America's Ruling Class - A Must Read

How the ruling class lives. (HT Atlas Shrugs & IMaksim.com)



If you want to know how Democrats and RINO Republicans, aka the Ruling Class think and act, then you must read Angelo Codevilla's piece in the American Spectator titled "America's Ruling Class and the Perils of Revolution." Here's some exerpts. HT Rush Limbaugh:

One of the things I've always settled on to try to explain to people is that people never really get out of high school. That the whole concept of the big clique and wanting to be part of it dominates everybody's life: the quest for power, the quest for acceptance, the quest to be in the "in" crowd, however it's defined. I've told you over the years that one of the reasons the Republicans are whatever the way they are in Washington is because Washington is a culture and a place that is run and dominated, not just politically, but socially, and I've always said that this is crucial to understand, 'cause this is the big clique aspect. Washington is dominated politically and socially by Democrats, by the left. The Republicans also live there. Everybody wants to get along with who you live next to, and in Washington, the center of power in the world, everybody wants to be in the ruling class. The ruling class is the subject of this piece by Angelo Codevilla, who is professor emeritus at Boston University. It is just a wonderfully written and crafted piece.

Here's a couple pull quotes, but again, getting into various pull quotes will not do this piece justice: "Today's ruling class, from Boston to San Diego, was formed by an educational system that exposed them to the same ideas and gave them remarkably uniform guidance, as well as tastes and habits." This resonated with me because in explaining Obama to everyone. I said this is how he was raised; this is how he was educated; this is what he believes: America is the problem in the world -- so do members of the ruling class. The ruling class, it's important to understand, is not based on merit. In fact, the ruling class contains many educational failures. People who would otherwise have flunked out of college were it not for their connections to others in the ruling class.

Another pull quote: "Getting into America's 'top schools' is less a matter of passing exams than of showing up with acceptable grades and an attractive social profile. ... Since the 1970s, it has been virtually impossible to flunk out of American colleges. And it is an open secret that 'the best' colleges require the least work and give out the highest grade point averages," which explains in part why we've never seen Barack Obama's transcripts or his writings or anything else from Harvard or the Harvard Law Review because they don't exist. He was put in that position for reasons having nothing to do with merit, and the people in the ruling class do not rise on the basis of merit; they rise on the basis of connections, saying the right things, thinking the right things, doing the right things according to the code that is established.

We, in what Mr. Codevilla calls, the country class, meaning not the hick class, but the country, we are the country. The ruling class is a minority, and I have touched on this. We are being ruled, i.e., governed by a minority. Less than 10, 15% of Americans agree with the thought process, the philosophies, the goals and objectives of the ruling class. And we in the country class, we believe in merit. We rise or fall based on merit. We believe that a good GPA is what's necessary to get you into college. We believe that performing well on the job is how you get promoted and how you get paid well. Not true in the ruling class. In fact, that is looked down upon. It's sort of like the old money versus new money business. The old money, inherited from robber barons of the past, great wealth. The people who inherited it don't do anything for it, but it has great lineage. People who have earned great wealth rather than having inherited it are shunned by the old-money people because it's working class to have earned money. It's just not done. It's considered gauche, it's considered filthy. And it's much the same way with merit throughout the ruling class. You don't have to be the best. In fact, if you do the right things and say the right things, you can be an abject failure meritocracy-wise and still be promoted.

This I will share with you, it's the end of the piece. The only vehicle available to the Tea Party right now is the Republican Party. And what do they do? You and I, have we not, we have been saying -- well, some have said third-party route, clearly this piece demonstrates that's a failure, but others have been saying that the future of the country depends on the conservative movement retaking the Republican Party. Now, here we have people like Trent Lott, everybody's assumed is a conservative all along, now being threatened by the arrival of a Tea Party caucus, ah, ah, ah, ah, "'We don't need a lot of Jim DeMint disciples. As soon as they get here, we need to co-opt them.' But Lott said he's not expecting a tea-party sweep. 'I still have faith in the visceral judgment of the American people.'"

So he thinks that you, the American people will see the Tea Party for the rabble-rousers they are and will not elect anybody from the Tea Party or anybody who believes things the Tea Party believes because you really do not want Washington shaken up. You like the ruling class running the show. "Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah), who failed to survive his party's nominating process after running afoul of local tea-party activists, told a local Associated Press reporter last week that the GOP had jeopardized its chance to win Senate seats in Republican-leaning states such as Nevada and Kentucky and potentially in Colorado, where tea-party favorite Ken Buck has surged ahead of Lt. Gov. Jane Norton in their primary battle. Bennett warned that such candidates are stealing attention from top GOP recruits such as Mike Castle in Delaware and John Hoeven in North Dakota, both of whom are favored to win seats held by Democrats." But it is not in the cards for these Tea Party people to win. And this explains it, in part, this piece.

