States short $1 trillion to fund retiree benefits – Kansas Worse of them all!
The consequences of the shortfall could be severe. It comes at a time when states are wrestling with a cumulative $180 billion budget gap for fiscal 2011.

Eight states are in the most-dire shape, according to the Pew report. These include: Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey and Oklahoma. Two of these states -- Illinois and Kansas -- have less than 60% of the necessary assets on hand to meet their long-term pension obligations. Thanks Kathleen!

Frozen Fetuses Found in Raid of Abortion Clinic
Philadelphia and Federal authorities raided a doctor's office after a woman died during an abortion and made a shocking discovery: more than two dozens frozen fetuses. For the second time in four days, Philadelphia Police, along with State Licensing officials and DEA agents, searched the West Philadelphia office of Dr. Kermit Gosnell.

Progressive Republicans want to increase alcohol taxes in Kansas
A House committee this week has scheduled a hearing for legislation to increase wholesale alcoholic beverage taxes and use that revenue to fill in budget holes for services for the mentally ill and disabled. The proposal has been pushed by two Republican House members from Johnson County: Kay Wolf of Prairie Village and Pat Colloton of Leawood.

Rejuvenated Conservatives See Good Times Ahead
Conservative activists, united in opposition to President Barack Obama's agenda, celebrated their rising political prospects and confidently predicted big Republican gains in November's congressional elections. Obama's approval ratings have slumped and his legislative agenda has stalled amid public unhappiness with the sputtering economy, high jobless rate and growing budget deficits.

Kansas Government payrolls grow as private sector jobs decline
Kansas continues to lose private sector jobs as it adds more taxpayer-funded government jobs, a trend mirrored at the national level. The private sector lost 57,900 jobs between December 2007 and December 2009 while government added 3,200 jobs in Kansas.

Missouri Considers Taxing Catholic Schools
A proposal being heard in the Missouri Senate this week is simply stupid. SJR 29 would seek to replace all corporate and individual income taxes with a state sales tax on all products and services sold in Missouri. The tax would apply not only to traditional retail items, but to services like private and parochial school tuition, apartment rentals and the purchase of new homes.

5 Muslim soldiers arrested in S.C.
Five Muslim soldiers were arrested for allegedly trying to poison the food supply at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. The men, arrested just before Christmas, were part of the Arabic Translation program at the base and investigators suspect the "Fort Jackson Five" may have been in contact with the five Northern Virginia Muslims who traveled to Pakistan to wage jihad on U.S. troops.

Well that didn’t take long – Brown Goes Progressive
A liberal tax and spend bill advanced in the U.S. Senate on Monday as the chamber's newest Republican bucked his party and sided with Democrats on a $15 billion package of tax and spend. Brown was widely hailed as a conservative hero after his surprise victory in Massachusetts.

An Inconvenient Founding: America's Principles Applied to the ICC
The Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are fundamentally incompatible with the political and constitutional principles of the United States. Accordingly, the Clinton and Bush Administrations held the ICC at arm's length, continuing the centuries-old U.S. policy of abstaining from excessively entangling international institutions. The Obama Administration's enthusiastic engagement with the ICC therefore represents a significant shift in the U.S. approach and is cause for serious concern.

Austin, TX IRS Killer was Anti-Catholic Lunatic
Taken from dead suspects website: “In particular, zeroed in on a section relating to the wonderful “exemptions” that make institutions like the vulgar, corrupt Catholic Church so incredibly wealthy. We carefully studied the law and then began to do exactly what the “big boys” were doing (except that we weren’t steeling from our congregation or lying to the government about our massive profits in the name of God.”

Counter-terror adviser: U.S. should 'never' profile Declares himself 'citizen of the world
The Obama administration is working to calibrate policies in the fight against terrorism that ensure Americans are "never" profiled, stated President Obama's counter-terrorism advisor, John Brennan. Speaking at a question-and-answer session for Muslim law students last week at New York University, Brennan declared himself a "citizen of the world."

