Seizure
Mr. Obama seized on the opportunity to try to deflect some of the heat he has been feeling as gas prices have steadily climbed. He noted wryly at a political fund-raiser last weekend that his poll numbers tend to go up and down with pump prices, even as he admitted he had no “silver bullet” to bring those prices down in the short term. But he found ammunition in the tax breaks the oil industry has enjoyed for decades, portraying the industry as undeserving of them at a time when government needs all the revenue it can get. (NYT, 4/30/11)
Obama and the Dems had the numbers to ram through health care reform. If they are now so outraged by tax breaks for oil companies, why didn’t they do something about that when they had the chance?
Deplorable
A group including former White House officials, union leaders and one of Hollywood’s biggest producers have joined forces to start an outside effort to help President Obama and Congressional Democrats in 2012 by using the very sort of anonymous, unlimited donations from moneyed interests that the president has so deplored. (NYT, 4/30/11)
Later in the article we learn that the president’s opinion on this matter “has not changed.” Which leads to the inevitable conclusion that Obama deplores the actions of Jeffrey Katzenberg and the SEIU. You think?
Fuming
Union leaders in this traditionally labor-friendly state are fuming over a plan passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives this week to curtail bargaining rights for municipal workers, a highly unusual move by Democratic lawmakers. (NYT, 4/29/11)
Later in the article we learn that the Wisconsin Republican Party congratulated Mass Governor Deval Patrick and proclaimed him “an ally.” True! No word yet on whether Mass Republicans were planning to leave the state and go into hiding…
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Fours Have It
It was reasonable for the White House to counteract the conspiracy types by releasing the original certificate (Obama long ago released the standard form Hawaii considers to be a legal birth certificate.) Less evident is why Obama felt he needed to lower himself by appearing in the briefing room, escorted by his chief of staff, to defend himself against the birthers. (Dana Millbank, Washington Post, 4/28/11)
RedStateVT never gave too much thought to the whole birther controversy. We assumed that Obama was born in this country and that his presidency was legitimate. But, as with most things Obama, this was a self-inflicted wound. Obama could have released the birth certificate years ago and did not. So we hope the issue goes away. Now if we could only do something about those 9/11 truthers…..
RedStateVT never gave too much thought to the whole birther controversy. We assumed that Obama was born in this country and that his presidency was legitimate. But, as with most things Obama, this was a self-inflicted wound. Obama could have released the birth certificate years ago and did not. So we hope the issue goes away. Now if we could only do something about those 9/11 truthers…..
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Road to Damascus
Child’s Play
The president keeps promoting an “adult conversation” about the budget, but that can’t happen if the First Adult doesn’t play his part. Obama is eager to be all things to all people. He’s against the debt and its adverse consequences, but he’s for preserving Social Security and Medicare without major changes. He’s for “tough cuts,” but he’s against saying what they are and defending them. He pronounces ambitious goals without saying how they’d be reached. Mainly, he’s for scoring political points against Republicans. (Robert Samuelson, Washington Post, 4/24/11)
Living in America
Americans are outraged about a House-passed budget bill that would destroy Medicare and Medicaid, put Social Security at risk and give $1 trillion in new tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and corporations. Republicans rammed the bill through the House on a party-line vote the same day Congress adjourned for its Easter recess. House members who voted for the bill have encountered angry crowds at town meetings. Bernie called the measure "the most right wing extremist piece of legislation that I have ever seen in my life." The Senate, he said, should vote it down. (BernieBuzz, 4/27/11)
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders clarified that this was ‘the most right wing extremist piece of legislation that I have ever seen in my life since the last piece of legislation that I said was the most right wing extremist piece of legislation that I have ever seen in my life.’ Just to clarify…….
Field Notes
A friend recently discussed with RedStateVT the state of parenting in Europe. Which, of course, liberals believe that we should emulate in all ways. Apparently parents have just given up on trying to prevent teenagers from having sex. And so, now they allow co-ed sleep-overs for kids as young as fourteen. They say that the kids should just “figure it out on their own.” Which, of course, is further proof of a continent in decline.