Trent Lott's resignation became effective at 11:30 p.m. on December 18th, 2007. On January 7th, 2008, it was announced that Trent Lott and former Senator John Breaux (Democrat-Louisiana) had opened their lobbying firm about a block from the White House. The ruling class takes care of its own. And the ruling class is Democrats and liberals in Washington and everywhere -- New York, Washington. Washington is the power capital of the world and the financial capital of the world as well. The ruling class also does not work. The ruling class is involved in nonprofits. The ruling class seeks their wealth from government, and more and more and more people do. The people who live and work in the ruling class in Washington are prospering because government is prospering.

Government is prospering because government is raiding the private sector. Government's raiding the country class, if you will. The way this piece starts out: "As over-leveraged investment houses began to fail in September 2008, the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties, of major corporations, and opinion leaders stretching from the National Review magazine (and the Wall Street Journal) on the right to the Nation magazine on the left, agreed that spending some $700 billion to buy the investors' 'toxic assets' was the only alternative to the U.S. economy's 'systemic collapse.'" They all agreed. You and I did not. You and I fought this bailout, remember? They told us, "We have 24 hours! If we don't do this, the country collapses, the economy collapses." It finally took two weeks of persuasion by the ruling class to convince enough people because the Republicans, conservatives in the country, were not buying into it. They didn't believe any of it. The majority of the American people did not want the bailout yet it happened anyway, and look what it got us."

If you read this piece along with Rush's take. You'll be exposed to how the country, indeed the world is being run. Its a real eye-opener.

American Spectator: America's Ruling Class -- And the Perils of Revolution
Rush Limbaugh: The Ruling Class, Big Clique, and "Why Don't the Republicans Do X?"

Culture Of Corruption Update: Charlie Rangel

The latest example. (HT NY Post)



Pictured above is Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY). He just got charged with 13 ethics violations. looks like the swamp needs to be cleaned out again Speaker Pelosi. You've packed it full of snakes and alligators. So much for the most ethical Congress in history. From Rush Limbaugh.com:

"Yesterday afternoon in Washington at the House Ethics Adjudicatory Committee hearing, here is Representative Gene Greene, a Democrat from Texas, reading the charges against New York congressman Charles Rangel.

GREENE: The charges in the Statement of Alleged Violations relate to four general subject matters. One, solicitations and donations to the Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York. Two, errors and omissions on Representative Rangel's financial disclosure statements. Three, use of rent-subsidized residential apartments by respondent campaign committees. And four, failure to report and pay taxes on rental income on respondent's Punta Cana beach villa. The 13 charges are as follows. Count one, conduct in violation of the Solicitation and Gift Ban. Count two, conduct in violation of the Conduct of Ethics for Government Service clause five. Count three, conduct in violation of the House Gift Rule. Count four, conduct in violation of Postal Service laws and Franking Commission Regulations. Counts five, conduct in violation of the Franking Statute. Count six, conduct in violation of the House Office Building and Commissions regulations. Count seven, conduct in violation of the Purpose Law and the members Congressional Handbook. Count eight, conduct in violation of the Letterhead Rule.

RUSH: Stop the tape a second!

GREENE: Count nine, conduct in violation of the Ethics in Government Act and House Rule twenty-six.

RUSH: I didn't know he broke the Letterhead Rule. Of all the rules he broke, that's a new one on me. Count eight is "conduct in violation of the Letterhead Rule." That's taking it too far. Of all these things -- he didn't pay taxes, four rent-controlled apartments -- but he lied on the letterhead? Ho! Let's listen to the rest of the charges.

GREENE: Count ten, conduct in violation of Code of Ethics for Government Service, clause five. Count 11, conduct in violation of the Code of Ethics for the Government Service, clause two. Count 12, conduct in violation of Code of Conduct letter and spirit of the House Rules. Count 13, conduct in violation of the Code of Conduct, conducting reflecting discredibility on the House.

RUSH: There you have it: 13 charges, ethics violations against Charlie Rangel. Here is -- between 2008 and the present -- the sum total of Rangel's responses to these allegations to date.

RANGEL: What are you talking about? You just trying to make copy? It's a dumb question.

RANGEL: Why don't you mind your own God (bleep)ed business?

RANGEL: Where I live and how I live? It's nobody's damn business where I live.

RANGEL: I don't pay too much attention to irresponsible reporters who report inaccuracies. False accusations have been made by a reporter.

RANGEL: Common sense dictates that members of Congress should not held responsible for wrongdoing.

RANGEL: I have to now deal with my lawyer as to what the hell do they mean.

RANGEL: Sixty years ago I survived a Chinese, uh, attack in North Korea and as a result -- having survived that -- I haven't had a bad day since. Today I have to reassess that.

RUSH: Nancy Pelosi, November 7th, 2006, on Election Night...

PELOSI: Today the American people voted to restore integrity and honesty in Washington, DC. And the Democrats intend to lead the most honest, most open, and most ethical Congress in history.

RUSH: After Rangel was charged yesterday, Pelosi said this...

