Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Obama Wants Communism
Der Leader spoke in Quincy, Illinois the other day to a group of 2300 lemmings. Pay close attention to what he says when he doesn't have his teleprompter at hand. It's another Joe the Plumber moment.
"I wanna be clear on this. We're not trying to punish financial reform because we begrudge success that's fairly earned. I DO THINK AT A CERTAIN POINT YOU'VE MADE ENOUGH MONEY". Can it be any more clear what this jerk is all about?
"I wanna be clear on this. We're not trying to punish financial reform because we begrudge success that's fairly earned. I DO THINK AT A CERTAIN POINT YOU'VE MADE ENOUGH MONEY". Can it be any more clear what this jerk is all about?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What A Pity
I happened to watch some of the Senate-Goldman Sachs hearings. What a pity. I hoped these supposedly brilliant, elected officials would be more witty but, as I figured it would be, their performance was more than sh***y.
Thank you Senator Levin for your expanded vocabulary.
Thank you Senator Levin for your expanded vocabulary.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
General Motors
Have you seen the newest commercial showing the CEO of Government Motors touting the big comeback of the company. His name is Ed Whitacre. He is shown struting onto a factory floor like he owned the place. Ahem! You own the place, remember? This guy announces that GM has paid back in full to the government what should have taken five years and paid the interest, too! What a crock of crap. It's a shame that Americans who see this will say, "My oh my, aren't they wonderful"? What they did was rob Peter to pay Paul. Nothing is paid back and GM is in debt up to it's ear lobes. And you're screwed all over again.
Dems Hide Health Care Costs
More hope and change–
From Jim Hoff at Big Government:
A damning health care report generated by actuaries at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department was given to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius more than a week before the health care vote. She hid the report from the public until a month after democrats rammed their nationalized health care bill through Congress.
The results from the report were troubling. The report released by Medicare and Medicaid actuaries shows that medical costs will skyrocket rising $389 billion 10 years. 14 million will lose their employer-based coverage. Millions of Americans will be left without insurance. And, millions more may be dumped into the already overwhelmed Medicaid system. 4 million American families will be hit with tax penalties under this new law.
Of course, these were ALL things that President Obama and Democratic leaders assured us would not happen
From Jim Hoff at Big Government:
A damning health care report generated by actuaries at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department was given to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius more than a week before the health care vote. She hid the report from the public until a month after democrats rammed their nationalized health care bill through Congress.
The results from the report were troubling. The report released by Medicare and Medicaid actuaries shows that medical costs will skyrocket rising $389 billion 10 years. 14 million will lose their employer-based coverage. Millions of Americans will be left without insurance. And, millions more may be dumped into the already overwhelmed Medicaid system. 4 million American families will be hit with tax penalties under this new law.
Of course, these were ALL things that President Obama and Democratic leaders assured us would not happen
Phoenix Arizona & Kidnappings
Phoenix, Arizona, has been dubbed the "kidnapping capital" of the United States. The state ranks second only to Mexico City in the number of annual kidnappings in the world.
While it may be technically true that the state has surged to the top of the kidnapping list with 366 kidnappings reported in 2008, what many fail to appreciate is that these kidnappings are not the result of random violence, and the majority of people living in Arizona are not potential victims of this crime wave.
Phoenix has become ground zero for the United States' battle against illegal immigration and Mexican drug cartel violence. The main reason for this is geography: Arizona has a 370-mile shared border with Mexico. This makes Arizona, and Phoenix in particular, a prime location for smuggling illegal drugs and illegal immigrants into the country. In fact, Phoenix is one of the main central distribution hubs for illegal drugs in the U.S. As a result, the city also has become a hub for cartel-related violence.
Cartels and Coyotes Profit From the Kidnappings
The vast majority of the kidnappings for ransom reported in Phoenix and throughout the rest of the state are related to the drug cartels and illegal immigrants. There are several different scenarios in which the kidnappings may occur.
When a person wants to enter the U.S. illegally, the person normally will pay cash to a "coyote" who agrees to get him or her into the country. If the individual already has family living in the U.S., the family also may approach a coyote about securing passage for loved ones. The coyote may be involved with the drug cartels or may operate independently. Sometimes the coyote may demand more money than originally agreed upon before releasing the person in the U.S., especially if the person has family in the country that can pay the ransom.
Other times a coyote — either the one who transported the person into the country or another coyote with no previous connection to the individual — may kidnap a person after he or she has settled down in the United States. The coyotes like to target those who have become successful, either by starting up their own business or by other employment, since they know the person has the means to pay the ransom.
The drug cartels also are responsible for many of the kidnappings in Phoenix and other Arizona cities. The usual victims of cartel kidnappings are those who owe the cartels money, either dealers for the cartel or drug users. They also kidnap members of rival cartels. However, cartel members also act as coyotes and can be involved in kidnapping illegal immigrants they have helped smuggled over the border.
