Marathon Pundit

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

A feud: Glenn Beck vs. ex-con Robert Creamer

I was in downtown Chicago this evening for a blog-related social engagement, so I missed Glen Beck's show. I guess he purposely mispronounced the last name of my congresscritter, Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston).

According to the Chicago Tribune, a Polish group is upset about it, even though Schakowsky isn't Polish.

Also thin-skinned is Robert Creamer, Sckakowsky's ex-con husband. Beck, at least on Monday, also mispronounced Creamer's surname--it's pronounced "Kramer."

The Chicago Tribune reports on a budding feud of Beck and Creamer, the self-appointed consumer advocate said Beck is part of a "new McCarthyist movement of the far right." All Beck did was bring up Creamer's check-kiting of $2 million. But he forgot to mention that Schakowsky was on the board of director's of Creamer's goo-goo group, the Illinois Public Action Council, while her husband writing was those funny checks. Schakowsky has not been accused of wrongdoing.

More from the Trib:

Beck also hammered Creamer for attending the Nov. 24 state dinner at the White House with Schakowsky. And he maintained that a book Creamer wrote -- a "prison manifesto," in Beck's words -- was the basis of the president's health care reform initiatives.

Talking about Beck, Creamer said: "This is a man who lies about everything."

"It is important," Creamer said, "for the targets of the smear machine to push back and to use whatever kind of means we can to prevent him from continuing these kinds of reckless charges."

Creamer acknowledged writing part of his book, "Listen to Your Mother: Stand up Straight! How Progressives Can Win," while in prison. But he said it was "laughable" to view it as the basis for President Barack Obama's health care policies. "I wish I had that much influence over the White House, but I don't," Creamer said.

If Beck is part of some McCarthyist movement, am I?

And does Glenn Beck really lie about everything?

Disclosure: My maternal grandmother's maiden name was McCarthy. The truth is out. Unless I lie about everything, that is.

As for Schakowsky, it's easy to understand why she wants to reinstate the so-called Fairness Doctrine.

Related posts:

Glenn Beck rips Robert Creamer and his left-wing agenda
Repost from 2007: Liberals laud book by ex-con husband of Rep. Jan Schakowsky
Accuracy in Media on Robert Creamer
Ex-con Robert Creamer, husband of Rep. Jan Schakowsky, guest at tonight's White House state dinner
More Blago baggage for Giannoulias: Schakowsky and Creamer
Schakowsky town hall report
Leftist congresscritter calls Tea Parties "shameful" and "despicable"
Punishing the Blago enablers, part one: Jan Schakowksy
Spotlight on Schakowsky exposes an earmark problem
Blagojevich-enabler Schakowsky voted "present" on 2007 House Christmas resolution
Report from The Bench: Chicago scumbags gather at Obama rally
Rep. Schakowsky: Let your moonbat flag fly
Leftist congresswoman wants to reinstate "Fairness Doctrine"
Ex-con and congresswoman's husband Creamer taught at Camp Obama
Cong. Schakowsky: Choosing her anti-semitism battles
Cong. Schakowsky's husband enters federal prison

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Jan Schakowsky

On Dasher and Dancer...

...and add a white-tailed deer in Bunker Hill Woods to the herd.

This doe is not disturbed at all by the snow that blanketed this grove, which is located a half mile north of Chicago's city limits.

Related post:

My running partner this afternoon: A buck

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Copenhagen's tsunami against society

I'm going out running amidst the snowflakes. While I'm doing that, I'll be thinking about an article in today's New York Times:

If negotiators reach an accord at the climate talks in Copenhagen it will entail profound shifts in energy production, dislocations in how and where people live, sweeping changes in agriculture and forestry and the creation of complex new markets in global warming pollution credits.

And these greenie-crats are elected by whom?

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Report from the bloggers' health care conference call with Sen. John Thune

Yesterday morning I listened in on a bloggers' conference call with Sen. John Thune (R-SD), who was discussing the Democrats' health care plans, or what Thune called "the $2.5 trillion expansion of the federal government." Interestingly, while I'm writing this post, I'm watching President Obama on Fox News talking about creating new jobs, but Thune told us that the Senate bill is being "financed with tax increases that are job killers."

I work in sales and the one constant theme I encounter is that people want to pay less for products and services. Of course I'm no different. But Thune cited a Congressional Budget Office study "ninety percent of the people of this country would have at best their premiums stay where they are." He continued, "In other the would words year over year increases that are double the rate of inflation. Or at worse, see their premiums go up 10 to 13 percent."

But that doesn't pass Thune's "smell test" of lower health care costs, which is something the president and his minions are promoting as the key selling point of ObamaCare.

But it will increase taxes.

I remember when the Democrats' began their push for health care reform they sounded the alarm that anywhere from 30 to 45 million Americans lacked health insurance, hence it was urgent that their remaking of one-sixth of the economy immediately commence. But Thune told us "about 24 million Americans still won't be covered" by the Democrats' proposal.

What to do? Thune says we "should start this over again and do it right, in a step by step way that doesn't include this massive governmental expansion and 72 government programs that the bill calls for financed by tax increases and Medicare cuts."

What else to do? Be active and vigilant. "The only thing that stands between this country and government-run health care right is the American people." Contact your senators with your thoughts.

Oh, one of the bloggers asked Thune if he is running for president in 2012 He replied that he is only running for reelection next year.

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health care

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john thune

Rasmussen poll: 53% oppose EPA regulation of greenhouse gases without congressional approval

Rasmussen Reports just released a poll that finds 53 percent of Americans are against the Environmental Protection Agency regulating greenhouse gases without the approval of Congress. Expect that number to soar when Americans discover that EPA intrusion will lead to much higher electricity rates, fewer jobs, and a lower standard of living.

All in the name of "Fighting global warming." Climategate be damned.

In September, Republican senators John Thune and Lisa Murkowski introduced an amendment that would prohibiting the EPA from issuing such findings.

The Democrats voted it down.

Eleven months to Election Day.

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Reid announces 'broad agreement' on health care reform

It looks like Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and the Democrats are going to settle for a "public option light." Read the last paragraph of the Politico article. The federal government will be able to bully private insurers.

And the Democrats' health care "trigger" could in fact be a trap door that leads to government-run health care.

Senate Democrats have reached a "broad agreement" on a health reform bill, Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday night — a plan that would replace the public option in the current Senate bill with a new national insurance plan offered by private insurers, and a chance for older Americans to "buy in" to Medicare.

Democrats on Tuesday night took a major step forward on a plan by agreeing to ask congressional scorekeepers to give them cost estimates on a possible compromise that would break the impasse over health reform in the Senate.

In doing so, Senate negotiators moved decisively away from including a government-run health insurance plan that would start on Day One in any final compromise, a major disappointment for the Democratic base but one that is likely to prove necessary to win over fiscally moderate senators.

Instead, Democrats are considering including a "trigger" that would allow a public plan to kick in – but only in the event that private insurers didn’t step up and offer policies for the new national health insurance plan, which seemed unlikely.

Will this compromise Illinois' joke of a senator, Roland Burris? The Rod Blagojevich-appointed Democrat says he will not vote for any health care bill that does not include government-run health care.

If this bill reaches the Senate floor, and Burris votes for it, then it is indeed a trap.

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universal health care

One year ago: Blago arrested

It was around this time one year ago when news broke that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested for allegedly trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat.

Later today, the man who was twice Blago's running mate, current-Governor Pat Quinn, will sign into law an ethics bill that is woefully inadequate. Party leaders will face no cash limits on what to spend in state legislative general election contests.

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Tom Roeser: Obama's eight failures

Longtime Chicago-area conservative sage Tom Roeser lists Obama's eight failures since taking office 11 months ago.

Here is how his piece starts:

That low rumble you hear is the beginning of an electoral earthquake which is going to bring Barack Obama's house down around his ears in 2012.

Thanks to Marathon Pundit reader Vince of Chicago's Northwest Side for sending me the article.

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Tuesday, December 08, 2009

British ObamaCare update: 80% told they had swine flu didn't have it

Let's skip across the ocean and take a look at how government-run health care is working in Great Britain.

From The Sun:

Eighty per cent of people diagnosed by call centre staff as having swine flu DIDN'T have the bug, it emerged yesterday.

The blunders have cost the NHS (National Health Service) millions of pounds - and may have wiped BILLIONS off the economy as workers threw "sickies".

Just one in five people diagnosed by the controversial swine flu call centres had the illness, said scientists.

At the height of the scare in the summer the rate fell to one in TWENTY.

politics

news

health

universal health care

nhs

McConnell pans "second stimulus"

From the office of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY):

We’re now hearing talk that the administration is thinking of using the bank bailout TARP money that taxpayers reluctantly handed over during last year’s credit crisis on another spending spree like the stimulus, which they said would stop unemployment at eight percent but hasn’t. $1 trillion dollars later, unemployment’s now at 10 percent.

This is not only irresponsible, since the purpose of these emergency funds was to prop up the credit system in the midst of a crisis. It also violates both current law and the pledge we made that every dollar we got back would be returned to the taxpayer to reduce the national debt.

This proposal is completely wrongheaded, but it’s perfectly illustrative of the way Democrats in Congress have been dealing with taxpayer money all year — by throwing it at one problem after another without much regard for the consequences. Whether it’s the Stimulus, Cash for Clunkers, or the health care bill that’s currently on the floor, Americans are running out of patience with politicians who promise jobs, but who deliver nothing but more debt, higher taxes, and longer unemployment lines.

