http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/04/cbo-obama-stimulus-harmful-over-long-haul/
I wonder if President Obama is listening to anyone except Democrats like Senator Reid? Why doesn’t he call the Congressional Budget Office and ask their opinion? If he did, he would find out that the CBO is OPPOSED to tObama’s stimulus package and says it would hurt the economy! Read ’em and weep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mRSI8yWwg
Watching Senator Reid trying to deny that taxes are forced on the American public is like trying to watch a snake swallow itself! He tries to divert the question of “are taxes forced on the American Public” with explanations about deductability of homes, etc. When Reid is asked how civil and criminal penalties are NOT proof of taxes being forced on Americans, he says that he doesn’t agree with the “phraseology”, i.e., “you’re asking a question and I don’t like it so I will challenge the question!”
And, this is the guy leading the charge for the bailout for just about anyone who needs money, except those of us taxpayers who are routinely paying our taxes?! This guy, with his political meandering, should NOT be in charge of anything, except maybe his dog! Well, maybe the dog would resent that! Based on this convoluted argument from Senator Reid, he should just go home, sit down, and be “seen but not heard.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090205/ap_on_go_pr_wh/congress_stimulus_126
Times are tough and many of us know it. We know it because we have friends and family who are laid off, due to the economic downturn. And, everyone wants the economy to bounce back so our dear ones can go back to work.
However, President Obama’s knee jerk reaction to what is a cyclical downturn of the economy — something that happens over and over — is not going to fix the problem. Spending tax dollars will NOT stimulate companies to increase production nor encourage business to start hiring again. Spending us into oblivion and a national debt that will never be repaid will only create more taxes which, in turn, depresses business.
In a recession, it is important to lower taxes so business is competitive with the world economy. Then, they can hire more people. Once people are working again, they spend money. In turn, businesses hire MORE people to provide the products that working people are asking for. Just because we are in a dip in the road now does not mean that the road leads to disaster.
Through this stimulus (bailout) bill, Obama is trying to scare us into enacting more governmental programs and he is using the economic downturn as the stick. He threatens dire consequences if this particular budget bill is not passed. But, do we really need the foolishness that this bill encompasses? Do we need to rebuild facilities leased by the government? Do we need to create MORE governmental agencies, such as Universal Health Care? Do we need to bailout industries that are outdated and uncompetitive? Do we really need to pay more taxes so that someone else can decide where our money goes?
Even if you believe in bigger government, this stimulus bill is stuffed full of Lieberal programs! It was meant to boost the economy, but the first bailouts have had little effect. Democrats have succeeded in frightening people into believing that we are heading into disastrous economic times and they use this fear to try to hustle an unread, undiscussed bill with enormous consequences through Congress. The President would have us believe that there is no time to discuss the bill, much less read it! Considering that the bill is reaching toward the trillions, this is not only arrogant, but it is stupid. The President and the Democrats exemplify politics at its worst.
Obama should be using the presidency to boost morale and to encourage business, not follow the nonsensical Democratic theory of spend, spend, spend. And, if the Democrats won’t listen to reason, Obama must ride roughshod over his own party. Otherwise, his calls for instantaneous passage of the stimulus bill is nothing more than fear mongering at its worst.
It’s always good for the world when philanthropists help charities or other people out. But, on occasion, these philanthropists become so strident in their viewpoint that they become a caricature of what charity should be. Sometimes, people like Bill Gates are downright ridiculous.
Here is an example of arrogance cloaked in generosity:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,488348,00.html
Bill Gates Unleashes Swarm of Mosquitoes on Crowd
Feb. 4: Bill Gates opens a jar of mosquitoes at TED2009.
Microsoft founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates released a glass full of mosquitoes at an elite technology conference to make a point about the deadly disease malaria.
“Malaria is spread by mosquitoes,” Gates said while opening a jar onstage at the Technology, Entertainment, Design Conference — a gathering known to attract technology kings, politicians, and Hollywood stars.
“I brought some. Here I’ll let them roam around. There is no reason only poor people should be infected.”
First reported on social networking site Twitter, Facebook’s Senior Platform Manager Dave Morin blogged, “Bill Gates just released mosquitos into the audience at TED.”
Gates then waited a minute or so before assuring the audience the freed insects were malaria-free.
The unusual presentation on malaria prevention was confirmed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s media office. A spokesman said the insects released were not carrying malaria.
Gates retired as head of Microsoft last year to focus more on his foundation. One of its key projects is ending malaria and it has spent millions on fighting the disease.
The philanthropist has been pushing to reduce malaria deaths through the nonprofit. In September, Gates announced that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would provide $168.7 million to the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative to help develop a vaccine for the deadly disease.
Obama pledged a clean government. He has “given” us more ethically challenged nominees than any other president. Daschle is just the latest.
I wonder how many more will appear in Obama’s court?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090203/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_reform_promises_2
http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/ap/20090201/twl-ml-israel-politics-38359fb.html
Thank goodness that someone –Israel — has the courage to repel the Iranian nuclear threat although it is sad that the only country prepared to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions is a tiny country that has had to defend itself since time began.
Why is everyone afraid of Iran now? They do not have nuclear weapons yet. But, if Iran develops that technology, the world is lost. It is time, past time, for the other countries to recognize that if Iran does create nuclear weapons, the rest of us are doomed. Iran has no sense of national civility nor any sense of concern for what other nations or cultures might think, say or do. All Iran cares about is being # 1 and enforcing their bizarre interpretation of Islam upon the entire world.
So, thank you, Israel. It looks as though it is up to you to save all of us!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/republicans
Today, the Republican National Committee chose Michael Steele as its Chairman. Yahoo! He has been a favorite of mine for several years.
