From the Wall St. Journal.
"America's primary race problem today is our new "sophistication" around racial matters. Political correctness is a compendium of sophistications in which we join ourselves to obvious falsehoods ("diversity") and refuse to see obvious realities (the irrelevance of diversity to minority development). I would argue further that Barack Obama's election to the presidency of the United States was essentially an American sophistication, a national exercise in seeing what was not there and a refusal to see what was there—all to escape the stigma not of stupidity but of racism."
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Two Key Federal Agencies Lack Top Leaders
From Yahoo Politics. Is it any wonder why the "underwear bomber" got into this country in the first place?
"Two federal agencies charged with keeping potential terrorists off airplanes and out of the country have been without their top leaders for nearly a year.
It took the Obama administration more than eight months to nominate anyone to lead the Transportation Security Administration and the Customs and Border Protection agency."
"Two federal agencies charged with keeping potential terrorists off airplanes and out of the country have been without their top leaders for nearly a year.
It took the Obama administration more than eight months to nominate anyone to lead the Transportation Security Administration and the Customs and Border Protection agency."
Saturday, December 19, 2009
A Divided U.N. Conference Recognizes Climate Deal
From Yahoo news.
"The U.N. climate conference narrowly escaped collapse Saturday as bitterly divided delegates agreed after all-night talks to recognize a political compromise that President Barack Obama brokered with China and other emerging powers."
...
"Obama's day of hectic diplomacy produced a document promising $30 billion in emergency climate aid to poor nations in the next three years and a goal of eventually channeling $100 billion a year by 2020 to developing countries.
It includes a method for verifying each nation's reductions of heat-trapping gases — a key demand by Washington, because China has resisted international efforts to monitor its actions."
...
"The overall outcome was a significant disappointment to those who had anticipated the deal brokered by Obama would be turned into a legally binding treaty. Instead, it envisions another year of negotiations and leaves myriad details yet to be decided.
"The deal is a triumph of spin over substance. It recognizes the need to keep warming below 2 degrees but does not commit to do so. It kicks back the big decisions on emissions cuts and fudges the issue of climate cash," said Jeremy Hobbs, executive director of Oxfam International."
It was exposed for what it was--a scheme to redistribute wealth globally. If the world were to completely de-industrialize, it would only cool the planet 1 degree, and take a millenia to do it.
"The U.N. climate conference narrowly escaped collapse Saturday as bitterly divided delegates agreed after all-night talks to recognize a political compromise that President Barack Obama brokered with China and other emerging powers."
...
"Obama's day of hectic diplomacy produced a document promising $30 billion in emergency climate aid to poor nations in the next three years and a goal of eventually channeling $100 billion a year by 2020 to developing countries.
It includes a method for verifying each nation's reductions of heat-trapping gases — a key demand by Washington, because China has resisted international efforts to monitor its actions."
...
"The overall outcome was a significant disappointment to those who had anticipated the deal brokered by Obama would be turned into a legally binding treaty. Instead, it envisions another year of negotiations and leaves myriad details yet to be decided.
"The deal is a triumph of spin over substance. It recognizes the need to keep warming below 2 degrees but does not commit to do so. It kicks back the big decisions on emissions cuts and fudges the issue of climate cash," said Jeremy Hobbs, executive director of Oxfam International."
It was exposed for what it was--a scheme to redistribute wealth globally. If the world were to completely de-industrialize, it would only cool the planet 1 degree, and take a millenia to do it.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Obama Can Create Jobs By Modeling Two Good Ideas
From Yahoo Opinion.
"On display is an exhibit of New Deal-era paintings that show men building roads, laying pipe, and shoveling snow. The artists were paid by the New Deal to paint these portraits; and the people in them were paid by the New Deal to construct public-works projects and the nation’s infrastructure.
Almost every community in the United States has a park, bridge, or school constructed during the New Deal, built by the calloused hands and strong backs of Americans who were working directly for the government."
...
"Even as US unemployment has more than doubled, in Germany the unemployment rate has hardly increased. Germany was one of the first advanced economies to emerge out of recession and now has a considerably lower unemployment rate than the US, 7.6 percent. The remarkable resilience of the German economy is directly attributable to shrewd policies that have better stimulated its economy.
The most important of these is known as kurzarbeit, which encourages firms that face a temporary decrease in demand for their products or services to avoid laying off employees by trimming the hours of all employees.
Under such so-called work-sharing programs, employers spread the burden, and the government then makes up some, or all, of the workers’ lost wages. This encourages firms to use reductions of hours instead of layoffs."
...
"The German program this year has cost only $2.9 billion. Adjusting for the larger US population, that suggests the US could fully copy the German system for $10.6 billion – about 1/70th the cost of the $750 billion economic stimulus last February, estimates Kevin Hassett, economic analyst at the American Enterprise Institute.
A program based on Germany’s work-share model would be attractive to firms, workers, and taxpayers because it is cheaper than paying unemployment and it keeps more people employed. That in turn would help maintain consumer spending, which is a big driver of the national economy.
Seventeen US states allow this sort of work-sharing, but few companies are participating, mostly because, unlike in Germany, the government’s contribution is not large enough to make work-share attractive. Sen. Jack Reed (D) of Rhode Island and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D) of Connecticut have proposed bills to expand existing state work-share programs, but the White House is not supporting them."
"On display is an exhibit of New Deal-era paintings that show men building roads, laying pipe, and shoveling snow. The artists were paid by the New Deal to paint these portraits; and the people in them were paid by the New Deal to construct public-works projects and the nation’s infrastructure.
Almost every community in the United States has a park, bridge, or school constructed during the New Deal, built by the calloused hands and strong backs of Americans who were working directly for the government."
...
"Even as US unemployment has more than doubled, in Germany the unemployment rate has hardly increased. Germany was one of the first advanced economies to emerge out of recession and now has a considerably lower unemployment rate than the US, 7.6 percent. The remarkable resilience of the German economy is directly attributable to shrewd policies that have better stimulated its economy.
The most important of these is known as kurzarbeit, which encourages firms that face a temporary decrease in demand for their products or services to avoid laying off employees by trimming the hours of all employees.
Under such so-called work-sharing programs, employers spread the burden, and the government then makes up some, or all, of the workers’ lost wages. This encourages firms to use reductions of hours instead of layoffs."
...
"The German program this year has cost only $2.9 billion. Adjusting for the larger US population, that suggests the US could fully copy the German system for $10.6 billion – about 1/70th the cost of the $750 billion economic stimulus last February, estimates Kevin Hassett, economic analyst at the American Enterprise Institute.
A program based on Germany’s work-share model would be attractive to firms, workers, and taxpayers because it is cheaper than paying unemployment and it keeps more people employed. That in turn would help maintain consumer spending, which is a big driver of the national economy.
Seventeen US states allow this sort of work-sharing, but few companies are participating, mostly because, unlike in Germany, the government’s contribution is not large enough to make work-share attractive. Sen. Jack Reed (D) of Rhode Island and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D) of Connecticut have proposed bills to expand existing state work-share programs, but the White House is not supporting them."
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
New Obama Plans: "Spend Our Way Out of the Downturn"
From Yahoo News. How original--more of the same!
"President Barack Obama outlined new multibillion-dollar stimulus and jobs proposals Tuesday, saying the nation must continue to "spend our way out of this recession" until more Americans are back at work.
Without giving a price tag, Obama proposed a package of new spending for highway, bridge and other infrastructure projects, deeper tax breaks for small businesses and tax incentives to encourage people to make their homes more energy efficient."
I'm still waiting to see who draws his gun first between the EPA and the cap-and-trade bill.
"President Barack Obama outlined new multibillion-dollar stimulus and jobs proposals Tuesday, saying the nation must continue to "spend our way out of this recession" until more Americans are back at work.
Without giving a price tag, Obama proposed a package of new spending for highway, bridge and other infrastructure projects, deeper tax breaks for small businesses and tax incentives to encourage people to make their homes more energy efficient."
I'm still waiting to see who draws his gun first between the EPA and the cap-and-trade bill.
Monday, December 7, 2009
EPA to Make Major Announcement on Climate
From the Wall St. Journal.
"The agency is expected to officially declare greenhouse gases a danger to public health and welfare, according to people close to the matter and as reported by Dow Jones Newswires on Friday.
The controversial decision is necessary for the administration to move ahead with new light-duty vehicle emission standards and is the precursor to economy-wide regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Opposed by many business groups and lawmakers who fear such an endangerment finding will place a burden on the economy, the EPA has said it's considering rules that would restrict emissions from large stationary sources such as power stations, refineries, chemical plants and cement kilns. It will be seen as a major victory by environmentalists.
The decision will give the Obama administration political leverage in negotiations at a major international climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, beginning this week. It also puts pressure on lawmakers to act; even the administration said a more finely crafted law that cuts greenhouse gases would have a more moderate effect on the economy than regulations under the more blunt Clean Air Act under which the endangerment decision is being made."
This is how Obama plans to get around Congress and the ClimateGate scandal to enact his "green" agenda. Expect him to do the same for health care reform and whatever else gets held up in Congress from his agenda--executive orders, changes to regulations via the individual agency (as he's doing here), etc.
"The agency is expected to officially declare greenhouse gases a danger to public health and welfare, according to people close to the matter and as reported by Dow Jones Newswires on Friday.
The controversial decision is necessary for the administration to move ahead with new light-duty vehicle emission standards and is the precursor to economy-wide regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. Opposed by many business groups and lawmakers who fear such an endangerment finding will place a burden on the economy, the EPA has said it's considering rules that would restrict emissions from large stationary sources such as power stations, refineries, chemical plants and cement kilns. It will be seen as a major victory by environmentalists.
The decision will give the Obama administration political leverage in negotiations at a major international climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, beginning this week. It also puts pressure on lawmakers to act; even the administration said a more finely crafted law that cuts greenhouse gases would have a more moderate effect on the economy than regulations under the more blunt Clean Air Act under which the endangerment decision is being made."
This is how Obama plans to get around Congress and the ClimateGate scandal to enact his "green" agenda. Expect him to do the same for health care reform and whatever else gets held up in Congress from his agenda--executive orders, changes to regulations via the individual agency (as he's doing here), etc.
Federal Workshop on Openness Closed to the Public
From Yahoo Politics.
"The Obama administration is conducting a workshop on government openness for federal employees behind closed doors Monday, a private training session for freedom-of-information officials to learn about a new U.S. office that settle disputes between the bureaucracy and the public.
The decision to preclude the public and the media from attending Monday's openness workshop left advocates scratching their heads, given President Barack Obama's campaign promise to make his administration the most transparent ever."
Obama promised to throw open the closet of skeletons...until he found out why they were there in the first place! Too many of us can't handle the truth--including him, it seems.
"The Obama administration is conducting a workshop on government openness for federal employees behind closed doors Monday, a private training session for freedom-of-information officials to learn about a new U.S. office that settle disputes between the bureaucracy and the public.
The decision to preclude the public and the media from attending Monday's openness workshop left advocates scratching their heads, given President Barack Obama's campaign promise to make his administration the most transparent ever."
Obama promised to throw open the closet of skeletons...until he found out why they were there in the first place! Too many of us can't handle the truth--including him, it seems.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The Cost of Presidential Ambition
From the Washington Post.
"At the opening of his presidency, there was hardly a problem that Obama wasn't prepared to confront aggressively. The economy? Bailouts for banks and automakers, and a huge stimulus package to short-circuit the recession. Iraq? Set a date for withdrawing promptly. Health care? Go for it immediately, and with primary colors, not pastels. Energy and climate change? Ditto. Afghanistan? Send the brigades long advocated as a candidate.
Some of these were decisions of necessity (the economy). Others reflected campaign promises he could not afford to break (Iraq). Still others represented promises that might have been deferred but were not (health care).
Taken together, they signaled the enormous ambitions that came to define Obama's conception of his presidency. They also helped to create an increasingly contentious political climate in reaction to that agenda."
....
"Obama has tied his party and his presidency to policies that could make 2010 extremely difficult for the Democrats, and it's clear that political considerations influenced the Afghanistan debate inside the administration and the renewed focus on jobs."
"At the opening of his presidency, there was hardly a problem that Obama wasn't prepared to confront aggressively. The economy? Bailouts for banks and automakers, and a huge stimulus package to short-circuit the recession. Iraq? Set a date for withdrawing promptly. Health care? Go for it immediately, and with primary colors, not pastels. Energy and climate change? Ditto. Afghanistan? Send the brigades long advocated as a candidate.
Some of these were decisions of necessity (the economy). Others reflected campaign promises he could not afford to break (Iraq). Still others represented promises that might have been deferred but were not (health care).
Taken together, they signaled the enormous ambitions that came to define Obama's conception of his presidency. They also helped to create an increasingly contentious political climate in reaction to that agenda."
....
"Obama has tied his party and his presidency to policies that could make 2010 extremely difficult for the Democrats, and it's clear that political considerations influenced the Afghanistan debate inside the administration and the renewed focus on jobs."
Why Obama's Jobs Summit Was an Exercise in Futility
From the Examiner.
"Attending were Joe Biden, Democrat politicians, a bunch of academic eggheads and economists, a gaggle of nonprofit execs, a whole flock of union flacks including Obama’s SEIU allies, ACORN thugs and … oh yes, a handful of corporate CEOs who have shown support for Obama in every aspect of his presidency. In other words, he has invited to the summit a pack of his own yes men."
The Chamber of Commerce wasn't invited...but the Apollo Group and Van Jones were certainly there, along with every other Chicago crony that could book a flight.
Was the SBA represented? Probably not, unless they're ayes-man or Chicago crony.
This so-called "summit" was a meeting to discuss increasing UNION hiring at so-called GREEN jobs, so Obama can carry out his energy and vote redisribution policies.
"Attending were Joe Biden, Democrat politicians, a bunch of academic eggheads and economists, a gaggle of nonprofit execs, a whole flock of union flacks including Obama’s SEIU allies, ACORN thugs and … oh yes, a handful of corporate CEOs who have shown support for Obama in every aspect of his presidency. In other words, he has invited to the summit a pack of his own yes men."
The Chamber of Commerce wasn't invited...but the Apollo Group and Van Jones were certainly there, along with every other Chicago crony that could book a flight.
Was the SBA represented? Probably not, unless they're ayes-man or Chicago crony.
This so-called "summit" was a meeting to discuss increasing UNION hiring at so-called GREEN jobs, so Obama can carry out his energy and vote redisribution policies.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Arabs Have Stopped Applauding Obama
From the Wall St. Journal.
"He talks too much," a Saudi academic in Jeddah, who had once been smitten with Barack Obama, recently observed to me of America's 44th president. He has wearied of Mr. Obama and now does not bother with the Obama oratory.
He is hardly alone, this academic. In the endless chatter of this region, and in the commentaries offered by the press, the theme is one of disappointment. In the Arab-Islamic world, Barack Obama has come down to earth.
He has not made the world anew, history did not bend to his will, the Indians and Pakistanis have been told that the matter of Kashmir is theirs to resolve, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the same intractable clash of two irreconcilable nationalisms, and the theocrats in Iran have not "unclenched their fist," nor have they abandoned their nuclear quest."
Nor does he walk on water, but he DOES find ways to pay Peggy the Moocher's mortgage, put gas in her car, and get people in Detroit to line up around a building to collect $3000 each of "stash" money. He also manages to make it more profitable to stay unemployed than to go back to work...even if you have to MAKE the job yourself!
"He talks too much," a Saudi academic in Jeddah, who had once been smitten with Barack Obama, recently observed to me of America's 44th president. He has wearied of Mr. Obama and now does not bother with the Obama oratory.
He is hardly alone, this academic. In the endless chatter of this region, and in the commentaries offered by the press, the theme is one of disappointment. In the Arab-Islamic world, Barack Obama has come down to earth.
He has not made the world anew, history did not bend to his will, the Indians and Pakistanis have been told that the matter of Kashmir is theirs to resolve, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the same intractable clash of two irreconcilable nationalisms, and the theocrats in Iran have not "unclenched their fist," nor have they abandoned their nuclear quest."
Nor does he walk on water, but he DOES find ways to pay Peggy the Moocher's mortgage, put gas in her car, and get people in Detroit to line up around a building to collect $3000 each of "stash" money. He also manages to make it more profitable to stay unemployed than to go back to work...even if you have to MAKE the job yourself!
New $100B Safety Net in the Works for Jobless
From Yahoo News.
And here's how they plan to pay for it: Taxing Stock Trades to Pay for Jobs (from CNN Money).
More wealth redistribution in action! Eliminating Medicare fraud would've covered half of it, but I digress. Whatever happened to the unused portion of the LAST stimulus package, or the unused bank bailout money?
And here's how they plan to pay for it: Taxing Stock Trades to Pay for Jobs (from CNN Money).
More wealth redistribution in action! Eliminating Medicare fraud would've covered half of it, but I digress. Whatever happened to the unused portion of the LAST stimulus package, or the unused bank bailout money?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Seven Stories Obama Doesn't Want Told
From Yahoo News.