Once the individual has been taken, the family will be notified that the loved one has been kidnapped and a ransom will be demanded for safe return. The ransom often starts as high as $50,000, but it decreases when the family refuses to pay or cannot pay such a large amount.
Victims Fear Deportation
The true number of kidnappings in Arizona each year is unknown. According to one report, it is estimated that there are twice as many kidnappings as are actually reported. Since many of the victims of the kidnappings are in the country illegally, their families fear the legal repercussions of reporting the crimes to the local police. The families worry that once law enforcement officials learn they are illegal immigrants, they will be taken into custody by federal immigration officials and deported. They also worry that because they are illegal immigrants, no one will care that their loved ones have been taken and the police will do little or nothing to help find them.
Those who have been involved with the drug cartels fear reporting the kidnapping will raise questions not only about their own immigration status, but also about their loved one's involvement with drugs and the cartels. They do not want to run the risk of their loved ones' being recovered only to be deported or charged with state and federal drug crimes. Thus, many families decide to pay the ransom and deal with the kidnappers on their own.
I need a mea culpa on this article since I can't remember the source and wouldn't want my readers to think I composed this on the run. The only disparity I can find is that another source told me Bogata' Columbia was number 1 in the world for kidnappings.
While it may be technically true that the state has surged to the top of the kidnapping list with 366 kidnappings reported in 2008, what many fail to appreciate is that these kidnappings are not the result of random violence, and the majority of people living in Arizona are not potential victims of this crime wave.
Phoenix has become ground zero for the United States' battle against illegal immigration and Mexican drug cartel violence. The main reason for this is geography: Arizona has a 370-mile shared border with Mexico. This makes Arizona, and Phoenix in particular, a prime location for smuggling illegal drugs and illegal immigrants into the country. In fact, Phoenix is one of the main central distribution hubs for illegal drugs in the U.S. As a result, the city also has become a hub for cartel-related violence.
Cartels and Coyotes Profit From the Kidnappings
The vast majority of the kidnappings for ransom reported in Phoenix and throughout the rest of the state are related to the drug cartels and illegal immigrants. There are several different scenarios in which the kidnappings may occur.
When a person wants to enter the U.S. illegally, the person normally will pay cash to a "coyote" who agrees to get him or her into the country. If the individual already has family living in the U.S., the family also may approach a coyote about securing passage for loved ones. The coyote may be involved with the drug cartels or may operate independently. Sometimes the coyote may demand more money than originally agreed upon before releasing the person in the U.S., especially if the person has family in the country that can pay the ransom.
Other times a coyote — either the one who transported the person into the country or another coyote with no previous connection to the individual — may kidnap a person after he or she has settled down in the United States. The coyotes like to target those who have become successful, either by starting up their own business or by other employment, since they know the person has the means to pay the ransom.
The drug cartels also are responsible for many of the kidnappings in Phoenix and other Arizona cities. The usual victims of cartel kidnappings are those who owe the cartels money, either dealers for the cartel or drug users. They also kidnap members of rival cartels. However, cartel members also act as coyotes and can be involved in kidnapping illegal immigrants they have helped smuggled over the border.
Once the individual has been taken, the family will be notified that the loved one has been kidnapped and a ransom will be demanded for safe return. The ransom often starts as high as $50,000, but it decreases when the family refuses to pay or cannot pay such a large amount.
Victims Fear Deportation
The true number of kidnappings in Arizona each year is unknown. According to one report, it is estimated that there are twice as many kidnappings as are actually reported. Since many of the victims of the kidnappings are in the country illegally, their families fear the legal repercussions of reporting the crimes to the local police. The families worry that once law enforcement officials learn they are illegal immigrants, they will be taken into custody by federal immigration officials and deported. They also worry that because they are illegal immigrants, no one will care that their loved ones have been taken and the police will do little or nothing to help find them.
Those who have been involved with the drug cartels fear reporting the kidnapping will raise questions not only about their own immigration status, but also about their loved one's involvement with drugs and the cartels. They do not want to run the risk of their loved ones' being recovered only to be deported or charged with state and federal drug crimes. Thus, many families decide to pay the ransom and deal with the kidnappers on their own.
I need a mea culpa on this article since I can't remember the source and wouldn't want my readers to think I composed this on the run. The only disparity I can find is that another source told me Bogata' Columbia was number 1 in the world for kidnappings.
Goldman Sachs
Big shots from Goldman Sachs are in Washington today being grilled about their unsavory tactics. Scary, isn't it. In just a few short months many of these senators, after being defeated in the November elections, will be lobbyists for, you know it, Goldman Sachs. Crooks interviewing crooks with each trying to cover their behinds. What a joke! Did you know former liberal democrat from Missouri, Dick Gephardt is a lobbyist for GS? Have you ever used a phrase that sounded good but you weren't sure exactly what it meant but you just knew it applied to you thoughts? I feel that way about our country "going to Hell in a hand basket". I need to find the derivative of that.
