Political Map 24/7

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

2011-11-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

Sigh. She3 is such a good-looking woman; it's a shame she is such an idiot politically. Another example of a very good-looking Obama lap dog.

What a waste.

George Clooney is Looney for Obama

2011-09-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

I usually give Hollywood types a pass for their convoluted view of the real world, but George Clooney's gushing boy-love for President Obama surpasses disgusting - it's embarrassing as an American.

Okay, I can understand Oprah's obsession with the democrat "Messiah". After all, endorsements is what she does. But Clooney? How pathetic. In fact, he says, "There's a guy in office right now who is smarter than almost anyone you know, who's nicer and who has more compassion than almost anyone you know. And he's having an almost impossible time governing. Why would anybody volunteer for that job?"

Smart? What am I missing here? Compassion? Are you kidding, George? On the one hand, he takes advantage of being half-black when it works to his advantage yet he won't ease the governmental restrictions that are preventing job creation when black people are having more trouble finding work than any other demographic.

Do us a favor George; stick to your make believe world and leave reality to the rest of us.

Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead, So Long Usama Bin Laden

2011-05-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

Yes radical Muslims, we know you celebrate death in your "religion of peace". So celebrate today because your leader caught a bullet between the eyes. And guess what? There will be no virgins waiting for him as he goes to his watery grave.

We in the west have no desire to revert to the stone age, embrace woman-hating sharia law, and emulate the Flintstones. If certain knuckle-draggers want that, that's fine, but hey, keep it to yourselves. Those of us in America want none of it.

It's been years since Islam declared war on us and even though your leader has now been executed, we know the war is far from over.

Radical Islam's long-range plan to establish a new caliphate and rule the world with a sword and a religion which embraces hate and death will continue. But it is important to realize that it will not be successful.

Mexican Smuglers Get Bolder

2009-09-23T05:19:00.000-07:00

The US/Mexico border crossing at San Ysidro, California was closed and later reopened this morning after three vans packed with illegal aliens zipped through.

The driver of the first van handed his driver's license to the border guard, and when the guard turned to his booth, all three vans made a mad dash through the border.

This time it wasn't drug smuggling, but human trafficking. But alas, this is another case of "the stupidest criminals". Thinking to avoid the traditional methods of sneaking into the country, they missed that whole thing about California traffic.

Don't these guys get CNN or Fox News? Car chases never turn out in a good way. Pendejos.

It's the Government, Stupid

The core of the problem is that the government refuses to take responsibility for border security. And I'm not throwing stones at any particular administration here. No, none of them have shown any testicular tendencies in running an effective program.

Hussein Obama, Bush, Clinton; none of them have done their job on this issue. The government has no issues with using citizen's tax dollars to protect other countries, but it won't protect it's own citizens.

And it's not just the illegals aliens being allowed to take jobs while Americans are enduring a monumental unemployment rate. It's the drug war spilling across the border. It's the Mexican gangs running operations openly in our "sanctuary cities".

It's time for hope and change, but in actuality this time, not more empty campaign promises.

Van Jones, an American Cry Baby

2009-09-07T10:14:00.000-07:00

Van Jones is a typical liberal. First, his behavior is more ghetto than professional, and then when he gets called on the carpet to answer for his juvenile demeanor, he attacks those who objected to his antics.

"On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me. They are using lies and distortions to distract and divide."

Smear campaign? Lies and distortions? What did I miss here? All those videos about Columbine, crackheads, and @$$hole Republicans were "manufactured", I suppose.

The marks of a real man are not only to act appropriately, but to be accountable for one's actions. Jones can do neither. He's a pathetic excuse for an American man. The real question is why he was appointed to a position of such authority (Green Czar) in the first place.

It stinks of the Chicago politics that Obama brought to the White House and how he runs it. Somehow, none of this surprising. Very few of his appointees have paid their taxes until forced to do so to accept the job (but have no problem levying more taxes on us in fly-over country).

Jones goes on to say, "It has been a great honor to serve my country and my President in this capacity. I thank everyone who has offered support and encouragement. I am proud to have been able to make a contribution to the clean energy future. I will continue to do so, in the months and years ahead."

Mr. Jones, don't drag my country's name through the mud by associating yourself with it. You have no honor and certainly no capacity for answering honestly for you misdeeds. A Harvard-educated person who signs a petition without reading it?

Sir, you disgrace this great nation and your school.

League City Police "Crack Down" on Illegal Aliens

2009-09-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

Ah, justice at last. According to 1070 AM radio yesterday, League City, Texas police are cracking down on illegal aliens that congregate to solicit day labor work.

Of course, the illegals have been doing it for years while the law turned a blind eye to people who break the law in multiple ways - sneaking across the border illegally, working without a social security number, not paying employment-related taxes yet consuming social services, etc.

So why the sudden move by the city? According to the Houston radio station, the illegals had the gall to expand operations beyond convenience store parking lots to, gasp, the police station parking lot.

Not only were they soliciting illegal work (that's OK; wink, wink, nod, nod) but they had the nerve to actually litter in the parking lot and whistle at female police officers. Now, that's crossing the line, buster!

This is a huge problem in the entire Houston metroplex area, make no mistake about it. We've seen how it's brought down the economy in California. Yet Houston mayor Bill White continues to wear blinders and continues the city's sanctuary city stance. Pure folly.

But it's easy to take that liberal stance when you're a politician and not a carpenter, welder, or landscape worker having to compete with under-the-table workers. Yes Bill, let's keep those votes rolling in; everybody likes to have their cheap lawn mowing service.

I did a drive-by of day labor congregation spots this morning along FM 518 in League City. Sure enough, They are not in the convenience store parking lots now. They've re-located to empty lots next to the convenience stores.

I guess LCPD is really putting the fear of God into them. Unfortunately, now we are going to have a traffic issue since there is no parking lot for day labor pick-up.

As a journalistic experiment, I approached the illegals at one labor hook-up spot and asked who would be willing to take $20 for a 1 hour job. They not only laughed at me, they called me a "pinche bolillo". (They didn't realize I'm bilingual.)

Gratitude is everything, yes? I'm all for helping my fellow man, but not when he takes food off my plate, spits in my face, and my elected officials favor illegals over citizens.

Cozying up to Cuba

2009-09-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that Obama wants to be embraced by his socialist and communist brethren. Since Cuba is close to home, and we have so many Cubans living in the US that would like to reconnect, his assumption that that is the place to test the waters.

After all, it stands to reason that this is where he can garner the most support. His stated objectives are to "recast" relations with the island nation, with whom we've kept in embargo status for the past 47 years.

There is good reason for that. When Fidel Castro decided to alienate his nation, remove freedoms, and oppress and starve his people, we took the high ground for moral reasons, not political ones.

Unfortunately, with Obama, ideology trumps human values.

And at the end of the day, this is Obama's fatal flaw, and it is tripping him up now. He came into office with very little experience on the state level and none on the national or global level. (Yes, he was in the senate, but he spent all that time campaigning for president.) In other words, an intellectual with no experience based in reality. Naive.

When he went on his worldwide "apology tour", bowing to Petro-tyrant kings and handing out iPods to the Queen, his assumption was that with enough kowtowing and abdicating his assumed title of Leader of the Free World, the rest of the globe's leaders would make nice with us.

But now he's starting to see that this is not how it works in the real world where political and economic reality is ruthless. His numbers are slipping into the sea, and no number of NYC fly-over pranks and beer summits will distract the American public from the fact that he is ill-prepared to lead the nation, and certainly not lead on a global level.

He is, as we say in Texas, "All hat and no cattle."

Obama and the Media Still Play Snuggle-Puppies

2009-08-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

The recent theories being floated are that the honeymoon between President Obama and the media is ramping down. I think the media is simply miffed. After all, they threw their full weight behind the messiah to get him elected.

Now that he's in office, rather than running for office, the campaign promises are going away like so much pot smoke drifting out of the dorm rooms of a liberal university campus. And gasp! Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary, was supposed to be their buddy.

After all, during the campaign, the press limited themselves to softball questions of the Democrat nominee. Shouldn't there be payback now? No, Gibbs sports an arrogant attitude when it comes to returning the favor.

He's better known for laughing serious questions off or evading them than he is giving a straightforward answer.

It's interesting to reflect on Obama's campaign rhetoric. We were going to bring the troops home. Well, actually, they might be, eventually, but it will be via Afghanistan. And while at the time this political bloviating was going on, the media was giving kudos to all the righteous anti-war liberal mobs.

"Bush evil! Bush evil!"

Hmm, now the media delights in telling us the grandmothers, veterans, and hard-working citizens that are peacefully questioning their "representatives" at town hall meetings are mobs. Those protesting against Bush were citizens using their constitutional rights.

Nancy Pelosi is down with that. She has a conspiracy theory that today's dissent is being organized by some secret wing of the Republican party. No, something that organized would take some type of community organizer, wouldn't it?

