Friday Digest
A Day Late and a Trillion Dollars Short
"An unlimited power to tax involves, necessarily, a power to destroy; because there is a limit beyond which no institution and no property can bear taxation." --John Marshall
Waiting until after the U.S. technically plunged over the so-called fiscal cliff on Jan. 1, Congress and the White House finally reached a "deal" on taxes and some spending. Call it the fiscal bluff, or perhaps the farcical cliff, but whatever its name, neither political party is happy with the terms. It also sums up what Ronald Reagan once said: "Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."
Bipartisan majorities in the 112th Congress held their noses to pass the bill without even knowing what was in it. Senators received it about three minutes before voting. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who before ObamaCare passed said, "You have to pass it to find out what's in it," called it "a happy start to a new year." That tells us an awful lot. Barack Obama's autopen signed it Wednesday while he was back on vacation catching a wave in Hawaii.
The bad news -- and there's plenty -- is that the deal contains $10 in tax increases for every $1 in spending cuts. In fact, the deal increases spending by $330 billion over 10 years while deferring sequestration cuts for two months so the 113th Congress can fight that battle again, along with raising the debt ceiling. Democrats call this a "balanced approach," but it leaves the U.S. facing yet another trillion-dollar deficit this year. Unfortunately, that pales in comparison to the looming crisis of $48 trillion in unfunded liabilities for Social Security and Medicare.
Congress raised taxes for the top bracket, which includes hundreds of thousands of small businesses, during what might as well be a recession. The Left's favorite target, the "rich," consisting of "millionaires and billionaires," now officially includes individuals earning $400,000 and couples that earn $450,000 (that's quite a marriage penalty, if you ask us). Capital gains and dividends taxes on these same taxpayers will rise from 15 percent to 23.8 percent (including the new ObamaCare surtax of 3.8 percent), and deductions will be limited for individuals earning more than $250,000 and couples at $300,000. The death tax also will increase from 35 percent to 40 percent, with a $5 million exemption. Obama wanted 45 percent, and it would have gone to 55 percent without a "deal."
Even as Democrats gouge the "rich," however, they offered numerous favors to their flush corporate friends. From a long list, the starving artists in Hollywood get a $248 million tax break, NASCAR track owners get $78 million, rum distillers can toast to $222 million and the wind-energy sector can blow through $12.1 billion. In the end, Democrats gave away much of the new taxes they will extract from the top bracket, while further complicating an already bloated tax code. Yet Obama had the chutzpah Tuesday to call for "further reforms to our tax code so that the wealthiest corporations and individuals can't take advantage of loopholes and deductions that aren't available to most Americans."
The deal doesn't just hit the "rich," either. Taxes will increase for 77 percent of taxpayers because the temporary payroll tax cut was not extended. This undoubtedly will surprise many middle-class and poor people when they see smaller paychecks next payday. The average family earning $50,000 will be gouged with a tax increase of about $1,000. And it's highly unlikely that Obama is finished trying to raise taxes.
The effect on the already stagnant economy almost certainly won't be good. The 155,000 jobs added in December are barely enough to account for population growth. Headline unemployment rose to 7.8 percent (which matches November's new upward-revised number), U-6 held steady at 14.4 percent and labor-force participation stayed at 63.6 percent, just above the 31-year low of 63.5 percent.
Despite all this, there is a small silver lining. The Bush tax rates are now permanent for all but the top bracket. Their temporary status was a significant GOP failure when the cuts were first passed a decade ago. We wish rates were even lower, but their new permanence means that any tax hike in the future will be transparently just that -- a tax hike. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is now indexed to inflation, making unnecessary the annual ritual of passing a "patch" to spare the middle class the extra tax. Obama did not (yet) achieve his desired tax increase on families earning $250,000 and had to settle for a higher threshold.
Perhaps best of all, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), who was narrowly re-elected as speaker Thursday, stated his intention never again to negotiate with Obama behind closed doors because the president has shown his true red colors. Republicans may find they have more leverage on spending and the debt ceiling, as well, but we're also not holding our breath for Obama to agree to real spending cuts.
On balance, settling for this steaming pile isn't as bad as it could have been, but it's hardly satisfying. That's the consequence of losing the presidential election by running a weak candidate against a vulnerable incumbent, which is itself a consequence of failing to sell a majority of the electorate on the virtues of Liberty and constitutionally limited government.
