I was going to write a post about the atrocious manner in which President Obama has run this country so far.
But Karl Rove beat me to it - and he writes better than I do.
Enjoy
Thursday, February 19, 2009
California Budget Finally Passes
After three months, the California Legislature has finally passed a budget. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria was the One Vote that the state congress needed to pass the budget. Maldonado (the State Senate's answer to John McCain perhaps?) agreed to the budget after Democrats amended the election rules to let California voters vote on open primaries. This is probably a major coup for the state Republican party. Most other Republicans, however, held firm against a budget that included tax increases.
The best news for California is that the 12 cent increase in gasoline tax was removed from the final budget - that revenue instead coming from federal bailout money. In addition, the proposed $18 billion dollar tax hike shrank to $12.5 billion - most of it in income and sales tax increases.
The rest of the budget shortfall will come from cuts in education, health care, and welfare spending.
The real question for teachers is whether school districts will cope with budget cuts by streamlining operations and cutting wasteful spending or by firing teachers. I'm going to guess the latter.
The best news for California is that the 12 cent increase in gasoline tax was removed from the final budget - that revenue instead coming from federal bailout money. In addition, the proposed $18 billion dollar tax hike shrank to $12.5 billion - most of it in income and sales tax increases.
The rest of the budget shortfall will come from cuts in education, health care, and welfare spending.
The real question for teachers is whether school districts will cope with budget cuts by streamlining operations and cutting wasteful spending or by firing teachers. I'm going to guess the latter.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Can this possibly be true???
Obama, in his press briefing tonight, claimed of the economic stimulus bill, "What it does not contain, however, is a single pet project, not a single earmark, and it has been stripped of the projects members of both parties found most objectionable."
Interestingly enough, the sentences seem at odds. First, he claims that there is not a single pet project or earmark. Then, he claims only the "most objectionable" have been removed.
I don't believe either of these things. The final bill (which hasn't even been written yet) will be chock full of pet projects, earmarks, and things that people in both parties find objectionable.
The real question is the political fallout that the Obama administration will face from cramming this unpopular piece of legislation down America's throat.
Interestingly enough, the sentences seem at odds. First, he claims that there is not a single pet project or earmark. Then, he claims only the "most objectionable" have been removed.
I don't believe either of these things. The final bill (which hasn't even been written yet) will be chock full of pet projects, earmarks, and things that people in both parties find objectionable.
The real question is the political fallout that the Obama administration will face from cramming this unpopular piece of legislation down America's throat.
Obama's Motives
President Obama is undertaking a week-long media and campaigning blitz to convince voters that the government needs to pass an economic stimulus package.
Why?
The bill is already wildly unpopular, based on some reports. But, there is plenty of support in the House and Senate to pass the bill today. So, what do citizens need to do? Why do they need to support it?
Obama is not out campaigning to make the country a better place. He is out campaigning (already) for his own public opinion numbers, and for those of the new and improved Democratic super majority in Congress.
I guess he learned a lesson from President Bush, was too rarely took his case to the American people and suffered poor job approval ratings. Obama is trying to avoid the same fate.
But it is pretty amazing that Obama is already in this position after just two weeks on the job. It's because Democrats, as usual, have overreached - they went for the whole shebang in their first economic bill with a Democrat president. They offered up new spending in every Democrat-approved area, while keeping the tax cutting and actual economic stimulus to a minimum.
So, Obama is out on the trail doing damage control. The man who was supposed to bring a new era to Washington, who supposedly had such a strong mandate based on the elections (remember his comment to Congressional Republicans - "I won"), is already struggling to maintain popular support. Obama has basically begun the 2010 mid-term election campaign.
He spent practically all his time in the Senate running for President. Less than a month into his Presidency, he is already campaigning again. What is he going to do when there is nothing left to campaign for?
Why?
The bill is already wildly unpopular, based on some reports. But, there is plenty of support in the House and Senate to pass the bill today. So, what do citizens need to do? Why do they need to support it?
Obama is not out campaigning to make the country a better place. He is out campaigning (already) for his own public opinion numbers, and for those of the new and improved Democratic super majority in Congress.
I guess he learned a lesson from President Bush, was too rarely took his case to the American people and suffered poor job approval ratings. Obama is trying to avoid the same fate.
But it is pretty amazing that Obama is already in this position after just two weeks on the job. It's because Democrats, as usual, have overreached - they went for the whole shebang in their first economic bill with a Democrat president. They offered up new spending in every Democrat-approved area, while keeping the tax cutting and actual economic stimulus to a minimum.
So, Obama is out on the trail doing damage control. The man who was supposed to bring a new era to Washington, who supposedly had such a strong mandate based on the elections (remember his comment to Congressional Republicans - "I won"), is already struggling to maintain popular support. Obama has basically begun the 2010 mid-term election campaign.
