This is NOT Democracy

A major story today. Our President is literally out there altering the landscape of this country, bypassing the legislative process, and making executive orders that affect you and me and this great nation. 

Today, our President and Secretary Janet Napolitano announced a "temporary stop-gap measure...and degree of relief" to over 800,000 illegals. The Department of Homeland Security is no longer allowed to deport young illegals. Instead, these people will be granted work authorizations, which can be renewed indefinitely. Call it what you will, but this is our President giving a free pass to illegals in exchange for their vote.

The President says it's the "right thing to do." Says who? That's not what I learned in school about how the legislative process works. If it's the right thing to do, the legislature will debate the issue, vote and THEN the President can sign his name in approval. 

No one likes political gridlock. It's frustrating when agreement cannot be achieved. But at the same time, political gridlock is a product of a divided country. And our President, rather than help our legislature unite under compromise, refuses to accept the gridlock and believes it gives him some sort of "right" to act alone. It is his excuse to step in and help a group of illegals. I wish he would step in and help our struggling economy and sky-rocketing debt. I wish he would step in to help ME and the regular, every day citizens of this country who sit in fear at the current state of this great nation. 

See the video of President's Speech here and make your own call: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/06/15/obama-administration-to-offer-immunity-to-younger-immigrants/  - SIDENOTE: I am disgusted at the way Obama belittles and talks to the reporter that is trying to ask him a question (see video). Yes, the reporter interrupts him, but there is a better way to handle it. I wish he would show some class, but every time I see this rudeness it's more evidence to me that behind his charm and smile, Obama's probably not a very nice guy. This is NOT how a leader operates.

Double Dip??

"The problem with these downgrades is that they have a tendency to quickly spiral out of control."

 - John Lott, Fox News

Yes, I know...I haven't blogged in a while. In the past eight months I had a baby, my husband left his job, he took a few months off, and recently started a new one. Life has been crazy; however, I am planning on slowly working my way back into my conservative blog. And with my older kiddos out with their aunt and uncle tonight, I wanted to post something about the recent S&P downgrade of American debt. 

This article speaks to the serious nature of this recent development. It's a quick read and will give you some thought as to what may lie ahead for this country. It's serious. And in the words of Mr. Lott: "S&P's decision to downgrade the U.S. bond rating isn't a real disaster yet, but it is a wake up call. And it's one that should force Washington's politicians to re-examine the debt ceiling deal that they just made."

I was really disappointed with the recent debt ceiling deal. It's not enough. Nobody will touch entitlement programs and that's the meat and potatoes of our country's problems. I want someone with guts to get in there and get it done. Which speaks to my thoughts about the 2012 election. I'm not sure which Republican can take this on....that has yet to be seen, but I'm waiting to be impressed. 

Our President continues to show his hand of inexperience. Words and speeches will not solve our economic and debt problems. Jobs are the core. Businesses need to have a better outlook to hire. They need certainty in the marketplace. Until there are jobs, we will continue on this path. 

Read the full article here. Obama promised change, but it's not the kind of change that has brought America back to prosperity. Things could get ugly unless REAL positive change happens NOW.

Source: Fox News Opinion, 08/05/2011

Drill Baby, Drill

"How often do we hear that oil is a source of incredible value to human life, past, present and future? How often do we hear about the forward-looking ingenuity of the oil industry...? [or] the great benefits of international trade in energy? Almost never. It's time to start talking about these positives and talk about liberating, not restricting oil production. Otherwise, in the name of being 'clean' and 'green' we will adopt policies that will sentence ourselves and our children to energy poverty."

 - Alex Epstein, FOX Opinion, 12.29.10

A friend of mine linked to THIS article today. It destroys all the evil myths you've heard about oil. It's GREAT.  I love it. And it comes perfectly timed with THIS article from Heritage about gas prices under the Bush and Obama administrations. You've noticed they're going up, right??  Well, they will continue upwards thanks to the government handcuffing the oil industry. The sad part is our president WANTS gas prices to rise. It's his way of coercing the public to think more like him: oil is evil, we can't afford it, we are gluttonous users of it, and we must restrict our drilling and pay the cost of our sins.

