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Friday, February 12, 2010
The Foundation
"The essence of Government is power; and power, lodged as it must be in human hands, will ever be liable to abuse." --James Madison
Government & Politics
A 'Party of No' Could Get 'Yes' Votes in November
A winning message for RepublicansIn a Super Bowl pre-game interview, Barack Obama announced that he wants to have a televised meeting with both Republicans and Democrats to discuss ideas about crafting health care legislation. Imagine that -- an open debate with both parties equally represented, hashing out plans and crafting a bill using the best ideas brought to the table. In 2008, Candidate Obama told us that was how health care reform would come to pass in his new bipartisan and transparent Washington. The reality has been far different, though entirely predictable to those who recognized him for what he is: a socialist.
Legislation was crafted not to reform health care, but to put it solely under government control. Deals were made behind closed doors, and yet, even with bulletproof majorities in both chambers, the Democrat Congress has not passed a health care bill.
Now Obama is pretending to play the role of peacemaker, but he views bipartisanship as Republicans submitting to his will. Indeed, he won't agree to scrap the existing legislation and start from scratch, even though the public has made its distaste for the bills quite clear.
House Minority Leader John Boehner has made dropping the current legislation a prerequisite for Republicans to come to the table. It is, after all, a waste of time to debate a bill that's essentially dead. Republicans want to cut costs while Democrats want a health insurance entitlement for all. Both sides want to prevent insurance companies from rejecting ill customers, but Democrats, beholden to trial lawyers, reject the common-sense cost-cutting idea of tort reform, among other free-market measures. Unfortunately, neither side is talking about the constitutional role of government.
Even if the meeting happens, both sides are so deeply entrenched that a compromise is rather unlikely. Besides, Obama may be trying to set a political trap of sorts for Republicans by wooing them to the table, offering them a bad deal, then once again accusing them of being "The Party of No," that mantra so often repeated by his accomplices in the Leftmedia.
Such a label wouldn't be bad, however, considering that the alternative means going along with a plan that would raise taxes, remove competition in the insurance industry, drive down the quality of health care in our country, and add hundreds of billions -- if not trillions -- of dollars to the national debt.
In fact, when combined with advocating fiscal responsibility and constitutional Rule of Law, "Just Say No to Socialism" sounds like a winning formula for Republicans come November. Of course, the GOP would have to awaken from its stupor first.
RIP: Rep. Jack Murtha, the Marine Corpse
On Monday, longtime Pennsylvania Democrat Congressman John Murtha died after complications arising from gallbladder surgery. He was 77.
The Leftmedia headlined his obituaries "U.S. Representative Murtha, Supporter of Troops, Dies at Age 77" and "Pa. Dem Murtha remembered as military advocate." Given his actual history, however, this is the sort of revisionism that was heaped upon the citizens of Oceania in George Orwell's "1984": "We've always been at war with Eastasia."
While many lauded the head of the House defense appropriations subcommittee as a "staunch supporter of the military," he's better known in military circles for his blindly partisan criticism of the Long War and his hasty indictment of eight fellow Marines for supposedly "murdering" innocent civilians "in cold blood" in Haditha, Iraq. (All but one of the defendants have been cleared or had charges dropped; the other is awaiting court-martial.) While Murtha may have had legitimate questions about the tactics used to fight the enemy in Iraq, many took offense at his characterization of our military as cold-blooded killers.
The press conveniently forgets this and other transgressions, such as the ABSCAM scandal of the 1980s, in which Murtha escaped indictment by the skin of his teeth, or, more accurately, by the "D" after his name. The Leftmedia focused instead on his early military life and perceived service to his district by securing dozens of earmarks for projects there.
While we praise Murtha's personal service to the Marine Corps (or as the commander in chief would say, "Marine Corpse"), which spanned nearly four decades on active duty and as a reservist, we cannot condone his behavior once he went from serving his country on the field of battle to representing his district and nation in the halls of Congress. Too often did he epitomize the "culture of corruption" that his good friend Nancy Pelosi hypocritically opposed.
History is a harsh judge when men of character falter. A life which was devoted to service fell into one which was merely self-serving, and Marines everywhere must be saddened that one of their own met his Maker without recanting those false accusations against eight of his brothers.
New & Notable Legislation
Senate Democrats had hoped to offer President Obama a legislative victory with an $80 billion "jobs bill," otherwise known as "Stimulus II" (or is it III, IV or V?). But Thursday, they dropped the bill in favor of a leaner version without unrelated pork. The centerpiece is still $13 billion to exempt companies from Social Security payroll taxes for previously unemployed new hires in 2010. Other incentives include renewing expired business tax credits, extending unemployment benefits, and suspending a cut in Medicare payments to physicians. The White House is predicting growth of 95,000 jobs per month in 2010, but not even the Associated Press buys that. The AP notes the obvious: "[C]ompanies are unlikely to hire workers just to receive a tax break." Besides, after hiding the loss of over 800,000 additional jobs in 2009, who can trust any figures that these elitists produce?
Blue Dog Democrats plan to propose a bill that will cap discretionary spending at specific levels, going further than the president's anemic $250 billion decade-long non-discretionary spending freeze. The sheer size of the Blue Dog coalition -- 54 House Democrats -- means that whatever proposal they come up with will have to be given serious consideration by the majority.
A bill by Rep. Peter King (R-NY) to prevent federal funding for civilian trials of Guantanamo Bay detainees in civilian courts is picking up steam. Sixteen Republican and two Democrat cosponsors have joined King, and he is confident the bill will pass if it is brought to a floor vote. Beyond the House bill, both U.S. senators from New York, the New York City mayor, police commissioner, and the state Senate have voiced opposition to holding the 9/11 terror trials in Manhattan.
Tea Party National Convention
Tea Partiers once again sailed into a sea of controversy last week as more than 600 people from around the country attended the first "National Tea Party Convention" held at the landlocked Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center in Nashville. The event culminated with more than 1,100 people enjoying a keynote dinner speech by former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, which was also broadcast around the country on cable.
You might think that the storm was due to mainstream media's vulgar derision of attendees as "tea baggers" or the tamer "Astroturfers" -- but you would be wrong. Larger issues seemed to erupt concerning sponsor Judson Phillips and his for-profit Tea Party Nation, the location, ticket fees, hotel rates, travel costs, Sarah Palin, her purported speaker's fee, the colors of the tablecloths and napkins, and just about everything else.
While the event may not have represented all Tea Party organizations as the convention title might suggest, it's difficult for us to take seriously the disparagement that ensued over like-minded people exercising their right to assemble peaceably, freely paying the known costs (nothing hidden, except the hotel and gasoline taxes) and enlightening themselves with whatever the conference offered.
Skepticism, especially in politics, is healthy, but contempt is not. This hullabaloo over a sold-out conference of willing participants had all the hallmarks of Leftmedia agitation.
The Tea Party is the mother of all big-tent movements. There is plenty of room, and need, for Tea Partiers of all stripes and in all places -- including those willing to fork over big bucks for a weekend confab. However, to be most effective, we must all remain focused on the fact that the Rule of Law is being usurped by the rule of men, and we must each play our part to work diligently at electing honorable representatives to replace the current hegemony in Washington.
