Don’t you wish you could click your ruby shoes together and just go home — back to a time when our government was on the right track? Unfortunately, I believe those powerful heels are property of the Smithsonian and don’t likely have enough juice left to fix the mess in which we find ourselves today.

This week topped off a trifecta of government abuse. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) targeted conservative groups seeking tax exempt status; the Department of Justice secretly led an investigation into phone records of Associated Press (AP) journalists; and the icing on the cake, which can’t be set on a back burner to cool, is the continued struggle for answers on Benghazi.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) sums it up perfectly, “Scandals represent Americans’ worst fears about big government: government is spying on you, targeting you, and lying to you.” Ouch!  You can say that again, Senator!  You know the saying, “The truth hurts.”  I hope the truths of these sandals are enough to activate the American people, because ultimately, they are the ones being abused by their government.  Let’s remember, targeting those who are criticizing our government is not just an issue of concern to conservatives, but one that should be of concern to anyone who might want to question the government.

These scandals show what happens when those in power overlook the purpose of government and, instead, see only a chance for political indoctrination.

For the head of our government to tell the American people he “found out” about the IRS overreach of power at the same time they did, when it was leaked, is simply inexcusable — especially since that same sentiment seems to have become a favorite last line of defense: “I don’t know.”  Eric Holder, who has been caught with his hands in the proverbial cookie jars of multiple scandals, recently told elected officials during Congressional hearings that he doesn’t know the specifics within his own department regarding the AP phone grab. Hillary Clinton said the same when she was asked questions about the State Department’s involvement in Benghazi, and President Obama can’t say whether the White House had any involvement in this trio of scandals.

This is not about partisan issues; the buck stops with the person in charge. The fact of the matter is, unfortunately, that this administration cannot run its offices with integrity. It’s time for those who have been entrusted with authority to take responsibility for the positions they’ve chosen to accept; and with that responsibility comes accountability.  An answer like, “I don’t know,” is simply unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. They’re not figureheads; it’s part of their job to know.

And if everyone is on the same page, uttering the same “I don’t know/it wasn’t me/mistakes were made” mantra, then it stands to reason that they’re not just protecting themselves; there must be someone else, higher up, pulling the strings … someone else, higher up, who will ultimately be damaged by these scandals … someone else, higher up, who doesn’t want to be seen … someone else, higher up, who doesn’t have the moral fiber or requisite integrity to take responsibility for his brazen and foolish actions.

So it’s “Deflect, deflect, deflect.”  Pay no attention to the little tyrant behind the curtain.

What have the Democrats been doing for the last (Fore!) years?

Yesterday, Senate Democrats released their first budget resolution since the last budget was passed — only 1,415 days (or four years) ago!  The last time the Democratic-led Senate passed a budget was 1) before President Obama took office, 2) the House of Representatives was controlled by the GOP, and 3) the iPad was created!  I’m sure we’re thinking the same thing: “What was life before the iPad?”

It’s that same question American families and taxpayers should be asking. What was life economically four years ago? Our current elected leaders have chosen to play partisan politics instead of doing one of the most vital parts of their job, releasing and passing a budget every fiscal year.

The Senate Budget Committee is expected to vote on the Democratic resolution Thursday, March 14. If passed, it will increase spending for roads and raise taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans — all in the name of protecting middle-class earners, naturally.

But no one should be grabbing for their white hat any time soon. The Democrats in Congress may be messaging that they’re helping the middle class, but what they have cleverly omitted is that yesterday they also voted down an amendment offered by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), which would have held off funding to ObamaCare until after the economy was stable.  In short, Senate Democrats just sentenced the middle class to more regulations and guaranteed increases in insurance for business owners.

Budget talks will likely be met with opposition from both sides — nothing new from what we’ve seen for the past four years. Let’s hope the “No Budget, No Pay” measure that was passed by both House and Senate (which would keep members from collecting their paychecks if they fail to pass a budget by April 1), is incentive enough for your elected leaders to actually do their jobs for once in the past 1,415 days.

The Nobel Peace Prize has endured for over a century as one of the most cherished honors available to humanitarians, philanthropists, and activists.  But apparently, being a liberal is now a sufficient qualification in and of itself for consideration.  Only three years after President Obama won this prestigious recognition shortly after being elected — and before he had the chance to implement virtually any meaningful policies — the European Union (EU) has been conferred the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, since they “for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.”

Despite the fact that Europe is still struggling, following the financial crisis of 2008, members of the selection committee saw fit to hand out the award to an organization that has spent billions in bailout funds but failed to curb record unemployment or abate persisting concerns over its struggling currency.  Since “[t]his year’s prize comes against a backdrop of protests as the debt crisis for countries using the euro currency triggers tensions within the union,” many observers have been left wondering at the honor’s odd timing.

