It seems that no aspect of American life can escape government regulation. In the past year, regulators drafted rules that addressed everything from caloric intake to dishwasher efficiency.
Most of these rules increase the cost of living, others hinder job creation, and many erode freedom. Not all regulations are unwarranted, of course, but increasingly, the rules imposed by the government have less to do with health and safety and more to do with whether government or individuals get to make basic pocketbook and lifestyle decisions that affect them. And it is not just the regulators who are to blame. Congress writes laws that give unelected bureaucrats the broad powers they wield.
Today we bring you 10 of the worst regulations from 2012:
1. HHS’s Contraception Mandate
The Department of Health and Human Services on February 15 finalized its mandate that allhealth insurance plans include coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization procedures, and contraceptives. To date, 42 cases with more than 110 plaintiffs are challenging this restriction on religious liberty.
2. EPA Emissions Standards
The EPA in February finalized strict new emissions standards for coal- and oil-fired electric utilities. The benefits are highly questionable, with the vast majority being unrelated to the emissions targeted by the regulation. The costs, however, are certain: an estimated $9.6 billion annually.
3. Fuel Efficiency Standards
In August, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in tandem with the Environmental Protection Agency, finalized fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucksfor model years 2017–2025. The rules require a whopping average fuel economy of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. Sticker prices will jump by hundreds of dollars.
CONTINUED: http://blog.heritage.org/2012/12/28/morning-bell-the-10-worst-regulations-of-2012/?roi=echo3-14113239833-10781953-3bf731e1253b8d40187a4680578bdda0&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell
Friday, December 28, 2012
Obama Bribes States to Adopt National Education Curriculum
The Obama administration is using taxpayer money to bribe state governments into accepting a national education curriculum known as “Common Core,” and the campaign has flown largely under the radar, though resistance is growing.
Incredibly, even with the backing of billionaire Bill Gates and the Obama administration’s Department of Education, the entire “Common Core State Standards Initiative” was developed and rolled out with almost no serious media attention. The eerie silence, of course, helped proponents avoid scrutiny in the early phases, when it would have been much easier for critics to derail the scheme that will essentially nationalize the school curriculum.
With the federal government handing out massive grants to state governments that comply, some 45 states and Washington, D.C., have already signed up to implement the plan. Widespread acceptance of the scheme thus far has been attributed to the taxpayer largesse offered under Obama’s controversial and unconstitutional “Race to the Top” program. To be eligible, states were forced to adopt the Common Core or other "internationally benchmarked standards.”
The administration is also requiring states to sign up for the Common Core to obtain so-called “No Child Left Behind” waivers. And in an effort to ensure that all students are learning the same material, the Common Core will also roll out national tests, making it even harder to avoid the scheme. “We’ve convinced nearly every state in the country to raise their standards,” Obama claimed during his 2012 State of the Union address, failing to mention that he was using taxpayer money to “convince” states and that the new “standards” have already come under severe criticism.
CONTINUED: http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/education/item/14036-obama-bribes-states-to-adopt-national-education-curriculum
Incredibly, even with the backing of billionaire Bill Gates and the Obama administration’s Department of Education, the entire “Common Core State Standards Initiative” was developed and rolled out with almost no serious media attention. The eerie silence, of course, helped proponents avoid scrutiny in the early phases, when it would have been much easier for critics to derail the scheme that will essentially nationalize the school curriculum.
With the federal government handing out massive grants to state governments that comply, some 45 states and Washington, D.C., have already signed up to implement the plan. Widespread acceptance of the scheme thus far has been attributed to the taxpayer largesse offered under Obama’s controversial and unconstitutional “Race to the Top” program. To be eligible, states were forced to adopt the Common Core or other "internationally benchmarked standards.”
The administration is also requiring states to sign up for the Common Core to obtain so-called “No Child Left Behind” waivers. And in an effort to ensure that all students are learning the same material, the Common Core will also roll out national tests, making it even harder to avoid the scheme. “We’ve convinced nearly every state in the country to raise their standards,” Obama claimed during his 2012 State of the Union address, failing to mention that he was using taxpayer money to “convince” states and that the new “standards” have already come under severe criticism.
CONTINUED: http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/education/item/14036-obama-bribes-states-to-adopt-national-education-curriculum
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Honor the Oath Rally: January 9, 2012, Raleigh, NC
Honor the Oath Rally--Day One
Halifax Mall, January 9, 2013
Noon to 4:00 pm
Noon to 4:00 pm
NC General Assembly, Legislative Building, 16 West Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Halifax Mall is the grassy, open area between the Legislative Building and the Legislative Office Building.
Information on visiting the Legislative Complex:
The Constitutionalist Alliance of North Carolina and the Carolina Liberty PAC invite you to the Opening Day of the North Carolina General Assembly for Honor the Oath—Day One.
We the People of North Carolina will stand up to remind our legislators on opening day we are watching and we expect them to honor their oaths of office and obey the U.S. and NC Constitutions.
Confirmed Speakers: Bill LuMaye; Rep. Larry Pittman; Dr. Greg Bannon; Rep. Michael Speciale; Dr. Dan Eichenbaum; William Kennedy; Kevin Daniels; and Adam Love.
Pending Speakers: Diane Rufino; Glen Bradley and Nicole Revels
Friday, December 21, 2012
Patriot Quote of the Day
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms ... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man."
--Cesare Beccaria, On Crimes and Punishment, quoted by Thomas Jefferson in Commonplace Book
Letter to the Editor: Don’t Give Up! The election is not over.
Don’t Give Up! The election is not over.
December 21, 2012
The reelection of the most constitutionally destructive president in America’s history is NOT a done deal! If you are happy with the way he stole the election....many reports of voter fraud from throughout the country… put your head back in the sand and go back to sleep. If you are disappointed. you can stop it I’ve done the research. You must act NOW!
The reelection actually takes place according to the procedure described in Title 3 of the U.S. Codes, Section 15. You can check it yourself, but here are the details. Under this law, the Congress meets in joint session in the H. of Rep., the sixth day in January, following the national election that is January 6, 2013. On that day the official tally of electoral votes will be conducted, state by state in alphabetical order. At that time the president of the Senate calls out the number of electoral votes and at that time, also inquires if there are any objections.
At that very moment if one Sen. and one Rep., from any state, either party, announces their objection and presents it in writing, the tally stops, and the objection is debated, until it is resolved. Cong. Walter Jones and Sen. Richard Burr have the legal right .and justification … to object to Obama’s reelection until the evidence that has accumulated over 4 years that Obama is not eligible to be president according to Amendment II, Sec. 1, Para 5 of the U.S. Constitution is investigated and whatever appropriate action is taken according to the findings. There is no doubt of the findings.
This evidence has been accumulating for 4 years, as more facts are revealed by forensic document and computer experts, investigative professionals and other credentialed professionals, many of whom have sworn by affidavit that the documents presented ..his b.c., his Selective Service Card…16 social security numbers he has used are fraudulent. Space does not allow, but there is much more.. Unless he can refute this evidence … that is the purpose of the objections…he has perpetrated the greatest fraud upon the American people in our nation’s history. No one in Congress has the courage to call for investigation…an issue that no one wants to handle because it might jeopardize their reelection. If they don’t have the guts, they shouldn’t be sitting in Congress!
I have contacted 12 Rep. and 2 Sen. by phone and letter, petitioning them to investigate the allegations, which are public knowledge. Only Rep Jones and Sen. Burr replied with a wimpy form letter refusing to get involved. If they receive a flood of letters from many of you, they will be forced to honor their sworn oath of office to defend the Constitution and uphold the laws of the U.S. This is the greatest Constitutional issue in our history. You can help or do nothing and allow our nation to be converted to Marxism as the Imposter continues to install himself as a Dictator and destroys our freedoms. Want to know more and what to write? Contact me.
Chris Parr
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Medicare premiums could rise for many retirees
It's a health care change that President Barack Obama and Republicans both embrace: Expand a current, little-known law so more retirees the government considers well-off are required to pay higher Medicare premiums.
That plan is likely to be part of any budget deal to reduce the overhang of federal debt, raising $20 billion or more over 10 years. It could come as a shock to many seniors who will have to pay the higher premiums even though they consider themselves solidly middle-class, and by no means wealthy.
That’s what happened to Tom James. He and his wife recently got an official notice that they will have to start paying more for Medicare next year, about $1,000 for the two of them. James is among the 5 percent of beneficiaries currently facing higher “income-related” premiums. If the budget change goes through, that number will grow to 25 percent.
“I was blindsided,” said James, a retired bank examiner who lives near Philadelphia. “The camel has got his nose in the tent now, and the question is how far do they want to go with that?”
The idea is to continue broadening the reach of income-based Medicare premiums introduced under former President George W. Bush and later expanded by Obama’s health care law.
CONTINUED: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/20/medicare-premiums-could-rise-many-retirees/#ixzz2FcOYh6x1
That plan is likely to be part of any budget deal to reduce the overhang of federal debt, raising $20 billion or more over 10 years. It could come as a shock to many seniors who will have to pay the higher premiums even though they consider themselves solidly middle-class, and by no means wealthy.
That’s what happened to Tom James. He and his wife recently got an official notice that they will have to start paying more for Medicare next year, about $1,000 for the two of them. James is among the 5 percent of beneficiaries currently facing higher “income-related” premiums. If the budget change goes through, that number will grow to 25 percent.
“I was blindsided,” said James, a retired bank examiner who lives near Philadelphia. “The camel has got his nose in the tent now, and the question is how far do they want to go with that?”
The idea is to continue broadening the reach of income-based Medicare premiums introduced under former President George W. Bush and later expanded by Obama’s health care law.
CONTINUED: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/dec/20/medicare-premiums-could-rise-many-retirees/#ixzz2FcOYh6x1
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Christmas Special with David Barton
Have you ever wondered about the history of Christmas in America? Did our Founders celebrate the birth of our Savior? What about the Presidents (both past and present)?
You can find out the answers to these questions and more as David Barton guest hosts on the Blaze Television Network this Friday, December 21st at 4PM(CT). David will walk you through the history of Christmas in America, with lots of great historical clips of Christmases past as well as updates on current Christmas issues today.
You can tune in on Dish Network Channel 212 or watch the entire program by signing up for a free trial at TheBlaze.com. Don't miss out as we remember Christmas in true WallBuilders fashion!
CCTA Issues and Watchdog Report- 18 Dec 2012
Craven County Board of Commissioners Meeting - 3 Dec 2012 & 17 Dec 2012
1) Prayer at the Board Meetings. The Board of Commissioners' meetings this month were both opened with the pledge and a prayer. Jerry Schill, Christian Coalition & Religious Christian Services (RCS) has acknowledged this and thanked the Board members who have lead Christian prayers.
2) North Carolina's Eastern Region-
I petitioned the Board on North Carolina's Eastern Region asking that they work to dissolve that planning board and to stop supporting the Global TransPark. Global TransPark is starting to compete with our regional airport and, even worse, with Cherry Point for military deployment and return of service members. When Commissioner Dacey asked the paid Chef Executive of this group directly if they support the Global TransPark, he did and tap toe dance that sounded something like no. The NC statute that established this group directs them to support the Global TransPark . Either they are not following the statute that established them or the Chief Executive lied. Which way is it? This subject is likely to come up again shortly after the appointments of the new members of the state Legislature.
