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What Is it With Taxes and Obama's Nominees

Posted by Eric Jay on Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:00:00 AM
     Really, what is it with the nominees of President Obama? First, it was Timothy Geithner not paying his payroll taxes for several years? It is dismissed as minor error, as a moment of laxity. Geithner apologized and showed that he was sufficiently contrite, all is forgiven and he is now the Treasury Secretary. All that I have to ask is if it were me who "forgot" to pay my taxes for 8 years, do you think the IRS would be so forgiving? I think not, and if we still had a Debtors Prison I would be sent there forthwith!
     Now we have a new scofflaw. The former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle failed to pay $128,000 in taxes over three years. Wow! Why is it that these men, these high ranking governmental  officials so easily and frequently fail to pay taxes? And how many more of our governmental officials are negligent in the paying of taxes. You know that every Republican that  does the same is given 30 lashes and then cast aside as little more than flotsam. Remember the case of presidential candidate McCain and his failure to pay taxes on one of his seven homes he was made to walk on scorching coals to gain forgiveness. The NYTimes and WaPo went into conniptions excoriating McCain and his trust fund debutant wife Cindy.
     If you are a successful oil and gas producer you are hauled before the Senate and subjected to a grilling by the likes of Sen. Schumer, Barney Frank and other indignant Senators. Even though what the accounts for the major corporations is legal they are made out to be evil by the same accusers who may well be guilty of flouting the tax law. Certainly, the tax code is complex and lengthy for the average Joe, however, in the case of the aforementioned scofflaws they write the darn codes!
     It kills me that the Senate will haul major corporations that they accuse of making obscene profits at the expense of the average Joe when many of those accusers are more than likely of tax dodging; it is legal to attempt to tax avoidance and illegal to tax dodge/evasion. I say there should be a major investigation of the Senate, House and governmental big whigs; an independent prosecutor to ferret out the tax dodgers/evaders. Perhaps, our deficit would shrink!!!!

What say you?

Comments open.

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House Passes Obama Stimulus Bill: 244-188 On Party Line Split

Posted by Eric Jay on Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:00:00 PM
The first big test of the Obama Administration and the 111th Congress passed the Stimulus Spending Bill of 2009. The vote was 244-188 with the entire GOP contingent voting against the package and with nearly a dozen democrats joining in the rejection of the stimulus plan. The $819 billion spending bill is dressed as a stimulus plan, when it is nothing more than the Democrats expanding the reach and size of the Federal Government.
     It is high time that Republicans stood firm and on principle that the party was born of and that Reagan greatly expanded in success. It blows my mind that the GOP is so quick to abandon those principles and have recently transformed the party into a party of Democrat Lite.
     The most basic principle cast aside during the past 8 years was big government spending. Despite early successes with tax rollbacks the GOP did not affect spending cuts; rather it was met with huge amounts of spending. Had the GOP not abandoned that basic principle we might not have a President Obama. The ease with which the GOP casts aside those basic principles was their downfall.
     Many would defend the increase in funding by simply saying that we are at war, and that is what happens during wartime. Bull hockey. The increase was across the board, not just in military spending. The GOP and the Bush Administration should have been more forceful in fighting for reform in banking; the writing was on the wall and the GOP let the Democrats own the issue. The government sponsored entities greased the wheels of democracy by contributing to those Democrats that had the most power to ensure change. Rather those such as Senators Dodd, Frank, and, yes, Obama made sure that those GSEs remained in status quo. As the GSEs were happy to contribute funds for those senators' campaigns. Recall that now President Obama received the third most contributions than all other senators, and that was done in a mere 3 years, where others had been on the GSEs payroll for close to a decade. Sickened yet, I am.
     Now we are presented with a new Pelosi Spending plan that does little to stimulate the economy let alone create jobs. According to the New York Times, you know that bastion of conservatism, has criticized the spending.
     There are numerous provisions within the bill that are nothing more than the usual pork or earmarks. There is money to be spent on Medicaid, money that goes to the National Endowment for the Arts and on goes the list. Much of the money is going to be spent on greening the American power system, roadways and clean water initiatives. This is going to spur the economy on, generate massive numbers of new, sustainable employment? I think not. Rather, it is an effort to change the manner of government, mainly its enlargement. As though the government can better spend our money- an Obama mantra that redistributive wealth 'is good for us all.' Rep. Fortenberry hit the nail on the head when he said, “I fear in the name of stimulus we are on an unsustainable path of spending that will be very difficult to reverse in the future."
    Even the "non-partisan" Congressional Budget Office is decrying the package as much of the spending will not occur immediately, and much of the spending will be in the future, in 2010, 2011 and beyond. This is the change that voters had in mind when they put Democrats in charge and all their Hope in a man named Obama.
     I have talked previously that what economists look to in the stimulative effects of any stimulus, be it tax cuts or spending, and the multipliers that can be assigned to the stimulus. In other words for every $1 in stimulus (either in tax cuts or spending) can be identified as having increased the economy by an additional amount, say $1.50 or $2.00 or $5.00. The numbers really generate into GDP growth. The spending that is being proposed will only have a multiplier effect of an estimated $0 to $1.20 maybe as high as $1.50. When tax cuts are used as an economic stimulus economists believe that the multiplier is significantly higher, from a low of $3.00 to as high as $5.00.
     In conclusion, what the Democratic House and eventually Senate are proposing as stimulus is truly not efficacious. What the Obama Administration and Pelosi Reid are truly forcing upon Americans is the next New Deal. The size and scope of the government is going to reach further and deeper than ever before. As they begin to tell companies what they may pay their executives is merely the beginning; how much longer will it be before they are telling businesses what they can produce and how much they may make. There is a word for this: Socialism...
     The writing is on the wall, and I hope every died in the wool Republican stands up to the Democratic Machine that is rolling out of the Capitol and coming to Main Street USA. During the campaign of 2008 one only had to look at President Obama's associations and voting record to see what we were in store for. He literally duped 53% of the country. Okay. Actually since there is a base of Democrats that subscribe to that philosophy Obama duped 35-40% of the electorate. I am hopeful that we must only endure this for a total of 4 years. And, we have next year to look forward to when Republicans, as long as they stick to their principles, take back the House and Senate. It is high time for a new Contract with America.

