Seven US Marines died and several others were injured when a mortar round exploded in its tube during a training exercise in Nevada on March 18th. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) took to the floor of the Senate and in a move of incredible political cynicism, blamed the deaths on sequestration.In effect, the Senator blamed the Marines involved for their own deaths.

Despite every attempt by congressional Republican leaders to preemptively surrender, the fight to get a sane Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund only the necessary parts of government is not over. Senate Democrats and the White House, not content with victory, are pushing for even more spending and taxes, giving reformers an opportunity.

Excusing defeat is a sure way to keep losing. In the 2012 election, conservatives, libertarians, and tea party groups were outworked and outvoted by an array of forces that should have been demoralized and bitter, but instead focused on their common enemy and working together. If we want to avoid a repeat of that performance in 2014 and 2016, we must first recognize one reality: We lost.

Media members will regret attacking Bob Woodward for revealing, and insisting, that the sequester originated in White House. They will regret more not realizing that a viable First Amendment requires a press in loyal opposition to the government. But even more, along with the rest of America they will regret being the champions of reckless government spending.

Our government is too big. The crisis of the moment, the so-called sequester, won't do anything to change that. Our nation needs a plan to reduce government spending dramatically, rapidly, and in accordance with our needs. Until then, however, the sequester is better than nothing, and far better than any proposal to change it.In addition, the sequester is the law of the land. That means something, we were told. At any rate, failing to implement the sequester or equivalent cuts is now a spending increase. Those demonizing the sequester with scare tactics will attempt to blame it and fiscal conservatives for any negative economic news in the future. But they always do that. When you will be blamed either way, the right thing to do is to do the right thing.

Government goes to those who show up, right?  We've learned that we can't go to sleep and expect our nation to survive. Those with a penchant to support overbearing government programs to solve every societal ill never rest. Those of us who want to rein in government spending and fight for individual liberty cannot rest either. To limit government and keep it honest, we can't start at the top. We have to start at the bottom, at the most local level, where the trouble  often starts. The best place to start saving the country is right where you are. Local government controls much of what you and your family does on a daily basis.  Whether it's water rights, local taxes, street signage or the curriculum being taught in your schools, you should have a voice and be involved.  Find your passion and get busy. There are some activities that are easy to start doing that can produce immediate results, and give you a great sense of accomplishment along the way.

In his State of the Union speech Tuesday, President Obama called for an increase in the federal minimum wage, gloating that it had been endorsed even by his vanquished moderate Republican opponent in the 2012 campaign. A minimum wage increase is not needed, and would harm those it's supposed to help.

The issue is not who is conservative, but who is willing to gamble his own power to achieve a result beneficial to everyone.  In the power struggle between the DC Establishment and grassroots, labeling of the two sides often conceals the battle lines.  Language frames the debate, and I am still not completely comfortable with the labels "establishment" and "grassroots".  I'm even more uncomfortable with the labels "true conservative" and "RINO", as they don't describe at all what the fuss is about.

Once again, the Obama Administration is flouting the law by ignoring the ruling of the federal courts. With Democrats and even some Republicans frozen in fear of the Administration's bullying from the bully pulpit, the open lawlessness will continue. 

Like me, you are probably frustrated by the direction your country has taken, especially when it comes to politics. Ballooning budgets fuel an increasingly intrusive government, while the political process focuses on unimportant side issues. The liberal media and even more liberal President don't even hide their zeal for statism any more.Continuing to talk online with other right-minded people is necessary but not sufficient to make you an effective player in turning our country around. If all you do is talk online, you wil go one of three directions: