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Deal or No Deal
The Obama administration and their State Department are certainly thankful for Hillary the past two weeks. Hillary and her Scooby that have been the session of many of the mainstream news outlets which is been a welcome distraction for the Obama administration and their continued failure with foreign affairs.
President Obama believes that making a deal with the country of Iran for nuclear weapon limitations will enhance his legacy and cement his reputation as a successful president for school children to read about for generations to come. Sure, it's all about Obama. What about what's good for the country?
Normally, it may be a good idea for a president to work one-on-one with other nations that are not strong allies to develop good relations. Iran certainly cannot be trusted. They have proven time and again that they are not sharing a goal of normalization with United States. And although Congress is a cold equal branch of the government, can enough of them agree on a bill that will strengthen this relationship? Probably not. But president Obama is not being 100% honest with the American people either.
The president said in a news conference or to news outlets things that he wants the American people to believe are in this agreement with Iran. People like Senator Barbara boxer of California announced that the agreement was better than she had hoped for. However, the Iranian government came out and said about the opposite of what President Obama said. Of course, we would like to believe our president. But this is the same president who told us we could keep our doctors if we wanted to. We could keep our insurance policies if we wanted. Health insurance premiums were supposed to go down a $2500 per year per family. Obama care and the affordable care act are also the presidents signature accomplishments. But if you write about these, how can we believe him when trying to make a deal with the terrorist country?
The president is going about this like a person getting out of the Any car dealership and not wanting to leave until he has the best deal possible. And you know what a used car salesman would think. Is there a deal or not? But the bigger question is will it be a good deal for the United States? And the impact on the United States and how it will affect this country in the future should take precedence over the president merely trying to preserve his legacy.
Well, now we know. How many people were surprised by Sunday's announcement that Hillary Clinton will seek the nomination of the Democratic Party for the president of the United States? One thing we do know, the number is close to zero. Except for the low information voters.
With almost no sincerity, Hillary came out with her vision for America. Instead of attacking her would-be opponents, she decided it should all be about Hillary. Clinton is going to be the champion of the middle class. She's going to be about income equality. She's going to be about equal pay for equal work. Were I heard that before? Perhaps you Obama administration?
The issues of the 20 16th campaign are going to be the same as they were in 2012. In 2008. In 2000. In 1992. In 1972. There are no new ideas. There are no new issues. Every four years we elect a president who campaigned on solving certain issues. But the next election cycle, they're the same.
Hillary driving around the country in a van named Scooby is just ridiculous. How long does she think she can maintain the façade that shields above the fray and not the backstabbing muck rake her character assassin we have all grown to know over the past two decades. I'm sure the media will be helping her touting her as the real Hillary. Hillary will be Hillary. The real deal. But for anybody who is familiar with the Democrat rhetoric, you know that what is being said is about the opposite of what is actually being done.
Hillary and the Democrats believe Americans are so dumb all we have to do is lie to them enough and we will start to believe it as the truth. America is headed in the wrong direction. It's time to change course.
The Best Democrat
We are within a few short weeks of having our next president announced her candidacy. Yes, I'm talking about our president in waiting: Hillary Clinton.
Democrats have been falling all over themselves half believing that this decision is still up in the air. They're even trying to get other Democrats in the race in a halfhearted attempt to believe that the coronation of the president in waiting is going to be competitive. That there will be actual serious candidates willing to debate the president in waiting and having been defeated will have to bow out and turn their support to Mrs. Clinton.
Will the media be in her corner as much as they were for then candidate Barack Obama in 2008? Americans should be looking for some answers to some very specific questions. First, what happened in Benghazi? It's time to get some real answers and not just dismiss it because it was so long ago. Second, how about some answers about this e-mail server?
Anybody who remembers the first Clinton administration knows that the term, God forbid another happens, was filled with cover ups, scandals, and lies. Why would we think this time is going to be any different? As we have seen evidenced, the e-mail server is preparation for getting rid of evidence that may be incriminating or revealing. Sure it was done for convenience-convenient to get rid of what actually happened not only in Benghazi, but also what other foreign dignitaries and countries have been solicited for political favors by making up contribution to the Clinton foundation? But stop kidding ourselves America, the Clintons leave they are entitled to special treatment, better favors, and less scrutiny than anybody else.
For generations, Democrats have pointed out that Republicans have been the party of old white people and their presidential nominees have traditionally waited their turn. Nothing better describes the Democratic Party for 2016. Is it Hillary's turn? Will there be a coronation for our president in waiting? And more importantly, can't the Democrats come up with a better candidate? Is Hillary the best they can do?
Don't Mention That Word
This week, the White House rolled out their best solution for how Americans can defeat ISIS -or ISIL. According to the administration, we've been too mean to them and haven't provided enough opportunities for them. ISIS has been denied so many opportunities that it has let them down the road to violence and atrocities according to the State Department.
The president refuses to call it Islamic terrorism. Apparently word grouping too many people into that category and having several omissions. It's a labeling thing. The administration has no problem labeling people as obstructionists, bigots, or Republicans. But when it comes to the nation of Islam, we have to tiptoe around that. There's never been a problem with poking fun at religions such as Catholic or Jewish, telling jokes and drawing offensive cartoons has never been beyond the pale. It's been a celebration of the First Amendment. And that's just great. But if we do the same, draw any cartoon that can be construed as being the prophet Mohammed, that's basis or jail time.
Marie Hart, spokesman for the State Department, tried to convince us that poverty in these countries that are supplying us with terrorists and Islamic terrorists just need better jobs. Perhaps an increase in the minimum wage in Syria will put a lot of this to rest. This would actually be funny if we did not have to take it serious. Every time I see Marie speak, I can't stop thinking that all she needs is a mustache. She's got the nose and the glasses already.
The world is changing and we are not going to adapt by turning our back or not identifying what the real problem is. America must move forward and identify this problem and create a real plan for how to defend this country. It will not be resolved using tactics of community organizers. Unfortunately, will have to wait two more years at least until we get a new president. A president who will be able to address foreign-policy issues and not just try to transform America internally.
Running Out of Gas
Gasoline is always been a controversial subject. Where it comes from, the pollution, global warming, taxes etc. the price spikes, we try to conserve and blame high prices on everything else and connected to the price of gasoline. The price dips, government agencies see what they can do to increase the taxes and keep the price level of gasoline where it is. After all, were used to paying that price.
Not a Prayer
Just a few years ago, the annual prayer breakfast was an annual ceremony that had to be attended by the President of the United States. There was not much fanfare about this event that the president always attended and there was never much ado about it. Then, several years ago there were some remarks made by a neurologist and brain surgeon Doctor Ben Carson. After that, things changed.
Doctor Carson was expected to make some flattering comments about President Obama and his health care plan. But instead of falling in lockstep with what liberals in the media were expecting, Doctor Carson spoke the truth. His comments were critical of the affordable care act which shocked the liberal media and now the annual prayer breakfast is a high-profile event.
This year, President Obama took the opportunity to use this photo op and be critical of the American people. We all know that when the president speaks of Americanism and the American way, he demonstrates his disdain for this country. He views it as unfair or, immoral, and unjust. He believes it is his duty to use his presidency to correct all of these wrongs.
Americans are supposed to be ashamed of themselves according to this president. Look at what we've done. We founded this country and Christian values knowing full well that the Crusades had taken place hundreds of years earlier. We founded this country without first outlawing indentured servitude. Was that ever corrected? Those two events alone take us to today. For we are intolerant of extremist extremism or something like that. Too many Americans want to call upon the First Amendment and use the word Islamic terrorism. Shame on us Americans.
According to the president, there may be several packs of lone wolves with bad attitudes that are spoiling it for the rest of the Muslim world. According to the president all religions should lay down their arms and walk all over the world and hug everyone that we see. This is the only way to bring world peace. Perhaps we should re-indoctrinate the children of all ages.
Well, that's what I got out of his speech. Critics including those in the liberal media have called that speech the worst of his presidency. He nudged out his second worst speech; the state of the union address of 2015.
Global Warming Causes Record Cold
It seems like only a couple weeks ago when we thought the East Coast was going to be shut down in 6 million people buried in 5 feet of snow. Thank heavens liberal governor Andrew Cuomo and liberal mayor Bill DeBlasio shut down all public transportation, imposed a curfew, and scared the bejesus out of all citizens of that state.
Deficits Don't Matter
As the 2016 presidential election begins, once again we will be hearing almost on a daily basis, concerns about the federal debt and deficits.
Eight years ago one of the candidates named Barack Obama made a big deal about the size of deficits made by our government. This candidate also made a big deal about how much of the debt was being added onto my hours then current president George W. Bush. It was about $4 trillion. Over eight years, that brought the national debt up to about $10 trillion. We all know what happened as a result the 2000 election.
Barack Obama proposed and administered the piling on of debt of 8 trillion additional dollars. The federal deficit had quadrupled from what you once regarded as a bad year end top well over $1 trillion annually. This was more debt than the first 39 presidents altogether. Now that annual deficits are back around $400 billion annually, the administration is taking credit for such great numbers.
Even if you blame George Bush for most of the debt during the Obama administration, this administration will roughly double the national debt again. What we once thought was unsustainable, is now commonplace. What was once proclaimed as unsustainable as now become the norm.
So why do we have taxation in this country? The only reason is to redistribute income. If we can easily add trillions of dollars annually to the federal debt, why should anyone be concerned? We could just print money, give it out to everybody, and we have the best country on earth, right? President Obama wants to increase annual spending 7% above inflation for the upcoming fiscal year. How can anyone think otherwise that president Obama's goal is to have more people dependent on the government for their day-to-day survival? During his presidency, food stamp recipients went up about 50%. The number of families in poverty went up 5%. Middle-class income went down by $5000. What progress are we making?
It's time to loosely quote president Obama: when you have a policy for 50 years that isn't working, it's time to do something new. Not Cuba, I'm referring to the war on poverty.
Tax the Poor-Feed the Rich
It seems like about three times a week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is to run a front-page story, above the fold, toting what a great plan a new basketball arena is going to be. The billionaire owners are soliciting millionaire citizens of the community to stake their interest in the team and forcing local governments to secure public financing so that millionaire athletes have a place to play.
The community leaders have one single-minded goal: to raise taxes on the citizens of the city, County, and South East part of the state to secure funding so that it does not cost them any money. Hedge fund managers is to be regarded as the most vile and selfish members of the community. But when it comes to owning sports teams, they're darn near gods.
In the biased opinionated stories that are being published by the paper, they are almost trying to make you think that this is the only taxes to be raised for the rest of your life. And it's only going to cost you one penny for every $10 that is not a necessity spend. While! That's practically nothing.
The jock tax is a joke. Why can't all taxpayers decide that they are generous gifts should be earmarked for their pet government projects. The rest of us end up paying for stuff that we don't like. If we're lucky, the governor's plan will somehow bring in enough money from TV revenue. And again, satellite and cable TV subscribers will be paying for that. Let's call that a tax.
Working together
Having a good memory can sometimes be a curse. Sure, it comes in handy while watching Jeopardy, but at other times they can cause a lot of frustration. For instance, remembering what campaigns are about after the election results come in.
Thinking back to 2008, I remember watching all kinds of my current debates in which Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards all got together on the stage and try to outdo each other on how well they are going to be working with people of the other party to bring America together and watch great things happen. America was at its most divisive in recent memory and we needed to come together. Candidates of both sides pledged the coming together. The Democrats won. America became even more divided.
After the midterm elections in 2010, the administration again pledged to work with the opposing party. We know how well that went. The president looks for a photo op saying that he wants to work with Republicans and then goes on the campaign trail proclaiming how ignorant, evil, selfish, you name it the Republicans are. And then he expects them to come over to his way of thinking?
Enter 2012. Again we had candidates claiming to work with the other party. Or at least wanting to. Again, the Democrats won and went right back out on the campaign trail proclaiming how ignorant, selfish, evil, you name it, the Republicans still are. And again, compromise only is achieved when the Republicans you be there principles and accept the Democrats'.
The 2014 election and the president on the campaign trail saying that all his policies are on the ballot even though his name is not. And he wanted America to vote accordingly. They did. While the Republican majorities in both houses of Congress increased, the president again said he is looking forward to working with Republicans, and then went on to pledge a veto to everything that comes out of Congress. That's how Democrats cooperate.
Now as national security and terror threats become a priority again, the president is once again on the campaign trail with his State of the Union address trying to rally support for things such as free community college. And I'm sure he's trying to find any way he can to make community college free for all Democratic voters and ignore any and all input from the other side. What has America come to?
