Veterans Day

Thank you, veterans

Ten Reasons to Vote Conservative

In no particular order:

1. The Economy: The dollar keeps losing value on the world market. Unemployment and under-employment is at 17%. Taxes are going up on January 1st--not just for the so-called rich, but for EVERYONE. The private sector is not creating jobs. The stimulus spent billions of dollars and did not work.

2. National Security: Well, says Democrat congresswoman McCollum, Al-Qaeda is no longer our enemy. So why are they sending bombs by cargo planes? And besides, said Brennan(assistant to the President on counterterrorism) the real enemies are Mr. Obama's critics that just "serve the goals of al-Qaeda."

So, we're the enemy--besides, that is what Mr. Obama just said last week when meeting with Latino-Americans.

Which leads to another important issue--

3. Border Security

Way back in May, the Department of Homeland Security informed the state of Arizona that a Mexican drug cartel was planning a incursion into Arizona, close to Phoenix, to kill those who were opposing their smuggling operations.

Fortunately, the tip proved to be wrong. Now, the point of this story is NOT that the Department of Homeland Security got it wrong. The point is what they DID about the threat.

When Arizona requested troops to help out, the Obama Administration instead offered another solution to this danger.

They put up 15 signs informing United States citizens that they might encounter "armed criminals" and "smuggling vehicles traveling at high rates of speed."

Ha! Take THAT, drug cartel commandos!! Now, do you feel safer?

4. We, The People Are Not Stupid

A pet peeve of mine, admittedly.

You and I are not stupid. But according to Representative Oberstar (D-Minnesota), if you don't endorse cap-and-tax, you are just part of the "Flat Earth Society." http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/181662/group/homepage/

President Obama insists that voters are reacting to their "fear and frustration" and are unable to respond to the Democrats' "facts and science" because, basically, we just can't think straight.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43706.html

Senator John Kerry also blames the voters: “We have an electorate that doesn’t always pay that much attention to what’s going on so people are influenced by a simple slogan rather than the facts or the truth or what’s happening.” http://www.bostonherald.com/news/us_politics/view.bg?articleid=1284069

And lest we forget Vice-President Biden....well, he opined that Democrats are not running on their achievements of the last 20+ months because "it's just too hard to explain" to us idiot voters. And besides, as Biden told Democratic supporters at a fundraiser, "You're the dullest audience I've ever spoken to." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39669779

Question: How would he know?

5. Health Care: Premiums costs are going up. Choices are less. Medicare for our senior citizens is being cut. Hospitals are closing; other hospitals are letting workers go since Obamacare is cutting their reimbursements. 'Nuf said.

6. The Rule of Law (or, Why the Constitution is Important): Czars are taking over jobs that should be decided by our representative government. Bills are being passed in the middle of the night without being read (remember Madame Pelosi's famous words?) As Democrat congressman (Illinois) Phil Hare said, "I don't worry about the Constitution."

7. Integrity and Transparency: See above.

8. Czars: Paid for by we, the people, with lots of power but no oversight by our elected representatives. Besides, they are nutty and/or sleazy or worse.

9. Our Allies: Let's insult them with DVD's of Mr. Obama's speeches. Or by sending them back gifts from 50 years ago.

10. Time to vote out the Entitlement Mentality of our elected representatives: Such as Madame Pelosi's use of a government jet. Or the forthcoming junket of President Obama that will cost we, the people over 200 million dollars per DAY.

VOTE!!!!

Ugh...More Despicability (Is That a Word?)

Boy Soldier, Civil War

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/25/presidential-memorandum-child-soldiers-prevention-act

In the spirit of that great American childhood tradition, President Obama has rescinded President Bush's presidential order to stop aid to certain countries that employ child soldiers.

Except, this isn't trick-or-treat.

Chad, Sudan, Yemen and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will now be allowed to receive our military aid despite the horrible practice of recruiting children as soldiers. It's best for our national defense, says President Obama---the United States needs to give aid to these countries as we fight against al-Qaida.

So it's important to have those little children as soldiers, eh, Mr. President?

The Numbers

$26.2 Trillion--Projected Federal Debt in 2020 due to President Obama's spending

$13.6 Trillion--Current Federal debt

$3.5 Trillion--Total cost of tax hikes to the taxpayers (Hint--that's you!)

$3.0 Trillion--Increase in the federal debt since Obama became president

$2.5 Trillion--True cost of Obamacare

$1.42 Trillion--Federal budget deficit 2009 (the highest ever)

$1.29 Trillion--Federal budget deficit 2010 (the second highest ever)

$814 Billion--cost of the so-called Stimulus

$575 Billion--Cuts in Medicare for senior citizens under Obamacare

$569 Billion--Taxes implemented by Obamacare

$10 Billion--cost of teacher union bailout

41.8 Million People--now on food stamps (another all-time high)

$18 Million--cost of the website about the (so-called) Stimulus

14.8 Million People--unemployed

3.8 Million People--the increase in the number now living in poverty since Obama took office

2.6 Million Jobs--total lost since stimulus was passed

2.3 Million Jobs--private sector jobs lost since stimulus was passed

964,000 Jobs--will probably be lost due to cap-and-trade

$43,000--Your part of the national debt

23,000 Jobs--that Obama knew might be lost due to the Gulf oil drilling moratorium

$1,751--Amount of increase in energy costs per year for an average American family

