I guess Nancy Pelosi was right?

I guess Pelosi was right, they did have to pass the bill to find out what was in it. Turns out, because no one bothered to read the bill before they passed it, they screwed up big time. Of course, this screwup makes President Obama look like a liar.

Here is a thought, perhaps we should read bills before voting on them.

AP

Hours after President Barack Obama signed historic health care legislation, a potential problem emerged. Administration officials are now scrambling to fix a gap in highly touted benefits for children.

Obama made better coverage for children a centerpiece of his health care remake, but it turns out the letter of the law provided a less-than-complete guarantee that kids with health problems would not be shut out of coverage.

Under the new law, insurance companies still would be able to refuse new coverage to children because of a pre-existing medical problem, said Karen Lightfoot, spokeswoman for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the main congressional panels that wrote the bill Obama signed into law Tuesday.

Al Sharpton: "Americans Overwhelmingly Voted for Socialism when they elected President Obama"

I have spent the last several weeks arguing with some local Democrats about this health care overhaul. I would ask "why are you doing this in face of massive public opposition?" and "Why are doing this in complete defiance of the "consent of the governed?".

I would get the same answer over and over again. "The governed gave their consent in November 2008". "Obama and the Democrats had a mandate".

Now we have Al Sharpton declaring that "Americans overwhelmingly voted for socialism when they elected President Obama".



Seriously, Americans voted to become a socialist nation when they voted for Obama?

That is not how I remember it. When anyone would accuse candidate Obama of being a socialist, the media and Obama campaign would fly into hysteria defending candidate Obama.

The attempt to personally destroy the life of Joe the Plumber was perfect proof of this. Hysterical Democrats and the media launched into his personal life and set out to destroy his career.

Americans did not vote for socialism, they want health care reform. Americans still want health care reform that will drive down the cost of health care. ObamaCare will increase the cost of premiums that Americans are currently paying, not lower them.

This video is quite interesting. These idiots are flailing. Three of them were ganging up on Congressman Ryan and they still could not get their facts straight.

The Chairwoman insisted on talking about a different Republican bill and refused to speak of their own bill they are trying to pass. The Chairwoman finally started babbling about vouchers and that mentally ill seniors will be forced to decide what kind of health care they want. Note to the Chairwoman: not every single senior turns senile the day they turn 65. That is offensive. In fact, the Chairwoman herself is in her late 70's and she currently is given a taxpayer funded voucher to go out and purchase the best health care plan for herself and her family. Why is okay of her to do but not the rest of America?

The Chairwoman went so far as to call on another Congressman sitting right next Paul Ryan to describe what was in the Paul Ryan plan. She said "Tell us what they are".

I find it truly amazing that of the 4 House Reps speaking, 2 of them are over the age of 65 and are not living off of Medicare. Instead these two Reps are living off of taxpayer funded plan where they get to chose their own coverage. Congressman Ryan is proposing that every single American should be afforded the same opportunity these members of Congress(over the age of 65) are currently getting. The Dems do not like it.



To hear this debate at a Rules Committee meeting goes to show one thing only...The Democrats do not want to talk about their own plan. The whole point to the committee meeting was to discuss the rules for the Dems to vote on their own plan.

Oh look a new CBO estimate is out today. Dems healthcare will create a deficit

At the request of Congressman Paul Ryan, the CBO has a new (more honest) evaluation of the Dems health care bill. For months, the Democrats have avoided adding the "doc fix" into their bill. The reason the Dems continue to avoid adding the doc fix to the health care bill is because the costs are very high. If the Democrats do not pass the doc fix almost immediately, doctors performing Medicare services will get a 20% pay cut. That pay cut would cause doctors nationwide to dump Medicare patients. Obviously this cannot be allowed to happen. It would devastate the Medicare system sending many seniors into a panic.

The temporary doc fix bill expires in a couple of weeks. Even if the Dems manage to pass the legislation this weekend without the doc fix included, they will immediately have to deal with the doc fix or send Medicare into a tail spin.

That being said, adding the doc fix to the CBO where it should be and will probably end up in the next few weeks, changes everything. The health care bill actually loses money.

When even the San Francisco Chronicle, Speaker Pelosi's hometown newspaper, recognizes this budget gimmick, there is a problem.

Beyond these disputes, several budget gimmicks are used to hold down costs during the 10-year window: The bill starts revenue increases immediately but postpones major spending for four years; a $370 billion "doc fix" to increase Medicare payments to doctors was removed from the bill.

Today, the new CBO estimate, which includes the doc fix shows that in the first 10 years alone, the bill loses $59 billion.

You asked about the total budgetary impact of enacting the reconciliation
proposal (the amendment to H.R. 4872), the Senate-passed health bill
(H.R. 3590), and the Medicare Physicians Payment Reform Act of 2009
(H.R. 3961). CBO estimates that enacting all three pieces of legislation would add
$59 billion to budget deficits over the 2010–2019 period.
Under current law, Medicare’s payment rates for physicians’ services will be
reduced by about 21 percent in April 2010 and by an average of about 2 percent
per year for the rest of the decade.2

Of course, this is all information that the liberals will ignore on Sunday when they cast there vote.

Unfortunately, this means that every single liberal voting for this will have to spend the time between now and the election in November explaining to the American people why they purposefully mislead them.

If this passes, even President Obama will be running his next election on health care reform. He too will be stuck trying to explain why it is he defied the will of the people, slapped the American people in the face and chose to do what he wanted to anyway.

On Monday morning, if this passes on Sunday, the American people start taking their government to task and start figuring out ways to repeal this government control of our lives.

Right now, Washington is being inundated with over 100,000 phone calls an hour. That only gets worse on Monday.

The New New CBO Math

Okay, now this is confusing.

In 2009, the Senate healthcare bill CBO cost estimate was $871 billion and supposedly cut the deficit by $132 billion.

Today, the Senate bill combined with Pelosi's "fixes" costs even more, $940 billion and supposedly reduces the deficit by $138 billion.

???? We are spending billions more and also saving more at the same time?

How is that possible unless there are a mess of tax increases in the "fix" bill?

Apparently this is the new new math that we are teaching our children. Spend billions more and reduce the deficit!!!!

Health Care reform is secondary to Obama's legacy

Finally the Democrats are admitting it. The American people be damned, legislators are not really voting for health care reform, they are voting for President Obama again.

There are some Democrats that are finally admitting that they are voting for the health care bill in order to save Obama's presidency. The will of the people be damned, the Democrats must save President Obama.

Politico

One caucus member told POLITICO that Obama won him over by “essentially [saying] that the fate of his presidency” hinged on this week’s health reform vote in the House. The member, who requested anonymity, likened Obama’s remarks to an earlier meeting with progressives when the president said a victory was necessary to keep him “strong” for the next three years of his term.

