Fauxbama's Outrage

I'm suffering from cognitive dissonance—somebody please help me sort out a few questions.

• Obama says he's going to rescue the economy with big spending (to the tune of $1 trillion).  If spending money on everything from Amtrak and Rural Broadband Deployment to dentist training and special projects at the Smithsonian Museum is supposed to help the economy, why is Obama looking to cut military spending by 10-15%?  Doesn't military spending help the economy at least as much as any other form of spending?

• The amount of money that Wall Street investment banks and other financial firms doled out in bonuses last year was down by 44%.  As far as Obama is concerned, the bonuses are still too big. Obama thinks Wall Street bonuses exemplify the "outrageous and shameful" excesses of capitalist greed.  Yes, some of the bonuses go to highly paid executives...but to thousands of bank employees who don't sit in corner offices, including human resources representatives and secretaries, that money helps to pay the bills.  I know Obama has a highly sophisticated and nuanced understanding of morality, but how can he lecture people on the need for restraint and discipline as he celebrates congressional spending binges with cocktails and wagyu steak? Am I supposed to have forgotten his $170 million inaugural party already?
  

• Obama wants to get the economy back on track as soon as possible, but he says now is not the time for profits.  How can the economy recover without profits?  Where will tax dollars come from if nobody's making money?  

• VP Biden says he wants to take corporate executives and "throw these guys in the brig."  Who will run the economy if corporate executives are incarcerated?
  

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Mr. President, I think it's more than a little bit selfish to try to solve our economic problems which we created by burdening future generations.

Vote for the Best Definition of Bipartisanship!

Monumental Resentment in Hussein's Hometown

U.S. Bled for the Muslim World

Obama's Defense Cuts Breathtakingly Naive

Bonuses no luxury for some Wall Street workers, Obama calls shameful

Republicans push for cut-rate home loans

As president, Obama takes home $400,000 per year, not including perks.  Shameful?  Outrageous?

Online Surveys & Market Research

The Porkulus Package

The trillion dollar economic stimulus bill passed in the House, but every Republican voted against it.  Eleven Democrats joined the Republicans in opposing the bill. Hopefully Senate Republicans will be just as strong.

There are several reasons for Republicans to continue take a firm stand:

1. Principle: This "stimulus" package is a scam. It will do little to help the economy. It will do much to help special interest groups. It is immoral to spend colossal quantities of cash for such dubious purposes, and to put the responsibility for paying for it on the shoulders of future generations.
   
2. With massive spending comes massive inflation. There are better strategies for stimulating the economy, e.g., cuts in capital gains taxes.
   
3. If the economy bounces back soon, the Democrats will take credit no matter how the Republicans vote.
   
4. If the economy continues to flounder, Democrats and the MSM will blame George Bush and the Republicans no matter what the Republicans do.
   
5. Obama says it's his way or the highway.  Call his bluff.  Show the world how bipartisan he really is.
   

Republicans: Don't vote for this bill or for anything that remotely resembles it! Show you have some principles...or at least fake it.  Force the Democrats to stand on the courage of THEIR convictions.

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Obama Hosts Stimulus Bill Cocktail Party

Obama's Blank Screen Deception

The Bipartisan Alternative to The "Porkulus" Bill 

Update

My senator's response to my letter regarding his vote to confirm Geithner:

Thank you for taking time to contact my office regarding the nomination of Timothy Geithner to be the Secretary of the Treasury Department.  Your input is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts.

Like you, I am concerned with the serious challenges we are facing in our financial markets, and how they are affecting our overall economy.  The Department of Treasury plays a crucial role in the recovery process of our economy, and I believe it is important that we have a treasury secretary that understands our financial markets. 

There is no question that having a Treasury Secretary nominee with perceived tax issues has been troubling.  For that reason, I have spoken several times to Mr. Geithner, read every word of his testimony and his answers to hundreds of questions from the Finance Committee, and then called him again before the vote to ask him a number of very pointed questions.  He answered those tough questions regarding his tax returns to my satisfaction.  While, like you, my preference would be that we were not in the situation to even have to discuss tax issues with a Treasury Secretary nominee, I also think it is appropriate to give fairly wide latitude to presidents regarding their cabinet selections.  At the end of the day, while the issues surrounding Secretary Geithner's confirmation are very important, after spending a great deal of time exploring the merits of his confirmation, I believe that he does pass the test of being qualified to be the Treasury Secretary.