Quote of the Week
"I appreciate all the hard work that went into avoiding the so-called 'fiscal cliff.' I especially commend Senator [Mitch] McConnell's efforts to make the best out of a bad situation. Nevertheless, I cannot support the arrangement they have arrived at. ... Thousands of small businesses, not just the wealthy, will now be forced to decide how they'll pay this new tax and, chances are, they'll do it by firing employees, cutting back their hours and benefits, or postponing the new hire they were looking to make. And to make matters worse, it does nothing to bring our dangerous debt under control." --Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on why he joined seven other senators in voting "no"
On Cross-Examination
"I just wanted to thank so many on the other side after all these years for finally acknowledging publicly that 98 percent of the Bush tax cuts helped the middle class." --Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
The BIG Lies
"I just wanted to take a minute to explain to everyone what we were able to achieve this week. In the face of looming deadlines that would have taken a big chunk out of everyone's bottom line, you know my top priority has been preventing a tax hike that would have hit 98 percent of all Americans in 2013, because the last thing middle-class families could afford now would be to pay upwards of $2,000 more in taxes this year. ... We've stopped that middle-class tax hike." --Barack Obama, who actually did hike taxes on most taxpayers
"[I]f you look at my track record over the last two years, I cut spending by over a trillion dollars in 2011." --Barack Obama, who presided over increased spending of $147 billion in 2011
Looking Ahead
Now that Congress has dealt with the tax crisis, the debt ceiling looms as the next showdown in just a couple of months. We can hardly wait.
As one perspicacious politician said about our ever-increasing debt, "The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. ... Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that 'the buck stops here.' Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."
That politician was Barack Obama in 2006.
Government and Politics
Second Amendment: Gun Grabbers Forge Ahead
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, using the caskets of the children murdered in Newtown as her platform, released the details of her new "assault weapons" ban, and it's much worse than the 1994 version. Among the details: It bans the sale, transfer, importation or manufacture of 120 specifically named semi-automatic rifles (including the M1 Carbine), as well as some semi-automatic handguns. Contrary to media myth, of course, these are not "assault weapons." Rifles with any one of a list of undesirable features would be banned. To help determine these restrictions, Feinstein said she looked at pictures of guns in 1993 and again in 2012.
The ban would extend to magazines exceeding a capacity of 10 rounds (which is lower than standard capacity for most rifles and handguns), and it would include guns with fixed magazines that can accept more than 10 rounds. Meanwhile, in the House, Democrats Diana DeGette (CO) and Carolyn McCarthy (NY) introduced the High Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act. This is a different bill from Feinstein's in that it will target only magazine capacity instead of the firearms themselves, apparently in the hope that if an outright assault weapons ban doesn't pass, one regulating magazines might.
Furthermore, Feinstein's bill requires registration of the semi-automatic rifles you already own with the ATF. Previously, the National Firearms Act (NFA) required this only for machine guns. ATF registration will require that you provide the gun's serial number and photographs of it; that you pass another background check and supply fingerprints; and that you obtain certification from local law enforcement of your identity and that your possession wouldn't violate state or local law. Registration also includes a $200 fee per gun. Again, this is all for weapons you already own. Then, most outrageously, when you die, your "assault weapons" are forfeited to the government -- they may not be passed down to your heirs.
Never mind that year after year murders committed with hammers and clubs far outnumber the murders committed with a rifle of any type, or that twice as many people are killed by hands and fists as rifles.
Feinstein's play here is likely to ask for more than she knows she'll get, but her real goal is also an outright gun ban. In 1995, she explained, "If I could have gotten 51 votes in the Senate of the United States for an outright [gun] ban, picking up every one of them -- Mr. and Mrs. America, turn 'em all in -- I would have done it." Now that she's renewed her efforts, it's certainly no wonder that December gun sales broke records.
We encourage you to contact your senators and representatives to express your opposition to this unconstitutional gun grab. One former Marine did so, and his letter is worth reading. What happened in Newtown wasn't a "gun problem," and it won't be solved by taking away the Liberty of law-abiding citizens.
Around the Nation: States Aim for Guns, Too
Dianne Feinstein and her fellow NeoComs in Congress aren't the only ones seeking to confiscate citizens' guns. Illinois state legislators are crafting a gun ban that would make Feinstein drool. The Illinois bill would ban all semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns, as well as pump-action shotguns -- no exemptions and no grandfathering, meaning gun owners must turn their firearms in to police to avoid prosecution. Magazines holding more than 10 rounds must be registered with police. If it weren't so serious, this bill would be laughable, especially in light of the 2010 Supreme Court ruling striking down Chicago's handgun ban.
Likewise, New York's legislature is working on a bill to expand its own "assault" weapons ban. All semi-automatic rifles must be surrendered to police, as must all magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds. It upgrades the offense for possession to a felony.
