The day my family was almost murdered

Politicians have stories that they share at campaign events to try to show that they can relate to the people in the crowd. Far be it from me to operate like a politician but I have a story to share. This is the story of the man who almost murdered my family.

The afternoon of November 17, 2005 was busy. I had to get my eleven-month old daughter ready to go to her very first NHL hockey game. Since it was an almost three hour trip to the game, I was a typical mom making sure that I had everything that I could possibly need for the ride. We had a great day. My husband, daughter and I went to see the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the New York Rangers. And even though my husband was a little sad that his favorite team had lost, he was still beaming ear to ear from the experience of sharing his love of hockey and the Rangers with his little girl.

The game ended around 10pm and we began the long trip home. About an hour into the trip, with our little girl asleep in her car seat snug in her Rangers jersey, my husband had to swerve the car to miss a chair that had obviously fallen of someone's vehicle. We looked at each other and laughed - that kind of nervous laugh that you have when you don't know how else to react. An hour and a half later we exited onto the stretch of interstate that held the last 20 miles of our trip. My husband and I again exchanged a glance as if to say, "20 minutes and then we'll be home." As we crested over a hill near Idewild Rd on I-485 in Charlotte, I saw some lights in the distance. I asked my husband, "Do you see that?" My husband answered, "Yeah what is that?" Before I could answer we both saw that the lights were headlights and they were headed straight at us. Speeding toward us at over 100mph was an SUV traveling the wrong way on the highway in the middle lane. Neither of us spoke for what felt like minutes but was in reality just mere seconds as we braced to see which way the SUV would move and thankfully at the exact right moment, my husband swerved the car to the left avoiding a collision by inches.

As the SUV raced behind us, I scrambled for my cell phone and dialed 911. As calmly, as possible, I told the operator where we were and what had happened and finished with, "Please please hurry." I hung up and started shaking and crying uncontrollably. My husband and I made it home about 10 minutes later and after about an hour of clinging to my sleeping daughter I placed her securely into her crib for the night. I think it was about 4am when my husband finally succumbed to his exhaustion while I continued to shake, unable to sleep. At 5am, I turned on the television and the local station brought me the news I was afraid to see and hear.

They police were too late. A few miles after narrowly missing us, the speeding SUV crested over another hill and crashed head-on into a 19-year college student who had no time to react. Min Soon Chang was killed instantly. This innocent young man had failed to get into a sold out midnight showing of the new Harry Potter movie and was on his way home when he was murdered. Witnesses caught the aftermath on cell phones and local news showed the video and photos over and over for the next few days.

Jorge Humberto Hernandez Soto (a drunk driver who was barely injured in the crash) was charged with second-degree murder. Upon his arrest a frightening history was revealed. This man was here illegally yes but that was not all. Not only was he driving drunk while here illegally, he was doing so after having been charged for doing so twice already in Tennessee and Colorado. As if that were not enough, it was also shown that Jorge Humberto Hernandez Soto had been deported from the United States seventeen times. SEVENTEEN TIMES!!!!!!!

This murderer was deported from Tucson, Ariz., twice and from El Paso, Texas, once and he voluntarily returned to Mexico 14 times after being caught within miles of the border, immigration officials said. Jeff Jordan, assistant special agent in charge of North Carolina for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was quoted as saying, "We have no idea how he's getting back in [the country]". Really Mr. Jordan? You have no idea? I bet its as easy as walking across one of the many gaps in the "fence" or one of the many areas with no such fence along our border with Mexico. This monster was charged with the murder of Min Chang but I contend he should have also been charged with the attempted murder of everyone he passed that night. This man wouldn't know me to see me but I will never forget the face of the man who almost murdered my family.

Unlike the healthcare debate with the anecdotes and tales of people dying because they have no insurance, there are countless actual cases where illegal immigrants have killed people. Real stories like mine are going to feed the firestorm of opposition to the amnesty plans for the millions of illegal immigrants currently residing on our soil.

I do not claim to be an expert and I don't claim to know the right answer. I know that there are reasons that illegals come here to work - namely to take jobs that Americans won't or choose not to take. I know that there is no way to either all of a sudden deport or admit all of the illegals who are already here. The one thing that I do know is that if significant improvements to the border fences are not made to stop the steady influx of people then we do not have a prayer of changing anything.

Why not use the "jobs bill" to give American workers jobs building fences along both our Northern and Southern borders and begin to make a change that we can all hope won't cost another life.