Thank you again for your letter.  I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me as I serve you in the United States Senate. 

[emphasis mine]

Maybe I should be happy that he didn't really read my letter.

President of the Muslim World

Speaking hypothetically, what might we expect from a de facto "President of the Muslim World" in the first few days of his presidency?

After taking office, his first television interview would undoubtedly be granted to an Arabic-language television news network such as Al Arabiya. He would take the opportunity to criticize America (pointing out her mistakes and imperfections) and condemn her dictatorial tendencies. Distancing himself from the West, he would speak proudly of his Muslim heritage and of his life in Muslim countries.

Being eminently concerned with the interests of the Muslim world, the newly-elected leader would assert that "the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world." He would also make it his job to communicate to the American people that the "Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people" and would insist that Americans should use a "language of respect" when communicating with Muslims. He would be quick to remind the rest of the world that "America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers" (in that order).

During his premiere television interview, the president might also take the opportunity to build suspense in the run up to his much anticipated address to the Muslim world from a Muslim capital...

If Barack Hussein Obama isn't already receiving a handsome salary for his work as President of the Muslim World, he should be getting a check soon. He's doing a great job.

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Bomber Renews Fears Over Closing Gitmo

Abdallah Ali al-Ajmi was transferred back to his home country of Kuwait after his release from Guantanamo in 2005. Last April he blew himself up in a homicide attack that killed 12 people in Mosul, Iraq. A video of the former Gitmo detainee's martyrdom tape, is a reminder of the concerns that terror suspects — who have been held but released from Guantanamo Bay — are increasingly returning to the fight against the United States and its allies.

White House Will Create Panic to Push Stimulus

Jim DeMint, speaking Jan. 27 at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., explained the Obama administration will “create crisis and widespread panic” just like its predecessor in order to get Congress to act expeditiously. “I’ve been around long enough to know whenever someone tells me I have to make a decision right now, my response is no,” DeMint said.

Boehner to GOP: Vote against stimulus

For the first time, it seems, congressional Republicans, shut out of power and seemingly cowed by the harsh verdict of voters and wild popularity of the new president, are finding their voice, rallying in large numbers against the centerpiece of Obama’s agenda.

Republicans Object to Stimulus Dollars for ACORN

Republican lawmakers are raising concerns that ACORN, the low-income advocacy group under investigation for voter registration fraud, could be eligible for billions in aid from the economic stimulus proposal working its way through the House.

Rasmussen Reports

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of U.S. voters worry that Congress and President Obama will increase government spending too much in the next year or two. Nearly half of U.S. voters (49%) say Obama is politically more liberal than they are. Forty-five percent of voters, however, now Strongly Approve of the way that Obama is performing his role as president in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Approval Index. Just 16% Strongly Disapprove. Just over half of GOP voters think their personal taxes will rise during Obama’s presidency, compared to 12% of Democrats. Twenty-eight percent of Democratic voters and six percent of Republicans say their taxes will go down.

Space Weapons Ban

Obama wants to eliminate weapons from space. Come on here. Is there anyone out there who seriously thinks that weapons can be eliminated from space? This can't be a serious proposal. As space technology continues, some country, somewhere, is going to surreptitiously move weaponry into orbit around the earth. Only when the weapons are in place will we be told of their existence That little news bulletin will come complete with a set of demands and promises of a little spaced-based ugliness if those demands aren't met.

Another One of Obama's Useful Republican Idiots

Rep. Phil Gingrey: "...It’s easy if you’re Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or even sometimes Newt Gingrich to stand back and throw bricks. You don’t have to try to do what’s best for your people and your party. You know you’re just on these talk shows and you’re living well..." You can contact Rep. Gingrey at gingrey.ga@mail.house.gov.  Update.

Full transcript of Obama's Al-Arabiya interview

Republican Shame

An open letter to the Republican senators who voted to confirm Geithner as Treasury Secretary:

Your vote to confirm Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary was very disappointing.  As others have said, "this was a perfect moment for Republicans to stand on principle."  But you failed to do so.

In light of Geithner's failure to pay his taxes, it is hard to imagine how he can summon the moral authority to perform his duties as Treasury Secretary.  Even the New York Times understands that "Americans expect the man who’s in charge of the I.R.S. to pay his own taxes."

