Editorial

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
The Labor Department’s latest unemployment figures jumped four-tenths of a percent to 10.2 percent in October, and many economists don’t think we have seen the worst of it yet.  Even more alarming was the New York Times headline “Broader Measure of Unemployment Stands at 17.5%,”  reflecting the reality that “more than one out of every six workers – 17.5 percent – were unemployed or underemployed in October,” surpassing the previous record high of 17.1 percent nearly 27 years ago.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief

Neverland was originally the home of Peter Pan, a place where a dreamlike, magical childhood never ends and imagination is reality.   Not surprisingly, Michael Jackson borrowed the fairytale creation for the fanciful hideaway he called Neverland Ranch.  Michael may be gone, but Neverland is alive and well at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue where reality is only limited by extremely fertile imaginations.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor-in-Chief

America is pretty revved up about the current health care – or health insurance – debate that’s been raging for several months.  There are plenty of very important reasons to be concerned and to do our best to make our voices heard.  But, for Barack Obama, this isn’t about anyone’s health care.  It’s all about centralization of power.  It’s about destroying individual choice and freedom, crushing free-market capitalism.  It’s an opportunity to nationalize nearly one-fifth of the nation’s economy in one massive unprecedented stroke – forever.  This is the “fundamental change” candidate Obama promised in his quest to “transform America.”  This is the face of tyranny

Bob Beauprez, Editor-in-Chief

Nancy Pelosi calls them “un-American.” Harry Reid says they are “evil-mongers.” The White House set up a website and asked citizens to report their neighbors who made “fishy” claims about ObamaCare, and then denied they were collecting a list of dissenters. They have been called extremists, mobs, and worse.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
Barack Obama was elected in large part on a promise to end a war.  Instead he started a new one –  against prosperity, the free-market system, what is known all over the planet as the American Dream.  Tragically, he seems to be winning – at least for the moment – as deficits, debt, unemployment, and leading economic indicators point in the wrong direction.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
During his campaign Barack Obama promised to deal with terrorism much as Bill Clinton did – as law enforcement issues including utilizing civil courts.  Unfortunately, that is one promise Obama has kept.  

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
The legions of the left elected Barack Obama in part because of his pledge to end the war in Iraq.  Instead of ending that war, he started a new one.

In less than ninety days, the Obama administration has exploded the national debt, assaulted whatever is left of free-market capitalism, attacked innocent unborn human life, and unilaterally violated a trade agreement with Mexico instigating a trade war.  He has extended an olive branch to the nuclear obsessed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran who has publicly vowed to “death to America.”  He warmly offered his hand to Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez who denounces America as “the great Satan.” 

By Bob Beauprez, Editor In Chief

White House meets Reality

Barack Obama took the oath of office less than two months ago with enormous popularity and confidence in his promise to bring “hope and change” to America.  However, the administration’s obsession for historically unprecedented deficit spending, proposals for massive tax increases, expansion of government programs unrelated to economic expansion, embarrassing scandals for many cabinet nominees, an unfocused helter-skelter agenda, broken campaign promises, and particularly an obvious lack of a clear strategy to stabilize the financial system has quickly evaporated the public’s natural optimism granted any new President – most especially this one that had inspired so much more.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor In Chief
"It's important for us to think in the midterm and long term. And over that midterm and long term, we're going to have to have fiscal discipline. (emphasis added) We are not going to be able to perpetually finance the levels of debt that the federal government is currently carrying."

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
Right on queue nearly all of the nation’s Governors accepting an invitation from President-elect Obama to present to him their holiday wish list of projects that the federal government “urgently” needs to fund in their states in the name of economic stimulus.  

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
The GOP suffered a second consecutive election setback in 2008, and some would suggest that major policy changes are needed to position the party for ballot box victories.  The tea-leaf readers are quick to suggest that the election of Barack Obama and successive gains in the House and Senate are evidence that a philosophical change has occurred in America and that the Democrats are aligned for a long term dominance of the nation’s political center stage.  The traditional center-right politics in America, they profess, have taken a tectonic shift to the left.  To use an old country cliché, “That dog won’t hunt!”

By Bob Beauprez, Editor-in-Chief
Were we all lulled to sleep? Believing the good times could/would never end? That every year would somehow magically be better than the last? That any financial risk, regardless of how outrageous, would be rewarded with greater wealth? That we were somehow entitled to ‘more’ forever? This is America after all, right?

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
Remember the economic stimulus that Congress rushed through early in 2008 supposedly to head off fears of a slowing economy and possible recession? The government dug $170 billion deeper into the already empty federal deficit purse. Foregoing the opportunity to provide tax cutting policies that would have provided long term impact and encouragement to investors, Congress instead chose to pass out one-time checks with minimal effect on family budgets or the national economy.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor-in-Chief
A leopard can’t change its spots, and Vladimir Putin can’t shake his KGB roots. In recent years, Putin has been flexing his muscles and clamping down like the hard line communist that he has always been. Now he’s invaded the sovereign nation of Georgia with tanks and an aerial bombing assault eerily reminiscent of previous eras of the Evil Empire.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor-in-Chief
At some point the air has to come out of the Democrats’ balloon. Sooner would be a lot better than later – for America’s sake. Like the old Kenny Rogers’ song “You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em” – I think the day is coming when America is going to call the Democrats’ hand.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
Have you heard anyone complain about paying over $4.00 a gallon for gas? Likely it’s everybody you know. The Democrats are quick to claim it is George Bush’s fault – conveniently forgetting Nancy Pelosi’s promise to “do something” about energy prices if given a Congressional Majority. Unfortunately something did happen since she was elected Speaker – gas prices doubled. All the Democrats have done about it is to propose more regulation and more taxation that would drive up the price of gas even more.

By Bob Beauprez, Editor in Chief
With this May issue, A Line of Sight takes a big step forward in expanding our features and contribution to critical thinking on current public policy and political issues. A group of regular contributors has joined together to provide a broad base of experience and insight for our readers. As a result, A Line of Sight is now much more than a monthly newsletter – it is a full fledged e-magazine. I will continue to serve as Editor and offer my thoughts as in the past. Members of the Editorial Board will contribute on everything from foreign policy, the economy, healthcare, natural resources, homeland security, the courts, radical Islam, western regional and colorado Colorado specific topics. And, there will be plenty of politics throughout to satisfy the appetite of those of us with more than a passing interest in the sport.

I thank the distinguished group that already makes up the new Editorial Board, and look forward to their contributions. In the future, there will be more contributors added to the board to bring you the very best in conservative thought and opinion. Watch our progress!