Why We Need to Kill The Death Tax by Gregory Hilton

Whitemarsh Hall outside of Philadelphia was constructed in 1921 by J.P. Morgan's partner, Edward T. Stotesbury. It was then America's fifth largest home, and his other residences were "El Mirasol," the first Spanish style mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, and Wingwood House, his 80 room “cottage” in Bar Harbor, Maine. Stotesbury's 150 servants rotated between various residences and maintained his private railroad car, yacht and fleet of luxury automobiles. Whitemarsh Hall was over 100,000 square feet, and it had 147 rooms, 24 fireplaces, three elevators with access to six different levels (three below, three above), a movie theater, barber shop and wine cellar that remained fully stocked through out Prohibition.

The death tax is now back on top of the legislative agenda. As part of George W. Bush’s 2001 tax cut, the estate tax was reduced gradually and this year it is zero. The death duties will go back into effect next January unless Congress acts, and the old 55% rate will return.

The Tea Party and the New GOP Contract by Gregory Hilton

House Republican Leader John Boehner (OH) is continuing to advocate a new GOP manifesto. A name has not been selected but the document is expected to be similar to the 1994 Contract With America, which was developed by then House Whip Newt Gingrich (R-GA). The original Contract was the focal point of a campaign which resulted in Republican capture of both the House and Senate.

Major Victory for Conservatives: Senate Puts Global Warming in Deep Freeze by Gregory Hilton

Advocates of the Kerry cap and trade bill say it is necessary to stop sea levels from rising and flooding low-lying coastal areas such as New York City. The graphics used in Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" movie predicted a 20 foot increase in sea levels. Gore received the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize along with the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC has significantly revised its data and they now say a six inch increase is possible over the next century. Even that claim is seriously disputed.

Sen. John Kerry’s (D-MA) cap and trade system is going down to defeat in a major victory for conservative Republicans. The legislation was supposed to be on the Senate floor this afternoon, but now a vote on cap and trade is highly doubtful.

West Virginia Will Hold A Special Election for U.S. Senate: Return of the LBJ Law by Gregory Hilton

The West Virginia legislature voted last night to approve a special election this November to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late U.S. Senator Robert Byrd (D). A compromise was reached at 5 pm and the legislation was then approved with large majorities in both chambers.

30th Anniversary: Ronald Reagan Accepts Republican Presidential Nomination

Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush appeared before the Republican National Convention in Detroit. All factions of the GOP were united and the days of stagflation, the misery index, high unemployment and interest rates, would soon be coming to an end. Huge tax cuts would be enacted and the 1980's economic boom would begin. This was the change we could believe in.

It was 30 years ago tonight that Ronald Reagan accepted the GOP presidential nomination. The nation was in a crisis. Interest rates would hit 21%, inflation was 13.5%, and unemployment was 7%. The so-called “Misery Index,” which Jimmy Carter used effectively in his 1976 campaign, was then an unprecedented 20.5%.

BOOK REVIEW: “The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory”

The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory, by David Plouffe, Viking, 390 pages, reviewed by Gregory Hilton

President Obama’s popularity has plummeted, and Democrats are now headed for a significant setback in the 2010 midterm election. Survey data already has the President losing a hypothetical 2012 re-election campaign to former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA).

50 Years Ago Today: John F. Kennedy Accepts Democratic Nomination and Launches the New Frontier

"The old era is ending. The old ways will not do. One-third of the world may be free, but one-third is the victim of a cruel repression, and the other third is rocked by poverty, hunger and disease. "Communist influence has penetrated into Asia; it stands in the Middle East; and now festers some ninety miles off the coast of Florida. . . Our ends will not be won by rhetoric, and we can have faith in the future only if we have faith in ourselves." - Senator John F. Kennedy, July 15, 1960

It was 50 years ago today that Senator John F. Kennedy (MA) accepted the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party. He defeated Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson (D-TX) who had entered the race only one week before the convention. In responding to Johnson’s accusation, Kennedy denied having Addison’s disease, but it was later proven to be true. Kennedy had defeated liberal Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D-MN) in the primaries, and Johnson never came close to derailing Kennedy’s nomination.

Former CIA Director Hayden: Waterboarding Worked, No Internal Leaks and Media Irresponsible by Gregory Hilton

In an in-depth interview published exclusively today on its website, former CIA Director Michael Hayden (2006 – 2009) made a number of newsworthy observations. Hayden is a retired Air Force four-star general and previously served as Director of the National Security Agency.

Debate: Should Conservatives Support Libertarian or Third Party Candidates – Antone Blansett v. Gregory Hilton

Antone Blansett of Springdale, Arkansas is a libertarian supporter of Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX), and is an active member of his Campaign for Liberty. He refused to support the 2008 McCain/Palin ticket because “A vote for McCain is just another vote for Obama with about 8 years of delay. I want a real change!” He served as a Staff Sergeant in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Return of the Conservative Isolationists: Right Wing Pundits Denounce “Obama’s War” by Gregory Hilton

Several high profile conservative pundits have recently turned against the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. The group includes columnists Ann Coulter, George Will, Tony Blankley and MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough. These pundits support RNC Chairman Michael Steele and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) who now refer to Afghanistan as “Obama’s war.”