The Eyes of the Vietnam Veteran

Born in 1970 I was almost five years old when the Vietnam War ended.  I cannot point to one particular event or occasion per se, but as those of you who’ve read Late Bird know, even as a young child I felt a fierce loyalty to Vietnam Veterans.  Maybe it was my desire to protect others that formed my allegiance to these brave men…these brave Americans.

Even in my youth, the things that were said or done to them upon their return home, angered me greatly.  As I grew older and learned more about their experiences in “Nam” and the absurdity piled on them at home by cowards, my admiration for them increased even further.

As a twenty year old I took a job working on a self-described “ranch” that housed and counseled S.E.D. (Severely Emotionally Disturbed) teenage males.

My first supervisor on the ranch was a Vietnam Vet.

His name was Robert (everyone called him Bob) and aside from my father, a better man I have not known.

Bob was a gregarious, mustachioed, brawny, chain smoking human being that every adult respected (which was saying something because some of my co-workers…well let’s just say it was an eclectic gathering of behavior) and every child trusted (which was an even greater feat as most of these kids had been through their own personal hell).

Aside from the smoke “breaks” (that happened routinely) his entire time on the ranch was spent leading, teaching, and counseling both the adults and the kids.  To know Bob was to love him although that word was never used.

At least not among the “men” and there were plenty of us on the ranch acting like “men”.

Although I’ve always been a defender of others I could still be a handful as a six foot 190 lb 20 year old male who challenged authority at every instance if I thought they were wrong.  As I write this now I have no doubt Bob could have taken me out back and left me there, but the great thing about this wonderful person was his ability to see the potential in everyone.

He genuinely moved people in the right direction by leading by example…with respect.

It didn’t take long working for Bob before I stopped questioning his leadership.

It wasn’t out of loyalty although he had mine.

It wasn’t out of respect although he had that too.

It was because he was right.

As I worked under his tutelage with the kids my skills and understanding of human behavior grew stronger.  Even though I wouldn’t pick up verbiage like intrinsic and extrinsic motivation until later in life he was providing me a lesson in both and how to use them as tools…ethically.

Although Bob was an easy person to talk with he rarely ever spoke about Vietnam…but he did cough a lot.  My occasional question was always met with a self deprecating small shrug of a shoulder followed by silence.  One time early on he’d assigned me to a group with another counselor.  His name was Alan.  Bob told me to hang out with Alan’s group and mentioned offhand that Alan was a para-jumper in Vietnam.

“Alan saved people” was what Bob said.

Alan was a short, bespectacled man with a policeman type mustache who always seemed to be wearing sunglasses.  I probably had a couple of inches and thirty pounds on Alan although its been twenty five years so it could have been more…or less.

The kids didn’t love Alan the way they loved Bob (that was a bit much to ask) but they definitely respected him.  He was an introspective soul that I grew to enjoy being around very much.  When I mentioned that day what Bob said to me, he cocked his head and gave me a look (through his sunglasses) while baiting a hook for one the kids, who was fishing in the man made pond on the ranch.

“Bob told you that huh?”

“Yep”

Alan just stared out over the pond and didn’t say another word for what seemed like an hour but was probably only a minute.  We never talked about Vietnam.  Our conversation turned to God.  Maybe I’ll cover that another time.

In retrospect I wish I’d had more time to sit with these two American heroes…whether we spoke or not.

They were both different yet had very American characteristics: Honor, loyalty, humility, and empathy.

They could also handle their business as I saw Bob break up a fight between two large teenagers by snatching them both by the back of their necks and hauling them off, one in each hand, to a three sided outdoor room known as “time out”…coughing the entire way.

I was front and center when a teenager lost all control and started beating another kid with a baseball bat.  Alan got there first, stepped in front of the fallen kid and took a shot from the bat right in the arm that was raised to block his face.  His disarmed the kid (who was just as big as he was) and took him to the ground where the kid lunged and clamped into Alan’s triceps with his teeth.  Blood spurted as I jumped in and helped Alan dislodge the kid’s incisors and we were able to restrain him without any damage to the teenager.  Alan cleaned himself up and went on with the day as though nothing had happened.

The kid was arrested later that evening.

I have lots of stories about Bob that would make you smile but my favorite was the time he called me into his office.  I was having a problem with a supervisor who was older than I and liked to walk around strutting with fatigues and a crew cut giving orders like he was a drill sergeant.  I doubt this guy spent a day in the military.

Let’s just say we had words a few times and back then…well…when angered my words rarely came out as profane…they came out as…statements…yes let’s call them statements and in my “statements” I am very clear what I am willing to do if not left alone.

As you can imagine that didn’t go over too well with “Crew cut” and although nothing ever happened “Crew cut” started making my job a lot harder during the one day a week I was under his supervision.  I cannot prove it but I know in my heart what happened next to be true.

