The Nikki Haley for El President Campaign has announced $10 million in political ad buys beginning in December. The Vegas odds suggest she will be going after Ron DeSantis in an effort to secure second place coming out of the first two contests on the Republican Primary calendar.

 

Details of the advertising plans, which represent the Haley campaign’s first official advertising reservation, were obtained by The Associated Press ahead of a public announcement expected Monday. Haley’s planned investment, as of now, is more than five times larger than DeSantis’ current advertising reserves for the same time period, according to the media tracking firm AdImpact.

 

It would appear that the Republican Establishment has made its choice, which isn’t such a bad thing for DeSantis. Being an establishment darling isn’t really his style, and looking like an outlier might actually appeal to some voters who could easily connect Haley with the warmongering Neo-Con RINOs who echo her sentiments.

Just so we are clear, I still think Haley was the best UN ambassador we ever had, but when the rubber hit the road, she listened to Swamp Rat Rasputin. Instead of standing up for her boss, who was innocent of all the charges at the time, she aped the lies of the left as sold by Republican insiders who saw Trump the way Democrats did, as a threat to their Deep State livelihood.

They picked the government before the people, and there were plenty of them.

Chris Christie fits in that category as well, a character flaw that makes both of them unelectable to me. I can’t trust either of them not to sell me out to the whims of the biggest donor or the highest bitter.

Trump is not perfect, but the left fears him, the GOPe fears him, the media fears him, and that’s something worth considering when you look at where we are today.

As for the Ad buy and the primary, Haley has been on the move while the DeSantis campaign – and I’d take him over her any day of the week and twice on Sunday – has continued to struggle for traction. He also has a better chance of ending up on a VIP shortlist. Haley stabbed Trump in the back. She needs to win this thing, or she will disappear from the national stage again until 2028.

And I don’t think 10 million is enough to change that.

 

Note: This piece was written before Haley’s (in my estimation) campaign ending Gaffe so ten million is definitely not enough as her opponents rhetorically beat her campaign to death with it.

The post Nikki Haley’s Holiday Gift to Iowa and New Hampshire appeared first on Granite Grok.

As promised in Monday Memes, I have an overflow.  And yes there will be a Friday edition too.

Let the mayhem, mockery, and ridicule resume:

 

*** Warning, a few possibly off-color ones, in case tender eyes are about ***

 

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only someone totally bought off cannot see the problem here.

 

 

 

They have praying facilities.  This is a show of power.  Per Dr. Warner of politicalislam.com, the majority of their holy writ is how to deal with the Infidel.

 

 

Some POS “migrant” does this to my daughter they’d better pray the police find them before I do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One correction: They didn’t give the Jab for free.  Governments around the world paid billions for it.  Then they get to make billions more on fighting the adverse effects.  Nice business model… for people without a soul.

 

 

 

 

I’m sure she’s blown away!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was in Iran, pre-revolution.  OK, knee-high to a grasshopper, but I remember it.  As I recall, the only time my western-dressed mother had an issue was when we were visiting one “very holy” mosque in Shiraz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And… the above is why I don’t get invited out a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bought off, or threatened?

 

 

 

 

Infertility and other reproductive consequences discussed here:

Dark Thoughts in the Small Hours – Granite Grok

Borrowing from a Dog Food Ad – Urban Scoop

 

 

 

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

Pick of the Post:

 

 

If G-d doesn’t do something soon, then He owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology.

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

Palate cleansers:

 

—

—

 

It’s not easy being green…

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

Come back on Friday for more memes.  Same meme time.  Same meme channel.

 

>>>>>=====<<<<<

 

 

The post Meme Overflow appeared first on Granite Grok.

The loons in Europe like to leap before they look, especially when it comes to climate voodoo, so they make for a great example of how stupid things can get. Take the UK. It’s got a complex bureaucracy and layers of rules that make doing anything more difficult, even when the doing is done by some other part of the Government.

In its quest for net-zero common sense, the UK government wants to place 600,000 heat pumps in the next five years. They’ve even offered some fiscal incentives that pretend to save you money if you jump through the hoops with them. Except that they can’t.