The county's own staff under the leadership of Jack Veit, County Manager, and Gene Hodges, Interim Economic Development Director, has done an excellent job of managing the county's economic development efforts and NCER can just bow out! Gene made a very good presentation at yesterday's meeting with a screen display of the interactive computer web page that will be placed on the county website so that there can be postings of property for sale or lease that business and industry leaders can search for available properties in Craven County. The so called economic development planners we had before should have done this long ago!
3) Transparency in government matters-
It remains difficult to keep up with the county budget if you are not on the Board of Commissioners. I wish the current status of the FY 2012-13 budget could be found on the county website; however, Rick Hemphill, Assistant County Manage for Finance, has been good about giving me this information on the phone. He told me that that the balance at the end of November was $97,165,894.
4) FY 2012-13 Budget-
You will remember that, after the budget hearings, I objected to the county staff's representing that the FY 2012-13 budget was a reduction when compared with the previous year's budget. I raised this objection because, in order to make it look that way, they had to compare the beginning budget for FY 2012-13 with the ending budget ($97,199,246) for FY 2011-12. It was like comparing apples and oranges, and I predicted that the end budget for FY 2012-13 would eventually exceed the ending budget for FY 2011-12. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, THEY ARE ONLY $33,352 SHORT OF THAT! THE FY 2012-13 BUDGET DOES NOT END UNTIL 30 JUNE 2013; THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME FOR IT TO CONTINUE GROWING!
At the first meeting I attended this month another $959,553 was approved in added expenditures. Most of it is an increase in the projected cost of the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). We have no objection to the county getting a new EOC, but it was already in the budget, and these are either add-ons or cost overruns. It wasn't made clear which, and actually generated very little discussion. I wish these additional expenditures had been questioned.
At the meeting held yesterday morning (17 Dec 2012), another mere $66,644 was added that should bring the budget currently to $98,192,091. ALREADY EXCEEDING LAST YEAR'S BUDGET ----TOLD YOU SO!!!!!
IT APPEARS THAT THE BOARD FEELS NO REAL NEED FOR BUDGET TIGHTENING. In fact, at the last budget session, property tax was increased by 3.8% to make it "revenue neutral." Figger that one out! Then the increase was hidden by dropping the tax rate due to the property value re-assessment to 47 cents. I can figure that one out. Our tax rate is still being calculated at the value of the property at the end of 2009 even though the actual value of most property has dropped by around 40%. Why can't they revalue property annually to parallel the percentage drop in actual value by some formula acceptable to the real estate industry? WE ALL KNOW WHY! Then the Board, county manager and finance officer, department heads and the whole bunch would have to really budget year to year like real productive families do and guess at their income, like businesses have to do and budget accordingly. SOUNDS FAIR TO ME!
There was one other very interesting budget matter. At the first meeting, when Rick Hemphill stated that a budget request was being made because, if one were not made, the county would have to send some money back to the State, Commissioner Jeff Taylor objected and said that was the kind of reasoning CCTA objected to. He asked if anyone would fail to receive a county service if that money were sent back (small amount, only $18,300). As to the reasoning, here is a quote that accurately expresses it, "We currently have a reserve that needs to be budgeted and spent in order to not forfeit that funding." Since Rick could not answer Commissioner Taylor's question, the matter was continued until the Director of the County Department of Social Services could be consulted.
Unfortunately, It was just added at the second meeting. DDS found a way to spend it on a contract employee, travel and computers for staff.
5) Craven Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS)-
There was a public hearing on CARTS on 3 Dec 12. They asked that their program be approved and grant requests made for $556,092 with County matching funds of just $60,756 required, and the matching funds are to be raised out of operations. It's a heck of a good deal for the county, but, hey, it's all taxpayer money, and we taxpayers pay taxes to the State and Federal governments in addition to paying taxes to the County, so it's not such a good deal from our prospective.
Apparently NCDOT placed a cap on this CARTS funding which caused it to remain the same. The balance of CARTS' expenses are also covered by operations. Incidentally, a lot of this income from operations is paid by other tax supported counties, boards, commissions, grantees, etc. More tax dollars really. I made our usual objections, but praised the Director, Phyllis Toler, for excellence in executive management of the program. She really squeezes every dollar she gets.
6) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-
A public hearing was held on 17 Dec 2012. The application is for $750,000 for infrastructure projects. I was the only member of the public who spoke. Of course, I did it on behalf of CCTA. As I expect you remember, we decided not to fuss so much about these infrastructure projects. We did want the practice of giving houses to individual people to stop. Infrastructure is a valid concern of local government. It's a shame the federal government has taken it upon itself to provide infrastructure money to local communities, however. It takes a lot more than $750,000 of taxpayers' money sent to the federal government in order to get that amount delivered to Craven County, and when taxpayers' money is channeled that way, it always comes down with all kinds of federal "strings" (read, "control") attached. At any rate, I congratulated the board on it's decision not to build houses for people anymore. REMEMBER THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT GIVE ANYBODY ANYTHING THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT FIRST TAKE FROM SOMEBODY ELSE.
7) Electronic Offender Monitoring Program (EOMP) - Captain Jessee Pittman and Sgt. Steve Wallace gave an excellent presentation on this program. They say and adequately substantiate that the program will save taxpayers $250,000 this fiscal year. The program allows non-violent offenders to continue at their jobs and continue paying child support, etc. Most of the savings is from not using beds in the jail that can be leased for federal, state and other counties prisoners. Two judges were there to say they support the program.
8) Tall Structure Ordinance and Contract-
This effort shows great initiative on the part of the Board. This ordinance could prevent tall windmills from being constructed by the progressives in existing flight patterns and show support for our aviation community including the military! The board has authorized the expenditure of $7,000. Havelock has agreed to reimburse the county $1,540 of this cost.
9) School Board-
The school board held an all morning meeting on the Accountability Model the school is implementing at at the direction of the US Department of Education and through the North Carolina Superintendent of public instruction TO THE FEDERAL STANDARDS. The meeting was guided by a slide presentation done by Dr. Brown, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum. I have a printed copy I'm sure some of you will be interested in. Whole county school systems, schools, administrators, teachers and students will be held accountable (so they say). I can tell you that student education emphasis is on English, math, and science performance. Literacy standards were also discussed. The meeting was about these accountability requirements and not about the subjects I'm most concerned about- the lack of knowledge of American history on the part of students, and the teaching of globalism in school instead of "American Exceptionalism," and the taking of God out of our schools and letting Satin run rampart instead. One "Educator of the Year" John Taylor Gatto has stated, "turning your children over to total strangers and having those strangers work on your child's mind - it's a mad idea."
TURNING YOUR CHILD OVER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BE INDOCTRINATED IS AN EVEN MADDER IDEA!
Sheriff's Office
I want to thank our member Joe Albanese for his work with the Sheriff's Office. He has been volunteering there (looks good in his uniform). He also met with me at the invitation of Sergeant Steve Wallace to discuss the Electronic Offender Monitoring program. I also got a good tour of the jail. Man, what an eye opener! Sgt. Wallace asked me to invite you all on the tour too. Would you like to form a group visit?
Here are a few facts:
70% of the people wearing ankle bracelet monitors work at a job. Often low paying, but they work.
85% of jail inmates have been declared "indigent" therefore, are not required to pay any of the cost - i.e. jail expense, legal defense expense, medical expense, etc.
No prisoner has cut his ankle bracelet in the 3 years of their use by the Sheriffs office. Other agencies have lost some, though. You might have heard about those.
Most cases where the bracelets are used are "child support cases."
Respectfully Submitted,
Hal James, Watchdog Committee Chairman
Coastal Carolina Taxpayers Association
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=b4ovyaiab&v=001SZ1qw1gWteRfwipfHHVJADEa1eU9yQo69iOEWHuaDf0_Qw5hMca7drMMPk1FVbOuzSk5MfoMpoLgQUcJGtxhSRSxmpJGPiIojVD6H9nshjkARVXGZpwjjiFITSJQ7XARthA1ryJRDhzBWF7-pCtzvA%3D%3D
Obama sets January deadline for gun control proposals
Spurred by a horrific elementary school shooting, President Barack Obama vowed to send Congress new policy proposals for reducing gun violence by January.
"This time, the words need to lead to action," Obama said Wednesday. He tasked Vice President Joe Biden with leading an administration-wide effort to create the new recommendations and pledged to push for their implementation without delay.
The president, who exerted little political capital on gun control despite a series of mass shootings in his first term, bristled at suggestions that he had been silent on the issue during his first four years in office. But he acknowledged that Friday's deadly shooting had been "a wake-up call for all of us."
Twenty children and six adults were killed when a man carrying a military-style rifle stormed Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., Friday morning.
The president also called on Congress Wednesday to reinstate an assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 and to pass legislation that would close the gun show "loophole," which allows people to purchase firearms from private dealers without a background check. Obama also said he wanted Congress to pursue the possibility of limiting high-capacity ammunition clips.
"The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing," Obama said. "The fact that we can't prevent every act of violence doesn't mean we can't steadily reduce the violence."
The president's announcement Wednesday underscores the urgency the White House sees in formulating a response to the Newtown shooting. The massacre has prompted several congressional gun rights supporters to consider new legislation to control firearms, and there is some concern that their willingness to engage could fade as the shock and sorrow over the Newtown shooting eases.
CONTINUED: http://www.gopusa.com/news/2012/12/19/obama-sets-january-deadline-for-gun-control-proposals/?subscriber=1
"This time, the words need to lead to action," Obama said Wednesday. He tasked Vice President Joe Biden with leading an administration-wide effort to create the new recommendations and pledged to push for their implementation without delay.
The president, who exerted little political capital on gun control despite a series of mass shootings in his first term, bristled at suggestions that he had been silent on the issue during his first four years in office. But he acknowledged that Friday's deadly shooting had been "a wake-up call for all of us."
Twenty children and six adults were killed when a man carrying a military-style rifle stormed Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., Friday morning.
The president also called on Congress Wednesday to reinstate an assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 and to pass legislation that would close the gun show "loophole," which allows people to purchase firearms from private dealers without a background check. Obama also said he wanted Congress to pursue the possibility of limiting high-capacity ammunition clips.
"The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing," Obama said. "The fact that we can't prevent every act of violence doesn't mean we can't steadily reduce the violence."
The president's announcement Wednesday underscores the urgency the White House sees in formulating a response to the Newtown shooting. The massacre has prompted several congressional gun rights supporters to consider new legislation to control firearms, and there is some concern that their willingness to engage could fade as the shock and sorrow over the Newtown shooting eases.
CONTINUED: http://www.gopusa.com/news/2012/12/19/obama-sets-january-deadline-for-gun-control-proposals/?subscriber=1
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Obama’s ‘Disaster’ Aid Package
Democrats live by the dictum “never let a good crisis go to waste.” What better way to insert their campaign wish list into a Hurricane Sandy disaster aid bill?
