Obama Addicted to Debt, Deficits and High Taxes

Via Investor’s Business Daily
	President Obama does not care much about deficits — other than worrying that big debt might matter in his re-election campaign. In his first three budgets, Obama borrowed nearly $5 trillion. Currently, the government is borrowing about 45% of everything it spends. Obama’s projected 10-year plan would add nearly $10 trillion to existing U.S. debt. This spring he proposed the largest annual deficit in U.S. peacetime history, which is why his $3.7 trillion budget for 2012 was rejected in the Senate by a 97-0 vote. In other words, under Obama, the government during the last three years has borrowed on average about $4 billion each day. That staggering sum is far in excess of the $1.6 billion per day during the eight-year tenure of George W. Bush, who until Obama’s presidency had borrowed more than any peacetime president. Apparently in Obama’s worldview there are advantages to deficits that explain his fondness for unprecedented borrowing. In Keynesian terms, massive government red ink is supposed to foster economic prosperity by creating goods and services that a purportedly less-efficient private sector cannot. The administration certainly has added an additional 100,000 federal jobs and expanded food stamps to nearly 50 million recipients — and in the process enlarged the pool of potentially grateful constituents. This belief in the superior wisdom of the state explains why almost all the Cabinet secretaries in the Obama administration came out of state or federal government, not from private enterprise. Massive deficits not only empower more federal hiring and entitlements, but at some point lead to higher taxes. [...] Higher taxes to Obama are not necessarily bad if they serve to redistribute income from the affluent to the less well off — a sort of “spread the wealth” government way of addressing the supposedly inherent unfairness of private-sector compensation. [...] The megaborrowing also did not lead to the robust economic recovery of the cyclical sort that usually follows a steep recession. Unemployment is still at 9.2%. GDP remains anemic. Energy prices are still sky-high. The housing market continues to be depressed. Consumer and business confidence is flat. [...] So opposition to the president’s budget proposals amounts to more than just a know-nothing rant about no taxes, period. The unease reflects genuine puzzlement — and, yes, anger — over a president addicted to debt, who suddenly wants to preach to others about their responsibility to pay back what he once so zealously advocated that we should borrow.

House Passes Speaker Boehner Debt Ceiling Plan, 218-210

Via C-SPAN
	The U.S. House has passed its version of a bill to raise the debt ceiling.  The final vote was 218 to 210.  22 Republicans voted against it, and no Democrats voted in favor of the plan. Here are the Republicans who voted against the bill (Freshman members are in bold):  Amash (MI), Bachmann (MN), Broun (GA), Chaffetz (UT), Cravaack (MN), DesJarlais (TN), Duncan (SC), Graves (GA) Gowdy (SC), Huelskamp (KS), Johnson (IL), Jordan (OH), King (IA), Latham (IA), Connie Mack (FL), McClintock (CA), Mulvaney (SC)Ron Paul (TX), Tim Scott (SC), Southerland (FL), Walsh (IL), Wilson (SC). This was the third version of a debt plan House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) produced this week in an attempt to garner enough Republican votes to pass it. The bill now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has said he has enough votes to table, or discard, it immediately. And, if the Senate successfully tables Boehner’s bill, the body is likely to move onto Sen. Reid’s version, which lifts the debt ceiling through 2012 and cuts $2.2 billion in spending. Senate Democratic leaders said they could hold a procedural vote on Senator Reid’s proposal to lift the debt ceiling as early 1 am ET Sunday.
We’ve been had:
	Fast-forward past the sound and fury…The debt ceiling is going up. Government is getting bigger. Real spending cuts are getting kicked down the can. Entitlement reform is going nowhere. Reid and McConnell will dilute Boehner’s already diluted plan behind closed doors. And everyone in Washington will rush to take credit for nothing much.
UPDATE 8:25PM The U.S. Senate tables Boehner bill 59-41.

Reasons the 2010 Election Made History…Has the GOP forgotten?