“Crew cut” wanted to show his “leadership skills” and write me up for something.  Again I cannot prove it but I have no doubt when he started to do this Bob stepped in and told him he would take care of it.  “Crew cut” didn’t like it but he wasn’t going to challenge Bob.  Everyone loved Bob.  Especially “Crew cut’s” boss.  He backed off and Bob wrote me up for something I cannot remember.  At first I was stunned and hurt that Bob was doing this to me.  It seems like such a small thing but loyalty was important to both of us and I was extremely loyal to him.  He’d earned it.  I left that night upset and I know Bob was too.  About a month went by when he called me into his office and closed the door.  He opened my personnel file, took out the written admonishment, smiled and tore it in half.

Bob was playing Chess while “Crew cut” was playing…you can fill in the blanks.

Last year while in Miami spreading the message of freedom I had the honor of meeting another Vietnam Veteran.

Kenneth Manny.

Kenneth had read a few of my columns on Facebook, knew I would be in Miami and drove down from his home in Florida.  When we shook hands I instantly flashed back to Bob.  It wasn’t the firm handshake, the straight back, or even the eyes.  Every Vietnam Veteran I have ever met has the same intense look.  That they’ve experienced hell…and came out on top.

The best way for me to explain this is to use myself as a reference.  As an adult young children and dogs have always loved me.  People will always comment how kids and dogs will follow me from room to room or climb on me.  I tell them its because children and dogs are very in tune to what is around them and they know they are safe.

They are at peace.

That is how I feel around Vietnam Veterans.  At peace.  There is no ego, no preening, no arrogance.  Just hard core peace from hard core heroes.  God bless you one and all.

The reason for this particular column was an experience I had last week.  My wife and I were shopping and standing in line to check out.  I turned slightly to my left and saw a man wearing a hat that said Vietnam Veteran with the same  straight back, same intense stare.  I thought of Bob and Alan and Kenneth and many other Veterans from Vietnam and smiled as I walked toward the American Hero.  He slightly cocked his head as I nodded and referenced his hat,”Vietnam Vet?” I asked.

“Yes sir,” he answered.  His name was Terry.

I extended my hand, “Thank you brother.  It’s because of men like you I was born free.”

He looked a little shocked then gave an ever so small smile and said “thank you.”

“My pleasure sir.  Thank you,” I said as I shook the hand of American Greatness.

His grip said it all.

Jason Kraus

12-20-2015

United States Senate 2017

 

Do not feed the beast

Recently through Skype I was interviewed again by Michael Higgins and Darcy Savage.  Wonderful people to speak with and I strongly suggest everyone find Michael’s page at VoxPopuli.

The purpose of our mission never changes:

To bring like-minded Americans together.  Shoulder to shoulder.  One voice at a time.

Michael made a comment that a friend mentioned the length of our last interview being too long for the average listener.

In the beginning this was mentioned to me about my columns…never mind the fact that it only took five minutes to read most of them.

I will attempt to deal with what I believe are the primary issues in America with as much brevity as possible.

Federal Debt:

Positives?

None

Negatives?

Pahlenty!!!

Border Control:

Non-existent.

Islam:

Positives:

NOPE!

Negatives:

Systemic abuse of women and children.  (That’s enough for me)

Climate Change:

Big Fan!  Without it none of us would be here.

Global Warming:

Wrong.

The Earth is slightly cooling and has nothing to do with us and everything to do with the Sun.  (Even the egomaniacs known as John Kerry and Barack Obama are no match for the Sun…or US for that matter).

By the way this is the same group of geniuses who predicted decades ago Earth’s natural resources would run out.

We flare natural gas into the air daily and don’t have enough room to store all the oil.

Give it another ten years and the Al Gore types will be back to tell us we have to create more CO2 to HELP warm the Earth and I’m sure there will be a few Bernie Sanders acolytes around to repeat the absurdity known as Progressivism.

One more thought.  Climate Change, Weather, and Pollution are three different things.

Reverse Racism:

As opposed to Forward Racism?

Racism, like ignorance, is color-blind, and both are found in the Klan, Black Panthers, CAIR, and La Raza…just a few groups historically supported by the Democratic Party although Reince Priebus and the RNC took their shot at joining the color of skin crowd leading to citizens across the United States re-registering without a party preference.

Fools to the right, racists to the left.

Crony Capitalism:

Doesn’t exist.

Don’t blame Capitalism for the human animal’s lack of ethics…but if you must…call it what it is…Corruption.

Illegal Immigration:

Incorrect.  Any human who is not an American Citizen entering our country without written documented permission is not an immigrant.

Legally they are criminals:  8 U.S. Code § 1325

Selective Enforcement of the Law is government persecution and prosecution and will eventually lead to retribution, vigilantism, or revenge.

A society either has the Rule of Law or it doesn’t.

Currently we do not.

Let’s try and speed this up.  I’m trying to keep this under five minutes.