Revenue Neutral
Until the Journal Sentinel cut back drastically on the number of letters it publishes from readers, about once a week there was always some nut that would be writing in pleading for all the commenters to beg their legislators to raise their taxes on all utilities in the name of stopping global warming. This makes one want to ask, exactly who is doing the goose-stepping?
Game Over
Where are the liberals?
The recent sale of the Milwaukee Bucks has all the earmarks of what liberals believe to be wrong with America. First, they've been bought by hedge fund managers from Wall Street. Hedge fund managers are generally the most hated members of society. These new owners are greedy. They have earned fortunes of $1 billion each in their lifetimes. The only way they could've done that is by cheating every person that they have run into, according to liberal doctrine. They are from out of town. How could two guys from New York City, Wall Street even, they hailed his new heroes and saviors of the city? Why aren't they regarded as file capitalists? I can't figure it out.
Keep Pushing for Higher Taxes
Perhaps you're like Mary Burke, or Tom Barrett, or Chris Abele, or Theodore Lipscomb, or any other locally elected alderman, trustee, supervisor, or assessor, and every day you're walking around with a pocket full of money that you just can't seem to figure out how to spend. You have blocked all the things you need, a couple of things you want, and several items that greedy advertisers have duped you into buying. And you still have money left.
But with this extra chump change that you just can't seem to get rid of, you don't want to give it to charity, but you just wish you could somehow filter it up to the government. However, if you think like a Democrat, you only want to pay the minimum in taxes. You want others to pay more, but not you-you believe you're one of the few that are already paying your fair share.
Obamacare and Hedontcare
We've had Obama care for almost 3 months now. Has it turned the United States into the government run utopia that were promised? Not by a long shot.
Polar Vortex Round 2
Outside of two weeks ago, I don't think I meant anyone who would put the words polar and vortex into the same sentence. We may not know what it is, or where it came from. But we do know what the cause is: global warming.
Climate change scientists have the explanation ready for us. Because of the excessive carbon dioxide that we put in the air in the past 30 years, the border that keeps the polar vortex from blowing down to this part of the country has been weakened by humans. So let's ask the question, when it stops being so bitter cold, does that mean the actions of humans have fixed the polar vortex border? That has to be the on the explanation; cause and effect.
The New Normal
By now, I'm sure you've probably given up on the New Year's resolution. But, that's all right. It was just too tough. That's how things are going to be in America now. If it involves too much work in order to achieve your dreams, they probably weren't meant to be. But that's okay, it's not your fault.
Income Inequality
If ever there were a place for the liberal argument regarding income inequality, it has to be applicable to the Bradley Center and request for a new arena. The taxpayers of the city and the surrounding counties are once again being asked to foot the bill for another sports venue. While people like Herb Kohl is sitting with hundreds of millions of dollars in his pockets, he feels absolutely no obligation to kick in any money for a new arena. As of today, I believe he still owns the team. The Milwaukee Bucks are also all millionaires. As are the coaches. Yet the taxpayers and middle class citizens are silent while being coerced into agreeing to raising their taxes and my taxes to pay for such a stadium. I often find it hard to understand for people to not pose a question on why they are obligated to build a workplace for a bunch of underachieving millionaires. The Milwaukee Bucks have the worst record in the NBA. Not that it matters, but why should the taxpayers agree to paying for this corporate welfare while the rest of our infrastructure such as schools and streets could make better use of the same amount of money? But when it comes to sports, people forget to raise the issue that this is also corporate welfare. These greedy 1%ers feel absolutely no obligation to evening knowledge what regular citizens are being requested of. But if this happens in the corporate world, people would take to the streets and feel justified. At the very least, it should be close to the same argument. In addition, what kind of wages are the people working inside this new arena going to received as a work again? Will they be making at least $15 an hour? Are they guaranteed health care coverage? Are they making a living wage in which to support their families? Compare this to what any of the Milwaukee Bucks and the coaching staff are earning and tell me if that's fair.Let's Go To the Video
After a dozen years of fighting a war to make the world safe from terrorism, the liberal media is now beginning their campaign to make Iowa safe for Hillary. 60 min. has recently produced a story in an effort to get the viewer to believe that Susan Rice is hard-working, honest, and just putting it all on the line for the administration. More recently, the New York Times is produced a story trying to convince us dumb Americans that the attack on Benghazi was a result of a video. Again? Didn't we at least get to the point where we had a consensus that whatever video they were referring to was not the catalyst in the attack on the Consulate? Now, we have to exonerate Hillary. We have to exonerate Susan Rice. We have to exonerate any Democrats that are running for office either next year or in 2016. Although there slogan is, "whoever lies first, lies best." If it is repeated enough, people will believe it. Whether it's true or not. I shake my head in disgust because it's too unfortunate that people who want to become part of the ruling class thinks so little of the general American public. It's too bad that we are regarded as being so stupid. To paraphrase the Reverend Wright: God bless America? No, no, no, no, no. God help America.Whatever Happened to ...???
Now that our latest budget and fiscal crisis is behind us nationally, the Democrats are taking victory laps believing that they have completely humiliated Republicans, conservatives, and anybody else they consider to be opposition. So, let's do a little follow-up. Let's see if the all-powerful, all-knowing, complete package Democrats have answers now to questions previously unanswered:
Bring the Pain
How can anyone discount the vindictiveness and contempt that this administration is now showing towards the American people? The government shutdown is not the first time that this is been demonstrated. President Barack Obama wants to make any interaction with the government during the shutdown as painful as possible. And for what reason?
A Second First Term
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden seemed especially energized on the campaign trail. They are doing what they do best--campaigning. They've also been recently criticized for having no second term agenda. And how do they answer? With a recently thrown together pamphlet with several points on how they will conduct their second term.
Whatever Happened to Simpson Bowles?
I, like all of you, share the concern with the national debt. This is been a perennial topic for generations, and because we're still talking about it today, no viable solution has been reached. I am also in agreement that the time to act is now in order to preserve it fiscally fit nation for our future and the future of those who come after us. At the end of last month, we concluded our fourth year in a row in which the national debt has exceeded $1 trillion. Obviously, Washington is not serious about seeking a solution to this long-term problem of long term debt.
How We're Better Off
At this point of the presidential campaign, there doesn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm for a change. In fact, a lot of the Democrats are confident that they are going to win and already believe the race is over. I would like to argue that they are wrong, but I have read the latest polling and it is not looking favorable for the Romney camp. I cannot even assume that they are oversampling Democrats.
The Empty Chair for the Empty Suit
Last week's Republican national convention showed to the country, and much to the dismay of Democrats, that Republicans are not a bunch of back towards, toothless, redneck, gun toting hillbillies. The speeches, the rising stars, the unity, is all being brushed aside so that there can be ridicule done towards the presentation of Clint Eastwood.
Nice Guys' Finish
We are now entering the part of the presidential race in which things are going to start to get interesting. Nearly every day or at least once a week there's going to be major polling released about how the candidates are doing nationally and in the swing states. With each poll, there'll be plenty of spinning.
Why Would You Do It?
I sometimes wonder how anyone could think of voting for Barack Obama in the upcoming November election. With that economy looming, liberals, Democrats, and water carriers are all spewing the same talking points again and again. What sets the question, what are Americans supposed to? Are we supposed to accept 8% unemployment as normal? Is 1% growth in GDP now considered to be great? Is the tax system that is already burdensome supposed to be considered too low?
Global Warming Ruins Summer
We certainly can't take this opportunity to waste a long hot summer with few days of rain without mentioning our global warming is going to make something like mild winters and storm free summers and turn it into something terrible. This is something to be feared.
Long Division
The changes that have come to this country in the past few years seem unbelievable. We have become more polarized politically than perhaps any other time in US history. We spend five or six years pleading for us to come together. That time has ended. Whether it's hopeless or not, we now stand to be hopelessly and helplessly divided. Welcome to the new era of the United States.
Social Darn-it-ism
With the primary season finally winding down, the presidential candidates will finally be able to go head-to-head for the next six months. It's going to be interesting and it's going to be ugly. It's going to be inspiring and it's going to be negative. It will be a time to remember and a lot to forget.
A Promise Kept
Four years ago, candidate Barack Obama expressed his interest on how to make the United States self-sufficient for its energy needs. This includes sharp increases in the price of coal, which translates into high electric rates, and perhaps five dollar per gallon gasoline.
The Economics Of Gasoline
It's the economy, stupid. It's the economy again. It's always the economy. The question is: what factor is most important to voters at any given election?
Liberals Want It Both Ways
Lefties could not wait until enough time had passed to start filling out petitions to recall Governor Scott Walker. Public places were full of people just begging citizens and potential voters to sign the petitions. Then, when time came to submit them to the government accountability board, they proudly paraded them in caring the boxes on their heads.
Debate Overload
After a dozen or so Republican debates, we thought we had heard enough to make a decision on who should be our next Republican nominee for the office of the presidency of the United States. However, the debates keep coming.
Let the Campaigning Begin
Only three days into 2012, news hawks and pundits alike are making conclusions about the November election. Democrats and Republicans are both smelling victory. But the cynics are not as optimistic.
Barry Takes it Easy
On the heels of the fresh victory for taking credit for giving all working Americans a $40 a week tax break for two months, president Obama jetted off to Hawaii. During the holiday season, several presidents have taken a surprise trip overseas to visit the soldiers defending our freedom and show some appreciation for the sacrifices that they have made in their lives for us. But not president Obama. His trip only went partly across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. I guess he couldn't turn a trip to visit our soldiers into a campaign event, so the idea never came up again.
More Than One Term
Instead of working on the payroll tax cut bill, or a jobs bill, or a deficit reduction plan, President Obama decided to spend his time in a one-on-one interview with 60 min. In that interview, Steve Kroft actually asked some interesting questions. President Obama seemed like he was conceding that it was going to take more than one term and more than one president to solve our economic problems. I couldn't agree more. President Obama is certainly not solving them in this term.
Failure Is An Option
We are now entering the time of year in which we must now seriously consider who the Republican nominee is going to be for the presidential election in 2012. The nomination field is set, and one must be chosen. On the Democrat side, they already know who they are nominee is going to be. There is no contest. But, we should ask, why?
The Stupid Committee
It's official. The United States government and its elected officials are not going to do anything about the long-term debt. It's going to continue to grow, and it doesn't seem to be a large concern for anyone anymore. If it ever was.
Un-Occupy Everywhere
What is happening with the occupying wall street protests? Recent reports have shown that municipalities across the country are interested in clearing the streets and parks of all the youngsters who started out by exercising their First Amendment rights.
Calling All Recalls
Nothing in moderation. But, will we ever get what we want? In Wisconsin, like the rest of the nation, we want better times. We want more economic opportunity. We want better results. We want a better economy. We want sunnier days. Is it too much to ask?
The past few years, we are being led to believe that government is the solution to all of our problems. If we only had more services! We could feed the poor, we could heal the sick, we could educate the children. If we only had lower taxes! We could keep more of our own money. We could spend more to stimulate the economy in our own way. We could save for our retirement. If we only had higher taxes! We would have better schools. The bridges could be replaced. The elderly could have a better retirement. We could have more and better teachers. We would be safer because of more policemen.
One Year to Go
As a political scientist, there is nothing I find more interesting than presidential politics. And in the subject of presidential politics, there is the continued fascination of the presidential election. Even though each presidential election is historic in nature, what a person has to do to become president becomes more and more questionable. What we do to our candidates is even more disturbing. Especially if you're the opposition.
Actions of Desperation
The past couple of weeks, there has been more action by the president trying to revive the economy than there has been in the past three years. Logically, this is because the campaign for 2012 has begun.
Occupy Acumen
When the occupying of Wall Street movement began, I will admit that I thought that it would be perhaps only a couple of days and everybody would go home. Nothing would've changed, but isn't that how demonstrations like these work? Make some noise, get a little publicity, then go home and continue your routine.
Class Warfare Takes Hold
Not being able to run on his record, President Obama is proposing a stimulus bill to be paid for by the richest 1% in America. That's what he wants us to believe, anyway.
Is It Time for Chris Christie?
After weeks of saying he will not run for president, after answering the question hundreds of times with what I thought was a solid "no", America awaits a decision by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
Keeping Hope Alive
The 2012 presidential campaign is now in full swing. On one hand, it makes it very interesting because Americans always want to know who their next leader is going to be. On the other hand, it means that the next 14 months are going to be months of divisiveness, partisanship, and arguments.
Obama's Economic Plan is Working
We are now three years into the Obama presidency. Is it too early to start looking for results on his economic policies? The results are so disturbing that even the liberal media outlets cannot sufficiently spin them into praise for their anointed one.
