Is Trump, Cruz, or Kasich best for Utah, Arizona, and American Samoa?

Mitt Romney has made the decision to vote in the UT Caucus for Ted Cruz in order to stop Donald Trump. That is the right decision for the wrong reason. We don't want to stop Trump - we want to stop Romney, Kasich, and the rest of the Republican elite who, along with the Democrats, have taken over the country and handed it to Special Interests. We want the country to come back to the people - the sovereigns of this land.

Who are the “outsiders” that support Donald Trump and Ted Cruz? We are hard working Americans who don't suck up to anyone and live our lives independent of those who kowtow to others for personal gain. We love our country and our families - we work and sacrifice for them - not like people who bow to others and take their bribes to gain an advantage for themselves. We expect the government to protect our Constitution and way of Liberty - not for those in government to increase power, influence, and reward to themselves, and then impose themselves on us - we see their economic oppression and the taking of our land and Liberty.

Most of us like the Donald because he is like us - he works hard - has enjoyed success at what he does - is not a government laky - tells it the way he sees it - doesn't take crap from anyone - is confident in his own abilities - loves his family and his country - loves his Liberty - and builds things that last.

Because Ted Cruz is highly intellectual, professionally accomplished, and a Senator, many of us want to accept the labels Trump puts on him. But when we look closer we see he has a proven record of governance in exactly the way we expect it to be. As a lawyer he defended our Constitutional way of life successfully nine times before the Supreme Court. He went to Washington as a Senator for Texas and stood up to represent them - not the “elite suck-up crowd” that feeds off the “donor class” and represents the donors rather than us folks back home. The “Republican establishment” hates him - a great endorsement for Cruz! No one questions this history. It is well-established. It is well known. As Rush Limbaugh says, he is the only true conservative in the field.

As “Outsiders” fed up with Washington and the corrupting of our Representatives, we have just two choices for President: Ted Cruz and Donald Trump. Sadly Dr. Carson is out of the race. The Republican “establishment”, as illustrated by Romney’s recent speech against Trump, is unwilling to endorse Cruz. Romney’s vote for Cruz is a vote designed to stop Trump - not endorse Cruz. The establishment wants to prevent Trump from winning the 1,237 delegates before the Convention and they see Cruz as the best spoiler. So, if you are against the establishment, DO NOT FOLLOW ROMNEY’S COUNSEL TO VOTE FOR CRUZ TO STOP TRUMP - VOTE FOR CRUZ TO WIN THE 1,237 DELEGATES!

Ted Cruz won his home State of Texas easily. Obviously Texan’s are happy with him. Compare this with Florida where Trump soundly beat Floridian Marco Rubio. Cruz is the only real competitor to Donald Trump with 425 delegates to Trump’s 696. We love Trump and if he gets the nomination we will be all in for him; however, we feel more secure in getting Cruz nominated because of his established record of Constitutional governance. We want “Trump only” supporters to consider Cruz as the better choice. We want Rubio and Kasich supporters to switch to Cruz. This will be especially effective in the Arizona Primary and Utah Caucus which are open to Republicans only and which are “winner takes all delegates” States (assuming the winner in Utah gets more than 50% of the vote). American Samoa has an open Convention and delegates are awarded proportionately.

Cruz has clearly stood up against the Washington establishment and Special-Interest as a Texas Senator in Washington. We saw this again where he opposed the ethanol subsidy benefiting Iowa WHILE IN THE IOWA CAMPAIGN! The Iowa Governor came out hard against him but Cruz held true to Constitutional principles and won the Iowa Caucus. Trump pandered to Iowans by favoring the subsidy and lost! This tells us a lot about both candidates and puts Cruz on top for us. Trump may make good deals, but we don't think they will all be based on the principles of Liberty and limited government as expressed in our Constitution. 

Having a Constitutionalist for President will be even more critical if Obama succeeds in getting another liberal onto the Supreme Court to replace conservative Antonin Scalia. The clearest choice for holding the Constitutional line and for nominating strong Constitutionalists for the Supreme Court is Ted Cruz.

The Donald, by his own admission, was a participant in Washington corruption - he played the game! Can we trust him now? Why should we risk that when we have a proven Constitutionalist in Cruz? Trump has certainly tapped into our anger, but is the National Review correct that he is not a conservative and perhaps a liberal in sheep's clothing? Is Jimmy Carter correct that Trump is “… completely malleable (and) … he has (no) fixed opinions that he would really go to the White House and fight for”? As CNN reported, “By contrast, Mr. Carter said, ‘Ted Cruz is not malleable. He has far right-wing policies, in my opinion, that would be pursued aggressively if and when he would become president.’” - a great endorsement for Ted Cruz!

Rush Limbaugh refuses to endorse in Primary elections, but it is clear that he considers Ted Cruz the only true Conservative in the race. The best anti-establishment and conservative choice is Ted Cruz and he will crush any Democrat in a debate. Trump has dropped out of the Republican debates because he fears Cruz will further expose him as more liberal than conservative.

In Trump’s manipulation of the mainstream media and his political incorrectness we say “Go Trump - Go!” But is he doing the same thing to us and will he govern as he claims? We find ourselves laughing at how he plays the elitist mainstream media, but it also cautions us that he is playing us just as any populist politician would. We know he is a highly successful builder, so we assume that he will run the country well, but will he also manipulate the Constitution to his benefit?

Political corruption is our greatest concern and Trump was a participant - he doesn't deny it - can we expect him to be clean as President? We see the Donald’s donations to Liberals and support of Liberal objectives. He says he has converted - like Ronald Reagan did. But we got to see and watch Reagan the Conservative long before he ran for President. We KNOW Cruz is a Conservative - we have seen him in action. We do not KNOW Donald is - we can only hope he is genuine and we are not in favor of more “hope and change” - we want a return to Constitutional governance.