National Security
Countdown to Nuclear Iran
On Thursday, Iranian Wing-Nut-in-Chief Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announced that Iran had enriched uranium to 20 percent and could, if it wishes, enrich to 80 percent. During remarks in Tehran amid the celebrations surrounding Revolution Day, Ahmadinejad also claimed Iran would soon greatly increase its production of 3.5 percent enriched uranium.
Ahmadinejad's defiant claim came just days after U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates stated that the "only path left" is more diplomacy and more sanctions to force Iran into compliance with its Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations. Gates went on to opine, "If the international community will stand together and bring pressure on the Iranian government, I believe there is still time for sanctions and pressure to work. But we must all work together."
Apparently Secretary Gates missed the memo regarding the five existing UN Security Council Resolutions urging Iran to desist from making nukes; also Iran's kidnapping of 15 British sailors and marines, Iran's Revolutionary Guard being officially listed as a terrorist organization, Iran's providing anti-ship missiles and long-range rockets to Hezbollah, Iran's providing explosively formed penetrators and shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to al-Qa'ida in Iraq, Iran's providing weapons and training to Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, Iran's secret nuclear facility at Qom, Iran's attempted shipment of arms to Hamas onboard the merchant ship FRANCOP intercepted by Israel, Iran's blatantly fraudulent election last June, Iran's receipt of Russian SA-15b surface-to-air missile system and rumored receipt of the even more capable SA-20, Iran's numerous ballistic missile launches, the hundreds of statements by Iranian leaders that they will never give in to outside pressure, and, finally, China's continued veiled threats to veto any further sanctions against Iran.
All of these and more occurred during the previous six and a half years of "bringing pressure on the Iranian government," a period in which the "international community" most assuredly did not work together. Why in the world would Gates think things will be different now, especially after Obama spent his first year in office bowing to every foreign leader on the planet?
Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons will not be stopped by UN talk or the "international community." It will be stopped only by American resolve, or perhaps Israeli resolve, though we have wasted nearly seven years so far.
Department of Military Readiness: Missiles in Romania
Romanian President Trian Basescu recently announced approval of U.S. plans to install missile defense sites in his country aimed at thwarting potential Iranian missile threats. Our readers may recall that Barack Obama reversed earlier agreements to site defensive missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic as a worthless gesture to Russian President Putin. The Russian response was less than encouraging to our EU allies, and in a surprising (and dare we say encouraging) turn of events, Obama's DOD has now agreed to a four-phased defensive missile plan for Romania and the region.
Such a plan should be seen as less intrusive to Russian ballistic missile capability and would actually improve response times to any Iranian missile launch. Naturally, however, Moscow still doesn't see it that way and has raised new veiled threats concerning the future of any new START talks and perhaps even our agreements over Black Sea deployments of Aegis cruisers.
How Obama responds to this renewed Russian intransigence will be interesting to watch, especially in light of recent news from Iran. Russian threats worked once. Any more such about-faces will surely decrease our EU allies' reliance on U.S. security assurances and may even lead to an unwanted rapprochement with Russia by some of the former Soviet states. Stick to a good plan, Mr. President.
This Week's 'Braying Jackass' Award
"I am very optimistic about -- about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration." --Vice President Joe Biden
Which administration, exactly?
Army to Punish Hasan's Superiors
"The military will formally discipline at least six officers, mostly from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, for failing to take action against the officer accused of carrying out last year's deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood," reports The Wall Street Journal. After Maj. Nidal Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood in November, killing 14 (including an unborn child), the Army began an investigation of Hasan's superiors. As many as eight of his senior officers could face censure for failure to report his Islamist radicalization. Letters of reprimand would effectively end their careers. Unfortunately, 14 people died due to politically correct negligence. No letter can change that.
'Reasonable Expectation of Privacy'
The Obama administration has argued that Americans don't enjoy a "reasonable expectation of privacy" when it comes to their whereabouts as revealed by their cell phones, and therefore warrant-less tapping is allowed. Read more.
Profiles of Valor: WWII Vet Louis Stamatakos
On Feb. 28, 1945, Louis Stamatakos saved a B17 Flying Fortress crew from sure disaster in the skies over Germany. The 19-year-old from Dayton, Ohio, was trained as a tail gunner and survived 31 missions over Europe with the 8th Air Force, which flew out of England. While bombing railroad yards in Kassel, Germany, on his 23rd mission, two 250-pound bombs failed to drop. One was stuck by a single shackle and the other by both shackles. "Everyone went crazy when they heard that," Stamatakos said, "and then somebody said, 'Hey, get the Greek, he's been going to armament school.' I took a look and said, 'Well, maybe I can break them loose.'"
Break them loose he did -- with a short-handled fire ax. The wind had spun a small propeller on the nose of one bomb, which armed it and meant one false move would detonate it. At 20,000 feet and 20 below zero, Stamatakos kept swinging until the shackles released both bombs. "That's back when I was young and dumb," said Stamatakos. Crewmate Richard Rainoldi, a retired Air Force colonel, said, "If he hadn't done it, it was either bailing out or blowing up."
Stamatakos's three sons were so impressed with their dad's story that they tracked down Rainoldi, who had been the plane's navigator, and he gave a sworn statement that was delivered to the Army. On Christmas Eve, 2009, Stamatakos, now a retired Michigan State University professor, received a letter from the Department of the Army saying he would be awarded the Silver Star in a ceremony on Feb. 17 at Michigan's state capitol in Lansing.
Business & Economy
Income Redistribution: Expect to Fail if You Plan to Fail
Leftists consistently deny that raising taxes harms the economy, insisting instead that higher taxes and draconian government regulations boost the economy. This, of course, runs contrary to the actual outcome that the tax-and-regulate approach has incurred every time it's been tried.
The Laffer curve -- the theory that reducing tax rates causes economic growth and a corresponding growth in overall government taxation revenues -- and supply-side economics inspired the Reagan tax cuts of 1981, which significantly lowered the Carter administration's high tax rates and sparked an unprecedented 25 years of economic prosperity. Counterintuitive though it might be for liberals, these cuts generated higher tax revenues for the federal government by increasing overall economic activity and growth.
The Obama administration is being forced to face these previously established hard truths. The Congressional Budget Office forecast in August that 2010 tax collections would bring in $2.264 trillion. Only the government has grown over the last year, however, not the economy. Therefore, tax revenues are down and, this week, the CBO revised its estimate down to $2.175 trillion.
Sadly, the Obama administration's insanity continues with its willful ignorance of the third prong necessary for economic growth, which is a reduction of government spending. So long as overspending, high-taxing and over-regulating leftists are in power, the economy will suffer.
