Ron Givens is Right!

We The American People Demand The Truth

By Ron Givens Filed in The Way Ron Sees it!, Truth and Lies Tagged with Benghazi, Bill of rights, Congressman LaMalfa, Constituion, Fast n Furious, House Oversight, Truth and Facts March 3rd, 2013 @ 12:44 pm

The ‘liberal left’ just refuses to be honest in so many ways that it’s quickly become seriously alarming. Not only do they lie about their own activities (Sequester was Obama’s idea) and blatantly lead their sheepish followers astray (no tax increases on the ‘middle class’ and ‘free health care”), they play hide-and-seek with just about everything under the Sun in order to cover-up mistakes, leaks, blunders and criminal activity at the highest levels of elected office.

There are issues that are very ominous that even those who call themselves American Loving Democrats should be extremely concerned including, but certainly not limited to, the Obama Administration’s continued refusal to comply with The House Oversight Committee’s requests for information on the whereabouts and welfare of those that survived the attacks in Benghazi. The question all Americans must demand an answer to is an obvious one: Why? I think we all know the answer and it is just as obvious as the question: Cover-up.

It’s the same type of cover-up that has been in play since “Operation Fast and Furious” became known for the total failure it was/is. It’s the same pattern of deception that the current administration and all of the associated elected officials, appointees and irresponsible parties have been engaging in since 2008. It’s a dangerous warning to all Constitution Loving Americans that we are being deceived for political reasons that cross all lines of government transparency and accountability in a nation that calls itself “free.”

I spent this weekend at the California Republican Party Convention in Sacramento. I listened to and spoke with leaders from across the State of California and the Country about the “Benghazi” issue and every one of them was just as frustrated and determined to get to the Truth as we are. In a personal conversation with Congressman Doug LaMalfa, he told me that he has made inquiries to the House Oversight Committee and that the Committee Chairman, Congressman Darrell Issa, has been ignored by the State Department regarding information requests about this massacre since October 2012. There is nothing that is acceptable about this situation!

There is no doubt that members of different political parties will always have different agendas, ideologies and ideas about how to best govern the United States of America. I have no problem with that reality as a certain amount of reasonable friction in politics is a very healthy thing in a Democratic Republic. There are certain lines however that cannot be allowed to be crossed by anyone or any party and hiding Truth and Facts about The People’s Business is one of those lines the current administration seems not only willing to do, but has been engaging in the same un-American behavior over and over again without being questioned by their own followers. How is that possible?

I will always appreciate opposing views on issues and I am not so self-absorbed to think that my positions are always the absolutely best options for everyone. We all have “personal agendas” when it comes to the parties, organizations and issues we choose to join and support. What I can’t accept is what I see unfolding across America, especially in California where two thirds of both Houses of our state as well as all seven Constitutional Offices are held by liberal leftists, and that is this: A fundamental shift from the Core Principles and Values that our Forefathers framed and founded this country on as detailed in The Constitution of The United States of America and The Bill of Rights (Amendments one thru ten) and that those Self-Evident Truths of Freedom, Liberty and Equal Creation as argued so thoroughly and thoughtfully over 200 years ago remain unwaveringly Self-Evident today.

We The People of America of all races, creeds, religions and political realms must have the simple courage to stand up to those who try and strip us of Liberty in exchange for anything less including the farce that we are sold all too often as “national security.” I challenge each and every American to think about what you really believe. What do you really want and hope for your family and the future of this country? Is it the “American Dream” that we all learned to love and live growing up here as natural born citizens or one you came, often desperately, to this great nation in hopes of chasing that legendary and uniquely American opportunity? If your answer is “yes” then please have the heart and morality to do more than blindly follow those who claim to have our best interests in mind.
I’m here to tell you this: They don’t! And what’s worse: They won’t unless you and I continue to demand they do.

Who is “Them” and “Takers?”

By Ron Givens Filed in The Way Ron Sees it!, Truth and Lies Tagged with Bill of rights, board of equalization, Constitution, gas tax, Honestly, public employee unions, responsible Government, Tax Day. April 15th, taxes, We The People March 1st, 2013 @ 9:36 am

Many have been asking me what I mean when I use the words “them” and “takers” in current political contexts. My definition is not one that places blame for our state and national problems on people in need but rather focuses the blame on those that perpetuate continuing failed policies, fiscal and social, in the halls of Government in California and Washington, D.C., as well other far too many other states in this increasingly frail nation.

“Them” are the ‘takers” that control this state and country by tyranny of majority both inside the legislature and out. In California, as is clearly evident in the lies about the proposed uses of Proposition 30 (lie passed in 2012), the no taxes without “the vote of the people of California”(lie by Governor Jerry Brown) yet the gas tax was raised yesterday (many lies to get there) by the Board of Equalization, the over burdening of taxation on small businesses that are lumped into the same categories as major, large scale corporations (more lies about promises made during campaigns – state and national), the increasing power of public employee unions (“PEU’s” – well known liars) that are now seeking , through newly introduced legislation in CA, extending “attorney client privilege” between union bosses and their members which serves only to help PEU’s to avoid RICO charges and hide crimes they become aware that are committed against this state (and others) by our employees, protecting liars and criminals, in direct conflict of the interests of The People.

This is no longer a simple question of “conservative” or “liberal” policy: This is a question of Responsible, HONEST Government, once again, By and of The People and the formulation of a plan that will make that clear to those who represent us that the Constitution of the State of California and the Constitution of The United States of America, THE BILL OF RIGHTS, are OFF LIMITS!.

Living in California since 1990 I have learned this to be True: We can’t live in this state together while hating each other for the stupid things that come out of the State Capitol. We The People are largely uneducated and/or very under-educated voters. If we can change that, do a better job or educating voters, even by small increments, we can start to lift this state out of the depression (mental and fiscal) that has been gripping it for far too long.

