The Lonely Conservative

If you are a Democrat or "moderate" Republican you may not want to read this blog.

I am a Conservative, but when I look around I feel lonely during these times.
My son recently said that I bled Republican red blood...and he's partially right - I bleed Conservative Republican red blood. When I look at the the present field of potential "leaders" this country will elect next November, I can't believe what a lack of leadership we are faced with.

I won't even go into the Democrats side - Hillary or Obama... for either of them to be elected, it's a "no win" situation for those of us that want smaller government, lower taxes, individual freedom, less regulation on small business, closed borders that stop the overflow of illegal immigration, etc...should I go on?

But on the Republican side our choices are pretty thin also . Each candidate has his so-called "conservative" strengths, but they also have some "not so conservative" values. It amazes me that John McCain is leading the field of Republicans at this time . He is not a Conservative (and I am not even sure he is a Republican). Yes, he is a war hero and I respect him for that, but do we want to elect someone just because they have been a war hero? He is a RINO (Republican In Name Only). How can people forget the McCain/Feingold bill, his vote against the tax cuts, and especially his support along with Teddy Kennedy of the Immigration/Amnesty bill. I predict (and hopefully), he will not be the nominee. Unfortunately, the others running are not a lot better... we shall see. Of course if McCain is our "best" choice against Hillary or Obama, I will vote for him and hold my nose, but let's hope us Republicans are smarter than that.

Someone said recently that maybe we have to go through another Jimmy Carter to get to another Ronald Reagan style Conservative. If so, tighten your belts, keep your hand on your wallet, and make sure you have a private 401K that will take care of you when you get old.

But people do buy the Democratic rhetoric of Socialism with everyone being "taken care of" by the government - so I predict that if the Demos are elected, history will repeat itself, we will "reset' our economy and slow down the ability of entrepreneurs to provide the engine that drives this country. I started my business when Jimmy Carter was President, and then grew my business during the years of Ronald Reagan so I know what I am talking about.

The rise and fall of Michael Vick's dog fighting club

Most of you are aware of Michael Vick and his recent conviction of operating a dog fighting and gambling operation in Virginia. To those of us that are NFL fans this is an unbelievable story. Vick was one of the best of our current crop of quarterbacks, and arguably was one of the most exciting quarterbacks of all time. He was not only just an NFL quality quarterback, he was one of the greatest running quarterbacks in history. He baffled defenses because if not contained, he was just as capable as running the ball for a touchdown, as passing.

Before the discovery of his dog fighting operation, Michael Vick had recently signed a 10 year contract worth $130 million dollars, plus many millions more in endorsements - all of that is gone...it's hard to believe. He has been sentenced to 23 months in jail and it may be difficult for him to physically or mentally ever get back to the level required of an NFL quarterback. It's hard for us to believe how anyone with the world in his hands, could be so stupid, and it's something most of us will never understand.

Dog fighting is a vicious sport. Michael Vick not only supported it financially, but provided the facility, the dogs, the training of the dogs, and also participated in the gambling involved - betting which dog would kill the other. He also participated in the killing of the dogs that were "losers" in the dog fights. After his sentence and incarceration, there are still more than 45 dogs that were rescued when the dog fighting operation was busted. All were pit bulls. All of these dogs will undergo retraining, and all are expected to be eventually put into a good home and to live their lives as dogs are supposed to, being "man's best friend".

But this blog has recently found out that the "alpha dog", the leader of this pack of killer dogs, was not even a pit bull, but a charismatic leader of what would almost be called a "cult"...kind of the Jim Jones or David Koresh of the dog family - he convinced these pit bulls that they were killers. Animal experts have determined that this "alpha dog" cannot be rehabilitated and should be euthanized. We were recently able to visit with this dog and confront him with the fact that he was the leader of this operation. This seemingly "gentle" dog admitted his mistakes and is asking for clemency, just as Michael Vick did. He vows to change his life and wants to reenter society, just as Micheal Vick does. I for one think we should give him one more chance -- he may be the leader of "killers", but has sworn to change. I am posting his picture, not because you need to see what a killer looks like , but hopefully you will show some compassion and give this canine "Atilla the Hun" one more chance.

Twas the Night Before Chistmas

I recently listened to a discussion on the Rush Limbaugh program from a Democratic caller who was still livid about the 2000 election, and continues to believe George Bush and the Republicans "stole" it. But as Rush reminded the caller, the New York Times, CNN, USA Today, and several other liberal media organizations conducted a detailed audit after the election, and found that the vote count was accurate, and Bush did win Florida by 538 votes, and thus the national election.