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Illinois' credit rating drops--only California has a lower one

When "California is the place you ought to be" was warbled at the beginning of each episode of the "Beverly Hillbillies," the intentions had nothing to do with what the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting this evening.

A major financial ratings firm downgraded the state of Illinois’ creditworthiness today, delivering bad news to Gov. Quinn’s administration as it pushes for a new round of borrowing.

Moody’s Investors Services lowered the state’s ratings on general obligation bonds from A1 to A2 and lowered ratings on related bonds affecting about $24 billion in state debt because of “significant weakening” in state revenues and an inability by Quinn and state lawmakers to significantly narrow an $11.6 billion budget gap.

The move leaves only California with a worse credit rating among states, a Moody’s spokesman said.

“The downgrades are the result of high structural imbalances and little time to effect modifications to the budget in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2010, as well as evidence of significant weakening in the state's 2009 results,” Moody’s analyst Edward Hampton said in a statement announcing the downgrade.

Illinois' budgets have been held together by "temporary" fixes since 2003. Coincidentally, the Democrats took control of the governor's office and the state Senate that year. Oh, Rod Blagojevich has been out of office for 11 months, so it's time the Dems stop blaming their fellow Dem for the problems they created. Illinois' current governor, Pat Quinn, was Blago's running mate--twice.

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Marathon Pundit among top 20 Illinois political blogs

Courtesy of Illinois Observer, here are the top twenty Illinois politically (or somewhat politically) oriented blogs according to Alexa. I come in at number 11.

•1. Chicagoist 9,871
•2. Windy Citizen 18,983
•3. Progress Illinois 26,981
•4. Gapers Block 30,159
•5. Capitol Fax/Rich Miller 49,942
•6. The Illinois Observer/David Ormsby 79,404
•7. Beachwood Reporter 90,510
•8. Illinois Review 90,287
•9. Chicago Daily Observer 147,031
•10. McHenry County Blog 151,021
•11. Marathon Pundit 162,282
•12. Illini Pundit 175,939
•13. Publius Forum 205,452
•14. District 299: Chicago Schools Blog 217,921
•15. Quincy Pundit 227,442
•16. Cao's Blog 231,396
•17. Prairie State Blue 279,162
•18. Tom Roeser 330,654
•19. Illinois Policy Institute Blog 510,260
•20. Backyard Conservative 519,985

The list leans left, and I'm not buying the "Illinois is a Democratic state" argument. Nor am I doubting Alexa's numbers, but I just have this sneaking suspicion that Illinois public employees are surfing....surfing...and surfing political sites when they should be working for us.

Hat tip to McHenry County Blog.

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EPA finding: Einstein disguised as Robin Hood

Einstein, disguised as Robin Hood
Bob Dylan, "Desolation Row, 1965.

Or is it Robin Hood disguised as Einstein?

At the risk of sounding like a demagogue, I have this to say on this snowy morning: Our way of life is at stake, and the Obama administration is assaulting it. Barack Obama's Environmental Protection Agency, led by Lisa Jackson, wants to regulate CO2 and other greenhouse gases that will allow the government to disrupt our well-beings. It will cost us billions and lower our standard of living.

More from the Wall Street Journal:

This reckless "endangerment finding" is a political ultimatum: The many Democrats wary of levelling huge new costs on their constituents must surrender, or else the EPA's carbon police will inflict even worse consequences.

The gambit is also meant to coerce businesses, on the theory that they'll beg for cap and trade once the command-and-control regulatory pain grows too acute—not to mention the extra bribes in the form of valuable carbon permits that Democrats, since you ask, are happy to dispense. Ms. Jackson appealed to "the science" and waved off any political implications, yet the formal finding was not coincidentally announced at the start of the U.N.'s Copenhagen climate conference (see above).

This ruling has been inevitable since at least April and we warned about it during Mr. Obama's campaign, but its cynicism and willfulness still astonish. The political threat is so potent precisely because invoking a faulty interpretation of the 1970 Clean Air Act will expose hundreds of thousands of "major" sources of emissions that produce more than 250 tons of an air pollutant in a year to the EPA's costly and onerous review process. This threshold might be reasonable for traditional "dirty" pollutants (such as NOX) but it makes no sense for ubiquitous carbon, which is the byproduct of almost all types of economic production.

The White House knows this, which is why earlier this fall Ms. Jackson announced a "tailoring rule" that limits this regulation to sources that emit more than 25,000 or more tons a year like coal-fired power plants and heavy manufacturing. Ms. Jackson claims this unilateral rewrite of a statute is a concession, but its real purpose is to dodge a political backlash while still preserving the EPA's ability to threaten business and recalcitrant Democrats.

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Crystal Lake honors fallen soldier

The funeral of Sgt. Jason A. McLeod of Crystal Lake, Illinois took place last week; McLeod was killed in action in Afghansistan.

Cal Skinner of the McHenry County Blog took photographs of the many business marquees along US Route 14 in McLeod's hometown that honored the hero's sacrifice.

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news

Afghanistan

war on terror

Northwest Chicago Suburbs

Blago to get revised charges

Federal prosecutors will present former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich with revised criminal charges. The reason? The US Supreme Court will hear another Chicago case, that of Conrad Black, the former CEO of the Hollinger media empire.

At question is the "honest services" section of the law, which criminalizes activity of individuals of people like Black and Blagojevich if they are not performing their duties in an upfront matter.

Critics of the law say the "honest services" interpretation of the law is vague.

The feds allege, at least for now, that Blago acted dishonestly when he tried to trade Barack Obama's Senate seat for campaign contributions.

But yesterday the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois said it would file new charges that would deal with the honest services question.

Wednesday is the first anniversary of the arrest of the hair-brained one.

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Jim Ryan talks ethics and economy

Two mornings ago Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan was interviewed by Alan Krashesky for ABC 7 Chicago's "News Views."

Watch as Ryan talks about ethics and Illinois' economy.

Click here to visit the official Jim Ryan site. You'll find Ryan's Facebook group here, and you can follow his Tweets here.

Related post:

Marathon Pundit endorses Jim Ryan for Illinois governor

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Monday, December 07, 2009

Harry Reid lists Dems' accomplishments and that hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost

Poor Harry Reid. The Senate Majority Leader needs a rest, luckily, Nevada voters are set to give him one next year.

"Dinghy" names the Democrats' accomplishments...although that's a stretch of the word, and then states that hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost.

Actually, millions of jobs have vanished since Barack Obama became president.

Thanks to Gateway Pundit for finding the video.

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McConnell: Expanding Medicare ‘a plan for financial ruin’

Not only do the Democrats want to cut Medicare funding, they want to expand coverage.

Here's what Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has to say about that:

If your goal was to come up with a plan for financial ruin, you couldn't come up with a better idea than cutting a program by $500 billion and simultaneously expanding the number of people it is required to cover.

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politics

Congress

health

universal health care

Sen. Kent Conrad falsely cites CBO estimate on Dems' health care bill

One Kent Conrad post deserves a follow-up.

From the Senate Republican Communications Center:

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “In the second 10 years, it reduces the deficit by one-quarter of 1% of G.D.P., which is equal to $650 Billion.” (Sen. Conrad, Floor Remarks, 12/7/09)

WHAT CBO ACTUALLY SAID: “A detailed year-by-year projection for years beyond 2019… would not be meaningful”

CBO: “A detailed year-by-year projection for years beyond 2019, like those that CBO prepares for the 10-year budget window, would not be meaningful because the uncertainties involved are simply too great.” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P.14)

SO WHO IS THE SOURCE OF THIS $650 BILLION CLAIM?

“Reid’s office said the bill could reduce the deficit by $650 billion in its second 10 years.” (“Harry Reid's Plan Ups Pressure On Moderates,” Politico, 11/18/09)

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Sen. Kent Conrad's flip flop on Medicare

From the Senate Republican Communications Center:

MEDICARE CUT FLIP FLOP

Senator Says Opposition To Medicare Cuts Trying To “Scare People” But Years Ago Complained “Rural Hospitals All Across America Will Close” As A Result Of Smaller Cuts

MOMENTS AGO:

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “Now, Madam President, One of the things that is most striking to me in listening to our friends on the other side is they're trying to scare people into thinking that the savings in Medicare are going to disadvantage Medicare beneficiaries.” (Sen. Conrad, Floor Remarks, 12/7/09)

JUNE 28, 1995

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “Reducing Medicare … Make no Mistake, rural hospitals all across America will close. I have dozens of such hospitals in my state.”

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “Republicans are reducing Medicare $270 Billion over this 7-year period; Medicaid by $182 Billion. Make no mistake, rural hospitals all across America will close. I have dozens of such hospitals in my state.” “Mr. President, this Republican budget is a monument to misguided priorities. It is unfair and just plain wrong. There are draconian reductions in Medicare, Medicaid, education, agriculture, and public investments that benefit average Americans. And why? So they can give massive tax breaks to the wealthiest among us. This budget, make no mistake, is a return to trickle-down economics. … For example, the Republicans are reducing Medicare $270 billion over this 7-year period; Medicaid by $182 billion. Make no mistake, rural hospitals all across America will close. I have dozens of such hospitals in my State. I have talked to the administrators. I have asked them the effect of these budget plans, and they have said to me, ‘Senator, we will close our doors. We will have no option.’” (Sen. Conrad, Congressional Record, S.9248, 6/28/95)

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Democrats

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McConnell statement on EPA's greenhouse gas finding

There has been a lot of bad news this year, but this worst of all in my opinion broke today--the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it intends to regulate greenhouse gases--and therefore our lives.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued a statement about his move.