The president keeps promoting an “adult conversation” about the budget, but that can’t happen if the First Adult doesn’t play his part. Obama is eager to be all things to all people. He’s against the debt and its adverse consequences, but he’s for preserving Social Security and Medicare without major changes. He’s for “tough cuts,” but he’s against saying what they are and defending them. He pronounces ambitious goals without saying how they’d be reached. Mainly, he’s for scoring political points against Republicans. (Robert Samuelson, Washington Post, 4/24/11)
Living in America
Americans are outraged about a House-passed budget bill that would destroy Medicare and Medicaid, put Social Security at risk and give $1 trillion in new tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and corporations. Republicans rammed the bill through the House on a party-line vote the same day Congress adjourned for its Easter recess. House members who voted for the bill have encountered angry crowds at town meetings. Bernie called the measure "the most right wing extremist piece of legislation that I have ever seen in my life." The Senate, he said, should vote it down. (BernieBuzz, 4/27/11)
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders clarified that this was ‘the most right wing extremist piece of legislation that I have ever seen in my life since the last piece of legislation that I said was the most right wing extremist piece of legislation that I have ever seen in my life.’ Just to clarify…….
Field Notes
A friend recently discussed with RedStateVT the state of parenting in Europe. Which, of course, liberals believe that we should emulate in all ways. Apparently parents have just given up on trying to prevent teenagers from having sex. And so, now they allow co-ed sleep-overs for kids as young as fourteen. They say that the kids should just “figure it out on their own.” Which, of course, is further proof of a continent in decline.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Spy With Your Little Eye
In less than two weeks, Ms. Wasserman Schultz — mother, wife, Girl Scout leader, legislator, fund-raiser and House vote counter — will add another job to her monumentally orchestrated life. She will become the first woman elected to lead the Democratic National Committee, a role that requires grit, exaltation and inspiration. At 44, she will be the youngest committee leader in decades. (NYT, 4/25/11)
The liberal press just loves these stories of folks breaking gender and race barriers…as long as they are liberals. Hence, no fanfare for Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Michael Steele, or other Republican firsts. The Democrat trail-blazers get the soft glove treatment (Wasserman Schultz is a Girl Scout leader, Pelosi is a doting grandmother). The Republicans get the stories about drunken college pranks and disgruntled waitresses who didn’t get big enough tips.
The liberal press just loves these stories of folks breaking gender and race barriers…as long as they are liberals. Hence, no fanfare for Colin Powell, Condi Rice, Michael Steele, or other Republican firsts. The Democrat trail-blazers get the soft glove treatment (Wasserman Schultz is a Girl Scout leader, Pelosi is a doting grandmother). The Republicans get the stories about drunken college pranks and disgruntled waitresses who didn’t get big enough tips.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Know Your Redeemer
Ration This
Republicans charge that this would allow “unelected bureaucrats” to “ration” health care, and members of both parties object to relinquishing any power over federal spending. But Congress has shown it is far too susceptible to lobbying by insurers, hospitals, patients and other special interest groups. It makes sense to let experts drawn from diverse backgrounds set a course for Congress based on the best available evidence of what might work. (NYT, 4/24/11)
So Times logic is this: we can’t trust the politicians (presumably this includes Democrats too), so let’s appoint a bunch of experts to make these decisions. And, of course, the “experts” will be completely impartial and not subject to any outside pressure. One question, though. Would it be Democrats who appoint the experts?
Field Notes
RedStateVT talked recently to a local doctor about the current proposals to move toward government-controlled – sorry, single-payer – health care in the state. His take: up to 50% of the doctors in the state would consider leaving if this is enacted. He also said: “lifestyle only goes so far.” This last comment is telling because it gets to the trade-off that many business people and many conservatives face in Vermont. It is a great state to raise a family, but you have to put up with the silly antics of the Left. When these begin to infringe on the ability to make a living, these people will vote with their feet and leave. Warning to the Left: when this happens there will not be enough money to fund your social experiments.
Stunning Proposal
Given the stunning levels of inequality that increasingly misshape our economy, raising income taxes on the wealthiest among us is essential if we wish to preserve the national defense, schools and secure retirements. Essential, but not enough. Taxing the income from Americans’ labor doesn’t yield what it once did. We need to raise the taxes on Americans’ investments, too. (Harold Meyerson, Washington Post, 4/19/11)
Do you love this guy or what? But wait, he gets better!
First, as private-sector employment continues to decline, the public sector will have to step in to create jobs. Second, we have to tax income and wealth derived from capital investments at a rate not just as high but higher than that we levy on work.
Yes, he said it! In addition to more and higher taxes, we need more public employees!
Republicans charge that this would allow “unelected bureaucrats” to “ration” health care, and members of both parties object to relinquishing any power over federal spending. But Congress has shown it is far too susceptible to lobbying by insurers, hospitals, patients and other special interest groups. It makes sense to let experts drawn from diverse backgrounds set a course for Congress based on the best available evidence of what might work. (NYT, 4/24/11)
So Times logic is this: we can’t trust the politicians (presumably this includes Democrats too), so let’s appoint a bunch of experts to make these decisions. And, of course, the “experts” will be completely impartial and not subject to any outside pressure. One question, though. Would it be Democrats who appoint the experts?