Waxman Fires First Shot on Capitalism

Wow! The Democratic leadership celebrated their healthcare "win" for all of four days before reality sunk in and the real work began. The beginning of the end of the free market system known as capitalism was witnessed this past weekend. Much like the first shot fired upon Fort Sumter that signaled the start to the Civil War, Henry Waxman has made a move that is just as foreboding.

Apparently there are some changes in the healthcare reform bill that effect the tax provisions available to companies who offer their retirees prescription drug benefits. These tax provisions are eliminated now that the law has been signed and these companies had a duty (under accounting rules) to report these losses as a part of their first quarter earnings. Companies affected by these changes and who made announcements stating so include; AT&T ($1Billion loss), Deere & Co ($150 Million loss), Caterpillar ($100 million loss) and AK Steel ($31 Million in losses). CEO's of these companies (and others adversely affected by the changes to the tax laws) reported these losses truthfully and unpolitically as required by GAAP (Generally Approved Acccounting Principles) to their shareholders and the public.

Mr. Waxman, apparently still high from the fumes of the twenty pens used to sign healthcare reform into law, got his knickers in a knot when American companies began to actually review the monstrosity known as Obamacare and didn't keep quiet about what they found. Mr. Waxman has called a handful of CEO's of companies, who released news of losses under the new healthcare regime, to Washington DC to appear before an Energy and Commerce Investigative subcommittee hearing on April 21. The California Congressman doesn't stop by "inviting" them to this hearing, no the CEO's also need to be sure to bring with them emails, documents and "the accounting methods used in preparing the cost impact statement released by AT&T this week".

So American companies are being called upon the proverbial carpet for abiding by GAAP rules and some would say free speech. Congress is smacking them down and in essence saying "No no, wait, that wasn't what we told you. We told you it would save money you can't tell people that we lied! No, no we can't have that. Now, please present yourselves to receive your punishment".

I think I see the problem and can almost understand where the CEO's went wrong. You see these companies use something called GAAP, Generally Approved Accounting Principles. Don't they know that they are supposed to use DAFT, Dubious Accounting (Barney) Frank Theorem?

It is also evident that Mr. Waxman has learned lessons from a high-level Obama advisor - good old "If we can't use the power of persuasion then we'll use the persuasion of power" Andy Stern. I assume that Congressman feels that he can help the misguided CEO's to see the light.

God help us all as our freedoms evaporate into thin air.

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Zombies Don't Need Dentists

This morning a story has surfaced that Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele contemplated the purchase of a plane with GOP funds. In addition to the rumors of a jet purchase, there is also a litany of extravagant charges on trips to California and Las Vegas.

Really does this surprise anyone? Okay well maybe some will be surprised about the $1946.25 spent at Voyeur West Hollywood but all of these "expenses" are part and parcel for most politicians in Washington DC (and even in some state capitals as well).

It seems that the majority of politicians, once elected (and some even before), feel that they are better than the rest of the American public. First class airfare, private jets, limousines, champagne, luxury hotels and over-the-top meals at swanky restaurants quickly become the standard that they feel entitled to. This perception of permission on the part of our elected officials is nothing new.

When did this transformation from being a servant to the public good to being someone who requires a servant happen? I tend to believe it was during the Kennedy administration. America's love affair with Camelot allowed politicians to begin to think of themselves as celebrities. And aren't celebrities afforded better treatment in our society?

Politicians in search of the ultimate prize of power have a number of tools in their bag to allow them the lifestyle they have "earned". Not only do they have tax-payer paid salaries, expense accounts, travel and entertainment allowances they also have access to funds from political action committees, re-election funds and the donations received by their national party's fundraising. And that doesn't include speaking fees that are often deferred or donated to "charity" in order to comply with ethics rules.

Politics is like a virus and politicians are like zombies infected with that virus. Unlike the standard zombie, who doesn't need food, water or air, political zombies do not need morals, ethics or good set of dentures. So absent preparing yourself and knowing how to survive a zombie attack, you must exercise your will in other ways and educate yourself and find people who will fight the zombies and their moral-less actions in Washington DC. Elect these people to office and pray that they don't find themselves infected as they are sworn in. And if they become infected, repeat the process again. But NEVER give up the fight.

Special Note: The author neither endorses nor condones the list of ways to prepare yourself for a zombie attack. I merely provide the link for your enlightenment.

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Where is Steve Guttenberg when you need him?

