A Double Dose of Rebellion on Music Monday

English: Flag of the Assembly of Tennessee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Sheepdog is rather perturbed. In fact, I've had it with the Republican-controlled Tennessee Legislature and Governor "Slick Billy" Haslam. Since they've taken power, they've insisted on telling Tennesseans how much allergy medication we can buy, where we can and can't carry our guns, where we can take a selfie, and more. I could go on and on. That's not freedom, and it needs to stop.

So, today, I'm musically expressing my continued displeasure with these bums, and I'll start with a music video from Monster Truck. Their song "Don't Tell Me How To Live" is a good way to start this double shot of music on the 2nd Monday in May. The video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.

Hang on, though, this video is like the "warm-up band" at a rock concert. The Sheepdog's just getting started. The best, "the headliner", is below.



The previous grievances I've had with the Tennessee Legislature and the governor are not my biggest problem with them, though. Recently, these so-called "conservatives" rammed through what will turn out to be the biggest tax increase on Tennesseans in my lifetime. These liars, with the help of the media and fuzzy math, conned many Tennesseans into believing it is "The Largest Tax Cut in Tennessee History".

Nothing could be further from the truth, because the few taxes that are cut in the legislation will only benefit a few, mainly the wealthy, and the cut in the sales tax on food will be far outweighed by the increase in the gas tax and the diesel fuel tax. In fact, the increase in the diesel fuel tax will force up prices on ALL products sold in Tennessee as transportation and shipping costs will go up across the board and be passed on to consumers. It's basic Economics 101 no matter what the politicians tell you.

So, to thoroughly express my outrage with the Tennessee liars' con-job, "the headliner" on this edition of double-shot music Monday is Nickelback with their #1 hit "Edge Of A Revolution". It's perfect here with images of school kids turning from conformists going along with the status quo into nonconformists refusing to take it anymore.

Until Tennesseans do the same thing and stop voting the same Tennessee politicians back into office every single election, nothing will change. They will continue to do whatever they want to us. Video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.



Due to some of the images in the video, I know someone's thinking,"Wow. The Sheepdog's gone full-Commie on us." Absolutely not. Neither am I encouraging rioting in Tennessee. All I'm saying by sharing this video is don't buy into the Tennessee GOP's "mass delusion" that the fuel tax increase will actually be a tax cut, because "they're depending on mass confusion". "Don't lay down and accept this fate." Instead, be revolutionaries with your vote on Election Day 2018 by voting every single, sorry Tennessee incumbent out of office regardless of party.

Don't be a sheep. Be a sheepdog. Let your vote be your teeth. I promise you I will.

A Tune That Will Make You Think

Anybody been watching the news lately ? It seems that all we hear is bad news. There's a war in Syria. Plus, we've got IRS Gate, SpyGate, Benghazi Gate, politicians hating each other, and people killing, robbing, and maiming each other for no reason. It's insanity. The world is out of control.

Pride (White Lion album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As I think about all the crap above, and I do mean crap, I can't help but wonder what kind of world is the next generation gonna live in ? As chaotic and mean as it is now, I can't imagine what it's gonna be like in the future as things continue to deteriorate. Thinking about all of this brought me to the song I've picked for today's Music Monday.

Today's tune is "When the Children Cry" by White Lion from their 1987 album Pride. The song reached #3 on the charts and is one of the best known and widely played ballads from the '80s. As you watch the video and listen to the music, I think you will find that the lyrics are powerful, and they will leave you with much to think about. The video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.



Some music critics have suggested that some of the lyrics in the chorus of the song show a fondness for Communism by the band. Whether that is true or not, I do not know. However, when you consider that most hair bands of the '80s, such as White Lion, were primarily focused on women and booze, I, as a fan of music from that era, do not agree with such an assertion. I think Communism was the farthest thing from the bands' minds. However, even if their assertions were true, I still think most of us can agree with the band's main point in the song - what type of world are we leaving for the children ?

It might be the most important question of our time.

Related articles

• Former WHITE LION Singer MIKE TRAMP: New Video Interview Posted Online (blabbermouth.net)
• MIKE TRAMP - "To Try And Recreate WHITE LION With The New Line-Up Was A Complete Mistake" (bravewords.com)
• 10 Best 80's Rock Ballads (mademan.com)

Congratulations, .... You Killed the Twinkie

Just before Thanksgiving, we heard the news that Hostess would be shutting down. It meant that over 18,000 people would lose their jobs and that Twinkies, HoHo's, and Wonder Bread were gone. We saw an American tradition quickly go from endangered to extinct, virtually over night.