Recession Continues, But Salaries Skyrocket
There's good news and bad news. The (seemingly) good news is that the number of six-figure salaries is rising -- skyrocketing, actually. The bad news is that you're footing the bill. According to an analysis by USA Today, the number of federal workers making $100,000 or more has risen from 14 percent to 19 percent since the start of the recession. At the end of 2007, 1,868 civilian Defense Department employees made $150,000 or more. By June 2009, the number was 10,100. Spikes in the Transportation Department were even more shocking, with the number of employees making $170,000 or more growing from one -- yes, one -- to 1,690.
Jessica Klement, government affairs director for the Federal Managers Association, says the high skill level of government workers such as scientists and physicians is the reason for the high pay, and she claims federal salaries are actually 26 percent below private-sector salaries for equivalent jobs. Yet, USA Today's study of the more than two million federal employees found their average salary stands at $71,206, while average private-sector pay is only $40,331. Surely, not all the nation's best and brightest work for Uncle Sam.
USA Today names pay hikes and a new merit-based raise system for Defense workers as among the chief culprits for the rising salaries. Still, as Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) notes, "There's no way to justify this to the American people. It's ridiculous." With 7.3 million private-sector jobs lost, "ridiculous" is an understatement.
This Week's 'Alpha Jackass' Award
"The small businesses I've talked to -- and I've been talking to a lot of them as I have been traveling around the country -- their biggest problem is right now they can't get credit out of their banks, so they're uncertain about that, and they're still uncertain about orders. You know, do they just have enough customers to justify them doing more? It's looking better at this point, but that's not the rationale for people saying I'm not hiring. Let me put it this way: Most small businesses right now, if they've got enough customers to make a profit and they can get the bank loans required to boost their payroll, boost their inventory and sell to those customers, they will do so." --Barack Obama, the man who has never even had a job in the private sector, much less had to meet payroll
Wall Street Rethinks Democrat Support
Previously a sure source of campaign cash for Democrats, Wall Street political dollars are making a U-turn. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, 2008 saw the record-breaking sum of $89 million flow from the securities and investment industry to Democrats. Now, the New York Times reports one-time Democrat supporters are writing checks to the other side in protest of the president's regulatory rampage.
"The expectation in Washington is that 'We can kick you around, and you are still going to give us money,'" noted one Wall Street leader. "We are not going to play that game anymore." Democrat Thomas R. Nides -- an executive at Morgan Stanley, chairman of the Securities and Financial Markets Association and self-proclaimed Obama fan -- was more blunt: "[E]ven if you are a big fan, when you are the piñata at the party, it doesn't really feel good."
Indeed, since taking office, Obama has put a bull's-eye on Wall Street banks, calling for salary caps, proposing "proprietary trading" limits, and recommending a "financial crisis responsibility fee" (a.k.a. tax) on the largest banks. Graciously, though, the president said recently that he doesn't "begrudge" multi-million dollar bonuses for Wall Street Execs Jamie Dimon or Lloyd Blankfein, both of whom are big Democrat donors.
Despite private loyalties and past contributions, when it comes to drawing dough from Wall Street executives, Democrats are beginning to find roadblocks where once the path was clear.
When Reassurance Isn't Reassuring
"Absolutely not" -- "That will never happen in this country." So said tax cheat Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner when asked whether the United States is at risk of losing its AAA debt rating in light of the projected $1.6 trillion budget deficit for 2010. Apparently, Geithner thinks himself wiser than Moody's Investors Service, which recently indicated the government's rating will suffer unless action is taken to cut projected budget deficits. Unfortunately, Geithner also opposes cutting spending, as he believes it could harm the economy.
Culture & Policy
Climate Change This Week: Blizzard Disrupts Bureaucracy
The Obama administration announced this week that it will unveil yet another bureaucratic brainchild: another new agency to study and disperse information about climate change to both the public and policy makers. Interestingly enough, the press conference announcing the agency was disrupted by the blizzard in Washington, DC, and had to be conducted via telephone.
The agency, which will be headquartered in DC, will have six directors throughout the country and will work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA head Jane Lubchenco claims that its creation is crucial to making informed decisions regarding wind power, fishing industries and coastal community planning. But NOAA is known to be in the tank for envirofascists, and there is little reason to believe that this information will be accurate.
There is humor to be found in almost any situation, however, and Republican Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) certainly found it in the snow-covered streets of Washington. He and his family used some of the 32 inches of snow that fell on the city to make an igloo. The structure, placed strategically near the Capitol, was then fitted with a sign reading "Al Gore's New Home."
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works is running out of places to put the snow, settling on an empty parking lot at the edge of town where they're building a "snow mountain." How appropriate -- things have been piling higher and deeper in the Swamp for some time now.
Naturally, warmists such as those at Time magazine are blaming global warming for the snow, though they correctly point out that "Weather is what will happen next weekend; climate is what will happen over the next decades and centuries." But then, curiously, the mag admits that "while our ability to predict the former has become reasonably reliable, scientists are still a long way from being able to make accurate projections about the future of the global climate." And here we thought it was settled science.
Wall Street Journal columnist James Taranto concludes, "It's true that cold weather, while providing an occasion to mock global warming, does not disprove it. But the mocking would be far less effective had global warmists not spent the past quarter-century making a mockery of the scientific method."
Around the World: Missionaries Charged With 'Kidnapping'
It's always nice when governments have their priorities in order, especially in the wake of a devastating tragedy. The Haitian government has made theirs perfectly clear -- it is more important to prosecute those participating in the relief effort than to save their own citizens.
After the Jan. 12 earthquake, people around the world stepped in to help. The United States (as usual) led the charge, both through government aid and contributions of time and money by private citizens. Ten Baptist missionaries were among them, risking their own lives to travel to Haiti and pitch in. On Jan. 29, these same missionaries were arrested and charged with kidnapping -- despite their claim to have had the necessary papers in order -- after they tried to bring 33 Haitian orphans across the border into the Dominican Republic. There, the missionaries told authorities, the children would have been placed in another orphanage better equipped to deal with their needs.
When the attorneys for the "Baptist 10" wrote to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, asking for her intervention on their behalf, Clinton's icy response demonstrated precisely where her priorities are -- or more accurately, are not. "Obviously," Clinton remarked, "this is a matter for the Haitian judicial system."
The State Department has turned a blind eye to the missionaries' fate (if convicted, they could spend the rest of their lives in a Haitian jail), stating that it would be "highly unusual" for the secretary of state to become involved. Americans traveling to other countries to serve the cause of humanity are now aware that their efforts may be met with similar mindless cruelty, their plight with a similar cold shoulder.
At the end of the day, the injustice being committed by the Haitian government, coupled with the lack of interest and incompetence of our own, is only going to hurt the Haitians and others suffering hardships around the world.
From the 'Non Compos Mentis' File
As usual, the Super Bowl ads have everyone talking. Two in particular are worth noting: Pam Tebow sharing her story about choosing life for her son Tim versus an abortion, and the creepy Green Police ad for the Audi A3 TDI. Read more at PatriotPost.US.
