Obama Cites Re-Hiring of 25 Police Recruits as Proof the Stimulus is Working

I saw this and nearly laughed out loud.  Fox News.com has a story posted about stagnant or lower wages to be expected (no surprise there) that had this little tid bit in it:

While aknowledging an “astounding” number of job losses in February, President Obama told critics of his $787 billion economic recovery plan Friday that it is saving jobs and said, “I know we did the right thing.” He suggested that critics talk to 25 police recruits in Ohio’s capital city who owe their jobs to stimulus spending and “talk to the teachers who are still able to teach our children because we passed this plan.”

I knew it would only be a mater of time till the Libs tide the stimulus into the “it’s for the children” mantra.

Here is more of Obama’s fuzzy math at work:

News that 651,000 jobs were lost in February brings to “an astounding 4.4 million” the number of jobs lost since the recession began, Obama said. 

But Obama touted the 114th police recruit class as proof that the stimulus plan, which drew scant Republican support in Congress, is paying dividends.

Now I am no mathematician, but if we have lost 4.4 million jobs since the begging of the recession and he cites the 25 police cadets that have been rehired (the story states that they were laid off in Jan before they could even start patrolling) then according to his own words he still has a net loss of 4,299,975  jobs.  Now I know he mentioned teachers too, so lets add in all the teachers who became unemployed last year, which is 185,000.  You would still have a net loss of 4,114,975 jobs.

Yet Obama said this stimulus package would create or save between 3 to 4 million.

So President Obama, not only has your stimulus bill not saved or created the 3 to 4 million jobs you claimed it would, but it continues to loose jobs and now will cause wages to go down.  Why is this so, because this bill is not and never was a stimulous bill.  It was a pork laden product wrapped in a socialistic agenda.

I urge everyone to attend the closest Tax Day Tea party you can and tell these pompus fools running Congress and the White House that we the people still own this country and like our forefathers before us we will stand up for our rights and demnad to heard!!!

The Fight for America’s Economic Soul‏

I received this email from the Freedom Foundation.  It is pretty good and has some good links with information and an entrepreneurial contest:

In her classic novel Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand describes a battle for the soul of the U.S. economy. The nation’s “producers” work hard, innovate, and create prosperity, while the “looters” and “moochers” live off of the work of others.  Sound familiar?

Atlas Shrugged was written over 50 years ago, but the battle at the heart of that story is still raging today. In fact, things are turning for the worse as the Congressional “looters” hand out seemingly endless bailout to growing list of “moochers” from Wall Street, to Detroit, to your neighbor who bought a house he couldn’t afford.

We are in danger of forgetting that American prosperity is built on hard work and innovation, not taxes and government spending. Now, as we face a recession and financial panic, is the time to remember that our system prospers from private action, not public handouts.

That’s why FreedomWorks is launching a new project to celebrate and reinforce the role that entrepreneurs play in our society and having the “I am an Entrepreneur” competition.

We want to call attention to the good work and solutions from people in all walks of life who innovate, initiate, and create. The people about whom Ayn Rand said: “Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision.”

At this moment in history, America needs to look to entrepreneurs, not government, as providing the solutions to today’s challenges.

Unfortunately, our political leaders seem to have lost confidence in America. John Maynard Keynes, the Depression-era economist, is back in favor as Congress grapples with the economic crisis (which was created largely by government subsidies for housing and debt, but that’s another story). Keynes was a leading proponent of government intervention in the economy, and it is Keynesian logic that Democrats are using to justify their federal deficit of $1.5 trillion—a deficit nearly equal to all federal spending in 1996!

Keynes also offered misguided ideas about taxing entrepreneurs, writing:

“Thus we might aim in practice…at a scheme of direct taxation which allows the intelligence and determination and executive still of the financier, the entrepreneur et hoc genus omne (who are certainly so fond of their craft that their labor could be obtained much cheaper than at present), to be harnessed to the service of the community on reasonable terms of reward.”

Keynes is saying that government should raise taxes on determined entrepreneurs, because they will do the work anyway and the government can take a larger share without deterring their activity.

Keynes is right to recognize the passion of entrepreneurs, but his solution to “harness” them with exceptional taxes is wrong. It is wrong morally and it is bad economic policy—clearly higher taxes reduce risk-taking and discourage hard work.

This is dangerous logic, especially at this time.  Yet we see the same idea resurfacing in Barack Obama’s proposals for higher payroll, income, and capital gains taxes on the “wealthy”.

It is time to stand up and defend private enterprise and initiative. If you agree that the battle for America’s economic soul is entering a new phase, I’d like to invite you to join our Entrepreneur Circle and participate in our “I Am an Entrepreneur” video and essay competition.  Please click here to find out more.

I hope you’ll join us in this important effort to fight the looters and moochers.