Field Notes
RedStateVT talked recently to a local doctor about the current proposals to move toward government-controlled – sorry, single-payer – health care in the state. His take: up to 50% of the doctors in the state would consider leaving if this is enacted. He also said: “lifestyle only goes so far.” This last comment is telling because it gets to the trade-off that many business people and many conservatives face in Vermont. It is a great state to raise a family, but you have to put up with the silly antics of the Left. When these begin to infringe on the ability to make a living, these people will vote with their feet and leave. Warning to the Left: when this happens there will not be enough money to fund your social experiments.
Stunning Proposal
Given the stunning levels of inequality that increasingly misshape our economy, raising income taxes on the wealthiest among us is essential if we wish to preserve the national defense, schools and secure retirements. Essential, but not enough. Taxing the income from Americans’ labor doesn’t yield what it once did. We need to raise the taxes on Americans’ investments, too. (Harold Meyerson, Washington Post, 4/19/11)
Do you love this guy or what? But wait, he gets better!
First, as private-sector employment continues to decline, the public sector will have to step in to create jobs. Second, we have to tax income and wealth derived from capital investments at a rate not just as high but higher than that we levy on work.
Yes, he said it! In addition to more and higher taxes, we need more public employees!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Bad Luck Streak at Dancing School
What Goes Up
Rising gas prices are no doubt a problem for the White House, and may be a main factor in the plummeting poll numbers. The higher gas prices generally rise, the lower a president’s approval ratings tend to be. (TheHill.com, 4/21/11)
As RedStateVT has told you!
No Hope
Americans are more pessimistic about the nation’s economic outlook and overall direction than they have been at any time since President Obama’s first two months in office…according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. Amid rising gas prices, stubborn unemployment and a cacophonous debate in Washington over the federal government’s ability to meet its future obligations, the poll presents stark evidence that the slow, if unsteady, gains in public confidence earlier this year that a recovery was under way are now all but gone. (NYT, 4/22/11)
As the President of Hope, what will Obama do? Will he take the Jimmy Carter approach and blame America? Will he do what he has done up to this point and blame Bush? It's time to lead!
Droning On
…and President Obama authorized the use of armed drones for close-in fighting against the Qaddafi forces. (NYT, 4/22/11)
In response, anti-US riots broke out in the streets of many European cities while Amnesty International condemned the president’s actions. Just kidding!
Rising gas prices are no doubt a problem for the White House, and may be a main factor in the plummeting poll numbers. The higher gas prices generally rise, the lower a president’s approval ratings tend to be. (TheHill.com, 4/21/11)
As RedStateVT has told you!
No Hope
Americans are more pessimistic about the nation’s economic outlook and overall direction than they have been at any time since President Obama’s first two months in office…according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. Amid rising gas prices, stubborn unemployment and a cacophonous debate in Washington over the federal government’s ability to meet its future obligations, the poll presents stark evidence that the slow, if unsteady, gains in public confidence earlier this year that a recovery was under way are now all but gone. (NYT, 4/22/11)
As the President of Hope, what will Obama do? Will he take the Jimmy Carter approach and blame America? Will he do what he has done up to this point and blame Bush? It's time to lead!
Droning On
…and President Obama authorized the use of armed drones for close-in fighting against the Qaddafi forces. (NYT, 4/22/11)
In response, anti-US riots broke out in the streets of many European cities while Amnesty International condemned the president’s actions. Just kidding!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Get Behind the Mule
Strongly Held
With less than a year to go before the Iowa caucuses, Republican voters have yet to form strong opinions about most of their potential candidates for president in 2012, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. (NYT, 4/21/11)
The press loves to run these articles that talk about no clear front runner and imply ‘no viable Republican candidates.’ They complement the ‘Obama is unbeatable’ pieces that also appear. Rather than focus on the candidates they gin up Donald Trump who will never give up the job he has for the lesser job of the presidency. As for unbeatable Obama….really? RedStateVT says again that if gas is $4/gallon, Obama loses.
First There Were Republicans
Early in his remarks, Mr. Obama recounted the origins of the current debt, recalling the trillions of dollars added in the past decade when Republicans controlled the White House and Congress and cut taxes, opened two wars, and created a new Medicare prescription drug benefit — all without offsetting spending cuts or tax increases. (NYT, 4/21/11)
Dem hypocrisy on the Medicare drug benefit is unfathomable. If they are so opposed, why did they not do something about it when they controlled government?
