I pointed out in 2006 that Janet Napolitano's reputation for competence was undeserved.
At the time, Arizona had the highest crime rate in the nation following her four years as attorney general and four as governor. Our borders remained completely unsecure, she had failed to improve our poor educational outcomes as promised, our transportation system was still in gridlock and we were an economic downturn away from fiscal disaster due to her constant overspending.
In a Bush fatigue year that turned into a national Democratic landslide, with Clean Elections funding restrictions preventing us from communicating with most Arizona voters, and with the opposition of most of the mainstream media, there was no way for a non-incumbent to make that message be heard in 2006.
When the economy started to turn, and the fiscal crisis she created came home to roost, she abandoned Arizona. Unfortunately, her failures here were not exposed by Republicans who were happy to have her out of Arizona, and she was easily confirmed for a job she is proving to be unqualified for.
After a series of gaffes, she is now demonstrating her cluelessness on the national stage. Even Andrew Sullivan has turned on her. Greg Patterson at Espresso Pundit is wondering about her future. And Mark Steyn, filling in today on the Rush Limbaugh show, had the most brutal two-word description: "Janet Incompetano."
As the pressure increases, it is only a matter of time until we see the famous Napolitano temper. Meanwhile, who can we trust to keep our nation secure?
A week-long Mexican riviera cruise in honor of my parents' 50th wedding anniversary gave me a chance to re-connect not only with my extended family but also with two of my favorite political leaders -- Winston Churchill and Ronald Reagan -- as I was able to read Paul Johnson's short new biography "Churchill" and Craig Shirley's much longer account of the 1980 presidential election: "Rendezvous with Destiny: Ronald Reagan and the Campaign That Changed America."
Paul Johnson is an outstanding historian and has done an excellent job sketching Churchill's life in a readable presentation that is especially instructive for young adults. His summary of lessons that can be drawn from Churchill's life is tremendous. Here is my summary of his summary: -- (1) aim high, (2) work hard, (3) don't be discouraged by adversity or failure or mistakes, (4) don't get caught up in petty pursuits like blame-shifting or revenge, and (5) laugh a lot and have fun along the way.
Having lived through the Age of Reagan and read many Reagan biographies -- (a high school senior, the 1980 campaign is the first campaign I followed closely) -- I still learned a bunch, and was reminded again of how politics don't change much and that history often repeats itself.
While Reagan clearly believed it was his destiny to occupy the Oval Office and come to America's rescue, the blow-by-blow account of the ups and downs of the 1980 campaign makes it clear that the outcome of that election was not pre-ordained. Although it turned into a blowout, President Carter still led in most polls until the final week of the campaign.
The parallels between our current Republican wilderness period and the late 1970s wilderness are hard to miss. Having taken disappointment with Republican failures as a liberal mandate, Democrats are overreaching in the same way they did in the late 1970s. Once again, they are reminding the American people that big government not only can't solve our problems, it often IS the problem. The cost of that big government is once again devastating our economy and running up huge deficits. At the same time, the Obama impotence in responding to belligerence from Al Qaeda, North Korea, Russia and Iran is eerily reminiscent of Jimmy Carter's pathetic response to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan and Iran's taking of American hostages.
Once again, the American people are being reminded of their skepticism about big government and their optimism about their own ability to work hard, create jobs and grow the economy.
At the same time, the American people are remembering that peace comes through military strength and a willingness to confront the enemies of liberty and the bullies and tyrants of the world.
The way is being prepared for a return to leadership for those who unapologetically advance common sense conservative principles.
We have reached that time of year – when there are many opportunities to give and many worthy causes, especially in a brutal economy that has taken its toll on so many.
Arizona provides some unique opportunities to give in a way that actually costs you nothing – by allowing you to re-direct some of your existing tax liability to charities that are important to you.
PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
You are allowed to take a full credit up to $1,000 per couple or $500 per individual to organizations that provide scholarships to children who attend private schools. I serve as Advisory Board Chairman for Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization, one of the largest such organizations in the state, and an organization with a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
You can also give up to $400 per couple and $200 per individual to public schools for extracurricular programs. We have appreciated the tremendous educational opportunities provided by public charter schools, including Scottsdale Preparatory Academy and BASIS Scottsdale, which was recently featured on CNN. But you can easily give to your kids’ school or the public school in your neighborhood through their website.
CORPORATE GIVING TO PRIVATE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POOR FAMILIES
If you own a “C” corporation, you can re-direct your Arizona tax liability to scholarships for poor children to attend private schools, through an organization called School Choice Arizona. Like the individual scholarship tax credit, this donation costs a corporation nothing.
Finally, we would welcome your support for a new non-profit dedicated to preserving the values of Western Civilization and to equipping leaders to engage and climb the 7 Mountains of cultural influence by making a tax deductible donation in support of The Institute for Cultural Influence.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
We are thankful for all the cards and letters we get at this time of year with family updates. Here is a brief update on the Munsils:
Matt Munsil (13) – 8th grade at Scottsdale Prep, enjoys baseball, basketball, football and PlayStation, not necessarily in that order.
Kaye Munsil (14) – 9th grade at Scottsdale Prep, loves basketball, baking, volleyball, softball, and taking care of little kids.
Ellen Munsil (16) – 10th grade at Scottsdale Prep, likes science, working out, the Food Channel and her first job -- coaching gymnastics.
Laura Munsil (17) – 12th grade at BASIS Scottsdale, busy with college applications, standardized tests and working at Harkins.
Michael Munsil (18) – freshman at ASU, loves pick-up basketball, offbeat humor and teasing Matt, not necessarily in that order.
Anne Munsil (20) – sophomore at Southwestern College, enjoys playing college basketball, majoring in biblical studies and coming home on weekends.
Leigh Munsil (21) – senior at ASU, loves editing the State Press at ASU, filling out job, internship and grad school applications, and singing on church worship team.
Will Munsil (22) – first-year law student at ASU, likes torts, writing columns for the State Press, coaching baseball and football at Scottsdale Prep, and Jared Dudley.
Tracy Munsil – doctoral candidate at ASU, loves being done with classes, comps and dissertation prospectus, looks forward to writing dissertation and graduating, while continuing as vice chair of Republican Legislative District 8.
Len Munsil – is the only one not in school! Loves his family, his country and his God. Busy with law practice, a small consulting business and helping build a new non-profit with a big mission of promoting cultural reformation.
We are thankful for this season that reminds us of the birth of our redeemer, the One through whom God and sinner can be reconciled. We are thankful that in the midst of economic turmoil, governmental overreach and corruption, moral confusion and public despair, there is a peace that passes understanding and a hope that transcends politics.
While Washington D.C. digs out from the effects of global warming, Ben Nelson is caving in. This is scary: "All Americans would be required to have health insurance, or eventually face fines." When government forces us to buy something under threat of fines and prison, it has total power over our lives. Replace "health insurance..." in the previous sentence with anything big brother thinks is good for us, and you get the idea.
Examples: "All Americans would be required to have VEGETERIAN DIETS or eventually face fines." Or "All Americans would be required to have BICYCLES INSTEAD OF GAS GUZZLING AUTOS or eventually face fines." Or "All Americans would be required to have FEWER THAN THREE CHILDREN or eventually face fines."
So I'm watching football and an ad comes on showing Drew Brees playing football with some kids and some other NFL players on the White House lawn. He throws a pass intended for a kid, but the President jumps in the way and picks it off! Unbelievable! Grown-ups stealing passes intended for little kids is generally frowned upon in Turkey Bowls across America. Then I realized the ad is a metaphor, and the football represents the financial future of our children and grandchildren.