Trump is not a Constitutional expert like Cruz. He is more like a regular guy who knows it has worked for America and for him, and he supports it. The fact that his tax plan is contrary to the 14th Amendment’s requirement for equality under the law he probably has not considered - most candidates (except Cruz and Carson) have not. 

Cruz has PROVEN he is a Constitutionalist. Trump says he is (now). We need to strengthen Cruz before the Republican Convention. Remember it was Cruz who stopped the Gang of Eight by exposing their bill’s path to citizenship for illegals. We want Cruz because he is the most principled Constitutionalist in the race and it is a return to Constitutional government that will free the economy and the West from Federal overreach. We agree with Rush Limbaugh that Ted Cruz is the only choice for an anti-establishment conservative. It is Cruz who has the proven record of stopping amnesty for illegal immigrants and standing up against Federal control of public lands in the West http://www.politifact.com/nevada/statements/2016/feb/23/ted-cruz/ted-cruz-attacks-donald-trump-wanting-leave-public/ . It was Cruz who stood up against the ethanol subsidy in Iowa, and it is Cruz who will stand up against the establishment at the Convention. It is Trump who will make a deal with them and likely abandon us.

Vote for Liberty, our public lands, and the Constitution - vote for Cruz! 

Kiwi

Cruz and Trump, Cruz and Trump, Cruz and Trump!

“Outsiders” fed up with Washington and the corrupting of our Representatives, have just three choices left for President: Cruz, Trump, and Sanders. Sadly Dr. Carson is out of the race. As a declared Socialist, Sanders will turn us into another Venezuela by spending us into oblivion and shrinking the economy and jobs - no thanks! Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are the viable options. Trump is calling for Rubio and Kasich to drop out so that he and Ted Cruz can fight it out to the Convention. That would work for me - it would get the insiders out - but I think it unlikely because the Republican “establishment”, as illustrated by Romney’s recent speech against Trump, are unwilling to endorse Cruz - they want Kasich and Rubio to remain in the race to force a brokered Convention where they can exercise their control. DO NOT FOLLOW ROMNEY’S COUNSEL TO VOTE FOR CRUZ, RUBIO, OR KASICH. If you are against Trump, vote Cruz.

Trump won Super Tuesday but not as decisively as expected. Ted Cruz won his home State of Texas easily as well as Oklahoma and Alaska. Obviously Texan’s are happy with Ted Cruz. Compare this with Florida where Trump is beating Floridian Marco Rubio by double digits in the polls - which so far have been accurate. By also winning Kansas and Maine on Saturday, Cruz is the only real competitor to Donald Trump with 300 delegates to Trumps 384. 

Cruz has clearly stood up against the Washington establishment and Special-Interest as a Texas Senator in Washington. We saw this again where he opposed the ethanol subsidy benefiting Iowa WHILE IN THE IOWA CAMPAIGN! The Iowa Governor came out hard against him but Cruz held true to Constitutional principles and won the Iowa Caucus. Trump pandered to Iowans by favoring the subsidy and lost! This tells us a lot about both candidates and puts Cruz on top for me. Trump may make good deals, but I don't think they will all be based on the principles of Liberty and limited government as expressed in our Constitution. 

Ted Cruz has also proven his Constitutionalist qualifications as a lawyer who successfully argued nine cases before the Supreme Court defending our Bill of Rights. As a Senator from Texas he defied the corrupted Senate and stood on Constitutional principles. No one questions this history. It is well-established. It is well known. As Rush Limbaugh says, he is the only true conservative in the field. 

Having a Constitutionalist for President will be even more critical if Obama succeeds in getting another liberal onto the Supreme Court to replace conservative Antonin Scalia - God rest his soul and comfort his family. The clearest choice for holding the Constitutional line and for nominating strong Constitutionalists for the Supreme Court is Ted Cruz.

So why is Trump getting so much support? In New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, many of the Super Tuesday States, and in Kentucky and Louisiana, more conservatives went for Trump than for Cruz, but folks, Cruz is the strongest Constitutionalist we have! The Donald, by his own admission, was a participant in Washington corruption - he played the game! Can we trust him now? Why should we risk that when we have a proven Constitutionalist in Cruz? Trump has certainly tapped into our anger, but is the National Review correct that he is not a conservative and perhaps a liberal in sheep's clothing? Is Jimmy Carter correct that Trump is “… completely malleable (and) … he has (no) fixed opinions that he would really go to the White House and fight for”? As CNN reported, “By contrast, Mr. Carter said, ‘Ted Cruz is not malleable. He has far right-wing policies, in my opinion, that would be pursued aggressively if and when he would become president.’” - a great endorsement for Ted Cruz.

I read Donald Trump’s book Crippled America, How to Make America Great Again, and found it very interesting. He does talk about the importance of the Constitution and he identifies the problems of a dictator-in-chief who governs by Executive Orders, and the Judicial branch legislating from the bench. 

I suspect many of you have not read Trump's book. I noted in an earlier blog that I consider his tax plan to be unconstitutional. I agree with Dr Carson and Ted Cruz that any tax plan that has different rates of taxation for different citizens is in violation of the 14th Amendment requirement for equality under the law. Apart from that objection are there other indications Trump will not follow the Constitution? 

Here are some quotes from his book. He says he will uphold the Constitution and cripple Special-Interests. But will he? Has he in the past?

1. His “Angry Trump” book cover reflects the mood of most Americans:

“I wanted a picture where I wasn't happy, a picture that reflected the anger and unhappiness that I feel … we are not in a joyous situation … we have to go back to work to make America great again. All of us.”

All Conservatives can agree with this sentiment.