"The pro-Obama narrative featured an almost mystically talented young idealist who stood for change in a disciplined and thoughtful way. This easily outpowered the anti-Obama narrative, featuring an opportunistic Chicago pol with dubious relationships who was more liberal than he was letting on.
A year into his presidency, however, Obama’s gift for controlling his image shows signs of faltering. As Washington returns to work from the Thanksgiving holiday, there are several anti-Obama storylines gaining momentum."
The 7 stories:
1. He thinks he’s playing with Monopoly money
2. Too much Leonard Nimoy
3. That’s the Chicago Way
4. He’s a pushover (stereotypical for Democrats)
5. He sees America as another pleasant country on the U.N. roll call, somewhere between Albania and Zimbabwe
6. President Pelosi
7. He’s in love with the man in the mirror
"The pro-Obama narrative featured an almost mystically talented young idealist who stood for change in a disciplined and thoughtful way. This easily outpowered the anti-Obama narrative, featuring an opportunistic Chicago pol with dubious relationships who was more liberal than he was letting on.
A year into his presidency, however, Obama’s gift for controlling his image shows signs of faltering. As Washington returns to work from the Thanksgiving holiday, there are several anti-Obama storylines gaining momentum."
The 7 stories:
1. He thinks he’s playing with Monopoly money
2. Too much Leonard Nimoy
3. That’s the Chicago Way
4. He’s a pushover (stereotypical for Democrats)
5. He sees America as another pleasant country on the U.N. roll call, somewhere between Albania and Zimbabwe
6. President Pelosi
7. He’s in love with the man in the mirror
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Administration Plans New Effort on Foreclosures
From Yahoo News. Our taxpayer dollars at work AGAIN!
"Under the $75 billion Treasury program, companies that agree to lower payments for troubled borrowers collect $1,000 initially from the government for each loan, followed by $1,000 annually for up to three years.
The government support, which is provided from the $700 billion financial bailout program, is aimed at providing cash incentives for mortgage providers to accept smaller mortgage payments rather than foreclosing on homes."
Obama's paying them to take a loss--as if they couldn't write it off on their taxes! He's vote-fishing.
"Under the $75 billion Treasury program, companies that agree to lower payments for troubled borrowers collect $1,000 initially from the government for each loan, followed by $1,000 annually for up to three years.
The government support, which is provided from the $700 billion financial bailout program, is aimed at providing cash incentives for mortgage providers to accept smaller mortgage payments rather than foreclosing on homes."
Obama's paying them to take a loss--as if they couldn't write it off on their taxes! He's vote-fishing.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Why Obama Isn't Changing Washington
From the Wall St. Journal.
"Why has the president's publicly expressed vision of a kinder, gentler Washington failed to materialize? I think Mr. Obama—while hardly the only person at fault—is chiefly responsible.
He might have spawned a different Washington, a less divided town with Democrats firmly in charge but Republicans actively involved. The bonus for Mr. Obama and Democrats would be higher popularity and better prospects in 2010 midterm elections. Instead, the president made three strategic mistakes—or, really, misreadings of the political landscape—and they've come back to haunt him and his party."
...
"Second, Mr. Obama misread his own ability to sway the public. He is a glib, cool, likeable speaker whose sentences have subjects and verbs. During the campaign, he gave dazzling speeches about hope and change that excited voters. His late-night speech at a Democratic dinner in Des Moines on Nov. 10, 2007, prior to the Iowa caucuses, convinced me he'd win the presidential nomination.
But campaign speeches don't have to be specific, and candidates aren't accountable. Presidential speeches are different. The object is to persuade voters to back a certain policy, and it turns out Mr. Obama is not good at this. He failed to stop the steady decline in support for any of his policies, most notably health care."
...
"Third, Mr. Obama misread Republicans. They felt weak and vulnerable after losing two straight congressional elections and watching John McCain's presidential bid fall flat. They were afraid to criticize the newly elected president. If he had offered them minimal concessions, many of them would have jumped aboard his policies. If that had happened, the president could have boasted of achieving bipartisan compromise on the stimulus and other policies. He let the chance slip away."
"Why has the president's publicly expressed vision of a kinder, gentler Washington failed to materialize? I think Mr. Obama—while hardly the only person at fault—is chiefly responsible.
He might have spawned a different Washington, a less divided town with Democrats firmly in charge but Republicans actively involved. The bonus for Mr. Obama and Democrats would be higher popularity and better prospects in 2010 midterm elections. Instead, the president made three strategic mistakes—or, really, misreadings of the political landscape—and they've come back to haunt him and his party."
...
"Second, Mr. Obama misread his own ability to sway the public. He is a glib, cool, likeable speaker whose sentences have subjects and verbs. During the campaign, he gave dazzling speeches about hope and change that excited voters. His late-night speech at a Democratic dinner in Des Moines on Nov. 10, 2007, prior to the Iowa caucuses, convinced me he'd win the presidential nomination.
But campaign speeches don't have to be specific, and candidates aren't accountable. Presidential speeches are different. The object is to persuade voters to back a certain policy, and it turns out Mr. Obama is not good at this. He failed to stop the steady decline in support for any of his policies, most notably health care."
...
"Third, Mr. Obama misread Republicans. They felt weak and vulnerable after losing two straight congressional elections and watching John McCain's presidential bid fall flat. They were afraid to criticize the newly elected president. If he had offered them minimal concessions, many of them would have jumped aboard his policies. If that had happened, the president could have boasted of achieving bipartisan compromise on the stimulus and other policies. He let the chance slip away."
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The Former British Police Officer Who Wants to Bring Down Barack Obama
From the U.K. Guardian. I'd like to help him.
"Sankey says his fascination began with the realisation "that this man wasn't what he said he was. He wasn't an ordinary Democrat — he was far more extreme than that." So about a year ago he began reading blogs and websites that claimed to expose Obama's foreign roots, his spurious Hawaiian birth certificate and the $2m White House cover-up that has prevented the public finding out about the plot."
Unfortunately, the Birthers corralled him.
"Sankey contends that his police experience in England now informs his fight against Obama. "It's quite obvious to me — America is heading towards a socialised state just as has happened in Europe. Socialised medicine, everyone on the dole, and when everything collapses you tip the scales into Marxism."
He also believes his training in Scotland Yard is now reaping benefits for the Birthers. The same techniques he used to analyse the IRA's associations he is now applying to Obama. Most recently, he carried out an exhaustive search of databases that he claims threw up 140 different identification numbers and addresses for "Barack Obama". He admits the findings prove nothing — there is nothing to link the entries to the president — but he believes it raises further doubts that need investigating."
These are some of the same people who said John McCain wasn't an eligible citizen to run for office because he was born in Panama. Back then, we OWNED Panama, and had military bases there for years afterward. Anyone born on a military installation is a U.S. citizen--I'm surprised how many people didn't know this...it's called Citizenship 101 in civics class.
If this guy is truly successful in finding something HONEST and TRUTHFUL about Obama's past that can be used to impeach him, I'm all for it. Otherwise, if he's just another susceptible Brit falling for Orly Tait's charms and marketing plan, he gets what he deserves--a media death in obscurity.
"Sankey says his fascination began with the realisation "that this man wasn't what he said he was. He wasn't an ordinary Democrat — he was far more extreme than that." So about a year ago he began reading blogs and websites that claimed to expose Obama's foreign roots, his spurious Hawaiian birth certificate and the $2m White House cover-up that has prevented the public finding out about the plot."
Unfortunately, the Birthers corralled him.
"Sankey contends that his police experience in England now informs his fight against Obama. "It's quite obvious to me — America is heading towards a socialised state just as has happened in Europe. Socialised medicine, everyone on the dole, and when everything collapses you tip the scales into Marxism."
He also believes his training in Scotland Yard is now reaping benefits for the Birthers. The same techniques he used to analyse the IRA's associations he is now applying to Obama. Most recently, he carried out an exhaustive search of databases that he claims threw up 140 different identification numbers and addresses for "Barack Obama". He admits the findings prove nothing — there is nothing to link the entries to the president — but he believes it raises further doubts that need investigating."
These are some of the same people who said John McCain wasn't an eligible citizen to run for office because he was born in Panama. Back then, we OWNED Panama, and had military bases there for years afterward. Anyone born on a military installation is a U.S. citizen--I'm surprised how many people didn't know this...it's called Citizenship 101 in civics class.
If this guy is truly successful in finding something HONEST and TRUTHFUL about Obama's past that can be used to impeach him, I'm all for it. Otherwise, if he's just another susceptible Brit falling for Orly Tait's charms and marketing plan, he gets what he deserves--a media death in obscurity.
Couple Crashes Obama's State Dinner
From CNN Politics. So where was the security? Next, we'll have the Taliban showing up at the annual Easter Egg Roll.
Friday, November 20, 2009
This Just in: Obama, China, and Wishful Thinking About American Jobs
From Yahoo Opinion.
"The dirty little secret on both sides of the Pacific is that both America and China are capable of producing far more than their own consumers are capable of buying. In the US, the root of the problem is a growing share of total income going to the richest Americans, leaving the middle class with relatively less purchasing power unless they go deep into debt.
Inequality is also widening in China, but the problem there is a declining share of the fruits of economic growth going to average Chinese and an increasing share going to capital investment.
Both societies are threatened by the disconnect between production and consumption. In China, the threat is civil unrest. In the US, it's a prolonged jobs and earnings recession that, when combined with widening inequality, could create political backlash."
"The dirty little secret on both sides of the Pacific is that both America and China are capable of producing far more than their own consumers are capable of buying. In the US, the root of the problem is a growing share of total income going to the richest Americans, leaving the middle class with relatively less purchasing power unless they go deep into debt.
Inequality is also widening in China, but the problem there is a declining share of the fruits of economic growth going to average Chinese and an increasing share going to capital investment.
Both societies are threatened by the disconnect between production and consumption. In China, the threat is civil unrest. In the US, it's a prolonged jobs and earnings recession that, when combined with widening inequality, could create political backlash."
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
This Just In: Over $98 Billion Wasted in Improper Payments
From Yahoo News.
"More than $98 billion in taxpayer dollars spent by government agencies was wasted, much of it on questionable claims for tax credits and Medicare benefits, representing an increase of $26 billion from the previous year."
How many people could've gotten health care coverage with that money? Perhaps the 12 million who really NEED it?
"More than $98 billion in taxpayer dollars spent by government agencies was wasted, much of it on questionable claims for tax credits and Medicare benefits, representing an increase of $26 billion from the previous year."
How many people could've gotten health care coverage with that money? Perhaps the 12 million who really NEED it?
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
This Just In: Obama, Hu Vow Cooperation, But Produce Little at Climate Change Summit
From Yahoo news.
"Stung by new U.S. levies on imports of Chinese-made tires and steel pipes, Hu said he told Obama that given a still struggling global economy both countries "need to oppose and reject protectionism in all its manifestations in an even stronger stand."
Obama later called on China to relax controls that keep the Chinese currency relatively weak and thus help fuel exports — something Beijing officials have rejected in recent days. Obama also pointedly raised human rights, saying they are fundamental to all.
"We do not believe these principles are unique to America, but rather they are universal rights and that they should be available to all peoples, to all ethnic and religious minorities," Obama said in his only nationally televised remarks on the sensitive issue."
Ahhhhh...the Socialist in him comes out. You'd think he'd know how a Communist country worked--to retain utmost power and control, you must restrict rights and freedoms. This is what he himself wants in our country, so why does he deny it for others?
Doesn't he realize the yuan is pegged to the dollar, and one drags down the other? If he wants a strong yuan, he should aim for a strong dollar. China plays chess just as well as Iran.
"Stung by new U.S. levies on imports of Chinese-made tires and steel pipes, Hu said he told Obama that given a still struggling global economy both countries "need to oppose and reject protectionism in all its manifestations in an even stronger stand."
Obama later called on China to relax controls that keep the Chinese currency relatively weak and thus help fuel exports — something Beijing officials have rejected in recent days. Obama also pointedly raised human rights, saying they are fundamental to all.
"We do not believe these principles are unique to America, but rather they are universal rights and that they should be available to all peoples, to all ethnic and religious minorities," Obama said in his only nationally televised remarks on the sensitive issue."
Ahhhhh...the Socialist in him comes out. You'd think he'd know how a Communist country worked--to retain utmost power and control, you must restrict rights and freedoms. This is what he himself wants in our country, so why does he deny it for others?
Doesn't he realize the yuan is pegged to the dollar, and one drags down the other? If he wants a strong yuan, he should aim for a strong dollar. China plays chess just as well as Iran.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Why Won't Obama Give You a Job?
From the Washington Post.
"The White House thinks the stimulus is working, and it doesn't want you on its payroll."
You have to be tied to him politically, be from Harvard, Chicago, a Socialist/Communist at large, or tied to a union.
"Since taking office, the Obama administration has studiously avoided paying people to go to work, which could be accomplished by subsidizing workers' private-sector employment or by creating new government-paid jobs. There are programs in a handful of states that financially compensate employees who cut their hours to prevent broader layoffs at their companies -- an approach that costs relatively little, since it results in lower payouts of unemployment benefits, and that has helped Germany keep unemployment under 8 percent despite the deep slowdown there. But the Obama administration has so far opted not to expand this initiative. And aside from a small summer employment program for young people, it has not sought to create jobs on the public payroll, something the country did in the 1930s and 1970s. "
"The White House thinks the stimulus is working, and it doesn't want you on its payroll."
You have to be tied to him politically, be from Harvard, Chicago, a Socialist/Communist at large, or tied to a union.
"Since taking office, the Obama administration has studiously avoided paying people to go to work, which could be accomplished by subsidizing workers' private-sector employment or by creating new government-paid jobs. There are programs in a handful of states that financially compensate employees who cut their hours to prevent broader layoffs at their companies -- an approach that costs relatively little, since it results in lower payouts of unemployment benefits, and that has helped Germany keep unemployment under 8 percent despite the deep slowdown there. But the Obama administration has so far opted not to expand this initiative. And aside from a small summer employment program for young people, it has not sought to create jobs on the public payroll, something the country did in the 1930s and 1970s. "
This Just In: Avoid Foreclosure--Rent Your Own Home
From CNN Money. Oh boy, do I have problems with THIS!
"Fannie Mae implements deed-for-lease program that allows troubled borrowers who don't qualify for loan modifications to stay in their homes."
My questions:
1. Who gets the equity when the housing market comes back?
2. What if the new owners want to sell the property while the "home owner" is still living there?
3. While the home is in government possession, will it get folded into other government housing programs, such as Section 8?
4. Will the new owners (the government) be installing a "smart meter" that will allow third party control over all electricity functions, including the thermostat?
This is nothing more than another revenue-making scheme to fund future government spending: how to make public housing pay. Welcome to Obamaland, or more specifically, Valerie Jarrett land! She, the Slum Lord in residence, figured out how to make a buck off Chicago public housing.
UPDATE: Later, found the reason for this program.
"Fannie Mae implements deed-for-lease program that allows troubled borrowers who don't qualify for loan modifications to stay in their homes."
My questions:
1. Who gets the equity when the housing market comes back?
2. What if the new owners want to sell the property while the "home owner" is still living there?
3. While the home is in government possession, will it get folded into other government housing programs, such as Section 8?
4. Will the new owners (the government) be installing a "smart meter" that will allow third party control over all electricity functions, including the thermostat?
This is nothing more than another revenue-making scheme to fund future government spending: how to make public housing pay. Welcome to Obamaland, or more specifically, Valerie Jarrett land! She, the Slum Lord in residence, figured out how to make a buck off Chicago public housing.
UPDATE: Later, found the reason for this program.
This Just In: In Eurpoe, Swine Flu Shots Available By Invitation Only
From Yahoo Health. What is this--a frikkin' GOLF tournament or something? People are dying!
Imagine this coming to OUR country--and it will if the Public Option is passed. Obama's world will have you clamoring for invitations.
"Here, and across most of Europe, vaccine to protect against the pandemic flu is mostly given by invitation only to those at highest risk for flu complications.
"That is one of the great advantages of the British health system," said Dr. Steve Field, president of the Royal College of General Physicians. "We have a list of all the names of patients who qualify to be vaccinated."
You have to QUALIFY? This isn't a Food Stamp program, buddy! So, if I have the correct FICO score, I can get a shot? Is that how Goldman-Sachs and Citibank got shots before everyone else did?
Why not just announce a PRIORITY LIST like we did here in America--children under a certain age and pregnant women first, followed by immune-compromised people and seniors and health care workers, then the general population?
Unfortunately, the REAL priority is "green"--the more of it you have, the more likely you're going to get a flu shot.
As for me, I've never had a flu shot of any kind, and never had the flu. I'm using the "optimal nutrition" method for keeping my blood at a pH level where germs, viruses, and cancers don't grow. You all can have MY shot!
Imagine this coming to OUR country--and it will if the Public Option is passed. Obama's world will have you clamoring for invitations.
"Here, and across most of Europe, vaccine to protect against the pandemic flu is mostly given by invitation only to those at highest risk for flu complications.
"That is one of the great advantages of the British health system," said Dr. Steve Field, president of the Royal College of General Physicians. "We have a list of all the names of patients who qualify to be vaccinated."