The Candidate's Speech
Last Thursday, news junkies across the country were tuned in to their favorite channel in order to watch the president deliver a much anticipated speech. What we believe we saw, may be as different as the channel that it was watched on.
Barry's EPA Surprise
Last week, President Barack Obama announced that he would be delaying implementation of several EPA regulations. This came as quite a surprise to me because I thought part of the whole agenda of the progressives and liberals in this country was to make sure that now would be the time that the earth began to heal. Now would be the time that the oceans stopped rising. Now would be the time that the air got cleaner. This becomes necessary because all progressives and liberals know that business owners and job creators will cut every corner to maximize their profits and pollute to the fullest extent of the law. That's why we have laws.
Piling on Perry
Soon after Texas Governor Rick Perry entered the presidential race, the mainstream media seized their opportunity to see what could be done to discredit him. His faith makes him evil and his success made him a failure. His job creation has made him a bum.
Barry's Bus Tour
By now, we've all heard of the Magical Misery Tour. President Obama is touring the Midwest telling Americans to buy American made products on a brand-new million-dollar bus purchased from Canada.
Organized Labor's Lies Didn't Work
More than $31 million was spent on the recall elections here in Wisconsin. That doesn't count the states portion of what they have to kick in to run the polls the day of the election. And what's the result? The Democrats did not regain control of the state Senate.
Is Barry Blameless?
When the debt deal was completed and signed into law on August 2, the dumb dumb citizens of the United States were assured by the president that crisis would be averted. So what happened? The United States lost its AAA rating. The stock market dropped 1100 points over three sessions. After almost 3 years of age poor economy that does not seem to be getting better, it gets worse.
What Happens Wednesday?
What is going to be the net effect after these recall elections are finally settled? Will they finally be settled? Will people be happy? I'm sure some will be. Will the recalls be over? Or will we be gearing up for a new round of recalls? Will the union fields and tax-and-spend liberals be gearing up their hate fest for Scott Walker and send us into another six months of negative campaigning and advertising? Civility has become a bad word.
A Principle Void
A couple of years ago, the president of the United States told us deficits don't matter. That was also to infer that the national debt does not matter. Today, and for the past couple of weeks, it seems like the national debt is all that matters.
Hot Weather Causes Global Warming
Does hot weather cause global warming or is it the other way around? Is it a timely discussion or just a lot of hot air? Perhaps I can summarize an article I had read recently in the left-wing publication,"Liberal Lies And How to Tell Them." Then it will all make sense.
Economics 100
After 2 1/2 years of the Obama administration, one thing we can say for certainty-the president and his team know absolutely nothing about economics.
Fireworks Cause Global Warming
The fourth of July is a unique holiday. People celebrate the fourth by thinking that they are celebrating our independence from Great Britain that was declared in 1776. But what are many people actually doing? It is the day when left-wing extremists will leave the Prius in the garage, and load up the minivan or the SUV with a charcoal grill and drive down to a crowded beach or park and fire up the barbie by dumping about a half can of lighter fuel on it and cook up a bunch of brats and hot dogs.
Election Day Comes Again
It seems that more than ever now, it has become imperative that government at all levels need to rein in spending and tighten their belts to experience the limited growth that our economy has been producing for the past few years.
In Favor Of. . .
Like many news junkies, I like to look at the polls. The politicians like to look at them too, although they deny being influenced by them. The most prominent poll that comes on a regular basis is the poll on presidential approval. Two half years ago, President Obama started out fairly high in the presidential approval ratings. This, of course, was expected. And as everybody knows, it's all downhill from there.
Raising My Glass
I was quite pleased earlier this week when I heard the statement from County executive Chris Abele's office. He is not going to spend taxpayer money on a modern art project.
A Good Democrat
I can't believe it either. A week after I got tired of hearing the Anthony Wiener story, I'm bringing it up myself. My first impression of Wiener was that he wasn't loud, overbearing twerp. Yes, most of this is based on our differences in politics. But he was a rising star in the Democratic Party. Now he has become the butt of many a joke. Yes, most of them are because of his name. But the latest ones he has brought on himself. It's like he picked his own name.
Ryan's Hope
Even though we are still about a year and a half away from the presidential election, the Republican field is starting to take shape. Trouble is, there's not a lot of optimism in the current field. And the Democrats, being of the high moral character that they are, are looking for the weakest candidate to get nominated so that President Barack Obama can cruise to a second term. And of course, with all of this non-effort, the United States will continue to fall into mediocrity. What a great vision for America!
Corporate Well Fair
I can't figure it out. Tax-and-spend liberals will grab their picket signs at the drop of a hat and truck on over to Madison to march in front of the Capitol and scream "unfair"if they believe a tax break would be given to a corporation especially if it were initiated by a Republican. But if there were to be a tax increase for specific use of, let's say a sports venue, then that's all well and good.
Senate Seat for Sale
Herb Kohl is calling it quits. After four terms, and becoming 19th in seniority, he is moving on. Recently, Herb Kohl made the news for bringing a defense contract in Wisconsin that will build ships in the Marinette area. I agree that this is good for Wisconsin, but what else has he done in his 24 years?
Barry's Big Bounce
Osama Bin Laden is dead. A commitment made almost 10 years ago has been fulfilled. If he was not brought to justice, justice was brought to him. I doubt that there have been very many tears shed over this. So where are the pictures? As a country who believes in freedom of the press, and people who naturally rubberneck with curiosity to see people at their worst, big brother government is going to shield us from ourselves for our own good. As part of a growing minority in America who still pays federal taxes, I believe I am due a picture.
In Search of Chris Christie
In a recent poll, it had been reported that approximately 40% of Republicans are not happy with the current field of presidential candidates. This will include the candidates who have declared their intent to run and those who are expected to run. The big question is twofold; can any Republican candidate beat Barack Obama in 2012, and if he can, can he be an effective president? When I say effective president, I'm referring to someone who can lead the country in the direction of prosperity and bring American greatness again. I do not mean effective as relevant to our past two presidents.
The Diversions
President Barack Obama finally released his birth certificate in order to put to rest a distraction that takes our attention away from the real issues today. Even though the left brought it up more often, it is conservatives and Republicans who will get blamed for keeping this on the front burner. Three weeks of Donald Trump finally pushed the administration to releasing the document. We'll speak to rest? I'm sure there is a lot more spin to come. I'm sure the name-calling from the left is just getting started. After all, we have a year and a half until the election. We know it's got to get nasty. However, I agree with the president when he said that we've got bigger problems in this country. Then of course, he flew off to Chicago to sit on the Oprah Winfrey show.
Whenever I read the column written by George Will in the Washington Post, I have to open another tab in my browser for an online dictionary. Then I have to ask myself two questions. First, how does he come up with these words? Second, will I be able to use one of these words in a conversation at any time? Well, the other day George used the word blatherskite and I had to look it up. When I read the definition, I can only think of one person-Barack Obama.
The End of Cooperation
This week, President Barack Obama assumes the role that he loves best-candidate for president of the United States. As we have seen over the past two and half years, Obama enjoys being a campaigner much more than he does enjoy being president. As president, he is being held accountable. As a candidate, mistakes he makes can be attributed to speaking to his base.
Them Dang Errors
A few years ago when I was flipping through the channels on the television, I came across an old rerun of My Favorite Martian. In this episode, Uncle Martin was dictating a letter. As he spoke the words, a typewriter across the room put the words to text. And of course, no one was actually doing the typing. The typewriter was doing it on its own.
When this was dreamed up in the mid-60s, people probably thought that this is pure science fiction. Yet less than half a century later, we know that it is fact. This can be done today. It isn't done the same way as it was in 1964, because today, hardly anyone uses a typewriter anymore.
Barry's Victory Lap
Over the past two years, the mission and agenda of the Obama administration has been to increase America's dependence on the government. Perhaps this is why the media was taking so many steps to make this look like a dire situation. Why, without the government the soldiers would not defend our shores. The police would not secure the streets. And the teachers would not be in the classroom-this time for a different reason. But what would actually happen with the government shutdown?
Winning The Future?
Every once in a while, a creative person will come up with a new idea or a new phrase in which they think that it is just the best phrase and people will be jealous of what a good phrase that is. People will be jealous that they did not come up with it themselves. And it will be a good phrase until somebody points out house to put it really is. A good example of a phrase like that is; winning the future.
Vote for The Drunk Driver Guy
Election day for county executive is fast approaching. Did the primary election actually give us two candidates worth choosing from? There are many people who will say yes.
Mission Accomplished
I find it at least mildly ironic that the person who has been issued for 2009 Nobel Prize for peace has now ordered military action that has begun what has been called the Americas third war. Once again the United States is engaged with military action on another Muslim country. Wasn't part of President Obama's agenda a mission to help Muslim countries feel better about themselves and the United States? Are we accomplishing these missions?
Barry Fills Out His Bracket
A few weeks ago when it was clear that the NFL owners and players were going to have a lockout, President Obama was asked by a reporter if he was going to intervene. President Obama said that he would not stating that it's something that the owners and the players union have to work out and it was not a subject that the president should be involved in. I was in complete agreement with the president. The president has far more priorities that need addressing and his complete attention than what is going on in the NFL especially during the off-season. I was hopeful that he was going to come to his senses and find that he has far too many crises to attend to and forgo a waste of time explaining his brackets for March madness. But I was wrong.
The Cowboy Poetry Festival
The world makes sense to me now. Well maybe not the entire world, but at least the government budgetary process. This week, we learned why it is become next to impossible, if not completely impossible, to cut back on any of the federal budget. We will have to keep borrowing $.40 of every dollar spent. Any further tax reductions will become a thing of the past. Senate majority leader Harry Reid brought it home for America-the Cowboy Poetry Festival.
Let the Children Pay
I was hoping for an interesting season of political debate about the budget process. At the local level, it could get ugly. At the state level, it has been ugly all along. At the federal level, it's just plain chaos.
Barry Sat Down
The 2012 presidential race has not begun yet. After a two-year process in the last cycle, it's a good thing that it has not started yet. While the Republican side of the election appears to be wide open, it is generally assumed that Barack Obama will again be the Democrat nominee. No surprises here.
Debt On Arrival
Once again, for the third year in a row, deficit hawks from the current administration, the ones who are preaching fiscal responsibility, have a message for us: deficits don't matter.
Buying a Seat at the Table
It's hard to believe that another election day is rapidly coming upon us. It's an election only for local offices, but still I was looking for a lot of negative advertising. After all there's a Supreme Court seat up for grabs. We can't expect civility from the Supreme Court justices, can we? It's what I've come to expect. And there is a contested race for county executive.
The State of the Union
We have seen the state of the union and apparently were not spending enough money to sustain it.
Congress and Symbolism
From the early days of the country, Congress has engaged in passing symbolic measures. Such measures have declared holidays, recognized accomplished citizens, and passed other measures which at the time may have seemed important but have actually had no impact on day-to-day life for the long-term.
Technology as a Substitute
Recently there was a story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel which discussed new teaching methods. In the coming years, it was reported that teaching methods and learning methods for longer include a pencil and paper. What hath God wrought?
Young, Angry, and Wrong
The attempted assassination on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords represents a sad day in America. Lives were destroyed and America was changed. As a result, we will now be rethinking the way that we approach and have access to our elected officials. What made America great was the access that we had to our lawmakers in the approachability that they made available to us. They are one of us, they are representative of the people.
The New Adjenda
The 112th Congress is about to get started. As always, it is accompanied with hope and aspiration that the right issues will be handled in an effective way. What is important this year? Is it the same thing as last year? Or the year before?
The Outsider
It'll soon be time to kick off the 2012 presidential election season. As expected, President Barack Obama will be seeking a second term. Much to the surprise of conservatives, the president does have a record of accomplishment to run on. Americans like to see their president succeed. That's because we want America to succeed. However, we don't need a lot of stuff that needs to be repealed because it was done wrong in the 1st place. President Obama has this baggage too.
Deficits Don't Matter
It was just about 30 years ago when President Ronald Reagan stated in his first inaugural address that a major objective of his presidency was to reduce the size of government and reduce government spending and eliminate deficits. He stated that while many of the programs were started with good intentions, people's hearts were in the right place but their heads were not. These ideas are just as current today as politicians at all levels of government try to address government spending and eliminate deficits.
Maybe Next Year. . .
We are barely 6 months past the midterm election which evidently sent a short-lived shock to the elected officials in Washington. Congress has returned for a lame-duck session and it has proved to be a less than stellar spectacle of what the American people expect.