Other Democrats go so far as to compare them to Nazis. That's quite pathetic, but understandable, given the source.

Obama and the media may seem to be pouting like quarreling adolescent sweethearts, but they'll kiss and make up. And before anyone berates me for calling the president childish, it was he not I that said, “There’s something about August going into September where everyone in Washington gets all ‘wee-weed’ up."

The Recession and Recreational Activity

2009-04-25T09:44:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows we are deep in a global recession. The two questions on most people's minds are, "How will it affect me?" and "When will it turn around and stabilize my life and 401K?"

Even the brightest economists can't touch the second question; there are too many factors and an unhealthy degree of government intervention. The answer to the second one is easier. "You'll have to tighten your belt and hang on for the ride."

One of the first things to do is cut spending on recreation. I remember the last time anything of this magnitude happened here in Houston. We are still weathering the storm fairly well due to the energy sector.

But last time, one of the first things to go was gym memberships. That put a lot of personal trainers on the street, and their talents don't translate to many other occupations.

Instead of going to the movies, fueling up the ski and fishing boats, and eating out, it's still possible to have fun on a shoestring. Public libraries are still free. So are public parks. Why not begin a fitness routine outdoors, like a beginners running program?

All that takes is a pair of running shoes and shorts. There's always a good deal if you shop around and find a New Balance Clearance Sale. Heck, you don't even have to drive anywhere. It doesn't get any easier than that!

How Dangerous will North Korea Get?

2009-04-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

North Korea's latest missile test is problematic to say the least. Them saying they're launching for a satellite program is like saying OJ Simpson wasn't guilty (the first time, not the looney-tunes act in Las Vegas).

North Korea has arguably one of the strangest societies in the world. It's like quirkiness going exponential. The caricature that is Kim Jong il is enough to boggle the mind. The public's worshiping of him makes the whole thing stranger. If that's possible.

What do they see in him? The inner Elvis?

The question in my mind is this, "How is Obama going to handle this?" He'll be expected to be a leader. But how will he react?

He's practically advocating demilitarization, at least out of one side of the mouth. The other side is committing more action in Afghanistan and maintaining a continued presence in Iraq.

He needs to get on the stick and light the fire beneath Korea. Tell them to cease and desist. It'll be humiliating if Barak pulls another bow-at-the-hip act, but this time with Kim "Elvis" Jong il instead of the Sheik.

Obama Appoints Yet Another Tax "Mistaker"

2009-04-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

Being a tax avoider seems to be one of the most common traits of Obama's appointments. The latest "detail overlooker" is Health and Human Services nominee Kathleen Sebelius.

Sebelius, who is the Governor of Kansas, and her husband, who is a federal magistrate judge, overlooked $7,040 in back taxes. Not just a single mistake either; they began overlooking details in 2005 and continued through 2007. Wow.

Now, I'm not trying to throw stones here; anybody can make a mistake. Some of theirs were ones that, well, I bet most of us make all the time. Especially it we're Governors and federal magistrate judges. Here's an interesting sampling of how this couple's finances went so wrong:

Not keeping paperwork for three charitable deductions.
Not enough documentation for various business expense deductions.
They took mortgage interest deductions for payments they continued to make even after they sold the home. I hate it when I keep paying for a house somebody else owns! I could've had a V-8! Argg!

OK, I'm just wondering here. Now that the Democrats are in charge of the whole game now, and the people getting appointed and confirmed can't seem to pay their taxes, doesn't it seem logical that they might take a look at simplifying the federal tax code?

I mean, if these people are smart enough to be running the country and can't figure it out, what hope is there for us serfs?

Saudi Arabia Takes Terrorism Seriously - Kind of

2009-03-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

Saudi Arabia has moved, albeit slowly, to taking terrorists a wee bit more seriously. 9-11 didn't convince them and they kept up their support of radical mosques which preached hate and called for jihad.

So where has this somewhat perceptible change of heart come from? From violent attacks hitting closer to home. For example, in December 2004, a suicide bomber detonated his car at the Saudi's main counterterrorism training center.

Nothing like hitting close to home to make you say, "Whoa... maybe we should back off being so touchy-feely with Wahhabism. "

So what are the visible changes that the royal ruling family have instituted? Well, they've built up their SWAT teams and increased anti-terrorism training.

In a country of high unemployment, the government finds jobs for those who renounce jihad.

Still, the patience of the jihadists is long. And they have found a warm welcome in Yemen, with whom the Saudis share a long and porous border. They can strike at their leisure, much like the Mexican drug cartels on our own border.

And our government is still turning a blind eye to our border problem. Maybe we share more with the Saudis than first meet the eye.

Coleman and Franken Still Dukin' it Out

2009-03-27T07:08:00.000-07:00

The people of Minnesota must be getting plenty tired of the battle between Norm Coleman (R) and Al Franken (D). But it's not up to the citizens any more, it's up to a 3-judge panel.

It used to be the case that we, as citizens of this great nation, elected our leaders. Not so anymore. Our election system has become a fraud to our great shame. But the power of it is that we can at least settle these things legally.

It's not just Minnesota. It's all over the map. Acorn drumming up fake votes for Obama is a great example. And they're being rewarded by a nice slice of economic stimulus pie.

Al Gore lost even after he disallowed all those absentee ballots from our military members serving overseas. Perhaps what we need is a big helping of Patriot Depot.

Meanwhile, back in Minnesota, they are still arguing about re-counting ballots, even though according to Newsmax.com as many as 25 precincts counted ballots for Franken twice. Whew! Can you say fraud?

The rumor has it that Franken's eventual goal is to run for governor. Some talking heads contend that all this fighting may count against him when it comes to that goal.

He was never funny on Saturday Night Live, and he's not even remotely amusing now. And by golly, I don't like him.

Obama's Lack of Executive Experience Showing

2009-03-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

The fact that both Hillary and Sarah Palin pointed out, and quite correctly, that Barak seriously lacked executive experience was lost on his many disciples. But now, as his swept-under-the-carpet pastor would say, "Obama's chickens have come home to roost!"

Rest assured that this assertion is not made lightly. Barak Obama has come to office as possibly the least qualified candidate in the history of the nation. Not only that, but he still sees the world through the rose-colored eyeglasses of academia.

This is not to say that he can't mature in the ways of the world and the office, but even Joltin' Joe Biden said this is not an on-the-job-training kind of job. There's simply too much power potential involved.

Consider:

Delivering that pathetic speech to the Iranian people. This is not realistic "reaching out;" what this boils down to is people from that culture seeing a weak and inept leader.

After condemning President Bush for employing signing statements as an abuse of power, and promising to exercise more restraint when using them he is doing just that himself. His campaign said he would not issue “signing statements that undermine the legislative intent.” But his latest one is used to bypass whistle-blower protections for executive branch officials who give certain information to Congress. That's paranoid behavior and a lack of transparency. Even executive branch officials are civil servants, a fact lost on today's elite class of professional politicians.

He now laments the fact that he's in a "Washington bubble" and out of contact with the common folk. Mr. Obama, as the highest executive in the land, you don't have time for that; you must use other methods to keep your hand on pulse of the nation. You're not a community organizer any more - deal with it; Get Organized.

Yes, I am being critical. I understand that there is a steep learning curve. But I deplore what the president is doing to our country. I'm afraid of the amount of damage he will have done before he matures in office and understands the world as it is. And you should be afraid as well.

Who's Ready for Cap and Trade?

2009-03-21T07:49:00.000-07:00

Basically, President Obama is. Why? Because I might be wrong but I doubt that he has to cover the utility bills in the White House.

Now is the time to prepare your home to reduce your electricity and gas bills as much as possible.

Officially, the cap and trade policy (read "energy tax") would only up the national energy cost by $646 billion. But Ernest Istook of the Heritage Foundation estimates that the average American household wil be ponying up an additional 50%.

So what is this policy? In a nutshell, the cap is a government-mandated legal limit on what volume of greenhouse gases that a region can emit each year. Trade means that companies can swap among themselves the permission – or permits – to emit greenhouse gases.

More, when the price of petroleum spikes again, as it will thanks to Venezuela and those lovely Middle Easterners.

I don't know about you, but I'm not exactly swimming in disposable income.

But to compound the future gasoline prices, the United Nations has sent up a trial balloon on an international gasoline tax. They're calling it the "green new deal". Obama has already demonstrated how sweet he is on the UN. It's not a stretch to assume that he will embrace this plan as well.

Jim Tedisco Aims for NY Congressional Seat

2009-03-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

Jim Tedisco (R) is battling it out with Scott Murphy (D) for the seat vacated by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D).

He's aiming to harness populist anger over the absurd bonuses ladled out to AIG exectutives. These generous bonuses come straight out of the taxpayer bailout trough. Why these executives should be rewarded for being such unpolished losers boils down to fine print in their contracts.

