Congress in Stalemate Over Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Checks - HUMAN EVENTS

Congress in Stalemate Over Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Checks - HUMAN EVENTS

I really cannot imagine the logic that gets you to a position that republicans are the bad guys in this scenario. The republican majority House of Representatives voted to pass a 12 month extension, and the democrat lead Sentate voted on 2 months worth of the same. The Senate then adjourned for the holidays until January 23.

Members of a professional association that process payroll for employers nationwide have argued the 2 month version present many problems for companies that process their own payroll. The formula for deductions would change after February, which will mean payroll clerks will need to the change their systems, possibly delaying payrol checks to employees. There would also be a significant investment of time and money for those payroll processing companies for making system changes and testing them for accuracy.

President Obama called on the republicans to agree to the shorter term bill passed in the Senate, and then blamed them yet again for not cooperating in the legislative process. Is there a logical bone in Barack's body?

Jim and Cliff Courtney Fight Washington State

Constitutional fight over economic liberty. Interesting read on how the government interferes with free enterprise.

Allen West Apologizes to America For Congressional Failure - HUMAN EVENTS

Allen West Apologizes to America For Congressional Failure - HUMAN EVENTS

Please take 15 minutes to watch this video of Representative Allen West (R-FL) speak on the house floor about what is wrong in America. This is revealing and inspiring.

George Will

George Will

If you are a small government proponent you need to read this piece by George Will. If you are a large government proponent you need to read this piece by George Will.

Two key points made in this article are...

In an economic climate of increasing uncertainties, Puzder says, one certainty is that many businesses now marginally profitable will disappear when Obamacare causes that margin to disappear. A second certainty is that “employers everywhere will be looking to reduce labor content in their business models as Obamacare makes employees unambiguously more expensive.”

And,

Time was, American businesses could surmount such regulatory officiousness. But government’s metabolic urge to boss people around has grown exponentially and today CKE’s California restaurants are governed by 57 categories of regulations.

Obama's Job-Killing Global-Warming Agenda Continues Under the Radar - HUMAN EVENTS

Obama's Job-Killing Global-Warming Agenda Continues Under the Radar - HUMAN EVENTS

Please contact your congressman and/or senators and le tthem know that the EPA is doing an end around them to enact regulations that will do great damage to the economy and the long standing strength of the USA in world affairs.

Obama's Cloud-Based Transparency - HUMAN EVENTS

Obama's Cloud-Based Transparency - HUMAN EVENTS

It's clear as mud. This president's claims to be the most open administration in history are bogus. Countless examples of what Ms. Malkin describes have been reported, and yet the president's press secretary stands and lies to the press. This man must not be relected.

The Super Committee Snooze Bar - HUMAN EVENTS

The Super Committee Snooze Bar - HUMAN EVENTS

It is absolutely amazing that an 8% annual growth rate of the baseline federal budget is considered not an increase, but a flat line. It is even more amazing those DC insiders seem to think we don't know what they're doing. On this election day it is time for all Americans to recommit to voting out the current crop when they next come up for re-election.

Things to know about Greece

As the world frets about what will become of Greece, let's take a look at some things you should know about Greece.

The official government of Greece is called a parliamentary republic.
The official economy of Greece is capitalist.
Even though capitalist, the private sector generates only 40% of the GDP.
That means the government produces 60% of GDP for thos arithmatically challenged.

There are 10 political parties registered in Greece:
-Anticapitalist Left Cooperation for the Overthrow
-Coalition of the Radical Left
-Communist Party of Greece
-Democratic Left
-Democratic Alliance
-Ecologist Greens
-Golden Dawn
-New Democracy
-Panhellenic Socialist Movement
-Popular Orthodox Rally

Judging by the names alone, those political parties probably are the reason why greece is broke today. As Margaret Thatcher once remarked, "The problem with socialism is you always run out of somebody else's money".

Will Big Labor’s Bucks Kill Kasich's Reforms in Ohio? - HUMAN EVENTS

Will Big Labor’s Bucks Kill Kasich's Reforms in Ohio? - HUMAN EVENTS

Those who are opposed to, and voting "no" on, Ohio Issue #2 are misguided and disingenupus.

Issue #2, if defeated, will overturn the legislation that includes such items as: elimination of binding arbitration for state government employees, a requirement that government employees pay 15% of the premiums for their health insurance, and ending the right of state employees to strike.

Those opposed to the issue claim it prevents firefighters, police and teachers, from negotiating for enough people in those jobs to do the needful. Many TV ads are telling of an impending shortage of police and fireman and teachers if issue #2 passes. It actually does not do that.

Right now the legislation makes it illegal to use binding arbitration to close negotiating for union pay and benefits. Such binding arbitration is nearly always arbitered by someone from outisde the state, and nearly always sides with the union. This is why the unions support a "no" vote on it. Unions stand to lose the following if the issue spasses:

1. members will be required to pay for 15% of their healthcare premiums, up from 9%
2. binding arbitration will be off the table when negotiating contracts
3. members lose the right to strike

Nowhere does the current legislation take away jobs. In fact, it will save jobs by not forcing municiple and county governments into unsustainable contracts.

For decades the unions have negotiated for high pensions and benefits in lieu of lower slaries for puiblic sector workers. During all those negotiations, both union and government negotiators knew the plans were unsustainable in the long run. Each new generation brought that eventually closer. It is upon us now.

Too many public sector workers are receiving pensions which have never been fully funded, and unions bosses amnd politicians knew it. It is time to pay up and shut up.

If Issue #2 is defeated, many public sector workers will lose their jobs becasue the state will simply not be able to afford keeping them.

I encourage my Ohio voter friends to vote YES on Issue #2.

Arab Spring Turns to Winter of Islamist States in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya - HUMAN EVENTS

Arab Spring Turns to Winter of Islamist States in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya - HUMAN EVENTS

Anyone who tells you that President Obama is a good statesman, or is properly dealing with matters of international diplomacy, is simply worng. He may not have been able to stop these changes we're now seeing in North Africa, but did he have to help them along?

The Revolt Against the Experts Helps Herman Cain - HUMAN EVENTS

The Revolt Against the Experts Helps Herman Cain - HUMAN EVENTS

As I see it, the experts did not offer extert opinions. Rather, they offered political opinions. Often the two cannot be reconciled. If politicians truly had the best interest of the country at heart, the experts would be giving expert advice on which policies to advance. The problem is they want what is politically favorable from the experts, instead of what is the best option.

If I Were a Liberal... - HUMAN EVENTS

If I Were a Liberal... - HUMAN EVENTS

Profits are for the People

Profits are for the People, by Walter Williams, Ph.D. - Townhall.com

Walter Williams explains just how the motive to produce profits benefits the poeple. The statement that most people, I think, will find surprising is that 50-60 cents of every dollar invested in business goes to payroll, while 5-8 cents goes to profit.

