Huzzah!

The recession is over, so says Reuters. Even if it is spurned in part by government tax-relief (wow, tax-breaks, one would think liberals would get a clue) via home buyer tax credits and the “cash for clunkers” programs, it is time we all embrace this news.

However, in calling the “(Bush) recession” over, it’s time to mark the beginning of the Obama recession. The narrative going into 2010 will be simple, no sooner has the U.S. economy recovered, than another recession commenced marking the shortest recovery period in U.S. history. Root causes attributed to continued rising unemployment (despite fuzzy math from the White House), the wasteful $787 billion porkulous Recovery Act, the return of higher taxes as the Bush tax cuts expire, the devaluation of the dollar, exploding deficits, massive debt, growing government, ominous increase in federal mandates on the states, and the threat of government run health care.

Having reviewed the President’s summer reading list, I’m giving it one out of five stars (okay, maybe 1 1/2) and that’s because I found John Adams by David McCullough a good read. Maybe it’s the constitutionalist in me.

Here’s a few I am recommending to our POTUS, what about you?

The FairTax Book and it’s companion reader FairTax: The Truth [Answering The Critics]

Common Sense and that of the original inspiration, Thomas Paine’s collection of works.

Unstoppable Global Warming which was reviewed here

And for good measure, considering the firestorm B.S. Obama and the Attorney General have kicked up (h/t Mr. Vice President for your rapid response), reserve an advanced copy of Robert Spencer’s Complete Infidel’s Guide to the Koran.

The documents released Monday clearly demonstrate that the individuals subjected to Enhanced Interrogation Techniques provided the bulk of intelligence we gained about al Qaeda. This intelligence saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks. These detainees also, according to the documents, played a role in nearly every capture of al Qaeda members and associates since 2002. The activities of the CIA in carrying out the policies of the Bush Administration were directly responsible for defeating all efforts by al Qaeda to launch further mass casualty attacks against the United States. The people involved deserve our gratitude. They do not deserve to be the targets of political investigations or prosecutions. President Obama’s decision to allow the Justice Department to investigate and possibly prosecute CIA personnel, and his decision to remove authority for interrogation from the CIA to the White House, serves as a reminder, if any were needed, of why so many Americans have doubts about this Administration’s ability to be responsible for our nation’s security. - (former) Vice President Dick Cheney

Bidens reported donations of $1,885 to charity in 2008

That’s a 1894% increase over last years and much better than the pittance before.

The buzz over his and his bosses 2008 tax filings. Perhaps the not deducted “church donations” was the extra change from Ol’ Joe’s pocket?

Seriously, I’d like to know. From the Times Online.

Narcissism is part of a normal developmental phase and reflects the universal need during early childhood, and later in life, to be loved and confirmed. However, there are many possibilities of being hurt in the course of this developmental phase and this experience will leave the individual with a narcissistic vulnerability. One way of handling this is to develop a pathological narcissism, the most prominent characteristics of which are: egocentricity, extreme sensitivity to criticism, strong projective tendencies, lack of empathy as well as fantasies of grandiosity, open or concealed. The need for power may be compensatory for inner powerlessness and lack of self-esteem. A leader will be more or less influenced by the role he/ she plays and by group processes in the organization. Today’s leaders are often influenced by criticism from inside and outside and this may foster narcissistic defences.

There’s the one at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and a sympathetic boss of another at DHS.

Whoever wrote this memorandum (and their bosses) should be hauled before the respective House and Senate committees to explain themselves. Fat chance American liberals in Congress (i.e. the majority party) will go for that, it smacks of defending our Troops and those who awoke in the land of 9/12 America against “agents of overseas contingency operations “.

Yesterday I called Sen. Stabenow (MI) and only got her voicemail, which is a vast improvement to the mailbox full crap-sandwich of the Porkulus/Stimulus debate. Got nowhere with Georgia’s Sen. Isakson’s office (vice a polite brush off), received well by Georgia’s Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ (good sign there foll. his runoff last December; h/t Governor Sarah Palin!) and a whopping, “Um, well I uh, only watched the news like five minutes before coming to work today,” response from the press secretary to the most corrupt Michigan politician in state history and freshman Rep. Schauer (MI-7th).

Surprisingly, the best counsel was from the staff of none other than Michigan’s senior Senator, Carl Levin, who said those concerned should go directly to Sen. Joe Lieberman as he chairs the Senate Committee on Homeland Security:

Washington, DC Office
706 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4041 Voice
(202) 224-9750 Fax

Connecticut Office
One Constitution Plaza
7th Floor
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 549-8463 Voice
(800) 225-5605 In CT
(866) 317-2242 Fax

Good to see minority leader Boehner and patriotic leaders in congress all over this one.

