The Democrats are feeling a victory of sorts having muscled through a $787 billion stimulus bill late Friday night. Three Republicans in the Senate voted for it and not one vote came from a Republican in the house. Besides the hyper-partisanship on display, the Democrats and, especially President Barack Obama, have broke promises on transparency and have conducted themselves with same kind of finesse as a numerically superior prison gang. 

On passing the bill the Democrats published the documents in .pdf files format so that it will make it much harder for the public to do searches using key words. In other words, it would take hours to find certain key interests in the bill because you would have to read through the entire door stop. Furthermore, the format is just the imaging of the text. Why? To prevent the public from doing text searches of the bill. [Go here to see the bill in all its glory]

Here is an interesting part of the bill that shows why Democrats are not too forthcoming with it contents. Connie Hair writing for Human Events provides us with this tidbit. 

We searched the bill randomly — the only way possible — to see what’s being hidden from the public and the members of Congress who will be voting on the bill today. We found one provision that may be a good example of why the Democrats are desperate to stop any exposure of what is in this bill. Like this gem:

SEC. 1607. (a) CERTIFICATION BY GOVERNOR — Not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, for funds provided to any State or agency thereof, the Governor of the State shall certify that: 1) the State request and use funds provided by this Act , and; 2) funds be used to create jobs and promote economic growth.

(b) ACCEPTANCE BY STATE LEGISLATURE — If funds provided to any State in any division of this Act are not accepted for use by the Governor, then acceptance by the State legislature, by means of the adoption of a concurrent resolution, shall be sufficient to provide funding to such State. (“Democrats Delay Bill Release to Conceal Details”)

This provision — apparently aimed at conservative governors such as South Carolina’s Mark Sanford who does not want the federal money — would overturn state laws and constitutions, intervening directly in the state’s government to give the legislature the power to overturn a government’s decision.

This provision probably violates the U.S. Constitution, a matter which will be of no concern to Congressional Democrats.

This act — to strong-arm state governments and a governor’s ability to control the state budget — is Chicago-style bipartisanship.

Considering the size, scope, weight, and the overarching monstrosity of the 9-inch thick bill that Congress could do a little better job in preparing it and releasing it especially since the country is about to start spending like never before. The bill was rushed to the floor before members had a chance to read it and it was passed quickly before the details could be released. But, as pointed out before, that little nuisance  has been remedied by the Democrats. 

So much for Democratic promises of a new era of transparency. Only this Tuesday the House unanimously approved a resolution promising 48-hour public notice before holding a roll call. Even better, the bill could have been posted on the Internet, as candidate Barack Obama suggested during the campaign. Let voters see what they’re getting for all this money. Not a chance.

This high-handed endgame follows the pattern of this bill from the start, with Republicans all but ignored until Democrats let three GOP Senators nibble around the edges to prevent a filibuster. With their huge majorities, Mr. Obey and Democrats got their epic victory. But far from a new, transparent way of governing, this bill represents the kind of old-fashioned partisan politics that Tom DeLay would have admired. (Wall Street Journal)

Of course, we know that the Democrats and President Obama vowed to offer unprecedented transparency in  passing legislation. It was part of the whole campaign on changing how Washington was ran. That promise has obviously been broken by a near criminal move on the parts of Democrats. The only change that has taken place has been one for the worse. Now we are seeing increased partisanship and a daringly mischievous and dangerously emboldened House Democrats. As GOP Leader, Congressman Boehner points out on the House Floor (Youtube video)

                                                      (photo from Wall Street Journal)

So this is the new change ushered in by Obama’s mandate? Repeated reminders that “he won” followed by a hyper-partisan, lavish, Democratic retreat in Virginia — during a time when our economy is supposedly on the verge of a catastrophe mind you. The speech itself  amounted to nothing more than a sarcastic-laced, glib and polarizing pep-rally by President Obama. He used his slot to reinforce what has been the Democrat approach all along and that is, of course, spending — any kind of spending. Obama obviously stopped short of any details about the items in the bill and how exactly the government proposed to come up with the money. He should really take Bill Clinton’s advise in the future. 

