Gulf1 - C - Pappas

Many Have Asked, Now I Have Decided

by Col. Bob Pappas, USMC, Retired.

Jan Whaley, now deceased Chairman (and I do mean Chairman) of the Santa Rosa County Florida, Republican Executive Committee was one of those political activists who always made a positive difference.  When Jan lived in Georgia, a number of years before moving to Gulf Breeze, Florida with her retiring commercial airline Captain, husband, Jan came across a young teacher who impressed her with his ability to synthesize a series of ideas into a coherent and powerful statement on most any subject that related to American greatness. She realized that he had serious political potential and began an effort to recruit him for the Republican Party. According to Jan, when she first met him, he didn’t own a suit, decent shoes or a shirt and tie. She and others in the party took up a collection and when they suited him out, he made a good appearance. 

The most impressive aspect of the episode was that when he opened his mouth to speak, what followed were words founded on facts and put together in a way that rocked local Republican political audiences in the heavily Democrat South of that era; but was unsuccessful in two bids for election to Congress.  Jan related in occasional private conversations with me how she had counseling sessions with him regarding his personal life which unlike his ability to assemble great ideas and deliver them convincingly, was shambles.  Notwithstanding personal issues he succeeded in his political quest for a seat in the U.S. House where he served for twenty years culminating as Speaker of the House from 1995 to 1999.

“Newt” Gingrich is arguably the most intelligent man to ever run for the office of President in the modern era and has likely forgotten, although it’s doubtful that he forgets much, more than many people will ever learn, especially when it comes to what America is and how it got here.  He is the quintessential American politician with all the political and personal foibles and “scars” that go with the “profession.” (And I despise careerists, but he is no careerist in the traditional sense.)

Some people enter politics as a career alternative to some other line of work, like the Kennedy clan; others become politicians as a means of feathering their own nests, like former Senator Chris Dodd; and are small people, careerists in the pathetic sense who contribute little but manage to secure enough political “bacon” for their districts to satisfy local “kingmakers” and live a comfortable life and retirement at taxpayer expense, exempting themselves from laws they enact that would be a jail sentence for anyone else. Insider trading is one such law. This latter group avoids controversy at all costs, votes right, and sucks up to party leadership to climb the political ladder for a special chairmanship or other political appointment that helps assure a good retirement; such politicians are slime and they make me sick!

Unlike the foregoing, Gingrich makes a difference, and has emerged as the clear giant from among the field of solid Presidential aspirants. He was likely the most effective Speaker in history turning a potential national disaster into a continuation of the national economic juggernaut initiated and brought to fruition during the Reagan Administration. Has he been all sweetness and light? No! On one occasion I was so put out with him that I wrote him that if he was offering advice to himself, he would be ill advised to follow it. Oh, and yes, there are plenty of well known skeletons in his political and personal closet. But I have watched and attended to his behavior in subsequent years, and have concluded that despite his obvious human failings, he is best equipped not only to defeat the man who has actively set out to “totally change” this nation, but Gingrich would reform it in a way that would benefit all Americans and restore it to a place of dignity and leadership in an increasingly chaotic world.

Any one of the field of Republican Candidates is a superior choice over the evident intentional Democrat train-wreck of the national economy and foreign policy. Obama’s embrace of the Wall Street Protestors, Islamic and homegrown radicals i.e. the Muslim Brotherhood, and the likes of American Terrorist Bill Ayers, his continued denigration of the U.S. and his obscene abuse of the Office are the most despicable actions of any President in history; and I thought nothing could top Carter or Clinton, but was wrong. Gradually emerging from the Republican field is this steady, unflappable, unflinching spokesman and leader; a man who has advanced more innovative and constructive ideas in one debate session than Obama has put forth during his entire Administration; and without a teleprompter.

That person, and one who I support for the Republican nomination from my vantage on the high ground as an Independent Conservative, is Newton Leroy Gingrich; and I encourage you to do likewise. For more information the Campaign website is: http://www.newt.org/meet-newt

Semper Fidelis

Copyright ©  November 17th, 2011, by Robert L. Pappas. With proper attribution, this essay may be quoted and redistributed, except it may not be used in conjunction with any advertisement without the author’s expressed written permission.