 

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Post Partisan Bi-Partisanship: The Democrat and Obama Way

Posted by Eric Jay on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 9:00:00 PM
    I will keep this post fairly brief, but what pundit doesn't enjoy listening to oneself? Really, I am going to simply list a couple of the new signs of BiPartisanship that the new president and his Congress have begun to employ:
  • At a Bi-Partisan round table meeting (at the White House Cabinet room) Mr. President has decided to marginalize talk radio maven Rush Limbaugh by telling Republicans (perhaps somewhat tongue and cheek?) to ignore El Rushbo- you know he's devisive, and his ideas aren't worth the time, and no matter the topic Rush is Wrong (isn't that a Liberal Bumper Sticker?)
  • House Rules under the draconian Speaker Pelosi has relegated Republican's to seat warmers, as the rules prohibit Republican's ability to propose amendments ( is it any wonder that Republican's are grousing that they had little if any input into the newest round of stimulus package)
  • There is the Q/A that Mr. President Obama at the Keene Sentinel where he says that he will "crush them," he is having a little fun here, however there seems to be a pattern here, My Way or the Highway...
  • We won so: "nanner, nanner, boo, boo..." I await the time that Pelosi, Reid or some other Democrat will want to remind us

      What I am gathering in the short run is that the Democrats are punch drunk with the fact that they are dominant in the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and certainly will make huge in roads with in the Judiciary. Why they even have the Fourth Estate, too. If I am made to suffer again in listening to Chris Matthews and his adoration (what is it called when someone literally drools over someone?) of President Obama I may gag. It seems that Obama's Inaugural Speech made him cry. Crying, a tingle running down his leg...what's next (I have a couple of thoughts, but being as how I am a Christian I shall not put words to my thoughts)? Oh, and Matthews also intimated that his network, MSNBC, is uniquely for change just as this transformational candidate and now president. Recall that Obama's slogan (morphed there and back again) was 'Change you can Believe.' 'Yes we can.'
     Basically what it boils down to is that as long as you can agree with us/me (Congressional Democrats/President Obama) our Bi-Partisanship. Really, it is merely a word that has many dance partners, and you can't pin the definition down. BiPartisanship is a fancy word for political duplicity. The electorate will take most of this stuff as pablum, soon enough, though, when nothing really gets accomplished that is strictly partisan, namely Democratic, and the economy continues to crash, the closing of Gitmo becomes a nightmare, weakend PATRIOT ACT and Surveilance techniques, terrorists being moved to the Homeland...it can and probably will get messy and I hate to say it, Americans are more than likely to die.
     I heard an unsubstanitated rumor that the Administration is looking at moving up to 30 of these high risk prisoners to Camp Pendleton. My neighbor!?! Holy crud Batman, I don't want Gitmo detainees anywhere near my home.  The back gate is no more than 100 yards or so from our home. The number one target for terrorists (i.e.: Al Qaeda) on the Homeland may be a military installation. 2 and 2 adds up to 4...I will be very vociferous in my opposition. It is too much that we live near two potential targets (are they soft or hard?- I think hard) at Camp Pendleton USMC and the nuclear plant at San Onofre.
    I will give Bush one prop (huge) for his presidency. No matter what, there was not another attack on the Homeland in seven years, and that counts for a lot to me and my precious family. I truly believe, and I pray I am wrong on this, there will be another major attack on the United States of America and there will be a significant number of casualties, more than the 3000+ dead patriots.
     What we need in this country is a principalled party, a party made of mettle to stand up for all that is its principled platform. Men and women like Reagan, steadfast in their belief that the United States is the best country in the world, the greatest nation on God's green earth and that Shinig City on the Hill, an example to all free nations (and those striving to be free) that all men are created equal, and that our government is merely to assist a Patriot in his/her life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Note, that is not the guarantee of happiness, not ensuring that everyone has an equal station in life. This great nation gives everyone the opportunity to succeed, but none of us is guaranteed a Cadillac Escalade, full benefit health insurance, HDTV, cell phones, etc.
 
Brief, not so brief...
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Tax Rebates: Wealth Redistribution or Feel Good Tax Policy