How much of your tax money have the AIG porkers consumed? Hold on to your hat; the bill comes out to around $170 billion. The bonuses alone account for over $400 million of that sum. Not bad work if you can get it.

One Tedisco YouTube ad points out that Murphy supported the AIG-type bailout bonuses. Murph feins innocence, insisting he supported the bailout but can't be faulted since he didn't read it. Pretty lame, Murph.

I love it when the public supports individuals that can think for themselves. And know how to tie their shoes. Yeah, that's a qualifier too.

Of course, now that he sees that misspending tax money actually bothers voters (imagine that!), he's changed his tune, saying, “One of the first things I’ll do in Congress is block federal bailout beneficiaries like AIG from abusing our taxpayer dollars to pay lavish bonuses, plain and simple. Throughout my career of investing in small businesses, I have regularly placed caps on executive compensation, which is why I am renewing my call to do everything possible to block AIG and others from abusing taxpayer dollars for excessive bonuses on Wall Street.”

Mitt Romney has endorsed Tedisco and Nancy Pelosi is in Murphy's corner. Both endorsers are heavy hitters and the battle is heating up. How important is this election? Very.

Things in Washington under the taskmasters of Obama, Pelosi, and Barney are a partisan as they've ever been and they're spending your money like drunken sailors. We need some balance.

Why GM Failed and Won't Recover

2009-03-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

Greed and blinders. Those are the root causes of GM's collapse and why they won't recover. General Motors used to be the largest industrial company in the world.

Gas was cheap, muscle cars were hip, and consumers were buying.

It owned the market. The problem was that it grew so complacent in that role that it couldn't compete with imports like Toyota and Nissan and their efficient production methods. In many cases management was simply in denial.

For example, when Jim Harbour had the audacity to try to warn and explain to his GM superiors why the Japanese production methods were more efficient, management's response was to simply ban him from the company property.

Nothing says great management like holding your hands over your ears and saying, "LA LA LA LA LA."

But if denial was the carpenter that built GM's coffin, the UAW union was the hammer that drove the final nails into the lid.

This is the story of unbridled greed, a lunatic sense of entitlement, and a cowardly management team too scared to stand up to labor bullies.

GM finally realized that to survive after imports ceased to become imports, when they were being built here, they had no option but to become more efficient. This meant fewer, more productive workers as well as new technology.

But the union would have none of that. The workers were entitled. They weren't like the average American citizen. They deserved to be taken care of. So, management caved and created the Job Bank, which is secret union code language for being paid for sitting at home watching Oprah.

Then there's the union's demand for pensions and health care. This is another area where the management surrender monkeys wouldn't and still won't face reality. But why should they? GM can't afford it so now the Obama administration is using taxpayer dollars to fund UAW pensions and health care.

That's right, non-union workers without health care, are funding health care and pensions for union members that, in many cases, make more money per hour than they do.

This is the redistribution of wealth policy that America voted for.

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -Thomas Jefferson

Obama May be Tested

2009-03-15T10:47:00.000-07:00

During the campaign, many of his supporters compared him to the late President Kennedy. True, they are both superb orators, and we can only hope that is the light in which the reference was made.

And who can forget Jumpin' Joe Biden making the ominous pronouncement (or dramatic prediction) that the messiah would be "tested" early in his administration, and the decisions the president made would not be readily recognized as the correct move.

Both of these observations may be at the point of converging. Who can forget JFK staring down the Soviets, intent on establishing missile bases in Cuba?

Now, the Russians are making nice and playing snuggle-puppy with both Cuba and Venezuela. They've sent up a trial balloon on the possibility of using a military airfield on La Orchila island to park their Russian strategic bombers.

Hugo Chavez is keen on hosting them.

Cuba is also courting the big red bear and is leaving the door open for them to establish a military presence right on America's doorstep.

"This is possible in Cuba," said General Anatoly Zhikharev, chief of the Russian air force's strategic aviation staff, to the Interfax-AVN military news agency.

Could this be Barak's JFK moment? The one Jumpin' Joe prophesied for the messiah? We know the reds wouldn't have dared make this move with Bush in office, or even Clinton. But Barak is an acknowledged socialist and they obviously feel some dogmatic kinship with him.

At this point, the president is still somewhat an unknown quantity, given more to nebulous rhetoric than decisive action.

And the fact of the matter is that Russians have never been that way. For better or worse, they are men of action. Sometimes brutal, it's true; but you can count on bold action, even when it's ill-conceived.

If this test is indeed on the horizon, Obama has two choices: fall in line with his marxist belief system, or unlike Michelle, decide he's proud of his country and grow a pair.

Choose wisely.

RINOs Cross the Aisle to Feed at the Trough

2009-03-12T06:05:00.000-07:00

Sadly, eight RINOs (Republican In Name Only) embraced the president's drunken-spending $410 billion omnibus appropriations bill.

Why? Why, to add their own pork barrel spending, of course! The bill increases spending on domestic programs by 8% on average and spews out $7.7 billion for a disappointing 8,500 earmarks. Many of these were added by the RINOs because they're "representing" you.

Here's the Earmark Lineup:
RINO, Earmarks, and the Price to you
Thad Cochran, 65, $75,908,475
Roger Wicker, 9, $4,325,000
Chris Bond, 54, $85,691,491
Richard Shelby, 64, $114,484,250
Arlen Specter, 134, $25,320,000
Lisa Murkowski, 71, $74,000,750
Lamar Alexander, 10, $5,402,000
Olympia Snowe, Just went along to get along. Cute.

So, are you feeling the love yet? I'm just wallowing in it.

On 03/04/09 White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, "We've seen throughout the past few years that the amount and the number of earmarks in legislation has been cut significantly. The president believes we can do even more and looks forward to working with Congress to ensure that that happens."

Call me terminally myopic, but the only "working with Congress" that I see is Barak wielding a big rubber stamp.

He did say, "This piece of legislation must mark an end to the old way of doing business." How, Mr. President? Did you use a different courier service to deliver the bill to your desk? And why did you just sign it quietly, with no fanfare and scant opportunity for press coverage?

Hedging against your declining approval rating among those who saw you as the messiah?

I think we know the answer to that.

American Construction Workers Need Not Apply

2009-03-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

That's what the Obama administration and the liberal socialists are effectively saying. When they passed the spending wish-list (stimulus) bill, they sidestepped including E-Verify, a Department of Homeland Security program that allows employers to check social security numbers.

USA Today reports that up to an estimated 300,000 stimulus infrastructure jobs might go to illegal alien construction workers.

Does it get any more abysmally stupid than this? I don't think so. Recall when I blogged about Obama economic adviser Robert Reich saying that none of these jobs should go to educated white male construction workers?

I wasn't joking.

Talk about liberal bloviating. Not only that; it's a sexist, racist, bigoted policy. And I thought the Dems were supposed to be the "inclusive" party.

This is called vote buying, folks. How, you ask? Simple; and you heard it here first: this administration will find a way to allow them to vote in your elections.

It will likely begin with driver's licenses or some other kind of provisional paperwork.

The administration needs to get its head out of the sand. Encouraging these workers by leaving the borders wide open and allowing lawsuits against American landowners on the border who are trying to protect their home's and property ushers in other problems.

Obama's open border pandering policy is also letting in the gangs and drug cartels. The Houston Chronicle reports at least five drug cartel cells operating in Houston already. Barak, Chicago is not that far north. Yo, comrade.

Dems Note: Paranoia will Destroy Ya

2009-03-04T04:39:00.000-08:00

First we had that crybaby flap that Rush wanted Obama to fail. He had to clarify by saying that he wanted his policies to fail. This should have been obvious, but not to the libs and their lockstep media pals. Or was it?

Of course it was. Then why did they misconstrue what Rush said? Spin, spin, spin. Link it to their ambitions to impose the fairness doctrine on a free speech, free enterprise society.

But, as the Ginzu knife hawker on TV would say, "But wait! We're not done yet!" The latest installment is brought to us by none other than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

“It’s very clear they’ve made a decision they want President Obama to fail,” he told reporters, speaking of Senate Republicans.

And when pressed to answer why he thought that, he cited a number of things on Obama's wish list that they didn't approve of. It's clear that he's yearning for the days when Dems showed so much bipartisan support for President Bush.

And when pressed to identify exactly which Republicans he was referring to, all he would say is, a “number of Republicans.” Very reminiscent of Captain Queeg rolling his ball bearings in his hand and complaining about strawberry theft.

“It’s very clear,” Reid said. “Some have said so, others have acted accordingly.” Rattle, rattle. Put those ball bearings in your pocket, Harry; please.

Want more spin? On Tuesday 3/3/09, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and his team sat in hearings trying to defend Obama's $3.6 trillion budget, but the discussion kept getting shifted to the economic meltdown and subsequent (still not done with) bailouts.

In defence of the bailouts, they kept reiterating that they were just trying to clean up the mess left by the Bush administration.

