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Jan
23

Why states may legalize drugs

By Katie Kieffer

Green_cannabis_plant_flickr

I believe that states have the constitutional right to legalize drugs. For, the Constitution is silent on the federal government’s ability to regulate or ban substances that adults choose to digest at their own peril—or medical relief.

The Constitution is so silent on this matter of individual liberty (choosing to digest or use drugs) that in order to ban the sale of alcohol during the Prohibition era, we passed the 18th Amendment. When we wised up and realized that banning alcohol doesn’t work, we repealed the 18th Amendment via the 21st Amendment. I contest that federal drug laws are unconstitutional because they do not stem from a constitutional amendment.

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Posted in Law, National Security | 9 Comments

Jan
16

Capitalism (That’s What I Want)

By Katie Kieffer

Capitalism

By Katie Kieffer

The Beatles once rocked America with their cover version of “Money (That’s What I Want).” Today, I’ll rock you with my version. Capitalism don’t get everything it’s true. What it don’t get I can’t use. Now gimme capitalism (that’s what I want).

Anti-capitalist sentiment is creeping into American culture and we need to immediately halt this trend. Even Republican presidential nominees Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are plunging toward… Continue reading

Posted in Economy, Entertainment & Culture | 3 Comments

Jan
09

Ace! Talk Radio Tees Up Obama

By Katie Kieffer

Golf tee

Conservative talking heads like Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh often poke fun at President Obama’s penchant for running the country from the golf course. Yet, ironically, their snobbish treatment of independents is teeing Obama up for another four years of putt-putt presidency.

I respect all three of these pundits, particularly Rush Limbaugh who is a pioneer in his field. However, I’m concerned that their communication style of late is sidelining independent voters that the GOP presidential nominee will need to attract in order to defeat Obama, including Hispanics, gays, women, libertarians and young people.

If we want to win the general presidential election, we need a strategy for attracting new voters to the GOP’s “Big Tent.” Preaching to the choir is not a strategy. Burning bridges is not a strategy. And insulting our active duty military men and women by smearing the lone GOP candidate (Ron Paul) that they overwhelmingly donate their money to as “crazy,” “nutty,” and “half-witted” is downright feckless.

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Posted in Entertainment & Culture | 11 Comments

Jan
01

The real Ron Paul stands up

By Katie Kieffer

Ron Paul delivers the key note address at the Republican Liberty Caucus of California held at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles

May I have your attention please? Will the real Ron Paul please stand up? I repeat, will the real Ron Paul please stand up?

I keep hearing the same three rumors about Paul: He blames America for 9/11, he’s anti-Israel and he’s pro-Iran. So, who is the real Ron Paul?

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Posted in Economy, National Security | 12 Comments

Dec
19

Tebow sacks socialism

By Katie Kieffer

Tim Tebow

Everyone wants a piece of 24-year-old Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. Most people settle for a high-five or an autograph. Others ask him to surrender his values, like the young women who beg him for fan photos and then start stripping off their shirts—sending Tebow darting away.

Tebow has All-American character. He espouses capitalistic values that are foundational to America: Competitiveness, ownership, responsibility, hard work, optimism, faith and persistence.

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Posted in Economy, Sports | 3 Comments

Dec
12

Santa Baby, bring me coal

By Katie Kieffer

Santa Claus

I want a coal plant for Christmas, and not because I’m a naughty girl. I want lots of coal so I can power up the high-tech toys Santa is bringing me, including an electronic robot maid that cooks and cleans, a 32-meter-wide TV and a modern, coal-fired steam locomotive that allows me to bypass the TSA Grope Squad when I travel cross-country.

OK, so Santa probably won’t be sending a full-size, coal-fired train down my chimney. But, like many of you, I may be getting small electronics for Christmas (or Hanukkah). As millions of us ring in the New Year by adding new gadgets to the power grid, we need to make sure we have ample electricity to fire up our cutting-edge iPads, TVs, sound systems and smartphones.

Americans get almost half of their electricity from coal. I think coal is a wonderful source of energy and we need to continue producing it.

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Posted in Economy, Law, Sustainability | 3 Comments

Dec
05

Frack, baby, frack!

By Katie Kieffer

Shale.

I have a slam-dunk plan for creating jobs: Frack, baby, frack. Move like Shaq. Let’s beat the buzzer, Shaq-style, and score points for the U.S. economy. Frack Attack!

Like basketball referees, ratings agencies Moody’s and Fitch Ratings are signaling they may join Standard and Poor’s in calling a foul on the U.S. economy. The good news is that we can move toward recovery by fracking shale for gas and oil—producing energy and creating jobs simultaneously.

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Posted in Economy, Law, Sustainability | 5 Comments

Nov
28

Dump the EPA

By Katie Kieffer

Deepwater Horizon fire

Like a bad lover, the EPA is a nagging, beguiling mooch. The EPA unconstitutionally barged into our lives and we need to break free from this destructive relationship; let’s give the EPA a two-letter title beginning with ‘E’ and ending with ‘X.’

President Nixon formed a group called the President’s Advisory Council on Executive Organization to help him sidestep Congress and mold public policy. On April 29, 1970, the Council wrote a memo advising Nixon to establish: “an Environmental Protection Administration, a new independent agency of the Executive Branch. … [and the] Executive Branch should be so structured that a high order of public interest is served in making policy, rather than a narrower advocacy position.”

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Posted in Economy, Law, Sustainability | 3 Comments

Nov
21

Piping Up Oil Jobs

By Katie Kieffer

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Like a good neighbor, Canada is there—offering America tens of thousands of jobs, protection against soaring gas prices and up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil a day for Oklahoma and Gulf Coast refineries to process—if America accepts TransCanada’s proposal to build the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta’s tar sands to the Gulf Coast.

Let’s say your neighbor invites you over to her holiday party and you respond: “No way, you’re an animal killer. Last year, you served meatballs at your party and I’m against animal cruelty.” Don’t expect your neighbor to ever talk to you again.

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Posted in Economy, Sustainability | 4 Comments

Nov
16

Make KT’s Cranberry Crumble

By Katie Kieffer

KT's Cranberry Crumble. Image

Baking is creative, festive and it taps into your entrepreneurial spirit. I hope you try making my cranberry crumble this Thanksgiving. You can top it with ice cream for a delicious dessert or serve it with bacon, coffee, tea and milk for a day-after-Thanksgiving brunch. It’s super easy to make and it adds a sweet and tangy punch to your holiday menu.

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Posted in Personal | 4 Comments