It became apparent that once the Republicans were not on board and the American public saw a one sided bill so crammed with goodies that few seriously mistook for anything less than an orgy of mass government spending, he resorted to the very thing he railed against for nearly two years on the campaign trail. He trumped up fear. He took to the airwaves about it. He addressed Congress about it. And he made sure along with VP Biden that the American people got the bleakest picture imaginable. He used terms like “catastrophe,” “devastation,”  ”grave consequences” and “serious threats” if Congress did not act now in passing the proposed bill. He painted a picture that the Republicans were escalating the dangers by refusing to play ball.

So this is the New New Deal? Well if it is, it is a far cry from “The only thing we have to fear…is fear itself!”

And despite the Presidents repeated calls for bipartisanship and a refreshing hands-on approach, he allowed his House Democrats to write the bill and fill it full of waste. The result was a hallmark of sorts that illustrates wonderfully to the American people exactly what is wrong with our government. Obama could have interjected and allowed for cuts in payroll taxes and corporate taxes. But, he didn’t and he allowed an already despised Congress to hijack the bill and run it through to the Senate. 

Instead, Mr. Obama chose to let House Democrats write the bill, and they did what comes naturally: They cleaned out their intellectual cupboards and wrote a bill that is 90% social policy, and 10% economic policy. (See here for a case study.) It is designed to supportincomes with transfer payments, rather than grow incomes through job creation.

This is the reason the bill has run into political trouble, despite a new President with 65% job approval. The 11 Democrats who opposed it in the House didn’t do so because they want to hand Mr. Obama a defeat. The same is true of the Senate moderates of both parties working to trim their $900 billion version. They’ve acted because they can’t justify a vote for so much spending for so little economic effect. You know a piece of legislation is in trouble when even its authors begin to deny paternity, as economist Martin Feldstein has recently done. (Wall Street Journal: “The Stimulus Tragedy”)

Recessions have historically lasted 16 – 18 months. Depending on the severity, government has acted to spend where there are shortfalls and apply tax relief to consumers and businesses. This isn’t something new or unique to Obama’s presidency. But he is choosing to handle it much differently than anytime before. 

Go here to read the rest.

Skeptics to the Obama/Democrat stimulus package whether they be professional, political or otherwise, have  been considered opposition forces and simply labeled as naysayers by the supporters of the bill. The truth of the matter is that there are many qualified professionals who have studied economics and the American economy for decades who came to different conclusions on the merits of the stimulus package.

The debate has brought forth two principled arguments:  To what extent should the economic stimulus address spending increases vs tax cuts? And, what effects will the stimulus package have on the idea of a limited government?

There have been all sorts of political goodies identified as part of the stimulus package that some have viewed as nothing more than measures for patronage building and political pet projects for the Democrat lawmakers. Therefore, many are rightfully concerned that this is a green light towards a permanent increase in the size and scope of government along with a hefty price tag.

What is more, most believe that the economy will eventually return to some sense of normalcy. Rather it will be because of government assistance or not is not necessarily the issue. The concern, however, is when the downturn is over what will  the federal budget look like? What will the future tax structure and tax revenue be? What will the budget deficit look like compared to the GDP?

These are questions that deserve to be debated, fully answered and should not be simply dismissed as dissent or labled as baseless political humbug by the opposition when reasonably presented. The articles that are linked below highlights the current debate and to which the opposing voices have been generally accepted by the supporters of the stimulus package. (Charles Dharapak/AP Photo)

Go here to read the rest.

A possible breakthrough in the stalled two front culture war is developing. The debate over if gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military began back in President Clinton’s first days in office, and according to President-elects Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Obama is prepared to end the compromise of “don’t ask don’t tell” and spearhead a new offensive for the secularist’s drive into the military when he takes office.

According to a Fox News report, Obama told a gay magazine that: he can “reasonbably” see it being repealed. But that was a far cry from Gibbs’ unequivocal promise that the policy will indeed be ended.

On his transition website he addresses the issue pointedly

“The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited,” reads an entry on the president-elect’s transition website.

The military has long been the target for secularist as the last bastion of a traditional, orderly, and conservative sub-society in America. The military has its own culture and has long been insulated from most social movements by its own laws and authority but has at times taken on reforms and made changes throughout its history. The racial integration of all the armed services and allowing women to serve are but just a few. However, the military operates on a system of standards and a code of conduct that reinforces its traditions and promotes good order and discipline that enables full efficiency in whatever mission is at hand.

