Harangue.org

Obamessiah

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:18:51 -0500

Hold on to your hats kids, the Messiah has arrived. Yup, he's come down from Heaven to save us from ourselves. To re-make us in his own image. Whether we like it or not.

Barack H. Obama (see the similarity between his name and Jesus H. Christ; pretty suspicious, don't you think?) has drawn crowds that would make The Rolling Stones envious. He has women fainting and men starry-eyed about the prospect of his coronation. They are white, they are black. They are Hispanic (both legal and otherwise). They come from all walks of life. They're the poor, the tired, the hungry masses yearning for government grants, free health insurance and a big-screen TV in every room. And they all want to be saved. Hallelujah, praise the Lord and pass out more government programs.

They are vocal and committed and dangerous.

They are dangerous because they have the same glazed-over look in their eyes that Hitler's and Mussolini's followers had. Lenin had the same charisma. And so does Obama. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to gas any Jews or open any Gulags. But his ability to connect with people and make them trust him enables him to speak in platitudes and never tell us his real intentions. Look folks, he's a socialist plain and simple. Pay attention to his record and what he has said (when he actually says something). He wants BIG government. The BIGGER, the better. We can't afford it, but that won't stop him. Can you spell B A N K R U P T?

Need more proof of his Messianic abilities: Oscar award winner Haile Berry has said, "I will pick up cups from the sidewalk on my hands and knees to clear a path for him." I think Mary Magdalene did that a couple of times as Jesus traversed those dusty trails. I wonder if Obama will let her wipe his face with a towel? Maybe he will leave his image on it for us to fawn over.

Unless Obama makes any outrageous gaffs, (you know, like filling up your tires will replace all the oil we get from Saudi Arabia) the Democratic nomination is in the bag. Don't ever count the Clintons out; but alas, poor Hillary is not pretty, or sexy, or eloquent. All of which Obama is. And unlike Obama, she's not easy to like. Besides, she has her husband hanging around her neck like a two-ton boat anchor.

So get prepared. This November you may wake up to a black (can I say that?), Christian (I think), former Muslim student who is married to a woman who in her whole life (42 years) has only been proud to be an American once. That was the day when she realized her husband had a good shot at becoming the next President of the United States.

Not when the United States kicked Iraq out of Kuwait, or the Taliban out of Afghanistan. Not when we freed 10 million Iraqis from the tyrannical rule of a murderous despot. Not when we brought down the Berlin wall and freed tens of millions of eastern Europeans. Not when we saved the world from Hitler, Tojo and Mussolini. Not when we sent $300 million in relief to Indonesia to help those people who suffered through the Tsunami, not when we protected Europe for 50 years from the threat of The Soviet Union's nuclear-tipped missiles. Not when, not when, not when..... Only when America finally put aside its racist legacy and finally make it "Our time."

The list of accomplishments of the this country in the defense of freedom both here and abroad in the past six decades should put a warm glow of pride in every American's heart every day of their life.

If it doesn't, vote for Obama. You deserve him.

Slavery Reparations

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:36:59 -0500

Now that the US Congress, in its infinite wisdom and cowering cowardice, has apologized for slavery, the ugly head of reparations is appearing on the horizon again. Many hyphenated-Americans of color, being spurred on by the likes of Revs Sharpton and Jackson smell more free money.

As the descendent of an Italian family who emigrated here in 1915 and a taxpayer, I say you're going to have to fight me to the death to get a nickel out of me. Like every American alive today, neither I, nor my family had a thing to do with the enslavement of anyone or anything. We did not own slaves; we did not sell slaves. We did not transport them into or out of this or any other country. My grandparents never even knew what a slave was.

So those hyphenated-Americans of color with their hands out might want to consider something: their ancestors were sold into slavery by their own countrymen. That's right folks; Africans hunted down and sold other Africans into slavery. What a shock huh? Black on black crime was happening long before there were ghettos in America.

Americans did not bring the slaves here. The Brits, the Spaniards and French did it all by themselves.

Let me go out on a limb here. I'm going to suggest that those hyphenated-Americans of color look to Africa, England, Spain and France for their reparations. Seems fair to me. Maybe Somalia could kick in a few bucks in between readings of the Koran and killing Christians.

