Today marks President Reagan’s historic speech at the Brandenberg Gate where he told the Soviet Union’s General Secretary of the Communist Party “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall”. And down it came with the demise of the Soviet Union’s empire. Reagan’s quote says it all: “Here’s my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose.”

We have not had a President of such fearless character in standing for America since. Were he here today juxtaposed for the Presidency, there would be no Obama in the White House, there would be no American decline, there would be no glaring magnified polarization of our country. Instead of running down America, apologizing for American greatness, President Reagan spoke of, represented American greatness and goodness. He was not a divider as the current disaster we have as President, he was a uniter. Simply put, Ronald Reagan knew what really made this country great. President Obama does not. America misses Ronald Reagan and we need him now more than ever.

‘I urge you to speak out against those who would place the United States in a position of military and moral inferiority. You know, I’ve always believed that old Screwtape reserved his best efforts for those of you in the church. So, in your discussions of the nuclear freeze proposals, I urge you to beware the temptation of pride —— the temptation of blithely declaring yourselves above it all and label both sides equally at fault, to ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire, to simply call the arms race a giant misunderstanding and thereby remove yourself from the struggle between right and wrong and good and evil.’
March 3, 1983 — Evil Empire Speech

Let’s look at some of President Reagan’s accomplishments while in office:

Reaganomics: Less than five months after being gravely wounded in an assassination attempt, President Reagan signed the Economic Recovery Tax Act in August 1981, which brought reductions in individual income tax rates, the expensing of depreciable property, and incentives for small businesses and for savings. So began the Reagan Recovery. A few years later, the Tax Reform Act of 1986 brought the lowest individual and corporate income tax rates of any major industrialized country in the world.

The numbers tell the story. Over the eight years of the Reagan administration:
• Twenty million new jobs were created
• Inflation dropped from 13.5% in 1979 to 4.1% in 1988
• Unemployment fell from 7.6% to 5.5%
• The next worth of families earning between $20,000 and $50,000 annually grew by 27%
• The real Gross national Product rose 26%

The prime interest rate was slashed by more than half from 21% in January 1981 to 10% in August 1988. Given actual rates of inflation, through 1987, the Reagan tax cuts saved the median-income, two-earner American family of four close to $9,000 in taxes from what it would have owed in 1980.

Tax cuts were only one “leg of the stool.” The second was job creation. Millions of new jobs were created, and as President Reagan had pledged in his inaugural address, they were not limited to just one segment of society. Employment of African-Americans rose by more than 25% between 1982 and 1988, and more than half of the new jobs created were filled by women.

Taming the lion of government spending was another key component of the plan – the third leg of the stool. Here, too President Reagan did what he said he would do. During his administration, growth in government spending plummeted from 10% in 1982 to just over 1% in 1987. With inflation factored in, federal spending actually declined in 1987-the first time that had happened in over a decade.

Reducing tax rates restored the incentive to produce and create jobs, and getting the government out of the way allowed people to become entrepreneurs. From there, the free marketplace operated as it should.

The Reagan Recovery vs The Obama Recovery – In his 1983 State of the Union Address, President Reagan described an economic situation that mirrored our own today: “The problems we inherited were far worse than most inside and out of government had expected; the recession was deeper than most inside and out of government had predicted. Curing those problems has taken more time and a higher toll than any of us wanted. Unemployment is far too high.” But where President Obama responded to an economic recession with a bigger than $2 trillion expansion of government (more than $1 trillion on health care and almost $1 trillion in economic stimulus), President Reagan passed the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which cut marginal income tax rates across the board permanently. And the differences don’t end there…

Never one not to mix a little humor addressing a recession he inherited from his predecessor Jimmy Carter, but unlike our current POTUS he didn’t invoke and blame his predecessor’s name to deflect responsibility; Regan quipped to a reporter’s question asking him if he accepted any responsibility for the recession: “Yes, because for many years I was a Democrat.”