This certainly was the most bizarre election in the history of the USA, and voters in Palm Beach will be the subject of election jokes forever. We sat by and watched months of legal BS while countless teams of Democratic and Republican lawyers carefully examined voting cards to try to determine if the chads were "hanging, "dimpled", or "pregnant". Finally, just before Christmas the Supreme Court put a stop to the madness, and the 2000 Presidential election was certified, and George Bush declared the winner over Al Gore.

After the 2000 election was finally over, I wrote a Christmas poem to celebrate the process. This being the holiday season, I thought it might be appropriate to republish this poem.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Twas the Night Before Christmas II

Charles L. Strickland, December 2000


‘Twas the night before Christmas at the White House this year,
the Demos had gathered to all shed a tear;
Barbara, Jesse, and Al Sharpton were there,
hanging their heads by the chimney with care.

Bill Clinton was nestled all snug in his bed,
While visions of Monica danced in his head;
And Hillary in her kerchief, and Chelsea her cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
They arose from their beds to see what was the matter.
When what to their wondering eyes should be seen,
But Tipper and Al with a Vote-a-matic machine.

“We flew in from Palm Beach, and guess what folks?
I think we have found some more votes!
Look at these ballots with hanging chads pushed through,
and I even have dimpled and pregnant ones too!”

“Oh please Bill, can we count them once more,
you promised the next President would be named Al Gore”
Bill settled him down and said, “Do I need to repeat?,
The Supremes have spoken, and you are dead meat!”

So they all went inside and gathered around,
to see if George W. Bush’s FBI file could be found.
And as Christmas drew near, you could hear them all sigh,
“Merry Christmas to Al, and to Al a good-bye!”

Thanks Uncle Sam

I am a retiree living the good life at the expense of the government - of course I did contribute to the Social Security System for over 50 years, so I guess they owe me a few bucks. It was announced recently that the annual Social Security benefit for retirees would increase 2.3% next year. For the average retiree this amounts to a $24/month increase in 2008. Unfortunately, those of us that are fortunate and have our own retirement fund, must pay "income tax" on half of that. Thanks Uncle Sam.

Let's put this in perspective - at today's prices this amounts to an additional 8 gallons of gas each month next year, three movie tickets, or a good bottle of wine each month, for the average retiree (assuming we don't see any price increases in our groceries, utilities, etc.). I feel sorry for the smokers, it will not even buy an additional carton of cigarettes each month - of course, most of them are probably dead by the time they retire (and Uncle Sam thanks them for their lifetime contribution to the Social Security Fund).

As someone that earned a nice salary for several years before retirement, I am one of the lucky ones, and my retirement income increase will be a whopping $30 a month in 2008. So with this additional income, my wife and I are already looking at cruise brochures. With this huge increase we are contemplating several cruises - possibly the tour boat at Morro Bay, the Bahia Belle on Mission Bay, or maybe even a special trip to Catalina Island for the day.

Forty million baby boomers are scheduled to retire in the next 15 years and they look forward to their "free" monthly retirement income.

The Social Security Fund earns an interest rate of 2.5%, a "spectacular" return managed by our brilliant Congress. In addition, Social Security revenues were supposed to be kept in a Trust Fund...surprise everyone - Congress has spent the money! George Bush recently proposed a system which would include voluntary Social Security private accounts that could increase this return by two or three times, but the Congress felt it was too "risky". They certainly have our best interest in mind, don't they? Of course they ignore the fact that there is no way the Fund as it's now structured, can support forty million retirees.

But it is not the retirees worry - it is on the back of our kids and grand kids. Yes kids, you need to start thinking of 60 hour work weeks and a retirement age of 70, that's what it will take to support us. So the politicians just "kick the can" down the road, and rather than "face the music", will defer the problem to some Congress in the future. Why not, it's too difficult of a problem to face right now, and if they tell people how bad the financial situation in the Social Security System really is, they might not get re-elected, which of course is the most important thing to them.

Anyway, I want to thank Uncle Sam for this generous retirement increase and cannot wait until Hillary becomes President, so in addition, we can get free health care, a $5000 gift for new children, a $1000 contribution to the 401K for everyone, paid leave from work...hey, wait a minute, why is she not doing anything for us retirees? We already have "free" health care, and we have contributed to our 401K's for many years. I think this is age discrimination! If Hillary cannot promise us retirees something "free", I'm voting Republican.

