Tag: Opinion

So much for transparency

I guess that is another promise broken, WaPo reports:

At a meeting with the Business Roundtable on Wednesday morning, President Obama publicly warned Republicans that he would not negotiate over the debt ceiling. But after those opening remarks, reporters were ushered out of the room so Obama could talk to the gathered CEOs in private. 

“”Yeah, I  think the press is … they’ve probably got enough there to spin a story,” Obama said as the reporters were kicked out of the room. 

via Press kicked out of Obama Q & A.

I guess Cornell West was right:

Sen. Jim DeMint to resign and head Heritage Foundation

Something moderately surprising to wake up to:

South Carolina U.S. Senator Jim DeMint will replace Ed Feulner as president of the Heritage Foundation. Mr. DeMint will leave his post as South Carolina’s junior senator in early January to take control of the Washington think tank, which has an annual budget of about $80 million.

Sen. DeMint’s departure means that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a Republican, will name a successor, who will have to run in a special election in 2014. In that year, both Mr. DeMint’s replacement and Sen. Lindsey Graham will be running for reelection in South Carolina.

Mr. DeMint was reelected to a second term in 2010. The 61-year-old senator had announced earlier that he would not seek a third term.

via Sen. Jim DeMint to Head Heritage Foundation – WSJ.com.

The first person I thought about, was Amanda Carpenter. Amanda is the sweetest person in the Conservative Blogosphere; well she was, she decided to get away from blogging and work in the beltway. She is Jim DeMint’s speechwriter. Amanda took to twitter to say this:

As for DeMint his leaving the Senate is a huge loss for the Conservative wing of the Republican Party. I do not doubt his story at all. But I can see why he would want to do it. Because it is obvious that the Republicans are going to concede this tax hike nonsense, so DeMint just decided, “You know what? Screw it. I am going to work in the activist arena.”

I cannot blame him, it would be a huge pay raise for the man and plus, he can actually make a difference there. Not much he can do in the Senate, when you have squishy Republicans running the show. Either way, I wish Senator DeMint the best and I also wish Amanda Carpenter the best as well.

Huge Blogger and Media round-up here.

Pat Buchanan calls it exactly like it is

This one is very good.

Saith Patrick Buchanan on his website:

Two years ago, Obama had to eat crow and extend the Bush tax cuts. Now it’s payback time. And behind their arrogance lies a belief that the GOP cannot say no. For if the Bush tax cuts and the payroll tax cuts expire on Jan. 1, Americans will face the highest tax hike in history.

– Every family earning up to $100,000 would see 2 percent of its income lopped off, as the employee half of the Social Security tax rises from 4.2 to 6.2. percent. The discretionary income of Middle Americans would be ravaged.

– The federal tax rate on capital gains will rise from 15 percent to a maximum 24.7 percent, a jump of 60 percent.

– The federal tax rate on interest and dividends will triple from 15 percent to a maximum 44.7 percent.

– Where $5 million of an estate can now be passed on to one’s heirs non-taxed, that will be cut to $1 million. And the death tax rate would shoot from 35 percent to a neo-Marxist 55 percent.

Even Senate Democrats fear this would force a selloff or breakup of family farms and family businesses at death. Yet somewhere, the radical socialist Saul Alinsky, who inspired the young community organizer, is smiling.

[….]

What to do?

Forget the deal. Walk away from the talks with Geithner. Pass an extension of the payroll tax cut, and send it to Harry Reid. Pass the Bush tax cuts, and send them to Harry Reid and say:

“Harry, you are going to have to pass this extension of the tax cuts, or kill them, or send us a counteroffer. Do nothing, and you, not we, will take America over the cliff.”

When Sen. Edmund Ross rose to cast the decisive vote in the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, he said, “I looked down into my own political grave.”

Reviled by the radicals of his era, Ross yet made it into JFK’s “Profiles in Courage.” We are at such a moment.

Indeed we are, and the Democrats are going to own this one, big time. Ignorant overreach has consequences and the Democrats are going to reap the whirlwind come 2014 and so will the establishment Republicans as well.

 

Horse-hockey!