Another caucus member, Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.), said, “We went in there already knowing his presidency would be weakened if this thing went down, but the president clearly reinforced the impression the presidency would be damaged by a loss.”

Added Serrano: “He was subtle, but that was the underlying theme of the meeting — the importance of passing this for the health of the presidency.”

Democrats were very excited yesterday over Rep. Dennis Kucinich flip flop to a "yes" vote. The Congressman made it pretty clear why he switched his vote, he did it to save the Obama presidency.

"You do have to be very careful that the potential of President Obama's presidency not be destroyed by this debate. Even though I have many differences with him on policy, there's something much bigger at stake here for America."

Passing a piece of legislation that the American people are defiantly against is going to "save" Obama's Presidency?

Seriously liberals, please explain the logic in that.

Democrats must think the American people are stupid

Honestly Democrats, do you think that the American people will not hold them responsible for this health care debacle if they pass it by the "deem and pass" rule?

Do the Democrats really believe that this garbage will actually provide them cover from angry constituents?

Do the Democrats really believe that this process of "deeming" a bill law without actually voting on it is okay with the American people?

These folks must think the American people are stupid. The American people are engaged in this debate. They know what is happening.

I was sitting in a restaurant yesterday afternoon. I was working on campaign stuff. Another couple were sitting there eating, but basically the rest of the place was empty. A new couple walked in and knew the first couple and the talk immediately turned to health care. The waitress jumped into the conversation also. From what I could tell, they were all disgusted with this health care mess. I could not tell if they were for or against the health care legislation but they sure were ticked about this voting mess.

Americans are not stupid. They are fully engaged. They do not want this garbage coming out of Congress. When do the Democrats decide to start listening to us?

ObamaCare vote: Call these Democrats

Here is a short list of Democrats that need to be called in order to keep the Democrats from defying the will of the people. Code Red alert.

There will be more as the week progresses:

1) Congressman Chris Carney (PA-10): PHONE - (570) 585-9988 | EMAIL - http://www.carney.house.gov/contact.shtml#email | WEBSITE - http://www.carney.house.gov/
 Vote on the House Bill: YES Current Status: UNDECIDED

2) Congressman Steve Driehaus (OH-01): PHONE - (513) 684-2723 | EMAIL - https://forms.house.gov/driehaus/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm | WEBSITE - http://driehaus.house.gov/
 Vote on the House Bill: YES Current Status: UNDECIDED

3) Congresswoman Gabby Giffords (AZ-08): PHONE - (520) 881-3588 | EMAIL - https://giffordsforms.house.gov/contact/email.shtml | WEBSITE - http://giffords.house.gov/
 Vote on the House Bill: YES Current Status: UNDECIDED

"Lifting America's spirit"

Yesterday, as I am reading an article by Peggy Noonan, my mind traveled to the palm of Governor Sarah Palin's hand.

Peggy Noonan writes:

And now here are two growing problems for Mr. Obama.

The first hasn’t become apparent yet, but I suspect will be presenting itself, and soon. In order to sharpen the air of crisis he seems to think he needed to get his health-care legislation passed, in order to continue the air of crisis that might justify expanding government and sustaining its costs, and in order, always, to remind voters of George W. Bush, Mr. Obama has harped on what a horror the economy is. How great our challenges, how wicked our businessmen, how dim our future.

This is a delicate business. You can’t be all rosy glow, you have to be candid. But attitude and mood matter. America has reached the point, a year and a half into the crisis, when frankly it needs some cheerleading. It can’t always be mourning in America. We need some inspiration from the top, need someone who can speak with authority of what is working and can be made to work, of what is good and cause for pride. We are still employing 130 million people, and America is still competitive in the world, with innovative business leaders and practices.

The president can’t be a hope purveyor while he’s a doom merchant, and he appears to believe he has to be a doom merchant to justify ramming through his legislation. This particular legislation is not worth that particular price.

Peggy Noonan is right, our country is depressed right now. Basically, Americans do not see a bright future and it is really beginning to show.

Ms. Noonan, no fan of Governor Palin, may not admit it, but clearly Governor Palin has recognized this as a problem.

Obviously, much has been written about the highlights written on Governor Palin's hand during her Tea Party Convention speech. As mentioned in Governor Palin's speech last night, at the Ohio RTL event, no one wants to talk about the substance that was written on her hand, just the fact that she wrote on her hand.

One of those highlights was "lift America spirits".

Our nation is in serious trouble right now. Americans cannot see a path forward out of this economic mess.

The truth is, not a single politician, not even the President of the United States can lift this country out of its fiscal crisis. No political party or protests can move this country forward either.

Regular ol' everyday Americans will be the ones to lift this country up. We need to see the "shining city on a hill". We may not be on top of that hill, but we need to be able to see the hill and start marching up the hillside.

Governor Palin was right about lifting America's spirit. As a nation, we have been here before and dug our way out. Our parents, grandparents and great great grandparents have all faced the same obstacles we are facing today.

America's spirit, determination, dignity, innovation and ingenuity dug us out of the hole and we can do it again. This is what Governor Palin spoke about that night at the convention and why it was highlighted on her hand. Americans need to hear that they can dig their way out and they need their leaders to simply point them in that direction and encourage them to keep moving.

America needs leadership. America needs hope.

I am not talking about false hope and cheerleading like we saw from Harry Reid and the President yesterday. 36,000 Americans losing their jobs is nothing to cheer about. Americans did not need this from its top leaders. We are not stupid, for heaven's sake.

What Americans did not need was the leader of the free world, traveling from country to country apologizing for Americans. We did not need our President running around the country claiming the best health care system in the world is broken. We did not need our President slamming corporate America, the very folks we need to create jobs. We have enough problems just trying to pay our bills from month to month, Americans do not need one more crisis.

Americans need a better environment and politicians can help create a good business environment. Politicians can encourage tax cuts for those Americans driving innovation and new technologies. American ingenuity is being squelched because it is massively over regulated. Get off our backs!

Politicians can create a positive environment for our businesses to grow and succeed. Americans need to know that their businesses will not be hammered by local, state and federal regulations and taxation. Success should not be punished and regulated into failure.

Governor Palin is right that it is time to lift America's spirit. Americans can dig their way out if they can simply get the government back on their side. No more tax increases. No more government strangling regulations on our businesses. No more apologizing to this nation's enemies.

Our President is worried about the success of his presidency and is so busy trying to prove that his stimulus worked, he has ignored the American people. The President needs to worry less about his own success and start worrying about the success of the American people. Presidents only succeed when the American people succeed.

I am proud to be an American. Americans should never apologize for being Americans. Even more, we should never apologize or be punished for being successful Americans.

Thank you Governor Palin for seeing the "shining city on a hill" and pointing Americans in that direction. We need a little more of this from the rest of America's politicians.

We can do this America. We can dig our way out, but we need to get this nation's leaders to back off and let us do it.

Okay, Democrats...Are you willing to give up your jobs?