We have oil, people. LOTS of oil. We have SMART oil engineers. Our country could be mostly independent of foreign oil (if that's what you want), if we could drill. The government regulations tie the hands of our energy industry forcing them into "green" energy that is NOT an equal substitute for oil and costs this country more money than you can fathom.  

And, here is Heritage:

From Heritage: "Fact: President Barack Obama's Energy Secretary Steven Chu wants to 'figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.' At the time he made the statement, gas cost $7-$8 in Europe."

It will not going away. The regulations, the drill banning, those stupid light bulbs, rising energy costs, rising gas prices, ALL OF IT...is a way for the government to control the way we live our lives. If allowed to continue on this course to destroy oil, they will cripple our freedom in the name of energy. Rising gas prices are just the tip of the iceberg, my friends.

Sources:

Fox Opinion, The 6 Myths About Oil, 10/29/10

The Heritage Foundation, Gas Prices Under President Obama, 1/7/11

Distinction...from Chris Matthews???

It just goes to show the rest of the media might be getting better at translating Obama speak. 

From the mouth of Chris Matthews:

"He (Obama) should stop saying that giving people tax cuts is giving people money.  It's their money! A tax cut is when the government doesn't take our money.  It's an important distinction."

Taking Credit...NOW!?

"If we're serious about taking action to help our economy get back to creating jobs, Democrats and Republicans must come together and pass legislation this month that makes significant cuts in spending and stops President Obama's tax hike on small businesses."

House Minority Leader - John Boehner

Don't you just love how the media now calls the issue of extending the Bush-era tax cuts as "Obama's Middle Class Tax Cuts"?

I find it quite interesting that he's taking credit NOW...as if he's enacting some sort of tax break for the middle class, which, of course, is not the case.  He's merely extending tax cuts that allowed prosperity under the Bush administration.  

And...if you didn't know...these tax cuts HAVE BEEN IN PLACE for everyone, even the wealthiest of Americans. 

A correct restatement of Obama's strategy is more like: Raise taxes on the rich and small business owners, but maintain the tax structure for everyone else.  

And, yes I've included small businesses in that category, because what you may not realize is most of the "wealthiest" Americans are owners of small businesses, and their small business income is reported on their personal tax return. This tax hike will kill small businesses and contract the economy further. Small businesses will have to either layoff employees to compensate for the tax hike or pull back on any type of expansion. 

Don't get fooled on this one. Obama continues to blame the rich for some type of increase in the deficit. But read between the lines and understand what he's really saying.  He knows he needs more taxes to fund his deficit-type spending. He NEEDS this tax hike. He hasn't had this extra income from the wealthiest of Americans, but he needs it now. He is desperate to fund his promises and has no other solution.

I would say start cutting the budget with an ax and repeal ObamaCare, but he won't listen to me...  

P.S. I'm working my way back into blogging...it's been a crazy few months at our house, but I'm starting to get enraged, so  my conservative outlet must resume! 

Source:

Obama's Middle Class Tax Cuts, FOX News 09162010

Vacation Insights

This summer I've been taking time off from this blog...see my reasons why here.

But I'm on vacation, my kiddos are in bed early, it's quiet, and I just canNOT let some of these things go...

FIRST:  Yesterday marked the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.  A worthy organization that teaches moral values, duty to God and country, and builds character. I grew up with young men involved in BSA; I have seen firsthand what the BSA can do. 

My angst? President Obama was unable to speak at this momentous occasion due to some "pressing" issues. Know what they were? A fundraiser in NYC and an appearance on the daytime talk show The View.  

That's right. Our President again chooses to pander to the Hollywood crowd and rub shoulders with Joy Behar (bleh) rather than motivate and encourage thousands of young men around the country.  He's a community organizer, after all...this should be right up his alley.

And, it's The View, for goodness sakes! Can he appear on a more fluffy program? Can it really be considered a serious news program? Not even close. Even Rosie O'Donnell (YES, HER!) said he shouldn't do the show...wow.

SECOND:  Details I received via email which explain EVERYTHING that frustrates me about the Obama Administration. This is from Bill Bonner at The Daily Reckoning:

Here is a "chart that showed past presidents and the percentage of each president's cabinet appointees who had previously worked in the private sector - you know, a real life business, not a government job. Remember what that is? A private business?

