THE MOST POWERFUL ELECTED OFFICIAL?

Copyright. "The Thought Spigot"

http://thethoughtspigot.com/

In November, Barack Obama was elected President of the United States. Throughout his stump speeches, the primary debates, constant media attention, and finally thru the inauguration Obama was to change the United States Government for the better, promising Hope, Change and radical differences "from the past eight years" (of President Bush). Close to two month into his Presidency, Barack Obama is not the most powerful person in the United States (much less, considered to be in the most powerful position in the world). If Obama, the first African-American (actually bi-racial) President is not the most powerful elected person on The Hill, who is?

The answer to the question is not a simple one, but it is not blatantly behind closed doors either (as Democrats thought Dick Cheney was shot calling, in the Bush White House). Joe Biden, Harry Reid, and Hillary Clinton are all at the behest of President Obama, so they are not in the running. Your answer, the most powerful elected official, in the United States, is Nancy Pelosi (by a wide margin) and she knows it. Pelosi has been the elected congresswoman, of California's eighth district, since 1987. She has shrewdly clawed, used calculated risks and has been a staunchly partisan to become the Speaker of the House. No vote will come before the House of Representatives, unless it comes before and is approved by Nancy Pelosi (She will not have a vote on off shore drilling, clean coal, or nuclear power. Passing a $1.4-1.8 trillion "stimulus bill" without one Republican vote. She will not "give an inch" on the government's spending/Omnibus Bill, without certain things in the bill. The list goes on and on.)

Barack Obama has no control over Ms. Pelosi, as she is ramming her radical far left agenda onto all the American people, day by day. She has been accused of using campaign contributions and donor monies, for personal use and family use, but there will be no ethics investigation. Even the Air Force is scared of Pelosi, as she has consistently had words with them, over her using a $60 million jet for all kinds of uses (not just business and with family members, on board). "You do not want to have Ms. Pelosi upset at you, so make sure and have the jet ready," a steady stream of serviceman have said. Yet, she balks at her own usage, while condemning American's "carbon footprint." In addition, Pelosi is pro-illegal immigration, pro-big government (obviously), pro-big business (see the donor list, for 2008 below), and she is completely unapologetic, willing to work across the aisle, and has manufactured several closed door meeting (locking out all republicans and certain democrats), including meetings for the "Stimulus, Omnibus, and Obama's Budget."

All of the above, flies in the face of promises Barack Obama made on the campaign trail, to the American people: "I will have all bills up, on the White House web site, for 48 hours before they are passed," "I will have the most transparent office, in American history" and Obama also stated, "I want transparency and accountability, so Americans can be a part of their own government." However, Barack Obama seems to have virtually no power (other than veto power, which he will never do, while building the "new America") over Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Congress. Nancy Pelosi is one smart woman, as she has insulated herself from the public, very little ever leaks out of her inner circle to the press (not that they would report it anyway), and she is now the strongest elected official in America. If Barack Obama does not reign the congresswoman's actions in, now, he will continue to lose the support of the American people, but if he does put a stop to her outlandish rhetoric and actions, he will also be tarred and feathered, by the far left media and radical left outlets.

Nancy Pelosi raised $1.3 million from big business and special interest groups. For a complete list of who donated and how much, click on/go to (http://opensecrets.org/):

Obama, Who Is Leading, & Why Americans Must Act

Copyright. "The Thought Spigot"

http://thethoughtspigot.com/

President Obama has an approval rating of 63%-66%, depending on the poll. However, Congress is still hovering around the 18-23% approval rating. As a rule, most people do not trust the people on Capitol Hill, but they do trust the President, as of now. However, President Obama is divided into two different people since taking the highest office in the land, the man who made promises on the campaign trail and the man who is the President of the United States.

On the campaign trail, Obama stated he would "reign in spending." As President, his proposed bills and budget, total anywhere from $3.6-4.3 trillion (which would send the deficit to the $9-11 Trillion range). As a candidate, Mr. Obama said, "He would do everything in his power to have a bi-partisan cabinet and bi-partisan support, on 'The Hill'." President Obama has not done anything bi-partisan (aside from keeping Gen. Gates and some hold overs). In fact, President Obama is actually an undefined President. Some say he is Socialist, Quasi-Socialist, the most liberal President ever, and countless other labels. Really the pundits and mainstream media has no idea where Obama is leading the country, or how to label the man. One thing is for sure, President Obama is doing things free wheeling and fast, for the economy, health care, housing, with the defense budget, and so on.