$1540--Amount of increase in taxes for an average American family

83--Fundraisers that Obama has attended for this mid-term election (so far)

53--Games of golf played by Obama since inaugaurated

30--Number of waivers granted by the Administration to businesses so that those businesses wouldn't have to cancel their health insurance for their employees (and make Obamacare look even worse)

25--DVD's of movies given to Prime Minister Tony Blair by Obama on Blair's first visit

20--Months that food stamps have hit an all-time high

17.1 Percent--of Americans who are unemployed or under-employed

9--Vacations taken by President Obama since taking office

http://www.gop.com/index.php/briefing/comments/obama_by_the_numbers

Yet Another Casualty of Obamacare

Senior Medicare Advantage plans
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care will drop its Medicare Advantage plan in December of this year.
Twenty-two thousand seniors will be forced to look for Advantage programs from another source.
Massachusetts' second-largest insurer cites changes in healthcare (i.e. Obamacare health care reforms) as necessitating this move.
Freezes in Medicare reimbursement as well as requirements to create a network of doctors who would perform services for a set fee led to this move.

From Harvard Pilgrim Health Care: "'We became concerned by the long-term viability of Medicare Advantage programs in general,’and, 'We know that cuts in Medicare are being used to fund national health care reform. And we also had concerns about our ability to build a network of health care providers that would meet the needs of our seniors.'"

http://www.boston.com/business/healthcare/articles/2010/09/28/harvard_pilgrim_cancels_medicare_advantage_plan/

Catchin' Up

The most important thing: VOTE

And vote Conservative.

If you have a bit of extra money, give a few dollars to someone's campaign, such as Joe Miller's in Alaska. Look here to find those close races. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Even a few dollars can help put conservative folks in Washington.

Our family took $100 and chose 5 races to help. You can donate to any campaign anywhere!

But don't forget to vote!

"The Constitution is Wrong"

so says Representative Jim McGovern (Democrat-Massachusetts) in talking about the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which upheld First Amendment free speech rights during elections.

That's the Constitution Mr. McGovern swore to uphold, BTW.

The Economy Continues Downhill

The federal government's budget deficit was over $1,000,000,000 dollars for year 2010.
That's over one trillion dollars.
This year's budget deficit is only slightly behind last year's budget deficit of 1.4 trillion dollars. The deficit is 2009 was the highest on record.
The Obama administration projects that the deficit for 2011 will be about 1.4 trillion dollars.

On the job front----well, not so good. Initial jobless claims continue to rise. Joblessness rates, according to the government's calculations, remains a dismal 9.6%. America lost almost 100,000 jobs in September.

This is the longest spell of unemployment over 9.5% since these records began to be kept in 1948.

Underemployment is an outstanding 18.8 percent.

The number of Food Stamp recipients is at an all-time high.

Americans are spending less of their income. Spending is down 2.8%--this is the first decrease in spending on record.

The dollar is falling against other world currencies.

During the last two years, the federal government has added more than 30 percent of the national debt, which is currently over 90% of our GDP.

Next year, the debt will exceed 100 % of our GDP.

From Reuters, "President Barack Obama on Monday said the United States was facing an "untenable fiscal situation" and would have to get serious about tackling its federal deficit."
I would agree! http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6934PV20101004

http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/10/on_the_right_track.html

Yet More Casualties of Obamacare

Connecticut has just approved a rate increase for Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield in that state----of up to 47%.

All courtesy of Obamacare.

The increase in premium rates are directly attributable to the mandates enforced by Obamacare.

http://blogs.courant.com/connecticut_insurance/2010/10/anthem-approved-for-health-ins.html

Awww, No One Understands the President

President Obama expressed his disbelief that voters aren't happy with his administration in a recent New York Times interview.

Mr. Obama also feels that he and his administration just didn't market their programs and ideas well enough.

He's upset that somehow....somehow....he's been likened to a "tax-and-spend-Democrat".

Maybe because he is?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/magazine/17obama-t.html?_r=1

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/10/13/obama-republicans-learn/

"You Deserve a Break Today"

But only if you are McDonalds, Jack-in-the-Box, or certain teacher unions and other companies....

Remember that McDonalds was worrying that it would have to drop coverage of part-time employees under Obamacare? http://politicopolitico.blogspot.com/2010/09/another-casualty-of-obamacare-mcdonalds.html

Well, worry no more, McDonalds.

It's just the rest of us need to worry about this out-of-control, anarchist "who-cares-about-the-law" Administration.

The health-care law, passed by Congress in the middle of the night last year, doesn't apply to everyone.....seems that if you yell loud enough, you don't have to follow the law.

(P.S. I don't LIKE Obamacare, but that's not the point. There's another principle at stake here.)

In the future, would bribes work to cause this Administration overlook law-breaking? Or threats? Or other means of persuasion?

Hugo Chavez, anyone?

It's the Economy......

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/iowa_man_axing_bush_cuts_job_killer_6HEngTvvMOkveqI1D0quNL
President Obama was not very happy when a businessman from Iowa questioned him on the impending tax hikes. He told Obama that the money could stay in the economy and be used to create jobs.

The gentleman's microphone was cut off before he could finish asking his questions.

"Showing some frustration, Obama said, 'Your taxes haven't gone up in this administration. Your taxes have gone down in this administration. There's a notion that, well, he's a Democrat so your taxes must have gone up. That's just not true.'"