CONSERVATIVES DELIVERED A MASSIVE VICTORY TO THE GOP IN THE 2010 ELECTION Has the GOP already forgotten? Via Capitol Confidential, Human Events, Rasmussen Reports:
	● It was the biggest gain for one party since voters repudiated the Republican Congress in 1948 by giving Democrats a 75-seat pickup. ● It was the biggest setback for a president in a midterm election since Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Democrats lost 72 seats in 1938. ● President Obama lost more seats in his first midterm election than any president since Warren G. Harding’s Republicans suffered a 77-seat setback in 1922. ● The Democrats’ four years in control of the House of Representatives was the shortest tenure for one party atop that chamber since the Republicans were voted out in 1954 after just two years in charge. ● House Democrats will have their smallest number of members since they had 188 after the 1946 election. ● Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mario Rubio of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Mike Lee of Utah became the first Tea Party loyalists elected to the U.S. Senate. ● GOP diversity: The GOP had never fielded so many winning women and minority candidates. Just look at the list: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Florida Rep. Allen West, South Carolina Rep. Tim Scott, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. It will be hard for the Left to pin the racist/sexist label on the Republican Party when it is running so many attractive, dynamic and diverse candidates. ● There will be more Republican women in Congress than any other time in American history. ● Susana Martinez of New Mexico is the first Latina ever elected a governor in American history. ● Martinez became the first woman elected governor in New Mexico history. ● Congresswoman Mary Fallin became the first woman ever elected governor of Oklahoma. (She earlier made history as the state’s first female lieutenant governor.) ● Nikki Haley became the first Indian-American woman elected governor in U.S. history. ● Haley is the first minority politician ever elected governor of South Carolina. ● States turn Right: The midterms also saw massive conservative gains in the states with Republicans picking up 680 seats in legislatures across the country and winning gubernatorial posts from Democrats in such key states as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Wisconsin. That means the redistricting based on the 2010 census will strongly favor the GOP, resulting in more House pickups in 2012 ● Rick Perry became the first governor in Texas history to win three four-year terms. ● It was the first midterm election in history where the House changed hands without the Senate changing hands, too. ● GOP captures House: Republicans made historic gains in the House of Representatives, picking up 63 seats in the midterm elections and regaining control after four years in the minority. With the presidency and Senate still in Democratic hands, picking up the chamber will provide a much-needed check on the Left’s ambitious agenda. And the best news of all: Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. ● Gains in the Senate: While falling short of taking back the Senate, Republicans still gained six seats and will have plenty of solid conservatives in the freshmen class. Senate newcomers Marco Rubio​ (Fla.), Rand Paul​ (Ky.), Kelly Ayotte​ (N.H) and Ron Johnson (Wis.) are rising stars in the party. With Democrats having more than twice as many seats to defend in 2012, look for a Republican Senate takeover in the next election. ● Rise of the Tea Party: The Tea Party became a major force in the American political landscape. With its fiscal responsibility agenda, the amorphous Tea Partiers had a major impact on the midterm elections and breathed new life into a GOP that was still reeling after its 2008 electoral shellacking.

Mr. Obama, Where is Your Debt Ceiling Plan?

What every American should be asking Obama: Where is your plan to solve the debt? After all these weeks of debt ceiling debate and of demonizing the GOP (who are going out of their way to propose solutions), Obama has not presented a plan. Obama just sits there on his throne threatening to veto Republican’s proposals. Democrat Harry Reid pronounces Republican’s proposals DOA even before they pass the U.S. House and go to the U.S. Senate. Then, to add to the absurdity, Democrats turn around and claim Republicans are being inflexible. The time passes. The artificial deadline approaches. Where is Obama’s plan? Two days ago few reporters confronted Obama’s Press Secretary Jay Carney. Townhall reported the exchange on 7/26/2011:

		“Show Us The Plan!”: WH Press Corps vs. Carney on Obama’s Debt Plan Ed Henry is the first to ask Carney about Obama’s plan: “Why not put it out there?” Henry also asks: “What was the point of giving a prime time address to the nation without an Obama plan?” Next, Chuck Todd doubles down on Henry’s challenge and causes Carney to stutter a bit. After Todd’s feisty challenges, a reporter named Carol triples down on the press’s “show us the plan” challenge to Carney and Obama. The scene is ugly and unpleasant–if you’re on Team Obama. After all the hemming and hawing from Carney over Obama’s so-called plan, we learn that he really doesn’t have one “because,” Carney said,” we want a result.” Go figure. He has a plan but not really. Truly Orwellian, or as it should be known based on his performance so far as president: Obamian.
RELATED - All 53 Senate Democrats send letter to House Speaker John Boehner saying they will vote against the House GOP plan

The Credit Rating Agency Moody’s Wants U.S. to Increase its Debt?