Posted by Eric Jay on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:00:00 PM
     If you are a regular reader of my blog, I know that there must be one or two of you out there, you know how much I enjoy the Investor's Business Daily (IBD). This is one of the finest daily newspapers, numero uno for me, in the nation. It is “conservative” without the bias in reporting, and their Editorial Board, and therefore the editorial page, has had some of the best conservative commentary. Try getting that in 99% of the daily MSM rags out there. The breathless coverage of President Barack Obama and how anything he does is so earth shattering, breathtaking (insert your own adjective); daily newspapers and magazines are falling all over themselves as they maneuver through President Obama’s presidency, slipping on their own drool- a post for later, perhaps but I digress.
     IBD is pro-America, pro-business, pro-free trade, pro-life, pro-drilling, pro-nuclear, standing athwart socialism & big government and on the list goes. The repertoire on the page that follows the editorials has a Left column, with essayists such as EJ Dionne and Richard Cohen, as well as the Right, such renowned thinkers as Victor Davis Hanson or Charles Krauthammer. Those two pages in IBD are must reads for me, although I will admit nine times out of ten I skip the Left column, wink, wink, nod, nod.
     In addition to the Left and Right columns Tuesday’s has the Letters section. My purpose for posting today has led us to this point, the point at which I must shout from the rooftops the difference between Liberal thinking and Conservative thinking. It just kills me that the Liberal mind can’t get past, what I believe, to be the simplest concepts. The letter today from an Arthur Goldberg of Brooklynn, NY as follows:
====================================================
No More Tax Breaks For The Rich
“Stimulus Deferred” (Editorial, Thursday) bewailed the fact that in the stimulus plan
“there were no tax breaks to households in the top5%of incomes, even though they
pay more than 60% of all taxes.” Besides the fact that President Bush already gave this
group tax breaks galore, people in the top income brackets generally save or invest
rather than spend their income increases.
     But, those in the lowest income brackets, including people who don’t even make
enough to fill out tax forms, those on welfare and Social Security, the unemployed
and disabled, and those working at or near the minimum wage, would spend any stimulus
almost immediately. A payment given primarily to this group would have the greatest
positive effect on the economy, especially if given in cash like the previous stimulus,
and not restricted to those who pay taxes. Payments to these people would also
cause the greatest joy and eliminate the most poverty-related suffering. To the top
5%,anadditional tax break is just a drop in the bucket.
Arthur Goldberg, Brooklyn, N.Y.
(Source: Investor's Business Daily, 27 January 2009, page A11)
====================================================
     At its most basic level Arthur is being human (God love his kind heart) and expressing the emotive benefit of giving money (read that: redistribution of wealth) to those on the bottom end of the tax rolls or those who don’t even pay a dime in taxes- leave out payroll taxes. He even gives the reason in the letter why it is much more beneficial to give tax cuts to the “wealthy.” Precisely, he says, “people in the top income brackets generally save or invest (emphasis mine) rather than spend their income increases.” Yes, you got it Art! And what pray tell for those in the lower income brackets, the “poor,” those in need- the unemployed and/or disabled. What do they do with the “money?” Why of course as he aptly says these folks “would spend any stimulus almost immediately.”
     Indeed, those at the lower spectrum of income, tax rolls, and the disabled amongst others will certainly go buy something. Oh, they might buy a new TV, furniture or a computer- or heaven forbid if they used the money to pay down debt at the very least. However, what Arthur is not aware of is the principle of the multiplier effect. For every dollar spent by the government or given back (or not taken) is multiplied. That multiplier might be 1, 1.5, 2, or 5. The economic benefit of giving those in the lower strata benefits the economy by a multiplier of 1.2-1.5. Not a heck of a lot of dough for the taxes Obama wants to takeout of our family income. Whereas, the multiplier for tax cuts is proven to be far greater. If I recall correctly that multiplier is upwards of 4.5 or 5 times. Now that will create jobs, jobs that are not temporary, they’re not government sinecure employment, permanent ongoing growth oriented employment.
     If I were to write to Arthur, or back to the Editors, I would simply say: “Mr. Goldberg, you are correct in saying that the lower strata benefits by spending, as well as giving you that feeling of euphoria for helping your fellow American in need at this time. A shiver just ran down my spine. However, call it what it is- wealth redistribution. Additionally, you are correct, sir, in that those in the higher brackets save and invest. They are the entrepreneurs, the risk takers as well as the venture capitalists that all help create jobs, small business is the wealth generating machine that needs to be primed. This is the discussion at hand. Leave charity to the private sector- (psst: if you really want to feel good, I could use a few bucks to sink into my new small business). Let the public sector (read that as government) get out of the way.”
Here are some real solutions:
       -make the Bush tax cuts permanent
       -reduce corporate taxes
       -expedite capital depreciation for brining business equipment on line
       -create a new Resolution Trust Corporation and stabilize the housing market so we can then address the other
        systemic  problems
       -allow 401(K) or other qualified plan withdrawals, penalty free if it will be used for a new business or home purchase
        (one time exception)
       -drill baby, drill (I always have to throw that one in)
       -abolish the death tax
       -reduce permanently (if not for a short period) the dividend tax rate
    
     These easily implemented solutions will impact our economy immediately. The housing market would stabilize, jobs will be created- not the temporary highway builders or works project type employment. Oh, and of course we can’t forget that House Speaker Pelosi has said that the president’s policy changes regarding funding for contraceptives and the Mexico City prohibition on funding for entities that provide abortions and/or education will ultimately lead to significant (I don’t know that she was that forceful about this) cost savings. Let me make sure I understand…contraceptives mean fewer children born, and abortions also curb births resulting in fewer mouths to feed.…Nice Madame Speaker. That was an astonishing statement.
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Patriot Post: Founding Father Quote Thomas Jefferson on the Judiciary

Posted by Eric Jay on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:00:00 AM
This little nugget says so much about how Jefferson viewed a strong and essentially untouchable judiciary. Whether it be the SCOTUS or federal benches a strong judiciary can simply impose its will on the populace. Jefferson forsaw a time where the judiciary would simply become a de facto "despot."
 
Elections have consequences that, unfortunately, will reshape the judicial system for a long period. President Obama's desire and soon to be action will be to appoint Liberal and activist judges; both the Federal benches and, please Lord please, the SCOTUS. In addition, it is more than likely that President Obama will get to appoint a minimum of 2 SCOTUS Justices (may goodness, how old is Justice Stevens?).
 

Founder's Quote Daily

"[T]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves, in their, own sphere of action, but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make the Judiciary a despotic branch."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Abigail Adams, 11 September 1804
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Obama To Outlaw Waterboarding: Except When...