To that end, Obama has submitted a $60.4 billion dollar aid request for recovery of damage from Hurricane Sandy.
His proposal is chock full of items from his campaign wish list, and will be considered before the Senate this week.
In case you were thinking that the $60 billion price tag sounds too steep, you’re not missing something. Only $11.5 billion will go towards FEMA’s disaster relief fund. CBO projects that 64% of the funds will not be spent until FY 2015. The entire rationale of an emergency bill is that the aid money is desperately needed now. The fact that much of the funds will not be spent for several years reveals this as a liberal stimulus bill. Here are some of the items on Obama’s Santa list.
CONTINUED: http://www.redstate.com/2012/12/17/obamas-disaster-aid-package/
To that end, Obama has submitted a $60.4 billion dollar aid request for recovery of damage from Hurricane Sandy.
His proposal is chock full of items from his campaign wish list, and will be considered before the Senate this week.
In case you were thinking that the $60 billion price tag sounds too steep, you’re not missing something. Only $11.5 billion will go towards FEMA’s disaster relief fund. CBO projects that 64% of the funds will not be spent until FY 2015. The entire rationale of an emergency bill is that the aid money is desperately needed now. The fact that much of the funds will not be spent for several years reveals this as a liberal stimulus bill. Here are some of the items on Obama’s Santa list.
CONTINUED: http://www.redstate.com/2012/12/17/obamas-disaster-aid-package/
Man Attempts to Open Fire on Crowd at Movie Theater, Armed Off-Duty Female Sheriff’s Deputy Drops Him With One Bullet
With one shot, an off-duty sheriff’s deputy took down a gunman who attempted to opened fire at a crowded movie theater lobby during a late night showing of “The Hobbit” in San Antonio, WOAI reports.
Police say a gunman, identified as Jesus Manuel Garcia, chased patrons from the nearby China Garden Restaurant into the lobby of the Santikos Mayan 14 movie theater at around 9 p.m. on Sunday. Garcia, an employee of the restaurant, reportedly walked in the establishment looking for a woman.
When the woman, also reportedly a restaurant employee, wasn’t there, Garcia pulled out a gun and attempted to open fire in the restaurant but his weapon jammed.
“It started at the restaurant and then went into the parking lot and then into the movie theater,” Deputy Lou Antu told 1200 WOAI news.
CONTINUED ON THE BLAZE: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/man-attempts-to-open-fire-on-crowd-at-movie-theater-armed-off-duty-sheriffs-deputy-drops-him-with-one-bullet/
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Obama administration let school security funds lapse..
Obama administration let school security funds lapse..
Beneath the expressions of grief, sorrow and disbelief over the Connecticut school massacre lies an uneasy truth in Washington: over the last few years the Obama administration and Congress quietly let federal funding for several key school security programs lapse in the name of budget savings.
Government officials told the Washington Guardian on Friday night that two Justice Department programs that had provided more than $200 million to schools for training, security equipment and police resources over the last decade weren’t renewed in 2011 and 2012, and that a separate program that provided $800 million to put police officers inside the schools was ended a few years earlier.
Meanwhile, the administration eliminated funding in 2011-12 for a separate Education Department program that gave money to schools to prepare for mass tragedies, the officials said.
A nationally recognized school security expert said those funds had been critical for years in helping schools continue to enhance protections against growing threats of violence. But they simply dried up with little notice as the Columbine and Virginia Tech school shooting tragedies faded from memory and many Americans and political leaders had their attentions diverted to elections, a weak economy and overseas dramas.
“I was baffled to see funds and programs cut in these areas,” said Kenneth Trump, the president of the National School Safety and Security Services firm that helps school districts and policymakers improve protections for teachers and students. “Our political and policy leaders need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk about being concerned about school safety.
“We have roller coaster public awareness, public policy, and public funding when it comes to school safety. The question isn’t whether school safety is a priority today and tomorrow,” Trump added. “The question is whether it will be a priority years down the road when there isn’t a crisis in the headlines.”
Leaders in both parties in Washington on Friday expressed remorse and disbelief in the tragedy in the tiny suburban Connecticut town of Newtown, where a single 20-year-old gunman walked into the school where his mother taught and killed 20 children and six others before turning the gun on himself.
“Our hearts are broken today,” President Barack Obama said, wiping a tear from his eyes as he reacted to the tragedy. “As a country we have been through this too many times.
CONTINUED: http://www.washingtonguardian.com/washingtons-school-security-failure
Beneath the expressions of grief, sorrow and disbelief over the Connecticut school massacre lies an uneasy truth in Washington: over the last few years the Obama administration and Congress quietly let federal funding for several key school security programs lapse in the name of budget savings.
Government officials told the Washington Guardian on Friday night that two Justice Department programs that had provided more than $200 million to schools for training, security equipment and police resources over the last decade weren’t renewed in 2011 and 2012, and that a separate program that provided $800 million to put police officers inside the schools was ended a few years earlier.
Meanwhile, the administration eliminated funding in 2011-12 for a separate Education Department program that gave money to schools to prepare for mass tragedies, the officials said.
A nationally recognized school security expert said those funds had been critical for years in helping schools continue to enhance protections against growing threats of violence. But they simply dried up with little notice as the Columbine and Virginia Tech school shooting tragedies faded from memory and many Americans and political leaders had their attentions diverted to elections, a weak economy and overseas dramas.
“I was baffled to see funds and programs cut in these areas,” said Kenneth Trump, the president of the National School Safety and Security Services firm that helps school districts and policymakers improve protections for teachers and students. “Our political and policy leaders need to walk the walk, not just talk the talk about being concerned about school safety.
“We have roller coaster public awareness, public policy, and public funding when it comes to school safety. The question isn’t whether school safety is a priority today and tomorrow,” Trump added. “The question is whether it will be a priority years down the road when there isn’t a crisis in the headlines.”
Leaders in both parties in Washington on Friday expressed remorse and disbelief in the tragedy in the tiny suburban Connecticut town of Newtown, where a single 20-year-old gunman walked into the school where his mother taught and killed 20 children and six others before turning the gun on himself.
“Our hearts are broken today,” President Barack Obama said, wiping a tear from his eyes as he reacted to the tragedy. “As a country we have been through this too many times.
CONTINUED: http://www.washingtonguardian.com/washingtons-school-security-failure
Agenda 21 for Trent Woods?
The Town of Trent Woods has received a grant from NC Dept. of Transportation for a Pedestrian/Bike Plan.
“The Town of Trent Woods is seeking a qualified firm to provide planning services for the development of a Comprehensive Pedestrian Transportation Plan under the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) planning grant, including matching funds, will provide up to $31,000 to develop a plan that will meet the goals and objectives and key strategies of the Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee and produce the comprehensive Trent Woods Pedestrian Plan.”
http://www.trentwoodsnc.org/vertical/sites/%7B30E6E9FA-02B6-4801-8C7F-E43365896C05%7D/uploads/NCDOT_changes_-_comprehensive_pedestrian_planning_grant_-_design.pdf
Are we encumbering ourselves to AGENDA 21????
“The Town of Trent Woods is seeking a qualified firm to provide planning services for the development of a Comprehensive Pedestrian Transportation Plan under the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) planning grant, including matching funds, will provide up to $31,000 to develop a plan that will meet the goals and objectives and key strategies of the Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee and produce the comprehensive Trent Woods Pedestrian Plan.”
http://www.trentwoodsnc.org/vertical/sites/%7B30E6E9FA-02B6-4801-8C7F-E43365896C05%7D/uploads/NCDOT_changes_-_comprehensive_pedestrian_planning_grant_-_design.pdf
Lou Calling! A tragic time....
As liberals sit in meditation praying (do liberals pray???~Lynn) for her government to come forward and institute gun control (using 'public safety' as the excuse) for attacks on our 2nd Amendment, there are those in Washington wringing their hands for this opportunity that was dropped in their laps. Obama, a tear dropping from his eyes, will pontificate on the evil of firearms while ignoring his Hollywood supporters who ply violence on the big screen and the video game manufacturers who teach young children how to kill without feeling pain; all this he will ignore.
Being a parent my heart aches for the loss of any child anywhere lost for any reason and for the anguish those parents feel, I pray that they find comfort in the months and years ahead. But using any excuse to destroy our Constitution is something I will never abide. For evil to triumph, good men and women, need to do nothing. A gun, a car, a baseball bat, a knife, an icepick; these are not evil objects; evil lurks in the minds of men and women who use them.
Lou
BY THE WAY WE HAVE A LAW, if we would only teach it and nine other really great ones THOU SHALT NOT KILL! ~Lynn
Being a parent my heart aches for the loss of any child anywhere lost for any reason and for the anguish those parents feel, I pray that they find comfort in the months and years ahead. But using any excuse to destroy our Constitution is something I will never abide. For evil to triumph, good men and women, need to do nothing. A gun, a car, a baseball bat, a knife, an icepick; these are not evil objects; evil lurks in the minds of men and women who use them.
Lou
BY THE WAY WE HAVE A LAW, if we would only teach it and nine other really great ones THOU SHALT NOT KILL! ~Lynn
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Boehner Reported to Offer Millionaire Tax Rate Increase
Speaker John A. Boehner has offered to let tax rates rise on income over $1 million in return for entitlement reforms in fiscal cliff negotiations with President Barack Obama, according to news reports.
The offer is the first time Boehner has agreed to allow a rate increase, signaling that talks aimed at heading off the tax hikes and automatic spending cuts due to take effect at the start of next year were picking up steam. Boehner reportedly made the offer Friday in a phone conversation with Obama, and said he would accept the rate hike for higher earners in exchange for significant cuts in entitlement programs. Boehner’s office, the White House and other congressional sources declined to comment, but spokesmen for the House Speaker did not deny the offer had been made.
CONTINUED: http://www.rollcall.com/news/boehner_reported_to_offer_millionaire_tax_rate_increase-220025-1.html
The offer is the first time Boehner has agreed to allow a rate increase, signaling that talks aimed at heading off the tax hikes and automatic spending cuts due to take effect at the start of next year were picking up steam. Boehner reportedly made the offer Friday in a phone conversation with Obama, and said he would accept the rate hike for higher earners in exchange for significant cuts in entitlement programs. Boehner’s office, the White House and other congressional sources declined to comment, but spokesmen for the House Speaker did not deny the offer had been made.
CONTINUED: http://www.rollcall.com/news/boehner_reported_to_offer_millionaire_tax_rate_increase-220025-1.html
Friday, December 14, 2012
Tea Party Patriots
12 Days of Solutions - Downsizing Government
December 13, 2012
Right now, Washington is discussing how many billions of your hard-earned incomes don’t belong to you. Rather than cut spending, your elected officials want to increase your taxes.
When it comes to balancing the budget, hard choices must be made across the entire federal government’s budget. Downsizinggovernment.org, a project of the libertarian think tank, has outlined ways to cut well over 10% of the federal budget through devolving of the federal government’s powers back to the states and elimination of certain federal spending. These include reforms to subsidies, the Defense Department, Transportation, and many other agencies and spending.
