Far too often, government has looked to excessively regulate immigration into this country.

However, to date there has been no true “conservative” immigration plan. The “Leave Us Alone” principle many conservatives adopt towards government, and its role in governing, seem to be forgotten when discussing “conservative” immigration policy. Conservatives argue it is not the role of government to be involved in “X”. Whether is be it the regulation of home-schooling, the right to bear arms, business interference, etc, the conservative mantra has tended to be that the government should simply leave people alone to live their lives.

However, this principle appears to apply only if those people who are facing potential regulation are not native born Anglos.

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Dear Senator Specter,

WHY?

Sincerely,

Republican Hope

How about paying tax on that 99-cent music download? The new pair of shoes you just ordered online? What about a tax on viewing online streaming videos? That’s right – the effort to tax binary code is underway.

For years, the internet has flourished as a free marketplace where the only extra cost a consumer pays for is shipping – unless you buy the product digitally. It’s opened expansive new markets, lowered product costs for consumers across the country, and given rise to tons of new online businesses.

Enter the money hunger politicians. Forty-six states overspent their way into budget crises this year, and to cover their tracks state legislators and governors are becoming increasingly desperate to steal more of your hard earned dollars. As such, now they want to tax your online purchases.

Americans for Tax Reform recently started a project called “Stop eTaxes.” The website (www.StopETaxes.com) tracks state and federal legislation and is working to mobilize grassroots opposition to these targeted tax hikes.

Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Mississippi have passed tax hikes on digital music, movies, books, and ringtones this year. Washington, Vermont, North Carolina, and Minnesota are now looking at similar legislation – some which goes so far as to tax “additional digital goods,” whatever that means.

More frightening, states like California and New York are seeking ways to tax everything you buy online – both digital and tangible goods. The so-called “Amazon Tax” provides that a business has a sufficient nexus in the state (which is necessary to collect the tax) by simply advertising through a third party in the state. This nexus can be anything from a newspaper to a state blogger putting up ads on their site.

Say you live in New York and want to buy some super sweet, rare pogs (or a ShamWow or whatever) from an online retailer in Florida. If that Florida company advertises at all in New York, not only do you pay tax, but the out-of-state company is tasked with trying to figure out which of the thousands of tax jurisdictions you live in and how much you have to pay.

If it sounds like a complicated scheme to raise taxes and circumvent the Interstate Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution – that’s because it is. But what else is the government for?

For more information, visit www.StopETaxes.com. Also, follow “Stop eTaxes” on Twitter (@eTaxes) and Facebook (search “Stop eTaxes”).

With just about every move by the Federal Government having the average American scratching their head, Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has decided to begin their own series titled “REALLY!?!? with American for Tax Reform” modeled after the famous Saturday Night Live sketches.

Every week, ATR will find the most mind-boggling move committed by the ever-growing, ever-taxing, ever-spending group of thinkers that roam the Nation’s Capital (and then make fun of them).

The introductory story? The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has found a new “enemy”, since it appears they are deciding that “terrorist acts” no longer exist, and that the “War on Terror” has also vanished from the face of the planet. So who is DHS now focusing on that merits the greatest potential for harming the nation? You guessed it… CONSERVATIVES!

An excerpt from this first installment:

Seriously? The Department of Homeland Security? The guys with the multi-billion dollar budget who are supposed to protect us from terrorists and other bad people are targeting the conservative grassroots tea parties? Really!?!

You have nothing better to do? Really!?!

So when you think terror, you think Edmund Burke admiring, tea wasting, tax hike loathing, free speech upholding, constitution loving protestors who took the day to symbolize their opposition to the current statist agenda. Really DHS? Really?!

Please visit www.atr.org daily to see what the weekly installment of “Really!?! wtih ATR” will highlight next. If you know of something that you feel is worthy of a feature, please comment under the most recent “Really!?!” post for consideration.

Also – for Twitter, use #Really!?! for all your outrageous news stories.

The recent push to “go green” by many industries in America was a theme that echoed throughout President Obama’s endless campaign rhetoric. However, what Obama didn’t tell his listeners was just exactly who America would be “partnering” up with to make this dream a reality.

