Obama Administration Believes Americans Don’t Care About Unemployment Rate

By Caomhin

Re-election trumps all for this administration. That is essentially all that I can reasonably deduce from two administration members claiming that Americans do not care about the unemployment rate. This sentiment is astonishingly foolish and callous.

Americans most assuredly care about the unemployment rate, currently at 9.2%. You will recall that Obama’s massive “stimulus” plan which increased the deficit nearly $1 trillion dollars was enacted to keep unemployment from reaching 8%. That plan failed in a spectacular fashion and so now it aapears that the administration is spinning wildly and apparently out of control. There may be a number of issues that Americans do not care greatly about, but rest assured, unemployment is not one of them.

Obama: I Don’t Need Congress

By Caomhin

Obama just simply does not want to abide by the War Powers Act.  He has done everything he possibly can to avoid following the rule of law refusing to seek authorization from Congress for the Libyan mission.  From Jack Tapper of ABC News:

In an effort to satisfy those arguing he needs to seek congressional authorization to continue US military activity in accordance with the War Powers Resolution, President Obama wrote a letter to congressional leaders this afternoon suggesting that the role is now so “limited” he does not need to seek congressional approval.

Obama is attempting to manipulate his stated positions in a fashion that would have the left howling had Bush attempted the same strategy. Of course, Bush never did what Obama is now doing.  Essentially Obama invoked the War Powers Act in order to being the mission in Libya.  This act specifically states that the President has 60 days to receive Congressional authorization for the use of force.  Today, this window has expired and now Obama is singing a different tune.

Now, Obama is arguing that the types of military resources used as well as the kind of military units being utilized mean that he does not need Congressional authorization to bomb foreign nations.  Essentially this leads to one of two conclusions. The first would be that Obama used the War Powers Act in the hopes that Congress would simply give him the green light, but Congress saw things differently.  The second would be that Obama simply used the War Powers Act but never intended to following it by seeking Congressional authorization. 

There also exists a possibility that Obama actually feels that since NATO is essentially leading the mission (albeit with US resources) that he can authorize whatever he feels like authorizing since we are not technically leading the mission.  The idiocy of this view is mind numbing, however.  I imagine that even for the most avowed leftist believing that sending American troops into harm’s way under the leadership of an international force without Congressional approval would simply be unacceptable.  No matter the case, his statements today illustrate that the end remains the same.  Obama feels that he can do as he pleases without Congressional authorization and he will justify this in any manner that he can.  This stance is deplorable and reeks of arrogance.

Keep Bin Laden’s Demise in Perspective

By Caomhin

A week ago today the American people and the world were notified by President Obama that United States forces had killed terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.  For a short period of time Americans were united once again in the face of evil.  Political posturing, of course, became apparent as the week progressed. 

I would like to take a moment to point out a few truths regarding the elimination of the head of Al Qaeda.  First, the praise for this operation should be given to the Administrations of both George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The intelligence gathered as a result of changes implemented by President Bush led directly to the location and subsequent killing of bin Laden.  In the face of immense criticism from the left, the media, and from entities outside of the United States, President Bush had the fortitude and foresight to revamp our intelligence communities and to continue to War on Terror and our engagement in Afghanistan. 

President Obama continued many of Bush’s policies and increased efforts in one area in particular, that being drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal areas.  It is no secret that I am critical of Obama, that I strongly disagree with him in many matters.  However, I would not be honest if I were to say that Obama has done poorly as it relates his efforts in dealing with threats emerging out of Pakistan.  Obama made the right call in sending in our forces to Abbottabad and he should be given credit for green lighting the mission.

I disagreed with the tenor and the structure of Obama’s speech, specifically that continual use of first person persona.  I find it discomforting the way that certain liberal commentators and websites used this victory for political means.  That is not to say that a majority of our friends on the other side of the aisle have behaved, clearly they have not, but a small minority have done so and do so in a very loud fashion. 

One thing I do want to relate is that the death of bin Laden, while hugely symbolic, is not the end of the War on Terrorism or terrorism in particular.  I know this is widely understood but it cannot be understated.  Al Qaeda did not die the moment that bin Laden died.  Iran did not stop funding Hezbollah in that moment.  Abu Sayyaf did not cease operations.  The enemies of freedom did not stop their hatred of free society because our courageous men and women killed a monster in the service of our nation.