Unfortunately, it seems that Republicans and Democrats alike are okay with taking your money to make up for their corruption and errors with the federal budget. We urge you to call your Member of Congress and tell him or her to instead consider Cato’s great work, and begin returning federal spending to that to which it is limited in the Constitution.
Go to http://www.teapartypatriots.org for more information.
NC FIRE
North Carolinians for Immigration Reform and Enforcement
Secure Our Borders—Enforce Our Laws
Click on the following link to report them. It's your duty as a North Carolina citizen: http://ncfire.info/E-VerifyComplaintForm.pdf
James Johnson
President-NCFIRE
NCFIRE@ncfire.info
1-888-885-0879
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Tea Party Patriots: 12 Days of Solutions!
12 Days of Solutions - The Penny Plan
Washington is at it again. They’re talking about ways to take more of your money to pay for Congress’ inability to actually be fiscally responsible.
Unfortunately for the establishment politicians leading our country to ruin, there exist plans that would actually do a great deal of good for the country. Over the next 12 days, Tea Party Patriots will be discussing 12 of them, and asking you to call your Congressman to ask him or her to support each plan.
The first plan is the Penny Plan. Introduced in 2011, it aims to balance the budget by 2018 by cutting one penny in non-interest federal outlays from each dollar the government spends. Rather than cut from expected spending, the Penny Plan cuts from today’s spending. It also aims to cap spending at 18% of GDP, which is at least one-quarter less than today’s spending levels.
The plan is spelled out in more detail on our website, but you get the idea. Real cuts. Unlike the “cuts” in discussion on Capitol Hill.
Of course, we know that the establishment in Washington will take a plan as simple as this seriously. As the "fiscal cliff" looms we will see them agree to a bad deal that raises taxes and increases spending which will surely have a devastating affect on the economy, inflating prices for everyday consumers and increasing the number of people who are unemployed. So, in the unlikely event that Washington will prove us wrong, we DARE them to take up the Penny Plan and actually make real cuts in spending.
Call your Member of Congress. Let him or her know that Speaker Boehner should present the Penny Plan to President Obama instead of raising your taxes.
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=378811b3c052d40a005861416&id=41e04cb569&e=234bcfe2d6
12 Days of Solutions - Saving the American Dream
Today, Day 3 of 12 Days of Solutions, finds Washington still fighting over how many of your hard-earned dollars you don’t deserve to keep. Unfortunately, all of the plans in discussion are woefully inadequate.
This lack of attention to quality plans is why Tea Party Patriots is proud to bring a comprehensive plan to balance the budget and enact tax reform to your attention. That plan is the Heritage Foundation’s “Saving the American Dream” budget proposal.
How will this plan save the American Dream? Unlike the proposals being bandied about in Congress, it will:
1. Enact legitimate tax reform.
2. Make Medicare and Social Security solvent for generations.
3. Eliminate much of the unconstitutional non-defense discretionary spending in subsidies, education, and other areas of the federal budget.
4. Get rid of the Affordable Care Act.
5. Balance the budget in 10 years.
Unfortunately, our elected leaders have ignored the plan. It is therefore up to us to pressure them into bringing it forward during the fiscal cliff debate. Of course we know that the Washington establishment will never bring this plan forward, but we DARE them to do something to actually fix the problems instead of kicking the can down the road for us to worry about in the future. Call your Members of Congress and tell them to bring the Saving the American Dream plan up for a vote!
Check out more at http://www.teapartypatriots.org
12 Days of Solutions - Cut Taxes to Promote Economic Growth
Once again, Washington is discussing how to take more of your money under the guise of “helping” you. In reality, they are talking about covering for the political establishment’s unwillingness to balance the budget, but they hide that behind talk of taxing “the rich.”
Yesterday, we outlined what the Penny Plan does for the federal budget – namely, balance non-interest spending. Today, we’re urging you to call your Member of Congress to ask him or her to support the basic platform of cutting tax rates across the board.
Over the last 50 years, tax cuts have proven to drastically increase the dynamic nature of the American economy. Whether under President Kennedy or President Reagan, the economy was always stronger after tax cuts.
Unfortunately, Washington refuses to admit its problem is spending, not a lack of tax dollars going to Washington bureaucrats. We urge you to call your Member of Congress and tell him or her to lower taxes overall, not go along with the massive tax hikes coming in 2013.
Of course, we know that the establishment in Washington will take a plan as simple as this seriously. As the "fiscal cliff" looms we will see them agree to a bad deal that raises taxes and increases spending which will surely have a devastating affect on the economy, inflating prices for everyday consumers and increasing the number of people who are unemployed. So, in the unlikely event that Washington will prove us wrong, we DARE them to cut taxes for all Americans to jump start the economy.
Call your Member of Congress. Let him or her know that Speaker Boehner should propose cutting taxes for all Americans to President Obama instead of raising your taxes.
Tea Party Patriots, Inc. operates as a social welfare organization organized under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Tea Party Patriots, Inc. are not deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.
http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=378811b3c052d40a005861416&id=65416bf9d1&e=234bcfe2d6
CCTA Issues and Watchdog Report- 11 Dec 2012
Craven County Board of Commissioners Meeting – 3 Dec 2012
1) The Board of Commissioners’ meeting was again opened with the pledge and a prayer. It still seems strange to me that this goes unacknowledged by the petitioners who spoke about prayer in public meetings. Ray Griffin was scheduled to speak again on that subject, but for some reason he was not there.
2) North Carolina’s Eastern Region-
I petitioned the Board on North Carolina’s Eastern Region asking that they work to dissolve that planning board and to stop supporting the Global TransPark. Global TransPark is starting to compete with our regional airport and, even worse, with Cherry Point for military deployment and return of service members.
3) Transparency in government matters-
It remains difficult to keep up with the county budget if you are not on the Board of Commissioners. I wish the current status of the FY 2012-13 budget could be found on the county website; however, Rick Hemphill, Assistant County Manage for Finance, has been good about giving me this information on the phone. This morning he told me that the balance at the end of November was $97,165,894.
4) FY 2012-13 Budget-
You will remember that, after the budget hearings, I objected to the county staff’s representing that the FY 2012-13 budget was a reduction when compared with the previous year’s budget. I raised this objection because, in order to make it look that way, they had to compare the beginning budget for FY 2012-13 with the ending budget ($97,199,246) for FY 2011-12. It was like comparing apples and oranges, and I predicted that the end budget for FY 2012-13 would eventually exceed the ending budget for FY 2011-12. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, THEY ARE ONLY $33,352 SHORT OF THAT! THE FY 2012-13 BUDGET DOES NOT END UNTIL 30 JUNE 2013; THERE’S PLENTY OF TIME FOR IT TO CONTINUE GROWING! Also at the meeting I am reporting on (3Dec12), another $959,553 was approved in added expenditures. Most of it is an increase in the projected cost of the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). We have no objection to the county getting a new EOC, but it was already in the budget, and these are either add-ons or cost overruns. It wasn’t made clear which, and actually generated very little discussion. I wish these additional expenditures had been questioned.
It appears that the Board feels no real need for budget tightening.
There was one other very interesting budget matter. When Rick Hemphill stated that a budget request was being made because, if one were not made, the county would have to send some money back to the State, Commissioner Jeff Taylor objected and said that was the kind of reasoning CCTA objected to. He asked if anyone would fail to receive a county service if that money were sent back (small amount, only $18,300). As to the reasoning, here is a quote that accurately expresses it, “We currently have a reserve that needs to be budgeted and spent in order to not forfeit that funding.” Since Rick could not answer Commissioner Taylor’s question, the matter was continued until the Director of the County Department of Social Services could be consulted.
5) Craven Area Rural Transportation System (CARTS)-
There was a public hearing on CARTS. They asked that their program be approved and grant requests made for $556,092 with County matching funds of just $60,756 required, and the matching funds are to be raised out of operations. It’s a heck of a good deal for the county, but, hey, it’s all taxpayer money, and we taxpayers pay taxes to the State and Federal governments in addition to paying taxes to the County, so it’s not such a good deal from our prospective.
Apparently NCDOT placed a cap on this CARTS funding which caused it to remain the same. The balance of CARTS’ expenses are also covered by operations. Incidentally, a lot of this income from operations is paid by other tax supported counties, boards, commissions, grantees, etc. More tax dollars really. I made our usual objections, but praised the Director, Phyllis Toler, for excellence in executive management of the program. She really squeezes every dollar she gets.
6) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-
A public hearing is set for 17 Dec 2012. The application is for $750,000 for infrastructure projects. As I expect you remember, we decided not to fuss so much about these infrastructure projects. We did want the practice of giving houses to individual people to stop. Infrastructure is a valid concern of local government. It’s a shame the federal government has taken it upon itself to provide infrastructure money to local communities, however. It takes a lot more than $750,000 of taxpayers’ money sent to the federal government in order to get that amount delivered to Craven County, and when taxpayers’ money is channeled that way, it always comes down with all kinds of federal “strings” (read, “control”) attached.
7) Tall Structure Ordinance and Contract-
This effort shows great initiative on the part of the Board. This ordinance could prevent tall windmills from being constructed by the progressives in existing flight patterns and show support for our aviation community including the military!
Respectfully Submitted,
Hal James
Chairman, CCTA Watchdog Committee
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=b4ovyaiab&v=001VLboNz7kWENGMUG4sHW6MU8W6gdHK3C-XmRzDYlGFFnrdMW3l9yjyWtD8T3hTveuQYyml6TYE1YBnEBqDt3Qd258nHHV_yeTqPdAZ87N52NvpclLMlwFmdCB4vDcmYy0vz9hMWh6xK7cA6ztL32JhA%3D%3D
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Steve Frank: I am a “Conservatarian”
Last week I met with a recent USC grad who wanted to get involved in politics in a meaningful way. During the discussion we talked about issues and the State of the conservative movement. At that point he informed me he was a “conservatarian”.
This is a new term for me. I am a conservative and if you read the California Political News and Views for any length of time, you know I am a believer that government is the cause of our economic calamities.
What is a conservatarian? To me that indicates someone who is conservative on the social issues and libertarian on the economic issues. I am pro-life and oppose government financing the killing of babies (or any killing of babies) or bailing out failed companies like Solyndra or General Motors.
In the early 1960’s I started out as a Goldwater conservative. Strong patriotism and a belief in Constitutional government. It was later in his career that Senator Goldwater became more of a libertarian than conservative—including open borders and little support for social conservatives.
When I returned from Viet Nam, after a tour with the First Infantry Division, I was more of a traditional, National Review, type conservative. I was a social conservative but more interested in anti-communism and foreign policy. By the 1980 campaign, in which the Moral Majority was a strong influence, I was a social conservative first and foremost.
In 1988, Pat Robertson ran for President, but I supported George Bush, the Vice President, for President. By now I was working with evangelicals all over the State, and nation. While the Religious Right was almost exclusively one issue, Pro-Life, I thought it needed to use that as a base for an economic policy.
That is when I started using the phrase, “every dollar of taxation is a dollar less of freedom.” I told evangelicals if they wanted to afford religious schools for their children and afford to raise more children, they had to roll back government and its theft of major portions of their paycheck. To me, to be a conservative meant family and personal freedom and government meant enslavement.