“Carbon Footprint”, “White Guilt or Privilege”, “African American”, “Latino or Hispanic”, “It takes a village”, “Radical Islamic Terrorism”, “You didn’t build that”, “Moderate Muslim”, and the “One Percent”.

Carbon doesn’t have toes, a heel, a sole…or a soul.

White Privilege, African American, Latino or Hispanic are all nonsensical terms created by obtuse minds to label and divide.  White, black, and brown are colors.  Human is the race and the reason for the difference in color is proximity to the sun over tens of thousands of years.

The PRIVILEGE is being an AMERICAN.

It doesn’t take a village…it takes two loving, responsible, ethical, PARENTS to raise a child.

Radical Terrorist, Moderate Muslim, Jihadi, all have the same common denominator:

Islam.

The question is Sunni or Shiite.

The answer is neither.

You didn’t build that…yes we did and that also includes the corrupt individuals in Washington DC.

Yes we built them too.

This is on us to reclaim, remove, and restore.

This, and unfortunately more, is all terminology and propaganda brought to these United States to divide us, by the worst political generation, in the history of America:

The “Me Generation”…so aptly named.

If you find yourself using this terminology or trying to “see their point of view”…don’t.

You are only feeding the beast of oppression.

Starve the propaganda and leave it on the side of the road.

Crows need to eat too.

Jason Kraus

12-06-2017

United States Senate 2017

 

An American problem requires an American solution

I was never much of a talker when it came to violence or threats.  Always seemed like a waste of energy to me never mind my best one liners always came hours AFTER the fact.  I’ve never been a patient person in this respect either.  If you have a problem with me or one of my friends speak your mind and move forward otherwise have a Coke and a smile.

It isn’t about being tough.  It is actually the opposite.  I don’t like to wait for an unpleasant outcome to arrive.  If I know something has to be dealt with I want it dealt with now so I can move on with the positives in my life.

I don’t want to dwell on things that have to be handled.  Just handle them and move on.

But handle them we must.

I had a problem in college one time.  Something was said to me I didn’t like and a threat was made.  Without getting into specifics a fight broke out.  I ducked when I should have bobbed and lost some blood and part of a tooth.  My dance partner ended up breaking a bone in his hand.

What can I say…I have a hard head.

There ended up being other repercussions from this incident for me…maybe I will cover this in my follow up to Late Bird, but regardless, as I’ve said many times…no one wins in a fight.

One side just loses more.

That day I was the “more”.

But the fight must be fought to ensure our way of life continues.  It is those who ignore or cower from the battle that are the worst amongst us.   They prolong the agony of the behavior of the wicked and weaken systems.

Systems society counts on to maintain order, to thrust freedom forward like Capitalism and the Rule of Law.

Only those with an agenda contrary to liberty still support a Clinton, a Bush, a Sanders, a Rubio, or an Obama.

Political correctness and generational guilt has allowed hate groups like La Raza and CAIR to go unchallenged.

Barack Obama blames Christians for their “past deeds” when they are murdered in the Middle East or Africa.

Jeb Bush says illegal entry into America is “loving”.

John Kerry spat in the face of every French citizen with his rationalization and “understanding” of the Charlie Hebdo murders.

Nancy Pelosi’s reference to a group that puts its children on the front lines with grenades, known as Hamas, as a “humanitarian” organization, is treasonous.

Our problem isn’t in Russia, or China, or even the Middle East.

Our problems are those who continue to support the individuals and their ilk listed above.

We have an American problem that will require an American solution.

If you are asking yourself “what should I do?” the answer is simple.

Step into the fray by putting your name on the line or supporting those who will.

We cannot afford to lose anymore blood or teeth.

We aren’t a country of “refugees” or immigrants.

I was born HERE.

My parents were born HERE.

My grand-parents were born HERE.

We aren’t European, African, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, black, white, brown, blue, or green.

We are Americans.

It’s up to us to make sure it stays that way.

Jason Kraus

11-29-2015

 

The Enemy of my Enemy is not my Friend

I was a sophomore in high school in the mid eighties and dealing with a couple of upperclassmen who were bigger and stronger than I.  For those of you who’ve read Late Bird a part of this story will sound familiar. This was sometimes a daily thing because I would not cower to them.  We’d exchanged words plenty of times and suffice it to say I hated these two individuals and their friends.

One day I hustled to my next class, rounded a corner and froze.  The two bullies were standing right in front of me…facing each other.

As a child, teenager, and an adult I have always fallen into the “peacemaker” role.  When problems occurred in my life I have always tried to work through them with words first.  One tool I frequently used was the isolation of  the person most angry which allowed them to drop the “tough guy act” and calm down.  But sometimes certain people will not behave properly, no matter what is being said to them, and when they turn their anger towards the “peacemaker” (me) my ANS arousal (fight or flight) kicks in immediately.