But it is true, Mr. Obama.
Here's a partial list:
1. Increase the Medicare tax on wages and self‐employment income by 0.9%
2. Increase, from 7.5% to 10% of income, the threshold after which
individuals can deduct out of pocket medical expenses
3. New annual tax on health insurance
4. New annual tax on brand name pharmaceuticals
5. New 2.3% excise tax on certain medical devices
6. Eliminate the deduction for expenses allocable to Medicare Part D subsidy
7. Tobacco tax increase
8. New tax on insured and self‐insured health plans
9. Federal Unemployment surtaxes extended through June 2011
10. Delay of rules to reduce the double taxation of worldwide American employers until 2018

Further Obamacare Casualties

Do you remember someone discovered AFTER Obamacare was passed that companies could lose their tax break on the money they paid for retirees' prescriptions?

And because of the loss of the tax break, and the ensuing greatly increased cost of paying for retirees' medications, companies might have to drop this benefit?

Well, tis true--as OOPS! We Didn't Read the Bill, You Just Have to Pass it to Find Out What's in It!

Well, it has come to pass. 3M Companies will drop ALL health care benefits for its retirees. They will be forced onto Medicare.

The Medicare that the Democrats reduced by 500 Million Dollars.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2010/10/04/daily3.html

Stimulus Money Running Out; People Losing "Jobs"

Last week, about 250,000 people lost their "jobs" that were financed by stimulus funds.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-subsidized-jobs-program,0,5215802.story

As stimulus funds continue to end, more "jobs" will be lost. These folks will add to the millions that are already unemployed.

President Obama and Democrats want to extend funding these "jobs".

But the problem is that these aren't real jobs. Real jobs aren't paid for by the government--real jobs are produced by expanding businesses that are growing because of economic demand.

These "jobs" are just welfare, paid for by We, The People.

Life is Tough

President Obama, at a $30,400 per head fundraiser for the Democrats, hinted to his wealthy hosts (who have a villa in Italy) that he would sure love some more vacation time. Mr. Obama has had nine vacations, not including golf outings or time away from the White House campaigning.

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2010/07/obamas_vacations.html

"I'd appreciate a little break and some Tuscan sun," the president said, "Some pasta. I can use it."

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Obama-Id-appreciate-a-little-break-104126174.html

Another Casualty of Obamacare: McDonald's Health Insurance for Hourly Workers

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704789404575524502131067836.html

McDonalds has stated that it may have to drop the "mini-med" health care coverage for about 30,000 of its hourly workers.

Presently, McDonalds offers a limited-coverage health care plan for its hourly workers, which pays a limited amount of health care coverage for only a few dollars a week.

These plans, unfortunately, don't fit the Obamacare regulations.

So, the White House has said that hopefully the Health & Human Services Secretary Sebelius will look into these kinds of plans and make some new regulations to allow them to exist.

More regulations......

Eco-Nazis

Warning--the video that is linked below is incredibly sickening, disturbing, and disconcerting, to say the least.

The message from the eco-fanaticists:

"Play the Save the Environment Game or You're Dead".

Literally, it seems.

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/10/01/video-the-dumbest-most-self-defeating-ad-campaign-ever/

P.S. The 10:10 group issued an apology to the effect "We thought it was funny" and "We guess you're too dumb to get it."

Glad I'm dumb.....

Why We Shouldn't be Supporting the U.N.

In case those flying saucers show up:

"The United Nations was set today to appoint an obscure Malaysian astrophysicist to act as Earth's first contact for any aliens that may come visiting."
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/un-to-appoint-earth-contact-for-aliens/story-e6frfku0-1225929498742

A Great Video

A great video from Ms. Pia Varma, running for Congress in Pennsylvia.

Hmmmm....Interesting.....Obama Asking for Support for Obamacare

The Obama administration is working on an advertisement campaign for Obamacare.
The head of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships is asking for help from faith-based organizations--- “Make use of the resources described on this call: the website, door hangers, one pagers and so forth. We’ve got work to do.”

So what's the problem? Why is support for Obamacare plummeting?

Obama's promises seem to be disintegrating. For example, some insurance companies are not writing new policies. Why? Too much uncertainty about all the new regulations and rules. Because no one has bothered to read the bill, basically. Just like Ms. Pelosi said, "Just pass the bill"... and then we'll see what's in it.

Seniors are being hit, too. AARP will discontinue its prescription policy.

Ms. Pelosi, what else will we discover in this health care bill?

http://www.citizenlink.com/2010/09/obama-asks-faith-based-groups-to-promote-health-care-as-new-problems-surface/

So, What is the Truth About "Those Jobs No American Would Do"?

Mr. Colbert appeared at the behest of Democratic Subcommittee head Zoe Lofgren to support the UAW's new campaign supporting illegal alien farm workers.
This is part of that common assertion that illegal aliens only do those jobs that Americans don't want to do.
Which is entirely untrue.
From recent research:
•Of the 465 civilian occupations, only four are majority immigrant. These four occupations account for less than 1 percent of the total U.S. workforce. Moreover, native-born Americans comprise 47 percent of workers in these occupations.
•Many jobs often thought to be overwhelmingly immigrant are in fact majority native-born:
◦Maids and housekeepers: 55 percent native-born
◦Taxi drivers and chauffeurs: 58 percent native-born
◦Butchers and meat processors: 63 percent native-born
◦Grounds maintenance workers: 65 percent native-born
◦Construction laborers: 65 percent native-born
◦Porters, bellhops, and concierges: 71 percent native-born
◦Janitors: 75 percent native-born
From http://www.cis.org/illegalimmigration-employment

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/09/24/130096668/colbert-bringing-more-truthiness-to-capitol-hill-today

Bring in the Clowns

Today, the head of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship and Et-cetera, Representative Zoe Lofgren (Democrat-California) invited comedian Stephen Colbert to testify about illegal alien migrant workers.