There is a false assumption out in the media right now that the President plans on scaling back the Health Care bill and use Republican ideas.

It is all garbage. The only bill the President is backing is the Senate bill. That has not changed. There is no new bill.

All the President is doing is suggesting to Democrats that they accept some Republican ideas. Also, the idea that the backroom deals are gone, is also a crock. Unless Congress removes them, they are not gone.

President Obama has not written a new bill, nor will he write a bill. This would start the entire health care process over again.

Don't be fooled by the media or the Democrats.

Nothing has changed, they just want to give the impression that something has changed.

Vote already!

Nancy Pelosi continues to state that she has the votes necessary to pass the health care bill.

The White House stated on Sunday that they have the votes to pass the massive health care bill.

So why then, is the White House now sending out another proposal that is supposed to be half the costs of the current bills?

If the Democrats have the votes, then vote already!

How much is President Obama is drinking?

I had not really thought of it before, but apparently, President Obama's doctors are recommending:

The doctors also recommended "moderation of alcohol intake".

Hat tip:Drudge

Why would the doctors even make that recommendation, unless they thought there was a problem?

Will he or won't he run?

Am I the only person sick of the Tommy Thompson dance?

Like many others, I am sick of Tommy's ego dance. This hurts fundraising and such for the other two candidates that have their lives on hold as they run for office.

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, who served four terms as Wisconsin governor, is securing financial pledges and ramping up his outreach to longtime political aides in preparation for a possible campaign against Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold.

Thompson has alerted his Washington-based law firm of his moves and is contacting key clients about the prospect of challenging Feingold, the most tangible signals yet that he’s seriously exploring a 2010 campaign.

“The governor has taken additional steps in the past week and will continue to do so over the next several weeks. If the meetings go well, you can expect to see an exploratory committee set up near the end of March,” former state commerce secretary and Thompson campaign manager Bill McCoshen told POLITICO.

Another longtime Thompson ally said the governor already has $200,000 in potential donations for a campaign that doesn’t yet exist.

“If you talked to me two weeks ago, I would have put it at a 50-50 shot. Now it’s at 70,” said the Thompson aide, who requested anonymity to avoid offending his friend. “He’s asking serious questions like, ‘Who would run the campaign? Who would do the fundraising? When would we announce? How much could we raise?’”

Despite Thompson’s steps, political insiders in both parties in Washington and Wisconsin remain skeptical of Thompson’s commitment to challenging Feingold, a three-term incumbent.

continued...

Another atta boy, Congressman

Hiding spending does not reduce spending

Atta boy, Congressman!

Simple, straightforward and on point...Answers don't lie in Washington.

From everything I am hearing and everything I have seen, the Republicans are standing tall, proud and finally are fighting back.

Even some in the media are grudgingly acknowledging this fact:

CNN’s DAVID GERGEN: “The folks in the White House just must be kicking themselves right now. They thought that coming out of Baltimore when the President went in and was mesmerizing and commanding in front of the House Republicans that he could do that again here today. That would revive health care and would change the public opinion about their health care bill and they can go on to victory. Just the opposite has happened.” (CNN’s “Live,” 2/25/10)

You don't say...Democrats

He is Jimmy Carter II

Price controls?

This is the Obama healthcare plan?

Jimmy Carter tried this in the 1970's which created a massive shortage in oil and natural gas. Things got so bad that only weeks before his re-election bid, he immediately began deregulating the gas and oil industry trying to drive the price of gas down. There were fist fights at the gas pumps with people who had waited hours just to get a few gallons of gasoline.

Do we want fist fights with people desperately waiting to see a doctor?

This is the new path Obama plans on taking us down?

Do we really want to create a massive shortage in health care?

I swear, this new president looks more and more like Jimmy Carter ever day.

Congressman Paul Ryan in Newsweek

Nice article from Congressman Paul Ryan.

Imagine your family's finances if you spent and borrowed like Washington: you'd owe $60 in credit-card loans for every $100 of income. Every month you'd pay back a little but borrow even more. In 10 years, you'd owe $87 for every $100 you made. At some point you'd hand off the debt to your kids. If they worked until 2035, they'd owe more than $180 for every $100 they earned. In 2050, your grandkids would owe more than $320. By 2080 they'd owe seven times their earnings. Of course, lenders would cut them off well before then, and your family would be ruined. But this is the path your government is on right now.

Today, our country faces a fiscal meltdown—and Washington's continued cowardice is a big part of the problem. The social-insurance strategies of the 20th century—Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security—are driving our federal government and economy to collapse. It's long been obvious that we're ill prepared for the retirement of the baby boomers. Now, the recession and Washington's recent spending spree have accelerated the day of reckoning.

continued...

Who cares about Tiger?

Does anyone in the public really believe that Tiger owes them an apology?

I don't care who he sleeps with.

Bummer, Doyle's global warming bill is in trouble

My heart is almost breaking.

How come when a conservative makes the following statement, they are accused of being idiots and science deniers, but when a liberal makes the statement like this, it makes the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel?

Later, Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) said, "I think the bill is going to need some retooling.

"I think the bill, as it is, obviously has got some problems, and I'm concerned about the impact that it would increase utility rates."

Global Warming Math

Hey, Obama tax increases are coming

Politico

President Barack Obama doubled-down this year on his campaign pledge to roll back the Bush-era tax cuts for the richest Americans while keeping them in place for the middle class.

What? President Bush gave tax cuts to middle class Americans?

But I thought evil Bush only gave tax cuts to the wealthy?

President Bush would have been pillared

President Bush would have been pillared if his administration was caught defending this practice...

Two years ago, when the FBI was stymied by a band of armed robbers known as the "Scarecrow Bandits" that had robbed more than 20 Texas banks, it came up with a novel method of locating the thieves.

FBI agents obtained logs from mobile phone companies corresponding to what their cellular towers had recorded at the time of a dozen different bank robberies in the Dallas area. The voluminous records showed that two phones had made calls around the time of all 12 heists, and that those phones belonged to men named Tony Hewitt and Corey Duffey. A jury eventually convicted the duo of multiple bank robbery and weapons charges.

Even though police are tapping into the locations of mobile phones thousands of times a year, the legal ground rules remain unclear, and federal privacy laws written a generation ago are ambiguous at best. On Friday, the first federal appeals court to consider the topic will hear oral arguments (PDF) in a case that could establish new standards for locating wireless devices.

In that case, the Obama administration has argued that warrantless tracking is permitted because Americans enjoy no "reasonable expectation of privacy" in their--or at least their cell phones'--whereabouts. U.S. Department of Justice lawyers say that "a customer's Fourth Amendment rights are not violated when the phone company reveals to the government its own records" that show where a mobile device placed and received calls.

Screeching and wailing would be heard on Capital Hill against President Bush from the left. Can you imagine the Bush administration stating "Americans enjoy no "reasonable expectation of privacy"?