With double-digit unemployment and over 3.5 million jobs already lost this year, the administration inexplicably continues to push for a job-killing national energy tax—either through legislation or regulation.

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Harry Reid compares ObamaCare opponents to those who supported slavery

Clearly, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has lost his mind.

Here's what he said:

"Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all the Republicans can come up with is, 'slow down, stop everything, let's start over.' If you think you've heard these same excuses before, you're right," Reid said Monday. "When this country belatedly recognized the wrongs of slavery, there were those who dug in their heels and said 'slow down, it's too early, things aren't bad enough.'"

He continued: "When women spoke up for the right to speak up, they wanted to vote, some insisted they simply, slow down, there will be a better day to do that, today isn't quite right.

"When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today."

One of them was former Ku Klux Klan member Robert Byrd (D-WV), who still serves in the Senate.

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universal health care

socialism

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Nevada

Glenn Beck rips Robert Creamer and his left-wing agenda

I just finished watching Glenn Beck spend the first half of his highly-rated Fox News show discussing an article written by Joel Pollak, who I've endorsed in his run for Congress. He is challenging Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston), arguably the most liberal Democrat in the House of Representatives.

Schakowsky is married to Robert Creamer, an ex-con on self appointed community organizer who while in prison, wrote a book that seems to be the blueprint for President Obama's plan to shove America into a government-run health care plan.

Pollak recounts Creamer/Obama's long march:

•“We must create a national consensus that health care is a right, not a commodity; and that government must guarantee that right.”
•“We must create a national consensus that the health care system is in crisis.”
•“Our messaging program over the next two years should focus heavily on reducing the credibility of the health insurance industry and focusing on the failure of private health insurance.”
•“We need to systematically forge relationships with large sectors of the business/employer community.”
•“We need to convince political leaders that they owe their elections, at least in part, to the groundswell of support of [sic] universal health care, and that they face political peril if they fail to deliver on universal health care in 2009.”
•“We need not agree in advance on the components of a plan, but we must foster a process that can ultimately yield consensus.”
•“Over the next two years, we must design and organize a massive national field program.”
•“We must focus especially on the mobilization of the labor movement and the faith community.”
•“We must systematically leverage the connections and resources of a massive array of institutions and organizations of all types.”
•“To be successful, we must put in place commitments for hundreds of millions of dollars to be used to finance paid communications and mobilization once the battle is joined.”

Creamer, as I reported on the night of the event, was a guest at Obama's first state dinner--the same one the Salahis crashed.

Where was the mainstream media?

Creamer spent five months in the Terre Haute Federal Correction Institute--followed by year of house arrest--after pleading guilty to a tax evasion charge stemming from his role in a tax-kiting scheme.

He also worked on Rod Blagojevich's first gubernatorial campaign.

In 2007, Creamer was a trainer for something called Camp Obama.

Related posts:

Accuracy in Media on Robert Creamer
Ex-con Robert Creamer, husband of Rep. Jan Schakowsky, guest at tonight's White House state dinner
More Blago baggage for Giannoulias: Schakowsky and Creamer
Schakowsky town hall report
Leftist congresscritter calls Tea Parties "shameful" and "despicable"
Punishing the Blago enablers, part one: Jan Schakowksy
Spotlight on Schakowsky exposes an earmark problem
Blagojevich-enabler Schakowsky voted "present" on 2007 House Christmas resolution
Report from The Bench: Chicago scumbags gather at Obama rally
Liberals laud book by ex-con husband of Rep. Jan Schakowsky
Rep. Schakowsky: Let your moonbat flag fly
Leftist congresswoman wants to reinstate "Fairness Doctrine"
Ex-con and congresswoman's husband Creamer taught at Camp Obama
Cong. Schakowsky: Choosing her anti-semitism battles
Cong. Schakowsky's husband enters federal prison

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Repost from 2007: Liberals laud book by ex-con husband of Rep. Jan Schakowsky

As far as I can gather, Glenn Beck could have only found these quotes on my blog.

It makes me feel great to be alive.

Below is my post from November, 2007:

This delicious morsel came to me via e-mail from a great American who prefers to remain anonymous. Robert Creamer, not to be confused with the famed baseball writer, is now also going by the name of Bob, which I'm sure greatly pleases the more famous Creamer.

About Creamer the Lesser: For many years, he was the executive director of the Illinois Public Action Council. His wife, Jan Schakowsky, now a Democratic Illinois congresswoman who nominally represents me in Washington, was on the board of directors of the self-appointed consumer advocacy group. Creamer got caught kiting checks while running the group--he had done it before and was warned by federal authorities not to do it again. He didn't listen, and got nabbed by the Feds again, which got him a trip to a Federal Prison Camp for five months last year.

Rep. Schakowsky has not been accused of any wrong doing.

Click here for a good explanation of how check-kiting works, and how it undermines the integrity of our financical system.

Creamer has written a book, Listen to Your Mother. Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win. Amazon lists it under "Robert Creamer," but the promotional hoopla mostly refers to him as "Bob."

Hey, I have no problem with an ex-con writing a book or trying to make a living. But I find it quite humorous that a whole bunch of big-time liberals, such as Sen. Dick Durbin, Jim Hightower, Rep. Jim McGovern, Rep. Lloyd Doggett, and a whole bunch of others fawn over Creamer in their endorsements of his book--and none of them mention his five months in prison last year, nor is that part of his life included in the summary of his public life below.

About those five months in the joint. Federal prosecutors had asked for a three year sentence, but US District Judge James B. Moran took mercy on Creamer. Coincidentally, Moran is the father-in-law of Peter Giangreco, a longtime Illinois Democratic insider who like Creamer, worked on Rod Blagojevich's successful 2002 gubernatorial campaign. Giangreco's endorsement is the first one I list.

To his credit, Creamer writes in his book, "I did much of the preliminary work on this book while spending five months on a forced sabbatical at the Federal Prison Camp at Terre Haute, Indiana."

Oh, Lynn Sweet, presumably the politically neutral Washington correspondent for the Chicago Sun-Times, gives an endorsement too.

Bob Creamer has been a consultant to Americans United since its inception in 2005 to successfully fend off the president's plan to privatize Social Security. Bob is one of the top political strategists in the country and he has spent four decades influencing the political and issues debates in America from Springfield, IL to Washington, DC. He has served as a consultant to some of the country's leading politicians and he has helped lead some of the most important issue fights in our nation's history.

Bob has taken all he has learned from his decades of public service and chronicled them in the definitive how-to-manual for how progressives can fight the right wing machine and win. Listen to Your Mother. Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win is the Bible for progressive activists and politicians who want to and are willing to go toe-to-toe with the right over the future of the country. Please join Bob, his wife Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and a host of Senators, Representatives and leading progressive figures for a reception on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 (see details below)

Celebrating the publication of Listen to Your Mother. Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win. Comments appearing in the book (can be found below). Credentialed media will receive one complementary copy of the book. (Note, if you want you are credentialed media, leave your e-mail in the comments section, and I'll give you the e-mail address where you can RSVP.)

You Are Invited
To a Reception Celebrating the Publication of Bob Creamer’s New Book
Listen to Your Mother. Stand Up Straight: How Progressives Can Win

Tuesday November 13, 2007
The Mott House
122 Maryland Ave. NE, Washington
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

New Book Says Progressives Must "Stand Up Straight" to Win

Washington, DC. A new book by veteran political organizer and strategist Robert Creamer says that progressives have an historic opportunity over the next two years to create long-term political realignment in the United States. But to be successful, he argues, progressives must forcefully reassert their commitment to fundamental progressive values and vision for the future.

"Some people think that in order to win, Democrats need to move to the political center by adopting conservative values and splitting the difference between progressive and conservatives positions," says Creamer. "History shows they are wrong. To win the next election and to win in the long term, we need to redefine the political center."

The book, titled Listen to Your Mother: Stand Up Straight. How Progressive Can Win, lays out a broad strategy for progressive victory and describes the tactics needed to win real-world political battles one at a time. In the book’s foreword, "Progressive today need to take direct responsibility for winning." This book lays out a game plan for victory.

