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When the people fear the government, there is tyranny; When the government fears the people, there is liberty.  ~ Thomas Jefferson

 

Entries Tagged as 'Making History Tops Ethics'

ObamaCare’s Hotel California: The state moves to impose price controls you can never leave.

September 28th, 2010 · Deception, Democrats, Economy, Federal Spending, Government Control, Healthcare, Immigration, Non-Transparency, Selling Out the US, States, Tax Dollars, Unemployment

California, the novelist Wallace Stegner famously wrote, is like the rest of America, only more so—meaning that wherever the country is headed, the Golden State is probably there already. So the state’s ObamaCare advance planning deserves closer scrutiny, given that it mirrors the regulatory and ideological model that the White House favors for everyone else.

In a matter of days, California will set a precedent for the future of the U.S. individual and small-business insurance markets via ObamaCare’s “exchanges,” where people will purchase coverage at heavily subsidized rates. The exchanges don’t start up until 2014, but the states were given wide bureaucratic latitude in how they’re run, and Sacramento is using this flexibility to convert them into a pretext for imposing de facto price controls on the insurance industry.

Jerry Seib and Gerard Baker discuss the renewed furor over health care, including the war of worlds between House Minority Leader John Boehner and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

That may be what Democrats had in mind when they passed the bill, but it’s particularly unfortunate because in principle exchanges could be a useful reform. States could sponsor transparent, neutral clearinghouses that compare costs and benefits among plans, encouraging insurers to compete to offer the products that consumers find most valuable. An exchange could operate much like travel websites such as Expedia.com, and a good one along those lines started in Utah last year.

California looked further east for inspiration—to Massachusetts, which has the only other exchange in the country. Known as the connector, it’s the centerpiece of the ObamaCare beta test that Mitt Romney passed in 2006 and is now the power center of the state’s public utility-style insurance regulation. In the daisy chain of “expertise” that is the health policy world, California’s regulations were shaped by Jon Kingsdale, a devout White House ally who used to run the Massachusetts connector and is now a consultant.

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Military thwarted president seeking choice in Afghanistan

September 27th, 2010 · Accountability, Change of Power, Deception, Defense, Economy, Federal Spending, Foreign Policy, National Security, Non-Transparency, Obama's Scheme, Selling Out the US, Tax Dollars, Terrorism from Within, War on Terrorism

By Bob WoodwardWashington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 27, 2010; 12:34 AM

President Obama was on edge.

For two exhausting months, he had been asking military advisers to give him a range of options for the war in Afghanistan. Instead, he felt that they were steering him toward one outcome and thwarting his search for an exit plan. He would later tell his White House aides that military leaders were “really cooking this thing in the direction they wanted.”

He was looking for choices that would limit U.S. involvement and provide a way out. His top three military advisers were unrelenting advocates for 40,000 more troops and an expanded mission that seemed to have no clear end. When his national security team gathered in the White House Situation Room on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2009, for its eighth strategy review session, the president erupted.

“So what’s my option? You have given me one option,” Obama said, directly challenging the military leadership at the table, including Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, then head of U.S. Central Command.

“We were going to meet here today to talk about three options,” Obama said sternly. “You agreed to go back and work those up.”

Mullen protested. “I think what we’ve tried to do here is present a range of options.”

Obama begged to differ. Two weren’t even close to feasible, they all had acknowledged; the other two were variations on the 40,000.

Silence descended on the room. Finally, Mullen said, “Well, yes, sir.”

Mullen later explained, “I didn’t see any other path.”

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Obama urges Congressional Black Caucus to drum up grass-roots support

September 22nd, 2010 · Corruption, Deception, Democrats, Economy, Ethics, Federal Spending, Government Control, Greed, Obama's Scheme, Selling Out the US

Reference:

  • Maxine Waters, a 2nd Democrat from the Black Caucus, will go on trial for Ethics violations.
  • Despite 13 charges, Rep. Charles B. Rangel says he won’t resign:More Democrat Delusions

    • By Nia-Malika Henderson – Monday, September 20, 2010; 1:29 AM

    President Obama rallied a crowd of black lawmakers on Saturday night, telling them to “guard the change” his administration has begun and calling for a return to the kind of vigorous grass-roots organizing that drove the civil rights movement forward.