 

In order to qualify for the government grant, heat pump installations must comply with regulations set out by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) – including a minimum level of noise disturbance to neighbours. It means a heat pump must not generate a noise louder than 42 decibels within one metre of a neighbour’s door or window.

Yet the report, which was presented to the Institute of Acoustics at a conference, found that of the top heat pumps from the five main manufacturers, not one device would meet MCS standards on noise unless the unit was at least 4m away. ..

To meet noise regulations and receive grant funding, some homeowners would have to build a sound barrier – potentially at a cost of up to £5,000 – said Jack Harvie-Clark, of Apex Acoustics. But even if sound-proofing was installed, it may not be enough to reduce the noise to an acceptable level.

 

Government at its best, yes? But what to do?

Most heat pumps (based on a quick internet search) run from 43 to 70 dB. The high end is annoying and distracting, but the lower levels are tolerable and would likely become little more than white noise you get used to or rarely notice. The UK problem might be resolved with a land-a-man-on-the-moon-like investment is a quieter heat pump, but more likely, they’ll change the notice regulations. But not before a protracted and expensive process because bureaucracies don’t work any other way.

Sometimes that’s a good thing. Slowing down the pace at which your rights can be taken from you is good. It might even provide time to stop the theft. But governments don’t give things back. Nor do they easily step away from a commitment to foolishness on the scope of climate. But there is a lesson to be learned if those in the colonies make time to learn it.

Heat pumps are noisy. If you expect everyone to get one, you might not be able to ignore all the impacts, thought they have turned a blind eye to so many already. What difference would ignoring a few more make?

 

The post When Government Mandated Heat Pumps Violate Government Mandated Noise Regulations appeared first on Granite Grok.

After weeks of Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Hamas demonstrations and walks in America and worldwide, it was time for a Pro-Israel demonstration in Washington, DC, as thousands of Israeli supporters from every state in the Union united on the National Mall.

The President has been playing both sides in this dispute so he does not offend either. Doing this has upset the supporters of Israel, who do not want to hear about cease-fires, which will only aid Hamas by letting them regroup during any pause in the fighting. A cease-fire will also allow Hamas to move the hostages around, making recovery that much less likely. Anyone calling for a cease-fire is not a steadfast supporter of Israel. Joe Biden is not the supporter of Israel he claims to be, just like he is not a practicing Catholic, as he professes. Biden is a charlatan who will say whatever is needed to appease the person or group in front of him. That is not what a leader does.

Who attends the demonstration on Tuesday is noteworthy, but who is absent is more telling. Both President Biden and Vice President Harris were in town but they did not support the thousands marching by showing up. Neither wants to offend the Radical Wing of the Party that supports Palestine, which does not exist, and Hamas. Again, this Administration would take a neutral stance rather than support the right and just position. It is a coward’s way of governing, but that is what we expect from Joe and Kamala. Also, it was far more critical for Biden and Harris to get to San Francisco to bend a knee for Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Security was evident, and rightfully so. The last thing our splintered country needs is an altercation between Israeli and Palestinian supporters.

There has been some destruction of property, including the defacing of the White House protective fence, and of course, we had the death of one Israel supporter in California. Still, we have not seen the type of violence and rage we saw at BLM or Antifa demonstrations in recent years. Mayor Bowser engaged the National Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security labeled this event a Level 1, the highest level of security.

Congress prohibits the DC Police or the Parks Department from issuing crowd estimates for events in the nation’s capital, but media estimates were over 100,000. This was an important day and event for America and Israel. We have seen massive gatherings of people around the globe in support of Palestinians but also against Israel. It has been discouraging to see this animosity toward the Jewish people. It was overdue for Israel to see a show of support like the thousands who traveled to be on the Mall. Our prayers were answered for a peaceful and positive demonstration, which is in stark contrast to the masses waving Palestinian flags and yelling death to Israel.

The post March For Israel Goes ‘Unnoticed’ By Biden Administration appeared first on Granite Grok.

Are you tired of being stuck in traffic or limited by conventional means of transportation? Look no further than the rubber boat with a motor! This innovative and affordable mode of transport is revolutionizing travel, offering convenience and flexibility like never before.

Exploring the Benefits of Motorized Rubber Boats

Let’s now take a look at the benefits of motorized rubber boats https://kolibriboats.com/us/catalog/motor-boats/.