Some years ago, a governor made a proclamation saying, "I have thought fit to issue this Proclamation to require all Persons who have yet Fire-Arms in their Possession, immediately to surrender them at the Court-House, to such Persons as shall be authorized to receive them; and hereby to declare that all Persons in whose Possession any Fire-Arms may hereafter be found, will be deemed Enemies to his Majesty's Government."
That governor was the British governor of colonial Massachusetts. As we recall, that effort in 1775 to confiscate weapons didn't turn out too well -- for the British.
From the Left: Newspaper Publishes Gun Owner Info
The Journal News, a newspaper covering the northern New York City suburbs of Westchester and Rockland counties, is doing its part to undermine and betray lawful gun owners. Last week, the paper published the names and addresses of every registered gun owner in the two counties. Some 40 percent of those are either active or retired law enforcement personnel. Not only does this egregious act put the lives of these gun owners in danger, but it also has the effect of putting a Gun-Free Household sticker on the homes of those who don't own firearms.
The newspaper says it's just honoring the public's right to know, but the paper obviously has an anti-gun agenda. Yet, in a stunning display of hypocrisy, after receiving a flood of complaints, the paper chose to hire armed personnel to guard its offices.
New and Notable Legislation
Barack Obama signed the $633 billion defense bill, which renews defense funding for the year. He had threatened to veto the legislation because it limits his authority to transfer Guantanamo detainees, and he issued a signing statement opposing Section 533 for its "ill-advised" conscience protections for military chaplains in matters related to the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The bill also stiffens penalties on Iran and increases security at diplomatic facilities around the world in response to his administration's calamitous and unforgivable dereliction at Benghazi, Libya.
The president also signed an extension of the 2008 amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that include wiretapping of suspected terrorists. As with so many other Bush-era counter-terrorism measures, Obama sanctimoniously campaigned against the law in 2008, only to now quietly embrace it.
Playing to the crowd, members of Congress from the New York-New Jersey area hit by Hurricane Sandy expressed outrage this week that House Speaker John Boehner let the year lapse without scheduling a vote on federal storm relief. Rep. Peter King (R-NY) even implied he would switch parties. The Senate passed a pork-laden $60.4 billion measure last Friday, while the House is scheduled to vote on a scaled back $9 billion portion later today, and the remainder on Jan. 15.
The outraged members, however, should take a Valium. Storm victims will not go unaided even without a bill twice the size of New Jersey's entire annual budget. And House GOP leaders should be praised for balking at a bill that contains pork such as $50 million for tree planting on private property, $125 million for a watershed protection program, $150 million for fisheries as far away as Alaska (which was just outside the storm's path) and $336 million for Joe Biden's favorite subsidy recipient, Amtrak.
Economy
Judicial Benchmarks: ObamaCare Lawsuits Continue
Hobby Lobby, a nationwide craft supply chain, sued the Obama administration last year for violating its First Amendment rights via ObamaCare. At issue, specifically, was the mandate that employers provide insurance that covers contraception, including abortifacients, as well as abortion procedures. The White House granted waivers for religious organizations, but argued that a private for-profit corporation has no First Amendment rights. (Leftist newspaper corporations nationwide heartily agreed, of course, using their First Amendment rights to do so.) In December, the Tenth Circuit Court agreed with the administration, leaving Hobby Lobby on the hook for either compliance against conscience, or $1.3 million in fines per day.
However, just before year-end, the Seventh Circuit Court disagreed, saying that the Obama Department of Health and Human Services mandate violates the religious liberty of the owners of K&L Contractors as guaranteed by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The Eighth Circuit Court likewise ruled against the administration, leaving a 2-1 split among federal appeals courts and an almost certain case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, the U.S. District Court for Western Missouri also ruled against the administration and in favor of the wonderfully named American Pulverizer Company of St. Louis, issuing an injunction against the mandate.
Obama's mandate made No. 1 on the Heritage Foundation's list of The 10 Worst Regulations of 2012.
Regulatory Commissars: EPA 'Transparency'
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is joining the ranks of Obama administration personnel leaving before a second term gets underway. Jackson's departure is especially interesting because it comes amid an odd scandal. Apparently, she used the pseudonym "Richard Windsor" (which reminded her of a family pet) to send official messages with a government email account -- all intended to circumvent the Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA. Of course, doing so is unlawful.
The Leftmedia ignored this latest violation of Obama's pledge to be the "most open and transparent administration in history," but it's likely that Windsor-Jackson's indiscretion contributed to her departure. Still, we don't expect EPA policies like the "war on coal" to change without Windsor-Jackson at the helm, because the only thing transparent about this administration is its tyranny.