As an organizer and strategist, Bob Creamer has won all kinds of improbable victories for progressive causes. This book is must-reading for his fellow progressives who seek to do the same, and to build a more decent world. Pete Giangreco, Democratic Political Consultant, Partner, The Strategy Group

Even before the book’s publication it has received wide acclaim.
If Progressives are ready to move beyond the "Age of W" into a winning era, they can start with Stand Up Straight. This is more than a call to arms. This is a battle plan from one of the best campaign minds in America. Bob Creamer takes his readers from values to votes with practical tactics and insight gathered over decades of experience. This book is for player...spectators need not apply.
Senate Democratic Whip Richard Durbin (D-IL)

If every activist in America read Listen to Your Mother: Stand Up Straight, we could change our country. This book will help bring on the New Progressive Era. It's that good." Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)

Creamer’s book is a one-stop shop for political junkies, from a novice to a know-it-all…While Creamer writes from the progressive Democratic perspective, his chapters on organizing, messaging, demographics and constituency groups comprise a how-to political manual.Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief, Lynn Sweet

Stand Up Straight is nothing less than the bible for progressive political activists." Brad Woodhouse, President of Americans United for Change

Stand up Straight is a one-stop, nuts-and-bolts manual on how to run a winning campaign – and, in the process, return America to its progressive roots. Filled with learned-in-the-trenches lessons, Creamer's book is a master's class in electoral politics. Ariana Huffington, The Huffington Post

Stand Up Straight is a straight up shot in the arm for progressives. Robert Creamer has successfully turned decades of campaign and organizing skills into an essential handbook for understanding political power, activism, and progressive values. Creamer rightly argues that progressives should embrace their core principles and fight for the real political center in American politics today -- issues like universal health care and pre-K, energy independence, redeployment from Iraq, and a return to sane and sensible national security policies. John Podesta, President and CEO, Center for American Progress and former Chief of Staff to President William J. Clinton

Progress takes more than passion, it requires planning. This book is a blueprint for victory." Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Bob Creamer's welcome book rightly instructs progressives to say and fight for what they believe. To Hell with the politics of timidity - a long-term progressive majority is within our reach." Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

Creamer's classroom has been (on) the frontlines and trenches of progressive organizing, from the Civil Rights Movement to the battle for children's health care. Here, he shows us how to replace fear with hope, to renew the call to commitment, and to create our society's next historical movement. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA)

A stand-up book from a stand-up guy, showing us how to put progress back into "progressive." From broad vision to minute details, Creamer offers an invaluable manual for those who want to reassert our country's historic egalitarian values of fairness, justice, and opportunity for all. Jim Hightower, best selling author, radio commentator and editor of the Hightower Lowdown.

In Stand Up Straight, Bob Creamer gives citizens an owners manual for Democracy. With a practical eye from his decades of experience, Bob shows how to do the real work of political organizing and win, by promoting deep progressive values. With hundreds of real world examples and step-by-step advice, Stand Up Straight is both inspirational and a serious tool. Thanks, Bob. Wes Boyd, Founder of MoveOn.org

This book is so important because it focuses like a laser on the one element that is essential to progressive victory: courage. With out exception, all of our historic victories have required that people had the courage to act -- and stand up straight. The lessons in Stand up Straight were learned the hard way by generations of Americans fighting for civil rights, women’s rights and important social change. It's a must read for anyone who is passionate about changing America – now. Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, President, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition

Jim Hightower's comment is my favorite. "A stand up book from a stand up guy..."

Try running that one past some bankers who had to deal with Creamers kited checks.

Also, considering the skeleton in her closet known as her husband, it's understandable why Schakowsky wants to bring back the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" to the public airwaves.

Related posts:

Ex-con and congresswoman's husband Creamer taught at Camp Obama

Leftist congresswoman wants to reinstate "Fairness Doctrine"

Thanks for the link:

Reverse Spin

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Belleau Wood monument on December 7

December 7 is an unofficial Veteran's Day--and we can never have too many of those. So I just had to snap a photograph the Belleau Wood US Marines monument in Des Plaines, Illinois this afternoon.

In June of 1918, German forces were closing in on Paris with the hope of winning the First World War before the bulk of American troops arrived to the Western front. Things were going poorly for the Allies, and the French asked US Marine Captain Lloyd Williams to retreat. His response?

Retreat, Hell! We just got here!

The Marines didn't. The Allies won the Battle of Belleau Wood and by July the Germans were the ones retreating.

Blackfive has more on this pivotal battle.

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Illinois

Chicago

Health care reform exposed: Watch Glenn Beck this afternoon

Republican candidate for Congress Joel Pollak will release a story on Big Government.com on how the Democrats, including the woman he hopes to unseat, Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), planned their health care reform scheme.

This story will be covered on Glenn Beck's Fox News program at 5:00pm EST (4:00pm Central).

I'm one of Schakowsky's unfortunate consituents and I've endorsed Pollak's campaign.

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Health care: 8 examples why Dems’ health care bill does not meet the president’s stated goals

President Obama has stated goals on his health care reform plan. There's a problem--his health care reform plan is not meeting them, as the Senate Republican Communications Center informs us:

PROMISE #1: “If You Like Your Plan, You'll Be Able To Keep It”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “If You Like Your Current Plan, You Will Be Able To Keep It. Let Me Repeat That: If You Like Your Plan, You'll Be Able To Keep It.” (President Obama, Remarks At The White House, Washington, D.C., 7/21/09)

AP FACT CHECK: “This Is A Pledge That's Beyond The President's Power To Keep.” (“Fact Check: Obama's Words About Iran Get Tougher,” The Associated Press, 6/23/09)

SEN. BOB CASEY (D-PA) On Medicare Advantage Cuts: “We’re Not Going To Be Able To Say ‘If You Like What You Have, You Can Keep It’ … And That Basic Commitment That A Lot Of Us Around Here Have Made Will Be Called Into Question.” (“Obama’s Planned Medicare Cuts Distress Some Democrats,” Bloomberg, 12/3/09)

PROMISE #2: “My Plan Won’t Raise Your Taxes One Penny”

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL): “And If You're A Family Making Less Than $250,000 A Year, My Plan Won't Raise Your Taxes One Penny -- not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.” (Barack Obama, Remarks, Orlando, FL, 8/3/08)

SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS’ ANALYSIS OF JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION FINDINGS: “In 2019, 39.9 million individuals and families or 24% of all tax returns under $200,000 will, on average, see their taxes go up. This is even after taking into account the premium tax credit.” (“Joint Committee On Taxation Indicates That 38% Of People Earning Less Than $200,000 A Year Will See A Tax Increase Under The Reid Bill,” Senate Finance Committee Minority Staff, 12/05/09)

THOMAS BARTHOLD, JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION CHIEF OF STAFF: “But To The Extent That, Yes, We Think That Some People Would Be Subject To The Penalty Excise Tax When Everything Shakes Out, We Would Expect That Some Would Have Incomes Less Than $200,000.” (Finance Committee, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 9/22/09)

PROMISE #3: “I Will Protect Medicare”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “So don't pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut, especially since some of the same folks who are spreading these tall tales have fought against Medicare in the past and just this year supported a budget that would essentially have turned Medicare into a privatized voucher program. That will not happen on my watch. I will protect Medicare.” (President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session Of Congress, 9/9/09)

Reid Bill Contains Half Trillion Dollars In Medicare Cuts. “Senate Republicans lost their first major challenge to a Democratic plan to overhaul the health-care system, as the chamber voted Thursday to reject a GOP proposal to strip the package of nearly $500 billion in Medicare cuts, its most important source of financing.” (“Senate Votes Down GOP Plan To Strip Medicare Cuts From Bill,” The Washington Post, 12/4/09)

CBO: Medicare Cuts Could “Reduce Access To Care Or Diminish The Quality Of Care.” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 1, 17)

PROMISE #4: “Slow The Growth Of Health Care Costs”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “And It Will Slow The Growth Of Health Care Costs For Our Families, Our Businesses, And Our Government.” (President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session Of Congress, 9/9/09)

CBO: “Under The Legislation, Federal Outlays For Health Care Would Increase During The 2010–2019 Period, As Would The Federal Budgetary Commitment To Health Care. The net increase in that commitment would be about $160 billion over 10 years, driven primarily by the $848 billion gross cost of the coverage expansions (including increases in both outlays and tax credits).” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 16)

THE NEW YORK TIMES: “Experts — Including Some Who Have Consulted Closely With The White House, Like Dr. Denis A. Cortese, Chief Executive Of The Mayo Clinic — Say The Measures Take Only Baby Steps Toward Revamping The Current Fee-For-Service System, Which Drives Up Costs By Paying Health Providers For Each Visit Or Procedure Performed.” (“Democrats Raise Alarms Over Costs Of Health Bills,” The New York Times, 11/10/09)

WILLIAM GALSTON, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: Dem Health Bills Do A “Very Poor Job” Of “Controlling Costs.” “I say with regret but consistent with a very important article on the front page of today’s New York Times that of the two objectives that people had going into health care reform, namely expanding access and controlling costs we’re on track to do a pretty good job on number one and a very poor job on number two. So if we don’t do number two in this bill we’re going to have to come back and do it in some subsequent bill because it is not sustainable to expand access and to do nothing about costs. It’s just as simple as that. I am interested in sustainable moral commitments.” (Senate Budget Committee, Hearing, 11/10/09)

PROMISE #5: “Broadcasting Those Negotiations On C-SPAN”

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL): "That's what I will do in bringing all parties together, not negotiating behind closed doors, but bringing all parties together, and broadcasting those negotiations on C-SPAN so that the American people can see what the choices are, because part of what we have to do is enlist the American people in this process." (Sen. Obama, Presidential Debate, 1/31/08)

“But Now, As A Senate Vote On Health-Care Legislation Nears, Those Negotiations Are Occurring In A Setting That Is Anything But Revolutionary In Washington: Three Senators Are Working On The Bill Behind Closed Doors. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) sits at the head of a wooden table at his office as he and Sens. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) work to merge two competing versions of health-care legislation into one bill. The three men will be joined by top aides as well as by members of President Obama's health-care team, led by White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. The sessions started on Wednesday and could be completed this week.” (“Small Group Now Leads Closed Negotiations On Health-Care Bill,” The Washington Post, 10/18/09)

