Turncoats vote with Dems to sign GOP death warrant

Remember their names and their votes

In our world of instantaneous news delivery, this is already stale by many standards since it occurred two days ago. Like most conservatives who rejoiced when the GOP regained control of the U.S. House and Senate this past Nov. 4, we are still  trying to shake some sense out of this capitulation.

Speaker John Boehner’s white flag surrender Tuesday to Democrat pressure to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security through the 2015 fiscal year, ended a contentious three-month face-off centered on Barack Obama’s unconstitutional executive amnesty.  The resulting  sweeping amnesty for at least 30 million illegal aliens —- assuring them numerous citizen paid benefits and protection from deportation, comes after Obama repeatedly stated (video) he was the president, “not the emperor,” and couldn‘t do what he ultimately did.

How long before they will be voting. rendering the Republican Party permanently irrelevant?

It was briefly heartening to read of an earlier move by nearly 3 dozen conservative House Republicans to establish the House Freedom Caucus intended to give “a voice to countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them. We support open, accountable and limited government, the Constitution and the rule of law, and policies that promote the liberty, safety and prosperity of all Americans,” according to the caucus’ mission statement. Arizona U. S. Rep. Matt Salmon (R-CD 5) was a founding member.

Yet after weeks of stalemate, Boehner ultimately caved and the House voted on a “clean” bill replenishing DHS funds, without separating the issues. The legislation passed 257 to 167, with the unified support of all Democrats who voted and 75 turncoat Republicans. Obama happily signed it.  Check out the individual votes here.

Martha McSally, Arizona’s newly elected CD 2 Republicrat,  joined with the Democrats. Regardless of what she gives as her reasons for betrayal, she should not be reelected. 

“This isn’t about party,” Congressman Salmon was quoted as saying following the vote. “This isn’t about policy. It isn’t about politics.  My opposition to this bill is based primarily on the fundamental separation of powers which the President has violated. The same powers he himself said over 20 times that he did not hold.”

Salmon was right about Obama’s power grab, but wrong about it not being about party. This is Obama’s petulant parting shot across the Republican bow for retaking both chambers. His aim is to gut the GOP. 

As Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra observed and SRAZ wrote last year, “It’s déjà vu all over again.”

Heritage Foundation President Jim DeMint has written an excellent commentary on this shameful debacle, “If Not Now … When? Will the GOP Majority Ever Stand for Anything?” We highly recommend his assessment.

Amnesty: Leftist lunatics running cities’ asylums

This exposé of the absurdities of liberalism is focused on New York City.  Warner Todd Huston wrote the illuminating article for Breitbart last September. As you read his revealing report, it becomes clear that the location and exact date are of little consequence. The insidious menace posed to our way of life, fomented by far leftists, undermines the rule of law while elevating criminality and being on the dole to new heights.  The illegals who benefit from the labors of American citizens are gifted government sanctioned incentives to sign up to expand their ability to do so.

At a cost of $8.4 million for the first year alone, an ID card program for invaders went into effect on Jan. 1.

The New York Post reports that the city’s municipal ID program allows for personal info provided by the illegal alien applicants to be destroyed on Dec. 31. 2016, “In case a Tea Party Republican comes into office (specifically the presidency) and says, ‘We want all of the data from all of the municipal ID programs in the country,’ we’re going to take the data,” according to City Councilman Carlos Menchaca, a Brooklyn Democrat and  the law’s co-sponsor.

Demand for the cards that will facilitate signing rental agreements, opening bank accounts, and ease obtaining a variety of city assistance programs, health care services and myriad other benefits has been overwhelming. More than 200,000 people applied for the cards before the end of the first month it was put into effect by New York City’s radical leftist mayor Bill deBlasio. 

The card was also set up to allow a “choice” of gender in order to bring the transgendered “out of the shadows” along with the illegals.

Additionally, deBlasio has launched a multi-city initiative involving New York, Los Angeles and Chicago —- aimed at increasing citizenship among U.S. permanent residents by providing legal assistance with the naturalization process. Los Angeles, whose mayor is Democrat Eric Garcetti, is the nation’s second largest city, with a massive illegal population. Chicago, the third largest city in the U.S., is currently led by Obama’s former chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel. Guess which political party the new citizens will be encouraged to align with?