Posted by Eric Jay on Saturday, January 17, 2009 11:00:00 AM
     Hahahahahha, this is just peachy, I can't understand how the majority of voters in this country can be deceived so easily. The political doublespeak that came from the lips and mouthpieces of President-elect Obama. His entire campaign was about change, about ending the war in Iraq, and change the way we do business, so that in eyes of the world they will see a rehabilitation of our standing in world Realpolitik. Change we can count on, if I heard that one more time I might have tore my ears off.
     Word has been leaking to the press that one of the president-elect's first actions will be to (I would imagine publically) outlaw waterboarding and possibly many of the other tough interrogation methods used by our intelligence gatherers. Oh, wait just a moment there is this little tidbit from AP sources:
However, Obama's changes may not be absolute. His advisers are considering adding a classified loophole to the rules that could allow the CIA to use some interrogation methods not specifically authorized by the Pentagon, the officials said. They said the intent is not to use that as an opening for possible use of waterboarding, an interrogation technique that simulates drowning.
     What? Isn't that more or less what President Bush has done. My understanding is that the order to use harsh interrogation methods, especially waterboarding, went through the chain of command, all the way to the top, ending with the Commander in Chief. It is also my understanding that one could count fingers and still have a few left of those that waterboarding were used on; Khalid Sheik Mohammed being the most important al-Qaeda operative and the chief planner of 9/11.
     The more things change the more things remain the same, incredible, simply incredible. Rendition must be off the table as well, unless...
     We won't subject a prisoner (or if you prefer, substitute the watered down moniker with "detainees") to loud music BooHoo), perhaps when...
     We won't subject the terrorists (oh, sorry, to some they are freedom fighters) temperatures too low nor too high, except...
 
     I don't understand. If, please God forbid, we are hit with another terrorist attact that kills thousands, maybe even tens of thousands, the people will never give Obama a second term. They will abandon him when he takes the weakend military into a small reply, like Clinton did by lobbing Cruise Missiles. The duped and the duplicit.
     If you had asked me on 9/12 I would have thought we would be hit, again. No doubt about that. We have gone nearly 7 years without an attack, thank you President Bush, for that you have my eternal gratitude, you protected my family, my wife, my saon and my daughter
     President has always said that the enemy is very patient. Their next attack will be bigger, more spectacualr and kill more American's than 9/11. It is that that scares the Heck out of me, I don't trust that Preiden-elect Obama will do the same.
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The Strange Case Of The Obama Cabinet Nominees

Posted by Eric Jay on Saturday, January 17, 2009 10:00:00 AM
     All that is being reported in most of the MSM is how utterly smooth this transition has been going, along with how bright President-elect Barack Hussein Obama cabinet picks have been. That any of miscues have amounted to small bumps in the road, and there is not one Republican Senator with enough guts to stand up for principles, for integrity and ask the tough questions. Here is but a smattering of the miscues, which had these been nominees from a Republican president-elect would have been immediately embroiled in a media swarm. There are some very serious problems with each of these nominees, to such an extent that they should be thrown out in my estimation. The double standards not only in the MSM but on the floor of the Senate are absolutely galling.

Nominee-Cabinet Position-Established Facts

Tim Geithner: 
    Secretary of the Treasury
He failed to pay taxes for 4 years while abroad with the International Monetary Fund- the irony is he will head up the organization that he willfully, flagrantly, attempted to avoid paying1, excused as a mere oversight, hiccups, an infraction that were honest mistakes (for at least 4 years, even signed an IMF form that indicated his responsibility to pay said taxes, pays the two he is legally obligated to pay as statute of limitations ran out the remaining years.

Carol Browner: 
               Environmental Czarina
She is (was) a member of the Socialist International2a socialist organization that has as its core the weakening of the major economic superpowers to establish "The Commission for a Sustainable World Society (CSWS)," (her mysteriously disappearing from the group’s website) read that as a one world government, advocates environmental measures disguised as concern about climate change (formerly known as global warming)
ultimately weakening major economies to create the CSWS

Gov. Bill Richardson:
               Commerce Secretary
The Governor of New Mexico withdraws from consideration as a New Mexico grand jury is investigating charges of financial improprieties3 with campaign contributions allegedly a “pay to play scheme”, actually, he might have made a great Commerce Secretary he is obviously a very capable negotiator!

Eric Holder:
               Attorney General of the United States
Holder was deputy attorney general in the Clinton adminitration. He is being questioned about his role in the pardon of tax evader, white color criminal Mark Rich. When questioned about the the pardon Holder that is was no more example of
an honest mistake. Holder may be guilty of another "honest mistake (lot's of these honest mistakes in this group)" in the granting of clemency of 16 FLAN, a terrorist organization in Puerto Rico. The clemency was given, the reasoning behind it was that there many requests from influential people; such as ex-president Carter, and Coretta Scott King. This shows not only that perhaps Holder is not one to stand up to his superiors and acquiesce's to political pressure, not exactly the individual to carry out their mission and chief law enforcer in the United States. It has been reported that the day of Obama's Inaugration waterboarding will be outlawed, and most other tough interrogation techniques will be forbidden as well. It will not be long until the Warantless Wire-tapping and the USA PATRIOT act are weakend if not outright thrown out. I hate to even think it might happen, but if these tools that Bush/Cheney used to keep the Homeland safe. Of course, we are safer but not yet safe, I fear that the further we go from 9/11 the more we become a country guided similarly to the days proir to 9/11. 9/10 country rather than 9/12ers you might say. We will be putting our country in jeopardy, and I hate to think we might lose more innocent Americans at the hands of those who seek to destroy us.
 