Roosevelt - 38%
Taft - 40%
Wilson - 52%
Harding - 29%
Coolidge - 48%
Hoover - 42%
FDR - 50%
Truman - 50%
Eisenhower - 57%
Kennedy - 30%
LBJ - 47%
Nixon - 53%
Ford - 42%
Carter - 32%
Reagan - 56%
GHWB - 51%
Clinton - 39%
GWB - 55%
Obama - 8%


"And these are the guys holding a 'job summit'; going to tell us how to run our businesses, make our decisions for us? Do you want to trust them with every aspect of your life?"

Doesn't that explain a lot?! It sure clarifies why Obama is attacking the private sector and small businesses. This president and his cabinet are so far removed from what actually CREATES wealth, jobs and prosperity and the exact reason why they have made no improvement in our economic recovery. Can you say, "Over Your Head"?


THIRD:  I've talked about the Arizona Immigration Law previously and my support for the State of Arizona acting to enforce and protect the people of that state where the federal government neglected to do so. Today, U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton blocked some of the provisions of this immigration law. From Fox News:

"The partial injunction on SB 1070 means Arizona, for the time being, will not be able to require police officers to determine the immigration status of anyone they stop or arrest....Bolton also struck down the section of the law that makes it a crime not to carry immigration registration papers and the provision that makes it a crime for an illegal immigrant to seek or perform work."

From Rush, he has summarized the 36-page ruling into a few short words: "It is no longer illegal to be illegal."


Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has promised this is not the end. She doesn't strike me as someone to lay down and take the hit. I'm anxious to see how she steps to the plate. She's serious.

Stay tuned...

Sources:
Fox News, BSA Anniversary Celebration Without Obama
Rosie O'Donnell - Obama on The View
Bill Bonner for The Daily Reckoning 07.25.2010
Rush on Arizona Immigration 07.28.2010
Fox News, Judge Blocks Portions of AZ Immigration Law 07.28.2010

Not so shocking...

It shouldn't shock you, unless you haven't been paying attention...

On June 18, 2010, Arizona Republican Senator Jon Kyl told the audience at a North Tempe Tea Party town hall meeting that during a private, one-on-one meeting with President Obama in the Oval Office, the President told him, regarding securing the southern border with Mexico, “The problem is, . . . if we secure the border, then you all won’t have any reason to support ‘comprehensive immigration reform.’” [Audible gasps were heard throughout the audience.] Sen. Kyl continued, “In other words, they’re holding it hostage. They don’t want to secure the border unless and until it is combined with ‘comprehensive immigration reform.’”

Like I said, infuriating, but not surprising.

Source: RedState.com

OBAMA: "I AM THE LAW"

"These are not the acts of a teacher on Constitutional law. These are the acts of a big city boss or a third world dictator. If you want to know why business has pulled in its horns and hunkered down, and why people at tea parties and elsewhere are scared, look no further than Barack 'I Am The Law' Obama."

 - Ben Stein, The American Spectator, 6.16.10

When I was a teenager I babysat often for my family's closest friends. One summer while home from college I watched the four kids for a weekend.  The youngest (about 5 at the time) and I had a real go for those few days. One night I had made dinner and served it to the kiddos. The youngest, "T",  said, "I don't want that." And I said, "Okay. I'm sorry this isn't your favorite, but this is what's for dinner." Dramatically, T said he wanted a popsicle instead and his mom let him have popsicles for dinner. I replied, "Popsicles are dessert. They are not for dinner." Young T was quite upset...tantrum ensued and he screamed at me, "YOU ARE NOT THE LAW....MY MOM'S THE LAW!!!"  

My mom and I still giggle at this incident. "T" had it right. As a mother now myself I know that I'm the law and what I say goes. That's what I get for my sleepless nights, constant management of whining, organizing play dates/activities, and cooking, serving, cleaning three meals each day plus snacks.  I at least get to lay down the law in my own house.

Now...it appears our President has the same kind of "mom" mentality.  But he has it wrong in a number of areas...one being that he works for us and reports to us.  He doesn't get to say it's the law just because he's the President. But Obama doesn't care.