Requiem for a Choo Choo
I don't know if the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel believes that it is being fair and unbiased, but it seems that up until last week, there was regularly an article or a letter to the editor written by someone sensible, who believes the $810 million train between Milwaukee and Madison is a farce, it is always preceded by some not who believes it is the best idea since sliced bread. Well, Frederick Rohwedder doesn't have a thing to worry about.
The Greedy Needy
Over the past couple of years, there have been countless articles, countless blogs, and countless conversations on the perils of greed in today's economy. Progressives and liberals have engaged in class warfare in their effort to put the Americans into two categories-the haves and the have-nots. A have not is simply someone who does not have all the material things that they want in life. So, who are the haves?
Slow Train Coming
Now that the election is over, we can move onto another issue that is going to be as polarizing and divisive as anything that has come up prior to November-a high-speed train in Madison.
The Future for Milwaukee County
When Scott Walker was elected governor earlier this month, it was a sign that the majority of the electorate would be looking forward to a new era of fiscal responsibility the government.
The Economic Lies
In the age of information, 24-hour news, the Internet, instant messages, and even tweaks, how can we be certain that the information then we are getting is reliable? Is to turn to newspapers and TV for truth. Nowadays, we're getting opinions at best. But what about the information that the government is giving us? As much speed like to trust our government, we know we are being lied to. Even if we aren't able to call them direct lies, we know we are being persuaded to think in a particular direction. We should be persuaded to think.
Who Gives a Toot?
There is little Governor Jim Doyle needs to do from now until January to further his assurance that he is the worst governor in Wisconsin history. There is no better example of this than the half fast train that he wants to build between Milwaukee and Madison. In an 11th move, the governor realized that Tom Barrett was not going to win the election for governor. And being the shyster that he is, Governor Doyle decided to seal the deal with contractors to spend the money and start construction before anyone could stop it. Hopefully it would get to a point where it would cost about $100 million from the state taxpayers to pay it back if construction was stopped. So why did we elect this guy twice? He clearly does not have the best interest of the citizens of Wisconsin in mind. Like any real Democrat, he's only concerned about himself.
The Voters' Voice
The midterm election has finally arrived. It may be the one time, every couple of years, when the voice of the citizen, the voice of the voter is finally heard. If it counts, well, that's another story.
Climatologists to the Left of me. . .
I did not know that there were so many climatologists in the country today. There seems to be quite a concentration of them even here in southeastern Wisconsin. They all seem to know quite a bit about global warming and how higher taxes will solve the problem.
Is The Election Over Yet?
This started out to be an interesting election cycle. It was going to be the resurgence of the conservative. It was going to be a referendum on Obama. It was going to be a wavy election. It was going to have surprise results. But as we get closer to election day, it could be turning out like everything else-full of apathy and disgust.
Throwing Down The Shovels
In a recent interview with the New York Times Magazine, President Barack Obama admitted that there are no shovel ready projects for the stimulus bill to fund. The admission seemed almost surprising that the president finally admitted what many of us have known for the past year and a half.
A Party of No Ideas
Democrats have long labeled the Republican Party as having no ideas. As he tried to push their legislative agenda through the Congress, they stifled any input from just about every Republican and then proclaimed that the Republicans had no input and no ideas.
Are You Better Off?
Is every election about the future? If they are, we must take a look at where we have come, the direction we are on currently, and where we want to go. A catch phrase which is often used is; are you better off than you were two years ago?
Ineffective Foolsgold
Can anyone effectively answer this question; does Russ Feingold deserve another term in the United States Senate?
The Mediocre Divider
We are about to the halfway point of the Obama administration. And what do we have to show for it? Are we better off than we were two years ago? Are we on the right track? Can the damage of this administration be reversed?
Is Anyone Undecided?
Are there any undecided voters out there? Having just gone through the primary election, we've probably gotten enough information on the candidates for governor and Senate. All we have to do is to remember to show up on November 2. Yet, we continue to be bombarded with advertisements. The Robo calls will probably begin very soon. Too soon. That's a frequency increases of the number of ads we are going to be exposed to for the next month or so, it will probably include enough negativity to show that the candidate we want and the candidate we oppose will have so many negative points, it could convince even the most loyal voter to stay home.
Recession is Over-If You Want It
It was recently reported that the recession that has plagued America since the end of 2007 has been over since the middle of 2009. So, why does it feel like it is not over? One would think that after a year we should at least have the mindset that we are all of the recession and well on our way to a robust recovery.
Tom Barret Saved Eight Dollars
In his quest to gain ground in the governor's race here in Wisconsin, Tom Barrett has begun to run an advertisement savoring his hero status he acheived at the state fair last year. What would've happened had Tom Barrett not intervened, is of course, speculation. The crime itself and the perpetrator will not be discussed. What we will discuss is Tom Barrett's basis of thinking which is also speculation.
How About New Spending?
Why does America need a new stimulus package? Could it be... the last one failed?
Desperation Autumn
Contrary to what they've been saying, Democrats are watching the recent polls. Although it's not looking too good for them, Republicans have to be cautious and off not think that they've got victories all sewn up. Yes, the question remains; if they are handed back control of Congress, will they be effective stewards? Will they be able to steer America in the right direction again?
Attack (on) the Economy
Are we getting mixed messages from the Obama administration? It seems like only a couple months ago, Vice President Joe Biden was out talking this as Recovery Summer. More recently, President Barack Obama, fresh off a two-week vacation in which he could ignore his constituency and concentrate more on what the polls are telling us, comes out and says he needs to do a full scale attack on the economy. What would this attack do? Is he trying to make it worse? From what we have seen in the past two years, I think he is.
Barry Needs a Vacation
Coming off his vacation in the Gulf Coast, President Obama heads up to Martha's Vineyard for another much-needed vacation. All is well in America. All as well if we believe our president. President Obama promised us that he would not rest until the economy had recovered. President Obama promised he would not rest until the Gulf Coast had been restored to its original beauty. President Obama promised us that he would not rest until everyone who is looking for a job can find one. Now that he is resting, we can put a checkmark in the completed column for these issues. If condition B. occurs, that means condition A has been met, right? Perhaps were not supposed to include math or logic in these postings.
The Senate Race Heats Up?
Although quite predictable, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has been running stories about the Senate race here in Wisconsin that are not exactly objective. And in true liberal fashion, if you're not in lockstep with the progressive agenda, you're considered a mouth breathing troglodyte.
Allah is Fine with Obama
It often seems like President Barack Obama needs to do little else to prove to the American people that he is completely out of touch with them. I don't personally know anyone who was killed on Sep 11, 2001 in the terrorist attacks in New York City. I believe rebuilding the towers is taking too long and there is far too much emphasis on the memorial process to try to appease the people who lost loved ones. However, building a mosque two blocks away from the Ground Zero site is a slap in the face to every American. I find the president's comments completely offensive.
Russ Feingold Thinks You're an Idiot
When it comes to predicting the outcome of the Senate race in Wisconsin this fall, it is currently considered a tossup. This of course means that there will be a plethora of advertising between now and November 2. And as the case is with all political advertising, the facts are being twisted so that you draw a different conclusion from what actually has occurred in the past few years. Like all progressives, Russ Feingold is banking on you not paying attention to what he has been doing and only basing your judgment on his performance on what he will spoon feed you through his ads.
The Summer of Recovery Nears the End
It seems like only yesterday when we were anticipating the advent of the summer of recovery. Now, it seems like summer is over. It's not because we've torn off several pages of our calendar, it's not because of the hot weather is gone, and it's not because the children are back in school already. It's because there is no summer recovery. It was all an illusion. It was like one of those happy dreams that we wake up from all too early.
All Aboard!?
The Secretary of transportation was in Wisconsin last week. He and Governor Jim Doyle were making pronouncements about the so-called high speed train is coming to Wisconsin. Although there is a lot of opposition to it, they are proclaiming that it cannot be stopped.
The View From Reality
President Barack Obama made a personal appearance on The View earlier this week. Of course, I did not see it, however, it was all over just about all of the other news shows and news channels. So let's ask some basic questions. Was this the best use of the president's time? Is this all we have for the president to do?
Issues for the Senate Race
As we get closer to the election day, it's time to start paying attention to the U.S. Senate race. Do we want hope and change or do we want the status quo of the last 8+ years? It sounds like the 2008 election all over again. Only this time with the U.S. Senate.
Obama Administration Makes A Mistake
Actually, the Obama administration admits to one mistake. I'm not going to take a lot of time to discuss the Shirley Sharrod episode, because that is an actual distraction of what is really going on in America.
Feingold A Fiscal Conservative?
We've all known for years that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel panders to the liberal and Democrat candidates no matter how bad they are. That's an assumption that we'll just have to live with. They are starting to come up with some so-called news stories comparing Senator Russ Feingold to candidate Ron Johnson. If we are aware of this bias, we sometimes have to remind ourselves that it exists in order to read these columns without having to be interrupted to run to the cabinet to get the Alka Seltzer.
Obama's New Worn Out Rhetoric
President Obama is looking forward to the summer. Congress will be in recess and he can make appointments without the consent and advice of the Senate. He can tour the country using Air Force One to avoid the day-to-day responsibilities of his office and do the one thing he does well-campaign. He will be putting forth his best effort to further divide the country politically and do it all on taxpayers dollars.
U S versus Them
Some days it's just plain difficult to understand what is going on in America today. One thing we do know is that the United States is on the wrong track. Unfortunately, the government seems content to not only stay on this track, but to pick up speed.
The Arizona immigration law seem to have been a situation that could and should have been handled by the state of Arizona and backed up by the federal government. Instead it has turned into an us versus them situation. Consciously choosing not to enforce the immigration laws that are on the books, the federal government is not letting Arizona worked on solving their own problem. There are either too many Republicans in Arizona or not enough unions in Arizona. During the summer of 2008, immigration was a hot issue. The many candidates for president at the time all have plans on how to handle the immigration problem on the border with Mexico. Then, the economy tanked and the priority shifted. Immigration was shelved albeit promised to be handled in the first year of the Obama presidency. We now know that a year and a half later, things are getting worse.
Selling Failure to America
When President Barack Obama was in Racine the other day, he had to face some unexpected questions about the success or lack of success with the so-called Recovery Act. As we know from previous experiences, President Obama does not do well when asked questions posed with an opposing viewpoint. Apparently he has gotten used to the notion that he will come into a city, make a speech, answer a couple of questions any long-winded fashion and leave with a higher approval rating.
The Level of Stupidity in Government
Peggy West is a big fat idiot. And I say that with the endearment and admiration that Joe Biden often displays. Isn't it great when we can take a phrase from another great Democrat-Al Franken-and paraphrase it into a situation that is relevant today. Only liberals don't like it when you use their own logic against them. I won't spend a lot of time examining the statement that she made, I'll let others do that. But the fact that someone would say it's and believe it at the time it is simply astonishing.
The Summer of Joe
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico clearly out of hand, the Obama administration is creating a diversion to hopefully get that failure of policy out of the headlines. Showing that the Obama administration has a thirst for controlling the message of the media like Pravda did for the Soviet Union, the administration came out with a propaganda piece called the Recovery Summer. What a pile of crap this is.
What About Bob?
In true progressive form, we can apply a double standard and feel good about it. Because of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we have a common hate: BP. And through this common hate, we can publicly extort, shakedown, and make hateful statements about this company and feel good about it. It's practically patriotic.
Crisis Mismanagement
We are closing in on the second month of having crude oil gush from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico. This is then called the worst oil spill in American history. It is also working towards another worst-worst managed crisis in American history.
Barry's In Charge Here
A couple of weeks ago, it looked like the Obama administration was not taking charge of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But recently, President Obama came out and said that he was in charge and the buck stops with him. At first, I found that hard to believe. But after some reflection and looking at the facts, I can now see that the Obama administration was in charge from day one. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Let's take a look at that pudding.
What Do Ya Know. Joe?
With the Senate race here in Wisconsin, there really is no need to take an interest in a Senate race in Pennsylvania. There's not much excitement going on with the race here, so why is Pennsylvania important?
Just Plug the [Darn] Hole
After five weeks of oil leaking out of the floor of the ocean in the Gulf of Mexico, President Obama, in an un-presidential form, has come up with a solution of what needs to be done-"Just plug the damn hole!"I'm sure many Americans were thinking, golly! I don't think anyone has come up with a solution yet. Thanks for showing some leadership, President Obama.
How Much Can We Be Taxed?
Although I like to sometimes believe that there are a lot of Americans who share the belief that we are being taxed too much by a government that is too large and spends way too much money, or sometimes seems to be an equal amount of people who are willing to pay higher taxes. And they just don't raise taxes on themselves, they raise them on you and me too.
