The day’s top political news:
Not a single Republican supported Obama's “stimulus” package Wednesday night. The vote was 244-188, with 11 Democrats joining the Republicans.
The solid Republican opposition, led by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R., Ohio), raises questions about whether the new era of bipartisanship that Mr. Obama promised during the campaign is truly within reach, or if Washington remains stuck in its acrimonious ways.
The vote means Democrats have to make more compromises in the Senate version of the “stimulus” package.
In the Senate, a vote that falls short of 60 senators supporting a bill allows the opposition to filibuster, or block passage through indefinite debate.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123320178103027715.html?mod=article-outset-box
Democrat liberal, John Conyers plans to introduce radical healthcare bill.
The plan is simple: everyone is eligible for a version of Medicare under a new U.S. National Health Insurance Program.
The program would effectively put private insurers out of business. What to do with all those employees? Hire them, says Conyers' bill.
Conyers, a Michigan Democrat and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, last introduced his bill, which garnered 93 cosponsors, in February 2007. It was referred to committee but never given a hearing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/26/conyers-to-introduce-univ_n_160974.html
“America has lost the war on terror.“
President Barack Obama’s feckless, pathetically apologetic perspective on foreign policy spells the end of the quest for liberty in the Middle East. It spells the end of America’s moral leadership in the global war for freedom. And it spells the end of a hard-fought campaign to protect America.
Our enemies must be happily celebrating their great good fortune in America’s election of this platitudinous, morally relativistic, Jimmy Carter carbon copy in the midst of battle.
On Jan. 26, 2009, Obama granted his first television interview as president to Al Arabiya, the Dubai-based television network. Obama apologized for President Bush’s “Islamic fascism” terminology, equating Muslim terrorism with nonexistent terrorism by Jews and Christians: “the language we use matters. And what we need to understand is, is that there are extremist organizations -- whether Muslim or any other faith in the past -- that will use faith as a justification for violence. We cannot paint with a broad brush a faith as a consequence of the violence that is done in that faith's name.” There was no call for the Muslim world to actively fight terrorism -- honesty is not the Obama administration’s policy.
http://townhall.com/Common/PrintPage.aspx?g=0ad1e3ff-f983-42fe-8c72-f10f76a0b2c8&t=c
Opinion:
Obama and Democrats begin their dominating march against normal America
That march that tramples reason, logic, and reality, began last night with an overwhelming vote of passage for Obama’s “stimulus” package.
One email friend, and Episcopal Priest of exemplary standing noted this morning:
I just realized what "hope" means in DC today: It's an acronym for "Help
Obama Pound the Economy."
The bad news is the bill contains little in the way of actual strategies to solve our economic woes, and huge amounts that help encourage liberal ageandae. Funding sexual disease matters and abortions are among the list of primarily liberal efforts. Of course there is also a bite of the financial apple for Obama’s corrupt group – ACORN – currently being prosecuted for voter registration fraud in a dozen states – and openly involved in such activity in far more states in many other states during this past election.
Funding for the artsy group that gave America disgusting art in recent years? Does porn or bad taste create jobs?
The solid opposition by Republicans may serve to force Democrats to make modifications when it comes before the Senate next week. Democrats failed to achieve the magic number of 60 in their Senate membership – the number necessary to override any filibuster Republicans might choose to mount to stop the bill from a vote. (Of course the steadfastness of Republican senators from the Northeastern states always provides an element of uncertainty the interests of normal Americans are involved.
The good news is that solid opposition by House Republicans to Obama’s schemes and scams. That unity offers hope winning strategies may be possible in the future, and even in regaining GOP control somewhere on Capitol Hill.
It’s not often the GOP achieves total unity. There are always one or two weak people in any group. Not last night!
Eleven Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the Obama scheme. These “Blue Dog” Democrats may provide an opening through which saving America from the liberal extremes of Obama and his allies can find hope and an avenue for salvation.
Of course, they will have to move with dispatch. Liberal idiots are already feeling their oats and stirring.
John Conyers, the Michigan Democrat whose silly actions have provided moments of entertainment in the past, is now in a position of actual power and is moving to force prosecution of Bush Administration officials. He wants to subpoena Karl Rove for openers. Expect more madness from Conyers.
As if on cue, comes word Conyers is about to introduce his bill that would put everyone on Medicare and immediately destroy the Healthcare Insurance industry. I told you he is a nut!
But there are Democrats who seem to hint they can be reasonable representatives. The GOP needs to encourage their efforts and have the successes in such matter in the past as guidance – of course we lack a Ronal Reagan who powered the greatest volume of shifting alliances in this regard.
But America yet faces Democrat assault on the Freedom of Speech in the Fairness Doctrine conspiracy, and count on extremist groups such as the ACLU and the NEA teachers union, to push outrageous acts – wanting to get their pets into action while Obama is riding high.