We must be vigilant going forward.  We must keep bin Laden’s death in perspective.  We must understand that we are all responsible for the security of our nation and that politics should take a back seat to keeping our great land free and safe.  Without a strong military and intelligence services we put every single person in our nation at risk.  We can celebrate this victory but we must remain ready, willing, and able to delivery more victories. 

WI Must Hold Strong Against Union Intimidation

By Caomhin

First off, good for Gov. Scott Walker for standing strong against the unions, and big ups to conservative bloggers for keep the truth in circulation.  The union’s ginormous hissy fit is not due to the fact that unions would loose collective bargaining rights altogether.  The only concessions that the taxpayers and citizens of Wisconsin are looking for from the unions is that union members contribute to their health care and retirement costs in order to prevent a fiscal crisis from unfolding.  To the average America, this is beyond reasonable and some are probably stunned that public employees have not had to make contributions to either in the past.

The people of Wisconsin voted for Scott Walker to lead them and he is doing his job.  The unions, aided of course by President Obama’s vast astroturfing organization, are going bonkers because the will not be responsible to the voters’ wills unless they are carried kicking and screaming.  If this is what it takes, then so be it.  This is what the people of Wisconsin want, for the unions to contribute to their benefits and to not deter future generations from reaching attaining their hopes and dreams due to tremendous tax increases that would be collected solely for the benefit of the union.

Part of the reason that Obama’s group is astroturfing the Midwest is due to the fact that his economy crushing budgets are leading to a fiscal tornado for America.  Many entitlement programs will have to be reformed and he refuses not only to lead on these issues, but to even consider to lead on these issues.  Many states in our nations, especially the deep blue states, are also facing budget crises of their own and will have to be seriously addressed.  Democrats see Wisconsin as critical to stopping reforms and keeping their campaign contributions from the unions keep rolling into their coffers.  Of course, these dues are compulsory so anything that would lower these contributions is instantly a threat to liberals, hence, the demonization for those who are seeking to reign in the madness.

Unions used to stand for something.  Unions used to be good.  Times, however, have changed.  At the current time the unions primary purpose is contribute to Democratic political campaign and engage in astroturfing in order to benefit liberal causes.  We are facing serious fiscal issues that threaten all American and our citizens and future generations can not and must not be held hostage by a political party hell bent on currying favor to a group with which they have a symbiotic relationship.  Contributing to benefits is not an unreasonable request.  Threatening and intimidating the people of Wisconsin as a result  of such a request is unacceptable, and yet, sadly, this may just be the tip of the iceberg.  For the good of our nation and for the future generations to come, this is a fight the people of Wisconsin must win.  I hope that Gov. Walker will deliver.

Thoughts on the Murders in Arizona

By Caomhin

No matter what, my thoughts and my prayers go out the victims and their families that were affected by the actions of a sociopathic lunatic.  This is exactly what the murderer, Jared Loughner is, a sociopath.  He is deserving of all of our scorn and our anger equally as much as the victims, their families, and friends are deserving of our thoughts, our prayers, and our deepest, most sincere condolences.

I can not imagine the horror that these men and women are going through. Simple words that I type here cannot express how I feel for them.  We all wish we could do more to help them and certainly, I believe, we hope that, God forbid, any of us were to be in a similar situation that we could conduct ourselves in such a gracious manner.

With regards to the political posturing, how dare all of you.  How dare you conduct yourselves in such a manner.  How dare you attempt to take away the feelings directed toward Jared Loughner and attempt to re-direct them in order to advance your political goals and ambitions.

A person such as Markos Moulitsas, who took to his twitter account to attempt to blame these atrocities on people with whom he disagreed with politically without uttering a single original though or word of concern for the victims.  A person such as Sherriff Clarence Dupnik, who in my opinion is teetering on obstruction of justice, who politically opines instead of focusing on the crime, the perpetrator, and the victims.  People such as Paul Krugman, and many, many others who openly sought to immediate exploit the suffering of others for the their agenda.  Your callousness and opportunism is beyond the pale.

This heinous crime is the fault of one person, Jared Loughner.  He should the person who is being scorned by the media and by the public and yet, here we are.  We should be praying for the victims, their family and friends, we should mourn those we have lost and pray for  the best for those who are recovering.  I hope Rep. Gabrielle Giffords recovers in full and quickly.  I only wish we could have saved those who passed away.  My heart goes out to you and I pray that God will give you comfort.  I wish I could do more for you than provide words.