ImmigrationCounters.com is a reliable resource that uses a wide range of data sources to compile its information on illegal immigration in the United States. The site informs the public of the realities of the continued influx of foreign nationals illegally entering the United States while challenging the myths and misinformation surrounding this critical issue.  Take time to read the Commentary under the continuing updating numbers.

Jeb a sure loser for GOP: Reject Bush imperial dynasty

The Sunday news programs parade a panoply of potential GOP presidential candidates, giving each their obligatory sound bites followed by analysis by the panelists gauging their viability. Each in turn is weighed as to suitability to run against the  already anointed Democrat—- a problem-plagued,  Cher-like candidate known far and wide by a single name.

Although the list of potential Republican candidates is long, the party establishment powerbrokers, strategists and the eager media, appear to have already selected their donor-amassing candidate. But for multitudes of “Bush weary” conservatives, Jeb Bush is a dynasty too far.

Phyllis Schlafly, still going strong at age 90, has long argued that the American conservative movement’s purpose is to influence, not echo, the Republican Party. In this column in the Washington Times, she warns against letting the party’s “kingmakers,” the Wall Street elite and their acquiescing political consultant class coronate former Florida governor Jeb Bush.

Mincing no words, Mrs. Schlafly makes her case in a 2015 update to her landmark book a half-century ago titled “A Choice, Not an Echo,” which in 1964 became the motto of Barry Goldwater’s grassroots movement.

In her update, Mrs. Schlafly -— founder of the Eagle Forum —- argues that her party too often picks losers as candidates because of a stranglehold by the political consultant-big business-Wall Street crowd, which makes a bundle from championing moderates over conservatives.

She warns that may be happening again in 2016 in the persona of Jeb Bush, noting “closed-door events have been held for Republican mega-donors to select who will get the big money that went last time to Mitt Romney,” and that the mainstream media already are cheering on Jeb Bush. Read the complete article by Ralph Z. Hallow here

Then carve out the time to acquaint yourself with Mexico-born Columba Bush, Jeb’s wife. The revealing article, “Bush Spouse Backs Jeb, but Is Wary of Family Business,”  in the New York Times is written by  Patrick Healy and Sheryl Gay Stolberg.  It’s easy to see why it took a trio, including researcher Kitty Bennett, to compile this informative piece.

Today we ask our readers to share who your “2016 Dream Ticket’ would be —- and why? We can do better than what’s being shoved our way by the Karl Rove elites.

Bill Montgomery sets Flakes loose on county taxpayers

Imagine you’re Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. Com’on, you can do it.  You’re full of political vim and aspiration and like a good establishment soldier dutifully await a greater opportunity. The U.S. Senate sounds good. But dang! That old goat McCain is making noises about running again. He’ll be 79 in August and a six-year term would place him at a gnarly 85. Not only will the youthful glow also be off Montgomery’s rose, but playing well with that Flake family is not bringing the hoped for returns.

Rather than repeat the gruesome facts of the case involving Sen. Jeff Flake’s son Austin and daughter-in-law Logan along with her parents Todd and MaLeisa Hughes, and its potential to derail Montgomery‘s ambition, read Bill Montgomery, dead dogs & the Flakes: We got it right the first time.

Now that Montgomery has dropped all felony charges against Austin and Logan they’re suing Maricopa County and Sheriff Joe Arpaio, seeking $8 million to resurrect their formerly pristine reputations, claiming they were targeted by the Sheriff’s office and their characters were ruined by this investigation. 

“The Sheriff has a long history of bringing cases for publicity.  This case to him had everything.  It had publicity, it had a politician’s son, it had pets and the one thing it didn’t have was probable cause,” claimed lawyer Jack Wilenchik. His law partner father Dennis Wilenchik, previously represented Arpaio and cozily lists the “Maricopa County Attorney” as a client.

The Wilenchik’s, publicity seekers extraordinaire, were singing a different tune —- “Vamos Jose!” (Let’s Go, Joe!) —- with Sheriff Joe Arpaio in happier times, as they interviewed him about the “latest county news” on their podcast radio show.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a champion of animals, who has had an Animal Crimes Investigations Unit as part of his office for over a decade forwarded twenty-one charges of animal neglect and cruelty to Montgomery, recommending numerous felony charges of animal neglect and cruelty in connection with horrific abuse resulting in the deaths of nearly two dozen family pets.

