All the comments by users independent is following

All American Blogger / Ron Paul Wins Oregon Straw Poll

Nov 19, 2008 6:11 AM

Duane Lester - Jane, I don't understand your problem with the photo. Andrew posted that with the attitude of Dr. Paul laughing at the other guys. This isn't intended to make him look silly or loony.

All American Blogger / Ron Paul Wins Oregon Straw Poll

Nov 19, 2008 1:33 AM

Duane Lester - Hello Jane. Thanks for stopping by All American Blogger. Andrew and I are both fond of Ron Paul. While I supported Fred Thompson in the primary, I do believe Andrew voted for Dr. Paul. Could you please point to where we "trashed your candidate?" I don't remember saying anything negative about him other than he needed to communicate his message in a way that didn't make him seem like a kook. His message was sound. I didn't agree with his position on the Iraq war, but I understood it and supported nearly all of the rest of his positions. Please show me where either Andrew or I trashed him.

All American Blogger / Newt's Wrong; No Federal Role in Education

Nov 18, 2008 12:05 AM

Duane Lester - David, Here's where you go wrong. You are basing your position of decisions by the Supreme Court, even when they fly in the face of the creators of the Constitution. The Constitution isn't a suicide pact, but believing in a powerful central government is. Rather than have one, all powerful entity, aka the Department of Education, dictating, yes, dictating, what is to be taught and how, we have 50 different styles. The most effective one wins out. I have no problem with the state running an education program. I have no problem with private schools or homeschooling, and I agree with you when you say:

This country continues to slip farther and farther behind in the educational achievement of its children.

However, it isn't my line of thinking that has resulted in the entrenched teacher's unions. It was Jimmy Carter creating the Department of Education as a reward to that union for supporting his candidacy. Since then, they have only grown stronger. My line of thinking would abolish the Department of Ed. and put the power back in the hands of the state and local governments, where it belongs. Take care, David.

All American Blogger / Newt's Wrong; No Federal Role in Education

Nov 17, 2008 4:13 AM

Duane Lester - You are mistaken, David. No where in the Constitution does it enumerate any powers to the federal government concerning education. The general welfare clause does not refer to education, but to those powers specifically enumerated by the text of the Constitution.

With respect to the two words "general welfare," I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators. If the words obtained so readily a place in the "Articles of Confederation," and received so little notice in their admission into the present Constitution, and retained for so long a time a silent place in both, the fairest explanation is, that the words, in the alternative of meaning nothing or meaning everything, had the former meaning taken for granted. - James Madison, Father of the Constitution

It was the Supreme Court that warped the meaning of the phrase, following FDR's threats of packing the court with additional justices that would side with him.

All American Blogger / Canada's Health Care Comes with a Big Pricetag

Nov 14, 2008 10:06 PM

Duane Lester - The quality of care in Canada is also "way less than that in the United States." You get what you pay for, my Northern friend.

All American Blogger / Duane on Michael Savage

Nov 10, 2008 2:08 AM

Duane Lester - Thanks, Cas. I appreciate that. I'll do my best.

All American Blogger / Obama's Plan: 100 Hours Community Service for College Kids... MANDATORY! (Updated)

Nov 7, 2008 6:12 PM

Duane Lester - Let's answer these questions. Yes, I do oppose the draft. I think compulsory service is bad. I don't think that the federal, or state government should force anyone to do anything unless it is to compensate for their violating the rights of others. If they have violated someone else's rights, yes, they have to repay a debt, but that is a debt they created. That is 50 hours a year that parents loose control of their children, whether they like it or not. For 50 hours a year, the government will be telling parents across the country what their children should be doing. Do you not see the danger there? I know a lot of kids who volunteer. My child has this thing about picking up trash, so when we are at the park, he'll take the time to clean it up while he is there. If he comes across some litter, he puts it where it belongs. There are other kids who spend time cleaning up with community sponsored events. While it's not government imposed, it's still community service, and it's voluntary. Which is the real key here. Apparently you are fine with the government dictating to the citizens of the country. I am not. The government should not be telling anyone, child or adult, how they HAVE to spend their time. It is the beginning of tyranny.

All American Blogger / Obama's Plan: 100 Hours Community Service for College Kids... MANDATORY! (Updated)

Nov 7, 2008 4:19 AM

Duane Lester - And who chooses where they work? The government?

All American Blogger / Client Number Nine, Eliot Spitzer, Will Not Face Charges in Hooker Scandal

Nov 7, 2008 4:17 AM

Duane Lester - That's brilliant!

All American Blogger / Obama Christ Votive

Nov 7, 2008 4:04 AM

Duane Lester - Thanks.