Requirements
The Senate's spending plan requires $24 million in new revenue. The pending tax bill recommended by the Senate Finance Committee would raise the money through increases in the cigarette tax and a health-care-provider tax, and from a new tax on medical and dental insurance claims. (Burlington Free Press, 4/21/11)
Fresh off their proposals to decimate Vermont’s supply of cheap and reliable power, legalize dope and allow physician-assisted suicide, Vermont’s Left gets to work on new taxes. We thought that they wanted affordable health care for all, but apparently what they really want is to tax it.
With less than a year to go before the Iowa caucuses, Republican voters have yet to form strong opinions about most of their potential candidates for president in 2012, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. (NYT, 4/21/11)
The press loves to run these articles that talk about no clear front runner and imply ‘no viable Republican candidates.’ They complement the ‘Obama is unbeatable’ pieces that also appear. Rather than focus on the candidates they gin up Donald Trump who will never give up the job he has for the lesser job of the presidency. As for unbeatable Obama….really? RedStateVT says again that if gas is $4/gallon, Obama loses.
First There Were Republicans
Early in his remarks, Mr. Obama recounted the origins of the current debt, recalling the trillions of dollars added in the past decade when Republicans controlled the White House and Congress and cut taxes, opened two wars, and created a new Medicare prescription drug benefit — all without offsetting spending cuts or tax increases. (NYT, 4/21/11)
Dem hypocrisy on the Medicare drug benefit is unfathomable. If they are so opposed, why did they not do something about it when they controlled government?
Requirements
The Senate's spending plan requires $24 million in new revenue. The pending tax bill recommended by the Senate Finance Committee would raise the money through increases in the cigarette tax and a health-care-provider tax, and from a new tax on medical and dental insurance claims. (Burlington Free Press, 4/21/11)
Fresh off their proposals to decimate Vermont’s supply of cheap and reliable power, legalize dope and allow physician-assisted suicide, Vermont’s Left gets to work on new taxes. We thought that they wanted affordable health care for all, but apparently what they really want is to tax it.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
On A Day Like No Other
Walking It Back…Again
The budget bill that passed Congress Thursday also included a provision to defund a number of White House czars -- the high-level presidential appointees whose ranks have swelled in recent decades as a means of skirting Senate confirmation hearings….But on Friday night, Obama declared that he intends to ignore that part of the budget legislation, issuing a relatively rare "signing statement" after he inked the budget deal in which he argued that the legislative effort to eliminate those positions was an unconstitutional infringement on the executive branch….Still, it's worth noting that the use of the tool stands in stark contrast to the position Obama took during the presidential campaign, when he criticized George W. Bush's use of signing statements and went so far as to suggest the practice violated basic constitutional law. (our emphasis) (HuffingtonPost.com, 4/16/11)
Democrats joined Republicans in expressing outrage at this abuse of presidential power. Just kidding!
Singular
(Obama) has poisoned the well for bipartisan negotiations, killing any chance of a grand budget bargain in the next 18 months. With a single speech he has relegated America to two more years of partisan budgetary stalemate, as we drift closer and closer to fiscal oblivion. (Keith Hennessey, CNN.com, 4/15/11)
The budget bill that passed Congress Thursday also included a provision to defund a number of White House czars -- the high-level presidential appointees whose ranks have swelled in recent decades as a means of skirting Senate confirmation hearings….But on Friday night, Obama declared that he intends to ignore that part of the budget legislation, issuing a relatively rare "signing statement" after he inked the budget deal in which he argued that the legislative effort to eliminate those positions was an unconstitutional infringement on the executive branch….Still, it's worth noting that the use of the tool stands in stark contrast to the position Obama took during the presidential campaign, when he criticized George W. Bush's use of signing statements and went so far as to suggest the practice violated basic constitutional law. (our emphasis) (HuffingtonPost.com, 4/16/11)
Democrats joined Republicans in expressing outrage at this abuse of presidential power. Just kidding!