Escaping the Static Trap - HUMAN EVENTS

Escaping the Static Trap - HUMAN EVENTS

Do you know the difference between tax rates and tax revenue? Read this and find out why lower rates can mean more revenue. This is an important lesson many Americans do not understand.

George Will

George Will

NBA - Not Basketball Anymore

Millionaires fighting millionaires over billions are truly out of touch with what is going on in AMerica. The average salary of NBA players is $5.1 million, including a league minimum of $474,000. Total NBA revenue is approximately $4.5 billion. Go ahead, cancel the season. See if I care.

Senate Vote Saves Spending for Squirrel Sanctuaries - HUMAN EVENTS

Senate Vote Saves Spending for Squirrel Sanctuaries - HUMAN EVENTS

More DC logic goes unchecked. Amazing isn't it?

When Capitalism Fails You, Demand More - HUMAN EVENTS

When Capitalism Fails You, Demand More - HUMAN EVENTS

@OccupyWallStreet looks ar crony-capitalism and denounces capitalists. The Tea Party looks at crony-capitalism and denounces the cronies.

America Brought China's Rare-Earth Elements Monopoly on Itself - HUMAN EVENTS

America Brought China's Rare-Earth Elements Monopoly on Itself - HUMAN EVENTS

Yet another unintended consequence of the enviro-movement. Closing mines, and making it difficult to open new mines, all in favor of protecting the environment, has now left us extremely vulnerable, economically and militarity, to China.

Government the Job Killer - HUMAN EVENTS

Government the Job Killer - HUMAN EVENTS

The transcontinental railroad lost tons of money. The government never covered its costs, and most rail lines that used the tracks went bankrupt or continued to be subsidized by taxpayers. The Union Pacific​ and Northern Pacific -- all those rail lines we learned about in history class -- milked the taxpayer and then went broke.

One line worked. The Great Northern never went bankrupt. It was the railroad that got no subsidies.
Stossel

SunPower: Twice As Bad As Solyndra, Twice As Bad For Obama - HUMAN EVENTS

SunPower: Twice As Bad As Solyndra, Twice As Bad For Obama - HUMAN EVENTS

Unblelievable. Simply so. Yet more proof that soland and other green projects are not viable in the marketplace, and the supporters of these enterprises in DC are without common sense, or are corrupt beyond comprehension.

Solar Energy School Propaganda 101 - HUMAN EVENTS

Solar Energy School Propaganda 101 - HUMAN EVENTS

If you, or your children, are being taught that solar and other renewable energy sources are cost effective and desirable, think again. Ms. Malkin uncovers an alarming program she found in some shcools. Read this article please and talk to your parents and children.

The telling quote from this article is...

...the Institute for Energy Research concludes: "Although stand-alone solar power has a certain free-market niche and does not need government favor, using solar power for grid electricity has been and will be an economic loser for ratepayers and a burden to taxpayers."

Jobs, At what cost?

http://tinyurl.com/3aqtp28

The Obama Energy Department has once again ventured into garenteeing loans for solar projects, to the tune of $1.1 Billion. According to their own estimates, these two projects will create 900 contruction (read: temporary) jobs, and at least 52 permanent jobs.

Let's do some math with what we know.

Let's assume, generously so, that the construction jobs pay $100,000 per year and last 2 years. After spending $180 Million on those jobs, the 52 permanent jobs will cost almost $17.7 Million each.

And this undefensible project comes on the heals of a lost half billion dollars in Solyndra.

We simply cannot afford this.

Does Rick Perry Have a Performance Problem - HUMAN EVENTS

Does Rick Perry Have a Performance Problem - HUMAN EVENTS

But liberals enjoy engaging in wild social experiments with other people's lives, safety and money in order to feel better about themselves. ~ Ann Coulter

Solyndra Was Just a Bad Bet From the Beginning - The Atlantic

Solyndra Was Just a Bad Bet From the Beginning - The Atlantic

Want to have a better understanding of what went wrong adn how with the infusion of tax dollars into Solyndra? Read this article. If you read this and don't think the administration made grievous errors, you need to read it over.

Governments Don't Create Prosperity - HUMAN EVENTS

Governments Don't Create Prosperity - HUMAN EVENTS

I get tired of trying to explain to people I know how taking from the private sector and giving to governments does not produce wealth. It amazes me how stubborn some poeple can be in seeing this obvious cause and effect relationship between giving and taking and compaounding of money based on economic activity.

Obama’s Enron - Rich Lowry - National Review Online

Obama’s Enron - Rich Lowry - National Review Online

Obama said last year, “The true engine of economic growth will always be companies like Solyndra.” If that were so, it never would have needed half a billion of our dollars in the first place.

Obama has little or no track record of picking winners in any marketplace. Politicians he supported lost the governorships of New Jersey and Virginia, and a US Senate special election in Massachusettes. He has the CEO of GE as a jobs advisor, and GE moved two whole divisions of it business to China this summer.

Come on America. Obama should not have been elected, and we cannot afford his re-election.

Obama's proposed regs would cost billions annually - Washington Times

Obama's proposed regs would cost billions annually - Washington Times

The man cannot be that much out of touch. He must be seeking to destroy the economy with proposals like this. We've got to rid ourselves of this president in 2012. Come on GOP!!

When Will Obama Outspend Bush’s Two Terms? Beware the Ides of March - By Jim Geraghty - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online

When Will Obama Outspend Bush’s Two Terms? Beware the Ides of March - By Jim Geraghty - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online

George Will

Unions are not about labor rights. Rather, they are about politics. Maybe Wisconsin teachers are learning this.

"Libs Waterloo" George Will

Reposting of Rush Limbaugh's Once Upon a Time in America

Below is a list of things that Rush Limbaugh describes as having been successful in the past, that no longer are becasue of government interference. I'm sure amny of you could add to this list. Enjoy.

______________________________________________________________________


I remember back some years, when I was a lot younger, parents being able to raise their own children without government interference, and you know, it worked. Now, the government interferes in almost every aspect of it, and it doesn’t work anymore.

I remember back some years, when I was a lot younger, we could go to school and we were taught things that really mattered. We were taught self reliance by our parents. Math, reading and science by our teachers, and healthy lifestyles by both our parents and our P.E. teachers. It worked. Now, with the government in almost every bit of that, it doesn’t work anymore.

I remember back some years, when I was a lot younger, heck even just a few years ago, I could light my house, with any light bulb or neon tube that I wanted too. The government stayed out of my business at home, and it worked. My energy bills were low, and life was good. Then the government got into it, and, guess what? It doesn’t work anymore.

I remember back when I was younger, you could put up, or not put up any Christmas decorations that you wanted, and no one said a word. And it worked. The holidays were happy and fun for everyone. Then the government got into it, and it doesn’t work anymore. Same thing for religion.

I remember back when I was younger, us kids didn’t learn about sex in the schools. Parents, teachers and principles took care of the school bullies, and us kids learned the right way to read and write, without all the slang or new words that were spelled unlike real words, but didn’t really exist in anything but slang.