Box of Twinkies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hostess had been in financial trouble for a while. It filed bankruptcy in 2004, emerged from bankruptcy in 2009, and then filed again in 2011. The company was in big trouble. Some of it due to labor and benefits costs. The labor dispute Hostess has endured over the last few months with the Teamsters and other unions didn't help things any, either. Interestingly, all the unions involved, including the Teamsters, reached agreements with Hostess, except for one - the bakers. Each agreed to pay cuts and other concessions in order to help keep the company afloat and allow people to hold onto their jobs. All of them that is, except the bakers.

Just before Thanksgiving, Hostess gave the bakers union a deadline for reaching an agreement. The company advised them that if an agreement was not reached, then the company would be shut down. Then, themselves and all of their fellow employees, over 18,000 in total, would be out of a job. The last report I saw said that the bakers refused to take a pay cut of 5%. In essence, they chose no pay over taking a 5% cut. That makes no sense to me.

Up until a few years ago, I was indifferent in regards to unions - I could take them or leave them. In fact, several years ago, for a very brief time, I considered joining a union. I had been unlawfully discriminated against at work, and I considered joining the union in order to "stick it to the man." As I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that doing so would only make matters worse and lead to retaliation by management. Instead, I decided that since I was young and had a degree and my CPA, I would take responsibility for myself and go find another job. Why stick around that environment, be miserable, and depend on the union to look out for me. Nope. I'd take of myself. Screw "the man" and the union.

Over the last few years, I've been watching unions more closely and looking more into what they are about. The argument can be made that at one time in this country, there was a need for them. Workplace conditions were unsafe. Workers were mistreated. However, nowadays, I don't think that argument holds any water. There are plenty of labor laws and other regulatory requirements on the books to protect the American worker.

The more I've looked into unions, I've realized that the heart and soul of the whole idea of unions is rooted in the concept of "collectivism." In other words, unions work "for the good of the collective." Anytime you hear the word "collective," you should get chill bumps. Anything that is "good for the collective" removes individualism from the equation.

For instance, think about the term "collective bargaining." Under collective bargaining, the contract formed by the union with the company binds all the union workers under that umbrella. What if some of the benefits, such as health insurance choices, are not the best option for a particular employee ? Too bad. So sad. That employee is stuck with them. Bye, bye individuality and individual liberty and freedom. By joining the union, you basically forfeit your right to negotiate your own wage and benefits with the company. You give up your right to get what's best for you and your family.

Hostess Donettes And Honey Buns (Photo credit: Phillip Pessar)

Here's something else to think about that many don't realize. Most Americans have a negative view of communism, right ? We don't want it here in our country, and for many decades, we have fought to prevent communism's spread into other countries. The thing is that this whole idea of "the good of the collective" is the very heart and soul of communism. Communism removes individuality from all parts of society and the collective becomes the focus. So, we know most Americans disapprove of communism, right ? So, then why do so many of them rely on the communist-born idea of collectivism in regards to their livelihood ? It baffles me.

Lastly, folks who have read my blog for any length of time know that I am a firearms enthusiast. I hunt, target shoot, and carry guns for self-defense. Firearms are as much a part of my every day life as food and clothing. I am often amazed by the anti-gunners who claim that guns need to be banned because "guns kill people." The fact is that is not true. A gun is basically a paperweight until a human picks it up. Evil people kill people. If you follow the gun banners logic, then we need to ban cars, knives, baseball bats, ropes, fatty foods, and other things that lead to humans dying, too.

Additionally, if you follow that logic, then I propose that perhaps it is time to ban unions, too. Afterall, a union killed the Twinkie, and the HoHo, and Wonder Bread, and .........  

Related articles

• The Union Insanity That Killed the Twinkie (moonbattery.com)
• Shame On The Gluttonous Bakery Union Members, Blasted Twinkie Killers (forbes.com)
• Labor Fight Could Kill Off Twinkies, Wonder Bread (fox8.com)
• Even Unions admit, Unions to blame for Twinkie demise (legalinsurrection.com)
• Absurd Union Benefits And Rules Killed Hostess (sweetness-light.com)
• Twinkies fall victim to union-management dispute (hotair.com)
• Hostess Brands' end could mean farewell for Twinkies, other snacks (pennlive.com)
• LABOR FIGHT: Twinkies, Wonder Bread At Risk (whotv.com)
• Hostess unable to reach a deal with bakers' union; Twinkies maker continues plans to liquidate (vancouversun.com)
• Say Goodbye To The Twinkie: Hostess Going Out Of Business (houston.cbslocal.com)

I'm Not A Fan

My family and friends know all too well that I am no fan of homeowners' associations. I lived in a subdivision for nine years that had one and will never do so again. I find the idea that a group of private individuals, with no lawmaking or law enforcement authority, can tell me what I can and cannot do on my own property absolutely ludicrous. As a conservative, who supports private property rights, the idea of homeowners' associations is un-American and stinks of communism / socialism / fascism. The dues you have to pay each month to lawfully live in peace on your own property, that you paid for, kinda resembles "protection money" small businesses and individuals often are forced to pay to organized crime syndicates. In fact, that's a pretty good analogy - a homeowners' association is basically the mob. You pay them to leave you alone. If you don't pay them, they file a lien on your home and / or sue you. You know what I'm sayin' .... bada-bing-bada-boom.

