The GOP Reagan-Conservative Conundrum.

There has been much to do over the path which the GOP should travel in order to make it back into power. Some "moderate republicans" such as Meghan McCain, David Frum, and David Brooks argue that the GOP needs to move further from the right in order to win "big."

Even Nancy Pelosi, Screecher of the House, has put her two cents in on the ailing GOP's problems.

Yahoo News-"I say to Republicans in America, take back your party," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters. "The party of protecting the environment, the party of individual rights, the party of fairness."

Niccolo Machiavelli reminds us though,

"For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are."

Fred Barnes, Fox News contributor, penned an article titled, Be the Party of No for the Weekly Standard. In his article, Barnes, makes the conjecture that the GOP should wear the brand of the"party of no." He provides an interesting trek into politics of the past and provides a badly needed history lesson for our beleaguered Republican strategists.

As he points out, everytime Republicans have faced off against far-left destructive policies they have won.

Weekly Standard-If Republicans scan their history, they'll discover unbridled opposition to bad Democratic policies pays off. Those two factors, unattractive policies plus strong opposition, were responsible for the Republican landslides in 1938, 1946, 1966, 1980, and 1994. A similar blowout may be beyond the reach of Republicans in 2010, but stranger things have happened in electoral politics. They'll lose nothing by trying.

Let's take this one step further an analyze the Democratic victories in 2006, 2008, and some components of the Obama victory.

In 2006 and 2008, Democrats used a fifty state strategy and made incursions into traditionally GOP held territory. By moving further right, far-right by progressive standards, and running a host of Blue Dogs, or moderate to conservative dems, the liberals were able to retake control of the House.

From the New York Times, October of 2006.

NY Times-In their push to win back control of the House, Democrats have turned to conservative and moderate candidates who fit the profiles of their districts more closely than the profile of the national party.

From USA Today.

USA Today-Leaders of the 51-member Blue Dog coalition, which helped House Democrats bolster their majority in the 2008 elections, say they want tighter spending controls in exchange for their support of the proposed stimulus.

Some might grab on to the wording of moderate appearing in this article as further proof that moderates are the key to victory. Not so. What this proves is not that the GOP has gone to far to the right that it cannot win elections, it is that the Democrats had gone to far to the left and needed to appear to return to basic conservatism so they could remain viable.

The basic tenets of the Blue Dog coalition which I recognize to be conservative, are considered a "far-right" ideology by most Progressives. Strangely, in three elections, the progressive wing of the democrats has had to rely on the conservative candidates or having a candidate appear as conservative-minded in order to win "big."

From the Blue Dog Coalition.

The Blue Dogs are dedicated to a core set of beliefs that transcend partisan politics, including a deep commitment to the financial stability and national security of the United States.

Right now fiscal conservatism is the glue which can bind the fractured GOP. Much like the war against communists did when it brought together classical liberals, conservatives, and libertarians under one roof into an impressive coalition. Although important, differences on social issues can be fought out later, now is the time to apply what works. Something us non-Beltway dwelling dullards pointed out months ago.

Finally, Jeb Bush recently stated that it's time for the Republican party to give up its "nostalgia" for Reagan and that the GOP should steal the winning strategy used by Democrats in 2008.

He is actually halfway correct about adopting the Democratic strategy. But not about his "leaving Reagan behind" moment, since following Reagan is exactly what the Dems did.

Transcript provided by Open Left of Obama talking about why he admired Ronald Reagan.

Open Left-I don't want to present myself as some sort of singular figure. I think part of what's different are the times. I do think that for example the 1980 was different. I think Ronald Reagan changed the trajectory of America in a way that Richard Nixon did not and in a way that Bill Clinton did not. He put us on a fundamentally different path because the country was ready for it. I think they felt like with all the excesses of the 1960s and 1970s and government had grown and grown but there wasn't much sense of accountability in terms of how it was operating. I think people, he just tapped into what people were already feeling, which was we want clarity we want optimism, we want a return to that sense of dynamism and entrepreneurship that had been missing.

There are a few more examples of how Obama framed his campaign in a Reaganesque style. This is not to say he matched the Gipper on policy but more on political strategy. However as Scott Rasmussen shows in a November 2008 op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Reaganism isn't exactly dead and assisted more in an Obama victory than most realize. Let me list the ways according to Rasmussen.

• Mr. Obama's tax-cutting message played a key role in this period of economic anxiety. Tax cuts are well-received at such times: 55% of voters believe they are good for the economy. Only 19% disagree and see them as bad policy.



• A Rasmussen survey conducted Oct. 2 found that 59% agreed with the sentiment expressed by Reagan in his first inaugural address: "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."



• Consider that 43% of voters view it as a positive to describe a candidate as being like Reagan, while just 26% consider it a negative. Being compared to Reagan rates higher among voters than being called "conservative," "moderate," "liberal" or "progressive."

If these so-called geniuses running the GOP are ever going to learn one thing it is always model your present fight on situations which have historical relevance. Then adapt accordingly. Consequently, the incompetents are on a quest to reshape the core of the GOP into a progressive model while heavily overlooking the key victories which basic conservatism has brought them. Thus, not adapting but "progressing." Besides anytime Nancy Pelosi is saying, "Hey, be more like us." any person of sane mind should run as fast as they can in the opposite direction. I guess these bozos aren't exactly sane.

(H/T to memeorandum)

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Obama, Bush Lawyers, Prosecution, and Pontius Pilate

According to the New York Times, President Obama has opted to remain open to the potential prosecution of Bush DOJ officials who had laid the legal groundwork for the usage of enhanced interrogation techniques against Al-Qaeda operatives.

Even while continually reiterating "we should be looking forward and not backward," Obama has shifted his position by opening the door for Congress to "investigate" lawyers and policy makers through a bipartisan commission and deferring his legal opinion to the AG, Eric Holder.

The President has remained steadfast in his proclamation that CIA interrogators and independent contractors, acting under the legal authority granted to them by the Bush administration, shall not face prosecution. Nevertheless this obvious shift in position, concerning Bush DOJ officials, is highly evident of caving to political pressures from the far-left.

The possible prosecution of CIA employees and contractors who participated in the enhanced interrogation program is at least on the mind of one powerful left-wing organization.