Let me go out on an even bigger limb. Every hyphenated-American of color ought to get down on their knees every morning and thank God (yes, I actually used the word God) that their ancestors made their way to America. Even if they were forced to come here.

As evil as slavery was (and still is as practiced by those peace-loving Islamists), descendents of those subjected to slavery here have had more opportunity to succeed than any minority anywhere in the world. Just think what their lives would have been like if there was no slavery. They could be living a palatial existence in Darfur or Ethiopia, huddled under a mud bed, in a mud hut hoping that some crazed band of roaming madmen, armed with machetes, doesn't come into their humble abode and cut their arms off. Yeah, that's sounds like a good alternative to living in America watching your big-screen HDTV.

The American taxpayer has, and should have made every attempt to level the playing field. We owe it to EVERY American, no matter their color, the chance to pursue their dream. But it's not up to us to guarantee that their dream comes true. We've made reparations many times over. Since the 1960s, we've had The Great Society, Affirmative Action, welfare, food stamps, and an untold number of government programs, loans and grants that have more than made up for this country's part in slavery more than a century and a half ago.

It's time those hyphenated-Americans of color take responsibility for their own destiny and stop laying blame on the shoulders of others who bear no responsibility for their success or failure. You want to know who is to blame for your condition? Look in the mirror.

Except for a miniscule number of truly disadvantaged; that born with physical or mental defects, each of us comes into this world with the same tools. What we do with those tools depends on us.

Not all of us are Einstein, but we all have the capacity to learn. We all have the capability to succeed if we rely on ourselves and not others. The government has not, and never will end poverty. It only exacerbates the problem. You only need to look no further than New Orleans. The hyphenated-Americans of color have been mired in poverty for over a century in spite of government handouts designed to pull them out.

Thomas Jefferson once said, "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

It's a shame that the only Jefferson many Americans can quote is George.

Stupid is as Stupid duz.

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:32:57 -0500

I had an epiphany today. Oh, I know what you're thinking: "What the heck's an epiphany?" WELL, LOOK IT UP! Anyway, I was on I-4 passing through (very slowly of course) our fair city when I glanced at a billboard that said, "HUMAN RIGHTS, NOT GAY RIGHTS."

"What is this?" I queried. Do we not live in America? Home of the brave, land of the free medical care for illegal immigrants; Give me your tired, huddled masses yearning for McDonald's. I thought we were the bastion of liberty, the beacon of hope, the break dancing capital of the world.

Did we not invent human rights? Wait a minute, that may have sneaked over the border too.. But who's keeping track?

You know we can't deny anyone a job because of their skin color, hair color, ethnic origin, nose piercings, full body tattoos or religious preference. We must give handicapped, oh sorry, handicapable, people access to our places of business (yes, even the slightly rotund) and of course you can't fire ugly people. That wouldn't be good for their psyche. And contrary to what you may believe, gay folks do have the same protection under the law as normal folks (and in some cases abnormal folks.) It's called a "LAW SUIT!"

So you see, we have pretty much have all the bases covered. Or do we? Like a flash from heaven, it suddenly occurred to me that there is one group that hasn't been heard from yet. We all know one. Some of us know quite a few. They are the stupid people. Yep, they have been left out of the civil rights movement and it's time we brought them into the fold.

Why should they not be entitled? Why should they suffer the injustices heaped upon them. They can't help it, they were born that way? Where's the EEOC when you need it? Is there
not an NAASP? And why not a United Stupids College Fund? Have we no shame, no compassion for an intellect-neutral being? Why should stupidity preclude you from being the CEO of Enron? Cannot a stupid man (or woman to be fair) run WorldCom? After all, if they pick, do they not bleed?

Oh sorry, a Seinfeld moment.

It's time for stupid people to unite. Where are the great stupid leaders? I know they're out there. I see them everyday. Just look around, you will too. And if you can't find one, I'll volluntear.

Private Property at risk?

Tue, 23 Mar 2004 07:34:15 -0500

What was once viewed, as one of the most sacrosanct right of every American -the right to own property - seems to be under siege from the very institutions the citizens depend upon to protect those rights.

Few noticed (and it did seem so far away), when other municipalities and state governments started to use the power of "eminent domain" to seize private property. Hey, in some instances "a case might have been made" that it was a good idea to force unwilling sellers to give up their property for "the public good"!