 

 

Rather if one is patriotic and homosexual does not matter. Individuals with a homosexual lifestyle and openly expresses it do not fit the standards according to the UCMJ. Just as someone who has one leg or an abnormality through no fault of their own and, is also patriotic, does not fit the proper physical standards set by the U.S. military. Therefore, can not serve based on that fact. However, a top down ruling by lawmakers will circumvent centuries old rules and regulations, standards and traditions, for the sake of progressiveness and secularism and force on it their views of society just as it has been forced on America. 

Read the rest, here

 

 

 

 

Once before, something even better than a cease fire was tried. All the people of Gaza wanted was to be left alone and exist as a sovereign nation everyone was told.  So Israel agreed to the evacuation of  Gaza. The best and brightest minds all concluded that if the Israelites just left Gaza it would marginalize Islamist appeal by giving the Palestinians what they want–a state and a future. That was tried in 2005.  It was hailed as a major concession for the wonderful price of peace.

The Palestinians were supposed to form a collective conclusion that the existence of the Jewish state was formidable and a reality. Soon everyone would negotiate a compromise for a permanent peace. The Palestinians could pick up the pieces and begin to build for themselves a country and elect a government with an idea for a final end for conflict. Obviously, that didn’t happen.

So what did happen after Israel surrendered to popular demand?

Only the sweeping election of Hamas and an increasingly fanatical and militarized Palestine. Then, of course, this was followed by continued rocket attacks and the institutionalization of hate and anti-Jewish/West teachings.

What was learned by any of this? 

Israel realized that Hamas was fundamentally hostile to their existence. It is called reality and it works. These Islamist are not fighting for a state, they are simply fighting for hate. And probably most damning of all was that the evacuation was seen as triumph to Islamist everywhere and glorified their tactics of suicide bombers and killing of innocents. This reinforced Hamas’ position as the Islamic soldiers they portray themselves to be:  Violence and force backed by Islam can conquer all. Moderation is a Western term. Islam only functions in absolutes. Hamas is Islam. 

Read the rest, here

 

For the first time ever, President-elect Obama has received negative reviews and it is pretty safe to assume this is one major muslim capital crossed off the list for Obama’s planned speech. Iranian protesters showed their outrage at Israel and the U.S. and burnt large posters of Obama in Tehran yesterday. It is a national past time in most muslim countries to burn pictures or effigies of U.S. Presidents. The dozens of protesters welcomed him into that elite status just a week before he is officially inaugurated President of the United States. 

The chants and festivities included:

“Where are the freedom seekers?” read one poster held up by a demonstrator at Tuesday’s protest. It had the word “Gaza” emblazoned on it and an image of a weeping Palestinian.

The demonstrators, waving Palestinian flags, some chanting “Death to Obama,” had gathered outside the Swiss embassy which handles U.S. interests because Tehran and Washington have not had diplomatic ties for nearly three decades.

I wonder if shoe throwing and threats to the President of the United States will all the sudden become taboo to certain citizens of America? Also, does this delay the new era in human history that Obama was to usher in? 

Pardon the punditry, but I for one find this insulting, threatening and the further promotion of a hateful ideology that is Islam. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pulling for a power grab with both hands. He plans to circumvent the democratic and legal process by declaring Al Franken the winner despite that 2,000 votes are uncounted and a number of legal challenges are waiting to be hatched. 

Sen. John Cornyn, the new chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, plainly stated that the Republicans are united and will fight any attempt by Reid or any majority party power grab that would sit Franken as the winner without official word from the Canvassing Board decision.

“I can assure you there will be no way that people on our side of the aisle would agree to seat any senator provisionally or otherwise unless there is a valid election certificate and all legal issues with regard to who got the most votes is finally decided,” Cornyn told reporters during a conference call Friday.

Believe that the Democrats have plenty of tricks up their sleeves. 

Pending the counting of hundreds of unopened absentee ballots, Democrat Al Franken holds a 49-vote lead over incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, whose term expires at noon EST Saturday.