To Keep and Bear Arms
As Matthew Alan Clinage and Christopher Polson attempted to steal battery packs from a golf cart in the wee hours of the morning, 70 year-old property owner Robert Rowley in Winter Haven, Florida heard his motion sensor alarm sound. Rowley immediately took his handgun and flashlight outside to evaluate the situation. When he saw the two men, both in their early-20's, he asked them to leave, but one of the suspects began approaching him. In an attempt to scare away the thieves, Rowley fired a shot into the air, the ground, and the suspect's truck as they tried to escape. He was unaware that the bullets had hit the suspects, but the two soon showed up at a local hospital with gunshot wounds.
Clinage was taken to jail after treatment; Polson remains in a hospital and will be taken to jail once he is released. Both were charged with grand theft and burglary of an occupied residence, while Clinage was also charged with violation of community control due to a prior conviction of grand theft of a firearm.
And Last...
First Lady Michelle Obama has taken up childhood obesity as the cause worthy of her attention. As ABC News reports, "The far-reaching, nationwide campaign called 'Let's Move' calls for ... myriad initiatives that target what Obama calls four key pillars: Getting parents more informed about nutrition and exercise, improving the quality of food in schools, making healthy foods more affordable and accessible for families, and focusing more on physical education."
We have to give Michelle credit for acknowledging that it'll take far more than government to tackle such a problem. "There's no expert on this planet who says that the government telling people what to do actually does any good with this issue. This is going to require an effort on everyone's part." However, her husband has a few connections and has created the first-ever federal task force for "optimal coordination" between private companies, nonprofits and government agencies. Optimal coordination doesn't sound like a phrase that describes government, but who knows super-sized better than Barack Obama?
In other news from the Village Academic Curriculum, the 2011 Obama budget makes further funding cuts for the District of Columbia's Opportunity Scholarship Program, an education voucher system for low-income, mostly minority students. The 2010 budget had cut funding altogether, but in response to protests, some funding was restored. Now that amount will face an additional 30 percent cut. So, while these kids may not receive a good education, at least they'll be skinny.
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JTC
"The reality has been far different, though entirely predictable to those who recognized him for what he is: a socialist." And a liar.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 10:46:55 AM
Don Bistrow
Thank you for calling Obama for what he is.
However, we could certainly extend the meaning of "socialist" well beyond his ideology fomented from Saul Alinsky and his "secret" life at Columbia, Harvard and those meetings in Hyde Park on the South Side of Chicago.
We knew so little and American's were "amazed". Hopefully the GOP and many American's come out of their stupor to see and understand the truth.
Don at http://www.liberallyconservative.com
Posted February 12, 2010 at 11:25:04 AM
L Goldston
John Murtha, was a disgrace to everyone that ever wore a uniform. There is not any part of his service that I would want to emulate. His death rates right up there with Y2K, a non event.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 11:30:29 AM
Tom Cook
No need to give Michelle obongo credit for anything; she is as vile and politically vicious as obongo. Why not provide us with an explanation of why she was disbarred from the practice of law in Illinois? Murtha? You folks are very religious--here's one for Murtha: Proverbs 11:10. We have a saying in the Corps, "there is always that ten percent." Murtha was one of the ten percent of Marines who should have been fragged. RIS!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 11:30:35 AM
Earl Scott
On your point that Obama is wrong about job financing I can assure you that you are correct. I have no problem getting financing for my businesses. I simply refuse to hire employees that I will lose money on no matter what perverse tax credits they propose. What they don't seem to get is I get all the tax "credits" I need when I lose money (except in California and Washington where they tax revenue). I don't need any tax credits, I need permanent tax relief so I can once again be confident in growing my businesses. I need a reduction in red tape and regulations that hamper my business. I need the war on business by the current administration to cease so my clients will be confident and hire us. In short, I need less government, not more. Then I will begin to hire. Thanks for your fine publication.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 11:39:26 AM
eib
Were he a socialist, then he would have destroyed the private sector health insurance industry and pharmaceutical industries.
He would have taxed them out of existence.
He would have imposed destructive price controls on every industry in this country.
He did not.
The private sector is intact.
Obama is not a socialist.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:00:10 PM
Larry Hooper
Regarding the "Tea Party Conference" in Nashville. I HOPE they were making plans for coordinating the efforts of angry voters all across the country. We desperately need leadership in this effort to make sure our message gets to our "representatives".
We need coordinated efforts to start demonstrating at our "representative's" LOCAL offices. For every one of those who were able to attend the demonstration in DC on 9/12--I'd bet there were 100 who could not afford to make the trip.
Visiting / demonstrating at local offices would accomplish the same thing, and our government might see 50 Million or 100 Million angry voters.
Do you think this might get somebody's attention?
I sure do!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:01:52 PM
Kelly Jarboe
On the issue of Health Care reform, I wonder why the Three Branches of this Government fail to honor the Oath of Office they took.
Both parties totally disregarded the Limits of the Central Government, Totally Ignored the People when Told we didn't want the Bailouts, Ownership in the Banks, Auto Industry, or Wall Street, and least of all we do not want the Government making health care decisions for us, so why are they talking about this issue yet again.
All they need to do is to remove the barriers that exist, so that we can search for ourselves where to get the best health coverage for our needs, at a cost we can afford, and from any State it is offered.
It isn't rocket science, it is simple economics.
The President just needs to get over himself, and stop trying to change the Constitution, to make it some how in to a thing he thinks is more fitting for today's times.WE do not want the Progressive movement in this Country, we have an Exellent Constitution, and it has worked for over two Hundred Years, and willwork for that many more if the Government will stoptrying to change it.
If changes to the Constitution are required there is a correct procedure to do that, and it does not involve an Executive Order or a Court Ruling, it requires an Amendment process and States Approval.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:07:10 PM
Lavinia
Just tell me where to buy a green "just say no" bumper sticker!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:11:03 PM
LBar
Army to Punish Hasan's Superiors
I thought we had freedom of religion. Why should these superiors suspect Hasan. I think the person that should be punished is Hasan for killing all those people. I am tired of our military taking the fault when a terriorist kills someone. Like the 8 marines. They were just doing their jobs. Punish the bad guys, not our military.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:12:53 PM
Kenneth C. Harrell
The military will formally discipline at least six officers...
What about actions against gates???? Attitudes such as his and those of his ilk are far more dangerous and are no doubt what led to the inactions by those officers now facing disciplinary action.
There can be no doubt these officers failed to take responsible actions, but there should also be no doubt that the attitude that permeated down to them from the "leadership" of the U.S. military and clowns such as gates was one of "let the muslim personnel say and do as they please" for the sake of "diversity".
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:26:57 PM
Scott Mennie
Excellent!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:29:59 PM
Jeff Steinmetz
I wish that we would stop spending energy defining democRATs using their many name permutations.
democRATs are immoral and Anti-American.