Unbelievably, here in Orange County Florida, we are looking at our own "shot across the bow" and the private property debate is a "game afoot". "County Leaders", wish to coerce an unwilling owner to surrender property that was tamed, settled and farmed by their ancestors nearly 100 years ago. This property is not some "ill gotten gains" stolen from the public. Instead, it was property fairly purchase by early pioneers who had the determination and grit to survive the hardscrabble life, and lean times - pre air conditioning, pre automobiles and pre insect repellant!

Purchase and acquisition of property by willing sellers and buyers is not at issue. Instead, it is the power of government to compel an unwilling sale or worse yet; condemn and confiscate private property that should have every resident uneasy. For today it is someone else "stuff", tomorrow it may be your house, your car or even your MP3 player that must be taken for the "greater good". All of us should be ill at ease with the notion that "property can be taken for community reasons from unwilling sellers". This taints the legacy that belongs to all Americans and aides and abets those that wish to "abolish all private property."

So whose music is it anyway?

Sat, 06 Sep 2003 07:31:06 -0500

Lately, much has been made by many - pilferers in my estimation - touting their "right" to download music - FOR FREE - from the Internet.

As a recording artist, obviously this is a topic 'near and dear' to my heart as well as my pocket book and you the reader should perceive my obvious bias. IN addition, I've often wondered, which part of that old "thou shall not steal" concept is so unclear? While wading directly into the - it belongs to the village verses it belongs to the individual who created it - pool (and boy is that particular pool warm [grin]) I would like to ask:

What happens to a society where an entire group becomes inculcated with the belief that "IT SHOULD BE FREE"?

Of course it doesn't matter what "IT" is, - because "IT" is now rationalized to be acceptable to get "IT" FREE based on either "need" or "entitlement".

By the way, just where does this belief that "IT SHOULD BE FREE"" come from?

"IT SHOULD BE FREE" is the latest form of brainwashing being taught by evangelical collectivists tenured in the United State's own Government Schools. Moreover a new breed of "carpet bagger" adds to the assault by entitling the right to victim-hood. What might not be accomplished via legislation (read: a brainwashed electorate aided and abetted by vote buying lawmakers) can now be accomplished via the collectivist's enablers through adjudication!

So while "the looters" might rationalize that they are entitled to free music, what happens when the tyranny of the (brainwashed) majority - led like lambs to their own slaughter - deem their entitlement to the "fruits of your labor"?

By design or accident the result of an "IT SHOULD BE FREE" mindset is still the same and this portends a negative consequence for those in of our society who value "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Besides, what DID happen to that; "thou shall not steal" concept anyway?

Senator Lott, racisim and the theft of history

Tue, 17 Dec 2002 07:05:59 -0500

Senator Lott should resign his position as senate majority leader - not because he has been deceitfully accused of being a racist; but because he is not much of a leader!!!!

I say that because he is now giving handing-back to the liberals something that the conservatives just won at the ballot box - confidence of the electorate, control of the political landscape and agenda. It is even quite possible that control of the Senate may revert back to the liberals not by electoral mandate; but, by back-room political machinations. This means more failed government solutions to everyday issues; no additional tax cuts for all Americans; continued Liberal Judicial advocacy; placing the desires of labor union management over the security of the country and the list goes on and on.

Of course you can't take back what Senator Lott said; and you certainly can't change the fact that he said it. But the liberals and their willing myrmidons in the media have performed the largest political conjuration in American history: they have stolen over 140 years of Republican Civil Rights advocacy and redistributed it to the Democratic party.

And of course the sad shame of it all is that this convenient theft of history won't end with Senator Lott - whether he stays or goes. Republicans and especially white Southern Republicans will be painted with the factually inaccurate broad brush of bigotry and racism.

Senator Lott's off-the-cuff remarks have certainly buttered up a fine crumb of political 'foot in mouth disease' now to be served to all in the Republican Party. That's a crumpet we can all do without.

Silk Purse / Sows Ear, what say U?

Thu, 29 Nov 2001 07:01:47 -0500

Well it seems as if congress is at it once more - proving you can't fetch water with a sieve. Instead, congress gives us airline security legislation that provides no security. Moreover, the new airline security measures had they been in place on Sept 10th, 2001 would have done nothing to prevent the terrorist actions the following day!