More stupid from the left:

When Congress picks a fight with the President, no matter who the President or who leads the Congress, the President usually wins in the public eye.

Prediction: if the President plays chicken on this tax and spending issue and doesn’t flinch, he wins one way or the other politically.

via Congress & President Playing Chicken | The Moderate Voice.

Bullcrap. The President, nor the Republicans are going to look good in the eyes of the people; whose taxes are going to go through the roof!

Morons, I swear.

Let them own it

Them being the Democrats. This is some grade A, class 1, horse-hockey right here:

President Obama’s lead negotiator in the “fiscal cliff” talks said the administration is “absolutely” willing to allow the package of deep automatic spending cuts and across-the-board tax hikes to take effect Jan. 1, unless Republicans drop their opposition to higher income tax rates on the wealthy.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in an interview with CNBC that both sides are “making a little bit of progress” toward a deal to avert the “cliff” but remain stuck on Obama’s desired rate increase for the top U.S. income-earners.

“There’s no prospect for an agreement that doesn’t involve those rates going up on the top two percent of the wealthiest,” Geithner said.

Most House Republicans, including Speaker John Boehner, remain opposed to any increase in tax rates.

Obama and Boehner spoke by phone this afternoon, their first conversation in exactly one week, an administration official said. Their relations have grown frosty in recent days as both sides have dug in on the issue of higher rates.

via White House ‘Absolutely’ Willing To Go Off The Fiscal Cliff – ABC News.

The truth is, the Democratic Party leadership does not honestly care, if the United States of America goes back into a full-blown recession.

As much as I despise this god-forsaken woman, I am going to link to something she wrote at Crooks and Liars, about what is going to happen to the working class AKA middle class, if we head over the cliff:

but I think it’s worth listing what happens on January 1st if Democrats do absolutely nothing:

  • The top tax rate for individuals goes up by about 4 percentage points.
  • Capital gains rates increase to 20 percent.
  • Dividends are taxed as ordinary income, rather than at the Bush-era 15 percent capital gain rate.
  • Estate tax rates return to 2001 levels, and the taxable cap returns to $2 million instead of $10 million.
  • Payroll tax holiday expires

Some of these consequences aren’t great for the middle class, which is why House Democrats are pushing so hard to force a vote on the Senate bill extending those tax cuts while allowing the upper-income tax cuts to expire.

So, for you that actually have a job and are not sitting around on your butt, like me, wishing you had a job; guess what? Your taxes will be going up. Which means, you will get less of a refund after you file, especially if you are in the $20-120 a year bracket.

This is your modern-day Democratic Party. They would rather America go into a full-blown recession, than do something that would actually keep America out of a recession —- all for politics, all to keep their ideological purity. This is why I despise that god-forsaken party, with every last fiber of my being. Democrats of this day and age are not patriotic Americans. They are anti-American, Anti-Capitalist, profit hating, bastards who have really no place in this Country! They would rather stick it to the people who actually make jobs in this Country and those who work for them and actually give to society, than they would help them.

Joseph McCarthy warned us about these bastard fiends and for it, he sacrificed his career and life for it. The Republicans at the time, dismissed him as a drunkard, and as a paranoid old coot. We are seeing the fulfillment of his prophecies, now, in front of our eyes. It goes without saying that these are frightening times in America.

Be ready, that is all that I truly say about this; be very ready.

This pretty much sums it up

I know I said that I would not be linking to this guy anymore. I have reversed this decision. If Israel wants to be stupid, then they should expect derision from people like this man here.

Anyhow, this pretty much sums up my opinion of the Republican establishment:

The Republicans in the House are largely more conservative than at any time since Wilson left office. One would expect them to understand the intent of the voters who sent them there and thus say no to more taxes, no to more spending and no to more borrowing. Instead, we have Republican leadership in the House that actually proposed raising more revenue by eliminating deductions on income taxes. They somehow claim that they are being faithful to their stated mission of fiscal conservatism by making you pay more money but at the present tax rates. They, too, have failed economics 101.

Any significant movement of wealth from taxpayers to tax consumers will not enhance prosperity; it will crush it, and it will breed dependence on a government that is fiscally out of control. The recipients will no doubt vote to re-elect those who gave them these payments.

via NAPOLITANO: GOP for Big Government – Washington Times.