Vote Republican!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:32:26 PM
Merry Colin Brunen
Anyone who thinks the U.S. State Department will come to their aid in a foreign country is naive. I learned that in Mexico in 1998 when I tried to get my husband released after he was charged with a crime, facing a 30 year sentence, for declaring a box of bullets at the border. The embassy rep showed up after more than 10 days with a roll of TP and told him he was in deep doo doo. I couldn't get the time of day from any of them. I can thank the U.S. Mexican consulate officer who was actually most helpful in getting me into the jail to deliver food and meds and in getting my husband's case at the top of the court calendar. The Baptist coalition should deal directly with the Haitian embassy in the U.S. and Haiti and skip the worthless middleman of the U.S. diplomat who only gives a rat's patootie about their job and so-called national relations. Individuals do not matter to the US State Department! Beware of where you travel outside of the U.S. as they will use their website warnings as an excuse to do nothing on your behalf. Politicians will do even less; I know this because I've been there!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:39:35 PM
Dennis Uecker
I was greatly disappointed in your slanted position demonstrated in your Digest for Friday, February 12, 2010 under "Around the world: Missionaries Charged with 'Kidnapping'". A cursory review of the facts reveals that that even Ed Coq, the attorney representing the "missionaries", acknowledged that Laura Silsby, the leader of the group, knew that the children could not be removed from the country without the proper documentation - see: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/HaitiEarthquake/american-missionaries-haiti-face-kidnapping-charges-trial-months/story?id=9754702. For you to attempt to deflect liability by laying blame at the feet of anyone in our government or Haiti's is not an example of your usual truthful reporting. I am a Christian who supports missionary work, not only in Haiti, but in several countries around the world, and whose son just returned from Haiti as a member of a medical team, and as such I do not support lawlessness in any form, no matter what the intended result or who the perpetrator is. That's what liberals and Democrats do, but we Patriots need to rise above that. I pray for their release, but I do not hold others responsible for their errors.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:42:33 PM
Alex Rosmus
The Obama administration has argued that Americans don't enjoy a "reasonable expectation of privacy" when it comes to their whereabouts as revealed by their cell phones, and therefore warrant-less tapping is allowed.
Isn't our "Constitutional right to privacy" the basis for the ruling in Roe v. Wade? So if Obama is now arguing that we "have no reasonable expectation of privacy" then he must also be arguing that the ruling in Roe v. Wade is incorrect.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:45:44 PM
Carl Wilbert
The paragraph below is slightly in error in that Rep. Peter King is a Republican from the 3rd district of New York.
A bill by Rep. Peter King (D-NY) to prevent federal funding for civilian trials of Guantanamo Bay detainees in civilian courts is picking up steam. Sixteen Republican and two Democrat cosponsors have joined King, and he is confident the bill will pass if it is brought to a floor vote. Beyond the House bill, both U.S. senators from New York, the New York City mayor, police commissioner, and the state Senate have voiced opposition to holding the 9/11 terror trials in Manhattan.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:49:25 PM
Walt Roane
Does Michelle dip snuff,always looks like she has a double pinch of Copenhagen in her lip.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 12:58:13 PM
Gordon
Your comments on the demise of Rep Murtha were exactly what has been missing in the pandering media. As a senior officer in the Marines, Murtha should have had enough maturity and knowledge of the UCMJ to keep his mouth shut until all of the facts were in regarding Haditha. He may had been a good Marine at one time, but his less-than-stellar PR stunts in the House regarding the War on Terror has tarnished that image, especially amoung other military retirees and veterans. Great article, keep up the great work!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:15:04 PM
David Michael Myers
As a USMC veteran of the Korean Konflict (1950-1951) and a contemporary of Murtha's. I'm sort of dismayed at your tying scumball Murtha to the USMarine Corps.
As I understand it, he was a Reservist. I do not know his history, and I don't know if he served in combat, and I don't care. He was a disgrace to the Corps and should ever be known for that.
If I could read him out of the "Marine Corpse," I would gladly do so.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:15:06 PM
jeff
The expectation in Washington is that 'We can kick you around, and you are still going to give us money,'" noted one Wall Street leader. "We are not going to play that game anymore."
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, dissenting, warned that the consequences of the decision would "not be random." The beneficiaries would be people "with disproportionate influence and power in the political process."
Citizens United v. FEC
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:16:36 PM
Dolores F.
It would seem that the heavy snow in the South and DC area has created a "job stimulus" According to NPR, the unemployed are making $50.00 for shoveling out driveways,sidewalks are cars. Most said they will use the money to pay bills and "have a few beers" Ain't capitalism great?
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:16:53 PM
Harold Wells, CWO4, USN, Ret.
"War Hero" Jack Murtha's "distinguished" military career of nearly four decades consisted of TWO Years of active duty and 36 years in the reserves. Let's not forget his two Purple Hearts which he admitted he did not deserve.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:16:57 PM
Lois Oleson
Thank you for your post that I receive every day. It is much better than any magazine subscription! I also love the "sarcastic" humor that is interspersed throughout the post.
How can you have it "so right" when so many publications and news media have it "so wrong".
Amazing!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:20:00 PM
David Michael Myers
BHObama, in my estimation (and I've been estimating a long time,) is a CRYPTO-MARXIST. That means to me that he is a Marxist but he wants no one to know it.
He seems to be working right out of "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky. Marx was a socialist. Alinsky was a socialist. Communists are socialists. Just ask David Horowitz who was born of and raised by communist/socialist parents!
"Progressives" are collectivist/socialists. Maybe they wish to impose socialism to slightly different degrees, but they all worship big-government behavior-control and detest individual freedom.
I think BHObama's tactic is to get as many severely radical things rammed through Congress as he can before any of the "sleeping giant" (Middle America, including "pinhead" Bill O'Reilly) wakes up!
O'Reilly was convinced by Laura Ingraham just last night that BHObama's policies fit the collectivist/socialist mold. That's OK. O'Reilly graduated from Harvard, too, so what can we expect?
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:29:55 PM
steve
Does anyone out there have any more information or web site locations about the recent rumors that the BBC has significant amounts of its employee pension funds invested in numerous so called "green industry" ventures? This while promoting climate change and other envirowacko causes? Conflict of interest here?
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:33:06 PM
Donald Waltman
Compared to the Democrats,the Republcans are the Party of K(NO)W.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:39:32 PM
FreeNorth
Umm - Mr. Obama, the reason the small business owner is having trouble borrowing money is that YOU have borrowed it already! It's past time for you to quit partying on our children's tab and start paying back the money you spent to buy votes from union hacks - you know, that "stimulus" spending...
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:48:06 PM
Jim F.
Our president doesn't understand economic uncertainty and how it paralyzes activity. When consumers, retailers, and lenders can't make any rational prediction about the future, they sit and wait. Meanwhile, new proposals for big-time spending, new entitlements and regulatory schemes erupt daily from Washington, further freezing needed buying, investing and lending.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:54:50 PM
Bob
Please check your word usage before publication.
"RIP: Rep. Jack Murtha, the Marine Corpse"
It should read the Marine Corps.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 1:57:22 PM
David Evans
Obviously there is an imperitave need for the voting public to be more educated on the negative results of a socialist leaning, bigger government and the benefits of a smaller government, lower taxes and a free market economy.
Basic economics seems to escape the common man. Ignorance and apathy 'cloud' voting choices and we are beset with incompetent and corrupt elected officials.