You have to QUALIFY? This isn't a Food Stamp program, buddy! So, if I have the correct FICO score, I can get a shot? Is that how Goldman-Sachs and Citibank got shots before everyone else did?
Why not just announce a PRIORITY LIST like we did here in America--children under a certain age and pregnant women first, followed by immune-compromised people and seniors and health care workers, then the general population?
Unfortunately, the REAL priority is "green"--the more of it you have, the more likely you're going to get a flu shot.
As for me, I've never had a flu shot of any kind, and never had the flu. I'm using the "optimal nutrition" method for keeping my blood at a pH level where germs, viruses, and cancers don't grow. You all can have MY shot!
This Just In: 10% Unemployment is Obama's New World
From Yahoo Politics.
"For months he had warned it was coming but that didn't ease the political shockwaves for President Barack Obama when unemployment topped 10 percent.
A year after his election Obama finds it increasingly difficult to blame the sour economy on George W. Bush or offer reassurances that jobless Americans will soon find work."
...
"Many economists predict the jobless rate will rise again, peaking at 10.5 percent sometime next year before employment makes a turnaround in the spring. That still means unemployment will remain high for some time. The administration's own projections still see unemployment at 8 percent by the end of 2011.
Such lingering discomfort can have economic and political consequences."
"For months he had warned it was coming but that didn't ease the political shockwaves for President Barack Obama when unemployment topped 10 percent.
A year after his election Obama finds it increasingly difficult to blame the sour economy on George W. Bush or offer reassurances that jobless Americans will soon find work."
...
"Many economists predict the jobless rate will rise again, peaking at 10.5 percent sometime next year before employment makes a turnaround in the spring. That still means unemployment will remain high for some time. The administration's own projections still see unemployment at 8 percent by the end of 2011.
Such lingering discomfort can have economic and political consequences."
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
This Just In: Big GOP Sweep in Governor Races in VA, NJ
From Yahoo news.
I did MY part and voted against every Dem and incumbent on the ballot! :)
"Independents who swept Barack Obama to a historic 2008 victory broke big for Republicans on Tuesday as the GOP wrested political control from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey, a troubling sign for the president and his party heading into an important midterm election year."
Hehehehe...I helped take this country back from the Socialist plague that threatened it. Glenn Beck would be proud.
I did MY part and voted against every Dem and incumbent on the ballot! :)
"Independents who swept Barack Obama to a historic 2008 victory broke big for Republicans on Tuesday as the GOP wrested political control from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey, a troubling sign for the president and his party heading into an important midterm election year."
Hehehehe...I helped take this country back from the Socialist plague that threatened it. Glenn Beck would be proud.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
This Just In: The Big-Spending, High-Taxing, Lousy Services Paradigm
From City Journal.
"One out of every five Americans is either a Californian or a Texan. California became the nation’s most populous state in 1962; Texas climbed into second place in 1994. They are broadly similar: populous Sunbelt states with large metropolitan areas, diverse economies, and borders with Mexico producing comparable demographic mixes. Both are “majority-minority” states, where non-Hispanic whites make up just under half of the population and Latinos just over a third.
According to the most recent data available from the Census Bureau, for the fiscal year ending in 2006, Americans paid an average of $4,001 per person in state and local taxes. But Californians paid $4,517 per person, well above that national average, while Texans paid $3,235. It’s worth noting, by the way, that while state and local governments in both California and Texas get most of their revenue from taxes, the revenue is augmented by subsidies from the federal government and by fees charged for governmental services and facilities, such as trash collection, airports, public university tuition, and mass transit. California had total revenues of $11,160 per capita, more than every state but Alaska, Wyoming, and New York, while Texas placed a distant 44th on this scale, with revenues of all governmental entities totaling $7,558 per person.
What might interest Tiebout is that while California and Texas are comparable in terms of sheer numbers, their demographic paths are diverging. Before 1990, both states grew much faster than the rest of the country. Since then, only Texas has continued to do so. While its share of the nation’s population has steadily increased, from 6.8 percent in 1990 to 7.9 percent in 2007, California’s has barely budged, from 12 percent to 12.1 percent.
Unpacking the numbers is even more revealing—and, for California, disturbing. The biggest contrast between the two states shows up in “net internal migration,” the demographer’s term for the difference between the number of Americans who move into a state from another and the number who move out of it to another. Between April 1, 2000, and June 30, 2007, an average of 3,247 more Americans moved out of California than into it every week, according to the Census Bureau. Over the same period, Texas saw a net gain, in an average week, of 1,544 people. Aside from Louisiana and Mississippi, which lost population to other states because of Hurricane Katrina, California is the only Sunbelt state that had negative net internal migration after 2000. All the other states that lost population to internal migration were Rust Belt basket cases, including New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ohio."
What does this have to do with Obama, you ask? California is a microcosm of what he intends to do with the rest of the country. As goes California, so goes the rest of the country...right into another one with lower taxes and less rigorous regulation.
"One out of every five Americans is either a Californian or a Texan. California became the nation’s most populous state in 1962; Texas climbed into second place in 1994. They are broadly similar: populous Sunbelt states with large metropolitan areas, diverse economies, and borders with Mexico producing comparable demographic mixes. Both are “majority-minority” states, where non-Hispanic whites make up just under half of the population and Latinos just over a third.
According to the most recent data available from the Census Bureau, for the fiscal year ending in 2006, Americans paid an average of $4,001 per person in state and local taxes. But Californians paid $4,517 per person, well above that national average, while Texans paid $3,235. It’s worth noting, by the way, that while state and local governments in both California and Texas get most of their revenue from taxes, the revenue is augmented by subsidies from the federal government and by fees charged for governmental services and facilities, such as trash collection, airports, public university tuition, and mass transit. California had total revenues of $11,160 per capita, more than every state but Alaska, Wyoming, and New York, while Texas placed a distant 44th on this scale, with revenues of all governmental entities totaling $7,558 per person.
What might interest Tiebout is that while California and Texas are comparable in terms of sheer numbers, their demographic paths are diverging. Before 1990, both states grew much faster than the rest of the country. Since then, only Texas has continued to do so. While its share of the nation’s population has steadily increased, from 6.8 percent in 1990 to 7.9 percent in 2007, California’s has barely budged, from 12 percent to 12.1 percent.
Unpacking the numbers is even more revealing—and, for California, disturbing. The biggest contrast between the two states shows up in “net internal migration,” the demographer’s term for the difference between the number of Americans who move into a state from another and the number who move out of it to another. Between April 1, 2000, and June 30, 2007, an average of 3,247 more Americans moved out of California than into it every week, according to the Census Bureau. Over the same period, Texas saw a net gain, in an average week, of 1,544 people. Aside from Louisiana and Mississippi, which lost population to other states because of Hurricane Katrina, California is the only Sunbelt state that had negative net internal migration after 2000. All the other states that lost population to internal migration were Rust Belt basket cases, including New York, Illinois, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ohio."
What does this have to do with Obama, you ask? California is a microcosm of what he intends to do with the rest of the country. As goes California, so goes the rest of the country...right into another one with lower taxes and less rigorous regulation.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Welcome to the Belated Nobama Carnival #7
(This is the second carnival edition prepared by our fill-in editor, Wenchy!)
I just saw the last scheduled contractor for today, so now it's time for blogging and laundry.
Our latest (and I'll consider foremost) entry is from Scott Spiegel--got it hot off the inbox today: All Roads Lead to a Dead End.
"Every choice point they encounter from this stage on leads to an internal contradiction or a dead end. To use a mathematical metaphor, their situation is overdetermined: there are too many conflicting restrictions; there is no solution to their dilemma. (To use a liberal metaphor: It’s a slam dunk!)"
This is their Achilles Heel--they've always managed to box themselves into Liberal Utopia with no plan for getting out.
Our next entry comes Steven Handel of the Emotion Machine: Raising Taxes on Drug Addicts--A Hypocrisy in America.
At this point, they're on the verge of legalizing marijuana just so they can tax the bejeebers out of it! If they could tax illegal aliens for something, they'd legalize them too. I can hardly wait for the soda tax...followed by the junk food tax (tell me who's gonna sit and decide what's junk and what's not), the high-fructose corn syrup tax (that's what SHOULD HAVE BEEN the soda tax), and then maybe a drive-thru tax for those too morbidly obese to get out of their own cars to GET the junk food!
Remember the song "The Tax Man" by the Beatles?
Let me tell you how it will be;
There's one for you, nineteen for me.
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
Should five per cent appear too small,
Be thankful I don't take it all.
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
(if you drive a car, car;) - I'll tax the street;
(if you try to sit, sit;) - I'll tax your seat;
(if you get too cold, cold;) - I'll tax the heat;
(if you take a walk, walk;) - I'll tax your feet.
Taxman!
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
Don't ask me what I want it for, (ah-ah, mister Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more. (ah-ah, mister heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
Now my advice for those who die, (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes. (taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
And you're working for no one but me.
Taxman!
Our friend Scott Spiegel sends in this ditty: "Please Sir, I Want Some More Troops."
"When it comes to approving a months-old request from his beleaguered general in Afghanistan to increase troops in an eight-years-and-running war to support the dying soldiers already there, Obama engages in leisurely stargazing."
Since this time, other countries have stepped in with minor contributions of troops. I believe this is what Obama wanted in the first place--someone other than us to shed some blood over this. McCrystal will get his 40,000 troops, but they won't all be Americans.
Danny19621 over at Sampson Blinded sees Netanyahu and Obama: The End.
"Unable to defeat his enemies, Obama seeks victory on another front – against his friends. He abandoned the Eastern Europe and Central Asia to Russia, preferred democracy and Hezbollah to Saniora’s government in Lebanon, replaced Egypt as a linchpin of America’s Middle East policy with Iran, and sacrifices Israel. Obama could not further Islamists’ interests any better if he were on their payroll."
Spoken like a true Nobaman!!
One more from The Emotion Machine and Steven Handel: Ayn Rand in 1959--"This Country is Moving Toward Socialism." Coming from Russia, she could see it way back then. Why is it so many can't see it now?
Oh, I know--they're blinded by the supposed "freebies" being tossed about from Obama.
“The traditional American system was a system based on the idea that majority will prevail only in public or political affairs, and that it was limited by inalienable individual rights. Therefore, I do not believe that the majority can vote man’s life, property, or freedom away from him. And I do not believe that if a majority votes on an issue that it makes the issue right – it doesn’t.”
Marcus of Survey Magnet asks, "Did Obama Deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?" Clearly, the answer is no, but what can you expect from a handful of hard-left Norwegians hell-bent on one-world rule?
My comment on his blog about his post: "If you notice, the few sitting presidents who received this award are all pretty much of the same political ilk–all three were Democrats, and Roosevelt was borderline Communist. It just goes to show you that if a select handful of Norwegians like what you’re doing (or attempting to do), then you get a prize.
Ho-kay...I'll end it on THAT note. I bid the Carnival and the blog farewell, and will go back to putting my house back together, as well as keeping an intact one running.
(Thanks, Wenchy! The next carnival edition will be timed around Thanksgiving--um, not thanks for Obama, of course--so submit your posts as usual at this link: Carnival Home.)
I just saw the last scheduled contractor for today, so now it's time for blogging and laundry.
Our latest (and I'll consider foremost) entry is from Scott Spiegel--got it hot off the inbox today: All Roads Lead to a Dead End.
"Every choice point they encounter from this stage on leads to an internal contradiction or a dead end. To use a mathematical metaphor, their situation is overdetermined: there are too many conflicting restrictions; there is no solution to their dilemma. (To use a liberal metaphor: It’s a slam dunk!)"
This is their Achilles Heel--they've always managed to box themselves into Liberal Utopia with no plan for getting out.
Our next entry comes Steven Handel of the Emotion Machine: Raising Taxes on Drug Addicts--A Hypocrisy in America.
At this point, they're on the verge of legalizing marijuana just so they can tax the bejeebers out of it! If they could tax illegal aliens for something, they'd legalize them too. I can hardly wait for the soda tax...followed by the junk food tax (tell me who's gonna sit and decide what's junk and what's not), the high-fructose corn syrup tax (that's what SHOULD HAVE BEEN the soda tax), and then maybe a drive-thru tax for those too morbidly obese to get out of their own cars to GET the junk food!
Remember the song "The Tax Man" by the Beatles?
Let me tell you how it will be;
There's one for you, nineteen for me.
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
Should five per cent appear too small,
Be thankful I don't take it all.
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
(if you drive a car, car;) - I'll tax the street;
(if you try to sit, sit;) - I'll tax your seat;
(if you get too cold, cold;) - I'll tax the heat;
(if you take a walk, walk;) - I'll tax your feet.
Taxman!
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
Don't ask me what I want it for, (ah-ah, mister Wilson)
If you don't want to pay some more. (ah-ah, mister heath)
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
Now my advice for those who die, (taxman)
Declare the pennies on your eyes. (taxman)
'Cause I'm the taxman,
Yeah, I'm the taxman.
And you're working for no one but me.
Taxman!
Our friend Scott Spiegel sends in this ditty: "Please Sir, I Want Some More Troops."
"When it comes to approving a months-old request from his beleaguered general in Afghanistan to increase troops in an eight-years-and-running war to support the dying soldiers already there, Obama engages in leisurely stargazing."
Since this time, other countries have stepped in with minor contributions of troops. I believe this is what Obama wanted in the first place--someone other than us to shed some blood over this. McCrystal will get his 40,000 troops, but they won't all be Americans.
Danny19621 over at Sampson Blinded sees Netanyahu and Obama: The End.
"Unable to defeat his enemies, Obama seeks victory on another front – against his friends. He abandoned the Eastern Europe and Central Asia to Russia, preferred democracy and Hezbollah to Saniora’s government in Lebanon, replaced Egypt as a linchpin of America’s Middle East policy with Iran, and sacrifices Israel. Obama could not further Islamists’ interests any better if he were on their payroll."
Spoken like a true Nobaman!!
One more from The Emotion Machine and Steven Handel: Ayn Rand in 1959--"This Country is Moving Toward Socialism." Coming from Russia, she could see it way back then. Why is it so many can't see it now?
Oh, I know--they're blinded by the supposed "freebies" being tossed about from Obama.
“The traditional American system was a system based on the idea that majority will prevail only in public or political affairs, and that it was limited by inalienable individual rights. Therefore, I do not believe that the majority can vote man’s life, property, or freedom away from him. And I do not believe that if a majority votes on an issue that it makes the issue right – it doesn’t.”
Marcus of Survey Magnet asks, "Did Obama Deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?" Clearly, the answer is no, but what can you expect from a handful of hard-left Norwegians hell-bent on one-world rule?
My comment on his blog about his post: "If you notice, the few sitting presidents who received this award are all pretty much of the same political ilk–all three were Democrats, and Roosevelt was borderline Communist. It just goes to show you that if a select handful of Norwegians like what you’re doing (or attempting to do), then you get a prize.
Ho-kay...I'll end it on THAT note. I bid the Carnival and the blog farewell, and will go back to putting my house back together, as well as keeping an intact one running.
(Thanks, Wenchy! The next carnival edition will be timed around Thanksgiving--um, not thanks for Obama, of course--so submit your posts as usual at this link: Carnival Home.)
Okay--I Screwed Up Big Time!
The Carnival will be coming TODAY--this is the problem of contractors...when they say they'll come out RIGHT NOW, you have to drop everything and go meet them.
I sat for 4 hours yesterday waiting on a fence guy, and he never showed or called. Oh well--I got to watch Glenn Beck on my new satellite system Dish installed a couple of days ago (they INSISTED a TV be at the house, and so I lugged).
So in my living room, in a lawn chair, it was just me & Glenn. The fence guy never showed. Oh well, at least I was undisturbed.
I am not aware of any contractors coming this afternoon, so the Carnival will be this afternoon. Hubby took the day off work, so HE can run interference for me. :)
I sat for 4 hours yesterday waiting on a fence guy, and he never showed or called. Oh well--I got to watch Glenn Beck on my new satellite system Dish installed a couple of days ago (they INSISTED a TV be at the house, and so I lugged).
So in my living room, in a lawn chair, it was just me & Glenn. The fence guy never showed. Oh well, at least I was undisturbed.
I am not aware of any contractors coming this afternoon, so the Carnival will be this afternoon. Hubby took the day off work, so HE can run interference for me. :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
My Sincere Thanks to Wenchy
I really appreciate the help here from Wenchy (of WenchyPoo's Metal Wastebasket) for helping me to maintain the Nobama Carnival for a couple of issues when life got too busy for me. Not only that, but also above and beyond it with daily posts that have made it a much livelier place!
I don't think the fire has really gone out--it's just that regular, real people like us in this economy have so much to do, it's hard to keep up with liberal politicians, media, and elites with their 24/7 propaganda stream. That could make the nation seem complacent, but they're actually just busy with real life. We'll see some action again as midterm elections draw nearer!
Thanks again to all our contributors, and after this week's issue, keep the submissions flowing as usual!
I don't think the fire has really gone out--it's just that regular, real people like us in this economy have so much to do, it's hard to keep up with liberal politicians, media, and elites with their 24/7 propaganda stream. That could make the nation seem complacent, but they're actually just busy with real life. We'll see some action again as midterm elections draw nearer!