A GREAT piece by Ben Stein yesterday in The American Spectator.  Read the WHOLE article here.  

Yes, BP should probably pony up and pay out for this horrible disaster, but not because the President mandates they do so. Stein says, "But the action of the President in demanding this immense transfer of stockholders' wealth without any legislation or court decision is extremely worrisome."   

Stein continues: "We live in a Constitutional Republic.  The President's job under the Constitution is to enforce the laws made by the elected Congress. His job is not to create new laws and enforce them all by himself.  His job is as magistrate under the Constitution, not as Caudillo.  He is not the law.  He is supposed to enforce what Congress decides."  

And I'm still trying to figure out why we don't focus on stopping the gushing.  That seems like Priority #1 to me.  

Gotta run...I need to make sure my kids remember I Am the Law... that is, until the President steps in and tells me how to run my household...you know it's coming...

Source:

Ben Stein - The American Spectator 06.16.2010

My Thoughts Exactly

"Just because he won't face it -- or even answer questions about it -- doesn't mean the rest of us must ignore it...America is in trouble, and Obama can't be counted on to save her."

 - Michael Goodwin

I like being an American. But it appears it's becoming taboo to say such a thing. I honestly feel a little trembling in my knees when I start to think of the implications of that. 

President Obama refuses to take note of the climate in this country. Rather, he doubles down with his head in the sand and continues forward. The rest of us are shrugging our shoulders going, "What just happened!?" It seems Twilight Zone-ish. I just can't really fathom what's happening, and I'm left wondering why we don't have a mutiny on our hands...yet. I think it's coming this Fall...but that's another post...

Michael Goodwin, in his Op Ed about Obama's "accomplishments" said it better than I can:

[Obama] speaks softly to foreign adversaries and uses the big stick on American dissenters...

Iran and Syria are wooed endlessly with carrots, apologies and promises of grand bargains. They respond with taunts and threats and pay no penalty...

The Mexican president comes to Washington and berates American citizens for expressing their views through the democratic process, and Obama shamefully nods in agreement... 

A State Department aide apologizes to China -- to China! -- about our treatment of illegal immigrants...

Meanwhile, American "fat-cat bankers" and "greedy" doctors and sundry opponents are demonized as enemies of the state. They respond by sullenly surrendering the health-care and financial industries to Big Government...

Obama has made two fundamental decisions, and both are making us weaker. He is putting America on bended knee around the world, and he is centralizing in the political class more and more power over the domestic economy.

If you think someone else is going to stand up and demand accountability and real change, you're wrong. It's got to be you and me, or it's going to be nobody. 

Source: Fox News Opinion Article, Heckuva Job, Barack, Michael Goodwin, 05.24.2010

There's No Place Like America

"If America is so racist...why do they all want to come here?  Would somebody 'splain that to me?  And then once they get here, if we are so damned racist against Hispanics, if we're so discriminatory against Hispanics, if we are so terrible on human rights issues...then why do they stay?  Why do they fight so hard against being sent back home?"  - El Rushbo Rush is referencing the results of an AP poll released Friday stating Hispanics are the most discriminated group of people in this country (winning out over blacks and women).  You gotta love the media, right?! They continue to make this about race. When is someone going to get a clue? The race card is the President's only option. The only way he can coerce the American population to shirk from any type of anti-illegal-immigration reform is to make them think they are horrible, racist people.  There's no other way. Source: Mr. Rush Limbaugh, from 05/22/2010

Arizona Guts

"Since the president's joke was so inappropriate [she's referring to a joke about the AZ immigration law], I suppose if he wanted to join the comedian game, I could suggest that he not give up his day job. Unfortunately, though, he isn't doing very well at that one, either."

Governor of Arizona, Jan Brewer

Do you remember when Bush was president? That guy could not catch a break. He was constantly criticized, ridiculed and blasted by the media. Now, I do believe the president of this great nation should know full-well what level of criticism he/she will be subject to upon making a run for the presidency, but what I'm baffled about is why no one has the guts to be critical of President Obama. And not just fluffy criticism about his social blunders...I mean, serious questioning about his policy and his agenda.

Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona is apparently one of the few. As Rush said, this Governor has GUTS:

"While the president is making wisecracks and playing racial politics, some groups have suggested that Arizona be punished for enforcing laws that our federal government has failed to enforce. That is misguided at best. Our purpose today is to help the rest of the nation understand the crisis which confronts our state. Our nation's government is broken. Our border is being erased, and the president apparently considers it a wonderful opportunity to divide people along racial lines for his personal political convenience."

Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, you can't deny that Obama has divided this country more than any of his predecessors. From where I sit, there appears more hatred, more divide and more focus on racial differences, rather than a focus on our commonality as American citizens. 

On a different note....

I'm back and working into this blogging thing again...vacation was heavenly. I avoided politics for almost ALL of the 10 days I was gone. If there's anything you want to share...help a girl out and send it to me and I will post!  Happy Wednesday All!

Source: http://www.necn.com/pages/landing_business?Gov-Brewer-Obama-Comic-in-Chief=1&blockID=235463&feedID=

Don't Let Political Correctness Get in the Way

"The regime [Obama Administration] versus the state of Arizona; the regime taking the side of the lawless; the regime taking the side of drug coyotes; the regime taking the side of smugglers."

 - Rush Limbaugh, 04.27.2010

I just love some of the quotes from Rush today:

"San Francisco says that they are going to boycott Arizona, and I'm sure the people of Arizona are happy as hell about that."

"Now, notice how the Democrats, the regime, the media, the left are calling Arizona's new immigration bill an outrageous usurpation of power.  Meanwhile, that same regime is moving to take away our salt, our lightbulbs, reaching down into every nook and cranny of our lives, and they don't bat an eye." 

"What is so hard to understand that the problem here with illegal immigration is ILLEGAL and do they not know that 'illegal' means 'against the law'? Do they not know there's already a law? You can't be illegal unless there's a law proscribing the activity." 

"But all of you people who want to boycott Arizona, you're not going to have to boycott.  People aren't going to go there if it isn't safe -- it's just that simple -- and that's the primary job of the US government: The protection and safety of the citizens, and they have failed, big time."

Quoting Leo Banks, "The farther you get from the line, the more people want to make this problem about race. It's the ground the left wants to fight on because it's so effective. Political correctness shuts people up and keeps the border open."  

Do any of my Arizona readers wish to comment?

Do I have any Arizona readers?

Hello? (tap, tap)  Is this thing on?

Aunt A.? You there?  (I think you're my only AZ reader)

Well, if anyone knows anyone...like the best friend of your uncle's brother-in-law, ask 'em what they think. Email me. I'll post it. I'm curious for a first-hand account if anyone wants to share.

Source:
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_042710/content/01125108.guest.html

Arizona Taking a Stand

"The law represents another tool for our state to use as we work to solve a crisis we did not create and the federal government has refused to fix."

 - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer

Arizona is under fire today.  I know it's super hot there already, but this new bill signed on Friday has sparked some serious fires. Members of the state's congress are dodging the flames, even those coming from our President. Did you know U.S. President's rarely weigh in on state legislation?  I wonder why Obama feels the need to bully Arizona...

In a nutshell, the new legislation makes it a state crime to be in the U.S. illegally and would give police officers power to question individuals and require proof of their legal status.

My first thought? THIS IS REASONABLE. Doesn't it make sense when you are in a foreign country that you might have to prove you are there legally in order to stay? It has nothing to do with race, it's just a simple verification process. Being here illegally is just that: ILLEGAL. So kudos to AZ for working to enforce the law. What's the use of a law if it's not enforced?

Obama came out and said, the "recent efforts in Arizona...threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans."

What I'm trying to figure out is why this undermines fairness when this bill has had overwhelming support by Arizona voters. "70% of Arizona voters support this law, and that number includes 51% of Arizona Democrats."

One writer stated, "After 30 years of lawlessness and criminal chaos, Arizona citizens stood up and voted: no more violence, crime, rapes, drunk driving killings, overrun schools, anchor babies, overwhelmed hospitals and bursting prisons."