This state and this nation are headed in a very bad direction of increasing and unserviceable debt and when the bills come due there are not and will not be funds to pay them. In California, we can solve all of that by creating a flat tax system that is equitable and as fair as as can be to all individuals and businesses in this State. We can then, as a state, spend what is earned rather than grossly overspending based on blatantly false assumptions and politically motivated predictions about revenue growth that are always wrong.

Doing ‘nothing’ is not an option. I hope you will all join us on April 15th, 2013 for a “Tax Day Protest” ( https://www.facebook.com/events/108347752669234/ ) and invite your friends I am very interested in ALL input but am not looking for inflammatory arguments. Level heads and hearts can make a real difference where venom filled and one-sided motivations have driven us to the very brink of fiscal and moral collapse.

Think about this: The US Deficit is reported to be about $16.5 Trillion Dollars. Its a number so large that it is mostly incomprehensible. Here is a way to think about how big it really is: If one were to begin to count from one (1) to 16.5 Trillion (yes, sixteen point five trillion!) using only one second per number counted, (which in itself is impossible to do once the number begin to grown in length), it would take 507,000 years (yes five hundred and seven thousand) for anyone to count that high. Are you getting the picture yet?

If you have something to contribute to this discussion by all means do so. If your intentions are simply to point fingers at those of us who care enough to try and do something to fix this disaster we have allowed to be perpetuated then please consider other venues, hate pages or blogs for those conversations. We are seeking Truth and Facts!

God Bless America, and, God Bless California!

Another Embarrsing “American” Moment

By Ron Givens Filed in Featured, The Way Ron Sees it! Tagged with 1st Ammendment, FLOTUS, Obama, Oscars. Academy Awards, POTUS, Second Amendment February 25th, 2013 @ 11:01 am

Just when we thought we had reached the highest levels of absurdity from the current administration, many folks (not me) were forced to endure what can only be described as a “national embarrassment” when the FLOTUS appeared on the Oscars last night to appease the cult loving Obamanites and pander to their liberal Hollywood Supporters at taxpayer expense.

I’d like to see the bill please. The American People have a Right to know exactly how much of our tax dollars were spent to stage this farce and what the real agenda was (duh!) for the White House to launch such a lowly display of boorish behavior from The People’s House!
And, while we are asking questions about this ridiculous farce: Who were the kids in the background and why do the current residents of Our House find it necessary to continue using children as props for political backdrops?

These things don’t help “unite” a country and the current administration knows it. They are an antagonistic bunch that has done more to divide this country via race and every other possible wedge since the night in 2008 when this tragic saga of increasing tyranny began. There is no upside to the inappropriate use of State leverage in “made for Hollywood” propaganda fest. Long before the “winner” of the “best picture” was announced I told scores of people that it would be “Argo,” which I’ve not even seen a trailer for, simply because Ben Affleck had to be rewarded for his dedication to the Obama’s and their growing cult following of under and non-educated voters. You know: The free cellphone recipients and those that continue to live on our tax dollars while growing increasingly convinced that it is their right to do so. Therein lays the problem.

See, the appearance MO on the big screen last night was not about anything but showing off to the lowest common denominator of American Voters while once again proving that there in absolutely no dignity in play here as witnessed in the constant bombardment of main stream media hype that surrounds the “royal couple” in Washington D.C. There is no other point to be made. I guess all that was missing was POTUS running through the background raising his unearned Nobel Prize over his head and smiling as the poser he and his regime truly are.

There once was a time when I would have been able to support even the most obnoxious gaffs by our elected officials. But these are not “gaffs.” These stunts are planned and intended to do two things: Flaunt the occupant of the Highest Office in the Land as he has no record of any real accomplishment to stand on; irritate and further divide America by both race and income. These are, after all, the real goals of this embarrassing family of “over-achievers.”

Oh yeah: Do you find any irony in the fact that the movie that won had to do with an accomplishment in Iran?

UPDATE & INSIGHT BY PERMISSION OF JONATHAN ZACHARIOU:

Iran is already making comments about Argo and the glorification of the CIA. Do you think this will help our real life efforts in the region or hurt them? The White House is at the very least extremely immature and filled with advisers that have no real world experience or care to do the work of the people and run a legitimate, superpower, government.

Question: Does anybody think that the CIA is still trying to operate in the Middle East? Does last night’s move help our front line heroes do their job or expose them to unnecessary danger? And, how can we turn around, and with a straight face, promise that the next group of American, common sense starved, one world imbeciles and idiots who decide to take a hike from Iraq past the Iranian border because they got lost, are not CIA operatives? How will we have any creditability to negotiate their release with the Iranian government?

Iran and the Ayatollahs are starting to look credible and Washington is looking like a TV show competing for prime time ratings! The President got another “Hey I’m here” moment with his devout, religious, supporters and has, again, hurt our county’s credibility with a world that is watching for opportunities to discredit and hurt us. The cult of support in our country see the “Flawless and Faultless One”, but our enemies see leverage and opportunity to knock us down and take us out of being a power or even an influence in world affairs. And some in our country will cheer, “It’s about time we get out of running the world!”, until an Iranian built nuclear bomb goes off in Tel Aviv or somewhere in Europe or the US. And then we will all get “9-11ed” again and believe that evil still exists and have national unity; for a few months. We are a nation run by fools. WE have made a mess of our country. Shame on us! Anybody ready to call out to God yet to forgive us and save us?

The Leftist Power Grab and Gun Control in California

By Ron Givens Filed in Featured, The Way Ron Sees it!, Truth and Lies Tagged with 2nd Amendment, Bill of rights, Ron Givens, Second Amendment, TruthAndFacts January 29th, 2013 @ 4:22 pm

In the face of tragedy the left always seizes on opportunities to strip law abiding Americans of our Constitutional Rights. Never has that been more on display than after the recent and inexcusable acts of violence perpetrated at Sandy Hook and elsewhere. I personally blame the sensationalized “main stream media” for placing such emphasis on these rare events, precluding the facts of course, so that it begs those mentally ill among us to “one-up” the last sicko!