Thanks again to all our contributors, and after this week's issue, keep the submissions flowing as usual!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Except for Tomorrow's Carnival, I Won't Be Posting Any More
We just bought a house, and I have discovered I can't run two households at once--I end up dropping everything to meet with a contractor or repair tech, and I haven't even had time to keep up MY OWN blog!
I have a gap in tomorrow morning's schedule between two contractors, so I'll post the Carnival as I promised, but it will be my last.
Submissions have been few and far between, and the timeliness of the Carnivals is always in question--once something gets posted, it almost immediately goes old and is replaced with something new.
Curry--I'm sorry, but the demand (or rather, the ANGER) that was once there for people has mostly now abated. As for me, I've gone from throwing rocks to finding ways to defend myself from the onslaught. If you wish to maintain this blog on your own, go for it and remove me as user. As for me, the demands of a new residence coupled with the LACK of demand from fellow bloggers tells me it's time to bow out.
The fire has gone out for many of us.
I have a gap in tomorrow morning's schedule between two contractors, so I'll post the Carnival as I promised, but it will be my last.
Submissions have been few and far between, and the timeliness of the Carnivals is always in question--once something gets posted, it almost immediately goes old and is replaced with something new.
Curry--I'm sorry, but the demand (or rather, the ANGER) that was once there for people has mostly now abated. As for me, I've gone from throwing rocks to finding ways to defend myself from the onslaught. If you wish to maintain this blog on your own, go for it and remove me as user. As for me, the demands of a new residence coupled with the LACK of demand from fellow bloggers tells me it's time to bow out.
The fire has gone out for many of us.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Funny How No One is Bashing Obama
From the Missouri News-Leader.
In the Letters section:
"Enough Bush-bashing. When I turn on the news or pick up a newspaper, all I see is people running down previous president George Bush. I am not much into politics, but I am on certain things. The people on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC just run down what Bush did as a president. He did make some mistakes, but from what I have seen in every president that I have been familiar with, was that there is no such thing as a perfect president.
If they really want to criticize the errors made by a president, then look at presidents before Bush. Such as Clinton; he was too busy messing around with another woman than running a country.
It's funny that no one will ever run down President Obama. Does everyone think he has done a perfect job since he became president? From my perspective, he has not even come close to perfect. I mean we are in a depression and a war that seems like it will never end and Obama wants a new health care plan that is going to cost a fortune. He also gets the Nobel Peace prize. Wow! He hasn't done a thing to promote peace for the world. We are still in the war, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan still hate us. He hasn't put much effort in the war. When I see him talk, he never talks about what we can do different to make peace and get out of the war. He talks about new bills he wants to pass and the new health care plan. I am not seeing any peace-making in this."
In the Letters section:
"Enough Bush-bashing. When I turn on the news or pick up a newspaper, all I see is people running down previous president George Bush. I am not much into politics, but I am on certain things. The people on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC just run down what Bush did as a president. He did make some mistakes, but from what I have seen in every president that I have been familiar with, was that there is no such thing as a perfect president.
If they really want to criticize the errors made by a president, then look at presidents before Bush. Such as Clinton; he was too busy messing around with another woman than running a country.
It's funny that no one will ever run down President Obama. Does everyone think he has done a perfect job since he became president? From my perspective, he has not even come close to perfect. I mean we are in a depression and a war that seems like it will never end and Obama wants a new health care plan that is going to cost a fortune. He also gets the Nobel Peace prize. Wow! He hasn't done a thing to promote peace for the world. We are still in the war, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan still hate us. He hasn't put much effort in the war. When I see him talk, he never talks about what we can do different to make peace and get out of the war. He talks about new bills he wants to pass and the new health care plan. I am not seeing any peace-making in this."
Obama Emboldening the Enemy?
From the Kansas City Star.
In the Unfettered Letters section:
"Charles Krauthammer reports that Vice President Joe Biden and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel are cautioning President Obama that if he supports the recommendations of his commander in Afghanistan with additional troops, he risks being compared to President Lyndon B. Johnson in the Vietnam War (10/13, Opinion, “Afghan war forces Obama to make a real decision”).
The analogy is apt but for a different reason. Johnson was hesitant to support his commanders early in the Vietnam War and restrained them by control of tactics from Washington because he was afraid an all-out effort would jeopardize his “Great Society” social programs.
Does that scenario seem familiar? Is President Obama concerned that full support of the commander he appointed will alienate the liberal support he needs for health care? Johnson’s approach emboldened the enemy in Vietnam, and Obama’s approach is doing so now in Afghanistan."
In the Unfettered Letters section:
"Charles Krauthammer reports that Vice President Joe Biden and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel are cautioning President Obama that if he supports the recommendations of his commander in Afghanistan with additional troops, he risks being compared to President Lyndon B. Johnson in the Vietnam War (10/13, Opinion, “Afghan war forces Obama to make a real decision”).
The analogy is apt but for a different reason. Johnson was hesitant to support his commanders early in the Vietnam War and restrained them by control of tactics from Washington because he was afraid an all-out effort would jeopardize his “Great Society” social programs.
Does that scenario seem familiar? Is President Obama concerned that full support of the commander he appointed will alienate the liberal support he needs for health care? Johnson’s approach emboldened the enemy in Vietnam, and Obama’s approach is doing so now in Afghanistan."
We'll Pay in the Usual Way--By Borrowing From China
From Chron.com and the Washington Post.
"At least we are not George Bush, so there."
They may not be George Bush, but they aren't going to be able to borrow from China--China became a net SELLER of our bonds back in June. Saudi Arabia and Japan together have moved into the #1 spot, and their buying amounts haven't been as big as China's was.
The #1 bond buyer will be US if Obama gets his Universal Savings accounts through Congress. But I'm wondering how we're supposed to buy bonds if we're busy paying for cap-and-trade's doubled energy bills, health care reform's sharply increased premiums, and every subsidy-slash-vote-buying project coming out of Washington...not to mention tax hikes at the state level.
"At least we are not George Bush, so there."
They may not be George Bush, but they aren't going to be able to borrow from China--China became a net SELLER of our bonds back in June. Saudi Arabia and Japan together have moved into the #1 spot, and their buying amounts haven't been as big as China's was.
The #1 bond buyer will be US if Obama gets his Universal Savings accounts through Congress. But I'm wondering how we're supposed to buy bonds if we're busy paying for cap-and-trade's doubled energy bills, health care reform's sharply increased premiums, and every subsidy-slash-vote-buying project coming out of Washington...not to mention tax hikes at the state level.
Obama: Ditherer-in-Chief
From the Los Angeles Times.
"Weakness in American foreign policy in one region often invites challenges elsewhere, because our adversaries carefully follow diminished American resolve. Similarly, presidential indecisiveness, whether because of uncertainty or internal political struggles, signals that the United States may not respond to international challenges in clear and coherent ways."
"Weakness in American foreign policy in one region often invites challenges elsewhere, because our adversaries carefully follow diminished American resolve. Similarly, presidential indecisiveness, whether because of uncertainty or internal political struggles, signals that the United States may not respond to international challenges in clear and coherent ways."
Obama's First Year in Office
From Christian Science Monitor.
"...although he seems to be everywhere, popping up daily on television – on five different networks in separate interviews in one day recently – his elegant phraseology and soaring words of hope leave behind a formidable list of problems to be solved."
"...although he seems to be everywhere, popping up daily on television – on five different networks in separate interviews in one day recently – his elegant phraseology and soaring words of hope leave behind a formidable list of problems to be solved."
Saturday, October 17, 2009
If Hollywood Graded Obama
From the Los Angeles Times.
"If Hollywood were to give out grades for how President Obama is doing on issues that matter most to liberal activists here, he would get -- at best -- an incomplete."
"If Hollywood were to give out grades for how President Obama is doing on issues that matter most to liberal activists here, he would get -- at best -- an incomplete."
Record-High Deficit May Dash Big Plans
From the Washington Post. Let's hope!
"Economists universally agree that the nation cannot run such massive deficits indefinitely. The question now facing Obama, budget experts said, is how to bring spending and revenue more closely into balance in the years ahead, after the economy fully recovers. "
"Economists universally agree that the nation cannot run such massive deficits indefinitely. The question now facing Obama, budget experts said, is how to bring spending and revenue more closely into balance in the years ahead, after the economy fully recovers. "
Obama's $250 Bribe to Seniors, Vets, and Disabled
From North Star National.
"Despite zero inflation, President Obama still wants to send seniors $250 just before the mid-term elections next year, costing an estimated $13 billion dollars. Republicans are also in favor of the idea if Congress will cut an equal amount elsewhere."
"Despite zero inflation, President Obama still wants to send seniors $250 just before the mid-term elections next year, costing an estimated $13 billion dollars. Republicans are also in favor of the idea if Congress will cut an equal amount elsewhere."
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Obama in the Footsteps of George W. Bush
From Reuters.
"But like his predecessor, who was resented in much of the world, Obama is running into foreign policy problems as resistant to humility and the collective action the president often conjures as they were resistant to Bush's unilateral approach. Does Obama's rock star-like celebrity help?
So far, not really. In Germany, for example, 93 percent of those polled in a survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project said they had confidence the U.S. president would do the right thing in world affairs. Would that translate into more German troops for the war in Afghanistan which is unpopular in Germany? Not likely.
In his speech to the United Nations, Obama pointed out that American unilateral actions had fed "an almost reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for collective inaction." While anti-Americanism may be on the wane in many parts of the world, there is no sign of a corresponding increase of support for U.S. foreign policy on key issues.
Nor is there evidence of a wholesale decline in the tendency of a good number of U.S. political figures to assume that people from other countries think like Americans. That has been a perennial problem in America's dealings with the world. It was the reason, for example, why the Bush administration was so surprised by the resounding 2006 electoral victory of Hamas, the Islamist group shunned as terrorists by most of the West, in Gaza."
What did we THINK was going to happen? Take an inexperienced man, throw some power his way, and OF COURSE he's going to fall into the traps of "tradition" and "whatever the instruction manual says!" It's doubly-bad for Obama, seeing as how he never really accomplished anything on his own without benefit of past legislation, the buddy system of corruption, or the tendril-connections of underground socialist movements. Think for himself? Why--he has George Soros and Bill Ayers to fall back on!
Well, okay--there's picking the family dog, but even that had him rely on Ted Kennedy.
The only thinking-on-his-feet is done at the basketball court, as he undoubtedly plots his next move as Hero of Victims.
"But like his predecessor, who was resented in much of the world, Obama is running into foreign policy problems as resistant to humility and the collective action the president often conjures as they were resistant to Bush's unilateral approach. Does Obama's rock star-like celebrity help?
So far, not really. In Germany, for example, 93 percent of those polled in a survey by the Pew Global Attitudes Project said they had confidence the U.S. president would do the right thing in world affairs. Would that translate into more German troops for the war in Afghanistan which is unpopular in Germany? Not likely.
In his speech to the United Nations, Obama pointed out that American unilateral actions had fed "an almost reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for collective inaction." While anti-Americanism may be on the wane in many parts of the world, there is no sign of a corresponding increase of support for U.S. foreign policy on key issues.
Nor is there evidence of a wholesale decline in the tendency of a good number of U.S. political figures to assume that people from other countries think like Americans. That has been a perennial problem in America's dealings with the world. It was the reason, for example, why the Bush administration was so surprised by the resounding 2006 electoral victory of Hamas, the Islamist group shunned as terrorists by most of the West, in Gaza."
What did we THINK was going to happen? Take an inexperienced man, throw some power his way, and OF COURSE he's going to fall into the traps of "tradition" and "whatever the instruction manual says!" It's doubly-bad for Obama, seeing as how he never really accomplished anything on his own without benefit of past legislation, the buddy system of corruption, or the tendril-connections of underground socialist movements. Think for himself? Why--he has George Soros and Bill Ayers to fall back on!
Well, okay--there's picking the family dog, but even that had him rely on Ted Kennedy.
The only thinking-on-his-feet is done at the basketball court, as he undoubtedly plots his next move as Hero of Victims.
Gallup Poll: Hillary Now More Popular Than Obama
From NY Daily News.
"The Secretary of State is sitting at an enviable 62% favorable rating, compared to the President’s not-too-shabby 56%."
"The Secretary of State is sitting at an enviable 62% favorable rating, compared to the President’s not-too-shabby 56%."
Rove: "Obama Hasn't Closed the Health Care Sale"
From the Wall St. Journal.
"The problem for Mr. Obama is that the Baucus bill is being sold on the strength of accounting tricks that make it appear that it won't add to the deficit. (This is true for the other health-reform bills, too). If fiscally conservative Democrats sign on to the bill now after publicly saying they are doing so because it doesn't add to the deficit, they may end up bailing once the tricks are revealed to the public."
...
"Democrats who support any final bill are at risk. They'll be held responsible for the mess that quickly emerges as premiums rise, taxes balloon, deficits soar, mandates expand, and government power grows.
Mr. Obama's problem is that his Magic Kingdom Health Care World is colliding with reality. There is a big cost to any large government expansion—and the ways to cover the cost of Mr. Obama's plan are limited, unpopular, and sure to anger Americans once they are fully understood."
"The problem for Mr. Obama is that the Baucus bill is being sold on the strength of accounting tricks that make it appear that it won't add to the deficit. (This is true for the other health-reform bills, too). If fiscally conservative Democrats sign on to the bill now after publicly saying they are doing so because it doesn't add to the deficit, they may end up bailing once the tricks are revealed to the public."
...
"Democrats who support any final bill are at risk. They'll be held responsible for the mess that quickly emerges as premiums rise, taxes balloon, deficits soar, mandates expand, and government power grows.
Mr. Obama's problem is that his Magic Kingdom Health Care World is colliding with reality. There is a big cost to any large government expansion—and the ways to cover the cost of Mr. Obama's plan are limited, unpopular, and sure to anger Americans once they are fully understood."
Some on Nobel Peace Committee Reluctant on Obama
From Reuters.
"Obama was awarded the prestigious prize on October 9 for efforts to "strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people."
So they award EFFORTS, huh? I'd like to nominate Jesse Jackson for all his hostage negotiations. How come Bill Richardson never received one for HIS work?
"VG said one of the newly elected members, Aagot Valle from the Socialist Left Party, had strong objections to giving the prize to Obama."
This surprises me. You'd think Socialist Lefties stuck together.
"The decision was unanimous," Jagland said when announcing the prize. Jagland, from the ruling Labour Party, was recently elected Secretary-General to the Council of Europe."
...
"Jagland is known in Norway for liking dramatic gestures but is prone to gaffes."
He's probably gay. You want dramatic gestures? Go see Bernie Koeppel (the Love Boat doctor) or George Takay (Mr. Sulu of Star Trek). Liberace was King of Dramatic Anything.
"Obama was awarded the prestigious prize on October 9 for efforts to "strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between people."
So they award EFFORTS, huh? I'd like to nominate Jesse Jackson for all his hostage negotiations. How come Bill Richardson never received one for HIS work?
"VG said one of the newly elected members, Aagot Valle from the Socialist Left Party, had strong objections to giving the prize to Obama."
This surprises me. You'd think Socialist Lefties stuck together.
"The decision was unanimous," Jagland said when announcing the prize. Jagland, from the ruling Labour Party, was recently elected Secretary-General to the Council of Europe."
...
"Jagland is known in Norway for liking dramatic gestures but is prone to gaffes."
He's probably gay. You want dramatic gestures? Go see Bernie Koeppel (the Love Boat doctor) or George Takay (Mr. Sulu of Star Trek). Liberace was King of Dramatic Anything.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Obama Beset By America's Far Right
From the Asia Times online.
"Amidst the great challenges to America's security and prosperity, the current administration too often seems uncertain, wishful, irresolute, and unwilling to stand up for America, our allies and our interests," according to the mission statement of the new group, whose third founder-director, Debra Burlingame, is also co-founder of 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America.
The new group, which, under the rules of its incorporation, will be permitted to lobby the US Congress and endorse political candidates, will focus initially on raising money to help disseminate its video ads, the first of which is currently featured on its website.
"The left has dozens of organizations and tens of millions of dollars dedicated to undercutting the war on terror," Kristol told Politico on Tuesday. "The good guys need some help, too."
"Keep America Safe believes the United States can only defeat our adversaries and defend our interests from a position of strength," the statement says."
"Amidst the great challenges to America's security and prosperity, the current administration too often seems uncertain, wishful, irresolute, and unwilling to stand up for America, our allies and our interests," according to the mission statement of the new group, whose third founder-director, Debra Burlingame, is also co-founder of 9/11 Families for a Safe and Strong America.
The new group, which, under the rules of its incorporation, will be permitted to lobby the US Congress and endorse political candidates, will focus initially on raising money to help disseminate its video ads, the first of which is currently featured on its website.
"The left has dozens of organizations and tens of millions of dollars dedicated to undercutting the war on terror," Kristol told Politico on Tuesday. "The good guys need some help, too."
"Keep America Safe believes the United States can only defeat our adversaries and defend our interests from a position of strength," the statement says."