PELOSI: The swamp was described in the press as a "criminal syndicate" operating out of Republican leader's office. Drain the swamp we did because this was a terrible place and we have made a tremendous difference and I take great pride in that. Are there going to be individual, uhhh, issues to be dealt with? Yes. I never said that there wouldn't be.

RUSH: She maintains that she's drained the swamp. Culture of corruption. Never attaches to Democrats, does it?

Americans will have an opportunity to drain the DC swamp in November.

Background Reading:

RushLimbaugh.com: Pelosi and Rangel Head Up the "Most Ethical Congress in History"

Utopia!!!

What Liberals Crave. (HT Atlas Shrugs & IMaksim.com)



The portrait above is a great snapshot of the ruling class. The one thing that must never be forgotten about the ruling class is this: You're either a part of it, or you're paying for it.

Let's look at some of the ruling class waste you're paying for. (HT Atlas Shrugs for the links)

Michelle Obama, daughter Sasha to vacation separately in Spain -- over president's birthday...
'All activities are closed press'...
30 rooms at 5-star hotel...
Puttin on The Ritz?...
5-day trip to follow weekend on FL's Gulf Coast, precede 10-day vacation on Martha's Vineyard...

Political Caption Of The Day

What I'd rather drink. (HT Conservatives Take Action)

NOW: Palin Not A Feminist Beause She's Not A Socialist

Feminist or no?



According to the Feminarcissists, Sarah Palin would be their ideal role model. She was in an executive position as Alaskan Governor, a role model for girls everywhere to aspire to, and had a family, She was proof a woman can really have it all. This would impress the NOW gals right? Wrong!! From The Daily Caller:

"NOW executive vice-president, Bonnie Grabenhofer, told The Daily Caller that to her, “feminism is a social justice movement aimed at getting social, political, and economic equality for women. We work for the advancement of women on multiple fronts.”

According to Grabenhofer, Palin doesn’t qualify as a feminist.

"I do not consider Sarah Palin to be a feminist,” she said. “She has benefitted from the work of feminists but she has not worked to advance the rights of women. She works against the progressive ideas meant to help.”

Grabenhofer continued, saying that in order to be a feminist, a woman must support abortion rights.

“If you cannot control your reproductive rights, you cannot fully participate in society,” she explained."

I get it Bonnie. Sarah Palin doesn’t qualify as a feminist because she values the life of the unborn, is attractive, doesn’t worship Obama, believes in God, and last, but not least, is a conservative instead of a socialist.

Compare that to the viewpoint of Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List:

“Moving up to the primary endorsement process, we intentionally started a conversation about women’s rights and what is at the center of it, what shouldn’t be at the center,” Dannenfelser told The Daily Caller. “The women’s movement in its current form has abortion at the core and that is why we have started a dialogue about what true feminism is. It is not because I have ever labeled myself a feminist, but we really felt we needed to take them on on their own ground.”

“There is a conscious effort being made on the part of a lot of conservative women politicians to be using this word, feminist,” Carrie Lukas, vice-president and director of policy for the conservative Independent Women’s Forum, told The Daily Caller. “But they are offering a very different brand of liberation than what is usually associated with the term, which has really become, over the last few decades, associated with groups like NOW [National Organization for Women], which are essentially indistinguishable from the Democratic Party and are more about big government than women.”

"We actually never claimed the word feminist for ourselves until recently, only because we plan to keep it to defeat them on their own ground. Liberation should not come from killing your future baby, continual grievances and pushing men down,” Dannenfelser said. “Those women that put abortion at their center have ignored legitimate concerns we might have and instead have spent all their time on things which have hurt women.”

Dannenfelser continued, “The women’s movement has ignored us conservative women for many election cycles, but they cannot ignore this tidal wave of pro-life conservative women that are running and that are not just running—anyone can put their name on a ballot—but are viable candidates.”

There is a moment when ladies need to stand up to the women who compose groups like NOW and say, no, this is not liberation for me,” she said. “This will be the year of the real woman. For the first time, real women are actually going to be represented and have their voices heard.”

Lukas attributed the wave of Republican women running for political office this cycle not just to Sarah Palin, but to what she sees as the overall pain the country has felt under President Obama.

“A lot of the leaders of the Tea Party are women and people who have not been in politics or wanted to be in politics before,” she said. “They have been out living their lives. But the country is at a crossroads and many feel compelled to stand up against the radical change and the problems our country faces.”

Lukas continued by noting that the upsurge in conservative feminists in political life is making liberal women’s rights groups “furious.” But Lukas doesn’t see anything wrong with ruffling their feathers.

“We are pushing against them, saying, ‘women are not victims, limited government benefits women, conservative principles are good for us,’” she said. “The larger threat from conservative women is not just ending abortion, but also undermining the idea of women as victims.”