For me the option of “flight” isn’t an option at all, so fight, is the only one left.

I am not a subscriber to the theory “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

Evil will always be evil.

Oppression is always oppression regardless of new labels (Democratic Socialism), old acronyms (RINO), or systemic abuse of women and children (Islam).

The enemy of Freedom will always be the enemy of Freedom.

I digress.

As the two aforementioned bullies faced each other profanity and threats rang through the corridor.  I vividly remember my first instinct was to move forward and step between them.  It’s how I am wired.  I am intrinsically motivated to create peace.  To stop instability.  I don’t like chaos.  I abhor violence and am willing to jump into situations to bring it to a stop.

It isn’t courage or bravery.

I just can’t stand and watch horrible people hurt others.

But standing in front of me now were two horrible people.  I hope both of them became productive members of society as they grew older…but I doubt it.

Oppression never sees the light on its own.  Oppression must be eradicated over and over again until it no longer exists and yes I used the word eradicate and the phrase over and over again on purpose.

As I instinctively moved forward my brain immediately sent a signal.

NO NO NO!

Have you lost your mind?

If you get in between these two they will both turn on you.  I stood there for a second and then backed up and waited.  My body continued to process the situation in front of me and finally resolve and a resolution set in.

I hoped these two would destroy each other.

Evil on Evil.

Oppression on Oppression.

Sunnis (Islam) and Shiites (Islam) have been killing each other for centuries.

“Democratic Socialists” or Communists”  (U.S.S.R United Soviet SOCIALIST Republic) have killed millions and continue to murder their own citizens as I write this sentence.

We now have a situation where Sunni Muslims (Saudi Arabia, ISIS, etc.),  Shiite Muslims (Iran, Hezbollah, etc.), and the Communists (Russia) are all killing each other.

Evil on Evil.  Oppression on Oppression.

Never step between Evil eradicating Evil.

The enemy of our enemy doesn’t make them our friend.

Our problem is an enemy of Freedom currently resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and is being enabled by a majority of Congress.

Sitting in the White House is a man who supports Shiite Islam…whether you want to admit that to yourself or not.

This same man has also removed missiles meant to defend our allies from Russia while telling Sergei Medvedev to tell Vladimir Putin that he (Obama) would have more “flexibility” after the election in 2012.

Obama’s flexibility now has the Middle East in flames, Russia stoking the fire, and Europe being infiltrated and bombed.

France is now apparently reaching out to Putin because Francois Hollande is a political baboon, a coward, and a Democratic Socialist.  The French Citizenry is now on the front lines because they elected an enabling  Islamic apologist.

Germany has one as well in Angela Merkel.

France has now had its people murdered twice this year by Islam.  They finally closed their border…hundreds of citizens too late.  Hollande is incompetent and scared and is reaching for the only hand being offered…Putin.

Vladimir Putin is a murdering thug and evil personified.

The enemy of your enemy does not make them your friend.

France is opening the door for what it believes is the lesser of two evils.

They couldn’t be more wrong.

Collective Islam is nothing compared to the Russian Bear and both pale…to the American Lion.

Regardless, Americans cannot fall into the trap of siding with Communism or Islam.

Oppression is oppression is oppression.

Time to remove all enemies of Freedom…and that starts in Washington D.C.

Our government isn’t protecting us anymore.

Our biggest protection right now can be found in the water or in other words…The Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

But those beautiful waters do not encompass us completely.  We have a massive unprotected backdoor that has allowed human trafficking (slavery) to grow and grow.

Oppression is oppression.

France has been infiltrated by Islam and Communism and willingly elected Democratic Socialism while abandoning the Franc and embracing the Euro which is collapsing under economic idiocy like Quantitative Easing and negative interest rates.

Coming to a theater near you whether you want to see the movie or not…or you can get involved.

You can stand UP!

I will be on the California ballot for the United States Senate.

I encourage anyone reading this to find an elected office in your community and put your name on the line following these guidelines:

No campaign contributions.

No salary upon election.

One term.

If we want things to truly change for the better then we must lead by example.

Everything starts with the reflection in the mirror.

Time to take a look.

Jason Kraus

2017 United States Senate

11-22-2015

 

An American for United States Senate

“The greatness of America isn’t found in our differences. It lives—within our truths.

In our agreement with one another to pursue happiness: to engage life in its fullest capacity.

America isn’t easy. She isn’t supposed to be. Easy belies weakness. America is hard, like the hands of a farmer or the backbone of a soldier.

She gives unconditionally, allowing for the growth of her people. Despite our struggle with right and wrong, she is the beacon guiding us through the night, into safe harbor, providing the most important lesson the world has ever known: The lesson of freedom.

It hasn’t been said lately and never enough.

We thank you America.

We won’t let you down.”

For those of you who’ve read Late Bird you will recognize the above quote.  For those of you who haven’t the words above were written as a dedication to the greatest country in human history.