Read Reagan’s Jan. 1978 speech entitled: Whatever Happened to Free Enterprise
“During the presidential campaign last year, there was a great deal of talk about the seeming inability of our economic system to solve the problems of unemployment and inflation. Issues such as taxes and government power and costs were discussed, but always these things were discussed in the context of what government intended to do about it. May I suggest for your consideration that government has already done too much about it? That indeed, government, by going outside its proper province, has caused many if not most of the problems that vex us…”

An example of Ronald Reagan at his best is the classic A Time for Choosing speech.

Ronald Reagan was a visionary and here he speaks of his concern for socialized medicine, which is the ultimate objective of ObamaCare.

To sum up Reagan’s accomplishments as one of the greatest Presidents in American history here are his Top 10 Achievements.

The post Twenty Six Years Ago Today… appeared first on Carolina Right.

Submitted without further comment, NC Senator Angela Bryant compares the Republican agenda to the Boston Bombing:

Bryant has since deleted the tweet above and issued a typical, political non-apology.

To be clear, no comparison between Boston tragedy and NCGA; #ncga #NCGOP @nashncgop #NCPOL #ncgov @newsobserver

— Angela R. Bryant (@angelareb) April 25, 2013

However I am frustrated by the #NCGOPagenda to hurt poor families. #Ncga # ncpol @newsobserver @nashncgop #ncgov#

— Angela R. Bryant (@angelareb) April 25, 2013

(Hat tip to the Carolina Plott Hound and The Locker Room blog at the John Locke Foundation).

The post Democrat NC Senator Compares GOP Policies with Boston Bombing appeared first on Carolina Right.

Death shouldn’t be a taxable event. At least, that’s the consensus of the 23 Republican House members who have signed on as co-sponsors to House Bill 101 which would repeal North Carolina’s “death tax.” The companion bill in the Senate boasts 29 co-sponsors, a majority of the Senate.

Americans for Prosperity is actively supporting the bill, and notes that just “16 states impose an estate tax” on their residents. They have made elimination part of their 2013-2014 legislative agenda.

Unlike much of the legislation coming out of Washington, North Carolina’s House Bill 101 is admirably succinct, stating quite plainly, “Article 1A of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes is repealed.”  For those who are unfamiliar, this is the section of the law that defines and mandates the estate tax.

For those unfamiliar with the death tax, or estate tax, this is a statute that imposes a tax on the estate of deceased residents. For small business owners, this means all of the property owned by the business is assessed, valued, and taxed when the business owner dies. This double taxation generates little tax revenue, but can sink the small businesses it impacts, especially if the owner’s death is sudden and unexpected.

Although the Heritage Foundation is focused on federal policies, their series of videos highlighting the economic pitfalls of a federal death tax—two of which are embedded below—is equally relevant to the current debate in North Carolina. The only difference is the source of the economic drag is our state legislature rather than Washington, DC.

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GOP Commits Suicide; Endorses Reconquista

- Stephen Bennett

The coffin is prepared. All that’s left is to drive in the nails. Their game of Russian roulette is now being played fully loaded. The death panel is assembled. We’ve known Democrats generally distain the Constitution. We now know that the Republican Party, who professes to be the guardians of the Constitution find Article IV Section 4 a real inconvenience. The GOP’s young guns have linked with the old guard. First, Rubio caved. The statements he made against amnesty during his campaign lasted just long enough to get elected. Feeling left out, Rand Paul followed suit. The RNC has made amnesty their get out the vote woo to Hispanics. Gee, that’s weird. Just a scant six months ago the Republican Party Platform adopted at the convention in Tampa stated “In this country, the rule of law guarantees equal treatment to every individual, including more than one million immigrants to whom we grant permanent residence every year. That is why we oppose any form of amnesty for those who, by intentionally violating the law, disadvantage those who have obeyed it. Granting amnesty only rewards and encourages more law breaking.” Is that one of those that was then this is now things? This may be the biggest flip flop in the history of political parties. How many of you elected your Representative and Senators to grant amnesty for millions of illegal aliens? How many of you now support a so called conservative party that is now supporting amnesty leading to citizenship for illegals? Just wondering.