Monday, April 26, 2010
My Huge Mistake
I have some big time egg on my face. I was under the impression Arizona was being overrun with illegals. What a fool am I. There are only 465,000 illegals in the state of Arizona. Cripes! That's only 25% of the population of the state of Iowa; hardly significant.And since the population of Phoenix proper is 1,620,000 this half million abuction figure is only a blip on the screen. Right? Why, it might even be a higher percentage of the population of the states of North and South Dakota but not together so there's a difference right there.
Granted, there aren't too many Dakota citizens involved in drug cartels; walleye cartels,maybe, but that's a big difference.
What is it with the new spokesman replacing Jesse Jackson, Jr. i.e. Al Sharpton. He's difficult to take seriously, especially when it comes to civil rights. And speaking of Jesse, did he die or is he on the QT to protect his kid from the Illinois/Blago investigation? So many questions and so little time.
Granted, there aren't too many Dakota citizens involved in drug cartels; walleye cartels,maybe, but that's a big difference.
What is it with the new spokesman replacing Jesse Jackson, Jr. i.e. Al Sharpton. He's difficult to take seriously, especially when it comes to civil rights. And speaking of Jesse, did he die or is he on the QT to protect his kid from the Illinois/Blago investigation? So many questions and so little time.
Goldman Sachs Hearings: It's A Sham
From Glenn Beck:
Faith, hope and charity: We used to seek God's blessings on the country, we used to pursue maximum freedom to solve problems and we'd rely on one another in times of need.
Now we're being pushed towards what progressives have always found hope in: Dependency on regulations and administrations. Average Americans find that approach to be red tape. Our Founding Fathers found it to be slavery.
So it kind shocks me when there's no outcry to news stories like this one reported in the Financial Times over the weekend: The "U.S. is preparing to pivot from domestic regulatory reform to push for a tough new international capital regime."
Excuse me?
We're talking about the foundation of international financial regulations and global governing. It's a trial balloon being floated out there and I guess it was a success because the response was complete and total silence.
Is it just me who thinks this is a bad idea? Am I alone? I guess so, because even Republicans are OK with this one. How could that happen? Easy: It's those evil, greedy Sith lord Wall Street executives! Like the ones at Goldman Sachs, who are appearing before the almighty Senate Tuesday to get grilled by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (sounds scary) about their so-called attempts to manipulate and profit off the crash of the housing market.
They'll get chewed out and made an example of by people like Chris Dodd, who joined in the chorus of Goldman haters on "Meet the Press" on Sunday:
SEN. CHRIS DODD, D-CONN.: Here we are, 17 months after someone broke into our house in effect and robbed us... and we still haven't changed the locks on the doors.
LARRY SUMMERS, WHITE HOUSE ECONOMIC ADVISER: These off-balance sheet, nontransparent vehicles with what people call implicit guarantees, invite these kinds of problems.
SEN. RICHARD SHELBY, R-ALA.: We have to end once and for all the casino atmosphere on Wall Street, where they're gambling, basically, on synthetic ideas and so forth — with somebody else's money.
You're right, Chris: You have to change those locks. But the other thing to make sure of is that the people you are calling to change the locks aren't the same ones who were involved with the robbery in the first place.
Yes, Dodd and his buddies will chew out Goldman, but if they are the root of all evil, why do these people all still work in the administration?
• William C. Dudley, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; was a partner and managing director at Goldman
• Gary Gensler, chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; spent 18 years at Goldman
• Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Tim Geithner; former Goldman lobbyist
• Philip Murphy; nominated for ambassador to Germany; former Goldman executive
• Diana Farrell; deputy director of the National Economic Council; formerly with Goldman
• Emil Michael; White House fellow; former investment banker with Goldman
There's just a few. And if Goldman really are the bad guys, we have bigger problems than just regulation, because we have to talk about global warming as well.
I got a tip from a watchdog — and by the way, if you are new to the program and don't know what a watchdog is, that's you. We've got millions of watchdogs e-mailing in tips and stories big and small and we welcome every single one of them. We get to as many as we can and even report on some of them, like this one about the Chicago Climate Exchange.
In case you didn't know the Chicago Climate Exchange existed — it does and it started trading in 2003. It's billed as: "North America's only cap-and-trade system for all six greenhouse gases, with global affiliates and projects worldwide." Members agree to a voluntary but legally binding agreement to "meet annual Green House Gas emission reduction targets."
What's cap-and-trade? A scheme designed to transfer wealth from the companies that have to the companies that have not through the regulation of invisible gases. Remember, it was ENRON who lobbied heavily for this type of system, because they knew how to swindle a profit out of it.