Mr. Colbert spent 10 hours on a farm to prepare for his "testimony."

So, arriving on Capitol Hill, Mr. Colbert proceeded to perform a comedy skit (which IMHO was offensive and juvenile) for the edification of the Subcommittee members.

Representative Lofgren then thanked the "witnesses" whose "testimony" she deemed (quote) "helpful."

Methinks they are all clowns.....

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Colbert-embarrasses-Dems-Conyers-asks-comedian-to-leave-then-withdraws-request-103712949.html

Today: The First Day of Obamacare

Yesterday we looked at one of the casualties of Obamacare: Child-Only health care policies. http://politicopolitico.blogspot.com/2010/09/whod-have-thunk-latest-casualty-of.html

Some folks are now complaining that this decision is immoral, dishonest (insurance companies can't blame Obamacare for their not offering these Child-Only plans), and not a good turn of events for sick children.

On the last point, they are right.

But when the government demands that companies offer plans at a low cost to any child, no matter how sick they are (and face it, no child needs his/her own policy unless they are really ill) is ridiculous.

That company would go out of business lickety-split--and that would be the end of the child-only policy, just through a different means.

Hmmmmm.....

Republican Senators Wimp Out

Republican Senators, behind closed doors, decided NOT to remove Murkowski from her senior spot on the Energy Committee. http://politicopolitico.blogspot.com/2010/09/oooooooh-senator-murkowski-shot-down.html

Apparently, Senator DeMint (R-South Carolina) is the only one to think that her removal was an appropriate action.

Face it, Murkowski lost. Her write-in campaign is a slap in the face to Alaskan voters. And her phone calls to oil lobbyists for support --when she LOST the primary election--should be stopped by her colleagues in the Senate.

What are they scared of?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42642.html

Who'd Have Thunk? The Latest Casualty of Obamacare

Health insurance companies will no longer offer child-only policies.
Obamacare insists that health insurance companies agree to offer high-risk insurance at lower rates.
Well, business just can't run that way. They must either discontinue that service or go out of business.
Child-only policies are for those children who are really, really sick, which is only a tiny majority of youngsters. If you can't charge for pre-existing conditions---well, you go bankrupt really fast.
http://hotair.com/archives/2010/09/21/insurers-to-drop-child-only-plans/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/20/AR2010092006665.html

Oooooooh, Senator Murkowski Shot Down Also

Senator Lisa Murkowshi (R-Alaska) recently lost the primary race to Joe Miller (who should win the election in November and be Alaska's newest senator).

Ms. Murkowski then attempted to be the Libertarian candidate, asking the Libertarian candidate David Haase to step down so she could run.

He said No.

Now Murkowski is running a write-in campaign. She recently attempted to contact lobbyists, especially those related to oil companies, apparently trying to raise money for this write-in campaign.

Murkowski WAS the top Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, so she would have lots of influence over energy policies.

But today, Senator Murkowski got kicked off this Committee by the other Republican Senators. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/21/murkowski-stripped-of-committee/

Something for our Public Servants to remember:

WE HIRE, WE FIRE

Senator Reid's DREAM Act Shot Down

You may not know, but Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) recently attached an amnesty bill (the DREAM Act) to an appropriations bill for our troops.

He also stuck in a bill to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the military. Today, all three bills got torpedoed.

The Dream Act (which proponents have tried to pass for years) is an immigration bill allowing illegal aliens who moved here prior to age 15 and who go to college a "Get-out-of-jail-free" card and go directly to being a U.S. citizens.

Basically, this bill bypasses our immigration laws. For more details, see http://michellemalkin.com/2010/09/21/dream-act-showdown-dems-hold-defense-bill-hostage-to-social-justice/

"The President recently expressed his support for Reid's efforts to move forward on the DREAM Act" while meeting with Representatives Velazquez and Gutierrez and Senator Menendez (all Democrats). http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2010/09/obama_at_gutierrez_menendez_ve.html

Reid also tried very, very hard to prevent any debate, hoping, I guess, to slip these bills by.
For more on all the wily tricks to try and get the DREAM Act passed, see here: http://www.hstoday.us/content/view/14784/128/

Playing Politics with our troops is not cool.

Advertising for Public Schools

(Photo courtesy of Lee MacMillan)
Above is a billboard asking people to go to a website to view the 15 best things about South Bend schools.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/Billboard-Spelling-Error-Creates-Embarrassment-103312449.html

Oh, and did you hear about the Carp Czar?

No joke.

http://michellemalkin.com/2010/09/09/meet-the-new-asian-carp-czar/

No joke that We, The People are paying for this either.

Oops, My Bad

When President Obama told Congressional Black Caucus leaders to "guard the change"....



....I thought he meant they'd better watch out for the extra money in their pockets.