But that is a symptom of a much greater problem: We The People of the United States of America are being stripped of our Liberty by those we’ve hired to represent us. On display today in California was nothing more than a Gestapo tactic by the communist left that held an unannounced “public meeting” of the Joint Senate/Assembly Legislative Public Safety Committee “hearing” on gun control while the vast majority of Super Minority Republicans were out of the building! It’s one thing to have all seven of our state’s Constitutional Offices being held by Bay Area “liberals.” It becomes something much more frightening when the communist left purposely schedules “public meetings” without notice and when they know that all of their balanced opposition is away and can’t retort. That is not Government by The People: That is tyranny of simple minds bent on controlling the masses by forced disarmament!

There was no bright spot in this farce: It was a one sided freak show lead by Tom Ammiano and Loni Hancock. That is about the same as putting Lindsay Lohan in charge of AA or NA. Hancock, when speaking about controlling/eliminating ammunition sales said “we can do this!” What a fascist farce!
I just happened to be in the Capitol Coffee Shop (Thanks Gary Haller) when I heard the hearing going on the screen. I could not believe that given all of the time I spend in that building as a Citizen Advocate that I had not heard that this “public hearing” wasn’t on any legislative calendar until after it had begun. Invites were sent out to sympathetic gun control supporters to speak sweet NOTHINGS to the ears of the committee members and they got exactly what they ordered: Blatant lies backed up by false statistics and wrong-headed assumptions.

I immediately posted the news on Facebook.com/RonGivens1 and tweeted from Twitter.com/TheRonGivens and a few followers saw the notes I sent in time to make it downtown and hear the lies for themselves. I was extremely thankful that Sam Paredes of Gun Owners of California and Matt Gray were there so that at least the three of us could stand in line to testify to the ridiculous masquerade that was playing out before us. Mr. Paredes did a very good job of presenting Truth and Facts and Matt Gray shared a very personal and direct testimony from his past while asking why he “was not included in any discussions regarding this hearing given the enormous amount of time I spend in this building.”

They got the facts out and all that was left for me to do was to call out this sham for what it was. Admittedly angry at the blatant violation of the spirit of “open meetings” laws I looked at each member of this committee and said: “When you consider holding any hearing about ‘public safety’ it would be nice if you invited The Public to the meeting!”

It’s time for Patriots to make a Stand! Call, write, show-up and follow those of us who will always fight for Our Rights! Make donations for my time via PayPal to Ron@Gyl.com (Thank You!)

The “hearing” will be available to watch on CalChannel.com on 1/30/2013. You may want to bring something for nausea. (Here is a link to my testimony at this “hearing”: http://youtu.be/FxbEoB3XKes )

At A “Public Safety” Hearing on Gun Control at the CA State Capitol. The news never was released as is evidenced by this photo!

More Gun Laws on The Way: Why?

By Ron Givens Filed in The Way Ron Sees it! Tagged with 2nd Amendment, Assault Weapons, Bill of rights, Gun Laws, Newton, Ron Givens, Sandy Hill Elementary School, Second Amendment January 1st, 2013 @ 9:20 pm

The discovery of an “assault” rifle possibly or likely used by the once convicted killer who ambushed firemen in Webster along with the Newtown tragedy will energize the anti-gun folks to enact more gun control legislation.

I spent the morning “Googling” statistics and several things became clear:
• The media has an agenda to ban guns but they know very little about them
• The likely target will be “assault” or military style rifles with magazine capacities of more than ten bullets ( actually cartridges ) and possibly semi-automatic firearms … which would encompass handguns ( but not revolvers ) and many rifles and shotguns used in hunting, home defense, and target practice. For the record: Every Gun is an “Assault Weapon.” The media would have you think that only “scary looking” “military style” guns are “assault weapons.” No such articulation exists in the “real world”
• The media and gun control proponents falsely believe or would like the voting public to believe that mass killings by deranged people will cease with the banning and perhaps confiscation of designated firearms via government buy-back programs
• They present and rely on lots of statistics to make their case
• It is wise to recall one definition of a statistician:
A statistician is a person who drowned crossing a river with an average depth of three feet.
( as a former CEO, Insurance company administrator, and management analyst and business owner I can claim lots of experience with numbers and statistics)

Let’s assume for a moment that “assault” rifles are magically removed from the USA. Do we think such mass killings would stop? Do we think there would be an appreciable reduction in the average body count of these incidents?

Folks who know, respect, and use firearms responsibly and legally already know the answer to this question. A simple no.

The latest atrocity in Webster was perpetrated by a guy who was convicted of killing his grandmother with a hammer and was released from prison after serving 17 years.

If he did use the Bushmaster “assault” rifle was that particular type of rifle the cause? Or was the cause our failure as a society to either publicly execute him or require life in prison with no possibility of parole after he savagely bludgeoned his grandmother to death?

Of course he was prohibited from owning firearms as a convicted felon. Did that stop him?

If assault rifles were magically eliminated do we think he would have abandoned his plan to kill, thinking, oh no, without an assault rifle I just should forget about killing firemen, burning down the neighborhood, and go play miniature golf?

The fact is there are many millions of hunting rifles that are legal, safe, more powerful, equally or much more accurate, and would just subject this madman to changing lower capacity magazines more often ( takes but a few seconds ). Or use a lever action type rifle ( remember the old TV show The Rifleman? ) or slide a new round into the chamber of a “pump” action rifle.

So, it is clear to folks that understand guns that the differences in operating systems ( mechanism to fire, eject spent bullet cases, and re-load ) can be equally as deadly, particularly with practice or training.

This wacko also set seven homes on fire …do we now outlaw matches?

Are anti-gun folks prepared to make this deal? If we outlaw and even confiscate all “assault” style rifles and there is only one massacre in the next year will they support the elimination of all gun laws? I think not.