I thought that Republicans were committed to finding work for the 23 million unemployed Americans. Shouldn’t that be the laser focus of the Republican Party? Guess not. Instead, the GOP has decided that amnesty is just too important and is the political strategy to win the ever increasing Hispanic vote. As distasteful as amnesty is to the majority of Americans and most all conservatives, the GOP must have sound reasons for taking this approach. So let’s look at a bit of Presidential election history. In 1984, Reagan received 37% of the Hispanic vote. In 1986, he signed into law the IRCA amnesty. An absolute stroke of genius to pump up that Hispanic vote for the next Republican running for President, right? Uhh, not so much. Reagan’s VP George H.W. Bush running for President in 1988 received only 30% Hispanic support. Ahh, but surely they would support him the next chance they got, right? Again, not so much. In 1992, Bush received 25% of the Hispanic vote. But that was then and things are different now. Yep, they sure are. Long time amnesty champ of the GOP, John McCain was rejected by 67% of Hispanic voters in 2008. How’s amnesty working out for ‘ya, Republicans? What this shows is that Hispanics align with the Democrat Party and not even a pro-amnesty Republican is going to change that. In 2012, Romney, who tacked to the right on illegal immigration over McCain was rejected by 71% of Hispanic voters. McCain as President would have signed an amnesty bill. Romney maybe would have not though I wouldn’t take that to the bank. The lesson learned here? For maybe gaining 4% of the Hispanic vote at most the Republican Party is going to capitulate to amnesty.  Three million registered Republican voters sat out the 2012 election ostensibly because they didn’t care much for Romney. How many more will sit out the next election if Republicans help pass amnesty?  Yeah, that’s a sure fired way to energize the base. By supporting amnesty Republicans are essentially saying to hell with conservatives we don’t need you.

Statistics indicate the majority of Hispanic children are born out of wedlock. The family unit is mom and the kids. And we know how well Democrats do with the single woman vote. Big Government provides free family health care, free education, free school food, welfare checks, subsidized housing and food stamps. Polling data indicate Hispanics support Obamacare, a more generous safety net, strong government intervention in the economy, and higher taxes on the wealthy. Do Republicans really think they can win the Hispanic vote by promoting ideas of reducing the size of government, cutting entitlements, reforming the welfare state, supporting the rule of law (except in the case of amnesty) and chortling family values? Amnesty may get Republicans a few percentage points of Hispanic votes but they need to understand that Hispanics are not conservatives in waiting.

Illegal immigrants are in violation of our immigration laws. Therefore our immigration laws should be enforced. Attrition through enforcement coupled with deportation as necessary and a secure border solves the problem. Think of it this way, if we enforced our immigration laws we wouldn’t have to reform anything. Instead, we’ve been following the Cloward-Piven strategy of the Alinsky path to socialism for decades. Ted Kennedy ushered in the Immigration Act of 1965 which changed our immigration system into one that favored the importation of poverty from third world countries, mainly Latin America.  That, coupled with the non enforcement of our laws against illegal immigration particularly since the 1986 amnesty leads us to where we are today.  An overwhelmed system on the verge of crashing to which amnesty will add trillions of dollars to our national debt.

Amnesty for illegal immigrants and a legal immigration system not tied to national need that doesn’t factor in economics are not the answers. They only accelerate the problem we already have. We’ve gone from Ronald Reagan confiding to his Attorney General Ed Meese that signing the 1986 amnesty bill was the greatest mistake of his presidency to George W. Bush stating not achieving another amnesty was one of his biggest disappointments to Barack Obama who sees himself as the great emancipator of illegal aliens. Supporting amnesty will not grow the Republican Party nor will it be the start of a new dawn in America. Instead it will be our death knell as it will usher in the Progressive dream of fundamentally transforming America into reality.