Senator Hillary Clinton:
               Secretary of State
Just the very mention of the name Clinton should make every Republican Senator blanch. She came within a few primary wins of being the Democratic Nominee, and she is well known. What is particularly troubling are the millions upon millions in contributions to the former president's foundation that one must call into question whether or not Senator Clinton would act upon the President Obama's agenda, her own agenda or if undue influence might pressure her to abdicate to the donors of the foundation. The list of donor’s released5 in December last- all 2922 pages! Donors include some very wealthy American's, Bill and Melinda Gates, Stephen Bing, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Arab countries including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Brunei. Does that disqualify her? No but it sure should raised tougher questions from Republicans rather the love-fest she was given on her first day of hearings, I think the Republican's pretty much fell all over each other attempting to bestow their words of praise. I can understand being respectful, but that bordered on A$$ Kissing

     That pretty much does it for me tonight. I guess that we Republicans who truly fought the hard fight, stuck to our conservative principles, those core ideals that President Reagan embodied. Now we must pick up the pieces and reform our party from the top down. It is very easy to come up with a New Contract With America, begin anew, and go out and be more than just the loyal opposition. We must fight tooth and nail for every inch of ground we can. It is time to go back to the Reagan model. As Conservatives we must be conservative:

• Cut all Pork-Barrel spending, ban all Earmarks
• Reduce taxes, across the board, especially corporate and capital gains that will rejuvenate our struggling economy
• Pro-Life , standing firm for the family, in marriage- between one man & one woman, oppose embryonic stem-cell research
• Support Judges and Justices that are Strict Constructionists, that believe in the Constitution and that our Founding Fathers had it right, they may have been flawed but they gave breath to the Constitution and the principles that free peoples strive for: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, Americans are not promised a home, a car in every drive, healthcare, cable, a cell phone, etc. A safety net should be there only for those who are unable to care for themselves, or through charity
• Reduce the Government and Bureaucracy, stand against expansive government recalling what Reagan said: Government is not the solution it is the Problem
• Give the President the Line Item Veto
• Peace through Strength, it toppled the Soviet Union, certainly we can defeat an enemy that also wishes for world domination and to implement their way of life, of subjugation, of religious intolerance for all religions other than its own, our military is all that stands between us and a future Caliphate as those who would appease and capitulate would leave us all to Ayatollah’s,
• Drill, Baby, Drill!!! Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less (American Solutions)
I could go on all night. It is time for change; yes it is as much as it pains me to say what was used so effectively against us. The GOP has to look at the younger generation, get away from trying to be Democrats Lite, or Democrats 2.0. There needs to be revival, a refreshed new Grand Old Party. We must not give up on being Lincoln Republicans, Reagan acolytes. We must begin now, and not give up Lincoln’s reputation, leadership, skills to a man that is the least qualified President-elect ever, ever.
 
     One other thought. If I hear one more reference to one of the greatest presidents ever: Abraham Lincoln. It is, however, the president-elect has woven the image into his inaugural, certainly using the Bible Lincoln used for swearing in. I think it rather presumptuous to compare oneself to Lincoln. Ugh...
==================================================================
Footnotes:
1) FOXNews January 13, 2009, Geithner Failed to Pay Taxes, Hired Housekeeper Without Proper Imgrnt Docs
2) FOXNews January 15, 2009, Obama Climate Czarina Was Member of Socialist Group's Environment Comm
3) FOXNews January 4, 2009, Bill Richardson Withdraws Nomination for Secretary of Commerce
4) LA Times January 9, 2009, Eric Holder Pushed for controversial clemency
5) The Politico, December 18, 2008, Clinton Releases Donor List
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Video Footage of Flight 1549 As It Ditches In The Hudson

Posted by Eric Jay on Saturday, January 17, 2009 7:00:00 AM
This is probably all over the internet, but for what it is worth here you go. Pay attention at about 2 minutes into the video notice mid-screen on the left. Coast Guard footage of US Airways flight 1549:
 
 
It is unbelieveable what that pilot had to do in order to land that plane on the water. It is miraculous that all passenger's and crew came out alive, not losing a single pern. God Bless Sully and his co-pilot!
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President (elect) Obama's Tax Cheat, Socialist, And Others

Posted by Eric Jay on Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:00:00 AM
   The reason you see the word elect in parentheses is that for all intents and purposes Barrack Hussein Obama is the president. The MSM is glorifying his transition as "flawless," "nearly flawless," or some other fawning/glowing term that makes me gag. Every time the New York Times brings on its sycophantic (is that a word?) phraseology it is accompanied by hit a bump in the road, hit a snag, but then again there's the term flawless transition. The New York Times is not alone in its painting of the president-elect's transition as going along smoothly, smooth sailing. I could hear the deep throated, smooth talker, bedroom voiced Barry White announcing the newest cabinet  members' scandal as though it were just another twist on the disco floor. It's enough to make one ill.
   The worst part is not the MSM, that is expected of them after electioneering for BHO. Moreover it is the president elect's honeymoon after all. The MSM must give the president-elect (p-e) his time to shine. Now don't get me wrong, I wish the p-e the best, I want him to succeed.
 

 THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

 

The Crisis by Thomas Paine

December 23, 1776

 
 
   I put forth that quote, not that there is some revolution on the horizon, but rather that these are trying times. Historic times, and want p-e to have great success in managing the economy, in being Commander in Chief, among other areas. We are fighting two wars, and the economy is certainly troubling. Even though the p-e is trying lower expectations of the turning the economy around, his speech last week seemed like the sky was falling in, the world would stop, and the economy worldwide was crashing. I was waiting for the word "malaise" to pass his lips. I imagine that the p-e with his superior oratorical flair will find words that will make malaise seem small.
   I can no longer remain quiet. I thought, maybe, I would sit back and give the p-e the benefit of the doubt. I believed I could resist criticizing the p-e at least through the inauguration if not for the first 100 days. I wanted to remain on the sidelines and look with fresh eyes after those watermark days.
   I can no longer wait. I cannot remain silent. I am waiting for the Republican's in D.C. to grow a pair, to grow a spine and stand up say NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. We are getting raked over the coals and all these Republican's just gush over the nominations. My goodness, when will they ask a tough question? When will they press for more transparency of the nominees. The Congress is doing its main goal in the transition from one government to another, but, Come On!
   Really, poor Bill Richardson was the first to fall, on his own accord though. It seems there is some questions as to his integrity, wink, wink, nod, nod. The New Mexico Governor is under investigation for a potential pay-to-play scheme:
 
NM gov. backed down over pay-to-play probe
Monday, January 05, 2009

By BARRY MASSEY, Associated Press Writer

SANTA FE, N.M. —  Gov. Bill Richardson's gold-plated resume
had never been tarnished as he moved up the political ladder from
congressman and diplomat to governor.
But a day after backing out of consideration for U.S. commerce secretary,
Richardson faced a murky political future as a grand jury probed a possible
pay-to-play deal involving one of his big political donors.
 