Liberal Lament
From the Washington Post.
"The Obama administration really needs to get over itself.
First, the president and his aides go to war with Fox News because the network maintains a generally anti-Obama slant. Then, an anonymous administration aide attacks bloggers for failing to maintain a sufficiently pro-Obama slant. These are not disconnected developments.
An administration that won the White House with an almost always on-message campaign and generally friendly coverage from old and new media is now frustrated by its inability to control the debate and get the coverage it wants. . . ."
"The Obama administration really needs to get over itself.
First, the president and his aides go to war with Fox News because the network maintains a generally anti-Obama slant. Then, an anonymous administration aide attacks bloggers for failing to maintain a sufficiently pro-Obama slant. These are not disconnected developments.
An administration that won the White House with an almost always on-message campaign and generally friendly coverage from old and new media is now frustrated by its inability to control the debate and get the coverage it wants. . . ."
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Obama's Travels Carry a Touch of Blue
From AP Impact. Apparently this guy is SO desperate, he's "campaigning" in the same blue states that handed him election success.
"The same states that Obama targeted to win the White House are seeing an awful lot of the president, Vice President Joe Biden and top Cabinet officials. Only this year, the taxpayers are footing the multimillion-dollar tab for the trips, and Obama officials are delivering wheelbarrows of economic stimulus money — also compliments of taxpayers.
An Associated Press review of administration travel records shows that three of every four official trips Obama and his key lieutenants made in his first seven months in office were to the 28 states Obama won. Add trips to Missouri and Montana — both of which Obama narrowly lost — and almost 80 percent of the administration's official domestic travel has been concentrated in states likely to be key to Obama's re-election effort in 2012."
Give it up, dude--the only people who aren't pissed off at you in some form or other are hard-core Socialists and Communists. Michael Moore and Sean Penn might just be your only constituents at this point!
"The same states that Obama targeted to win the White House are seeing an awful lot of the president, Vice President Joe Biden and top Cabinet officials. Only this year, the taxpayers are footing the multimillion-dollar tab for the trips, and Obama officials are delivering wheelbarrows of economic stimulus money — also compliments of taxpayers.
An Associated Press review of administration travel records shows that three of every four official trips Obama and his key lieutenants made in his first seven months in office were to the 28 states Obama won. Add trips to Missouri and Montana — both of which Obama narrowly lost — and almost 80 percent of the administration's official domestic travel has been concentrated in states likely to be key to Obama's re-election effort in 2012."
Give it up, dude--the only people who aren't pissed off at you in some form or other are hard-core Socialists and Communists. Michael Moore and Sean Penn might just be your only constituents at this point!
Obama Approved a Mere 13,000 Additional Troops
From the Brisbane Times.
Just 13,000? What's THAT for--setting up daycare centers in Afghanistan? General McCrystal wanted 40,000!
Just 13,000? What's THAT for--setting up daycare centers in Afghanistan? General McCrystal wanted 40,000!
Attractions Offer Glimpse of Life Under Communist Rule
From Yahoo Travel.
"If you're interested in the history of Eastern Europe under communism, a number of places around the region offer glimpses of life before the Berlin Wall fell. Here are a few of them, ranging from somber museums to historic sites to themed attractions that are downright kitschy or bizarre."
It's basically a Magical Mystery Tour with a Bolshevic theme--perfect for Michael Moore and my youngest B-I-L. I imagine Chavez would be your tour guide. It would be the perfect way to experience what Obama has in store for us!
"If you're interested in the history of Eastern Europe under communism, a number of places around the region offer glimpses of life before the Berlin Wall fell. Here are a few of them, ranging from somber museums to historic sites to themed attractions that are downright kitschy or bizarre."
It's basically a Magical Mystery Tour with a Bolshevic theme--perfect for Michael Moore and my youngest B-I-L. I imagine Chavez would be your tour guide. It would be the perfect way to experience what Obama has in store for us!
Dangerous Unintended Consequences for Tim Geithner and Ben Bernanke
From Weiss Research. The Dynamic Duo of the money supply are in for some dangerous unintended consequences:
1. Fed Rewarding High-Roller Gamblers While Punishing Prudent U.S. Savers.
2. Treasury Gobbling Up Available Credit, Crowding Out Nearly All U.S. Businesses.
3. Wall St. Traders Reap Gigantic Rewards; Average Workers Face Worst U.S. Job
Market Ever Recorded.
4. The Debt Crisis of 2008 Has Now Been Transformed Into The Dollar Crisis of 2009-2010.
By the sound of things, you'd think Bush still ran the country, but no--this is Obama's mess, and we face much the same things Bush was accused of creating or getting us into. Take #1 and #3 for example: wasn't Bush's party accused of favoring the wealthy over the common man with certain policies, and creating tax loopholes just for the rich? Well, it's not his gig any more!
1. Fed Rewarding High-Roller Gamblers While Punishing Prudent U.S. Savers.
2. Treasury Gobbling Up Available Credit, Crowding Out Nearly All U.S. Businesses.
3. Wall St. Traders Reap Gigantic Rewards; Average Workers Face Worst U.S. Job
Market Ever Recorded.
4. The Debt Crisis of 2008 Has Now Been Transformed Into The Dollar Crisis of 2009-2010.
By the sound of things, you'd think Bush still ran the country, but no--this is Obama's mess, and we face much the same things Bush was accused of creating or getting us into. Take #1 and #3 for example: wasn't Bush's party accused of favoring the wealthy over the common man with certain policies, and creating tax loopholes just for the rich? Well, it's not his gig any more!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Now, Obama Wins Motor Trend Car of the Year Award
From the L.A. Times.
"First, he saved Illinois and federal taxpayers countless millions of rescue dollars by helping to lose Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics in the very first round of voting.
Then, even as he slept on the 289th day of his first term's 1,461 days, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Democrat president said he was humbled by his selection and millions agreed the ex-state senator should be.
Especially since 1) the peace prize recipient is overseeing the prosecution of two wars at the moment while contemplating a recommended escalation, and 2) the Nobel nominations were due by Feb. 1, the 12th day of the new Obama administration. By which time the new president had barely promised to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility within one year, an absolute deadline now absolutely hopeless."
...
"He's already got two real Grammys for being a good talker of recorded books. And some jokers on Twitter have started petitions to get Obama into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame as well as this year's Heisman Trophy.
The Motor Trend award* is certain for the presidential owner of a Ford that'll be perpetually parked in Chicago for at least three more years now, while its owner rides around in heavily-armed Secret Service Presidential Medal of Freedom Suburbans.
An Academy Award Oscar from Obama-loving Hollywood seems a gimme next year for best screenplay of a movie yet to be made of a life yet to be lived."
And the proposed awards go downhill from there...I'd nominate him for the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval if it still existed (and if he could actually don an apron).
"First, he saved Illinois and federal taxpayers countless millions of rescue dollars by helping to lose Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics in the very first round of voting.
Then, even as he slept on the 289th day of his first term's 1,461 days, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Democrat president said he was humbled by his selection and millions agreed the ex-state senator should be.
Especially since 1) the peace prize recipient is overseeing the prosecution of two wars at the moment while contemplating a recommended escalation, and 2) the Nobel nominations were due by Feb. 1, the 12th day of the new Obama administration. By which time the new president had barely promised to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility within one year, an absolute deadline now absolutely hopeless."
...
"He's already got two real Grammys for being a good talker of recorded books. And some jokers on Twitter have started petitions to get Obama into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame as well as this year's Heisman Trophy.
The Motor Trend award* is certain for the presidential owner of a Ford that'll be perpetually parked in Chicago for at least three more years now, while its owner rides around in heavily-armed Secret Service Presidential Medal of Freedom Suburbans.
An Academy Award Oscar from Obama-loving Hollywood seems a gimme next year for best screenplay of a movie yet to be made of a life yet to be lived."
And the proposed awards go downhill from there...I'd nominate him for the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval if it still existed (and if he could actually don an apron).
Lou Dobbs Changing Sides? Why Not--It Worked for Arlen Specter
From Chattabox.com
"Fox Business is allegedly courting CNN’s Lou Dobbs, who had lunch with Fox’s chairman, Roger Ailes, last month, according to The New York Times. Should he jump over to Fox, Dobbs who has faced an advertisement boycott like his potential colleague Glenn Beck, might find himself in the Obama administration’s sights, like the rest of Fox, which would probably be just fine with him."
Fine with me too--it would actually make my evening viewing much more consolidated, since Lou is currently up against Jon Stewart (who is rapidly losing my interest). Stephen Colbert is okay, though.
"Fox Business is allegedly courting CNN’s Lou Dobbs, who had lunch with Fox’s chairman, Roger Ailes, last month, according to The New York Times. Should he jump over to Fox, Dobbs who has faced an advertisement boycott like his potential colleague Glenn Beck, might find himself in the Obama administration’s sights, like the rest of Fox, which would probably be just fine with him."
Fine with me too--it would actually make my evening viewing much more consolidated, since Lou is currently up against Jon Stewart (who is rapidly losing my interest). Stephen Colbert is okay, though.
Poll: Do You Think Obama Will Follow Through on Gay Rights?
From the Orlando Sentinel. Go there and vote...don't ask, and don't tell!
Redistributing Health
From the New York Post.
"All the leading proposals involve massive redistribution from people with healthy lifestyles to those who take more risks. As the Congressional Budget Office explained, "Premiums in the new insurance exchanges would tend to be higher than the average premiums in the current-law individual market . . . because the new policies would have to cover pre-existing medical conditions and could not deny coverage to people with high expected costs for health care."
...
"There would also be redistribution from people with employer-paid insurance (particularly in risky jobs with high premiums) to those who would be induced to shun such benefits in order to qualify for taxpayer subsidies.
By far the largest redistribution, however, is from those on Medicare to those who'd become newly eligible for Medicaid or federal subsidies."
"All the leading proposals involve massive redistribution from people with healthy lifestyles to those who take more risks. As the Congressional Budget Office explained, "Premiums in the new insurance exchanges would tend to be higher than the average premiums in the current-law individual market . . . because the new policies would have to cover pre-existing medical conditions and could not deny coverage to people with high expected costs for health care."
...
"There would also be redistribution from people with employer-paid insurance (particularly in risky jobs with high premiums) to those who would be induced to shun such benefits in order to qualify for taxpayer subsidies.
By far the largest redistribution, however, is from those on Medicare to those who'd become newly eligible for Medicaid or federal subsidies."
Financial Reform Round 1: Obama vs. Wall St., Blue Dog Dems
From In These Times.
"Just over a year after the financial meltdown spurred government bailouts, loans and guarantees worth a staggering $17.5 trillion to the financial industry, as author Nomi Prins reports, leaders in the field are finally paying consumers back. How? They're fighting hard against a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and gutting what reform advocates say is any meaningful oversight of the wild-and-woolly $450 trillion "derivatives" market that sunk the world economy."
Want to know how to best handle YOUR OWN money? Try the public library's 332 section. Obviously, government and Wall St. aren't going to do it for you.
"Just over a year after the financial meltdown spurred government bailouts, loans and guarantees worth a staggering $17.5 trillion to the financial industry, as author Nomi Prins reports, leaders in the field are finally paying consumers back. How? They're fighting hard against a Consumer Financial Protection Agency and gutting what reform advocates say is any meaningful oversight of the wild-and-woolly $450 trillion "derivatives" market that sunk the world economy."
Want to know how to best handle YOUR OWN money? Try the public library's 332 section. Obviously, government and Wall St. aren't going to do it for you.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Obama Finds Republican Support OUTSIDE the Party and Washington
From the L.A. Times.
He had to go trolling for GOP-ish support from FORMER senators and governors: Bob Dole (the whore of lobbyists), Tommy Thompson, and the soon-to-be-departing Ahhhnold. Current NY mayor Bloomberg also signed on, but New Hampshire's governor said no.
It's THAT bad--he had to go to has-beens. I'm surprised he didn't go to Trent Lott or Mike Huckabee. Maybe Mike's holding out on getting his Fair Tax enacted in return.
He had to go trolling for GOP-ish support from FORMER senators and governors: Bob Dole (the whore of lobbyists), Tommy Thompson, and the soon-to-be-departing Ahhhnold. Current NY mayor Bloomberg also signed on, but New Hampshire's governor said no.
It's THAT bad--he had to go to has-beens. I'm surprised he didn't go to Trent Lott or Mike Huckabee. Maybe Mike's holding out on getting his Fair Tax enacted in return.
Obama Vows to End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
From the AP. At first read, it sounds like he wants to repeal it--meaning to put gays and lesbians back in the closet.
This doesn't surprise me--as a culture, black people frown on homosexuality.
When it come to military service, I say if they can pull a trigger and are willing to fight and die for our country, open the door wide and let 'em in. We've already lost a buttload of Farsi translators because of this.
"Some advocates said they already have heard Obama's promises — they just want to hear a timeline. Cleve Jones, a pioneer activist and creator of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, said Obama delivered a brilliant speech, but added "it lacked the answer to our most pressing question, which is when."
"He repeated his promises that he's made to us before, but he did not indicate when he would accomplish these goals and we've been waiting for a while now," said Jones, national co-chair of a major gay-rights rally expected to draw thousands of gay and lesbian activists to the National Mall on Sunday.
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners."
As far as marriage goes, if what or who someone else marries is going to affect MY marriage, then MY marriage was already in trouble at the start.
This doesn't surprise me--as a culture, black people frown on homosexuality.
When it come to military service, I say if they can pull a trigger and are willing to fight and die for our country, open the door wide and let 'em in. We've already lost a buttload of Farsi translators because of this.
"Some advocates said they already have heard Obama's promises — they just want to hear a timeline. Cleve Jones, a pioneer activist and creator of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, said Obama delivered a brilliant speech, but added "it lacked the answer to our most pressing question, which is when."
"He repeated his promises that he's made to us before, but he did not indicate when he would accomplish these goals and we've been waiting for a while now," said Jones, national co-chair of a major gay-rights rally expected to draw thousands of gay and lesbian activists to the National Mall on Sunday.
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners."
As far as marriage goes, if what or who someone else marries is going to affect MY marriage, then MY marriage was already in trouble at the start.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Obama's Peace Prize: Part of a Liberal Trend?
From Fox News. The general pundit consensus is "yes"--my opinion is he got awarded for creating government dependence...just the way the Norwegians like it.
His politics were acceptable, his intentions were right, and he's seen as helping bring down the global Big Dog through his dollar policies. What's not for European Liberals to like?
His only two accomplishments, BTW, were getting elected, and choosing a family dog. I should get a medal for getting married, staying out of debt, and caring for two diabetic, heart-diseased cats!
Speaking of medals, what do you think he should do with the winnings that come with the medals? He says he's going to give it all to charity--I say use it toward the nation's debt, since he helped run it up.
His politics were acceptable, his intentions were right, and he's seen as helping bring down the global Big Dog through his dollar policies. What's not for European Liberals to like?
His only two accomplishments, BTW, were getting elected, and choosing a family dog. I should get a medal for getting married, staying out of debt, and caring for two diabetic, heart-diseased cats!
Speaking of medals, what do you think he should do with the winnings that come with the medals? He says he's going to give it all to charity--I say use it toward the nation's debt, since he helped run it up.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize, But For What?
From Yahoo news.
"The prize seems to be more for Obama's promise than for his performance. Work on the president's ambitious agenda, both at home and abroad, is barely underway, much less finished. He has no standout moment of victory that would seem to warrant a verdict as sweeping as that issued by the Nobel committee."
"The prize seems to be more for Obama's promise than for his performance. Work on the president's ambitious agenda, both at home and abroad, is barely underway, much less finished. He has no standout moment of victory that would seem to warrant a verdict as sweeping as that issued by the Nobel committee."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Rabbit Ragu Democrats
From Common Dreams.
"In the annals of American excess, there often arrives a moment when those with too much money, too much clout and too much hubris just can’t stop themselves from tempting the fates. They throw an over-the-top party in public, or parade their wealth and power before the press, and the next thing you know their world, and sometimes ours, has crashed."
...
"Barack Obama promised a change from this revolving-door, behind-closed-doors collaboration between special interests and government. He vowed to “do our business in the light of day” — with health care negotiations broadcast on C-Span — and to “restore the vital trust between people and their government.” He said, “I intend to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over.” That those lobbyists would so extravagantly flaunt their undiminished role shows just how little they believe that a new sheriff has arrived in Dodge.
In his scathing Wall Street Journal column on The Post articles last week, Thomas Frank crystallized the gap between Obama’s pledge and this reality. “There is something uniquely depressing about the fact that the National Portrait Gallery’s version of the Barack Obama ‘Hope’ poster previously belonged to a pair of lobbyists.” That’s no joke: It was donated by Tony and Heather Podesta."
"In the annals of American excess, there often arrives a moment when those with too much money, too much clout and too much hubris just can’t stop themselves from tempting the fates. They throw an over-the-top party in public, or parade their wealth and power before the press, and the next thing you know their world, and sometimes ours, has crashed."
...
