Did you miss me?
1) Morning Bell: The Dodd-Frank Bailout is Already Here (The Return of the $1,000 Down Mortgage)
See: http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/12/morning-bell-the-dodd-frank-bailout-is-already-here
And: http://washingtonindependent.com/93795/the-return-of-the-1000-down-mortgage
2) House Republicans Suggest Names for Democrats’ Untitled, $26-Billion ‘Second Stimulus’ Bill
(CNSNews.com) - Washington Democrats are in such a rush to pass one more stimulus-type bill that the legislation to be voted on Tuesday doesn’t even have a name, Republicans note.
As CNET reported, a watchdog Web site on Sunday evening noted that the Democrats’ $26-billion spending measure includes a few blank spaces.
Congress’ official Web site calls it the ‘______Act of____,’ and the Library of Congress’ Thomas Web site displays it as the ‘XXXXXX Act of XXXX.’”
“A nameless bill for a hopeless cause is a fitting metaphor for a Democratic Congress that refuses to listen to the American people and abandon its job-killing agenda,” said House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio).
Boehner on Monday offered 10 possible names for what he called the “union-boss bailout” bill:
-- Save Our ‘Stimulus’ (SOS) Act
-- ‘Recovery Summer’ Bailout Act (Cash for Flunkers)
-- Delivering Unions a Major Boost (DUMB) Act
-- Helping Election Expenditures, Hurting American Workers (HEEHAW) Act
-- Democracy is Strengthened by Clearly Leveraging and Optimizing Special-Interests’ Effectiveness (DISCLOSE) Act
-- Holding Union Bosses Over Until Card Check Act
-- Rescuing Incumbent Democrats Is Costly (RIDIC) Act
-- Summertime Cash for Union Bosses Instead of Spending Cuts for Taxpayers Act
-- Frivolous Act of Ineffective Largesse (FAIL) Act
-- Naming These Things Hasn’t Gotten Us Anywhere, So Why Bother? Act
See: http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/70813
3) A Bipartisan Vote on the Obamacare Road to Repeal
Tucked away in the legislation that made Obamacare into law is a tax provision that will be a compliance nightmare for small businesses if it ever goes into effect. The provision calls for all businesses to file 1099 forms with the IRS for all transactions with other businesses over $600.
Businesses are not like individuals. They purchase lots of items in large quantities. As a result, if the Obamacare reporting requirement goes into effect as scheduled in 2012, it would create an enormous compliance burden on businesses. Businesses would have to file millions of new forms with the IRS. Small businesses would be especially hard hit, because they do not have large accounting departments that can absorb more bureaucracy like larger businesses.
Businesses large and small have made their position clear to Congress: Repeal this burdensome new requirement. The House of Representatives voted on a bill that would’ve done that recently but failed to pass the measure.
The Senate is working on its own version of repealing the 1099 rule now. Senator Mike Johanns (R–NE) is leading the effort and has garnered support from Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln (AR).
The catch in both the House and the Senate will be how to replace the $17 billion in revenue the 1099 provision is estimated to bring in. Congress passed the 1099 rule under the mistaken belief that businesses will pay more income taxes if they report more of their transactions. In reality, the 1099 rule won’t bring in a fraction of that revenue—if any at all. This is just another example of the unrealistic offsets used to “pay for” the new health care law. All the more reason to repeal this provision—and the entire law itself.
See: http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/11/a-bipartisan-vote-on-the-obamacare-road-to-repeal/
4) Missouri Voters Oppose Mandatory Health Insurance
Voters in Missouri overwhelmingly opposed requiring people to buy health insurance, in a largely symbolic slap at the Obama administration's health overhaul.
The referendum was the first chance for voters to express a view on the overhaul, although turnout in the state was low and Republican voters significantly outnumbered Democrats.
With all precincts reporting, 71% of voters supported Proposition C, establishing a state law that says Missouri cannot compel people to pay a penalty or fine if they fail to carry health coverage. Twenty-nine percent voted against the proposition.
See: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703970704575408202618964626.html
5) Appeals Panel Should Reinstate Stay on Prop 8 Ruling
Judge Vaughn Walker’s decision to lift the stay on his ruling striking down California’s voter-approved Proposition 8 is, fortunately, not the last word on whether same-sex couples in the Golden State will be able to obtain marriage licenses while this case is under appeal. The appropriate panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has until August 18 to act on the request by attorneys defending this state constitutional amendment for a stay pending the conclusion of the Prop 8 appeal.