These United States.

Late Bird was written with a purpose.  To show a better way, a brighter path for America.  A collection of individuals could make a difference with the premise completed by an American with no political affiliation be elected to serve the People in the White House.

Presented in the text was a story based on my life that also included a complete overhaul of our taxation system, dissolution of many Federal entities, and an immigration plan that would actually work.

This information can be found on our website aleadernotapolitician.com under the United States Personal Responsibility Act of 2017.

The completion of Late Bird opened many doors as I have been interviewed on radio, television, and print media.  More importantly it connected me to you.  Through social media, the book, and our weekly columns it is fair to say at least 500,000 people have read something I have written.

This has happened because of YOU.

One day, one voice, one American at a time continued and continues to step into the fray with me and strengthen our message of America First, American Only.

Our path to the Presidency is small but still currently open.  With the voters removing the House Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House resigning just recently these actions have proven everything is possible these days and because of the complete collapse of the Democratic and Republican Parties we will continue to leave the possibility of a White House run open while opening another door.

That door will be to the United States Senate.

I live in California.  In 2016 there is going to be a brawl for the seat being vacated (thankfully) by Barbara Boxer.  I will be in that brawl.  We will make an official announcement in January and continue with the same ethics presented in Late Bird.

No campaign contributions.

No salary.

One term.

Service to the people.  Service to America.

It will cost approximately $6000-$7000 in fees to be on the ballot for the United States Senate in California.  I will pay these amounts myself.

We will also need 100 signatures from California registered voters to be put on the ballot.  Those signatures can be from any registered Californian but because they need to be filed in the very county the citizen resides I am requesting assistance in El Dorado County where we can file them all at once.  If you reside in El Dorado County and will provide your signature please contact me, Onyx Pike, or Violet Giovanni.

Although the Senate seat is meant to represent California, the United States Senate sets a tone for change in America, which is why things are getting worse.  This seat affects every American and because of this I need each one you across our great nation to join me shoulder to shoulder to help us spread the word of Freedom, of Peace, of Capitalism.

The door is now open.

We will walk through.

For all of you across these United States who are willing to help us create name recognition please contact Violet Giovanni.  She has already gathered with many of you and your passion and exceptional creativity will be needed.

Too many voices aren’t being heard.  This is your opportunity to join me and have your voice, energy, and strength propel us forward removing corruption, fear, and crushing debt.

One day, one voice, one American, one Senate seat at a time.

Although we all require Freedom there is nothing bumper stickish about it…Freedom isn’t Free.

I am done holding the line.  It is time to move forward.

Now.

Right now.

Jason Kraus

11-07-2015

 

Why is the Federal Government forcing us to save then punishing us when we do?

Last century the United States Federal Government enacted a “new” program or in other words…creeping Democracy.

The program forced Americans to put money away for usage in their golden years.  It’s pretty easy to see the motivation.  The humans at the “top” didn’t think the humans at the “bottom” were smart or responsible enough to save their money.

Yes it really is that easy.  Of course this program is called Social Security.

For sake of this column let us accept their premise that some humans simply will not plan for their future.

That after 40 plus years of working they don’t have anything.

They experienced the “Bernanke Wealth Effect” rather than real wealth that creates capital.

Capital like property or “real” estate. After 40 plus years they haven’t a home, a car, cash, bonds, gold, or a hat to hang on the rack.  Fortunately Big Brother has been siphoning off a part of their wealth (as well as their employer’s wealth) and holding it in a nice safe place where it will be returned to them at a later date.

All’s well that ends well.  Big Brother’s safety net did its job never mind the fact that Big Brother forced it out of you and if you didn’t make it to the Golden Age Big Brother simply kept the money.

Now those of us with any common sense know all the money being extracted from employers and employees (not to mention the sole proprietor who pays both halves) is not being saved or held for us in a nice safe place.  It is being used to fund never ending wars, corruption, and bail outs (I’m sorry I said corruption already).

How do we know the money isn’t there?

Barack Obama told us so when he stated “Social Security Checks will not go out if the debt ceiling isn’t raised”.

Some will inquire as to the whereabouts of the money being removed from us right now in the name of Social Security.

See above aforementioned corruption, wars, etc.

Eventually there will come a day when the United States Government cannot raise the debt ceiling anymore.  When this happens economic triage will take place.  Whomever is in charge will have to make a decision as to importance of items that need to be paid.

On that list is the military and the U.S. bonds already sold or in other words:

National Security and the Full Faith and Credit of the United States.

I know for a fact the powers that be, Republican or Democrat, will pay the bonds first knowing full well if they don’t our currency will probably collapse.

Next will be the military although when this time does arrive I am fairly certain you will see “conscription” take place with those already in the service followed by “emergency” procedures requiring all soldiers to accept whatever means of payment the government chooses.