The people of America need not worry about labels, partisan Republican/Democrat pundit attacks, Rush Limbaugh, or the things which will not effect them, or the country. Americans must pay attention to the reasons why things are being done, so fast and without oversight. Barack Obama has made a bevy of decisions, but the majority has open ended and non-specific means. He is doing this before his approval rating drops down, the American people start to mobilize, and to ensure the Democratic agenda (see: Obama's "Cap & Trade Policy", "Ambiguous Health Care," and the trillions of dollars heading out the door, on China's credit). President Obama is one of the best speakers of all time, period. He rarily makes mistakes, reads everything off of a teleprompter and does not do interviews (where the questions are not asked ahead of time). Therefore, Americans must look at the people around the President: Robert Gibbs (press secretary), Nancy Pelosi (Head of the Congress), Harry Reid (Head of Senate), and the countless other people (who are in the know), governors, senators being interviews on cable news, the Net, or anywhere reputable interviewers/writers/speakers have these people talking, for the President.

The American people, as a whole, think Obama will be closing GITMO. However, the President has stated he wants GITMO to be closed, within twelve to eighteen months, but leaves room to leave it open indefinitely (if there is not a country to take a detainee, a prison in America to take them, or if it would give detainees American court rights). Something with far more teeth, effecting all Americans, is how President Obama is handling the economy. Instead of having professional economists and statisticians, from across the political spectrum (as promised), President Obama allowed Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Congress to carve and sculpt an economic "all or nothing" approach, behind closed doors, totaling $1.2-1.8 trillion (just for the stimulus package). Although, the health care sector of the bill is open ended (with wording such as, $5.5 million for women's health care). There are very few, besides Harry Reid's $8 billion train, from California to his state of Nevada (Las Vegas).

President Obama, in his first three weeks, said "the stimulus bill must be done, on my desk, and ready to be signed by President's Day." The bill was done (with no republican votes and 13 no votes from democrats, in Congress, and only three Republican votes in the Senate, far from bi-partisan), by Valentine's Day (which was on a Friday), but President Obama had flown to Chicago, to spend the holiday with his family. Even then, he did not come back to Washington, the following Monday (President's Day), but flew to Colorado for a photo op., at a solar panel factory, to sign the bill. Now, President Obama is focused on Stem Cell Research, voiding both President Clinton and President Bush, allowing public financing and science into the stem cell markets. Obama said the new law would not be a license to clone, and cloning was not going to be an option. The President failed to mention (another half truth/lie) is scientists can clone an embryo, allowing it to grow, in order to harvest organs, speed up science and to more accurately manufacture drugs. Maybe, President Obama meant he was against cloning a person "AND" allowing him/her to grow up to be an adult, or against creating a race free of disease, brown eyes, or something else altogether? How do you know? You do not know, because he came out later and said, "If there comes a time, or a situation where one is to error on the side of science of ethics, I will side with science," and continued to duck the cloning situation by saying, "if that situation comes up, CONGRESS, will have to decide what will happen."

In this time, where "Obama fan" Warren Buffet, stated, "The American economy has gone off a cliff," countless Americans are out of work (8.1% unemployment rate) and those who trusted the government has lost close to half of their retirement funds (DOW at 6500+), the President should be out front. He should be carving out the plan for America, not Congress, but the Commander in Chief. People on "The Hill" cannot even get along in their own party, as democrats were heard insulting and using foul language at each other (http://politico.com/), over not getting the Omnibus Bill and other spending in writing. Nancy Pelosi came out and stated publicly, she would not be giving an inch on sections of the bill. Is this the government President Obama is comfortable with? Who is actually running Washington and our country?

Since there is no clear definition and an actual background (to the one term national, two term state senator, and community organizer) to point to, the American people have to realize this one thing: "Hope and Change" does not come from one person, one President, and/or the politicians on Capitol Hill. Hope, and change comes from within individuals, Americans who study, learn, and then act against/for what they believe in, to make America a great country. Every American should take fifteen to thirty minutes, a day, to look at different sites, newspapers, and/or anything they can get their hands on (with opposing views), to educate themselves and act.

The "Prosperity Faith"/Joel Olsteen Sucking Americans Dry

Copyright. "The Thought Spigot"

http://thethoughtspigot.com/

The current state of America's whole economic system in a free fall, there are countless items to discuss, people who claim to be "experts" and then there are those who are claiming to be the person's in the know, on theological and spiritual matters. As the Obama Administration is in charge and has more time to figure out and try to save the economy (people's whole lives), some of these "Evangelical Christians" are actually making a mockery of Christ, "The Bible" and are using Christianity to take advantage of Americans, monetarily. The "Word of Faith" movement and preachers/ministers are twisting the Gospel, for personal gain. (Paula White, Crefloe & Taffi Dollar, Benny Hinn, Rod Parsley, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer, John Hagee, and "super stars of the word of faith movement, Joel Olsteen, Marcus & Joni Lamb, and T.D. Jakes).