Heritage sums it up perfectly:

"In terms of resources and...political will, it has become abundantly clear that the federal government refuses to make the right decisions in terms of enforcing the law and making the critical reforms necessary to drive down illegal immigration. Sadly, efforts in Congress have been more about gaining political votes through an unnecessary amnesty than on honest and effective reforms.

"Americans shouldn't have to wait on Congress to start enforcing the laws on the books. Governor Brewer should be applauded for preserving the rule of law and taking power out of Washington to direct the debate on immigration reform."

Sources:
Heritage Foundation: New Arizona Immigration Law Makes Sense
Before It's News: Letter from Arizona Resident That Begs The Question
NY Times - Arizona Enacts Stringent Law on Immigration

Transparency...Bah!

"This is the most transparent administration in the history of our country,"  

 - Robert Gibbs, White House Press Secretary

Gibbs is killing me.  He can't honestly believe what he's spewing out, can he?! 

Has Gibbs even been awake during the past 15 months?!

The press was upset about a recent incident where the President left the White House without his press motorcade. Yesterday's press conference was "arranged in order to air grievances about breaking from protocol."

The press corps wasn't pleased, and the meeting with Gibbs was arranged in order to air grievances about breaking from protocol. Gibbs went on to convey he "was proud of the administration's willingness to share details with the public."

First, I don't believe Gibbs can truly back his claim about sharing details with the public. And second, how can you claim there is sharing going on when everyone on the Hill completely disregards public opinion? Especially to the degree this administration has actually ruled against the people. 

Source:

http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/04/19/gibbs-proud-of-white-house-transparency/
Press Conference 04.19.2010

You Squeeze Wall Street...You Squeeze Me

"Banks and other financial services companies generate one quarter of all taxes collected here [NYC], so anything that hurts their revenue really puts the squeeze on the City's economy."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg of NYC is gettin' mad.  I don't blame him one bit. His city needs the financial services industry to be profitable and keep the city afloat. But Obama has a vendetta against Wall Street and he won't let it go. The legislation is already in the works to cripple Wall Street with more red tape and regulation...which means more costs, less revenue.

This is bad for NYC, but here's the problem for you and me:

We are ALL in Wall Street.  

Do you have a 401k? Stocks? Bonds? What about an IRA? Pension?

Most people are trying to responsibly save now to achieve financial security following retirement. But in order to do so we need the help of a successful Wall Street. We need earnings, profits, and healthy businesses nationwide to push our investment along and allow our own personal wealth to grow.

Before my stay-at-home mom days, I did have a career way-back-when and paid into the Social Security system making me eligible for SS benefits. But considering my age/distance from eligibility and Social Security's inability to meet even current payouts, I'm not counting on it. My chances at SS checks dwindle with each year. But...Obama wants me to count on it. He wants me to NEED it. He wants a middle class dependent on the government. And by crippling Wall Street, Obama will have his way. 

Source:

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/obama.wall.street.2.1633143.html
Rush

A History Lesson: Reagan

"Deterrence means simply this: making sure any adversary who thinks about attacking the United States or our allies or our vital interests concludes that the risks to him outweigh any potential gains. Once he understands that, he won't attack. We maintain the peace through our strength. Weakness only invites aggression."

 - President Ronald Reagan

I was a baby when Reagan became President.  It's obvious I don't have a lot of first-hand knowledge about his presidency, so when the current administration and the media compare Obama to Reagan regarding Obama's nuclear arms strategy, my interest was piqued. I had to do some digging to see if that was really true. 

Fact: NOT TRUE.

Another fact: The liberals hated Reagan. They didn't like him one bit. But now they use him to provide validity to Obama's agenda. El Rushbo says, "...the left invokes Reagan any time they want to give credibility to one of their own in virtually anything." 

Obama is doing the complete opposite of Reagan. Obama is so focused on leading the world through moral judgement, but forgets terrorists aren't moral! They could care less about morality. They just want to blow us up.

Obama is coddling our enemies, telling them how nice we are and trying to sit down and make peace with them. He protects their rights (i.e, Miranda rights for the Christmas terrorist?!). And now he's cutting missile defense spending and reducing our stockpiles, which directly weakens our defenses. We may be able to live in a country where our health care goes to the dogs, but what about our liberty and safety? We cannot survive as a nation without strong defenses and leading the world as a national security powerhouse. We must always remain a force to be reckoned with, otherwise we will be trampled. 