Singular
(Obama) has poisoned the well for bipartisan negotiations, killing any chance of a grand budget bargain in the next 18 months. With a single speech he has relegated America to two more years of partisan budgetary stalemate, as we drift closer and closer to fiscal oblivion. (Keith Hennessey, CNN.com, 4/15/11)
Friday, April 15, 2011
Hypnotized
Apology Accepted
During the last election cycle, Mr. Obama and Democratic leaders condemned the conservative groups for their refusal, in some cases, to disclose their donors. Now, some of the Democratic-leaning groups will accept the charge of hypocrisy and go after that kind of money themselves. (NYT, 4/15/11)
POV
It should have been a moment of victory for Speaker John A. Boehner and fellow members of a House Republican leadership team still learning on the job as they forced through a record level of spending cuts. Instead, it felt a little like defeat. Though the House voted convincingly to end the spending fight that had brought the government to the brink of a shutdown, Democrats had to ride to the rescue to provide the winning margin as dozens of Republicans turned thumbs down. (NYT, 4/15/11)
What is more significant – as some have pointed out – is how completely the debate has changed. Thanks to the Tea party, it is now all about spending cuts instead of spending more.
The Important Stuff
"The Oval Office, I always thought I was going to have really cool phones and stuff," he said during a small fundraising event at a Chicago restaurant. "I'm like, c'mon guys, I'm the president of the United States. Where's the fancy buttons and stuff and the big screen comes up? It doesn't happen." (Foxnews.com, 4/15/11)
For God’s sake, get the guy a cool phone so we don’t have to listen to him complain. And maybe he can focus instead on trying to figure out the mess that his policies have made in this country.
Apology Also Accepted
Obama is also looking to marginalize any opposition to debt ceiling votes. Both he and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have now expressed their regret for having heaped scorn on George W. Bush for small requests in the past. In an interview with ABC’s morning show, Obama called his vote against Bush in 2006 “political” and the act of a “new senator” who didn’t understand the ways of the world. (Foxnews.com, 4/15/11)
Did anyone else note this stunning admission? What gives us confidence now that Obama is not – in fact – a “new president” who doesn’t understand the ways of the world?
During the last election cycle, Mr. Obama and Democratic leaders condemned the conservative groups for their refusal, in some cases, to disclose their donors. Now, some of the Democratic-leaning groups will accept the charge of hypocrisy and go after that kind of money themselves. (NYT, 4/15/11)
POV
It should have been a moment of victory for Speaker John A. Boehner and fellow members of a House Republican leadership team still learning on the job as they forced through a record level of spending cuts. Instead, it felt a little like defeat. Though the House voted convincingly to end the spending fight that had brought the government to the brink of a shutdown, Democrats had to ride to the rescue to provide the winning margin as dozens of Republicans turned thumbs down. (NYT, 4/15/11)
What is more significant – as some have pointed out – is how completely the debate has changed. Thanks to the Tea party, it is now all about spending cuts instead of spending more.
The Important Stuff
"The Oval Office, I always thought I was going to have really cool phones and stuff," he said during a small fundraising event at a Chicago restaurant. "I'm like, c'mon guys, I'm the president of the United States. Where's the fancy buttons and stuff and the big screen comes up? It doesn't happen." (Foxnews.com, 4/15/11)
For God’s sake, get the guy a cool phone so we don’t have to listen to him complain. And maybe he can focus instead on trying to figure out the mess that his policies have made in this country.
Apology Also Accepted
Obama is also looking to marginalize any opposition to debt ceiling votes. Both he and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have now expressed their regret for having heaped scorn on George W. Bush for small requests in the past. In an interview with ABC’s morning show, Obama called his vote against Bush in 2006 “political” and the act of a “new senator” who didn’t understand the ways of the world. (Foxnews.com, 4/15/11)
Did anyone else note this stunning admission? What gives us confidence now that Obama is not – in fact – a “new president” who doesn’t understand the ways of the world?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Apocalypse Now!