    In a speech to the Congressional Black Caucus, Obama warned that Republicans want to “turn back the clock” and said: “I need everybody here to go back to your neighborhoods, and your workplaces, to your churches, and barbershops and beauty shops. Tell them we have more work to do.”

    While many Democratic lawmakers facing election are keeping their distance from Obama, polls show that the president enjoys a 91 percent favorability rating among African-Americans, and the Democratic National Committee is eager to tap into that enthusiasm to stave off major losses in November.

    With the GOP hoping to regain power on Capitol Hill, Obama made a direct appeal to this crucial voting block.

    “It’s not going to be easy,” he told the black-tie crowd at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. “I said back on the campaign that change would be hard. It wasn’t just a matter of me getting elected, and suddenly, our problems all go away. It was a matter of all of us getting involved, all of us staying committed, all of us sticking with our plan for a better future until it was complete. That’s how we’ve always moved forward in this country.”

    Ticking off his administration’s achievements, including the health care and financial regulatory overhauls, Obama linked his achievements to the long struggle for civil rights.

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    Obama envisions no major changes in Afghan strategy despite disapproval rate

    September 20th, 2010 · Deception, Defense, Democrats, Economy, Ethics, Federal Spending, Foreign Policy, Government Control, Homeland Security, National Security, Non-Transparency, Obama's Scheme, Selling Out the US, Terrorism from Within, Treason, War on Terrorism

    By Karen DeYoung Washington Post Staff Writer
    Saturday, September 18, 2010; 3:48 AM

    Despite discouraging news from Afghanistan and growing doubts in Congress and among the American public, the Obama administration has concluded that its war strategy is sound and that a December review, once seen as a pivotal moment, is unlikely to yield any major changes.

    This resolve arises amid a flurry of reports from outside experts and former officials who are convinced that the administration’s path in Afghanistan is unsustainable and its objectives are unclear. Lawmakers from both parties are insisting that they be given a bigger say in assessing the war’s trajectory.

    The White House calculus is that the strategy retains enough public and political support to weather any near-term objections. Officials do not expect real pressure for progress and a more precise definition of goals to build until next year, with the approach of a July deadline President Obama has set for decisions on troop withdrawals and the beginning of the 2012 electoral season.

    “The fundamentals are in the place where they should be,” a senior administration official said. Any adjustments will be akin to “moving the rabbit ears around a little bit to get better reception,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll be changing the channel come December.”

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    Another reason Obama and the Dems should have thought thing through before just passing reform bills.

    September 9th, 2010 · Accountability, Democrats, Government Control, Obama's Scheme, Selling Out the US, Treason, Unemployment

    Financial overhaul’s unexpected fallout: Closing of D.C.’s Small Savers day care

    By Lisa Rein Washington Post Staff Writer
    Wednesday, September 8, 2010; 10:47 PM

    Washington’s battle for regulatory reform wasn’t supposed to have this kind of collateral damage.

    President Obama and Congress fought Wall Street for a year to push through a law to reform the country’s banks. But now they’re facing another fight they never expected – steps from the White House – against the toddler set and their high-octane parents.

    The new law is threatening the existence of the Small Savers Child Development Center, which has operated for 24 years in the basement of the Office of Thrift Supervision at 1700 G St. NW. The bank watchdog that failed to police the country’s savings and loans is being closed – and its property dissolved. That means Small Savers has to go, too.

    Small Savers parents – who include White House staffers, World Bankers, lobbyists, lawyers and journalists - have quickly become a lobbying juggernaut to save the small Washington institution under G Street.