It has now being reported that the healthcare reform bill includes a brand new Long Term Care entitlement program that Americans will be automatically enrolled in by their employers. This new program is designed to provide flexible spending of $75 per day at retirement to assist with home health care services. Great idea right? Its a good thing to care for the senior population. But excuse me isn't that what Medicare is supposed to do?

This new program will require employers to withdraw at least $1500 per year from each worker's paycheck. That figure is based on the current estimate of $140 per month in premiums however some estimates show that the premiums will be closer to $240 each month. Apparently there is the option to opt out of the program however I do not know how true this is or how difficult it will be to accomplish.

I have said many times, I am no mathematician but this math seems fairly easy to comprehend.

American Worker Pays $1500 per year for Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance

American Worker Works for 40 years (if lucky enough to find a job)

American Worker contributes $60,000 over lifetime to LTC program

Average Cost of Nursing Home Per Year - $50,000

Average Cost of Home Health Care Per Year - $12,000

Percentage of Elderly in Nursing Care - 17%

Percentage of Elderly Receiving Home Health Care - 80%

So approximately 97% of the American public will be eligible for the $75 per day stipend as the reach age 65. That totals $27,375 per year per person for ninety-seven percent of the population as they reach age sixty-five. So we have a total pay-in amount (after forty years of working) of $60,000 and the average life expectancy in the US is eighty years. Doesn't that leave as many as 13 years of the average life expectancy unfunded under this entitlement program? And that doesn't even take into consideration people who would qualify for the program without paying in.

So.....I think that I am going to opt out of paying my share and use the money to hire Steve Guttenberg to dive for my cocoon since that may be my only hope!!!

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I Triple Dog Dare You

Who created the game of Chicken? Do you think it was a couple of cavemen who thought it would be funny to run full speed at each other and see who flinched? Or maybe the origins aren't quite that ancient. Maybe it was in Rome with gladiators and the lions. Wherever it started, I think that we can all agree that it is not a game that should be played between the President of the United States and the American public.

Today, President Obama mocked talk of repealing the healthcare bill in a speech in Iowa. In his prepared remarks he said, "They’re actually going to run on a platform of repeal in November. You’ve been hearing that. And my attitude is: Go for it. " That of course was followed by applause by the University of Iowa crowd. My question is Mr President, did you hear the thunderous roar outside of the arena? That was the barrage of the American public as you once again pooh-pooh their will and their convictions.

Already in the past 48 hours, the Attorneys General for 14 states have filed suit against the healthcare bill. There are at least 25 other states considering the same types of litigation. That's 39 states. The last time I looked three quarters of fifty is 38. Sixty-eight percent of people think that the quality of healthcare will either stay the same or worsen once this legislation is enacted. Seventy-six percent of the American public think that the cost of healthcare will stay the same or be raised. Seems to me that the majority of the American people are probably not going to be terribly thrilled when the IRS is charged with monitoring healthcare policies every month and probably less thrilled when they realize that even the immediate benefits that have been touted (lifting of pre-existing condition provisions for children and coverage limits) don't and won't actually go into effect until 2011.

So is it really a stretch to think that the (dare I say 3/4) majority of the country might be a little angry at the big government takeover of the healthcare system. I don't know if repeal is possible. I don't know if de-funding of the bill is the answer. What I do know is that throwing down a challenge to the people of the greatest country in the world is probably not the best idea unless you are ready for the fight of your life. Anyone remember the mood after September 11? We're pretty easily rallied when we're threatened.

So here it is, the President has dared us to fight. Well Mr. President, okay, I triple dog dare you. Now watch us go. Make sure the Secret Service has some hot water and gauze before you put your tongue on the flagpole.

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Is it red or blue?

A memo was issued by the OMB (Office of Management & Budget) informing all Federal agencies of a US District Court ruling that in essence found that the Congressional blocking of funding to ACORN was unconstitutional. This memo tells the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Commerce, and Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency that the previous ruling has been overturned which one would intimate opens the doors for ACORN funding to be reinstated immediately. With all due respect, what?!?!?!?

Let me get this straight. ACORN, an organization shown to have a less than stellar record of playing by the rules, is about to get their funding back at just the moment when its been reported that they are folding. A Fox News story quotes ACORN spokesman Kevin Whelan saying, "It's really declining revenue in the face of a series of attacks from partisan operatives and right-wing activists that have taken away our ability to raise the resources we need." Well how convenient that, in the wake of healthcare passing and everyone's focus shifted to the "historic" events, this agency so beneficial to the President's election has regained funding in the nick of time to save themselves.

