They Are Not Serious

    Senator Helms once said, “Compromise, hell! That’s what has happened to us all down the line — and that’s the very cause of our woes. If freedom is right and tyranny is wrong, why should those who believe in freedom treat it as if it were a roll of bologna to be bartered a slice at a time?” The Democrats and Republicans in Washington may | Read More »

    That Budget Deal Some of You Love Isn’t Much of a Deal

    That budget deal some of you have been going ga-ga over? Turns out it does not cut $38.5 billion. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it only cuts $353 million. Tim Pawlenty is the first 2012 candidate coming out of the gate in opposition to the deal. He’s urging Republicans to vote against it. Frankly, at this point, any House Republican who votes for the | Read More »

    It’s What Happens When the Stupid Party and Evil Party Get Together

    There is a quote out there that sometimes get attributed to Republican Senate Leader Everett Dirksen and sometimes not. The quote is that there two parties in Washington — the stupid party and the evil party. Every once in a while the stupid party and the evil party get together and do something that is both stupid and evil. In Washington, that is called bipartisanship. | Read More »

    Senator McConnell’s Office Peddling Talking Points That Contradict Senate Rules

    Senator Mitch McConnell has sent out an email with talking points from Americans for Tax Reform on why “tax extenders” are not earmarks. But it is all nonsense. How do we know? Well, just look at Senate Rule XLIV, which deals with earmarks and lists not just spending items as an earmark, but also “limited tax benefits” and “limited tariff benefits.” Look, I realize ATR | Read More »

    Putting the TARP Band Back Together

    Opinions are varied and divided over whether the tax compromise plan is worthwhile. Some see it as the best the GOP can hope to get. Others see it as the GOP settling for keeping current income tax rates while voting to raise other taxes and increase spending on unemployment benefits, a program that has become a general welfare program. Whether you are for it or | Read More »

    Playing With the Two Immutable Laws of Washington

    There are two immutable laws of Washington, D.C. To understand the tax compromise in the Senate, you must know the laws. Politicians in leadership believe that if they make both the left and right angry they must have done something right; and, If Democrats and Republicans come together in a compromise — no matter how bad that compromise may be — the media will herald | Read More »