    “It will be a real tragedy if the financial crisis and the whole great economic soap opera claimed this day care center, too,” said Leon Wieseltier, literary editor of the New Republic magazine, whose 8-year-old son spent “four very happy and rich years” at Small Savers. “It may turn out the only thing working [in the building] was the day care center.”

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    Obama at it again: Spend more money before Dems no longer control Congress

    September 8th, 2010 · Change of Power, Deception, Democrats, Economy, Ethics, Federal Spending, Greed, Money Lost, Non-Transparency, Obama's Scheme, Selling Out the US, Stimulus, Tax Dollars, Taxes, Terrorism from Within

    Obama to unveil more stimulus, tax breaks for business

    By Lori Montgomery Washington Post Staff Writer
    Wednesday, September 8, 2010; 3:04 AM

    President Obama will argue personally Wednesday against extending the Bush-era income tax cuts for the nation’s wealthiest families even for a year or two, White House officials said Tuesday – a message aimed at wavering Democrats who have been swayed by arguments that the economy is too weak to raise anyone’s taxes.

    In a speech scheduled for delivery Wednesday afternoon in Cleveland, Obama will restate his long-held position that the nation cannot afford to extend tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of families, White House officials said.

    The officials added that Obama would not threaten to veto any compromise which extends the upper-bracket cuts, a position that has gained ground in recent weeks among moderates in both the House and Senate. But congressional sources said they were told to expect the president to try to stiffen Democratic spines in expectation of a showdown over income tax rates before the November midterm elections.

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    Delusional Harry Reid Still Making Crazy Comments

    September 7th, 2010 · Change of Power, Corruption, Deception, Democrats, Dissention, Economy, Ethics, Federal Spending, Greed, Money Lost, Non-Transparency, Obama's Scheme, Stimulus, Tax Dollars, Taxes, Terrorism from Within, Unemployment

    By Sharron Angle – Sep 07

    In national interviews with both CNN and ABC News, Harry Reid once again appeared completely delusional in making claims that he had nothing to do with the economic downturn, despite being the most powerful Senator in Washington D.C.

    With ABC News, Reid said: “You know that I had nothing to do with the massive foreclosures here. You know that I had nothing to do with these unemployment figures.”

    Reid went on to say, “I think it is my job to create jobs and I’ve done my best.”

    Remember, this is the same Harry Reid whose campaign slogan is, “No one can do more for Nevada.”

    Harry Reid’s “best” has resulted in Nevada having the highest unemployment in the nation with a 14.3 percent jobless rate statewide and a 14.8 unemployment rate in Las Vegas.

    That leads us to yet another outrageous claim from Majority Leader Reid. There are 194,943 people out of work in Nevada, and yet Harry Reid is making the claim that he’s created 3.5 million jobs. But the question is where, Sen. Reid? These jobs certainly are not in Nevada.

    “Harry Reid is making crazy statements while claiming absolutely no responsibility for the economy and the jobless rate in his own state. Yet, by the same token, he wants credit for creating 3.5 million jobs somewhere else,” said Jarrod Agen, Communications Director for Sharron Angle. “Harry Reid needs to stop running from his failed record and start taking responsibility for what he’s done to destroy the Nevada economy. If the Senate Majority Leader has absolutely nothing to do with unemployment or the economy, why is Harry Reid always asking for credit for doing ‘more for Nevada?’”

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    Los Angeles: Broke and Building the Most Expensive School in U.S. History

    September 7th, 2010 · Accountability, States, Tax Dollars, Taxes

    Benches that talk, a Cocoanut Grove auditorium, and a marble slab engraved with quotes from Ted Kennedy.

    By Allysia Finley

    Los Angeles

    At $578 million—or about $140,000 per student—the 24-acre Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools complex in mid-Wilshire is the most expensive school ever constructed in U.S. history. To put the price in context, this city’s Staples sports and entertainment center cost $375 million. To put it in a more important context, the school district is currently running a $640 million deficit and has had to lay off 3,000 teachers in the last two years. It also has one of the lowest graduation rates in the country and some of the worst test scores.

