LIGHTHOUSE BLOG

Pawlenty Chews Up Brokaw

Tom Brokaw was beaten up today on Meet the Press by Tim Pawlenty, MN Governor, as Brokaw attempted to dismiss the credentials of Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin. On point after point Pawlently clearly showed how Palin's experience far exceeds that of Barack Obama. Brokaw worked hard to cheerlead for Obama, even suggesting the Obama's 143 days in the Senate before running for president somehow trumped the executive experience of having been a mayor and governor. Brokaw even attacked Palin's pro-life stance as well as her belief in God, which Pawlenty countered beautifully. In the end, Brokaw was left demoralized by Pawlenty's articulate responses to his attacks.

250 Rule for CEO Pay

BusinessWeek reported in a recent issue that the average S&P 500 CEO works a mere 3 hours to earn an entire years pay for a worker earning minimum wage.  There is something wrong with that.  Countrywide's CEO earned about $30 Million over the last two years when his company was falling apart.  Let's not even mention the CEO of Enron.

There is a huge wage gap in this country, and there has long been debate on how to fix it.  Being a conservative who desires little influence from government in any matter, I am opposed to most laws that interfere with the free market.  So what to do?

I have long been in favor of companies adopting the 250 Rule, or some similar number, with regard to the ratio of pay between it's highest and lowest paid workers.  It's quite simple.  No CEO would make more than 250 times their lowest paid employee.  Thus a CEO with an hourly employee making $25,000 per year could make $6,250,000.  He may not be able to buy a home in the Hamptons and Aspen in the same year, but hey, no one said life was fair.

The 250 Rule would accomplish many things for America.  It would likely increase the number of people who are able to afford health care.  It would increase savings for all workers and retirement funds for retirees.  It would bring millions into a much higher standard of living.  How?  Simple greed of course.  In order for CEOs to be able to buy a G5 and a yacht, CEOs would have to make sure of two things - that the company is performing, and that employees are fairly compensated.  A rising tide lifts all boats, as they say.

Again, the 250 Rule is not meant to be a government mandated program, but rather a moral code adopted by companies who truly wish to be part of making America a better place for all of us.  The years of Steve Koslowski's (TYCO) $10,000 shower curtain paid for by the company should have been over years ago.  Let's ask companies to pay CEOs for their true worth, while ensuring that the little people who buttress the CEO's ego get compensated fairly as well.

The Experience Question: Obama v. Palin

Comparing the experience of a presidential nominee with that of a vice-presidential nominee seems a little odd considering their places on the ticket.  The Obama campaign, however, is making much hay out of what it deems as a lack of experience in Governor Palin.  Well, let's just compare the two.

Palin was the mayor of a city, an executive position where she had to make decisions constantly.  Obama has never held an executive position, and rarely faces decisions in the Senate, particularly since he's been absent for 19 months while running for president.

Palin is Governor of Alaska, a state 289 times the size of Delaware, where Biden is from, and our nation's largest state.  Obama has never held an executive position.

Palin is the Commander in Chief of the Alaskan National Guard, and has had to oversee troops coming and going from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Obama has never been the commander of anything.

Palin has extensive experience dealing with energy companies and handling natural resources.  Obama has no such experience.

Palin has a record as a reformer with an 80% approval rating in her home state.  Obama has no such record.

Palin was a leader in creating a new Alaskan pipeline to reduce the US dependence on foreign oil.  Obama proposes we inflate our tires.

Palin has taken on many members of her own party and exposed corruption.  Obama has befriended felons who have contributed to his campaign and helped him purchase his mansion.

Palin, being a geographically isolated governor, has regular international relations regarding transportation and commercial fishing rights with powerful neighbors Russia and Canada.  Obama has no such experience.

Palin has a son going to Iraq to serve our country.  Obama has never served.

Palin knows how to use an assault weapon, fired her security detail, and protects herself with a firearm to save taxpayers money. Obama has sought to overturn the Second Amendment.

Palin has vetoed over 300 spending bills she thought were unnecessary.  Obama has never voted against a spending increase.

Palin stood up to Congress and rejected the "Bridge to Nowhere."  Obama has shown little leadership in Congress, and has never sponsored a single bill.

Palin wants to protect all American citizens.  Obama wants to make abortion more common via the Freedom of Choice Act, and have taxpayers pay for them.

Palin chose to give birth to a child with Down Syndrome.  Obama believes challenged kids should be a choice of convenience for the mother.

Again, comparing the VP nominee to that of a presidential nominee hardly seems fair, but as it turns out, Palin exudes experience and leadership where Obama looks downright inexperienced.

AZRTL-PAC Criticized For Pro-Schweikert Email They Didn't Write

A supporter of David Schweikert erroneously  believed an email she received, and then forwarded to supporters, was written by David Roney, Chairman of the Arizona Right to Life Political Action Committee.  Mr. Roney did not write nor approve of the letter, and it has caused some consternation among CD5 candidates and their supporters.

The original letter, written as an email to correctly identify candidate Susan Bitter-Smith as a strong pro-choice advocate and WISH List funds recipient, was sent to Roney for approval by another supporter of Schweikert.  Roney informed the writer early today that the language in the email did not meet his approval, and was not something in which the PAC wanted to participate.  The language in question implies that David Schweikert is the only strong pro-life candidate in CD5, which is certainly not the case, as both Mark Anderson and Laura Knaparek are also strongly pro-life.  Roney took issue with that lack of clarification and for that reason, and a few others, decided not to approve of the email.

AZRTL has been contacted by several individuals upset with the email, and Roney and the PAC are trying to quickly correct the record.

Obama's Male Spokesmen: Palin Isn't What Women Want

The Obama campaign has unleashed its male spokespeople over the airwaves to dismiss Sarah Palin as a candidate who's "not right for women."  Um guys, Sarah is a woman, and the idea that you, as men, can tell women what women want is simply delusional. 

The facts are the Sarah Palin has more executive experience that Obama and Biden, and has a record of taking on men in Alaska.  She is a mother of five, married, and has found a perfect balance in life.  She is tough, fiscally responsible, and a great role model for both women AND men.  I would be proud if my daughter grew up wanting to emulate her.

The desperation of the Democrats is getting more and more interesting.

Obama Campaign Dismissive of Woman as McCain's VP

The Obama campaign is scrambling to survive is the wake of a superb VP choice in Sarah Palin. It is already discrediting her small town roots and gender in an effort quell the the euphoric response from around the country.

Ironically, she has more executive experience running government as mayor and governor than either Obama and Biden. She even has more experience than Hillary.

As far as toughness, Obama is a milque toast while Palin released her state trooper prtection in favor of protecting herself. She gave birth to a down syndrome baby instead of having an abortion. She has true grit and sure outshines either of the Democrat choices.

Let the attacks on her continue; they will backfire with women.

It's Sarah Palin for VP!!

YYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sarah Palin Looks Like McCain's VP Choice

Apparently my post on 23 August was prophetic.  That, or McCain reads my blog and appreciates my wisdom, as it looks like Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin will be his pick for the vice presidential nominee. 

According to news sources, Palin apparently took a late night plane from Anchorage to Ohio.  We already know that Huckabee, Romney, Lieberman and Pawlenty are out.  Who will it be?   I sure hope it's Palin, and it looks like she just may be the pick.  If so, this election is over.

Cost of the Obama Plan:

GDP Up 3.3%!!! Sorry Democrats, The Country's Just Not Falling Apart

Jobless claims also down!  Read here.