Really? Let's not forget that it was McCain and other Republicans that kept pressing for a reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who precipiated the "mess". But the F&F lobbiests kept spreading the cash to prevent reform. Who was the #2 recipient of all that lobby grease?

Drumroll, please. None other than Barak Obama. In fact, the top three were Democrats. So it seems responsibility for the "mess" belongs arguably to the current administration.

In fairness though, the seed of the matter may be older. After all, it was Clinton administration that created F&F and encouraged them to provide mortgages for Americans that could not afford them.

Economic Crisis on Both Sides of the Pond

2009-03-02T08:24:00.000-08:00

The USA isn't the only part of the globe gripped by the throat by the current economic meltdown. In California, already in trouble from poor fiscal practices and handing out taxpayer funded social programs to illegal aliens, now finds 1 out of every 10 residents unemployed.

The proposed method of bailing out the sinking boat is to freeze state income tax refunds. Or in other words, state confiscation. Thinly veiled, granted, by not saying it's a permanent theft, but time will tell.

Meanwhile, on Sunday last there was an emergency summit meeting in Brussels, attended by the leaders of the European Union.

Already, sides are being taken by the wealthier nations vs the poorer. Germany rejected Hungary's plea for a bailout of newer members of the EU.

Hungary's Prime Minister, Ferenc Gyurcsany, warned of "a new Iron Curtain" destined to divide Europe, although the metal today is gold. Apt comparison, yes?

There's no doubt that the EU is a bold experiment, but now the test begins. A common currency does not make for equal distribution of wealth. Solidarity may be a noble concept, but when the fecal matter hits the fan, human nature tends to dictate self-preservation.

Meanwhile, President Obama continues to send the stock market further in the hole every time he announces more non-stimulus social give-away projects. And Barak and the Mrs. continue to host lavish parties with entertainment provided by the likes of Earth, Wind and Fire.

All this while the average joe struggles to put food on the table. Nero fiddles while Rome burns? Time will tell; time will tell.

Nothing Fair about the Fairness Doctrine

2009-02-28T05:54:00.000-08:00

The legislation that we know as the fairness doctrine is actually the Fairness in Broadcasting Act of 1993. It's based on a similar act that took effect in 1949 but overturned in 1987 by the FCC.

The reason given was that it failed to encourage the discussion of more controversial issues (which was its original purpose). The FCC was also concerned that it was in violation of First Amendment free speech principles.

What the doctrine does is force radio stations to give equal air time to opposing views. Currently, talk radio is almost exclusively conservative.

Now that the Democrats have sole rein of the government, they are pursuing reenactment with reckless abandon.

But why is it ethically unfair? Because the case can be made that it violates the American principle of free enterprise, for one thing. Radio stations are not owned by the government, they are only licensed by the government.

They are privately or corporate owned businesses. They exist by selling ads. Advertisers only buy air time when the number of listeners warrant it.

The bottom line is that listeners are overwhelmingly conservative; that's why you only hear the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Medved, and Dennis Prager.

Nobody is conspiring to keep liberals off the air waves. Americans just aren't interested in listening to it. Just as your grocery store won't stock a product that consumers won't buy. Simple economics.

Liberals have tried to enter the market with such colossal failures as Air America. You might have heard of Al Franken? He was a talk show host there before going on to be a tax cheat and to conduct "alleged" election fraud in Minnesota.

Liberal talk shows just don't sell, bottom line. The only success of note is NPR (National Public Radio). It survives by selling tote bags and funneling off your tax dollars.

If these private businesses are forced to air liberal hosts, who will pay for it? It's a clear violation of the first amendment.

So if Nancy Pelosi and her band of whiners are successful at getting the doctrine reinstated, it will be clear case of forced government propaganda. You can sugar-coat it all you want, but that's what it is.

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Obama's Theoretical Tax Cut

2009-02-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

How gullible are Americans, really? Quite gullible is what Obama must be thinking. He claims he's going to give us all a tax "cut", but what he's actually done is tell employers to reduce the federal withholding tax on paychecks.

Who really thinks that's a tax cut? For the overwhelming number of workers, it just means they will get a smaller income tax return next spring. Folks, this is nothing but a shell game. It's not a cut, it's a shift.

The problem is that not enough people are working. But they want to. Here's an idea, Mr. Obama; get serious about the illegal aliens in this country. Send them packing and let Americans have their jobs.

The old bone about, "They only do the jobs Americans won't do" is a fiction. Just look at any construction site or road construction project in Texas. You won't hear much English being spoken.

Not five miles from my house there's a convenience store next to an apartment building. Drive by any day in the morning and you'll see upwards of fifty "guest workers" loitering, waiting to do day labor jobs.

And they won't budge for under $10 an hour.

Don't think for a minute that they're paying any taxes. But they certainly use city services. Where's the Immigration Service in all this? Asleep at the wheel. Why? Because this is one of many sanctuary cities.

So stop already with the shell game, Mr. President. Enforce the law of the land and allow citizens to take these jobs. Let them earn a wage and pay taxes.

That's the way to stimulate the economy. Not by encouraging illegal workers while extending unemployment insurance to the states with strings attached. Si se puede.

Obama's Declining Approval Rating

2009-02-24T04:03:00.000-08:00

As with most incoming presidents, Obama's approval/disapproval rating is trending towards convergence. This began just after the lights were turned off at the inauguration parties and real business began.

According to Gallup polls, currently his approval is 67% and disapproval stands at 25%. I believe things are just going to go downhill from here. Why? Let's take a gander at some of the issues affecting the slide.

First, as I predicted, his total lack of executive experience is tripping him up. The process of naming his cabinet is tragic. Either his staffers are the shoddiest vetting panel ever assembled, Obama doesn't care about the ethics of those he surrounds himself with, or it's a combination of the two.

For example, both Geithner (Secretary of the Treasury) and Daschle (Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee) are out and out tax cheats.

Governor Richardson is facing corruption charges for awarding New Mexico state contracts to a financial firm estimated at over $1.4 million just after making contributions to Richardson political action committees.

Another popularity slide is going to happen as soon as the peace-at-any-cost gang that elected him discovers that he's not really going to bring the troops home from Iraq. No, he's just going to shift them to Afganistan.

And he's already authorized more bombing there. So, either he really was in la-la denial land on the campaign trail and has woken up to reality after some security briefings, or he was misleading the peaceniks for votes. Either way, they're not going to be happy campers.

And don't even get me started on good old Bumblin' Biden. Mr. President, I respectably suggest that you either buy him a muzzle at Petsmart or hide him in the bunker. I think Dick Chaney left the lights on for him.

So there you have it. I think we're all going to be looking on in dismay before the first 100 days are over.

Will Obama Administration Nationalize Banks?

2009-02-22T05:57:00.000-08:00

That's the question being bandied about not only in the financial sector, but around kitchen counters and in diners across the nation. The Obama administration is trying to quell this speculation.

They trotted out Robert Gibbs, White House press secretary, who said, "This administration continues to strongly believe that a privately held banking system is the correct way to go, ensuring they are regulated sufficiently by this government."

It seems the keyword here is "believe". That's a relatively lukewarm term when citizens (at least conservatives and libertarians) would prefer to hear something more along the lines of "insist".

The two banks that are currently the most worrisome are Bank of America and Citigroup. The bottom line is if nationalization takes place, shareholders would likely be wiped out.

Is this any way to treat citizens? Hardly. When times were great, Wall Street institutions didn't mind slamming people with high credit interest rates. When times got bad because of lending irresponsibility, taxpayers had to bail them out. Some of the money went for lofty bonuses.

Where is the shame, where is the shame? President Obama needs to step up and show leadership and take these banks to task. That's some change I'd like to see.

Chavez Diggs in His Heels

2009-02-17T09:59:00.000-08:00

Hugo Chavez, the barking chihuahua from Venezuela, claimed a victory by winning the right to run for that country's lead job for life. And the way he buys votes it will likely happen. Kind of like Fidel Castro's little brother.

In fact, at a recent rally, announced that he would accelerate “the construction of true socialism” in Venezuela. Really? Too slow for you, Hugo? He's already taken control of the nation's oil fields. It really boils down to thievery.

While it's true that Venezuela produces a huge quantity of petrochemicals, there is one issue; the crude drilled there is extremely sour, meaning that the sulfur content is very high. It takes special refining units to process it.

If we adopted the Pickens plan to use more natural gas, it would be possible to wean ourselves from Chavez and his red-shirted lackeys. What would that do to his Bolivarian revolution? Probably not stop it, but it might take a bit of wind out of his sails.

Whether we take this opportunity or not is largely in the hands of Obama and his Democrat majority. They are extremely anti-energy, but it's got to come from somewhere. Time will tell.

It's Spending, Not Stimulus, Stupid

2009-02-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

That's the problem, isn't it? Everyone wants to stimulate the economy, but unfortunately, Obama's "stimulus" package is not the way to do it. The main problem with it (other than the bloated nature of it), is that it's pretty slim on production.

