I just saw this blurb about John Boehner calling for Obama's economic team to resign.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2424344720100824
Really? Seriously? If the President were to do that what confidence do you have that he would replace it with people markedly differently than those who are currently there? What a stupid thing to say in front of cameras and/or reporters. It ain't gonna happen and the results would likely be worse than what we've got already. This is an idiotic comment that does nothing to advance the Republican Agenda (if such a thing exists) and only makes you look like a fool. How much time do you think Jon Stewart is going to spend mocking this comment and clip?
If you really want to taken seriously and become Speaker of the House, be a leader. Stop spouting this trite, political, soundbite nonsense, gather the best minds at your disposal, put together a group of proposals that address the current issues we're facing (a la Contract With America), run on it, win with it and pass it. Make the President sign it or veto it (a la Bill Clinton and The Contract With America, Welfare Reform, etc.) You've got 10 weeks until election day and the last time I checked, spending bills, etc. originate in the House of Representatives - not the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
You have an unprecedented opportunity to run, get elected on and implement real change (not this statist, Marxist horse crap they've been repackaging and shoving down our throats for the last 18+ months.) Real dinner table issues that you can run on with common sense solutions (Immigration, Healthcare, Social Security, Government Waste, Corruption and Fraud, etc.) but the only thing in the echo chamber (i.e. "sock puppet mainstream media") that Republican's are getting traction on are the Ground Zero Mosque (and you've framed that situation so completely wrong and over played your hand to the point of sounding exactly like the closet Islamaphobe bigots that the sock puppet media and Democrats accuse you of being) and being obstructionist.
Bottom line - get serious, get real. The Democrat leadership (notice I differentiate between the leadership and all Democrats) are not your friends. They don't want to be your friends. They would sucker punch you with roll of quarters in their fist if they thought it would help them get re-elected and further their agenda. The sock puppets in the mainstream media aren't your friends (and don't want to be.) At this point Middle America doesn't trust any of you (for good reason) - but I believe they will get behind principled leadership and common sense solutions. Start there and see where that can take you.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A few thoughts on some hot and not so hot topics
The Ground Zero Mosque
I really believe that this being politicized to the extent that it has is shameful.
First, from a principled perspective, these folks proposing to/building this mosque where they are is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution - The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion or impeding the free exercise thereof. The key part of that is the impeding the free exercise thereof - meaning the government is restrained by the Constitution from interfering with the free exercise of religion - any religion. Bottom line - these folks have the right to build this mosque here as long as they receive all of the necessary permits, etc. to do so and to deny them the ability to do so based solely on their religious beliefs is wrong. I do wonder however, if this is too close, how far away from Ground Zero is OK for them to build a mosque?
Let me be clear - I am not saying that I think this is a good idea or that it is not insensitive. I think it is a provocative stick in the eye and monument to the bloody nose that was given to the great satan on 9/11 and completely understand why people are hurt and upset over the plans. This is an issue that needs to be handled and addressed at a local level using existing laws and ordinances - not on a national level. I believe that the balance of the distinction between the rights of the builders and wisdom of doing so have been completely lost.
What bothers me the most though is the fact that so many national "political leaders" have seen fit to weigh in on this and exploit this emotional issue as a stick to beat on their opponents. Yes Republicans, I am talking primarily to you. It's fine for you to have an opinion and to express it but you guys are so overplaying your hand and trying to make political hay out of this that it makes me want to puke. Everywhere I turn (talk radio, television) there's some politician or talking head blathering about what a travesty this mosque is. I have yet to hear a single Republican or conservative make and express a distinction between the principled reason as to why the mosque should be allowed to be built versus the emotional and practical reason as to why it shouldn't. Is it because you think the electorate is too stupid to understand the difference? All I know is that the rhetoric around this whole issue has devolved to the lowest common denominator and is incredibly sad. The least surprising part of it is the fact that Nancy Pelosi showed her true colors by calling for an investigation into who is funding the opposition to this mosque.
I really believe that this being politicized to the extent that it has is shameful.
First, from a principled perspective, these folks proposing to/building this mosque where they are is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution - The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion or impeding the free exercise thereof. The key part of that is the impeding the free exercise thereof - meaning the government is restrained by the Constitution from interfering with the free exercise of religion - any religion. Bottom line - these folks have the right to build this mosque here as long as they receive all of the necessary permits, etc. to do so and to deny them the ability to do so based solely on their religious beliefs is wrong. I do wonder however, if this is too close, how far away from Ground Zero is OK for them to build a mosque?