In the interest of clarity and certainty about the law, the panel should promptly grant the defendants’ emergency request and keep current law in effect. Commentators on both sides of the policy debate over same-sex unions recognize the immense social impact Judge Walker’s ruling will have and the extraordinary degree of judicial activism it represents (emphasis mine). There are powerful bases both for granting the stay and keeping this issue in the hands of the people and their elected representatives.
See: http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/12/appeals-panel-should-reinstate-stay-on-prop-8-ruling
(CNSNews.com) - As the Senate reconvened on Thursday, taking a rare break from its August recess to pass a $600-million bill to fund border security provisions that had passed in a specially-reconvened-session of the House on Tuesday, new numbers from the Gallup Poll showed that only 29 percent of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling the immigration issue.
See: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/71035
7) State Department uses taxpayer funds to sponsor controversial Imam’s trip to Middle East (headline mine)
An advocacy group fighting the so-called Ground Zero Mosque has called on the State Department to back off plans to sponsor the imam of that controversial mosque on an upcoming trip to the Middle East.
The State Department confirmed Tuesday that the administration is sponsoring Feisal Abdul Rauf's trip to Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, which is described as part of a program to send Muslims abroad to educate other countries about the role of religion in the United States. Rauf made similar trips during the Bush administration.
Rauf and his partners are preparing to build a $100 million Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero, the site of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that left nearly 3,000 dead.
The American Center for Law and Justice objected after learning about the plans to sponsor Rauf's upcoming trip. The group said it will file a protest letter with the State Department demanding the government halt its sponsorship of the trip.
"This shows a tremendous lack of judgment on behalf of the State Department; and for the American taxpayers to be funding this global journey is not only wrong, but deeply offensive," Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the organization, said in a written statement. "It seems with each passing day we learn more disturbing information about this project and the people behind it. We demand that the State Department put a halt to the Imam's participation in this publicly funded trip."
8) U.S. bailouts benefited foreign firms, report says
The federal government's effort to stabilize the financial system in 2008 by flooding money into as many banks as possible resulted in a boon to many foreign firms and left the United States shouldering far more risk than governments that took a narrower approach, according to a new report by a panel overseeing the Treasury's $700 billion bailout fund.
Members of the Congressional Oversight Panel, in a report due out Thursday, note that America's broad financial rescues had more impact internationally than the narrower bailout programs of other countries had on U.S. firms.
They cite as a case study the bailout of insurance giant American International Group. While the Treasury committed up to $70 billion to AIG through its Troubled Assets Relief Program, the report states, much of that money ended up in the coffers of foreign trading partners in France, Germany and other countries. The cash that the United States poured into AIG alone equaled twice what France spent on its total capital injection program, and half what Germany spent.
"The point we make forcefully in this report is that there were no data about where this money was going, no information about where this money was going," said panel chair Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard law professor. "Without that information, no one could make a deliberate policy choice" about whether to ask foreign governments to contribute to the financial rescues.
See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/11/AR2010081106215.html
9) President’s Commission Recommends President Reconsider Drilling Ban
The President’s National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling has called on the Obama Administration to consider lifting the ban on drilling for certain rigs. It will be interesting to see if the President listens to his own commission.
…This is a big reversal for the commission. The President’s commission would like to see the Obama Administration take a hard look at how economically destructive the moratorium is to the Gulf region and provide information to the Commission justifying the moratorium.
The Times-Picayune reports:
The presidential commission, which is chaired by former Florida Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham and former Environmental Protection Agency chief William Reilly, has done a near-180-degree reversal on the moratorium. Prior to the commission’s first hearing in New Orleans last month, the chairmen said it would not be their charge to investigate the rationale, effectiveness or impact of the moratorium.
10) US Government in Massive New Global Warming Scandal – NOAA Disgraced
Global warming data apparently cooked by U.S. government-funded body shows astounding temperature fraud with increases averaging 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
The tax-payer funded National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has become mired in fresh global warming data scandal involving numbers for the Great Lakes region that substantially ramp up averages.
A beleaguered federal agency appears to be implicated in the most blatant and extreme case of climate data fraud yet seen. Official records have been confirmed as evidence that a handful of temperature records for the Great Lakes region have been hiked up by literally hundreds of degrees to substantially inflate the average temperature range for the northeastern United States.
The web pages at the center of this latest climate storm were created by NOAA in partnership with Michigan State University.
Someone under the pseudonym ‘Sportsmen’ anonymously tipped off skeptic blog, Climatechangefraud.com. Independent analysts affirm the web pages as genuine.
In his email the faceless whistleblower explains that what precipitated the scoop was “a rather dubious report in the media that the Great Lakes temperatures have risen 10 to 15 degrees, I found it was downright laughable.”