Prosperity in Exile
A few short weeks ago, there was a 900 point drop in the Dow Jones industrial average that occurred within about a half hour's time. Why this happened, I don't think we know for sure yet. This is been called the "flash crash." The stock market recovered within the hour and outside of the panic, it was a fairly normal trading day. Yet Congress has to have an inquest on this. Why?
Barry's Bailouts
It has been just over a year and a half when Congress orchestrated the TARP build to rescue the banks and save the American economy from fiscal collapse. It was then that the word bailout became part of the American political fabric. Since that time, the banks that had been lent the money I paid it back with interest. This was supposed to be the investment that taxpayers have hoped for that paid off and resulted in a profit. Even if it was a small profit. But since that time, the TARP money has become a political slush fund for the president and his administration.
Tough and Unpopular Policies Are Working
As we turn the pages off our calendar and move further into 2010, we review the economic numbers from the previous month and determine whether or country and its economy are moving in the right direction. Last Friday, after the unemployment numbers came out for April, President Obama made a statement saying that his tough yet unpopular policies that they made the hard decisions to pass, are working and producing results. Let's take a look at those results.
A Streetcar Named Boondoggle
Recently, there was a study group formed for the sole purpose of finding out how much money they could convince taxpayers in southeast Wisconsin to waste. It consisted of four people. They kept it to a small number because why have a large committee formed with a predetermined outcome? They were formed to see if it would be feasible to continue a political agenda of pushing forward a streetcar program in downtown Milwaukee.
Anatomy of a Poorly Handled Crisis
Hindsight is always 2020. It is always easier to point out what has gone wrong than it is to do what is right while events are unfolding. A good example of this is what is going on right now in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Summer of Division
You may have lived through the Summer of love. You may have watched the Summer of George. What will 2010 bring? If it's anything like the direction that the country has been going in the past year and a half, we are in for finger-pointing, name-calling, hate mongering and polarization.
Crime Pays; Pays Big
In a recent front-page story, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ran a news item about a citizen who effectively stole $700,000 from the Wisconsin Shares program. This is a state run program that shells out money to just about everyone who completes the paperwork. You don't have to do anything at all to earn it other than to from the government and the taxpaying citizens of the state. The cases that have come to light have shown that there are no consequences criminally for cashing in on this generous program. After all, it's for the children.
Taxpayers Helped By Non-Passage of Bills
The state legislative year ended on Apr 22, 2010. As one commenter put it, it went out with a whimper and not a bang. For the most part, this is good news.
They Would Be Saying Thank You
In a recent speech, President Barack Obama once again demonstrated how arrogant and out of touch he is with mainstream America. It was also a very poor attempt at humor. It was not funny. He was speaking to a lefty group of core constituents who are probably in the 47% of America that does not pay taxes and can't get enough of a "stick it to the rich"attitude.
17 Minutes
When health care reform monstrosity was passed, President Barack Obama drew a conclusion that the American people would suddenly begin to like it once they saw what was in it. According to recent polls, more than half of the citizens in America statistically, still oppose this bill and they do not like it.
A Partisan Politician
Two years ago, the United States began looking for ways to become less polarized politically. Dissatisfied with the policies of the Bush administration, we sought a new beginning. Whether or not we had one, we did not go in the correct direction. We elected a president who campaigned on the promise of bringing people together. In debates, candidate Barack Obama touted his talent of having the ability to bring people who disagreed together. Since becoming president, President Obama has done the opposite. He has continued the polarization of political ideologies in this country. We have become less united.
Sore Winners
Having rammed down our throats the health care reform bill, the Democrats and progressives are now in a position to recoil and continue to force the progressive agenda on the American people whether they want it or not. Recent polls have shown that they do not. The Democrats who only listen to their own rhetoric believe the American people want higher taxes and want more regulation. More entitlements and more government handouts are in the future of people and all you have to do to get this is the underachiever and sell yourself short.
A Little More Government
Well, they did it. Congress has shoved the helathcare reform bill down our throats. And now, after a year of talking points, misdirection, outright lies, etc., it is being followed up by a bunch of statements that have just about the same degree of sincerity. President Obama came out and said that he followed the will of the people. Even the most liberal polls showed opposition greater than 50%. He said Congress pushed back on the interests of the special interest groups. While demonizing the insurance companies, the administration cut deals with the unions, pharmaceuticals and the AMA. He said the process rose above politics. Nothing could be further from the truth. This process was all about politics. Just take a look at all the backroom deals, arm-twisting, bribes and vote buying that was needed just to get to 216 votes. Even the pro-lifers sold out for a sheet of paper signed by the president. But that's still better than the deal Wisconsin gets-all the Wisconsin Democrats in Congress gladly donated their vote for nothing in return. That's the deal we get here in Wisconsin -- nothing.
Time for Barry to Shut Up
The last week, President Barack Obama said that all the arguments have been made, everything has been said, and it is time to vote on the healthcare bill. Yet, since he has said that, he has not stopped making speeches and jaunting around the country giving Democrats rides in Air Force One in order to help them make up their mind on how to vote on the healthcare bill currently going through Congress. President Obama said he wanted an upper bound vote. Well, the way that the votes are tallying up, the total equals down.
You Are Overpaid!
Are you looking for a new avenue to relieve yourself of the overabundance of money that you would have in your pockets? Are you tired of going to work in bringing home a paycheck that covers your day-to-day spending and may even allow you to have a large screen TV in your home or a new car in your driveway? It's time that we come to terms with our selfishness that has rubbed off on us from those greedy years that the United States experienced back when George Bush was president.
Reform Fever
Health care reform and climate change. Two recurring news items. At the end of 2009, it seemed like we were going to be able to move beyond these two stories. But they keep coming back. Is it Groundhog Day? Is it a recurring nightmare?
ObamaCare 2.0
2010 was supposed to be the year that the Obama administration turns their main focus to job creation and economic recovery. After a couple of weeks, the focus was again shifted towards the passage of a government run health care bill.
Barry's 'Save the Senators' Tour
The Louisiana purchase was not enough. But Cornhusker Kickback was not enough. The omnibus bill was not enough. The federal government is now going to kick into high gear wasteful spending across the United States in an effort to shore up the reelection of Democrats in the fall election. In short-the Obama administration is going to waste taxpayer money buying votes.
Global Warming Ruins Olympics
Athletes trained for decades. They waited for years. Finally came their chance to participate in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver British Columbia. But where's the snow? It was 50° and raining. The hopes were dashed, the dream is gone. And it's all attributed to global warming.
The Corpse Men
It did not take long for the Liberals to jump on Sarah Palin for writing a few words on her hand during a keynote speech at the Tea Party convention. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was also poking fun at Sarah Palin by writing words on his hand. That just goes to show how immature this administration will behave. What Gibbs did should be an embarrassment to the administration. But it wasn't.
An Ideologue With No Ideas
President Barack Obama claims he is not an ideologue. He came to office with an agenda in mind. He promised the American people hope and change. However, the American people had a different idea of what hope and change meant than President Obama.
The End of Inspiration
Last week, President Barack Obama gave his first State of the Union address. After two years of having the media, political pundits, and citizens in general fall all over themselves toting what a great speaker but president is and how provoking he is motivating the country to unite and make the United States a better place, this particular speech seemed less than inspiring.
Bellwether Forecast
The Democrat arrogance that has been emanating in this country has also been greatly slowed down. The political parties nationalized the Senate race in Massachusetts. It became a referendum on Obama care. The citizens of Massachusetts became a voice for the nation and spoke loudly and clearly that Congress and the Obama administration must take a new direction for America to be successful.
MPS to Improve-This Time for Sure
The Milwaukee public schools are set to improve starting this year. This of course, sounds like a headline from the Onion. And of course it could be. Whether it be here, at Logos of the Bogus, or the Onion, either way, it is a joke.
The Decency of Heath Care Reform
President Barack Obama and the Democrat leaders in Congress are once again at the level of desperation for the healthcare insurance reform bill that has been going through Congress for about a year. Perhaps soon, we can get to the point to where the current bill will finally be defeated. Then, we can start over using bipartisan ideas of real reform that America will want and agree with.
We Want Our Money Back
"We want our money back."Sometimes it's hard to believe that that statement actually came from President Barack Obama. But then we remember that it came from the antibusiness sentiment of the Obama administration. President Obama gets a perverse sense of pleasure whenever he thinks that he can stick it to the banks. First, Obama thinks that he saved the American economy by bailing out the banks. Now, he wants Americans to think that banks are the root of evil in America today.
One Year of Obama
We have survived one quarter of the Obama term already. As difficult as it got, we have survived. A year of failure and lies is certain to be followed by three more years of failure and lies. America voted to give Barack Obama the chance to heal the country's problems. We took his promises at face value and placed our hope in him and his administration with one caveat-the plans had to work.
The Best Year Yet
Having just transitioned from 2009 into 2010, one thing we can say is that it has been a year like no other. Then again, we can say that about every year. We do say that about every year.
Cash for Cloture
With the demise of America's future being put on the fast track, I am able to find humor in a few comments that others have made about the cash for cloture deals that have been going through the Senate to pass few days. One story goes like this: a woman is asked if she will sleep with a senator for $2 million. She says yes. Would you do it for five dollars? She says no, what do you think I am? His answer; we've already established that, now we just need to find your price.
Democrat Districts Receive More Than Republican Districts From Stimulus Bill-No Surprise
A news story came out recently that said that Democrat districts are receiving more in stimulus funds in Republican districts. The margin is almost 2 to one. I thought this was common knowledge. This is the entire design of the stimulus bill.
It's Obama Who Doesn't Get It
In a recent interview with 60 minutes correspondent Steve Kroft, Barack Obama sat back and referred to the so-called "fat cat" bankers and said, "They don't get it."
Doyle's Cap and Trade
Governor Jim Doyle does not want to waste his last year in office. Although it is well-known that he is a lame duck, it becomes more apparent every day that he is also a lame brain. Being one of the worst governors in Wisconsin history, Doyle intends to leave the state in far worse shape financially than when he took office. Even the poor budget that is destined to create a huge shortfall by the end of the term, Doyle is not satisfied that Wisconsin residents are taxed enough.
Obama: "My Accomplishments are Slight"
While accepting the Nobel prize for peace in Oslo,Norway, Barack Obama humbly said, "My accomplishments are slight." This statement is as true today as it was two years ago when he decided to run for president of the United States. His accomplishments are slight. What are they?
Barry's Slush Fund
A little over a year ago, in what was probably the last major bipartisan piece of legislation passed by Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike came together to pass what became known as TARP. It was sold to the American people as a bill that would buy up troubled assets from banks to make them stronger in order to secure the financial system of the United States. What it actually did, was provide continuity to the financially shaky financial institutions which allowed them to meet payroll including huge bonuses to their CEOs. Whether or not this was good, it allegedly kept the United States from total economic collapse. For some large banks, it was intended to be alone to be paid back possibly at a profit for the taxpayers. It was sold once as a short-term investment that was going to make money for the taxpayers.
A Most Dangerous Pollutant
As we close in on the end of December, we begin to think about the accomplishments that have occurred over the year and the good things that have occurred over the year. It is one of these that I want to talk with you about today. After months of expanding the government, spending money that we don't have, and discounting skepticism about a fraud that has been placed upon the people of the world, let alone the United States, the government today has finally made an announcement proclaiming a most dangerous pollutant that is in our air today. It is carbon dioxide.
Barry Reads Speech, Popularity Drops
President Barack Obama's speech on Afghanistan was hyped to be one of the most important speeches he will make during his presidency. Did his performance rise to the occasion? It did not. At a time when he needed to rally the United States to get the people behind him to support for escalation of this war, if that's what he wanted to do, he came up short. Whenever Obama needs to do something that is in the interest of the United States of America, he looks to appease his political base.
Introduction to Indoctrination
With the Senate passing the health care bill, the Democrats are becoming confident, if not downright arrogant, that this is going to pass. The liberal media reports this as a first step on the long road. Yet Senate majority leader Harre Reid says that he can see the finish line. With the way these massive bills have picked up momentum, it does not seem outlandish that the bill can be passed and made into law by years end.
For Tax and Spend Liberals, Spending Comes First
President Barack Obama has said in recent interviews that he is becoming worried about the future of America's debt. The annual deficits are beginning to pile up and the national debt is finally becoming something to be concerned about.
Beer Summit II - the sequel
In last year's Democratic primary, candidates Barack Obama debated the other candidates at the time. Included were Joe Biden, Christopher Dodd, and Hillary Clinton. The question that had come up was one of experience. Hillary Clinton hammered at candidate Obama saying that he did not have the experience to be president and take that 3 AM call. Obama acknowledged that he did not have the experience, but he thought he had any quality that trumped experience -- judgment.