2. Trump teaches us how he plays the Media to his benefit. This explained a lot for me, and why I find myself laughing at how Trump plays the elitist mainstream media, but it also cautions me that he is playing us just as any populist politician would:

“I use the media the way the media uses me - to attract attention. Once I have that attention, it's up to me to use it to my advantage ... to inspire people to think that our country can get better and be great again and that we can turn things around ... I have a mutually profitable two-way relationship with the media - we give each other what we need. And now I am using that relationship to talk about the future of America.”

“Begging for attention really sums up the problem we face in this country with our media. There is such a competition that they're more interested in entertaining their audience then educating them. They like me because I help them attract more viewers. They hate me because they know I don't need them. (Is this the point he reinforced by dumping a Fox debate?) I learned a long time ago how to talk directly to the people who matter - to regular Americans who are fed up with the career politicians.”

"I always draw a large crowd of journalists who are like sharks, hoping I'll put some blood in the water.”

   I try to oblige.”

In his manipulation of the mainstream media and his political incorrectness I say “Go Trump - Go!” But is he doing the same thing to us and will he govern as he claims? We know he is a highly successful builder, so I assume that he will run the country well. But will he also manipulate the Constitution to his benefit?

3. The Constitution. Trump is not a Constitutional expert like Cruz. He is more like a regular guy who knows it has worked for America and for him, and he supports it. The fact that his tax plan is contrary to the 14th Amendment’s requirement for equality under the law he probably has not considered - most candidates (except Cruz and Carson) have not. He is concerned about judicial and presidential dictatorship and the influence of Special-Interest:

“… our lawyers and judges … have been stepping all over the US Constitution, the bulwark of our democracy. They have recklessly appointed themselves to be policy makers, because our actual elected officials are paralyzed by partisanship.”

“I support a tight interpretation of the Constitution, which means judges should stick to precedent and not write social policy.”

“We need to appoint justices - not just on the Supreme Court, but throughout the entire federal system - who will leave lawmaking to the legislators, as specified in the Constitution.”

“The Supreme Court has decided in their infinite wisdom to fill a breach (of leadership) by making social policy rather than defending our most precious historic assets, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”

   We have three branches of government, but the trunk of that tree is rotting away.” 

“The free market works - it just needs leadership, not dictatorship. Our government needs to employ a strong adherence to the Constitution ….”

"We need leadership in the White House that will keep government functioning while getting the feds out of all the areas where they don't belong. If the government is properly sized and properly focused we won't need to go from crisis to crisis.”

I think he likes the Constitution in general but will he honor it in specifics after he swears to defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic, or will he be “… completely malleable” as President Carter predicts?

4. Health Care. Trump admits to supporting a single-payer system 15 years ago but now he talks of competition between private insurance companies: 

"I'd like to see a private insurance system without artificial lines drawn between states. We need to get rid of those lines and let people and companies cross state lines to purchase the best plan for them. The government should get out of the way and let insurance companies compete for your business.”

5. Political Corruption. This is our greatest concern and Trump was a participant - he doesn't deny it - can we expect him to be clean as President? Here is what he has said:

“For years I gave money - lots of money - to candidates from both parties who made personal pleas for my support for their campaigns. They promised to change things with new ideas and bring government back to its original, more limited purpose of protecting our country and putting our people first. Candidate after candidate made all kinds of pledges like this, and very little, if anything, was done.” This is our experience - magnified by the little attention our small donations demanded.

"To hear our left-wing critics tell it, we need socialism to make this country move forward, and we need a president who can make up the rules as he goes along. If he can't get Congress to do something, he needs to rule by executive order.”

   I say that's complete nonsense.”

   The free market works - it just needs leadership, not dictatorship. Our government needs to employ a strong adherence to the Constitution and maintain social programs that inspire and reward achievement and that are constantly accountable for their spending and outcomes ... I am concerned for the people who can't buy into the American dream because the financial programs of this country is so tilted in favor of the rich."

"Making America Great Again means taking our country back from the big-money interests. We have a country where the big problems can't be solved by consensus because the small-minded lobbyists and special interests are clogging the halls of Congress with their ‘special access.’”

   Everyone talks about listening to the voice of the people. But how can you hear that voice when no one represents that voice? I am listening.”

“No one is paying me to say these things. I am paying my own way, and I'm not beholden to any special interests and lobbyists.”

6. Is Trump Believable?:

“You can believe what I say, because to see what I've accomplished, all you need to do is take a nice walk through the greatest cities of the world - and look up. Look up, and you'll see the Trump buildings rising skyward.”

Yes, but we also see his record of donations to Liberals and support of Liberal objectives. He says he has converted - like Ronald Reagan did (Nancy Reagan passed on Sunday. May God bless her and Ron together). But we got to see and watch Reagan the Conservative long before he ran for President. We KNOW Cruz is a Conservative - we have seen him in action. We do not KNOW Donald is - we can only hope he is genuine and I am not in favor of more “hope and change” - I want a return to Conservatism.

I completely agree with Donald on this point: “We are at a critical turning point in our history, not only for you and for me but for our children as well. America may be struggling, it may be crippled, but we can rise again. Our time has not passed, it is here, and the potential is amazing.”

Cruz has PROVEN he is a Constitutionalist. Trump says he is (now). I am going for Cruz - please join me. We need to strengthen Cruz before the Republican Convention - not Rubio who sold himself to the Gang of Eight amnesty crowd in Washington. Remember it was Cruz who stopped that bill in its tracks by exposing the bill’s path to citizenship for illegals. Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, and Mississippi need to give Ted a clean sweep. Don’t believe the Trump-Rubio claims that Cruz is a liar. Both Rush Limbaugh and Bret Baier have looked into those accusations and overturned them. Remember also the Telemundo reporter that highlighted Rubio’s lie in a recent debate and verified Cruz’s accusation.

Vote for Liberty and the Constitution - vote for Cruz! 

Kiwi

Should we push Cruz, Trump, or Rubio?

