Getting worked up about school shootings is similar to Republicans getting worked up over some insignificant spending bill that makes up less than 1% of the budget. Anytime anyone gets all worked up over something that makes up less than 1% of a categorical problem and thinks laws need to be changed, I am grateful we do not live in a democracy. These things are problems that are being brought up, often tragic and obvious, but they are also small in comparison to more common events that get no coverage. If we passed bills based on priorities, most of the bills being proposed and introduced would not be on the table and a whole slew of proposals would exist to address real problems that most people are sadly unaware of, problems that make up a larger than 1% of children’s deaths, adults deaths, the budget etc. If you want to talk about big issues that have big impacts on human life and freedom, the first thing to do is shut off your T.V. If an accident happens, swallowing a toy magne...

....In the past few weeks, I have been gathering signatures for I-1068, an innovative to remove criminal penalties for marijuana. I have yet to hear one coherent and rational opposing argument for ending the war on drugs. The essence of virtually every argument supporting state-sponsored controls and regulations is based on unreasonable assumptions rather than being based on or supported by statistical data. I would challenge anyone to give me one reason that logically trumps individuals' rights and justifies social control over others. I would also like a source as to where this authority is derived, as it is clearly a Constitutional infringement to have the federal government encroaching on State's rights. I have patiently listened to emotional ploys and irrational and poorly thought-out arguments to oppose the ballot measure. Arguments range from people telling me about their child's abuse of the drug to empty allegations of its conflict with their faith. I have listen...

by Matthew Edward Hayward on Sunday, November 14, 2010 From the President of the United States, whether Bush or Obama, to talk show hosts like Glen Beck and Amy Goodman, a large mass of people follow them blindly. They fail to think critically or realize that all of these people have their own agendas; they distort the facts and manipulate their audiences. They don't always know they are being deceived or manipulative. Often we get caught up in crusading and need to remember how to be objective. What is truly important is that we shake some of the people we know out of their blind slumbers, out of their Fox watching, 1090am listening brainwashing, and educate them on the reality of the state of affairs. Get out and talk to these poor people about the real battle that is taking place, the battle against the minds of the American public. (I am sure that many would argue that the real battle is a spiritual war, we will save that for another time.) It is not about being right or...

by Matthew Edward Hayward on Saturday, February 11, 2012 I'm going to try to keep this brief. I was close minded and that didn't work out well and I was unhappy. I became open minded and continue to learn and grow and now I'm happy. That about sums it up. Personal testimony on how my political self came to be I'm sure my views will change based on life experience and new information. Information is certainly something I’m open to. Until 2006, I was a neoconservative, voted for and supported George Bush. I could have been quoted as saying, “Turn the whole Middle East into a sheet of glass.” I was not a dissenting voice within the GOP, just a foot soldier willing to blindly trust and do the grunt work. My views began to change when I stopped having blind faith in people and political parties. I surrendered my life to God, gave up old ideas, became open to new messages, and received help with drinking. I got rid of my TV, no more FOX news, and s...

When will they awake? by Matthew Edward Hayward Posted by Matthew E Hayward on 06/19/09 Last updated 04/06/10 Is it all a bad dream? For some, ignorance is bliss, but for those who have a greater understanding, the direction in which we are headed is troublesome. From left to right, pundits feed us catchphrases and slogans, eliciting emotions and furthering our thought pattern associations. From subliminal messaging to outright propaganda, Americans have either become overestimated and apathetic as Naomi Klein's shock doctrine or partisan controlled automatons working to propagate the divide for corporate interests.  What I found shocking to learn is that often, the more educated one is, the more susceptible to propaganda they become. Contempt becomes a powerful defense to those who have invested vast amounts of emotion into their foundational beliefs. Pride as well as other mental defenses help us to maintain our comfort bubbles.  (see group think) What is tr...

Who would put a political bumper sticker on their car that did not have knowledge about the candidate or issue represented? Who is motivated and willing enough to put a candidate’s bumper sticker on their car while at the same time being ignorant about what the candidate has done or has not done? I do not mean to use the word “ignorant” in a derogatory sense, but as it is defined: “lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact.” I’ve seen more and more Obama 2012 bumper stickers on cars lately. Every time I see one, I can’t help but think, WHY why would you put that sticker on your car? Though I did not vote for or support Obama in 2008, I do not blame people who did; I get it. (I voted 3rd party) I fail to understand how anyone who supported Obama in 2008 could support him in 2012. Looking at policy actions and taking into account political theater, it would logically follow that 2004 Bush supporters would be Obama’s 2012 base. The logic and reasoning beh...

Do Ron Paul Supporters Support The Wall Street Protest? by Matthew Edward Hayward on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 I think the disconnect we have comes from a philosophy that sounds like this: “You do not need to agree 100%, 80% is enough. We should support the candidate that fits most of our ideals.” (Please correct me if I am wrong.) Either way, I hope the following helps you to understand, at least in part, why some of Ron Paul’s supporters attend the Wall street protests and work with those on the far left. It is the 20% I disagree with that motivated my involvement. My concerns are not vague or ideologically complex. I do not care if you support the ‘Federal’ war drugs, going into Iraq, or even to assassinate someone, even a US citizen. What matters to me is that we go about these matters in a Constitutional way. Even if I disagree with the outcome, as long as it is done legally and in accordance to the Constitution, that would be enough to win over my acceptance. Th...