Oh boy!

Where are you Senator Russ Feingold?

Congressman Paul Ryan rules out Presidential run in 2012

Anyone who knows the congressman pretty much knew this already. However, the Congressman also is looking towards 2012 and taking on Senator Herb Kohl.

Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan (R) said over the weekend that he will not run for president in 2012.

However, while Ryan has ruled out a national bid, he is still considering running for statewide office in two years. In an interview with RealClearPolitics last week, Ryan said he may run for Senate in 2012, when Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.) -- who just turned 75 -- will be up for re-election.

Do they realize how foolish they look?

Seriously, This is the ad that NOW was in complete hysterics over?



Pro abortion groups were coming unhinged for weeks, demanding that the ad be yanked. It was an attack on a woman's right to have an abortion they screeched! Literally millions of Americans were demanding the ad be removed.

How ridiculous do these people look today?

Good grief!

Corpse-man?

Now we have navy corpse-men.



Imagine if President Bush had done this?

Hat Tip Badger Blogger.

Cartoon

Stolen from Hot Air

How many jobs lost or not created because of stimulus?

Billions upon billions of dollars have been pulled out of today's current private market place and tomorrow's private market place and has been placed into the government's wasteful hands. Exactly how many private jobs have not been created because of government largess?

Steve Chapman from the Chicago Tribune wants to know:

Last week's official report that the effort created 600,000 jobs certainly didn't prove anything. All the government did was count how many jobs were paid for with stimulus funds.

That ignores the obvious problem. Money the government uses to create jobs is money that can't be used by the private sector to create jobs. But no one in the White House is trying to count jobs that didn't get created as a result of this mass diversion of funds.

Since the Obama administration makes up their own numbers, I say we should be able to make up our own also. So what do you think?

Has the private sector not been able to create or save 2,000,000 jobs because the debt mounted by the Obama administration?

Did anyone notice? $787 billion stimulus

The media has been rather silent on this issue. Remember that $787 Billion stimulus bill? Yeah, it is now $862 Billion.

Another $75 Billion. You would think the media would be rejoicing at the "extra" money to create jobs. After all, the original stimulus was to create jobs.

Both GOP candidates for Governor outpoll Democrat candidate

Rasmussen is showing that both Scott Walker and Mark Neumann poll strong against Mayor Barrett in the race for governor.

Election 2010: Wisconsin Governor

Mark Neumann (R)42%

Tom Barrett (D)38%

Other 7%

Not sure 13%

Election 2010: Wisconsin Governor

Scott Walker (R)48%

Tom Barrett (D)38%

Other 2%

Not sure 12%

Was the SOTU a game changer?

Obviously, last night's speech was really big as far as the future of the President's agenda.

The President needed to settle down wobbly Democrats and get them back on his agenda. The Republicans needed to stop being bashed so they can climb on board at least with the ideas they have in common. But probably more important is that the President had to reach the Independents again and get them back on board with his agenda.

So do you think that the President got Independents back on board?

Clearly the Independents have been calling the shots in elections.

Do you think that those people in Massachusetts last week are back on board with the President?

I think if people are honest they would say that the President did not get the independents back. The President made it very clear that he is forging ahead with his same agenda. Yes, he is putting jobs first, but he did that last year also. Remember the stimulus, that was first. This year, another stimulus. Will it work?

Do you think anyone in the state of Massachusetts last week would change their vote today?

Of course they would not. Don't tell that to the liberals, they are too busy being inspired.

Got your shovels ready?

You know the garbage that will be shoveled out of Washington will be thick and deep tonight, so I am just checking to make sure your shovels are ready so you can try to dig your way out.

Just call us the Dodo nation

The Tea Party Nation have been called a number of things over the last year. We have been called an angry mob, nazis, teabaggers, racists, and hate mongers. There have been more names, but it would take too long to list them all.

Well, there is a new one out there. Ever the intellectual, Joe Klein, from Time Magazine has called us dodos.

It is very difficult to thrive in an increasingly competitive world if you're a nation of dodos.

Joe Klein even calls us "too dumb to thrive". The reason Joe Klein believes you are so stupid is because of this poll that came out by CNN. 74% of Americans believe that at least half of the stimulus money has been wasted.

You see, according to Joe Klein, you are a dodo because you just do not realize how good you have got it and what President Obama has done for you:

Absolutely amazing poll results from CNN today about the $787 stimulus package: nearly three out of four Americans think the money has been wasted. On second thought, they may be right: it's been wasted on them. Indeed, the largest single item in the package--$288 billion--is tax relief for 95% of the American public. This money is that magical $60 to $80 per month you've been finding in your paycheck since last spring. Not a life changing amount, but helpful in paying the bills.

Magically millions of Americans have lost the magical paychecks because they have been laid off. Of course, millions more of Americans may not have lost the magical paycheck, but their hours have been cut at work and the magic money does not come close to touching what they have lost since the recession has started.

But hey, you are a dodo because you really do not appreciate what President Obama has done for you. How can Americans be so ungrateful for their $7 a paycheck?

Call me cynical...

The President is getting very serious about dealing with the deficit,

After the Election and after his budget is passed by the end of September


How can anyone with half a brain not recognize this as nothing more than political gamesmanship? President Obama really has to believe that you are a blithering idiot.

Trying to win the votes of fiscal moderates, President Barack Obama formally endorsed legislation Saturday creating an independent commission with the power to force Congress to vote on major deficit reduction steps this year, after the November elections.

Seriously, who is stupid enough to buy this?

Oh, I see.

“The President is demonstrating exactly the kind of leadership we need to tackle our nation’s long-term fiscal challenges,” said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), a lead sponsor of the legislation to create an independent deficit commission. “His support shows that he is determined to do what is necessary to put us back on a sound long-term course.”

Oh, BTW... This is being attached to a bill raising the debt limit by at least $1.6 Trillion. That is cute, raise your credit card limit and then promise in November that you will quit spending and then expect people to consider you fiscally responsible.

One more thing, the Democrats are attempting to fast track the vote on this so it will taken before President Obama's State of the Union speech. President Obama wants you to be that he is really being fiscally responsible.

Good grief.

Follow the money straight to the Democrats

I listened to the Democrats and President Obama have a hissy fit because the Supreme Court overruled McCain/Feingold allowing corporations and unions to spend more money during the elections.

Then I caught sight of this little publicized article encouraging people to actually stop for a moment and "follow the money" trail.

Obama is touting his proposed bank tax and financial regulations as a test of "whose side" politicians are on -- the bankers' or the people's. But check the numbers at OpenSecrets.org, and you get an interesting clue as to whose side Wall Street on.

The "securities and investment" industry has favored Democrats by more than a two-to-one margin so far this cycle. The top eight recipients of Wall Street PAC money this election are all Democrats.

So I did just what the article suggested, I went to OpenSecrets.com and was stunned by what I saw.