Security
Immigration Front: Changes by Executive Order
"The Obama administration eased the way Wednesday for illegal immigrants who are immediate relatives of American citizens to apply for permanent residency, a change that could affect as many as 1 million of the estimated 11 million immigrants unlawfully in the U.S.," reports the Los Angeles Times. The Department of Homeland Security's new rule will take effect March 4, and it will allow illegal aliens with family in the U.S. to obtain a provisional waiver before leaving the country to get a visa, thereby circumventing the required three-year waiting period for those who overstayed a visa by six months or more.
According to Alejandro Mayorkas, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "The change will have a significant impact on American families by greatly reducing the time family members are separated from those they rely upon." The bottom line is that the administration is yet again changing immigration law by executive order instead of respecting the constitutional authority of that bothersome Congress. Long ago, in 2011, Barack Obama acknowledged that he needed Congress: "Now, I know some people want me to bypass Congress and change the laws on my own. That's not how our democracy functions. That's not how our Constitution is written." He was substantively right then, even though he was pandering and didn't mean a word of it.
State Department Shuffling Post-Benghazi
In December, we noted that four State Department officials had resigned or were fired over the completely mismanaged lead-up to and aftermath of the murderous jihadi attack at Benghazi. But the definition of "resigned" appears to be somewhat Clintonesque. All four remain on the payroll, and will each be back to work in the near future after some time on "administrative leave." Assistant Secretary of State Eric Boswell will switch desks, but the other three will take up the same jobs. Nothing like transparency and accountability.
Speaking of being accountable, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hasn't yet testified on Benghazi. She's had some time off of late to recover from a fall that caused a concussion that caused a blood clot. That and a dog ate her testimony. On Thursday, she announced that she would testify after all. We'll be interested to hear her account before she steps down.
Culture
Climate Change This Week: Alaskan Cold
Alaska must have missed the memo on global warming, because the northernmost U.S. state has actually been cooling over the last decade. In fact, the state's temperature dropped 2.4 degrees Fahrenheit in the first decade of this millennium. As the Alaska Climate Research Center put it, that's a "large value for a decade." Over the previous century, temperatures in Alaska had generally risen a bit, feeding the global warmists' hysteria. But the new cooling, which researchers attribute to the Decadal Oscillation previously mentioned in these pages, could cause problems for the state's economy -- especially its fishing. Of course, weather doesn't prove a changing climate, but, well, that's the point.
Village Academic Curriculum File: Kid With a Hand-Gun
The week wouldn't be complete without one more absurd story about the reaction to guns after the Sandy Hook murders in December. And leave it to Montgomery County, Maryland, to provide the fodder -- this time, a county elementary school suspended a student for a make-believe gunshot. The Washington Examiner reports, "The 6-year-old, who attends Roscoe R. Nix Elementary School in Silver Spring, made a gun with his hands, pointed it at another student and said 'pow,' according to Robin Ficker, the boy's attorney. He was given a one-day suspension, with a conference on the matter planned for Jan. 2, the day students return to school from winter break."
Assistant Principal Renee Garraway explained to the boy's parents that the disciplinary action was justified because he "threatened to shoot a student," a charge that will remain on his record unless sanity prevails among administrators. In this case, as in so many others, "zero tolerance" ends up meaning zero sense.
And Last...
Sometimes life defies parody. Such was the case this week when news broke that Al Jazeera, the Arab news network so dedicated to open and honest journalism, bought a little-watched cable network, Current TV, which was started a few years back by Al G'ore. Let's count the ways. For starters, raise your hand if you've ever even heard of Current TV. The deal supposedly gives Al Jazeera access to millions of cable-subscribing American households, but if no one watches, does it still count? Time Warner Cable announced that it will now drop the station, so there's part of the answer, and according to the Washington Examiner's Byron York, "Current TV's average 42k primetime viewers is a little less than the 2nd-place 5pm local newscast in Memphis."
Then, of course, there's the fact that Al G'ore is the folk hero of the global warmist movement, but for his 20 percent stake in Current he just pocketed a reported $100 million that came from the oil money of the Qatari royal family that backs Al Jazeera. He also tried to complete the sale in December in order to avoid the new higher tax rate, but he just missed it by two days. That's funny because back in November, he called for higher taxes: "[L]et's ask the most fortunate in our society, including me and you, to do our fair share."
For our part, we can't wait to see whether Current TV will now be more, or less anti-American. And whether it will rebrand itself as Al Gorzeera.
Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus et Fidelis!
Nate Jackson for The Patriot Post Editorial Team
206 Comments
Bob G in Georgia
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:14 AM
Well as for the SS tax. It should never have been redurced in the first place. Also I belive it should go up a percent and do away the I also believe current limit on earnings should go away and you entire income be taxed.
Bob G in Georgia
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:14 AM
Excuse my typing. Please.