On Oct. 15, a Maricopa County Grand Jury indicted both couples. At the time, Montgomery solemnly stated, “Today’s indictment is the result of a thorough review of the extensive investigation into this incident and a decision to seek charges based on objective facts. We now look forward to the next step in seeing that justice is served in this case,” he said. But God knows he wanted the hot potato to go away.

If these marginal Flakes are successful in their outrageous lawsuit, Maricopa County taxpayers will be the ones paying out millions, and that includes the families who lost their beloved pets to the Flake’s obscene neglect.

It was clear from the June 20 onset, when the dead and dying family pets were found, Bill Montgomery was loath to touch this case.  He finally dropped it Dec. 22, 2014.

Background on this case can be read in these links:

Dec. 24, 2014:  Bill Montgomery, dead dogs & the Flakes: We got it right the first time

Dec. 13, 2014: Flake kin beg for cash to aid in dead dog defense

Nov. 14, 2014: Austin, Logan Flake plead not guilty in dog deaths

Oct. 16, 2014: Indicted! Austin & Logan Flake, Todd & MaLeisa Hughes

Oct. 13, 2014: Bill Montgomery: Focus of daily’s sarcastic jab remains inert

Sept. 29, 2014: Still awaiting Montgomery’s Flake decision

Sept. 19, 2014: Bill Montgomery: Between a Flake and a hard place

July 17, 2014: 21 dead dogs inconsequential as Flake connection gets cover-up

June 27, 2014: AZ Republic uses dead dogs to bash Arpaio, give pass to Flake & Update

Common Core: Making news for all the right reasons

The Arizona House Education Committee voted 5-2 approving a proposal that would scrap the state’s imposition of Common Core “standards” and strip the Board of Education’s ability to adopt new ones. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mark Finchem, (R-LD 11), now moves to the House floor.

Read the amended version of H.B.2190, which was approved after testimony from those on both sides of this contentious issue. A video of the hearing can be viewed here.

Seeing Red AZ has frequently covered the various incarnations of the Common Core back story and deceptive name change —- once it became too toxic. In the end, it comes down to the GOP establishment, with John McCain yet again playing the manipulator behind the curtain vs. the grassroots conservatives who put the underestimated Diane Douglas in office.

When Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas acted within the purview of her office, she was hammered by a Hamer. The establishment view is summed up by this obnoxious comment by obliging tool Glenn Hamer, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. “It’s bizarre and outrageous and offensive and she should apologize to all she’s offended,” Hamer is quoted in the New York Times. “Her comments and behavior aren’t necessarily following a linear pattern at this point.”

In other words, for having the temerity to disagree with the elites, Diane Douglas can deliberately be deemed nuts by the diminutive, insult-hurling Hamer.

The superintendent’s remarks were “intense even for Diane Douglas,” blasted Lisa Graham Keegan, who had previously called Superintendent Douglas “erratic.” Name calling has become commonplace among Common Core proponents. John Huppenthal, the troubled man replaced by Douglas referred to opponents as “barbarians.”  Like newly elected Gov. Doug Ducey, Keegan is closely tied to the McCain faction.  A RINO-turned-Independent who supported Douglas’ radical leftwing educrat opponent, Keegan served as McCain’s education policy advisor during his failed presidential campaign.

The conservative base of the Republican Party supported Diane Douglas. As the establishment choice, Doug Ducey had the backing and financial network of the GOP hierarchy.  He was also the beneficiary of scattered votes in a 6-way Republican primary field. A Libertarian and Americans Elect candidate further diluted the pool. 

Ducey needs to reassess his victory and realize he is the governor. He owes John McCain and his political kneecapping cronies nothing more than a courteous greeting when they meet at public functions. They don’t belong in his office and when they call, his secretary can honestly tell them he’s busy.  After all, he’s got a cash-strapped state to run. By virtue of her election, Diane Douglas is already in charge of the Arizona Department of Education.