Cut the Commerce Department to Boost Real Business
By intervening in business affairs, the government often harms average families while rewarding inefficient businesses and highly paid lobbyists. To be successful in the global economy, American businesses don't need to be coddled by Commerce Department subsidies or politically motivated trade restrictions. We can generate budget savings by cutting down the Commerce Department and limiting its functions to those delineated by the Constitution.

Johnson County goes soft on crime
Law-and-order bastion Johnson County has much costly new jail space but is looking at other solutions. A 26-member committee made up of criminal justice and community leaders, including the sheriff. Members got state bills introduced last week to clearly allow work release for minor offenders and early “good-time” release for county prisoners. Prepare for increase crime, especially drug and property crime! Anyone here ever heard of the Broken Window Theory of Crime?

Las Vegas Mayor Goodman rejects Obama invitation
Mayor Oscar Goodman has refused an invitation to meet with President Obama when he arrives in town on Thursday. Mayor Goodman called President Obama a slow learner after he told Americans not to blow money on a weekend in Las Vegas if they were saving to put their kids through college.

Child trafficking ring unmasked in Pakistan
Investigators looking into the case a 12-year old Christian girl who was tortured, raped and killed in Pakistan, say they have uncovered a “a sinister twist of the sale, trafficking, and slavery of children” that has overtaken the country.

VITAE Billboards Save Babies
Dealing with more women who are abortion-minded, and some who are very hardcore, is challenging for us. There were 105 billboards in the Greater Kansas City area, involving five pregnancy help centers throughout three counties. Each center had remarkable experiences, which will be shared in future editions of this E-Newsletter. Vitae hopes to purchase more billboards in the Greater Kansas City area in 2010.

Father who threw baby from bridge 'devout Muslim' and US Attorney General Intern
A 21-year-old New Jersey man accused of kidnapping his 3-month-old daughter and throwing her off a bridge is a devout Muslim who regularly visited mosques. Shamsid-Din Abdur-Raheem, an aspiring lawyer and student at Richard Stockton College, reportedly held a leadership position in the Muslim Student Association and was also an intern in Washington, D.C., Office of the Attorney General.

Wind farms ‘can’t cope with Big Freeze’
Wind farms almost ground to a standstill during the Big Freeze just as demand for electricity was soaring. Government officials have been forced to admit onshore turbines were working at as little as 5 per cent capacity during the height of the cold weather. Energy experts said the revelation has raised doubts about the wisdom of policies to expand wind farms.

Former Vatican Ambassador in Wichita for Pompeo
Mary Ann Glendon, who was the United States Ambassador to the Holy See (appointed by President George W. Bush) and is a Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, will appear in Wichita for two events on behalf of the Mike Pompeo 4th District Congressional campaign. Last year Glendon turned down an award from Notre Dame University when she learned that President Barack Obama would be receiving an honorary degree at the same time.

NSSF Hails Washington State Supreme Court Ruling
NSSF hailed Thursday's ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court holding that the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans are applicable to the states through the 14th Amendment. "This decision by the Washington State Supreme Court is a welcomed development and victory for the rights of law-abiding firearms owners," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. "America's firearms industry remains optimistic that the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in the upcoming McDonald v. City of Chicago case that the Second Amendment is a fundamental individual liberty that all states and local governments must respect.

Constitution Class with Dr. Kris Kobach
Preserving American Liberty is happy to announce that our much anticipated Constitution Class has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 13 at the Hyatt Crown Center! Class beings at 10:00AM. Professor Kris Kobach, who currently teaches Constitutional law at UMKC and is a popular radio host, will be conducting our class.

Former Olympic Speed Skater Has ‘No Regrets’ About New Life as Franciscan Sister
Kirstin Holum at the age of 17 placed sixth in the 3,000 meters speed skating event at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Observers predicted a great future for Holum, whose mother was a 1972 gold medalist in speed skating. Holum, now known as Sister Catherine and a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, was called by God to give up her life as an Olympian to work with the poor and the homeless with no pay and to evangelize in the charism of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare.