From the ACLU,

"We have to look back before we can move forward as a nation. When crimes have been committed, the American legal system demands accountability. President Obama's assertion that there should not be prosecutions of government officials who may have committed crimes before a thorough investigation has been carried out is simply untenable. Enforcing the nation's laws should not be a political decision. These memos provide yet more incontrovertible evidence that Bush administration officials at the highest level of government authorized and gave legal blessings to acts of torture that violate domestic and international law," said Anthony D. Romero, Executive Director of the ACLU. "There can be no more excuses for putting off criminal investigations of officials who authorized torture, lawyers who justified it and interrogators who broke the law. No one is above the law, and the law must be equally enforced. Accountability is necessary for any functioning democracy and for restoring America's reputation at home and abroad."

Will Obama cave to left wing organizations on a witch hunt and eventually turn on CIA operatives? Generally speaking, the possibility does seem to exist.

Even if he does not choose to travel this path, this situation is inevitably going to have devastating consequences for our Hum-Int pool. It shouldn't be difficult to imagine that most people employed by the agency, or any of its counterparts, probably will not want to remain working in an environment where you are viewed as a criminal and not a person engaged in the protection of their country. I cannot say I really would blame them for walking away.

Pontius Pilate

Obama has demonstrated the uncanny ability to seemingly satisfy the insatiable appetite of the far-left for the destruction of anything Bush while keeping a way out for himself and his agenda.

It's not difficult to see that most of this about revenge on the former President and his officials for their eight years of elusively out maneuvering progressive attempts at impeachment or prosecution for supposed war crimes.

By releasing these memos, an unprecedented act in itself, and leaving the decision for prosecution up to the DOJ or investigation up to Congress, Obama has relinquished himself of any responsibility for making a judgment. Effectively, "washing his hands of their blood," figuratively of course, and remaining above the fray. (Please note, this comparison is not meant in anyway to paint Bush or any of those in his administration as Jesus figures.)

The President has once again demonstrated why he won the election so handedly. As long as there is an ever present evil Bush shadow Obama is able to return to his Messianic visage.

True political genius at work.

Final Note: One last thought which occurred to me after completion of this post. This week also begins the highly contentious budgetary debate as Congress returns to session. We all know how much hoopla this generated the last time it came up. The memos being presented in such a timely manner does offer another political distraction for the general public, especially in the wake of the Tea Parties. Feint move by the administration? Mmmmm, could be.

Related Articles: Hot of the presses and brought to you by memeorandum, from CNSNEWS.

CIA Confirms: Waterboarding 9/11 Mastermind Led to Info that Aborted 9/11-Style Attack on Los Angeles

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CNN Reporter Susan Roesgen getting punked at the Chicago Tea Party

CNN reporter Susan Roesgen attends a Tea Party in Chicago and neither her nor her attitude are to well received by demonstrators.

Being originally from New Orleans I am quite familiar with Susan Roesgen. She was previously employed at NBC affiliate WDSU-6 and ABC affiliate WGNO-26 where she displayed a certain degree of professionalism in her reporting. Conversely, since she has become employed by CNN, she has evidently lost her journalistic integrity.

Here is Roesgen "interviewing," a protester at one the Tea Parties taking place in Chicago.



Roesgen posed an interesting question to this gentlemen, "Why are you protesting against paying taxes when you are about to get a $400 tax cut from the Obama administration."

Does Miss Roesgen mean this tax cut? From Fox News, Senate Democrats to Scrap Obama's Tax Rebate. The very same ones which will probably sunset in a year or two? Not to mention how they effect the issue of paying for his ridiculous spending proposals. These tax cuts and rebates will only exacerbate the problem with the national debt if the government's insane fiscal policies are allowed to continue.

All of this raises two considerations about Roesgen. She is either woefully ignorant of the daily news or she is conveniently glossing over these little nuggets of information for political purposes.

The next topic is the broader context of the Tea Parties, their real purposes, and how they are being portrayed by the media. Most MSM and Left leaning organizations are treating these demonstrations as Right Wing sponsored movements simply against taxation and the President. Nothing could be further from the truth.

These protests have little to do with the current amount of taxation being levied against Americans or Obama personally. They are demonstrations against the reckless spending and continual bailout mentality of the federal government as a whole. On the tax issue, the question being raised at the Tea Parties is, "How are we [The American People] going to pay for all of this spending?" Obviously tax payrolls, at some point, are going to have to be raised on the majority of the working classes in order to generate enough revenue for the government to keep functioning at Obama's proposed levels. This is the problem most people attending the Tea Parties are concerned with.

What about the media bias in favor of the Obama administration and any agenda attached to it? By news organizations engendering the ideas that these protests are simply about taxation, in its current form, the participants are insane right wing extremists who merely despise the President, or these movements are being sponsored by Right leaning organizations for political gain they can create a schism between the original message and people who might have otherwise listened.

The next part of this particular equation is Obama's supposed popularity and it being brought into play. Let's first assume that most polls are correct and he sits at a fairly strong 60-65% approval rating. If these demonstrations are portrayed as ad homenim attacks, perpetrated by the Right or Right Wing organizations, it can energize current Obama supporters and reaffirm support from voters who might have been on the fence because of his handling of the economy and the budget.

Looking at polling data that was presented during the stimulus and budgetary debates you can see why the White House and left leaning organizations might be concerned about Obama losing ground. According to Gallup, from February to March the percentage of most Americans was that the economy was going to get worse sat at about 75-80%. (Please note, though, present data from Gallup shows confidence is starting to grow in our economic future.) For the sustainability of his Presidency, it's imperative that Obama be perceived by the public as their economic savior. Tea Parties highlight the possibility that he may not be what he was billed as.

Through the implication that GOP, with assistance from Fox News, is using these protests as a political platform against the President the Left can generate new and more excitable talking points of "dirty politics" or "conservatives are insane." Further assisting them in their attempts of decimating Republican hopes for a victory in 2010.

While the Tea Parties are a very interesting phenomena, being that conservatives are not prone to demonstrating, the underlying political currents being stirred and the fear they have generated on the Left is intriguing. More than likely, as time goes on, the political strategies being executed by the Far-Left and how they hope to accomplish victory in the 2010 elections will become more clear. I am sure what we are seeing right now is just the tip of the political iceberg.

Update:

Micehlle Malkin has an interesting post up which covers Roesgen's bias, CNN beclowns itself

(Tip o'the lid to memeorandum)

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President Obama's News Conference, the Press, and Softball

I can honestly say I am the stupider for having watched the President's news conference, it was painful, dreary, and tedious. Believe it or not I was actually sympathetic for the man, he looked nervous and was obviously, not in control. Guess cause there wasn't a script or a teleprompter.