We could read our diplomas and books, without any misspelled words to contend with, and teachers weren’t interested in indoctrinating us against the will of our parents, but instead they taught us. And it worked. Now, with the government involved, it doesn’t work anymore.

I remember back when I was younger, when businesses started up, with little government interference, they grew and prospered. Now the government is in almost every aspect of a business, and guess what? It doesn’t work anymore.

I remember back when I was younger, banks and mortgage companies prospered and sold homes to people and it worked. Then, Barney Frank and the government got involved making the banks and mortgage companies give home loans to people even if they couldn’t afford it to make things fair, and Housing fell through the roof. Before government intervention, it worked. After? It doesn’t work anymore.

I remember back when I was younger, businesses were run by the owners. If they went under because of bad financial practices, they went under. C’lie Vie. Someone else would start a new business to fill the niche. It worked. Then the government got involved and started bailing out companies that were going under because of bad business practices, and guess what? It doesn’t work anymore.

I also remember back when I was younger, if you got really badly sick to where you would die if you didn’t get medical help, the government stayed out of it, and you got better. It worked. Now, with the government getting involved in “death panels” and decisions to tell you if you were worth the operation to save you or not, and guess what? It doesn’t work anymore.

This even goes for the military. We used to fight wars when we had too, to win. Now we fight them to lose. The governmental regulations and liberal ideals involved, and it doesn’t work anymore.

I could go on and on about this. and this post would become so long, it would be a book. And I wouldn’t have to repeat any of the subjects one time. In other words, the free market system works, without government intervention, and the liberals hate that. In other words, families work, without government intervention, and the liberals hate that. In other words, most things in the people’s lives work, without government intervention. Start putting that intervention in? And it doesn’t work anymore.

There are so many examples of this, that it would seem that even a moron could get it. But the liberals don’t. The only way to save this country from finishing the flush down the proverbial toilet that the liberal big government people have put us in, is to vote them out of office. All of them who believe that we can’t do anything without them.

And we all know who they are. My question is, are we so lazy that we can’t find the reason to oust them? I know I am not. Going to do my part come November. I hope you all do too, for the sake of this great country we lovingly call America.

Liberals Aren't Funny, They're a Riot! - HUMAN EVENTS

Liberals love mobs because rioting and anarchy is their path to power

Liberals Aren't Funny, They're a Riot! - HUMAN EVENTS

Obama’s Jekyll and Hyde Routine: Disturbing Mixed Messages - HUMAN EVENTS

Mr. Hall says it plainly, and much better than I ever could.

Obama’s Jekyll and Hyde Routine: Disturbing Mixed Messages - HUMAN EVENTS

Report: Obama Administration Added $9.5 Billion in Red Tape in July - US News and World Report

Did you feel your freedoms eroding last month?

Report: Obama Administration Added $9.5 Billion in Red Tape in July - US News and World Report

Labelling by Media

A shooter enters a building on Ft. Hood base, shouts Alahu Acbar, then proceeds to shoot dozens of people, killing 13.  The shooter was a muslim man.  The media tells us not to rush to label the man as a muslim extremist or jihadist.

A shooter in Arizona kills several people, and wounds other, including congresswoman Abbie Giffords.  The media tells us it is because of Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh.

A man leaves a car parked in the streets of New York near Time Square, with a bomb inside.  The bomb does not explode.  The media says the man was upset over the lack of health care in the US.

A shooter kills a couple of soldiers at a recruiting station in Arkansas.  Again the media tells us not to rush to judgement about this man or his motives.

A man plants a bomb that does vast damage to a building in Oslo, Norway, then goes to an island camp where he shoots and kills more than 70 young people.  The media tells us he is a christian extremist.

The trend in these stories is that muslims who commit, or are accused of committing, violent crimes that could be declared terror, are spared the rush to judgement, while caucasian men doing similar acts, are quickly labelled.

The evidence is clear.  The left leaning media is loathe to label any muslim as extremist or jihadist, while quickly doing so for non-muslims.  Not only that, the non-muslim is quickly labelled right-wing extremist.

Why would they be so protective of jihadists who hate them to the core, and would kill them at the first opportunity?

Obama, Holder Busted in Gunwalker Cover-up - HUMAN EVENTS

So, guns used by Mexican drug cartels are coming from the USA. In order to make this claim true, the ATF sold guns to those cartels, and $80M in financing came via the stimulus bill. An apparent motive for this activity by the Obama administation was legislate more gun control. But they got caught, so what happens next?

Obama, Holder Busted in Gunwalker Cover-up - HUMAN EVENTS

The Beltway Industry Full-Time Employment Act - HUMAN EVENTS

This is how Congress makes legislation nowadays - extremely long winded pieces of prose, which once voted on and signed into law, is handed to bureaucrats to make the rules by which we all must then live.

Dodd-Frank and Obamacare are both over 2000 pages without the meat and potatoes of specifics. This method of legislating effectively puts the agencies which oversee the activity of financing, healthcare, environment, and more, in charge of legislating. These agencies can write their own rules according to how they interpret the vagueness of the bill they are handed. Congress has abdicated its consitutional authority to policy wonks.

Is that how the government should operate? I think not. Ms. Malkin describes one such example of how this process fails the citizens.

The Beltway Industry Full-Time Employment Act - HUMAN EVENTS

'News of the World' vs. WikiLeaks: Murdoch's the Only Variable - HUMAN EVENTS

The obsession with the story of Mr. Murdoch's news tabloid is facinating. The media tends to get hyped by certain stories and not by others. We've had big stories such as 9-11, the OJ trial, Michael Jackson, various missing young women, Casey Anthony, and now News International. I think I read an op/ed piece months ago that explained it this way. The 24 hour news cycle built into cable news makes sensationalizing necessary in order to fill the time. The cable news networks were designed to deal with big stories, though not for small ones. So when no big news event reveals itself, smaller stories get overexposed.

Now, how do you suppose they choose which stories to overexpose? In this case, some tabloid reporters hacked their way into the cell phone voicemail boxes of some people, and used the information acquired in news stories. Not a significant and big story you would think, but for the CEO of the news organization being Rupert Murdoch, whose holdings include the 'evil' Fox News.

'News of the World' vs. WikiLeaks: Murdoch's the Only Variable - HUMAN EVENTS

Disagreement and Racism

Was Sheila Jackson Lee a racist for disagreeing with George W. Bush? 
And does disagreeing with President Obama make Herman Cain a racist?

AAA Bond Ratings

Moody's and S&P are both threatening to reduce the US government's AAA bond rating if we do not raise the debt ceiling before August 2.  I have one question for both of those entities.

With a $14.3T deficit, and $70T in unfunded liabilities, how in the hell do we rate AAA in the first place?

By the way, if we do not raise the debt ceiling, we do not instantly default on anything.  Default is when you don't pay a due bill or debt.  We have enough money to pay some things, just not all things.

Sheila Lee is both Right and Wrong!

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/analysis-how-christian-militants-might-b

Congresswoman Lee thinks we need to investigate christian radicals. 