Despite the fact that many have made the (specious) argument that "he's the right man for the job, no one else can do it, and he's the financial industry's man of the moment", it is hard for me to believe that among 300 million Americans, there is not a single one who is both honest and qualified for the job.

I hope you have a plan to redeem yourself after this unconscionable vote to confirm Timothy Geithner.

Sincerely,

RightKlik

*********************************************************************************

Shame on these cowardly Republican senators for voting to put a tax evader in charge of the I.R.S.

Corker (R-TN)

Cornyn (R-TX)

Crapo (R-ID)

Ensign (R-NV)

Graham (R-SC)

Gregg (R-NH)

Hatch (R-UT)

Shelby (R-AL)

Snowe (R-ME)

Voinovich (R-OH)

Obama's useful idiots.  What were they thinking?

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Enough Happy Talk

The White House Stimulus Meeting

"I thought he once said we are not red states or blue states. We are the United States of America. We are not Republican or Democrat. Look, he won as the man who reaches across. But here is an example in which he says ‘I won, you lost. It’s my way.’ He listens, but unless he gives something, it’s all a sham."

Obama’s Folly

One doesn’t make points at all about bipartisanship by explicitly attacking another partisan voice, no matter how much one disagrees with it.  By naming Rush and attempting to sideline him, Obama lifted Rush’s profile and practically anointed him his opposition.  It demonstrates that Obama still has no sense of his office, nor of “post-partisanship”, regardless of his endlessly empty rhetoric on the subject.

Opposing President Unity

Those who don’t get with the Obama program are going to be in for a rough ride, but if Republicans don’t stand up for conservative principles, they might as well pack their bags and go home.

Spendapalooza

It's taking a long time for this thing to sink in with Americans, but this Obama spending bill is not a stimulus bill. It's nothing more than good old-fashioned Democrat big-government spending on steroids.

The politics of ice cream

Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered "ice cream" and fifty-two percent of the people reacted like nine year olds. They want ice cream.

The Incredible Porkiness of the Economic Stimulus Bill (Warning: very graphic)

Final thought: Obama's bipartisanship is a trojan horse.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

With a 70% approval rating, Obama is enjoying a fantastic honeymoon.  To some extent, Obama has earned his approval.  Obama is smart, capable, and he occasionally has a good idea.  But he's not invincible.  And he can't be all things to all people.  In his first week as president, we've seen that he can be petty, he can loose his cool, he can make stupid comments, and he can make stupid decisions.  

At some point the irrational exuberance will simmer down.  The Obama bubble will burst.  

Conservatives need to peel away about 6% of Obama's 2008 voters in order to win in 2012.  Do three out of every fifty Obama voters have enough sense to vote for someone else in 2012?  I think so.  Let's change some minds.

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Obama is the greatest thing in the whole world.

A Dozen Fun Facts About the House Democrats' Massive Spending Bill

My New Spread the Wealth Grading Policy

Google plans to make PCs history.  Industry critics warn of danger in giving internet leader more power

President orders air strikes on villages in tribal area.

We will enter the Obama presidency as the United States and finish the first 100 days as France.

For those who voted for Obama, hoping for a more pacifist America: Biden warns of higher US death toll in Afghanistan.

Pelosi says birth control will help economy.

A plan for the future

Obama Is King Now, Resistance Is Futile

In B.O.'s  first week, what did he accomplish?  Let's review:

• He picked a fight with Rush Limbaugh as bipartisan spirit crumbled.  (Do democrat politicians think it makes them look tough when they attack talk show hosts?  Hey Barack...why don't you pick on someone your own size—how about Hugo Chavez?)  Obama warned Republicans that if they continue to listen to Limbaugh, they'll never accomplish anything.  (So let's get this straight.  Obama wants to sit down and listen to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and we're supposed to be okay with that, but he's got a problem with Republicans who sit down and listen to Rush Limbaugh?)   

• He gave the order to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center within one year, with no plan for the detainees still incarcerated there. (Excellent move, B.O.  You've enhanced civil liberties and made our country safer with one mighty stroke of the pen.)

• He quietly signed an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that promote or perform abortions.  (Why?  Because international women can't take it upon themselves to utilize more affordable family planning methods?  In the midst of our financial crisis we Americans are being compelled to pay for abortions all over the world?  We need a timetable for withdrawal from Obama's international war against fetuses! Bring our tax dollars back home!)