Yet, this move comes as less of a surprise considering the relatively recent trend of awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to make a political point.  Whether to President Obama for claiming he would draw down American servicemen overseas or to former Vice President Al Gore for combating climate change, the award has been more and more frequently given to those who subscribe to certain liberal values.  Mere words in support of this ideology — whether in the realm of science, economics, or military policy — have increasingly prevailed over real and substantive action.  Agreement with the priorities held by those responsible for granting prizes now appears to be a substantial factor in choosing the annual winner.

Sadly, this change is only bound to temper the significance of the award.  Over a period of many decades, the Nobel Peace Prize has become synonymous with the enduring work of the world’s most impactful and dynamic individuals.  So rewarding the EU, during a moment when its very stability is under threat and after it has largely failed to meet the most important economic crisis in at least a generation, only diminishes the meaning of every other award already bestowed and undermines the credibility of each prize yet to be conferred.

According to poll results tweeted by CNBC last night, 56 percent of viewers herald Paul Ryan as the winner of the first and only vice-presidential debate, and only 36 percent determined Biden the champ.  Yet, due to Vice President Biden’s rousing display of eccentric claims, this morning, mainstream media outlets are calling the debate a draw.

In truth, the winner of this debate depends on who you ask.

Women took note that in this debate a wide-range of issues important to us were brought to the table.  After last week’s presidential debate failed to focus on abortion or religious liberty, it was heartening to hear both Biden and Ryan respect the sanctity of life.  But it was Ryan who came across as steadfast on faith and the need to protect life, “Our faith informs us in everything we do.  My faith informs me about how to take care of the vulnerable, of how to make sure that people have a chance in life.  Now, you want to ask basically why I’m pro-life?  It’s not
simply because of my Catholic faith.  That’s a factor, of course.  But it’s also because of reason and science. … I believe life begins at conception.”

But the major sticking point for women in this debate had more to do with style than actual substance.  Vice President Biden’s unprecedented strategy called for 82 interruptions, eye-rolling, and laughing during serious discussion of the War Against Terror.  Not the type of behavior voters found flattering to America’s second in command.

Women were unconvinced by Biden’s over-the-top antics.  All of the women on a CNN post-debate panel criticized Biden’s rude behavior and condescending tone.  Though Ryan remained composed, he was not short of quips and snarky remarks, going so far as to say, “I know you are under duress to make up for lost ground, but I think people would be better served if we don’t interrupt each other.”

Undecided voters, too, found Biden’s tone unprofessional.  Every undecided women participating in a CNN focus-group panel criticized Biden for his distasteful manner.  One undecided woman commented, “I thought Paul Ryan … was trying to educate us, teach us, until Joe Biden would bumble in and tried to distort things by overriding him, talking, and being a buffoon in general.”  Another undecided North Carolina voter, Nella Stevens, commented, “I’m not totally decided, but the vice presidential debate has swayed me toward Romney/Ryan.”  When Stevens was asked how she graded the candidates, she answered, “C– for Biden , if for no other reason than rudeness and aggression; B+ for Ryan for poise, articulate answers, calmness and overall good sportsmanship.”

Overall, many believe Ryan could have aggressively tackled Biden’s points with potency, but his restrained attitude showed a humility and respect not normally seen in politicians.  Ryan’s strategy was simple.  Knowing his off-the-cuff attitude, Ryan let the truth shine through facts and statistics and sit back and allowed Biden to self-destruct.  American women and undecided voters needed to see steady, consistent leadership.

Apparently, those who saw the debate via split screen opined that Ryan won, while those who watched the debate without a split screen labeled the debate a draw.

Have no fear, the federal government is here! Wait… that isn’t right.

I’m no damsel in distress, and neither are you. The days of a masked hero helping those in need are, so it seems, nonexistent. But that is exactly what’s unfolding before our very eyes.

The government wants to tell “we the people” how to live. Citizens, if you think politics won’t directly affect you, think again.  New York City’s mayor decided to ban sugary drink sizes to 16 ounces, putting a limit on buying soda in order to thin out an obese New York populace.  Michelle “The Lunch Lady” Obama has implemented an Orwellian lunch program to regulate what American children can and cannot eat, and health (for the mother, not for the abortion-targeted baby) mandates are being shoved down citizens’ throats despite how deeply they offend citizens’ religious convictions.

And it doesn’t stop there.  As if forcing you to pay for abortions weren’t enough, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius blatantly ignored — and arrogantly violated — federal law by using her Cabinet position to tell Americans to vote for President Obama.

Where are the outraged media elites?  Where’s the lone, masked hero who fights against those who abuse their power?  As you’ve heard, time and time again, this election is one of the most important elections of our life time.  We cannot allow our government to keep implementing laws that go against “we the people.”

Americans, listen up!  If you want a government that will cater to your every need, you’re living in the wrong country.  This country — the one built on freedom and liberty, bought by the blood and sweat of our ancestors, and lusted after by the rest of the world — is not a country of equal handouts, but of equal opportunity to work hard to achieve our ambitions.  Yet, that is not what we are seeing.  Instead, we have an administration that has implemented more federal control over American citizens’ everyday lives, and what are Americans doing about it?  Nothing!