…While another web page identifies that Michigan State University’s ‘Coastal Watch’ site is officially connected to NOAA thus implicating both institutions in a climate data conspiracy. At the bottom of the web page mention is made of ‘Sea Grant’ that is described as a “unique partnership of public and private sectors that combines research, education and technology transfer for public service.“
The legend further boasts that such data is shared across “ a national network of universities meeting the changing environmental and economic needs of Americans in coastal ocean and Great Lakes regions.”
But our intrepid anonymous whistleblower wasn’t done yet. He pointed out that Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, really got cooking this July 4th around 9:59AM, according to NOAA and Coast Watch. It was there, at the bottom left row of the temperature data points, that the records reveal on that day a phenomenally furnace-like 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
See: http://www.climatechangefraud.com/climate-reports/7479-us-government-in-
11) WH official: 'Potential' for climate change in lame-duck
Carol Browner, the White House's top energy and environmental adviser, refused on Sunday to shut the door on passing climate change legislation this year — even though Senate Democratic leaders have conceded they lack the votes and have punted on the volatile issue.
Browner said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that President Barack Obama is still committed to pushing the bill through the Senate, and that there was "potential" for the bill to come up in a post-election, lame-duck session of Congress.
Browner's remarks will almost certainly give ammunition to Republicans who say Democrats are plotting to do mischief in a lame-duck session — even though top congressional Democrats have thrown cold water on an overly ambitious lame-duck agenda.
Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) later said on the same program that it's "outrageous" for Democrats to consider passing the bill after the elections.
12) “Shut up! You Can’t Sing the National Anthem Here!”
Take heed, America. The next time you visit Washington, D.C., feel free to stand in awe of the monuments to our greatest leaders, but do not — DO NOT — sing the National Anthem at the Lincoln Memorial. It turns out that doing so is a violation of federal law.
A group of high school students from around the country learned that lesson the hard way on June 25 when they sang the “Star Spangled Banner” at the Lincoln Memorial. A United States Park Police officer told them to pipe down because their singing was considered an illegal demonstration, as Fox News reports. The students, who are members of the Young America’s Foundation, were visiting the city for a conservative leadership conference.
What law, exactly, was being violated? According to Fox News:
U.S. Park Police confirmed that the students were in violation of federal law and their impromptu performance constituted a demonstration in an area that must remain ‘completely content neutral.’”
Evan Gassman, who was one of the attendees, says of the episode:
This is a perfect example of political correctness run amuck. I would hope that displays of patriotism would be encouraged, not censored.
Park police say the students would have been in the clear if they sang 25 steps from where they were standing. Keep that in mind the next time you want to celebrate what America means to you in our nation’s capital.
UNBELIEVABLE!
See: http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/10/shut-up-you-cant-sing-the-national-anthem-here
13) Harry Reid: "I don't know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican."
While campaigning in Nevada Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told an audience of mostly Hispanic voters: "I don't know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican, okay. Do I need to say more?"
Reid's racially-charged comments come as the Nevada Democrat is trying to boost Hispanic turnout in his bid for reelection this November. Polls show, however, that Reid's positions on immigration are very unpopular with Nevada voters in general. Reid supports the Obama administration's lawsuit against Arizona over its immigration law, but 63 percent of Nevada voters oppose the lawsuit, according to a Rasmussen poll.
Reid voted against a measure to complete a 700-mile fence along the Mexican border in May, but 68 percent of voters nationally support building a border fence, according to Rasmussen.
And libs say Sharron Angle (go to http://www.sharronangle.com to support her) is the one who’s wacko. Huh.
14) White House warns Democrat incumbents to avoid talking about the Party’s “accomplishments” as they campaign for office this year; Dem candidate bashes Obama/Pelosi in campaign ad
In an effort coordinated with the White House, congressional leaders are urging Democrats to focus less on bragging about what they have done — a landmark healthcare law, a sweeping overhaul of Wall Street regulation and other far-reaching policy changes — and more on efforts to fix the economy and on the perils of Republican control of Congress.
It’s probably a very good idea for Democrats to avoid talking about their failed economic “accomplishments,” their unpopular Obamacare policy “accomplishments,” and their confusing and growth-stifling banking regulation “accomplishments,” not to mention their “accomplishment” of keeping us at an unemployment rate hovering around 10%.
But I don’t think the White House actually wanted Democrats to campaign against President Obama and Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Someone might have wanted to mention that to Indiana’s 2nd District incumbent Democrat Congressman Joe Donnelly.
Donnelly felt the need to tell his constituents that he works for them and not those darned ol’ Washington insiders. And as he sternly told his voters this fact, his ad displays a photo including Speaker Pelosi and President Obama!