All Essential Federal Employees will fall under this directive as well.  The Non-Essential will be “laid off” until the “crisis” ends.  Social Security payments will first be dramatically reduced and then means testing will erase all for some.

This isn’t a worst case scenario.  This will happen eventually without massive changes to our systems and every politician and economist in D.C. knows it which brings me to my point of this entire column.

This collection of economic insanity that has already borrowed, spent, and borrowed more money than is ever going to be earned and then taxed, wants to punish, even further, those of us who have been SAVING OUR MONEY for our later years.

Their new goal is to push interest rates lower driving them into negative territory (already happening in parts of Europe) to force Americans to take their money out of our savings accounts and spend it thereby completely negating the entire purpose of Social Security…to save money for our later years.

I don’t care what you look like, believe in, or who you sleep with.  When your Congressman or Woman, or House Representative vote to raise the debt ceiling and do not stop the Federal Reserve’s criminality of suppression of interest rates and creation of negative rates while stealing our money (Social Security) that they’ve already spent and then force us to remove our money from banks by penalizing us for SAVING THE MONEY in the first place:

Your Freedom as you know it is at risk.

Whether you want to believe it or not.

Jason Kraus

11-01-2015

 

The Ignorance of Democratic Socialism, RINOS, and Donkeys

As in all entertaining stories we have heroes and foils.  Currently the story of politics in America is stacked with overwhelming foils and few heroes.  Many believe the Republican Party will eventually crumble.  Although anything is possible it is the Democratic Party that is in real trouble.

One Democratic Congressman made a statement not too long ago:

“We’ll have the black vote, the gay vote, the Hispanic vote, the labor vote and the liberal vote…we’ll have it all.”

Before I continue on I would like to point out how easy propaganda is to spot these days.  The quote above was printed in the SunSentinel but the story was written by the Associated Press.  The writer’s bias is easy to spot…only one word was capitalized.  The Congressman made the statement VERBALLY.  The writer changed the importance of only one word through grammar.

I digress.

The Congressman’s name is Alan Grayson and apparently he serves at the pleasure of certain people in Florida.  The audacity of Grayson as a straight white male to proclaim “we’ll have the black vote, the gay vote, and hispanic vote” sounds strikingly like a plantation owner.  As though “blacks” and “hispanics” all think in lock-step.

By the way Alan referring to humans by their skin color is…well… RACIST and I am sure the “gays” just love being labeled that way.

Some Democrat supporters will shake their heads and proclaim this is just one guy.  Really?  The front runner for President is an admirer of Margaret Sanger otherwise known as the Queen of Eugenics.  The guy in second place think men fantasize about raping women while masturbating and women fantasize about being raped by three men simultaneously while having intercourse.  How do we know this?

He wrote it DOWN!

Wow and WOW.

But if that wasn’t enough the two leaders of the “Democratic Party” took shots at the only reason either of them have any money at all.

Capitalism and a Constitutional Republic.

Bernie Sanders wants to do away with the evil known as Capitalism and replace it with Democratic Socialism which would for all intent and purposes remove our Constitutional Republic.  (A few more Supreme Court Justices like Roberts, Sotomayor, and Kagan and the job may be complete.)

In other words he wants to completely remove the foundation of the country others around the world regularly put their lives on the line in order to reside.

Hillary Clinton (The Clinton Foundation worth at least hundreds of millions of dollars) wants to “rein in” Capitalism.

Neither one of these two have had a job outside of government for decades.

Let me see if I can explain this in a way they might understand.

Without Capitalism there is no profit.

Without profit there is nothing to tax.

With nothing to tax they are both broke…but then again so is everyone else.

Ah yes…the misery loves company crowd.   Let’s try it a different way.

Capitalism is inherent to us.  Working to provide water, food, and shelter or in other words SURVIVE has been around since the dawn of man.  It isn’t going to change.  Capitalism happens everywhere including prison.

Socialism is a fantasy of Liberals who spent too much time watching Fantasia.

Socialism isn’t Robin Hood.  It doesn’t take from the rich and give to the poor.  Socialism in America robs the middle class, bloats the government, and creates more poor.

But whether you like that description or not without Capitalism there is no profit, no middle class, no government, no socialism…just poor and war.

A better Margaret once said “The trouble with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.”

We’ve already done that.  That’s why we are almost 20 trillion dollars in debt never mind unfunded programs like Social Security, Medicare, and State Pensions across the country.

It’s also the reason why the RINO’s are having a Trump Party and the Democratic Party is dead.

Trump is giving the Elephants a chance.

Clinton and Sanders are leaning on the stake Obama drove into the Donkey that stopped braying a long time ago.

Regardless, the Elephant will join the Jackass.

Time for the Lions of America to awaken and restore order to what has turned into a jungle.

Jason Kraus

10-25-2015

 

 

 

They aren’t Blood

I’ve listened to Hillary Clinton call herself a hawk and John McCain’s answer to Iran given in song.

“Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran”.

Obama’s red line or Ric Santorum’s plan to “bomb them back to the seventh century”.

It doesn’t matter the Party anymore.

Politicians making threats others will have to risk their lives to enforce.

We’ve all heard the “blood and treasure” statement as though those two words can explain the sacrifice made by our best and bravest, who when called, continue to run into the fire.

They aren’t “blood” to their mothers and fathers who will never see their children again.

They aren’t blood to those of us who cherish and honor their service, and for far too many, their sacrifice.

They aren’t blood to their children who will never see their bright smiles again, or experience a kiss from Daddy or a hug from Mommy.

They are Americans.  They are our brothers and sisters.

But rather than using my words we would be better served to read the words of an American Soldier.

A Combat Veteran.

Words sent to me recently:

“I am silently staring off in the distance, fist clenched, tears running down my check. Seeing all that cannot be unseen, reliving all that cannot be undone. Watching brothers and sisters being blown away. Knowing that another soldier won’t come home.

You will never see this from me, because my face and self control won’t allow it. Never understanding why I laugh and tell a joke, or change the subject when you ask me if I have ever killed someone. I honestly know that you could not handle the truth, so please stop asking.

If I want you to know I will tell you.

Stop asking about war, all I will tell is the funny stuff.

Believe me there is very little of that.

A sight, a sound, a smell, that is all it takes for me to relive the worst moment of my life.

I am PTSD, and I am not what they want you to believe.

If you understood the truth, then you would understand why it is a silent killer.”

 

The United States Combat Veteran is our first line of defense.

They aren’t blood.

They are the reason America remains free.

It is a dereliction of duty by American politicians to ignore the needs of the American Soldier.

It is a dereliction of ethics for America to ignore the needs of the American Soldier.

We must step into the fray for those who’ve already stepped into the fight and for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Jason Kraus

10-11-2015

 

Love One Another

Eckhart Tolle once wrote about the process of “presence” or “being”.

William Shakespeare spoke about this as well, long ago, in the ever famous line, “to be or not to be that is the question.”

I believe the concept of “being” is the positive evolution of the animal known as human, but it seems with all things, we take two steps forward and one step back.

In the second half of the 20th Century we turned the idea of “being” into immediate self-gratification.

Everything must be done right here right now with no thoughts or cares to or of our actions.

In the late Sixties and Seventies the Me generation lived for the “now”.

“Tune in, turn on, drop out”.

The Eighties were the Go Go, Gordon Gekko, Greed is Good times leading us into the Nineties and “the end of big government”…when really the beginning was just taking place.

Clinton, Bush, and Obama have now set America on a path of destruction and as this cycle of Boomeritis comes to fruition the kids are again starting down this road, just with a new moniker, picked up from the free love crowd.

YOLO…or You Only Live Once.

Sex, drugs, and rock n roll have “progressed” into oral (President Clinton said it wasn’t sex) copulation, Ecstasy and Meth, and rappers screaming homophobic, misogynistic, racist rantings about women and killing cops.

Rather than the beautiful poetry and angst given to us by Don Henley and the wail of an electric guitar captured forever with the lyrics ” I can tell you my love for you will still be strong… after the Boys of Summer… have gone” we have again “progressed” to “now I ain’t sayin’ she’s a gold digger but she ain’t messin’ with no broke niggas” brought to us by a man who compares himself to Jesus.

As the kids say these days…”he be trippin’.”

He be somethin’ all right.

I have no doubt this isn’t what Tolle had in mind and if Shakespeare were here now my guess is his head would be shaking followed by a short statement:

“Apparently we have chosen NOT to be.”

Not only have we chosen not to “be” but because of our unwillingness to do away with hero worship or looking to others for solutions in our own lives…we are right back where we started.

In the Seventies we had social unrest, problems in the Middle East (Iran), the Cold War (U.S.S.R), high unemployment, and a weak, feckless man whom some would call an anti-semite at the helm (Carter).

We are now in the 21st Century.  The year 2015.

Social unrest?

Yes.

Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit, etc.

Problems in the Middle East?

Yes.

Of course Iran and for the record both Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden still exist.  They’ve just morphed into what is now known as…wait for it…ISIS.  Great job George.  Excellent work Barry.

The Cold War with the U.S.S.R?

Been replaced with “hot” wars happening in multiple places around the world with Russia…whether you are paying attention or want to admit it or not.

High unemployment?

Yes.  Just because they’ve changed the calculations and stopped counting people doesn’t mean they have a job.

They don’t.

A weak feckless man whom many call an anti-semite at the helm?

Yes, yes, and yes.

We couldn’t just have one coward serve as the last Commander-in-Chief.  We tripled down and elected the three worst Presidents the country has ever seen.