Why Wrong?
Christians are not causing pain, death adn destruction around the world like radical muslims are.  Sure, a few christians have committed crimes which may or may not be classified as terror, but they pale in comparison to the number of muslim terrorist acts, or "man-caused disasters" as the Obama adminisitration refers to these events.

Why Right?
Because the self proclaimed christian living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue claims to want to "fundamentally transform America".  President Obama has already taken over American corporations, fired CEO's of publicly traded companies, given billions of US dollars to selected enterpirses, and extended our militaary,and stfiled the economy, all in opposition to his stated goals from his campaign.

Mr, Obama is the radical christian bringing down the country.  His administration is allowing guns to be sold and transported to Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for much death and destruction in and near the USA.  Much of the illegal immigration into the US can be attributed to Mexicans wanting to get away from teh daily violence of their own country.  Those drugs that they are resonsible for distributing are finding their way into the AMerican streets and homes, and fundamentally destroying lives of Americans.

Obama is also responsible for the foreign policy which is not so discreetly destroying relationships with values allies sucha s Great Brittain and Israel, and supporting regimes that do not have the best interests of the USA in their plans.

Obama is also destroying jobs in the oil, coal and airliner manufacturing indstries with his policies.  these jobs would help families get back on their feet, and ultimately help the voerall economy.

Ms. Lee, please do investigate the christian radicals, but start in the White House.

News and Other Interesting Stuff

The local news outlets are terrible.  Most of what they have on their multiple 1/2 hour shows is not really news.  We all know they spend an inordinate amount of time on weather.  But they also use news to promote other programs on their networks, especially American Idol (FOX).

Much of the time they read the news to you like its a camp fire story with much drama.  Just give me the facts, please.

And the video is simply awful.  A story about a violent crime is being reported, and the video is of flashing police car lights, a door stoop, and no picture of anything that actually adds to your understanding of the events the are unfolding.  They'll even do live remotes from the scene of last night's crime.

For the last few weeks or months all the stations are doing reports on the price of gas.  "Today gas reached $3.99 a gallon at Joe's Station".  Really, that's news?  I can't wait for the pothole stories.

Local news is about 90% worthless.

Voter Check!

It really is quite simple in my mind.  If you are a legally registered voter in an election, then you should be allowed to donate to any campaign in which you may vote for an issue or candidate.  If not, keep the check books tucked away in the desk drawer.

Only voters should be allowed to participate in election campaigns, not labor unions, corporations, Political Action Committees (PAC), and not any 501(c)(3) groups.  You see, a corporation, union, PAC or 501(c)(3) cannot vote.  So why should   This would not infringe on first amendment rights to free speech.  And the constitution was primarly dealing with political speech.

Likewise, candidate endorsements should only be given by actual voting people, and not newspapers, business associations, labor unions and other groups or legal entities.  The New York Times cannot vote for president, or senator or any candidate for office. 

So, if you're a registered voter, feel free to support any candidate of issue you choose.  But leave the non-person legal entities out of it.  They cannot vote anyway.. 

Another benefit that oculd arise form this development is a lower cost of campaign acitvities overall.  The entities are capaable of raising large cums of cash from amny peple and funneling it to a campaign war chest.  With the avenue blocked, much less cash would be available to those campaigns, forcing them to cut back on the activites, lowering the overall cost of running a campaign out of necessity.  that would make it much easier for many more people to get involved in the elec tion process and run for an elected office.

This change would have a great impact on capign finacne reform, making it unnecessary to reform.  Since the last reform bill became law, the cost of campaigns has increased rapidly.  The 2012 Presidential campaign will l.ikely exceed $1B per candidate.

This is Reform?

What length will liberals go to in order to remain in office? Read this column by George Will to learn what Senator Durbin of Illinois wants to do to fund election campaigns.

I also find it quite unsurprising that Durbin would insult Americans by claiing they are incapable of deciding whether of not to check a box, on their IRS form 1040, to opt in or out of giving $3 to the presidential election campaigns.

A telling quote from this column:
"Ironically," Mitchell said, "it is illegal under federal law for a federal contractor — any federal contractor — to make a contribution of his/her personal funds to any federal candidate, PAC or political party." Durbin's bill would change the statute to force federal contractors to finance the campaigns of candidates with whom they might disagree. Yet they still could not contribute voluntarily to those with whom they agree. "How," Mitchell asked, "does that possibly pass constitutional muster?"

George Will

Obama's Victimhood Rests on False Claims About Bush Tax Cuts - HUMAN EVENTS

Obama's Victimhood Rests on False Claims About Bush Tax Cuts - HUMAN EVENTS

Struggle Against Limits

A friend of mine started a new blog that I'd like to share.  Darren is a smart guy with a sense of humor with interesting points of view on several topics.  Please visit his blog.

Struggle Aginst Limits

It's Been a While

I have not posted an entry in a while.  There have been so many things I've wanted to blog about, and I have had trouble focusing.  Maybe it's all the rain we've been getting in the Ohio valley.

With politcal issues galore, and social and sportds to write about, I've had trouble deciding just what to share with you.

I have a nephew and a niece in Europe for a few months now.  My niece in Ireland is in school  there.  She is completing her education degree.  My nephew is traveling around Europe seeing sites.  I'm not real sure why he finds Europe so interesting.

My son lives in Kentucky, and says about his cousins that he does not know why they travel so far, because there's plenty to see in Kentucky that he has yet to see.

I have no tremendous desire to go live outside the USA, but there are a few places I would like to see from a tourist point of view.  But there are many places to go here at home.

Obama Is Taking Care of Business

John Hayward says it better than I could ever say it. Talk about hitting the nail on the head!

Obama Is Taking Care of Business - HUMAN EVENTS

Eat the Rich

Walter Williams, Ph.D. wrote this column.  I recommend you read this.

Eat the Rich

The haze of humanitarian imperialism

Does anyone know anything about anything here? George Will

Ryan Steals March on Obama as Fiscal Crisis Looms - HUMAN EVENTS

Representative Ryan has proposed a budget that is fiscally responsible. He used a simple formula to come up with his proposal. Reduce all spending to 2008 levels for 5 years, and save over $6 trillion over the next 10 years. The savings come from not spending the money that has grown our budget tremendously since 2008. By contrast, President Obama's budget proposal locks in spending at the currently increased levels, estimated at 24% higher than 2008. Restructuring Medicaid and Medicare in the Ryan budget saves even more, and gives the states more flexibility in how to administer the funds. Read more here. Ryan Steals March on Obama as Fiscal Crisis Looms - HUMAN EVENTS

Political Statistics - HUMAN EVENTS

We would probably be better off if there were no Congressional Budget Office to lend its credibility to data based on hopelessly unrealistic assumptions fed to them by politicians. Political Statistics - HUMAN EVENTS

Indecision

President Obama is indecisive and does not follow through or deliver on promises.

