Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) had very salient points. The Republicans need to return to fiscal conservatism. It will help that most of the RINO representatives were voted out of office. The Senate will not be filibuster proof, and for that I’m thankful.

Ohio decided to hurt itself on the important financial issues.  Issue 2, a levy for a science museum and some conservation projects, was passed despite failing in the last two elections. Issue 5, the imposition of restrictions on payday lending, passed. No personality is going to save the Ohio economy as long as Ohio continues to shoot itself in the foot.

For his concession speech, Obama thanked his family and those who worked with him on the campaign, gave a nod to Lincoln and individual liberty (how’s that for irony), and called on America to exhibit a “spirit of sacrifice.” He only had two Messiah moments, when he said “we could perfect this union,” and that speech where he kept repeating the “Yes we can” like it’s the new Amen.

Pr. McCain has a nice prayer.

• The inherent racism of voting (for or against) based on melanin content alone,
• Organized and deliberate attempts to produce illegal voter registrations and votes,
• Courts who allow park benches to be used as addresses,
• Other courts who say political groups have no standing in the execution of electoral procedures,
• Threats of riots should the wrong candidate win,

And that’s before we even begin to examine the things each candidate espouses. Obama spent part of his career as a community organizer/agitator.  Well, we are agitated! I hope he is happy. If we spent half the attention on the second coming of the real Messiah as people do on the coming of The One, Hell would be uncharacteristically devoid of the American demographic.

I confess. I get wrapped up in it. The adrenaline rush, the opportunity to espouse and sell my views, the affirmation from the like-minded, and the winning over of the undecided are positive (as opposed to good) consequences to electoral politics. It is a battle between logic and feelings, and I think it’s safe to say some people let one rule at the expense of the other. There’s no party monopoly on that.

This can’t be good. Every four years, so much time, money, and emotion are invested in two days of the year. Government should not be our focus. There should not be so much power in government that we have to worry about things like a Fairness Doctrine, what income level is “rich”, or which industries stand to gain or lose depending who’s in office.

Not exactly career politicians.

This is the real flaw in the way we do things: that the people who want government to matter less have better things to do in their opinion than becoming a legislator. When was the last time you heard a campaign commercial for an elected official who wanted the government to leave you alone?  We don’t talk about whether it is right to tax your income or to participate in pork-barrel spending but how much of each. Government dependency over and above securing “the blessings of liberty” is now a given.

Each election matters more and more because people see personal gain in the manipulation of government. Congressman John Murtha is running ads in western Pennsylvania that government-paid jobs will go away if he is voted out of office. One woman is convinced (YouTube) that her gas and her mortgage will be paid for by an Obama administration.

If McCain wins, it will be because the last constitutional defense against the mob, the Electoral College, will have held. It has a good chance of failing this year, attacked by campaign promises and a media slacking in analysis and impartiality. Even if McCain wins, while he promises to cut government spending, he makes no promises in cutting government influence.

Thus, 2012 will matter yet more. While that keeps Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh employed, it’s not healthy for the rest of us.

First: There is a certain wisdom in the original requirement that only property owners could vote; the whites-only requirement, not so much. The wisdom of the property-owners rule is that the owners provided their own feedback as to how much rule, tariffs, etc., they found tolerable.

Nowadays, people who do not own property can assess taxes and levies on people who do. People who do not earn an income can vote to confiscate the income of those who earn. Today’s liberals talk about fairness much more than they do about the rule and equal application of the law. Let’s fix these issues of fairness before we decide what amount of confiscation is “fair.”

Second: Our society, like it or not, is made of people, and we elect people to representative bodies so that we can use our own time to work. Unfortunately this makes politics a personal business, and factors that have nothing to do with law, such as charisma, come into play. It would be cool to have referenda in the ballot that espoused guiding principles on the person seeking, so that one could vote for the less repugnant candidate and still disagree with him. When people get elected, they assume the vote is a mandate on the policies. This isn’t necessarily the case, and the referenda would provide some illumination as to what the people really want.

Third: One simultaneous date for national primaries. The two-year campaign season is ridiculous, and for those taking the public dollar, a sore waste of taxpayer money. The current system allows one state, New Hampshire or Iowa for example, to affect the elections of the rest of the states. This is insane.

Fourth: Open debates to anyone who can get their name on the majority of state ballots. This might be slightly unconstitutional under the Freedom to Associate clause of the First Amendment, but it’s no less unconstitutional than the factions railed against in the Federalist Papers.