Sincerely,

Dick Armey

P.S.  In addition to participating in our “I am an Entrepreneur” competition, do you want to do more to encourage people to pursue the freedom-enhancing path of entrepreneurship?  If you or someone you know is an aspiring entrepreneur, there is valuable guidance, inspiration and wisdom from master entrepreneurs at www.ActonGuides.org.

Another Day, Another Nominee Withdraws

The Treasury department is sure having a tough time filling any of it appointed positions.  So far not one of Geithner’s nominees have been seated and today we see that another “expected” nominee withdraws.

Foxnews.com notes that:

Annette Nazareth, a former senior staffer and commissioner with the Securities and Exchange Commission, withdrew after several interviews and vetting of her financial history, a person familiar with Nazareth’s decision said.

Oh and what did Chriss Dodd have to say about all this:

At a Senate hearing Thursday about failed insurance giant American International Group Inc. — which has received four separate bailouts totaling more than $170 billion — Sen. Chris Dodd said he had asked Treasury for someone to appear, but that no one was available.

“I am not pleased that we don’t have someone here from Treasury to explain what their role in this is,” Dodd said.

So Dodd, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs,, has no idea what the Treasury departments role is in the bailout of AIG, but we as Americans are supposed to feel confident that everything will be ok?

Geithner also had his nominee for the undersecretary of international affairs, Caroline Atkinson, has withdraw her name.

But it is not just Geithner who is still having problems.  Obama nominee for the Surgeon General post, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has withdrawn his name also.  Foxnews is reporting that Dr. Gupta withdrew over:

Gupta had misgivings about the offer from President Obama

It would be interesting to know what these misgivings were.

Another Congressional Plan That Will Help Kill The Economy

I was listening to AFN radio yesterday when they annoucned that Congress plans on trying to give more authority to the FDA to regulate Tobacco.  the idea is that by regulating tobacco the FDA would be able to eliminate harmful products that people use ona day to day basis.

I see a multitude of problems that will stem from this kind of legislation other than the obvious “nanny state” mentality it brings.

The propsed plan would include a ban on menthal and cnady flavored cigars (i.e swisher sweets).  Both of these products are very popular amongst people from all walks of life.  By banning these two products I forsee at least three major issues.

First, by banning these products that sell quite well you will ultimately end up eliminating (not creating) a huge job market in the manufacturing sector.  Now these products wills till be able to be sold worldwide.  This could lead to the manufacturing plants being moved overseas which would also reduce the jobs manufactionring non-menthal cigarettes also.

Second, banning these products could very well lead to organized crime like the nation saw during the prohibition of alchol.

Thirdly, where is the lost tobacco tax revenue going to be made up?

I am a former smoker and I choose to quit on my own for reasons that were my own.  I do not need the government telling me what I can and can not do.  If we allow the government to start telling us how to live our lives where will it stop?  Will they come for our guns next under the guise that guns are too dangerous for the average citizen to carry, will they force us to eat a set government controlled diet to battle the obiseity problem in the US?  Once we allow the government to start to take control of our lives they will not be happen till they have complete control over our lives and this is precisely what our founding fathers fought valiantly to stop.

Baghdad Nights

As many of you know, I am back in Iraq. I got back on Friday and a couple of days latter I saw an article in the Stars and Stripes entitled “Baghdad Nights”.  It appears that the security situation has improved so much around the international zone (green zone) that night clubs are starting to open.  What is more amazing is that soldiers are heading of base to go to them.  Here is some of the excerpts of the story:

Club manager Salah Hassan said Thursday’s visit was not exceptional.  “The Americans come here four or five times a week” he said.

“Everyone is having a good time.” said Spc. Eric Cartwright as he watched his comrade do the chain dance..  “No one is scared about what ‘s going to happen to them.  This is a good sign.”

This club, as well as others, are popping up on Abu Nawas Street.  This used to be the happening club district in Baghdad during the 70′s and remained that way until Saddam, trying to appeal to religious Iraq’s for needed support, closed them down in 1994.

Of course I think this one quote from an Iraqi sums it all up:

“We never expected that such a day will come in Iraq.” gushed Hussein Sheba.

So much for the doom and gloom “we cant win in Iraq” crowd.

How Much Will The Market Drop Tomorrow After Obama’s Speech Tonight?

Since Obama has taken office the market has dropped roughly 26% of its value (aproximately 2500 points).  One of the common things noticed by people is that everytime Obama speaks the market drops.  With this being a trend I thought it might be fun to do a poll on how much you think the market will drop tomorrow or if it will actually make gains.

More Fear Tactics From The Global Warming Crowd

Foxnews.com has this story:

CAPE TOWN, South Africa —  If we don’t deal with climate change decisively, “what we’re talking about then is extended world war,” the eminent economist said.