He has appeared on many talk shows and, every time, I marvel that his views seem to so closely resemble mine. The old adage of “great minds think alike” pops into my noggin. But, all kidding aside, his views expressed on many tv shows make me believe he is a wise man. He displays poise in public and cordiality toward even people who seem determined to insult him, his ideas, or his party. He seems like a real go-getter….ready to revive the conservative movement!
I have been rooting for him since he mentioned a few months ago that he would be a candidate for the position. And, now, I am proud of the Republican National Committee for electing him as chairman. Finally, there is some good news for Republicans!
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article5614520.ece
Politicians worldwide are looking for a scapegoat for current economic problems, but there are a gazillion causes for this recession. Bad loans stemming from the Community Reinvestment Act were made to satisfy Congress who wanted EVERYONE to have a home, whether they could pay for it or not because that bought votes. Democrats in Congress smiled while Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac made extremely risky loans which yielded a ridiculously high rate of foreclosure. Unions were never satisfied with their “deal” with the company and continually demanded higher wages, greater benefits, and even more vacation! And, yes, some CEOs were spending money for themselves that the company did not have.
The end result is that the market could simply not endure these costs when profits were falling or nonexistent. Foreign competition was cheap and did not have to follow the same regulations imposed on American companies by Lieberals. Everyone should have seen it coming because the debacle back in the 70s with the Savings and Loans was also based on faulty, unsustainable loans and business deals . That time, BANKS bailed the Savings and Loans, and Congress, out. Of course, it didn’t cost the public tax dollars because the bailout came directly from banks who were never part of the problem. But, so long as “someone” paid for it, Congress was happy.
This attitude of promising the moon to voters and then scampering to find the means to pay off the debt is so typical of Congress. Congress never seems to understand that profit is not a dirty word! Nor is the accumulation of wealth a sin although the current administration seems to think so.
Some companies saw the upcoming problems and pleaded with the unions to make concessions or face bankruptsy of the company, but the unions refused. Congress created much of the fiasco on Wall Street by, for example, allowing unhealthy mergers between financial institutions and insurance companies, without requiring oversight. Congress allowed CEOs to serve on many different company board of directors and this cronyism created unwise business decisions. The government bailout of Detroit and Wall Street is the direct result of all these influences.
So, where do we go from here? Well, first, Congress should accept responsibility for their stupidity and we should put limits on what and how Congress legislates. Secondly, financial companies should ALL have to follow the same set of regulations if they are engaged in a certain business. For example, banks are limited in where they can invest. Any company performing banking functions should have to follow the same regulations, be under the same system of examinations, and have to maintain the same level of capital to assets ratio!
Thirdly, the public has to realize that individuals create wealth, not governments. Everyone should plan, and WORK, for the benefit of their family. Government should not be responsible for the expenses of individuals. And, we have to get over the idea that someone else is to blame for our problems. We allowed Congress to become a clutter of self-serving, money-hungry, and dishonest “servants”. Yes, they were to serve us, but instead, they ended up serving themselves at our expense.
The only way out of this recession is to change the atmosphere of our country back to when individuals actively worked for their own good. Democracy only works if individuals do their own part to keep the country vibrant. Right now, there are too many being paid for by the hard work of others. We need to change this attitude. Years ago, schools used to reserve a day for teachers to regain their equillibrium. I say it’s time for an attitude adjustment day in Congress and in our entire country!
The Associated Press finds a judge who follows the law, not the latest political junket!
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A military judge at Guantanamo on Thursday rejected a White House request to suspend a hearing for the alleged mastermind of the USS Cole bombing, creating an unexpected challenge for the administration as it reviews how America puts suspected terrorists on trial.
The judge, Army Col. James Pohl, said his decision was difficult but necessary to protect “the public interest in a speedy trial.” The ruling came in the case against Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. The bombing of the Navy destroyer in 2000 in the harbor of Aden, Yemen, killed 17 U.S. sailors.
The judge’s decision seemed to take the Pentagon and White House by surprise.
Courtesy of www.dallasnews.com.
A big women’s basketball game between No. 2 Oklahoma and No. 4 Baylor just gained added prestige.
Former President George W. Bush and wife Laura attended Wednesday’s game. The two entered several minutes before the opening tip, flanking Lady Bears coach Kim Mulkey, and received a prolonged standing ovation from the fans at the Ferrell Center. The group was engulfed by photographers and camera crews at the Oklahoma bench.
Another round of applause followed during the initial TV timeout at 15:57 of the first half, when the 43rd president was introduced again.
Bush maintains a ranch in nearby Crawford and plans to relocate to a home in Dallas soon.
Officials said it was the first time that Bush had attended a Baylor athletic event in person. A video feed of the 2003 Texas-Baylor football game was sent via satellite to the White House. Bush has long been a sports fan and was managing partner of the Texas Rangers before being elected governor of Texas.
Bush provided the Baylor women’s basketball team with a pep talk before the game.
“I told them that every moment in life is precious and this is a big moment for them,” Bush told pool reporter Chad Conine of the Waco Tribune-Herald . “There’s no question in my mind they’ll give it their all and I wish them all the best.”
Bush also had a chanced to renew acquaintances with Baylor coach Kim Mulkey.
“Most of all, I was excited to get to say hello to Kim. I got to know her when they won the national championship and they came to the oval office,” Bush said. “She is a dynamic person. She’s really one of the country’s great coaches.
“So Laura and I got a chance to come here. This is our first outing since I left the presidency and I can’t think of a better place — and yes I’m excited.”