One and One are Two. Two and Two are Four .................

I have no doubt that my view is biased but when people try to tell me that elections are pointless because "all politicians are the same" without regard to their party stripe, I disagree. There is one difference as far as I’m concerned and moreover, it says a lot.

Conservatives do Facts. Liberals do Feelings.

Here is a prime and recent example of the latter by the Democratic Congressman from Illinois’ Second District, one Jesse Jackson Junior, the son of the Rainbow Coalition’s rabble rouser and extortionist-in-chief, the Reverend Jesse. Anyway, here is the chip of the old block on the floor of the House of Representatives yesterday.

“Mr. Speaker! I believe that the answer to long-term employment is in the United States Constitution. Well, let me say that a little differently.  It's not in the Constitution of the United States - it should be in the Constitution of the United States. And one of these days we're going to get there.

We need to add to the Constitution the right to a family to have a decent home.  What would that do for home construction - in this nation?  What would that do for millions of unemployed people?  We need to add to the Constitution the right to medical care. How many doctors would such a right create?

We need to add to the Constitution  of the United States, the right to a decent education for every American. How many schools would such a right build from Maine to California? How many people would be put to work building roofs and designing classrooms? Every student with an iPod and a laptop? How many ghettos and barrios would actually be touched by such an amendment?

In fact, very little - that we pass in the Congress of the United States even touches the long-term unemployed. Only thing that touches them that this Congress has access to, that can actually change their station in life, is the Constitution of the United States.

Mr. Speaker, there is an even greater America that's in front of us. It's the America that adds to our founding documents these basic rights...”

Is there any wonder why our economy is in the parlous state it is when such “Chicken in Every Pot” blather is mouthed by one of those charged with finding the money to keep this nation afloat?

Out of a national debt of 14 Trillion dollars, the Democrats and Obama claim to have seen the light and are trying to fob us off with a cut of 6.5 Billion while those on the other side of the aisle are going for 61 Billion. Clearly that is better but nowhere near to that which is needed. Recently I said so to a couple of liberals and they challenged me to do better “without hurting the most vulnerable in our society”.

“Try this,” I said and I went on to ask three questions.

When was the US Department of Education created?

What is its current budget?

How many children did it educate last year?


OK. Times up! The answers are 1979, 48.8 Billion and 0. That’s right Zero.

You see, I’m a conservative and I do Facts

Education of our children is a function of the states and counties. If you don’t believe me, take a look at your Property Tax bill and see how many of your dollars go to schools. But, if we assume that in 1978 the US Dept. of Education had no budget because it didn’t yet exist and that 33 years later we’re up to 48.8 Billion, simple arithmetic reveals a total outlay of over 829 Billion.

“So for the best part of 1 Trillion dollars, we have not educated 1 child,” I triumphantly but sadly announced.

“But, But,” my liberal listeners spluttered. “It must have helped the education process in other ways besides teaching directly.”

I was ready for that one and I asked two questions in response.

Like what?

Do you really believe that the standard of education is better now than it was 33 years ago or when you graduated?

The Silence was Deafening!