Our nation as a Republic is being purposely destroyed. We’ve known that has been the Democrat’s intent all along. Now, Republicans have linked arms with them. Viva la Reconquista! Welcome to the United States of Atzlan, the greatest third world nation the world has ever known. That is, if We The People allow it.

The post GOP Commits Suicide; Endorses Reconquista appeared first on Carolina Right.

The Obama administration marches on, pushing more sequester fear mongering, state representatives and senators have issued statements to their voters.

Today Congressman George Holding sent the following letter to his constituents following the Obama administration’s announcement this week regarding White House tours:

Dear Friend,

Best,

George Holding
Member of Congress

The post NC Rep. Holding Issues Statement On White House Tours appeared first on Carolina Right.

The NC Senate will vote Wednesday on a controversial bill that would strip Charlotte of control over its airport.  The bill, sponsored by Republican Senators Bob Rucho, Tom Apodaca, and David Curtis, would create a new bureaucracy called the Charlotte Regional Airport Authority which would seize control of the facility from the city.

A companion bill in the NC House, also sponsored exclusively by Republican legislators, has not yet advanced out of committee.

Supporters of the bill claim the city lacks the expertise to manage the growing airport, and believe the Charlotte airport “will be more efficiently run under an appointed, self-regulating authority with no ties to the city.”

Airport Director Jerry Orr supports the plan, as reported by the Charlotte Observer:

 Charlotte Douglas aviation director Jerry Orr, 71, who could retire soon, has suggested that he would welcome authority oversight. Relations between Orr and city staff have been strained over questions about supervision and airport security.

The Charlotte airport has been managed by the city since it opened in 1936.  The proposal to transition control to Raleigh has been actively opposed by city officials.  Democrat Mayor Anthony Foxx and Councilman Andy Dulin travelled to Raleigh to voice their opposition and request further study of the impact a takeover would have on the airport and its operations.

Originally posted at ErikSoderstrom.com as “Senate to Vote Wednesday on Charlotte Airport Takeover.”

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I joined my colleagues in a writing bipartisan letter to Sec Kerry today urging swift approval of #Keystone pipeline 1.usa.gov/13R5vQI

— Senator Kay Hagan (@SenatorHagan) February 26, 2013

The #Keystone XL pipeline will supply energy from our closest friend & partner, and it will create jobs in the US

— Senator Kay Hagan (@SenatorHagan) February 26, 2013

Kay Hagan has an election coming up, so I’m not surprised she’s voicing her support for Keystone XL. She needs something to file “Pro” column when the election season rolls around. It will be interesting to see how she handles this issue going forward. Like Obama, she’s caught between an anti-energy base that wants the pipeline shutdown, and average Americans dealing with skyrocketing energy prices.

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Dr. Greg Brannon of Cary, NC has officially thrown his hat in the ring.  His candidacy was mentioned in my Senate 2014 sticky post earlier this week, but today I received a press release (below).

The Daily Haymaker reported at the end of January:

The Republican Liberty Caucus and The Eastern North Carolina Tea Party have united behind a Wake County physician’s effort to unseat U.S. Senator Kay Hagan.   Dr. Greg Brannon of Cary has thrown his hat in the ring as a GOP challenger to US Senator Kay Hagan — who is up for reelection in 2014.

Brannon announced his intentions Saturday at a Tea Party event in Winterville, North Carolina.  Regular listeners of the Bill LuMaye radio show in The Triangle  may recognize Brannon, who is a frequent guest.   Brannon also is known for his work with a grassroots organization called Founders’ Truth.

Some may already be expressing concerns about Brannon’s lack of statewide name ID.  Think back to 2008.  Who — outside of Greensboro and the legislative building — had heard of Kay Hagan?

Official press release received today:

The post #Senate2014: Kay Hagan Gets A Challenger In NC appeared first on Carolina Right.