So I did the math ‘tween my last paycheck and today’s, now that the IRS has adjusted taxable witholdings for all to wonder in amazement at our Dear Leader’s promise of a tax break for 95% of working Americans.  Mine comes out to 54 cents more per pay period or 3.4 cents/day.

Here’s what I’m NOT looking forward to (courtesy of The Heritage Foundation):

• Married taxpayers will see the marriage penalty return.

• Federal death taxes will come back to life, even though they were supposed to be eliminated in 2010.

• Those making over $250,000 a year will see their tax rate increase from 35% to almost 40%.

Other worrisome taxes are being proposed too. Obama’s plan to reduce charitable deductions will take away incentives to give to private charities, leaving the federal government with more money, and more responsibility to take on the tasks private charities usually handle. A proposed $646 billion energy tax will harm industries that use a lot of energy (like manufacturing), not to mention cost each American household between $650 and $2,000 a year in new energy costs. And Obama’s new “Make Work Pay” refundable tax credit provides up to $400 in cash to low income adults who pay no income taxes, including able-bodied adults without dependent children.

So I ask you, what is your Taxed Enough Already story?

*Keep Your Hands to Yourself!

Middle America, MSMedia, Leftists, democrats and socialists will do their all to downplay the significance of over 770 Tea Parties taking place from sea to shining sea tomorrow. In my mind, there is but one critique worth discussion: What happens on April 16th?

Are these Taxed Enough Already parties simply an exercise in venting or, despite the much stressed non-partisan approach, are they not a cornerstone to be laid forth for something more?

What more can we do? How do we pay it forward?

I am of the firm belief that 2010 is too far off to wait upon our individual communities’ next election cycle. The time is now. All House democrats should feel the heat of recall petition drives simply for their gluttonous blind-mice vote in favor of the Porkulus Stimulus bill. However, having read up on some 2004 old-blog postings of none other than Erick Erickson, each state has a threshold that needs to be met in order to pass muster.

Georgia’s Rep. John Barrow (D, GA-12) needs to go and go now. What say of your congressman or neighboring congressional representative?

To wit, much like Arlen Specter and the Maine twins in the Senate. All Senators not facing reelection in 2010 should feel the heat of a recall petition drive.

Why wait? Why not now?

Concord Hymn
HYMN SUNG AT THE COMPLETION OF
CONCORD MONUMENT, APRIL 19, 1836.

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world,

The foe long since in silence slept,
Alike the Conqueror silent sleeps,
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone,
That memory may their deed redeem,
When like our sires our sons are gone.

Spirit! who made those freemen dare
To die, or leave their children free,
Bid time and nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and Thee.

Dodd2010: AIG? Obama made me do it!

This my friends, is getting to be fun to watch… the AP-O! Gets the headline right at least here.

RightMichigan story link here.

More than two years after committing over twenty specific, egregious campaign finance violations, freshman Democratic Congressman Mark Schauer is finally being forced to pay the piper.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced this week that Schauer has been hit with the largest punishment for campaign finance violations in the history of the state of Michigan.

Sadly, this nunce is my congressman. In the ever-rotating district (Nick Smith-R… Joe Swartz-Rino… Tim Walberg-R), thanks to Obama’s “Change” coat-tails, this loser squeeked by.

Here’s to hoping he loses in 2010 if not recalled sooner!

Rep. Schauer can be reached at (202) 225-6276
1408 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Watching the Senate vote live on C-SPAN 2, my near five-year old daughter asked what they were voting for. I told them they were voting to take her piggy bank away.  Then I explained that they were voting so that families like ours who work hard and do our homework could have our money given away to those who do not.

Shame on the GOP 3, I will never forget how you merrily joined the Democrat socialist party in passing this Friday the 13th horror.

A pox on you and all who voted for this ‘monster’.

In your honor, a fitting tribute:

(which I am sending to GA Sen. Saxby Chambliss)

Every federal taxpayer dollar sent to states and local governments (to get them out of the hole they created) must be matched by $3 in actual cuts at given government’s level.  Get a $1 for every $3 you cut.  Right your ship, cut spending, and move on.

If other states and localities are refusing federal bailout money, and businesses receiving bailout ca$h are being forced to cut salaries and expenses, is this too much to ask?  Considering we taxpayers are footing the tax bill at all levels, I think not.

From the AP:

The cost of the House version of the bill is $820 billion and is weighted more toward sending money to states and local governments.

Obama will take his case to the American people Monday with his first prime-time news conference.

*I wonder if a GOP response will be allowed following the POTUS’ press conference?

p.s. It’s not too late, contact your Senators:  http://senate.gov/