Transparency

Laws have not been debated in the open such as healthcare debate on CSPAN.  Text is legislation has not bee published online before voting in the congress.

This week he received an award for transparency, that was presented behind closed doors with no one the press in attendance.

Libya

Qhadaffi must go.  We will not use military force to remove him.  We're on a humanitarian mission.  One hundred twenty guided missles later, it does not look anything like humanitarian.  Now he's considering arming the rebels, some of whom are Al Quaeda.

Gitmo

I will close Gitmo in the first year.  Two and half years later Gitmo remains.

Oil Drilling

Are you serious?  Following the deep water drilling accident last year the president issued a moratorium on deep water drilling for 6 months.  Yep, still in existance.  He now repeats the idea that we're drilling more.

He loaned Brazil money to drill in the Gulf of Mexico and says the USA wants to be their best customer.  S, do we want to improt less oil of more?  I can't get a feel for his plan.

Jobs

Focused like a laser beam on creating (or saving) jos.  Unemployment remains around 9% with not nearly enough jobs being created, even if you count government jobs.  This week has said he wakes up in the morning, and goes to bed at night, thinking about jobs.  Really?

This man is the least qualified man to be president - ever.

Dissing the Prez

Isn't it a terrible thing when the TV networks tell our President, when he's planning to address the nation on war decisions, that he must be off air by the time "Dancing with the Stars" begins at 8PM?

Not only that, but they only allow their political analysts to discuss the speech for two or three minutes.  The mandos not have gravitas, as Dick Cheney was famous for.  President Obama is so overexposed by TV lights it's not funny anymore.

The president tooks weeks to make a decision, and then made several, contradictory I might add.  It's a humanitarian mission, but Qaddafi must go.  We're protecting people, while blowing planes out of the sky, and tanks off the ground, allowing for rebel fighters, or are they Al Queda, advance on the Libyan army.  As soon as he makes up his mind to commit forces, he then turns the command over to NATO, and a Canadian general, who reports to an American commander.  Got it straight yet?

Monday, Monday

President Obama has now said he will address the nation Monday on our involvement in Libya.  More than a week late, don't you think?  I do.  Other presidents have made addresses of this nature, entering into war or military action, within hours ofthe start of the action. 

President Obama appears to haveno clue when it comes to foreign policy.  His decision making ablity is, well, non-existant.  We support him.  Now we don't.  I'll let you know next week.  Maybe.

Hoping for change yet?  Voters remorse yet?

Don't Blame it on Rio

On the occasion of sending US military into harm’s way is typically announced by the president to the American people.  President Roosavelt did so by radio following the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces.  Other presidents have done the same throughpout the years.  Below are a few examples of more recent presidential proclamations about use of military force.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

President Ronald R. Reagan:  "At 7 o'clock this evening eastern time air and naval forces of the United States launched a series of strikes against the headquarters, terrorist facilities, and military assets that support Mu`ammar Qadhafi's subversive activities. The attacks were concentrated and carefully targeted to minimize casualties among the Libyan people with whom we have no quarrel. From initial reports, our forces have succeeded in their mission."

President George H.W. Bush:  "Just 2 hours ago, allied air forces began an attack on military targets in Iraq and Kuwait. These attacks continue as I speak."

President George W. Bush:  "My fellow citizens, at this hour American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger."

President Barack Obama:  "Hello Rio de Janeiro"

This week the US military forces got involved in operations in and near Libya, along with forces from several other countries.  President Obama chose to carry out his travels to Latin America, and on the occasion of the initial operations against Libyan forces, he spoke to Brazilian crowds in Rio de Janeiro.  The American people were not his first priority.

Nicholas Sarkozy, the Most Powerful Man in the World

That title used to go to the President of the United States, but no longer.

Barack Obama abdicated that title during this winter of 2011.  Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Bahrain, New Zealand and Japan have all joined together as the force that made our president  Mr. Irrelevant.  In the last week to 10 days Mr. Obama has seemingly not done anything for any of the countries listed above, but he did pick the NCAA tournament, play 2 rounds of golf, visit foreign lands, and tell his Vice President to deal with our own budget woes.  The Mr. Biden flew off to another foreign country as well.

During the same period. The President of France, Mr. Sarkozy, took initiative on the Libya situation, and stole the thunder of the POTUS.

Obama came into office as possibly the least qualified person ever, and proves everyday that he is not up to the task.  He has put a great deal of effort into creating legislation, such as healthcare and cap and trade.  B his policy making and foreign affairs accumen is lacking severely.

Let's hope the GOP can find an excellent candidate who can take the White House away from this man with the audacity to to never miss a tee time in the face of adversity.

America the Beautiful

Seeing the response of America and her citizens to catastrophic events around the world confirms once again the greatness of the USA.  Whether it is earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Somalia, New Zealand, Haiti or China, Americans respond with not only cash, but with braun.

American military might is used in humanitarian efforts to rescue, feed and treat the wounds of vicitms of tragedy.  Average citizens trained in searcdh and rescue techniques, with their dogs besides them, rush to anywhere in the world to help find and rescue people buried under the rumble that used to their homes.

And then we have others who will chant slogans about how evil w are, burn our symbols in the streets, and wish death upon us.  There is no way to reconcile these two points of view.  America is not without fault, but the heart is pure.  America definitely walks the talk.  Very few in this world can sy that.

Don't Know or Don't Care

I find it amazing that so my Americans pay so little attention to politics and current events in this country and the world.  'Man on the street' interviews show just how little many Americans know.

There are many people who can tell you all about the lives of such celebrities as Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan, but cannot tell you who is in many of the positions of authority in this country.

Americans need to wake up, get educated, and be active in determining the very future of our country and the world around us.

Double Standards for Detah Threats

I am absolutely stunned and appalled at the death threats toward elected officials in Wisconsin.  Here are just two examples from the last couple of days.

An excerpt from an email sent to several Republican Senators in Wisconsin reads:

Please put your things in order because you will be killed and your families will also be killed due to your actions in the last 8 weeks. Please explain to them that this is because if we get rid of you and your families then it will save the rights of 300,000 people and also be able to close the deficit that you have created. I hope you have a good time in hell.

Another reads:

 Mr. Fitzgerald,

I want to make this perfectly clear. Because of your actions today and in the past couple of weeks I and the group of people that are working with me have decided that we’ve had enough. We feel that you and your republican dictators have to die. This is how it’s going to happen: I as well as many others know where you and your family live, it’s a matter of public records. We have all planned to assult you by arriving at your house and putting a nice little bullet in your head. However, this isn’t enough. We also have decided that this may not be enough to send the message. So we have built several bombs that we have placed in various locations around the areas in which we know that you frequent. This includes, your house, your car, the state capitol, and well I won’t tell you all of them because that’s just no fun.

Following the shooting of Arizona Representative Gabrielle Giffords and several others, several liberal political commentators and politicians quickly laid blame for them at the feet of conservative political figure Governor Sarah alin and others.  President Obama and others called for a more civil discourse.  It was as if conservatives actually caused this deranged man to commit this violent act.