Senator Daschle's assertion that you can't "professionalize unless you federalize" is completely feckless. In place of airline security, we now have tens of thousands of newly unionized, federalized, beholden to the liberalized party line, bureaucratic workers that are worth no more per hour today than they were prior to the passage of the legislation.

Furthermore, artificially manipulating increased compensation for basic tasks reduces the circumstances for those left to pay for them - actually cheating the payer for the benefit of the newly protect federal payee. To further punctuate this public swindle, one politician was quoted as saying; "these type duties are best performed by dogs!"

Federally protect employee or well trained animal, what say you? As both my grandmothers were often heard to remark; "you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear!" Or as a friend once plainly said (while viewing a cheap guitar); "you can't shine a turd."

Since the government owns nothing unless it confiscates it from its citizens via taxes, how can politicians delude themselves into thinking that they can create by fiat what they do not possess - wealth, prosperity? The only answer can be that those that pass these laws know exactly what they are doing and are complicit in legalized plunder which undermines the incentive of the population. This is done to further their own political party's agenda at the expense of the nation. Does this sound treasonous to anyone else? . For who will left to stoke the fires of "the gravy train" if everyone is already on-board expecting a free ride?

Socialism Resumes...

Tue, 16 Oct 2001 06:57:43 -0500

Tucked away on the back page of our Oct 16th (2001) Orlando newspaper's "A" section was a brief paragraph from Harare, Zimbabwe. This little 'nugget' contained the following "...Zimbabwe is abandoning market based economic policies and returning to a socialist-style economy, President Robert Mugabe announced Monday that Businesses opposed to the move should 'pack up and go', he said... "

The Zimbabwe government (such as it is) is actually perpetrating this worn out idea of economic-terrorism on its own citizens. The most heinous aspect of this plan is that yesterday the government of Zimbabwe boldly declares to its people that they no longer own themselves and thus the benefits of their own labors. Instead and without apology, the Zimbabwe government declares that they own the labors of its citizens. As a consequence President Mugabe has again forced servitude among his people and returned slavery one more time to the continent of Africa.

Taxpayers around the world (and particularly American taxpayers) should be quite disturbed by these recent actions. For it will be from our own pockets the next set of demands will be made. The government of Zimbabwe by its own actions is rendering the economy fruitless and is creating a system of catastrophe, malfunction and failure.

When a government deprives from its people an incentive to provide for themselves, the next step is to demand from others that which they have prohibited from providing for themselves: A remedy to a self induced crisis.

This sets up the age old question: how can a cart be pulled if everyone is inside the cart waiting to be pulled, and there is no one left willing or able to pull?

9/11/2001

Tue, 11 Sep 2001 06:50:54 -0500

Well as Frederic Bastiat wrote in 1850 "... there is also another tendency that is common among people. When they can, they wish to live and prosper at the expense of others. ...This fatal desire has its origin in the very nature of man -- in that primitive, universal, and insuppressible instinct that impels him to satisfy his desires with the least possible pain" (The Law).

Well I'm heartbroken; but I'm not surprised! Terrorism has finally come to America. For years we have been warned: that the world is not such a warm and cozy place. Frankly, there are many who that hate America - not because of who we are; but, because of what we can and do accomplish.

To most in the world, Americans live in unimagined freedom surrounded by the full bounty that this freedom provides. Yet rather than encourage emulation, the bounty from our way of life (truth, justice, self reliance and personal responsibility) seems to evoke covetousness, theft and even inspire the desire to shed innocent blood.

Even as our enemies conspire against us, we must guard against those from our own shores -some even entrenched in our own political system, willingly complicit to erase the distinctions between justice and injustice. This is not a time for creation of imbalanced moral equivalencies that allow for the acceptance of all actions against us.

Terrorist attacks on America and the freedoms we have earned diminish all the citizens of the world and for that, the entire body of world civilization has become poorer for it.

The new (millennium) DARK AGES...

Sun, 27 May 2001 06:43:15 -0500

... may be coming to a neighborhood or civilization near you! These are the same old crimes - just meted out by a new overseer. Evil carried out - not by the Goths, Vandals or other Old-World looters; but, by a more heinous monster of the home grown variety - "the Majority" inculcated with the doctrine: 'EVERYONE BORN IS ENTITLED TO EXIST WITHOUT LABOR'!