As teaches, preachers, ministers, and other leaders of true Christian's, are teaching sound Biblical Principles (Hank Hanegraaff, Dr. David Jeremiah, Dr. D. James Kennedy, Charles Stanley, Lee Strobel, Fr.. John Corapi, and the late Billy Graham, to name a handful). However, they are far outnumbered, by the heretical and false teachings of the "Word of Faith Movement," on the public and cable air waves. The desperate times Americans are in and most every American has been touched by (in one way, or another), both economically and philosophically (thru outlandish American Pop Culture), leads some to look for answers and questioned faith. The basic staple of the "Prosperity/Word of Faith" movement/teachings is the following: Faith is the tool, while words/deeds are what enable the tool. Simply, the "prosperity movement" teaches, one achieves both monetary and health "rewards" thru their faith in God. Flying in the face of actual Christian Doctrine, these "Big Tent Money Suckers" are teaching people can heal themselves thru faith, are not necessarily in need of doctors, are to "expect" monetary gains the more faith in God, they have (usually resulting in an action of giving money to their ministries, thru drives, "Sharathons" and other money drives, on TBN, Angel, and DayStar TV channels, plus radio ministries).

Of course, the words above may ring hollow (with those who follow these heretics and false prophets), so here are a few examples. Some examples are a year, or so old, while others have aired on "DayStar's Sharathon" in the last couple days:

1. Crefloe Dollar, Joyce Meyer, and Rod Parsley (though all of the above, have preached this in one form, or another): "Cats beget (pause for the audience, who says) cats, dogs beget dogs, cattle beget cattle, so the Godhead produces......Gods, with a little "g". Yet, I am not saying we are "God", but I am saying we are created in the image of God, and therefore God cannot act, without us allowing Him to."

2. Joel Olsteen: " Jesus on the cross, battled Satan for three days, in Hell for the "Keys to Heaven." Yet, still blood (deeds, works, actions thru faith) still needs to be shed.

3. The majority, if not all, of the above "Word of Faith/Prosperity Teachers" have all used this logic/statement, in order for money to be sent to their respective ministries: "The story of the sewer" (Word of Faith Style) "God can't act and enable things on earth and with people. Hence, people must speak God into existence, in our lives, thru faith (deeds/works/money/tithes).

4. Marcus & Joni Lamb: "God spoke to me and said there would be 12 $5,000 gifts/givers, tonight, for a bigger plan to take place. So, let's look at the board (11 of the 12 numbers were circled in red pen, leaving one more $5,000 tithe left, for someone to give). We are circling these in red, symbolic of the blood of Jesus. The Lord said there would be "at least" twelve significant gifts, of $5,000, or more tonight. Listen to this, what the scripture says, "Isaiah 40: V. 9" O' Zion, that bringeth good tidings, get the up into the high mountain, o Jeruselem. That bringeth good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid, say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God.......That is what you are helping Joni, Me, and Daystar to do, as nobody has ever owned there own TV studio in Jereselem."

5. Marcus & Joni Lamb, on the DayStar Channel: "This Olive Oil is so special, not from California, or some other common place, this extra virgin olive oil is from the land of the Bible. You can cook with it, eat with it, you can use it to anoint your children with it. Think about in the late hour, when (your children) have a headache, a fever, or just can't go to sleep, you can just take a little bit of that oil and touch them on the forehead. The Bible says that you take the oil, in the name of the Lord, the "Prayer of Faith" shall raise them up. So, this is just so special, I just almost can't keep my composure." (Marcus Lamb was asking for, "as much money as you can send," in order for a tree to be planted, in the donators name).

Obviously, these are just five examples, but they are all examples used over and over again, by the "Word of Faith/Prosperity False prophets." The words, gifts given, books written and their whole ministries are built on people swallowing this whole, without checking their Bible, or cross referencing. People do not speak God into action, period. People are to pray for what they "need," not what they "want/wish for" and no amount of giving will change what God has put forth in His Holy Word, "The Bible." Joel Olsteen's "Christian Light" message, teaching of an "all inclusive outreach" ("60 Minutes"), where Olsteen's God, is absolutely fine with Islamic/Muslim's teaching of the Bible, homosexual marriage, and countless other sermons on "giving to get," are nothing short of blasphemy. Bishop T. D. Jakes, who "Time Magazine" claimed to be the next Billy Graham, is also from the old school Florida Ministers (like Hagee, Hinn, Copeland, and others), something Billy Graham would never have stood for.