Source:
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_041310/content/01125110.guest.html

Citizens Not Subjects

"I didn't stand with the banks and the financial industries in this fight.  Neither did any of the members of Congress who are here today. We stood with you."

 - President Obama (speaking about student loan takeover)

Obama signed the health care amendment yesterday...which is where today's quote is from. It's ironic to me how this administration continues to demonize businesses. A recovering economy needs healthy, profitable businesses, no? And how can he stand "with us" if his disapproval rating is at 50%. Again with the fuzzy math.

But back to my original thought...

Included in the health care amendment was a complete takeover of the federal student loan program, eliminating banks and other federal institutions from the equation.

This is just one more takeover to chalk up to Obama's "transformation" plan. Slowly but surely this president is creating a welfare state with middle class families becoming dependent on the government. In the words of Marcee Tidwell (Jerry Maguire), "I'm freaking out here, Jerry!"

First - Government bailout and takeover of the car industry. President Obama and his car czar now have a say in how GM/Chrysler run their business. You think they will continue to allow GM to produce gas-guzzlers??   Think again.  

Interesting fact...our Tahoe (made by GM) which we purchased 18 months ago is now worth MORE than we paid due to simple supply and demand economics. I wonder why GM is not producing more of these vehicles?  I love my Tahoe and the sound of my meaty engine. It makes me happy. Obama, however, believes I'm melting an iceberg each time I put the pedal to the metal. 

Second - Federalizing health care, which will eventually become nationalized health care if Obama has his way. This essentially determines how the citizens of this nation will live their lives.

And, Third, this government takeover of student loans. Any institution utilizing these loans will become subject to the government. President Obama will have ideological enforcement at colleges and universities across the nation. Thinking your college children will be receiving a liberal education is an understatement...think more extreme...

What's next on the takeover list?  I hate to even entertain ideas...

Chris Baker, in for Glenn Beck this morning, mentioned two things I love:

(1) Americans were not meant to live their lives on a leash.
(2) I want to be a citizen rather than a subject.

Obama's takeover ignores both ideals.

Source:

Obama Signing Amendment - Washingon Post
Glenn Beck Radio

Noteworthy Palin - Reagan Comparison

Check out these snippets from a WSJ Op-ed by Norman Podhoretz:

"Nothing annoys certain of my fellow conservative intellectuals more than when I remind them, as on occasion I mischievously do, that the derogatory things they say about Sarah Palin are uncannily similar to what many of their forebears once said about Ronald Reagan."

What I am trying to say is not that Sarah Palin would necessarily make a great president but that the criteria by which she is being judged by her conservative critics—never mind the deranged hatred she inspires on the left—tell us next to nothing about the kind of president she would make.

What she does know—and in this respect, she does resemble Reagan—is that the United States has been a force for good in the world, which is more than Barack Obama, whose IQ is no doubt higher than hers, has yet to learn.

I think that this is what, conversely, also accounts for the tremendous enthusiasm she has aroused among ordinary conservatives. They rightly see her as one of them, only better able and better positioned to stand up against the contempt and condescension of the liberal elites that were so perfectly exemplified by Mr. Obama's notorious remark in 2008 about people like them: "And it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."

I would rather be ruled by the Tea Party than by the Democratic Party, and I would rather have Sarah Palin sitting in the Oval Office than Barack Obama.

The entire article is worth reading.  Check it here.

Understanding Unemployment

"To increase job creation, Congress must treat the disease, not manage the symptoms.  Government hiring will not spur private investment -- it will crowd it out.  Congress should instead promote private-sector investment and entrepreneurship -- which promote wealth creation."

 - James Sherk, The Heritage Foundation

Do you remember the State of the Union address?  Do you remember Obama promising to focus his priorities on job creation? Well, here we are two months later and it seems "jobs" is just a four-letter word he's required to say every once in a while, but in actuality, has taken very little focus at all.

The Heritage Foundation has a great article today discussing the basic causes of our high unemployment. Go with me here...this is important. Heritage is comparing data from the downturn in 2001 to our current recession and the results are very interesting. 