It's the Fruit Stupid

I am a winemaker. Well...a home winemaker.

As we end the wine making season and put this years wines to bed, it reminds me that the unsung heroes in the wine business are the growers - the people that grow the fruit that allow us Californians to make world class wine. In retirement, my hobby is both viticulture and wine making so I straddle "both sides of the fence" (eight foot deer fence that is). We grow small amounts of both Pinot Noir and Viognier, and in addition to making these wines, from time to time we buy fruit or get free fruit from generous grower friends.

Those that are "into wine" know that the winemakers are the heroes - especially if their wine is rated a 90+ in the Wine Spectator. When that happens we celebrate the winemaker and put him on a pedestal. And quite often they deserve it.

I have been making wine for only five years, so admittedly I am a novice. But I have never forgotten something I read once: "It's impossible to make good wine from bad grapes, but easy to make bad wine from good grapes". I know many people will disagree, but in my opinion, the fruit represents 75% of the quality of the wine, and sometimes the winemakers job is not to screw it up. Wine making in many ways is an art and good winemakers deserve the accolades, but if the fruit they start with is not good...good luck!

The grape grower nurtures his vines all year, worrying about water in a drought year, mildew and bunch rot in a wet year. And then there are pests - birds, bees, gophers, squirrels, raccoons, grasshoppers.....and a few exotic ones that can wipe out a vineyard. Then the grower has to prune each year, fertilize, spray for mildew and other diseases, thin leaves, then worry about birds eating his fruit, and finally finding someone to pick...and oh yes, hopefully he has found someone too buy the fruit.

So I salute the grower.
In politics, the favorite saying is "It's the economy stupid".
In wine making it should be, "It's the fruit stupid"

I want to be a Democrat

I have been a Conservative Republican all of my life, but after watching Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail, I have decided to become a Democrat.

Throughout my life, I have paid for my own health insurance, saved for my own retirement, paid my way through college, and along comes this wonderful politician that offers much of it for free. If she had come along when I was in my 20's , I would be writing this as a life long Democrat.

Hillary is proposing that every newborn baby be given a free $5000 gift from the government to be used for college, upon reaching age 18...or the funds could also be used to buy a house. We have six children and six grandchildren, and have helped many of them buy a house, and most of them with their college expenses. Now along comes a politician that proposes that the government help, or in some cases, pay all of these expenses. If she had only come along when we were younger!

Hillary is also offering all Americans government subsidized health care. After all these years of paying large insurance premiums, finally someone has come up with a solution - have the government pay most of it. Where was she when we were paying $800 a month for health insurance (with a 30% deductible). I am amazed that no one has thought of this before.

Hillary's latest proposal is a $1000 contribution from the government to all Americans to insure they start their own pension plan. We worked all our lives and saved to insure that we could live through retirement using our own finances, and now along comes this presidential candidate that offers much of it for free. Again, where was she when I was young? At least she will take care of our six children and six grandchildren. The idea is simple...unless you are "rich", the government gives you whatever you need...brilliant.

I am 68 years old and have worked hard all my life, and thought I was somewhat intelligent. But I am amazed that it never occurred to me that the solution to the struggles we all face in life are simple, turn to the government and ask them to pay. I have now decided to be a Democrat, and Hillary has my vote.

70 ain't what it used to be

Decade birthdays are always special....at 20 we celebrate no longer being a "teen" and happy to be entering the adult world. At 30 we lament that our young 20's are gone. At 40 we feel regrets that our younger days are behind us and we are approaching the "middle ground". At 50 we remember those younger days and accept the fact that we are "middle aged". At 60, a voice in the back of our mind starts telling us that, "old age is just around the corner". And at 70, this voice says, "old age is at the front door".

Recently I gave a surprise party for my wife Peggy, celebrating her 70th birthday. Many of her old friends and family attended. One would expect that at a party for someone turning 70, along with their old friends and schoolmates, you would meet a lot of "old" people. That was not the case. My wife and her (also) 70 year old close friend of 60+ years posed for this photo.






















We read about the epidemic of obesity in the US, and how so many people are "out of shape", and the physical condition of our citizens is only getting worse. I am here to tell you that many of us do stay in shape, and keep fit, maybe more than any generation before us. You should meet some of the "old guys" that attended this party, they were an exciting, energetic, and happy group. Self confident, comfortable, and perfectly happy to be "old guys"

And as you can see in this picture, "70 ain't what it used to be".