 “Outsiders” fed up with Washington and the corrupting of our Representatives, have just four choices for President: Cruz, Trump, Carson, and Sanders. As a declared Socialist, Sanders will turn us into another Venezuela by spending us into oblivion and shrinking the economy and jobs - no thanks! Dr. Carson would be great but he has not gained traction, so I am down to Donald Trump and Ted Cruz as the viable options. The Donald, by his own admission, was a participant in Washington corruption - he played the game! Can we trust him now? Why should we risk that when we have a proven Constitutionalist in Cruz? 

Trump won Super Tuesday but not as decisively as expected. Ted Cruz won his home State of Texas easily as well as Oklahoma and Alaska. Obviously Texan’s are happy with Ted Cruz. Compare this with Florida where Trump is beating Floridian Marco Rubio by double digits in the polls - which so far have been accurate. Cruz has clearly stood up against the Washington establishment and Special-Interest as a Texas Senator in Washington. We saw this again where he opposed the ethanol subsidy benefiting Iowa WHILE IN THE IOWA CAMPAIGN! The Iowa Governor came out hard against him but Cruz held true to Constitutional principles and won the Iowa Caucus. Trump pandered to Iowans by favoring the subsidy and lost! This tells us a lot about both candidates and puts Cruz on top for me. Trump may make good deals, but I don't think they will all be based on the principles of Liberty and limited government as expressed in our Constitution. 

Ted Cruz has also proven his Constitutionalist qualifications as a lawyer who successfully argued cases before the Supreme Court defending our Bill of Rights. As a Senator from Texas he defied the corrupted Senate and stood on Constitutional principles. No one questions this history. It is well-established. It is well known. As Rush Limbaugh says, he is the only true conservative in the field. 

This will be even more critical if Obama succeeds in getting another liberal onto the Supreme Court to replace conservative Antonin Scalia - God rest his soul and comfort his family. The clearest choice for holding the Constitutional line and for nominating strong Constitutionalists for the Supreme Court is Ted Cruz.

So why is Trump getting so much support? In New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, and too many of the Super Tuesday States, more conservatives went for Trump than for Cruz, but folks, Cruz is the strongest Constitutionalist we have! Trump is like a brash and angry construction worker off one of his many hotel projects - guys who have strong opinions and are totally frustrated with the political class and want you to know it! In this way the Donald taps into our anger, but is the National Review correct that he is not a conservative and perhaps a liberal in sheep's clothing? Is Jimmy Carter correct that Trump is “… completely malleable (and) … he has (no) fixed opinions that he would really go to the White House and fight for”? As CNN reported, “By contrast, Mr. Carter said, ‘Ted Cruz is not malleable. He has far right-wing policies, in my opinion, that would be pursued aggressively if and when he would become president.’” - a great endorsement for Ted Cruz.

I read Donald Trump’s book Crippled America, How to Make America Great Again, and found it very interesting. He does talk about the importance of the Constitution and he identifies the problems of a dictator-in-chief who governs by Executive Orders, and the Judicial branch legislating from the bench. 

I suspect many of you have not read Trump's book. I noted in an earlier blog that I consider his tax plan to be unconstitutional. I agree with Dr Carson and Ted Cruz that any tax plan that has different rates of taxation for different citizens is in violation of the 14th Amendment requirement for equality under the law. Apart from that objection are there other indications Trump will not follow the Constitution? 

Here are some quotes from his book. He says he will uphold the Constitution and cripple Special-Interests. But will he? Has he in the past?

1. His “Angry Trump” book cover reflects the mood of most Americans:

“I wanted a picture where I wasn't happy, a picture that reflected the anger and unhappiness that I feel … we are not in a joyous situation … we have to go back to work to make America great again. All of us.”

All Conservatives can agree with this sentiment.

2. Trump teaches us how he plays the Media to his benefit. This explained a lot for me, and why I find myself laughing at how Trump plays the elitist mainstream media, but it also cautions me that he is playing us just as any populist politician would:

“I use the media the way the media uses me - to attract attention. Once I have that attention, it's up to me to use it to my advantage ... to inspire people to think that our country can get better and be great again and that we can turn things around ... I have a mutually profitable two-way relationship with the media - we give each other what we need. And now I am using that relationship to talk about the future of America.”

“Begging for attention really sums up the problem we face in this country with our media. There is such a competition that they're more interested in entertaining their audience then educating them. They like me because I help them attract more viewers. They hate me because they know I don't need them. (Is this the point he reinforced by dumping a Fox debate?) I learned a long time ago how to talk directly to the people who matter - to regular Americans who are fed up with the career politicians.”

"I always draw a large crowd of journalists who are like sharks, hoping I'll put some blood in the water.”

   I try to oblige.”

In his manipulation of the mainstream media and his political incorrectness I say “Go Trump - Go!” But is he doing the same thing to us and how will he govern? We know he is a highly successful builder, so I assume that he will run the country well. But will he also manipulate the Constitution to his benefit?

3. The Constitution. Trump is not a Constitutional expert like Cruz. He is more like a regular guy who knows it has worked for America and for him, and he supports it. The fact that his tax plan is contrary to the 14th Amendment’s requirement for equality under the law he probably has not considered - most candidates (except Cruz and Carson) have not. He is concerned about judicial and presidential dictatorship and the influence of Special-Interest:

“… our lawyers and judges … have been stepping all over the US Constitution, the bulwark of our democracy. They have recklessly appointed themselves to be policy makers, because our actual elected officials are paralyzed by partisanship.”

“I support a tight interpretation of the Constitution, which means judges should stick to precedent and not write social policy.”

“We need to appoint justices - not just on the Supreme Court, but throughout the entire federal system - who will leave lawmaking to the legislators, as specified in the Constitution.”