"Barack Obama promised a change from this revolving-door, behind-closed-doors collaboration between special interests and government. He vowed to “do our business in the light of day” — with health care negotiations broadcast on C-Span — and to “restore the vital trust between people and their government.” He said, “I intend to tell the corporate lobbyists that their days of setting the agenda in Washington are over.” That those lobbyists would so extravagantly flaunt their undiminished role shows just how little they believe that a new sheriff has arrived in Dodge.
In his scathing Wall Street Journal column on The Post articles last week, Thomas Frank crystallized the gap between Obama’s pledge and this reality. “There is something uniquely depressing about the fact that the National Portrait Gallery’s version of the Barack Obama ‘Hope’ poster previously belonged to a pair of lobbyists.” That’s no joke: It was donated by Tony and Heather Podesta."
What Makes Me Mad About Obama's Policies
The clever (so he thinks) ways he can come up with redistribution schemes:
1. Health Care Reform--specifically, the public option. We don't need it, but he wants to take $1000-$1500/year out of MY pay and yours to fund the frails. That's a 12.5%-18% tax on the coverage I already have.
2. Cap-and-Trade--he wants to double or triple what we all pay for energy just to fund his "green initiatives." We don't need them, but he wants them, and I'd like to know who exactly is going to be able to afford plugging in an all-electric car at this point? With the recent news that OPEC nations are looking into moving away from the dollar and into "basket currencies" for pricing oil, maybe Obama's onto something--less dependence on oil trumps the new barrel denomination? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, natural gas is through the floor, with more and more huge finds being capped off for storage. We've got more natural gas than we know what to do with. Cap-and-trade's not about the environment--it's about money: corporate money and consumer money.
3. Universal Savings Accounts--he wants to change the tax status of retirement accounts to "taxable", then he intends to replace them with one-time tax-free rollovers into savings bond accounts that don't pay out for at least 17 years. In other words, he wants to hit you with a 25% tax on your "new" taxable income (the loss of your 401k amounts to a 25% income tax increase, depending on amount diverted), then he wants to take ALL monies rolled over into the bond accounts and use it free for 17 years, giving you a paltry 0.25-1% return all the while. He says you'll get a guaranteed 3% return, but what's he got to guarantee it with? Besides, the stock market returns a historical average of 7% a year, and does way better in most years.
He wants US to be his new bond-buying sugar daddy because nobody else will do it.
4. Universal Savings Accounts part 2--the death of IRAS. We would all lose the tax-deductible status of IRAs, because they would be required to roll into the bond program, or become fully taxable. This loss of deductibility amounts to a 20% tax increase on your savings.
The whole point of IRAs and 401k accounts is to augment (or even replace the need for) Social Security, but no--Obama WANTS you to be dependent, so he's going to tax away your hopes of INdependence and give it to the zombie poor.
Okay, Obama--once everybody has a little something (just a little), THEN WHAT? What's the grand scheme for moving forward from here, once your precious social justice is achieved?
5. Of course, all the other little taxes we pay along the way will increase--you know, things like sales tax (a national sales tax is under discussion), property tax, excise taxes (usually paid at agencies like the DMV), personal property taxes (expect more of those--now, some states tax cars and computers, but look for more of this, with increases in rates). Other countries have a TV/telephone tax--look for THAT to appear in this country. Basically, we're going to be taxed to the point where we're all living in grass huts, eating out of cans over a dung fire...you know, like they do in Africa. Here's how to get around all the tax dinging. Our currency is purposely being devalued to slowly eliminate our debt, and it will cause hyper-inflation for us...on top of the hidden and visible tax increases. We are being thrown to the wolves so Congress can pay its bills!
Why is he going through all this (or GOING TO go through it all)? TO take money from us and give it to people who haven't worked for it, and couldn't save it if they did. He wants to expand the social safety net to the point of EVERYBODY being in it--then he gets to strut around like he's King Midas, fulfilling his ego dreams. Obama, the Patron Saint of Poverty.
Thank god he only has 4 years in office, and one year is almost down. I just hope the congressional committees can continue to drag their feet while holding his to the fire, and continue to vote down crap before it ever sees the light of a floor vote. Meanwhile, midterm elections are coming, and we can vote out his evil minions one by one until it's finally HIS turn.
1. Health Care Reform--specifically, the public option. We don't need it, but he wants to take $1000-$1500/year out of MY pay and yours to fund the frails. That's a 12.5%-18% tax on the coverage I already have.
2. Cap-and-Trade--he wants to double or triple what we all pay for energy just to fund his "green initiatives." We don't need them, but he wants them, and I'd like to know who exactly is going to be able to afford plugging in an all-electric car at this point? With the recent news that OPEC nations are looking into moving away from the dollar and into "basket currencies" for pricing oil, maybe Obama's onto something--less dependence on oil trumps the new barrel denomination? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, natural gas is through the floor, with more and more huge finds being capped off for storage. We've got more natural gas than we know what to do with. Cap-and-trade's not about the environment--it's about money: corporate money and consumer money.
3. Universal Savings Accounts--he wants to change the tax status of retirement accounts to "taxable", then he intends to replace them with one-time tax-free rollovers into savings bond accounts that don't pay out for at least 17 years. In other words, he wants to hit you with a 25% tax on your "new" taxable income (the loss of your 401k amounts to a 25% income tax increase, depending on amount diverted), then he wants to take ALL monies rolled over into the bond accounts and use it free for 17 years, giving you a paltry 0.25-1% return all the while. He says you'll get a guaranteed 3% return, but what's he got to guarantee it with? Besides, the stock market returns a historical average of 7% a year, and does way better in most years.
He wants US to be his new bond-buying sugar daddy because nobody else will do it.
4. Universal Savings Accounts part 2--the death of IRAS. We would all lose the tax-deductible status of IRAs, because they would be required to roll into the bond program, or become fully taxable. This loss of deductibility amounts to a 20% tax increase on your savings.
The whole point of IRAs and 401k accounts is to augment (or even replace the need for) Social Security, but no--Obama WANTS you to be dependent, so he's going to tax away your hopes of INdependence and give it to the zombie poor.
Okay, Obama--once everybody has a little something (just a little), THEN WHAT? What's the grand scheme for moving forward from here, once your precious social justice is achieved?
5. Of course, all the other little taxes we pay along the way will increase--you know, things like sales tax (a national sales tax is under discussion), property tax, excise taxes (usually paid at agencies like the DMV), personal property taxes (expect more of those--now, some states tax cars and computers, but look for more of this, with increases in rates). Other countries have a TV/telephone tax--look for THAT to appear in this country. Basically, we're going to be taxed to the point where we're all living in grass huts, eating out of cans over a dung fire...you know, like they do in Africa. Here's how to get around all the tax dinging. Our currency is purposely being devalued to slowly eliminate our debt, and it will cause hyper-inflation for us...on top of the hidden and visible tax increases. We are being thrown to the wolves so Congress can pay its bills!
Why is he going through all this (or GOING TO go through it all)? TO take money from us and give it to people who haven't worked for it, and couldn't save it if they did. He wants to expand the social safety net to the point of EVERYBODY being in it--then he gets to strut around like he's King Midas, fulfilling his ego dreams. Obama, the Patron Saint of Poverty.
Thank god he only has 4 years in office, and one year is almost down. I just hope the congressional committees can continue to drag their feet while holding his to the fire, and continue to vote down crap before it ever sees the light of a floor vote. Meanwhile, midterm elections are coming, and we can vote out his evil minions one by one until it's finally HIS turn.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Obama's Two Americas
From the Wall St. Journal.
"Why is Barack Obama having trouble getting a health care plan through a Congress dominated by his own party? Partly because the coalition that elected him is an unwieldy blend of the rich and the poor. The two groups view the need for radical surgery on the nation's health delivery system quite differently."
The Democrat supporters come in two flavors: super rich and super poor. Of course, the super poor want everything the government can throw at them (at our expense), and the super rich are glad to foot the bill because of guilt over how much they have.
The trouble is, if you aren't a super poor Democrat, then the super poor Democrats see you as an ultra-conservative Republican, and redouble their cries for something-for-nothing...becoming militant if they have to. Just remember the last zombie movie you ever saw, and substitute the super poor Dems for the zombies.
Of COURSE they want your brains--they don't have any of their own! :)
"Why is Barack Obama having trouble getting a health care plan through a Congress dominated by his own party? Partly because the coalition that elected him is an unwieldy blend of the rich and the poor. The two groups view the need for radical surgery on the nation's health delivery system quite differently."
The Democrat supporters come in two flavors: super rich and super poor. Of course, the super poor want everything the government can throw at them (at our expense), and the super rich are glad to foot the bill because of guilt over how much they have.
The trouble is, if you aren't a super poor Democrat, then the super poor Democrats see you as an ultra-conservative Republican, and redouble their cries for something-for-nothing...becoming militant if they have to. Just remember the last zombie movie you ever saw, and substitute the super poor Dems for the zombies.
Of COURSE they want your brains--they don't have any of their own! :)
Glenn Beck Open to "Near-Beer" Summit With Obama
From The Hill Briefing Room.
"Glenn Beck is open to a "beer summit" with President Barack Obama -- though Beck's not sure the president would get anything out of it."
"Glenn Beck is open to a "beer summit" with President Barack Obama -- though Beck's not sure the president would get anything out of it."
Capitol Hill Turns Up Heat on Criticism of Obama's Czars
From ABC News.
"The controversy over appointed officials within the Obama administration who have not undergone Senate confirmation—so called “czars”—is not only being discussed by conservative pundits anymore. Senators dedicated a hearing to the topic of “czars” on Capitol Hill today."
...
“They are unelected, un-vetted, and unaccountable,” Sessions said in response to the hearing today. “They include individuals with extremist views and records—such as Van Jones, John Holdren, and Kevin Jennings—all of whom were installed in high government offices without having to face scrutiny before Congress or the American people.”
"The controversy over appointed officials within the Obama administration who have not undergone Senate confirmation—so called “czars”—is not only being discussed by conservative pundits anymore. Senators dedicated a hearing to the topic of “czars” on Capitol Hill today."
...
“They are unelected, un-vetted, and unaccountable,” Sessions said in response to the hearing today. “They include individuals with extremist views and records—such as Van Jones, John Holdren, and Kevin Jennings—all of whom were installed in high government offices without having to face scrutiny before Congress or the American people.”
Monday, October 5, 2009
This Just In: Obama's Midterm Mistake
From the Emory Wheel (Emory University Student News).
"Political parties should seek to foster debate and political participation. Elections give Americans the chance to engage in these crucial activities. But Democrats and Republicans alike subvert our democratic-republican institutions for their own perceived gain. It is especially disheartening for Obama, who ran partly on a platform of civic engagement, trying to dissuade voters from making their own independent choices on election day."
...
"Ironically, Obama is unwittingly creating a post-partisan political climate. Unfortunately for him – and some of his Republican adversaries — the climate change may likely be to his detriment. Fortunately for Americans, it just might provide political empowerment and reaffirm the grassroots ideal of American civil society that seems at times to be so easily lost."
"Political parties should seek to foster debate and political participation. Elections give Americans the chance to engage in these crucial activities. But Democrats and Republicans alike subvert our democratic-republican institutions for their own perceived gain. It is especially disheartening for Obama, who ran partly on a platform of civic engagement, trying to dissuade voters from making their own independent choices on election day."
...
"Ironically, Obama is unwittingly creating a post-partisan political climate. Unfortunately for him – and some of his Republican adversaries — the climate change may likely be to his detriment. Fortunately for Americans, it just might provide political empowerment and reaffirm the grassroots ideal of American civil society that seems at times to be so easily lost."
"Why Obama Must Follow Drucker's and Not McChrystal's Advice"
From the Huffington Post.
"We have a huge problem here in America. A great many of us think that you make something happen by... just making it happen. Literally by force of will (or, for some, prayer). Because we don't know any better, this leads to a situation in which our society -- especially the civic side -- uses the only model of organized effort we've ever experienced: the Autocracy that exists in most families.
We are raised under Father (or Mother) knows best circumstances. And if we serve in the military, that experience of "top down leadership" dynamic is reinforced... big time! And relying on this form of thinking, this form of planning, in which we "do as we're told," is sending our nation perilously close to going off a cliff (economically, environmentally, and sociologically).
But modern management theory is different. Unlike top down management, it creates an environment that fosters innovative thinking. An environment in which asking questions is actually encouraged, as well as its sister behavior: challenging conventional thinking!
This modern management-type process is what we need to make sure we do the right thing in Afghanistan.
"We, the people" and our elected representatives must support President Obama in making a decision that's wise, not fast. One that's based on asking questions -- lots of them -- not just listening to General McChrystal. General McChrystal's perspective is -- by the nature of his job -- limited and less comprehensive than that of the civilian leadership in the Obama administration."
...
"What I am saying -- from the perspective of modern management theory -- is that General McChrystal's request is akin to the request coming from the head of the production department of a large company, a company that is functioning in an environment that is changing in ways that go beyond how the market for the product that McChrystal's department produces is changing.
And what President Obama is doing -- as the CEO of the overall business -- is taking the request from his head of production and factoring that into the wider perspective that comes from he and his other advisors seeing that the customers for the product McChrystal produces are actually changing themselves and, perhaps, need a different product now than the one McChrystal currently produces!
It is from this larger -- and, yes, ultimately wiser -- perspective that President Obama will make his decision."
I want to know who died and made the author of this a military analyst. Obviously, he doesn't see the country through the Communist lenses that Obama does! Obama DOESN'T WANT to create jobs, or ramp up production, or anything that might release us from the grip of recession--he wants to CREATE DEPENDENCY any way he can, so THE GOVERNMENT can swoop in, save us, and clinch Democrat votes for time immemorial.
As far as running the country like a business goes, didn't we reject that notion by voting for someone other than Romney or Perot?
"We have a huge problem here in America. A great many of us think that you make something happen by... just making it happen. Literally by force of will (or, for some, prayer). Because we don't know any better, this leads to a situation in which our society -- especially the civic side -- uses the only model of organized effort we've ever experienced: the Autocracy that exists in most families.
We are raised under Father (or Mother) knows best circumstances. And if we serve in the military, that experience of "top down leadership" dynamic is reinforced... big time! And relying on this form of thinking, this form of planning, in which we "do as we're told," is sending our nation perilously close to going off a cliff (economically, environmentally, and sociologically).
But modern management theory is different. Unlike top down management, it creates an environment that fosters innovative thinking. An environment in which asking questions is actually encouraged, as well as its sister behavior: challenging conventional thinking!
This modern management-type process is what we need to make sure we do the right thing in Afghanistan.
"We, the people" and our elected representatives must support President Obama in making a decision that's wise, not fast. One that's based on asking questions -- lots of them -- not just listening to General McChrystal. General McChrystal's perspective is -- by the nature of his job -- limited and less comprehensive than that of the civilian leadership in the Obama administration."
...
"What I am saying -- from the perspective of modern management theory -- is that General McChrystal's request is akin to the request coming from the head of the production department of a large company, a company that is functioning in an environment that is changing in ways that go beyond how the market for the product that McChrystal's department produces is changing.
And what President Obama is doing -- as the CEO of the overall business -- is taking the request from his head of production and factoring that into the wider perspective that comes from he and his other advisors seeing that the customers for the product McChrystal produces are actually changing themselves and, perhaps, need a different product now than the one McChrystal currently produces!
It is from this larger -- and, yes, ultimately wiser -- perspective that President Obama will make his decision."
I want to know who died and made the author of this a military analyst. Obviously, he doesn't see the country through the Communist lenses that Obama does! Obama DOESN'T WANT to create jobs, or ramp up production, or anything that might release us from the grip of recession--he wants to CREATE DEPENDENCY any way he can, so THE GOVERNMENT can swoop in, save us, and clinch Democrat votes for time immemorial.
As far as running the country like a business goes, didn't we reject that notion by voting for someone other than Romney or Perot?
This Just In: Obama's Mistakes are a Warning Sign
From CNN Politics.
"In the end, two issues will shape this presidency much more than the Olympics: the outcome of the health care debate and the decision over whether to send troops to Afghanistan.
Nonetheless, the incident should serve as a warning to the president and his staff. This is the kind of action they should not repeat. While Obama has thus far avoided making mistakes on the big issues of the day, this kind of slip-up would be devastating in a different context. And over time, too many of them, on issues large and small, will undermine the positive impression most Americans still have of his leadership abilities."
We're forced to sit through 4 years of "amateur hour."
"In the end, two issues will shape this presidency much more than the Olympics: the outcome of the health care debate and the decision over whether to send troops to Afghanistan.
Nonetheless, the incident should serve as a warning to the president and his staff. This is the kind of action they should not repeat. While Obama has thus far avoided making mistakes on the big issues of the day, this kind of slip-up would be devastating in a different context. And over time, too many of them, on issues large and small, will undermine the positive impression most Americans still have of his leadership abilities."
We're forced to sit through 4 years of "amateur hour."
This Just In: "What We Would Have Told Obama"
From the Wall St. Journal.