Among the looming questions: Was a $1.5 million state contract awarded to
that California donor in exchange for political contributions? And if so, how
close was Richardson or his staff to any illicit dealmaking?
 
Richardson, who has hired a prominent white-collar attorney to represent
him in the probe, declined to comment on the scandal Monday citing the
ongoing investigation.
   Then comes word that the Treasury nominee Timothy Geithner, former Fed Governor who worked overseas with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It seems he didn't pay Social Security taxes, FICA, etc. for several years. This is a downright amazing story, and gets no play. The Republicans are going to roll over and allow this guy to sit in the chair without so much as a slap on the wrist. This is what I understand to have happened. It seems that while one works for the IMF you are given a check that covers those taxes that Geithner was supposed to turn around and give to the US tax authority, the IRS, right. This is over and above the at least six figure, if not seven figure salary he earned. Basically, he worked tax-free either way you look at it. When brought to his attention that he had failed to pay for 4 years (I think that is the number). He ponied up the money for those years that he is legally obligated to pay, there were other years that he didn't pay those taxes, but he is off the hook because the statute of limitations lapsed. He paid the taxes only upon being caught, too. There's a guy I want to trust with something on the order of $1 trillion, the keys to the kingdom and a gold plated pen to write unending checks! The we also find that he had nanny that worked for him that was here illegally. It's just too much to take!!! Slimy. Where is the grilling? Where is the arm twisting? The Republican's have decided it makes more sense to give the p-e his nominees. Does anyone remember the uproar that came about when Joe the Plumber asked a tough question of BHO? He failed to pay taxes in the amount of around $1,000. Joe the Plumber received more scrutiny than any one of these nominees.
   Then there's the nominee for Energy Czar, Carol Browner. She is a member, which has now been scrubbed from the website, of Socialist International, "the worldwide organization of social democratic, socialist and labour parties." Is there any wonder that the market is tanking? In most cases when a new president has been elected, there's a market upward bounce. Could it be that the market sees that Socialism is en vogue? Do you think that the Republican's in the Senate will make her approval as nominee difficult? I bet not.
   Then there's the nominee for Secretary of State (SoS), the big Kahuna, Senator Hillary Clinton. Can there possibly be any pressure put upon the newly ordained SoS via her husband's foundation? Gee, millions given to the Bill from Saudi Arabia, other oil barons, and many many others. It is difficult to swallow. At least Obama understands that one must keep their enemies closest...
   If these were nominees of a Republican many of those with similar blemishes they would be laughed out of the Senate, and run out of D.C. Advise and Consent, that is the role of the Congress when it comes to nominees. When one looks back at recent history there is no question that the Democrats know how to play hardball. How many Federal judicial appointments went wanting? The Federal judiciary suffered for it. Now we have the new p-e and the Republican's can't approve his nominees quick enough.
   Then we are going to get a new stimulus package worth nearly $800 billion to $1 trillion, with deficits as far as can be seen. The last stimulus plan hasn't even had time to run through the system. I posted earlier about the future we may well endure, hyper-inflation. I am not sleeping well wondering what the future truly holds. I am worried about the direction of the country. If Obama closes Gitmo, reworks the tools set in place by President Bush- wire tapping, tough interrogations, the PATRIOT Act,. and his promised cutbacks in the military. We can expect the first presidential order will be to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. What will happen with the Israeli conflict? Will Obama put the Israeli's and the Palestinian's on the same level? Will new channels be opened to negotiate with the Palestinian's not to mention the Nuclear crazed Iranian Ahmedinajad...
   How can we remain silent? Egad, we are doomed...
 
   A tax cheat, a socialist, pay-to-play nominees, what more can be unearthed, oh, yeah, then there's Eric Holder for the AG...it only gets worse...Leon Panetta for DCIA, a man who was with Bill Clinton during at least 50 cases of rendition, no, not possible (someone needs to ask the hard questions, will it be Congress?)
   I am done, I can't take anymore, I am going to bed...
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Ouch: Back Pain, Your Prayers, Please