Fifth: Reaffirm the right of secession for states who feel the federal government is crushing them. This sounds a bit extreme, but when you consider the ever-increasing size and power of the federal government, we have to have this tool in the toolbox.

Sixth: No park benches for addresses. Seriously.

Seventh: A quick citizenship test prior to voting. One shouldn’t vote on something one doesn’t know about, right?

What else, while we’re dreaming?

I find it most highly appropriate that Obama wants you to take the day off and not only vote, but make calls, knock on doors, and get out the vote.

It is extraordinary arrogance to think that you are making history only if you vote for the presidential candidate with the most melanin ever.

Yes, we do. Every day.

I make history. Every day. Whether it is putting my kids to bed, teaching people how to use the latest tools to do their jobs, or, perhaps even blogging, I make history that is more beneficial to my family, my country, my church, my company, and my neighbor, than a single vote for Barack Obama. You make history too, in your vocations.

I am curious how Martin Luther King, Jr., would feel about a presidential candidate parlaying his color, not his character, for higher office.

But I digress. It is significant and indicative of leftist philosophy that your work is only worthwhile if it is for a governmental process.

Go to work. Make this country great. Vote when you are able. You really will help your neighbor more than voting and recruiting for the redistributor.

Absentee Instructions

4:03 Where’s the write-in slot? Ah, there it is…
4:04 Checking the Ohio battleground polls to see whether my vote would be more effective in keeping The One out of office or showing the Republican party that socialist-lite isn’t worth my vote.
4:06 There are people running for County Treasurer, County Engineer, and County Coroner who identify themselves with a political party. Coroner? As in, if you’re a Democrat, you don’t turn the death certificate in to the State?
4:10 Oh, look, a Libertarian for representative. I wonder if he’s the Bob Barr type.
4:12 Verifying online the ones I want for Justice of the Supreme Court. Absentee voting rules.
4:16 Ewww. One justice hasn’t voted the way I liked on some issues, but the opponent is even worse philosophically.
4:18 Hmmm…four-term Democrat vs. inexperienced Republican for Court of Appeals.
4:29 Checking everything again, putting it in the envelope.

This will use CoverItLive.com, a free service which seems to have some pretty cool tools in it. In addition to just tracking my opinions, readers will be able to send in comments, vote in quick polls, and other cool stuff.

If you want to use CoverItLive in a separate window, click here.

The Columbus Dispatch also has an article on the case:

Smith, appointed by President Reagan, said the Help America Vote Act requires states not only to verify the identity of newly registered voters with the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the federal Social Security Administration, but to provide counties with the names of new voters whose records did not match.

Brunner’s office had been doing the verification but had not made the names available to county elections boards. The judge gave her a week to do so.

Smith cited the “millions of qualified electors across the state of Ohio whose confidence in the electoral process will be undermined if new voter registrations are not verified in accordance with HAVA, and if unqualified individuals are permitted to cast votes.”

When did Ohio become Chicago? This is what happens when we abdicate our responsibilities and expect the government to take care of us. Cede enough power to elected officials, and people really will do anything to get elected.

On the questions about the future: Obama seems to think he has a crystal ball. McCain doesn’t know, and that’s fine. That’s what principles are for. You don’t get the “I shoulda” until it’s five or ten years too late.