Hold your breath. Its going to be a bumpy ride.
But the solidity of Republican voting on the Obama stimulus bill, offers hope. Real hope. Hope normal America can actually grasp and believe in.
We may be able to change the meaning of Fr Edward’s definition of Obama’s “Hope” and give the word honest meaning and encouragement for our values, our future and our nation.
Buddy
The day’s top Blogs:
First, an overview of today's bolgs:
1.
Trial-by-fire legislating can trigger enormous, disastrous consequences -- plain talk on the economy from someone on the front lines
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) (Congressman Bachus is the top Reoublican on the House Financial Services Committee
There is no question that the U.S. is facing a serious economic challenge and that the American people are looking to Washington for leadership.
But we also know from the last several months that enormous and unprecedented government interventions in the economy have enormous and unprecedented consequences.
Repeated trial-by-fire legislating has provided little or no opportunity for deliberative and thoughtful dialogue and discussion.
Now we are being asked to rush to judgment on an $825 billion economic stimulus proposal that would create an additional $6,700 in debt for every U.S. household.
Americans intuitively know that the government cannot spend and borrow our way to prosperity, so it is essential that we approach this debate not with a fire-brigade mentality but with a recognition of both the short-term and long-term consequences.
2.
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/01/28/sanchez_obama/
THE FIRST 100 DAYS: Repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Would Be a Disaster
Matt Sanchez War Correspondent and Political Commentator
It’s been one week since Barack Obama was sworn in as commander-in-chief and the new president has not hesitated to push his agenda–the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
Although “the primary purpose of the armed forces is to prepare for and to prevail in combat should the need arise”, forcing the military to legitimize same-sex relationships will be a Trojan Horse for imposing gay marriage nationwide and all in the name of “change.”
Gay activists have a mission for the military and it’s not national defense.
The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) would force the United States military to accept the future same-sex marriages of those serving. Activists would use this federal recognition of gay marriage in the military to challenge and force a repeal of state constitutional amendments, but wedding bells are not the only reason why gay advocates and military officials should not be heading to the altar.
A 2008 Military Times poll of members of the armed forces found that the troops were opposed to the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell by a margin of 2 to 1.
3.
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/obama_bailout_bill/2009/01/27/175729.html?
Obama’s Bill Hands ACORN $5.2 Billion Bailout
David A. Patten
A rising chorus of GOP leaders are protesting that the blockbuster Democratic stimulus package would provide up to a whopping $5.2 billion for ACORN, the left-leaning nonprofit group under federal investigation for massive voter fraud.
Most of the money is secreted away under an item in the now $836 billion package titled “Neighborhood Stabilization Programs.”
Ordinarily, neighborhood stabilization funds are distributed to local governments. But revised language in the stimulus bill would make the funds available directly to non-profit entities such as ACORN, the low-income housing organization whose pro-Democrat voter-registration activities have been blasted by Republicans. ACORN is cited by some for tipping the scales in the Democrats' favor in November.
According to Fox news, Sen. David Vitter, R-La., could appear to be a “payoff” for community groups’ partisan political activities in the last election cycle.
“It is of great concern to me,” Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., tells Newsmax. “I think our government has stayed strong because we’ve had a two-party system, we have had robust debate, people have felt that it was one man-one vote. They are privileged and grateful that they have that ability to cast that vote. And when something is done to belittle or diminish that, it is of great concern to me.”
Regarding ACORN, Blackburn added, “Additional funds going to these organizations that have tried to skew that system, it causes me great concern and I believe that it causes many of my colleagues great concern.”
Now the entire blogs:
1.
Trial-by-fire legislating can trigger enormous, disastrous consequences -- plain talk on the economy from someone on the front lines
Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) (Congressman Bachus is the top Reoublican on the House Financial Services Committee)
But we also know from the last several months that enormous and unprecedented government interventions in the economy have enormous and unprecedented consequences.
Repeated trial-by-fire legislating has provided little or no opportunity for deliberative and thoughtful dialogue and discussion.
Now we are being asked to rush to judgment on an $825 billion economic stimulus proposal that would create an additional $6,700 in debt for every U.S. household.
Americans intuitively know that the government cannot spend and borrow our way to prosperity, so it is essential that we approach this debate not with a fire-brigade mentality but with a recognition of both the short-term and long-term consequences.
As those of us in Congress and government undertake our duties, we should remember the words of the entrepreneur and author John Abrams who stated, “If the people who make the decisions are the people who will also bear the consequences of those decisions, perhaps better decisions will result.”
There has been an obvious crudeness and lack of thoughtfulness to our government responses. In the run-up to the adoption of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) legislation, we made decisions based on how the markets were reacting. And still, decisions continue to be made in a stress-filled environment under the pressure of short-term crises. In the best case, you have flawed action. In the worst case, the policy is wrong and wreaks havoc.