Some interesting facts:

"For decades, the label feminist has been the exclusive property of women on the political left, with victimhood and abortion rights as feminism’s primary tenets, and the promulgation of grievances against the patriarchy its modus operandi. This election cycle a large cadre of traditional women have entered the the political arena and are challenging the sisterhood of bra-burners on their own turf, bringing what Dannenfelser calls “authentic feminism” to the national stage.

2010 is shaping up to be the year of the Republican woman. According to Center for American Women and Politics, 14 Republican women have thrown their girdles into the ring for the U.S. Senate and 94 for the House of Representatives. According to CAWP director Debbie Walsh, 60 of the 106 females who are challenging House incumbents are Republicans."

Will 2010 be the rise of “authentic feminism”? Stay Tuned.

Background Reading:

Daily Caller: Conservatives try to claim the term feminist as their own

More Side Effects From Obamacare

There will be mass resistance in November. (HT AR15.com)



One major side effect of Obamacare is that it includes an expensive new tax information reporting requirement, which will fall heavily on small businesses. From NFIB.com:

"Beginning in 2012, the new healthcare law requires businesses to send Form 1099s for every business-to-business transaction of $600 or more for both property and service, creating a tremendous new paperwork compliance burden for small business. This means that a small business owner will have to file two forms—one with the vendor and one to the IRS—for almost every business-to-business transaction.

he reporting requirement substantially increases compliance burdens on honest small businesses. Small business already faces tremendous expense in complying the with the tax code. In fact, according to an NFIB Small Business Survey, at $74 an hour tax paperwork is the most expensive paperwork burden placed on small businesses by the federal government. Here are some more effects of this new requirement:

* Increased paperwork and administrative burden for every additional 1099 form prepared. Small businesses lack an in-house finance department to track this kind of reporting and that is why complying with the tax code is already 66 percent more expensive for a small business than a large business.
* Increased costs incurred for mailing any additional 1099 forms and for hiring outside help to ensure that the business complies with the law.
* The law seeks to capture non-compliant corporations, but places the burden on the wrong taxpayer (the compliant small business).

Fiction: 1099 reporting is about healthcare because it is in the healthcare law.

Fact: The new requirement was added to the healthcare law in an attempt to raise $17 billion to help cover the nearly $1 trillion cost of the new law. Unfortunately, the burden will fall on tax-compliant small businesses. Even worse, while small business owners will pay to comply with the new requirement, there is no guarantee that the government will raise the projected revenue.

The IRS does not have the matching capabilities to handle the massive volume of paperwork resulting from this proposal. Many corporations file taxes on a fiscal year that is different than the calendar year in which 1099 forms are filed which could result in substantial errors in IRS attempts to accurately match information.

Fiction: Form 1099 reporting will capture lost tax revenue.

Fact: The tax gap is the amount of tax revenue the government is owed compared to how much it actually collects. Estimates place the tax gap at about $290 billion. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that the requirement will actually reduce the tax gap:

* Current data is not available to portray an accurate picture of underreporting of corporations.
* The 2001 National Research Program data from the IRS only focused on the individual taxpayer. The data for corporations is much older.
* Data does not prove whether the business-to-business transactions are the problem or if underreporting is more prominent in payments over or under $600.
* Without better data to craft targeted solutions to close the tax gap, we should be very careful to avoid enacting proposals that would unduly harm and burden compliant taxpayers.

Background Reading:

NFIB.com: New 1099 Tax Reporting Requirements Place Expensive Burden on Small Business Owners

A Sign Of Democrat Desperation

What Americans need to do in November.



With the November elections looming, the Democrat controlled congress is starting to feel the heat from the American citizenry. So much so that they may be forced to use common sense. From The Hill:

"Democrats are considering a plan to delay tax hikes on the wealthy for two years because the economic recovery is slow and they fear getting crushed in November’s election.

It could mean a big reprieve for families earning $250,000 and above annually."

Delay a tax hike?? The way this congress has spent money, I don't buy this for one second! Wait, there's More!!

"President George W. Bush’s tax cuts will expire at the end of the year unless Congress acts to delay their sunset. Some Democrats are now arguing forcefully that a delay is a win-win plan that would help the federal budget without hurting the economy.

Wealthy families would not have an incentive to cut back on spending and budget writers could assume an inflow of tax funds in future years, making five- and 10-year budget projections look less scary.

Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes, said some of his Democratic colleagues have discussed the idea out of fear of impeding the nation’s economic recovery.

“I’ve heard some sentiment about raising the rate but not making it effective until 2012,” he said.

During the 2008 presidential campaign, President Obama said he would not extend the Bush-era tax cuts for families earning more than $250,000. Obama promised that families earning less than $250,000 would not see their taxes increase."

Here's the dirty little secret: by letting Bush’s tax cuts will expire at the end of the year, that triggers an across the board tax increase. Everyone's taxes go up for individuals and businesses.

Now let's hear from a true Democrat:

"Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has reiterated her support for raising taxes on individuals and families who earn the most.