Czars and more czars

President Obama has circumvented the recently passed financial regulatory laws---which specify that the President nominate a director of the new consumer protection bureau to be voted on by the Senate---by installing a new czar who will be a special adviser to Tax Cheat, uh...Timothy, Geitner and President Obama.

Elizabeth Warren will be Czar-in-charge of this bureau as President Obama's special appointment, thus avoiding a Senate confirmation fight. She will be in charge of protecting consumers. If, for example, someone complains that s/he didn't understand the risks of a financial transaction, the financial institution could face criminal charges. THAT should encourage lending.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/15/AR2010091505999.html

And in other czar news....Science Czar Holdren advocates "de-developing" America in order to "restore" the environment.

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/75388

And since global warming has not stood up to those pesky items called "facts", Mr. Holdren wants us now to be fearful of something called "global climate disruption."

Yeah.....right.....

And what about our Safe School czar, Mr. Kevin Jennings?

Yes, the one who promoted "safe sex" to an underage boy who was involved with an adult (but did nothing else) AND whose "inspiration" was the heavily-NAMBLA-involved Harry Hay AND whose organization GSLEN pushed pornography and promoted homosexual acts.....well, he has admitted that his goal is to introduce gay and lesbian issues into public school curriculums.

http://www.breitbart.tv/obamas-safe-school-czar-gay-issues-in-curriculum-is-ultimate-goal/

Economic Advisor Romer Gone; Goolsbee Takes Over Job

With stellar qualifications:
From the Obama Administration, “He’s young and energetic and good on TV." http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/41959.html

And hopefully, less candid than Christina Romer (now the former head of President Obama's economic advisors) who left saying that she had no idea why the economy went so far downhill and that she had no idea how to fix it. However, she defends Obama's stimulus spending, saying,
"As the Council of Economic Advisers has documented in a series of reports to Congress, there is widespread agreement that the [stimulus] act is broadly on track." How did she come to that conclusion, may I ask?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/01/AR2010090106148.html

Meanwhile, the new Head Economic Advisor Goolsbee asserts that "the summer of recover" touted by the Vice President didn't really mean economic recovery--Mr. Biden was only referring to the Recovery Act that would be put in place.

And by the way, don't be looking for any economic recovery any time in the near future.

http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-news-sunday/transcript/austan-goolsbee-talks-economy-and-elections?page=1

What is Driving Voters This Year?

"It's the Spending, Stupid"

"They saw the Recovery Act," he said. "They saw TARP. They saw the auto bailout. And they look at these and think, 'God, all these huge numbers adding up.' So they're right to be concerned about that," said President Obama.

He hit the nail on the head.

Food for thought & good to read:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703743504575493953591176476.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop

The Economy is Looking Even Worse

This year, 14.3 percent of Americans live in poverty--the highest level since the Census Bureau started keeping these statistics.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/16/AR2010091602698_pf.html

Foreclosures on homes continue to rise, while bank repossessions of homes has hit an all-time high. Interesting (and sad) note: Nevada leads the country in home foreclosures as well as in unemployment. (Note to Nevadians: fire Mr. Reid.)
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39192246

Unemployment hasn't gone down--it hovers around 10%, while the actual unemployment rate is closer to 18%. American debt has gone through the roof. Businesses are not hiring, and are not creating new jobs.

So, let's tax those who make some money.
Read this to understand that Mr. Obama is not quite telling the truth when he states that only 3% of small business owners will be affected by the tax hikes he wants to put on those at what--he--defines--as--"rich"-------it's actually 48% of small business owners that will get hit. Note the other name for "rich" small business owners--EMPLOYERS.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703959704575454061524326290.html

The Stimulus, Thus Far

This is a bit of what your taxes were spent upon--as part of the so-called stimulus packages. That stimulus money which was supposed to create jobs.

(Warning: Adult content--not vulgar, just not something you want to read aloud to your 6 year old)

In 2009, over 800 million dollars was spent to sh0w uncircumcised men in Africa how to wash their private parts after sexual intercourse.

My first question is--what?!?!? You're kidding. No amount of our tax money should be spent on this absurdity.

And secondly, how many jobs did this create in America? After all, this happened in Africa. The only person in America that probably got money for this idiocy was the professor at UCLA.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/75198

http://projectreporter.nih.gov/project_info_details.cfm?aid=7814411&icde=5021426

Never Forget

We have so much to be grateful for here in America.

God has blessed us with a country that stands on principles of government for, by and of the people. Here's a tribute to our great nation by Canadian George Sinclair in 1973:

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most
generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States.

When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes?

Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded.
They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through
age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad
and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around.

They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."
http://www.americanfamilytraditions.com/Tribute_To_The_United_States_of_America.htm

So How Does this Blogger Feel About Koran Burning?

A whole lot like I feel about the Ground-Zero mosque.

Anybody can (unless there's some local burn ban due to dry climatic conditions or some such thing, or a building doesn't meet local codes--local laws DO apply).

It's just unwise, foolish and ridiculous.

Here in the U.S. we have lots of freedom. We can burn Korans, Bibles, American flags....we can build houses of worship for any faith.

But we need to remember our manners.

And as a Christian, I don't believe I should offend my neighbor--I should show love; i.e., at least be nice.