One lesson that Kennedy, Reagan and even Clinton proved was that to raise revenues you lowered taxes. Lower taxes meant economic growth and freedom from government.
The Bush years gave us out of control spending, plus a War on Terrorism—both very expensive. Obama has taken away our health care rights, total taxes on MOST Americans —-income, sales, property, etc, plus those passed along by corporations that government puts on them—now top 50% of money earned. We live in a society of takers, not makers.
Ideology, issues and understanding of how the world works evolves. At this point, I believe that all decisions are economic. As long as the choice of car, home and job is based on government regulations and government induced costs, we are not free to truly live our Faith, support our families and be what we want to be—government is standing in the way. Government schools teach our children propaganda and how NOT to think for yourself (the Global Warming canard is the best example—only one side of the debate is allowed by government schools.) Big businesses use government to punish their smaller competitors, and then demand to be bailed out when their strategies fail—just look at General Motors. Worse, the greedy use government to openly steal from families—look at the solar industry and firms like Solyndra. While billions are given to crooks, who have friends in Washington, the White House assures high energy prices and a loss of jobs by not allowing drilling, refusal to allow pipelines be built and tearing down dams to close down hydroelectric facilities.
CONTINUED: http://www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2012/12/i-am-a-conservatarian/
This is a new term for me. I am a conservative and if you read the California Political News and Views for any length of time, you know I am a believer that government is the cause of our economic calamities.
What is a conservatarian? To me that indicates someone who is conservative on the social issues and libertarian on the economic issues. I am pro-life and oppose government financing the killing of babies (or any killing of babies) or bailing out failed companies like Solyndra or General Motors.
In the early 1960’s I started out as a Goldwater conservative. Strong patriotism and a belief in Constitutional government. It was later in his career that Senator Goldwater became more of a libertarian than conservative—including open borders and little support for social conservatives.
When I returned from Viet Nam, after a tour with the First Infantry Division, I was more of a traditional, National Review, type conservative. I was a social conservative but more interested in anti-communism and foreign policy. By the 1980 campaign, in which the Moral Majority was a strong influence, I was a social conservative first and foremost.
In 1988, Pat Robertson ran for President, but I supported George Bush, the Vice President, for President. By now I was working with evangelicals all over the State, and nation. While the Religious Right was almost exclusively one issue, Pro-Life, I thought it needed to use that as a base for an economic policy.
That is when I started using the phrase, “every dollar of taxation is a dollar less of freedom.” I told evangelicals if they wanted to afford religious schools for their children and afford to raise more children, they had to roll back government and its theft of major portions of their paycheck. To me, to be a conservative meant family and personal freedom and government meant enslavement.
One lesson that Kennedy, Reagan and even Clinton proved was that to raise revenues you lowered taxes. Lower taxes meant economic growth and freedom from government.
The Bush years gave us out of control spending, plus a War on Terrorism—both very expensive. Obama has taken away our health care rights, total taxes on MOST Americans —-income, sales, property, etc, plus those passed along by corporations that government puts on them—now top 50% of money earned. We live in a society of takers, not makers.
Ideology, issues and understanding of how the world works evolves. At this point, I believe that all decisions are economic. As long as the choice of car, home and job is based on government regulations and government induced costs, we are not free to truly live our Faith, support our families and be what we want to be—government is standing in the way. Government schools teach our children propaganda and how NOT to think for yourself (the Global Warming canard is the best example—only one side of the debate is allowed by government schools.) Big businesses use government to punish their smaller competitors, and then demand to be bailed out when their strategies fail—just look at General Motors. Worse, the greedy use government to openly steal from families—look at the solar industry and firms like Solyndra. While billions are given to crooks, who have friends in Washington, the White House assures high energy prices and a loss of jobs by not allowing drilling, refusal to allow pipelines be built and tearing down dams to close down hydroelectric facilities.
CONTINUED: http://www.conservativeactionalerts.com/2012/12/i-am-a-conservatarian/
Recent U.S. House Votes
Energy Efficiency – Suspension - Vote Passed (398-2, 1 Present, 30 Not Voting)
In a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on an energy measure, the House came together to pass a bill clarifying federal efficiency standards for a variety of heavy appliances, including air conditioners and commercial refrigerators (excluding walk-in refrigerators). Though the measure appears uncontroversial, its prospects are not clear in the Senate given the crowded calendar.
Rep. Walter Jones voted YES Rep. G.K. Butterfield votes YES
Global Internet Governance – Adoption - Vote Passed (397-0, 34 Not Voting)
The House unanimously agreed to Senate language expressing the sense of Congress that the Internet should remain “free from government control.” The concurrent resolution was adopted amid the backdrop of a meeting of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a United Nations body broadly responsible for fostering cooperation among governments and the private sector on international telecommunications governance. Technology companies such as Google have voiced concern that the ITU conference could lead to adoption of restrictive regulations making it easier for national governments to censor content.
Rep. Walter Jones voted YES Rep. G.K. Butterfield votes YES
Amending Language in Federal Law – Suspension - Vote Passed (398-1, 32 Not Voting)
In its final action of the week, the House cleared a Senate bill that would remove the pejorative “lunatic” from the United States Code. The lone House dissenter was Texas Republican Louie Gohmert, who insisted that lunatic should be retained, pointing to his fellow Members of Congress as living, breathing examples of the term. The bill awaits the president’s signature.
Rep. Walter Jones voted YES Rep. G.K. Butterfield votes YES
UPCOMING VOTE
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 - H.R.4310
The House is scheduled to consider several bills under suspension of the rules, as well as a Motion to go to Conference on the defense authorization bill.
In a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on an energy measure, the House came together to pass a bill clarifying federal efficiency standards for a variety of heavy appliances, including air conditioners and commercial refrigerators (excluding walk-in refrigerators). Though the measure appears uncontroversial, its prospects are not clear in the Senate given the crowded calendar.
Rep. Walter Jones voted YES Rep. G.K. Butterfield votes YES
Global Internet Governance – Adoption - Vote Passed (397-0, 34 Not Voting)
The House unanimously agreed to Senate language expressing the sense of Congress that the Internet should remain “free from government control.” The concurrent resolution was adopted amid the backdrop of a meeting of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a United Nations body broadly responsible for fostering cooperation among governments and the private sector on international telecommunications governance. Technology companies such as Google have voiced concern that the ITU conference could lead to adoption of restrictive regulations making it easier for national governments to censor content.
Rep. Walter Jones voted YES Rep. G.K. Butterfield votes YES
Amending Language in Federal Law – Suspension - Vote Passed (398-1, 32 Not Voting)
In its final action of the week, the House cleared a Senate bill that would remove the pejorative “lunatic” from the United States Code. The lone House dissenter was Texas Republican Louie Gohmert, who insisted that lunatic should be retained, pointing to his fellow Members of Congress as living, breathing examples of the term. The bill awaits the president’s signature.
Rep. Walter Jones voted YES Rep. G.K. Butterfield votes YES
UPCOMING VOTE
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 - H.R.4310
The House is scheduled to consider several bills under suspension of the rules, as well as a Motion to go to Conference on the defense authorization bill.
Recent U.S. Senate Votes
Disability Treaty – Ratification - Vote Rejected (61-38, 1 Not Voting)
Despite a last-minute appearance by former GOP Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas in support of the treaty, Senate Republicans mustered enough opposition to defeat the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Supporters, including Dole and Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., described the treaty as essentially enshrining the Americans with Disabilities Act (PL 101-336) as an international standard. Kerry highlighted the treaty’s support among veterans groups. The treaty’s detractors, including Republican presidential candidate and former senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, raised the possibility of “international bureaucrats” making child-care decisions in place of parents, including potentially restricting home schooling. All international treaties require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, so supporters fell five votes short. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada vowed another vote in the next Congress.
Sen. Richard Burr voted NO Sen. Kay Hagan voted YES
Defense Authorization – Final Passage - Vote Passed (98-0, 2 Not Voting)
Following a Monday cloture vote, last week the Senate gave unanimous support to its FY 2013 defense authorization bill. The measure provides funding for all branches of the armed services (excluding the Coast Guard), nuclear security operations at the Department of Energy, and “overseas contingency operations,” i.e., funding for the war in Afghanistan and other overseas conflicts. Fiscal 2013 funding in the bill would come to roughly $631 billion, $88 billion of which covers war costs. Major amendments adopted during debate would further toughen sanctions against Iran; clarify that U.S. citizens and permanent residents may not be detained without charge or trial if apprehended on American soil; prohibit transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to a U.S. facility; and ensure that the Pentagon is able to purchase alternative fuels. The provision on alternative fuels is likely to be a sticking point in conference negotiations with the House, whose bill prohibits purchase of such fuels if they are more expensive than traditional options such as petroleum. Despite President Obama’s veto message, both chambers’ bills contain restrictions on Guantanamo detainee transfers, retirement of Air National Guard planes, and TRICARE enrollment fees. Though conferees have not been named for either side (that is likely to happen this week), staff discussions have already begun.
Sen. Richard Burr voted YES Sen. Kay Hagan voted YES
Russia/Moldova Trade Relations – Final Passage - Vote Passed (92-4, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate cleared the way for more open trade with the Russian Federation and the tiny Eastern European republic of Moldova last week with passage of a House measure that lifts 1970s-vintage restrictions on both countries. The move was necessitated by Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization over the summer; had trade restrictions not been rescinded, the U.S. would have been vulnerable to retaliatory actions by the Russians. Moldova has been a WTO member since 2001 and appears simply to have hitched a ride on a moving legislative vehicle. Despite cheers from the business community for the free trade measure, the Russian government is deeply unhappy with accompanying language chiding its poor human rights record and sanctioning individuals associated with the imprisonment and death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. The bill is currently before the president and will likely be signed into law shortly.
Sen. Richard Burr voted YES Sen. Kay Hagan voted YES
Upcoming Vote
To temporarily extend the transaction account guarantee program, and for other purposes. - S.3637
The Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to a bill that would extend the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) program through the end of 2014. TAG is a program administered by the FDIC that provides full deposit insurance coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts. The program was created in the midst of the financial crisis in late 2008 and later extended for two years in late 2010. It is set to expire at the end of this year, however, and lobbyists for small and independent banks are making a heavy push to extend the program again. Republicans are wary of keeping it alive, so invoking cloture is no guarantee.
Despite a last-minute appearance by former GOP Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas in support of the treaty, Senate Republicans mustered enough opposition to defeat the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Supporters, including Dole and Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., described the treaty as essentially enshrining the Americans with Disabilities Act (PL 101-336) as an international standard. Kerry highlighted the treaty’s support among veterans groups. The treaty’s detractors, including Republican presidential candidate and former senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, raised the possibility of “international bureaucrats” making child-care decisions in place of parents, including potentially restricting home schooling. All international treaties require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, so supporters fell five votes short. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada vowed another vote in the next Congress.