Did you know that of the top 50 industries donating to politicians, 48 out of 50 have donated more to Democrats than Republicans?

Rank Industry Total Dem Pct GOP Pct Top Recipient
1 Lawyers/Law Firms $22,668,990 83% 17% Harry Reid (D-Nev)
2 Health Professionals $14,307,929 63% 37% Harry Reid (D-Nev)
3 Retired $11,285,022 55% 45% Mark Kirk (R-Ill)
4 Real Estate $10,842,041 64% 36% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
5 Securities/Invest $10,776,669 73% 27% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
6 Insurance $9,062,842 57% 43% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
7 Lobbyists $7,801,801 69% 31% Harry Reid (D-Nev)
8 Leadership PACs $6,624,511 64% 36% Roy Blunt (R-Mo)
9 Bldg Trade Unions $6,136,245 92% 7% Judy Chu (D-Calif)
10 Pharm/Health Prod $5,852,259 61% 39% Richard Burr (R-NC)
11 Electric Utilities $5,673,806 61% 39% Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
12 Misc Finance $5,563,770 62% 38% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
13 Democratic/Liberal $5,294,744 100% 0% Michael F Bennet (D-Colo)
14 Oil & Gas $4,703,998 40% 60% Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark)
15 TV/Movies/Music $4,661,525 69% 30% Patrick Leahy (D-Vt)
16 Transport Unions $4,423,410 87% 13% James L Oberstar (D-Minn)
17 Business Services $4,247,368 73% 27% Harry Reid (D-Nev)
18 Commercial Banks $4,163,241 52% 48% Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
19 Hospitals/Nurs Homes $4,051,154 74% 26% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
20 Public Sector Unions $3,895,921 93% 7% Scott Murphy (D-NY)
21 Industrial Unions $3,864,710 98% 2% Mark Schauer (D-Mich)
22 Air Transport $3,583,154 55% 45% Byron L Dorgan (D-ND)
23 Crop Production $3,536,166 61% 39% Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark)
24 Misc Mfg/Distrib $3,257,744 57% 43% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
25 Defense Aerospace $3,234,240 60% 40% Patty Murray (D-Wash)
26 Computers/Internet $3,104,709 71% 29% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
27 Accountants $2,975,508 51% 49% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
28 Beer, Wine & Liquor $2,909,375 61% 39% Mike Thompson (D-Calif)
29 Retail Sales $2,829,237 55% 45% Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark)
30 General Contractors $2,826,868 51% 49% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
31 Railroads $2,771,145 59% 41% Corrine Brown (D-Fla)
32 Telephone Utilities $2,690,007 56% 44% Rick Boucher (D-Va)
33 Candidate Cmtes $2,615,618 81% 19% Scott Murphy (D-NY)
34 Construction Svcs $2,599,922 65% 34% Harry Reid (D-Nev)
35 Misc Business $2,377,766 70% 28% Al Franken (D-Minn)
36 Education $2,361,123 82% 18% Harry Reid (D-Nev)
37 Health Services $2,341,038 69% 31% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
38 Defense Electronics $2,164,565 63% 37% John P Murtha (D-Pa)
39 Agricultural Svcs $2,021,026 55% 45% Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark)
40 Casinos/Gambling $1,833,238 76% 24% Shelley Berkley (D-Nev)
41 Food & Beverage $1,789,632 55% 45% Charles E Schumer (D-NY)
42 Misc Defense $1,604,759 63% 37% Daniel K Inouye (D-Hawaii)
43 Misc Unions $1,593,270 100% -0% Scott Murphy (D-NY)
44 Finance/Credit $1,588,028 57% 43% Harry Reid (D-Nev)
45 Pro-Israel $1,584,426 71% 29% Harry Reid (D-Nev)
46 Automotive $1,509,219 47% 53% Roy Blunt (R-Mo)
47 Telecom Svcs/Equip $1,483,239 67% 32% Rick Boucher (D-Va)
48 Food Process/Sales $1,454,883 54% 46% Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark)
49 Chemicals $1,444,049 55% 44% Vernon Buchanan (R-Fla)
50 Publishing $1,294,683 75% 24% Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

Based on data released by the FEC on Sunday, December 06, 2009.

You almost have to laugh when you realize that Obama, Reid and Pelosi accuse the Republicans of being in the tank for Banks, Big Pharma, Insurance Companies, Health Care Industry, and Wall Street when the proof is right here.

Clearly, these liberals are not telling the truth. Democrats have been bought by Wall Street, Insurance Companies, Big Pharma and the entire Health Care industry.

Obama on ObamaCare for the last year: We are going to get this done

You remember it was during one of Obama's famed prime timed speeches on health care in September where Rep Joe Wilson hollered out "You Lie!"

I guess Joe Wilson was right

Happy Anniversary, Mr. President

Didn't you promise to have Gitmo closed by today, Mr. President?

Now, I am no financial expert, but...

Now, I am no financial expert, but these strangling "reforms" that our President wants to put on banks seem stupid to me.

I can certainly understand never allowing the banks again to take the massive risks they took that caused the collapse of the financial markets.

However, these are the very same banks that we are demanding that they loosen their standards to start lending again.

Business owners small and large need the banks to lend them money so they can build and expand. This business owners are actually the folks that do the hiring.

I question the intelligence of doing this now of all times.

We demand that the banks no longer take risks as they move forward, but we are also demanding that they actually take risks on new lending.

We also do silly stupid stuff like exempting government controlled Freddie and Fannie, cutting loose any and all regulations, and at the same time we squelched the free market for everyone else.

You guys do realize that during the holiday season, that Freddie and Fannie, have been given an unlimited credit card to take and spend as much TARP funds as they want, right?

Makes absolutely no sense to me.

Americans want ObamaCare set off to the side

It is not like we did not know this, but just for giggles, I thought I would post this Gallup poll.

In the wake of Republican Scott Brown's victory in Tuesday's U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts, the majority of Americans (55%) favor Congress' putting the brakes on its current healthcare reform efforts and considering alternatives that can obtain more Republican support. Four in 10 Americans (39%) would rather have House and Senate Democrats continue to try to pass the bill currently being negotiated in conference committee.

Right out of the chute, Dems propose massive debt increase

$1.9 Trillion

Yes, the Democrats want to increase our nation's debt ceiling by another $1,900,000,000,000. This allows the Democrats to borrow another $1.9 Trillion so they can spend more money.

If Republicans attempt to stop the $1.9 Trillion, America will default on the loans President Obama has taken out on our behalf. Remember, he did it for our own good.

Of course, the media, ever the defenders of Obama, are making excuses:

The record increase in the so-called debt limit is required because the budget deficit has spiraled out of control in the wake of a recession that cut tax revenues, the Wall Street bailout, and increased spending by the Democratic-controlled Congress. Last year's deficit hit a phenomenal $1.4 trillion, and the current year's deficit promises to be as high or higher.