Before you read below, remember unemployment is a result of two different things:

(1) Layoffs (businesses letting people go...this is mostly what the media focuses on)

(2) Decreased hiring (businesses not adding to their payroll)

Here are quotes directly from Heritage:

Job losses were worse [in 2001 recession] than now. Net employment has fallen more during the current recession because employers have created 7.3 million fewer new jobs than during the 2001 recession.

Decreased hiring is the most important factor driving unemployment up.

Lay offs have now returned to their pre-recessionary levels. Hiring has not.

The main reason why unemployment rises during economic downturns is that job creation falls while the labor force continues to grow, making new jobs harder to find. Those without work remain unemployed longer, driving up the unemployment rate. 

Low hiring is primarily a symptom of America’s economic weakness, not its cause. Businesses did not suddenly decide to stop hiring. Rather, economic and political conditions changed in ways that discourage investment and entrepreneurship.

The large expansion of government is also contributing to the problem. The resources the government spends do not materialize out of thin air— they come from the economy. When the government increases spending, it crowds out the resources that business owners could have invested in their enterprises. Private investment falls sharply when government spending rises.

Many items on the congressional agenda—the gargantuan health care legislation...cap-and-trade regulations of CO2 emissions, and abolishing private ballots for union organizing—would significantly raise taxes and business costs. In addition, enormous increases in federal spending raise the prospects of yet higher taxes and rapidly rising inflation.

These combined factors have particularly affected small businesses...[who] have less room to absorb the cost of additional regulations or taxes. Unsurprisingly, then, small business hiring has dropped much more sharply than in the past. Small businesses now account for 35.8 percent of job losses in this downturn—triple the 2001 amount.

Heritage has a couple great charts within the article.  I've cut and pasted this one because it shows MORE losses in 2001, but also MORE gains compared with today, thus a shorter and less devastating downturn.  The political climate in '01 was such that the private sector was still adding jobs! 

Heritage outlines a slew of options and suggestions to promote job creation, so check it out. But just remember...the government cannot SPEND it's way out of a recession. The private sector needs to start investing, spending and hiring, otherwise 10% unemployment is going to become the norm around here.  

Source:

The Cause of Unemployment: Still Due to Dwindling Job Creation  

Hand ----> Head (deep sigh)

"I am convinced that when you go out there and you are standing tall and you are saying I believe that this is the right thing to do for my constituents and the right thing to do for America, that ultimately the truth will win out."

 - Pres. Obama (to House Democratic Caucus)

No one is listening.  Congress still doesn't get it. In his speech today the President repeated that the vote tomorrow was for the American people.

"Don't do it for me.  Don't do it for the Democratic Party.  

Do it for the American people."

But I find a clear distinction between "for" and "to".  

If it was "for" the American people, the American people would support and back the effort.  

Instead, the vote is "to" the American people. If approved, the legislation will control our health care.
This legislation will change our lives.  

Here are the most recent polling numbers in case he's been aloof to the public outcry:

REAL CLEAR POLITICS POLL

Job Approval	Approve	Disapprove	Spread
Obama	47.2%	47.8%	-0.6%
Congress	19.0%	75.8%	-56.8%
Direction of Country	Right Direction	Wrong Track	Spread
RCP Average	33.8%	60.5%	-26.7%

(Fox News 03.20.2010)

Only 19% of Americans approve of Congress at the moment.  Don't tell me the vote is "for" the American people, when the American people don't want part.   

"If the health care bill was the greatest thing since sliced bread, Democrats would be proud to support it and would be lining up to vote for it instead of lining up to be paid off to support it." 

(Bradley Blakeman)

It's obvious members of the House have been hesitant on the vote. 

Their hesitant because it's the wrong bill, wrong time.

Interesting Note:  Apparently Obama was feeling confident in the vote tomorrow and had time to focus on the NCAA tournament games this afternoon.  There is some speculation his late arrival to the meeting with the Democratic leaders of House was due to the nail-biting upset of St. Mary's over Villanova.  Mr. Robert Gibbs (bleh) was tweeting about the game at the time...read here.

Source:
Obama Transcript
Blakeman Opinion at Fox