that no matter what the issue, there is no level to which this bunch will not stoop to show their ignorance and their disrespect for our country and her values. They all inhabit the same bucket and it always smells the same.

To my Democrat friends and any who would read this column, do you share the views of the Michael Moores and the Dan Grilos? Going forward are these the people who will speak for you and your values? Chuck Schumer, Al Franken, Nancy Pelosi, and other assorted misfits, are these your champions? When this great country faces the tough issues of security, economy, health care, etc., are these the people you want to be in charge of coming up with solutions? If so, you  have some serious problems.

I do not believe Harry Truman would be a Democrat today. I don’t even think Kennedy would be either. They were warriors and true patriots. Even though they served this nation from “the other side,” they always put our country first. I cannot say that of today’s Democrats.

This I promise you. America will not be fooled. Just as this past election proved, America will regain her identity. America will return to her traditional values. America will be great again. These disrespectful lowlifes will be cast into the dungheap of bad history. America did not become the country it is today with people like that running things.

We are fortunate that Donald Trump decided to give up his cushy life as a billionaire real estate developer to take on the mantle of leader of the free world. His intelligence and natural leadership will take us to the next level of greatness and it will be with or without the help of the Democrats.

Ron Scarbro

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

THE LOYAL OPPOSITION

As always elections bring about governmental changes. The Republicans would be in power for a while then we would have a change and the Democrats would win. That has been the pattern for my entire lifetime. The party in power would run the show for a time and the party out of power would be known as the “loyal opposition.” Both parties had the best interest of the country at heart. Republicans and Democrats would go after our problems from different angles but both wanted nothing but the best for our country. That all seems to have changed and in a big way.

In the many elections that I have witnessed in my lifetime I haven’t always liked the winner. In fact, as a Republican, that has happened more often than not. But, I always remained loyal to my government even when I thought they were wrong. I tried to work within the system to make things better. It would never have occurred to me to riot in the street and pitch a fit because I didn’t get my way. To me that’s just “SBS,” spoiled brat syndrome. I was often a member of the “loyal opposition.”

So, what in the world is going on now? What ever happened to the idea of loyal opposition? Why are we so divided?

I won’t speak for the other side but I can offer some thoughts about how my side feels right now. I believe many of the more liberal Democrats want to fundamentally change our country from a free enterprise small government system with individuals responsible for their own lives to a government-centered socialist state where the government is responsible for everything and everyone. They want  to live like Europeans. They want birth to death governmental care and financial support. It doesn’t take a mental giant to realize that socialism doesn’t work for anyone, Europeans or Americans. As Margaret Thatcher pointed out years ago, “The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.” With the rise in prominence of people like Elizabeth Warren and Keith Ellison as well as Bernie Sanders, many in the Democrat party have their path clearly set toward dead end socialism.

Now there is a big split in the Democrat party. The ultra progressives versus the middle of the road, loyal to the country, normal Dems. As a Republican I couldn’t be happier. The schism in the Dems is going to hurt their chances of ever winning again. Some have even opined that this could well pronounce the end of the Democrat party. Personally I don’t believe that. I think the smarter ones will get the message and turn their ship around but probably after they lose a few more elections.

The fact is that America is a right-of-center republic. We have always favored hard work, self-reliance, and individual responsibility. We love and support the Constitution as written. We are law abiding, patriotic, and industrious. From time to time we have fallen for the promises of “pie in the sky” only to see those promises dashed by politics as usual. We are, as President Ronald Reagan once called us, “The shining city on the hill.”

This last election was a rejection of European style socialism. It was a demand that we return to traditional America. There is nothing progressive about dead end socialism.

It is okay to be opposed to the party in power. It is even okay to demonstrate and act out. But it is never okay to be disloyal. If you don’t like the way things are, the door swings both ways and that is especially important for those mouthy Hollywood elites to understand. Find a new country. Maybe they will put up with your nonsense. We are tired of it. You won’t be missed.

Ron Scarbro