The bottom line is God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit (the Trinity, in Christian circles) does not require gifts, large amounts of cash and items to be given to ministries, or actual speaking "God into existence." Rather, all God requires, is what is stated in the "Gospels" (John 3:16), "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that those who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Along with this passage, when a Christian chooses to believe, can/will cultivate a personal and intimate relationship with Christ, Himself. Those who are teaching any other warped and self-serving version of God's Holy Word, is bordering on heretical teaching and nothing less than blasphemy. All a person can do, when searching for the true and unchanging world of God, is crack open a Bible and read cross check the teachers/ministers/pastors/priests, yourself.

Feel free to look at some of these cross checking sites and teachers:
1. Hank Hanegraaff: Christian Research Institute http://cri.org/
2. Dr. David Jeremiah http://davidjeremiah.org/ or http://oneplace.com/
3. Dr. Charles Stanley http://intouch.org/
4. Lee Strobel http://leestrobel.com/

The President Obama Breakdown

Copyright, "From The Thought Spigot"

http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

Another week has passed by, and President Obama has optioned out his "Omnibus Bill," "Stimulus package," "TARP I & TARP II," a new Health Secretary (Kathy Subelius), a new Deputy Secretary General (David Ogden) and new budget for the United States. Most people either do not care, do not know, or are to busy to altogether get the results and really dig into what is happening to the government and the United States of America (see: "American's are hearing, but not listening" blog, for more information, at http://thethoughtspigot.com/ ).

Fiscally, the Obama Presidency is doing exactly, 100% to the letter, what he promised he would do, bringing change and building a bigger government (rather than tax cuts and "Reagan type" fixes). There is no surprises (at present), coming from the most liberal senator (countless sources), who is now President of the United States. However, there are some things needing to be spelled out, because most people can't read/do not have the time to read an 1100+ paper (the "Stimulus Package"), or the new "Omnibus Bill" (some 800+ pages), and the budget (which is smaller, but not 100% privied to the public). They also do not know a much about the two people, recently elected to President Obama's cabinet (what they believe, have said, and their politics). Here is a brief (maybe not so brief, but bullet points) summary on these new topics, for those who do not read, research, "have time" and need a break down of it all.

"The Stimulus Bill": $820 billion-$1.4 Trillion (depending on the source)
"The Omnibus Bill": $410 billion
"TARP I & TARP II": Not able to figure exactly, because TARP II is not instituted (roughly $600-$800 billion)
"The Obama Budget": $360-410 Trillion (depending)

1. This is more money spent, than any other human in the world, in 10 days.
2. If a person was to spend $1 million, a DAY, since 1 A.D. to Today, the government/Obama Administration would not have spent all the money, they have just allotted to spend, over the next 4 years.
3. Around 65-70% of the "Stimulus Bill's" money will not be spent, or take effect, until 2010 (which is, by independent/non-partisan watch dog groups estimate, the U. S. will be out of the recession. IF President. Obama's plan works at all.)
4. 13 FDIC Banks have closed have closed, since President Obama took office.

"Kathleen Subelious"--
1. Kansas declared (as California), they would need a government "bail out/Stimulus for the state" (If she can not run a budget for a state, successfully, how can she be responsible for $600-850 billion?)
2. If Governor Subelious was the best choice for the job, why was she the second pick? (Obviously, Tom Daschle's tax problems were a problem and he resigned his nomination, but she was not the first pick, anyway. Why?)
3. Refused to continue the investigation against Dr. Tiller (see Tiller "the Baby Killer"), for performing

"David Ogden"
1. Ogden was quoted as saying women who have abortions are ”more likely to experience feelings of relief and happiness” than women who have or adopt children.
2. Ogden also referred to the right of abortion as “fundamental”, while filing an amicus brief against parental notification of abortions for children younger than 14.
3. Ogden served as counsel “People for the American Way”, who sued for the right to have federal funds to perform abortions.
4. Ogden wrote an amicus brief on behalf of physician assisted suicide.
5. Ogden wrote an amicus brief against the Children’s Internet Protection Act - forcing libraries to allow access to pornography on computers used by children.
6. Ogden sued to overturn the law that forced pornographers to verify that their “actors” were of legal age.
7. Ogden sued the federal government on behalf of Playboy in an attempt to force the federal government to fund braille translations of Playboy.
8. Ogden wrote an amicus brief in the disastrous Lawrence v. Texas case that overturned Texas sodomy laws, and another in a case suing to allow gays to openly serve in the military.