Yet, here we have actual threats against conservatives and the liberals remain silent on the matter.  There is no more certain threat than what appears in these email messages.  There is no possible comparison between these emails and anything a conservative said that could have instigated the shootings in Arizona.

It is well past time for liberals and their cohorts in many parts of the media, print and electronic, to admit the hypocracy of their words and actions. 

Do this simple test.  Perform an internet search on any of the available search sites for the words 'condemn death threats'.  You will find several links to stories relating President Obama's condemnation of a recent political assasination in Pakistan, but nothing about these emailed threats.  Why is that?

Government Budget, Deficit Spending

I propose the federal government impose an across board spending cut of 5%.  Given the waste that everyone talks about eliminating, and given the duplicate efforts in terms of programs and departments, it should be easy to cut 5% in all areas.

This would prevent any one political group from claiming they are victims of budget cuts.  It makes the process fair and easy to understand by all. 

This act alone would stimulate the economy as business owners and consumers would both be more likely to invest and spend at work and at home.

Being given less to spend would necessarily force government workers and departments to find waste to eliminate, duplicate effort to eliminate, and economies of scale to take advantage of.  This would streamline processes and downsize the government.

If they can cut 5% in one year, then do the same thing in another year.  It could be adjusted to a 3% cut in year two.  These percent cuts could be negotiable, but some cut is needed.

Before you know it, we develop a trend.   Doing more with less is how America reached her position in the world, as the largest economy and highest standard of living ever known to man.

As the federal budget and flow of red ink recedes back within its banks, we become leaner and meaner and in the process improve the lives and business of all.

After two years of budget cuts, an amendment to the US Constitution could be passed that would limit federal budget growth to the rate of inflation plus population growth.  The Cato Institute first proposed this formula here.  As the budget grows at a controlled rate, it would grow at a slower rate than the combined growth of fedeal revenues (taxes) and GDP.  That is approximately 3% in 2011.

Budgets would be controlled and become more manageable.  Defecits and debt as a percent of GDP would shrink to more appropriate levels.

And perhaps most importantly, the citizens of the USA can understand this, and it would not be about which programs to cut, and who gets hurt more.

It's About Time

Isn't it about time for congress to have hearings, and invite the big oil executives to Washington DC for a grilling?  When George W. Bush was President and the price of oil and gasoline climbed higher and higher, Democrat congressman were claiming it was Big Oil and W. that are getting rich at the expense of Americans.  Maxine Waters was going to socilaize their companies, remember?

Now that gasoline is over $3.50 a gallon, The AP is now reporting all the things that go into pricing oil and gasoline, and none of those things are big oil, or President Obama.

How is it that the reason for pricing oil higher or lower is dependent on a republican in the White house?

Honor Out Of Memory

Speak to the world with the voice of your father and mother, and you will be heard. Act in their names, and you will be honored. Take the world they give you and make it greater, and you will be revered.

Honor Out Of Memory - HUMAN EVENTS

Strategically Speaking

Today it is being discussed.  President Obama is considering using petroleum currently stored in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).  This move would be a response that would do so little to alleviate the demand an high price for oil, but would seriously damage the ability of the government to respond to a crisis that could arise.

The SPR is currently over 700 million barrels of oil, the largest such supply in the world.  The 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) dictates the need and usage conditions for using this reserve of oil.  Basically, the limit is 4.4 million barrels per day, and during periods of interrupted oil supply.

The current oil market is very unstable considering the political unrest in a number of Arab nations in the middle east and northen Africa.  It is also affected by the current policies of the Obama administration, which is unfriendly to oil explortion, drilling and refining.  In fact, the Obama administration is unfriendly to any oil, nuclear, coal or gas utilization.  Environmentalists are opposed to using fossil fuels, and President Obama is with them.  Consequently, the cost of oil is hovering near or er $100 per barrel and gas is over $4.00 per gallon in most states.

Here is why dipping into the SPR is a bad idea at this time.  Oil production is not interrupted, but the prices is climbing.  Using the SPR now is technically a violation of the EPCA, or against the law.  The current reserve, if used by all Americans as the current flow of oil is used, would last approximately 34 days.  This is an insignificant amount of time.  The SPR is intended to be used primarily by our military if other oil supplies dry up, not for gassing up SUV's on family vacation.

President Obama would better serve Americans by easy the restrictions on oil drilling to increase our domestic supply of oil.  This would reduce the dependence on imported oil, put many Americans back to work, and drive some ecomic recovery.  Dipping into the SPR would do none of that, but would impact negatively the long tem oil interests of the USA.

We, the Unhyphenated Americans: Meet My People

Ms. Malkin makes several good points in this column, but using specific examples of people who represetn what america should be, and what Americans should strive for. Well done Michelle.

We, the Unhyphenated Americans: Meet My People - HUMAN EVENTS

Religion and Government

This country, indeed the whole world, needs to have a conversation about the compatability of Islam, Christianity and Jjudaism, and how their practitioners can peacefully coexist. Mr Hayward says it quite elogently. Freedom of religion and just government must go hand in hand. Key quotes from Hayward's column for me are:

~Religious beliefs, including atheism, rank among a citizen’s most treasured intellectual possessions. A government which does not respect these paramount treasures will be unlikely to show deep respect for its citizens in any other area.

~By definition, each of us sees his own religion as correct, which makes all others “wrong” to some degree. To fully embrace the free exercise of those “incorrect” beliefs is the ultimate measure of faith in our fellow citizens.

~The founders of the United States spoke of rights granted by God, but they are no less meaningful to those who refer to the divine by other names, or no name at all.

~and finally~
Understand the freedom of religion, and you will see the wisdom and justice of every other word in the Constitution reflected within.

The Final Freedom - HUMAN EVENTS

Want to fix education?

Starting here with TFA may be one solution. George Will

Cato Institute on Teachers' Unions

The Effects of Teachers Unions onAmerican Education

Andrew J. Coulson

All ye! All ye! In come free!

Democrat congressional representatives who have run away from their jobs to hide in other states, in hopes of avoiding a vote on contentious legislation, should lose their jobs.

When I managed people in business I had a rule.  No show, no call, presumed quit.  If they abandon their elected offices, and ignore the oath of office they pledged, they deserve to lose their jobs.

Indiana and Wisconsin currently have runaway legislators.  In both cases they have run to avoid legislation they do not like.  Inidiana has changed its pay policy, forcing those legislators to appear in person to collect paychecks, instead of getting the usual direct deposit.  That will have some impact soon enough, but they should go further. 

Running and hiding in the face of adversity is not a positive quality we like in our elected officials.  Where's your dignity, man?  Id' rather see fist fights in chambers than see your backside disappearing over the horizon.

I suppose that making mands for your return is even worse though.  Drop certain bills from the agenda and you'll come back.  Pretty please with a cherry on top! 

Grow a pair wll you?  You got elected.  You toook the oath of office.  You have a job to do.  Just do it!