“My position is also that the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America did nothing to grow the economy during the Bush administration, did not create jobs, did not reduce the deficit,” she said at a recent press conference."

Gotta love Nazzi Pelocchio, she really stands by her socialist principles, doesn't she?? Here's the deal sweetheart. The Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America did to grow the economy during the Bush administration, because wealth was created, companies were hiring a lot more, and people were improving their lives. Americans improved their lives to the point that they were paying taxes that created record revenues into the treasury you dunce!! Things started going downhill when you and your party took over congress in January 2007. The good news is that the speakers gavel will be taken from you in January 2011.

Background Reading:

The Hill: Dems may keep Bush tax cuts

Political Caption Of The Day

This picture truly speaks for itself. (HT DJ & JL):

Reality Gap Widens Between DC and Everywhere Else

This time it's not resisting just El Presidente, but his whole elitist DC class. (HT AR15.com)



The disconnect between DC and the rest of the fruited plain has increased. Evidence from Politico:

"America is struggling with a sputtering economy and high unemployment — but times are booming for Washington’s governing class.

The massive expansion of government under President Barack Obama has basically guaranteed a robust job market for policy professionals, regulators and contractors for years to come. The housing market, boosted by the large number of high-income earners in the area, many working in politics and government, is easily outpacing the markets in most of the country. And there are few signs of economic distress in hotels, restaurants or stores in the D.C. metro area.

As a result, there is a yawning gap between the American people and D.C.’s powerful when it comes to their economic reality — and their economic perceptions.

A new POLITICO poll, conducted by market research and consulting firm Penn Schoen Berland, underscores the big divide: Roughly 45 percent of “Washington elites” said the country and the economy are headed in the right direction, while roughly 25 percent of the general population said they felt that way.

In May, unemployment in metro Washington hit 6 percent — an uptick from April’s rate for the area but well below the national average of 9.5 percent and far milder than the May rates of the shattered manufacturing towns of the Midwest, including Flint, Mich. (at 14.7 percent), Elkhart, Ind. (at 13.7 percent) and Rockford, Ill. (at 13.9 percent).

“The unemployment rate in Flint today is as high as it was when my grandfather graduated from Flint Central High School in 1935,” Flint Mayor Dayne Walling told POLITICO. Walling pleaded for something few in Washington are willing to do in this political climate: jack up government spending right now.

“I understand that the federal government has a large, long-standing structural problem with its spending, and that needs to be addressed,” he said. “But the middle of an economic crisis is not the time for that conversation.”

What Mayor Walling doesn't realize is that by making a statment like that, he's giving the DC elites what they want, Dependence on them. That leads to more arrogance from them. More from Politico:

"All of this could have big political consequences. It doesn’t take polls and studies to know that much of America thinks very little of the Washington governing class.

Indeed, one of the defining characteristics of this election cycle has been the rise of anti-establishment political power in key races — fueled by a belief that this city just doesn’t get it. The old perks of power, such as chairmanships and pork, are often liabilities as voters turn to tea party candidates and newcomers opposed by the establishments of both parties.

The disconnect between D.C. elites and the general public is stoking the growth of more direct popular movements like MoveOn and [the] tea party,” said Mark Penn, who helped conduct the poll. “The D.C. elites are largely isolated from the economic downturn, and this means that they can easily fail to understand the depth of dissatisfaction out in the country.”

Easily fail to understand?? I'd say they've failed to understand many times over!

Background Reading:

Politico: Reality gap: U.S. struggles, D.C. booms

The Obama Bumper Sticker Removal Kit

Resist. (HT AR15.com):



It's the must have item of the election season. From Newsbusters:

"Did you buy into Hope and Change a few years ago only to now feel embarrassed by what's adorning your wheels?

If so, the folks at AmericanTees.com have a fabulous solution that's not only effective, but also darned funny.

It even works on a Prius (video follows with commentary):



An outstanding advertisement if I say so myself.

Background Reading:

Newsbusters: Introducing The Obama Bumper Sticker Removal Kit

You Tax Dollars At Work: The Japanese Quail

The Japanese Quail. (HT BrokenSphere / Wikimedia Commons)



You'll love this. From CNSNews.com:

"The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $181,406 this year to a researcher at the University of Kentucky to study how cocaine enhances the sex drive of Japanese quail.

The study is currently underway and is scheduled to continue until 2015. So far, however, it has only been funded through the end of January 2011.

CNSNews.com asked the NIH: “The Census Bureau says the median household income in the United States is $52,000. How would you explain to the average American mom and dad--who make $52,000 per year--that taxing them to pay for this grant was justified?

NIH spokesman Don Rabolvsky said that the research has value because many cases of HIV/AIDS are spread through drug-related sexual behavior.

The researcher at the University of Kentucky conducting the project did not respond to CNSNews.com’s inquiries about the project and the question about justifying the cost of the grant to the average taxpaying family.

According to information from the University of Kentucky’s Web site, Japanese quail are “ideal” animals to use when studying the link between sex and drugs because the “birds readily engage in reproductive behavior in the laboratory.”