Environmentalists like Obama want this system because it will make prices skyrocket and people will be forced to use less energy. But I don't want to put words in his mouth, I'll let him say it:
Faith, hope and charity: We used to seek God's blessings on the country, we used to pursue maximum freedom to solve problems and we'd rely on one another in times of need.
Now we're being pushed towards what progressives have always found hope in: Dependency on regulations and administrations. Average Americans find that approach to be red tape. Our Founding Fathers found it to be slavery.
So it kind shocks me when there's no outcry to news stories like this one reported in the Financial Times over the weekend: The "U.S. is preparing to pivot from domestic regulatory reform to push for a tough new international capital regime."
Excuse me?
We're talking about the foundation of international financial regulations and global governing. It's a trial balloon being floated out there and I guess it was a success because the response was complete and total silence.
Is it just me who thinks this is a bad idea? Am I alone? I guess so, because even Republicans are OK with this one. How could that happen? Easy: It's those evil, greedy Sith lord Wall Street executives! Like the ones at Goldman Sachs, who are appearing before the almighty Senate Tuesday to get grilled by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (sounds scary) about their so-called attempts to manipulate and profit off the crash of the housing market.
They'll get chewed out and made an example of by people like Chris Dodd, who joined in the chorus of Goldman haters on "Meet the Press" on Sunday:
SEN. CHRIS DODD, D-CONN.: Here we are, 17 months after someone broke into our house in effect and robbed us... and we still haven't changed the locks on the doors.
LARRY SUMMERS, WHITE HOUSE ECONOMIC ADVISER: These off-balance sheet, nontransparent vehicles with what people call implicit guarantees, invite these kinds of problems.
SEN. RICHARD SHELBY, R-ALA.: We have to end once and for all the casino atmosphere on Wall Street, where they're gambling, basically, on synthetic ideas and so forth — with somebody else's money.
You're right, Chris: You have to change those locks. But the other thing to make sure of is that the people you are calling to change the locks aren't the same ones who were involved with the robbery in the first place.
Yes, Dodd and his buddies will chew out Goldman, but if they are the root of all evil, why do these people all still work in the administration?
• William C. Dudley, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; was a partner and managing director at Goldman
• Gary Gensler, chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; spent 18 years at Goldman
• Mark Patterson, chief of staff to Tim Geithner; former Goldman lobbyist
• Philip Murphy; nominated for ambassador to Germany; former Goldman executive
• Diana Farrell; deputy director of the National Economic Council; formerly with Goldman
• Emil Michael; White House fellow; former investment banker with Goldman
There's just a few. And if Goldman really are the bad guys, we have bigger problems than just regulation, because we have to talk about global warming as well.
I got a tip from a watchdog — and by the way, if you are new to the program and don't know what a watchdog is, that's you. We've got millions of watchdogs e-mailing in tips and stories big and small and we welcome every single one of them. We get to as many as we can and even report on some of them, like this one about the Chicago Climate Exchange.
In case you didn't know the Chicago Climate Exchange existed — it does and it started trading in 2003. It's billed as: "North America's only cap-and-trade system for all six greenhouse gases, with global affiliates and projects worldwide." Members agree to a voluntary but legally binding agreement to "meet annual Green House Gas emission reduction targets."
What's cap-and-trade? A scheme designed to transfer wealth from the companies that have to the companies that have not through the regulation of invisible gases. Remember, it was ENRON who lobbied heavily for this type of system, because they knew how to swindle a profit out of it.
Environmentalists like Obama want this system because it will make prices skyrocket and people will be forced to use less energy. But I don't want to put words in his mouth, I'll let him say it:
Is It Just Me?
I'm watching Shep Smith on Fox News which is quite unusual. I don't care for his style. He gets too emotional for me but that's my problem. Smith just had a segment from downtown New York City. A surveillance camera showed a pedestrian keel over on a busy NY street. Come to find out he was stabbed and bleeding profusely. He was a homeless fella who eventually died after trying to keep an unidentified woman from being assaulted. He was flat, laid out for an hour and no one stopped to help, check him out or rob him. People walked by without looking down. One man did take a picture with a cell phone. Can you imagine living in your community and walking by a downed citizen with out doing anything? If you can, then you need to move to another city. I didn't know this but Smith said it is not against the law to come to anyone's aid or to report someone in trouble or causing trouble. The only exception to this rule is treason and I wonder about that considering all the Obama appointees running around What in hell is wrong with this country?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Value Added Tax(VAT)
Do I really have to explain a VAT for you? Didn't think so and if I did it'd be a waste since you'd be 100% clueless, anyway. I was watching Shannon Bream on Fox TV this Sunday morning. Isn't she something? Did you know she was Miss Virginia in 1991 attempting to be Miss America and Miss Florida USA in 1995. The nice thing is she's a graduate of Liberty University. Hey! She's a Christian. Anyway, and I think it was a Rasmussen Poll, 77% of Americans are against a VAT tax. Amazingly, 17% are in favor of it. Good Lord, wouldn't it be interesting to get their take on it? The final number bothers me. 6% haven't made up their minds. How can a person not have an opinion on this? I think it'd be easier to say, "they don't care" as in, "I dunno. What is it".