Needless to say, President Obama has done and said very eloquently what he meant to do, from the primaries to date. However, were the American people blinded by the "fast chance to change things", by using a one term senator? If Obama's plans, for the country, fiscally and with his cabinet go wrong, what will America look like afterwards? Finally, how long of a rope will the American people give President Barack Obama, before they start walking down the street ("Frankenstein Style"), with torches, pitch forks and old time tools? Only time will tell, but one has to wonder.

Tourny Time, Final 4, & How To Win It All

Copyrighted From, "The Thought Spigot"
http://thethoughtspigot.com/

Conference and the NCAA Championship Tournaments are just around the corner. Teams like Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, and a handful of others are always guaranteed a spot at the table, usually in the final four. Few teams have the wear-with-all to constantly become players on the main stage (deep into the tourny, or the Final Four), but more and more there is a new breed of "Bubble Teams," in today's college basketball. The days of UCLA's dynasty of championships is over, in the era of "one and done" ball. Players are forced to go to school (unlike Lebron, Garnett, Kobe, etc..etc...), whether they like it, or not. This has caused a major change in the game, recruiting and definitely in the NCAA Tournament. Only six #1 ranked teams have ever won the "Big Dance," thru the rigors of "March Madness" and Senior laden teams (Pitt '07, George Mason '06, Illinois '05, St. Joe's '04) are going farther into the tourny every year. The once "underdogs" of the game, like Valparaiso, Gonzaga, Davidson, and Butler's, of the college basketball world, are no longer sneaking up on anyone and continue to look stronger, each year (Although, they are not stronger, it is just the talent pool is leaving colleges faster). However, the month of march is still filled with just as much madness, as ever. There are three things colleges need to make it to the tournament, advance deep, and possibly win the whole ball of wax.

The first thing is a brilliant coach (Coach K, Roy Williams, Bill Self, J. Boeheim, to name a few). A coach who is able to bring kids together who are seniors, freshmen, going to the NBA, and those who are not. Cohesion/"gelling" at the correct time is essential. A team not playing together, is not a team, at all. Great coaches take the concept to the next level, making a team playing like a team, play like one player (almost). Plays run effortlessly, defense is suffocating, and the players on the benches know their roles and embrace the bench, as if they were playing on the floor. Few coaches ever achieve this kind of team, much less, repeat the process year in and year out. They are priceless to the university, their players, to the game, and they usually head to the hall of fame.

Next, constant tournament teams and some of the greatest teams have a magnificent point guard/guard. Whether the teams are today, or are teams of the past, these floor generals score, pass, play huge amounts of minutes, and always play defense. They can take over a game, if need be, but they are the metronome of the whole game. In a five game tournament, they must keep the other players in line, calm, and expressly are an extension of the coach himself, but are on the floor. These great guards (Isaiah Thomas, David Rivers, Bobby Hurley, Ty Lawson, Sharon Collins, etc..etc..) had all of those/these qualities, making them unforgettable and indispensable, at the same time.

The last piece to the puzzle has to be one strong and dominate big man. His presence inside the paint, both offensively and defensively, are so imposing he owns both sections of paint. His footwork, on both ends, allows him to block/alter all shots around him, score anytime he has position (which is often) and is generally unstoppable in all fazes of the game. He is a leader and does not fluster, no matter how much pounding he takes. As with the guard, a tourny bound team/elite team must have, the centers/forwards from the past and future (Russell, Chamberlain, Walton, Manning, Duncan, Hansborough, Thabeet, etc...etc..), all had these features. They play, as if they are possessed, fearless, and/or have hammer their will on the opposition.

A coach, dominate big man, and a great floor general is the only way teams make it to the tournament. This year is a prime example, Notre Dame has a great team on paper (once ranked in the top 10), a "good coach," guard (McAlarney) and big man (Harringody), but they have not gelled, not playing as a team, and they are now faced with having to win the Big East Tournament, to have a chance to go the "Big Dance." However, other teams who are not/will not have any problems making the conference tourny, much less "The Big Dance," are pretty easy to see: Duke, Missouri, UCONN, Florida State, UNC, Kansas, Louisville, Gonzaga, even Butler already clinched a spot, as conference champs. However, look for these teams to be the ones to beat, come "March Madness Tourny" time and the two players (a big time guard and inside player): Oklahoma ((T. Griffin/Blake Griffin), UNC (Ty Lawson/Hansborough), UCONN (Miller/Thabeet), KU (Collins/Aldridge), Texas (Pittman/Abrams). This handful of teams has all three parts, and should be a dominate force, when everything counts and teams play in a one and done atmosphere. In a five game tournament, for the national title, several teams can enter and play, but very few can win consistently.