A Conservatarian

2006-11-12T18:07:00.000-08:00

Well, I was right and I was wrong. (I'm wrong more often than not, so I like to tell people when I'm right). I was right about the House, although pretty much everybody knew that the house was going blue. I meant, by the way, that the house would swing to the Democrats by 15 seats, not a total of 15 seats lost.

When I talked to friends this week and they asked what was new, I told them that I was working harder than ever to make as much money as I could before my taxes went up. Might as well make it now and keep my money than making later and being forced at I.R... I mean gunpoint to give it to the government (because they can really do a good job managing my money, can't they?)

Speaking of government management, here in Knox County, citizens had the option to vote up or down a plan that would change the Knox County Sheriffs' 401(k) plan to a"defined-benefit plan," or pension plan. Basically, the Fraternal Order of Police complained that sheriff's deputies would actually have to save more of their paychecks for retirement than they needed to retire well that they turned to the good-hearted folks of Knox County to finance their retirement. Good job, guys (and gals... I sure don't want to leave anyone out). We had a chance to show that conservatism was indeed alive and well, but 50.24% of voters decided that they wanted to give their tax dollars away. Granted, we'll be giving it away to people that keep us safe, but they should save for retirement like everybody else... slow, methodical, weekly sacrifices now to win later. So, from this day forward, I'll be starting police academy. I figure that as long as I'll be paying for someone else's pension, I might as well get that pension myself.

Remember folks, conservative values are not going to be put in place until you get out there and vote for them. In the next few posts, I'll go through my beliefs on a whole hosts of topics - God (there is one, by the way), politics, personal finance, etc. Please leave your comments on this blog so that I know what you believe.

You've got to read this story... This is wonderful news... unless you're a lender!

2006-11-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

www.foxnews.com/0,2933,227941,00.html

Please read the story before you read my comments. It's your opinion that counts, not mine.

I know we still have a long, long way to go, but isn't it great that people are borrowing less. The Bible never mentions debt as a sin, but everytime it mentions it, it is talked about negatively. Everybody (except for banks, credit card companies, mortgage lenders, etc.) should be excited about this news.

Here's an idea... live on less than you make. Decide before you even start paying bills what you're going to spend any extra money on. Here in Knox County, voters are deciding on a taxpayer-funded pension plan for Sheriff's deputies to replace a 401(k) style plan that is currently in place. I want to make it very clear that I support and appreciate the work of [police and sherriffs. But no one is holding a gun to the head of a guy saying, "Go work for the sheriff's office and save only what you are required to." Each one of those brave men and women made achoice to become deputies. They should also make a choice to, every week, put money aside from their paychecks to their retirement like the rest of America. Pensions are great, but that is not the American way. The American way is to take care of yourself and prepare for the future.

Voting Irregularities or Voter Irregularities

2006-11-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

There have already been numerous reports about voting problems. Can we just all agree that as long as this country has held elections there have been voting problems? Seriously, raise your hand if you think that 100% of all eligible votes (and 0% of ineligible votes) are counted every year? I didn't think anybody would be raise their hand.

The general consensus is that candidates (and voters) are guaranteed and are entitled to a fair election, not a perfect election. To the extent that we can make things better, we should. However, let's just agree that perfect is impossible. Get out and vote and it won't matter.

Today is the day!!

2006-11-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

This is it folks. Today is the day to go to your local polling station and vote. You will probably have to stand in line, in the rain (in the line while it's raining...) but you need to go out and exercise your privilege to vote. If you don't, I don't want to hear your belly-aching tomorrow about who you thought should have won or who you wanted to win.

A lot of people (most of them smarter than I) have been making predictions about who will win tomorrow. After thinking about it, here are mine (and most of these are general predictions, witch exceptions noted):

US House of Representatives- Speaker Pelosi, anyone? The Democrats will take over control of the House. My prediction is that they will pick up 20 seats. Anything under a 15 seat gain and the Republicans should be ecstatic.

US. Senate - Despite Sen. Bill Frist's departure (retirement), the Republicans will maintain a narrow majority in the US Senate. My prediction is 52 - 48 (after all of the party affiliations are worked out... By the way, should that be allowed? If you ran as an independent, you should be, for that entire term, and independent... but I digress)

US Senate, Tennessee - Republican Bob Corker wins by 5 percentage points, 52%-47%. But beware... Harold Ford Jr. is not going away. Governor Phil Bredesen (incumbent Democratic governor) cannot run again in 2010. What a TRULY historic win that would be.

Tennessee Governor - Phil Bredesen wins in his sleep, 65% - 35%. This race was never close, and despite the fact that he is a Democrat, Gov. Bredesen has done a decent job and limiting the size of Tennessee's government. He is one of the few Democrat's nationwide that is not a tax and spend kind of guy. He opposes a state income tax (as everyone should), and made a bold move to cut over 300,000 enrollees off TennCare, an embattled Medicaid program here.

2008 Prediction - Hillary will run, Hillary will lose. Who will beat her? It's too early to say. Republicans will have to choose wisely... The stakes are too high to say President Clinton again.