"We aren't among the doctors invited to a Rose Garden event today to "join the President in pushing for health insurance reform this year and [who] have offered their help and support," as a White House press release put it. It's unfortunate only supporters of the president's plans will be there. Mr. Obama has missed an opportunity to learn more about the real issues facing patients and doctors and to formulate a plan that truly puts patients in control with doctors as trusted advisers.
The United States has the best health care in the world today, and thanks to the ever-expanding frontiers of science and medical innovation the brightest days are ahead. It is true that there are Americans who fall through the cracks of our medical system every day—and as a caring nation, we must do what we can to expand access to medical care to those who need it. But this can be accomplished without a costly and inefficient government overhaul of the entire system. One easy reform would be to enable individuals to buy policies offered in any state, not just where they live. This will enhance competition. But more government-run health insurance will only lead to disaster."
All the more reason to find out about the tax-deductibility of HSAs and FSAs in light of the public option going through--they may be our only lifeboat left.
"We aren't among the doctors invited to a Rose Garden event today to "join the President in pushing for health insurance reform this year and [who] have offered their help and support," as a White House press release put it. It's unfortunate only supporters of the president's plans will be there. Mr. Obama has missed an opportunity to learn more about the real issues facing patients and doctors and to formulate a plan that truly puts patients in control with doctors as trusted advisers.
The United States has the best health care in the world today, and thanks to the ever-expanding frontiers of science and medical innovation the brightest days are ahead. It is true that there are Americans who fall through the cracks of our medical system every day—and as a caring nation, we must do what we can to expand access to medical care to those who need it. But this can be accomplished without a costly and inefficient government overhaul of the entire system. One easy reform would be to enable individuals to buy policies offered in any state, not just where they live. This will enhance competition. But more government-run health insurance will only lead to disaster."
All the more reason to find out about the tax-deductibility of HSAs and FSAs in light of the public option going through--they may be our only lifeboat left.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
From the Blogosphere: Obama--Olympics More Important Than Troops--Failure
From My Auburn Journal. This one's short and sweet, so I'll just insert it here:
"Despite his effort to get SEIU union jobs in Chicago by personally lobbying in Copenhagen for the 2016 Olympics, Barack Obama now has yet another failure to add to the impressive list of failures he is stacking up.
Most Transparent Administration - Failure
North Korea - Failure
Socialized Health Care by August - Failure
Iraq - Surrender
Russia - Putin is laughing at him - Failure
Iran - Laughing in our faces as they launch missiles and claim enough plutonium to build a bomb - Failure
Afghanistan - 43 dead troops since General McCrystal asked for reinforcements and no response - Heading for failure
Olympics in Chicago - Failure
Unlike Bush, who was disliked by many socialist nations in Europe and the world, but respected... Obama is a laughing stock and a failure.
Its going to be a rough 4 years as the "Novice-in-Chief" continues to flail away.
I do not take pleasure in this. It is truly disturbing.
Unless Obama dumps his leftist advisers and moves to the middle, he is going down as worse than Jimmy Carter and the USA is going to be in a dangerous and ultimately worse shape."
I asked this in a previous article: What exactly has he accomplished, besides getting elected and picking out a dog?
"Despite his effort to get SEIU union jobs in Chicago by personally lobbying in Copenhagen for the 2016 Olympics, Barack Obama now has yet another failure to add to the impressive list of failures he is stacking up.
Most Transparent Administration - Failure
North Korea - Failure
Socialized Health Care by August - Failure
Iraq - Surrender
Russia - Putin is laughing at him - Failure
Iran - Laughing in our faces as they launch missiles and claim enough plutonium to build a bomb - Failure
Afghanistan - 43 dead troops since General McCrystal asked for reinforcements and no response - Heading for failure
Olympics in Chicago - Failure
Unlike Bush, who was disliked by many socialist nations in Europe and the world, but respected... Obama is a laughing stock and a failure.
Its going to be a rough 4 years as the "Novice-in-Chief" continues to flail away.
I do not take pleasure in this. It is truly disturbing.
Unless Obama dumps his leftist advisers and moves to the middle, he is going down as worse than Jimmy Carter and the USA is going to be in a dangerous and ultimately worse shape."
I asked this in a previous article: What exactly has he accomplished, besides getting elected and picking out a dog?
This Just In: Privately, Obama Backs Public Option
From the Chicago Tribune. Like we couldn't figure this one out on our own!
"Despite months of seeming ambivalence about creating a government health insurance plan, the Obama White House has launched an intensifying behind-the-scenes campaign to get divided Senate Democrats to take up some version of the idea in the weeks just ahead.
President Barack Obama has long advocated a so-called public option, while at the same time repeatedly expressing openness to other ways to offer consumers a potentially more affordable alternative to health plans sold by private insurers.
But now, senior administration officials are holding private meetings almost daily at the Capitol with senior Democratic staff to discuss ways to include a version of the public plan in the health care bill that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., plans to bring to the Senate floor later this month, according to senior Democratic congressional aides."
If you'd like to get an idea of how much more you'd be paying for health insurance under any of the proposed plans, go to the Subsidy Calculator, fill out the form, but answer "NO" to the employer-sponsored insurance question (whether or not you get insurance at work). I did it, and found I'd be paying $1000-$1500 more per year under any of the proposed government health plans--I guess that's supposed to be "my" contribution for keeping the feeble and nutritional heathens alive.
I'd rather pre-pay my mortgage principal every month with that money. Some people could use that money toward their debt. But nooo...Congress needs money, and FAST!
My brain tells me that this "tax" (because that's what it is--a 12.5% to 18% tax on the total cost of my current policy) would go to earmark spending, campaign contributions, or anything else besides the national debt. When this new tax is combined with the rationing of care, the government is going to be raking in some bucks!
"Despite months of seeming ambivalence about creating a government health insurance plan, the Obama White House has launched an intensifying behind-the-scenes campaign to get divided Senate Democrats to take up some version of the idea in the weeks just ahead.
President Barack Obama has long advocated a so-called public option, while at the same time repeatedly expressing openness to other ways to offer consumers a potentially more affordable alternative to health plans sold by private insurers.
But now, senior administration officials are holding private meetings almost daily at the Capitol with senior Democratic staff to discuss ways to include a version of the public plan in the health care bill that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., plans to bring to the Senate floor later this month, according to senior Democratic congressional aides."
If you'd like to get an idea of how much more you'd be paying for health insurance under any of the proposed plans, go to the Subsidy Calculator, fill out the form, but answer "NO" to the employer-sponsored insurance question (whether or not you get insurance at work). I did it, and found I'd be paying $1000-$1500 more per year under any of the proposed government health plans--I guess that's supposed to be "my" contribution for keeping the feeble and nutritional heathens alive.
I'd rather pre-pay my mortgage principal every month with that money. Some people could use that money toward their debt. But nooo...Congress needs money, and FAST!
My brain tells me that this "tax" (because that's what it is--a 12.5% to 18% tax on the total cost of my current policy) would go to earmark spending, campaign contributions, or anything else besides the national debt. When this new tax is combined with the rationing of care, the government is going to be raking in some bucks!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
This Just In: Obama Aide Says "No Climate Change Bill This Year"
From Yahoo Politics.
"Obviously, we'd like to be through the process, but that's not going to happen," Browner said. "I think we would all agree the likelihood you would have a bill signed by the president on comprehensive energy by the time we go early in December is not likely."
It's because we slowed him down with the health care debate. The slower we can make this guy, the better off we'll ALL be!
"Obviously, we'd like to be through the process, but that's not going to happen," Browner said. "I think we would all agree the likelihood you would have a bill signed by the president on comprehensive energy by the time we go early in December is not likely."
It's because we slowed him down with the health care debate. The slower we can make this guy, the better off we'll ALL be!
This Just In: Obama (Weakly) Links Job Growth to Health Care Proposal
From Yahoo News.
"President Barack Obama says passage of his health care proposals would create new jobs by making small business startups more affordable."
What? HOW?
"If aspiring entrepreneurs believe they can stay insured while switching jobs, Obama said, they will start new businesses and hire workers."
Oh, I see--now the world revolves around "his" health care plan. Pretty soon, we won't be able to breathe on our own, or make a move, without his precious health care plan. So sad it's come to this!
His desperation is showing.
We all know what REALLY creates jobs: tax relief and access to credit. Obama doesn't WANT to create jobs--he wants to create poverty and dependence, so we will all become his good little soldiers, and march with him toward a Liberal Utopia.
I left Liberal Utopia long ago because I couldn't afford it then, and still can't afford it now.
Don't expect much improvement in the economy (or job market) until about 2013--when we vote him out of office.
"President Barack Obama says passage of his health care proposals would create new jobs by making small business startups more affordable."
What? HOW?
"If aspiring entrepreneurs believe they can stay insured while switching jobs, Obama said, they will start new businesses and hire workers."
Oh, I see--now the world revolves around "his" health care plan. Pretty soon, we won't be able to breathe on our own, or make a move, without his precious health care plan. So sad it's come to this!
His desperation is showing.
We all know what REALLY creates jobs: tax relief and access to credit. Obama doesn't WANT to create jobs--he wants to create poverty and dependence, so we will all become his good little soldiers, and march with him toward a Liberal Utopia.
I left Liberal Utopia long ago because I couldn't afford it then, and still can't afford it now.
Don't expect much improvement in the economy (or job market) until about 2013--when we vote him out of office.
Friday, October 2, 2009
This Just In: Obama's Silence on Chicago Crime
From CNN Money.
"Back in Obama's adopted hometown of Chicago, Illinois, some members of the black community are incensed at the president for not personally speaking out about the murder of Derrion Albert, a 16-year-old boy who was beaten to death last week in a predominantly African-American neighborhood.
What really set them off was that Obama, in an awkward case of bad timing, instead flew to Copenhagen to pitch Chicago to the International Olympics Committee as the ideal city to host the games in 2016."
"Back in Obama's adopted hometown of Chicago, Illinois, some members of the black community are incensed at the president for not personally speaking out about the murder of Derrion Albert, a 16-year-old boy who was beaten to death last week in a predominantly African-American neighborhood.
What really set them off was that Obama, in an awkward case of bad timing, instead flew to Copenhagen to pitch Chicago to the International Olympics Committee as the ideal city to host the games in 2016."
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Welcome to the Nobama Carnival #7--the Resurrection
It's been a long time coming, and will be awhile more until the foundation's set, but plans are being finalized, workers are being hired, and materials are on order. The next carnival date is still in negotiation, but DO keep submitting, as Wenchypoo will also be the cleanup committee for that one as well!
Right now, there isn't much to work with due to such short notice, but away we go anyway:
From today's news
47% Will Pay No Federal Income Tax
This is probably where we're supposed to get the money to pay those public option premiums from!
Obama's Health Insurance Whopper: He's Misleading the Country on a Key Reform Proposal
"As soon as I sign this bill," President Obama promised in his prime-time address to Congress, "it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick."
"News flash: It's already illegal for insurance companies to drop patients once they become ill. It has been for over a decade. The American people should take note, as President Obama is using this non-existent crisis to justify massive federal intervention in America's health sector."
Obama's Plan B on Greenhouse Gases
"The Obama administration prefers that Congress establish rules to curb carbon emissions. But just in case lawmakers don't act, the agency is readying plans to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act."
Obama Chases Olympic Bauble While U.S. Burns--more on this later in the carnival Remember how I said I smelled the stink of corruption? Glenn Beck found the source.
Carnival submissions
Allen Scott of EagleViews.org asks What's the Hurry? and says, "brevity is the soul of wit."
Scott Spiegel asks Why Are There No Lilting Sambas About the Junkie From Fuller Park? He lists 16 reasons why Chicago shouldn't get the 2016 games, #16 being the most damning: "Michelle Obama said in her Copenhagen speech this week that holding the Olympics in Chicago might inspire another child there to become the next… Barack Obama."
Like we need ANOTHER one!
So much for the relevant submissions--now onto the Chicago Summer Games corruption stink! Glenn Beck lays it all out on this video.
Who is Valerie Jarrett? video--she's one of the Top 10 corrupt politicos, and she's Obama right-hand man...er, woman. Watching Glenn Beck will keep you better informed about Obama's goings-on than anything else will.
As for the indoctrination of our kids, here are my prior posts.
My solution to the health care reform "crisis."
This concludes our hastily-assembled carnival. Please submit your submission for next time--either the 3rd week of October, or the first of November (still in dispute), but I will again be the host. Send me some carnival love!!
Right now, there isn't much to work with due to such short notice, but away we go anyway:
From today's news
47% Will Pay No Federal Income Tax
This is probably where we're supposed to get the money to pay those public option premiums from!
Obama's Health Insurance Whopper: He's Misleading the Country on a Key Reform Proposal
"As soon as I sign this bill," President Obama promised in his prime-time address to Congress, "it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick."
"News flash: It's already illegal for insurance companies to drop patients once they become ill. It has been for over a decade. The American people should take note, as President Obama is using this non-existent crisis to justify massive federal intervention in America's health sector."
Obama's Plan B on Greenhouse Gases
"The Obama administration prefers that Congress establish rules to curb carbon emissions. But just in case lawmakers don't act, the agency is readying plans to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act."
Obama Chases Olympic Bauble While U.S. Burns--more on this later in the carnival Remember how I said I smelled the stink of corruption? Glenn Beck found the source.
Carnival submissions
Allen Scott of EagleViews.org asks What's the Hurry? and says, "brevity is the soul of wit."
Scott Spiegel asks Why Are There No Lilting Sambas About the Junkie From Fuller Park? He lists 16 reasons why Chicago shouldn't get the 2016 games, #16 being the most damning: "Michelle Obama said in her Copenhagen speech this week that holding the Olympics in Chicago might inspire another child there to become the next… Barack Obama."
Like we need ANOTHER one!
So much for the relevant submissions--now onto the Chicago Summer Games corruption stink! Glenn Beck lays it all out on this video.
Who is Valerie Jarrett? video--she's one of the Top 10 corrupt politicos, and she's Obama right-hand man...er, woman. Watching Glenn Beck will keep you better informed about Obama's goings-on than anything else will.
As for the indoctrination of our kids, here are my prior posts.
My solution to the health care reform "crisis."
This concludes our hastily-assembled carnival. Please submit your submission for next time--either the 3rd week of October, or the first of November (still in dispute), but I will again be the host. Send me some carnival love!!
This Just In: Health Care in Massachusetts--A Warning for America
From Yahoo Opinion.
"In his recent speech to Congress, President Obama could have promoted healthcare reforms that tapped the power of a truly free market to lower costs and improve access. Instead, he chose to offer a national version of the failing "Massachusetts plan" based on mandatory health insurance. This is a recipe for disaster."
...
"Mr. Obama's plan is based on the faulty premise that the government should guarantee a "right" to healthcare. But healthcare is not a "right." Rights are freedoms of action (such as the right to free speech), not automatic claims on goods and services that must be produced by another. There is no such thing as a right to a car – or a tonsillectomy."
Speaking of rights, health care only falls under "general welfare" when it helps THOSE IN NEED (permanently disabled, permanently severely mentally disabled, and those who absolutely, positively cannot lift a finger to do anything for themselves)--Stephen Hawking can't stand, speak, or move by himself, yet HE still works and provides himself with health insurance through his job!
I haven't seen HIM out protesting in favor of the public option!! If anybody deserves it, it's be him--at least he gives us a return for our money.
"In his recent speech to Congress, President Obama could have promoted healthcare reforms that tapped the power of a truly free market to lower costs and improve access. Instead, he chose to offer a national version of the failing "Massachusetts plan" based on mandatory health insurance. This is a recipe for disaster."
...
"Mr. Obama's plan is based on the faulty premise that the government should guarantee a "right" to healthcare. But healthcare is not a "right." Rights are freedoms of action (such as the right to free speech), not automatic claims on goods and services that must be produced by another. There is no such thing as a right to a car – or a tonsillectomy."
Speaking of rights, health care only falls under "general welfare" when it helps THOSE IN NEED (permanently disabled, permanently severely mentally disabled, and those who absolutely, positively cannot lift a finger to do anything for themselves)--Stephen Hawking can't stand, speak, or move by himself, yet HE still works and provides himself with health insurance through his job!
I haven't seen HIM out protesting in favor of the public option!! If anybody deserves it, it's be him--at least he gives us a return for our money.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Iran has Nukes, We're Losing in Afghanistan, and Obama's Off to Copenhagen
He hasn't spoken to his general about Afghanistan strategy in months (let alone dealt with the request for more troops), Iran now has 2 uranium enrichment plants, health care reform is dying a much-needed death, and Obama's main concern seems to be flying to Copenhagen to put Chicago on the Olympics map for 2016.
Anybody smell corruption brewing here? Lessee-a large, heavily-monied event, coupled with Chicago. Hmmm...it's either corruption or the stench of the dead bodies piling up after school thugs beat the living crap out of participants and spectators alike with pieces of wood, then putting their videos on YouTube.
Chicago? CHICAGO?? You may as well put it in Detroit!
Our kids are supposed to be singing his praises and celebrating his accomplishments...name two. I have yet to figure out what this guy has actually accomplished while in office.
Okay--I thought of some: getting elected to office, and choosing a dog for the family.
Somebody help me out here...