• Having announced new ethics rules banning lobbyists serving in his administration, the president was immediately forced to make an exception for his deputy defence secretary William Lynn, who has lobbied for the defence industry giant Raytheon. He got off to a very awkward start with the White House Press Corps, when one of the reporters had the audacity to bring this issue up.  B.O. was visibly peeved.  "I came down here to visit. See this is what happens. I can't end up visiting with you guys and shaking hands if I'm going to get grilled every time I come down here."

• Obama instituted a pay freeze holding salaries at their current levels for the roughly 100 White House employees who make over $100,000 a year.  Over the next four years, the pay freeze will save enough money to offset the cost of the first 38 seconds of his inaugural party. 
  

In his pièce de résistance for the week, Obama showed us that he really is a petulant snob.  Obama listened to Republican concerns about his stimulus package during a meeting with congressional leaders on Friday morning, but when His Royal Highness grew weary of questions about the absurdity of "tax rebates" for people who don't pay taxes, it got ugly.  "I won," he said, "I will trump you on that."

...Cough, cough, TYRANT, ahem.  Excuse me...

One White House official confirmed the comment, but said B.O. was simply trying to make a larger point about bipartisan efforts.  "There are big things that unify Republicans and Democrats," the official said. "We shouldn't let partisan politics derail what are very important things that need to get done."  

Say what?

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs "disagreed with those who called the meeting window dressing.  “The president is certainly going to listen to any ideas,” he said.  "He will also go to Capitol Hill the beginning of next week to talk to Republican caucuses and solicit their input and their ideas."

If Obama keeps pistol whipping the opposition like this, his approval ratings are going to plummet. This is not the "change" that will appeal to most Americans. Obama should apologize.

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Must read: Barack Obama is on a collision course with his critics.

Obama gets his opening grade: 68%.  Wake up America!

Obama dodges important question

Barack, You can't just listen to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and get things done.

Jonah Goldberg, spot on:

So, who cares if [Geithner] breaks and bends the rules? Who cares that he took a child-care tax credit to send his kids to summer camp? He's the right man for the job, no one else can do it, he's the financial industry's man of the moment.

This strikes me as both offensively hypocritical and absurd. Obama has made much of Wall Street greed. He and his vice president talk about paying taxes like it is a holy sacrament. They both belittled Wurzelbacher for daring to suggest that the Democratic Party isn't much concerned with how the little guy can get ahead.

Heck, Obama and pretty much the entire Democratic party insist that they speak for the little guy. But it appears they fight for the big guys.

You would think this is a perfect moment for Republicans to stand on principle, particularly since their votes aren't needed to confirm Geithner. What they will tell you is that Geithner is the indispensable man and, in the words of South Carolina Rep. Lindsey Graham, "These are not the times to think in small political terms."

Obama: "I Will Trump You"

Are you warm and fuzzy for Obama?  If you are, don't read this.  It will burst your bubble.  The bipartisan messiah shows us who he really is.

Delays in Cabinet Nominations Demonstrate GOP Resolve.

No excuse for Geithner

The Audacity Of Dope

Matthews Slams Reporter For Citing Blogs: "Let's Stick To Journalism. I Don't Do That Here."

Geert Wilders, European Islam and Fitna

Just Say No To Timothy Geithner

Timothy Geithner is Barack Obama’s nominee for Treasury Secretary.  As Treasury Secretary, Geithner would be in charge of the IRS.

At the Senate confirmation hearings, it was revealed through documentary evidence that Geithner had not paid $43,000 in self-employment taxes.  Geithner settled his outstanding taxes only after he had been nominated to the Treasury post.  What did Geithner say when this was pointed out?  "These were careless mistakes.  They were avoidable mistakes.  But they were unintentional.  I should have been more careful."  

Presto!  He's off the hook.

Even key Republicans have predicted that Geithner, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, is unlikely to encounter serious obstacles on his path to the Treasury Department!  Are they joking? They're going to confirm as Treasury Secretary a man who can't pay his own taxes?  

My opinion: You Republican senators who vote to confirm Geithner should pack up and go back home—we don't need you, you're worthless. 

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Obama's Treasury secretary owed taxes, but it's OK

Geithner's apology makes it worse.

Gender-Selection Abortions

Death to Free Speech in the Netherlands