“The Supreme Court has decided in their infinite wisdom to fill a breach (of leadership) by making social policy rather than defending our most precious historic assets, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”

   We have three branches of government, but the trunk of that tree is rotting away.” 

“The free market works - it just needs leadership, not dictatorship. Our government needs to employ a strong adherence to the Constitution ….”

"We need leadership in the White House that will keep government functioning while getting the feds out of all the areas where they don't belong. If the government is properly sized and properly focused we won't need to go from crisis to crisis.”

It sounds to me like he loves the Constitution in general but will he honor it in specifics after he swears to defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic, or will he be “… completely malleable” as President Carter predicts?

4. Health Care. Trump admits to supporting a single-payer system 15 years ago but now he talks of competition between private insurance companies: 

"I'd like to see a private insurance system without artificial lines drawn between states. We need to get rid of those lines and let people and companies cross state lines to purchase the best plan for them. The government should get out of the way and let insurance companies compete for your business.”

5. Political Corruption. This is our greatest concern and Trump was a participant - he doesn't deny it - can we expect him to be clean as President? Here is what he has said:

“For years I gave money - lots of money - to candidates from both parties who made personal pleas for my support for their campaigns. They promised to change things with new ideas and bring government back to its original, more limited purpose of protecting our country and putting our people first. Candidate after candidate made all kinds of pledges like this, and very little, if anything, was done.” This is our experience - magnified by the little attention our small donations demanded.

"To hear our left-wing critics tell it, we need socialism to make this country move forward, and we need a president who can make up the rules as he goes along. If he can't get Congress to do something, he needs to rule by executive order.”

   I say that's complete nonsense.”

   The free market works - it just needs leadership, not dictatorship. Our government needs to employ a strong adherence to the Constitution and maintain social programs that inspire and reward achievement and that are constantly accountable for their spending and outcomes ... I am concerned for the people who can't buy into the American dream because the financial programs of this country is so tilted in favor of the rich."

"Making America Great Again means taking our country back from the big-money interests. We have a country where the big problems can't be solved by consensus because the small-minded lobbyists and special interests are clogging the halls of Congress with their ‘special access.’”

   Everyone talks about listening to the voice of the people. But how can you hear that voice when no one represents that voice? I am listening.”

“No one is paying me to say these things. I am paying my own way, and I'm not beholden to any special interests and lobbyists.”

6. Is Trump Believable?:

“You can believe what I say, because to see what I've accomplished, all you need to do is take a nice walk through the greatest cities of the world - and look up. Look up, and you'll see the Trump buildings rising skyward.”

Yes, but we also see his record of donations to Liberals and support of Liberal objectives. He says he has converted - like Ronald Reagan did. But we got to see and watch Reagan the Conservative long before he ran for President. We KNOW Cruz is a Conservative - we have seen him in action. We do not KNOW Donald is - we can only hope he is genuine and I am not in favor of more “hope and change” - I want a return to Conservatism.

I completely agree with Donald on this point: “We are at a critical turning point in our history, not only for you and for me but for our children as well. America may be struggling, it may be crippled, but we can rise again. Our time has not passed, it is here, and the potential is amazing.”

Cruz has PROVEN he is a Constitutionalist. Trump says he is (now). I am going for Cruz - please join me. We need to strengthen Cruz before the Republican Convention - not Rubio who sold himself to the Gang of Eight amnesty crowd in Washington. Remember it was Cruz who stopped that bill in its tracks by exposing the bill’s path to citizenship for illegals. Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), and Maine (ME) need to give Ted a clean sweep. Don’t believe the Trump-Rubio claims that Cruz is a liar. Both Rush Limbaugh and Bret Baier have looked into these accusations and overturned them. Remember also the Telemundo reporter that highlighted Rubio’s lie in the last debate and verifying Cruz’s accusation.

Vote for Liberty and the Constitution - vote for Cruz! 

Kiwi

Texas Cruz or the Trumpster?

We outsiders who are fed up with Washington and the corrupting of our Representatives, have just four choices for President: Cruz, Trump, Carson, and Sanders. As a declared Socialist, Sanders who will turn us into another Venezuela by spending us into oblivion and shrinking the economy and jobs - no thanks! Dr. Carson would be great but he has not gained traction, so I am down to Donald Trump and Ted Cruz as the viable options.

Trump has a large lead nationally but Cruz has a large lead in his home State of Texas as we approach Super Tuesday. Obviously Texan’s are happy with Ted Cruz. Compare this with Florida where Trump is beating Floridian Marco Rubio by double digits. Cruz has clearly stood up against the Washington establishment and Special-Interest as a Texas Senator in Washington. We saw this again in Iowa where he opposed the ethanol subsidy that has been benefiting Iowa. The Iowa Governor came out against him but Cruz held true to his principles and won the Caucus. Trump pandered to Iowans by favoring the subsidy and lost! This tells us a lot about both candidates and puts Cruz on top for me. Trump may make good deals, but I don't think they will all be based on the principles of Liberty and limited government as expressed in our Constitution. 

Ted Cruz has proven his Constitutionalist qualifications as a lawyer who successfully argued cases before the Supreme Court defending our Bill of Rights. As a Senator from Texas he defied the corrupted Senate and stood on Constitutional principles. No one questions this history. It is well-established. It is well known. As Rush Limbaugh says, he is the only true conservative in the field. 

This will be even more critical if Obama succeeds in getting another liberal onto the Supreme Court to replace conservative Antonin Scalia - God rest his soul and comfort his family. The clearest choice for holding the Constitutional line and for nominating strong Constitutionalists for the Supreme Court is Ted Cruz.