In a free society we make trade-offs every day between liberty and security. We don’t restrict the responsible many because of the reckless, stupid, or evil few.

If we did, we could save thousands of lives each year just ( one small example ) by raising the driving age to 25 because the 20-24 year old group accounts for a disproportionate share of automobile fatalities and serious injuries.

As a society we weigh the benefits against the costs and make reasonable and balanced judgments concerning the assumption of risk. That is the price we willingly bear to live free.

Catholic Moral Priorities, the Party Platforms and the Ballot: a Reflection – By: Br. Skip Thompson, MSA

By Ron Givens Filed in Uncategorized November 14th, 2012 @ 10:10 pm

Ordinary, faithful Catholic-Christians can do something about the direction of our nation. Each has a vote to cast – and each has a solid guide for discerning the way to vote, which is a well-formed moral conscience. Catholic moral teaching is the foundation for the Church’s social teaching because they are two sides of the same coin. We do not just pick and choose our pet issues and vote according to usual party loyalties. No political party has the corner on the market concerning the totality of Catholic-Christian moral and social concerns – so some discernment is in order to make a wise choice.

If you are confused by the attack ads and fluff pieces, just remember: every candidate is obliged to follow their party platform in Capitols and Congress (or they are replaced in the next primary). So, your vote for a candidate represents support for his party’s platform. Our challenge is to “connect the dots” between the priorities of our faith and the political parties’ positions. Check out the party websites and investigate for yourself, or you can look at what I gleaned here from both parties to save time. Please consider prayerfully what they portend for our nation and remember the following criteria…

Catholics have a duty to serve the poor AND our first priority is that the poor be alive. Issues like taxes, social programs, jobs, immigration, etc., touch on matters of social justice. And persons of goodwill may differ concerning the ways and means to best address these matters. But, as important as these issues are, they are not equal in weight with matters affecting the Moral Law because social programs do not involve an intrinsic evil as a policy option.[1] Our Catholic conscience cannot compromise on the moral law.

That is why life is the sacred pillar upon which all other Catholic socio-political priorities are built – the right of innocent life to live is a grave matter, which means it is too serious to be compromised – regardless of campaign rhetoric. Along with life is the sacred institution of marriage between a man and woman who alone can, with God’s grace, give life. The family is the primordial social institution, where the first responsibility for the care and welfare of persons – young and old – reside. Government’s first obligation is to support the family – not reinvent it. Without the traditional family, children and the nation’s future are in jeopardy. Finally, the “freedom of religion,” safeguarded by our Constitution accords with Divine and Natural Moral Absolutes to do good and avoid evil, according to a well-formed conscience in daily life. The rights listed in our Declaration of Independence are called “inalienable,” because such rights are endowed by our Creator. A government that overrules rights of conscience gives up its legitimacy.

As Bishop Paprocki of Illinois warned soberly, “Voting for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are “intrinsically evil and gravely sinful” makes a voter “morally complicit” with them.” [2] An election is not a mere popularity contest. These are not easy times to stand for moral truths; truth is quite unpopular among post-moderns, libertarians and popular-entertainment-gurus in the media. Naturally people want to fit in, but beware of the “political correctness” that calls the dance tune. Pray for discernment and the fortitude to push back against what is clearly wrong.

Some Catholics have acquiesced like Joe Biden, who stated in the VP debate that he “could not impose his beliefs on the rest of the country.” [3] This sounds magnanimous, but it is actually duplicitious because: 1) Legislators impose beliefs for a living, 2) Our opposition is imposing their beliefs due to our timidity. The nature of a Democracy is some beliefs in the public marketplace of ideas win, others lose. The bottom line is: will you stand for what is right? Because for evil to triumph, a good man need do nothing.

Two years ago Cardinal Francis Arinze spoke to us at Holy Apostles Seminary: “We need people in public office [and voters] who will say, I am a Catholic, therefore… not, I am a Catholic, but… His point was that our faith, which Jesus likens to the light of the world, must be advocated, not surrendered – i.e., we must act because of our faith, not in spite of it. This principle applies to office-holders in government who make and execute our laws, and to citizens who vote to select who those executives and legislators will be.

We are in a “values war” with two distinctly different political parties on each side of key moral issues. Catholics therefore are challenged as their first priority to vote consistent with the moral law of a well-formed Catholic-Christian conscience, which must always come before political party loyalty – because parties change and the moral law does not. First things must be first. To act or vote otherwise is to be, in Cardinal Arinze’s words, a Catholic but… For the sake of the nation that our veterans fought and died for, and that our children will inherit, we must do the right thing and vote according to your well-formed conscience.

Political Party Platforms: 2012 Actual Language

Read these paragraphs and you will be better informed than 99% of American voters on key moral issues. These party platform sections are offered in their entirety. [4] [5]

Regarding abortion:

Democrats: Protecting A Woman’s Right to Choose. The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy, including a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay. We oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right. Abortion is an intensely personal decision between a woman, her family, her doctor, and her clergy; there is no place for politicians or government to get in the way. We also recognize that health care and education help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and thereby also reduce the need for abortions. We strongly and unequivocally support a woman’s decision to have a child by providing affordable health care and ensuring the availability of and access to programs that help women during pregnancy and after the birth of a child, including caring adoption programs.