This could and should have been done back in the 80's & 90's when drugs, HIV/AIDS was all the rage. Like ACORN, these wasteful government programs need tax dollars to survive. We win the House in November, we control the purse and starve these programs.

As bad as this is here's what really needs to be made known: The Obama administration and the Democrat controlled congress have yet to present a budget. To do this requires discipline. They've clearly shown they have none. If they present a budget now, Democrat leaders would get pillored, not a good thing before the November elections.

Why would they get hammered? Because a budget would itemize everything that tax dollars are being spent, and they don't want that exposure. Which leads me to believe that they'll try to rush something through in the lame duck session. Stay tuned.

Background Reading:

CNSNews.com: U.S Government Spent $181,406 to Study How Cocaine Enhances Sex Drive of Japanese Quail

King Hussein Doesn't Make the Grade

The Backlash Continues. (HT AR15.com)



CBS news is doing a poll asking Americans how the president is doing, now that he's been given a chance. Americans have responded in convincing numbers that King Hussein's presidency so far gets failing marks. The numbers speak for themselves.

Numbers as of 8:30 AM CDT today:

On the Economy, about 68% of Americans polled gave an F..
On Foreign Policy, about 60% of Americans polled gave an F.
On Health Care, about 79% of Americans polled gave an F.
On Afghanistan, about 32% of Americans polled gave an F.
On Iraq, about 36% of Americans polled gave an F.
On the Threat of Terrorism, about 58% of Americans polled gave an F.
On Energy & The Environment, about 55% of Americans polled gave an F.
On Social Issues, about 59% of Americans polled gave an F.
On Bipartisanship, about 78% of Americans polled gave an F.
On Obama's overall job as president, about 64% of Americans polled gave an F.

Background Reading (Thanks JL for the tip!):

CBS News: Grade Obama's First Year in Office

ACORN CEO Rips The Tea Party

Obamacorn. (HT Leo Alberti)



ACORN is back in the news. Bertha Lewis recently spoke to a group of the Young Democratic Socialists. Feeling right at home, she said the following:

"Any of these groups that says, "I'm young, I'm Democratic, and I'm a socialist," is okay with me. You know that's no light thing to do -- to actually say, I'm a socialist. You've got to know, actually, we are living in a time that's going to dwarf the McCarthy era. We are living in a time that'll dwarf the internment era of internment during World War II. We are right now in a time that is going to dwarf the era of Jim Crow and segregation."

Typical leftspeak. Here's the punchline:

"They are coming and they are coming after you, and they are going to be brutal and oppressive. They've already shown it. ... This is not rhetoric or hyperbole -- this is real. ... This tea party so-called movement -- a bowel-movement in my estimation -- and this blatant uncovering and ripping off the mask of racism..."

A bowel movement?! If that's the case, then it's about to hit the fan all over the place in November. Link to video is below. the punchline is at the 1:18 mark.

Background Reading:

The Fox Nation: ACORN CEO Praises Socialism, Calls Tea Parties 'Bowel Movements'

Obamacare Is About Redistributing Wealth

King Hussein's Latest Socialist Appointment. (HT Verum Serum)




Pitcured above is Dr. Donald Berwick. He was named to run the Center for Medicare Services. The White house line is that the “recess appointment” was needed to carry out the new health care law.

Heres a qoute from the good doctor that gives you a glimpse of his worldview:

"You could have a monstrous insurance industry of claims, rules, and paper-pushing, instead of using your tax base to provide a single route of finance (Single Payer System). You could have protected the wealthy and the well, instead of recognizing that sick people tend to be poorer and that poor people tend to be sicker, and that any health care funding plan that is just, equitable, civilized, and humane must – must – redistribute wealth from the richer among us to the poorer and less fortunate."

That's all the proof you need that this administration is about one thing: Redistributing wealth. "spread the wealth around" as King Hussein would say. This so called health care reform is just a vehicle for doing just that. That's why 60% of Americans polled by Rasmussen want this thing repealed.

Background Reading:

Verum Serum: Dr. Donald Berwick: Turn Over a Rock, Find Another Socialist
Verum Serum: Socialist Dr. Berwick Gets Recess Appointment

Political Caption Of The Day

Viva Arizona!! (HT Ray Riffel)

Las Vegas To King Hussein: Your Economic Policies Suck

Resist. (HT AR15.com)



Recently King Hussein went to Las Vegas to stump for Harry Reid. It wasn't a very warm one as the mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman, passed on meeting him. Casino owners have openly ripped him. More people are starting to understand that his policies are anti-business. From the Las Vegas Review-Journal:

"While "Obamacare" doesn't go into full effect for four more years, taxes to support it kick in this fall, starting with a 10 percent tanning salon tax (why?) and a "1099" tax that's projected to suck an additional $17 billion out of private businesses in the next decade by making them file "1099" snitch forms for virtually everyone to whom they pay a few hundred dollars.