The two highlights for me were Obama's dodging of Major Garrett's question about Joe the Gaffemeister's statement of a 30% chance probability of failure, concerning some unknown discussion he and the President had, to Helen Thomas's statement, "the so called terrorists" in Pakistan. Has anyone let her know that this isn't the Roosevelt administration? I am talking about Teddy.

With something like 12-13 very SOFT questions, 165 "uh's," and looking like he was getting ready to urinate on himself, the President's sale of of himself and the stimulus was about a 4.5 on a scale of 1-to-10. What happened to the gifted orator, the modern day Winston Churchill? I guess its hard to sell lies, even if you are a lawyer.

Stay tuned for more exciting analysis as the transcripts of the conference become available. I wonder if they are going to cut out the uh's.

Photo credit to Doug Mills/ The New York Times

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Reverend Obama: The Economic Apocalypse is Now!

In the Washington Post, President Obama wrote an Op-Ed concerning the need for the immediate passage of the stimulus bill to halt the economic decline into the pit of Hades. His opening salvo went a little like this, "By now, it's clear to everyone that we have inherited an economic crisis as deep and dire as any since the days of the Great Depression." Really?

Not two days ago we put together this, The Stimulus Package: Fear Mongering and Crisis Propagation, the Liberal Way showing that, presently, this crisis is not even as bad as the recession of 1981-82. The question still remains,"How is this as "deep and dire" as the Great Depression?" There is no comparison.

The President is once again displaying his penchant for the ingenious and dramatic. By preemptively releasing this editorial on the eve of Friday's expectantly dismal job report, he is distracting the American populace from the real issues at hand; the bill's gross ineffectiveness and expense. Obviously, though, the White House panic over the bill getting passed has more to do with the current state of opposition to the bill rather than the economic situation.

Unfortunately for us the realism of economic history is being purposely overlooked by the media as well as the government. Obie's chronic attempts at fear tactics, supplemented with a willing media and spineless Senators, will undoubtedly guarantee the bill's passage with little or no positive changes.

We can't forget those hungry little lobbyists who have to eat. Since they worked so diligently for the companies and banks to assist the passage of the TARP. Not to mention, with all this pork going around and their industry doing so well, what's not to love about spreading a little fear, all in the name of making a profit?

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The Stimulus Package: Medicaid Spending

During the Great Depression, US Senator and former progressive governor of Louisiana, Huey P. Long, made a profound statement regarding FDR's National Recovery Plan, "Every fault of socialism is found is this bill, without one of its virtues," not that there are any virtues in socialism. Long's admonishment perfectly describes the massive stimulus package which Barack Obama is now spinning as the end all be all answer to the economic crisis.

Within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which passed the House and hereby referred to as the Obastimulus Pork-Chop of 2009, $112.1 billion is allocated to health care and medically related programs. Eighty-seven billion dollars, over the next two years, will be put towards federal and state Medicaid, alone.

Spending this amount of money to assist honest hardworking people who have fallen on hard times is a noble effort. One which even a fiscal hawk, such as myself, might be willing to contemplate and accept. Especially regarding the swiftness at which people are receiving pink slips and losing benefits.

Beyond the question if financially boosting Medicaid even belongs in this so-called economic stimulus package, is will it even provide the necessary help those who will need it most? Upon further investigation, you see that all the tugging of the heart strings is just a smoke screen leading to a future list of broken promises. The presently and potentially unemployed this is supposedly designed to assist may not even qualify for our expensive little jaunt into socialized medicine.

This is the eligibility requirement for Medicaid taken from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, a division of Health and Human Services.

CMS-Many groups of people are covered by Medicaid. Even within these groups, though, certain requirements must be met. These may include your age, whether you are pregnant, disabled, blind, or aged; your income and resources (like bank accounts, real property, or other items that can be sold for cash); and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant.

If you haven't lost your house, burned through all your cash, and sold off all your worldly possessions (Maybe, even a child or two.), you don't qualify. Now in all fairness, this does not cover the individual state rules which might differ from the federal regulations as well as state-to-state.

Another point is Rahm Emanuel's philosophy on crisis management, "A crisis is an opportunity to do big things." Medicaid was a major disaster looming on the horizon, budgetarily speaking, even before the recession hit full bore. Nevertheless, the prime opportunity to reform this broken system is being woefully overlooked. Not one attempt is being made by Congress or the White House to correct it, just throw more money at a growing vacuous black hole.

The CMS put out a press release back in October of 2008 showing, under the current laws, Medicaid spending would outpace the economic growth over the next decade. In 2007-08 Medicaid spending increased 7.3% and is projected to grow at an average rate of 7.9% per year over the next 10 years. Economic growth, before the full impact of the recession, was estimated to be 4.8%.

Medicaid spending for 2017 will reach $674 billion, this will account for 6.9% of the GDP of the United States for that year. Also, total spending on Medicaid over the next 10 years will be an estimated $4.9 trillion. All of this is before the Obastimulized Pork-Chop of 2009 is included.

Former HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, had some ominous words about its future state,

CMS-“This report should serve as an urgent reminder that the current path of Medicaid spending is unsustainable for both federal and state governments. We must act quickly to keep state Medicaid programs fiscally sound,” Secretary Leavitt said. “If nothing is done to rein in these costs, access to health care for the nation’s most vulnerable citizens could be threatened.”

Maybe, Rahm or the President can address why no changes, other than putting medical records online, are mentioned? Isn't this a prime opportunity to correct a horribly flawed system in a time of a crisis? You know, an opportunity to get "big things" done? I guess it's just the typical and tiresome Liberal answer, "Spending is reform."

Furthermore, noting all the concerns expressed by members of the "liberal elite," such as Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, have about the lack of over sight and regulation of TARP spending. One would think these "intellects" would have the sagacity and forethought to remit this problem by setting up a system of checks and balances to mitigate spending while providing some clarity on objectives. All we have received, as of yet, is propaganda.

As it stands, the Medicaid systems operates on the premise of state funds being matched by federal. So, the more a state spends the more federal money they receive. Likewise, this gives an unfair advantage to states who haven't practiced any fiscal responsibility. This two year spending splurge will do nothing to address the future concerns, at the state level, about their mismanagement. In fact, like most things in this boondoggle, it will make them worse over the long run.

Since the bailout is almost an inevitability, reform should be a key requirement of spending. The Heritage Foundation has provided some ideas to at least get the ball rolling.

• Set federal criteria for assistance- If Congress demands to include a bailout to state Medicaid programs, it should at the very least establish firm criteria for the states.