Illinois To Lose Electoral Votes

By Caomhin

They raised income taxes by 66%.  That is not a type, this is what happens your Congress goes absolutely berserk and starts spending like there is no tomorrow.  Eventually tomorrow comes:

The hike increases the state’s personal income tax rate from 3 percent to 5 percent.

In real numbers, if your gross income is $50,000 a year, your state income taxes will rise from $1,500 to $2,500 a year.

…

The hike increases the state’s personal income tax rate from 3 percent to 5 percent.

In real numbers, if your gross income is $50,000 a year, your state income taxes will rise from $1,500 to $2,500 a year.

Addictions are hard to break.  The Illinois legislature is addicted to that sweet, sweet, taxpayer money.  I wonder how many people will begin to be behind on their own bills when they loose nearly $100 a month, will have to sacrifice things for their children, and otherwise suffer the consequences of an irresponsible legislature.   In short order you can expect the unemployment rate to increase in Illinois as lower levels of disposable income means less money being pumped into local businesses.  Couple that with the nearly doubling of the corporate income rates and that may not be a problem when businesses uproot and move out of their state.  Given the state of the economy expect people to follow as well.  As a result of the disaster they have created they have severely punished the people of Illinois and due to the impending migration that will most certainly occur, they will also lose electoral votes.  Keep an eye over the next few years how much the representatives to the Federal Government try to earmark to their state.  They will have to get money from somewhere.

Hack Ties Support of Tax Cuts to Supporting Slavery

By Caomhin

James W. Loewen, in his article in the Washington Post, entitled, “Five Myths About Why the South Seceded,” added this gem to his article:

So poor white Southerners supported slavery then, just as many low-income people support the extension of George W. Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy now.

Nice,  right?  This hack tries to equate lower tax rates to supporting slavery.  I can only imagine what he was smoking at the time he came up with that little ditty.  I suppose he doesn’t bother checking things like, oh I don’t know, facts.  Please refer to the chart on this previous post.  Oh those greedy people making between 26,250 and 32,550 in Adjusted Gross Income struggling to pay bills and feed their families and their 87% tax reduction from the Clinton tax rate they previously suffered from, they must be pro-slavery.  I wonder if Loewen even knows that the GOP was formed as an abolitionist party.  I wonder if he understands that the government does not own our incomes and our livelihoods or if he even cares.  What a hack.

Liberals Don’t Care About Lower and Middle Class Families

By Caomhin

There’s no hiding it at this point, after having rejected a 2 year compromise that was the result of negotiations between the White House and the GOP.  Liberals went off the deep end because the plan did not include provisions to soak the rich.  Their deep seated hatred of high income earners and the sheer nerve of people not wanting to have to surrender upwards of 50% of their income after all current levels of taxes are collected have caused them to go off the deep end yet again.

Noted nutjobs such Keith Olbermann are now threatening to primary Obama because he is not going to jack up the tax rates for people who invest in start up businesses, employ people, or save money that lending institutions can use to fund the purchases of homes, cars, etc. No, it’s not enough to have the estate tax go up to level in the mid 30’s, Liberals must collect much more than that if a person were to have the audacity to earn money and the utter gall to die and will their assets to their children instead of Uncle Sam.

Yes, such is the level of liberal rage that their House caucus would rather taxes go up on every single American than to have to live with the nightmare of people not being gouged by the government for two more years.  It is much more important to take away disposable income from rich people than to make sure poor people can afford such trivial things as food and water.

Liberals are probably still scratching their heads over why they had their tails handed to them in November.  It’s garbage like this.  I’m convinced that not only do Liberals not understand math or accounting in any fashion but they fail to understand business and good governance.  With Obama up there throwing around hostage analogies and calling John Boehner a “bomb thrower,” which was even more offensive considering he used that phrase on Pearl Harbor day, they have shown themselves to be utterly clueless and completely callous.  The result of their temper tantrums and blind hatred will hurt all Americans yet again.

You Would Think the Left and Right Could Agree about Assange

By Caomhin

Sadly, I am mistaken in that belief.  Unbelievably, the city of Berkeley is considering a measure to declare Bradley Manning a hero.  Manning, for those who may not be aware, is the person responsible for stealing classified documents and providing them to Wikileaks and Julian Assange.  Assange has paid for documents whether legally or illegally acquired and has been using these documents as a means to fight battles rather than simply exercise the right of freedom of speech.