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Paging "The Biggest Loser"
Kudos to our good friends at Ace of Spades HQ==
So our workaholic, nose to the grindstone, "all work and no play makes Barack a dull boy" President and his extremely elegant, petite and graceful wife did something unusual this weekend: they stayed in and enjoyed a quiet night to themselves.
ON BIZARRO EARTH!
On ours, however, the President took time off from improving his short game to travel down to Asheville, NC with Michael Dorn Michelle for yet another much ballyhooed "date night".
Now, normally I wouldn't be too much interested in the comings and goings of our First Couple. As long as I know they are nowhere near me, what with their entourage of traffic congesting Secret Service vehicles and the like, I'm O.K.
But I have been to Asheville on a number of occasions, and I was curious as to which restaurant they would visit. After all, while Barack Obama may look like a guy who gets by on the Asheville hippy standard menu of wheat-germ and cocaine organically grown, Fair Trade coffee, Michelle looks as though she requires, shall we say, a tad bit more substantive fare.
Fortunately, the New York Post was there to record the important meal for posterity. Here, then, is what the Obamas ordered.
The meal included BBQ ribs, greens, baked beans, corn pudding, mac & cheese and corn bread, guzzled back with icy cold sweet teas.
Now I could ask some relevant questions here. For example, how much salt do you think was in this meal? Isn't Michelle Obama supposed to be leading some kind of "war on obesity"? How many calories do you think were consumed here? Why did they even go to 12 Bones restaurant when that restaurant's menu doesn't include any nutritional information as required by the President's own health care law? How much sugar was in the sweet teas? Doesn't sugar contribute to diabetes which is an affliction that drives up health care costs? How many did they drink? Did they use artificial sweetener? What kind? How much did they use and was it a product that "scientific studies" have indicated raise the risk of cancer?
Like I say, I could ask these questions. But I'm a conservative, and, frankly I don't give a damn about what other people eat. The Obamas, though, seem to think that I should. Or, rather, that federal regulators should. And that I should face some sort of consequence from deviating from their imposed vision of a healthy diet.
Which, frankly, seems to be an instance of "doctor, heal thyself", really.
Who knows? Maybe Pres. Obama doesn't understand what folks mean when they rightly call the VAT a "consumption tax" and he just wants to gorge now while it remains "cost-effective" to do so. I could believe that.
In any event, it was nice of 12 Bones to go to the trouble of naming one of their sandwiches after the First Lady. They didn't have to do that, you know.
So our workaholic, nose to the grindstone, "all work and no play makes Barack a dull boy" President and his extremely elegant, petite and graceful wife did something unusual this weekend: they stayed in and enjoyed a quiet night to themselves.
ON BIZARRO EARTH!
On ours, however, the President took time off from improving his short game to travel down to Asheville, NC with Michael Dorn Michelle for yet another much ballyhooed "date night".
Now, normally I wouldn't be too much interested in the comings and goings of our First Couple. As long as I know they are nowhere near me, what with their entourage of traffic congesting Secret Service vehicles and the like, I'm O.K.
But I have been to Asheville on a number of occasions, and I was curious as to which restaurant they would visit. After all, while Barack Obama may look like a guy who gets by on the Asheville hippy standard menu of wheat-germ and cocaine organically grown, Fair Trade coffee, Michelle looks as though she requires, shall we say, a tad bit more substantive fare.
Fortunately, the New York Post was there to record the important meal for posterity. Here, then, is what the Obamas ordered.
The meal included BBQ ribs, greens, baked beans, corn pudding, mac & cheese and corn bread, guzzled back with icy cold sweet teas.
Now I could ask some relevant questions here. For example, how much salt do you think was in this meal? Isn't Michelle Obama supposed to be leading some kind of "war on obesity"? How many calories do you think were consumed here? Why did they even go to 12 Bones restaurant when that restaurant's menu doesn't include any nutritional information as required by the President's own health care law? How much sugar was in the sweet teas? Doesn't sugar contribute to diabetes which is an affliction that drives up health care costs? How many did they drink? Did they use artificial sweetener? What kind? How much did they use and was it a product that "scientific studies" have indicated raise the risk of cancer?
Like I say, I could ask these questions. But I'm a conservative, and, frankly I don't give a damn about what other people eat. The Obamas, though, seem to think that I should. Or, rather, that federal regulators should. And that I should face some sort of consequence from deviating from their imposed vision of a healthy diet.