The Place for Politics
The healthcare bill that is currently going through Congress is not about the uninsured. It started out that way. It was a major part of last year's presidential campaign. Even earlier this year, there was a national concern about insuring the uninsured. With the mounting job losses in the economy being killed by the socialist principles of the administration, we needed to keep the uninsured insured and provide low-cost medical access to those people who would otherwise have to go to the emergency room. My, how things have changed.
The Road to Somewhere
Congress did it. They passed the 1990 page healthcare reform bill. I wonder how many members of Congress actually read it. I'll bet it was a lot less than 220.
Eric Shaffer is a Pinhead
Nobody expected the number of jobs saved or created by President Obama stimulus bill to be accurate. Even the Democrats know that the number of jobs created is very low. And everyone outside of the Obama administration knows that verifying a saved job is impossible. There is no way to quantify any saved jobs. But every month the administration rolls out their numbers and touts how well they are doing. Of course if they didn't, there would be a consensus that the stimulus bill was a complete failure. The whole $787 billion of it.
Too Big to Succeed
The presidency of the United States is a unique position. It is a big job. It takes someone who is willing to work hard, very hard for a very long time. And that's just to get elected. Although compared to a private sector job, the presidency does not need near what a CEO would make, especially nowadays, but that's not why people seek the office. It is the position in the world. It is the place in history. It is the opportunity to lead a nation for what will seem a very short time in retrospect, but a very long time while it is occurring.
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors are a Bunch of Idiots
Why do we have a county board of supervisors in Milwaukee County? Do we need this level of government? What do they do? Anything? Anybody?
A Question of Failure
It wasn't that long ago when Barack Obama was calling the war in Afghanistan a war of necessity. After taking office in January, President Obama acted like he was going to show the people of the United States and show the world how to effectively end a war. He had his motivation-he would out do President Bush. It was Bush and Iraq versus Obama and Afghanistan.
Public Option: In and Out
Can anyone tell the direction that the Democrats are going with regard to the government takeover of health care, or as they call it "reform", especially with regard to the public option? Every day it's something different. It's in. It's out. It's in with the option to opt out. It's out with the option to opt in. Which is it?
Democracy Inaction
I cannot figure Liberals out. The Liberals spend money they don't have and take money that somebody else earns and spend that too. Even in these bad economic times, when people in the private sector have to forgo raises, contemplate salary cuts, and deal with tax increases at every level of government. That's if they're fortunate enough to keep their job continuously. But governments don't seem to care.
Bad News for Obama
24 hour news channels have only been around for about 29 years. In that period of time, only about five presidents have been affected. Of course as time goes on, the later presidents have dealt with the 24-hour news channels more than the early ones. Not all have existed for the entire 29 years. But now, we're seeing something different. A United States president and his administration are now propagandizing themselves with their agenda to target one news organization -- Fox news.
Government to Citizens: Shut Up and Pay
For the past couple of years, liberal bloggers have spent a lot of time pounding away at their keyboards asserting their disdain at what they believe are the untruths delivered to them by the George W. Bush administration. They call them lies. A select number of the liberal bloggers have professed their objectivity to their political leaning. If one is to take this at face value, these bloggers will be turning out blog after blog proclaiming the same from President Obama. They will be calling him a liar. And in the eyes of those who hold them to be objective, they will be correct.
Obama and 'The Prize'
Even the close supporters of President Barack Obama will acknowledge that the president did little if anything to actually earn the Nobel Peace Prize. A century ago when Theodore Roosevelt or Woodrow Wilson were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, it was because they had put effort into ending a war or bringing peace to the world without achieving world peace.
Critics From the Left
After almost 2 years of continuous praise from the media, president of Barack Obama is now facing some pushback. With almost constant unrelenting acclaim of how great Obama was going to be and what a great information America was going to experience to the point of being sickening to anyone who looks at things objectively, the enthusiasm is starting to wane.
Responsible Leadership . . . FINALLY!!
It is becoming increasingly rare to actually see some responsible leadership from an elected official. However, we are seeing it again from Milwaukee County executive Scott Walker. And of course, the critics are out to cast stone's at the glass House of fiscal responsibility.
IOC: That Bunch of Racists
One day after Jimmy Carter turned 85 years old, he gets another example of how racism is turning the Obama presidency into a series of bad luck events.
The Empire Strikes Out
The Empire State building in New York City is aglow in red lights to honor the Communists in China. From 1949 to 2008 such recognition in the United States of America would've seemed unbelievable. What has happened? Has political correctness taken us to honor communism? Or is this a trial balloon for the direction of America?
Obama has Priorities Wrong
America is clearly on the wrong track. Only a year ago there were plenty of naysayers who were panicked because they believed America was on the wrong track. Well, were on a different track now yet the future looks even bleaker.
Obama to Bring World Peace
The schoolchildren are finally learning a new song to sing the praises of the accomplishments of the current occupant of the White House. One has to ask, why did it take so long? The children had to wait eight months to learn a new song that praises equal pay for equal work. Why are the schoolchildren being forced to sing about equal pay? Should they just be singing about equality of outcome?
The New Cost of Heath Care
The Democrats have come up with a new health care bill that is going to provide government takeover of the health care system for a reduced price that was once around $1 trillion and has now been reduced to the low, low price of $856 billion. This new plan does not include a public option. Two weeks ago, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid vowed publicly that they would not support any of their reform bill that did not include a public option. Why the change?
Jimmy Carter Becomes Even More Irrelevant
Jimmy Carter was elected president in 1976 as a result of the country becoming fed up and disgusted with the Republicans because of Watergate in the pardon of Richard Nixon. It was a Washington outsider and was swept into office with a close vote total and high expectations. He became a mediocre president with marginal effectiveness. His campaign created what was called the misery index. It added up the inflation rate and the unemployment rate. He campaigned on the notion that if someone had a misery index greater than 10%, they should not be president. When Carter left office in 1980, his very own misery index was about 20%.
Wasted and Abused
There are some things that keep bothering me in some of speeches that President Barack Obama presents regarding his health care plan. But the mainstream media does not cover them. Cable news does not cover them. So how am I supposed to expect answers to the questions that I have? No one will ask them for me. No one will answer them for me.
Some Things Old, Some Things New, Some Things Borrowed, Some Things Untrue
In order to forge ahead with the government take over of health care, the Democrats in Congress needed a game changer. Last week's presidential address to a joint session of Congress was not a game changer they were looking for or needed.
What Can I Do To Help the President?
Once again the liberals and Democrats don't seem to get it. Barack Obama was elected as a candidate of hope. Along with that hope, he promised to bring some bipartisanship. Bipartisanship is yet to be seen. He was supposed to bring people together. The country is becoming more polarized. The country was viewed to be going in the wrong direction and he was to put it in the right direction. What he has brought in the name of change has put us on a worse course.
What Would Teddy Do?
August has not been a good month for President Barack Obama or the Democrats in Congress. Especially trying to gain momentum for their failing health reform bill HR 3200. Hopefully September will continue in that direction.
Stealing "For the Children"
It has been demonstrated time and again that many people who start a home-based business, or a small business based on "helping people", becomes a license to steal from public funds. But if it has anything to do with the program where we think a child is involved, people tend to look the other way.
Barry Gaffeagain goes Wee Wee All The Way Home
The Democrats finally be scraping the bottom of the bay for the last few tricks they think they have been at in order to convince the American people that government takeover of health care is a good thing. They can't sell it on its merits-that's why people are against it. If the Democrats wanted to present what is in the bill, they would first have to read it. So of course, that's not viable. So the Democrats are resorting to what they believe got them victory last November-calling the opposition bigots and racists.
Democrats Guarantee They Will Screw Up Heath Care
Continuing to be on the subject of this cool summer is the health care reform that Congress is trying to force upon us in order to have the government take over that President Barack Obama wants. The opposition of the citizenry continues to grow as does the Democrats; ignorance to listen to their constituents.
Here Comes the Rhetoric
The debate over government takeover of our health care system is continuing. And that's good thing. The value in the level of tension that accompanies such discussions is debatable. Who's being honest? Who's being rude? Who's being un-American? These too are debatable.
Doyle Gone; Can He Be Forgotten
Governor Jim Doyle has announced that he will not run for a third term. My jubilance is short-lived because I'm still reminded of all of the things he has done over the past 6 1/2 years to screw up the state.
There Are Too Many Facts 'Out There'
There's been a lot of attention lately steered towards the disruptions of the town hall meetings being conducted by members of Congress. Much of the focus has been on blaming the danger on Republicans and conservatives. Yet the media outlets will agree that the more that people find out about this health care reform bill, the less people like it.
Obama to Seniors: Drop Dead!
President Barrack Obama is leading the Democrats in Congress and asking them to pass a bill which will create government takeover of health care and health insurance. He is doing this to save cost and reduce deficits-so he says. Anyone who has any knowledge on these subjects clearly knows that this is a bald-faced lie. It's going to cause higher deficits in the future. The deficits are going to be higher than, well, now. And this year's deficit in his quadruple what it was for the previous deficit. Even higher than the Bush administration.
Lefties: Waiting to Implode
The progressives and liberals in Congress don't seem to get it. As they continue to try to shove unwanted legislation on the proverbial throat of America, they are turning a blind eye to the growing opposition. When the lefties oppose policies, ideas, and the people who are less radical than they are, they call it grass-roots protesting. When the citizens of the United States protest the liberal socialist agenda, they are called a manufactured mob.
Barry's the Man!
It was only a couple of short weeks ago in which the people of America were asking, "where are the jobs that the stimulus package was supposed to create? Where is the recovery that it was supposed to produce?" The response from the Obama administration was that it's still too early to look for results because only 8 to 12% of the money allocated towards the recovery act had been paid out.
Beer Diplomacy
Is there anything beer can't do? To quote Homer Simpson, "they look good, they smell good, you'd step over your own mother to get to one." Beer makes music sound better. It makes some guys funnier, it makes some women prettier. Now it's being asked to solve presidential problems. I think it's up to the task.
Barry Gaffeagain: No Need for Facts
In last week's press conference, President Barack Obama was looking for a game changer in order to pass his plan for government takeover of health care system. He did not get it.
The Results are Coming In
President Barack Obama has been in office for about six months. The citizens of the United States are now better equipped to solidly answer the question, "are we better off than we were a year ago?"
Space versus Nothing There
At the time we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of man's first walk on the moon, we are virtually shelving space exploration program in America.
The Purveyor of Hope Says Things Will Only Get Worse
What is President Obama thinking? He spent most of last year telling us how bad the economy is. We believed him. He convinced 52% of the electorate that he could fix it. We believed him. Earlier this year, he wanted the citizens and Congress to draft a stimulus bill that would quadruple the national deficit. He told us it was needed. We believed him. Obama said that if it was passed, the economy would begin to recover and unemployment would not rise above 8%. We believed him.
Business Climate Change
Last week the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article that took issue with Gov. Jim Doyle on the business climate in Wisconsin. After years of getting used to the editorial board endorsing everything democratic, everything liberal, and it took me a surprise that they would be dissenting against their beloved Gov.
When Conservation Does Not Work
When it comes to using energy, we have all been long taught not to waste. I'm not one of those climate change nuts that thinks that we're all going to boil in about 35 years, but I also am a believer in not wasting energy. If at least for one reason, it's also a waste of money to waste energy.
Pride of Prejudice
I am getting sick and tired of Sonya Sotomayor and the over-coverage the media is providing with it. I'm tired of the spineless Senate saying no one is going to go against the confirmation. I'm tired of the historical aspect of it. And I'm tired of seeing her homely face. Here's another accolade for her: homeliest Supreme Court Justice. She even beats out Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the ugly department.
A Second Stimulus?
Newsflash: the stimulus did not work. What's the solution? How about more of the same? If it didn't work once, the second time will surely produce the desired result.
The Unfairness of Universal Coverage
Sure, it began as a good idea. Universal health care coverage for all Americans. Universal health care coverage for all Americans at a reasonable price area universal health care coverage for all Americans that had no out-of-pocket expenses, and everyone gets superior health care. The best intentions are not going to create the best result.
Senator Fiengold Hears Voices
In a recent letter to the Milwaukee Journal, Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold wrote an op-ed piece regarding his stance on the climate change bill currently going through their United States Congress. In it, he goes on to say that he is listening to the voices of his constituency in Wisconsin. And as human nature allows, his ears are perking up when he hears a reinforcing opinion that matches his, and his tuning out many of the voices of the opposition which he does not want to hear and chooses not to listen to.
