We went and saw the Amish Christmas lights last night.....

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It's FairTax Saturday - look at your paystub!

According 2 the Tax Foundation, Americans spend an estimated 6.0 billion hrs complying w/ the federal income tax, yearly!

Fairtax.org

ABOUT THE FAIRTAX

The FairTax plan is a comprehensive proposal that replaces all federal income and payroll based taxes with an integrated approach including a progressive national retail sales tax, a prebate to ensure no American pays federal taxes on spending up to the poverty level, dollar-for-dollar federal revenue neutrality, and, through companion legislation, the repeal of the 16th Amendment.

The FairTax Act (HR 25, S 296) is nonpartisan legislation. It abolishes all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare, and self-employment taxes and replaces them with one simple, visible, federal retail sales tax administered primarily by existing state sales tax authorities.

More information is available at http://www.fairtax. org or join the FairTax Indiana grassroots effort at http://infairtax. ning.com

He Is Born!

Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Best Christmas Decoration Ever!

Read the story BEFORE looking at the picture!!

Well, there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations this year.

The Good news is that I truly outdid myself this year with my Christmas decorations.

The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days.

I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories.

But two things made me take it down.

1. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.

2. Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder and almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy).

By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that.

My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.

Kind of feel like I gave in to the "man" by taking him down but my neighbor did confirm the many near miss accidents on the busy street next to my house.

I think I made him too real this time.

So it was fun while it lasted!!

Now check out the picture!!

What's the difference between

Tiger Woods and Santa Claus?

Santa Clause had enough sense to stop after three hos!

Life is all about BUTTS…

You're either covering it,

laughing it off,

kicking it,

kissing it,

busting it,

trying to get a piece of it,

or behaving like one ......

That's right, you've been "elfed".

He who Elf’s last, elf’s loudest!!!!

Have A Great Holiday Season!!!

Chrysantemum Fest

Lahr. Germany

This is really an autumn event, rather than Christmas, but it's absolutely beautiful!!! Lots of pictures, so be sure to scroll down to see them all.

Click here to see it.

Christmas, A Time For Real Hope

By Doug Patton

December 21, 2009

There will be plenty of time in the New Year to discuss health care, global warming, the development of nuclear weapons by our enemies, and so many other topics concerning the fight for freedom in 21st Century America. With so many people disillusioned with the "hope and change" proffered recently as a substitute for true faith, this might be the best of times to examine the only true hope of humanity.

The greatest man who ever lived, the God-man, Jesus Christ, was born in the humblest of settings to become the Savior of mankind. At the time of his birth, even King Herod's men did not think to look in a stable for a king. Kings are born in palaces, among opulence and luxury. Jesus did not fit the template. For two thousand years the human race has continued to look for something more, something flashier, something more glorious, something greater. For those of us who passionately believe in the story of the Nativity, it is a clear reminder of why our faith is a life to be lived in the Spirit the Living God. What could be greater than that?

That is the difference between Christianity and every other religion in the world. Scripture tells us what Christ had to say about himself. He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me." If that is not true, then He was either a liar or a lunatic, and no one believes that. In fact, virtually every other faith speaks of Jesus Christ as a wise prophet, a great teacher, or a good man, and other religions are willing to acknowledge that following Jesus is one of the ways to heaven. But Christ says He is the only way to heaven. No wonder He was crucified.

Christianity also is unique in that it proclaims that its central figure is still alive. Hindus think their leaders have been reincarnated. Buddha and his followers are thought to be part of some vast cosmos of energy. Mohammed, fiercely and violently defended as he may be, is still dead. Even the bodies of Abraham and Moses have long ago turned to dust. Jesus Christ alone is believed by his followers to be physically alive -- in spite of having faced the worst death imaginable.

Far too many in our society reject the simple gospel presented by Christ and his disciples in favor of alternative religions that teach vague notions of piety through good works. The social gospel of using government to create an earthly utopia will disappoint us every time. False prophets and self-serving politicians have always been at the forefront of man's disenchantment. They offer hope but dispense hopelessness. They promise change but deliver bondage -- to an ideology, an idol or a doctrine. There is only one infallible answer. Discontented seekers of new age solutions to age-old problems need only look to the truth of the Christmas story.