So with 19 trillion in debt and counting, human trafficking continuing unabated through our border, 47 million on food stamps, “refugees” who swear their allegiance to Allah running through Europe (and apparently soon here), Russia ordering us around, secret deals with Iran (who wants to kill us and everything we stand for) the Republican Establishment want to give us a third helping of Bush.

If this wasn’t laughable enough the Democratic Party cannot make up its mind whether Hillary should be indicted, if so when, and how they are going to roll out the Biden/Cheekbones team.

Excuse me.  For anyone not familiar with the college admissions issue I am referring to Elizabeth Warren.

When will we learn?

None of these people including Rubio, Sanders, Trump, or even Ben Carson are ever going to make your life better.

Although Trump is right on several issues and in my opinion Ben Carson is a good person neither of them have any understanding or control of your life.

They never have and never will.

You are the only one that will make your life better.

That will make America stronger!

That will push freedom forward for the next generation!

YOU!

No more hero worship!  No more Popes, or Presidents, and certainly no more politicians!

YOU!  The American Citizen!  The beacon of Freedom!  Unleash the Lion in each one of you!

You, me, and millions of Americans standing shoulder to shoulder requiring the United States Constitution continue to guarantee its most important purpose.

The rights of the individual.

But in current times our days can be long and our burden heavy.

In these days comfort can be found in messages from above…written below.

Do unto others as you would have done unto you.

Or my favorite as depth is found in the simplicity of three words.

Love one another.

Jason Kraus

10-03-2015

“Is Barack Obama a muslim?”

Come on already.  It’s an easy question to answer.

“Is Barack Obama a muslim?”

When you watch Donald Trump and Ben Carson and the muslim issue is brought up it is very clear by their body language where they stand.

They believe Obama is a muslim.

They aren’t alone.

My guess is at least half the country, over their kitchen tables and work water coolers, think so too.

But they are struggling because they are still caught up in the PC world.

Trump is now saying it isn’t his responsibility to defend Obama (he’s right but what an interesting choice of words) and Carson is now explaining Sharia rather than answering the question and finally getting to the root of the matter.

Let me help them:

“Mr. Kraus do you think Barack Obama is a muslim?”

“It is a fact Barack Obama supports Islam.  He has said so many times in many different ways.  It’s on video and in his books. His father whom he cherishes was a muslim.  He once said the Islamic call to prayer was ‘one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.’  Only Barack Obama knows whether he drops down five times a day and faces Mecca but with all that said…HE BETTER NOT BE.”

“What do you mean he better not be?”

“Because if he is he has been lying to us for almost seven years by telling us he is a Christian.  More importantly if he is a muslim then he is the ultimate fraud and America is under attack.  So I will say it again…HE BETTER NOT BE.”

Simple and to the point.  I give Carson a pass because he is still figuring out how to communicate but Trump…come on now Donald this is what you do!

Scorched Earth!

You should have been waiting for this opportunity and then leveled everything you had at Obama.

Whether Americans will say this next statement out loud is irrelevant…at least half of America believes Obama is a closet muslim (taqiya), most will proclaim or admit (factually) that he cherishes Islam, and the entire country, including his supporters, know that he lies.

“Smidgen of corruption”

“Heard about events on television like everyone else”

“Benghazi was about a video”

“Obamacare will save us all money”

“ISIL is the J.V. team”

“Syria is my red line”

“islam is woven into the fabric of our country”

and on and on and on.

I’d cover some of his economic calamities in depth (47 million Americans on food stamps, almost 19 trillion in debt, roughly 100 million of age Americans not in the labor force, criminal suppression of interest rates) but I don’t believe he understands economics in any way shape or form as is shown with his keeping Ben Bernanke, anointing Janet Yellin, and “listening” to Paul Krugman.

None of whom have any understanding of human behavior.

I digress.

The next question is easy.

“Mr. Kraus do you believe Barack Obama is an United States citizen?”

This answer is even easier.

“HE BETTER BE.  When all this mess is unfolded and his college transcripts are unsealed Barack Obama and members of the DNC better hope he is…otherwise there won’t be a corner of the Earth safe for them.”

“What are you saying Mr. Kraus?”

“What part didn’t you understand?  If Barack Obama isn’t a citizen then he is an enemy of the State sitting in the most powerful position in the world.  If it is uncovered that he was a foreign exchange student he and his cohorts, muslim or not, will be tried, found guilty of treason, and executed.

Just like any traitor would be.

So for his sake he damn well BETTER BE an American citizen.”

Question asked and answered concisely and to the letter of the law with facts and TRUTH.

This one is a freebie Donald.

You’re welcome.

Try not to butcher it by telling us how great you are at the same time…and Donald…just try and hang in there.

There’s a pride of Lions and a Falcon arriving soon to send you back to television…or didn’t you hear?

Rosie is back on the View.

America First.

American Only.

Shoulder to Shoulder.

One voice at a time.

Jason Kraus