    The K-12 complex isn’t merely an overwrought paean to the nation’s most celebrated liberal political family. It’s a jarring reminder that money doesn’t guarantee success—though it certainly beautifies failure.

    The cluster of schools is situated on the premises of the old Ambassador Hotel where the New York senator and presidential candidate was shot in 1968. The school district insists that it chose the site not merely for sentimental reasons, but because it was the only space available in the area and the property was dirt cheap.

    The Robert F. Kennedy Learning Center

    That was the only cheap thing about the project. In order to build on the site, the school district had to resolve protracted legal battles with Donald Trump—who wanted to build the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi there—and with historical conservationists who demanded that certain features be restored or recreated.

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    Unemployment rate rises to 9.6 pct

    September 7th, 2010 · Deception, Democrats, Economy, Money Lost, Non-Transparency, Obama's Scheme, Selling Out the US, Terrorism from Within, Treason, Unemployment

    The Associated Press
    Friday, September 3, 2010; 5:41 PM

    – UNEMPLOYMENT RISES: The unemployment rate rose to 9.6 percent in August from 9.5 percent, as the nation lost 54,000 jobs. Private employers added a net total of 67,000 workers, but 114,000 temporary census jobs ended.

    9 PERCENT PLUS: Job creation by private companies is too weak to reduce the unemployment rate anytime soon. Unemployment has been 9 percent or higher for 16 months, nearing the record of 19 months, set during the 1982 recession and recovery.

    ANEMIC ECONOMY: Without more job growth, personal incomes won’t grow by much. That will limit consumer spending, which fuels 70 percent of the economy.

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    Summer of Economic Discontent

    September 2nd, 2010 · Change of Power, Deception, Democrats, Dissention, Economy, Ethics, Federal Spending, Foreign Policy, Government, Greed, Money Lost, Non-Transparency, Obama's Scheme, Selling Out the US, Social Security, Tax Dollars, Taxes, Unemployment

    The administration’s ‘summer of recovery’ has fizzled in almost every way imaginable. The growth rate is less than half what it was at this stage after the 1974-75 and 1981-82 recessions.

    By Michael Boskin

    The Obama administration’s “summer of recovery” has morphed into a summer of economic discontent amid anxiety over the weakening economy. The greater than 4% growth and less than 8% unemployment envisioned by the president’s economic team are nowhere to be seen. Almost everything that is supposed to be up—the economic growth rate, the stock market, bond yields—is down. And almost everything that is supposed to be down—unemployment-insurance claims, new mortgage delinquencies—is up.

    Sometimes a weak early recovery gathers strength after a year or so, as in 2003 when the second round of the Bush tax cuts helped double growth to 3.8% from 1.9%. But there are serious headwinds to stronger growth: household deleveraging, unresolved toxic assets, and most government economic policies headed in the wrong direction. While the base case outlook is still slow recovery, a double-dip recession or a Japanese-style lost decade is more plausible than a few months ago. This explains why Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke felt compelled last week to reiterate that the Fed will use more of its (in my view, weak) ammunition should the economy falter further.

    How bad is it? In the data for the last few weeks and months, real personal disposable income was flat; core capital goods orders, a precursor of business capital spending, declined 8%; new home sales fell 12.4%, existing sales 27%, despite record low mortgage rates; single-family housing starts declined 4.2%; building permits, foreshadowing future construction, fell 1.2%; initial jobless claims spiked to over 500,000, leading forecasters to expect at best meager short-term private-sector job growth; the Kansas City, Philadelphia and New York Fed manufacturing indexes fell; and the trade deficit increased, as exports fell and imports rose.

    These weak backward-looking data were accompanied by big downdrafts in forward-looking financial markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost over 4% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq over 6% in August—partly retraced yesterday—and the 10-year U.S. bond yield, at 2.47%, was back to its lows of March 2009. Real GDP growth slowed from 3.7% in the first quarter to just 1.6% last quarter.

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