In New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada, more conservatives went for Trump than for Cruz, but folks, Cruz is the strongest Constitutionalist we have! Trump is like a brash and angry construction worker off one of his many hotel projects - guys who have strong opinions and are totally frustrated with the political class and want you to know it! In this way the Donald taps into our anger, but is the National Review correct that he is not a conservative and perhaps a liberal in sheep's clothing? Is Jimmy Carter correct that Trump is “… completely malleable (and) … he has (no) fixed opinions that he would really go to the White House and fight for”? As CNN reported, “By contrast, Mr. Carter said, ‘Ted Cruz is not malleable. He has far right-wing policies, in my opinion, that would be pursued aggressively if and when he would become president.’” - a great endorsement for Ted Cruz.

I read Donald Trump’s book Crippled America, How to Make America Great Again, and found it very interesting. He does talk about the importance of the Constitution and he identifies the problems of a dictator-in-chief who governs by Executive Orders, and the Judicial branch legislating from the bench. 

I suspect many of you have not read Trump's book. I noted in an earlier blog that I consider his tax plan to be unconstitutional. I agree with Dr Carson and Ted Cruz that any tax plan that has different rates of taxation for different citizens is in violation of the 14th Amendment requirement for equality under the law. Apart from that objection are there other indications Trump will follow the Constitution? 

Here are some quotes from his book. He says he will uphold the Constitution and cripple Special-Interests. But will he? Has he in the past?

1. His “Angry Trump” book cover reflects the mood of most Americans:

“I wanted a picture where I wasn't happy, a picture that reflected the anger and unhappiness that I feel … we are not in a joyous situation … we have to go back to work to make America great again. All of us.”

2. Trump teaches us how he plays the Media to his, and our, benefit. This explained a lot for me, and why I find myself laughing at how Trump plays the elitist mainstream media, but it also cautions me that he is playing us just as any populist politician would:

“I use the media the way the media uses me - to attract attention. Once I have that attention, it's up to me to use it to my advantage ... to inspire people to think that our country can get better and be great again and that we can turn things around ... I have a mutually profitable two-way relationship with the media - we give each other what we need. And now I am using that relationship to talk about the future of America.”

“Begging for attention really sums up the problem we face in this country with our media. There is such a competition that they're more interested in entertaining their audience then educating them. They like me because I help them attract more viewers. They hate me because they know I don't need them. (Is this the point he reinforced by dumping a Fox debate?) I learned a long time ago how to talk directly to the people who matter - to regular Americans who are fed up with the career politicians.”

"I always draw a large crowd of journalists who are like sharks, hoping I'll put some blood in the water.”

   I try to oblige.”

In this regard I say “Go Trump - Go!” But how will he govern? We know he is a highly successful builder, so I can assume that he will run the country well. But will he be a Constitutionalist?

3. The Constitution. Trump is not a Constitutional expert like Cruz. He is more like a regular guy who knows it has worked for America and for him, and he supports it. The fact that his tax plan is contrary to the 14th Amendment’s requirement for equality under the law he probably has not considered - most candidates (except Cruz and Carson) have not. He is concerned about judicial and presidential dictatorship and the influence of Special-Interest:

“… our lawyers and judges … have been stepping all over the US Constitution, the bulwark of our democracy. They have recklessly appointed themselves to be policy makers, because our actual elected officials are paralyzed by partisanship.”

“I support a tight interpretation of the Constitution, which means judges should stick to precedent and not write social policy.”

“We need to appoint justices - not just on the Supreme Court, but throughout the entire federal system - who will leave lawmaking to the legislators, as specified in the Constitution.”

“The Supreme Court has decided in their infinite wisdom to fill a breach (of leadership) by making social policy rather than defending our most precious historic assets, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”

   We have three branches of government, but the trunk of that tree is rotting away.” 

“The free market works - it just needs leadership, not dictatorship. Our government needs to employ a strong adherence to the Constitution ….”

"We need leadership in the White House that will keep government functioning while getting the feds out of all the areas where they don't belong. If the government is properly sized and properly focused we won't need to go from crisis to crisis.”

It sounds to me like he loves the Constitution in general but will he honor it in specifics after he swears to defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic, or will he be “… completely malleable” as President Carter predicts?

4. Political Corruption. This is our greatest concern and Trump was a participant - he doesn't deny it - can we expect him to be clean as President? Here is what he has said:

“For years I gave money - lots of money - to candidates from both parties who made personal pleas for my support for their campaigns. They promised to change things with new ideas and bring government back to its original, more limited purpose of protecting our country and putting our people first. Candidate after candidate made all kinds of pledges like this, and very little, if anything, was done.” Isn't that our experience - magnified even more by the little attention our small donations demand?

"To hear our left-wing critics tell it, we need socialism to make this country move forward, and we need a president who can make up the rules as he goes along. If he can't get Congress to do something, he needs to rule by executive order.”

   I say that's complete nonsense.”

   The free market works - it just needs leadership, not dictatorship. Our government needs to employ a strong adherence to the Constitution and maintain social programs that inspire and reward achievement and that are constantly accountable for their spending and outcomes ... I am concerned for the people who can't buy into the American dream because the financial programs of this country is so tilted in favor of the rich."

"Making America Great Again means taking our country back from the big-money interests. We have a country where the big problems can't be solved by consensus because the small-minded lobbyists and special interests are clogging the halls of Congress with their ‘special access.’”

   Everyone talks about listening to the voice of the people. But how can you hear that voice when no one represents that voice? I am listening.”

“No one is paying me to say these things. I am paying my own way, and I'm not beholden to any special interests and lobbyists.”

5. Health Care. Trump admits to supporting a single-payer system 15 years ago but now he talks of competition between private insurance companies: 

"I'd like to see a private insurance system without artificial lines drawn between states. We need to get rid of those lines and let people and companies cross state lines to purchase the best plan for them. The government should get out of the way and let insurance companies compete for your business.”