See: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/26449
15) Can You Call it ‘Social Security’ if it’s Built on Nothing but Monopoly Money?
Social Security faces the serious danger of failing to live up to its name due to its unfunded obligations. Last week, the Social Security and Medicare trustees issued their report on the fiscal outlook for the program. We reported that:
Social Security has a $7.9 trillion shortfall (up $0.1 trillion from last year), which means the program would require $7.9 trillion in cash—today!—to afford its promises. Alternatively, closing that gap would require payroll taxes to rise immediately and permanently from 12.4 percent of earnings to 14.24 percent. For a worker earning $50,000, that’s a $920 tax increase.
This year, Social Security ran its first deficits since 1983. Though the program will rebound back into the black for the next few years (assuming the Administration’s projections for economic recovery are correct), the program will dive into the red permanently in 2015. By 2037, the trust fund will run dry. That means that while there is enough money to pay current retirees full benefits, younger workers face an uncertain future.
…which means Sharron Angle is correct about Social Security (see: http://moveonreid.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/sharron-angle-re-social-security/).
16) Low Approval of Congress Not Budging, Now 19%
PRINCETON, NJ -- Congress' job rating from the American people in August remains near the historical lows seen in recent months. Nineteen percent of Americans now approve of the overall job Congress is doing, while 75% disapprove.
See: http://www.gallup.com/poll/141827/Low-Approval-Congress-Not-Budging.aspx
17) Obama overtures to business fall flat
WASHINGTON – Labeled antibusiness by Republicans and some corporate chiefs, President Barack Obama mounted a campaign to show he wasn't. But his charm offensive has hit a rocky patch.
Business leaders gripe about burdensome new financial and health care regulations, what they see as unfriendly tax policies and vast government spending. They were put off by Obama's harsh depiction of "fat cat bankers" and "reckless practices," a label he applied both to Wall Street and to oil-spill giant BP.
Among the Obama policy detractors: JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who supported Obama's presidential bid but actively opposed his financial regulation overhaul. Not surprisingly, Dimon was not on the 400-strong guest list for the bill-signing.
Are you starting to wake up, Jamie Dimon?
…Still, Obama has nurtured "an increasingly hostile environment for investment and job creation," says Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg, chairman of the Business Roundtable. Thomas Donohue, who heads the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, sees a "cumulative job-killing impact of over-regulation" under Obama.
"The truth is that not even the Franklin Roosevelt administration was as hostile to and ignorant about free enterprise as this administration is," declared magazine publisher and one-time GOP presidential contender Steve Forbes.
See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100810/ap_on_bi_ge/us_obama_business_blues
18) The Heritage Foundation's Robert Bluey reports that a D.C. reporter was suspended for accurately reporting that President Barack Obama has received more money from BP than any other politician in the history of recorded campaign donations (headline from Heritage Foundation e-mail):
WJLA-TV, a Washington, D.C. ABC affiliate, suspended reporter Doug McKelway following his alleged “partisan” comments at a liberal rally on Capitol Hill marking the three-month anniversary of the Gulf oil spill. Video of the broadcast tells a different story…
Apparently facts are now “partisan.”
McKelway stuck to the truth about BP’s political contributions and pending cap-and-trade legislation, newsworthy subjects given that the event’s organizers were lobbying to “pass legislation to end America’s addiction to oil and urged lawmakers to donate campaign money raised from the oil industry to the clean-up efforts in the Gulf.”
According to the Washington Post, it was McKelway’s supposedly controversial comments on July 20 that led to his suspension. Anonymous sources at the station are now accusing him of “insubordination” in an apparent attempt to fire him.
19) Rep Pete Stark of California: “Federal Government can do pretty much anything in this country”
See: http://www.mrcaction.org/568/petition.asp?Ref_ID=3784&CID=568&RID=18810121
20) BOYCOTT! The Home Depot promotes the homosexual agenda
For several years, The Home Depot has given its financial and corporate support to open displays of homosexual activism on main streets in America's towns.
Rather than remain neutral in the culture war, The Home Depot has chosen to sponsor and participate in numerous gay pride parades and festivals. Most grievous is The Home Depot's deliberately exposing small children to lascivious displays of sexual conduct by homosexuals and cross-dressers, which are a common occurrence at these events.
…The flags in these Home Depot cups promote a gay website which proclaims itself as "the men's social group for men who have sex with men."
The cups were given to children by The Home Depot gay parade marchers, while homosexual activists followed up by introducing them to gay sex websites.
The Home Depot has no problem aligning itself with gay activist groups who target children with a pro-homosexual message.
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