It’s the American citizens’ choice, but I urge you to take a good, hard look.  It’s time to bring our country back to its founding.  Ben Franklin once said, “It is a republic, if we can keep it.”  So, I ask, can we?

Concerned Women for America (CWA) is doing what it takes to keep our government accountable to the taxpayers.  CWA’s She Votes 2012 project is working to make sure Americans are registered to vote in this extremely important election.  Are you ready?  Are you registered?  With voter registration ending on October 8 in most states, now is not the time to idly wonder.  Click here now to see if you’re registered. … And if you aren’t, stay on the site and do something about it.

This is a scary time to be a woman, but not for the reasons liberals want you to think.  In a pro-Obama ad that PolitiFact calls a “Pants on Fire” lie, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) is telling voters across the country that, “It’s a scary time to be a woman,” because Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and other conservatives support overturning Roe v. Wade, passing a bill that would limit abortions, and repealing the health care mandate requiring even religious insurance companies to provide contraception.  Be afraid, women; be very afraid.  Employing this oft-used tactic, the ad tries to paint conservatives as extremists who are against a women’s “choice.”

But conservatives are NOT the ones who are anti-women.  Here are the very scary facts:

• Obama’s health care “reform” actually hurts women, increasing their health care costs by $900 per year, in the form of 21 new taxes.
• Women find it harder and harder to pay for college with tuition rising 8.3% per year, despite the president’s pledge to relieve student debt.  His policies have been totally ineffective and don’t address the problem of skyrocketing tuition.
• More women are out of work, with employment down by 2.9% among women since the beginning of the recession.  There are now 83,000 fewer jobs for women than when Obama took office.
• Under Obama’s watch, the number of women slipping in poverty has shot up to 7.5 million.
• Obama’s own administration pays male staffers 18% more then its female staffers.
• Planned Parenthood says they received nearly $500 million from the federal government in their most recent annual report.  Remember that Planned Parenthood performs 1 in 4 abortions in America and actively covers up the risk of abortions for women, including “breast cancer, depression, mental illness, and suicide.”  And that’s not to mention all the other sick and twisted things they do (like aiding and abetting sex traffickers and helping to cover up statutory rape).

And liberals think they’re helping women?  The truth is that President Obama and the Left can’t even talk about their record on women’s issues without incriminating themselves.  Therefore, they are compelled to slander conservatives who are out to make life better for women, protect unborn life, and preserve religious liberty.  Their strategy is ridiculous, but somehow the Left expects to pull the wool over America’s eyes. The DNC ad got it right on only one count — this really is “a scary time to be a woman.”

America is in the midst of an unemployment crisis, and women are bearing the brunt of the problem.  The number of women out of work is the highest it has been in 25 years.  On top of this, employment levels for women are down 2.9% since the beginning of the recession.

Many women are finding it increasingly difficult to find work, with one study revealing that the actual number of women employed in the United States in May 2012 was about 83,000 lower than it was in January 2009.

While women have made huge strides in joining the workforce over the past several decades, the recession of the past four years is threatening to erode those gains.

Please share this infographic if you believe that we need to implement pro-growth economic policies that help create good paying jobs for American women! (For a full size version of this infographic, click here, or click the graphic above.)

Nearly all Americans have been hard hit by the recession, but women have been hit the hardest. A shocking 17 million women are now in poverty on President Obama’s watch, and almost 7.5 million women are in extreme poverty.

And reports of financial woes continue to rise. According to one study, 84% of women experience difficulty paying a bill on time, and 75% are having trouble making their rent or mortgage.

Share this infographic if you agree that it is time for our elected officials to recognize the real economic hardships American women are facing instead of propagating their false version of the “War on Women.”  (For a full-size version of this infographic, click here or on the graphic above.)

President Obama promised us that his health care reform would lower costs for women, but in reality, the law raises insurance premiums by $900 per year and imposes 21 new or higher taxes, increasing health care spending by 6.1%!

Everyone agrees that our health care system is broken, but President Obama’s health care law is just not the solution we need.

Share this infographic if you believe American women deserve real reform that reduces costs and increases the quality of American health care.  (For a full-size version of this infographic, click here.)

Millions of American girls dream of going to college. And now-a-days, that dream is a reality for the 15 million women in college. However, the cost of college has increased by thousands of dollars each year, and as women outnumber men in college, they are feeling the brunt of these tuition hikes.

President Obama’s “student loan relief” plan promised hope, but it’s turned out to be an election-year mirage that doesn’t even attempt to tackle the real problem of soaring tuition costs, not to mention helping the millions of recent graduates who are unable to find work in the dismal economy of the last four years.

Instead of President Obama’s current policies — we need sound, free-market solutions that will create jobs for college graduates and lower the cost of college for women and men.

Share this infographic if you want to see America’s college graduates find good-paying jobs when they graduate! (For a full-size image, click the one above.)