Convenience

One significant advantage offered by these inflatable boats is their portability. They can be easily deflated and transported to any location without requiring specialized equipment or vehicles. Whether you want to explore serene lakes or navigate shallow rivers, simply inflate your boat using an air pump, attach the outboard motor securely, and you’re ready for an adventure!

Affordability

Compared to traditional modes of transportation like cars or motorcycles, investing in a rubber boat powered by a compact outboard engine is incredibly cost-effective. Not only do they have lower upfront costs, but they also have minimal maintenance requirements over time.

Accessibility

Motorized rubber boats open up opportunities for those who live near water bodies but don’t own expensive waterfront properties themselves – making it accessible even if you reside inland! Imagine spending weekends exploring nearby lakeshores at your own pace without breaking the bank.

Easy Maneuverability

An integral component of the rubber boat with a motor is the inflatable boat motor. These lightweight and compact motors are specifically designed for use on inflatable boats, providing excellent maneuverability in various water conditions.

Portability

Inflatable boat motors can be easily attached to your rubber boat without causing any damage or compromising its structure. Their small size allows you to carry them effortlessly wherever your adventures take you.

Power

Don’t let their compactness fool you – these motors pack quite a punch! With varying horsepower options available, they provide enough power to navigate through calm waters and even tackle mild currents effortlessly.

User-Friendly Operation

Operating an inflatable boat motor requires minimal technical knowledge or expertise, making it accessible for people of all ages and skill levels. Many models feature user-friendly controls that enable smooth acceleration and steering, ensuring a hassle-free experience on the water.

To Sum Up

The rubber boat with motor offers an exciting alternative means of transportation that combines convenience, affordability, and fun in one package! Whether you’re looking for leisurely rides along picturesque lakeshores or need a practical solution for short-distance travel near riverside areas – these versatile inflatables will never cease to amaze you!

So why stay stuck in traffic when there’s so much more waiting beyond the roads? Embrace this innovative mode of transport today; grab your own rubber boat with an outboard engine, and get ready for endless adventures!

The post Rubber Boat with Motor: A Convenient and Affordable Means of Transportation appeared first on Granite Grok.

Nikki Haley has been as on the rise as a candidate can be in this primary cycle, gaining ground on Ron DeSantis and making big media buys with all the swampy Neo-Con money she’s been getting. And good for her. That’s all part of the process. But it may have all been in vain. She just ended any hope she had of winning the nomination.

Emphasis, mine.

 

“When I get into office, the first thing we have to do, social media companies have to show America their algorithms, let us see why they’re pushing what they’re pushing,” Haley added. “The second thing, every person on social media should be verified by their name. First of all, that’s a national security threat. When you do that, people have to stand by what they say and it gets rid of the Russian bots the Iranian bots and the Chinese bots, and then you’re going to get some civility when people know their name is next to what they say.”

 

So, no! And I am a big fan of standing behind what you write and say, but anonymity is essential to the right to Free Speech. In its absence, there is no path for insiders and whistleblowers to reveal unpleasant truths, greed, corruption, malice, fraud, and even tyranny. Pseudonyms protect speakers and sources, neither of which should be unmasked by authors, editors, social media companies, bureaucrats, politicians, or presidential candidates promising to scratch a totalitarian itch.

We also live in an age where daring to disagree may subject you to more than despotic retribution from the state. We can now add doxxing and mob justice to the mix, where hordes of strangers plague your existence and drive you underground for daring to think outside some tiny ideological box.

Having the guts to privately express an unpopular opinion – heck, just being brave enough to explore a conversation about one – can cost you your job, career, and even your family. It is a culture that breeds silence in the face of oppression.

I get what Nikki Haley thinks she is doing, but what she has done is killed her presidential aspirations.

Support for this is a death knell or should be, for anyone running for Republican anything.

A spokesperson for the DeSantis campaign has stated unequivocally that this would be unconstitutional (obviously).

 

NEW: Nikki Haley asserts that allowing people to post on social media anonymously is a “national security threat”. She promises that as president, she will force “every person on social media” to be “verified by their name.”