• Require states to submit reports and provide a plan for long-term reform-Building on the assumption of an imminent bailout, federal policymakers should also require states receiving these funds to report to the public, Congress, and the Administration on how they have used the funds to measurably improve care to those on the program.

• Restore Accountability-Congress should not throw good money after bad. But if Congress insists on writing bigger checks for state officials--again--then it should take very specific steps to require accountability on the part of state officials for any additional funds they get from the federal taxpayer.

Also, the CATO institute recently published a paper, pinpointing the exact problems of health care and offered several private sector options that are fantastic food for thought. However, due to the complexity and size of the topic we provided the link to the paper, rather than delve into it. It is an essay unto itself.

Important sites:

Read the Stimulus

No Stimulus.com

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Sarah, You Had Me Scared.

It is now being reported, via NRO's The Campaign Spot, that Sarah Palin has expressed some serious misgivings on the Obamstimulized Pork Chop of 2009, versus earlier reports. The Governor was quoted as saying “I agree with the decision of Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young to vote NO on the package.”

The little Alaskan fiscal reformer was about to piss off many a conservative, including us here, when rumors of her lobbying Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for Alaska's share of stimulus money started appearing.

The rest of the gubernatorial members of the GOP need to follow suit and use their influence on their state congressional delegations to effect major changes to this fiscal Obamanation.

Story from NRO,

The Campaign Spot-February 3, 2009, Juneau, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin again today expressed her serious concerns with President Obama’s proposed stimulus package. In a joint letter sent to Alaska’s congressional delegation, Governor Palin, House Speaker Mike Chenault and Senate President Gary Stevens cautioned that unrestrained spending, initiation of new programs that the states may be asked to continue after the federal stimulus is gone, and the borrowing of hundreds of billions of dollars to pay for it may result in serious economic problems in the future.

Governor Palin recently traveled to the nation’s capital to personally express her concerns with the stimulus package with business, economic and political leaders. The trip was not an effort to endorse or lobby for the current stimulus package now before Congress.

“I agree with the decision of Senator Murkowski and Congressman Young to vote NO on the package,” Governor Palin said.

“It's a given that a stimulus package is needed and will happen,” Palin said. “With guaranteed spending on the table, I am arguing for needed construction projects and tax breaks that will truly stimulate the economy and create jobs, and against increased federal programs that will become a state's unfunded mandate to continue funding for generations.”

Support the "Get the State's Off Federal Heroine" movement. A 12-step program designed for state executives and legislators to handle the withdrawals caused by the removal of federal funding and teach them how to lead a better and more fiscally responsible life while in office.

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Daschle and Killefer, Two Small Victories.

Obama is clearly learning the rules of Washington very quickly. Not even the waters of the Potomac are parting for the "One" or his merry band of cohorts and tax cheats.

It's hardly news at this hour, but Tom Daschle has thrown in the towel on his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Three hours before Nancy Killefer, nominated by Obama to be the government's first chief performance officer, withdrew her nomination also. Both were citing tax problems.

The GOP had made it quite clear that there would be stiff opposition to Daschle's appointment. Senator John Conryn had some pretty blunt words for Daschle on Tuesday morning, "If Senator Daschle cares about President Obama's success and the success of this new administration," Cornyn said, "he ought to remove this distraction."

Daschle as it ends up, owed $128,203 in taxes and $11,964 in interest. While Killefer, had a $946 tax lien placed on her home, by the District of Columbia, for failure to pay unemployment compensation tax on household help.

The President has taken a more humble tone with this situation, versus the "I won!" attitude we heard almost two weeks ago.



My guess is when Princess Pelosi said that Congressional Democrats were going to clean Washington up, she never figured it would turn out to be the GOP cleaning up her own party for her.

Related Articles:

Reuters: Obama hit by withdrawal of health nominee Daschle

Yahoo News: Obama performance chief Killefer out, citing taxes

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The Stimulus Package: Fear Mongering and Crisis Propagation, the Liberal Way

This attempt at breaking down the stimulus from the beginning to the end will not be an easy undertaking, since I am not economist. However, neither is President Obama, he is a lawyer. Nevertheless, there is ample information from sound sources to help the average tax payer understand exactly what the government is asking of them and the other possibilities for economic stimulus. This first addition is a challenge to the government's claim that we are in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. Also, this will show how they are propagating fear in order to push their agenda onto the American people.

As far as this blog is concerned, free markets and economics are inexorably connected to the liberty and prosperity of every individual American. This is not to say humankind is free due to capitalism, just that if used properly, it can be the engine of that freedom. Mankind is unarguably born with certain unalienable rights that are derived from Higher, not from monetary, fiscal, or economic policy.

However, despots, tyrants, dictators, and megalomaniacs have learned throughout the years that by manipulating these economic systems they can attain a greater accumulation of power over their citizenry. Infringing on, if not taking away these freedoms, all in the name of the State. Thereby, creating an atmosphere of dependency on the government for even the most basic daily needs.

Even as far back as October, then Senator Obama, was stirring fears that this was the greatest economic downfall since the Great Depression. Recently, even his toadies and acolytes have been echoing the same sentiments. All for the sake of spreading fear and generating hopes that they have the only answers to end this crisis.

Now, only a fool would say, with a straight face, we aren't in hard times and things aren't going to get harder. But the egregious claims and fear mongering of the Obama administration fall apart once you look at history.

According to the Bureau of Labor, from 1930-41 the unemployment rate never dropped below 8.9% and actually went as high as 24.9%. When the recession deepened in circa 1981-82, unemployment sat at well over 10%. We are presently at 7.4%, althoughthis number will undoubtedly get higher, it still remains to be seen whether it tops either of these benchmarks.

As far as GDP, from 1929-1933 there was a major constriction, to put it mildly. The GDP output of the United States in 1929 was $865.2 billion and in 1933 it sat at $635.3 billion, this represents a -29.3% decline in the gross domestic product of the US in a 4 year period. It was not until 1936 when the GDP reached $866.6 billion, did the economy finally overcome the 1929 tally. This represents real growth of only $1.4 billion over a 7 year period. Furthermore, this still does not address the rampant inflation or unemployment most Americans still faced.

In 1981 the GDP sat at $5,291.7 trillion, then in 1982 after a major contraction brought on by the recession it was lowered to $5,189.3 trillion, meaning a decline of -1.9%.