Minnesota’s other senator, Democrat Amy Klobuchar, has said the man with the most votes after the recount concludes should be seated while legal matters play out. Franken hasn’t discussed his intentions.

Pretty good take on the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are ramped up in away that has not been seen since 2006 and maybe before that. The IDF’s current military operations against Hamas are offering all the conditions for a much larger picture in terms of military action and a political statement in the region. With well over several hundred air sorties missions flown and that many targets engaged; plus, the IDF has deployed the Mediterranean’s strongest navy off of the Gaza strip in support, which conducted more than 50 attacks on Thursday. Hamas has no defense against a modern military and especially against a country with the will to use it. Lessons were learned against Hizballah during 2006′s bloody and inconclusive stalemate that proved to legitimize the extremist party and strengthen them politically, which led to increased support from Syria and Iran. The Israeli leadership is hoping this conflict leads to a game changer in Gaza and will eliminate Hamas as threat to their security and destroy them politically in Gaza.

Just because gas and oil prices have fallen during the global economic crunch does not mean the energy crisis is over. President Bush gave a parting shot in the arm to the industry by moving ahead with offshore drilling as promised. The big question is will the incoming Obama administration continue with the plans or halt the process altogether?

Look, kid, I'm not here for the details. My only motivation in this is to get that dirty little critter swimming in your stomach to the nearest biohazard bag. The "public service" group, Planned Parenthood, has recently gotten themselves into another batch of hot water. An Indiana "counselor" --I guess that is better than murder-- was unknowingly video taped discussing abortion procedures with what she thought was a 13-years old girl. The 13-year old was really a 20-year-old UCLA student named Lila Rose. She told the "counselor" that she had been impregnated by a 31 year old man -- an act that breaks statutory rape laws and is a felony in every state.

Go ahead and say it…Maverick.

Will there be any primary opposition for his Senate reelection bid? If so, please inform me. I plan on donating my life’s savings towards his or her campaign.

In a surprising rebuke to the warriors who fought for him through tough times, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Sunday sided with President-elect Barack Obama and scolded the Republican National Committee for fanning the Illinois corruption scandal.

On ABC’s “This Week,” host George Stephanopoulos asked: “The chairman of the Republican National Committee, Mike Duncan, has been highly critical of the way President- elect Obama has dealt with this.

“He’s had a statement every single day, saying that the Obama team should reveal all contacts they’ve had with Governor [Rod] Blagojevich. He says that Obama’s promise of transparency to the American people is now being tested. Do you agree with that?”

McCain replied: “I think that the Obama campaign should and will give all information necessary. You know, in all due respect to the Republican National Committee and anybody — right now, I think we should try to be working constructively together, not only on an issue such as this, but on the economy stimulus package, reforms that are necessary. And so, I don’t know all the details of the relationship between President-elect Obama’s campaign or his people and the governor of Illinois, but I have some confidence that all the information will come out. It always does, it seems to me.”

No longer the incumbent party and no longer hampered with an unpopular president forced to defend at every turn. The GOP is finding unexpected freedom out of power and is looking for a comeback against a rattled Democratic Party.

Most will read entirely too deep into this but it can not help but to raise questions about the whole McCain-Palin affair. At any rate, he is entitled to his choice just as much as the rest of us, I suppose.

I guess the most appropriate question would be: Where’s the love Mac?

Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” McCain was asked whether Palin could count on his support.

“I can’t say something like that,” McCain said. “We’ve got some great other young governors. I think you’re going to see the governors assume a greater leadership role in our Republican Party,” he said.

In light of the recent events coming out of Chicago, one would assume that there are better questions out there. However, it is what it is; the Liberal Left have said they need a president to succeed and it looks like they were not joking.

Who cares, Joe. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame and move on. I’m not criticizing Joe because he is speaking ill of McCain. I’m sure he is telling the truth. My only point is,who cares what he thinks. I mean to listen to him about his “education on politics” as he says in his interview is like taking business advice from someone who one a $million on a scratch off. Like I said, enjoy your fame, save the newspaper clippings and move on.