Clint Hime in Houston, Texas
Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 2:11 PM
Your typing skills, although limited, vastly exceed your other mental capacities.
Seth Fuller in Mansfield TX
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 3:23 PM
I agree...LOL!
Bob G in Georgia
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:22 AM
On gun control. Here is my take on this. Gun control begins with the gun owner not the government. It seems most of the recent shootings and killings were with stolen guns from legal owners. I believe if you own a weapon and it is not in your physical control, it should be locked up in a suitable gun safe. If you own weapons you need a rider on your insurance policy to protect you if your weapons are stolen and used in a crime. I believe in the 2nd Amendment totally, however as a responsible gun owner mine are secured when I cannot control them. Lets put the responsibility for gun control on the owners and keep big government out of it. Thats my thoughts on this matter. Thank-you for listening. I sent this letter to my Senators.
Howard Last in Wyoming
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Bob G, do you remember the killings in Merced Kalifornia several years back. A naked madman with a pitch fork broke into home where only the children were home. The oldest child a girl was very familiar with firearms, but could not get one as they were locked in a safe in accordance with kalifornia law. Several of her siblings were killed.
Bob G in Georgia
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:53 PM
Dont remember it but sad anyway. I think no matter how you work this, someone will come along and prove your idea wrong. As for the children, well I am not familiar with Calif. law but I still believe that if your can control your weapon, children allowed too, then they dont need to be secured, but lets face it usually someong breakes in and steals the weapons, no one at home. It seems to me all Senators and Congressmen/people from Calif. have been smelling smog to long and has idled there braing a bit. I am from there but am ashamed to admit it now.
Charlie P. in Manassas, VA.
Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 4:55 AM
The problem with everything I read about guns to spanking your own child, is the RIGHTS of the honest law abiding citizen are being trampled in an attempt to fix the problem with criminals and mentaly unstable people. We have many "controls" already in the Law and I don't think any new ones will help. The out right ban on semi-auto weapons such as Sen. Fienstein has proposed is unacceptable. I have a constitutional right to own firearms for protection and lawful hunting. I don't plan to give up my rights to pacify the liberal helper-fixers in our government.
John Q Citizen in Colorado
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 1:55 PM
Where do I start Bob? When I am at home is the firearm considered in "physical control" if it is my drawer in another room? Having a firearm "locked in a safe" does me no damn good when I am sleeping and some criminal decides to break in and threaten my family, while I am fumbling around in the dark trying to get the safe open family members could be shot. Certainly while I am sleeping the firearm is not in my "physical control". As for the insurance rider, I have one in case my weapon is stolen for replacement not in case its used in a crime and the victim sues me. If my firearm is stolen from me I wont have to worry about a law suit because I'll be dead, that is the only way someone is going to get it from me. Your Senators likely don't give a rats ptoo about your letter they are going to do what THEY want and have been for quite some time. You, I and the rest of the voting public are only necessary when they want to be re-elected.
Bob G in Georgia
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 2:02 PM
I thought I said what I ment, however, I agree with all your thoughts. By control you are in the area where the gun is. Its when you leave the house unattended and someone breaks in that I think the weopon should be secured or on your person. Its a tough subject I am aware. Both the Georgia Senators are quite against any gun control by the government. I give them credit for that. I still believe gun control happens at home.
Son of Liberty in Colorado
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 3:04 PM
Bob G. - Gun control ... proper gun control ... is a nice tight 5 shot grouping. And you use both hands to hit what you're shooting at. That is proper gun control.
What the Socialist from Kalifornia is proposing is the beginning of a complete ban leading to mass deportations to Concentration camps (FEMA camps), being declared enemies of the state, and then onto mass executions more commonly known as genocide. Our government did it back in the 1800's with the Indians, and would do it to the rest of us if they could.
However, I took an oath when I enlisted and held true to it for 20 years of active service, nothing released me from that oath to "support and defend the Consitution of the United States against ALL enemies foreign and DOMESTIC, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same." Therefore any legislation trying to take my weapons is unconstitutional and as a result I am not compelled to obey it. Its simple, all everyone needs to do is say "No". If they want another Lexington and Concord let them keep pushing.
Patriot1775 in Leonardtown MD
Monday, January 7, 2013 at 12:23 PM
Here! Here!
Seth Fuller in Mansfield TX
Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 3:30 PM
The OBOTs know that they'll ask for some exorbitant movement on the laws while the would gladly accept some tidbit so that they can satisfy their constituency. I say NO MOVEMENT AT ALL. Take your desire to create a police state and shove it up your ^$$
Grandmaem in republik of nj
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:23 AM
We the people have the solution. The Dem/Lib/Commie methods are at our fingertips. We are constantly reminded of them. We must use their methods now.
