Welcome to
Michael Burns' Political Blog!

Happy Birthday, America!!!

Today, America is 232 years old. I suggest we all read the Declaration of Independence to remind us of why we separated from British Rule. And, as we read the Facts "submitted to a candid world", consider whether any apply to our Federal Government today.

The citizens of this state are being asked whether they want to amend the State Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The California Marriage Protection Act will amend the State Constitution "to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

I will be supporting this measure. However, my reasons may not be what you think.

Please click the "Read full article ..." link below to see what my reasons are ...

Today, the Supreme Court restored the right of the individual to possess and carry firearms. The following links are the historic decision and various articles detailing the decision.

• District of Columbia v. Heller, 07-290 PDF

• CNN -- High court strikes down gun ban
• MSNBC -- Gun ruling to spark legal battles nationwide
• NPR -- Supreme Court: Gun Ownership an Individual Right
• Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune -- The Supreme Court embraces the Second Amendment
• Yahoo News -- Supreme Court finds individual right to own guns
• FOX News -- Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Gun Ban, Upholds Individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms
• Yahoo News -- Supreme Court rules in favor of gun ownership rights

Click "Read full article ..." for more of my thoughts ...

I have created a profile on Guru.com which you can view here. Guru.com is a site where freelance professionals and employers can make contact. Employers post projects and receive bids from the freelance professionals. In some cases, an Employer may contact a specific freelance professional and request them to work on their project.

Yes, this is my political blog. But, I need to promote myself if I am going to succeed as a freelance professional.

Answer ... increase production!

This week, the price of oil lowered after Saudi Arabia increased it's oil production (Oil Tumbles on Strengthening Dollar, Saudi Output). And, if we were less dependent on foreign oil, that would help even more. The article High Gas Prices-- Thank You Congress points out the barriers, and who is responsible for those barriers, to the US producing more of it's own oil.

I don't know about you, but I am not very excited about our choices this fall.

As I have discussed with others, it appears it is going to be a selection of the "lessor of two evils". While McCain is a Republican, he has supported many things over the years that are clearly not Republican in spirit, such as the McCain-Feingold Campaign Reform passed several years ago. And, as one who has often been asked if I were a Libertarian, I cannot see myself supporting a Democrat at this time as they are generally diametrically opposed to the idea of a limited government.

The following article expresses a lot of the opinions I hold. And, as the article implies, the Republican leadership has strayed from many of those values. As the ending states, I too hope the Republican leadership will return to the policies that have made this Country great, limited government and fiscal responsibility.

Liberals Mostly Wrong, Libertarians Half Right"

Congress and the President have agreed upon an "economic stimulus" package that centers around "tax rebates". As the article found here states, most tax filers, even those who do not pay taxes, will get a refund check from the Federal Government this summer.

I can't help but point out the hypocrisy here. Most agree that the refunds will "stimulate" the economy, hence the name of the package. However, many on the liberal side of the political spectrum refuse to acknowledge that allowing us to keep more of our money to begin with is good for the economy and the government. They prefer to take our money and occasionally, when things aren't looking "that good" (IMO, at this time, media-hyped more than real), they will "refund" it to us and take credit for "simulating the economy".

Let me keep more of my money to begin with to keep the economy growing rather than taking my money and occasionally "stimulating" the economy! It will be better for all us in the long run!

Beginning November 12, 2007, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is starting the Give 1 Get 1 program where, for $399 US, you can give an XO Laptop to a child in a developing country and receive an XO Laptop for yourself to give to your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, or any other child you may choose. If you are in a position to do this, I strongly suggest you do. And, if possible, donate what you can to give more children in developing nations the chance to learn and improve their lives!

One Laptop Per Child -- http://laptop.org
Give 1 Get 1 -- http://laptopgiving.org

The following article demonstrates exactly how development, especially "re-development", is supposed to work. If an individual does not want to sell their home, then the developer must "work around" them!

Developer builds around woman's home

A couple of decades ago, Yorba Linda was a "rural community". For the last several years, Yorba Linda has been referred to as a "semi-rural community".

Now, considering this article (http://www.ocregister.com/news/birds-roosters-drive-1769292-miller-palomino) from the Orange County Register, I don't believe you can even consider Yorba Linda "semi-rural" anymore. Citizens who have moved into the community within just the last few years are taking away the remaining vestiges of rural life.

So much for the "Land of Gracious Living" ...