Sen. Richard Burr voted NO Sen. Kay Hagan voted YES
Defense Authorization – Final Passage - Vote Passed (98-0, 2 Not Voting)
Following a Monday cloture vote, last week the Senate gave unanimous support to its FY 2013 defense authorization bill. The measure provides funding for all branches of the armed services (excluding the Coast Guard), nuclear security operations at the Department of Energy, and “overseas contingency operations,” i.e., funding for the war in Afghanistan and other overseas conflicts. Fiscal 2013 funding in the bill would come to roughly $631 billion, $88 billion of which covers war costs. Major amendments adopted during debate would further toughen sanctions against Iran; clarify that U.S. citizens and permanent residents may not be detained without charge or trial if apprehended on American soil; prohibit transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to a U.S. facility; and ensure that the Pentagon is able to purchase alternative fuels. The provision on alternative fuels is likely to be a sticking point in conference negotiations with the House, whose bill prohibits purchase of such fuels if they are more expensive than traditional options such as petroleum. Despite President Obama’s veto message, both chambers’ bills contain restrictions on Guantanamo detainee transfers, retirement of Air National Guard planes, and TRICARE enrollment fees. Though conferees have not been named for either side (that is likely to happen this week), staff discussions have already begun.
Sen. Richard Burr voted YES Sen. Kay Hagan voted YES
Russia/Moldova Trade Relations – Final Passage - Vote Passed (92-4, 4 Not Voting)
The Senate cleared the way for more open trade with the Russian Federation and the tiny Eastern European republic of Moldova last week with passage of a House measure that lifts 1970s-vintage restrictions on both countries. The move was necessitated by Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization over the summer; had trade restrictions not been rescinded, the U.S. would have been vulnerable to retaliatory actions by the Russians. Moldova has been a WTO member since 2001 and appears simply to have hitched a ride on a moving legislative vehicle. Despite cheers from the business community for the free trade measure, the Russian government is deeply unhappy with accompanying language chiding its poor human rights record and sanctioning individuals associated with the imprisonment and death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. The bill is currently before the president and will likely be signed into law shortly.
Sen. Richard Burr voted YES Sen. Kay Hagan voted YES
Upcoming Vote
To temporarily extend the transaction account guarantee program, and for other purposes. - S.3637
The Senate is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to a bill that would extend the Transaction Account Guarantee (TAG) program through the end of 2014. TAG is a program administered by the FDIC that provides full deposit insurance coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts. The program was created in the midst of the financial crisis in late 2008 and later extended for two years in late 2010. It is set to expire at the end of this year, however, and lobbyists for small and independent banks are making a heavy push to extend the program again. Republicans are wary of keeping it alive, so invoking cloture is no guarantee.
Monday, December 10, 2012
The Need For A Christian Worldview Of Freedom And Economics
A Christian worldview regarding the economy is essential if America is to recover its eroding economic leadership in the world. A Christian worldview of economics is predicated upon the fact that man is born sinful (Ephesians 2:3), does not prosper by injustice (Ephesians 4:28), should work (2 Thessalonians 3:10), should not be dependent on anyone (1 Thessalonians 5:11-12), respects private property (Exodus 20:15), prospers through diligence (Proverbs 21:5), resists the envy of other people’s property (Exodus 20:17), believes that rich and poor are esteemed the same by God (Exodus 30:15), and that righteousness can yield abundance (Proverbs 16:8).
The Christian worldview also elevates the power of freedom. The Bible espouses the freedom to choose (1 Corinthians 6:12), that God makes us free (John 8:36), that freedom requires morality (Psalm 119:45), wherever God is honored there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17), that true freedom is based upon love (Galatians 5:13), that freedom requires discernment (1 Corinthians 8:9), and that the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
Some liberal Christians like Jim Wallis believe that the Bible prescribes socialism in Acts 4:32-35 and social justice (redistribution of private property), but this represents a failure in hermeneutics. This is a failure in thinking because the example presented in Acts 4:32-35 is characterized by the volitional decision to share private property. The passage is explicit in that the property shared is privately owned (antipodal to the state-owned model of socialism) and that the redistribution is not compulsory (also antipodal to state-run socialism). There is no Biblical support for state-run socialism. Those who try to twist the scriptures to support socialism neither understand the meaning nor understand how the world operates.
Capitalism is an economic system where production, distribution, and trade are privately owned to yield a profit for those who have made the investment to support that objective. It should be done in a largely free marketplace where the government respects private property and the legal system protects contractual law. Problems arise based upon the moral and ethical failure of owners (committing fraud), the market (committing theft), or the government (limiting freedom and violating property rights).
Winston Churchill eloquently observed that “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.” Thomas Jefferson rebuked the notion of government control: “Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread.” Margaret Thatcher said that “Socialist governments traditionally do make a financial mess. They [socialists] always run out of other people’s money. It’s quite a characteristic of them.”
CONTINUED: http://www.westernjournalism.com/the-need-for-a-christian-worldview-of-freedom-and-economics/
The Christian worldview also elevates the power of freedom. The Bible espouses the freedom to choose (1 Corinthians 6:12), that God makes us free (John 8:36), that freedom requires morality (Psalm 119:45), wherever God is honored there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17), that true freedom is based upon love (Galatians 5:13), that freedom requires discernment (1 Corinthians 8:9), and that the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
Some liberal Christians like Jim Wallis believe that the Bible prescribes socialism in Acts 4:32-35 and social justice (redistribution of private property), but this represents a failure in hermeneutics. This is a failure in thinking because the example presented in Acts 4:32-35 is characterized by the volitional decision to share private property. The passage is explicit in that the property shared is privately owned (antipodal to the state-owned model of socialism) and that the redistribution is not compulsory (also antipodal to state-run socialism). There is no Biblical support for state-run socialism. Those who try to twist the scriptures to support socialism neither understand the meaning nor understand how the world operates.
Capitalism is an economic system where production, distribution, and trade are privately owned to yield a profit for those who have made the investment to support that objective. It should be done in a largely free marketplace where the government respects private property and the legal system protects contractual law. Problems arise based upon the moral and ethical failure of owners (committing fraud), the market (committing theft), or the government (limiting freedom and violating property rights).
Winston Churchill eloquently observed that “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.” Thomas Jefferson rebuked the notion of government control: “Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread.” Margaret Thatcher said that “Socialist governments traditionally do make a financial mess. They [socialists] always run out of other people’s money. It’s quite a characteristic of them.”
CONTINUED: http://www.westernjournalism.com/the-need-for-a-christian-worldview-of-freedom-and-economics/
The Missing 13th Amendment--
In 1811 the House of Representatives voted 65 to 64 to not to renew the Charter for the National Bank. In the Senate the vote was deadlocked at 17 to 17 and the Vice President George Clinton broke the tie when he voted against renewing the Charter. This action infuriated the Mayer Amschel Rothchild and he swore that he would instigate a war that would be financially devastating to the United States.
In an effort to prevent the British and other foreign power from meddling in our affairs Congress voted 26 to 1 in the Senate and 87 to 3 in the House to propose an Amendment that would prevent agents from foreign governments from being elected to office or from accepting bribes from foreign powers . Anyone accepting or retaining a Title of Nobility or Honor or anyone receiving compensation for political favors would be stripped of their citizenship and their right to vote or hold office.
READ MORE: http://constitutionclub.ning.com/forum/topics/the-missing-13th-amendment
In an effort to prevent the British and other foreign power from meddling in our affairs Congress voted 26 to 1 in the Senate and 87 to 3 in the House to propose an Amendment that would prevent agents from foreign governments from being elected to office or from accepting bribes from foreign powers . Anyone accepting or retaining a Title of Nobility or Honor or anyone receiving compensation for political favors would be stripped of their citizenship and their right to vote or hold office.
READ MORE: http://constitutionclub.ning.com/forum/topics/the-missing-13th-amendment
Sunday, December 9, 2012
North Carolina as the Blueprint for a Red-State Resurgence
With party unity, good candidates and an inclusive message, conservative campaigns can prosper.
Democrats across the country are celebrating the re-election of President Obama and the pickup of two seats in the Senate and eight in the House. But in two formerly Democratic states, Republicans have much to be joyful about.
The GOP victory in North Carolina included the governorship, veto-proof majorities in the state Senate and House, control of 54 of the state's 100 counties, three new U.S. House seats, and a pivotal seat on the state Supreme Court. All this lifted Mitt Romney to a narrow victory in a state that Mr. Obama won in 2008.
It is premature to declare North Carolina a reliably red state, but Republicans are "positioned to be the dominant party in North Carolina for at least a decade if not beyond," says GOP consultant Marc Rotterman.
The same is true in Arkansas, the second-best state for Republicans in last month's election. Both states offer Republicans an opportunity to unseat Democratic senators in 2014. In Arkansas, the GOP trend has moved so quickly that Sen. Mark Pryor, who had no Republican opponent in 2008, is now considered highly vulnerable. In North Carolina, Sen. Kay Hagen, when matched against an unspecified Republican challenger, led just 45%-41% in a Public Policy Polling survey last month. The last Democratic senator to win re-election in North Carolina was Sam Ervin in 1968.
CONTINUE READING: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323501404578164992941271384.html
No More Classic Literature In Public Schools : The Last Resistance
No More Classic Literature In Public Schools : The Last Resistance
Well, let’s all wave goodbye to well-rounded education in the United States. Ok, we waved goodbye to that a long time ago–I mean, look at public schools. But a new initiative is set to take what little well-roundedness is left in public schools and flush it down the toilet.
According to the Telegraph:
“American literature classics are to be replaced by insulation manuals and plant inventories in US classrooms by 2014…A new school curriculum which will affect 46 out of 50 states will make it compulsory for at least 70 per cent of books studied to be non-fiction, in an effort to ready pupils for the workplace…Books such as JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird will be replaced by “informational texts” approved by the Common Core State Standards…Suggested non-fiction texts include Recommended Levels of Insulation by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Invasive Plant Inventory, by California’s Invasive Plant Council.”
First, music programs in many public schools are eliminated, now classic literature. There are many reasons why this is a terrible idea, and I’ll go through them one by one:
1. Public schools’ failure to adequately prepare children for the working world is not the fault of literature. It is not a dearth of “informational texts” that is the problem. A broken system is the problem. As long as the Liberals refuse to allow school choice and actual reforms, and instead, capitulate to every demand of the teachers’ union, there will be no real improvement.
CONTINUED: http://lastresistance.com/708/no-more-classic-literature-in-public-schools/
Well, let’s all wave goodbye to well-rounded education in the United States. Ok, we waved goodbye to that a long time ago–I mean, look at public schools. But a new initiative is set to take what little well-roundedness is left in public schools and flush it down the toilet.
According to the Telegraph:
“American literature classics are to be replaced by insulation manuals and plant inventories in US classrooms by 2014…A new school curriculum which will affect 46 out of 50 states will make it compulsory for at least 70 per cent of books studied to be non-fiction, in an effort to ready pupils for the workplace…Books such as JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird will be replaced by “informational texts” approved by the Common Core State Standards…Suggested non-fiction texts include Recommended Levels of Insulation by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Invasive Plant Inventory, by California’s Invasive Plant Council.”
First, music programs in many public schools are eliminated, now classic literature. There are many reasons why this is a terrible idea, and I’ll go through them one by one:
1. Public schools’ failure to adequately prepare children for the working world is not the fault of literature. It is not a dearth of “informational texts” that is the problem. A broken system is the problem. As long as the Liberals refuse to allow school choice and actual reforms, and instead, capitulate to every demand of the teachers’ union, there will be no real improvement.