Stupidity At Moody’s: Get Rid of Debt Ceiling and We Won’t Downgrade Your Debt Via NewsBusters:
	In the midst of staggering illogic surrounding our debt ceiling, ratings agency Moody’s just raised the bar. On Monday, it announced that the United States could increase its creditworthiness by – wait for it – eliminating the debt ceiling altogether:
		The United States is one of the few countries where Congress sets a ceiling on government debt, which creates “periodic uncertainty” over the government’s ability to meet its obligations, Moody’s [MCO 36.45 0.13 (+0.36%) ] said in a report. “We would reduce our assessment of event risk if the government changed its framework for managing government debt to lessen or eliminate that uncertainty,” Moody’s analyst Steven Hess wrote in the report.
	Consider the illogic on display. An entity’s credit rating – whether we’re talking about an individual, a household, or a business – is measured by amongst other things the total amount of debt outstanding, the value of the assets owned, and the cash flow generated each year.  If debt outstanding rises without a commensurate increase in assets or cash flow, the creditworthiness drops.
Read more.

Flashback 2010: Wasserman Schultz’s Vile Attack Against Allen West (Video)

CONTEXT – WASSERMAN SCHULTZ vs. ALLEN WEST ● October 22, 2010 – Rep. Wasserman Schultz claims candidate Allen West is anti-woman: Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a sitting U.S. Congresswoman and vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, led a protest in front of the headquarters of Republican candidate Allen West, a Tea Party favorite, who was running against Democrat Ron Klein for Florida’s 22nd congressional district. Wasserman Schultz accused Allen West of having degrading attitudes toward women and claimed Allen West “would take us backwards.” Wasserman Schultz also peddled lies against Tea Partiers: When asked what is the difference between her protest and the Tea Party protest, the Democrat congresswoman said, “Our protest is different because I don’t see any swastikas or any pictures of the president in black-face or burned in effigy here,” implying that Tea Partiers are racists and extremists. (She probably was confusing the Tea Partiers with leftists calling for the death of President Bush.) She also said that one protester at a community meeting she hosted “shouted from the courtyard that I deserved breast cancer” because she supported the health care law. As a typical leftist, Wasserman Schultz did not provide any evidence to substantiate her accusations. Here is the video:

		“It’s no secret that Ron [Klein]’s opponent, Allen West, is a self-described ‘right wing extremist.’ “In fact, he wears his extreme disrespect as a badge of honor. He thinks it’s OK to objectify and denigrate women. He thinks it’s OK to take away our reproductive freedom. He thinks it’s okay to associate with people who refer to women as ‘oral relief stations.’ Well, we’re here to tell him it is not okay.” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Deerfield Beach, Florida October 22, 2010

● July 19, 2011 – Rep. Wasserman Schultz attacks Rep. West after he spoke during the debt debate: (She attacked him by inference, but it is clear she is referring to Rep. West)
	In her remarks on the House floor, Wasserman Schultz had said: “The gentleman from Florida, who represents thousands of Medicare beneficiaries, as do I, is supportive of this plan [“Cut, Cap and Balance” bill] that would increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Unbelievable from a member from south Florida.” She was alluding to a GOP-backed bill to reduce the debt and amend the Constitution to require a balanced federal budget. The House later approved the bill 234-190, but it is unlikely to pass the Democratic Senate.
Here is the video of her speech.
But Wasserman Schultz lied:
	The “Cut, Cap and Balance” bill makes no changes to Social Security or Medicare. Most of the cuts in the bill come from discretionary spending, anyway, but the bill specifies that the $35 billion cuts to mandatory spending would come from non-veterans, non-Social Security, non-Medicare spending.

● July 19, 2011 – Rep. Allen West Sends Email to Rep. Wasserman Schultz (Caveat: According to Politico.com)
	From: Z112 West, Allen Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 04:48 PM To: Wasserman Schultz, Debbie Cc: McCarthy, Kevin; Blyth, Jonathan; Pelosi, Nancy; Cantor, Eric Subject: Unprofessional and Inappropriate Sophomoric Behavior from Wasserman-Schultz Look, Debbie, I understand that after I departed the House floor you directed your floor speech comments directly towards me. Let me make myself perfectly clear, you want a personal fight, I am happy to oblige. You are the most vile, unprofessional, and despicable member of the US House of Representatives. If you have something to say to me, stop being a coward and say it to my face, otherwise, shut the heck up. Focus on your own congressional district! I am bringing your actions today to our Majority Leader and Majority Whip and from this time forward, understand that I shall defend myself forthright against your heinous characterless behavior……which dates back to the disgusting protest you ordered at my campaign hqs, October 2010 in Deerfield Beach. You have proven repeatedly that you are not a Lady, therefore, shall not be afforded due respect from me! Steadfast and Loyal Congressman Allen B West (R-FL)