9:32 McCain doesn’t know the future. McCain believes in the country and is honored to serve it.
9:31 Obama dodges. Obama is change.
9:30 “What don’t you know, and how will you learn it?” They’re going to dodge.
9:29 Obama, North Korea lied to Clinton and Albright about not researching nuclear missiles, and that’s how they got their power.
9:27 Obama: “We cannot allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon.” Would do everything that’s required. Don’t provide veto power to the UN.
9:26 Good “What you do if you were Israel” by McCain.
9:25 McCain would not wait for the UN.
9:24 Retired Navy Chief: Would you wait for the UN to support Israel if Iran attacks? NICE.
9:23 Evil Empire (yes/no): Obama: long answer. McCain: Maybe.
9:21 Obama wants to provide financial support to former Soviet republics. $$$.
9:20 McCain wants to advocate Georgia and Ukraine NATO membership. That means military action if those two countries are invaded. Can we do that?
9:19 McCain: “We’re not going to have another cold war with Russia.” McCain IS right on Putin.
9:17 Obama: Afghan government is not responsive to its people. That’ll make Karzai happy.
9:15 McCain: “Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran” was a joke. Obama telegraphs his foreign policy punches.
9:13 Obama, how are you going to go get Bin Laden with force without crossing the border? That’s effectively telling Pakistan you’d invade.
9:11 McCain: Obama’s saber-rattling made Pakistan angry.
9:08 Pakistani sovereignty. Obama talks about Afghanistan. Obama will break Pakistani sovereignty if Osama Bin Laden’s there.
9:06 Nice remarks by McCain about tempered decision making. Didn’t like Lebanon and Somalia.
9:05 Not sure what the Obama doctrine was, other than rounding up other nations and lead.
9:05 Obama questions standing by on Rwanda? Wasn’t that Clinton’s watch?
9:03 The Obama Doctrine and McCain Doctrine. Nice question.
9:02 Obama has a point that we are bankrolling Iraq while they have a surplus.
9:01 Obama: Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11.
9:01 McCain: Obama was wrong on Russia and the surge.
8:59 Question: How does economics serve to help us be a peacemaker? Interesting question.
8:57 McCain likely voted against the children’s health insurance program because it was covering half a million adults.
8:56 Obama: health care should be a right for everyone. Yep, he’s a socialist.
8:55 McCain: health care should be a responsibility.
8:54 McCain: 95% will have the insurance of their choice. Sounds good.
8:53 McCain: government this and government that. Mandates. Good argument.
8:52 Obama avoids commodity question to slam McCain’s health care plan.
8:50 Health care SHOULD be treated as a commodity. There is not a one-to-one option-to-problem situation. Treating something as a commodity introduces competition and makes things as cheap as possible.
8:49 McCain makes the case for offshore drilling.
8:47 Manhattan Project? Ugh. At least McCain does want to turn it over to private industry eventually.
8:47 Obama acts like McCain only wants to drill.
8:45 Obama: Government invented the computer? Industry didn’t take off until Jobs, Wozniak, and Gates went to work.
8:44 “I was on Navy ships that had nuclear power. It’s safe.” Score one, McCain.
8:43 Question: How can we keep Congress acting fast? Ouch. We make so much bad legislation when things go fast.
8:42 McCain should say WHY there are so many special interests. It’s about government power.
8:41 Oh, McCain, don’t say we need more Tip O’Neill.
8:40 Obama tax cuts for the rich AGAIN. It’s not fair!
8:39 Obama, you can’t cut taxes on 95% of people, because not that many people pay taxes!
8:36 McCain deflects on tax cuts for the rich and mentions tax credits for people. OK.
8:35 Good for McCain to mention protectionism in a bad way.
8:34 What does it matter to a $30,000 teacher how much a $300,000 person gets taxed? It didn’t help the teacher.
8:33 Obama hits tax cuts for the rich AGAIN. Give it up!
8:32 Oil companies aren’t using certain lands because seismic tells them nothing is there. But you don’t know that until you get the chance to explore.
8:31 Obama is for offshore drilling now.
8:31 Obama: “Go out and shop” criticism is a good point.
8:30 “We’re not rifle shots here. We’re Americans.” Nice.
8:29 Good for McCain to angle it so that the government makes the sacrifice.
8:28 “What sacrifices will you ask the American people to make?” POOR question.
8:26 Obama hits the tax cuts for the rich again. Yawn.
8:25 Poor Brokaw, begging for people to play by the rules.
8:24 Prioritizing Health Care-Economy-Social Security. Nice question but they worm out of it.
8:22 McCain: Obama voted for over $1 billion in pork spending. Nice attack.
8:21 McCain shout outs to CAGW and NTU. I like.
8:20 UGH. Campaign finance reform NOT a good idea. But Obama has never challenged his leadership is a good point.
8:19 Obama-last-8-years-are-Bush’s-fault again.
8:18 “How can we trust either of you with our money when both parties got us into this global economic crisis?” AMEN.
8:17 Lobbyists and special interests are bad, Obama? Talk to Pelosi.
8:15 What about the money you received from Fannie and Freddie, Obama? Deflection. “Let’s not point fingers.”
8:14 Obama hits deregulation theme again. Yawn.
8:13 McCain pins Fannie and Freddie money to Obama. Nice.
8:12 McCain mentions Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Senator Obama and his friends in Washington. Getting warmer!
8:11 Question: What about bailout will help everyone? Good question.
8:10 Obama hits McCain on “fundamentals of economy are sound” again. Yawn.
8:08 McCain would go for Obama’s guy for SecTreas. Finally hits greed and cronyism in Washington a little bit.
8:05 McCain up, starts with energy independence. “Let’s not raise taxes on anybody today.” Mentions the national debt, good. Buying up homes and revaluing them? Totally not market. Totally missed the regulation angle.
8:04 Obama up first, trying to identify with audience, blaming everything on the last eight years. McCain needs to hit CRA. Please.
8:03 Candidates are seated.
8:01 Tom Brokaw’s face is highly polished.