But, the new overseers are "Moral Cannibals" who proclaim that it is everyone's Birthright to receive minimum sustenance: all of their food, all of their clothing and their shelter with no effort. To further their creed the 'Overseers' have succeeded in their deception that: everyone is entitled to receive their Birthright from the efforts of others.

While these same "burden shifters" decree that PRODUCTION is not a problem - they declare the only problem is the redistribution of production profit. As the masses have demanded it - it must be made so - even if contrary to all laws of reality.

Where does the future lie? And what of the "selfish unenlightened" who dare to continue to produce, to work, to endeavor? What is to become of them and society when they realize: they no longer own the result of their own creation and ideas - that all property, ideas and result have been claimed by the Overseers - based on power granted by "the Majority" - to be redistributed capriciously and arbitrarily to those who demand it - based not on what has been earned; but, upon the creed of need.

What of a society who's masses permit this "Moral Cannibalism" to exist? When the overseer and the masses recite from the same liturgy: "EVERYONE BORN IS ENTITLED TO EXIST WITHOUT LABOR"? History reminds us that there are no actions without consequences. Q.E.D. a society that fails to follow the laws of reality will bear the consequences of those actions.

Letter to Florida Senators

Fri, 04 May 2001 06:37:42 -0500

Senator Bob Graham
524 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

April 5, 2001

Honorable Senator Graham,

I am not writing you today as a past president of the Orlando Jaycees or as the current president of the Lake Holden Property Owners Association or as a member of a "pre-reconstructionist" Florida Family. Rather, I am writing today as an owner of a small business to ask your support for President Bush's tax plan, or least provide some real tax relief by lowering "across the board" the tax rates and eliminating as soon as possible the "estate tax".

The focus of many has been the proposed 1.6 trillion dollar tax cut; but they have neglected to mention that the Federal Government will raise over 15 trillion dollars in taxes over that same time period.

It is should not be the realm of the Federal Government to function as some modern day "Robin Hood" - performing acts of charity with wealth that it does not create taken from those who do!

Lastly, I wish to remind you that as an elected Senator from the Great State of Florida your first obligation is to represent the wishes of our citizens before performing any duties for Thomas Daschle and the Democratic Party.

Thank you for your consideration of my request.

JUST WHO'S MONEY IS IT ANYWAY?

Tue, 27 Feb 2001 20:17:52 -0500

Well, to listen to the congressional rhetoric about the pending 2001 tax cuts, - you would think that congress thinks that most of the money you make is their money!

Yep, that's right, not only are you NOT entitled to the fruits of your own labor (until the government gets it's cut); but, you are damn lucky if they let you keep any of it.

Before the government can confiscate your money - it must be made. But, how is money created?

Money is the result of merit - the best effort of honest men and women. (For in general, most are not rewarded for their worst efforts and in a free marketplace worst efforts are swept away by the choice of purchaser.)

Money is the mode whereby all persons of honorable intent exchange their "merits" with others voluntarily - for their own mutual benefit. Ayn Rand (in Atlas Shrugged) said, "Money is the tool of exchange, which can't exist unless there are goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for value."

If you believe that you own yourself (and that the government does not own you) then you must also believe that you own the product of your own ideas and efforts. Anyone or any government seeking to seize by force or unjust fiat the results of your own efforts is stealing the product of your labor - enslaving your efforts for their own benefit. These people should be condemned for the thieves and looters that they reveal themselves to be and this theft should not be allowed to stand.

Well what revealing tales are these?

Thu, 15 Feb 2001 18:38:33 -0500

The Reverend Jesse Jackson has announced that he has fathered a child out of wedlock. I suppose the genuine news is not that the Reverend has committed adultery, but that his supporters (by the legion) tell us; "Jackson's Moral authority hasn't been diminished... He's to continue his stewardship and fight for moral justice" and "His work is very important because somebody has to speak out" while others indicate, "Jackson's political work should not be connected to his personal life".

The real story is ( at least in the New Millennium United States) violating a fundamental precept of core beliefs is not quite enough to lose your leadership status - if you are among the preferred. By the way, just how many of the Ten Commands is one (of Judeo-Christian faith) allowed to break before they lose their (hard earned) right to call themselves a leader?