Our audacious President

You gotta love our audacious President now, right?

Exactly one year to the date of being sworn in as the President of the United States, our President is desperately attempting to save his presidency.

Of course, the President tries to convince people that he and Scott Brown share something in common and then proceeds to blame the voter anger not at himself, but at President Bush.

"Here's my assessment of not just the vote in Massachusetts, but the mood around the country: the same thing that swept Scott Brown into office swept me into office," the president said in an exclusive interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos. "People are angry and they are frustrated. Not just because of what's happened in the last year or two years, but what's happened over the last eight years."

Let me get this straight, the reason that Scott Brown won is because voters were angry about the last eight years?

I have to admit it is pretty funny that today the President is attempting to attach himself to Scott Brown's coattails. However, this was still a staggeringly audacious statement for President to make.

14 months ago, the people of Massachusetts showed very clearly they were angry at President Bush. In only took one year of a President Obama for the anger to build so much that the people in Massachusetts were willing to put a seat held by a worshiped Kennedy into the hands of a hated Republican who drives a truck. They did not do that because of the last eight years. They did it because of the last year that has been solely controlled by the liberals in Washington.

There is more, but I have to get to a city council meeting.

Kleefisch for Lt. Governor

KLEEFISCH ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR LT. GOVERNOR


(Oconomowoc)-Former TV news anchor Rebecca Kleefisch announces her candidacy for Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor today. After being encouraged by many of Wisconsin’s business and political leaders, Rebecca announced she will seek the state’s second highest office on an agenda of “kitchen table common sense.”
“This election is about ‘kitchen table common sense’,” Kleefisch said her announcement. “Wisconsin families make tough decisions around their kitchen tables every day, but government doesn’t seem to feel the same pressures you and I do. When you’re in the middle of a recession, you don’t use accounting tricks to fake a balanced budget. You balance it. You don’t tax and regulate businesses out of the state. You create ways for them to grow. And you sure don’t disregard the will of the people who want smaller, more accountable government. You pay attention.”
The UW-Madison graduate and mother of two daughters says she’s running because she can’t afford to watch liberal politicians rob her kids of their futures. She also has a clear vision for the role of the Lieutenant Governor.
“The Governor is the CEO of the state,” Kleefisch said. “The Lieutenant Governor is the Marketing VP. We need someone who understands how to craft compelling, articulate messages for why job creators should come to this state, start up in this state and expand in this state.”
Kleefisch has worked in marketing and public relations in addition to being an award-winning TV and print journalist. Job retention and creation will be her top priority as Lieutenant Governor.
“To change our job forecast, we need to change minds about Wisconsin’s business climate,” Kleefisch said. “I’m confident a Republican administration will right our economic ship, but then we need to reach people with the message that, ‘Wisconsin is open for business again!’”
Kleefisch plans to use her marketing background to attract jobs to Wisconsin. She also plans to showcase the most cutting-edge marketing tools in her own campaign. She’s announcing her candidacy at 11 a.m. via a high-tech closed circuit internet presentation where members of statewide media are invited to ask questions using Facebook, another social media phenomenon. She also plans innovative use of new media, including the use of texting, tweeting and online networking as a platform for messaging and fundraising. Her website is www.Rebeccaforreal.com.

Congressman Ryan comments on results in Mass

Congressman Ryan was just on the Jay Weber show commenting on the meaning of the race results in Massachusetts.

Here it hear

The Congressman's first comment "I'm in Washington right now and looking out my window and seeing pigs flying around the Capitol"

Brown wins!

Yeah!

AP is calling it for Scott Brown.

It is a revolution!

Battle in Massachusetts is getting good

Oh boy, this is getting good. Sit back, conservatives, grab your popcorn and enjoy the show.

We already know that team Obama and Democrats have been attempting to distance themselves from Team Coakley. In the middle of the actual election day, Team Coakley decided to respond to Team Democrats/Obama and sent out a memo:

The Coakley campaign is bridling at finger-pointing from the White House and Washington Democrats, and an outside adviser to the campaign has provided to POLITICO a memo aimed at rebutting the charge that Coakley failed and making the case that national Democrats failed her.

The adviser, who made the case to my colleague Jonathan Martin on the condition of anonymity in response, he said, to "the current leaking coming out of the White House and the DNC that is chalking all of this up to a “bad candidate”.

The adviser, who cited internal polling numbers to make the case, e-mails that, "There’s more to the story than that. If Martha is guilty of taking the race for granted, so is the White House and the DNC."

The adviser pointed to internal polling to argue that Coakley held a wide -- 20 point -- lead on Dec. 19, and that the damage she took between that survey and a Jan. 5 Rasmussen poll putting the race at 9 points came from the national scene: The Senate vote on health care, with the controversy over Ben Nelson's deal for Nebraska, and the Christmas Day bombing.

continued...

Not to be outdone on election day, a DNC official has "officially" blasted back:

This memo is a pack full of lies and fantasies - The DNC and the DSCC did everything they were asked and have been involved in the race for several weeks not just the last one.

The campaign failed to recognize this threat, failed to keep Coakley on the campaign trail, failed to create a negative narrative about Brown, failed to stay on the air in December while he was running a brilliant campaign. It's wishful thinking from a pollster, candidate and campaign team that were caught napping and are going to allow one of the worst debacle in American political history to happen on their watch that they are at the 11th hour are going to blame others.

Before the DNC and DSCC got involved there was barely a single piece of paper on what the narrative is on Brown. The candidate in this race and the campaign have been involved in the worst case of political malpractice in memory and they aren't going to be able to spin themselves out of this with a memo full of lies.

Hey conservatives, anyone need some butter for their popcorn?

I am telling you, this is priceless. Remember November is coming also!

PS. The polls are still open. Are voters supposed to watch this battle and go and cast a vote for Coakley?

Scott Brown has already won

No matter what happens today, Scott Brown has already won today. The Democrats are spooked, really spooked. In fact, I am not certain that I have ever seen so many frightened Democrats.

If a Democrat seat is not safe in a highly liberal state, then no seat anywhere in the US is safe for a Democrat. Scott Brown's rise has proven that America is looking at this liberal agenda and are not happy.

Yes, I would prefer for Scott to win, but I think his candidacy has severely damaged the liberal agenda nationwide.

He had a dream

Today is a great day to celebrate the wisdom and guidance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He had a dream and even today we continue to fight for his dream.

Thank you Dr. King

In fond remembrance, Joyce Beula

In fond remembrance...

On January 13, 2010 The Kenosha County GOP, the community of Twin Lakes and her family lost one of its most faithful members, Joyce Beula.

Joyce was a faithful and excited party member with the GOP for longer than I have been alive. She would tell me stories of working on her first campaign for Barry Goldwater. I would tell Joyce, "I wasn't even alive then!". She would throw back her head and laugh. She loved it, she loved Paul Ryan, she loved Samantha Kerkman, she loved us all.