I am no lawyer but isn’t this blatantly… pic.twitter.com/MD7CcBZL5r

— Christina Pushaw (@ChristinaPushaw) November 14, 2023

 

Vivek has also come out quickly to denounce it.

 

.@NikkiHaley is *openly* pushing for the government to use private tech companies to censor speech. This is a flagrant violation of the Constitution and straight out of the Democrats’ playbook. Any politician who thinks it’s OK for the government to use the private sector as its… pic.twitter.com/Cb1847r6CA

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) November 14, 2023

 

Haley has been pushing to get Gov. Chris Sununu’s endorsement, but I don’t think even he can ignore this gaffe. As for her other supporters in New Hampshire and elsewhere, she has put them in a very awkward spot. There is no way to comport Republican principles with this demand. They are incompatible.

So, yeah, I think Nikki is done, and her supporters need to back off before she takes them with her.

 

The post She Didn’t Mean to But Nikki Haley Just Ended Her Campaign for President appeared first on Granite Grok.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced surveillance efforts on Americans. She, through the New York State government, claims a need to target and root out hate speech on social media to create a safer and more just New York State.

• $227 Million for Gun Violence Prevention Programs
• $90 Million to Expand and Implement Discovery and Support Pretrial Services
• $143 Million in Investments for Mental Health Crisis Infrastructure
• $62 Million for Cybersecurity

 

So much for defunding “the police.”

 

Kathy Hochul announced that New York is “collecting data” from “surveillance efforts” on social media

Hochul says the social media analysis unit will contact people who commit “hate speech”

This is to “ensure safety” Even though they got rid of Guiliani’s Stop and Frisk which… pic.twitter.com/QjlPiXfRpz

— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) November 13, 2023

Her spending initiative includes heightened surveillance of New York’s citizens with an emphasis on proactive contact with individuals expressing hate speech online. But if you are being proactive against hate speech, aren’t you anticipating it, prevent it?

We want to thank Marc Abear for this Contribution – Please direct yours to Editor@GraniteGrok.com.
You can review our ‘Op-Ed Guidelines‘ on the FAQ Page.

Some assert this next step raises questions about freedom of speech and privacy.

Why is it appropriate for state governments to be very focused on the data they’re collecting from surveillance efforts? Why do they need warrantless surveillance? What business is it of the state to be monitoring, let alone censoring free speech on social media platforms? How is that productive use of tax money? Do you think New York is alone in such efforts?

Where is hate speech defined? Who among us wants the State government to use police power to counter some perceived negativity? Who among us thinks speech police are appropriate? Incitement to violence is a different thing. It has been defined legally and adjudicated.

There is no right to feel safe.  With the government not securing our borders, sanctuary jurisdictions, most especially, to whine about not feeling safe is beyond the pale. New York does not want you to be safe, but it says it wants to defend you from not feeling safe. It is hypocrisy beyond ignorance.

Communist regimes like New York regularly employ extensive surveillance systems. There was the Stasi in East Germany, the KGB in the Soviet Union, and Mao’s People’s Army in North Korea, Iran, and Cambodia. These are or were states with widespread networks of informants and advanced surveillance techniques.

They are regimes that are about repression, power, and control. They routinely monitor virtually every aspect of daily life… just like New York’s state government now, it seems. It is a feature of the Democrat Party, not an option. You will submit. You will comply. You will own nothing, and you will be happy.

The post Millions Allocated to Spy on Citizens in Search of Hate Speech appeared first on Granite Grok.

Disney’s Marvel Studios has released another awful piece of garbage thinly disguised as female empowerment, and you’d be right to wonder if they are losing money on purpose. Or, is their goal to destroy the Marvel Movie franchise?

I doubt it, but they are afflicted with the social justice disease and big bags of money, and they don’t know anyone who disagrees with them or dares to. The offspring of that sort of arrangement is twaddle that reminds me of something I heard the other day about Joe Biden. There is allegedly a T-shirt out there that says, “I could sh!t a better president.” And while that sounds ‘offal,’ and I’m sure you could, while you are at it, can you move your bowels to produce a better Marvel Universe movie because Disney could use one of those. The early buzz – if you can call it that – it that its latest creation, The Marvels, is … bad.