Sound Familiar?

Damn right it does. This is the same "advice" we received from this moral leader when President Clinton was 'on the lamb' from his moral compass and receiving "ethical guidance" for his own sex scandal. But, what happens when a "leader" who's 'trick-bag' includes leveraging the "need" for moral and ethical conduct and uses the tools of morality and conscience to garner support for his agenda is found to be immoral? Obviously (and if you are 'among the preferred') the post Clinton legacy requires that "we forgive and forget, as this is just a personal matter." The 'religion of politics' is now recognized as a higher calling'- exhalted above all else.

What happens to a Society that abandons it's fundamental precepts? In the absence of principle we have anarchy. Leaders without their own firm values are standing in the quicksand of shifting mores and are ill equipped to guide us through this chaos.

When we follow or allow ourselves to be lead by the immoral "stewards of justice" who have abandoned their own core believes are we too tainted by following their path?

As a gentle reminder...

Thu, 15 Feb 2001 18:28:09 -0500

...on (Presidential) Election Day in the United States, we do not hold a national election - each state conducts it's own election for a slate of representatives (electors). So we have instead 50 (more when you count Puerto Rico and other US protectorates) distinct and separate elections conducted by each state governed by state law in each instance. In Florida, each county (Under the purview of the County Supervisor of Elections) conducts it's own separate election and reports the results to the State who in turn reports the results to the Congress via it's slate of electors. It could be argued that we do not have a national election at all; but thousands of separate elections conducted in every county, parish, and province across this great nation.

Why is that in the months following the Florida elections (November 2000) we have County Election Supervisors from 3 Democratically controlled counties near Tallahassee complain that Governor Jeb Bush vetoed a $100,000 request for a 'voter education campaign'? Could it be that any campaigned education offered up this past election season by the Democratic Party would likely be as unbiased as the MTV 'Rock the Vote' campaign and more likely be an education in how to vote for the Democratic Party candidates?

Witch-hunts, kangaroo courts and outcries against confusing ballots are nothing more than a lure for the weak-minded. These ploys are a decoy to detour us from the real aim - of genuine voter fraud.

Voter Fraud does not begin when a politician decides to bribe his constituency with promises, goodies or 'pork'. Voter Fraud does not continue because special interest groups urge, beg, demand or force the 'party line'. Voter Fraud begins where most things begin - at home with the voter himself!

Voters who chose to vote for their own enrichment at the expense of their country (or at their neighbors expense) complete the cycle proffered by the iniquitous politician or special interest group boss. The power to end this corruption and fraud lies within the grasp of every voter, with their precious right to vote. For without a market to satisfy, pandering looters could offer no service that the honest and decent would take for themselves.

There was a part 1 . . .

What's missing from...

Thu, 15 Feb 2001 18:18:50 -0500

... that entire hubbub in the Federal Civil-Rights Panel Investigation of the Florida Nov 2000 elections is the whole notion of VOTER RESPONSIBILITY! Much was made of the 'abandoning of local election supervisors'; Governor vetoed voter-education campaigns and confusing ballots and the 'voters had to pay the price'.

What price and at what cost to the voter? Which voter - the informed voter, the legal voter or their opposite?

Voters who participate in an entire election cycle -primaries runoffs and Presidential elections know at their first visit to the polls (during the party primary) if they are properly registered in their precinct. If there is a problem with their registration the voter should have ample time to correct it between the primary election and Presidential election time. It should be well argued that it is the voter's responsibility to ensure his or her own registration is in 'proper order' before journeying to the polls to cast a ballot. Furthermore, it is also the voter's responsibility to understand from whom and what he is casting his ballot!

What's to be made of the enfranchisement of the ill informed voter or the illegal voter - besides the obvious erosion of voter confidence and the undermining of the electoral process?

How can any republic sustain such an assault on the very source of it's existence - Power derived from the will of the people by having the will of the people subverted by conferring legitimate status on illegitimate ballots?

An illegitimate ballot is not (as some might think) an honest disagreement with a particular point of view (arrived at by careful consideration of the facts) or political frame of reference; but rather a swindle of the public trust and a fraud perpetrated on the governed by looters seeking criminal suppression of the legal will of the governed for their own illegitimate gain.