In his Wednesday speech, Obama took on the Ryan approach in harsh terms, calling it a vision that would see "roads crumble and bridges collapse," young Americans unable to go to college, seniors left uncared for, Medicare ended, and 50 million Americans left without health insurance. "The fact is," said Obama, "this vision is less about reducing the deficit than it is about changing the basic social compact in America." (Huffington Post.com, 4/13/11)
No, actually it is AS MUCH about reducing the deficit as it is about changing the basic social compact in America. Master politician and conciliator Obama sets the tone of the debate by demagoguing the opposition’s approach. Here’s another take on Ryan and his approach……
Amid a Congress of baby steps, Paul Ryan strides like a giant……Rep. Ryan’s (R-Wis.) budget is a thing of beauty. Stepping boldly on the third rails of our politics, he outlines a vision for a return to free enterprise and limited government that would have made Thomas Jefferson’s heart proud. (DickMorris.com, 4/12/11)
No, actually it is AS MUCH about reducing the deficit as it is about changing the basic social compact in America. Master politician and conciliator Obama sets the tone of the debate by demagoguing the opposition’s approach. Here’s another take on Ryan and his approach……
Amid a Congress of baby steps, Paul Ryan strides like a giant……Rep. Ryan’s (R-Wis.) budget is a thing of beauty. Stepping boldly on the third rails of our politics, he outlines a vision for a return to free enterprise and limited government that would have made Thomas Jefferson’s heart proud. (DickMorris.com, 4/12/11)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
These Days
Just Plain Sick
Governor Deval Patrick’s top labor adviser threw the administration’s weight behind a proposal yesterday that would require employers to allow workers to earn seven paid sick days a year, calling the proposal a “basic right.’’ Joanne Goldstein, secretary of labor and workforce development, argued that the plan would enhance workplace productivity, and rejected assertions that sick leave policies should be left up to individual businesses. But at a State House briefing on the issue, flanked by members of the Paid Leave Coalition and supportive lawmakers, Goldstein went further. (Boston.com, 4/13/11)
Massachusetts Liberals discover another “basic right.” Basically it is the right to get paid for not working. And yes, believe it or not, there is a group called the “Paid Leave Coalition.”
Ground Down
Key liberal groups, which helped elect Obama in 2008, are raising concerns that he has given up political ground to Republicans, allowing the message of reducing government to trump that of creating jobs and lowering the unemployment rate. (Washington Post, 4/13/11)
Once again we note the disingenuousness of the Left. Republicans screamed about jobs for two years while Obama and the Left recklessly pursued their dream of socialized medicine. Now they claim to be worried about unemployment.
Governor Deval Patrick’s top labor adviser threw the administration’s weight behind a proposal yesterday that would require employers to allow workers to earn seven paid sick days a year, calling the proposal a “basic right.’’ Joanne Goldstein, secretary of labor and workforce development, argued that the plan would enhance workplace productivity, and rejected assertions that sick leave policies should be left up to individual businesses. But at a State House briefing on the issue, flanked by members of the Paid Leave Coalition and supportive lawmakers, Goldstein went further. (Boston.com, 4/13/11)
Massachusetts Liberals discover another “basic right.” Basically it is the right to get paid for not working. And yes, believe it or not, there is a group called the “Paid Leave Coalition.”
Ground Down
Key liberal groups, which helped elect Obama in 2008, are raising concerns that he has given up political ground to Republicans, allowing the message of reducing government to trump that of creating jobs and lowering the unemployment rate. (Washington Post, 4/13/11)
Once again we note the disingenuousness of the Left. Republicans screamed about jobs for two years while Obama and the Left recklessly pursued their dream of socialized medicine. Now they claim to be worried about unemployment.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Mission Creep
The Left in Revolt
Nine days after Barack Obama launched his wee war in Libya, he went on television to tell the American people why he had done so. Not quite a week after congressional Republicans thumped the president by excising more money from his budget than he said he’d allow, the president will present his plan for dealing with the deficit. The cliche of late has been the trope about “getting ahead of history.” Wonderful. I would settle for Obama just catching up with himself. (Richard Cohen, NYT, 4/11/11)
What have they done with President Obama? What happened to the inspirational figure his supporters thought they elected? Who is this bland, timid guy who doesn’t seem to stand for anything in particular? (Paul Krugman, NYT, 4/10/11)
New York Times Headline – 4/12/11
Pakistan Tells U.S. It Must Sharply Cut C.I.A. Activities
Headline RedStateVT would like to see - 4/12/11
U.S. Tells Pakistan It Must Get Its Act Together Or U.S. Will Do It For Them
Nailed It
Obama’s inability, or reluctance, to say clearly why we are involved in Libya or under what conditions the mission might be said to have been accomplished has occasioned comparisons with Iraq. A more apposite comparison is to Jimmy Carter’s invasion of Iran — a nation twice as large as France — with eight helicopters. This became emblematic of a floundering president out of his depth. (George Will, Washington Post, 4/6/11)
Nine days after Barack Obama launched his wee war in Libya, he went on television to tell the American people why he had done so. Not quite a week after congressional Republicans thumped the president by excising more money from his budget than he said he’d allow, the president will present his plan for dealing with the deficit. The cliche of late has been the trope about “getting ahead of history.” Wonderful. I would settle for Obama just catching up with himself. (Richard Cohen, NYT, 4/11/11)
What have they done with President Obama? What happened to the inspirational figure his supporters thought they elected? Who is this bland, timid guy who doesn’t seem to stand for anything in particular? (Paul Krugman, NYT, 4/10/11)
New York Times Headline – 4/12/11
Pakistan Tells U.S. It Must Sharply Cut C.I.A. Activities
Headline RedStateVT would like to see - 4/12/11
U.S. Tells Pakistan It Must Get Its Act Together Or U.S. Will Do It For Them
Nailed It
Obama’s inability, or reluctance, to say clearly why we are involved in Libya or under what conditions the mission might be said to have been accomplished has occasioned comparisons with Iraq. A more apposite comparison is to Jimmy Carter’s invasion of Iran — a nation twice as large as France — with eight helicopters. This became emblematic of a floundering president out of his depth. (George Will, Washington Post, 4/6/11)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Hard Disk Crash
Who are you?