Looking at the breakdown of each quarter in FY 2008 you gain a comparison between them and the previous recessions. In FY 2008 we had 1st quarter growth of .9% (Final Report), 2nd quarter growth was 2.8% (Final Report), the 3rd quarter sat at -.03% (Preliminary Report), and finally 4th quarter results were a -3.8% loss (Advanced Report). Totaling up the BEA's quarterly reports for FY 2008 results in a net loss of -1.3%. The recession of 1981-82 still sets higher in losses by +.6% and there is no contest between the losses that were incurred during the Great Depression years which totaled -29.3%. The best year for declines in GDP, during this time, was actually 1933, when there was a loss, ironically, of -1.3%.

How interesting that once you crunch the numbers you see quite a different picture than what the administration is selling. Quite simply, they are misrepresenting the facts in order to perpetuate fear and panic to gain public support for their expensive and expansive government project. Again this is not to say things are not bad or they will not get worse, this is simply where we are at right now. We have one recession, 27 years ago which was actually worse, yet no one was running around talking about spending our way into oblivion. Quite to the contrary, then President Reagan used tax cuts to stimulate the economy. He brought about huge gains for the American people by creating 20 million new quality jobs under his administration, ushering an era of prosperity and hope that lasted for a little over 15 years.

Please note, the figures presented here are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Read them for yourself, don't take my word for it.

Important sites:

Read the Stimulus

No Stimulus.com

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Palin at the Alfalfa Club

Sarah Palin will be a guest at the prestigious Washington DC based social organization the Alfalfa Club. In the last week of January, the 200 member organization holds a dinner at which some of the most influential DC politicians and members of the business community come together for a night of drinks and dinner. There is one major rule though, no press.

The black tie event is a ritual that has gone on since 1913 and has had such speakers as Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Bush I, Bush II, and now President Obama.

Palin's invitation can only be seen as one thing, the Washington elites are waking up to the fact that she has become a major force in politics and her future on the DC scene is undeniable. Coincidentally, Palin launched her political fundraising organization, SarahPac, so she would not have to use state funds to attend functions that are considered political.

One of the more interesting facts about the Alfalfa Club is they playfully nominate a mock candidate for the Presidency every year. Several of their candidates actually have even gone onto hold the office such as, Nixon, Reagan, and George W. Bush. Wonder, if Sarah will get it this year?

Related Articles:

McClatchy-D.C.'s most exclusive club: Obama, Palin and no reporters

The Huffer's Post-Palin Attending Alfalfa Club Dinner Because Of Obama

The Politico-Palin, Obama to share stage

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Rush Limbaugh: Obama-Limbaugh Stimulus Package

Personally I don't listen to talk radio all that much except brief forays into Glenn Beck territory and occasionally, Rush Limbaugh. Nevertheless, I had heard on his show he would be writing an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal concerning the Obastimulus package. At first I thought it was a joke, well I stand corrected.

From the WSJ, words of wisdom from the underground leader of the Conservative movement, Rush Limbaugh.

My Bipartisan Stimulus

By Rush Limbaugh:

Wall Street Journal-There's a serious debate in this country as to how best to end the recession. The average recession will last five to 11 months; the average recovery will last six years. Recessions will end on their own if they're left alone. What can make the recession worse is the wrong kind of government intervention.

I believe the wrong kind is precisely what President Barack Obama has proposed. I don't believe his is a "stimulus plan" at all -- I don't think it stimulates anything but the Democratic Party. This "porkulus" bill is designed to repair the Democratic Party's power losses from the 1990s forward, and to cement the party's majority power for decades.

Keynesian economists believe government spending on "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects -- schools, roads, bridges -- is the best way to stimulate our staggering economy. Supply-side economists make an equally persuasive case that tax cuts are the surest and quickest way to create permanent jobs and cause an economy to rebound. That happened under JFK, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. We know that when tax rates are cut in a recession, it brings an economy back.

Recent polling indicates that the American people are in favor of both approaches.

Notwithstanding the media blitz in support of the Obama stimulus plan, most Americans, according to a new Rasmussen poll, are skeptical. Rasmussen finds that 59% fear that Congress and the president will increase government spending too much. Only 17% worry they will cut taxes too much. Since the American people are not certain that the Obama stimulus plan is the way to go, it seems to me there's an opportunity for genuine compromise. At the same time, we can garner evidence on how to deal with future recessions, so every occurrence will no longer become a matter of partisan debate.

Congress is currently haggling over how to spend $900 billion generated by American taxpayers in the private sector. (It's important to remember that it's the people's money, not Washington's.) In a Jan. 23 meeting between President Obama and Republican leaders, Rep. Eric Cantor (R., Va.) proposed a moderate tax cut plan. President Obama responded, "I won. I'm going to trump you on that."

Yes, elections have consequences. But where's the bipartisanship, Mr. Obama? This does not have to be a divisive issue. My proposal is a genuine compromise.

Fifty-three percent of American voters voted for Barack Obama; 46% voted for John McCain, and 1% voted for wackos. Give that 1% to President Obama. Let's say the vote was 54% to 46%. As a way to bring the country together and at the same time determine the most effective way to deal with recessions, under the Obama-Limbaugh Stimulus Plan of 2009: 54% of the $900 billion -- $486 billion -- will be spent on infrastructure and pork as defined by Mr. Obama and the Democrats; 46% -- $414 billion -- will be directed toward tax cuts, as determined by me. read more...

I thought this would be wrought full of sarcasm and infantile jabs at Obama, but surpisingly, El Rushbo, has offered the most bipartisan, comprehensive, sensible, and comparative stimulus package yet. The best part is, by this application you could finally determine which economic school of thought solves recessions better, Keynesian or Supply-Side. This is perfect since recessions are a fact of life and will continue to happen. While I am not his hugest fan, my hat's off to Limbaugh for his simple and common sense approach, I love it!

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CATO Going on Offensive With the President

Seems the CATO Intstitute, a well respected Libertarian think tank, is going on the offensive, not that it will do much good. However, non-Keynesian economists are at least speaking out against the Obamstimulus package.

This was run by CATO in major newspapers across the country, most notable were the New York Times and the Washington Post. (Due to technical difficulties, spamming issues, that have been appropriately dealt with, I meant to run this yesterday, however, I never got to it.)

From the CATO Institute,

President Obama says that "economists from across the political spectrum agree" on the need for massive government spending to stimulate the economy. In fact, many economists disagree. Hundreds of them, including Nobel laureates and other prominent scholars, have signed a statement that the Cato Institute has placed in major newspapers across the United States.

As appeared in newspapers across the country,






















For more information on economic sanity, here is a link to their Fiscal Reality Center.