● July 20, 2011 – Congressman Allen West Interviewed by Mark Levin Rep. Allen West talks about the attacks he has been getting from the liberal media as well as from Congressman Debbie Wasserman Schultz:

Obama’s Fiscal Record: A Brief History

Via Committee on the Budget of the U.S. House of Representatives: (Hat tip: Mark Levin)
	Despite newfound concern with the debt overhang stifling economic growth, President Obama’s record falls far short of his rhetoric.  Let’s review the decisions made by President Obama and Congressional Democrats over the past couple of years, and the disappointing results of their policy choices: January 20, 2009  President Obama sworn into office President tells the American people in his Inaugural Address: “Those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.” [http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address] Debt Held By Public = $6.31 trillion [Does not include Intragovernmental Holdings or Debt] February 17, 2009 President Signs into Law the Spending Stimulus The stimulus adds $821 billion in new spending according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The White House promises this infusion of spending and borrowing would keep unemployment rate below 8%.  As millions of Americans are painfully aware, that promise was broken. Debt Held by Public = $6.48 trillion February 26, 2009 President Issues FY2010 Budget The President’s budget adds $2.7 trillion in new debt in FY2010 and imposes $1.4 trillion in new taxes. Debt Held by Public = $6.58 trillion   March 11, 2009 President Signs FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act The massive spending bill includes 8,696 earmarks at a cost of $11 billion. The spending bill adds $19 billion in new spending above the baseline – an 8.6% spending increase. Debt Held by Public = $6.66 trillion
Keep reading…

Government to take Obese Children from their Parents?

SLOWLY UNDERMINING PARENTAL RIGHTS A lawyer and a doctor have written an article in the latest issue of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)1 pushing the idea for government to remove obese kids from their homes and place them in foster care. Lindsey Murtagh of the Harvard School of Public Health and David Ludwig of Children’s Hospital in Boston recommend using laws governing child abuse and neglect to give power to government staff to pull obese kids away from their parents. They claim that this is “the only realistic way to control harmful behaviors.” These elitists will find any justification for any program that advances their Big-Government cause.

Instapundit writes:
	AMA JOURNAL: Take Fat Kids Away From Their Parents, Force Them To Lose Weight. “This is ludicrous–the foster system is already overstretched without adding obesity to the catalogue of child abuse and neglect. It’s also kind of creepy–the sort of thing that gives paternalism a very, very bad name.” Just because the government is failing at existing responsibilities is no reason not to give it more power! And kind of creepy? This is tar-and-feathers creepy. Your children belong to the state! Given higher obesity rates in poor and minority communities, this is also clearly a racist suggestion. The authors, and the American Medical Association, should be ashamed on multiple levels. . . .
THEY ARE WRONG ● The law does not consider obesity to be child abuse or neglect: The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines child abuse and neglect2 as “an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” (U.S. Law: 42 U.S.C.A. § 5106g(2) (2003)) An obese child is not at imminent risk of serious harm or death. Thus, government does not have the excuse to take away an overweight child from his parents…not yet. But would a legislator push to change that law? ● Obesity is not the major cause of death among children: According to the Obama’s own CDC3, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. One out of four deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years involved a drunk driver. Drowning4 is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14 years. Based on those statistics, would other Harvard “doctors” also call for the removal of cars, liquor and pools from homes to “protect” OUR children?
SOURCES 1. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), State Intervention in Life-Threatening Childhood Obesity, by Lindsey Murtagh, JD, MPH; David S. Ludwig, MD, PhD; July 13, 2011, Vol 306, No. 2, pp 206-207 http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/2/206.short 2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Children’s Bureau, http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/define.cfm 3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/childpas.htm, http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/leadcaus10.html 4. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsDrowningRisks/ 5. Statistics – Top 10 Causes (2005 data) http://www.statisticstop10.com/Causes_of_Death_Kids.html, http://www.statisticstop10.com/Causes_of_Death_Younger_Teens.html