Gov. Deval Patrick on Monday nominated a lesbian who is married to her partner to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. (NYT, 4/5/11)
In other news, a baseball team won after a great pitching performance by an African-American.
Also, a Caucasian politician reacted to the budget controversy.
And a heterosexual actress starred in a new movie.
If we are going to play the gender, sexual preference and race identity game, let’s play.
Good One From Rush Limbaugh
Credit to El Rushbo for this and apologies if you have heard it before. RedStateVT had not. Goes like this.... remember during the '08 campaign when Obama - thinking he was in a safe environment - said to his adorers that evangelical blue collar folk "cling to guns and religion?" Well, Rush reminds us that it is actually Muslims who cling to guns and religion. And Obama says what?
Gov. Deval Patrick on Monday nominated a lesbian who is married to her partner to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. (NYT, 4/5/11)
In other news, a baseball team won after a great pitching performance by an African-American.
Also, a Caucasian politician reacted to the budget controversy.
And a heterosexual actress starred in a new movie.
If we are going to play the gender, sexual preference and race identity game, let’s play.
Good One From Rush Limbaugh
Credit to El Rushbo for this and apologies if you have heard it before. RedStateVT had not. Goes like this.... remember during the '08 campaign when Obama - thinking he was in a safe environment - said to his adorers that evangelical blue collar folk "cling to guns and religion?" Well, Rush reminds us that it is actually Muslims who cling to guns and religion. And Obama says what?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
War Criminals!
Try Try Again
“For taxpayers,” (Burlington Mayor) Kiss said Monday, “I understand these are difficult times. Just look at the cost of a gallon of gasoline or a gallon of milk. But I may have no choice but to bring another smaller tax increase before the council for review, consideration and support before the end of the month, and then before city voters sometime in May. This won’t be a decision made easily or lightly or before thorough review.” (Burlington Free Press, 4/5/11)
Already rejected overwhelmingly by the voters (including, presumably many of his progressive supporters) Mayor Kiss vows to try once again to raise taxes. Note to the mayor: cutting spending also works!
Doctor My Eyes
"Far from achieving their objective of making health care more affordable, the Democrats health care scheme could do irreparable harm to the state's health care system, according to a survey by Democrat Rep. George Till. The survey results indicate that a quarter of Vermont doctors would leave the state if a single-payer system is implemented and nearly one in three specialists would leave.” (Vermont GOP Chair Pat McDonald, VTGOP.org, 4/5/11)
A great thing about democracy is the fairly rapid cause and effect that results. Screw with their livelihood and doctors will leave. Will Vermont’s progressives heed this survey? RedStateVT predicts they will not. The Left’s dabbling in capitalism with Burlington Telecom will be a footnote compare to the disaster that awaits once they get to health care.
“For taxpayers,” (Burlington Mayor) Kiss said Monday, “I understand these are difficult times. Just look at the cost of a gallon of gasoline or a gallon of milk. But I may have no choice but to bring another smaller tax increase before the council for review, consideration and support before the end of the month, and then before city voters sometime in May. This won’t be a decision made easily or lightly or before thorough review.” (Burlington Free Press, 4/5/11)
Already rejected overwhelmingly by the voters (including, presumably many of his progressive supporters) Mayor Kiss vows to try once again to raise taxes. Note to the mayor: cutting spending also works!
Doctor My Eyes
"Far from achieving their objective of making health care more affordable, the Democrats health care scheme could do irreparable harm to the state's health care system, according to a survey by Democrat Rep. George Till. The survey results indicate that a quarter of Vermont doctors would leave the state if a single-payer system is implemented and nearly one in three specialists would leave.” (Vermont GOP Chair Pat McDonald, VTGOP.org, 4/5/11)
A great thing about democracy is the fairly rapid cause and effect that results. Screw with their livelihood and doctors will leave. Will Vermont’s progressives heed this survey? RedStateVT predicts they will not. The Left’s dabbling in capitalism with Burlington Telecom will be a footnote compare to the disaster that awaits once they get to health care.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Coexist!