“After Months Of Buildup, The Historic Debate On Health Care Reform Opens On The Senate Floor Monday — But The C-SPAN Cameras Won’t See The Real Action.” (“Dems Seek Deal As Sen. Debate Begins,” Politico, 11/30/09)

PROMISE #6: “Slow The Growth Of Health Care Costs For … Our Businesses”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “And It Will Slow The Growth Of Health Care Costs For Our Families, Our Businesses, And Our Government.” (President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session Of Congress, 9/9/09)

Mandates In Health Bill Are “Likely To Reduce Employment”

“Penalty Payments By Employers And Uninsured Individuals… 2010-2019… 36 [Billion Dollars].” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

COMPANIES THAT DON’T PROVIDE INSURANCE FINED $750 PER WORKER

CBO: “Firms With More Than 50 Workers That Did Not Offer Coverage Would Have To Pay A Penalty Of $750 For Each Full-Time Worker If Any Of Their Workers Obtained Subsidized Coverage Through The Insurance Exchanges; That Dollar Amount Would Be Indexed.” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 7)

CBO: “Requiring Employers To Offer Health Insurance—Or Pay A Fee If They Do Not—Is Likely To Reduce Employment…” (“Effects Of Changes To The Health Insurance System On Labor Markets,” CBO, 7/14/09)

More Than $100 Billion In Taxes & Fees On The Health Care Industry

“Fees On Certain Manufacturers And Insurers… 2010-2019… 102 [Billion Dollars].” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

PROMISE #7: “Will Not Sign It If It Adds One Dime To The Deficit”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “I Will Not Sign It If It Adds One Dime To The Deficit, Now Or In The Future, Period.” (President Obama, Remarks To Joint Session Of Congress, 9/9/09)

CBO: “A Detailed Year-By-Year Projection For Years Beyond 2019, Like Those That CBO Prepares For The 10-Year Budget Window, Would Not Be Meaningful Because The Uncertainties Involved Are Simply Too Great.” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P.14)

The Washington Post’s David Broder: “Every Expert I Have Talked To Says That The Public Has It Right. These Bills, As They Stand, Are Budget-Busters.” (David Broder, Op-Ed, “A Budget-Buster In The Making,” The Washington Post, 11/22/09)

PROMISE #8: Medical Liability Reform: “This Is Going To Be A Priority For Me”

PRESIDENT OBAMA: “I want to work with the AMA so we can scale back the excessive defensive medicine that reinforces our current system, and shift to a system where we are providing better care, simply -- rather than simply more treatment. So this is going to be a priority for me.” (President Obama, Remarks To The AMA, Chicago, IL, 6/15/09)

Reid Bill Does Not Directly Address Medical Malpractice Reform. “It is the sense of the Senate that— health care reform presents an opportunity to address issues related to medical malpractice and medical liability insurance.” (S .Amdt 2786 To H.R. 3590, “Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act,” P. 1858)

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Playing the news cycle: Obama's EPA might regulate greenhouse gases without congressional approval

Someone needs to tell President Obama that the presidential campaign ended 13 months ago--he's still playing the news cycles.

In a news release timed with the start of the Copenhagen global warming summit, Obama's EPA announced that it will willing to maneuver around Congress, heck, it wants to maneuever around the American people, and regulate greenhouse gases that some people (see Climategate) believe cause global warming.

From AP:

The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded greenhouse gases are endangering people's health and must be regulated, signaling that the Obama administration is prepared to contain global warming without congressional action if necessary.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson scheduled a news conference for later Monday to announce the so-called endangerment finding, officials told The Associated Press, speaking privately because the announcement had not been made.

The finding is timed to boost the administration's arguments at an international climate conference — beginning this week — that the United States is aggressively taking actions to combat global warming, even though Congress has yet to act on climate legislation.

Under a Supreme Court ruling, the so-called endangerment finding is needed before the EPA can regulate carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases released from power plants, factories and automobiles under the federal Clean Air Act.

Three months ago, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) proposed an amendment to prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gasses.

That is something to think about when you vote next year. If this caper goes through, be prepared to pay a lot more for electricity, gasoline, and anything that uses these power sources.

Which is everything.

This. Must. Be. Stopped.

Chains I can't believe in.

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December 7, 2009

ThirdWaveDave remembers December 7, 1941 today on the 68th anniversary of the terrible attack on our nation.

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usa

Sunday, December 06, 2009

Climate summit to create as much CO2 as an African country

My mind is filled with words that begin with the letter "H" in regards to this week's climate change summit in Copenhagen. "Hysteria" is one word, "hubris" is another, but I'm going to settle on "hypocrisy" after coming across an article in London's Daily Mail.

It is being hyped as the summit that will save the planet. But, according to critics, next week's climate change talks in Copenhagen are more likely to cost the earth.

Researchers yesterday estimated that the bill for the 12-day jamboree will top £130million – and will generate as much greenhouse gas as an entire African country.

The flights, limousines, energy, and food will produce 41,000 tons of carbon dioxide, which is more than the annual greenhouse gas output than Malawi, Afghanistan or Sierra Leone.

But don't worry--the Danes say they will offset this hypocrisy by planting trees and investing in green endeavors.

Why can't they just plant trees and cancel the summit?

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Stimulus jobs in South Dakota way short of goal

After she voted for the $787 billion ~~economic stimulus bill~~ boondoggle, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) said it would "provide a real boost to South Dakota."

It hasn't. From today's Rapid City Journal:

More than nine months into President Barack Obama's $787 billion stimulus program, South Dakota is well below projections in a key measurement of success: jobs.

In pitching the massive federal spending package late last winter, the Obama administration offered state breakdowns in jobs expected to be saved and created.

In South Dakota, it was 10,000. But the state is well short of that goal and is clearly behind track to achieve it over two years.

According to a running total on the federal Recovery and Reinvestment Act Web site, 2,200 jobs in South Dakota have been created or saved. But even that figure is difficult to assess, since it doesn't distinguish between new and preserved jobs. In addition, companies reporting the job numbers admit there is a great deal of latitude in the way they report the numbers.

So even 2,200 "saved or created" is a stretch.

The stimulus is a 50 state failure.

Related post:

South Dakota GOP looks to defeat Dem congresswoman

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53 percent of Harry Reid's constituents oppose ObamaCare

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is up for reelection next year. In 2011 he may not even be a senator, let alone majority leader, if he doesn't listen to his constituents.

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

President Barack Obama has lost ground in the last month in getting Nevadans to embrace his health care reform package and, for the first time, opposition is above 50 percent and support is below 40 percent, a new poll commissioned by the Las Vegas Review-Journal reveals.

The telephone poll of 625 registered voters found that 53 percent of Nevadans oppose the president's attempt to provide a remedy for problems in the nation's health care system. Support for the plan is at 39 percent.

That's a 4 percentage point difference in both categories from an October poll that showed support at 43 percent and opposition at 49 percent, almost within that poll's margin of error. Now the gap is at 14 points and opposition in Obama's own Democratic Party is climbing, from 15 percent in October to 23 percent in the most recent poll.

But the numbers are not far off from an August poll that showed support at 40 percent and opposition at 50 percent.

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Blago arrest: One year later, little has changed

We are approaching the anniversary of the arrest of disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. What has the state done since then, other than remove Blago from office. The Chicago Tribune says little has been accomplished.

A year ago Wednesday morning, FBI agents handcuffed the governor of Illinois and led him into ignominy. Other politicians then impeached him, removed him from office. But despite pressure from infuriated voters, those surviving pols -- refusing to curb their own power -- enacted only some of the anti-corruption and governance reforms they should have.

With that, the pols who run Illinois essentially declared this state healed: The Rod Blagojevich era was over, save for his trial in 2010. With him defrocked, his survivors suggest, state government today is more stable and better-governed.

If only that were true. It is not. Illinois is in demonstrably worse shape today than on Dec. 9, 2008, when U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said the governor's arrest had halted "a political corruption crime spree." Blagojevich says he is innocent, a verdict federal courts will affirm or reject. Either way, these years -- with and after Blagojevich -- will be mourned as a wasted, wasteful time when Illinois leaders didn't lead.

All of the state wides offices in Illinois are held by Democrats, the Dems control both houses of the General Assembly, and heck, even president of the United States is from Chicago. Illinois' current governor, Patrick Quinn, was Blago's running mate and a beneficiary of the hair-brained one's tainted millions.

In 2006, with the exception of Attorney General Lisa Madigan, every name Democrat in the state, from Senator Barack Obama on down, endorsed Blagojevich for reelection--even though he faced a primary opponentit was widely believed that to be under federal investigation.

That's something to keep in mind when you walk into the polling place in November.

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law

Stephen J. Wampler wants to be the first person with cerebral palsy to climb El Capitan

Stephen J. Wampler wants to be the first person with cerebral palsy to climb Yomesite's El Capitan.

It's a majestically beautiful mountain, but it's also twice the height of the Empire State Building.

Read more about Steve's quest here.

Or visit his Facebook page.

Some people take photographs of mountains, as I did with El Capitan in July.

Others climb them.

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Obama's song-and-dance jobs speech Tuesday

In the Andy Hardy series, Mickey Rooney would confront a crisis with these words, "Let's put on a show!" The show would go on, and the problem would melt away.