It might put people to work, but it doesn't really produce any durable goods. That equals a lot of money chasing a dwindling pool of goods. The end result? Economic Inflation. The goods that will be available will all be produced elsewhere. Bonehead Jimmy Carter all over again.

So what does that mean? Stimulating someone else's economy, if anything. Like China. Would you like a little lead with that?

The whole thing stinks of the huge government spewing of greenbacks that Pelosi and the other socialists on the hill claim brought us out of the Great Depression. Wrong. It extended the depression. It was the war that got us out of that particular problem.

Why? Because it shifted paychecks to people producing things that could be marketed and purchased. That is stimulation. Get those dollars circulating. To people to make things, other people have to produce the raw materials. Other people have to move it, and others have to sell it. See where all this is going?

Paying poets to write didn't do it back then and it won't today either, sheeple.

Kucinich and Wexler Seek Impeachment

2008-06-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

Rep. Dennis (UFO observer) Kucinich (D-Ohio), along with Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.), have compiled and submitted thirty five articles of impeachment against President Bush. He has also taken similar action against Vice President Cheney.

But the problem is that Kucinich is so out of touch with reality that even Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) declared that no consideration of impeachment proceedings against Bush will be allowed, citing the idea as being "off the table."

Kucinich maintains that the Bush and Cheney conspired to lie to Congress and the American public on their rationale for invading Iraq back in 2003. He goes on to accuse them of abusing their power in order to initiate and conduct the War on Terror in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers.

The sad fact of the matter is that Utopians such as Kucinich and Wexler just don't get it that appeasement has never worked throughout history. The fact of the matter is that we were attacked on our own soil. By terrorists. It's a new world and soldiers don't have to wear uniforms. If they kill you, you're just as dead, right?

The question remains, why level these allegations at this late hour? When ever uber-lib Pelosi will not approve? Bitterness at such a poor performance in the primaries? Grandstanding? Did the aliens tell him to do it? Only Shirley McClain knows that last one for certain.

High Oil Prices Rock the Globe

2008-05-31T11:20:00.000-07:00

Although the effect of soaring oil prices is generally discussed at a local or national level, the fact is that it's affecting every corner of the globe. And though you're most likely to hear about how if affects gasoline, diesel fuel, and airline ticket prices, the effects go much deeper indeed.

The Ripple Effect of Soaring Energy Prices

When the price of petroleum rises, so does the price of all products which use oil components as ingredients. Synthetic fabrics? Going up. Plastics? Up as well. Even the already high price of blood used in transfusions is getting ready to soar. You think the price of your health care insurance is steep now? Get ready for a shock.

Add this cost of finished goods and services to the rising cost of distributing them and you start to get some idea of where we're headed. It's not pretty.

Asinine Technology and Environmental Restrictions

Here in the U.S., we face an ornery set of challenges. First, the liberals won't let us drill our own resources. They also won't let us increase our refining capacity; they hamstring us with regulations that only a politician could dream up.

Take the Lyondell refinery on the Houston ship channel for example. It's mind-boggling how much of its infrastructure is mothballed. The existing equipment is old and patched for the most part, although a new unit for producing low-sulfur gasoline was built recently. (This refinery handles most of Venezuela's extremely sour crude.)

Global Petroleum Ramifications

But the problem is global. In England, residents are finding it increasingly difficult to heat their homes. In France and Spain, fishermen and truckers are blocking roads in protest.

Meanwhile, in Asia, protests are erupting daily. Korean Air, feeling the pinch, has announced plans to cancel flights on twelve international routes. Three Chinese cities have had to begin rationing diesel fuel.

South Africa has its own woes. The government has increased the price of gas by thirty three per cent, and the price of diesel has soared by 49 per cent. Diesel fuel is used extensively in heavy industry and farming.

Aid organizations, always crucial to the survival of one part of Africa or other sees no way out but cutting some of its services.

Is There a Solution?

The question now is what must be done to avoid a global flash point. While the Saudi Arabians sit grinning in their palaces, refusing to increase production and let the law of supply and demand take effect, some oil-less Arab nations are getting hammered as hard as the rest of us. And they're loosing patience with their neighbor.

Will Bush Lead an Attack on Iran?

2008-05-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

The Israeli army radio has been reporting that President Bush will attack Iran before the end of his second term. The question is, is this a fact, or simply a sideways warning to the Iranians to cease and desist with the nuclear weapon program?

There's no doubt that the Iranians are stirring up trouble. Iran controls Hezbolla, which in now securely in control of Lebanon. It's just another staging point for exporting terrorism and provides expanded opportunity for weapons trafficking.

Bush's official stand in dealing with the Iran problem is that all options are still on the table. But are there any indications that the military option is gaining more than its share of attention? Some think so, and the following is why.

Another aircraft carrier has been added to the Persian Gulf. Saber rattling?
An Aegis-class class destroyer has taken up position of the coast of Lebanon. Ostensibly to guard Israel from missile fire?
The Air Force has just recently completed upgrading its fleet of B-1 bombers.
Israel itself has been getting battle-ready, lending some credibility to the Army radio's reports.

The latest estimates are that Iran can have a viable nuclear bomb as soon as 2009. Expect the spit to hit the fan.

Mexico's Drug "Civil War" Rages On

2008-05-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

Mexico is experiencing what is being called a civil war. It's the Federales versus the drug cartels. And yet, who's paying attention? Certainly not us; we're far too wrapped up in the sordid details of Britney Spears continuing drama. Who's winning the war? The smart money says the drug cartels.

Edgar Millan, Mexico's Federal Chief of Police, was one of the most recent to be gunned down, followed quickly by Esteban Robles Espinosa. Espinosa headed up the police detective force in Mexico City.

These gangsters are moving with a vengeance, and they're anything but lightweights. They are so well armed that many times the police and military have had to retreat and simply let the cartels carry on as usual.

Since the police and military have joined forces to try to get things under control, more than 3000 Mexican citizens have lost their lives in the struggle.

And yet, one of the most disturbing aspects of this situation is that both the U.S. administration and Congress is turning a blind eye to this conflict. They seem to lack the resolve and backbone to seal the borders - first against the illegal aliens that are stealing our jobs and social services. And now against a battle that not only threatens to spill across our border, but also funnels in meth, cocaine, and heroin.

Bush's idea of a "solution" is to award the Mexican government $500 million of our taxpayer money to beef up their military. What is he thinking? In the first place, the Mexican government is so openly corrupt that most of "our" money won't even go towards the drug war.

In the second place, doesn't it make more sense to use that money to seal up the border? This would keep the money in our economy and supply jobs to Americans. Just a few weeks ago, Bush was interested in stimulating our economy. Now, not so much.

And finally, one of the biggest sources of income in Mexico is money wired back from illegal aliens. Hmm, so in addition to all that money not being spent domestically supporting the economy, we're going to not loan, but give them more.

I'll tell you, sometimes I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Hillary Refuses to Concede

2008-05-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

Certainly, Hillary Clinton refuses to concede that Obama has whupped her soundly. The question is, why? Well, there are several likely explanations; whichever one/ones you like are fair game. Let's look at a few...

Dick Morris (who knows her and hubby Bill well), hints that she might be looking at a long term goal, knowing that the current race is lost. If Obama wins, he will be incumbent in 2012. Incumbent presidents are hard to beat. If she "helps" McCain, she increases her odds in the future.
Hillary's campaign has borrowed a lot of cash from herself recently to keep her campaign afloat. Obama is planning to announce victory after the next round of primaries later this month. This gives Clinton a widow of opportunity to fund-raise to repay herself; whether she chooses to stay in the race or not. Being married to the master fund-raiser of the universe has its perks.
She has an out-of-control ego. Perhaps she just feels that throwing in the towel isn't an option. I don't say this as an insult - this trait is common among high-scoring athletes as well as CEO's and government types. That's why they get results.

The bottom line is that the looming chaos in the Democrat political machine could be their un-doing. While John McCain is busy campaigning for the top job, the Democrats are ripping their own flesh with gusto.

Even seemingly-normal citizens are threatening to riot in Denver. And these are folks that want to get out of the war in Iraq because they don't agree with violence. Uh-oh, can you say Democrat-political-convention-conscientious-objector?

Obviously, many fed up liberal party loyalists don't get it either...

Is it Time for Hillary to Step Down?

2008-05-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

Indeed, has the death knell sounded for Senator Clinton? Should she exit, stage left, for the good of the party? We've been here before, and the answer is still, "When pigs fly!" As we know, the Clinton couple relationship is not so much a blissful marriage as it is a domineering political machine.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if anything, Billary is smelling the barn and forging a new strategy. She has three things going for her: Florida, Michigan, and a handful of uncommitted super delegates.