The American 'work ethic' has declined since the 1940s, compulsory military service has disappeared and we are all now worse off because of it. Respect, discipline, obediance and pride have vanished from our young (especially since the 70s) and now they all want 'something for nothing'. Under these conditions, the outlook is bleak but not beyond correction.
The Patriot Post is a 'voice in the wilderness' but I am doing my part is making more people aware of you. I look forward to your daily postings.
I am now retired but I remain optimistic and hope the people will 'see the light' and vote accordingly in 2010 and 2012.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 2:01:06 PM
CaseAce
So Obama has it down to a simple formula,
IF business has enough customers
IF it's profitable
IF they can get a bank loan
IF they can get inventory
IF their customers buy up the new inventory...
I have to tell you, if a decision to cross the street was filled with that much uncertainty, I'd stay home in bed.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 2:14:38 PM
LPZJ
Obozo, full of lies and miss leading this country. Commander in Chief, please, blood sucker. Obozo, doesn't even have a birth certificate.
God Bless America
Posted February 12, 2010 at 2:51:05 PM
Olivia
Good edition, guys! Thanks and keep up the good work.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 3:21:50 PM
W.T.Door
Iran. Sanctions and diplomacy. Surely, you jest! Regrettably it seems the most likely course of events is that they will actually produce some form of nuclear device which will be passed to a terrorist group for effective (think 9/11) use in this country. No smoking gun in Iran's hands, therefore, no U.S. reaction as The One in the White House is definitely no Teddy Roosevelt. Is our only real hope that Israel will take preemptive action for which there will be international condemnation instead of the plaudits of a thankful world? North Korea as a weapon source also fits the scenario.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 3:28:00 PM
Donnie B.
"There is plenty of room, and need, for Tea Partiers of all stripes and in all places -- including those willing to fork over big bucks for a weekend confab." NO, NO and HELL-NO!!!!!!!For-Profit Tea Parties and the contention that they are "big tent" is a complete waste of time, energy, and more importantly our money. Sans a vetting system they will not offer knuckleheads like troofer Medina, Mcglowan, Farah and others a stage you are simply replaying 1992's footnote. Thank you Beck, Morrisey and others for exposing this double talking train jumper. Shame on Palin for attending this latest circus - Her naivete knows no bounds.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 3:39:59 PM
Al C
John Murtha may have at one time been a good Marine, but he sure turned out to be a "self server" in the Senate.I will maybe forget, but will never forgive him for the miserable and political comment he made about the wonderful guys in the Corps. (or is it the Corpse?) Mamma always told me to speak good of the dead. About Murtha, all I am able to say is that it is GOOD he is gone.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 4:58:38 PM
Kenneth Gaby
Digest, Feb 12,2010; plight of the 10 baptists.
Let's see; 10 Americans in jail charged with kidnapping orphans in an earthquake devastated country and it would be very unusual for the Sec of State's office to get involved since this is an issue for the Haitian judicial system. I thought based on the intervention in the Honduran judicial and congressional systems recently by the President and Sec of State, that the Sec of State would be quick to intervene in the Haitian situation. Guess I didn't interpret that first example very well. Ken in Texas.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 5:32:00 PM
Rifleman
The Commiecrats have morphed from cramming their health "care" bill through to breaking it into smaller packages. That's like the wife who wishes to poison her husband. She doesn't feed him enough arsenic to kill him in one fell swoop. She adds a few granules to his food, one meal at a time.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 6:05:13 PM
Rifleman
Bumper Sticker:
DIVERSITY: It killed 13 at Fort Hood.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 6:12:41 PM
Howard Last
The weather in D.C. will not bother Murtha, he is in a very warm place. He should run into the hero of Chappaquiddick there.
How come the republican leadership (still an oxymoron) is not saying the federal government has no Constitutional authority to gte invoilved with health care. If health care passes you can thak the God Owful Party.
And lastly, King Peter (oops Peter King) is no republican, a RINO at best. Look at his record in Congress. His support of anti-gun bills for one. And his support of Dubya's agenda.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 6:16:02 PM
Freeman Shell
The CG & CSM of Internation Forces Afghanistan have decided to get rid of Moral Welfare & Recreation facilities (Burger King etc) and canned drink dispensors to end all of those useless items to make room for the 30,000 troops. The Gen & the CSM apparently have not been in a Burger King and appear to be mistakedn as to its size. These extra items have ben in the army system since the sutlers brought current time items to the civil war troops.
MWR activities include Libraries, Education both military and civilian, gyms and the activities which fund these activities. Perhaps the Gen or CSM have not been in a library and do not know it purpose. I was in Vietnam the last year 72-73 and saw the uses of MWR and the Drug use by bored troops (yes that year included the Easter Offensive and sniper and sapper attacks and shooting at US Army aircraft until the end. For some strange reason I suspect the General Officers and Command Messes will not be eliminated. They did not mention closing of Officer & Senior NCO Clubs. Gyms will be retained.
quote
Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, has ordered many Army and Air Force Exchange Service facilities closed as a way to focus on the war and to provide space for the U.S. troop buildup.
According to a “fragmentary order” issued earlier this month, concessions such as Burger King, Dairy Queen, Orange Julius, Pizza Hut, the Oakley stores and Military Car Sales must be closed within 60 days, with the possibility that each concession could get a 30-day extension.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Hall:
Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Facilities
Many of you have heard that there are plans to shut down some of the “amenities” throughout Afghanistan. This is not rumor. It is fact. This is a warzone – not an amusement park. From the moment GEN McChrystal and I arrived in Afghanistan last summer, we began looking for ways to do things more efficiently across the battlefield – the optimization of ISAF. This effort includes moving and reallocating resources to better accomplish our mission.
One of the ways we’re going to do that -- in order to accommodate the troop increase and get re-focused on the mission at hand -- is to cut back on some of the nonessentials. That includes some of the morale, welfare and recreation facilities throughout Afghanistan. In the coming weeks and months, concessions such as Orange Julius, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen and Military Car Sales will close their doors.
Other changes will not be so obvious. We will also reduce the amount of canned and bottled goods coming into country, as well as first-run movie showings and non-USO entertainment shows.
end quote
Posted February 12, 2010 at 6:21:19 PM
Anton D Rehling
What do you call a government that provides false information to manipulate the populations they were elected to represent, ignoring rules of conduct and limits of legislative activities to subvert a freedom they swore an oath to uphold? What do you call a government intent on raising taxes beyond what is reasonably needed to operate a limited government and provide of common defense? Is a government that lies to its citizen as a normal course of business a representative government? It seems that the above is an accurate description of our elected government. Now we have to ask ourselves, what and when are we really going to do something about a bunch of law breakers in state and federal government acting in a way expected from a bunch of Marxist Socialist tyrannical elitists?
Posted February 12, 2010 at 6:31:07 PM
Dolores Adams
How in the world is social security going to be built up if obama excepts the companies from paying social security tax for new hires?
Doesn't make any sense to me.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 6:44:50 PM
OhioRiver
Obama: No "reasonable expectation of privacy".