Perhaps an Idea Worth Exploring

Ms. Kyle-Anne Shiver at American Thinker writes that it's "Time for an Islamaphobia Beer Summit."
She is jesting about the title (as I am), but her assertions ring true, such as, "One ought never confuse reasoned repugnance with irrational fear."
As to the ground-zero mosque fiasco, she writes that most "Americans oppose Imam Rauf's plan to build a "bridge" mosque so close to the site where his fellow Muslims murdered three thousand of our fellow citizens in the name of Islam just nine years ago."
And more, "A monument erected to the killers over the graves of their victims is a bridge too far for truly rational people. And it is doubtful that any rational American president would have ever lent his support to such an arrogantly vulgar idea in the first place."
Read her article here: http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/09/time_for_an_islamaphobia_beer.html

Interesting Addendum to "Topics of Interest" September 3

http://politicopolitico.blogspot.com/2010/09/topics-of-interest.html
Which may or may not be of any import--you decide.
From the LA Times in 2007, you can read an article about President Obama's childhood, which asserts that he was registered as a Muslim at his elementary school.
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/mar/15/nation/na-obama15

The "Deemed as Passed" Non-Existent 2011 Congressional Budget

What in the world is a "Deemed as Passed" yet non-existent budget?

Well, it's something just about as crazy as it sounds.

In July, as part of an emergency war bill, House Democrats stuck in a proposal to "deem as passed" a budget which doesn't actually exist.

A federal budget which has never been made nor voted on. Yet by "deeming" it passed, the House (controlled by Democrats, led by Ms. Pelosi) can spend YOUR money--without those cumbersome restraints of having a real budget.

This is FIRST year since the budget process was created in 1921 that a Congressional budget has not been enacted.

So what does this mean?

Congressional Democrats can spend as they please without budgetary constraints.

And at the same time, the "Non-Budget" doesn't ensure that our federal government meet its basic obligations to We, The People, such as defense.

Nor does this "Non-Budget" address the basics of a budget, such as accounting for income and outgo.

The House has basically reneged on one of its most basic governmental functions.

Question: So why do we need those Congress people, who cannot even perform one of their most basic duties?

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=37893

http://www.house.gov/budget_republicans/press/2007/notabudgetjun2010.pdf

Obama Continues Drilling Moratorium--In America, but Not in Mexico

President Obama has continued the oil drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico despite pleas last month from oil-related workers to end the moratorium early (it is currently set to expire November 30th). http://blog.heritage.org/?p=40744

Yet the moratorium continues, in the face of the economic problems that this moratorium has caused Gulf Coast workers--not only in the oil business but in related businesses--

--AND despite the lies on which the moratorium is based (remember? The Administration cited a panel of experts as agreeing with a moratorium when in fact the experts were opposed to stopping oil drilling) http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/06/10/experts-say-obama-misrepresented-views-justify-offshore-drilling-ban/

---AND in the face of a ruling by a federal judge (which was upheld by an appeals court) to stop the moratorium and to continue drilling (at which time the Administration just issued another moratorium http://blog.heritage.org/?p=38583

---AND despite the fact that the federal government is support Mexico's drilling in the Gulf of Mexico through giving loans to PEMEX (Mexico's government-run oil company) in exchange for PEMEX buying American equipment. http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/72342


Rather ironic.


The Export-Import Bank loaned more than one billion dollars to PEMEX in 2009 and is set to offer one billion more dollars in 2010, all to help Mexico drill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The stated goal of the Export-Import Bank is to help U.S. companies.
"The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank's )....mission is to assist in financing the export of U.S. goods and services to international markets.
Ex-Im Bank enables U.S. companies — large and small — to turn export opportunities into real sales that help to maintain and create U.S. jobs and contribute to a stronger national economy." (From the official government site http://www.exim.gov/about/mission.cfm)

Wow....Interesting Elections

A few surprises from this year's round of primary elections:

**Senator Specter, the Democratic incumbent famous for switching from the Republican party, is out of a job in Pennsylvania in the primary race.
**Republican Fiorina is in a tight race with incumbent Democrat Senator Boxer in California.
**Senator Reid (Democrat) looks to be out a job in Nevada against Republican Angle.
**Alvin Greene--a total unknown with criminal charges--won the Democratic nomination for Senate against a known candidate in South Carolina
**Mr. Joe Miller will be the Republican candidate for senator in Alaska, after defeating long-time incumbent Murkowski, who supported cap-and-trade legislation.
**Senator Bennett (Republican, Incumbent)--who voted for TARP-- lost the primary against contender Mike Lee.
**Representative Mollohan of West Virginia (Democrat, Incumbent)--with questions of ethics violations and his support of Obamacare--lost to his challenger Oliverio.
**Another party-switcher, Republican Representative Griffith of Alabama, lost the primary to Mr. Brooks.
**Representative Inglis (Republican in South Carolina) lost to Tea Party candidate Gowdy in the Republican primary.

Stay tuned for more primary election results!

Topics of Interest

Lots of interesting goings-on and speculations about our President:
1. Does he support the mosque at Ground Zero?