Ducey-Douglas rift stoked by Lisa Graham Keegan

Arizonans need score card to keep track of AZ Republic’s schizophrenic coverage

Arizona Republic columnist Laurie Roberts appears to applaud state Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas, saying she “Scored Direct hit on Gov. Doug Ducey.’ The claque of Mary Jo Pitzl and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez go off in a pro-Lisa Graham Keegan direction.  E. J. Montini, the dutiful leftist follows the editorial board’s anti-Douglas instructions as he hopes to hang on just another few years until his social security kicks in and before the newspaper kicks off. Robert Robb, the more cerebral of the pack, gives points to Diane Douglas, saying Gov. Doug Ducey lacks the authority to reinstate the two state Board of Education staff members fired by Douglas. Columnist Doug MacEachern?  He weighs in using the take-no-prisoners prerogative, “maniacal” to describe Douglas. These are merely iceberg tips, but readers get the drift.

In nearly every report the name Lisa Graham Keegan appears. This past weekend, she was Brahm Resnik’s haughty guest on “Sunday Square Off.” (linked video follows ad.)

And who is the seemingly ubiquitous Lisa Graham Keegan, suddenly grabbing headlines?

Keegan, a RINO-turned-Independent who supported Douglas’ radical leftwing educrat opponent, oddly seems to be regarded by Ducey as the state school superintendent. And why not? Like Ducey, Keegan is a McCain ally. She served as McCain’s education advisor during his doomed presidential bid.  Keegan formerly held the top school position before ditching it back in 2001 with a year-and-a-half of her term remaining. The heady aura of Washington, D.C. was too compelling to keep her in Arizona to fulfill her commitment to the voters who put her in office. She also left rudderless the controversial Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) test which she had championed as a high school graduation requirement. AIMS was a hotly debated precursor of Common Core.

When Keegan boogied in 2001, then-Gov. Jane Hull appointed lobbyist Jaime Molera to replace her. When the term expired, Molera ran for the position losing to conservative Tom Horne, who was then elected to two consecutive terms.

This past November, grassroots candidate Diane Douglas ran and was elected on an unambiguous anti-Common Core platform. Keegan not only supports the federal overreach into local education, but derides Douglas as “erratic,” even as she tap dances around the issue of fewer dollars for public schools while Ducey slices $13 million from the state education budget.

Conservatives who have ample reasons to distrust the GOP establishment are banking on Diane Douglas holding firm to her campaign pledges. As Robert Robb noted, “she is intensively disliked by all the right people.”

Wising up: Ivy League students reject socialism

University President says health fee is “for the common good”

Cornell University students are obviously smart enough to know they shouldn’t have to pay a penalty for not buying the school’s health insurance if they already have coverage, but that’s exactly what a new policy at the Ivy League school requires.

The $350 “health fee” for opting out of the school’s insurance plan was announced in a memo from school President David Skorton, who is also a medical doctor. It was posted Feb. 5, on Cornell’s website, according to higher education blog The College Fix. But the implications are just beginning to sink in with the student body, and many attending the Ithaca, N.Y., school are now staging protests. Under Obama’s Affordable Care Act, students must have insurance, but making those already covered pay an extra fee to skip the school’s plan is rightly getting them riled.

According to Skorton, the fee will affect approximately 70% of undergrads, 10% of graduate students, and 30% of professional students. Given the number of students in each of these categories, it is expected to raise about $3.9 million. Additionally, students will have a $10 co-pay for visits to the campus’ health center.

In his statement Skorton noted that Cornell’s health services funding has been “strained” in light of “rising health insurance costs.” His email cites “inequitable access to care” as the reason for introducing this student health fee.

Students who do not opt in to the $2,352 plan will get hit with the $350 fee, which “most likely” won’t be covered by financial aid, according to The Cornell Review. The newspaper said the university plan is run through Aetna, whose CEO is a Cornell MBA grad.

This gut-punch is Skorton’s parting gift to Cornell’s students. The Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents named him to lead the world’s largest museum and research complex. He will assume his new post July 2015.

“David Skorton has demonstrated keen vision and skilled leadership as the president of two great American universities,” Supreme Court Chief Justice and Smithsonian Chancellor John Roberts lauded in a statement. “His character, experience and talents are an ideal match for the Smithsonian’s broad and dynamic range of interests, endeavors and aspirations.”

Justice Roberts, it will long be remembered, was the deciding vote on Obamacare. The Republican appointee stunned the nation as he sided with the liberals on the court.

It would be interesting to know what percentage of these now protesting Ivy Leaguers voted for Barack Obama —- and if those who did would do so again.