Either one of those things could be her ace in the hole. And don't underestimate the Clinton's ability to "persuade". Just as they have an uncanny knack for making people shut up or go away, they certainly know how to call in favors. One or two super delegates might just succumb to their charm.

Now Hillary is hinting at an upcoming "October surprise" in the Obama camp. Surely something more damaging than an anti-American racist pastor or an unrepentant home-grown terrorist buddy?

None of that has stuck to Obama yet. So what could be in the works? If the Clinton camp has some more devastating dirt on Barak, has she been holding it back just to use it at an appropriate time?

Her biggest challenge is not Obama, however. Her biggest challenge is getting her husband to shut the pie hole. Certainly she has to let him off the leash to raise money, but it would help her immensely if he could stop trying to derail her.

One thing is for certain - there has been a lot of water under the bridge in this democrat primary, but the real fireworks haven't even begun.

Clinton Campaign Juggles North Carolina, Indiana

2008-05-06T04:29:00.000-07:00

It's all nail-biting for Hillary Clinton in North Carolina today. Her staff is feeling pinched by their own prediction of a 15 point defeat there in favor of Obama.

Her one spot of optimism is the Indiana primary. There are 72 delegates up for grabs in the Hoosier state and staffers feel optimistically that she can take roll over Obama there by a full 10 points.

Currently, Clinton owns 1,586 delegates and Obama has 1,719 in his camp. The magic number needed to win is 2,025. This turns up the heat on the super delegates, some of whom are in a sweat, knowing that their political future might depend on which way they sway.

It's likely that Rush Limbaugh's CHAOS operatives will give her a boost, as will her own revelation to George Stephanopoulos, speaking of Rush, "He's always had a crush on me." Talk about trying to woo conservatives!

Tom Hanks Endorses Barak Obama?

2008-05-05T05:07:00.000-07:00

I suppose it's true - I just saw the short on Youtube. Yes, I know it's trendy when a Hollywood type makes a political endorsement but I'm not too sure about the credibility here. The reasons Tom Hanks gave for the endorsement were as empty and nebulous as Obama's speeches.

That's the problem I have with Obama. Granted, he's a suburb orator, but there's nothing of substance in his speeches. Even when he outlines a policy he hopes to implement, it's usually a vortex of bloated social programs.

The problem is, how will he pay for it? Oh that's right, tax rich folks and corporations. Well, the problem there is that rich folks already pay almost all the taxes in this country. And guess what? They are the ones that create jobs for the rest of us. I've never been hired by a poor man.

And corporations? We already have the second highest corporate tax structure in the world. That's why jobs are being outsourced overseas. Want to see more of that? Put Obama in the White House.

Hanks says he wants to elect Obama because "he has vision". Then, because of that, he equates him to F.D.R. and Ronald Reagan. Hey Tom, put down the Kool-Aid! I have a vision too, but I don't have executive experience. And neither does Obama.

Another reason for Hank's endorsement is because the country needs a "seismic shift". I'm all about seismic shifts, but:

Not just for the sake of having one, and
I don't want to put my money on the shifter before he explains, in detail, what he's going to shift, and how.

Again, Tom, put down the Kool-Aid and ask some questions.

Pastor Jeremiah Wright Strikes Out

2008-04-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

Obama's Pastor Jeremiah Wright fielded questions this morning at the Washington Press Club. Anyone expecting a legitimate man of the cloth was sadly disappointed. Part of the time he played the buffoon and part of the time he grandstanded. Mostly, he talked around questions.

In this, he was really acting like a politician. Asked about his incendiary remarks during his "sermons", at one point his response was to repeatedly ask the questioner if she has heard the entire sermon. When she said that she had not, he dismissed the question.

Whether one listens to a sound bite or the entire sermon, using the GD word in church, where people bring their children to worship, is nothing short of pathetic.

At least twice he joked that he was probably going to be vice president. I doubt that anyone expected him to come across as repentant, but by the same token, I doubt that anyone attended hoping to see a sad stand-up comedy routine.

Clearly this was a man enjoying being in the limelight. Why on earth would he do this to Obama?

Discussing all the hubbub surrounding his absurd performances behind the pulpit, he attempted to justify them. When asked about his insistence that the government had developed AIDS to target the black community, he mentioned a couple of books that apparently he takes as gospel, so to speak.

He repeatedly stated that the media wasn't after him, they're after the "black church". It's becoming more and more evident that the pastor is wallowing in a sea of conspiracy theories. The sad thing is that men like him are doing everything they can to keep the races at odds, all the while lining their pockets with money. Piety, where is thy sting?

National Black Republican Association Defines the Truth

2008-04-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

Francis Rice, the chairperson of the National Black Republican Association, aims to wipe away the hype and point out the truth of the agendas of the two major political parties. Republicans, she says, are the ones that strive to empower blacks.

She points out, "The Democratic party has built its power base on the backs of poor blacks, and they want to keep blacks poor, angry, and voting for Democrats."

On the other side of the aisle, the Republicans foster programs to get the needy out of the poverty cycle, rather than developing programs that keep them dependent, and voting for more of the same.

For more information on the organization, see www.nbra.info.

Do Tax Cuts Work?

2008-04-21T05:17:00.000-07:00

As the presidential debates and monologues intensify, tax cuts, income tax, and who pays their fair share is once again a popular topic. Which side of the fence are you on?

On the liberal side, the mantra is that the richest income earners should pony up more income tax because they can afford it. On the conservative side the mantra is that singling out high income earners is a punishment for hard work and innovation.

Let's look at the cold facts.

The following figures and statistics come from Stephen Moore via the Glenn Beck radio show a while ago. Mr. Moore is a highly regarded economist whose writing can be found in the Wall Street Journal.

The top 1% of wage earners contribute 39% of the total income tax paid in the U.S.

The top 5% of wage earners contribute 59.9% of the total income tax paid in the U.S.

The bottom 50% of wage earners contribute only 3% of the total income tax paid in the U.S.

So it seems that who contributes their fair share is spelled out in black and white already. The top 6% already bear the brunt of funding the government coffers. Of the bottom 50%, shouldn't 3% compared to 59.9% be considered fair? Well, it is, unless unless Marxist philosophy is the guideline.

But this isn't about that.

This is about the implications of putting more of a burden on the top 5% of wage earners. The fact of the matter is that 2 out of 3 that fall into this category are small business owners. Small business owners create more jobs than any other sector. Well, except for maybe Walmart? And the government?

The realistic implication of taxing them further is that they will lose the incentive for expanding the market, pushing technology, and creating jobs.

The moral implication of taxing them further is punitive, not "fair". They took the risk, they worked the long hours to get the business off the ground. So why deny them the reward?

Without subscribing to any particular political agenda, this is a common sense issue. Why do people emigrate to the U.S. and work eighteen hours a day building up their business to claim their share of the American pie?

And please, show me one senator out there who raves about taxing high wage earners who doesn't seek out every tax deduction at the end of the year and declines the lucrative health care programs and retirements that we can't get. But that we pay for. Which it seems is a tax itself.

Please, show me just one.

Is it Time to Return to Nuclear Energy?

2008-04-19T08:39:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a resurgence of interest in nuclear energy here in the United States. Some are calling the movement a "nuclear revival". But what's fueling all the momentum? In a nutshell, petroleum prices.

But the U.S. isn't the only country embracing the atom. Finland already has four plants in operation and has a new one coming out of the ground. Egypt has plants on the drawing board and guess who's slated to build them? Russia. Anyone recall Chernobyl?

The UK's string of nuclear power plants are responsible for lighting up one sixth of the island nation already. Understandably, they're looking to build more.

Of course, in the U.S. we have options to look at. We've still got huge coal reserves. Last week it was announced that a massive oil reserve was discovered under a lake out west - more than all the oil in Saudi Arabia. If the environmentalists can be brought on board, perhaps we can finally loosen the strangle grip the Middle East has on us.

Rep. Frank Says Yes to Marijuana

2008-04-18T05:09:00.000-07:00

Ron Paul (R-Texas) joined Barney Frank (D-Mass.) in sponsoring a bill that would legalize the use of medical marijuana and, in addition, decriminalize the use of marijuana.

This idea has been floated in the past. In fact, some areas have decriminalized possession of small amounts and allowed it for medical reasons, only to have the pendulum swing back the other way by federal intervention. (Some would say meddling in state's affairs.)

The timing of this bill is interesting, coming just as the presidential primaries are reaching critical mass; well, at least in the Democrat camp. It will be interesting to see how this plays if the candidates are put in the position of having to state an opinion.

And no, no one wants to hear that lame line about not inhaling.

Frank does have a good point when he stated, “I think it is poor law enforcement to keep on the books legislation that establishes as a crime something which in fact society does not seriously wish to prosecute.”

The problem here is that the issue of the war on drugs, at least where it applies to marijuana, is nothing more than a political football. Like IRS reforms, so many federal jobs depend on it that it's just not going to go away.

Is Iran Preparing to be Slammed?