He spent practically all his time in the Senate running for President. Less than a month into his Presidency, he is already campaigning again. What is he going to do when there is nothing left to campaign for?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Obama's Post-Partisanship in Full View
President Obama had a meeting with Congressional Republicans today - they wanted to voice their concerns about the scope of his proposed stimulus package. Obama's response? "I won." Meaning - I don't have to listen to you people. I won the election and I can do what I want.
Harry Reid later seemed to echo the post-partisanship of Obama - when asked if he has any concern about Republicans blocking the stimulus bill, he flatly answered, "No."
Obama and the Congressional Democrats are feeling pretty good about themselves right now. But if they think they can get away with whatever they want, they better think again.
As House Minority Leader John Boehner asked, "How does [spending hundred of millions of dollars on contraceptives] stimulate the economy?"
I have a feeling the Republicans are going to be a vocal minority at this point and attempt to let the American people know everything that Obama is attempting to do. And if Obama and his cronies in Congress think they have carte blanche, they are very mistaken.
Harry Reid later seemed to echo the post-partisanship of Obama - when asked if he has any concern about Republicans blocking the stimulus bill, he flatly answered, "No."
Obama and the Congressional Democrats are feeling pretty good about themselves right now. But if they think they can get away with whatever they want, they better think again.
As House Minority Leader John Boehner asked, "How does [spending hundred of millions of dollars on contraceptives] stimulate the economy?"
I have a feeling the Republicans are going to be a vocal minority at this point and attempt to let the American people know everything that Obama is attempting to do. And if Obama and his cronies in Congress think they have carte blanche, they are very mistaken.
Some Pro-Lifers Refered to Obama as the "Real Pro-Life Candidate"
I wonder what they think now.
In another day of undoing President George W. Bush's policies, President Obama has lifted the ban on federal funding for groups that promote or perform overseas abortions.
That's right - you tax dollars will now go to fund abortions in other countries.
During the campaign, Obama claimed to abhor abortion and said he would institute policies to lower the abortion rate. Using federal funds to pay for abortions in other countries seems to fly in the face of that claim.
And all the religious people who justified voting for one of the most pro-abortion candidates in recent memory will continue to look like fools when Obama institutes more and more policies that actually promote abortion. I wonder how long it will take him to attempt to revoke the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.
In another day of undoing President George W. Bush's policies, President Obama has lifted the ban on federal funding for groups that promote or perform overseas abortions.
That's right - you tax dollars will now go to fund abortions in other countries.
During the campaign, Obama claimed to abhor abortion and said he would institute policies to lower the abortion rate. Using federal funds to pay for abortions in other countries seems to fly in the face of that claim.
And all the religious people who justified voting for one of the most pro-abortion candidates in recent memory will continue to look like fools when Obama institutes more and more policies that actually promote abortion. I wonder how long it will take him to attempt to revoke the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.
That Didn't Take Long
President Barack Obama waited two days before infringing his own ethics rule in which he pledged to keep lobbyists out of his administration.
He "waived" (broke) his own rule to appoint William Lynn the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Lynn had been a lobbyist for Raytheon.
Obama claims a justification - the state of national security. But the willingness to break his own rule against lobbyists means that the rule has no effect, really. Next, he will appoint other lobbyists and site the state of the economy or the environment or any other of a countless number of problems facing this country.
So, what does this mean for America? Well, it means that he has absolutely no qualms about breaking a campaign promise. He claimed he would have an administration free from lobbyists. In two days, he already has one. Which campaign promise is next to go?
He "waived" (broke) his own rule to appoint William Lynn the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Lynn had been a lobbyist for Raytheon.
Obama claims a justification - the state of national security. But the willingness to break his own rule against lobbyists means that the rule has no effect, really. Next, he will appoint other lobbyists and site the state of the economy or the environment or any other of a countless number of problems facing this country.
So, what does this mean for America? Well, it means that he has absolutely no qualms about breaking a campaign promise. He claimed he would have an administration free from lobbyists. In two days, he already has one. Which campaign promise is next to go?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Obama Takes First Swing at the War on Terror
In his second day in office, President Obama removed two tools in the war on terror that President Bush used to keep this country safe.
First, Obama issued an executive order closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center. While the long-term effect of this decision is unknown, it seems obvious. Obama wants to bring the suspected terrorists onto American soil and subject them to the American justice system. This means, suspected terrorists will get Constitutional rights! That sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? And instead of being subjected to war tribunals, they will get to have their day in a court of law and maybe be sent to jail. Where are we going to jail these people? What kind of security will we have at such a facility? What will happen if they escape? What types of activities will other terrorists engage in to have these prisoners freed? The possibilities are frightening.