Republicans: The Sanctity and Dignity of Human Life

Faithful to the “self-evident” truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life, which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children. We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion or fund organizations, which perform or advocate it and will not fund or subsidize health care which includes abortion coverage. We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life. We oppose the non-consensual withholding or withdrawal of care or treatment, including food and water, from people with disabilities, including newborns, as well as the elderly and infirm, just as we oppose active and passive euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Republican leadership has led the effort to prohibit the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion and permitted States to extend health care coverage to children before birth. We urge Congress to strengthen the Born Alive Infant Protection Act by enacting appropriate civil and criminal penalties on healthcare providers who fail to provide treatment and care to an infant who survives an abortion, including early induction delivery where the death of the infant is intended. We call for legislation to ban sex-selective abortions – gender discrimination in its most lethal form – and to protect from abortion unborn children who are capable of feeling pain; and we applaud U.S. House Republicans for leading the effort to protect the lives of pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia. We call for a ban on the use of body parts from aborted fetuses for research. We support and applaud adult stem cell research to develop lifesaving therapies, and we oppose the killing of embryos for their stem cells. We oppose federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

We also salute the many States that have passed laws for informed consent, mandatory waiting periods prior to an abortion, and health-protective clinic regulation. We seek to protect young girls from exploitation through a parental consent requirement; and we affirm our moral obligation to assist, rather than penalize, women challenged by an unplanned pregnancy. We salute those who provide them with counseling and adoption alternatives and empower them to choose life, and we take comfort in the tremendous increase in adoptions that has followed Republican legislative initiatives.

Regarding the institution of marriage:

Democrats: Freedom to Marry. We support the right of all families to have equal respect, responsibilities, and protections under the law. We support marriage equality and support the movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples. We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference.

We oppose discriminatory federal and state constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny equal protection of the laws to committed same-sex couples who seek the same respect and responsibilities as other married couples. We support the full repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act.

Republicans: Preserving and Protecting Traditional Marriage (in 3 sections)

The institution of marriage is the foundation of civil society. Its success as an institution will determine our success as a nation. It has been proven by both experience and endless social science studies that traditional marriage is best for children. Children raised in intact married families are more likely to attend college, are physically and emotionally healthier, are less likely to use drugs or alcohol, engage in crime, or get pregnant outside of marriage. The success of marriage directly impacts the economic well-being of individuals. Furthermore, the future of marriage affects freedom. The lack of family formation not only leads to more government costs, but also to more government control over the lives of its citizens in all aspects. We recognize and honor the courageous efforts of those who bear the many burdens of parenting alone, even as we believe that marriage, the union of one man and one woman must be upheld as the national standard, a goal to stand for, encourage, and promote through laws governing marriage. We embrace the principle that all Americans should be treated with respect and dignity.

Republicans: Defending Marriage Against An Activist Judiciary

A serious threat to our country’s constitutional order, perhaps even more dangerous than presidential malfeasance, is an activist judiciary, in which some judges usurp the powers reserved to other branches of government. A blatant example has been the court-ordered redefinition of marriage in several States. This is more than a matter of warring legal concepts and ideals. It is an assault on the foundations of our society, challenging the institution which, for thousands of years in virtually every civilization, has been entrusted with the rearing of children and the transmission of cultural values.

Republicans: A Sacred Contract: Defense of Marriage

That is why Congressional Republicans took the lead in enacting the Defense of Marriage Act, affirming the right of States and the federal government not to recognize same-sex relationships licensed in other jurisdictions. The current Administration’s open defiance of this constitutional principle – in its handling of immigration cases, in federal personnel benefits, in allowing a same-sex marriage at a military base, and in refusing to defend DOMA in the courts – makes a mockery of the President’s inaugural oath. We commend the United States House of Representatives and State Attorneys General who have defended these laws when they have been attacked in the courts. We reaffirm our support for a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We applaud the citizens of the majority of States that have enshrined in their constitutions the traditional concept of marriage, and we support the campaigns underway in several other States to do so.

[These reflections are personally offered by Br. Jeffrey “Skip” Thompson, MSA, who worked as a politically neutral legislative advocate for 25 years. This writing is intended to challenge thinking about what it means to be both a faithful Catholic-Christian and an American citizen-voter. It has no approbation from his community or other Church authority. Nonetheless, the public comments of numerous bishops across the country give us ample moral direction and solid criteria to assist us our discernment of what to do.]

[1] Cardinal Archbishop Timothy Dolan, We Cannot Ignore Our Consciences, ZE12091110 – 2012-09-11 Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-35507?l=english

[2] Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki,“Bishop Warns of Intrinsic Evils in… Party Platform, (CAN/EWTN News, Springfield, Ill., Sep 27, 2012 / 02:11 a.m.

[3] Lillian Kwon, VP Debate: Biden, Ryan Talk Catholic Faith, Abortion, Religious Liberties, Oct. 12, 2012. On-line: http://www.christianpost.com/news/vp-debate-biden-ryan-talk

[4] 2012 Democratic National Platform, Greater Together: Protecting Rights and Freedom, http://www.democrats.org/democratic-national-platform#protecting-rights.

[5] GOP 2012 Republican Platform, We Believe in America: We the People…; http://www.gop.com/2012-republican-platform.

A 2012 Post-Mortem: Is There Hope After Elections?

By Ron Givens Filed in Uncategorized Tagged with Election 2012 Post-Mortem, Ron Givens November 12th, 2012 @ 8:54 pm

Well, I suppose we are all very frustrated and disappointed in the election outcome. I think it makes sense to answer the question: How could Obama win re-election with such an abysmal track record over four years …even if we concede he inherited a tough hand from Bush I don’t think anyone could counter the assertion he made things worse. And, all of the email pieces we circulate to each other with strong cases backed by facts were ignored by half of the electorate. Like you, I knew we were preaching to the choir and those emails probably helped the get out to vote effort, but were simply ignored, not understood, or dismissed by Obama support groups ( my last piece on “Demographics ” … Why? I suppose their narrow agendas ( not picking on the LGBT community ) just trumped the nearly weekly news of yet another proof of Obama’s leadership failure. That at the end of the day many folks vote their self-interest and ignore the rest.
Heck, the popular vote was very close. Maybe we need to change to a popular vote and junk the electoral college method of determining the winner. Does not seem fair that, for example, Californians for Romney votes are nullified given the Electoral College methodology.
Well, it is natural to do ( what we called in business ) a “post-mortem”, to try to make sense of what happened, why, and what changes to our ( patriotic / conservative ) values and issue positions should be thoughtfully re-evaluated.