I remember in 2007, right before the meeting was to begin for our annual county GOP caucus, I had a private conversation with Joyce. I knew my name was on the ballot for the Chairwoman's position, and I was nervous. I told her this and she smiled knowingly. I was nervous about leading the county GOP in a very bad political climate for Republicans. She told me several times, "you are going to be fine, you are exactly what this party needs".

In 2008, we knew Joyce's health was failing but she so desperately wanted to help with the campaign. I called her up and invited her to ride on our GOP parade float in Twin Lakes. She was thrilled. Over and over again there were shouts from the crowd in Twin Lakes. "Hey Grandma!" They all knew her and loved her.

Well, Grandma Joyce Beula, you will be missed.

Rest in peace. Joyce, we will carry on with your passion of getting good conservatives elected for the country that you dearly loved.

RIP.

Kathy Carpenter
Chairwoman
Republican Party of Kenosha County

Pray for another Massachusetts Miracle

This video is spreading like wildfire.

Can Americans produce another Massachusetts Miracle?

Congressman Paul Ryan on Health Care

Remarks presented at the Hillsdale College and Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship Forum on Health Care Reform and the American Character

Someone has said that before there was the New Deal, there was the "Wisconsin Deal." In Wisconsin, where I come from, the politics of Progressivism still runs strong. It was imported through the University of Wisconsin where they read their Hegel, Max Weber, and other powerful German minds. These thinkers taught the American Progressives to make a sharp distinction between "administration" and "politics." These philosophers and their American disciples wanted to remodel society on the basis not of opinions or "values" but according to ‘rational calculation.'

The best known Wisconsin Progressive in American politics was Robert LaFollette. "Fighting Bob" was a Republican, as was that other early Progressive, Theodore Roosevelt. Progressivism has always been a powerful strain in the Republican bloodstream, as we saw in the presidential election last year.

The Progressives, like the American Founders, saw self-government in a large nation-state as a challenge. Can a modern democracy be both free and well governed?

These thinkers, particularly Weber, were not blind to the problem of how untrained average citizens were supposed to preserve freedom in a society administered by bureaucratic ‘specialists without soul.' But popular resistance to their agenda made the Progressives more and more elitist.

Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson brought the Progressive movement to Washington, sowing the seeds for the paramount political problem of our time: centralized administration.

Progressivism came in on two great waves: the 1930s New Deal and the Great Society of the 1960s. President Obama often invokes Progressivism and plans to generate its third, and greatest, wave. American businesses large and small must be brought under centralized direction. Contracts, the very core of personal and social freedom, are scrapped or rewritten by the administration as decades old bankruptcy laws are cast aside in the reorganization of the auto makers. The compensation which employers pay to secure the services of executive employees is now reviewed and second-guessed by a presidential "pay czar." Marriage and family life, church and voluntary organizations are all being weakened mostly by nonrepresentative government agencies. First wave Progressives demanded the popular referendum. Third wave Progressives do everything possible to stop local and state referenda which citizens would use to end this assault on the pillars of free society.

Health Care reform is a prime example of Progressivism in action.

The delivery of health care services has grown costly, leaving many without coverage. But survey after survey shows that 75 or 80 percent of Americans or more are personally satisfied with the quality of their own health care.

The Democratic leaderships' brazen attempts to rush through a health care reform with little public debate and deliberation have disgraced the annals of government by consent. They frantically scribble thousand-page laws behind closed doors and demand midnight votes from members who are given no opportunity to read the legislation they are voting about. This farcical process flunks the Constitution's "due process of law" test.

The Framers saw every individual as having a "right of personal security" which includes being protected against acts that may harm personal health. This right is integral to the natural right to life which it is government's purpose to secure. But the personal right to protection of health does not imply that government must provide health care, any more than the right to food in order to live requires government to own the farms and raise the crops. Government's obligation is normally met by establishing conditions for free markets to thrive. Societies with economic freedom almost always have a growing abundance of goods and services at affordable cost for the largest number. When free markets seem to be failing to meet this goal - and I'd argue today's health care delivery is an example - government should not supply the need itself but look in the mirror, correct its own interventions, and unleash competition and choice.

Washington DC is no place to run health care services for the nation. Thus the Framers left public health decentralized. But if there were any doubt, the history of Medicare and Medicaid is the proof. Real cost control has become a national nightmare. Fraud has proliferated despite every effort to stop it. Program costs are always underestimated. In 1966 the cost of Medicare to the taxpayers was about $3 billion. The House Ways and Means Committee estimated that Medicare would cost taxpayers only about $12 billion by 1990 (adjusted for inflation). The actual cost? Nearly nine times as high - $107 billion. By 2006 Medicare reached $401 billion while Medicaid added another $309 billion for a total of $710 billion.

This is very long, continued here...

I do not think they get it

Whether or not Scott Brown wins on Tuesday, even the most non-partisan person has got to be wondering where the heads of the Democrats are at.

Do they not see that even a tight race in Massachusetts means that America has turned on the Democrats/President's agenda?

There is a real and legitimate uprising taking place all across this country in an attempt to stop this President's agenda.

Today, thousands of people will be at another Tea Party in the dead of winter in Wisconsin. Do the liberals not see why people are doing this?

The uprising is here and it is now.

The Democrats can keep telling themselves that it is the evil insurance companies that are behind this, but they know they are wrong. The reality is that no conservative has handed as much power to insurance companies as these Democrats are doing right now.

The Democrats have mandated that every single American hand money over to the insurance companies. The Government mandate in this bill is the biggest boondoggle for insurance companies in the history of this country.

Dare we dream?

When PPP came out with their new poll this week on Brown vs. Coakley, showing Brown up by 1%, I was hesitant to get excited.

When Rasmussen come out with their new poll this week, showing Brown down by 2%, I was still hesitant to get excited.

When the Suffolk poll came out last night showing Brown with a 4% lead on Coakley, it certainly has raised some eyebrows.

Dare we dream?

Well, do not get too excited yet, another poll out yesterday shows the Democrat with a 8 point lead.

A miserable week for the President's poll numbers

This week as been interesting. Each day the White House has rolled out of bed, they have had to face another monumental announcement on a new horrible poll that has been released:

Monday: CBS Poll "Obama's approval rating dips to a new low" 46% approval rating

Tuesday: CNN Poll "Americans split on success of Obama Presidency" 48% disapprove 47% Approve

Wednesday: Gallup Poll "President Obama at all time lows in handling of economy, health care"

Economy 56% disapprove 40% approve

Health Care 58% disapprove 37% approve

Quinnpiac Poll: "Obama approval at 45%"

Thursday: Allstate/National Journal Poll "Majority would vote against Obama" 50% of Americans would vote against Obama, 39% of Americans would vote to re-elect Obama


Perhaps tomorrow morning, the White House should just stay in bed. Things could not get worse if they stay in bed, right?