The Fiscal Cliff Deal, brokered by McConnell and Vice President Biden, has passed the House.  The final vote was 257-167 with 8 not voting.  Democrats cheered on the House floor as they passed their tax hike while protecting loopholes. The Cliff has been averted — for another two months. Of North Carolina’s 13 Representatives, there were 7 NAY votes and 6 AYE votes. The breakdown of those votes by Vote position and Party:

AYE:

1. GK Butterfield (D)
2. David Price (D)
3. Larry Kissell (D)
4. Heath Shuler (D)
5. Mel Watt (D)
6. Howard Coble (R)

NAY:

1. Renee Ellmers (R)
2. Walter Jones (R)
3. Virginia Foxx (R)
4. Sue Myrick (R)
5. Patrick McHenry (R)
6. Mike McIntyre (D)
7. Brad Miller (D)

The Senate vote results were 89-8 with 3 not voting. Both of North Carolina’s Senators, Kay Hagan (D) and Richard Burr (R) voted in favor of the bill.  Senator Hagan is up for reelection in 2014. Her seat is already marked as at risk, this vote will likely solidify that status.

The deal was largely unpopular with Republicans for its lack of spending cuts and the CBO reporting it will add $4 trillion to the deficit over the next ten years and being a $600 billion tax hike with only $15 billion in cuts, however that did not keep some high profile GOPers from voting AYE, including Representative Paul Ryan, author of the Path to Prosperity. Speaker John Boehner also voted AYE, with some reluctance apparently. The Speaker released a statement last night announcing the passage of the deal. Via Zero Hedge, who notes this deal should be called “The Obama Tax Cuts”; the joke being this “cut” is raising taxes on 77% of Americans:

“The federal government has a spending problem that has led to a $16 trillion national debt that threatens our country’s future.  On the day after the election, I proposed that both parties work together to avert the fiscal cliff in a manner that would ensure 2013 is the year we finally enact entitlement reform and pro-growth tax reform to begin to solve our country’s debt problem.

“Now the focus turns to spending.  The American people re-elected a Republican majority in the House, and we will use it in 2013 to hold the president accountable for the ‘balanced’ approach he promised, meaning significant spending cuts and reforms to the entitlement programs that are driving our country deeper and deeper into debt. 

“Without meaningful reform of entitlements, real spending controls, and a fairer, cleaner tax code, our debt will continue to grow, and our economy will continue to stumble.  Republicans stand for a stronger, more prosperous America, rich in opportunity and free of the debt that threatens our children’s future.  On this New Year’s Day, we renew our commitment to that vision, humbled by the opportunity to serve.”

President Obama was quick to take the spotlight and credit for the deal with a late night press conference. With the Fiscal Cliff averted for at least two more months, the President then led by example and wasted no time spending more money.  The AP announced he would be returning to Hawaii on vacation, costing taxpayers around $3 million:

BREAKING: Obama to depart Washington late Tuesday night and return to Hawaii for vacation. -BW

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 2, 2013

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As announced on the Heritage Foundation blog, Jim DeMint (R-SC) will leave the Senate to succeed Ed Feulner as the next President of the Heritage Foundation:

Heritage’s Board of Trustees unanimously chose DeMint as the organization’s next leader, starting April 3. DeMint will resign from the Senate and start as president-elect in early January, so he and Feulner can ensure a smooth transition. After April, Feulner will continue serving as Chancellor of the Foundation and Chairman of our Asian Studies Center.

…. Feulner, who announced three years ago that he would retire in April 2013, may be the hardest act to follow in Washington, D.C. Under his leadership, Heritage helped launch missile defense under President Ronald Reagan and welfare reform under President Bill Clinton and Speaker Newt Gingrich. During the past four years, Heritage has led a principled fight against Obamacare and has taken a lead in advancing the case for entitlement reform.

You can read the whole announcement here.

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