Posted by Eric Jay on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 2:00:00 PM
     I am not sure if I have blogged recently about having a bad back. I have been blessed with spine problems, and then I exacerbated it by hot-dogging while snow skiing. I have had 6 back surgeries on my spine, mainly at the lowest part of the spine; I had a spinal fusion at L5-S1. That is to say that the doctor's took a couple of small pieces of bone from my hip, then fashioned a small canal on the fifth lumbar vertebrae, the same was done at the sacrum called S1. This made the spine stable at that area.
     I went about 20 years without problems, other than general aches and pains that you would normally have. Then came 2001...I was at a stoplight when a woman was coming out of a parking lot onto the street behind me, she hit her gas pedal and slammed her car into my Jeep Cherokee. That triggered a major degradation of my spine. In 2002 I had surgery on my neck, C3-C5 was fused together with a titanium plate, the two discs (spongy disc that separates and provides cushion to the spinal column) were removed. When the Dr. cut into the disc between C4 and C5 he said it just gushed out, what he described as no form to the disc and it was like cheese whiz squeezed out. His comment was "no wonder you were in so much pain. The disc presented itself as normal, maybe a little narrowed but otherwise normal in your MRIs." At the time I could hardly lift my right arm and could hold my head up for much more than a few minutes. It was agonizing.
    Then I went in for spinal work in 2003. The same Dr. performed a partial laminectomy and cleaned out what he could describe as gristle (scar tissue) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that run down my right side and down to the right big toe. Again, the pain was barely tolerable. He said at the time that he would check stability at that level between L4-L5. He seemed to think it was good. I was out of work for nearly or just over 6 months.
     In the next year I came into more pain. More shooting pains down the right side of my back and legs, to the big toe again. Needless to say, in 2005 I was back in for another surgery. The Dr. decided that, indeed my spine was not stable at the L4-L5 site, so he put in titanium (I believe) brackets to keep the vertebrae from moving. Again, I was out of work for another 6 months or so. After physical therapy and recovery I continued to say that I suffered pain. My hamstrings were as tight as a stringed instrument. They hurt. It hurt to walk, sit for more than 15 minutes, anything. It sucked!
     So, in 2006 I was sent off to another neurosurgeon. After some therapy, MRIs, MRI with contrast (heavy dye injected into the spinal column to show the nerves, a disc impinging on the nerves, etc.). I have now been diagnosed with Arachnoiditis, or failed back surgery. I encourage you to read the diagnosis of arachnoiditis. You don't want the problem.
     Basically, you have three layers of lining, the middle lining is inflamed. It is thought that this malady comes about through the injections into the spine (i.e.: the dye for CT and/or MRAs) or blood gets into the spinal column from an injury and/or surgery. Well, I have had both problems. Several injections into the spine, and the Dr. in the last surgery where he placed the brackets he "nicked" my spinal cord. While in the hospital the last time, I spent an extra 7 days recuperating from that nick. The Dr. was afraid of leakage and potential infection. It was one of the most difficult times of my life.
     The diagnosis of arachnoiditis/failed back surgery syndrome is one that is permanent. I will never be "cured" of it. The only thing that can be done is to manage the pain. In 2006 I had a neurostimulator put in. This device is similar to a pace maker. Small in design, a battery pack is inserted under the skin, it is a couple inches in diameter and its thickness is less than a half inch. The device has electrical leads that have been inserted into the spinal column through a "chipped" portion of a vertebrae at about T12 (thoracic number 12). When the device is on it delivers a constant electrical current that is supposed to confuse my brain into paying attention to the charge/current rather than the pain.
    However, this device has not relieved the pain. I am in constant pain, it is merely a question of how much pain. 24/7 I have a feeling of pain. It sucks. I am on morphine (in pill form), and a couple of other narcotics as well as a muscle relaxant. Needled to say it is no fun.
     It affects every part of my life. I can't do many of things that I used to do. No skiing, no pick-up games of basketball or football. I am to lift no more than 25 pounds. I am to take it easy playing with my children. It has been a very hard time and has taken a toll on my marriage. While my wife is very understanding, it is difficult to live with someone that is constantly in pain. She is empathetic, to a point. I get frustrated and angry. I have to watch what I say and how I say it.
     Being on narcotics, sometimes alters my emotions. It is a lot to take on. I have turned to the Lord, and have great faith. It is my "cross" to carry. Just as Paul called out three times for the Lord to take the "pain in his side." I wrestle at times with asking why? But I take great solace in knowing that it can be tolerated and Paul is my evidence of that. There will be atime when there will be no pain, and I will be singing praises of the Lord in Heaven. I may well be at the lowest part of Heaven and sweeping the grand streets of trash, but I truly have faith in God's ultimate promise of forgiveness and that it came about by Christ paying the ultimate pain.
     I have gone almost a year since I last saw a neurosurgeon, and have been working with my family GP. We are trying to manage the pain so that I maintain where I am and not get worse. I have to watch my limits. That is one of the hardest things in life to do. I am half a man. It really pulls on a guy's heart. I can't do amny of the things I want.
    What triggered this post is that I have hurt myself twice in the last two months. I pulled a muscle in my upper back in December. It worked itself out by me merely taking it easy. However, I hurt my lower back this past Saturday.
    I was carrying in groceries from Costco and it shifted as I walked and I stumbled. I am suffering great pain, excrutiating pain that brings tears to my eyes. I have come to the conclusion that I must take it real easy and try to get this to pass, too. It has opened my eyes to the fact that I will be this way for years to come. The only thing I can do is remember that I can;t do what I think I can. I must not carry anything heavy. I have to watch how I get out of bed, how I walk, how I play with the kids, because the simplest twist, stumble, trip, and God forbid, a car crash, that may make it impossible for me to walk.
 
Here are my diagnoses:
   Arachnoiditis, Failed Back Surgery
   Spinal Stenosis
   Degenerative Disc Disease
   Neuropathy
    I think that basically covers them all. I would only ask that if you can you pray, not for healing, but in my ability to love my wife and family. For strength to be a good husband, father, friend and a good disciple. God Bless
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Green Like A Democrat: Or How To Drive NY To DC With...

Posted by Eric Jay on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 6:00:00 PM
So, this cracked me up tonight, but only a Democrat would justify the following:

Congressman's Fuel Cell Road Trip Was Horrifically Inefficient [Fuel Cell]

By Jason Chen on Fuel Cells

Congressman Eric Massa of NY tried to drive a fuel cell car from NY to DC to make an environmental point and to show how great fuel cell cars are. He failed at both.

Representative Massa made the 300 mile NY to DC trip in a car that has a maximum range of 200 miles. How? By enlisting the help of two SUVs to tow two fuel cell cars while not in use.

Massa drove one fuel cell car while a hybrid SUV [Chevy Tahoe] towing an additional SUV followed along. Once he got half way, he switched to new fuel cell car [which I assume was towed to the half way point sometime earlier so that it would be waiting for the environmentally-conscious congressman]. The empty fuel cell was then towed back by the first SUV. As he continued on his journey, the second SUV followed. Once Massa arrived in DC, the second SUV then towed the second fuel cell car back to NY.