Dr. Paul McHugh: "There Is No Gay Gene"
Homosexuality is a Behavior. Persons with this behavior deserve our love and compassion. But isn’t our culture going too far when we are accused of being a biblical literalist or a homophobic racist? “It's all part and parcel of the pandemonium that the permissive movement has brought. We have just licensed all kinds of behavior," states Dr. Paul McHugh.

Many Successful “Gay Marriages” Share an Open Secret
The New York Times is no friend to those who accept clear moral teachings on faith and morals. This story comes with the admission that “gay marriage” is not usually monogamous. If we throw out the biblical and historical definition of marriage between one man and one woman, other forms of “marriage” such as polygamy will soon follow.

Christians and People of Good Will are Encouraged to sign the Mount Vernon Statement
More than 100 conservative leaders today released the Mount Vernon Statement, outlining a conservative manifesto against government expansion and in favor of Constitutional values." The conservatism of the Declaration asserts self-evident truths based on the laws of nature and nature's God...

Membership in The Catholic Church and the Assemblies of God have Increased
The article states why other denominations have declined, “Baby boomers who are also Christians, in general, have been drawn more to churches that are more informal, less institutional and more rock ’n’ roll-ish,” Haberer said. But if you ask me, this is a poor explanation why these two very “un rock ‘n roll-ish” faith traditions have increased in membership.

D.C. Loses Clarity on Charity
Last year alone, more than 124,000 people were fed, housed, treated, legally defended, or adopted as a result of Catholic Charities programs. If the Washington, D.C. City Council is willing to sacrifice a child's well-being on the altar of political correctness rather than allowing a religious exemption, then no one in the District is safe--including D.C.'s neediest. Being forced to become secular and put children into homosexual homes is not authentic Christianity and it will have consequences.

Bishop Strips Catholic Name from Hospital
While bracing for a Pro-Abortion Healthcare Plan fight, which may force Catholic hospitals to shut down, St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon is being stripped of it’s Catholic name, chapel, and the Blessed Sacrament. Only the cross on top of the hospital will be left as a reminder of the cross that we all must look to. Bishop Vasa states that it would be misleading to the faithful to allow St. Charles to be acknowledged as authentically Catholic in name while, at the same time, allowing the hospital to continue to perform tubal ligations.

The Instinct of Repentance
Lent started with Ash Wednesday and Easter will be here before we know it. Father Stephen, an Orthodox priest, describes the necessary step of repentance in our Lenten journey. The goal of repentance is a metanoia – a change of heart.

Movie Reviews
Anyone ready for Spring? While the weather is nasty, stay at home with the family for a movie night. Check out these reviews to find family friendly entertainment.

Click here

Another Attempted Chicago-Style Pay-Off
Admiral Joe Sestak (D-PA) said the White House offered him a political appointment to the Obama Administration in July, as he was preparing to formally announce his Senate candidacy against current US Sen. Arlen Specter. He declined to identify who spoke to him or the job under discussion.

Liberal Congressman Laughs at Pledge Request
A Republican candidate for Congress in California is calling on Rep. Xavier Becerra to "clarify his reaction" after the Democrat was caught on a YouTube video laughing at a suggestion that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited prior to a union meeting in Los Angeles.

Gospel - Mt 16:13-19

13. Then Jesus went into parts of Caesarea Philippi. And he questioned his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?”?14. And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, and others say Elijah, still others say Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”?15. Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”?16. Simon Peter responded by saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”?17. And in response, Jesus said to him: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father, who is in heaven.?18. And I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.?19. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound, even in heaven. And whatever you shall release on earth shall be released, even in heaven.”