Anybody smell corruption brewing here? Lessee-a large, heavily-monied event, coupled with Chicago. Hmmm...it's either corruption or the stench of the dead bodies piling up after school thugs beat the living crap out of participants and spectators alike with pieces of wood, then putting their videos on YouTube.
Chicago? CHICAGO?? You may as well put it in Detroit!
Our kids are supposed to be singing his praises and celebrating his accomplishments...name two. I have yet to figure out what this guy has actually accomplished while in office.
Okay--I thought of some: getting elected to office, and choosing a dog for the family.
Somebody help me out here...
The Indoctrination Hits Just Keep Coming
Places named after Barack Obama (including some schools)
The latest elementary school indoctrination video (from Sand Hill, NC)
Van Jones's "green jobs" wishful thinking indoctrination literature
The latest elementary school indoctrination video (from Sand Hill, NC)
Van Jones's "green jobs" wishful thinking indoctrination literature
Books Our Kids Are Being Indoctrinated With
These little lovelies are currently floating around in elementary school classrooms and libraries:
Barack Obama--Son of Promise, Child of Hope
Barack
Obama's Pajamas--suggests in the book to "read to children be prepared to talk about their dreams."
Yes, We Can!--includes the words to a song kids sang and danced to during the inauguration ceremony.
Pantsuits, Funny Ears, and a Purple Lei--tells the story of the campaign against Hillary, and the book suggests community service and volunteerism (things a PARENT should be advocating, not your president!).
Kids' Letters to Obama--it isn't so much what the KIDS write, but what HE WRITE BACK that might be in question here.
Barack Obama: An American Story--one of the Amazon customer reviews says "This is not a children's book. It is a work of propaganda. It should be titled, "How to Win Voters and Influence the Media By Playing the Race Card".
And just when it couldn't get any scarier, the prenatal indocrination book: Raising the Next Barack Obama.
The comic world hasn't been spared--look at the vast array of Obama offerings! Kids just can't seem to get away from this guy...unless you take steps to purposely shield them from his influence.
Barack Obama--Son of Promise, Child of Hope
Barack
Obama's Pajamas--suggests in the book to "read to children be prepared to talk about their dreams."
Yes, We Can!--includes the words to a song kids sang and danced to during the inauguration ceremony.
Pantsuits, Funny Ears, and a Purple Lei--tells the story of the campaign against Hillary, and the book suggests community service and volunteerism (things a PARENT should be advocating, not your president!).
Kids' Letters to Obama--it isn't so much what the KIDS write, but what HE WRITE BACK that might be in question here.
Barack Obama: An American Story--one of the Amazon customer reviews says "This is not a children's book. It is a work of propaganda. It should be titled, "How to Win Voters and Influence the Media By Playing the Race Card".
And just when it couldn't get any scarier, the prenatal indocrination book: Raising the Next Barack Obama.
The comic world hasn't been spared--look at the vast array of Obama offerings! Kids just can't seem to get away from this guy...unless you take steps to purposely shield them from his influence.
Monday, September 28, 2009
This Just In: Health Insurance Reform is "Income Redistribution"
From the Wall St. Journal. As long as HSAs, FSAs, and the penalty (down from $3900 to $1900) keep coming in lower than the $5000 or so estimated "new" annual health insurance premiums, people are going to jump ship whether or not their employer pushes them.
HSAs and FSAs are tax-deductible today. Couple this with the fact that paying cash for preventative services nets you a cash discount, and most HSA/FSA plans allow you to include OTC supplements as "preventative medicine", making THEM tax-deductible as well. You can clearly see the magnitude of savings to be had from opting out--provided Congress doesn't touch the HSAs or FSAs, or their tax-deductibility.
We'll see in the coming days what Congress plans to do--I'm betting they leave the HSAs and FSAs untouched. They always leave a back door or loophole for themselves, because they don't want to be subject to the same things we peons are.
Related article: People Playing the Odds on Health Care Over Cost (Yahoo News).
HSAs and FSAs are tax-deductible today. Couple this with the fact that paying cash for preventative services nets you a cash discount, and most HSA/FSA plans allow you to include OTC supplements as "preventative medicine", making THEM tax-deductible as well. You can clearly see the magnitude of savings to be had from opting out--provided Congress doesn't touch the HSAs or FSAs, or their tax-deductibility.
We'll see in the coming days what Congress plans to do--I'm betting they leave the HSAs and FSAs untouched. They always leave a back door or loophole for themselves, because they don't want to be subject to the same things we peons are.
Related article: People Playing the Odds on Health Care Over Cost (Yahoo News).
Okay--Obama Now Hates Our Kids
He wants to curtail summer vacations. It isn't enough that he's trying to indoctrinate them!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
My Answer to the Public Option--Affordable Health Care Reform Begins At Home
I’m absolutely sick to death about the amount of whining that goes on about unaffordable health care, and I’m absolutely sick to death with our government’s proposed best efforts to handle this issue—always employing the “Let’s throw money and political power at the problem!” approach without even once considering the consequences (intentional or not), or what the effects of such decisions would look like years later.
Just like the obesity battle begins with the shopping cart, the battle for affordable health care begins at home, continues with the shopping cart, returns home, and maybe ends up at a hospital when all else fails. But the hospital should never be the starting point.
In order to see who should provide you with health care, go in your bathroom and stand in front of your sink. Now look up in the mirror. That’s right—it’s YOU. While you’re in there, wash your hands with hot water and soap—we don’t know where you’ve been or what you’ve been doing.
Okay—now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of who your health care provider is, and taken the first step in providing disease prevention for yourself (by washing your hands), go out to your kitchen and stand in front of THAT sink. To your left, right, down below, and/or maybe overhead, there should be some cabinets with food items in them—reach over and pull out an item (can, jar, or box), turn it around until you see the nutrition label on the back.
If you’re suffering from hypertension, salt is your enemy, and it comes in two forms: table salt for shakers, and hidden sodium for food preservation. The government tells us that 140 grams of sodium per serving counts as “low sodium”—how much sodium does that item you just grabbed contain? If it’s more than 140 mg. per serving, you’re contributing to your own hypertension without even using a salt shaker!
Now, if you happen to be a diabetic, check that same item for the “sugars” content and high fructose corn syrup. Any good dietitian will tell you that you should avoid high fructose corn syrup, and consume no more than 6 grams of sugar per serving PER DAY—how much sugar is in your chosen item? If it’s more than 6 grams per serving, you’re contributing to your diabetes without ever having touched the sugar canister!
You can go through your entire food collection and survey the damage you’re doing to yourself by eating this salt-and-sugar-laden food.
Congratulations—you’ve just completed Step 2 of a long road to illness prevention and providing yourself with health care reform: becoming aware of the nutritional content of the foods you eat. Now you have two choices: either consume it and replace it with more healthful selections, or give it to a food bank and replace it with more healthful selections. Maybe now you’ll take the step of actually READING the labels while you’re still inside the grocery store! Now go wash your hands again.
All done? Okay, now let’s go to the computer and get on Google. Enter “foods with lowest sodium and sugar” in the search bar, and see what comes up—it’s likely to be fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy. Your next stop should be the grocery store, so go wash the computer cooties off your hands (you don’t know who else has been there), get your keys and checkbook, and I’ll meet you at the car. Meanwhile, you have just completed Step 3 on the road to better health and self-reform: becoming knowledgeable about healthful and more nutritious foods…now let’s go get some! Don’t hesitate to repeat this step as needed.
While you’re in the store, why not go over to the pharmacy area and peruse the smoking cessation products (if you smoke)? Stopping smoking is Step 4 of the Health Care Self-Reform project. Decide to quit and get some today.
Now that you’ve been to the store and presumably loaded up on (or at least brought home) some more healthful foods, and maybe some smoking cessation products, let’s head over to the hardware store in search of a faucet filter for your kitchen—you need to drink and make drinks with clean water, and some cities don’t do a good job of filtering the water (or maybe you’re on a well). Cutting down on water-borne contaminants does a wonder for your insides, as well as helping you complete Step 5 of your project.
With the new food, faucet filter, and maybe some smoking cessation aids, you head home…to install your new filter, and to wash your hands again. After taking these very important steps, you settle into a new food routine with your new-found nutrition knowledge. Later, you begin to wonder about fat, so you look up “good fats” in your search engine, check your cupboards and clean out the bad fats, then make notes for the next shopping trip. Mark off Step 6 and go wash your hands.
After eating your new food, and being on your new regimen for awhile, you notice some things: you have more energy, you probably lost a little weight, your skin may be clearer, your hair may be softer, and you haven’t been hampered by colds, sniffles, and sneezes like you used to. Not only that, but your family is improving as well—they, too, seem healthier, more energetic, and better behaved.
Perhaps by this time, you’ve directed your new energy toward your job duties, and your new vigor has earned you a raise, a promotion, or maybe you found a new job with benefits—now’s the time to take Step 7: go to a doctor or clinic (even a freebie clinic will do) to get your blood and urine analyzed (a CBC and urinalysis). Get a blood pressure check while there, and you’ll probably notice it isn’t as high as it used to be. Your blood test will likely also show normal-range blood sugar, but it’s the cholesterol and uric acid numbers we’re after. If the cholesterol’s high or out of line, keep eating in your new way, but increase your fiber. If you have a family history of gout or osteoporosis, increase your calcium. Other than that, keep eating those fruits and veggies! Don’t forget to get copies of the blood and urine test results—you’ll need them for Step 8.
As you earn and save more money, your next step is to locate a dietitian to look over your test results—he or she will then instruct you how to improve your eating so your test results will improve. Basically, it’s help in refining your eating—what to eat MORE of, and what to avoid. Once this is done, you can wash your hands and mark off Step 8.
Step 9 would be to consult with a doctor about any needed immunizations for you and/or your family—these should be kept current. At this point, you might be thinking that you feel so good, and your family’s doing so well, that you won’t be sick ever again. The same cannot be said for people around you, people you work with, people at your kids’ school, your spouse’s co-workers, customers, relatives, etc.—they all get exposed to others who may carry a communicable disease, and let’s face it, not everyone is on your new disease-prevention regimen. So far, it’s looking like H1N1 doesn’t really care what anybody eats, so get immunized and stay current if you can afford it. Wash those hands.
If you can afford it (or eventually get coverage), do seek out the usual annual stuff: physicals, mammograms, Pap smears, PSA tests, CBC and urinalysis, and whatever else you or your family may need in the way of preventative care—this is Step 10. Whatever you do, don’t stop with Steps 1-9 on the way to 10, because you aren’t done yet!
If you’ve managed to come this far, you’ve reached the Bonus Round—hidden benefits to your eyes and teeth. All the good eating you’ve been doing has also worked on you (and your family’s) eyes and teeth too, making them healthier, easier, and cheaper to maintain—a slowing of vision degradation, and a slowing and even reversal of tooth decay and/or gum disease problems.
Now that you—emphasis on YOU—have learned how to take better care of yourself and others, do you still feel you need the oppressive hand of government (not to mention unwilling taxpayers) to provide you with something you provide for yourself, starting in the bathroom mirror? Affordable health care really DOES begin at home!
Just like the obesity battle begins with the shopping cart, the battle for affordable health care begins at home, continues with the shopping cart, returns home, and maybe ends up at a hospital when all else fails. But the hospital should never be the starting point.
In order to see who should provide you with health care, go in your bathroom and stand in front of your sink. Now look up in the mirror. That’s right—it’s YOU. While you’re in there, wash your hands with hot water and soap—we don’t know where you’ve been or what you’ve been doing.
Okay—now that you’ve gotten a glimpse of who your health care provider is, and taken the first step in providing disease prevention for yourself (by washing your hands), go out to your kitchen and stand in front of THAT sink. To your left, right, down below, and/or maybe overhead, there should be some cabinets with food items in them—reach over and pull out an item (can, jar, or box), turn it around until you see the nutrition label on the back.
If you’re suffering from hypertension, salt is your enemy, and it comes in two forms: table salt for shakers, and hidden sodium for food preservation. The government tells us that 140 grams of sodium per serving counts as “low sodium”—how much sodium does that item you just grabbed contain? If it’s more than 140 mg. per serving, you’re contributing to your own hypertension without even using a salt shaker!
Now, if you happen to be a diabetic, check that same item for the “sugars” content and high fructose corn syrup. Any good dietitian will tell you that you should avoid high fructose corn syrup, and consume no more than 6 grams of sugar per serving PER DAY—how much sugar is in your chosen item? If it’s more than 6 grams per serving, you’re contributing to your diabetes without ever having touched the sugar canister!
You can go through your entire food collection and survey the damage you’re doing to yourself by eating this salt-and-sugar-laden food.
Congratulations—you’ve just completed Step 2 of a long road to illness prevention and providing yourself with health care reform: becoming aware of the nutritional content of the foods you eat. Now you have two choices: either consume it and replace it with more healthful selections, or give it to a food bank and replace it with more healthful selections. Maybe now you’ll take the step of actually READING the labels while you’re still inside the grocery store! Now go wash your hands again.
All done? Okay, now let’s go to the computer and get on Google. Enter “foods with lowest sodium and sugar” in the search bar, and see what comes up—it’s likely to be fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy. Your next stop should be the grocery store, so go wash the computer cooties off your hands (you don’t know who else has been there), get your keys and checkbook, and I’ll meet you at the car. Meanwhile, you have just completed Step 3 on the road to better health and self-reform: becoming knowledgeable about healthful and more nutritious foods…now let’s go get some! Don’t hesitate to repeat this step as needed.
While you’re in the store, why not go over to the pharmacy area and peruse the smoking cessation products (if you smoke)? Stopping smoking is Step 4 of the Health Care Self-Reform project. Decide to quit and get some today.
Now that you’ve been to the store and presumably loaded up on (or at least brought home) some more healthful foods, and maybe some smoking cessation products, let’s head over to the hardware store in search of a faucet filter for your kitchen—you need to drink and make drinks with clean water, and some cities don’t do a good job of filtering the water (or maybe you’re on a well). Cutting down on water-borne contaminants does a wonder for your insides, as well as helping you complete Step 5 of your project.
With the new food, faucet filter, and maybe some smoking cessation aids, you head home…to install your new filter, and to wash your hands again. After taking these very important steps, you settle into a new food routine with your new-found nutrition knowledge. Later, you begin to wonder about fat, so you look up “good fats” in your search engine, check your cupboards and clean out the bad fats, then make notes for the next shopping trip. Mark off Step 6 and go wash your hands.
After eating your new food, and being on your new regimen for awhile, you notice some things: you have more energy, you probably lost a little weight, your skin may be clearer, your hair may be softer, and you haven’t been hampered by colds, sniffles, and sneezes like you used to. Not only that, but your family is improving as well—they, too, seem healthier, more energetic, and better behaved.
Perhaps by this time, you’ve directed your new energy toward your job duties, and your new vigor has earned you a raise, a promotion, or maybe you found a new job with benefits—now’s the time to take Step 7: go to a doctor or clinic (even a freebie clinic will do) to get your blood and urine analyzed (a CBC and urinalysis). Get a blood pressure check while there, and you’ll probably notice it isn’t as high as it used to be. Your blood test will likely also show normal-range blood sugar, but it’s the cholesterol and uric acid numbers we’re after. If the cholesterol’s high or out of line, keep eating in your new way, but increase your fiber. If you have a family history of gout or osteoporosis, increase your calcium. Other than that, keep eating those fruits and veggies! Don’t forget to get copies of the blood and urine test results—you’ll need them for Step 8.
As you earn and save more money, your next step is to locate a dietitian to look over your test results—he or she will then instruct you how to improve your eating so your test results will improve. Basically, it’s help in refining your eating—what to eat MORE of, and what to avoid. Once this is done, you can wash your hands and mark off Step 8.
Step 9 would be to consult with a doctor about any needed immunizations for you and/or your family—these should be kept current. At this point, you might be thinking that you feel so good, and your family’s doing so well, that you won’t be sick ever again. The same cannot be said for people around you, people you work with, people at your kids’ school, your spouse’s co-workers, customers, relatives, etc.—they all get exposed to others who may carry a communicable disease, and let’s face it, not everyone is on your new disease-prevention regimen. So far, it’s looking like H1N1 doesn’t really care what anybody eats, so get immunized and stay current if you can afford it. Wash those hands.
If you can afford it (or eventually get coverage), do seek out the usual annual stuff: physicals, mammograms, Pap smears, PSA tests, CBC and urinalysis, and whatever else you or your family may need in the way of preventative care—this is Step 10. Whatever you do, don’t stop with Steps 1-9 on the way to 10, because you aren’t done yet!
If you’ve managed to come this far, you’ve reached the Bonus Round—hidden benefits to your eyes and teeth. All the good eating you’ve been doing has also worked on you (and your family’s) eyes and teeth too, making them healthier, easier, and cheaper to maintain—a slowing of vision degradation, and a slowing and even reversal of tooth decay and/or gum disease problems.
Now that you—emphasis on YOU—have learned how to take better care of yourself and others, do you still feel you need the oppressive hand of government (not to mention unwilling taxpayers) to provide you with something you provide for yourself, starting in the bathroom mirror? Affordable health care really DOES begin at home!
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