Those of us who work (and support those who don't) need to strike for at least a week. The first full week in April might be good timing. And on April 15, Income Extortion Day, do not mail this government any money. Both political parties are arithmatic challanged and don't even begin to argue that it's complicated. I can't spend more than I earn and neither can the government.
Bernard P. Giroux in Dartmouth, MA
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:25 AM
Idiots.
Larry Craig in Wilmette IL
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:34 AM
I don't see any way to post a column on Facebook. Thank you.
Diane in Tx
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:45 AM
There are several ways - first go to the Patriot Post's facebook (FB) page and like it, they always post the current column on FB, and you can share it. A second way would be to copy the url (including the http) and paste it in your status update on FB, wait a few seconds (depending on your computer) and a nicely formated link will appear, and you can click post, along with adding your own comments. The second method works for just about any web page you want to share. Happy posting :-)
beachmom561 in Maine
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Funny, the dems carped on the Bush tax rates only benefiting the wealthy for years. Then when it became a useful political tool for them, they suddenly realized the middle class had benefited too. But we all know how it is. If you're a leftist, hypocrisy is perfectly acceptable and even cheered.
Papy in Ohio
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Until we get rid of our cowardly leadership in the Republican Party we will continue to polish the shoes of the anti- American progressives who are no more then communists in democratic clothes.
TheTexasCooke in Lockhart, Texas
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:40 AM
:...but we're also not holding our breath for Obama to agree to real spending cuts."
Barry doesn't HAVE to agree to spending cuts. Boehner supposedly has control of the House. DEMAND that the Senate pass one of the budgets already on their desks OR NO MORE MONEY will be appropriated through the House! The Constitution says that only the House can initate spending bills....so stop initiating them until THEY establish spending limits with a budget. Barry doesn't have anything to say about it....this is between Harry "GFY" Reid and the Speaker (period). Ending the criminal enterprise that is the Federal Government doesn't strike fear into the hearts of those who are being forced to financially support it....and the others don't matter....other than as a budget item.....and if my Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren could talk, I'm sure with their genetics and ancestory, they would say, "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!" Since Congress refuses to represent them, it will be up to the People.
Diane in Tx
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:49 AM
YES! The House needs to stop sending spending bills the Senate can strip out and send back (like Obamacare and the fiscal cliff bill). When the Senate does this crap, the House should strip out the Senate "amendments" and put their stuff back in... That ought to finish it.
M Rick Timms MD in Georgia
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 9:22 PM
YES YES YES !!! This is the answer. But first pass a bill saying that SS checks and miltary paychecks will get paid. Obama will try to push the Republicans into a Stalement and lie to the Public that seniors and soldiers will be the first people hurt. Do not let him do that. He does not get to decide what gets paid. The House does!
Elliot M Vanetzian Jr in Framingham, Massachusetts
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:10 PM
Gentlemen,
We need constitutional representatives who firstly will follow the CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS, and will not deceive the public. However, its business as usual our representatives have not be fired for not doing the job they promised to do. Therefore, we got this mess, high unemployment, taxes to stop the economy from growing and a President who spends our tax dollars like he drinks water.
The need for common sense tax reform, law reform and our representatives fixing the problems they have created would be a welcome change. The first thing that needs to get done is a real tax reduction to re-start the economy. Then we need to throw out or repeal the current tax code and replace it with something simple like one tax rate for all. The tax rate could be expense based meaning Expenses divided by the total number of employed individuals, that way the ratio could be in dollars or percent based upon income of contributing income earners. Then the government would solve two problems only spending the income from taxes and meeting the government’s expenses, and if the government spent less than the income received we could be in the black ink if you will in on or about 10 years-Wow what a concept. This could be reviewed upon each new elected President but the program remains the same.
As far as the 2nd Amendment, I think, if someone wants to kill you or 20 other people, they will find away, so messing with the 2nd Amendment is not a wise choice; what we need is more attention to individuals who have mental illness problems or family problems to get to the root of the problem, therefore, attacking it from its source. My only other suggestion is to get more people back to work, but, that would require a lower tax rate for all, this might not happen until after Hillary Clinton becomes President that way she is advised properly by Bill.
Well we the people have a long way to go. We need new and fresh representatives in Washington DC. Not what we have now.
MNIce in Minnesota
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 1:41 PM
The House of Representatives has sent many fine bills to the Senate to make real cuts in spending. They even sent one to cancel all of the Democrat-planned tax increases - way back in September. Senator Harry Reid, with the backing of his fellow Democrats, simply refused to even consider them.