Let there be no doubt that the need to look to alternative energy is real, as well as making use of the energy sources we use now both as efficient and safe as possible. We can also take solace in the idea that going “Green” will not hurt American productivity as long as we incentivize it making sure that those doing the “heavy-lifting” are the ones who will be rewarded.

Enter President Obama (stage left)… and standing by his side Organized Labor, ready to reap in the benefits of the push for “Green Jobs”; while at the same time making sure they add more names to their roll sheets regardless of whether those names want to partner up with the unions or not. The provisions for the Green Jobs Act of 2007, contained in the recently “passed” Pelosi-Obama-Reid Stimulus Bill explicitly state:

ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible to receive a grant under clause (i), an entity shall be a non-profit partnership that—

I. includes the equal participation of industry, including public or private employers, and labor organizations, including joint labor-management training programs, and may include workforce investment boards, community-based organizations, educational institutions, small businesses, cooperatives, State and local veterans agencies, and veterans service organizations; and…

This is a far cry from “change we can believe in” However, is anyone surprised that a Democratic President is trying to benefit Labor, without any regard for the individual employee/employer?? If you have even the slightest doubt, just look at how much money Labor has given to the Democratic Party over the years. STAGGERING.

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A new blog series created at Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) called, “I Told You So” pokes fun at the outrageous policies being implemented at the federal and state level. These common sense posts draw very simple, but obvious conclusions on several policy issues.

What’s great about this new series, it allows people to see the fact that ATR has notified members of Congress that if you do X, then Y will happen. Do they listen? The smart ones do…the others…not so much.

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At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, DC this past week, conservatives young and old gathered to discuss strategy and show-off their latest innovations.

I was asked to talk very very briefly about “card check” and the Employee Free Choice Act. Here’s the clip!

Or click here to visit AWF’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/workerfreedom.

Dear Gov. Jindal -

What happened?

Sincerely,

Republican Hope

PS – In all due respect, we love what you’re doing in New Orleans…but wow, that was unfortunate.

If you’re like me, you wish there was something to do while listening to the Obama-ganda tonight. Well now there is.

From the people who brought you the Taxpayer Protection Pledge (which almost saved California from higher taxes), and the famous “Wednesday Meeting“, comes a new play-at-home game that is fun for the whole family.

Americans for Tax Reform, providing wholesome family fun since 1984, has created “O-BINGO”. Played just like regular bingo, “O-BINGO” allows you and your family to follow along with Obama’s speech and see who can get the most squares covered in one line.

This soon to be timeless game includes such memorable Obama phrases like “let me be clear”, “vulnerable Americans”, and who can forget the classic “toxic assets”.

Get your “O-BINGO” card below and visit the newly remodeled www.ATR.org for more information and to leave your comments and scores from the game.

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If you were good this Christmas, you might get candy or that new toy you wanted.

For those who were a bit naughty, the presents might resemble lumps of coal or switches.

But what do you get if you were very naughty…but…happened to give $600 million to the left? Well, Santas Pelosi and Reid will probably give you whatever you wanted. Oh, and I am sure Obama will be just as jolly.

What exactly can you deck your halls with for $600 million? Well, “card check” for starters. What better Christmas gift than to disenfranchise millions of workers by taking away their right to a private, secret ballot when voting on unionization? I can think of a few…

Of course, I am referring to labor unions. With Big Labor giving 91 percent of political contributions to Democrats according to OpenSecrets.org in the recent 2008 giving cycle, the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF) has put together a “Christmas Wish List” of what Big Labor wants. This new 111th Congress has the choice: either side with worker freedom or become union puppets.

In addition, AWF will be discussing various items on Big Labor’s Christmas Wish List with their new YouTube Series “A Very Big Labor Christmas” featuring several special guests. View all the episodes and other videos at www.youtube.com/WorkerFreedom.

On 12/02/08, the Heritage Foundation released a document entitled, “Ensuring Access to Affordable Health Insurance—A Memo to President-Elect Obama,” written by Stuart Butler and Nina Owcharenko. It’s a serious document, and one which Heritage hopes will serve as a keynote for conservative action on health care reform over the next four years.  Let’s take a look at what they have to say.