I recently received an e-mail from a buddy about a man whose homeowners' association would not let him put up a flag pole and fly the American flag in his yard. Can you believe that - a man can't choose to fly Old Glory on this own property ? Are you kidding me ? What has happened to our country ? Anyway, guess what he did - he painted his house to resemble the American flag ! Gotta love it. Great way to spite "The Man."

The "Czar-castic" Ron Bloom, Manufacturing Czar

Quick piece of housekeeping - there will be videos included with my blog entries the next several days. If you get my e-mail updates, it's very likely the videos will not come through in the e-mails. The quickest way to access the videos will be to click on the e-mail title which will direct you back to the blog page where you can view them.

Today's featured czar is Ron Bloom, Manufacturing Czar, who was appointed in July 2009. He is in charge of overseeing the bailouts and restructuring of GM (Government Motors) and Chrysler. This position was formerly known as the Car Czar when held by Steve Rattner who resigned over questions about his involvement in alleged financial fraud. Bloom's background is :

1. raised in union family,
2. United Steelworkers Union leader from 1996 to February 2009,
3. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) member, and
4.  wrote an article in the fall of 2006 for the Democratic Socialists of America magazine which said " ... free markets and the joys of competition is nothing but pablum (def. from Webster's - soft cereal for infants) for the suckers."

His views on the free market and the roles of union in industry is evident in this video :

Hmmm. He thinks the free market is a joke and agrees with Mao that power comes from a gun. Is this socialist / communist really the guy we want overseeing the auto bailout and restructuring ?? Could it be that his appointment is nothing but a union payoff ?? Is this the best Obama can do when it comes to "special advisors ??"

When I started this series, I picked out six of Obama's Czars to highlight. Tomorrow, we'll look at the second whose also one of the nuttiest - the "Czar-castic" Cass Sunstein, Regulatory Czar.

sources : Glenn Beck, NewsMax

Mao worshipper Dunn leaving White House

I heard earlier today that Anita Dunn is resigning her position at the White House effective at the end of this month. This is the same Anita Dunn that claimed, "The reality of it is that Fox News often operates almost as either the research arm or the communications arm of the Republican Party." She went on to say that "... the way we (the White House) view it, is that it is more of a wing of the Republican Party." She made both these statements last month as part of the so-called White House "war on Fox News."

These statements were spoken like someone who obviously doesn't have a clue what she is talking about. If you ever watch Fox News, you know that most of their opinion shows are admittedly more identifiable with the Independents and not the Republicans. Furthermore, this is the same Anita Dunn that was recorded saying that one of her favorite political philosophers is Mao Tse Tung - the Communist who had millions of his own people executed !! What the heck was this woman doing in the White House anyway ??

The Czars Are Falling !!

Uh -oh ..... Obama's Czars are falling !! On Saturday, September 5th, the first of Obama's 30-something Czars resigned. Van Jones, Special Advisor for Green Jobs a.k.a. Green Jobs Czar, resigned under pressure due to questions about past statements and associations as well as insults (to put it mildly) he voiced at Conservative Republicans in Congress.

The questioning of his past associations was primarily initiated by Glenn Beck (http://www.glennbeck.com/). It included statements made by Jones in 1992 when he was arrested during a protest of the Rodney King verdict. Jones said that the incident "... accelerated my radicalization" and that he was "... a rowdy nationalist." He later professed to being a communist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Jones#cite_note-vanjonesrodneyking-15). The question is what was a self-proclaimed communist doing as an advisor to Obama ?? Is it because Obama and he share the same views ?? Or, was Obama's vetting process inadequate ?? Either way, there is NO Constitutional authority for any of Obama's Czars. They are not confirmed by the Senate nor do they answer to Congress. They all must go.

In my opinion, all Americans owe Glenn Beck a big, big thank you for exposing Jones. None of the other media outlets investigated him nor even seem to care. Back in the '80s, Kiss recorded a song titled "Tears Are Falling." Maybe someone should do a cover version titled "Czars Are Falling." Let's hope and pray Jones' resignation is only the beginning.