Amen and Amen. Big Government sucks and taxing the job creators is beyond stupid. If the GOP plays surrender monkey on this; you can kiss that party goodbye. Because the grassroots will not vote for a party that says one thing and does another.

I will also say this: If the Republican Party thinks for one lousy second that the Tea Party is dead and that the movement has ended, they will be in for a huge shock come 2014. I believe that there well a huge ground swell of voter discontent come 2014, especially after when taxes go up on small businesses.

So, if the GOP wants to cave on this; feel free — but the clock is ticking and you have basically blown through your political capital, Mr. Boehner. If you believe that punishing true Conservatives is going to do you any good. Think again. Oh, it will help you on the short-term, so that you can play nice with the President. But, in the long-term, you are toast. You will be out of job, because I tend to believe that the Republican grassroots and the Conservative grassroots —- you know, those who actually vote for you? — are not going to stand for this at all.

 

Sorry Israel, this is just not real smart

I support Israel, but this move is just not very smart.

Via CBNNews.com:

MAALE ADUMIM, Israel — Britain and France threatened to recall their ambassadors after Israel announced plans to build on land Palestinian Arabs claim as part of a future Palestinian state.

Israel said it would build more than 3,000 new apartments in areas known biblically as Judea and Samaria.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement to protest the U.N. vote last week that granted non-member observer state status to the Palestinian Authority on these very lands.

Israel said the vote abrogated agreements the P.A. and Israel made to each other years ago in the Oslo Accords.

Netanyahu also said the P.A. “…was waging a struggle against the very existence of the State of Israel.”

Some in Washington, D.C., wanted to cut funding to both the P.A. and the U.N., but the British and French governments objected to Israel’s decision to build.

“We don’t tell the British of the French where to build in Paris or London and we do not expect anybody to tell us what to do,” Israeli Minister of Infrastructure Uzi Landau said.

Another part of the controversy concerns plans to expand Maale Adumim, a Jewish community just outside Jerusalem with a population of more than 40,000.

Palestinians say geographically the expansion would create a land barrier breaking the continuity of their future state. For Israel, it would link this Jewish Israeli suburb to Jerusalem.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and many nations call the land “occupied” territory.

But Israel said the land is not “occupied” but “disputed” and that the nation has both a natural right and territorial claims on it.

Herein lies the problem with this whole of Israel building on this land. Israel is making a Biblical argument for this land, which is pretty ironic, considering that most Jews deny that the Bible is really even true and that Jesus Christ actually existed — or at the very least that He was, in fact, the Messiah. Which is why they were the ones who had him crucified.

Making Biblical arguments like this is great in the context of a Church service or something of that Nature. But, when dealing with secular issues, like land allocation. the Israels come off sounding like Religious nut balls. This is another reason Hamas and Hezbollah are always firing rockets into Israel; because of acts provocation like this one here.

Please, do not misunderstand me here. Firing rockets into Israel is just morally wrong. However, acts of provocation of this nature are just as morally wrong. The land of this territory is disputed, and pushing this sort of idiocy, is just going to provoke more attacks from Palestine and the Gaza strip. This might make Likud Party look good to the Jews that vote for them. But to the outside world, it makes Israel look very bad in the eyes of the International Community —- and yes, that does matter; when you are wanting to respected and recognized by the international community. Israel needs to work on stabilizing peace and its own borders and not in committing acts of provocation.

One thing I will say; outside of rhetorical flourishes, the United States is staying out of this conflict. Which, at this point, is a pretty good idea. Let these people settle their own differences. Because the last time America became involved in the Arab/Jewish struggle, we paid for it dearly. We cannot afford to allow that to happen again.

Pray for peace, and above all; Pray for wisdom for the leaders of the Nation of Israel.

Following up on my shame

In a previous missive, I wrote the following:

For years, since leaving the Democratic Party as a voter and supporter, I have tried my very best to maintain an image of optimism, that somehow America is the still the greatest Nation on planet Earth and that somehow, no matter what the progressive Democrats did, that somehow this Nation would still be able to overcome. I now realize that this was nothing more than foolish folly on my part.