To solve this problem it will take long-term planning and strategy. I urge my colleagues to recognize that we must face the consequences and successfully navigate our way to a safe, more prosperous, and stable America. We must think in long-range terms, not base decisions on one day’s Dow Jones report or how the Asian markets might react.
Although we are told the need for a taxpayer-funded stimulus is urgent, the Congressional Budget Office reports that less half of the money will be spent in the next two years. An analysis of the housing provisions by my House Financial Services Committee staff also found billions of dollars in delayed spending, with large sums going to programs of questionable value and potentially to activist groups like ACORN.
For example, more than $4 billion is earmarked for the ill-titled Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which gives local governments money to buy foreclosed properties. The program has been nothing more than a bailout of investors and real estate speculators who made risky investments but who are now able to dump foreclosed properties onto states and localities. To date, it has invited more — not fewer — foreclosures by providing incentives to lenders to shutter properties rather than try to work with struggling homeowners to keep them in their houses.
During this downturn, some people think the best use of capital is by the government. But the American people, individuals and businesses, can deploy and utilize capital more quickly, effectively and productively than the government. Individual and business tax relief, deficit reduction, and regulatory and entitlement reform are ideas that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and eBay Founder Meg Whitman raised at a hearing held by the House Republican Working Group on Economic Recovery and deserve much greater consideration.
While we are facing difficult times, out of this comes an opportunity. We must engage people across the political spectrum and work together to find comprehensive long-term solutions.
This will not be easy for the majority. They have the votes, the power to adopt their proposals with no opportunity for dissent or alternatives. I know that the president told a group of congressional leaders, “I won.” But we should all agree that we will look at proposals to solve this problem regardless of their source. And we must view it as a system that must be worked on as a whole, not in pieces.
In my view, before the administration releases further TARP payments or before stimulus legislation is passed by Congress, the following goals must be met:
• There must be absolute transparency and accountability as to how every tax dollar will be spent.
• There should be hard and fast benchmarks, laying out what proposed spending and intervention specifically seeks to achieve.
• Above all, legitimate consequences must be considered.
If Thomas Paine was with us today, he might again write, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” But we are Americans, and I have no doubt that within us we have the will and wisdom to meet the challenges that lay before us.
Spencer Bachus is the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee.
2.
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/01/28/sanchez_obama/
THE FIRST 100 DAYS: Repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Would Be a Disaster
Matt Sanchez War Correspondent and Political Commentator
It’s been one week since Barack Obama was sworn in as commander-in-chief and the new president has not hesitated to push his agenda–the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
(AP)
Although “the primary purpose of the armed forces is to prepare for and to prevail in combat should the need arise”, forcing the military to legitimize same-sex relationships will be a Trojan Horse for imposing gay marriage nationwide and all in the name of “change.”
Gay activists have a mission for the military and it’s not national defense.
The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) would force the United States military to accept the future same-sex marriages of those serving. Activists would use this federal recognition of gay marriage in the military to challenge and force a repeal of state constitutional amendments, but wedding bells are not the only reason why gay advocates and military officials should not be heading to the altar.
A 2008 Military Times poll of members of the armed forces found that the troops were opposed to the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell by a margin of 2 to 1.
The queer thing about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is that President Bill Clinton mandated the policy after numerous campaign promises to the Clinton lesbian, gay and transgender constituency. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell was designed to protect those who serve and participate in the LGBT lifestyle against unfair prosecution from their superiors.
The compromise was this: You keep your private life private and we won’t bother you.
Americans are a fair people who understand that some men and women in uniform may have same-sex relationships or self-identify as gay and lesbian. Most Americans do not condone discrimination, but they understand national defense is paramount. Not everyone agrees.
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)–a national, non-profit legal services–would like to see gay pride extended to the military to advocate the LGBT cause and they’re not the only ones.
Many pro-gay groups hold up the example of international armed forces throughout the world that have lifted bans on homosexuality.
It is true: France, Germany, Italy and Spain all permit openly gay service members. But in Afghanistan, neither France, Spain, Italy or Germany will confront the Taliban. For many nations, the military has become more of a social symbol rather than a true fighting force. This is not the politically correct example for the American military to follow.
“There are just Marines,” is what drill instructors tell their young recruits in order to leapfrog the cultural, social, regional, economic and ethnic differences between the thousands of young strangers who are forged into the U.S. Marine Corps. Most Marines will agree, there are no “black” Marines, “white” Marines, “Asian” Marines, “Latin” Marines or “gay” Marines–there are just Marines.
This is counter-intuitive in our current culture of celebrity, hyphenated Americans, color coded Americans and the endless examples of self-promotion that parade through the media every day.