The Failures of the Celebrity
America often does not know what direction it wants to go. It needs leadership. It needs strong leadership to take it to a stronger tomorrow. Every four years we elect a president to take us in the direction in which the country needs to go. In 2008, we clearly missed the mark.
The Highest Tax Increase Ever
One would think that after months of complaining, and being cynical about how this trustworthy a tax-and-spend liberals could be, that Congressional Democrats could not possibly do anything that would make me more disappointed in them. But they have.
Doyle's Spirit for Higher Taxes
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle recently called on the Wisconsin State Legislature to meet and pass a budget so that it can be enacted by its deadline July 1. His justification for this was so that the budget cuts could be enacted and would save Wisconsin taxpayers money. Somehow, I find this hard to believe.
Only 6 Weeks Left to Screw Up Health Care
Once again President Barack Obama is urging the citizens of this country and the House of Representatives to act quickly. We must act now to fix another one of the worst crises in America. We must fix health care. Well, the health care system in this country is in need of reform but the problem is way too large to be fixed vaguely and as quickly as Obama wants us to do.
Pay as You Go Where?
Six months after spending more money in that six months than other administrations have spent an entire term,(even adjusted for inflation,) President Barack Obama is now going to revert back to his campaign promise of pay-as-you-go. Extra in one area would be counterbalanced by cuts in other areas or by tax increases. Democrats are going to love that last part.
State Democrats are Torturing Us
Democrats generally think of themselves as being better than everybody else. This is because they blame all of their problems on the Bush administration and being anti-Bush than simply makes them better. In their opinions.
America's Wrong Direction
When President Obama says he does not want to run the automobile industry, you can count on that-to be a lie. When President Obama says he does not want to run General Motors, his actions speak to the contrary. He began by forcing out General Motors Chairman Richard Waggoner. He then ordered a restructuring of the company to include ending half its brands and laying off about 20,000 people in the meantime. General Motors will now be forced to manufacture small, cheap, unsafe cars that America does not want. However, the liberal agenda will force them on the marketplace giving us no other choice than to buy these small, cheap, unsafe cars. It will be a political victory similar to what happened in Germany in the 1930s. The Germans were all happy with the Volkswagen beetle.
Another Sham of a State Budget
The joint finance committee of the Wisconsin state legislature should be voted out of office. The kinds of items that be placed in the next budget for this state can only be considered as stupid, idiotic, and other adjectives like these. When battling with the 6 1/2 billion dollar deficit, they chose to only increase the spending by about 6 1/2%. With revenue falling because of the recession, because of Jim Doyle's mishandling of the business climate in this state, and the desire to be ahead of the curve on socialization of the economy, we are going to be headed to an even worse situation in two years. Be prepared.
Ament is NOT Exonerated
There was a recent article after the lawsuit between Milwaukee County and Mercer placing a large majority of the responsibility of the recent pension scandal on Mercer. The article goes on to release Tom Ament and his other band of thieves of the responsibility of bankrupting the county because of the enriched retirement schemes they had agreed to. Well, I am not relieved. Tom Ament is not exonerated.
Coca-Cola and Chocolate Milk
The smokers warned us. Even some non-smokers threw their support for the non-acceptance of the smoking ban. They warned us that once they passed a ban regulating where you could smoke that there would be more to come. They posed the question-what's next? French fries? Coca-Cola? Chocolate milk? Yes, we figured these would come. It would not be a question of if but when. And it came soon.
America's Best Days
Those of us who are old enough to remember the 1980s and 1990s and were paying attention to politics back then remember many politicians would include the phrase, "America's best days are still ahead."It seemed inspiring at the time and was not overused to the point where it became ineffective and cliché. They meant it in the American people could honestly believe it.
Regulate Me Right
If there's one subject that most people can agree on, yet there seems to be so many people who are on the wrong side of the issue, it has to be a smoking ban. It's about as basic as any left and right subject. If your politics lean to the right, any regulations imposed by those on the right rob Americans of their civil liberties. If your politics leans to the left, any regulations imposed by those on the left are treated as, "why didn't mean to post this earlier?"
Pelosi is Plain Pathetic
In January 2007, the newly elected speaker of the House of Representatives for the United States Congress, Nancy Pelosi, was so proud that she broke the glass ceiling for millions and millions of women who might have been held back either in business or government that she could just not get over herself anymore.
A Huge 1%
Sometimes I find it hard to fathom what the government of Wisconsin is doing and why it is doing it. The upcoming budget has a glaring example of either the stupidity of the state government, the selfishness of the governor, or the pay to play political scheme that is going on in Wisconsin and is allowed to continue to do so.
Doyle's Final Years
News flash: Wisconsin is in a fiscal mess. For six years, Jim Doyle has been granted stewardship of the state's government. At this point in his second term, we would need about two upgrades to call it a complete disaster. The liberals who got him elected should be in Paris did not ashamed of what they have done. It is because of what Jim Doyle has done and that is bring the state government to the lowest level of responsiveness and accountability to the citizens of the state.
Barry Gaffeagain Sees New York
My, how time flies. This fall, it will be years since the terrorists flew planes into the World Trade Center bringing down what was once the tallest towers in the world and icons of American ingenuity. Yet, there was a test a short while ago to see if the people in New York City still remembered despite the claims over the years "we will not forget." Yes, we remembered.
Government Mishandling Pandemic
It is my sincere hope that Logos of the Bogus finds you all well. After all, we are in the worst crisis of public health since the bubonic plague. I'm surprised the government has not issued a public statement using that phrase. How are we supposed to move ahead in confidence without self-doubt and fear riding as a monkey on our back?
Is Jim Doyle Saving Money?
With a $5 billion deficit for the biennial Wisconsin budget, Jim Doyle and the Democrats are doing everything they can to see if they can sneak tax increases out of the citizens of this state. Yet he knows an election year is coming, and he is nervous already because he is deciding to run character assassin ads about a prospective opponent. Budget after budget of huge tax increases is finally getting noticed. With huge federal budgets and even huger deficits at the federal level, increasing taxes is becoming unpopular. The state missed its chance to do huge increases when they were popular to do so. So now what is next? Budget cuts?
Party On
When I first heard of the April 15 tea parties, I thought they were just some low-profile propaganda began by Fox news. I thought the most popular one could be held in somebody's living room and be attended by the same number of people who would have someone like Mitt Romney over for a campaign stop. As it turned out, it was a lot bigger than that. Yet, how they were received along with their effectiveness is judged purely politically.
Jim Doyle is Scared . . . already
It's hard to believe that the election for governor is still a year and a half away. At that time will be a deluged with a media blitz that will be replete with muckraking, character assassinations, and mudslinging. Good old politics in Wisconsin. Although no candidates have announced yet, it is expected that Jim Doyle will be looking for a third term, and Scott Walker will be seeking the Republican nomination. Yet already, the Democrats have come out with a television commercial already aimed at Scott Walker.
The Sorry President
It began with the mea culpa tour in Europe. Barack Obama was apologizing to all the nations of Europe because the United States had been poor cosmopolitans citizens. President Obama met with many foreign leaders and apologized on behalf of the United States for what he believes were mistakes in our history. He then went to Turkey and cleared the United States was not a Christian nation. Now, don't mistake me for one of those Bible thumping people who wish to replace the science textbooks with the Old Testament, but what can we expect next? The end of Christmas is a national holiday? No more Easter egg rolls for the children at the White House?
What is Wrong with Home Ownership
The idea of homeownership is taking a beating recently. The economic crisis which has caused our current recession is blamed from having its roots based in homeownership gone awry. I can agree with and only partially. The people who have bought homes who could not afford what they were getting into should shoulder some of the blame. As should people who speculated and bought mortgages with interest-only terms banking on a rapid appreciation of the home value in some sort of get-rich-quick scheme should also bear responsibility. Yet, people are coming out with ideas saying that homeownership is not for everyone in the Bush administration should not have convinced Americans to achieve the American dream of home ownership.
Barry Gaffeagain Goes On Tour
President Barack Obama took his first European trip as president of the United States. Of course, the liberal media is touting this as a huge success. It would be an even larger success of Air Force One were to come back empty.
End of the Road
The future of the American car industry is in serious jeopardy. The origin of the demise of General Motors certainly began within. It moved too slowly, its products are priced too high, its quality was perceived as being too low. One would think that a company as large as General Motors who has been able to withstand recession and boom times for about 100 years may have finally met its match. Another mistake was turning to the United States government for aid. Or is it a bailout?
Government Shifting the Burden
One of the most overused phrases today by our political leaders is that we are living in unprecedented times. Although the economic cycle regularly goes from prosperity to recession, we're being led to believe that recessions are not only avoidable but their origins have specific points of blame. Many of these points of blame can be directed to people. Governments and the media would have us conclude that these decision-makers can and should be eliminated and we will live happily ever after.
Governing Out of Anger
A few weeks ago President Barack Obama said in a statement that his administration will not govern out of anger. And because we have seen that the president likes to double his chances of being correct, the government is now governing out of anger. We are being led to believe that this is out of a course of action brought on by the greed of American capitalists employed at AIG. Well, let's take a step back. If the president and Congress have taken time to look at what is in the stimulus package that was being rushed through Congress, they would have found the items that they are acting so surprised to have uncovered. Congress and the president signed into law the bailout providing AIG with the funds to pay out the bonuses. Now they believe they are righting a wrong by taxing 65 people in this great land of ours.
The Polls will Lead the Way
There seems to be more and more proof available to the political aware that Barack Obama is in over his head. As America still struggles to pull itself out of this economic crisis, Americans are also looking for leadership. Democrats have been whining for years about the shortcomings of the Bush administration and his times stay tough, they continue to blame Bush for their failings. Strong leaders will stay focused and work toward solutions. For strong leaders, it does not matter who created the mess nor does it matter who gets the credit when problems get solved. I doubt if you'll see any of that in this administration.
Stimulus Money to be Wasted
One would think that after a lot of publicity on how important it is to spend money wisely with the severe downturn in the economy, the government would lead the way. With the immalleable support of the left and the leftist media, public supporting business is at an all-time low. Cases like that of Bernard Madoff, and the AIG bonus payout have not helped restore Joe sixpack's confidence in the business world. Since last fall, people have looked to the government for their solutions. They looked for answers and bail outs. People are looking for anything except how to do things themselves.
A Source for News?
When George Costanza was once asked why he got out of bed in the morning, he replied, "I like to get the daily news." This is funny because it is true. I'm sure there are lots of people across America who like to get the daily news. With seemingly endless hours of local news, and with multiple channels on cable with 24 hour a day news, you would think that it would be easy to find limitless and interesting news. Unfortunately that is not the case.
Limbaugh's Wait Shortened
When Barack Obama was campaigning for president, he pledged that if elected, he would hit the ground running. It was clear that America had avoided in its leadership. George Bush left Americans yearning for leadership. It was time for change. Even though it's six weeks into the administration, it is clear that we have cut the cord from George Bush. What has happened since January in what is happening now is the responsibility of the Obama administration. It does not make sense, nor can it be considered effective leadership to continually blame George Bush for what is going on in our country today. Of course, the economy is on the forefront of everybody's mind. We are in a recession. This will now be known as Mr. Obama's recession. Unless of course it turns into a depression.
President Obama said we must act quickly to turn the economy around. He then signed into law a bill called the stimulus package that does not spend most of its money for two more years. President Obama said we must not take fiscal responsibility for the federal budget. He then proposed a budget that will quadruple the annual deficit and then work towards cutting that in half. This still means that annual deficits will be double what they were in the Bush administration. That's if he achieves this goal in four years. President Obama said we must end ear marks and then goes on to sign another bill that is replete with earmarks. President Obama may have finally realized that the stock market has plunged about 5000 points since he was elected. Obama then goes out to make a public announcement encouraging people to buy stocks. Then, of course the stock market dropped another 300 points. Who would be taking investment advice from this president?
A New Direction for America
One of the most popular polls in America is the one for how popular is the president. It gets reported as a yes/no poll asking Americans if they approve of the way they approve of the way the president is doing his job. This question is usually followed up by one asking if Americans believe that the country is headed in the right direction. Although the results are generally reported in a yes/no format, it usually seems difficult to answer this question definitively one way or the other. There is usually a lot of gray area. Until now.
Cole's Cold One
I was watching a rerun of the old M*A*S*H program the other day. In this episode Charles Winchester was having a euphoric experience while talking about his cognac. This reminded me of someone else who has more than just a passing fancy with cognac-Darnell Cole. Darnell Cole, former president of MATC, recently drink eight cognacs and then when driving. This according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Nothing wrong with that, or is there?