So her is my “post-mortem” ..which includes some stuff I have already written about but also some new insights as well.
What I think I know for sure is this:

• The country has become far more liberal
• a majority feel business / capitalism / free markets benefits the wealthy at the expense of the poor and most racial minorities who feel Capitalism does not create an even and fair playing field for jobs, opportunity, education, housing and an equitable share of the American economic pie
• As conservatives we must consider changing our platform on such things as immigration reform ( versus deportation ), legalized marriage for the LGBT community, and legalization of Marijuana ( just to name a few at random ) to win a greater if not dominant share of those constituencies.
• Maybe most important we need to change attitudes about business and capitalism which is mainly an educational and advocacy process
• Rethink campaign strategy. I think Romney ran a good campaign , projecting positives not negatives, but falling short in direct but civil criticism of Obama who was given a free pass on many of his leadership failures. To some degree we were intoxicated with the historic election of a black President, but we had willful blindness as respects his resume, qualifications, and experience to do the job.
• Last, what is the appropriate action to take. Short of , course , of armed rebellion. So, here they are:

Top Ten Reasons Why Obama beat Romney

1. The country has shifted from what we might call heartland patriotic conservatism to a far more liberal tilt. Contrary to Fox news we are NOT or no longer a center-right populace

2. Obama appealed to numerous demographic & psycho-graphic groups ( most) racial minorities, unions, public employees, the LGBT community, Atheists, various opinion & thought leaders, ( University elite, Hollywood stars, eco-activists, and the liberal mass media ) folks who believe capitalism/business/wall street is inherently corrupt and marginalizes many self-identified victim groups who would welcome the redistribution of “ill-gotten” riches from the wealthy to the poor.

The flip side is folks who believe socialism is a superior system to more fairly distribute wealth and opportunity, and the youth vote where idealism thrives until they discover earning a living is tough work. Together they formed a majority. Obama not only played the race card but played the Marxist class warfare card with great success. And Romney never once mentioned that the so-called rich or wealthy who comprise 10-15 % of the population pay 85-90% of all taxes. He allowed Obama to paint him as a rapacious “venture capitalist” cutting up companies and shipping jobs overseas when we know VC’s invest in start-ups and early stage businesses, or companies that are ready to fail without a VC’s intervention and sometimes a new management team to SAVE the enterprise from collapse ..and they save jobs because if a business fails everyone loses their job. A disappointment that Romney failed to educate the voters that VC’s rehabilitate businesses, save jobs, and invest $$ in start-ups or embryonic stage players who banks will NOT touch with loans as the risk is too high. ( Interesting factoid is that the VC investment success rate was / used to be about 1/14 ..with most failing, some treading water, some moderately successful, and that 1 out of 14 is so successful that its growth, job creation, and profits offset the losses on the others. I have done some limited work with VC’s and Romney should have painted them as heroes rescuing those in fiscal white water along with saving and creating new jobs ..often industries and technologies that change the very way we live …no one bests America when it comes to innovation and magnificent new technologies. Not such a tough sell. But Romney allowed himself to be painted as part of the economic problem , not the solution.

4. The self-interests and narrow agendas of these groups trumped a preponderance of facts and inarguable track record that Obama had ZERO resume in the executive, problem-solving, governing role of the Presidency and failed as a leader.

5. Romney failed to make a case that Obama’s track record and leadership ineptitude should not be rewarded with another term. He should have attacked Obama’s lack of credentials for the job which could have been done in a civil polite tone and perhaps sold thousands of out-of-work Americans and recent college graduates that business and Venture Capitalists are positive contributors to an economic revival and the “answer” not the problem.

6. On the economy, Romney failed miserably in neglecting to counter Obama’s assertion that the bad economy was all Bush’s fault. That, in fact, the economic recession was triggered by the sub-prime home loan debacle, which was mainly inspired by social engineering … a belief that home ownership was an entitlement irrespective of maintaining time tested standards for borrowers such as down-payments, proof of income, and credit history.

The literal evisceration of these loan standards made the ensuing defaults and foreclosures not a possibility but an absolute certainty. And guess what? As a community organizer Obama coached activists on how to pressure lending institutions to make loans to (unqualified) poor and minority borrowers. As a retired financial guy who has developed and administered credit policies this sub-prime disaster was predictably avoidable and INSANE.

7. Romney never took the gloves off and called Obama on his leadership failure and goal to transform our economy to a Marxist or quasi-socialist model. An economic model that has failed in the last 100 years and is alien to our heritage of free markets which breed innovation, widespread opportunity, private ownership of business, and that which gives vibrancy and opportunity to anyone willing to work hard for their particular dream. It is curious that folks flock to America for this freedom and opportunity yet for the many who succeed liberals then demonize them and cast their wealth as “ill-gotten” gains always at the expense of the poor aided and abetted by our capitalistic free-market system which creates an uneven playing field with the deck stacked against (in particular) racial minorities and the poor of all skin colors.

8. The argument was never made that the middle-class and poor would unquestionably suffer given the implementation of that socialist ideology. Think, Greece, Italy, and Spain. Romney never adequately defended Capitalism (warts and all) as the fountain of the most widespread prosperity and innovation of any country on the planet and never acknowledged that along with Capitalism (which is not a bleak picture of winners and losers) we have many social welfare components for the sick, needy, and elderly.

9. OK, you might find this one objectionable but I can not think of anyone on my distribution where this applies. Over the years the balance of “takers” versus “makers” has swelled the ranks of folks who want a free ride …the 50 % who pay zero tax, the folks addicted to entitlements as a steady source of income support, and folks ( here it comes ) that are just plain DUMB. Ok, maybe idealistic, maybe ignorant but people who exercised willful blindness to the incompetency of Obama and his Anti-white, Christian, business, Capitalism, flag, and blame America first views.

