stimulating links of the day

Man there is so much good stuff out there on how bad the stimulus package & our elected officials are.

First from CNN/Rubin Navarette Jr., commentary on the now stripped funding for birth control.

"You know the nation's cupboard is bare when politicians propose limiting the number of births as a way of improving the economy. That's a conversation we shouldn't be having.

There is nothing more private -- that is, none of the government's business -- than the personal decision that a family makes about how many children to have. Besides, Pelosi's comments had an ugly ring to them."

Navarette goes on to compare Pelosi's comments to Margaret Sanger's ideas of birth control eugenics, social engineering, etc. Scary right? Good thing that funding is not in the bill any more, but it shocks me that it was even there in the first place. That we have politicans considering that kind of encroachment on the family unit as a solution to our economic crisis. Why don't we try tax cuts first? Give the American taxpayer a break.

Second, from U.S. News: Less than 25% of the bill is actually stimulus. Compare that to 40% of the bill that is actually agenda-relating.

Third, from Flip, a nice graphic that can help us grasp how much $1 trillion really is:

And last, yet another list of excessive spending and our politicians turning a blind eye:

"New York's Charles Rangel and five other Democratic members of the House enjoyed a trip to the Caribbean sponsored in part by Citigroup (see above) in November - after Congress had approved the $700 bailout for financial firms (including Citigroup)."

Anyone got some good news for me today??? Anyone?

danger will robinson!

Just something to think about...The Democrats already control Congress, and they're looking to pick up enough seats in the Senate to reach the filibuster-proof magic number of 60. If Obama is elected, the Democrats control the White House. In addition, Obama would be able to appoint judges of the activist type rather than judges who strictly interpret the Constitution. See where I'm going with this? If Obama wins...the Democrats will control everything.

Is anyone else seeing the danger of this? Even if you are a Democrat, you have to think about this. Our founding fathers created our government with a system of checks and balances to make sure government didn't get out of control. What would happen if the Democrats controlled every branch of government?

kinda funny

So this whole messy bailout thing...you have to admit there is a little something funny about it. Because fiscal conservatives & Republicans are saying no, while Democrats are siding with Bush's plan. Haha!!! I'm sorry...what is this argument about "more of the same"? Democrats siding with Bush. Oh man. Sidesplitter. I seriously laughed in my car for 5 minutes this AM.

I also heard this morning that thanks to Lindsey Graham (who actually read the bill, I applaud him), we now know that some of the repayment turned from the bailout will go to funding corrupt, fraudulent housing programs like ACORN. Whooppee!!! First, my tax dollars going to a mess that I had nothing to do with and is already crashing my retirement fund. And now, any repayment from that will go to fraudulent housing programs that benefit me and this nation in NO way.

I'm thinking about moving soon.

no love, no money

Interesting...Democrats running for seats in the Senate need help...and Obama says no.

Then Biden releases his tax returns and we see that over 10 years, Biden donated 1/8th of 1% of his income to charity. Wow.

COUNTRY FIRST

I thought McCain's speech last night was truly inspiring. No, he does not have the speaking talent of Palin or Obama, but he has authenticity, grit, and honesty. And that made for a gripping speech last night.

Not only did he gives his story from his side, he also laid out his policies. I would have liked more detail, but the speech was pretty long so I don't think much more detail could have been fit in! What I liked most was his bit at the end:

"If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you’re disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our Armed Forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself."

Why do I like this so much? Because he emphasized a huge point that I think the Democrats are completely oblivious to: personal responsibility. Every single American is responsible for this country. We don't want government getting bigger, controlling more aspects of our lives. And if Washington is broken, we are the ones that can fix it. You. Me. Each one of us. That's what McCain believes. That's what I believe.

"Fight with me. Fight with me.

Fight for what’s right for our country.

Fight for the ideals and character of a free people.

Fight for our children’s future.

Fight for justice and opportunity for all.

Stand up to defend our country from its enemies.

Stand up for each other; for beautiful, blessed, bountiful America.

Stand up, stand up, stand up and fight. Nothing is inevitable here. We’re Americans, and we never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history."

And as a side note...it looks like McCain's speech outperformed Obama's in ratings. Amazing.

fashion politics

Ok...so this is kind of unrelated. But you have to admit in comparison to the Democrats (I'm mostly thinking Hillary - check out the rainbow of pantsuits), the Republican women have got the fashion thing down! I am really digging Cindy McCain's dress. I would wear that today. She kind of reminds me of Jackie O, very classy!