Which, frankly, seems to be an instance of "doctor, heal thyself", really.
Who knows? Maybe Pres. Obama doesn't understand what folks mean when they rightly call the VAT a "consumption tax" and he just wants to gorge now while it remains "cost-effective" to do so. I could believe that.
In any event, it was nice of 12 Bones to go to the trouble of naming one of their sandwiches after the First Lady. They didn't have to do that, you know.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Health Care And Medicare; Costly And History
From the Associated Press via Fox News:
President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law will increase the nation's health care tab instead of bringing costs down, government economic forecasters concluded Thursday in a sobering assessment of the sweeping legislation.
A report by economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department said the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance -- adding 34 million Americans to the coverage rolls.
But the analysis also found that the law falls short of the president's twin goal of controlling runaway costs, raising projected spending by about 1 percent over 10 years. That increase could get bigger, however, since the report also warned that Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable, forcing lawmakers to roll them back.
The mixed verdict for Obama's signature issue is the first comprehensive look by neutral experts.
In particular, the warnings about Medicare could become a major political liability for Democratic lawmakers in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors.
President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law will increase the nation's health care tab instead of bringing costs down, government economic forecasters concluded Thursday in a sobering assessment of the sweeping legislation.
A report by economic experts at the Health and Human Services Department said the health care remake will achieve Obama's aim of expanding health insurance -- adding 34 million Americans to the coverage rolls.
But the analysis also found that the law falls short of the president's twin goal of controlling runaway costs, raising projected spending by about 1 percent over 10 years. That increase could get bigger, however, since the report also warned that Medicare cuts in the law may be unrealistic and unsustainable, forcing lawmakers to roll them back.
The mixed verdict for Obama's signature issue is the first comprehensive look by neutral experts.
In particular, the warnings about Medicare could become a major political liability for Democratic lawmakers in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors.
Ties
For about a month I've noticed people on television, namely men, who wear purple ties. Is it because it's spring time or is there another more sinister plot? And it makes no difference if he's a liberal, conservative, christian or atheist who dons the color purple. Quite frankly I find them sort of, well, "gay", if you know what I mean.
Hillary Re-visited
I snagged this article from the web site of my hero, Dan Cirucci. It's politics as usual but when the Clinton's are involved it's more than sickening.
From Erick Erickson at Red State:
Democrats – terrified of the Tea Party movement – are coming out of the woodwork to warn about the so-called dangerous rhetoric of the right. There are just two problems here. No. 1, the 1st Amendment protects political speech whether anybody likes it or not. No. 2, the hypocrisy of the leftist political class is mind-boggling.
In 2003, when the left was going after President Bush with everything it had – remember “Bush lied and people died?” – it fell to Hillary Clinton to defend political speech. She said, “I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration, somehow you’re not patriotic.” She went on to say that dissent is perfectly proper no matter what administration is in power.
Well, that was THAT Clinton and that was then.
From Erick Erickson at Red State:
Democrats – terrified of the Tea Party movement – are coming out of the woodwork to warn about the so-called dangerous rhetoric of the right. There are just two problems here. No. 1, the 1st Amendment protects political speech whether anybody likes it or not. No. 2, the hypocrisy of the leftist political class is mind-boggling.
In 2003, when the left was going after President Bush with everything it had – remember “Bush lied and people died?” – it fell to Hillary Clinton to defend political speech. She said, “I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration, somehow you’re not patriotic.” She went on to say that dissent is perfectly proper no matter what administration is in power.
Well, that was THAT Clinton and that was then.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Obama: "Screw The Middle Class"
AP reports that “4 million Americans — the vast majority of them middle class — will have to pay the new penalty for not getting health insurance when President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law kicks in, according to congressional estimates released Thursday. The penalties will average a little more than $1,000 apiece in 2016, the Congressional Budget Office said in a report.”
Penalties will be phased in from 2014. By 2016, the fine will be $695 or 2.5% of household income, whichever is greater. More than a dozen states are challenging the individual mandate in federal court as unconstitutional.
If only candidate Obama could explain to President Obama why mandates aren’t such a good idea:
Back in 2008, he ripped Hillary Clinton for supporting a mandate, claiming that was a “genuine difference” between them.
Penalties will be phased in from 2014. By 2016, the fine will be $695 or 2.5% of household income, whichever is greater. More than a dozen states are challenging the individual mandate in federal court as unconstitutional.