CONTINUED: http://lastresistance.com/708/no-more-classic-literature-in-public-schools/
Friday, December 7, 2012
An Open Letter To Republicans In Congress
I think this is absolutely right on target! ~Lynn
Having been a GOP member for over fifty-five years,I wish this letter could begin with “Thanks for your service.”But you need to know some of the reasons why there is such a feeling of disdain among many of us:
6) BENGHAZI –You’ve spent weeks hung up on who altered the talking points. Time is of the essence,and we are waiting for you to get to the heart of this tragedy. We want and deserve to know who gave the order to “stand down”. You seem to be poised to let the clock run so that you can move on to the next topic (say,“fiscal cliff”or whatever) and let this travesty just fade away.
5) MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD occurred in the presidential election,which likely was stolen. Abundant documented proof exists,and We the People fear that there will never again be an honest election. What do we hear from you? Crickets. Dead silence. You are brushing it aside and moving on. You just cannot be bothered. Shame!
4) FAST &FURIOUS is becoming old history, and your attempts to be effective have fallen far short of what we expected. Your investigative efforts have no teeth and are going nowhere. We see it, and we know it. Double shame !
3) OBAMACARE is going to literally kill Americans and the country’s economy. You all in the House have talked big about cutting funding in order to “starve the beast.” You, no doubt, will cave on this, too. All we hear are whimpers from wimps. Sorry.
CONTINUED AT: http://www.exposeobama.com/2012/12/06/an-open-letter-to-republicans-in-congress/
CCTA ACTION ALERT
Call your US House Representative and ask them to co sponsor HR 824 to Begin a Select Committee to investigate the Benghazi fiasco. Please do this today so that we can show we have not forgotten the men who died and can make sure this does not happen again. Most of us have Walter Jones : 202-225-3415 or 252-931-1003
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/11/benghazi-terror-attack-select-committee-needed-to-investigate
http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/11/benghazi-terror-attack-select-committee-needed-to-investigate
How GOP Can Go on Offense in Budget Debate
This is indeed what the GOP should do!
Steve Forbes, Forbes
Mr. Speaker: We are losing the cliff war in terms of public opinion, but the tables can be turned. A few days ago you offered tax increases via eliminating or capping deductions. Your generous gesture won no goodwill from Democrats and the mainstream media. Moreover any tax increase now only damages the economy. Concerning deductions, why give stuff away now for no real tax reform or simplification?
Here’s what the GOP should do now:
I. The House passes a bill extending for a year or at least six months all the cliff items – current income tax rates; the Alternative Minimum Tax patch; yes, even those Social Security payroll tax cuts. The whole kit and caboodle. The same with sequestration.
The point to make is that the U.S. economy is headed for a recession. One ill omen is that business investment is faltering. Any tax boost will be particularly perverse. Destroying capital and hurting small businesses will only contract the economy even more. We shouldn’t follow the bad examples of Western Europe and Japan. These countries are all raising taxes and the results are frightening. Japan’s economy is declining. Southern Europe is in a severe recession. France and Germany are about to go into recession. Britain just reported disappointing economic news and experts believe its economy will go into negative territory.
Another point to make – it is ridiculous to try to reform the tax code two weeks before Christmas. Ditto for entitlements.
About “the rich” label, polls show that if the question is rephrased as to whether the economy would be helped if upper-income couples had their tax bills increased substantially, most Americans are opposed to the hikes. We should learn how to phrase these issues instead of employing the Democrat’s vocabulary.
II. Turn the tables on the White House debt ceiling proposal by passing a bill mandating that Social Security trust fund assets – now held in useless, non-negotiable IOUs from the Treasury – be converted to marketable Treasury bonds which should have been done decades ago. That way if there is a debt ceiling impasse early next year Social Security and Medicare payments won’t be jeopardized. The trust funds could just sell on the open market bonds to raise the cash to make payments. Those trust funds are supposed to have more than $2 trillion in reserves. Instead, they are loaded with phony, illiquid assets.
CONTINUED: http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveforbes/2012/12/06/message-to-gop-no-tax-increases-go-on-offense/
Steve Forbes, Forbes
Mr. Speaker: We are losing the cliff war in terms of public opinion, but the tables can be turned. A few days ago you offered tax increases via eliminating or capping deductions. Your generous gesture won no goodwill from Democrats and the mainstream media. Moreover any tax increase now only damages the economy. Concerning deductions, why give stuff away now for no real tax reform or simplification?
Here’s what the GOP should do now:
I. The House passes a bill extending for a year or at least six months all the cliff items – current income tax rates; the Alternative Minimum Tax patch; yes, even those Social Security payroll tax cuts. The whole kit and caboodle. The same with sequestration.
The point to make is that the U.S. economy is headed for a recession. One ill omen is that business investment is faltering. Any tax boost will be particularly perverse. Destroying capital and hurting small businesses will only contract the economy even more. We shouldn’t follow the bad examples of Western Europe and Japan. These countries are all raising taxes and the results are frightening. Japan’s economy is declining. Southern Europe is in a severe recession. France and Germany are about to go into recession. Britain just reported disappointing economic news and experts believe its economy will go into negative territory.
Another point to make – it is ridiculous to try to reform the tax code two weeks before Christmas. Ditto for entitlements.
About “the rich” label, polls show that if the question is rephrased as to whether the economy would be helped if upper-income couples had their tax bills increased substantially, most Americans are opposed to the hikes. We should learn how to phrase these issues instead of employing the Democrat’s vocabulary.
II. Turn the tables on the White House debt ceiling proposal by passing a bill mandating that Social Security trust fund assets – now held in useless, non-negotiable IOUs from the Treasury – be converted to marketable Treasury bonds which should have been done decades ago. That way if there is a debt ceiling impasse early next year Social Security and Medicare payments won’t be jeopardized. The trust funds could just sell on the open market bonds to raise the cash to make payments. Those trust funds are supposed to have more than $2 trillion in reserves. Instead, they are loaded with phony, illiquid assets.
CONTINUED: http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveforbes/2012/12/06/message-to-gop-no-tax-increases-go-on-offense/
Thursday, December 6, 2012
News from The Hill: Jim DeMint resigns from Senate
By Alexander Bolton
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has resigned from the Senate to take over the conservative Heritage Foundation.
"It's been an honor to serve the people of South Carolina in the United States Senate for the past eight years, but now it's time for me to pass the torch to someone else and take on a new role in the fight for America's future," DeMint said in a statement that took Washington by surprise.
READ MORE: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/271411-jim-demint-resigns-from-senate
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) has resigned from the Senate to take over the conservative Heritage Foundation.
"It's been an honor to serve the people of South Carolina in the United States Senate for the past eight years, but now it's time for me to pass the torch to someone else and take on a new role in the fight for America's future," DeMint said in a statement that took Washington by surprise.
READ MORE: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/271411-jim-demint-resigns-from-senate
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Conservatives Actually Suck at This
John Boehner can do whatever the heck he wants to. The GOP could be making the argument that the White House has offered nothing on spending and the American people want spending cuts as much as they are okay with tax increases, but instead John Boehner will publicly negotiate with himself.
And he can. He can throw conservatives off fiscal committees without consequence.
Conservatives can complain, moan, wail, and scream all they want. They can call for third parties or no parties or sit at home.
It doesn’t really matter. Conservatives suck at this and the leadership knows it.
Leaders of both parties only pay attention to money and serious primary challengers. They have the money advantage. As for conservative primary challengers, conservatives have put up quite a few, but most are terrible, few win, and even fewer win the general election. Conservatives have done better on the Senate side, but some of the folks tea party groups and others stood up to challenge incumbents on the House side were downright embarrassing.
That last bit just turns people off. There’s no sense in putting up primary challengers if they don’t have a shot to actually win. Eventually the bulk of Republican voters will get worn out and go back. In the meantime, the leaders are still leaders and have effective scapegoats to blame.
The fact is conservatives need to show conservatives can win. They can make a first stand in Virginia with Ken Cuccinelli. But they must do more — we must do more.
If conservatives want to show they are not paper tigers, they must actually make concerted efforts in 2014 beating Republican incumbents. Conservatives have a better track record of this than liberals, but have their share of clunkers. They need to give it a full go.
In the past decade, conservatives have also lost a lot of brand recognition. The GOP and “conservatives” are used interchangeably. People now read National Review to find out what Republican leaders are doing instead of conservatives. People check the American Conservative Union scorecard to see how Republican a person is, not how conservative they are. Too many conservative organizations are draining donors dry with no real results to speak of. A heck of a lot of conservative organizations will disappear overnight when their geriatric leaders die because they’ve become too wrapped up in the identity of their leader, not in the cause they have long claimed to serve.
Some of these groups are stifling the regeneration of the conservative movement through hoarding donors, co-opting the projects of younger groups only to fail at execution, and otherwise just taking up space as a conservative group when often it’s just an excuse for another cocktail party to give out more awards where the GOP establishment will come and kiss rear ends in the Beltway nonaggression club of uselessness on the right.
CONTINUE READING:
http://www.redstate.com/2012/12/05/conservatives-actually-suck-at-this/
And he can. He can throw conservatives off fiscal committees without consequence.
Conservatives can complain, moan, wail, and scream all they want. They can call for third parties or no parties or sit at home.
It doesn’t really matter. Conservatives suck at this and the leadership knows it.
Leaders of both parties only pay attention to money and serious primary challengers. They have the money advantage. As for conservative primary challengers, conservatives have put up quite a few, but most are terrible, few win, and even fewer win the general election. Conservatives have done better on the Senate side, but some of the folks tea party groups and others stood up to challenge incumbents on the House side were downright embarrassing.
That last bit just turns people off. There’s no sense in putting up primary challengers if they don’t have a shot to actually win. Eventually the bulk of Republican voters will get worn out and go back. In the meantime, the leaders are still leaders and have effective scapegoats to blame.
The fact is conservatives need to show conservatives can win. They can make a first stand in Virginia with Ken Cuccinelli. But they must do more — we must do more.
If conservatives want to show they are not paper tigers, they must actually make concerted efforts in 2014 beating Republican incumbents. Conservatives have a better track record of this than liberals, but have their share of clunkers. They need to give it a full go.
In the past decade, conservatives have also lost a lot of brand recognition. The GOP and “conservatives” are used interchangeably. People now read National Review to find out what Republican leaders are doing instead of conservatives. People check the American Conservative Union scorecard to see how Republican a person is, not how conservative they are. Too many conservative organizations are draining donors dry with no real results to speak of. A heck of a lot of conservative organizations will disappear overnight when their geriatric leaders die because they’ve become too wrapped up in the identity of their leader, not in the cause they have long claimed to serve.
Some of these groups are stifling the regeneration of the conservative movement through hoarding donors, co-opting the projects of younger groups only to fail at execution, and otherwise just taking up space as a conservative group when often it’s just an excuse for another cocktail party to give out more awards where the GOP establishment will come and kiss rear ends in the Beltway nonaggression club of uselessness on the right.