I even love Laura Bush's outfit. She looks stately but not stuffy. I hope to dress half as well as these women when I grow up :)

sick

I saw this on Fox News earlier this evening:

Fowler has since apologized, but man, isn't that sick? Laughing about the possible misfortunes of thousands of innocent people because it might hurt the Republicans. Democrats...ugh.

Thoughts & prayers to Louisiana tonight.

this Congress is failing me

So in my previous post, I mentioned opening the floor to contributors...here is the first! Surprise, it's Ryan. (probably not much of a surprise, hehe) but if you read this, and in reading my posts have something you really want to share (that is too long or involved to be a "comment"), then forward it on to me and you may just see it posted here.

Here we have Ryan's letter that he recently sent to newspapers, congressmen(&women) and Pres. Bush:

I support the Republican Party's general plan to address the energy crisis.

It is outrageous that the congress would break for its 5 week August break without first addressing the issues that are hammering our country into a recession. It is irresponsible for the Democratic Congress, lead by the lackadaisical, self seeking Nancy Pelosi, to walk out on this issue. For whatever reason, the face that Congresswoman Pelosi believes that Congress "deserves" this break is simply sad.

Offshore drilling has been banned for many years. While the dangers to the environment still exist, oil companies have made leaps and bounds in progress on how to prevent issues from popping up and damaging the environment.

On top of the ludicrous idea that we should abandon offshore drilling, we're facing more and more pressure from oil speculators. Rampant speculation in the commodities futures market is driving up prices out of proportion to marketplace demands. The problem is speculators are increasingly buying and selling commodities such as oil even though they have no intention of using the product. The unregulated speculators are pocketing billions of dollars at our expense. The cost of food has gone
up, the price at the pump has gone way up, and I'm already concerned about how much more it will cost to heat my home this winter.

To lower oil prices for all Americans we need to increase domestic supply (that's right, increase), exploration, alternative energy sources and conservation. We also must protect bona fide speculation and hedging.

It is with a heavy heart that I say that this Congress is failing me, a voter, in its attempt to actually care about domestic issues. It is my understanding that this Congress has passed fewer bills than any Congress in the history of America. It's nice to know that Congress can take a 5 week vacation from work while all of America reconsiders their personal vacations after the rising cost of fuel has made it tough to take one.

If we don't learn to rely on domestic supply, our American tax dollars and our hard earned paychecks will keep going to overseas OPEC nations that in return are buying up American land and businesses. Please keep America for Americans and help us be self-reliant.

In closing, I would hope that if recalled by President Bush, Congress would take the initiative to care about what matters to America, care about the big issue looming in front of us, and care about the one thing that will shape the future of our economy for years to come. I hope that Congress does not spend too much time wondering why it has a pathetic 9% approval rating, when it's so very clear to all of us.

Ryan Duckworth
Atlanta, GA

not-so-in-motion picture

Oh man, I LOVE this. Found it on Hot Air this AM. Finally someone in the RNCC is thinking! This is what we have to fight against, to hit home to the American public. For as much as everyone wants to blame Bush & Republicans for our problems, how can we forget that Congress is DEMOCRAT led?! Ever since they took over, we've done nothing but go downhill. Can you think of one good thing that they have done for us?

harriet christian

You have to watch this.



"And they think we won't turn around and vote for McCain. Well I've got news for you, John McCain will be the next President of the United States."

I have to say, I feel bad for her and for Democrats everywhere. I heard on the radio this morning that when you do the math of how the Dems split the delegates from Michigan & Florida, each person's vote only counted as half a vote. Now where is the democracy in that? What's the point of voting if you only get half a say, and some elitist party rulers get the other half of the say? Why are Dems so enamored with Obama when obviously there are many in the party who still really want Hillary Clinton?

in it to win it

I don't understand why all the Democrats want Hillary to drop out. It's like Democrats love to settle for mediocrity.

Hillary is leading by huge amounts in polls in Kentucky & West Virginia. Sure, they may not be worth huge amounts of delegates, but doesn't that say something to the Democrats? Like...Obama is NOT the overwhelming favorite? And if he were to go head to head with John McCain, he may fare WORSE than Hillary?

But no...the Democrats just want the race to end. They're feeling the heat because the Republicans are done. But I just feel like, if I was a Democrat, I'd want to make absolutely sure the right nominee, the people's choice, was elected. Hillary's got some steam left and people are still voting for her. If Michigan and Florida hadn't broken the rules, Hillary would be winning right now. I feel like the Democrats are being awfully hasty.

Of course, that's probably a good thing for Republicans. I just worry about America sometimes. I want everyone to be smart, but maybe that's asking for too much.