Thoughts and opinions from the Rocky Mountains
To be honest, I can see why socialism, at least on paper, appeals to people. It looks like it could end poverty and suffering, and who doesn’t want that? None of these people seem like crazy “pinkos” out to destroy the United States; they’re just people who want a better future.
However, to jump on this bandwagon, one must ignore history, and I simply cannot.
I’ll have some thoughts on this later. Right now, check out the video.
Before making a big deal out of it, I want to know how many people out there would seriously support this type of code enforcement.
To be fair, dead people are the poorest voters out there, and they do vote Democrat. Why wouldn’t the government help them out?
So, President Obama has asked a few federal departments to figure out a way to cut $100 million from the budget. Cuts are good, but the overall Obama budget is $3.55 trillion (HT: The Drudge Report). So, to put this in numbers most people can understand, this is the equivalent of someone with an annual salary of $35,500 taking a pay cut of $1.
Why, oh why, do I think this is all just for show?
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The press release is here, video of the announcement is below, and I’m SERIOUSLY considering a move back to the greatest state in the nation!
From The LA Times:
In addition to shutting down public-works projects, Schwarzenegger administration moves toward massive state layoffs as legislators again fail to garner the final GOP vote needed to pass a budget.
Now, the Republicans are looking like the bad guys based on the above statement. However, it looks like they’re fighting a tax increase, which is good, as a tax break is more likely to help the economy than tying up everyone’s disposable income with more taxes.
Cali needs something, but this ain’t it.
From KTNV:
Some locals who depend on conventions to survive say they can’t afford the war of words going on between President Obama and Mayor Oscar Goodman.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think a company that’s taken government money should have extravagant bashes on the taxpayers’ tab, but I also don’t think they should be expected to do absolutely nothing to build morale. Maybe conventions could be toned down a little?
Bottom line: a fun place to work has more potential to be a successful business, and punishing the low-level employees for high-level stupidity isn’t going to fix anything.
Really, Chuck? You honestly think people don’t care how you spend their money? REALLY?
From Fox News:
The FBI is severing its once-close ties with the nation’s largest Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, amid mounting evidence that it has links to a support network for Hamas.
Named as an un-indicted co-conspirator after a 15 year investigation that came to a head at the Holy Land Foundation trial. Yep, that’s a pretty good reason to sever ties.
From AFP:
US lawmakers were to hand Barack Obama the first major win of his week-old presidency on Wednesday, overriding chiefly Republican objections to pass an 825-billion-dollar economic stimulus plan.
Well, we get lots of pork, including $335,000,000 for STD prevention, and a stimulus package that’ll do little to fix anything.
CHANGE! HOPE! POST-PARTISAN!
Whew, that makes it all better!
One of the best Senators out there (and probably a top 5 reason to consider moving to South Carolina) talks stimulus:
HT: Business & Media Institute
From The Guardian:
Barack Obama has only four years to save the world. That is the stark assessment of Nasa scientist and leading climate expert Jim Hansen who last week warned only urgent action by the new president could halt the devastating climate change that now threatens Earth. Crucially, that action will have to be taken within Obama’s first administration, he added.
So, if man’s attempts to end Global Warming Climate Change are failing, could it possibly be that this isn’t a man-made problem? Maybe, just maybe, the warmth is part of a natural cycle of the Earth.
And where does that impending ice age fit in?
From Citizen Patriot:
Ben & Jerry’s has renamed one of its flavors in honor of the change coming on Jan. 20.
Ah, political ice cream. There’s nothing better than unhealthy snack food used to promote a company’s political agenda.
HT: Truemors, via a Twitter friend.
Admittedly, he caught Nora off guard. However, this should’ve been said a looong time ago:
HT: Copious Dissent
From CBS:
The nation’s automakers are preparing to ask for wage and benefits concessions from their workers in early January to meet the conditions of a $17.4 billion federal aid package, but labor officials say they will seek to renegotiate the terms of the bailout rather than make those sacrifices.
While I’m not an auto worker, and have never been in a union, I can sort of see the problem here. Most Americans are 3 months from bankruptcy, regardless of income (generally, I realize there are exceptions). We adjust our standard of living with each pay raise so that we continue living paycheck to paycheck at any level. I also realize that I wouldn’t want to take a 10 to 20% pay cut at this point in life. However, if it meant I’d still have a job, I would adjust.
Regardless of how the UAW feels, American auto workers have bloated salaries compared to those working for Japanese competitors. Until that’s adjusted, the Big 3 will suffer.
From The Examiner:
The nation’s largest banks are refusing to say how they’re spending billions of dollars in taxpayer money.
So, I was under the impression the main point of “The Bailout” was to get credit flowing again. However, I suspect most banks either paid off some debts or are hoarding the money to buy smaller banks that collapse (Once you’re a certain size, the government can’t let you fail, right? RIGHT?). Not exactly a good return on my money.