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Obama's Compromise, the Big Bluff.

President Obama is open to compromise as the hour of his reckoning draws near. Now he is claiming that he is willing to accept GOP changes to the stimulus package, invoked Reagan, and asked everyone to sing kumbyah.

I don't think that anyone got the idea that when President Obama started talking about bipartisanship that he meant, not only the captain, but the crew goes down with the ship, too. If Repubs. bite on this they are as stupid as the Left paints them.

Yahoo News – On the eve of a key vote, President Barack Obama privately promised Republicans he stands ready to accept changes in the $825 billion economic stimulus legislation, invoked Ronald Reagan to rebut conservative critics and urged lawmakers to "put politics aside" in the interest of creating jobs. read more...

Have a nice run guys, I am joining a political party that I know doesn't have a chance. Maybe Nader's Greenies. At least they don't purposefully shoot themselves in the foot when they know better. They are just stupid all the time.

Update: Not 5 minutes after I posted this, a new article appears on the Yahoo, guess I ain't going Green. Damn it, I wanted to play with sea kittens before I fried them up.

Yahoo News — The House of Representatives is expected to approve on Wednesday an $825 billion plan aimed at reviving an economy that's rapidly falling into what may be the worst recession since World War II, but President Barack Obama is likely to fall short of getting the strong bipartisan consensus he wants. read more...

If you already read this portion of the article and realize the rest is gone you would be correct. Seems, there is a spamming issue going on with a particular trackback via another post I had just put up before this one. So, I had to remove it.

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In the News : 22nd October 2008

CT

Oh where to start? Frank needs to keep his mouth shut about tax increases, Murtha, I don't even know what to say about him shuttin' up, and Obie on McCain's willful ignorance. It's a morning full of comedy!
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Barney Frank on Tax and Spend



You want it, you got it. "My encouraging will have more impact on Senator Obama." "Needs to be a focus on spending increases." "Deficit fears need to take a second seat." and "There needs to be tax increases." Yeah Barney sounds like a lot of new ideas from you and your Liberal pals. Tax and spend your way out of enormous debt, do I have to say anymore?
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John Murtha Calls Western Pa. 'Redneck'

CHARLEROI, Pa. -- U.S. Rep. John Murtha is calling many of the people who put him in office "rednecks."

The news comes one week after Murtha claimed the area is racist, then apologized for that comment.

In explaining his comments about racism, Murtha, D-Johnstown, told WTAE Channel 4 Action News on Monday it's difficult for many in the area to change. Murtha said that just five to 10 years ago the entire area was "redneck."

Now Murtha said only certain segments of the population are holding on to those racist feelings. Read more...

Who keeps electing these people to public office? The only place we should ever have the unfortunate sightings of Murtha or Frank are on the cover of the National Enquirer. These people are ridiculously stupid and getting worse, I think they are O2 deprived.
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Obama says McCain offers 'willful ignorance'

By JENNIFER LOVEN, (AP) - Democrat Barack Obama said Tuesday that Republican John McCain is offering little more than "willful ignorance, wishful thinking, outdated ideology" to an economy in crisis, seeking to capitalize on the main issue that is propelling him forward in the race for the White House.

"While President Bush and Sen. McCain were ready to move heaven and earth to address the crisis on Wall Street, the president has failed so far to address the crisis on Main Street, and Sen. McCain has failed to fully acknowledge it," Obama said at a jobs summit his campaign staged in economically precarious and politically significant Florida.

Obama said that McCain's response to the limping economy doesn't offer enough to Americans worried about keeping their jobs, their homes and their lifestyles. Read more...

This was too good not to follow up the other two posts with. I think I need to refer Barry to them. Seems Barney Frank is worried about my job, my home, and my lifestyle, if I have all three he can tax the living hell out of me and keep his spending programs running. If I don't want to pay them Murtha will probably think I am a racist. Oh well.
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What can I say the Three Stooges here are about as fun as a shaving your buddy's eyebrows after he passes out drunk. Well that is it for toady, can't wait to be taxed and spent to death, while being branded a racist, and told I am willfully ignorant cause I want to save money. What a bright future we have!

-CT

"Happy Hunting!"

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Locking up the Free Markets and Throwin' Away the Key.

CT

Sometimes by looking back on the historical relevance of a past can be a guide or lesson book for the future. You can apply this to the present day economic tragedy and the political state of affairs of 2008 to the environment of 1933. The Wall Street Journal just published an article by Paul H. Rubin, Get Ready for the New New Deal. An intriguing comparison of the FDR administration to a potential Obama administration and how that may not be the right thing for America’s future.

The new president's response was to restructure the economy with the New Deal -- an expansion of the role of government once unimaginable in America. We now know that FDR's policies likely prolonged the Great Depression because the economy never fully recovered in the 1930s, and actually got worse in the latter half of the decade.

Keeping in mind, as rightfully pointed out in the WSJ article, Obama is one of the most Liberal members of Congress. Himself as well as Nancy Pelosi, Herry Reid, and other noted Liberal leaders have all blamed this on de-regulation. How else should we expect them to react other than imposing further directives and possibly even going as far as creating new and more powerful regulatory bodies.

Unlike FDR, Mr. Obama will not have to create the mechanisms government uses to interfere with the economy before imposing his policies. FDR had to get the Supreme Court to overturn a century's worth of precedents limiting the power of government before he could use the Constitution's commerce clause, among other things, to increase government control of the economy. Mr. Obama will have no such problem.

This is the key point, FDR basically had to build this Liberal bastion of regulatory bodies from the ground up. Until this point, the control the government extended over the economy was minimal and that attitude had lasted for the better part of a hundred years, until the Depression. Obama, on the other hand, has sixty-five years or so of regulatory growth and institutions to build upon. With no opposition in Congress the overwhelming size of regulatory bodies and laws he can create would change the landscape of the American economy for generations. I guarantee it will have free marketers going into convulsions just at the mere thought.

Also pointed out early in the WSJ article is the fact that we are not in the crisis that was being experienced in 1933. There is a great deal of potential for it to collapse and go the way of the Depression, but we are not there yet. Unfortunately, Congress and Senator Obama are already planning on trying to spend their way out of this. This is stereotypical Liberal behavior to economic misfortune, throw money at it till it goes away. Stimulus packages will not stimulate anything other than a want by people to get another check from the government.

When it comes to these stimulus packages, I think we forget sometimes that they are a loan that Congress is making to us on our behalf. It has to be paid back sooner or later. I fail to see how incurring more debt will solve any of our current problems. It was carrying to much debt that got us here in the first place, so we want to enable the problem further?