Yes, of course he does--he stated at a White House Iftar (during the Muslim month of Ramadan) that Muslims have "the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances" speaking specifically about the Ground Zero mosque. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2010/08/obama-ramadan-iftar-remarks-text.html

Which leads to questions #1b--
Do Muslims really have a right to build a mosque there?
Yes, of course, legally they certainly have a right.
But that is not really the question. The argument that if we ask the Cordoba Project (the Muslim group that includes Iman Rauf and company) not to build a mosque at that particular place is against their First Amendment rights is ridiculous.
The people of New York City and America are asking for a certain group of people to act nicely. It's a bit like asking a child who is taunting another child to cut it out and act respectfully. That's all. Iman Rauf himself that he wants to promote good feelings between different faiths. How about starting with not building the mosque?
Not to mention Iman Rauf's possible connections to Hamas and the unanswered questions about funding for the mosque.

Which all leads to the next big question of the last week or so----

2. Is the President a Christian? Is he a Muslim? Or neither?
Well, that is up to God.
But let's just look at the facts:
He and his family have attended church 5 times (from what I could count) since his inauguration.
Previously, Mr. Obama states he rarely attended (and did not listen to the sermons at) Reverend Jeremiah Wright's church.
And a brief glance at the church website http://www.trinitychicago.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=114 reveals only a bigoted brand of black liberation without any mention of salvation through Jesus Christ in their "About" page.
He was raised by a non-believing mother and Muslim step-father.
He cancelled services at the White House for the National Day of Prayer.
He hasn't provided for religious education for his daughters.

So it's quite understandable that Americans are confused the President's religious views.

http://www.newsweek.com/2008/07/11/finding-his-faith.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-08-21-kengor20_ST_N.htm

Back in the Saddle

Or in bloggerworld, whatever....

I know, I know....it's been longer than five weeks. It was really hard getting back into American mode this year, after five weeks in another country without internet access and very little phone communication with friends and family.

So, ONWARD!

Goodbye for a while....

I will gone for about 5 weeks.

Take care of my country, y'all!

Get out and vote whenever you can--for conservatives. Real conservatives, not just phonies.

Get others out to vote too!

Support conservatives monetarily. You can't vote for a conservative candidate who's outside of your district, but you can support them monetarily. Even a small amount can help conservative candidates win.

Who to help? Look at O'Donnell in Delaware, Rubio in Florida, Angle in Nevada, Fiorina in California...I can't find the list right now, but look around and find good conservative candidates to support!

Something Fishy in Chicago: The Blago Trial

Seems that perhaps Mr. Obama was aware of Blagojevich's desire for a Cabinet post in exchange for appointing Valerie Sterret as Senator to take Obama's seat in Illinois.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/2427402,CST-NWS-BLAGO24.article
While apparently just "knowing" of a crime isn't felonious in itself, how does this "smell"?

DISCLOSE Act Passes House Today

Today the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted to pass the DISCLOSE Act 219-206. Thirty-six Democrats voted against the bill, and two Republicans (Castle-R-Delaware and Cao-R-Louisisana) voted for the bill.

This bill counters the Supreme Court decision that the McCain-Feingold provisions restricting political free speech by businesses, unions and other groups during certain times in election years was unconstitutional.

Fearing that conservatives would use their free speech, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of our Constitution, Democrats have muzzled free speech.

Except if you are the National Rifle Association, labor unions, or some other special group. Then you get to use your free speech.

CONGRESS IS DECIDING WHO GETS TO HAVE FREE SPEECH RIGHTS.

Call your Senator now and oppose the DISCLOSE Act.

Further Episodes of "The Gulf Oil Spill"

I grew up on the Texas Gulf coast. I lived on Galveston Island for several years. I love fresh shrimp, fish, and crab. One of my favorite things is to ride the Bolivar Ferry. And my growing-up years were financed by oil.

That's the thing---our economy, in so many, many ways, depends on oil. So many people depend on oil for their livelihood. And just as many depend on other resources that the Gulf Coast yields.

Which is WHY the response of the federal government is so IMPORTANT.

Now, do I feel that it is necessarily only the federal government's responsibility to fix the oil

spill?
No, I don't. But the federal government should provide to the governors of the Gulf Coast states all the help possible. including the best technology and know-how available to counter the biggest oil-spill environmental disaster ever.

But, first of all, you don't add to the problems by stopping all drilling. Funny thing, Judge Feldman noted that the Administration had lied about the Panel of Experts from the National Academy of Engineering's recommendations, opposing a drilling moratorium. So Judge Feldman overturned the moratorium. http://blog.heritage.org/2010/06/22/judge-blocks-obama%e2%80%99s-offshore-drilling-moratorium/#more-36808

As noted previously, the Interior Department has had problems before, and was in need of a good cleaning-up. Apparently, despite Obama's promises, this hasn't happened.

http://michellemalkin.com/2010/06/23/ken-salazar-gets-an-ass-kicking-over-to-you-capitol-hill/

So Interior Secretary Salazar says he will now issue another drilling moratorium. If this goes through, the effects on the Gulf Coast economy will be tremendous (in a negative sense).

Next, let's talk about how the government is doing in helping out with oil spill and cleanup.