6. Is Trump Believable?:

“You can believe what I say, because to see what I've accomplished, all you need to do is take a nice walk through the greatest cities of the world - and look up. Look up, and you'll see the Trump buildings rising skyward.”

Yes, but we also see his record of donations to Liberals and support of Liberal objectives. He says he has converted - like Ronald Reagan did. But we got to see and watch Reagan the Conservative long before he ran for President. We KNOW Cruz is a Conservative - we have seen him in action. We do not KNOW Donald is - we can only hope he is genuine and I am not in favor of more “hope and change” - I want a return to Conservatism.

I completely agree with Donald on this point: “We are at a critical turning point in our history, not only for you and for me but for our children as well. America may be struggling, it may be crippled, but we can rise again. Our time has not passed, it is here, and the potential is amazing.”

Cruz has PROVEN he is a Constitutionalist. Trump says he is (now). I am going for Cruz - please join me.

Vote for Liberty and the Constitution! 

Kiwi

Will Trump Run the Tables in Nevada?

 Nevada Republicans caucus Tuesday, 23 Feb 2016. So how would I advise my Nevada neighbors to vote? Trump is ahead in the polls and has a large permanent presence in Nevada - a big advantage.

I encourage Nevadan’s to not vote for a career politician. We want a candidate who will represent “we the people” and not Special-Interests. In this regard I think of Donald Trump, and Dr. Ben Carson. Senator Cruz, by definition a politician, has clearly stood up against the Washington establishment as a representative for the people and against Special-Interest, so I also consider him an outsider. 

Next I ask which of these outsiders will fully support the Constitution of the United States? This will be even more critical if Obama succeeds in getting another liberal onto the Supreme Court to replace conservative Antonin Scalia - God rest his soul and comfort his family. For me the answer is Ted Cruz, followed by Dr. Ben Carson, followed by Donald Trump, followed by Marco Rubio. Marco made the mistake of siding with the establishment in the immigration debate, but otherwise he is fine. 

Ted Cruz has clearly demonstrated both qualifications as a constitutional lawyer arguing cases before the Supreme Court, and as a Senator from Texas who defied the Washington establishment. No one questions this. It is well-established. It is well known. As Rush Limbaugh says, he is the only true conservative in the field. Cruz took a hit in South Carolina when more evangelical conservatives went for Trump than for him, but in my view he is the strongest Constitutionalist we have.

Dr. Cason had the greatest line in the last debate. He was invited to offer another politically incorrect observation. He obliged by saying that free college will not be free but will simply put us into much greater debt, and that the cause of our economic problems is not the rich but big Federal government interference in the economy.

Trump achieved his goal of knocking Jeb Bush out of the race in South Carolina. He successfully challenged our thinking about the Bush legacy. How could we say George Bush kept us safe when 9/11 occurred on his watch? Key intelligence pieces leading up to 9/11 were missed such as Saudi's learning to fly but not being interested in learning how to land aircraft. Trump is like a brash and angry construction worker off one of his many hotel projects - guys who have strong opinions and are totally frustrated with the political class and want you to know it! Trump convinced us that Jeb Bush was “a nice guy” but just one more of the same political elite that have screwed up the country.

Rubio is pumped up after South Carolina and with Jeb out he is expecting Jeb supporters to come his way. I recently sent an email to his campaign suggesting they not use the red Lower 48 symbol in their campaign imaging. It suggests that Marco is not campaigning for president of all of the United States. He is leaving out Hawaii, Alaska, and the territories. I suggested they make the "i" in Rubio the Statue of Liberty. This would portray his political views and his family history. I've had no response from them and Marco’s failure to recognize and correct this is astounding.

Other than Cruz, how do the other outsiders stand with respect to the Constitution?

Having completed Dr. Ben Carson’s book, A More Perfect Union, What we the People Can Do to Reclaim our Constitutional Liberties, it is clear that he is a Constitutionalist. A Neurosurgeon’s profession does not demonstrate a constitutional stand, but as a Presidential candidate, Dr. Carson clearly stands for the Constitution. 

The candidate I've been concerned about is Donald Trump. Is the National Review correct that he's not a conservative and perhaps a liberal in sheep's clothing? Is Jimmy Carter correct that Trump is “… completely malleable (and) … he has (no) fixed opinions that he would really go to the White House and fight for”? As CNN reported, “By contrast, Mr. Carter said, ‘Ted Cruz is not malleable. He has far right-wing policies, in my opinion, that would be pursued aggressively if and when he would become president.’” - a great endorsement for Ted Cruz.

I read Donald Trump’s book Crippled America, How to Make America Great Again, and found it very interesting. He does talk about the importance of the Constitution and he identifies the problems of a dictator-in-chief who governs by Executive Orders, and the Judicial branch legislating from the bench. 

I suspect many of you have not read Trump's book. I noted in an earlier blog that I consider his tax plan to be a great solution for us but also unconstitutional.  I agree with Dr Carson that any tax plan that has different rates of taxation for different citizens is in violation of the 14th Amendment requirement for equality under the law. Apart from that objection are there other indications he will follow the Constitution? Here are some quotes from his book that may help you determine if he will uphold the Constitution and cripple Special-Interests.

1. His “Angry Trump” book cover reflects the mood of most Americans:

“I wanted a picture where I wasn't happy, a picture that reflected the anger and unhappiness that I feel … we are not in a joyous situation … we have to go back to work to make America great again. All of us.”

2. Trump teaches us how he plays the Media to his, and our, benefit. This explained a lot for me, and why I find myself laughing at how Trump plays the elitist mainstream media:

“I use the media the way the media uses me - to attract attention. Once I have that attention, it's up to me to use it to my advantage ... to inspire people to think that our country can get better and be great again and that we can turn things around ... I have a mutually profitable two-way relationship with the media - we give each other what we need. And now I am using that relationship to talk about the future of America.”