What about "cap and trade" and your carbon tax, still promoted by you and your legislative ramrod, Sen. Reid, even after much of the basis for worrying about climate change has been shown to be a hoax?

Your administration admits this legislation will artificially drive up power bills and other energy costs. Mr. President, is that supposed to help cash-strapped Nevada firms create new jobs? If it causes air fares and gasoline prices to soar, will that help bring the tourists back to Las Vegas?

Why so many costly bailouts, Mr. President? Why so much bypassing of America's fine bankruptcy courts? Was it because your union supporters objected to what might happen to their contracts, which helped sink firms like General Motors? Is that why you intervened to arrange for the government and the unions to take over that firm? How many other industries will now be taken over? We already know about health care. The banks, too?

And speaking of unions, is "card check" still in play? The prospect that workplaces could be unionized without a worker secret-ballot majority -- that's supposed to encourage local business investment and growth?

Meantime, the inflation caused by all this spending keeps prices and wages artificially high. Is that supposed to help?

Nevadans have a long tradition as hard-working frontier entrepreneurs. Nevadans would rather have a real, private-sector job than a handout. How many of your high-level appointees have any experience creating such jobs, Mr. President? Do you see that as a problem?"

We know that Barack Obama is a thin skinned person who can't take criticism very well. He's going to get a lot more of it in the next four months.

Background Reading:

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Welcome back, Mr. President Your economic policies suck

McDonald's Takes A Stand Against Leftist Attack

The Golden Arches are still standing. (HT Scrape TV)



Another example of standing up to leftist activism. From the Chicago Sun Times:

"The Center for Science in the Public Interest last month threatened a lawsuit against the fast-food giant to get it to dump the toys that accompany Happy Meals."

Their position:

"McDonald's use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children's developmental immaturity--all this to induce children to prefer foods that may harm their health," the group's litigation director, Stephen Gardner, said at the time. "It's a creepy and predatory practice that warrants an injunction."

The Response:

"Forget it, McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner said, defending Happy Meals in the written response sent to the Washington, D.C.-based group.

"Internet sites, blogs and network surveys suggest that public opinion is running overwhelmingly against your premise," Skinner wrote. "Our customer websites and phone lines at McDonald's are also busy, with more than nine out of 10 customers disagreeing with your agenda."

The strong public response is uncommon for the company, whose dominance in the fast-food industry makes its a target of a range of activist groups.

"CSPI is wrong in its assertions, and frivolous in its legal threats," Skinner said, calling the group's claims "over-the-top rhetoric."

Seeking to turn the tables on the group, Skinner called for an apology.

"CSPI's twisted characterization of McDonald's as 'the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children' is an insult to every one of our franchisees and employees around the world," Skinner wrote. "When CSPI refers to America's children as 'an unpaid drone army," you similarly denigrate parents and families, because they are fully capable of making their own decisions. You should apologize."

God bless Jim Skinner. You have to stand up to these know-it-alls who think they can live your life better than you can. What makes it worse is that they make themselves exempt from the rules they set for everyone else.

Background Reading:

Chicago Sun Times: Happy Meals Here To Stay: McDonald's. Watchdog Group Wanted Fast-Food Giant to Dump Toys
Star-Ledger: McDonald's Angered by Anti-Happy Meal Letter

Political Caption Of The Day

Where King Hussein wants to take us, and why we must reverse course. (HT House Budget Committee)

Ashley Judd Gets A Backlash From Kentucky Coal Miners

Ashley Judd, part-time leftist environmental spokeswoman has been spanked by the Kentucky Coal Miners. From Michelle malkin.com:

"Last month, in a speech to the National Press Club, actress Ashley Judd took a break from taking on Sarah Palin and set her sights on business practices in her home state.

Judd referred to the mountain top removal of coal in Kentucky as “environmental genocide,” called the process “the state-sanctioned, federal government supported, coal industry operated, rape of Appalachia,” and said the miners should be retrained to take “better jobs” (unfortunately the “vacuous actor” career field is full up at the moment).

On Wednesday, the coal industry sponsored a golf tournament at StoneCrest Golf Course in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, and launched a return salvo by way of a poster displayed at the tourney:



Spank!!! Looks like somebody got taken behind the woodshed.

Background Reading:

Michelle Malkin: Kentucky Coal Miners Strike Back at Ashley Judd

Sarah Palin Update: Levi Johnston Admits The Obvious

A woman with her fair share of haters.



Recently, Levi Johnston admitted that he was fibbing on the Palin family when he went on his whirlwind press tour. All because he was upset over the breakup with Bristol. Amazing what people can do when their bitter. From The LA Slimes:

"[A]gainst my better judgment," Johnston said in the Tuesday statement to People, "I publicly said things about the Palins that were not completely true."