Al Sharpton Offended by Truth

Today a billboard advertisement was taken down. Rev. Al Sharpton, and others, expressed their displeasure with the ad which featured a young African-American girl and the slogan “The most dangerous place for African-Americans is in the womb”.

The message is to bring attention to the fact that blacks represent 13% of the population, yet received 36% of abortions nationwide. In New York, 60% of black pregnancies end in abortion. If a black fetus has a 60% chance of being aborted in the city of New York, then the womb certainly is one of the most dangerous places.

"The billboard was offensive, especially during Black History Month," the Rev. Al Sharpton said.

Really, Al? This abortion rate is part of black history. And those aborted babies have no future either.

“This is an atrocity," said Darcey Merritt, 42, who is African-American and a professor of social work at New York University. "If a little person of color walks by and sees this, what message does that give about his or her mother, about other black people and their worth?" Merritt said. "This is dangerous."

First Mr. Merritt, that child walking by is alive, not having been aborted. Second, it tells the truth. The truth will set you free as they say.

The mother of the child pictured in the ad said she was “shocked” and wants an apology from them for being blind-sided like that. She had her three children photographed at a modeling agency two years ago, and knew the photos would become 'stock' images. “I was devastated they portrayed her that way” she said.

Mom, they portrayed her alive, and beautiful, which she is.

Farmers' Marketing

Farm subsidies from the federal government have been paid to farmers since the 1920's.  They really became prevalent in the 1930's during the depression and the 'dust bowl' days.  At the time they served a useful purpose.  Most farms were very small, inefficient compared to today's standards, and there were many of them.

In the 1930's about 25% of the US population lived on 6,000,000 small farms.  By 1997, 2% of the population livd on farms, and 157,000 farms accounted for 72% of farm sales.  Farms consolidated into bigger and fewer farms.  Technology meant that a much smaller percentage of the population was required to get the fields planted and harvested.

The subsidies gave farmers extra money for their crops, and garenteed a price floor.  In essence, farmers made more money, and prices never dropped below a specific price.  One 2009 report shows that 62 cents of every dollar the farmer took in came from subsidies, totalling $180 billion.

Corn is now subsidized to get farmers to grow it for corn ethanol, a replacement for gasoline.  Rp. Jim Jordan, (R-OH) says the government subsidizes it, protects it with tariffs, and mandates its use, and still it cannot thrive in a rigged market.

The  Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandates that billions of gallons of ethanol be blended into vehicle fuel each year, guaranteeing demand, but US corn ethanol subsidies are between $5.5 billion and $7.3 billion per year.

Many economists argue that these subsidies keep commodity prices artificially low, promoting poverty in less developing countries.  Farmers in those countries cannot compete in the market with food produced at lower subsidized costs in richer countries.

Other critics argue that subsidies and tariffs protecting sugar have created more food ad lower prices that are less healthy to eat.  Corn syrup replaced cane sugar as a sweetener of many foods which are higher in sugar and fats.

The last argument is that mega-farms receive most of the subsidies, providing more to companies that don't need it, and less to smaller farms that would need it more.

Get off the train!

Reckless Spending - HUMAN EVENTS

Check Please?

The issues with labor unions contributing to democrats, or corporations contributing to republicans, is something that many think needs to be fixed.  McCain-Feingold was a piece of legislation that as supposed to have dealt with the issues of campaign financing.  It fails in that goal.  I have another suggestion.

Only registered voters should be allowed to contribute to political  campaigns for elected office.  Afterall, only registered voters can vote.  Seems simple right?

Labor unions donate to political campaigns and expect favorable decisions when collective bargaining agreements are being hammered out.  Corporations donate with the expectations of favorable taxation and regulation.  Politicians who accept those donations often oblige, thus endearing themselves to the donors, and the cycle continues.

The result of such arrangements is public employee pensions which are unreasonable and unsustainable, or tens of thousands of pages of tax  and regulatory documents which a team of lawyers stumble over and through.  And we are all caught up in this.

This week we have seen teachers in Wisconsin call in sick, only to appear at rally's opposing the proposed legislation trying to insert financial sanity into the operations.  Teachers, expectedly advocating on behalf of their students and education in general, cheat those same students out of education because schools were forced to close while teach argue for their own retirement benefits.

Limiting campaign contributions to voters, people, and not corporations, political action committees, labor unions or the like, would put the voice of the people back into politics.  It would make politicians beholding to the people of their district or state.  It would restore "by the people" to the nations business.

The Teacher's Pet

I've been thinking about this week's protests in Wisconsin, primarily by teachers, but including other public employee groups also.  I've also noticed many people posting on Facebook their support for the teachers.  Some those supporting teachers are claiming that we are attacking, assaulting, and even worse to teachers, and that the state is anti-education.  In reality this has little to do with teaching and education, and everything to do with the fiscal state of affairs around this country.

Many public employee unions have collective bargaining agreements (CBA) that provide benefits that often exceed anything private sector employees are getting.  Over the past few decades these unions have negotiated deals which were very good for their members, but very bad for the citizens paying the bill. 

A law in Ohio permits the unions to make a proposal for benefits, and the state and either accept it, or go immediately to binding arbitration.  No chance to negotiate by the state.  Of course the arbitrator could rule in favor of the state, but that rarely, if ever, happens.  That is not acting in good faith, but holding a proverbial gun to the head of tax payers.

The bottom line is this.  There isn't enough money to meet these obligations.  Sorry but true.  It's not a matter of what is deserved, but a matter of what is right under the current set of financial circumstances.  Consessions!  Most Americans are making consessions, including cutting expense, reduced salary, and even unemployment. 

The really bad part of this is that the poeple who initially negotiated these deals should have, or perhaps did, know that it was not sustainable.  But putting the bill off for many years and another generation seemed quite painless at the time.  Unfortunately, teachers, and other unionized groups, are having to pay the piper now.

Look for the Union Label

Have unions outlived their usefulness? Quite possibly. Mr. Hayward describes the purpose and tactics of unions in maintaining their control over the work force, primarily in the public sector. Events unfolding in Wisconsin, and Ohio, this week are living examples of this dynamic.

The Nature of Unions - HUMAN EVENTS

Gotta Light?

Smoking bans infringe upon your liberty.  Don't get me wrong, I dislike cigarette smoking and believe it to be a disgusting habit.  It's unhealthy, dirty, smelley, and people leave partially smoked cigaratte butts all over the place, particularly along the traffic islands near stop lights.  I hate it.

However, as long as smoking is legal, people who choose to should be permitted to smoke.  There is no reputable scientific study that indicates second hand smoke is a hazzard, not one.  So why do so many say it is so?  Not liking smoking isn't enough reason to ban it, and tobacco companies still make a lot of money and contribute to political campaigns in large amounts.

So what to do?  License it the same as we license drinking establishments.  If you want to serve alcohol in your bar/restaurant, you need a liquor license.  So why not a smoking license?  Then allow business owners to decide if they want to buy a lciense or not, and advertise accordingly.