Obama Doubles Chances of Getting Things Right
In the past we have heard politicians talk aboard corners of their mouth. They will say one thing and do another. Some people call this hypocrisy. However today, there is a new spin on this label formerly called hypocrisy. Now, when you say one thing and do another, you are doubling your chances of being right. There can be no better example of this in the Obama administration.
Making Wisconsin Worse
Things must be going pretty well here in Wisconsin as far as the economy goes. The budget woes are just about over. Wisconsin is going to get about $9 billion in stimulus money from the federal government. Is this the fix we need? Will it prevent taxes from going up? Of course not.
Do the Wrong Thing
Several years ago, I saw television program featuring Lee Iacocca. He was promoting his new book; Where Have All the Leaders Gone? When asked about how he thought George Bush was doing as president, he replied, "they're in over their heads." After that, I never really had a great deal of confidence in Bush anymore. This past week, watching President Obama and his economic team fuddling through passing in stimulus plan and mumbling through a new wave of TARP money, I realized too that Barack Obama is in over his head.
Is There a Change Coming to TV?
I cannot think of a better example of how society has to dumb things down for the slowest person in the country than what is happening with the conversion to digital TV. Sure the government screwed it up by confusing people as to who would need a converter box. The coupon program could have been depleted by people who did not need them yet applied for them because they thought that something free was coming to them. Having them expire was also not a brilliant move. But because there are so many people who have procrastinated and did not want to spend an extra $40 for a converter, the conversion date is now being delayed.
A Deficiency of Fear
It looks like Barack Obama is back on the campaign trail again. Instead of trying to get elected, is trying to sell us what is becoming known as the spendulous bill. If we do not buy what is being sold, it will be shoved down our throats anyway. This is in stark contrast to how he campaigned when he was seeking election to the office of the presidency. He promised time and again to go through every spending bill line by line and ensure the American people that what was being spent was going to work. Now he wants a bill passed with so much spending in it that we will not know what is in there for years to come. It is supposed to be a stimulus package to get the time he rolling immediately. However, from what we are told from the people who have looked at it, is that a lot of this will not be spent for 2 to 3 years. Are we still going to be in a recession in that amount of time? If this type of spending goes through, I imagine we would be.
Streetcars Named Desirous
Economic stimulus. Liberal agenda. A needed bill. Wasteful spending. Another bailout. These are only a few of the terms that can be used to describe the latest spending bill by Congress. The Democrats want it passed immediately. The Republicans are trying to slow it down. Because of the lack of impact that the first bailout had, this one should be slowed down more. It was only three months ago when we elected Barack Obama president because he seemed to be more fiscally responsible with the federal budget. Compare to John McCain, Obama was to add a lot less to the debt of the United States over his term. Obama said that he would go through the federal budget line by line cutting wasteful spending. Now, he is front and center pushing for the largest spending bill ever put through Congress. Obama wants it passed before he would even have time to go through two pages line by line. Some fiscal responsibility.
What is Wrong with Milwaukee Leaders?
Leadership used to be about serving others. But in Milwaukee, leadership is all about serving yourself. Lena Taylor, a state senator who had run for Milwaukee County executive last year, seems to think that laws do not need to apply to her. She thinks having a conversation is all about talking over somebody else's words and not letting them get a word in edgewise. Therefore, if you can talk louder than the person you are talking to, you win the argument. But does that make you right?
State Tax Raising Propaganda
The Journal Sentinel the other day, proved my point of a liberal tax-and-spend bias that is taking over the media today. Of course, I'm not due all the credit, this is been widely known for years now. However, when it is so blatant, it almost makes people sick.
County Government Mis-spends Again
Reporting that Milwaukee County government is again wasting taxpayer money is becoming about as newsworthy as saying that the sun is going to rise in the East. Unfortunately it gets about as much reaction as that headline. Having to Milwaukee County supervisors schedule a taxpayer financed vacation to Washington DC to watch Barack Obama become the 44th president is about as coincidental as the two supervisors thinking that the citizens of Milwaukee County are stupid enough to believe they are story. Toni Clark and Elizabeth Coggs should be ashamed of themselves. They should be made pay back the County for the expense of their trip and should resign from office. That is the only way that they will be prevented from doing it again. I did just see a news story where they were going to pay back the County. They should. The scumbags ought to resign too. It's too bad that they couldn't do the right thing before getting caught and having some bad publicity.
Governmental Obedience
The educational system in America leads us to believe that the citizens of this great country have complete unbridled liberty to agree or disagree with the government and have absolutely no consequences provided you are not a direct threat to the personal safety of anyone in government. We are led to believe that the government takes no direction in education of the citizens of this country in terms of propagandizing the American way. Throughout her school years we scoffed at governments who had done this in the past such as the Soviet Union, Germany prior to World War II, and most recently Iraq. Although we believe this to be true, it is time to examine whether this is the actual practice here in the United States and what its role will be in a new administration.
A Cabinet Full of Crooks
Okay, nobody's perfect. Except for the possible exception of Barack Obama who was presented to us as the Messiah by the Democrats. His inauguration as the most anticipated date since Easter. Not Easter of last year, but the first Easter when Christ rose from the dead. When Obama began organizing his economic team, he was praised by selecting the smartest group of people since Milton Friedman and John Maynard Keynes. He chose Tim Geithner to head the Treasury Department. And now Geithner is under some scrutiny for not paying taxes.
Slopping at the Trough
The federal government's bailout programs, which have since been really named recovery plans, have become the latest example of an overgrown governments way of giving the citizens of free lunch. It seems like everybody wants a bailout. The financial sector got theirs, the auto industry is getting theirs, and the biggest they allow program yet is still being put together by the new Congress to be implemented by the new administration. Endless free money for everyone. How could there possibly be a downside?
Foreword to the Obama Presidency!
As the days to the Bush administration dropped to a close, we will soon be experiencing the full Monty of an Obama administration. Due to the lack of leadership that George Bush has been showing recently, Barack Obama has unofficially been assuming his presidential duties. Even when he pulls out his placard, with the office of president elect on it, he's still chance the mantra that we only have one president at a time. What, because Bush has been mailing it in, he hasn't been exactly locking horns with anyone and few have even complained. But, because Obama has been parading himself out to a lot turn with his 'office of the president elect' placard on it, we have been getting a few insights of what we can expect once January 20 rolls around. Well, probably January 21, because with the inaugural balls and everyone falling all over themselves noting that what an historic day January 20 will be, the federal government will be mailing you in that day too.
Doyle Void of Fiscal Sense
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is practically kicking himself because of his actions from last year which he now views as a mistake-not raising taxes high enough. Nearly a year after one of the largest tax increases in Wisconsin history, it is once again time to break the record for largest tax increase in Wisconsin history. With the legislative session starting, the tax-and-spend Democrats are in charge. So look out.
New Year's Resolutions
As we cross the threshold from 2008 to 2009, the time comes for many people to write down some New Year's resolutions. And of course, they always include the perennial lose weight, exercise more, stop smoking, swear less, etc. etc. etc. And because these New Year's resolutions primarily focus on our bad habits, the things we wish to change about ourselves to make us better some how, usually last for about two weeks. Whether that is good or bad, I don't know. Focusing on bringing ourselves of bad habits is usually doomed to failure. So why even do it?
The Age of the Bailout
I have finally settled on what I think will be my Christmas wish for 2008. Or should I settle on what my Christmas wish should be for 2008? Oh, if there was just enough money for everyone to be happy. As we know, what we wish for does not really make a whole lot of difference. And of course, there is no way of determining how much money everyone would be satisfied with. And if I thought it would make everyone happy, I would be dead wrong.
Tis the Season to Tax and Spend
With re-worked bailouts, stimulus packages, and the re-awakening of credit, it's clear someone wants you to spend your money. Just a few months ago, when credit was really tightening up, Americans were becoming scared to spend money. Payments could not be made, interest rates were too high, owns for hard to get, and job losses were looming. The media had scared us all into thinking this was happening to everyone everywhere. And when we were convinced, we did not like the result. The stimulus checks that had come to us from the government did not get spent on things that we could not afford. Instead, some of them wisely got put towards retiring old debt, or possibly even saving. While living within our means is good for us individually, the economy as a whole suffers. So now, the task at hand is to get consumers to believe that they have unlimited income potentially, in unlimited time to pay off debts. Asset appreciation will soon be on its way back. It's time to forget about the tough times already. Thank goodness we somehow survived.
Obama to deny Wrongdoing
In what most must consider a surprise move, Barack Obama has denied all wrongdoing from his staff in the senate seat for sale scandal. This must come as is shock to anyone who has even a passing fancy with politics. One can almost visualize how this story rolled out: Obama calls on his transition team to gather in a room, Obama stands up and says, "If anyone is involved raise your hand." No hands go up. Obama then asks for his office of the president-elect placard and the press release begins. It becomes as anticipated as a Nostradamus prediction.
Democrats tell us the Truth (..so they say)
In a few short weeks, all of the excessive ballyhooing from the Democrats who claim that George Bush is the worst president ever may soon have their own crow to eat. The reprise of a Democratic administration may have the characteristic of our most recent Democratic president-the continual scandal. There was a prediction made by a prominent media person in Milwaukee who has claimed that whenever a Democrat runs on a platform of reform, they turn out to be more corrupt than what they believe they would be flushing out. I thought this was a gutsy move by predicting this, however I do not find myself disagreeing.
How Quickly can We Raise Taxes?
I don't know whether I am amazed or dismayed by the election results. Not talking about the presidential race of course, that was not a surprise. However, some of the other results are going to have far reaching and possibly your reversible effects. This of course involves raising taxes.
Presidency for Sale
Both four and eight years ago, the Republicans outspent the Democrats in the presidential race. When this happened, the Liberals got out and yelled "foul!" Democrats accused Republicans of buying and stealing the elections. However, this year is different. This year the Democrats are outspending the Republicans by wide margins. Barack Obama is outspending John McCain by huge amounts. I don't know what the totals are because that would involve research. And my associate here at Logos of the Bogus just went off for his afternoon nap.
The Supreme Court Lets Us Down
The Supreme Court has begun its annual fall session. They have picked the cases in which they will decide. In a news release, the media reported that the Spring Court has not taken up any cases on abortion, race, or other social issues which can polarize the citizens of the country.
Who is to Blame for the Financial Mess?
After being placed on the hook for a $700 billion financial bailout, I think we're due a few answers. First, and most basic is who is to blame for this big mess? Is it the oligarchs on Wall Street? Is it the politicians in Washington? Is it the Americans who have spent more than they earn for long periods of time? Is it the mortgage brokers who gave mortgages to people who could not afford them?
Is Government the Solution?
Never before have I seen times like these. Well, I'm not that old so maybe that's a good thing. This nation once saw government as the problem. Government was not to be trusted, and all politicians were crooks. Government was too big, government was too slow, government took too much of our money. But recently attitudes seem to have changed.
School's Out?
Barely 3 weeks into the school year, and the school board in the city of Milwaukee has given up. I am presuming that the school board is made up of elected people who had been sent to Washington with the task of making the schools in Milwaukee better. No, wait. They have been elected to stay right here in Milwaukee with the task of bettering the schools. In one of the most blatant and ignorant attestations, the school board wants us to believe that they are going to dissolve the Milwaukee public school district.
HarleyFest: Good Times Had by All
Here in southeastern Wisconsin, we often say that we like certain environmental values. Like peace and quiet in our home neighborhoods, cleaning air, and hassle free traffic patterns. There are only two things that could interrupt our veneration for these values: the Green Bay Packers and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Barack Obama Solves All Problems in America
Barack Obama is planning a no lose situation. Just like he did in the primary season, he is shifting his positions so that there is very little difference between him and his opponent. This way, we will vote based on personalities. And who has more charisma in this presidential race? We all know the answer to this.
Tax Holiday Vacation
In a recent effort to pander to voters of both parties, two of the presidential candidates offered a plan to suspend collecting the federal gas tax during the summer months. Whether you think this is a good idea or not, it probably is not going to happen. Will it not happen because of inaction due to Congress? Will the senators quit pushing for this idea, if people lose interest in it? Or is this such a bad idea on its own that it will die on the vine?
Emmisions Testing-Did Anyone Notice It's Backwards?
In a move that makes almost no sense, the DMV has moved to exempt older cars from required emissions tests. Now I do not believe that more government regulation is needed in my life, but doesn't this moves seem a little backwards? Isn't it the older, less maintained cars that cause more pollution? Aren't the newer car supposed to be the ones that are more fuel efficient? How did this get out of Madison?