All times Central.

The Club for Growth has its own list of wishes for Senator McCain in this debate, and they are worth a look.

As far as drinking games go, just get it over with, you’ll enjoy this more.

Also, the comment section was blocking users of blogger.com during the last liveblog. That’s fixed.

McCain’s attacks against Barack Obama’s relationship with William Ayers aren’t working, especially since Obama counters with the more financially relevant Keating 5 scandal.

Bill Bennett said this morning on CNN that McCain has to become the expert on the economy tonight.

If McCain wants to have a shot at winning he has to attack the Democratic-controlled Congress and its potential free reign with a Democratic president. He has to “straight-talk” about the bad legislation under Clinton and Bush-43 that caused banks to loan money to people they shouldn’t have. Bush’s “ownership society” and Clinton’s racial preferences in lending have to be exposed and denounced.

The financial crisis can and should be the repudiation of socialism. If you want the health care system to go the way of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, vote Democratic.

McCain’s reputation as a spending hawk is harmed by the bailout. McCain should repent, blasting it for being a dumb idea made worse by “sweeteners” and passed by artificial urgency. One can dream.

Drill, Baby, Drill!

The dollar is benefiting from the European Union’s consideration of a bailout.  Gas prices are going down.  A strong dollar that lowers the price of imported goods and petroleum will ease the pressure on the American wallet.

The Obama campaign seems to recognize that taxes and gas prices are issues where they are weak. If debate moderator Tom Brokaw is worth anything, he needs to ask Obama about Biden’s statement that they are for offshore drilling.  That might have been news to Obama.

Traditional conservative principles should win this debate on the economy.  The question is whether McCain is conservative enough to espouse them.

Issue 1: Constitutional Amendment for earlier State Issue filing deadlines: Yes

There are compelling issues For and Against Issue 1. The case “for” involves taxpayer expenditures for advertising issues which ultimately don’t make the ballot. The case “against” involves the potential for an referendum to get delayed over a year after the Ohio legislature passes a law that the public may not like.

I’m inclined to vote Yes, because saving taxpayer money is a good thing, and the petitioning process delays the change the lawmakers were planning to make. Good laws are rarely written in haste.

Issue 2: Constitutional Amendment to Issue Bonds for Environment and Conservation: No

It’s funny that the “for” argument says twice, in bold, underline, and/or italics, that this doesn’t raise taxes. Yet taxpayers do pay for additional debt incurred by the state. In a down economy assuming $400 million in debt isn’t be a good idea.

Issue 3: Constitutional Amendment to Protect Personal Water Rights: No

Ever since Kelo v. New London I have been quite vigilant about property rights. Looking at this text, though, I am stumped as to the point of this issue. It says the private individual has rights, until the government trumps those rights. Perhaps if a neighbor was using water under or around a person’s land, this amendment might come into play. The Ohio Supreme Court has already ruled that a person has reasonable use rights to the water under their land; are people afraid the Court will reverse that decision? We probably should wait until the Court screws this up to fix it.

Issue 4: Proposed Law Requiring Paid Sick Leave for Employees in Ohio

Withdrawn from the ballot. Good thing, too. Mandating benefits takes a weapon out of the employer’s hands for attracting the best talent. It also raises employment costs and harms small businesses.

Issue 5: Referendum on Payday Lending legislation: No

We’ve argued this before. While payday lending shouldn’t be an activity of first or even second resort to citizens, this choice of last resort shouldn’t be taken away from citizens. This is nanny-state thinking.

Issue 6: Constitutional Amendment for a Casino and Casino Tax: No

On the simple question, I would vote to allow casino gambling, but this question isn’t so simple.

This amendment allows the establishment of one casino, creating an instant gambling monopoly in Ohio.

The amendment stipulates that the owner of the casino spend $600 million. Why not let the casino owner manage his own cost? Maybe he could build a cheaper, more profitable facility?

Finally, this amendment sets aside any local and state laws, including zoning laws, that would prevent the casino from opening. This has the potential of overriding the desires of the people most directly affected by a casino in their backyard. People have cause for concern about their property values. They should be able to work out a compensation deal with the casino owner for permission to use the land. Moreover, does this give the owner the right to flout environmental, building, and inspection laws that would prevent the casino from opening?