In the latter days of the Carter presidency, it became fashionable to say that the office had become unmanageable and was simply too big for one man. Some suggested a single, six-year presidential term. The president's own White House counsel suggested abolishing the separation of powers and going to a more parliamentary system of unitary executive control. America had become ungovernable.

Then came Ronald Reagan, and all that chatter disappeared.

The tyranny of entitlements? Reagan collaborated with Tip O'Neill, the legendary Democratic House speaker, to establish the Alan Greenspan commission that kept Social Security solvent for a quarter-century. A corrupted system of taxation? Reagan worked with liberal Democrat Bill Bradley to craft a legislative miracle: tax reform that eliminated dozens of loopholes and slashed rates across the board -- and fueled two decades of economic growth.

Later, a highly skilled Democratic president, Bill Clinton, successfully tackled another supposedly intractable problem: the culture of intergenerational dependency. He collaborated with another House speaker, Newt Gingrich, to produce the single most successful social reform of our time, the abolition of welfare as an entitlement. It turned out that the country's problems were not problems of structure but of leadership. Reagan and Clinton had it. Carter didn't. Under a president with extensive executive experience, good political skills and an ideological compass in tune with the public, the country was indeed governable.

It's 2010 and the first-year agenda of a popular and promising young president has gone down in flames. Barack Obama's two signature initiatives -- cap-and-trade and health care reform -- lie in ruins. Desperate to explain away this scandalous state of affairs, liberal apologists haul out the old reliable from the Carter years: "America the Ungovernable." So declared Newsweek. "Is America Ungovernable?" coyly asked The New Republic. Guess the answer.

The rage at the machine has produced the usual litany of systemic explanations. Special interests are too powerful. The Senate filibuster stymies social progress. A burdensome constitutional order prevents innovation. If only we could be more like China, pines Tom Friedman, waxing poetic about the efficiency of the Chinese authoritarian model, while America flails about under its "two parties ... with their duel-to-the-death paralysis." The better thinkers, bewildered and furious that their president has not gotten his way, have developed a sudden disdain for our inherently incremental constitutional system.

Yet, what's new about any of these supposedly ruinous structural impediments? Special interests blocking policy changes? They have been around since the beginning of the republic -- and since the beginning of the republic, strong presidents, like the two Roosevelts, have rallied the citizenry and overcome them.

And then, of course, there's the filibuster, the newest liberal bete noire. "Don't blame Mr. Obama," writes Paul Krugman of the president's failures. "Blame our political culture instead. ... And blame the filibuster, under which 41 senators can make the country ungovernable."

Ungovernable, once again. Of course, just yesterday the same Paul Krugman was warning about "extremists" trying "to eliminate the filibuster" when Democrats used it systematically to block one Bush (43) judicial nomination after another. Back then, Democrats touted it as an indispensable check on overweening majority power. Well, it still is. Indeed, the Senate with its ponderous procedures and decentralized structure is serving precisely the function the Founders intended: as a brake on the passions of the House and a caution about precipitous transformative change.

Leave it to Mickey Kaus, a principled liberal who supports health care reform, to debunk these structural excuses: "Lots of intellectual effort now seems to be going into explaining Obama's (possible/likely/impending) health care failure as the inevitable product of larger historic and constitutional forces. ... But in this case there's a simpler explanation: Barack Obama's job was to sell a health care reform plan to American voters. He failed."

He failed because the utter implausibility of its central promise -- expanded coverage at lower cost -- led voters to conclude that it would lead ultimately to more government, more taxes and more debt. More broadly, the Democrats failed because, thinking the economic emergency would give them the political mandate and legislative window, they tried to impose a left-wing agenda on a center-right country. The people said no, expressing themselves first in spontaneous demonstrations, then in public opinion polls, then in elections -- Virginia, New Jersey and, most emphatically, Massachusetts.

That's not a structural defect. That's a textbook demonstration of popular will expressing itself -- despite the special interests -- through the existing structures. In other words, the system worked.