Part of the more successful attitudes that FDR demonstrated during the Depression years was fiscal responsibility. He and those around him made a Herculean attempt to control spending so they could stimulate some growth in the economy. Albeit the increase in manufacturing for WWII is probably the most notable reason we pulled out of the Depression but his fiscal conservatism did play a major role. However, based on the stimulus package approach I do not think we can expect Obama or Congress to adopt this frame of mind. I only hope and pray that someone wakes up and realizes trying to correct one extreme with another usually ends in further disaster.

-CT

"Happy Hunting!"

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The Message John McCain is Missing

CT

To put it very simply, John McCain is being about as articulate as George Bush. What he is saying and what he should be saying are two different things. Simply raising questions about Obama's controversial relationships is Sarah Palin's job. All I have seen him do is reiterate what Palin has been stumping, that is not good enough. Explaining why these ties matter to the economy, the government, and leadership is John McCain's job.

This strategy is as easy 2+2=4, Obama has questionable ties to Rezko who helped fund his campaign, Reverend Wright was his spiritual guide for 20 years and is a known leader in the Black Liberation Theology movement, Ayers and Obama worked together on several educational projects in the Annenberg Challenge, and he has fairly strong ties to ACORN. Wow, you can't make this work and you might as well cast a vote for your opponent.

All of this amounts to one of three things; 1) Obama is a naive simpleton who picks his associations with all the candor of a 13 year old trying to hang around the cool kids. 2) He is pathologically ambitious and is willing to sell face time to the highest bidder to get what he wants. That means he does not give a spit about you or me. 3) He is in bed with these goons and is hiding his true political and cultural beliefs because he knows the American public would view them as "extreme."

Anyone of these examples shows a lack of character, judgment, and competence. This is the "albatross" he needs to hang around Obama's neck. He does not need to explain them one damn bit or make the accusations, as I said before, that is Palin's job on the stump. He needs to tie them to Obama's judgment concerning today's problems and crises. A poignant question should be asked, "With the financial crisis, Iraq, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China, how can you expect a man, who does not have the judgment to be able to choose his friends and associates properly, be capable of tackling any of these situations. Let alone all of them at once and lead America out of it?"

Then you make the sale for yourself, stick to your Senate record, the good, the bad, and the ugly. After that, hit Obama on the 1,000 days in the Senate, no executive experience, (Sorry Lefties, community organizing and running a campaign does not make you fit for the Presidency.)and nothing but a Law degree to wave in the face of adversity. Again, this can go back to the judgment and competency issues.

Let's get real here, I am no pundit, I am a guy who writes an opinion on a blog. But this very opinion I have is based on my being a voter as well. This is what I want from a candidate who wants my vote, the reason why the other guy isn't worth it, John McCain is not making that sale. Unfortunately it might be too late to make the necessary changes in order for McCain to turn the election around . But, as I have said before, McCain has had strange miracles happen in his life that allow him to win. Maybe he will get one before November 4th.

-CT

"Happily Hunting!"

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In the News: October 6th-7th, 2008, A little Johnny Mac and Oboobama

CT

Another day down and more bad news on the horizon. Time for a little humor intermingled with the news to bring up the mood.

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Macho Putin in yet ANOTHER display of masculinity as he releases 'Let's learn judo with Vladimir' DVD

By Mail Foreign Service, Mail Online- First we saw him shirtless while fishing.

Then he was pictured at the wheel of a massive racing truck and shooting a tiger in the Siberian forest with a tranquiliser.

He has also appeared operating a train, sailing on a submarine and co-piloting a fighter jet.

Now Vladimir Putin - the world's most manly leader - has released yet another display of his own masculinity: a DVD entitled 'Let's learn judo with Vladimir Putin. Read more...

Lol, all proceeds will be donated to the Russian markets which just lost 20 points. But here is a great comparison between ole Vlad and our potential leader.

Do you really want this,

versus









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McCain-Palin 'Goes to the Mats'

By staff writers, News.com.au- It's war. John McCain has called Barack Obama a liar, Sarah Palin has stuck to her guns and Democrats have gone personal as the bitter White House race got even nastier today. In a speech to a rally in New Mexico, Senator McCain has suggested his US presidential election rival cannot be trusted and accused him of mudslinging over the country's financial crisis. Senator Obama has claimed on the campaign trail that Senator McCain's support for Bush administration policies make him partly to blame for the Wall St meltdown currently threatening world markets. But Senator McCain has said that is rubbish - and Senator Obama knows it. "I guess he believes if a lie is big enough and repeated often enough it will be believed," he said. "But the truth is I was the one who called at the time for tighter restrictions on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that could have helped prevent this crisis from happening in the first place." Read more...

Figured this was a good to bounce off of the last post. Which brings me to my next comparison. I would rather have this,

versus






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Second debate is in McCain's favorite style

Nedra Pickler, The Politico- Tuesday night's presidential debate offers Republican John McCain one of his last best chances to stop Democrat Barack Obama's recent surge in the race and turn it in his favor.

The debate's town hall format is McCain's favorite style of campaigning. He asked Obama to appear with him in a series of town hall debates this past summer, but Obama wouldn't take him up on the challenge. Read more... Int>

Well the outcome probably will be a little harder to predict than the results. It is as simple as this, if McCain can pull this out against Obama and the polls are indicative of a McCain resurgence, he will probably be in a tie with Obama or a little ahead. Now, that is on a national level, the state to state polling means more in this one. But if Obama beats up on him or has enough moments to garner a success, this campaign is pretty much over.

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Thanks for joining us for the Johnny Mac hour, some of this was too funny to pass up!

-CT

"Happy Hunting!"

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Another Obama Conspiracy? This is Getting Weird

Pundit,




This is just weird. According to this article from Faux...er...Fox news, via Bride of Rove, Jerome Corsi, author of the Obama Nation, is being detained in, of all places, Kenya. Yah, the country that Obamination has in his back pocket. The book was a piece written by Corsi delving into Obama's shady past. Now, we here at PCT recognize something really strange is going on with Obama's past. But we make an attempt not to make it so cryptic. With that said, I personally feel what he is hiding his true political philosophies (cough...socialism...cough). But issues like this do raise flags and you don't have to be a genius to know somethin' ain't right.