If only candidate Obama could explain to President Obama why mandates aren’t such a good idea:
Back in 2008, he ripped Hillary Clinton for supporting a mandate, claiming that was a “genuine difference” between them.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Clueless
I had some time to kill before a doctor's appointment last Thursday so I hobbled out to the golf club to see if any of my cronies were around. Two of the guys were sitting outside at the lunch tables enjoying a beautiful sunny day. I seated myself, ordered a coke, and listened. I hate to be one of those who barges in then dominates the conversation unless were real pals. Anyway, one of the fellas asked what I was up to after my doctor visit. If I had the time, I mentioned, I was going to drive to downtown Columbus and check out the Tea Party rally. Both of these guys were professional people. One of them was number three man at Nationwide Insurance and the other is a doctor so, even if I don't mention politics, I figure I'm safe with these men. Wrongo! Right away the "I can see Alaska from my front porch jokes" started. I really didn't want to get into anything because I assumed at their ages they'd never heard of Tina Fey. Anyway, if there was permanent animosity that might develop I stood the chance of losing some easy sucker bets on the course. I'd have had to have a hip replacement that morning to lose to these duffers. I didn't proselytize, either. To be on the safe side: for those of you who do think Sara P. is the President of Tea Party of American she ain't. There are two choices for the voters. If you believe in the Tea Party then you are for a limited government based on the Constitution of the United States. The people, by electing their representatives, have the power. If you like what is going on in Washington D.C. then you believe in a European Socialist government with the power resting in the hands of those whom you elect. It's pretty simple. I'm not saying one side is wrong and the other right. Apparently, when the election of '08 took place some of those who voted, independents mainly, feel they have been fed a bad tasting diaper. Ah Hell! I am too saying one side is wrong.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Mr. Irrelevant
Some of you readers are about to enter into a learning curve. The National Football League draft is looming ahead. For the guys who are drafted in the first three rounds there's big dollars in bonus signings. A guy doesn't even have to do much but sign his name on a dotted line and he'll be buying cars and bling for his entire entourage. The draft runs all the way through to pick number 256; the very last guy picked on the board. Some of you might think this is an embarrassing position. I mean, who wants to be picked last in grade school for dodgeball? Well, in the NFL this guy receives accolades and gifts plus trips for being just that, "Mr. Irrelevant". I have decided to bestow another irrelevant title but this time on a former politician. And the winner is------Bill Clinton. The dude gave a speech the other day on the anniversary of the upcoming Oklahoma City bombing in which he claimed the Tea Party folks, Glenn Beck andRush Limbaugh had better watch out in case some of their followers might want to carry their activism to an extreme. In other words, and they are his words, not mine: Extremist Tea Partiers and conservative talk show hosts could be viewed the same as the Oklahoma City bombers. I'm willing to present a theory that not many people in the USA had the opportunity to hear the speech or had its contents explained to them. And do you know why? It's because the NFL doesn't have the only Mr. Irrelevant. You'll find many of them in and out of Washington D.C. on a daily basis and the biggest of them all is nicknamed "Bubba".
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Larry "Horn Dog" King
Gadzooks! This is the biggest story since the presumed king of England gave up a chance of sitting on the throne by marrying Wallis Warfield Simpson, circa 1938. Larry King is getting divorced from his present wife, number seven or maybe even eight, citing irreconcilable differences. I've read three differing sources this morning telling Mr. and Mrs. America that he was caught doing the "dirty" with his wife's sister. C'mon! The guy's 76 years old! If this is true then I want to start taking some of what he is. I present you with another question: Has Larry ever done a segment(s) on pedophile priests?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
B.H.O. Speaks And I Cringe
I've always remembered today's date of April 14. It was the day President Abraham Lincoln was shot. He was a personal hero of mine in the early days of my youth. My parent's planned a vacation trip to Springfield, Illinois when I was a lad of eleven. We saw his home and his burial site. His casket is on display, you know.
About fifteen years ago I was working my way through Kentucky and saw a sign that said, "site of Abraham Lincoln's birth-twenty miles". A series of arrows directed me to a cabin about the size of our bathroom. It has been transplanted into a much larger memorial building. I always remember that his mother's name was Nancy Hanks. His dad wasn't such a nice fella but his mother made sure he knew his ABC's and could count. I'm always surprised that great Americans in history could be so wise and knowledgeable. I guess there wasn't much to do in the early 1800's. I mean, there weren't many basketball courts, baseball diamonds or football fields. It's difficult to comprehend but time blots out a lot of what should be remembered. I told my five year old grandson we didn't have television when I was his age and he laughed. But I digress. I was looking at today's news, probably the AP, and I saw a quote from Barack Hussein Obama for this April 14---today! "Whether we like it or not we remain a dominant military superpower". Abraham Lincoln he ain't and I'm very afraid for what these Alinskyites are doing to our nation.