Donate to victims in Haiti

There are a ton of missionaries in Haiti, family friends and church friends that I know personally. We are not sure of their safety at this moment. I know this, if they are safe, they are working themselves 24/7 trying to help the people they serve.

If you can donate, please do. The devastation is horrifying. Say a prayer for all of the missionaries, and every single person in Haiti right now.

Donate to the American Red Cross.

A majority of Americans today would vote against President Obama

Don't blame Rasmussen for this poll, liberals.

A year into his tenure, a majority of Americans would already vote against Pres. Obama if the '12 elections were held today, according to a new survey.

The Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor poll shows 50% say they would probably or definitely vote for someone else. Fully 37% say they would definitely cast a ballot against Obama. Meanwhile, just 39% would vote to re-elect the pres. to a 2nd term, and only 23% say they definitely would do so.

Racine Bonfire Tea Party

Thanks to Americans for Prosperity. Join the movement against Obama and the Democrats take over of our lives.

2010 Taxpayer Action Rally & Bonfire
Date January 16th, 2010
Time 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Sponsor Racine Tea Party and Americans for Prosperity
Location 4505 Highway H Franksville, WI


Notes

Joe the Plumber
Vicki McKenna - WISN
State Representative Robin Vos
State Senator Joe Leibham
Tim Dake - WI Grandsons of Liberty
Adelle Weeks - global warming expert
Mark Block . Americans for Prosperity
Linda Hansen . Wisconsin Prosperity Network

Make calls for Scott Brown

Cannot afford to make a donation, that is okay. Most of us have nationwide long distance calling plans on our cell phones, so this is a good way to contribute to the Scott Brown campaign if you so choose.

Follow the link.

How ironic?

From the most transparent government ever:

at 2:15 PM, the Vice President will meet with Earl Devaney, chairman of the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board. This meeting is closed press. ###

Closed to the press? So much for transparency...How ironic is that? Transparency and Accountability Board meeting behind closed doors.

Ryan: Public Option Dead in name only

WisPolitics

Congressman Paul Ryan:

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan believes that even if a public health insurance option is not included in a final health care bill, the legislation, if passed, would likely create the conditions for government-run health care down the road.

"I think it's dead in name but not in substance," the Janesville Republican told WisPolitics today following a speech to the Madison chapter of Financial Executives International. "I think what the majority is going to try to do is put something that effectively creates a public option but allows them to say that it's not in this bill."

Ryan argued that a provision of the Senate bill -- which would allow the Office of Personnel Management to set up an insurance "system" -- "more or less plants the seeds for a public option to occur."

"I always thought the public option was kind of a stalking horse, and it was always something that would be traded away at the end of the day," Ryan said.

Ryan also predicted Democrats would be unable to move carbon cap-and-trade legislation through the Senate, in part due to the political toll the health care debate has taken on the party.

"I don't think it can survive a filibuster," Ryan said, adding that he doesn't think efforts by the Obama administration to regulate carbon emissions through the EPA would be successful, either.

Ryan also addressed his appearance next month at a pair of New Hampshire GOP fundraisers. He said he was invited by the state Republican Party and former U.S. Sen. John Sununu, reiterating that "there's no way" he's running for president in 2012.

"New Hampshirites are going to have a huge say-so in picking our next nominee, and I wanted to give my 2 cents in saying, 'Please pick a nominee who understands the economic and fiscal crisis in this country. Pick somebody who knows it, understands it and will take it on,'" Ryan said.

"My point is to simply give kind of a 'Paul Revere' speech on the fiscal crisis in this country, so New Hampshirites use that as one of the litmus tests and the standards that they hold the eventual nominee to."

Listen to Ryan's comments here.

Palin on The O'Reilly Factor

Hat Tip: Conservatives 4 Palin

To anyone that missed it.

Obama Campaign slammed Geraldine Ferraro over her similar comments as Reid

Actually Reid's comments were worse. Obama and Team Hope & Change demanded that Ferraro be kicked to the side because of what she said about the Obama campaign:

She told a FOX News interviewer, "I got up and the question was asked, 'Why do you think Barack Obama is in the place he is today" as the party's delegate front-runner?

"I said in large measure, because he is black. I said, Let me also say in 1984 -- and if I have said it once, I have said it 20, 60, 100 times -- in 1984, if my name was Gerard Ferraro instead of Geraldine Ferraro, I would never have been the nominee for vice president," she said.

In her first interview with Daily Breeze, published late last week, Ferraro said, "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

She also said Hillary Clinton had been the victim of a "sexist media."

Obama himself has called the comments "patently absurd."

"I don't think Geraldine Ferraro's comments have any place in our politics or in the Democratic Party. They are divisive," he told the Allentown Morning Call.

"I think anybody who understands the history of this country knows they are patently absurd. And I would expect that the same way those comments don't have a place in my campaign, they shouldn't have a place in Sen. Clinton's, either," he added.

Earlier, Obama's top strategist, David Axelrod, called for Clinton to sever ties with the former New York congresswoman, who serves on her campaign's finance committee.

"When you wink and nod at offensive statements, you're really sending a signal to your supporters that anything goes," Axelrod said.

Axelrod said the comment by Ferraro, coupled with Clinton's "own inexplicable unwillingness" to deny that Obama was a Muslim during a recent interview, was part of "an insidious pattern that needs to be addressed."

President Obama himself is being the ultimate hypocrite. When Harry Reid said the following, Obama forgave him instantly. In fact, Obama took less time to accept Reid's apology than to deal with the fruit-of-kaboom bomber.

Reid's statement:

a 'light-skinned' African American 'with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one,

At least Ferraro did not speak of a "negro dialect".

It's the People's Seat

What is up with this, Congressman Sensenbrenner?

I received an email from a friend yesterday asking me about this:

Few would argue with the U.S. having a presence at the Copenhagen Climate Summit. But wait until you hear what we found about how many in Congress got all-expense paid trips to Denmark on your dime.

CBS investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports that cameras spotted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the summit. She called the shots on who got to go. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and embattled Chairman of the Tax Committee Charles Rangel were also there.

They were joined by 17 colleagues: Democrats: Waxman, Miller, Markey, Gordon, Levin, Blumenauer, DeGette, Inslee, Ryan, Butterfield, Cleaver, Giffords, and Republicans: Barton, Upton, Moore Capito, Sullivan, Blackburn and Sensenbrenner.

and we paid for his wife to go also?

As a perk, some took spouses, since they could snag an open seat on a military jet or share a room at no extra cost to taxpayers. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was there with her husband. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) was also there with her husband. Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) took his wife, as did Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Congressman Barton -- a climate change skeptic -- even brought along his daughter.

Perhaps our conservative friend, Congressman Sensenbrenner paid his own way. That is fine. Still I think we deserve an explanation for why he went and whether or not the Congressman paid for the trip himself.