Your tax proposal is unconstitutional. It is a direct tax, but it is not an income tax, so it must be apportioned by state as outlined in Article I of the Constitution. There is no practical way to apportion the tax you suggest without having a different tax rate for every state.
It would be much simpler to repeal the entire income tax code (and preferably also the 16th Amendment, given how much Congress has abused the power it grants). I suggest replacing it with a national sales tax on non-essential goods. You can live without a TV set, so that would taxable. You can't live without food, clothing, or medicine, so those would not be taxed. For those who think the wealthy should pay more, note that they spend far more on luxury goods than other people, so they would pay proportionately more in taxes.
The tax code is not by any means the only problematic federal law. For example, there is an archaic milk price support law on the books that would have mandated an increase of milk prices to nearly $8/gallon if Congress had not passed a bill to hold it in abeyance by Dec. 31 of last year. That law needs to go.
The simplest and most elegant way to fix the problem is to repeal the entire United States Code and start over with the Constitution with its amendments as originally intended to be interpreted. It should be a day of rejoicing for America when the Government Services Administration subsequently signs a contract to haul away to the recyclers the thousands of tons of books containing millions of outdated, oppressive and counterproductive regulations that have accreted like barnacles upon our supposed land of the free. Perhaps then we can empty out a few large high-value federal office buildings in DC and sell them to pay down some of the national debt..
Keith in Montgomery, TX
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 1:52 PM
Love it, MNIce!! You nailed it.
JtC in TX
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 4:20 PM
"It would be much simpler to repeal the entire income tax code (and preferably also the 16th Amendment, given how much Congress has abused the power it grants). I suggest replacing it with a national sales tax on non-essential goods. You can live without a TV set, so that would taxable. You can't live without food, clothing, or medicine, so those would not be taxed. For those who think the wealthy should pay more, note that they spend far more on luxury goods than other people, so they would pay proportionately more in taxes."
I've been saying this for years . . . BUT, they'll never do it because it removes the power they crave.
M Rick Timms MD in Georgia
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 9:26 PM
Washington is dysfunctional because they have the Money - our money - stolen from us and used to build power and give to their friends.
Starve the beast!
Dan in The People's Republic of MD
Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 9:31 AM
And repeal the 17th Amendment while we're at it. The States have no representation in Washington as was intended in the Constitution. The Senate was to represent the States and the House was to represent the People (i.e. The People's House).
M Rick Timms MD in Georgia
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 9:31 PM
Beautiful....and of course we will still meat inspectors, and work safety inspectors, etc., - they will just start getting their paycheck from the State. The feds just send the year's funding to each state for the transition year,, then each state can tax and collect what it thinks it needs to run it's own meat inspection program., etc. Believe me, if the meat from Texas starts to be questionable, the free market will correct the problem. We do not need the Feds!!!
Military, border patrol, a panel to resolve disputed arising from interstate commerce,,, and maybe the FAA, only because planes can't hover.
Dan in The People's Republic of MD
Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 3:23 PM
I always say: Congress doesn't need to get anything DONE...they've already done enough...They need to get things UN-DONE! I love when there's gridlock...At least they're not doing more damage. I've thought the same thing you so eloquently espoused or alternately a law that for every one they pass they need to repeal 2, but I'd rather hit the reset button & start with the same Constitution. I'd add term limits, but therein lies the problem. Everyone would want to add their 2cents & we could wind up with a mess. Of course I doubt it could be worse than the current mess.
Hamilton in IL
Monday, January 7, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Texascooke,
You and the Founders said, "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!".
With the 47% in mind, how about the following: "NO REPRESENTATION WITHOUT TAXATION!"
OregonBuzz in Oregon
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:41 AM
Again, the Constitution has been shoved aside. Boehner was not required to "negotiate" with the Traitor in Chief". Article 1, Section 7 states: All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
RedLeg in M'Boro
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:41 AM
I just sent my letter to my reps in Congress. I used the Corporal's base document and changed to meet my point of view. Good link. I may join the NRA here soon.
Jon in TN
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 1:34 PM
Please do join the NRA. They're not perfect, but the growing number of NRA members since the Newtown shooting will send a message to Washington.
bill in ohio
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 2:08 PM
I've been pushing this message for decades. ANY gun owner should join the NRA immediately. I'm a lifetime NRA member, although I don't agree with everything that the NRA says or does. It is a fact that were it not for the NRA, our 2nd amendment rights would have vanished long ago. There are other pro-gun groups, the best of which are the Second Amendment Foundation and the National Association for Gun Rights, along with JPFO (Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership). There is no other group in American history that has done more to secure our gun rights than the NRA. They've been there for every Supreme Court fight, and everything in between. The lazy gun owners that I've talked to just complain that if they join, the NRA will send them pleas for money. Well, that's exactly right, as the NRA is supported by NRA members. If you don't have money to donate, don't do so, but by all means, join the NRA if you want your children to have any means of self defense. The basic no-nonsense truth of the matter is that ALL of the murders ever committed were already against the law. Criminals, by definition, DO NOT obey the law (ANY LAW). Gun laws ONLY disarm the law-abiding. American civilians defend themselves and others on a daily basis with legally owned and carried firearms, although the Leftmedia alwasy refuse to report that fact. Read this: ( http://patriotpost.us/opinion/15975 ) That is merely a very small sliver of the facts that our leftist media giants purposefully ignore.