Let me be clear - I am not saying that I think this is a good idea or that it is not insensitive. I think it is a provocative stick in the eye and monument to the bloody nose that was given to the great satan on 9/11 and completely understand why people are hurt and upset over the plans. This is an issue that needs to be handled and addressed at a local level using existing laws and ordinances - not on a national level. I believe that the balance of the distinction between the rights of the builders and wisdom of doing so have been completely lost.
What bothers me the most though is the fact that so many national "political leaders" have seen fit to weigh in on this and exploit this emotional issue as a stick to beat on their opponents. Yes Republicans, I am talking primarily to you. It's fine for you to have an opinion and to express it but you guys are so overplaying your hand and trying to make political hay out of this that it makes me want to puke. Everywhere I turn (talk radio, television) there's some politician or talking head blathering about what a travesty this mosque is. I have yet to hear a single Republican or conservative make and express a distinction between the principled reason as to why the mosque should be allowed to be built versus the emotional and practical reason as to why it shouldn't. Is it because you think the electorate is too stupid to understand the difference? All I know is that the rhetoric around this whole issue has devolved to the lowest common denominator and is incredibly sad. The least surprising part of it is the fact that Nancy Pelosi showed her true colors by calling for an investigation into who is funding the opposition to this mosque.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Anyone think I'm completely nuts now?
I know to skeptics my last post about how I see the college loan program potentially morphing into another heavy handed political/central planning tool might think I sound like a paranoid conspiracy theorist - but is it really hard to make the leap based on what is already being reported about the new Health Care law?
From the WSJ -
Proponents of the new health-care law say it does attempt to address the physician shortage. The law offers sweeteners to encourage more people to enter medical professions, and a 10% Medicare pay boost for primary-care doctors.
Read the full article here -
Medical Schools Can't Keep Up
As Ranks of Insured Expand, Nation Faces Shortage of 150,000 Doctors in 15 Years
From the WSJ -
Proponents of the new health-care law say it does attempt to address the physician shortage. The law offers sweeteners to encourage more people to enter medical professions, and a 10% Medicare pay boost for primary-care doctors.
Read the full article here -
Medical Schools Can't Keep Up
As Ranks of Insured Expand, Nation Faces Shortage of 150,000 Doctors in 15 Years
Friday, April 9, 2010
Nuclear Posture Review Distraction and The College Loan Takeover
The news cycle lately has been all about the Obama Administration's Nuclear Posture Review and everyone on the Right (and I can't believe how hard Republicans are falling for this) and Left are all atwitter with what this means to the US, our allies, etc. In my humble opinion this is all a diversion or a way to change the subject from an unpopular Health Care Bill, negative jobs report and what I think is the most underreported and analyzed piece of this Health Care Boondoggle - The Government takeover of the Student Loan Program. More on this later.
Nuclear Posture Review
I'm pretty sure this is a policy that does not require Congressional approval and is not binding - kind of like a college research paper. This change - from the Administrations point of view puts us in a better position of moral authority to deal with rogue nuclear states and wannabes. They believe that it projects integrity and to those countries who beleive in the rule of law and treaties, etc. it may - but to those that do not (those rogue nuclear wannabes - yeah I'm talking to you North Korea and Iran) - it projects weakness. Let's be honest here, in the Kabuki theater that is international relations Obama and his regime have already been projecting weakness - so this is no real change. Now they're doing a research paper and projecting more weakness - so what? I just don't get why everyone is spending so much time on this.
College Loan Takeover = BOHICA
Buried in the Health Care Reform Act is a provision for the Federal Government to take over the College Loan industry and it stinks to high heaven.
Here's an interesting economic argument against this program I found while researching this boondoggle.
Nevermind the Federal Government's track record when it comes to lending standards (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac anyone?), efficiency and responsiveness and aside from the fact that The Federal Government has no business or Constitutional Authority to take over this industry, it's not hard for me to imagine an administration (like our current one) that is so enamored with central planning, control and political correctness that it uses this program to provide incentives (offer better loans, rates, etc.) for people to go into certain fields or to certain schools. Uncle Fed decides we have a teacher shortage (or we need more members of the NEA or state teacher's unions) - OK we'll offer a 2% discount in the interest rate on student loans. More doctors, nurses, 2% for you and 2% for you! Police, Firemen, Lawyers (and members of the ABA)? Check, check and double check! Public Administration and Art? Hell yeah! Business, Finance, Economics? Not so much... You wanna go to UC Berkley, Harvard, Wisconsin-Madison? Great! Hillsdale, Liberty, Bob Jones? Not so much... I can even see offering certain repayment terms including x number of years of "public service" being credited towards repayment of student loans. Perhaps they could even target certain fields for certain states, cities, districts, etc. - wherever the data says we need it. Don't get me wrong, I could envision a more conservative administration using this bureaucracy similarly though not with as heavy a hand.