Greece, Liberals, and U.S. Socialist Democrats

by Col. Bob Pappas, USMC, Ret.

Let’s see if I have this straight. Greece is, but for Germany and other EU nations bailing it out, bankrupt. The long and short of how that happened is that Greece having joined the EU adopted a cradle-to-grave economic model and embarked on paying its workers dream salaries and retirement benefits, not to mention “universal” health care, such as that is. Costs rapidly escalated given increases both in the number and breadth of government programs. Having found liberal lending at the EU “trough” the cure to its expanding largesse, Greek politicians believed the “borrowing well” was infinitely deep and would be a permanent cure for its spending addiction much like U.S. Democrats and the Obama Administration. In the meantime, Greek government unions like SEIU in California, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey and other places kept beating the drum for more. The government responded by borrowing more so politicians could dole it out to union members who in turn paid union dues, a portion of which was then used to help elect the same politicians who would continue the cycle.

But interest on the borrowed money i.e. the Greek national debt, began to mount to the point where the EU realized that Greece was too far over-extended to service, much less repay its debt. The scenario is somewhat reminiscent of Zorba, the Greek with Greece representing Zorba. When responsible people at the EU awakened to the fact that it was impossible for Greece to service its debt, it instructed Greece to find ways to economize. For a short time the Greek Government “cooked the books” but was soon found out and forced to begin to tighten its economic belt. Greek Unions/Socialists/Communists reacted by blaming everyone but themselves and the situation turned ugly; Unions continue to foment riots seen daily on TV in response to government grappling with the out-of-control economic situation.

Were Greeks so stupid like Zorba, as to believe there would never be a day of reckoning? (Are U.S. Democrats any different?) Did they really believe that EU membership would not exact a toll on its sovereignty? (U.S. Democrats in general could care less about sovereignty.) Did they actually believe that borrowing more than the country could produce would have no consequences? Talk about arrogant! “Because I am, you owe me,” a concept with a familiar ring in certain all liberal U.S. circles.

Across the Atlantic in Washington, D.C., Obama lead Democrats, liberals and their fellow travelers (and to the extent that it includes Republicans, so be it) have the mistaken impression that like Greek politicians the country’s wealth is theirs to give or take, and if taxes are not generating enough revenue, “raise taxes on the rich,” or borrow more from Communist China. Those despicable politicians believe that the Federal Government owns the Country.  Why else would Congressional Democrats unilaterally enact "Obamacare" over the objections of the majority of U.S. population? Their mindset is abundantly manifest in the laws they have enacted. Notwithstanding their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution, most are interested only in advancing their political careers and that includes all careerist politicians whether left or right. 

Democrat strategy has always been to overspend then “force” an increase in taxes to cover the costs. In the past that worked because the expanding economy was enough to support their idiocy, but this time spending is so obscene that the economy can’t sustain it and U.S. citizen taxpayers are rebelling.  How to deal with the resultant debt is the struggle in the ongoing budget debate in Washington.

Increasing taxes on “the rich” would not work even if increased to 100% because there is not enough money even at that rate to cover Federal spending. Incidentally, 100% taxation was Obama’s father’s “dream.” If those who presently pay no taxes believe they would escape, they should think again because they will be forced to work.  The days of the free ride are over. In a few years of the current policy they will be forced to help carry the load of their “entitlements.” “Where’s my check” will be a thing of the past and it will be forced work on a plantation, but this time it will be a government plantation.  It would be better to get a real job and avoid that. The inescapable fact is that working and earning a living is a condition of life. Free loaders had best get used to it whether one lives in Greece or the United States of America.

Semper Fidelis

Copyright © October 31, 2011, by Robert L. Pappas. With proper attribution, this essay may be quoted and redistributed, except it may not be used in conjunction with any advertisement without the author’s expressed written permission.