 

The reason for failure seems obvious — Disney has done everything it can to gut the MCU over the last couple of years and create what online critics call an M-She-U, replacing beloved characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor with female and minority knockoffs which don’t inspire the audience to come out and see the movies.

Couple the diversity castings with writers and directors who don’t seem to understand the superhero genre, and it spells disaster. Disney’s seen a string of failures since critics panned the first Captain Marvel movie. At that point, Marvel’s brand from Avengers: Endgame was strong enough that the film was lifted to more than $1 billion gross anyway, but those days are long behind as moviegoers don’t trust Disney Marvel to produce anything entertaining.

 

The projected 50-60 million dollar opening weekend came and went with only 27.5 million in the kitty. Disney spent ten times that much on production with very little hope now of recovering it, given the slow start, and they only have themselves to blame. Or do they? Some have decided that this lame opening weekend is the fault of men.

 

It’s really interesting to me that it’s all men who very are actively hating on The Marvels.

The movie isn’t perfect (read my review for my thoughts) but it doesn’t deserve the hate many (men) are giving it. pic.twitter.com/DrRkJWeFVn

— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) November 8, 2023

 

Of course, because even men who are not fans of Marvel or superhero stories hate seeing attractive, fit women leaping about in skin-tight costumes on a giant screen. Especially the comic-book fan-boy types. That’s got to be why because those are precisely the sort of people who would come out to see a movie like this.

So. it is their fault. It’s an equity problem. People need to be forced – especially men – to pay inflated prices to watch poorly thought-out garbage because if they don’t, it will be their fault it failed. Disney is not obligated to produce anything valuable, and you should reward that. Did I get that messaging correctly? Should we blame colonialism, genderism (I’m not even sure what that is, and neither is it), and one or more types of privilege?

Hey, we made a movie with a woman of color in it, and that intolerable Brie Larson. Watch it, or you are a racist skeeving man-spreading bastard. And I don’t care if her first name is spelled the same as the pale, slightly grayish-looking cheese. Her real name is Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers, if you must know. And have you considered replacing her with that prancing doofus who wrecked Bud Light? We could marvel at how much better it was with Brie. That has to be worth something.

By the way, I just read that the next Captain America movie screened so badly that it has been pushed out two years for rewrites and reshoots.

Disney Magic appears to have taken on a whole new meaning part of which – and I have to ask – has to include telling what it is exactly that you mean by “men”?

 

 

The post Night Cap: “Disney Magic” Becomes a Curse as Another Movie Flops… appeared first on Granite Grok.

Democrats claim election fraud is a myth. But videos don’t lie. Roll the tapes:

On Nov. 1, Connecticut Judge William Clark overturned the results of the Bridgeport mayoral primary, calling video evidence of potential fraud “shocking.” Wanda Geter-Pataky, the vice chair of the Bridgeport Democratic Town Committee, appears to have been caught on video stuffing handfuls of ballots into a drop box outside City Hall.

On Oct. 25, in Paterson, New Jersey, the sitting president of the City Council, Alex Mendez, was charged with personally collecting large numbers of mail-in ballots in his district, destroying ballots that did not favor him, and replacing them with ballots that falsely chose him. New Jersey’s Attorney General Matthew Platkin states that Mendez “personally observed from his wife’s vehicle as a large, heavy bag, completely filled with ballots, was emptied into the Haledon postal box prior to the election.” (RELATED: BETSY MCCAUGHEY: They’re Not Coming After Trump. They’re Coming After You)

On Nov. 2, in Springfield, Massachusetts, mayoral candidate Justin Hurst was nailed by city election officials for allegedly buying votes during early voting. Videotape shows individuals being dropped off in black Suburbans and Expeditions and entering City Hall to vote. When they exited, a man “takes out what appears to be a large bundle of cash” and peels off a bill for each individual, according to an affidavit by election commissioner Gladys Oyola-Lopez.

In one week, election fraudsters were busted in three major Northeastern cities.

Leftist organizations such as the Brennan Center for Justice and the League of Women Voters claim voter fraud is a “phantom” and “extremely rare.” Don’t buy it. The evidence is all around us.

Cheating is a cakewalk because of accommodations pushed by Democrats, including universal mail-in voting and unmanned drop boxes.