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4. From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage
If u want a great to read, that's just out, I suggest this one cause it's about a small town in America (yours or mine) that finally stands up to federal tyranny (govt.intrustion)& ends up starting the 2nd American Revolution.
It's that good for what's coming in 2010.
www.booksbyoliver.com
Posted February 12, 2010 at 7:35:33 PM
Robert Meigs
Rep. Peter King is a REPUBLICAN!
Posted February 12, 2010 at 8:48:01 PM
Ileana
Wow! I am amazed how few Americans understand what socialism, communism, and fascism really are. You are strictly going by the Webster's dictionary definition and the revisionist history taught to you in school by the liberal progressives. The ignorance of the voters is overwhelming.
I guess we deserve what is coming our way from the progressives in power right now.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 8:59:17 PM
Roger
As much as I enjoy reading your daily digest, I feel compelled to disagree with the statment below, quoted from your February 12th commentary concerning John Murtha:
"While Murtha may have had legitimate questions about the tactics used to fight the enemy in Iraq, many took offense at his characterization of our military as cold-blooded killers."
My question to you would be, what 'legitimate' questions do you believe Murtha posed concerning the tactics used to fight the enemy in Iraq? Before you answer that question, keep in mind the "enemy in Iraq" often take refuge behind their own women and children to avoid detection, while our coalition forces attempt to survive wearing easily identifiable uniforms during every waking hour of their deployments.
Jack Murtha rarely, if ever had a legitimate concern about anyone other than Jack Murtha.
Sincerely,
Roger Neal
USMC Field Radio Operator, 1975-79
Posted February 12, 2010 at 9:07:44 PM
Cindy
re: Hillary refusing to help missionaries arrested in Haiti
As an American citizen living overseas, I am greatly troubled by Ms. Clinton's refusal to intervene in any way with the missionaries who were arrested in Haiti. On the second page of my passport there is a paragraph which appears in three languages; English, French, and Spanish:
"The Secretary of State of the United States of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection."
Maybe since my passport was issued before the new, colorful ones it has this paragraph, and the new ones do not. It seems to me that this paragraph implies the assistance of the Secretary of State, or at least the State office, should the passport bearer have difficulty in any way. This action by our Secretary of State is quite troublesome to me, and should be to anyone who travels outside of our borders at all. May God bless America and return her to her foundation.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 9:35:55 PM
George Robinson
On the matter of the jailed& charged do-gooders in Haiti. You neglected to say that they FAILED to acquire the necessary documents from the HAITIAN Govt. By putting the slant on the story you did, you make yourselves no better than the liberals you complain about. There is a long history of human trafficking in Haiti and the Govt. there is attempting to clean up their act, at least a little. It is my opinion that you should report all of the story and not slant it to meet your political or ideological purposes. Do not lower yourselves to the level of the liberal left wingers.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 10:10:31 PM
David Michael Myers
BHObama, in my estimation (and I've been estimating a long time,) is a CRYPTO-MARXIST. That means to me that he is a Marxist but he wants no one to know it.
He seems to be working right out of "Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinsky. Marx was a socialist. Alinsky was a socialist. Communists are socialists. Just ask David Horowitz who was born of and raised by communist/socialist parents!
"Progressives" are collectivist/socialists. Maybe they wish to impose socialism to slightly different degrees, but they all worship big-government behavior-control and detest individual freedom.
I think BHObama's tactic is to get as many severely radical things rammed through Congress as he can before any of the "sleeping giant" (Middle America, including "pinhead" Bill O'Reilly) wakes up!
O'Reilly was convinced by Laura Ingraham just last night that BHObama's policies fit the collectivist/socialist mold. That's OK. O'Reilly graduated from Harvard, too, so what can we expect?
Posted February 12, 2010 at 11:17:26 PM
Bernadette A. Varga
Government interference in our lives is unbelieable. As a lunch aide at a public school on Valentine's Day I was not allowed to give my first graders a very small, tiny M&M bag even if I told them to take it home so Mom could see it first. Not Allowed. One girl has a peanut allergy I would have given her something else but she was absent.
Now, the Record In New Jersey, this Friday, Feb. 12th, says minorities are still behind whites in school. But, of course, the vouchers in D. C. were really helping minorities to catch up and were cut brutually by Obama. This was not mentioned. The inner city schools that were Catholic are being turned over to be charter schools. How long will they have Catholic values. To bad, the Bishop's Campaign for Human Development didn't give the money to the inner city schools instead of Acorn. They would be open now as Catholic schools.
Posted February 12, 2010 at 11:35:05 PM
P Fogg
If Michelle Obama cut her personal staff of 24 back to the maximum of 3 used by any other First Lady in history, just THINK of the education she could fund!
Corporate and government GREED is a huge part of this country's problem.
Posted February 13, 2010 at 6:16:15 AM
Ruth Ann Wilson
Cindy, that's very interesting. As Americans we could count on our "government" if we were "abroad" to "set things straight" if we were accosted by foreign governments. (the OLD days)
But with the International, sovereignty "break-down", that is so "relished" by those in power in Washington, I guess if you travel "abroad" it will be at your own "risk", if you are a common citizen.
Teddy Roosevelt, as President at the turn of the Century, didn't see it that way. If you were an American citizen, you were "treated" with respect because our government stood behind the citizens.
Now, I don't know a lot about this "missionary situation" but I did see a report about the Judge down there, that heard the Parents of the Children and the Parents wanted the Children to go to America with these missionaries???!!!!! Something else happened and the missionaries stayed in jail.
Bill Clinton "rescued" those "journalists" from North Korea just a few months back. Reckon, he could "intercede" with his wife to go down to Haiti on behalf of these Americans?????
What days we live in.
For God & Country
Ruth Ann Wilson
Posted February 13, 2010 at 7:47:30 AM
L Patterson
How do you go about starting a movement for impeachment for Mr. Obama? This is a serious question and I am fed up.
Posted February 13, 2010 at 12:33:12 PM
H. A. White
I do not deny that health insurance and medical expenses are almost unaffordable; however, I have yet to see the Federal Government implement any program that was not eventually a failure no matter how well intentioned. My mother used to tell me that the road to perdition was paved with good intentions. I have served on the board of the local Urban Ministry Center, and among other very good programs; it supplies free clinics for the poor staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and dental personnel. Also my daughter is an ER nurse. She contends that many of the people that use the ER are using it as their primary medical care. This brings me to a suggestion:
Why not make medical school available to qualified students; and rather than graduating them with thousands of dollars in debt let them staff clinics in exchange for their educational expenses. I would imagine that the clinics themself could be constructed and staffed under similar funding opportunities. Yes, it would probaly take government participation to accomplish this; however, there should be more direct results from such a program at millions less dollars. Also, insurance and regional hospitals could participate since it would undoubtedly help them financially.Any thoughts?
Posted February 13, 2010 at 1:42:17 PM
Jubal E. Harshaw
Love the Just Say No to Socialism button.