So basically, one SUV traveled 400 miles and one SUV traveled 600 miles for a total of 1000 miles on a 300 mile trip. That's not even counting the mileage on the fuel cell car. Nice work there Captain Planet. [Famous DC via Boing Boing]

============================================================================================
Hah! This reminds me of the time that Al Gore was giving a speech on Global Warming while his, something like, four SUVs waited curbside for him to finish, with the air conditioners going full blast. It has nothing, absolutely nothing with saving the planet. It is all about power and money. Some greens want the capitalists to die an agonizing death along with the great super powers. Then the elite greens will have the power andmoney to fill in the vaccuum. Nice Huh?
 
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Chicanery, Duplicity, or Plain Deceitful? Obama's Economic Plan

Posted by Eric Jay on Friday, January 09, 2009 8:00:00 AM
     Today at George Mason University gave an outline of his economic "bailout" or as he calls it the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan." I did not hear the entire speech, as I cannot listen to any length of time of his oratory. There is no question that President-elect Obama has phenomenal oratorical skills. Today he painted a very, very, VERY dire economy.
     From what little I heard you would think that the United States was falling off into the deep oblivion of historical irrelevancy. We are doomed. Hm, why would he do that? I do not question whatsoever that these are difficult times that our economy is suffering from a deep recession. However, for the life of me I do not see my neighbors jumping off buildings in despair that they are bankrupt. Yet, that is the picture being painted now by the president-elect and his minions in the Democratic led Congress. All for the political expediency of either claiming the mantle of success when the economy turns around (as it will- the question is what will that turn around, this is part of a cyclical process that free markets go through) or claiming that it is all President Bush's fault. Which, is what will happen when there is a terrorist attacks (as I truly believe will occur- thoughts for a different post), it is all President Bush's fault.
     What really galls me, and what has triggered my post headline, Chicanery, Duplicity, or Deceitful. I am referring to the following part of his speech:
 
"And, finally, this Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will provide immediate relief to states, workers, and families who are bearing the brunt of this recession. To get people spending again, 95 percent of working families will receive a $1,000 tax cut, the first stage of a middle-class tax cut that I promised during the campaign and will include in our next budget.
~President-elect Barrack Obama
     Something in that just does not ring true, or pass the smell test. I am sure that I can come up with many more clichés. Here is the problem with it. It is not a tax cut. Let me repeat that: IT IS NOT A TAX CUT.  It might be a tax-credit, but it does not reduce the rate that any of us pay. It does not lower my personal income tax rate; it does not lower the payroll tax. And, even more angering to me is that $1000 check goes to a majorit of those who do not pay taxes. So, they are taking money that really belongs to us, the taxpayer, and giving it to those who do not even pay a dime to support the entitlements that are surely to continue to grow (both in rate and new entitlements- healthcare comes to mind).
     In addition just how, pray tell, are they going to pay for this "tax cut." Well, they will do one of two things, borrow more from the Chinese, Japanese, our friends the petrot-yrants, and those who support terrorists, or they will simply print more money. Does that not scare the bejeebers out of you.
     I am beginning to have nightmares and all I can think of are two results from these actions. Obama has already admitted that the deficits are going to swell- trillions, mind you. I wound not call that a swelling but rather an eruption. The other consequence from printing money is hyper-inflation. I hear no one talking about this.
     The Fed has already pumped billions into the economy, remember the first bailout was $700 Billion- more when you take into account ancillary Fed tools at its disposal? So we are headed for, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) a trillion dollar deficit, their estimates before Obama's budget and spending will be $1.2 trillion. He has been saying that his package will be in the trillion dollar range. Holy CR&% Batman, POW, BANG...
     Does anyone remember the Jimmy Carter years? Do you remember inflation at 12%? Can you imagine obtaining a mortgage with a rate of 9-10%? well, get ready because the Fed is printing money at an astounding rate. Again, not a swelling but an eruption of dollars flowing into the system. There will be consequences. We won't see the stimulative effects of the previous bailout for 6 months, so say end of 1st quarter 2009, March, April, May, perhaps. Then the unimaginable spending that Obama and the Democratic Congress shove down taxpayer's throats won't be seen for the same 6 months or so, Oct, Nov, Dec? Watch out 2010...When there is little happening in March or April will Obama try another $1.0 Trillion bailout. It has to stop, these numbers are astronmical and never seen in the history of the US. Or what is more likely to happen is in March or April things will have changed, the economy begins to pick up. and guess who will take credit???
Chicanery, Duplicity or Deceit...I ask you...comments please.
 
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Earthquake! Greater Los Angeles Area Near San Bernardino

Posted by Eric Jay on Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:00:00 PM
 
We felt an earthquake this evening around 7:50 pm. It only felt like the house got hit, it just felt like it went from one side and back…quick, not a roller. It was a 5.0 centered east of Los Angeles: go here to see the map. This was a unique one for me, as the last few that I have felt were rollers, and it felt like the earth moved up and down in waves.  Truthfully, I went to the garage to see if my wife had come home and somehow hit the garage! Nope, she wasn’t there…could it bea prelude to more? (Just yesterday they (some news show- had to be Fox, that's all I listen/watch) were talking about this super-mega-giganto volcano in Yellowstone(?), coincidence?). This was my daughter's first one, and she said at first she didn’t feel it, but after I described it she said “Yeah, I felt it, too.” Who knows!
 
I decided to include the map:

 Earthquake Index MapBig Red Square is the epicenter.

 That is east of Los Angeles near San Bernardino…My wife was just in San Bernardino last week on business!

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Patriot Post: Founding Father Quote, Thomas Jefferson On Government Size

Posted by Eric Jay on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 9:00:00 AM
 
So, true especially today. The size of the Government is going to explode over the next 4 years, and Heaven forbid 8 years. I can't believe that there are some Republicans that are in favor of these Bailouts, the new "Stimulus" Package. What are our principles? And why have we strayed so far that there is barely a difference in the party's? Rino's...
 
Founder's Quote Daily

"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious."

--Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Cooper, 29 November 1802
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