This week, as we celebrate the miracle birth of a baby who would grow up to be both man and God, who would lay down His life as a sacrifice for the sins of those who would believe, we also should remember that He is still with us. Like Christmas itself, the reality of Christ persists and grows stronger. He was born, lived, died, and rose again. He ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father, to make intercession for us, and He sent His Holy Spirit to live within those who would receive Him. What a story. To millions of us, it is still the only one that makes sense, and He is our only source of true hope.

---

Doug Patton is a freelance columnist who has served as a political speechwriter and public policy advisor. His work has been published in newspapers across the country, such as the Washington Times and the Tampa Tribune, on web sites such as Human Events Online and GOPUSA.com, where he is a senior writer and state editor, and featured on the Mike Gallager and Sean Hannity radio shows. Readers can e-mail him at dougpatton@cox.net.

'Tis The Week Before Christmas...

By Henry Lamb

December 21, 2009

'Tis the week before Christmas and all through the land, not a freedom is safe from Obama's hand. Bankers, bewildered, before him now bow, while auto-makers, thankful, praise his cash cow. With energy and health care nearing control, his grasp on the nation is as he foretold. The people are stirred by his escapades, and are somewhat shocked by the history they made. Obama is not what he promised to be; he brings, instead, tyranny.

America's great experiment in freedom was designed by our Founders to create a new kind of government consisting of the very people for whom the government was made. The first purpose of this new government was to protect the freedom of the people against all enemies both foreign and domestic, and especially from governmental tyranny. To keep the federal government under control, the designers limited the power of the new federal government to those very specific areas set forth in Article 1, Section 8.

These limitations are now routinely ignored by both the House and the Senate.

The one mechanism in our system of government designed to rid our government of those who abuse the Constitution is the biennial elections.

America stands at the brink of a Marxist abyss because Americans have elected a majority of officials who do not honor the Constitution, who do not respect the value of individual freedom, who crave personal power and perks more than the prosperity produced by free people operating a free market.

A majority of disappointed non-Democrats allowed this congressional majority to be elected by staying home on Election Day.

If the United States created by the Constitution is to survive, Americans must mobilize and remove the current majority in Washington. Actions by the Washington majority have stirred deep-seated anger and patriotic enthusiasm across the countryside, but there is a very real danger that this anti-majority fervor will be splintered.

Tea Party activists are battling for leadership while Glenn Beck's 9-12 groups compete for attention. Third Party promoters vie for support in the face of waning Republican influence. This is a guaranteed formula for failure in 2010.

Victory in 2010 is not necessarily determined by party label. There Are Democrats who believe in the Constitutional limitation of Congressional power, and Republicans who do not. The challenge faced by voters is finding candidates -- regardless of party affiliation -- who are strong advocates of the U.S. Constitution, as demonstrated by deeds, not rhetoric. Sadly, many of these candidates labor fruitlessly in third-party campaigns.

Rush Limbaugh's advice to third parties is sound: take control of the Republican Party and make it the Party of the Constitution.

In the last hundred years, third parties have done nothing but help elect the candidate they most wanted to defeat. Theodore Roosevelt was the most successful third-party candidate in the 20th century. His 27% of the 1912 vote assured the election of Woodrow Wilson, who gave the world the League of Nations. Robert LaFollett's third party received 17% in 1924; George Wallace drew 14% in 1968, and John Anderson got 7% in 1980. Multi-millionaire Ross Perot mustered 19% in 1992, and 8% in 1996, both times, just enough to insure the election of Bill Clinton.

This is not the year for another failed third-party effort; this is the year to save the nation. The best way to do that is for conservatives to converge on the Republican Party and take control. Democrats who are sick of seeing what their Marxist leadership is doing to the nation may want to consider siding with the conservatives in the 2010 election -- to help keep Republicans honest.

The argument that insists that a vote for either a Democrat or Republican is casting a vote for the lesser of two evils is, at best, superficial. A party label does not evil make. Evil exists in every political party -- granted, more in some than in others. The challenge is to elect candidates who demonstrate their respect for the Constitution. The tragedy will be conservatives getting caught up in a power struggle that paves the way for another Marxist majority to march into Washington.