“Somehow we have to explain to people just how worrying that is,” the British economic thinker said.

His audience Saturday, small and elite, had been stranded here by bad weather and were talking climate. They couldn’t do much about the one, but the other was squarely in their hands. And so, Lord Nicholas Stern was telling them, was the potential for mass migrations setting off mass conflict.

 

But wait there’s more: 

 

But if negotiators falter, if emissions reductions are not made soon and deep, the severe climate shifts and sea-level rises projected by scientists would be “disastrous.”

It would “transform where people can live,” Stern said. “People would move on a massive scale. Hundreds of millions, probably billions of people would have to move if you talk about 4-, 5-, 6-degree increases” — 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

And that would mean extended global conflict, “because there’s no way the world can handle that kind of population move in the time period in which it would take place.”

Melting ice, rising seas, dwindling lakes and war — the stranded ministers had a lot to consider. But many worried, too, that the current global economic crisis will keep governments from transforming carbon-dependent economies just now.

So to sum it up if we do not bow at the alter of global warming we are looking at the apocalypse as we know it (gasp!)

Of course what would a global warming story be without a bit of hypocrisy:

Stern, author of a major British government report detailing the cost of climate change, was one of a select group of two dozen — environment ministers, climate negotiators and experts from 16 nations — scheduled to fly to Antarctica to learn firsthand how global warming might melt its ice into the sea, raising ocean levels worldwide.

 If the world’s nations act responsibly, Stern said, they will achieve “zero-carbon” electricity production and zero-carbon road transport by 2050 — by replacing coal power plants with wind, solar or other energy sources that emit no carbon dioxide, and fossil fuel-burning vehicles with cars running on electric or other “clean” energy.

It seems to me that Mr. Stern should be practicing what he preaches.

The National Party Should Take A Cue From CA GOP

USA Today( 23 Feb 2009 page 3a) has a small blurb about how the California Republican Party has voted to reprimand six GOP Lawmakers (three Senators and three Assembly).  Theses six broke ranks and choose to vote for a budget which includes tax increases and borrow more money as a way to plug the $42 billion deficit the state is facing.

According to the blurb:

“The measure, which would deny party campaign money to the six, was approved Sunday by delegates at the party’s convention in Sacramento.  Supporters, including state party Vice Chairman Jon Fleischman, says it sends a message to politicians that there will be consequences for breaking their no-tax pledge.”

Now if only the National Party would do the same to the three Senators who felt obliged to vote for the porkulous bill.

New Link: Stimulus Watch

I have added this new link to my page (hattip - Iamsaved )

The link shows where and how the Stimulus money is being spent.  Here is just a taste of what some of our tax dollars will be spent for:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio
Doorbells	Laurel	MS	2	$99,600	Housing	-4834
Forks of the Road Heritage Trail. This project would greatly enhance one of the primary gateways to our city by creating an African American/Ethnic Heritage Trail along a stretch of St. Catherine Street between the Forks of the Road Slave Market Site	Natchez	MS	65	$600,000,000	CDBG	-3677
New Energy Efficiency Industrial Zones 100 Acres	Cidra	PR	1628	$17,500,000,000	Energy	-3160
Construct 25 houses for first time buyers including land acqusition	Friars Point	MS	25	$1,000,000	Housing	-1650
Raul Alvarez Disc Golf Course: This project will develop a 36-hole disc golf course that will be environmentally and financially sustainable.	Austin	TX	4	$886,000	Water	-1544
Sunset View Park – dog park construction	Chula Vista	CA	7	$500,000	CDBG	-1472
Construction of Convention Center Hotel	Dallas	TX	3800	$386,000,000	CDBG	-1223
Solar LA Program	Los Angeles	CA	31243	$2,160,000,000	Energy	-1023
Initiative to Reduce Prostitution-Off the Streets Program. This initiative would connect individuals involved in prostitution with resources to leave a life of prostitution. Beginning with emergency shelter and continuing with an array of educational	Dayton	OH	0	$1,500,000	Public Safety	-1020
Las Vegas Performing Arts Center – Construct a new Performing Arts Center within the City’s Union Park Development.	Las Vegas	NV	1875	$375,000,000	CDBG	-1015
Solar water Heaters for rural area families	Cidra	PR	14	$500,000,000	Energy	-983
Establishment of Two (2) Dog Parks	Lewiston	ME	2	$50,000	CDBG	-870

BREAKING NEWS: Iran Has Enough Enriched Uranium To Make A Nuclear Bomb!!!

It was just announced on Foxnews that Iran has enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear bomb.  This does not mean that Iran has a bomb, but it shows just how close they are to attaining one.  No word as of yet of a reaction form the Obama administration.

Not to mention Hillary Clinton is claiming no one really knows if North Korea really ever had a highly enriched uranium program….