“Begging for attention really sums up the problem we face in this country with our media. There is such a competition that they're more interested in entertaining their audience then educating them. They like me because I help them attract more viewers. They hate me because they know I don't need them. (Is this the point he reinforced by dumping a Fox debate?) I learned a long time ago how to talk directly to the people who matter - to regular Americans who are fed up with the career politicians.”

"I always draw a large crowd of journalists who are like sharks, hoping I'll put some blood in the water.”

   I try to oblige.”

In this regard I say “Go Trump - Go!” But how will he govern? We know he is a highly successful builder, so I can assume that he will run the country well. But will be be a Constitutionalist?

3. The Constitution. I don’t think Trump is a Constitutional expert like Cruz or that he has analyzed it like Carson has. He is more like a regular guy who knows it has worked for America and for him, and he supports it. The fact that his tax plan is contrary to the 14th Amendment’s requirement for equality under the law he probably has not considered - most candidates (except Cruz and Carson) have not. He is concerned about judicial and presidential dictatorship and the influence of Special-Interest:

“… our lawyers and judges … have been stepping all over the US Constitution, the bulwark of our democracy. They have recklessly appointed themselves to be policy makers, because our actual elected officials are paralyzed by partisanship.”

“I support a tight interpretation of the Constitution, which means judges should stick to precedent and not write social policy.”

“We need to appoint justices - not just on the Supreme Court, but throughout the entire federal system - who will leave lawmaking to the legislators, as specified in the Constitution.”

“The Supreme Court has decided in their infinite wisdom to fill a breach (of leadership) by making social policy rather than defending our most precious historic assets, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.”

   We have three branches of government, but the trunk of that tree is rotting away.” 

“The free market works - it just needs leadership, not dictatorship. Our government needs to employ a strong adherence to the Constitution ….”

"We need leadership in the White House that will keep government functioning while getting the feds out of all the areas where they don't belong. If the government is properly sized and properly focused we won't need to go from crisis to crisis.”

It sounds to me like he loves the Constitution in general and will most likely honor it in specifics after he swears to defend it against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

4. Political Corruption:

“For years I gave money - lots of money - to candidates from both parties who made personal pleas for my support for their campaigns. They promised to change things with new ideas and bring government back to its original, more limited purpose of protecting our country and putting our people first. Candidate after candidate made all kinds of pledges like this, and very little, if anything, was done.” Isn't that our experience - magnified even more by the little attention our small donations demand?

"To hear our left-wing critics tell it, we need socialism to make this country move forward, and we need a president who can make up the rules as he goes along. If he can't get Congress to do something, he needs to rule by executive order.”

   I say that's complete nonsense.”

   The free market works - it just needs leadership, not dictatorship. Our government needs to employ a strong adherence to the Constitution and maintain social programs that inspire and reward achievement and that are constantly accountable for their spending and outcomes ... I am concerned for the people who can't buy into the American dream because the financial programs of this country is so tilted in favor of the rich."

"Making America Great Again means taking our country back from the big-money interests. We have a country where the big problems can't be solved by consensus because the small-minded lobbyists and special interests are clogging the halls of Congress with their ‘special access.’”

   Everyone talks about listening to the voice of the people. But how can you hear that voice when no one represents that voice? I am listening.”

“No one is paying me to say these things. I am paying my own way, and I'm not beholden to any special interests and lobbyists.”

I have not heard former Trump employees speak bad of him, so I presume we can expect the same kind of loyalty from him as President, as his employees do.

5. The Wall. Trump was laughed at for saying he would have Mexico pay for the Wall. Here’s how he envisions it:

“Let me repeat that, one way or another: Mexico will pay for (the Wall). 

   How? We could increase the various border fees we charge. We could increase the fees on temporary visas. We could even impound remittance payments derived from illegal wages ... “

   If necessary we could pay for the wall through a tariff or cut foreign aid to Mexico or simply make it clear to the Mexican government that it is to the benefit of their very profitable - for them - relationship with the United States to pay for it.” 

   But one way or another, they are going to pay for it.” 

   I don't mind putting a big beautiful door in that wall so people can come in and out ... LEGALLY.”

Trump has also said that savings from Federal services to illegal aliens alone would be sufficient to pay for the Wall.

6. Our Schools. It is obvious to us all that Trump despises political correctness - and he sees it harming our children:

“The politically correct crowd has taken over our schools, and as a result we are failing out children. And out children will fail America if we don't do something about it.”

   Competition is why I am very much in favor of school choice. Let schools compete for kids ... Those schools that weren't good enough to attract students would close, and that's a good thing.”

7. Health Care. Trump admits to supporting a single-payer system 15 years ago but now he talks of competition between private insurance companies: 

"I'd like to see a private insurance system without artificial lines drawn between states. We need to get rid of those lines and let people and companies cross state lines to purchase the best plan for them. The government should get out of the way and let insurance companies compete for your business.”

In the free-enterprise system that Trump says he favors, doctors can also compete for our business.

8. Closing Quotes:

“You can believe what I say, because to see what I've accomplished, all you need to do is take a nice walk through the greatest cities of the world - and look up. Look up, and you'll see the Trump buildings rising skyward.”

“We are at a critical turning point in our history, not only for you and for me but for our children as well. America may be struggling, it may be crippled, but we can rise again. Our time has not passed, it is here, and the potential is amazing.”

So who do I support and who do I hope that you in Nevada will support in the Republican Caucus? If you feel to go out for Trump, who I think can be good for the country, then include in your assessment your feelings as to whether or not he will in fact uphold the Constitution. He says he will. Do you feel that he can be believed? That's your call for now and you have the opportunity to meet and greet the Donald in person along with the other candidates. My preference is Cruz, Carson, Trump, and Rubio (as a mainstream politician) in that order. 

Kiwi