Now is the time to scrutinize the 2023 races and plug the obvious gaps. Cheating should not determine the outcome of the highly consequential 2024 national election.

In Bridgeport’s 2023 mayoral primary, Democratic candidate John Gomes was ahead until he got crushed late in the process when absentee votes favoring incumbent Mayor Joe Ganim were counted.

One Bridgeport pol described the use of absentee ballots there as “an art form.” That “art form” may partially explain how Ganim, who was Bridgeport’s mayor from 1991 to 2003 — before serving seven years in federal prison for racketeering, extortion, filing false tax returns, and other crimes — was able to stage a comeback upon his release from prison and win election in 2015 and 2019. (RELATED: CHAD ENNIS: Mail Ballot Security Is Under Assault)

In Connecticut, Democrats are singing one song: Fraud is “unique to Bridgeport” and isn’t a problem elsewhere. Wrong.

Last year, John Mallozzi, then chairman of the Democratic Party in Stamford, was convicted of forgery and making false statements related to absentee ballots. His ruse was uncovered when a voter named on a fraudulent absentee ballot actually showed up at the polls.

Connecticut Republican legislators are pushing to improve voting security. Rep. Doug Dubitsky, a Republican, says, “this exact same thing could be happening in every single municipality in this state.” But Democrats, who control both houses of the state legislature and all statewide offices, refuse to tighten voting procedures.

That’s not hard to explain. In statewide races, including for governor or president, Republicans historically have been ahead until the absentee ballots in the Democrat-controlled cities in Connecticut are tallied.

Across the nation, Republicans are pressing state legislatures to eliminate drop boxes and bar third parties from collecting huge numbers of completed ballots — a practice called “harvesting.” Republicans also want to use software to match the signature on the mail-in ballot to the signature on the voter registration form.

Democrats almost universally oppose these safeguards, calling them “voter suppression.” “Cheating suppression” is more like it.

Perceptions of unfairness are corrosive. At a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing in June, polls were cited showing 37% of Democratic-leaning voters and 71% of Republican-leaning voters doubt the honesty of elections.

Most European countries require voters to show up in person unless they are out of the country or disabled. These countries tried mail-in voting and eliminated it in the face of widespread fraud.

Americans need to get smart. Convenience shouldn’t take priority over security. Before you board a plane, you have to wait in line while your carry-ons are inspected. It’s inconvenient but worth it.

The same is true for voting. When you turn on the TV on election night to watch the returns, you want to know the results are honest, whether your candidate wins or not.

America has one year to get the job done.

Betsy McCaughey is a former lieutenant governor of New York and chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths. 

 

Betsy McCaughey | Daily Caller

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline, and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

The post Election Fraud Is Real — And It Needs To Be Fixed Before 2024 appeared first on Granite Grok.

Faced with growing American frustration over more than $100 billion spent on a failed proxy war in Ukraine, President Biden’s handlers have hit on a gimmick to convince us that this foreign aid is actually an investment in our own economy!

In his recent television address, Biden explained that as we transfer more weapons to Ukraine, we will then build new weapons at home to replace them. That, explained Biden, means more American jobs and a stronger American economy.

So, “Project Ukraine” is not really about foreign welfare but rather domestic corporate welfare for the military-industrial complex. Should that make us feel any better?

There is no denying that this nearly two-year Ukraine/Russia war has been a boon for the US weapons industry. Profits at the military-industrial complex are back to record highs after a brief slump during the Covid scare. And the money that goes to the weapons manufacturers also saturates Washington, DC: a little of it goes to the think tanks promoting war, another little bit goes to the political campaigns of candidates who promote war, and so on.

As Connor O’Keeffe reminds us in a recent article at the Mises Institute, the arguments that more war spending is good for the economy ignore the “broken window fallacy” as first explained by French economist Frédéric Bastiat in his essay, “That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Not Seen.” In the tale, a shopkeeper has a window broken and must pay to have it replaced. The locals view the mishap favorably, as they see the $50 for a new window to be a benefit to the glazier, which he will then spend, thus improving the economy as a whole. What is not seen, however, is what the shopkeeper might have done with that same $50 had he not been forced to replace a broken window. Perhaps he would have invested it in a way that created far more wealth and more jobs.