Status Symbol
President Obama confirmed Monday morning that he would seek another four years in the White House, beginning a re-election campaign that would ask Americans to endorse the status quo over the increasingly vocal calls from Republicans for a fresh start in Washington.
Hold the phone, sister! Endorse the status quo? We voted for change and now we are being offered the “status quo?” We had to read a little farther to get the definition of the status quo:
Now, Mr. Obama must defend his own unpopular wars, an economic recovery that remains fragile, fiscal policies that have drawn skeptics and energy policies that have stalled in the face of natural and manmade disasters. (NYT, 4/4/11)
Oh, that status quo….
Extremely
Thinking he was talking only to fellow Dems on a conference call, reporters invited to listen in caught him (New York’s Chuck Schumer) in partisan warfare mode. “I always use the word ‘extreme.’ That is what the caucus instructed me to use this week,” he said about the Dem strategy to attack Republicans. (New York Post, 4/3/11)
Yet another example of Democrat civility.
President Obama confirmed Monday morning that he would seek another four years in the White House, beginning a re-election campaign that would ask Americans to endorse the status quo over the increasingly vocal calls from Republicans for a fresh start in Washington.
Hold the phone, sister! Endorse the status quo? We voted for change and now we are being offered the “status quo?” We had to read a little farther to get the definition of the status quo:
Now, Mr. Obama must defend his own unpopular wars, an economic recovery that remains fragile, fiscal policies that have drawn skeptics and energy policies that have stalled in the face of natural and manmade disasters. (NYT, 4/4/11)
Oh, that status quo….
Extremely
Thinking he was talking only to fellow Dems on a conference call, reporters invited to listen in caught him (New York’s Chuck Schumer) in partisan warfare mode. “I always use the word ‘extreme.’ That is what the caucus instructed me to use this week,” he said about the Dem strategy to attack Republicans. (New York Post, 4/3/11)
Yet another example of Democrat civility.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Code Pink Alert!
Standard Fare
Are there no standards whatsoever for punditry? Do high government or corporate officials suffer no consequence for leading us into calamity? Public officials who have failed spectacularly in office should have the common decency to retire in disgrace. But even if modern-day officials know no shame, why in the world would opinion pages, network talk shows and reputable journals give them a forum to offer their opinions, when they have shown that their advice isn’t worth the air it disturbs? (Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Washington Post, 3/29/11)
RedStateVT favorite Vanden Heuvel rails against ex-government officials offering their views of current events. Ex-government officials who happen to be Republicans. She includes Donald Rumsfeld, Alan Greenspan and Col. Oliver North on her short list of “failures.”
Well RedStateVT has another list of failures….Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Elliot Spitzer, and Rod Blagojevich. All Dems, all failures. Carter, perhaps the worst president of all time. Clinton who disgraced the office by having an extra-marital affair with an intern young enough to be his daughter and then lied about it. Elliot Spitzer who as governor employed prostitutes and now is a talk show host. And then there is Blago, accused of trying to sell a Senate seat. Yet, none of these transgressions appear to have limited these “failures” from being asked their opinion. Katrina? Hello? Anyone home there?
Are there no standards whatsoever for punditry? Do high government or corporate officials suffer no consequence for leading us into calamity? Public officials who have failed spectacularly in office should have the common decency to retire in disgrace. But even if modern-day officials know no shame, why in the world would opinion pages, network talk shows and reputable journals give them a forum to offer their opinions, when they have shown that their advice isn’t worth the air it disturbs? (Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Washington Post, 3/29/11)
RedStateVT favorite Vanden Heuvel rails against ex-government officials offering their views of current events. Ex-government officials who happen to be Republicans. She includes Donald Rumsfeld, Alan Greenspan and Col. Oliver North on her short list of “failures.”
Well RedStateVT has another list of failures….Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Elliot Spitzer, and Rod Blagojevich. All Dems, all failures. Carter, perhaps the worst president of all time. Clinton who disgraced the office by having an extra-marital affair with an intern young enough to be his daughter and then lied about it. Elliot Spitzer who as governor employed prostitutes and now is a talk show host. And then there is Blago, accused of trying to sell a Senate seat. Yet, none of these transgressions appear to have limited these “failures” from being asked their opinion. Katrina? Hello? Anyone home there?
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