President Obama's solution to the problems that come across his desk is "Let's put on a speech!"

Which is what he'll do on Tuesday as he unveils his plan to spur job growth.

But that speech will really be an Andy Hardy song-and-dance number.

Unless that speech includes:

Dropping his support of government-run health care.

Saying "No" to union bosses on the so-called employee free choice act.

Putting a cork on cap and trade.

Yes, Obama inherited a recession. But businesses, particularly small ones, are afraid to hire workers until the uncertainty surrounding those three items is resolved...and put to bed.

Obama is inhibiting the recovery.

But he puts on great speeches.

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Wal-Mart creates Facebook app to support troops

Wal-Mart has created a Facebook application, Show of Support. It works like this: Users download the app, which will appear on their Facebook profile page. The app allows visitors to show support to a friend or family member serving in the military.

Other Facebook members can be recruited as supporters, and messages can be sent to that member of our military by using the application.

In related news, on Friday Wal-Mart gave away over 10,000 books and toys to children who have a parent serving in our military.

Related posts:

Wal-Mart Foundation announces big holiday charity push

Wal-Mart Foundation donates $7.8 million for hunger relief

Wal-Mart ups charity donations

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Saturday, December 05, 2009

Dems defeat GOP amendment to restore Medicare funding

Seniors vote. And other groups aren't as interested in off-year elections. It will be an interesting 2010.

From The Hill:

Democrats held fast Saturday against another Republican attempt to restore funding for a Medicare program facing cuts in the Senate healthcare bill.

During a rare weekend session, Senate Democrats blocked a GOP move to restore about $42 billion in funding for a home healthcare Medicare program. Democrats argued that the cuts wouldn't affect Medicare patients' quality of care and would make the home healthcare benefit stronger by forcing it to be more efficient.

The amendment received the support of 41 senators, most of whom were Republicans. A floor amendment to the healthcare bill needs 60 votes to be adopted.

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Lieberman: No on the public option

Despite growing public opposition to ObamaCare, the far-left Democrats insist on ramming it down our throats. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who caucuses with the Democrats, is a voice of sanity within that gaggle. Kimberley Strassel of the Wall Steet Journal spoke with Lieberman about government-run health care and what he feels is the Dems' ultimate goal: single payer, that is, a federal monopoly on health care.

When Mr. Lieberman says no public option, he means no public option—not an "opt-in" or an "opt out" or a "trigger" (a public option only comes into effect if private insurers fail to spread enough coverage). "We are at the point now where this has become the classic legislative process of trying to get a fig leaf that everyone can hide behind. And I don't want to do that."

Why is he adamant? Mr. Lieberman says that while he is not "a conspiratorial person," he believes the public option is intended as a way for the government to take over health care. "I've been working for health-care reform in different ways since I arrived here," he says. "It was always about how do we make the system more efficient and less costly, and how do we expand coverage to people who can't afford it, and how do we adopt some consumer protections from the insurance companies . . . So where did this public option come from?" It was barely a blip, he says, in last year's presidential campaign.

"I started to ask some of my colleagues in the Democratic caucus, privately, and two of them said "some in our caucus, and some outside in interest groups, after the president won such a great victory and there were more Democrats in the Senate and the House, said this is the moment to go for single payer.'" So, I joke, the senator is, in fact, as big a "conspiracy theorist" as me. He laughingly rejoins: "But I have evidence!"

Mr. Lieberman notes that the public option serves no other purpose: "It doesn't help one poor person get insurance who doesn't have it now. It doesn't compel one insurance company to provide insurance to somebody who has an illness. And . . . it doesn't do anything to reduce the cost of insurance."

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Jim Ryan to appear on ABC 7 Chicago Sunday morning

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Ryan will appear on on Alan Krashesky's "News Views" with on Sunday at 9:10am on ABC 7 Chicago.

I'll be watching.

Related posts:

John Kass on Jim Ryan

Marathon Pundit endorses Jim Ryan for Illinois governor

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gop

John Kerry's health care distortion against John McCain

Sen. John Kerry is at it again twisting the truth. The Senate Republican Communications Center finds the real story.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA): “That’s the senator from Arizona today. Only a year ago when he was running for president of the United States, this is what the senator proposed. Senator McCain: ‘John McCain would pay for his health plan with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid, a top aide said, in a move that independent analysis estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion in ten years to the government programs.’” (Sen. John Kerry, Floor Remarks, 12/5/09)

FACTCHECK.ORG: “In a TV ad and in speeches, Obama is making bogus claims that McCain plans to cut $880 billion from Medicare spending and to reduce benefits.” (“Obama's False Medicare Claim,” FactCheck.org, 10/21/08)

· FACTCHECK.ORG: “These claims are false, and based on a single newspaper report that says no such thing.” (“Obama's False Medicare Claim,” FactCheck.org, 10/21/08)

· FACTCHECK.ORG: “It's a rank distortion.” (“Obama's False Medicare Claim,” FactCheck.org, 10/21/08)

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Morton Grove Christmas tree lot

I just got home from a long run and part of my scenery was the Christmas tree lot at the Glen Grove Equestrian Farm in Morton Grove.

Related posts:

Michigan Christmas tree farm

Upper Peninsula Upventure: Christmas, Michigan

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Chicago

More Baucus...this time a home health care fib

What do you know, another story about Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT). From the Senate Republican Communications Center:

SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT): “We're clearly not going to do anything to cut home health care.” (Sen. Baucus, Floor Remarks, 12/5/09)

However...

“Under the legislation, home care would absorb a disproportionate share of the cuts. It currently accounts for 3.7 percent of the medicare budget, but would absorb 10.2 percent of the savings squeezed from Medicare by the House bill and 9.4 percent of savings in the Senate bill, the Congressional Budget Office Says.” (“Home Care Patients Worry Over Possible Cuts,” The New York Times, 12/5/09

“The House bill would slice $55 billion over 10 years from projected Medicare spending on Home Health Services, while the Senate bill would take $43 Billion.” (“Home Care Patients Worry Over Possible Cuts,” The New York Times, 12/5/09)

“The proposed cuts appear to be at odds with other provisions of the giant health care bills. A major goal of those bills is to reduce the readmission of Medicare patients to hospitals. Medicare patients say that is exactly what home care does.” (“Home Care Patients Worry Over Possible Cuts,” The New York Times, 12/5/09)

“The prospect of such cuts has alarmed patients and home care workers. ‘We would have to consider shrinking the area we serve or discontinuing some services,’ said Lisa Harvey-McPherson, who supervises the Aroostook agency as president of Eastern Maine Home Care.” (“Home Care Patients Worry Over Possible Cuts,” The New York Times, 12/5/09)

EASTERN MAINE HOME CARE PRESIDENT: “It’s our patients who will pay the price if Congress makes the cuts in home care.” “The prospect of such cuts has alarmed patients and home care workers. ‘We would have to consider shrinking the area we serve or discontinuing some services,’ said Lisa Harvey-McPherson, who supervises the Aroostook agency as president of Eastern Maine Home Care. ‘Our staff are scared,’ Ms. Harvey-McPherson said, ‘but it’s our patients who will pay the price if Congress makes the cuts in home care.’” (“Home Care Patients Worry Over Possible Cuts,” The New York Times, 12/5/09)

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Montana

Sen. Baucus nominated girlfriend for US atty

Sadly, Montana voters won't have the option of booting Max Baucus out of office for five years. AP explains why they may want to:

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus was romantically involved with a former staffer when he recommended her earlier this year to become the next U.S. attorney for Montana, a spokesman said.

The Montana Democrat and his former state office director Melodee Hanes began their relationship in the summer of 2008 after Baucus separated from his wife, Ty Matsdorf told The Associated Press late Friday.

Baucus, a Senate leader helping to shepherd President Barack Obama's efforts to expand health care, nominated Hanes for the U.S. attorney post in March. But she later withdrew, saying she had been presented with other opportunities she couldn't pass up.

Baucus had submitted six names to a third-party reviewer, who whittled those to Hanes and two others. Matsdorf said the senator sent the three names to the White House with no ranking to select a nominee.

Baucus is divorcing his wife, who brought unwanted attention to senator when she was arrested for assault in a dispute over garden mulch in 2004.

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McClatchey: Skillful McConnell leads GOP opposition to health bill

Here's what George Will wrote about Mitch McConnell shortly thirteen months ago:

McConnell is Kentucky's most important politician since Henry Clay, "the Great Compromiser." Clay's attempts to defuse the sectional crisis rooted in slavery failed, but they bought time for Northern strength -- in population and industrial muscle -- to become sufficient to save the nation. McConnell, too, has the patience that politics repays and that the Republican recuperation might require.

And yesterday McClatchey Newspapers picked up the ball:

For weeks, Democratic leaders gritted their teeth whenever Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell airily dismissed suggestions that Republicans would work to slow the health care debate.

The Democrats thought they knew better. Under McConnell's leadership during the 111th Congress, Republicans have attempted to filibuster — block legislation by defeating efforts to cut off debate — more than 30 times.

To Democrats, out-strategizing Kentucky's senior senator is serious business. McConnell ostensibly could derail President Barack Obama's top domestic policy priority.