Obama does have a lot of shadows creeping around him. I am not going to even bring up Wright, Rezko, Phlagers, or Ayers. Just look at his history of attacking the First Amendments Rights of private citizens. We ran a piece on it here, Obama Thuggery, Trying to Shut Down the AIP's Ad . Whether you are Right or Left this is blatant and he did to the Edwards camp as well as Hillary during the primaries.

Partnering that up with this little strange occurrence, it does not look good at all. Whatever your take on Obama is at some point undecided people and even people who support him are going to have to make a judgement whether this is just the wrong perception based on coincidence or is there really something more conspiratorial at work.

-OmegaPundit


"The last word on everything!"

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October Polling: CBS, Ras, and Gallup

Pundit,


On Ocotber 1st, CBS Polling reported Obama having a 9 pt. lead over McCain. But in today's CBS Poll that has dropped to a 4 pt. lead. Rasmussen Reports had Obama over McCain by 6 pts. on the 1st and Gallup had him up 4 pts. on the same day.

Alright, that's nice, but what does it show us? As soon as CBS noted the spike in support for Obama the other two polls also indicated it within a day or so. Not that they are following CBS, their polling methods are probably a little more sophisticated and take a day or two longer to show results. Point is I am interested if this is the same phenomena but in reverse? I was having a hard time grasping the fact that the American voter is this fickle. But if there is anything to this CBS poll than I guess they are.

There are a lot of factors to consider here though. Palin has graciously accepted and obviously enjoying her role as VP attack dog and is stumping up a storm with a certain degree of success, the Highway Robbery Bill or Bailout Bill has been passed but the markets are still in turmoil, McCain's attacks on Obama about his suspicious connections, hitting the Democrats with Fannie Mae, and the debate on Tuesday night. McCain's performance in this will definitely have marked effect on these numbers and if what CBS is reporting to be true.

CT has already conceded the election based on the electoral college and state to state polling numbers. His point is logical and hard to argue with, but, I am still in the mindset that it isn't over until it is over. Anything can happen!

-OmegaPundit


"The last word on everything!"

Update: This is interesting; just in from Reuters, via Yahoo

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama has a narrow 3-point lead in the U.S. presidential race on Republican John McCain less than a month before the election, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Tuesday.

Hmmm, seems things are about to get interesting. The old man is coming back swinging, maybe. If this keeps going on CT may owe me a 12 pack of America's finest domestic, Bud-Lite. I am definitely going to be paying close attention to Ras and Gallup over the next few days.

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In the News: October 6th-7th, 2008

CT

Little list of some headlines if you are just coming to the table.

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Wall Street tumbles amid global sell-off

JOE BEL BRUNO and TIM PARADIS AP Business Writers- Wall Street suffered through another traumatic session Monday, with the Dow Jones industrials plunging as much as 800 points and setting a new record for a one-day point drop as investors despaired that the credit crisis would take a heavy toll around the world. The Dow also fell below 10,000 for the first time since 2004, and all the major indexes fell about 5 percent.

The catalyst for the selling was the growing realization that the Bush administration's $700 billion rescue plan and steps taken by other governments won't work quickly to unfreeze the credit markets. Moreover, investors are increasingly unnerved by the paralysis in the credit markets that has started to affect companies trying to borrow for acquisitions or just to conduct their daily operations. Read more...

Well, this problem has not completely, and I emphasize completely, filtered down to the level of the average consumer. But I think we will feel its effects more and more in the coming weeks. Rising unemployment, which we have been seeing, is the first indicator, small businesses starting to close their doors on a mass level, then rampant inflation. Keep in mind, cooler heads will prevail, this could actually be a time for a smart investor to make some money, in the long term. But if grabbing on to your guns and God isn't doing it for you anymore don't fret none you always have the Obamessiah.

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Key Obama adviser called for US military invasion of denuded Israel

by Israel Insider staff-Samantha Power, a key Obama adviser, called in 2002 for billions of dollars in US military aid to Israel to be invested instead in Palestine and in a "mammoth" US-backed military force to impose a solution to the "Palestine-Israeli situation" on the pretext of preventing Rwanda-like genocide.

The Irish-born Power, pegged as a leading candidate for a top foreign policy position in a prospective Obama administration, perhaps NSC Advisor or even Secretary of State, left the Obama campaign after she was quoted as calling Hillary Clinton a "monster."

But that dismissal did not reflect a reduction in her influence on Obama's thinking. And when it comes to the Mideast, her views of Israel and American Jews appear to resemble those of Obama's democratic rival. Read more...

How do you go from fighting against terrorist states like Palestine, to giving them military aid and money against our ally, Israel? You are getting a glimpse of an Obama Presidency where the lunatics run the asylum. His appointees to the various cabinet positions are going to be more dangerous than Biden and him combined. Plus you throw in a Democratic controlled Congress. Whew, we are in for a world of hurt over the next few years.
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Russia's warships head for exercise with Venezuelan navy

Michael Evans, Defence Editor, Times Online- Russia displayed its military strength in the Mediterranean yesterday after warships heading to Venezuela passed through the Strait of Gibraltar in the second deployment of Russian naval vessels in the waterway since the Cold War.

The nuclear-powered missile cruiser Peter the Great, accompanied by the Admiral Chabanenko, an anti-submarine destroyer, as well as a reconnaissance vessel and a support ship, are destined for a maritime exercise with the Venezuelan navy. Read more...

Are we seeing a pattern yet? I heard a great joke from Governor Huckabee, he stated that,"This might be the first time the victor in a Presidential election will demand a recount of the votes." Sorry to all the Obamination supporters out there, you cry about Palin's lack of experience? There aren't any courses at Columbia or Harvard titled, "How to dig your way out of a Global mess 101." And you sure as hell don't get the experience necessary to deal with Putin on the mean streets of Chicago running with your Community Activist posse. Simply put we are screwed.

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Knock Out: CNBC Confirms Lehman CEO Punched at Gym

By Jeff Poor, Business & Media Institute- It seems anxiety from the financial crisis is reaching new highs, but the tipping point for one individual came at the Lehman Brothers gym in the midst of the company’s collapse.

While former Lehman CEO Richard Fuld was testifying before the House Oversight Committee Oct. 6, CNBC reported he had been punched in the face at the Lehman Brothers gym after it was announced the firm was going bankrupt. CNBC and Vanity Fair contributor Vicki Ward said Fuld was attacked at the gym on a Sunday following the bankruptcy. Read more...

Well this is what we have come to. Not that a part of me doesn't think he didn't deserve it, but let the courts handle this. Believe me heads will role and his will be one of them.

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-CT

"Happy Hunting!"

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