About fifteen years ago I was working my way through Kentucky and saw a sign that said, "site of Abraham Lincoln's birth-twenty miles". A series of arrows directed me to a cabin about the size of our bathroom. It has been transplanted into a much larger memorial building. I always remember that his mother's name was Nancy Hanks. His dad wasn't such a nice fella but his mother made sure he knew his ABC's and could count. I'm always surprised that great Americans in history could be so wise and knowledgeable. I guess there wasn't much to do in the early 1800's. I mean, there weren't many basketball courts, baseball diamonds or football fields. It's difficult to comprehend but time blots out a lot of what should be remembered. I told my five year old grandson we didn't have television when I was his age and he laughed. But I digress. I was looking at today's news, probably the AP, and I saw a quote from Barack Hussein Obama for this April 14---today! "Whether we like it or not we remain a dominant military superpower". Abraham Lincoln he ain't and I'm very afraid for what these Alinskyites are doing to our nation.
Monday, April 12, 2010
47% Of Nuthin Equals 100% Of Everything
This will be a fairly silly post, I think. I'm sure all of you read last week that 47% of eligible taxpayers dont' pay a dime. Somewhere on the news I was informed that a family of four making $50,000 and less are in this category. Wowie! That's pretty neat---for them. This got me to thinking about benefits received by those who aren't required to do anything to support this great land. It's the same as a welfare check; get money but don't have any responsibilities. I was on the phone with my good buddy, Craig, this morning. There's going to be a Tea Party in Columbus, O. this week and he wanted a slogan from me for a sign he wants to hold up. I suggested he break down down benefits for those who are on the country dole and see if he could come up with something good. Okay, let's say we come under a nuclear bombardment. The primary purpose of our federal government should be to protect us from foreign attack. My idea is to give the taxpayer and his family some type of badge. Assuming we have time to get a shelter I only think it's appropriate the people who pony up the cash get the opportunity of being saved. Those who are forced to pay the most gete the deeper hole. In light of the fact that, assuming we are victorious in this conflagration and the providers survive, their ingenuity will be needed to re-build. For the non-taxpayer my idea would be to give them all rosaries and they can hope for the best. Federal tax dollars are used to build and keep proper maintanence on our interstate highways. Have you ever noticed, running parallel to interstates, the pre-interstate highways? Some are made of concrete and some of gravel. Do you get my drift? Don't pay taxes and you have to fight gravel. stone and humongous potholes. This would be a wonderful incentive to start adding to the coffers. Pay some cash and ride where the big boys do.
Education is a big part of taxation on the federal level. Actually, in a lot of cases the government has taken over the financials of it. How would it be if taxpayers got to take a number based on the amount of money given to DC; the more you give the better the school. This would help integration immensely. There's a lot of white folk who pay nothing at all and they would be subjected to forced busing--sort of reverse discrimination; just like in the 60's. If some people didn't want integration then start working harder to give the kids what you want.
Of course, I haven't touched on the real factor involved. How about getting rid of the clowns in Washington who have burdened our system with this outrageous entitlement. Those the giveaway programs are aimed at aren't going to do it and that's a certainty.
Education is a big part of taxation on the federal level. Actually, in a lot of cases the government has taken over the financials of it. How would it be if taxpayers got to take a number based on the amount of money given to DC; the more you give the better the school. This would help integration immensely. There's a lot of white folk who pay nothing at all and they would be subjected to forced busing--sort of reverse discrimination; just like in the 60's. If some people didn't want integration then start working harder to give the kids what you want.
Of course, I haven't touched on the real factor involved. How about getting rid of the clowns in Washington who have burdened our system with this outrageous entitlement. Those the giveaway programs are aimed at aren't going to do it and that's a certainty.
Friday, April 9, 2010
"Come Clean, Barry"
There's a slight ground swell of "I'm not sure" going on. As in, I'm not sure he was actually born in Hawaii; as in, is he a citizen or not? There's a Lt. Col. medical doctor who is refusing to go to Åfghanistan until he has proof positive. There's the millions of"Large" that has been spent by White House lawyers to keep the birth certificate under wraps. There's the Hawaiian hospital that refuses to show anything except photostatic copies. Michelle O. last week referred to Kenya as the homeland of her husband. I'm sure there is someone from the foreign press who is working feverishly to get to the truth, one way or the other. I sort of doubt it'll be Frank Rich from the NY Times.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
T-Shirts & Caps
Wasn't the NCAA Championship basketball game between Duke and Butler excellent? I have one question, though, and not only for this game but for every championship encounter. Within five minutes of the conclusion the winners are adorned with caps and t-shirts with a proclamation that they are, indeed, #1. I can see the Nike "swoosh" on the gear. What the heck happens to the gear with the losing team on it? Wouldn't it be a collector's item? I have a t-shirt with the Canadian flag hung upside down. It dates back to a World Series baseball game when an uninformed custodian, prior to a game, strung it up wrong causing an international incident. I hope to get valuable money from it some day. That's a laugh, huh?
Regardless, I'd like to try getting ahold of some "loser" gear wherever the heck it's residing.
Regardless, I'd like to try getting ahold of some "loser" gear wherever the heck it's residing.
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