Ten months is barely time to find and fund the candidates who will reverse the wreckage wrought by this Marxist majority in Washington. This great American experiment in freedom is wholly dependent upon the desire of free people to stay free. America's freedom is at greater risk than at any time in history. Just as our forefathers fought off those who would impose tyranny in the past, this generation is called upon now to cast off another threat to freedom. This time, the enemy is already in Washington.

---

Henry Lamb is the author of "The Rise of Global Governance," Chairman of Sovereignty International , and founder of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) and Freedom21, Inc..

Broken Promises

I decided I had to break a promise I made to you, my loyal readers. I promised that I would not post another political article until after Christmas, but I have to make my voice heard on the Obama Health Care bill.

The Democrats finally got the 60th vote needed to vote on the bill and the Senate voted at 11:00 Sunday night to forward the bill. It is scheduled for final vote on Christmas Eve. I can't wait to hear the Administration and House and Senate leaders applauding themselves and each other over the Christmas gift that they have given to the people of the United States. What a gift. Higher taxes and a health care system that was once the envy of the world reduced to a shadow of its former self. I am so glad that this is happening at the beginning of the mid-term election cycle. This bill is supported by 60 Senators, but is opposed by 60% of the American public. I wonder how many of those 60 senators are up for election in 2010?

You note that the title of this post is in the plural. Obama himself broke is own promises to get this bill passed. He promised bi-partisan participation. He promised C-SPAN coverage. None of that happened. The bill was negotiated behind closed doors. The bill was not released for review in any sort of a timely fashion. The House version was released two days before vote and was over 2000 pages that had to be reviewed by anyone with any interest. It was eventually voted on by Representatives who had no idea what was in the bill.

And this is a transparent Administration? The only thing transparent about it is that it is business as usual in Washington. My broken promise really means nothing in the Grand Scheme of Things. A promise broken in Washington is just more of the same.

Those of you who voted for change, I hope you like what you voted for, because you and every other American taxpayer will have to live with your choice.

Obama performance opinion poll

Finally, a chance to vote on President Obama's performance on this Economy - AT&T/Yahoo Poll. This totally non-partisan poll asks but one question. The question is stated very simply... and, to the point. No tricks. No hidden messages. No nothing. JUST A SINGLE, SIMPLE QUESTION (click on the link to get to the poll). I don't know why this hasn't been done before.

I'm impressed with the fact that the question is NOT "phrased" in a way that it can be interpreted later...to fit someone else's desired answer. (Kitten's note: I do...no one wanted to hear anyone's opinion...the polls were phrased to get the votes or opinions they wanted. It's as simple as that.)

NOTE: After you vote, you will see a second page that shows the running total and what these voters opinions are.

~~~~~~~~

This came from email, so who knows who really commissioned it. The one thing I don't like about "one question polls" is that the answers given usually don't cover everything. I won't tell you how I voted (although you might be surprised...or not), but none of the answers supplied really covered how I feel. Sorry I've become very literal-minded and usually can't answer anything with a "yes" or "no".

I really wanted to make this a politics-free December, but as you can see, that didn't happen. But I did keep it down to what I consider to be bare minimum. And I promise...no more politics after today until December 26 at the earliest. Unless it ties into Christmas in a positive, Christmasy way.

A Roaring Fire, A Glass of Wine, and Thou

Apologies to Omar Khayyam for playing around with his wonderful poem, but, imagine sitting back with the drink of your choice, your Significant Other next to you, in front of a roaring fire, with a Christmas soundtrack playing softly in the background. What could be more romantic?

Then you remember that actually using a fireplace leads to soot and ashes to be cleaned up, not to mention the possibility of a fire from creosote build-up in the chimney. Smoke if the flue isn't open. Not so romantic, huh?

Well, here's a site where you can enjoy all that without the soot, ashes, smoke, and creosote to worry about. Almost makes me want to run out and get a BIG screen TV to enjoy it on. In reality, I'm seriously considering hooking my TV to a computer so that I can enjoy certain sites, such as this one, on my TV.

Anyway...here's the site.