Do not be fooled when the ACORN spokespeople say that they are shutting down, the most important of all offices have already taken steps to distance themselves from the news media scrutiny. The New York and California ACORN offices broke away earlier this year by changing their names in hopes to salvage the outside funding that they receive. I am sure though that in the name changing process that they made sure to keep in their charters the ability to receive the Federal funding due under the original name.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the President continues to surround (rather than distance) himself with people and organizations that are champions in the art of getting what they want by any means necessary. The President himself stated (in an interview last week) that, " I don't spend a lot of time worrying about what the procedural rules are in the House or the Senate." No Mr President, I don't think you do spend a lot of time worrying about rules. Now. Because as is evidenced with your 129 "present" votes in the Illinois state Senate, I believe that you spent years learning the rules so that you would no longer have to "worry" about them. The idea that you were okay with the "deem it passed" scenario for healthcare is further evidence that you are well aware of the rules and how to use them to reach your end game.

All of this being said, the biggest slap in the face of the OMB's memo reinstating ACORN funding has to be the line "Federal agencies are hereby advised that the District Court has declared the above-listed legislative provisions unconstitutional". Great, its unconstitutional to block funding to a corrupt organization but its totally okay to tell private companies how they must operate and to force the American people to buy a product that they do not want.

Excuse me but is it the red pill or the blue one that will get me out of this wonderland?

(Feel free to email the author at stephanie@vpmedia.com)

My fear has been transformed

Yesterday morning I was scared. Its difficult to put into words how I feel at the moment. Its kind of like the scene in "The Patriot" where the Revolutionaries are making the final push and the line starts to fall and someone has dropped the flag. I'm confused and tired and wow it would be nice to turn, run and just give up. The House of Representatives voted last night to pass the Senate version of the healthcare reform bill. Obamacare is now a reality and 1/6 of the American economy is firmly in the hands of the government.

I am sick to death of the politicians in Washington telling me what I need. I am tired of them telling me that the founding fathers would want me to have health insurance. I am exasperated by their insistence that they are better equipped to decide how my business can operate than I am. I am simply worn out by over a year of fighting with politicians who neither listen to nor care about their constituents.

Politicians. There's a real winning group of people. We've got Nancy Pelosi who can't be farther in the pocket of all that is evil if she tried. Its been said that it was she, and not Rahm Emanuel, who urged the President to keep fighting for healthcare even after the Scott Brown election. I certainly don't want to visualize the locker room confrontations that she had to conduct to get this legislation to a vote. Then we have Mary Landrieu, Ben Nelson and Kent Conrad (just to name a few) that were able to score big kickbacks with catchy names for their states. Some of those kickbacks have been stripped with the change language to the bill but at least they showed the ability to get something tangible for the selling of their vote. Maybe it will help them that they tried to get something for their state but then again they probably really don't care. None of them are up for reelection until 2012. They are free to wreak havoc for another 2 years.

That's not the case for poor Bart Stupak (D-MI). I think I need to make him one of my shirts. "I negotiated with the President and all I got was a lousy piece of paper". Mr. Stupak sold his vote for a non-binding promise of an executive order on abortion language. He didn't even hold the President's feet to the fire and ask for the executive order before the vote. I guess the economic woes of Michigan extend to their Representative's offices.

I know people who support this bill. They aren't bad people and I am confident that they do not want to see our beautiful Republic destroyed. These are people who have been convinced by the Washington DC and Chicago power machines that health insurance and a college education are a right. I don't blame them for their opinions. I just hope that someday that they can awaken from the dream.

The President went on TV to pat himself on the back and to again tell me how this was a good thing for the country. He made a statement that stuck with me. "To every unsung American who took the time to sit down and write a letter or type out an e-mail hoping your voice would be heard — it has been heard tonight." You are correct Mr President. The voices were heard and summarily were ignored over and over and over again. But do not be mistaken, we will not go quietly into the night, we will not go without a fight. The majority of the American people did not want this bill. Your bill went from a 67% approval to under a 35% approval in less than a year.

Well, I now know how to feel. I have seen the flag fall but that cannot be the end. I am energized and ready to pick up the flag again and fight. The light of the morning and the fact that the IRS is now going to control healthcare is going to bring more people to the fight. As more information is gleaned from the bill, we will gain more and more supporters and we will find a way to save our country. That's what we do, we're Americans.