10. You and I have exchanged maybe hundreds of emails on Obama failures and outrages that expose his anti-American sentiments … from failing to prosecute armed Black Panthers who intimidated white voters at polling places to an indefensible failure at Benghazi where he either issued a stand–down order or failed to give an affirmative order to send our troops to the rescue four Americans were being slaughtered over a seven hour period while Obama staff watch this tragic carnage on TV?? You and I have taken great pains to circulate emails over the past year or so … facts of Obama’s leadership failure that were obviously ignore by the 50 % or so popular vote he won. How do we explain this remarkable lack indifference to the facts and words and action from Obama beyond the reasons I have offered above?

10. The challenge for conservatives is how to maintain core beliefs while improving trust with a country that has become more liberal. For example, maybe we should re-think our position on illegal immigration where Obama won ( I think ) over 65% of the vote. True, it is Mexico’s job to provide employment and healthcare for their people. True, we have illegal immigrants that arrived at a very young age and deportation would be a harsh remedy. True, the folks waiting on line playing by our immigration rules deserve first priority. True illegal immigration has become conflated with drug trafficking where some illegal’s crossing our borders carry drugs for violent cartels as the price of “admission” is very problematic. But all of that being said, maybe we need to recognize the honest hard-working non-criminal immigrants who see America as their home. They also enjoy great sympathy with Hispanic citizen voters who supported Obama. Maybe creating a pathway to legal residence, then establishing requirements for citizenship is a compromise worth gaining the necessary votes to elect a conservative. That coupled with strict border enforcement and a change in immigration policy to get a better mix of immigrant entrepreneurs with money to start businesses, European or East Asian folks with higher education that are more employable, and a time limit on public assistance which we can not afford given the national debt.

Please share your ideas and feedback with me. And feel free to pass this along to your circle of friends and associates.
Many of us feel Obama has violated his oath of office. I doubt his acceptance speech (sounded more like a Republican) will really mean he is prepared for true bi-partisanship and compromise. If not, we must decide how far we are willing to go to remove him peacefully from office. Some people are talking armed rebellion …I don’t support that but no government will ever confiscate my guns.

We should consider:
• Marches to Washington
• Flying the flag
• Massive demonstrations,
• Civil disobedience
• Maybe not paying taxes? Surely with Obama we have taxation without representation … does that ring a bell?
• Taking back our educational system which has been perverted and corrupted by liberal teachers, professors, and administrators.
• Impeachment – timing is critical. Now, so soon after the vote is ill-advised because it would be easy to argue that effort was an attempt to nullify the vote…but the next Benghazi, as an example, would be a perfect trigger. There is nothing more fundamental to any President’s oath of office than protecting American lives and keeping us safe.
• Organizing militias consistent with our rights under the Constitution.
Martin Luther King organized very effective marches and protests ..a good thing to secure equality for minorities. Maybe it is time for the great white ( and diminishing ) silent majority to embark on a similar crusade …on the streets and in the courts. But our marches and protests should have minority representation as we move toward a truly color-blind society and convince people that conservatives do not favor any particular skin color and what we fight for is intended to benefit all Americans.

I welcome your ideas. This is not the end of patriotism or conservatism. Rather it is the beginning of our re-assertion of our liberty, freedom, constitutional rights, and the values embedded in our heritage and culture that have made us so exceptional.

My best, and have heart, we will prevail. This was a huge wake-up call and the fight is just beginning.

(My Thanks to Peter Gutierrez for his contribution of this article)

Perhaps now people will begin to flock to Conservative Clubs and realize that simply showing up to vote on election day is not enough!

Post-Primary 2012 Peter Tateishi for AD 8

By Ron Givens Filed in Featured July 7th, 2012 @ 10:47 pm

An exciting and winning season for the GOP in California and across the United States. With the June CA Primary election behind us and November rapidly approaching it is time for all Red Blooded Americans to get into the political world that is a requirement for an effective representative government. I have humbly accepted the position of President of the Sacramento Republican Assembly (SRA), Founded and was elected President of the Sacramento County unit of Conservative Republicans of California (CRC), and will take office as an elected member of the Sacramento Republican Central Committee in January: My first “public” office.

The call to serve in politics is an interesting one. There is a palpable and very real thirst for ‘power’ among virtually every and any group or association. I can assure you that ‘power’ is not what I seek as a servant in any of my positions. Rather, I seek to recruit, educate and empower those who have previously not been active in the political process(s) and will gladly speak to any group on the value and effectiveness of Citizen Advocacy and the vital role each of us plays, actively or not, in every election. November of 2012 is one that can and must change the course of this nation that has taken an extreme turn to the left over the last few years and must be stopped and Righted!

I invite you all to contact me personally to get involved in a campaign as a volunteer or even as a candidate for office. One of my primary goals is to bring Main Street Americans to places that will offer opportunities to be a real part of the rel change we so desperately need in California and the United States. You can send email to Ron@RonGivens.com and I will personally respond to your questions or direct them to someone who may be better able to answer them. If you live or work in the Sacramento area please join us at our monthly SRA/CRC meetings which are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month with the exceptions of July and December when we take a little breather and focus on family and prepare for the next skirmish at the polling place.

I hope to see you in August and let’s get ready for some Conservative Victories in November! One campaign that I recommend all Sacramento County Residents to get involved in is the race for the new Assembly District 8. I am pulling for my dear friend Peter Tateishi (www.PeterForAssembly.com) and hope you can find a little time or a little contribution to make this race go The Right Way!

Ron Givens Candidate for GOP Central Committee

By Ron Givens Filed in Uncategorized March 11th, 2012 @ 6:46 pm

I am pleased to report that this week I was able to personally gather the required signatures to qualify me for the June 5th California Primary election as a candidate for the Republican Party Central Committee in Supervisor District 5, Sacramento County. This election is important to me and to the GOP in California as we desperately need to start winning some elections and bringing fresh and relevant energy and enthusiasm to our party. I would be honored to have your support for this election and will answer any questions you may have along the way.

