Republicans Want a Shutdown

Let's be clear:
A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll confirms that Republicans would rather shut down the Federal government than compromise on the Federal budget:

Compromise on the budget - Republicans 38%
Compromise on the budget - Democrats 68%

That's why Boehner and the Republicans can't compromise, his base won't allow him to compromise. Democrats have accepted Boehner's original cut of $33 Billion, now he says it needs to be $40 Billion. That's called "bad faith".

The problem for Republicans? Independents overwhelmingly agree with the Democrats - compromise on the budget. This will not go well for the Republicans.

The "teaparty" affair was fun while it lasted my Republican friends, but nobody likes a crazy hothead ...

Positive News on Employment

Unemployment Drops with addition of 216,000 Jobs in March

The unemployment rate dipped from 8.9 percent in February to 8.8 percent in March. The rate has fallen a full percentage point over the last four months, the sharpest drop since 1983.

Read the story

A Testament of Our Times...

The Blind Men and the Elephant
John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887)

It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: "God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a WALL!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, "Ho, what have we here, So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a SPEAR!"

The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a SNAKE!"

The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee "What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," quoth he: "'Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a TREE!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: "E'en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a FAN!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, "I see," quoth he, "the Elephant Is very like a ROPE!"

And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!

Anderson Memorial Community Project

Click on image for more detail.

Please help his family and community honor his memory.

Brian "Bucky" Anderson, was a fine young man who set an example from which we all can learn.

One of patriotism, dedication, fidelity of purpose, hard work, and achievement.

Bucky was born in 1986.

Bucky worked hard to become a state champion wrestler and an all district football player. 

Bucky graduated from Broadway High School in 2004.

Bucky was killed in Afghanistan on June 12, 2010.

While delivering supplies to school children.

He was working to improve the lives of a war torn and decimated people.

On behalf of you and me...

C.M. Hess Announces His Campaign for Sheriff of Rockingham County and Harrisonburg City

Ronald Reagan on Labor, Unions and Collective Bargaining

Wisconsin

The battle for a living wage and the right to negotiate the terms of your employment is on in Wisconsin. When DID teachers become the enemy?