Nick Collette

Nick Collette

Nick is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and a current student at Northwestern University where he is pursuing his Master of Arts in Public Policy and Administration. With a passion for economics, Nick enjoys reading classical works by such economists as F. A. Hayek and Ludwig von Mises. In addition to being a political junkie, he spends his time golfing, skiing, and enjoying the outdoors. A single father with full custody of his daughter and a current Field Director for a congressional reelection campaign, Nick understands the critical issues currently facing America and has vowed to fight hard for limited government, less spending, and more freedom.

Supreme Court to rule on warrantless blood tests

In early January, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that involved a disputed blood test stemming from a DUI in Missouri.  As the Washington Times reported, “Police stopped a speeding, swerving car and the driver, who had two previous drunken-driving convictions, refused to submit to a breath test to measure the alcohol level in his body.”  Law enforcement officers subsequently withdrew blood from the individual without first getting a warrant.

 

By /// March 28, 2013

Roe v. Wade: what it means to my daughter and me

This article isn’t one I had planned to write, but was instead inspired by the 40th anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade this week. It is not a story about the latest political fight on Capitol Hill or what the latest unemployment numbers are, but rather a personal reflection on what the abortion debate means to me and how it has substantially changed my life.

Seven years ago I was faced with a situation that, at the time, wreaked havoc on my life. I was a 16 year-old junior in high school with absolutely no thoughts about children; I felt at that time, that children were something I never wanted, but I soon found out that I had a major decision to make regarding that very subject.

I was faced with two options: parenthood or continuing my life as an average teenager with a dark secret unbeknownst to the outside world. Both options were viable and on the table.

By /// January 25, 2013

Teachers Unions and Nonexistent Accountability are Failing American Students

The recent decision by the Chicago Teachers Union to go on strike over evaluation standards has quickly transmogrified and revamped the education debate surrounding national politics in the last several years.  A recent Christian Science Monitor article got right to the heart of the matter: any sense of accountability will be fought with a vengeance by greedy union leaders dead set on propping up an industry that is already welcomed by unprecedented benefits through annual pay raises and tenure that is unheard of in the private sector.

The CSM editorial board states, “Among other things, the striking teachers oppose plans to hold them accountable for what their students learn in the classroom. Given that the centerpiece of the Obama administration’s education reform strategy is teacher evaluation, the strike marks a major pushback against a national movement.”

By /// September 13, 2012

Obama’s DNC Speech: A Retread of the Past Four Years

President Obama formally accepted the Democratic nomination for President in Charlotte Thursday night where he addressed his party’s convention. The speech stayed true to his past appeals for fairness and shared responsibility, where he again called for tax increases on the wealthy and lambasted those on the Right for not making everyone pay their “fair share.” It had an all-too-familiar feel to it for a speech that was big on rhetoric and little on ideas.

Ironically, he opened the speech by referencing the disconnect voters feel toward partisan politics. “I know that campaigns can seem small, and even silly. Trivial things become big distractions,” he said. “The truth gets buried under an avalanche of money and advertising. If you’re sick of hearing me approve this message, believe me—so am I.”

Shortly after pointing out how the electorate is growing weary over the heated political climate in Washington, Obama blasted Republicans, lambasting them over their convention last week.

By /// September 7, 2012

Senator Rand Paul to RNC Crowd: Audit the Pentagon

You know what they say – “like father, like son.” Senator Rand Paul(R-TN) energized a crowd of ardent Ron Paul (R-TX) supporters on Sunday, calling for an audit of the Pentagon and highlighted the need for more oversight of defense spending. Senator Rand Paul spoke at a rally for his father in Tampa a day before the official scheduled start time of the Republican National Convention.

Speaking to thousands of supporters there to celebrate the accomplishments of the libertarian firebrand, Paul gave a preview of his much anticipated Tuesday speech at the RNC, which was originally scheduled for Monday before Hurricane Isaac disrupted the schedule and bumped all of Monday’s events back a day.

Much to the delight of his adherents who rightly clamor for an audit of the Federal Reserve, Senator Paul rallied the crowd by attacking the largest government expenditure: defense spending. “Because we’ve talked about audit the Fed so much, we’re now talking about audit the Pentagon,” he said.

By /// August 28, 2012

When Civility Is On the Table, the Media and Left are Absent

With the recent developments surrounding the shooting at the Family Research Council headquarters in Washington D.C., the media has made it clear that civility only applies to individuals with a conservative ideology.  Tony Perkins, President of the FRC, has been vocal in his opposition to the one-sided mentality that runs rampant on a systematic level throughout the media.

Frustrated over many media outlets ignoring the story altogether, Perkins said “I think the reason is, it doesn’t fit the storyline. You know, it’s supposed to be conservatives who are angry, who are filled with hate. And that’s not the case.”

By /// August 21, 2012