But Obama wasn't done. He then decided to create a task force to determine what to do with terror suspects. The head of the task force is his attorney general. I wonder what the attorney general is going to come up with.
Finally, Obama removed another tool in the anti-terror toolbox. He eliminated the use of harsh interrogation techniques against terror suspects. You know, the kind of techniques that led to Americans thwarting several terror plots after 9/11. Unfortunately, Obama is more concerned with "personal dignity" of terror suspects then learning what they might know. Yet somehow, Obama has the audacity to claim that removing these techniques will "improve the effectiveness of human intelligence gathering." Does he really believe that, or is he just trying to make it look like he isn't disarming the intelligence community?
And, as Marc Thiessen says in the Washington Post, if there is another terrorist attack on American soil during Obama's term in office, Americans will have no one to blame but Obama himself.
First, Obama issued an executive order closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center. While the long-term effect of this decision is unknown, it seems obvious. Obama wants to bring the suspected terrorists onto American soil and subject them to the American justice system. This means, suspected terrorists will get Constitutional rights! That sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? And instead of being subjected to war tribunals, they will get to have their day in a court of law and maybe be sent to jail. Where are we going to jail these people? What kind of security will we have at such a facility? What will happen if they escape? What types of activities will other terrorists engage in to have these prisoners freed? The possibilities are frightening.
But Obama wasn't done. He then decided to create a task force to determine what to do with terror suspects. The head of the task force is his attorney general. I wonder what the attorney general is going to come up with.
Finally, Obama removed another tool in the anti-terror toolbox. He eliminated the use of harsh interrogation techniques against terror suspects. You know, the kind of techniques that led to Americans thwarting several terror plots after 9/11. Unfortunately, Obama is more concerned with "personal dignity" of terror suspects then learning what they might know. Yet somehow, Obama has the audacity to claim that removing these techniques will "improve the effectiveness of human intelligence gathering." Does he really believe that, or is he just trying to make it look like he isn't disarming the intelligence community?
And, as Marc Thiessen says in the Washington Post, if there is another terrorist attack on American soil during Obama's term in office, Americans will have no one to blame but Obama himself.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Great Website
Click here to offer your thanks to President Bush and read the posts of others. Very moving!
A Sad Day for America
Not because Barack Obama became the President (we have much time yet to decide whether he is good for the country) but because George W. Bush is no longer the President. He kept us safe for the past 7 and a half years and if for no other reason than that, every American should be thankful for the job he has done.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Perfect Storn - a Campaign Post-Mortem
All said, Obama won a strong, but still relatively narrow victory in the Presidential Election. He won on the strength of narrow victories in Ohio, Virginia and Florida.
In all McCain was unable to overcome the totality of the following:
In all McCain was unable to overcome the totality of the following:
- President Bush's unpopularity
- An economic meltdown
- A media in the tank for Obama
- a 6-1 spending advantage by Obama
- One of the worst campaigns in history
McCain might have overcome half or even most of these problems. But he couldn't overcome it all. It was the perfect storm of all these factors that led to Obama's win.
And now, the real work begins for conservatives. The next four years will be tough, but they have to begin now to lay the groundwork for a comeback in 2012.
America is About to Get More Change Than it is Bargaining for
With Ohio going to Obama, it looks that McCain has lost the Presidential Election.
Obama ran as a moderate, but anyone who has paid attention knows this is simply not true.
He is going to raise taxes. He is going to significantly increase government spending. He is going to support the Fairness Doctrine and wipe Conservative Talk Radio off the map. He is going to support Card Check, which will allow unions to "persuade" people to join because there will be no secret ballots to unionize. He is going to pass universal health care which will be become government-run health care before long. He will bankrupt the coal industry and cause energy prices to sky rocket. He will do nothing to slow our importation of foreign oil.
Unless Obama acts completely unlike his record indicates, he will be the next Jimmy Carter. And maybe that is the only silver lining for Republicans. If he is as bad as it looks like he will be, he will serve only one term and also help Republicans regain control of Congress. We're in for a very bumpy ride for the next four years. Hopefully, Obama doesn't do lasting damage to the country before he leaves.
Obama ran as a moderate, but anyone who has paid attention knows this is simply not true.
He is going to raise taxes. He is going to significantly increase government spending. He is going to support the Fairness Doctrine and wipe Conservative Talk Radio off the map. He is going to support Card Check, which will allow unions to "persuade" people to join because there will be no secret ballots to unionize. He is going to pass universal health care which will be become government-run health care before long. He will bankrupt the coal industry and cause energy prices to sky rocket. He will do nothing to slow our importation of foreign oil.