RedLeg in M'Boro
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 4:18 PM
I read this article when it came out. It is soo true. I have found only 1 case were a legal firearms owner killed more than 1 person in cold blood. The rest were self-defense; hence only 1 person killed. It would be safe to say illegal firearms possessor murdered several people and do all the mass murders. If you add up all the illegal aliens in this country that illegeally possess a firearm and murder rate goes up a lot.
JtC in TX
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 4:22 PM
What good does it do to "send a message" to Washington? They don't listen to anyone and do what they want. I considered joining the NRA but it just puts me on a list that will make it easy to find me and it is useless anyway. How many so-called republicans does the NRA back? How many back the NRA?
Scott in California
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:43 AM
In regards to the story about the six-year-old boy being suspended for making a "gun" with his hand and saying "pow," this is yet another example of a zero tolerance policy not just backfiring, but blowing up in the face of the organization which had the policy. As a subset of political correctness, I see this as yet another glaring, knee-jerk example of how little common sense exists within our system, whether you're talking politics or any other aspect of life. As I've been saying for years, this kind of thing will be the death-by-a-thousand-cuts of us all.
MNIce in Minnesota
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 2:02 PM
As children, my brothers and I and our friends played "bang-bang" games (cops and robbers, etc.) in the backyards of our neighborhoods quite often. We even had sword fights with sticks (with cardboard armor, garbage can lid shields and strict rules we made ourselves to avoid injuries - we weren't stupid). Nobody had any problem understanding this was all pretending, and none of us grew up to be violent criminals.
The overly "chickified" school administration that suspended a kid for pretending to shoot a finger-pistol or imaginary long gun needs a few real men on the faculty to explain how boys think. It might be reasonable to reprimand someone for disrupting class in this, or any other manner, but to call it a threat is absurd unless the boy expressly makes it one. How can they even hope to teach boys when they have such a low level of understanding?
Corbin Douthitt in Hurst
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:44 AM
Mr. Boehner is a fool. His allegiance is to the GOP- Old Guard and NOT America, the citizens and the Constitution. That he was re-elected says enough about our Representatives in Congress. They should ALL be replaced.
Vondell HASS in Wichita
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:46 AM
Is there anyway those in Congress can be forced to read the Constitution? They don't read bills before they vote on them so guess not.
Taking away guns makes no sense. Statistics prove that . Bad guys and the mentally deranged will always kill with whatever weapon they wish. A DUI person kills with an automobile. Shall we take autos away from people, too?
Anton D Rehling in Olympia, WA
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:53 PM
Public transportation is a government pet of our elected. Take away our guns and they will do as they see fit, cars for the government chosen only. I won't be around to see it as I will probably become a casualty of the brute force of government as I will not run.
Brutal Bill in Fork Union, Va
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:47 AM
Once more the liberty hating, gun grabbing, socialist swine, hipocrits are at it again. Sadly, the actions of a criminal are perched to punish the law abiding citizens of our once great nation. If Feinstink's folly passes it may be the push that patriots need to restore the fire of liberty. This will ignite another revolution as 60 million gun owners reach their "line in the sand" regarding confiscation and registration. Molon Labe!!!
Barb in Pennsylvania
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 12:04 PM
What scares me, Bill, is that they'll push our backs to the wall and then law-abiding citizens will react uncharacteristically to the pressure. I think our country is fractured and hurting and our people are on edge; they want, and would support, good, sound leadership, but we don't have enough of that in Washington. There are some who are still fighting the good fight there -- but, they'll burn out if we don't find out who they are, what they stand for, and communicate to them whether we have their backs or not (with our vote).
JtC in TX
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 4:24 PM
Barb, the days when voting was effective are over.
Corbin Douthitt in Hurst
Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:48 AM
If laws worked, we'd have no crime. If GUN laws and restrictions worked, we'd have no gun crime. If common sense was as prevalent as we need, we would have no Democrats. Democrats have no concept of self-responsibility. They always blame someone or something else. It is why we are in the mess today.