After going back and rereading that, and seeing the reactions of some of my readers and looking at the darkness on my blog. I realized two things; one, I allowed myself to fall into the trap of cynicism and defeatism. Two, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me. I apologize to my readers for allowing that to happen.

My friends, I still love this Country and I still believe that the idea of a free Republic is still a very good idea and one that has served this Country well since its founding. However, let me be very clear; I am extremely disappointed in the Republican and Democratic Parties in their handling of this fiscal cliff. Both of these parties are using this cliff for political gain and we the American people are going to suffer bitterly for it.

The best idea that the Republicans have at this moment is, just walk away and let the Democrats have their mess. The Democrats best idea is to allow the fiscal cliff to happen, so that they can blame the Republicans. My friends, this is not in the best interest of America and its people; this is nothing more than political posturing and it is doing nothing for anyone, but the political players themselves.

What is the solution? My friends, at this point, outside of prayer for our Nation; there is no real quick solution. We are a civilized society here in America and we settle our differences, not with guns, violence and mayhem; that is idiotic anarchy —- we settle them at the ballot box. The Democrats may have won this round, but 2014 is coming and it will be when the America people will be able to vote those out, who acted in their self-interests and not in the interests of the American people.

In conclusion: I have brought back the earlier blog theme. Although, I believe I will forgo the American Nationalist look and keep it more basic this time. I will continue to write for love of Country, God and American values. I will try to keep my emotions in check and not allow myself to be drawn into the darkness that is cynicism and fatalism.

Again, I thank of you who e-mailed me and expressed your genuine concerns that I might have fallen into depression and given up. I will never give up on freedom, it is something that will drive me for the rest of my days; if only to undue some of the idiocy and misdeeds of my youth.

Freedom’s best days are ahead and I am here for the duration.

Detroit: Swirling the drain

Hey, um, America? Want to see what you will look like in four years? Look here:

Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Detroit’s bond rating today deeper into junk status, citing uncertainty after the repeal of Michigan’s emergency manager law and a rising risk of municipal bankruptcy or default in the next 12-24 months.

Moody’s said Detroit’s inability to enact reforms meant to stabilize its finances was complicated by uncertainty after state voters repealed Michigan’s emergency manager law, Public Act 4, on Nov. 6, weakening state oversight of the city’s finances.

The ratings firm noted Detroit’s “precariously narrow cash position,” with Mayor Dave Bing’s administration warning that it will have to put potentially thousands of city employees on furlough Jan. 1 to avoid running $5 million short on cash to meet payroll.

The city’s program management director, William (Kriss) Andrews, has said Detroit is not at risk of missing debt payments, and he believes the city will be able to manage the cash crisis with furloughs and other cuts yet unidentified.

via Detroit’s bond status downgraded even more by Moody’s | City of Detroit | Detroit Free Press | freep.com.

Sad thing, but this is what happens, when progressives run a city into the ground.

(Via Dateline Detroit)

Nobody would have voted for him anyhow

I found this mildly amusing:

Were I to run for the Senate, it would be a terribly nasty campaign. It’d actually be really awesome, but it’d be really nasty. I have a seven year old, a soon to be four year old, and a wife who does not like being anywhere near a stage. I’m not putting my family through that when the best outcome would mean a sizable pay cut and being away from my kids and wife all the time huddled in a pit of vipers often surrounded by too many who viewed me as a useful instrument to their own advancement.

I appreciate all the support. I really do. In the past week I’ve learned who real friends are and are not. It has been eye opening. I had been all along very, very dismissive of running. But given the efforts of several and the financial pledges of support, I figured I should actually take the time to seriously and prayerfully consider it out of respect for those who asked and offered to help.

via Self-Awareness Matters | RedState.

That is slander blogger Erick Erickson cutting and running from a Senate bid. The real translation of the above is this:

Because I am a complete schmuck, and a bit of an self-absorbed a-hole, nobody would vote for me anyhow. So, I am not going to waste my time and anyone else’s money. (Because I really do not have any of my own, which is why Eagle Publishing owns this site.) So, I will just continue being this overrated schmuck and partisan hack.

End of translation.