2008-04-15T11:41:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of buzz lately about Iran's nuclear program again. Much of this is inferred by recent developments rather than by explicit statements. For example, Israel, who would certainly be the recipient of retaliation, has been conducting large scale military preparations.

Also, a statement by Israel’s National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer braced Tehran about anticipated attacks on the Jewish homeland.

“An Iranian attack will prompt a severe reaction from Israel, which will destroy the Iranian nation,” he said.

Witness also VP Dick Cheney's recent whirlwind tour through the middle east. Innocent timing or downplayed diplomacy? Good question, and open to debate.

Iran has supplied Hezbollah with an arsenal that now contains “tens of thousands of missiles,” reports the Washington Post. This begs the question - why the buildup now? There seems to be only one likely explanation; an attack on a large scale is on the radar screen.

This would be a huge mistake on Iran's part. Their crackpot vision of a worldwide caliphate governing body might inspire them to such suicidal tomfoolery, but make no mistake about it, when bark comes to bite, the world community will take energy stability over religious zealotry in a heartbeat.

Superdelegates Harbor Employment Anxiety

2008-04-07T04:52:00.000-07:00

There's been waves of scuttlebutt recently about Democrat superdelegates. Most of this has centered on how in principle, they thwart the will of the people, while keeping the real decision-making in the party's hands.

Now it seems that many superdelegates are swapping feelings of power with anxiety about keeping their jobs. This is especially true with freshman congressmen and representatives. If they vote the wrong way, they stand to lose many constituents when election day rolls around.

Even some with tenure are becoming a bit apprehensive. If the primaries weren't so tight, they could safely go with the front runner. But this race is too tight to call. And that's why they're keeping mum - hoping for unraveling events to save them.

Many party heavies are calling for all superdelegates to commit early, leaving one dog in the race to battle McCain. Texas Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, only in office since 2006, reports that House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (Maryland) has called for bringing all the uncommitted members together before the last primary elections to squeeze a decision from the uncommitted.

"We all agree that we need to decide," Rodriguez said.

However, a spokeswoman for Hoyer denied that any such meeting was scheduled. Sitting on the fence about not sitting on the fence? Your tax dollars at work.

China Eases Internet Restrictions

2008-04-06T05:05:00.000-07:00

China has taken moves to relax internet restrictions - somewhat. For example, the Chinese government isn't enforcing complete lack of access to Wikipedia, only access to politically sensitive issues like "Tibet" or "Tiananmen Square."

But the deeper question is why? What prompted the notoriously paranoid government to make this move? As it turns out, officials from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) pressured them into making the loosening their reins.

They told them that too much internet blocking "would reflect very poorly" on China during the upcoming Olympic games. So, enjoy your surfing now, comrades; the party's over once the games are over and the athletes have packed up their medals.

At some point, the Chinese are going to have to make up their minds which way to go. Either go with the rest of the world or remain in an oppressive mindset. Ironically, the country which claims to revere communism is actually embracing capitalism. Money talks, bovine excrement walks.

Randi Rhodes Flames Out, Political Correctness Prevails

2008-04-04T08:42:00.000-07:00

Air America talk show host Randi Rhodes has been suspended by chair Charlie Kireker over some questionable comments she made about presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton and prior sidekick Geraldine Ferraro. What was the word? Well, it starts with "wh" and rhymes with "door". Use your imagination.

Did she use good judgment? Probably not. Should she be suspended? Absolutely not. This has nothing to do with her but everything to do with Air America's C.Y.A. She said it in a comedy club, for crying out loud.

If you go into a comedy club, you know what you're getting into. If you listen to Air America, you know what you're getting into. Mr. Kireker, you should be ashamed of yourself. But I guess you'll be getting your bonus. Wait, selling out for money would make you a, oh wait, let's not go there.

This is part of what is wrong with our current value system and our obsession with the disease of political correctness. If we're going to be serious about it, why are people still defending Pastor Wright after what he said in church, in front of children?

Why are rappers allowed to profit by using the "N" word and advocating killing cops? There's nothing correct about political correctness. It's just that simple.

Obama Taps Gore for Cabinet Post

2008-04-03T05:19:00.000-07:00

As Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton continue to slug it out for the Democrat party's Commander in Chief nominee, neither seems able to lock it down. New strategies are called for and Obama's idea of thinking out of the box is announcing that he will put Al Gore on his cabinet as global warming czar.

"I would," Obama said. "Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we solve this problem. He's somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I'm already consulting with him in terms of these issues but climate change is real."

But is this really a good idea? On the one hand, the whole global warming thing is still murky business - nobody has proven it conclusively one way or the other. But by making this announcement, Obama is giving it credibility. And in so doing, he captures the votes of all those who embrace the doomsday scenario.

Of course, the gamble is that it may turn many voters away. Gore has become something of a lunatic at times since his stint as Clinton's co-pilot. I'm not sure he would be the right person to have the ear of the president. Shades of Rasputin. What's next, Michael Moore?

Murtha's Marine Mistakes

2008-04-01T02:30:00.000-07:00

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, is once again embroiled in a sad case where he spoke before making sure all his bases were covered. Along with Time magazine, Murtha made accusations that 8 U.S. Marines committed murder in Haditha, Iraq. Supposedly this occurred as some sort of revenge spree.

After legal proceedings costing you, the Average Joe Taxpayer, over $40 million dollars, it seems it was all bunk. It's bad enough that Murtha earns his daily dime by "serving" the citizens of Pennsylvania, but do we really need to fund his grandstanding efforts to get his name in the daily news cycle?

But what is it with Murtha and the U.S. Marine Corp, really? It seems that this isn't the first time Murtha has waved his Marine banner for political gain.

Indeed, according to CNSNews.com, Murtha served in Vietnam and walked away with two purple hearts. Unfortunately, they were made at the same factory as John Kerry's medals. In other words, not only were the "combat injuries" mere scratches, but he even had to shop around in an attempt to get the medals awarded (U.S. Rep. John Saylor, R-Pa.).

This sort of political behavior is pathetic, really. Real heros don't have to shop for medals, they're awarded. Real heros don't ruin real Marine's careers for the sake of fleeting political gain, either. Shame on you John Murtha. And shame on you, Time magazine.

Clinton and Obama Mine Buckets of Money

2008-03-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

The interesting thing on the Democrat side of the presidential primaries, other than the infighting, is the amount of money being raised for this incredibly tight race. Hillary Clinton soaked up $35 million in February alone while Barak Obama trumped her with his own $55 million - a record.

Where is this bonanza coming from? MoveOn.org, for one. Trial Lawyers are another group that has a vested interest in seeing the Democrat Socialist agenda succeed. And of course, we can't forget about all the Hollywood crowd.

The labor unions are also bedding down with both candidates, but that's just to be expected. There was a time when labor unions really did serve an important purpose in this country, but in most cases it's pure nostalgia (and big business) now.

Last year I spent some time at a Lyondell refinery and it was a very eye-opening experience. There was a very real emotional and political wall between management and the workers but it was all very surreal. It was literally the only place I have ever been where workers without college degrees pulled down 100K per year and still moaned about how "the man is keeping me down." The word crybabies comes to mind.

But back to campaign finance. How are things faring on the Republican side? Senator McCain is the only man left standing on this side of the fence which gives him a decided advantage at this point.

The focus of his fund gathering can be for the general election, not the nomination. Also, unlike Obama and Hillary, he doesn't have to spend gobs of money courting superdelegates.

Clinton Superdelegates Threaten the Will of the People

2008-03-27T06:28:00.000-07:00

Why does the whole idea of Superdelegates give most citizens the heebie-jeebies? Because the whole concept goes against what we perceive as the American election process that we're so proud of: one citizen, one vote.

Unfortunately, since 1984, the Democrat party has allowed the use of superdelegates; these are nearly 800 party insiders and elected officials who are allowed to back whichever candidate they please.

This not only implies that the party is free to appoint individuals who are free to work as party agents, but it renders the entire Democrat primary system a sham.

For example, a group of 20 prominent Clinton supporters delivered a letter to Nancy Pelosi, House of Representatives Speaker, in which they spanked her for her recent public comments regarding the superdelegate process.

So what was her egregious statement? She said that the superdelegates should support whoever emerges from the primaries with the majority of pledged delegates. That sounds reasonable, right? The problem is that it's becoming increasingly likely that that candidate will be Barak Obama.

And that's got the Clintons running scared. That's right, the same Clintons that have proven over and over again that scruples shouldn't stand in the way of getting what one wants.

The letter states, "This is an untenable position that runs counter to the party's intent in establishing superdelegates in 1984." Huh? And we thought they were intended to be tie-breakers.

It should be noted that all the signers are wealthy Clinton backers. It's obvious that this snarling pack of Hillary zealots care little for the "will of the people." If the delegate count is close at the convention with Obama leading, these wealthy Clinton insiders intend to sweep aside one of the most basic premises of a free society - one of the tenets we preach to the world.

Sometimes it doesn't really take a village, Hillary, it just takes a couple dozen of your stooges.

Tibet, China, and Presidential Hopefuls

2008-03-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

The nation of Tibet has been much in the news lately as Red China seeks more control there. China, of course, sees Tibet's culture and religious views as a threat to an orderly, centrist, Chinese government.

Now, as the focus of the world shifts to that region as publicity for the upcoming Olympic games increases, Tibet's separatist faction has taken the opportunity to showcase their struggle against China's oppressive policy. No doubt it would have happened anyway, but coincidentally...

China, for her part, is caught in a vice. She must quell the outbursts to maintain credibility in the region (oppressive regimes must retain face, above all else, lest the mindset slips), and yet not mar the world's view of the grandiose Olympic host.

In the most transparent of all cop-outs, China is trying to paint the Dalai Lama as a violent behind-the-scenes puppeteer.

Surely, this is an opportunity for presidential hopefuls Clinton, McCain, and Obama to give the voters an inkling of what they would do in an uprising that could very well lead to a reinactment of Tienanmen Square.

Predictably (or interestingly, depending on your personal bias), they are all three marching in lockstep. None are calling for any harsh action against China. Whether this is based on a policy of cautious diplomacy, waiting for one of the others to go overboard, or concerns over keeping Walmart stocked with Chinese schlock merchandise in our teetering economy is unclear.

In a (bold?) statement, Clinton says, "I think that what's happening in Tibet is deeply troubling, and this is a pattern of the Chinese government with respect to their treatment of Tibet." Try bland next time, Hillary.

McCain adds, "It's not correct that the people there are being subjected to mistreatment. That is not acceptable conduct from a world power, which China is." A nod to a trading partner?

And Obama, a graduate of Pastor Wright's theological tutelage, chimes in, "We can start now by speaking out for the human rights and religious freedom of the people of Tibet." God**** China, God**** China, their chickens are coming home to roost!

Clinton Tries to Dodge the Bullet - From the Media, not Bosnian Snipers

2008-03-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

The whopper of all whoppers! When Hillary claimed a major role in the Irish peace talks and that was debunked, at least we could always say, "Wellllllll, perhaps she had Bill's ear, and that's what she really meant."

But I don't really believe that anyone dodging bullets under sniper fire could mistake that from reality. Conversely, interpreting a greeting ceremony on the tarmac as "running with our heads down" is just psychotic. "Psst, Hilly, in the spirit of your proposed Woodstock museum, don't take the bad acid!"

Even Sinbad, who accompanied her on this USO trip, testifies that her statement is just wacko. And yes, at least Sinbad admits he's a professional comedian and performer.

Well, it seems there are three possible explanations for Hillary's tenuous grasp of simple facts. One - she's simply delusional. This may be true seeing as how she stood by her man as he sought to be the poster boy for Viagra.

Two - she'll say anything to make it look like she has real experience and can keep cool under "fire". After all, who do you trust to answer that phone at 3 AM while your innocent child sleeps? I'll take Sinbad over Clinton.

Three - She's just a professional politician, ready to do anything to pander to anyone who'll sell their vote. (She does mimic a fairly good southern accent when she entertains the crowd in black churches.) I hope she's still got Bill's Rolodex; I'll bet it's packed with Chinese phone numbers. We've still got some missile secrets up for sale, don't we?

Bad Blood between Clinton, Richardson

2008-03-24T04:26:00.000-07:00

It was hardly a surprise when Bill Richardson made such a big production about endorsing Barak Obama. It was becoming increasingly obvious that while the two remaining viable Democrat candidates were scratching and clawing for the remaining delegates in the Democratic primaries, John McCain, the Republican candidate has been busy doing the work of actually running for the presidency.

Richardson said as much on Fox News yesterday. I paraphrase, "While Obama and Clinton are busy trying to win the nomination, McCain is going international. This has to stop."

He has a point. McCain has been using the time remaining before the conventions to project the image of being the president - as a foregone conclusion. Mana from heaven. But that's the way it played out.

But what's been going on in the background? Richardson said on NBC Nightly News that when he broke the news to Hillary via a phone call, the discussion about his decision to endorse Barack Obama was "heated" and "tough". One can well imagine. Senator Clinton is well known for her shrillness and sense of entitlement. Who can forget, "We are the President!"

Richardson, for the moment, is the party's most visible champion for party unification; and he's taken his stand. Of course, it would have been too dangerous to trot out a has-been like John Kerry.

But Richardson is different. He's up and coming, he seems to have no skeletons in the closet, and... well, he's Hispanic. Well, half Hispanic, but let's not quibble. This is just a long range speculation of course, but it would be interesting to see if a successful Obama puts him on the ticket. After all, the two would represent the very two groups of constituents the Dems need to spark with just now - Hispanics and Blacks.

Dutch Anti-Muslim Film Soon to be Released

2008-03-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Geert Wilder, member of the Dutch Parliament, has recently completed a new film that explores the rambling Koran as the basis for modern day Islamo-fascist terrorism and other current Muslim atrocities.

Although the film is a short, reputedly only fifteen minutes max, he can't get any Dutch television stations to touch it. Perhaps too many of them remember the aftermath of the Danish political cartoons of the Prophet Muhammed. Perhaps the Dutch feel it easier to lay down hoping to be spared as the more radical elements of the Muslim faith seek to establish themselves as they have in "inclusive" countries like France and the UK.

Wilder has been known to draw parallels between Hitler's Mein Kampf to the Koran, and Muhammed to Hitler himself. Is he far off the mark? Although the spread of Nazism was accompanied by uniformed troops and tanks, the spread of militant Islam today is accompanied by plain clothed terrorist cell members and child suicide bombers.

Mohamed Rabbae, chairman of the Dutch Moroccan Council, put it this way, “Wilders is a little bit crazy, if I may say it in this way, because he is fighting against somebody who has been living in the sixth century, not in our time.”

Which is exactly the point - the current threat to modern society is not Islam as a religion, just those fringe Islamic throwbacks that seek to establish a ruthless international Caliphate and return to the days of Fred Flintstone. Except with all the beheading and stoning, of course.

Pennsylvania Primary Critical to Obama, Clinton

2008-03-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

As the Pennsylvania primary draws near on April 22, the focus is on Hillary rising in the polls against Obama. According to a March 20 Franklin & Marshall poll, the breakdown is:
February - Hillary: 44%, Obama: 37%
March - Hillary: 51%, Obama:35%

Where is the difference coming from? Obama has remained relatively stable while Clinton has risen somewhat. Most of her higher numbers are the result of the ranks of the undecided and "other" respondents shrinking.

The poll reports that the issues that have driven the change are not the current controversial Barak and Pastor Wright revelations, but solid domestic issues. The respondents are more interested in Clinton's focus on the economy and healthcare than Obama's "get out of Iraq no matter what the consequence" stance.

Still, April 22 is still a long way off, politically speaking. Any number of things could happen betwixt now and then to further polarize the Dems. If one or the other manages a landslide, it could push momentum in that direction.

But if remains this close in Pennsylvania and subsequent primaries, a bloodbath at the Democratic National Convention is a very real possibility.

Richardson Endorses Obama

2008-03-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

Well, it was no big surprise today when New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson endorsed Obama. In his endorsement speech he alluded to the fact that he and Obama both sprung from the loins of mixed-race parents, and therefore, they both understood that things had to be changed to do things not the Democrat way, not the Republican way, but the American way.

He went on to say that that was the reason we won the cold war - because we confronted them in that context. Certainly, other events led up to the collapse of the "other side", but I was around, and I could have sworn that Reagan was the man that kicked them out of the saddle. I'm pretty sure Reagan was a conservative Republican.

Bush Cruel to Immigrants

Richardson also informed the audience that the Bush administration has kept its boot firmly on the backs of immigrants. I'm sorry, Bill, they're not immigrants, they're illegal aliens. Immigrants "emigrate"; they don't sneak across the border. And Bush has been anything but hard on them. Believe me, I live in a sanctuary city.

Clinton Adviser Downplays Richardson Endorsement

Of course, the Clinton camp was quick to respond. And well they should. They've been counting on courting the Hispanic vote, and this endorsement has tapped them soundly in the solar plexus.

Senior Clinton strategist Mark Penn explained, “I think the time that he could have been effective has long since passed. I don’t think it is a significant endorsement in this environment.”

I beg to differ. Ever since Richardson dropped out of the Democrat primary, both camps have been courting him. The fact that he drifted to Obama's side speaks volumes. Like it or not, both Blacks and Hispanics think of themselves of being out of the mainstream - no matter how wealthy or privileged they might be.

It would be easy for them to join forces against the uber-White Clinton. In so doing, it's not a far reach that they could form a sort of coalition of voters as the last primary states make the delegate hunt more critical. Time will tell.