Bottom line - with our elected officials insatiable thirst for buying votes and constituencies with current and future tax receipts by way of ever expanding benefits and beneficiaries there is no way I can conceive that this will not end up being another bloated bureaucracy and underfunded entitlement program. This is will end up like Medicare and Social Security before it - a bankrupt government run Ponzi Scheme that's "too big to fail." BOHICA
Nuclear Posture Review
I'm pretty sure this is a policy that does not require Congressional approval and is not binding - kind of like a college research paper. This change - from the Administrations point of view puts us in a better position of moral authority to deal with rogue nuclear states and wannabes. They believe that it projects integrity and to those countries who beleive in the rule of law and treaties, etc. it may - but to those that do not (those rogue nuclear wannabes - yeah I'm talking to you North Korea and Iran) - it projects weakness. Let's be honest here, in the Kabuki theater that is international relations Obama and his regime have already been projecting weakness - so this is no real change. Now they're doing a research paper and projecting more weakness - so what? I just don't get why everyone is spending so much time on this.
College Loan Takeover = BOHICA
Buried in the Health Care Reform Act is a provision for the Federal Government to take over the College Loan industry and it stinks to high heaven.
Here's an interesting economic argument against this program I found while researching this boondoggle.
Nevermind the Federal Government's track record when it comes to lending standards (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac anyone?), efficiency and responsiveness and aside from the fact that The Federal Government has no business or Constitutional Authority to take over this industry, it's not hard for me to imagine an administration (like our current one) that is so enamored with central planning, control and political correctness that it uses this program to provide incentives (offer better loans, rates, etc.) for people to go into certain fields or to certain schools. Uncle Fed decides we have a teacher shortage (or we need more members of the NEA or state teacher's unions) - OK we'll offer a 2% discount in the interest rate on student loans. More doctors, nurses, 2% for you and 2% for you! Police, Firemen, Lawyers (and members of the ABA)? Check, check and double check! Public Administration and Art? Hell yeah! Business, Finance, Economics? Not so much... You wanna go to UC Berkley, Harvard, Wisconsin-Madison? Great! Hillsdale, Liberty, Bob Jones? Not so much... I can even see offering certain repayment terms including x number of years of "public service" being credited towards repayment of student loans. Perhaps they could even target certain fields for certain states, cities, districts, etc. - wherever the data says we need it. Don't get me wrong, I could envision a more conservative administration using this bureaucracy similarly though not with as heavy a hand.
Bottom line - with our elected officials insatiable thirst for buying votes and constituencies with current and future tax receipts by way of ever expanding benefits and beneficiaries there is no way I can conceive that this will not end up being another bloated bureaucracy and underfunded entitlement program. This is will end up like Medicare and Social Security before it - a bankrupt government run Ponzi Scheme that's "too big to fail." BOHICA
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Some random thoughts...
On Tiger Woods at the Masters
First of all, I don't think Tiger should have been man whoring around married or not (but especially after he was married.)
Second of all, let's be honest, in this celebutard culture we live in, people who display various types of moronic, idiotic, dangerous, destructive and deviant behaviors end up with reality shows on MTV, VH1 or A&E. If Tiger were single his indiscretions would be relatively tame compared to these other clowns. The worst that would be said of him would be that he had questionable taste considering some of the skanks that have come out of the woodwork (and I don't know if I believe all of them are telling the truth either.)
Thirdly, I firmly believe that plenty of people in the media and press knew Tiger Woods was a man whore before and after he was married and simply didn't out him because they still wanted access to him for interviews, etc.
My bottom line - I believe life is about redemption. We're all selfish defective vessels of clay who screw up and sometimes screw up really, really badly and in his case very publicly. It's what we learn and how we grow and move forward that defines us and illustrates our true character. I sincerely hope he's really learned something about himself, is honestly dealing with his demons and is willing to do what it takes to make amends in his relationships. As a fellow screw up I will be pulling for him as I think Augusta is the perfect place to continue his journey.
On "Healthcare Reform"
I like sausage but I've never wanted to see it made. I've occasionally heard this abomination of Bill referred to as sausage making and on that example alone I'm pretty close to swearing off of sausage... Deem and Pass only makes it that much more
unappetizing...
Iran aiding al Qaeda?
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/17/tehran-aiding-al-qaeda-links-petraeus-says/Really? This is news? Iran has been using terrorist organizations to wage proxy wars for decades. Not much of a secret there.