For all intents and purposes Assange had and continues to have bounties out in information that he can use to damage people that he disagrees with.  When considering this case, you must keep in mind the fact that information is being purchased by Assange for reasons which are not simply to inform the public but rather to damage entities and individuals.  As further evidence that Assange and his associates are not the protagonists in this situation you need to look no further than to the DOS attacks on a variety of websites ranging from MasterCard to Sarah Palin’s website.  For the record, I am not a huge Sarah Palin supporter, in fact, I will be torn in 2012 as to whether to support Mitt Romney, Mitch Daniels, or Tim Pawlenty but that is another story.

So what was MasterCard’s great sin?  MasterCard decided to disallow donations to the Wikileaks website.  That’s it, that is all that they did.  Sarah Plain’s great sin was to criticize the website and it’s founder.  The same is true of the White House, Hillary Clinton, Diane Feinstein, and others with whom I have frequently disagreed.  The great sin of all of these individuals was their exercise of their right to free speech and sharing their views on the Wikileaks situation.  Delusional and messianic supporters began attacking those who do not share their view points.  The actions they have partaken in are a form of cyber terrorism and their past actions have put countless lives on the line across the globe.

There is no doubt that Assange considers America an enemy.  That much is clear by his actions.  Obama has handled this situation in a reasonable fashion and I applaud him for doing so.  I sincerely hope that he is taking steps to prevent situations like this from arising in the future and I hope that those plans are being implemented quickly and effectively.  I have disagreed with Obama on many, many occasions, but when it comes to our collective security with regards to Wikileaks we all need to work together on this issue.

Amazingly, however, the far left and the very far right seem to look upon this man as a hero.  I fail to understand the logic behind such thinking.  He has endangered countless lives, has named individuals who summoned tremendous courage to help fight the war on terror, and has slowed the flow of information that would help prevent another terrorist strike, not just in America, but in any number of nations.  Additionally, their subsequent actions that have the intent of silencing their critics make clear that their intentions are not pure.

Bush Tax Cuts Should Be Made Permanent

By Caomhin

There is talk in some people of “the new normal,” which is essentially a view that our economic situation will never vastly improve over where we are today in the sense that there will be high levels of unemployment, lowered consumption levels, and a generally poor economic climate.  I strongly disagree with this notion.  I strongly disagree with this sentiment.  We are the greatest country on the face of the Earth.  Americans can overcome any obstacle that is thrown in their way provided that we are not hindered from doing so from external forces.

Government is not inherently bad.  I am a proponent of effective, efficient, and accountable government at each level.  On the other hand, big government, is inherently bad.  A large, bloated government puts a strain on its people through unnecessary regulation, high tax burdens, and disincentives to create among other things. Contrary to what Joe Biden recently said, essentially that government should get the credit for every innovation..ever, his view is completely wrong.  Milton Friedman’s assertion is correct.  Freidman, of course, said:

The greatest advances of civilization, whether in architecture or painting, in science and literature, in industry or agriculture, have never come from centralized government.

Innovation spurs economic activity along with other factors such as certainty, the potential for profits and growth, and freedom in the market place.  “The New Normal,” does not exist if we lower tax rates and cut spending, if we eliminate inefficient, ineffective programs and focus on maintaining a streamlined government that is responsive to the needs of the people and respects them as individuals.

We have a number of crisis heading our direction from the recently passed health care abomination to social security and Medicare.  We have the means to fix these programs and eliminate billions in waste.  We have the ability to start moving towards a partially privatized system of retirement which, when proven effective, will hopefully lead to a completely privatized system.  In terms of the current economic conditions taking disposable and investible income out of the private market to put in the government’s coffers is an astonishingly bad idea.

We are Americans, we do not begrudge someone success, we wish it upon them.  We should not be green with envy when another person reaches great heights, we should congratulate them.  When the representatives of our government go on enormous and never ending spending sprees with the citizens’ money, it is shameful when they go on TV and claim the government “can’t afford” to stop their reckless indulgences.

I am whole heartedly behind Sens. Coburn and DeMint’s crusade against earmarks and I commend Sen. Coburn in particular for reminding the GOP that they can and will face primary challenges should they ignore what the people want.  What the people want, of course, is an end to the earmark process, lower taxes, more freedom, and good governance.  We are entitled to this and we are entitled to leaders who will provide this for us.  We will continue to take our fight to the ballot box and we need these tax cuts to be permanent.