Heritage has a history of getting health care wrong.  In 1994, they got Senator Don Nickles (R-OK) to sponsor a plan which was opposed by virtually every conservative organization.  In 2007, they backed a plan which would result in a net income tax increase.  Heritage is like the red kryptonite on “Superman” or the box of chocolates in “Forrest Gump”—you never know what you’re going to get, but there’s a high probability of something going wrong.

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As if anyone needed any more proof that Governors Perry (R-TX) and Sanford (R-SC) are anything less than awesome, they go on WSJ and condemn the state bailouts…awesome!

In a blog post today, ATR says

In today’s WSJ, Perry and Sanford express their opposition to state bailouts saying:

“Our Founding Fathers were clear and deliberate in setting up a system whereby the federal government would only step in for that which states cannot do themselves. An expansionist federal government of the last century has moved us light-years away from that model, but it doesn’t mean that Congress can’t learn from states that are coming up with solutions that work.”

We couldn’t agree more.

You stay classy Perry and Sanford, because I don’t think you can get anymore awesome!

Awesome!

Today is the 30th birthday of government driven ethanol mandates – so Happy Birthday inefficiency and command-and-control energy policies!

I for one will be celebrating this at a press conference at the National Press Club as part of a Food Before Fuel campaign.

First, let’s a take a moment to examine this situation.

The government wants people to use cleaner fuels – ok, nothing wrong with that. Simply create a market where all types of energy can compete (wind, solar, water, electric, coal, gas, ethanol, etc.) and let the consumers and the free market decide. The most optimal market choice will win out. It’s simple economics, there is no arguing that.

However, the smugness of the government (like those who drive hybrids to tire burning parties), tends to over-shadow the markets because the policies that win out may be not what they want to win.

Currently, the technology simply isn’t there for a lot of these – the answer is to wait! Don’t force it. Forcing policies by using mandates or subsidies is command-and-control market economics that this country simply can’t afford.

Rather than allowing the market to work, this is what happened. The government decided 30 years ago that ethanol should be the “clean” fuel to push. So the mandates began to flow. In doing so, the market was “forced” to try and accept something that wasn’t derived naturally (i.e. there is no real demand) and the market rejected it. The “demand” was artificially stimulated by the forced government mandates.

What happened next?

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Influential DC insider Grover Norquist is known for many things. Being president of ATR, sitting on the board of the NRA, and running the famous Wednesday meeting.

However after today, there might be another point added to that list.

According to The Washington Times, Grover Norquist sent a letter to the Treasury Department asking the government to give him the $700 billion.

An excerpt from the letter reads:

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Below are some various trends and stats that I have compiled from the 2008 Presidential election.

Surprisingly, the Catholic shift. Not surprising, the immigration shift. Talk about messaging. Seriously, just take Latino immigrants. Catholic, family-centric, hard-working, familiar with small businesses, and until we piss them off, most likely to be Center-Right. What happens when we do make them mad by, oh, I don’t know, coming off as protectionist racists…they vote for the other guy. Duh!

So note to GOP – learn lessons. Don’t have “Bush-Syndrome” and never learn from anything you do, take notes, actually learn a lesson and DON’T DO THIS AGAIN!

Obama, first D since Carter to win 50%+ of the vote. (Carter won 50.1%)

Obama won 66% of the Latino vote

Obama won Latinos in Florida by 15 points, a group that voted Republican by )12 points only 4 years ago

Bush won 44% of Latinos in 2004

Rejection of immigration as perceived as part of the Republican platform )caught up and probably helped cost the R’s Florida. Messaging on immigration )is crucial this coming cycle.

Obama won 95% of black vote; Kerry won 88% of black vote

Obama won 66% of people aged 18-29 and 68% of first time voters

Obama lost whites without a college education by 18 points

Almost 1 in 5 voters who voted for Bush shifted to Obama

Obama won 54% of Catholics – Kerry won 47%; big gains.