This just in, water is wet, the sky is blue and I am a sarcastic smartass...
First of all, I don't think Tiger should have been man whoring around married or not (but especially after he was married.)
Second of all, let's be honest, in this celebutard culture we live in, people who display various types of moronic, idiotic, dangerous, destructive and deviant behaviors end up with reality shows on MTV, VH1 or A&E. If Tiger were single his indiscretions would be relatively tame compared to these other clowns. The worst that would be said of him would be that he had questionable taste considering some of the skanks that have come out of the woodwork (and I don't know if I believe all of them are telling the truth either.)
Thirdly, I firmly believe that plenty of people in the media and press knew Tiger Woods was a man whore before and after he was married and simply didn't out him because they still wanted access to him for interviews, etc.
My bottom line - I believe life is about redemption. We're all selfish defective vessels of clay who screw up and sometimes screw up really, really badly and in his case very publicly. It's what we learn and how we grow and move forward that defines us and illustrates our true character. I sincerely hope he's really learned something about himself, is honestly dealing with his demons and is willing to do what it takes to make amends in his relationships. As a fellow screw up I will be pulling for him as I think Augusta is the perfect place to continue his journey.
On "Healthcare Reform"
I like sausage but I've never wanted to see it made. I've occasionally heard this abomination of Bill referred to as sausage making and on that example alone I'm pretty close to swearing off of sausage... Deem and Pass only makes it that much more
unappetizing...
Iran aiding al Qaeda?
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/17/tehran-aiding-al-qaeda-links-petraeus-says/Really? This is news? Iran has been using terrorist organizations to wage proxy wars for decades. Not much of a secret there.
This just in, water is wet, the sky is blue and I am a sarcastic smartass...
Friday, June 20, 2008
Good clean fun
There's been so much to be ticked off about in the news lately. Anyway I found this link on one of my normal stops around the web and thought I would share. You've probably seen some of it before but the Benny Hill music really makes it.
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=31062
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=31062
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Good grief...
John McCain continues to rail against private enterprise.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c0b00372-372b-11dd-bc1c-0000779fd2ac.html
Some of the more disturbing quotes from the article:
Senator McCain:
"Something is seriously wrong when the American people are left to bear the consequences of reckless corporate conduct, while the offenders themselves are packed off with another $40m or $50m for the road,” he said. “If I am elected president, I intend to see that wrongdoing of this kind is called to account by federal prosecutors."
He's clearly referring to the "Mortgage Crisis" here and I would love to see Senator McCain open an investigation into the legislation and regulations by the U.S. Congress that played a part in this mess. I won't hold my breath though.
John Diamond:
John Diamond, a tax policy expert at Rice University and an economic adviser to Mr McCain, said it was important for the senator to distance himself from the “corporate welfare” associated with the Bush administration. “Big business has seemed to really benefit from the past eight years and there is real public pressure to take some of those breaks away,” he said.
There's just so much wrong here I don't know where to begin. This guy might be a "Tax Policy Expert" (though I not sure what the criteria to be ordained such requires) but these statements are pure Populist nonsense. I get so infuriated when I hear this kind of nonsense coming out of any candidates campaign it isn't even funny. But it pains me no end to hear it coming from a "Republican" campaign adviser.
I swear I am just going to vote Libertarian.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c0b00372-372b-11dd-bc1c-0000779fd2ac.html
Some of the more disturbing quotes from the article:
Senator McCain:
"Something is seriously wrong when the American people are left to bear the consequences of reckless corporate conduct, while the offenders themselves are packed off with another $40m or $50m for the road,” he said. “If I am elected president, I intend to see that wrongdoing of this kind is called to account by federal prosecutors."
He's clearly referring to the "Mortgage Crisis" here and I would love to see Senator McCain open an investigation into the legislation and regulations by the U.S. Congress that played a part in this mess. I won't hold my breath though.
John Diamond:
John Diamond, a tax policy expert at Rice University and an economic adviser to Mr McCain, said it was important for the senator to distance himself from the “corporate welfare” associated with the Bush administration. “Big business has seemed to really benefit from the past eight years and there is real public pressure to take some of those breaks away,” he said.
There's just so much wrong here I don't know where to begin. This guy might be a "Tax Policy Expert" (though I not sure what the criteria to be ordained such requires) but these statements are pure Populist nonsense. I get so infuriated when I hear this kind of nonsense coming out of any candidates campaign it isn't even funny. But it pains me no end to hear it coming from a "Republican" campaign adviser.
I swear I am just going to vote Libertarian.
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