After all, McConnell, a lawmaker whose skill as a parliamentary tactician has long earned him begrudging nods of respect from across the aisle, has a lot riding on the health care debate. As the titular head of a dwindled caucus, he has the difficult task of navigating his party through the Obama administration's historic health care overhaul while ensuring that the GOP isn't steamrolled in the process.

For those of you who want to label McConnell an obstructionist, poll after poll shows that more Americans oppose ObamaCare than favor it.

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McConnell

Police execute search warrant on Blago stolen computers suspect

The Chicago Sun-Times has learned that police have executing a search warrant in regards to the laptop computers stolen from the office of Sam Adam and Sam Adam, Jr., who are the defense attorneys for disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

It's believed recordings made by federal authorities of Blago are stored on the computers.

UPDATE 10:30pm: The Chicago Sun-Times is now reporting that nothing regarding the Blago computer caper was found during the search.

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news

Dem vs. Dem on government-run health care

The threat of a public option, that is, government-run health care, looms over the health care reform debate in the US Senate, as the Senate Republican Communications Center tells us.

“Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), One of the leading proponents of the public insurance option, warned Friday evening that he is "done" compromising with moderates and will not accept any further changes to the provision.” (“Sen. Brown: I’m ‘Done’ With Compromising On Public Option,” Roll Call, 12/4/09)

SEN. BLANCHE LINCOLN (D-AR): “I don't support a public option that is government funded or government run, and that puts the taxpayers at risk in the long run.” (“Lincoln Talks Health Care, Public Option,” MSNBC’s “First Read,” 12/4/09)

·LINCOLN: “If it's government run or government funded, I'm going to have some tremendous troubles with being able to support moving forward on something like that.” (“Lincoln Expresses Reluctance On Health Care Bill,” The Associated Press, 10/27/09)

SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (I-CT): “If the public option plan is in there … as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote.” (“Obama Presses Senate To Act Quickly On Its Health Bill,” The New York Times, 11/9/09)
· “Among those in the meeting was Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, who has said he would filibuster the bill if a government option was included. He left the meeting early and said his position hadn't altered. "Generally speaking, I didn't hear anything that changes my mind,’ Lieberman said.” (“Dems Seeking Compromise On Public Insurance Option,” The Associated Press, 12/4/09)

SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA): “I don't favor a government-run national public option … I could be open to either a fallback or a public option that plays on the same playing field as private business....Something like that I could maybe consider if it meant a deal at the end." (“Democrats Pose Health Bill Hurdle,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/6/09)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “I don't want a big-government, Washington-run operation that would undermine the ... Private insurance that 200 million Americans now have.” (“Senate Democrats At Odds Over Health Care Bill,” The Associated Press, 11/22/09)

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universal health care

obamacare

California US Senate candidate Carly Fiorina delivers Weekly GOP Address

The latest Weekly GOP Address is from Carly Fiorina, former Hewlett-Packard CEO and candidate for the US Senate seat currently held by Democrat Barbara Boxer.

Fiorina was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and she says she has beaten it. Early detection was key to her triumph, and Fiorina questions the wisdom of a recent Health and Human Services task force study that casts doubts on the importance of mammograms.

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gop

Friday, December 04, 2009

Long outdoor line in sub-zero weather expected for Palin book signing in Montana

Despite the forecast of subzero weather on Tuesday, about 1,000 Sarah Palin supporters are expected to line up outside a Billings, Montana Borders book store on Tuesday.

Their goal? To have the former Alaska governor sign a copy of "Going Rogue: An American Life" and give her their best wishes.

Assuming they are able to find Billings on a map, I'd like to see the establishment media cover Palin's Montana visit.

Related post:

Libs afraid of Sarah Palin

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Climategate...what Climategate?

Had similar e-mails been uncovered, okay, hacked, from let's say a gun manufacturer's computer server, I imagine Senator Boxer's response would be different than what David Harsanyi recounts in his Denver Post column:

Americans honor the courageous informant, the gutsy citizen who stands against the savagery of the profit-mongering conglomerate. Well, sometimes. It appears, believe it or not, that there are those who aren't religiously tethered to this sacred obligation.

For now, due to revelations of the Climategate scandal, in which hacked e-mails revealed discussions among top climate scientists about the manipulation of evidence, Phil Jones, head of the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit in Britain, has temporarily stepped down from his position. Michael Mann — architect of the famous "hockey stick" graph — is now under investigation by Pennsylvania State University. Similar inquiries should follow.

Yet, Sen. Barbara Boxer, the Democratic chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, is off hunting bigger game.

"You call it Climategate; I call it e-mail-theft-gate," Boxer clarified during a committee shindig. "We may well have a hearing on this, we may not. We may have a briefing for senators, we may not." Boxer, as steady as they come, went on to put the focus where it belongs: hackers. She warned that part "of our looking at this will be looking at a criminal activity which could have well been coordinated . . . . This is a crime."

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climate change

environment

global warming

Computer with Blago evidence stolen from law firm

When people ask if I ever get tired of blogging, I think of stories like this one that could end up--well, I'm not sure where it will end up.

From Chicago Breaking News:

The FBI and Chicago police are investigating a burglary at the offices of attorneys for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in which at least one computer containing undercover recordings from the sweeping corruption case was stolen, sources said.

The break-in took place overnight at the law offices of Sam Adam and his son, Sam Adam Jr., in the 6100 block of South Ellis Avenue, sources and Sam Adam Jr. said.

The burglars set off an alarm but escaped the area. Investigative sources said there are no suspects.

The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago declined to comment on the incident or the theft of evidence in the case.

Burglaries are common in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, but could this be another "Chicago coincidence?"

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news

Unionization secret ballot election coming to Dodge City

In its quest to pass the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, union leaders and their Democratic allies claim that the current system, having workers decide on union representation in a secret ballot election, does not work.

Well, within the next few weeks, employees at the National Beef meat processing plant in Dodge City, Kansas will decide if they want to unionize. By secret ballot.

The current system works.

Related posts:

EFCA: Card check could be replaced by card check

My Kansas Kronikles: Dodge City, Beef Kingdom

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Boehner on the Dems' job killing agenda

Last night House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) appeared on Greta Van Sustern's "On The Record," where he talked about the Democrats' jobs killing agenda:

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Unemployment rate trickles down to 10 percent

The nation's unemployment rate slipped down to 10 percent in November. This is encouraging news, it was at 10.2 percent in October, but the celebrations will be minimal, since many of the new-hires are seasonal workers. And sadly, many Americans have given up looking for new work.

Once again, I have to bring this up this fact. When the Democrats were pushing their $787 billion stimulus bill earliers this year, they said that the unemployment rate would not exceed eight percent.

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The war on coal and Byrd droppings on cap and trade

Once an opponent of the national energy tax, better known as cap and trade, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) has essentially come out for it. In an op-ed, Byrd writes:

To be part of any solution, one must first acknowledge a problem. To deny the mounting science of climate change is to stick our heads in the sand and say "deal me out." West Virginia would be much smarter to stay at the table.

That piece was released yesterday. But that "mounting science" has been debunked since the Climategate scandal broke last month.

As for cap and trade, almost every elected official in West Virginia, including many Democrats, oppose it.

Here's what the Department of Energy says about coal:

Coal is one of the true measures of the energy strength of the United States. One quarter of the world's coal reserves are found within the United States, and the energy content of the nation's coal resources exceeds that 'electric power industry, supplying more than half the electricity consumed by Americans.

But there is a war on coal, led by Democrats, despite gestures of friendliness, as Brian Faughan writes:

Coal is a critical energy source and an important part of the economy in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania. Candidate Biden famously evoked his own background as a 'hard coal miner' to reassure miners that their livelihood would be protected under an Obama administration. The war on coal is one broken promise that's getting less attention than it deserves. And it may cost Democrats a number of races in the affected coal regions.

Biden isn't the only duplicitous Dem on coal, as Jim Muir wrote in the Southern Illinoisan in 2005:

As The Candidate you will remember the many times Obama traipsed through Southern Illinois in his bid to become a U.S. senator. In fact, I remember last April when The Candidate Obama, accompanied by The Elected Official Dick Durbin, visited the Southern Illinois University Coal Research Park in Carterville and made promise after promise about his commitment to help Southern Illinois residents secure jobs by doing all he could to revive the dying coal industry.

Yes, it was quite a day for The Candidate Obama in Carterville, the marching bands, smiling hangers-on and glad-handing politicians.

But sadly, that was then and this is now. In other words, that was The Candidate Obama, and now The Elected Official Obama seems to have forgotten that April day last year.

Oh he forgot it, that's for sure.

But don't forget this fact: Half of our electricity is derived from coal.

Do you want to pay more for electricity? Are you skeptical of man-made global warming, post-Climategate?

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Dems health care bill: Jobs killer

Yesterday the White House held a jobs summit, which was a phony one in my opinion.
The Democrats' policies are preventing jobs growth, the threat of cap and trade legislation, the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, and of course the possibility of a government-run health care program are among the inhibitors.