D’s improved 17 points on voters who earn more than $200k a year – would )have been nice if McCain actually talked about the differences between him )and Obama on taxes, investments and the economy!

So…get to work GOP. With the redistricting in the House and a chance to take back some seats (think 1994 revolution) there is [insert synonym for hope as that word is now tarnished].

As you know, this election decides many things: Do unions become puppet masters of Congress and the White House? Will our taxes go up? What about my 401(k) stability? Healthcare? Immigration? And more…

Well, ATR has put together some educational voter guides on energy, taxes and labor. Enjoy!

McCain vs. Obama on Energy Taxes

McCain vs. Obama on Taxes: Which April 15 would you rather have?

AWF: McCain vs. Obama Labor Matrix: How Do They Compare on Worker Freedom?

Obama’s Tax Hikes = Patriotism?

UPDATE: Hell in a Handbasket: Life Under a Democrat Congress

Guess what…If Barack Obama’s tax hike had been in place since 2001, he would have paid over $250,000 more in income taxes than he actually did. This assumes that the 33% bracket stayed at 36%, and that the 35% bracket stayed at 39.6%.

Here’s the breakdown:

2001 – $420

2002 – $585

2003 – $910

2004 – $0

2005 – $60,257

2006 – $27,002

2007 – $161,555

Total Tax Gap – $250,727

Americans for Tax Reform today challenged Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) to put his money where his mouth is and pay up on his “tax gap.” Specifically, if Obama’s tax-increase policies had been in place since 2001, he would have paid $250,727.70 in additional income taxes.

This does not even count the additional Social Security payroll taxes he would have had to pay under his tax-increase plan, nor any interest or penalties!!!!

So…before Sen. Obama continues on his “spread the wealth” socialism tour, he may want to put his money where his mouth is. I say, either put up or shut up! If he is so convinced that repealing the tax cuts are good for the economy, why doesn’t the Senator pay what he would have owed if those cuts where not their in the first place.

Doesn’t sound like such a good idea anymore now does it?

Recently, in Human Events and in the DC Examiner I have referred to this election as the “Worker Freedom” election – indicating that this election will either make-it-or-break-it for Big Labor.

Yet with the millions, or even billions, of dollars the business community and some trade associations represent, this election should not be the worker freedom election.

Why? Because presumably, businesses (represented by the business community) support lowering the corporate income tax, oppose massive unionization, support lowering the capital gains tax, oppose EFCA (card check), etc, etc and the list goes on and on. There is one candidate and one party that supports all of the things the business community wants and the other candidate and party opposes – on tax issues, energy issues, and labor issues.

So with all that weight, the Republicans, who support lower taxes and oppose card check, should have the full support of the business community and their resources and we should be taking back Democrat Senate seats in districts and states that went Bush twice, right? Wrong!

So why isn’t that happening…

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This election has been called many things.

Grover Norquist has called it the “401(k) Election.”

Some groups are calling it the “Take Back the Flag Election.”

However the Alliance for Worker Freedom is calling it the “Worker Freedom Election.”

Yesterday, AWF released a 15-variable matrix that compares John McCain and Barack Obama on issues concerning labor, trade, unions and, well, for lack of a better word, worker freedom.

Regardless of where you stand, it seems more and more as if being for “worker freedom” runs counter to the left-wing union agenda.

What type of tricks are being used to convince (or coerce) American rank-and-file workers that taking away their right to a private, secret ballot when voting on membership is a good thing. Not to mention the forced union dues paying as a condition of employment, which, by the way, [91 percent of] (http://www.workerfreedom.org/index.php?content=300bill)go toward Democrats (so, if you’re a Republican union member…sorry).

Click here for the one page handout version of the matrix, perfect for conferences or birthday gifts.

Or…for those untrusting souls out there…click here for the very detailed version with full citations, vote record references, etc. PDF or EXCEL

If George McGovern went on the record today, as opposing card check, supporting states rights, supporting the Health Care Choice Act and signed ATR’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge promising not to raise taxes…would you vote for him?

Given the current climate today, I would have to think long and hard about that one.

However, my current leanings are more toward the “yes” side than the “no”.

Thoughts?