Unless Obama acts completely unlike his record indicates, he will be the next Jimmy Carter. And maybe that is the only silver lining for Republicans. If he is as bad as it looks like he will be, he will serve only one term and also help Republicans regain control of Congress. We're in for a very bumpy ride for the next four years. Hopefully, Obama doesn't do lasting damage to the country before he leaves.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Obama's Pessimistic Informercial
I don't know why it took me this long to have the election crystallize in my mind - but it hit me when watching Obama's infomercial last night. Obama only wins if he can convince people that things are horrible in this country. I know he has been calling for change this whole time, and I always thought it was based on an idea that people seem to think the country is headed on the wrong track.
But watching the infomercial, I realized that he's not just trying to tap into the national mood. he is actively trying to convince people that things in this country are horrible.
Look at all of the clips he had of Americans and the struggles they were facing. It was one long ad for how bad things are.
But I can't believe that things are as bad as Obama wants us to believe they are. First, if they were, Obama wouldn't have to sell it so hard. Second, if they were, Apple wouldn't have sold 11 million iPods and six million iPhones in the last quarter, the GDP wouldn't be up 3.3% in the last quarter and home sales in California, for example, wouldn't be up 60% in the last year.
In truth, the economy isn't as bad as Obama would have us believe. But he loses if he can't convince more than half of America that things are downright horrible and we need significant and lasting change in this country.
The fact that he spent $4 million dollars selling the fact that all Americans face such difficult times is evidence of his goal. It only really worked in the last month when the economy "tanked" and everyone became focused on the bailout and the state of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
But those worries are now easing - the Dow seems to have hit bottom and rebounded a bit, the credit freeze is lifting, and things are, by-and-large, getting back to normal. So the only way Obama maintains his lead is to continue to tell people how bad things are. This will probably work for people who are struggling right now. The question is how much it will work with people who aren't. Five days to go, with a tightening race means we won't know how well Obama has succeeded until the last minute.
But watching the infomercial, I realized that he's not just trying to tap into the national mood. he is actively trying to convince people that things in this country are horrible.
Look at all of the clips he had of Americans and the struggles they were facing. It was one long ad for how bad things are.
But I can't believe that things are as bad as Obama wants us to believe they are. First, if they were, Obama wouldn't have to sell it so hard. Second, if they were, Apple wouldn't have sold 11 million iPods and six million iPhones in the last quarter, the GDP wouldn't be up 3.3% in the last quarter and home sales in California, for example, wouldn't be up 60% in the last year.
In truth, the economy isn't as bad as Obama would have us believe. But he loses if he can't convince more than half of America that things are downright horrible and we need significant and lasting change in this country.
The fact that he spent $4 million dollars selling the fact that all Americans face such difficult times is evidence of his goal. It only really worked in the last month when the economy "tanked" and everyone became focused on the bailout and the state of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
But those worries are now easing - the Dow seems to have hit bottom and rebounded a bit, the credit freeze is lifting, and things are, by-and-large, getting back to normal. So the only way Obama maintains his lead is to continue to tell people how bad things are. This will probably work for people who are struggling right now. The question is how much it will work with people who aren't. Five days to go, with a tightening race means we won't know how well Obama has succeeded until the last minute.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Great Joe Biden Interview
Barbara West of WFTV in Florida interviewed Joe Biden a couple of days ago. if you haven't watched it, you must - it's hilarious
My favorite part is probably when he claims, "The only person spreading the wealth around is George W. Bush. Obama doesn't want to spread the wealth around."
Hey Joe - you are aware the "spread the wealth around" were Obama's own words, correct?
My favorite part is probably when he claims, "The only person spreading the wealth around is George W. Bush. Obama doesn't want to spread the wealth around."
Hey Joe - you are aware the "spread the wealth around" were Obama's own words, correct?
Obama's Mask Completely Removed
New audio has surfaced during which Barack Obama specifically advocates for wealth distribution as well as a fundamental change to the very fabric of our nation - the limited power of the Federal Government.
An article by Bill Whittle at National Review carefully dissects what Obama has said and it is quite striking.
If this audio clip had come out six months ago, there is little doubt that Obama would not be planning his victory celebration right now. The question remains - how much damage can this audio clip do in a week? The fact that Obama's campaign has completely lambasted the clip probably says a lot about it's damaging potential.
An article by Bill Whittle at National Review carefully dissects what Obama has said and it is quite striking.
If this audio clip had come out six months ago, there is little doubt that Obama would not be planning his victory celebration right now. The question remains - how much damage can this audio clip do in a week? The fact that Obama's campaign has completely lambasted the clip probably says a lot about it's damaging potential.
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