Well, it has refused help from other countries. http://blog.heritage.org/2010/06/22/our-government-slowed-down-the-gulf-cleanup/#more-36788

The federal government was also unaware of resource available in the U.S. http://hotair.com/archives/2010/06/11/allen-uh-no-one-told-me-about-maine-boom-company/

Now the federal government has stopped building the sand berms that they had recently okayed. http://hotair.com/archives/2010/06/23/feds-halt-berm-building-dredging-by-louisiana/

And the federal government isn't even using the oil skimmers that are available here in the U.S.!!! In Florida, only 23 of the 2,000 skimmers in the U.S. are being used used off the coast of Florida. http://hotair.com/archives/2010/06/22/exclusive-senator-lemieux-says-he-sees-no-leadership-from-obama-on-gulf-disaster/

Instead of leadership on this oil spill, this is what we're getting:

June 17: The President works on the lawsuit on Arizona

June 18: Baseball. And if I remember correctly, that beer was banned by Mr. Obama's physician.

June 19: Golf (six hours worth)

June 20: Day off for Father's Day. Disses BP exec for going on a sailing jaunt.

June 21: Mr. Obama hosts BBQ

June 22: Mr. Obama hosts Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender Bash.

June 23: Hamburger date with Russian President Mendevev.

Oops, Mistake on the Gulf Oil Spill

The federal government hasn't asked for help from other countries in cleaning up the oil, apparently.
The Jones Act restricts foreign vessels in US waters. According to both Democrats and Republicans, the Administration needs to waive the Jones Act temporarily and allow foreign ships to help with the oil clean up.

Mr. Barton is Right

Mr. Barton (R-Texas) is right--the $20 billion dollars from British Petroleum is a "shakedown" and a "slush fund".

This money will be run by an "independent" party, who turns out to be a supporter of Mr. Obama. To me, this sounds like Mr. Obama will be in charge of the fund.

Mr. Obama did this without any legitimacy. He has no legislative nor judicial authority to make BP pay up.

BTW, Mr. Barton is my representative.

It's nice to have someone who tells the truth, even if he stated it awkwardly.

http://blog.heritage.org/2010/06/17/trust-fund-ignores-rule-of-law/#more-36432

President Touts Recovery in Ohio--Costing Us at least Half a Million Dollars

Mr. Obama went to Ohio today to tout the stimulus.

This trip cost the taxpayers between one-half and one million dollars for Mr. Obama's 10 minute speech.

Construction workers were not allowed to come to work and did not get paid for their forced day off.

This is the second time this month that a speech by Mr. Obama forced workers to stay home a day without pay.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20008201-503544.html

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/05/27/obamateurism-of-the-day-280/

Iran Plans More Reactors

Iran, thumbing its nose at the newly-minted UN sanctions against its nuclear program, has declared that it will built four more reactors and continue its nuclear research program.

President Ahmadinejad said Iran will not make "one iota of concessions." "We set conditions (for any talks) so that, God willing, you'll be punished a bit and sit at the negotiating table like a polite child," he stated about the sanctions.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/06/16/iran-tells-west-iota-concessions-nuclear-program-plans-build-new-reactors/

More "Whoa! Nellie!" Tidbits

#1) Clinton announces that the federal government will take the State of Arizona to court over the new immigration laws--which are merely enactments of the FEDERAL immigration laws.

#2) Stimulus funding at work--The federal government spent $54 million dollars in stimulus money to the Mohegan Indian tribe's casino in Connecticut with the support of Senator Dodd (D-Connecticut). This casino takes in about $1.3 billion dollars per year. http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/mohegan-sun-casino-owners-received-54-million-stimulus/story?id=10889408

#3) The Obama Administration has spent $1.2 billion dollars on walking and biking paths this year, both from stimulus money and from the Federal Highway Administration.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7834334/Obama-administration-spends-1.2-billion-on-cycling-and-walking-initiatives.html

#4) The squirrels get paths, too--specifically, they get "squirrel bridges" over the highways in Arizona because the squirrels the rare Mount Graham squirrels are getting run over. Arizona has received $1.25 million dollars for these bridges. http://abcnews.go.com/US/Broadcast/arizona-spends-125-million-endangered-squirrels/story?id=10934895

A question??? How will the squirrels know to use their bridges?

Whoa! Nellie! Watch out for the Constitution!

So many dastardly deeds....including....

#1) Assault on our First Amendment rights--the right to free speech:

The first curtailing of our free speech is the Administration's attempt to regulate the Internet. The FCC, despite a recent Court ruling that the internet is NOT a "telecommunications" service and thus NOT under FCC's control, just redefinied the internet as "telecommunications". And now plans to impose "net neutrality" rules which will allow the FCC to regulate speech over the internet. http://spectator.org/archives/2010/06/17/en-gulfing-the-internet

#2) Another First Amendment problem: the DISCLOSE Act:

A bit ago, the Supreme Court struck down restrictions on free speech of corporations (both for-profit and not-for-profit) by allowing political speech by these entities.

Now Congress intends to bypass the Supreme Court decision by banning outright some forms of free speech by corporations and by enacting burdensome regulations on the free speech that would remain open to those corporations.

Of course, the DISCLOSE Act continues to allow unions to express their free speech, perhaps because unions are mostly voting Democrat. http://blog.heritage.org/2010/06/17/disclosing-contempt-for-liberty-and-the-constitution/#more-36480

#3) The unconstitutional actions of the President in demanding $20 billion from British Petroleum.

Mr. Obama has no Constitutional authority to unilaterally (without legislation via Congress, or without judicial review through the court system) take money from any corporation. It's illegal under our Constitution. As Ben Stein put it, "These are the acts of a big city boss or a third world dictator." http://spectator.org/archives/2010/06/16/the-caudillo-president