A recent poll showed that Caroline Kennedy led with 44 percent, compared to 23 percent for State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo. The poll was conducted Public Policy Polling and asked 957 Democrats in the state who their choice would be. However there are other polls that show things tighter.

With such a high-profile position in a very powerful and wealthy state, many Democrats believe they should decide soon on which candidate to appoint and one that will be able to raise tens of millions of dollars it will take to retain and defend the seat in 2010 and 2012. So far, Kennedy is winning with name recognition and star power and is almost certain to have the luxury of a sitting President to help her when it matters most. This may persuade (D) Governor Paterson to opt for Caroline’s pedigree and connections in choosing her to fill the seat.

It is without a doubt the U.S. Senate seat will bring on very wealthy and connected candidates that will likely make the price tag alone untouchable for most. There is already speculation in both parties that the cost of the upcoming campaign’s in 2010 and 2012 could reach $40 million and for the Republicans could even mean more as it is certain there will be a brutal primary because no clear frontrunner has emerged.

However, the Democrats may be saved from this nightmare. In a country that loves to fall for stories, Caroline’s may bring on a rush of nostalgia that may lift her above the fray. Her obvious interest in the seat would mean the continuation of the Kennedy name in politics. The legacy started almost 60 years ago, 56 to be exact, when her father, John F. Kennedy, was elected as the junior senator from Massachusetts.

And, of course, her uncle Edward has represented Massachusetts in the Senate for more than forty years. Robert Kennedy, her uncle, served as junior senator from New York from 1965 until 1968 when he was assassinated during his presidential campaign.

Those are some very formidable surrogates to draw from in any contest.

Kennedy has very limited political history herself. She has chosen to stay out of the limelight of politics until she decided to endorse and actively support Barack Obama throughout the campaign. Her most prominent public roles and media exposure involved overseeing her father’s presidential library and presenting the annual Profiles in Courage Award.

Oddly, this may play towards her favor. She cannot help the fact that she is a Kennedy and, a president’s daughter, so this will naturally play towards her favor. What is more, she has a conscious history of avoiding the nasty partisan politics and the natural memory of her father may neutralize any attacks from potential challengers for the seat.

The reports are surfacing that it is her seat already. Her friends and family are all encouraging her to accept the appointment and continue the legacy of the family name. It is starting to look like a done deal.

It is expected that Gov. Paterson will name the replacement after Clinton’s is confirmed as Secretary of State next month.

Throughout his term as Governor, Rod Blagojevich, used his position as the state's highest executive to wheel and deal for personal and financial gain. Apparently, no one was above having to meet on his terms -- even the President-elect.

The Gen Y Republican by Elisabeth Meinecke at Human Events He’s from Illinois, young, smart and has a natural talent for relating to voters. And no, he’s not Barack Obama: he’s Aaron Schock, the newly elected U.S. representative for Illinois’ 18th district. Even Biden would like him -- he’s young, clean, and articulate, and at 27, will bring a Generation Y voice to Congress in January.

Newsweek has caused a stir over its recent cover story "The Religious Case for Gay Marriage," which attempts to make a mockery of the Holy Bible, but really only showed the author’s complete ignorance, reading comprehension and lack of depth. The author, Lisa Miller attempted to fight "fire with fire" by quoting and, it is assumed to be, interpreting the Bible's New Testament scriptures to prove just how ambiguous Jesus' words were on marriage – any marriage.

As if the capitalist gods are not already upset with the our lawmakers for having shown disdain for the free market system that has produced unmatched wealth and a standard of living to America unseen anywhere else in the world, the Democrats in Congress are really about to bring down the thunder. To ensure they do not lose vital support of their urban base the Democrats are on the verge of delivering $15 billion bail out plan to General Motors and Chrysler and Ford will receive help too bringing the total to around $35 billion (I may be off by a billion but does it really matter? It’s only paper money) that will restructure the auto industry. The money comes with oversight. We will now have a “car tsar,” or a “Minister of Interior Production” if you will. The Democrats are pushing for a seven-member board that will set up guidelines for the auto-industry to operate by. If Ford, GM and Chrysler, or the Big Three as they have so affectionately become known by, falter or do not meet satisfaction the “Minister of Interior Production” will recall the money. What is wrong with that, you ask?