US Seeks Expanded Power to Seize Firms, AIG Tax Bill Unconstitutional, Iran has 'penetrated' Obama Admin

1) U.S. Seeks Expanded Power to Seize Firms The Obama administration is considering asking Congress to give the Treasury secretary unprecedented powers to initiate the seizure of non-bank financial companies, such as large insurers, investment firms and hedge funds, whose collapse would damage the broader economy, according to an administration document. See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/23/AR2009032302830.html And: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/24/AR2009032400847.html?hpid=topnews And: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/bailout_bernanke_geithner 2) The AIG (And Everyone Else) Bill: Counterproductive and Unconstitutional It’s Not Constitutional, Plain and Simple Bill of Attainder: The Constitution prohibits Congress from punishing individuals, which is the role of the justice system. This prevents legislative tyranny and is essential to ensuring that those accused of wrongs receive due process and can mount a defense. It also encourages “sound legislation,” which is not accomplished by legislators being whipped into a frenzy and interfering in personal and economic affairs. An End Run? Congress added more taxes to the bill to get around the bar of bills of attainder, but it can’t make an unconstitutional act permissible by cloaking it in the guise of a tax bill. Taxation Not the Answer: Congress is prohibited from using the tax code as a weapon of convenience against a select group of unfavorable people, even when the political opportunity exists. See: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/03/20/the-aig-and-everyone-else-bill-counterproductive-and-unconstitutional/ 2a) 3 in 4 say Congress should return AIG money: President, Dodd each collected more than $100,000 Three in four Americans want members of Congress to return money they got from bailout-financed American International Group for their political campaigns, according to a new poll.  The poll from The O'Leary Report by Brad O'Leary and Zogby International today revealed that 73 percent of Americans think politicians, including President Obama and Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., should not have profited from AIG and should return the money.  Obama and Dodd were the top recipients of campaign largesse from AIG over the past two years, with Obama getting $104,332 and Dodd raking in $103,900. Others got money, too, but in smaller amounts. All together, AIG donated $644,218 to federal politicians. See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92797 2b) Dodd's Wife a Former Director of Bermuda-Based IPC Holdings, an AIG Controlled Company No wonder Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn) went wobbly last week when asked about his February amendment ratifying hundreds of millions of dollars in bonuses to executives at insurance giant AIG. Dodd has been one of the company's favorite recipients of campaign contributions. But it turns out that Senator Dodd's wife has also benefited from past connections to AIG as well. See: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/03/dodds_wife_a_former_director_o.html 3) FACT CHECK: Obama having it both ways on economy? WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's plea Tuesday for patience in the economic turmoil fits with the view of most economists that a turnaround will take some time. It doesn't fit quite so neatly with his bullish budget. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/ap_on_go_pr_wh/fact_check_obama 3a) Sen. Gregg Criticizes 'Banana Republic' Budget Proposal The ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee warned on Monday that President Obama's budget proposal will lead to unsustainable debt levels and send the country on a fiscal path resembling that of a "banana republic."  Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., offered a grim assessment of the $3.6 trillion proposal following a report over the weekend that found the budget plan would produce $9.3 trillion in deficits over the next decade. See: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/23/republican-criticizes-banana-republic-budget-proposal/ 3b) La. Gov. Jindal urges GOP to stand up to Obama See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090325/ap_on_el_ho/jindal_republicans 4) Senator proposes nonprofit status for newspapers WASHINGTON (AP) - Struggling newspapers should be allowed to operate as nonprofits similar to public broadcasting stations, Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., proposed Tuesday.  Cardin introduced a bill that would allow newspapers to choose tax-exempt status. They would no longer be able to make political endorsements, but could report on all issues including political campaigns. See: http://www.breitbart.com/print.php?id=D974G6TG0&show_article=1&catnum=0 5) AP source: EPA closer to global warming warning The Environmental Protection Agency has taken the first step on the long road to regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. See: http://townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2009/03/24/ap_source_epa_closer_to_global_warming_warning 6) Report: Iran has assembled network of lobbyists that has 'penetrated' administration WASHINGTON — The number of significant pro-Iran lobbyists has grown and key players have gained access to the new administration of President Barak Obama, a report said. ShareThis    The Center for Security Policy said veteran Iranian lobbyists, several of them former government officials, have been granted access to the Obama administration. See: http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2009/me_iran0230_03_19.asp 7) Centrist Labor joins new Israeli government JERUSALEM – Israel's Labor Party voted Tuesday to join the incoming government of Benjamin Netanyahu, lending a moderate voice to a coalition dominated by hard liners and easing concerns of a head-on confrontation with Washington over Mideast peacemaking. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090324/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_politics 8) NKorea reasserts right to satellite launch See: http://townhall.com/news/world/2009/03/24/nkorea_reasserts_right_to_satellite_launch