I am also pleased to announce that I have founded and am acting president of the newly GOP chartered Conservative Republicans of California (CRC) and will be developing a new website for that organization which will be located at www.sacccrc.com . Dues for membership in this organization are only $10 per member and I am currently seeking a few true Conservatives to serve in leadership positions for this Sacramento County GOP Charter.

This week we will announce our new organization at the Sacramento Republican Assembly’s monthly meeting on Tuesday March 13th, 2012 at GOP HQ in Sacramento. Please join us as we welcome our Guest Speaker, Eric Hogue of William Jessup University and local Conservative Talk Radio Host. We are also expecting several local candidates for the 2012 Elections to join us for introductions and a little Q&A. This is a great opportunity to get to meet Assembly candidates and others who will be seeking to represent you as your elected representatives for various offices over the next couple of years.

Remember that our democratic republic is only as strong as those that choose to participate in the process. We need each and every American to stand up for American Values and lets your voice be heard with you vote. If you are interested in getting more involved please contact me by email, Facebook or Twitter and I will respond as soon as possible. We can and will restore California and the United States of America to a place where Liberty and Justice for all is more than words on paper. We must continue to insure that we remain a nation of Free Citizens where government is of, by and for We The People. We must stand together to make certain that Liberalism is not allowed to become the way of the United States and that our Sovereignty is second only to our Trust in God as a Free Society.

When I was a University Student studying Political Science (government) at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), one of my professors summed up the difference between Liberty and Freedom like this: Freedom is that part of our domain where we have chosen to create civil rules and certain restrictions on behavior for what is determined in the moment to be “the public good” and subject to the laws and power that We The People lend the government of the United States. Liberty in contrast to that “freedom” means simply this: Government, leave me alone!

We have allowed over-regulation to cripple business, crumble our economy, and to make “entitlements” the bread and butter of too many Americans that are capable of working but choose to stay dormant and leave their talents unused at to great a cost. This “liberal” approach hurts not only those hooked on entitlements but also drains the financial and creative resources that have made this country so great and vital for so long and erodes both Freedom and Liberty. We must remember and constantly remind our elected officials that The Constitution of The United States of America is not just some antique document that is on display in a museum but is rather a non-negotiable Living Trust and The Supreme Law of The Land of this great nation. We must continually remind them that We The People will never let our foundation change or be stripped from us by those who have sworn oaths to protect and defend it (Our Constitution) with one hand on The Bible and the other raised in pledge and oath.

God Bless you my friends. And, God Bless America!

2012 And Beyond

By Ron Givens Filed in Uncategorized January 30th, 2012 @ 7:17 pm

Sacramento CA, 1/30/2012 - With the 2012 election approaching and the GOP primary fully underway, it is more important than ever to do your part to make sure America is restored to a place where out Traditional Values are help with the highest regard by our elected officials and those that seek to represent us as candidates in the coming primaries and the November General Election. There are many ways to help make sure that your concerns are heard and addressed by the party establishment and I would be honored to help you do just that.

In early January of this year I was elected as Vice President of the Sacramento Republican Assembly (SRA). It is my intention to promote conservative ideals and policies and hold our elected officials accountable while on the campaign trail and during the entire time they hold office and represent us. One of the primary goals and function of the SRA is to recruit candidates for local office and help them in every possible way we can too win elections. Part of that process requires money and there is just no way around that Truth in the political realm in California and across the country. It is up to you to make you voice heard and it is up to you to help support the candidates that best represent your ideals and beliefs in every office that is held. Please consider making a donation to the SRA today so that we can put that tool to work and help take back out city, county, state and county back from the brink of collapse that I firmly believe is a direct result of liberal policies promoted by democrats and republicans alike who have strayed from the paths we elected them to follow.

I am a Christian, Husband, Father, Small Business Owner, Volunteer and advocate for American ideals that are set forth clearly in The Constitution of The United States of America. I know how hard the current climate of economic depression has hit us all and I personally pledge to help with solving the problems we face. I am not involved in politics to ‘make friends” or “make a name for myself.” I donate my time, energy and resources to to what I believe is the True American Ideals as so solemnly debated and adopted by the framers of the nation and that have kept this nation strong and Liberty and Freedom based ever since. If we allow the current tide of leftist liberalism to prevail by remaing silent or by ignoring what is happening around us we have only helped further that agenda.

I don’t want to leave my children in debt or my future grand children in debt because a few liberals in D.C. or in our State Capital have no self control or recognize accountability from any place other than public employee unions or other special interests with deep pockets for liberal agendas. No long ago I was blessed with the opportunity to have breakfast with former California State Senator, H.L. Richardson. I asked the Senator what single phrase best describes the current place we are in politically and ideologically in California and the United States. His answer was simple and a bit frightening but I know it to be true. He said: “Ron, we are in this fight right now for the very Right to continue to call ourselves Americans.” With that I paused for a while as I suspect you will too and considered what that meant: “…to continue to call ourselves Americans!”

Yes, in a nutshell that is exactly what we are fighting for and we can win this fight at the ballot box and I am asking you to help. Please visit www.saccra.com today and make a donation. Include a note that says we support Americanism as Ron Givens describes it and I will keep you posted on the “inside: news as we continue to fight and to lead for conservative causes. I’ll close with this: SRA has the work “republican” in it and yes I am a registered republican. That does not mean that the SRA or that I blindly support everyone and everything that is labeled with “republican.” I am here to tell you that I am here as a True Conservative and will fight to make sure that those that are running ad are elected as Republicans understand what it is that you and I expect them to so as our Representatives!

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Ron Givens Has Something to Say! Ron Givens is an American!