Unfortunately, Biden is not alone in coming up with new gimmicks to enable Washington to operate in a “business as usual” manner.

New House Speaker Mike Johnson has also been busy trying to convince us that sending money overseas is actually good for our own economy. Over the weekend, he appeared on Fox News to tell us that sending another $14 billion to the wealthy nation of Israel is Republicans “trying to be good stewards of the taxpayer’s resources.” How is that? Well, he came up with the gimmick that they would cut $14 billion from the IRS and send it to Israel.

Said Johnson, “Instead of printing new dollars or borrowing it from another nation to send over to fulfill our obligations and help our ally, we want to pay for it. What a concept! We are trying to change how Washington works.”

See the trick here? They are not “paying for it” by sending the money overseas, and they are not “changing how Washington works” by doing the exact same thing they always do: stealing from the poor at home to send to the rich in foreign countries.

Instead of trying to trick Americans into thinking that foreign aid and corporate welfare are good for our economy, why not just stop breaking all of our windows? Just end all foreign aid and corporate welfare!

 

Ron Paul | Ron Paul Institute

Copyright © 2023 by RonPaul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.

The post Don’t Worry, It’s Not Foreign Aid…It’s Corporate Welfare! appeared first on Granite Grok.

Vote Republican! Vote Republican! Vote Republican! Yeah, right. I previously posted about how enough DC Republicans joined with the Democrats to reward that domestic terror institution called the FBI with a new $300 million headquarters.

The latest (11/14 – 10 AM) … DC-Republicans help the Democrats prevent the impeachment of Mayorkas. But just keep pretending that open borders are a D vs. R issue.

THREAD:

Here are the EIGHT REPUBLICANS who voted against Biden’s impeachment, as well as the ELEVEN REPUBLICANS who couldn’t bother to vote.

You will be surprised at some of these names.

But it is very important you identify them and challenge them about putting their stamp… pic.twitter.com/W9nZqB2zEY

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) November 14, 2023

The post Nineteen DC-Republicans Help Democrats Prevent Impeachment of Mayorkas appeared first on Granite Grok.

Kudos to Governor Ron and the DeSantis campaign for pushing back on the Ronna National Committee (RNC). The Party tried to prevent presidential candidates from participating in an upcoming round table event in Iowa. The Party said it was a debate, and if they attended, they could be excluded from their debates.

Care of RedState.

 

“It has come to the attention of the RNC Counsel’s Office that several Republican presidential candidates have been invited to participate in an open-press event in Iowa in November at which they would ‘gather around the table to have a moderated, friendly, and open discussion about the issues.’ In other words, a debate,” the RNC counsel’s office said in a letter obtained by CNN.

“Accordingly, please be advised that any Republican presidential candidate who participates in this or other similar events will be deemed to have violated this pledge and will be disqualified from taking part in any future RNC-sanctioned presidential primary debates,” the office said.

 

DeSantis said, isn’t that cute, but I’m going.

 

.@RonDeSantis tells @wrmcduff he will attend the Family Leader Thanksgiving Forum in Iowa despite RNC warnings:

“I think it’s an important part of this process. It’s been a part of this process for a long time. There’s no way that should cause the RNC to penalize any candidate.” pic.twitter.com/kzwSbh2Fd6

— Kit Maher (@KitMaherCNN) November 11, 2023

 

That doesn’t leave the RNC with a lot of wiggle room. Their debates are already losing their audience. VermontGrok’s Rob Roper dropped a piece yesterday suggesting that folks like DeSantis and Haley might be better off if they stopped participating in those. Trump has fared well by refusing to add his ring to that circus. So, it has to be on people’s minds.

What exactly are these Republican Debates doing for me polling-wise?

Not a lot. I haven’t seen anyone move much after these debates except perhaps Vivek, but each debate brings a new version of him, so voters may not know which Ramaswamy they’ll be getting.

And the RNC hasn’t exactly gone out of its way to consistently ensure they have moderators that Republican voters might trust – especially primary voters, who are more tuned in than most of the electorate.

Good on DeSantis for standing up and saying this isn’t a debate and getting the RNC to back down. Now he needs to do something about his Nikki Haley problem, or he’ll be the defacto third-place candidate.

 

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