The number of people who smoke is decreasing all the time according to surveys.  So the niche created by smoking licenses would be small.  Most business would still choose not to allow smoking, but some would opt for it.  Customers will choose where they wish to go.

Out door smoking bans are simply ridiculous.  Given that motor vehicles, factories and many other sources emit gases and fumes much worse than tobacco smoke, why bother with this?  Simple. 

A small group of people in this land want to eliminate tobacco smoking completely.  They began with bans on certain airline flights, and have progresses to all public buildings in entire states and cities.

You Can’t Have your Cake and Pay For It Too

Imagine the federal budget was scaled down to your family.  Here is what your financial picture would look like if you prorated all the federal budget numbers to an income of $60,000 per year.

Your income = $60,000 (roughly 1/15^th of the total debt)

Your total bebt = $408,571

Your annual expenses = $105,714

Your budget deficit for this year = $45,714 (you must borrow this money to pay your bills)

New total debt = $454,285

Could you and your family survive this?  For how long?  Would you be planning to build a vacation home (hi speed railway) this year?  Heck, wouldn’t you cancel the cable service, music lessons, dining out, or even get rid of the 2^nd car?

Health Insured Puppets

Healthcare and health insurance are two distinctly different things.  Healthcare is the care provided patients for their health.  Health insurance is how the patient affords and pays for that care.  Our healthcare system is the finest in the world, though not without problems.  Our health insurance system is atrocious.

Eighty years ago laws were passed that allowed employers to provide health insurance to their employees and take tax deductions for that cost.  Thus began our system of third party payer, which is the root of all that is wrong with our system today.

I have a simple solution.

First, legislate the tax deduction for employers away, and mandate a payroll increase for all employees on the company plan.  This formula for how much to increase payroll is negotiable, but must be equivalent to the actual cost to the employer.

Second, allow anyone to purchase insurance from any provider.  Providers must be granted access to buyers all 50 states.

The cost of any insurance policy is roughly based on three factors: what is covered to what extent, risk factors of the insured and deductable or co-pay.  Sounds like car insurance, homeowner insurance, business insurance, and any other form of insurance.  Health insurance is really no different on its face.

What gets covered under any policy is determined by what risk is acceptable and at what cost to either party.  One case might be the following.  A  25 year old in good health may opt to purchase catastrophic care with a high deductible, and pay for routine doctor visits and pharmacy costs out of pocket, in exchange for a lower premium.  A 55 year with diabetes would likely opt for more complete coverage, and a lower deductible in favor or higher premiums.

Who among us thinks about what this doctor charges versus any other doctor?  None of us do, because we're not paying for the service, the insurance company is.  And we're not paying for the insurance, our employers are.  For the most part anyway. Is that how it works when you need body work on your car?  Not at all.  You'll go get estimates form3 different body shops and pick the one you think suits you best.  Who is paying for that insurance?  You are.

We act differently when we're footing the bill.  We act more responsibly when we have something to lose.  But when your employer picks the policy and the costs, what do you care?  You go to the doctor and if eh orders a test and says go to a certain specialist or lab for it, you do.  You do not ask about costs and services provided.  You follow blindly along with the doc.

What the Affordable Care Act (ACA) did was mandate higher levels of coverage in the form of pre-existing conditions, adult dependents to age 26, no limit payouts over a lifetime, while mandating same or lower premiums.  Economists will tell you every time that this formula is a disaster waiting to happen. 

The ACA does nothing to lower cost of health care or health insurance.  What it will do is put insurance companies out of business.  We still need to get creative with how to pay for coverage of for people who cannot afford the minimum necessary.  This is a start and I don't have all the answers, but I trust in American ingenuity to find solutions.  And when I say American ingenuity, I don't mean the government.

Rep. Paul Broun, M.D. (R-GA) has another idea.  Click here.

The Inconvenient Truth

Have you ever heard of the North Atlantic Oscillation?  It is a phenomenon that explains the winter weather we have in North America.  It also causes problems for those global warming alarmists.

Did his lips move when he said that?

Does President Obama really expect us to buy the company line on his budget proposal?  I find it impossible to believe that we can have a budget with a $1.6T deficit, and expect to not add to the debt.  But that is what he is telling us.

This quote from the press conference today spreads the lie:  "And that’s what we’ve done with this year’s budget. When I took office, I pledged to cut the deficit in half by the end of my first term. Our budget meets that pledge and puts us on a path to pay for what we spend by the middle of the decade. "  Barrack Obama

All aboard! Or maybe not.

Hi Speed Trains
President Obama is proposing spending large sums pf money to provide high speed rail access to 80% of Americans.  Here are some things to consider about this proposal.
1.  Acquiring enough land to build high speed rail lines to 80% of Americans will take hundreds of billions of dollars.  One example is a 2800 mile track from LA to NY would require 68,000 acres of land.  A ribbon of right-of-way 2800 miles long by 200 feet wide.  I estimate the need for 200 feet based on 3 tracks, one each for east and west and another backup for time when tracks are in need of repair or otherwise in use or blocked.  This assumes 200 feet is enough for trains to pass safely in opposite directions at 110 MPH.
2.  In Asia and Europe high speed trains travel at 120MPH on upgraded tracks, and 160MPH on new track.  According to the Federal Railroad Assoc. high speed in the USA means 110MPH.  Our trains will travel slower than in other parts of the world.  So much for competing in the global marketplace.
3.  One study published in the NYTimes in 2010 estimated the cost of high speed rail at $40Million per track mile.  That includes land, track, right of way, trains, and support infrastructure.
4.  The federal government currently subsidizes AmTrak to the tune of $40 per passenger ticket.  This subsidy is required becasue the quasi-government agency cannot operate at a profit.  What makes us think high speed rail won;t require the same kind of subsidies?  Even European and Asian high speed rail systems are subsidized by their governments.
5. President Truman signed the legislation that built the interstate highways all across our country.  We decided long ago that we prefer cars for travel.  We are not Europe.  We abandoned railways long ago for all but cargo.  That's not to say we cannot switch, but at what cost and how long will it take to retrain ourselves?
6.  At $40 million per track mile in this economy, can we even consider affording this venture?  If it made sense financially, some private enterprise would have already started to build it. 
7.  All throughout our history there have been great advancements in transportation including steamboats, railroads, cruise liners, tankers and jet planes.  None of these were the result of federal government investment.  Railroads crossed this country financed by private investment.
8.  High speed track design calls for no grade-level crossings.  Grade level crossings make the track unsafe for high speed trains, so crossings would need to be below grade (tunnels) or above (overpasses).  This contributes to the high per mile cost.
Announcing high speed rail as a goal to work toward is fine and dandy, but let's make sure we consider the implications of that decision before we take that giant leap.

Just started blogging

I am a 53 year old, conservative male.  I will be blogging about politics, the economy, education and various other topics I find interesting.  I will try to be informative and provocative.  I hope you enjoy my wirtings.