The Senate Republican Communications Committee takes a look at the last one:

Dem Health Bill Drops Billions And Billions In Taxes, Fees, & Mandates On Job Creators

Mandates In Health Bill Are "Likely To Reduce Employment"

“Penalty payments by employers and uninsured individuals… 2010-2019… 36 [billion dollars].” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

COMPANIES THAT DON’T PROVIDE INSURANCE FINED $750 PER WORKER

CBO: “Firms with more than 50 workers that did mot offer coverage would have to pay a penalty of $750 for each full-time worker if any of their workers obtained subsidized coverage through the insurance exchanges; that dollar amount would be indexed.” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 7)

CBO: “Requiring employers to offer health insurance—or pay a fee if they do not—is likely to reduce employment…” (“Effects Of Changes To The Health Insurance System On Labor Markets,” CBO, 7/14/09)

$54 Billion Medicare Payroll Tax Increase: Half Paid Directly By Businesses

“Senate democratic aides said the payroll tax increase would raise $54 Billion over 10 years.” (“Senate Health Plan Seeks To Add Coverage To 31 Million,” The New York Times, 11/19/09)

“Under current law, employers and employees each pay a tax equal to 1.45 percent of wages. Mr. Reid would increase the rate To 1.95 percent for individuals with annual incomes over $200,000 and couples over $250,000.” (“Senate Health Plan Seeks To Add Coverage To 31 Million,” The New York Times, 11/19/09)

“Economists and politicians pointed out several possible objections to Mr. Reid’s proposal. It does nothing to slow the growth of health spending, as the tax on high-cost insurance would. And, as the Congressional Budget Office pointed out recently, ‘Higher Tax Rates On Earnings Reduce People’s Incentive To Work.’” (“Reid Mulls Medicare Tax Increase For High Earners,” The New York Times, 11/13/09)

More Than $100 Billion In Taxes & Fees On The Health Care Industry

“Fees on certain manufacturers and insurers… 2010-2019… 102 [Billion Dollars].” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

CBO: “The legislation would impose several new fees on firms in the health sector. New fees would be imposed on providers of health insurance and on manufacturers and importers of medical devices. Both of those fees would be largely passed through to consumers in the form of higher premiums for private coverage. … since large firms are more likely to self-insure, that fee would result in smaller percentage increases in average premiums for large firms than it would for small firms and for nongroup coverage.” (CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Bayh, P. 15-16, 11/30/09)

$149 Billion Tax Increase On Private Health Insurance Plans

“Excise tax on high-premium plans… 2010-2019… 149 [Billion Dollars].” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 6)

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universal health care

obamacare

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Al Gore: Copenhagen limits not good enough

Not only does Al Gore think the Copenhagen climate change convene, he's in disbelief about Climategate, the Times of London tells us.

He also brushed aside questions over the reliability of climate science that have followed the publication last month of leaked e-mails between climate experts. He claimed that the scientific consensus around climate change "continues to grow from strength to strength." He added: "The naysayers are in a sunset phase with a spectacular climax just before they subside from view. This is a race between common sense and unreality."

It's your sunset, Gore.

On a related note, Gore cancelled a Copenhagen appearance where greenies could enjoy a "light snack" and have their picture taken from him for a lot of green: $1,209.

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Boehner holds real jobs summit

Just hours befor the White House "dog and pony show" jobs summit, House Republicans held their own meeting, led by Minority Leader John Boehner, a former small businessman.

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Democrats vote for half a trillion in Medicare cuts

Senate Democrats voted for change a lot of people, particularly seniors, won't believe in.

From a Senate Republican Communications Center press release:

Democrats Vote For A Half Trillion Dollars In Medicare Cuts

Voted To Preserve Cuts To Seniors' Care For Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Hospice, Home Health Programs, Medicare Advantage, And More…

58 Democrats Vote For A Half Trillion Dollars In Medicare Cuts
(H.R. 3590 Motion To Commit H.R. 3590 With Instructions, Roll Call Vote #358, Motion Not Agreed To 42-58: R 40-0; D 2-58; I 0-2, 12/3/09)

CBO: Medicare Cuts Could “Reduce Access To Care Or Diminish The Quality Of Care.” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 1, 17)

$135 BILLION IN CUTS TO HOSPITALS SERVING SENIORS
(CBO, E-mail To Senate Leadership Staff, 11/20/09)

$120 BILLION IN CUTS TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

“Setting Payment Rates In The Medicare Advantage Program… $118 Billion.” “Setting payment rates in the Medicare Advantage program on the basis of the average of the bids submitted by Medicare Advantage plans in each market, yielding savings of an estimated $118 billion (before interactions) over the 2010– 2019 period.” (CBO director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 10)

· “Medicare Advantage Payment… 2010-2019… -118.1 [Billion Dollars].” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, p. 28)

1.9 Billion Cut To Medicare Advantage Resulting From A Coding Intensity Adjustment: “Subtitle B—Improving Medicare for Patients and Providers; PART III—IMPROVING PAYMENT ACCURACY; Subtitle C—Provisions Relating to Part C; 3203; Application of Coding Intensity Adjustment… 2010-2019… -1.9 [Billion Dollars].” (CBO Director Doug Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Harry Reid, 11/18/09, P. 28)

MORE THAN $40 BILLION CUT FROM HOME HEALTH AGENCIES
(CBO, E-mail To Senate Leadership Staff, 11/20/09)

NEARLY $15 BILLION IN CUTS TO NURSING HOMES
(CBO, E-mail To Senate Leadership Staff, 11/20/09)

NEARLY $8 BILLION FROM HOSPICES
(CBO, E-mail To Senate Leadership Staff, 11/20/09)

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universal health care

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Bob Dylan: Must Be Santa

Although he is approaching 70, Bob Dylan continues to surprise. He just released
Christmas In the Heart, a collection of holiday standards. The album has been universally panned by critics, but I absolutely love his version of "Must Be Santa."

Click above to see Dylan in a blond wig host a rollicking Christmas party. The only thing missing is National Lampoon Vacation's Clark Griswold, but the performance has a terrific Chicago feel--he transforms "Must Be Santa" into a rousing polka.

All proceeds from Christmas In the Heart will go to charity.

Listen closely to the lyrics, Dylan alters the roster of Santa's reindeer a bit.

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Stimulus money going to DC area contractors to figure out how to spend more of it

This story comes to us not from The Onion, but the Washington Post. Some stuff you can't just make up.

As struggling communities throughout the country wait for more help from the $787 billion stimulus package, one region is already basking in its largess: the government-contractor nexus that is metropolitan Washington.

Reports from stimulus recipients show that a sizable sum has gone to federal contractors in the Washington area who are helping implement the initiative -- in effect, they are being paid a hefty slice of the money to help spend the rest of it.

The contractors' work hardly differs from the basic operations of the federal departments hiring them. The Energy Department is paying Technology & Management Services, a Gaithersburg firm, $6.9 million to review applications for renewable energy loan guarantees. The Department of Homeland Security awarded Deloitte Consulting's Arlington branch $8.6 million to provide "program management and support" for the stimulus plan's $1 billion airport security initiative, and gave McKing Consulting, a Fairfax firm, a $1.5 million contract to review applications for fire department construction funding.

Held against the total stimulus package, the contracts represent a relatively small portion of spending. But they help explain why the Washington area is weathering the recession so well. And, as President Obama convenes a jobs summit Thursday to discuss lagging employment, the contracts raise questions about whether enough funding is getting to areas suffering the most.

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Oprah taping White House Christmas show on same day as job summit

The White House is holding a jobs summit today, which is essentially going to be only a dog and pony show--all pageantry, no results. For instance, the US Chamber of Commerce, which happens to be one of the biggest critics of President Obama's economic policies, won't be there.

But Oprah Winfrey will be at the White House today. Not for the jobs summit, but to tape a Christmas show with the Obamas. How serious is the president about solving the unemployment crisis?

And about those Obama policies...Robert J. Samuelson of Newsweek thinks that Obama should reconsider some of them if he is really serious about creating jobs.

Obama can't be fairly blamed for most job losses, which stemmed from a crisis pre-dating his election. But he has made a bad situation somewhat worse. His unwillingness to advance trade agreements (notably, with Colombia and South Korea) has hurt exports. The hostility to oil and gas drilling penalizes one source of investment. More important, the decision to press controversial proposals (health care, climate change, taxes) was bound to increase uncertainty and undermine confidence. Some firms are postponing spending projects "until there is more clarity," Zandi notes. Others are put off by anti-business rhetoric.

The recovery's vigor will determine whether unemployment declines rapidly or stays stubbornly high, and the recovery's vigor depends heavily on private business. Obama declines to recognize conflicts among goals. Choices were made—and jobs weren't always job one.

Samuelson forgot one proposal: The so-called Employee Free Choice Act, "card check," which is loved by the unions (and Obama), but if enacted, will be a jobs-killer.

If Obama is really serious about adding jobs, he'll radically alter his economic policies.

And forget the dog and pony (and Oprah) shows.

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Bill Ayers opposes Obama's Afghanistan build-up

Bill Ayers says he is "appalled and alarmed" by his friend Barack Obama's decision to send 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.

Well, bomber boy, you are partly responsible for this situation. Obama began his political career in your living room.

Are you going to apologize to liberal America?

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Durbin and Feinstein don't like citizen journalists

Billy Dennis a huge favor by visiting the Daily Kos, where he discovered that Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) voted twice against shielding citizen journalists. You know, people like me, or Dennis.

From Kos via Peoria Pundit:

Basically, Feinstein and Durbin want to restrict shield law protections for those who are either salaried employees or contractors of big media. If not, it's basically f**k you.

This isn't a partisan issue, it's one between those who are so stuck in the past, that they can't fathom a more diverse and expansive media environment — one that is no longer dominated by the NY Times and the TV.

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