Despite what gay advocates call an “oppressive” job environment, most of the gay veterans I’ve spoken with over the years recall their time in service with nostalgia and pride.
The military workplace has no civilian equivalent. The military rigorously separates male and females, to avoid loss of morale and fraternization. However the rules permit heterosexual men and women to date. “Office romances” take on a drastically different meaning when the tools of the trade include heavy equipment, explosive devices and semi-automatic weapons. If infantrymen in an all-male combat unit hooked up, would that cause a problem with crucial unit cohesion? Will gay service members have to be separated from their non-gay service members? Will separate showers and living quarters be required? Or will there be all-gay military units? Will gays who don’t wish to self-identify be forced to do so?
Gay activists have a mission for the military and it’s not national defense. Gay groups want Americans who have had sex changes to also be permitted to join the armed forces.
In the tireless quest for equality, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network told me, via e-mail, that the non-profit is “working with other organizations to address the medical and grooming regulations which prohibit service for transgender people.”
The new commander-in-chief can unilaterally repeal Don’t ask Don’t Tell with a stroke of a pen, but he has held back. After winning the election in 2008 Obama said he:
“…first wants to confer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his new political appointees at the Pentagon to reach a consensus, and then present legislation to Congress.”
With two wars and danger clearly present, Americans and the Obama administration will have to ask if the mission of protecting the country should take a back seat to the agenda of promoting social change.
3.
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/obama_bailout_bill/2009/01/27/175729.html?s=al&promo_code=78E4-1
Obama’s Bill Hands ACORN $5.2 Billion Bailout
David A. Patten
A rising chorus of GOP leaders are protesting that the blockbuster Democratic stimulus package would provide up to a whopping $5.2 billion for ACORN, the left-leaning nonprofit group under federal investigation for massive voter fraud.
Most of the money is secreted away under an item in the now $836 billion package titled “Neighborhood Stabilization Programs.”
Ordinarily, neighborhood stabilization funds are distributed to local governments. But revised language in the stimulus bill would make the funds available directly to non-profit entities such as ACORN, the low-income housing organization whose pro-Democrat voter-registration activities have been blasted by Republicans. ACORN is cited by some for tipping the scales in the Democrats' favor in November.
According to Fox news, Sen. David Vitter, R-La., could appear to be a “payoff” for community groups’ partisan political activities in the last election cycle.
“It is of great concern to me,” Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., tells Newsmax. “I think our government has stayed strong because we’ve had a two-party system, we have had robust debate, people have felt that it was one man-one vote. They are privileged and grateful that they have that ability to cast that vote. And when something is done to belittle or diminish that, it is of great concern to me.”
Regarding ACORN, Blackburn added, “Additional funds going to these organizations that have tried to skew that system, it causes me great concern and I believe that it causes many of my colleagues great concern.”
The three-term congressman stopped short of suggesting the “neighborhood stabilization” money is a power grab by Democrats seeking partisan political advantage. But radio talk giant Rush Limbaugh did not.
Limbaugh warned his listeners Tuesday: “I’ll tell you what’s going on here: We, ladies & gentlemen, we’re funding Obama and the Democrats’ army on the street. We are funding the forces of the Democrat party’s re-election.”
Blackburn echoed the concerns of Republican leaders who object that the bloated package lacks the short-term stimulus a cut in payroll or sales taxes would provide.
According to Matthew Vadum of the Capitol Research Center, the stimulus package now under consideration includes:
$1 billion stashed away in• Community Development Block Grant money that ACORN often vies for successfully.
$10 million to develop or• refurbish low-income housing, a specialty of ACORN’s.
$4.19 billion to stave off• foreclosures via the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Vadum states the current version of the bill would allow nonprofits to compete with cities and states for $3.44 billion of the money. Some $750 million, however, would be exclusively reserved for nonprofits such as ACORN, which is actually an umbrella organization for over 100 progressive organizations.
Regarding the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Vadum writes in American Spectator: “Although ACORN operatives usually get their hands on such funds only after they have first passed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or state and local governments, the new spending bill largely eliminates these dawdling middle men, making it easier to get Uncle Sam's largess directly into the hands of the same people who run ACORN's various vote fraud and extortion rackets. And the legislative package provides these funds without the usual prohibition on using government money for lobbying or political activities.”
The charges of partisan political payback appear to be resonating in part due to Obama’s longstanding association with partisan get-out-the-vote operations. He was endorsed by ACORN, and during the campaign paid an ACORN affiliate $832,600 to get-out-the-vote assistance. Early in his career, he led a voter drive for an ACORN-affiliated group called Project Vote.
It’s not the first time ACORN has been entangled in a bailout controversy. In September, House Republicans objected that the original $700 billion bailout package included $100 million for ACORN – a tiny fraction of the sums for ACORN now being considered in the stimulus package.
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