Editor’s Note: Daily Caller High is a group of young writers cutting their teeth in the world of political punditry. This week, the authors’ reflect on events of the past few days.
Shot to the Foot, Shoe to the Face
by Brandon Kiser
The British government has just shot itself in the foot, and will probably get a shoe to their face to (pun intended) boot. Scotland Yard, which encompasses London’s prolific Metropolitan police, has given in to the sensitivities of the politically correct and Muslims who demanded that their “ritual protest” of throwing shoes at the faces of those they disagree with be considered legal.
Why is an act of violence now legal is Great Britain? According to Judge Dennis of the UK, it’s “a symbolic” political gesture. Sure. Great. Will burning vehicles in the street be next? I’m sure that’s symbolic to someone. What about public hangings? The entire notion is ridiculous.
At what point do we say enough is enough? Being accepting and generous and not discriminating is one thing, but allowing one group of people to get away with an act of violence another group wouldn’t transcends the boundaries of fairness into favoritism.
It doesn’t take a rocket science to figure out that a continuance down such a path will not lead to more fairness or more assimilation but only demand for further concessions. It will not work in the United Kingdom and Americans would be wise to watch and learn from the Brit’s mistake.
So long, Stupak.
by Lyda Loudon
America was shocked by the choices that Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) made about voting for the Obamacare legislation. He and President Obama came to an “agreement” on his vote, which led to it ending up being “yea.” I was outraged. Weren’t we all? But this week, we find that all that happened then was really for the best. Our friend—Congressman Stupak—can now be referred to as Former Congressman Stupak. Indeed, it is a beautiful thing. And just like that, we—the United States of America —we win!
Former Rep. Stupak stated in his fun little “going-away” speech, that he intends to spend more time with his wife, and kids after more then thirty years of “public service.” Don’t get me wrong—I’m all about dads taking some time off to spend time with and enjoy the family. But why is it just not the same when Stupak wants to do it? Maybe because he voted for legislation that could likely lead to federal funding for abortions. There’s a family guy for you! You know, all those fundamental family values he represents.
The good news: he is the eighteenth Democratic Congressman retiring this year, as opposed to the 16 Republican Congressmen retiring this year. Again—we win! He was encouraged not to resign because it could give Republicans a better opportunity to step up to the plate and potentially win that seat. In the words of my hero, Sarah Palin, “you betcha!” We already have several Republicans who have filed to run for his seat. Only now—they won’t have to run against him.
He is retiring. We are winning.
Romney, Paul GOP’s best hopes for 2012?
by Jackie Seal
On Saturday, April 10, the Southern Republican Leadership Conference held in New Orleans announced the results of their straw poll. The field consisted of Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee, Mike Pence, Mitt Romney, Gary Johnson and Tim Pawlenty.
Mitt Romney managed to sneak out the victory with Ron Paul coming in a tight second (only one vote separated the two.) If you remember back to CPAC, Ron Paul ran out with the win there with Romney behind. At SRLC, Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich tied with 18 percent of the vote in 2nd place. Mike Huckabee received 4 percent, Tim Pawlenty and Mike Pence finished with 3 percent.
It’s been made very clear that Ron Paul has a lot of support but the bulk of that is from young college kids who have been attending these conventions in huge numbers. I’m actually surprised Mitt Romney continues to poll so high considering a lot of Republicans and Conservatives are very much against his “RomneyCare” in Massachusetts. “RomneyCare” has potential to kill Romney’s chances in 2012. But, I think a lot of people really like Mitt’s “America is great and we shouldn’t apologize for her” message he’s been sending lately and his business background will always help him.
I’m of the belief that these straw polls, especially this far out mean absolutely nothing. It’s only 2010 and a lot can happen between now and the 2012 elections. Bottom line, in my opinion, people are sick of these familiar faces that keep popping up in straw polls. People are waiting for that dark horse to save the Republican Party. Several names have been tossed around. They range from Senators to Governors and even a few House Representatives. We’ve been hearing names like, Paul Ryan, Mike Pence, Jim DeMint, Mitch Daniels, John Thune and even General David Petraeus. For now, we need to look beyond the cookie cutter candidates the media throws out at us. It’s time to research people on our own.
Stealing From the Middle Class
by Ian Pringle
April 15 is a moment away. If you have not yet filed your tax returns you will in the next few days. The Tea Party movemwnt got its true start on Tax Day 2009, and I expect that Tax Day 2010 will be monumental. There are more than taxes enough to be mad about. In fact it looks like President Obama, despite making a promise to never raise taxes on the middle class, is going to… raise taxes on the middle class.
Last week Paul Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, suggested a value added tax (VAT) as a means of lowering the current deficit. A VAT is a giant umbrella tax that indiscriminately raises the price of all products. Basically the government determines the market value of a product and then charges the seller of that product a certain percent of the market value. Ultimately all charges are passed onto the consumer, and the largest consumer is the middle class.
Furthermore, the VAT is a regressive tax, meaning the less money you make the more it hurts you. I am against any form of discriminatory tax, liberals on the other hand are always squawking about how we need to tax the rich more. This ridiculous tax does the exact opposite!
The VAT is just another reminder (like you needed one) that European ways of doing things are far from the reasonable American ways of doing things.
Brandon Kiser is a Kentucky high school student. He writes as an assistant editor for 73wire.com, blogs at the American Kiser, and can be found on Twitter @BrandonKiser. Jackie Seal is a high school senior who blogs at Red, White and Conservative and can be found on Twitter at @JackieSeal. Ian Pringle is an 18-year-old conservative. He blogs at 17 Pages and can be found on Twitter as @Pard68. Lyda Loudon is a 14-year-old conservative. She writes for Big Journalism, and co-founded both The Future Speaks, and the Tea Party Youth.