Bottom Line: Levi Johnston is like Cindy Sheehan, a useful foil of the left to destroy a conservative. Yet she's as popular as ever, getting the conservative message out. A good lesson of overcoming adversity caused by ememies and in this case a frienemy (a so-called friend who acts like an enemy).

Background Reading:

LA Slimes: Levi Johnston apologizes to Sarah Palin for 'not completely true' statements

A Prime Example Of Government Hypocrisy

Two places where hypocrisy is practiced daily.





By now you're aware that the Los Angeles and Cook County were among the first to condemn Arizona's immigration law and boycott Arizona businesses. However anyone familiar with these governments knows deals are made under the table all the time, and this subject was no exception. From the Publius Forum:

"They have condemned the Grand Canyon State and announced punitive boycotts to punish the state and to prove to one and all that they are more compassionate and not as racist as those nasty Arizonans.

No Arizona-based company will get their business these self-righteous city leaders have said by overwhelming votes to boycott. It’s a matter of principle, they claim.

…except where it comes to making money off their own citizen drivers by spying on them with red-light cameras, of course. In that case, why Arizona companies aren’t so bad after all.

So much for stands on principle.

Not long ago Los Angeles council members were some of the first in America to vote to boycott all Arizona companies barring them from doing business with the city. However, on June 23 those same self-righteous panderers in LA voted to make an exemption for the Arizona-based company that operates L.A.’s the red-light cameras.

Principle pales next to the six million dollars that L.A. made off its red-light camera program.

Not to be outdone, Cook County, Illinois did the same thing a few weeks ago. On June second the county board voted to boycott all Arizona companies yet then turned around and exempted the Arizona red-light camera company with which it had contracted.

So, in the end, the empty actions of these two governing bodies was made solely to pander to their respective Hispanic communities but has no real teeth when all is said and done. When their supposedly closely held principles came smack up against making money, making money won out.

Can you spell hypocrites?"

Bottom line: These slimeballs will deal with anyone who can help them take money out of taxpayers pockets and put it into theirs.

Background Reading:

The Publius Forum: L.A./Chicago Boycott Arizona… Unless There’s Money to be Made

The Sad State Of Illinois

The flag of the Land of Lincoln & Reagan.



From The NY Slimes:

"For the last few years, California stood more or less unchallenged as a symbol of the fiscal collapse of states during the recession. Now Illinois has shouldered to the fore, as its dysfunctional political class refuses to pay the state’s bills and refuses to take the painful steps — cuts and tax increases — to close a deficit of at least $12 billion, equal to nearly half the state’s budget.

Then there is the spectacularly mismanaged pension system, which is at least 50 percent underfunded and, analysts warn, could push Illinois into insolvency if the economy fails to pick up.

States cannot go bankrupt, technically, but signs of fiscal crackup are easy to see. Legislators left the capital this month without deciding how to pay 26 percent of the state budget. The governor proposes to borrow $3.5 billion to cover a year’s worth of pension payments, a step that would cost about $1 billion in interest. And every major rating agency has downgraded the state; Illinois now pays millions of dollars more to insure its debt than any other state in the nation.

“Their pension is the most underfunded in the nation,” said Karen S. Krop, a senior director at Fitch Ratings. “They have not made significant cuts or raised revenues. There’s no state out there like this. They can’t grow their way out of this.”

Few budget analysts are surprised to see Illinois, with a limping economy and broken political culture, edge close to the abyss. Two of the last six governors have served jail terms, and a third is on trial.

“We are a fiscal poster child for what not to do,” said Ralph Martire of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, a liberal-leaning policy group in Illinois. “We make California look as if it’s run by penurious accountants who sit in rooms trying to put together an honest budget all day.”

The biggest reason for the financial mess? In a word: Unions. When you sell out to big labor, this is the result. Paying public sector union salaries and benefits packages is pushing the state to the brink. I lay this squarely at the feet of Illinois Democrats. They've been running the show for the last few years, resulting in the state being run into the ground. Conservatives need to take this state back, and follow the path of Chris Christie in New Jersey. Standing up to the unions is the fastest way to get the state's checkbook back in order.

NY Times: Illinois Stops Paying Its Bills, but Can’t Stop Digging Hole

Congressional Black Caucus Caught In A Lie

Calling out a liar. (HT RightWingStuff.com):



This time it's the Congressional Black Caucus being called liars. Three months ago the CBC came out and said that racial slurs were used against them. Andrew Breitbart challenged them by offering to give $100,000 to the United Negro College Fund if they could produce video evidence of this.

When questioned recently, CBC Chairman Barbara Lee stated that " we hope to move forward". The only conclusion you can draw from that is that they can't produce the evidence because they were lying and race baiting about it from the jump. The video below is a nice summary. (HT Breitbart & You Tube):

11 Reasons To Vote For Democrats In November

Resist. (HT AR 15.com):



By now you know two things about this Democrat controlled congress: They tax and spend too much, and they don't represent the American citizenry. Here's a nice little summary of that. Remember, the midterms are only four months away. (HT Breitbart):