Problem is most Republicans are socialists. Medicaid, Medicare, prescription subsidies, Social Security, home heating assistance, weatherization assistance, food stamps, renters rebate, earned income credit, mortgage deductions, farm subsidies, corporate subsidies, you name it, everybody rationalizes their little piece of government provided privilege.
As a nominally conservative friend is fond of saying, "I paid in, I'm sure as hell going to get mine". Which in my mind -since he won't kiss it goodbye- confirms he's a socialist too. And therefore, part of the problem.
Posted February 13, 2010 at 2:48:28 PM
Fred Loe
What men of any wisdom or vision do not ignore is the Kennedy's and the Murtha's character flaws no matter passed on or like Patrick Kennedy's still espousing how they were men of the people.All three in some way treated" we ins" as stupid and their good intentions threw us under the bus like the elite's they think they are or at least in the Kennedy clan fought the wrong "Folks" each and every time.They all cheated us of what is right and fair to all concerned.
Posted February 13, 2010 at 5:51:43 PM
eib
Quote:
So because he hasn't succeeded, he's not a socialist? That's brilliant logic! end quote
Hasn't succeeded?
No he hasn't even tried.
You don't negotiate with the private sector, you don't bail out private sector banks if you intend to destroy the private sector.
The logic of his behavior contradicts what you've asserted and you know it.
Posted February 13, 2010 at 6:04:25 PM
ILEANA
eib: This administraiton has interferred with the free market by confiscating banks, GM, Chrysler, the student loan program, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac - it has not "bailed out" anybody - it nationalized these industries by twisting arms or by executive order. Nationalization of industries is a form of socialism.
He did not negotiate with the private sector - he called CEOs into a meeting at the White House and forced them to accept money at a nominal interest rate under certain terms whether they needed such "bailout money" or not.
Some TARP funds are unaccountable today because huge amounts went to European banks. (See article on Goldman Sachs in June 09 edition of Rolling Stones and recent article by Ann Coulter)
Posted February 13, 2010 at 10:42:06 PM
B. Lee Pemberton
After more than 1 year, there is yet no federal investigation of Obama's eligibility: his birth certificate has not yet been presented. Do we not have ANY Federal law enforcement capable of determining if he is actually eligible?
Who is protecting this mystery-man? They should be jailed along with him if he is not actually a citizen!
Posted February 13, 2010 at 11:03:37 PM
Recce1
You mean that old coot Robert Rowley wasn't arrested for molesting with malice aforethought those enterprising long hours working boys Matthew Alan Clinage and Christopher Polson? What's the US coming to? ;-)
Posted February 14, 2010 at 3:37:51 AM
Charlie Seng
The comments made in the Digest today about health coverage that "both sides don't want insurance companies to exclude ill persons" is simply not true. For example, if you want to buy Fire Insurance, no one in their right mind would expect the fire insurance company to accept your application if your house was on fire, or if investigations showed the homeowner stored gasoline by a furnace. Likewise, no business insuring health risks should be expected to accept as risks persons who have known medical disorders that could reasonably be expected to produce claims immediately or in the forseeable future. Yet, you have painted such silliness as something "both sides" are for. Please clarify this item, since Democrats have long used this item to paint insurance companies wishing to eliminate sick persons from insurance policies, which is good busiiness, as evil. Thank you.
Posted February 14, 2010 at 7:55:09 AM
jd
"The far-reaching, nationwide campaign called 'Let's Move' calls for ... myriad initiatives that target what Obama calls four key pillars:"
Hey, I have an idea.
Let's put up some skeletons made of bars, in an open area so kids can climb on them.
Or
How about we set up areas where kids can play with a ball, throwing it at each other (Let's call it Dodge ball) and try to avoid being hit by the ball.
Or how about a game where one kid chases all of the others around the playgound, and if the touches one of the others, then the one touched has to chase ther rest of them. (We could call that TAG.)
Whaddya think?
Posted February 14, 2010 at 12:56:02 PM
Howard Last
To Roger Megis.
Peter King is a republican like, Rockefeller, Javits, Dubya, Bush 1, Gingrich, McCain, Lindsey Graham, Arlen Spector, etc. are/were republicans. And before anyone says, Gingrich, he is a member of the CFR. How come members of the CFR are not charged with treason?
Posted February 14, 2010 at 4:52:17 PM
al carroll
The insulting piece you did on Rep.MURTHA is the kind of bile that should be expected from you.You yellow belly COWARD know all about everything military but yet you were to sorry to serve your COUNTRY.You don't have the integerity to even have the name in your pea brain.
Posted February 14, 2010 at 5:52:10 PM
Vin Soares
To Keep and Bear Arms
Thankyou for posting the article on Robert Rowley in Winter Haven, Florida and his defense of his property and personal safety. I sincerely hope there were no charges filed against Mr. Rowley. Had he been in CT and did the same thing he would surely have faced a multitude of charges. Here we cannot defend ourselves outside our homes without being charged with something. Even inside our homes we are required to flee before using deadly force to defend ourselves. No castle docterine here.
In any case I am always gald to hear of the 2nd amendment in action.
Posted February 15, 2010 at 8:10:05 AM
Ruth Ann Wilson
Mr. Carroll, If you think Mr.Murtha was "unfairly criticized" in the article, you would have benefited listening to "Local Talk shows", two years ago, in Northern Ohio, adjacent to Mr. Murtha's Pennsylvania district.
The common citizens were "weeping and wailing" because of Mr. Murtha's representation. They tried to "vote him out" but the "machine" (the unions and the Democrats) "roared in his favor".
(NO, I am not for "term limits" “IN GOD WE TRUST” Benjamin Franklin, “God rules and reigns in the affairs of men”)
"Then conquer we must, if our cause it is just(and it is) and this be our motto: "IN GOD IS OUR TRUST".
"And it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the Judgment" Heb.9:27 What our duty as mortal beings is, is to “BE READY” “Clean hands, pure heart”.
For God & Country
Ruth Ann Wilson
Posted February 15, 2010 at 10:36:03 AM
Retired Army 1SG
There are few sporting events these day's, (with over priced talent and no bang-for-the buck) that is a "stop down" for me as to watch as the Super Bowl (Who Dat...you rule). How could CBS broadcast a national and global televised sporting event, with superb lead-up stories, coverage, etc. and give a platform to BHO to spew the same old crap he's tried to do on prime-time. It's one thing to lie to people on a day-to-day basis but stay off the air when we want to watch a sporting event.
Posted February 15, 2010 at 9:04:36 PM
Johnny
“The only thing the “Baptist 10” are guilty of, is ignorance. Ignorance of the way things are done in third world countries. Officials must be “paid” (read bribed) every step of the way. Now, the bribe will be much larger to get them out of jail. In the end, the evil Americans will look bad and the Haitian government will claim credit for saving 33 orphans.” -- Johnny
Posted February 16, 2010 at 7:57:49 PM
Johnny
"I forgot to mention that it doesn't matter that what you are doing is noble or good. What matters is that somebody gets their bribe."
Posted February 16, 2010 at 8:01:53 PM