CONTINUE READING:
http://www.redstate.com/2012/12/05/conservatives-actually-suck-at-this/
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Senate rejects UN treaty for disabled rights in 61-38 vote
A United Nations treaty to ban discrimination against people with disabilities went down to defeat in the Senate on Tuesday in a 61-38 vote.
The treaty backed by President Obama and former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kansas) fell 5 votes short of the two-thirds needed for confirmation as dozens of Senate Republicans objected that it would create new abortion rights and impede the ability of people to home-school disabled children.
Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) argued the treaty would infringe on U.S. sovereignty, an argument echoed by other opponents.
“This unelected bureaucratic body would pass recommendations that would be forced upon the United States if we were a signatory,” he said.
Supporters of the treaty argued that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities would simply require the rest of the world to meet the standards that Americans already enjoy under the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.
The treaty was negotiated and first signed under President George W. Bush and signed again by Obama in 2009. At least 153 other countries have signed it.
Republican Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), John Barrasso (Wyo.), Scott Brown (Mass.), Susan Collins (Maine), Dick Lugar (Ind.), John McCain (Ariz.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) voted with Democrats in favor of the treaty.
CONTINUED: http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/un-treaties/270831-senate-rejects-un-treaty-for-disabled-rights-in-vote
Monday, December 3, 2012
This sleeping giant (illegal population) is already awakened…
How does one win an election when unemployment is over 8 percent, gasoline prices are close to four dollar a gallon, when Christianity is under attack in a Christian Nation, when there is an invasion of illegals from around the world into the USA; when blunders are made on the international scale such as aiding the Muslims extremists take over the reign of power in north Africa( Egypt) ; when our fellow Americans are denied military rescue such as in Benghazi Libya; when the administration is involved in selling arms to the Mexican mafia causing the death of our own law officers under the code name of “Fast and Furious”; when our own Law officers such as sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona is constantly under attack by the federal government; when the national debt is closely reaching the moon; when millions of our money (sic) are still sent to foreign countries whose friendship toward the USA is in doubt; when a health care law is about to take affect that would impose hardships to employers, to Christian institutions and to the elderly and could be the end of the best medical practice in the world; when for the first time since the depression of the 30s the value of our dollars is losing ground on the daily basis? How can anyone be reelected with all the problems we are facing and are bound to face?
There are two lines of thoughts. One is that the Republican Party depended too much on the status of our Nation economy and did not bother to let the voters know more about President Barrack H Obama. The other thought is that there might have been too many people that voted that they were not legally entitled to. Is this possible?
CONTINUED: http://patriotsforamerica.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2734278%3ABlogPost%3A444746&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_post
There are two lines of thoughts. One is that the Republican Party depended too much on the status of our Nation economy and did not bother to let the voters know more about President Barrack H Obama. The other thought is that there might have been too many people that voted that they were not legally entitled to. Is this possible?
CONTINUED: http://patriotsforamerica.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2734278%3ABlogPost%3A444746&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_post
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Perdue’s Million Dollar Giveaway
A Message from Americans For Prosperity!
I have recently been informed that Governor Perdue will present the Council of State a proposal to lease the Dorothea Dix property to the City of Raleigh for $500,000 a year for 99 years. The deal will be made public only hours before the Council of State votes on this Tuesday.
This piece of land is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Governor Perdue is suggesting a lease that would pay pennies on the dollar and would continue long after all the current members of the Council of State are gone.
If you haven’t already, please contact members of the Council of State.
The deal violates all sense of transparency and accountability in government. A vote for this deal is a vote for dirty, seedy backroom politics and a vote against accountability. Where are the public hearings?
While we encourage all members of the Council of State to vote against the Dorothea Dix deal, we are particularly disturbed by reports that State Treasurer Janet Cowell and Auditor Beth Wood may support the Dix deal. We have been impressed with these two public servants and their commitment to protecting taxpayers. They normally operate openly and honestly. Click here to encourage them to keep a positive record of accountability.
We, of course, do not know all the details, but that is the point. Taxpayers are about to get a raw deal and will not even know about it until it is over.
This is a horrible deal for state taxpayers. I urge you to contact the Council of State members at once to reject this boondoggle.
Click here to let the Council of State know where you stand.
Sincerely,
Dallas H. Woodhouse
State Director
Americans for Prosperity –North Carolina
I have recently been informed that Governor Perdue will present the Council of State a proposal to lease the Dorothea Dix property to the City of Raleigh for $500,000 a year for 99 years. The deal will be made public only hours before the Council of State votes on this Tuesday.
This piece of land is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Governor Perdue is suggesting a lease that would pay pennies on the dollar and would continue long after all the current members of the Council of State are gone.
If you haven’t already, please contact members of the Council of State.
The deal violates all sense of transparency and accountability in government. A vote for this deal is a vote for dirty, seedy backroom politics and a vote against accountability. Where are the public hearings?
While we encourage all members of the Council of State to vote against the Dorothea Dix deal, we are particularly disturbed by reports that State Treasurer Janet Cowell and Auditor Beth Wood may support the Dix deal. We have been impressed with these two public servants and their commitment to protecting taxpayers. They normally operate openly and honestly. Click here to encourage them to keep a positive record of accountability.
We, of course, do not know all the details, but that is the point. Taxpayers are about to get a raw deal and will not even know about it until it is over.
This is a horrible deal for state taxpayers. I urge you to contact the Council of State members at once to reject this boondoggle.
Click here to let the Council of State know where you stand.
Sincerely,
Dallas H. Woodhouse
State Director
Americans for Prosperity –North Carolina
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens to support restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP is more than 1.9 million activists strong, with activists in all 50 states. AFP has 35 state chapters and affiliates. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
The Intolerable Acts ACTION CENTER ALERT!
The Intolerable Acts ACTION CENTER ALERT!
Jeff Lewis, March 28, 2012 / Updated: Nov 29, 2012
Due Process Guarantee Amendment to NDAA
Continues “Treason to the Constitution.”
U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein has cranked up her “smoke-and-mirrors generator” twice this year, each time under the pretense of restoring our rights. In the spring, she called it “The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011.” Now it’s called SECTION 1033: “PROHIBITION ON THE INDEFINITE DETENTION OF CITIZENS AND LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS,” introduced as an amendment to S. 3254, the 2013 NDAA.
The introduction of the “Due Process Guarantee Act Amendment” by Senators Feinstein, Lee, Paul, etc… to the 2013 NDAA speaks volumes. Congress has no intention of fixing the problem they created. According to Supreme Court Chief Justice Marshall, taking authority the Constitution does not grant is “treason to the Constitution.” (See Marbury v. Madison)
The exact same clause appears in Senator Paul’s first proposed amendment that can be found in the “Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011,” and the “Due Process Guarantee Amendment” which prohibits unconstitutional acts against U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents “unless an Act of Congress expressly authorizes such detention.”
The Constitution grants Congress no such power to “expressly authorize” turning our Rights into privileges. It doesn’t grant any branch of the federal government such power. Below is the original article with the detailed explanation of why both the act and the amendments are frauds.
“Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011”
Guarantees Indefinite Detention of U.S. Citizens
On Dec. 31, 2011, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012 (NDAA) into law which included provisions unrelated to funding our military. Sections 1021 and 1022 authorize the “indefinite detention” of U.S. citizens, without a trial, without charges, without an attorney, for as long as the President wants.
“The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011” was introduced in both the House and Senate to give the illusion that Members of Congress were actually listening to the concerns of We the People.
On the surface it sounds good, but in reality, it’s no different than the Feinstein amendment to the NDAA that removed the “requirement” of military detention of U.S. citizens, but fell short of actually prohibiting it.
The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011” doesn’t guarantee anything. In fact, once you read the language, you’ll find that it essentially confirms the belief of Congress that they have the authority to, by statute, render the Constitution and Bill of Rights inapplicable.
On Feb. 29, 2012, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on S. 2003, the “Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011.” The matching House bill is H.R. 3702.
“I opposed and will continue to oppose indefinite detention. I fought against the Bush administration policies that led to the current situation, with indefinite detention being the de facto policy. I opposed President Obama's executive order in March 2011 that contemplated indefinite detention. I opposed the provisions in the NDAA, as well.
A regime of indefinite detention degrades the credibility of this great Nation around the globe, particularly when we criticize other governments for engaging in such conduct. Indefinite detention contradicts the most basic principles of law that I have pledged to uphold since my years as a prosecutor and in our senatorial oath to defend the Constitution. That is why I am fundamentally opposed to indefinite detention without charge or trial.”
- Senator Leahy, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee, Hearing on “Due Process Guarantee Act,” Feb. 29, 2012
The “Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011,” like the Landry bill H.R. 3676, purports to fix the problems with the NDAA, but in reality neither does anything to repeal the unconstitutional provisions (1021 & 1022).
Under the proposed 18 USC Section 4001 Clause (2)(b)(1) it says you can’t detain a citizen or lawful permanent resident without charge or trial who was apprehended in the United States “unless an Act of Congress expressly authorizes such detention.”
There’s a problem with that, since the “supreme law of the land” [the U.S. Constitution] doesn’t authorize Congress to ignore our right to due process, and only provides for the suspension of the Writ of Habeas Corpus in the event of “Rebellion or Invasion,” and only then if the public safety requires it. (See U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 9, Clause 2)
18 USC 4001 will look like this if “The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011” becomes law:
18 USC § 4001 - Limitation on detention; control of prisons
(a) No citizen shall be imprisoned or otherwise detained by the United States except pursuant to an Act of Congress.
(b)
(1) An authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority shall not authorize the detention without charge or trial of a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States apprehended in the United States, unless an Act of Congress expressly authorizes such detention. (emphasis added)
(2) Paragraph (1) applies to an authorization to use military force, a declaration of war, or any similar authority enacted before, on, or after the date of the enactment of the Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011.'
(c)
(1) The control and management of Federal penal and correctional institutions, except military or naval institutions, shall be vested in the Attorney General, who shall promulgate rules for the government thereof, and appoint all necessary officers and employees in accordance with the civil-service laws, the Classification Act, as amended, and the applicable regulations.
(2) The Attorney General may establish and conduct industries, farms, and other activities and classify the inmates; and provide for their proper government, discipline, treatment, care, rehabilitation, and reformation. (End of bill, emphasis added.)
Congress would never authorize indefinite detention of U.S. Citizens, right?
According to several Members of Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court, Congress already has. Read the following passages from the Hamdi v. Rumsfeld decision, which was argued by both sides in defense of their positions during the Senate floor debate of the “indefinite detention” provisions in the 2012 NDAA. (See videos on http://TheIntolerableActs.org) Senator Lindsey Graham, during the debate over the “indefinite detention” provisions, said this:
“And when they say, I want my lawyer, you tell them shut up! You don’t get a lawyer. You’re an enemy combatant.”
Senator Graham believes we are guilty until proven innocent. No wait, you don’t get a lawyer. You don’t get the opportunity to prove you are innocent, and they don’t have to prove you’re guilty. The U.S. Supreme Court would never approve of indefinite detention of Americans without trial, right? They already have.
HAMDI vs. RUMSFELD (U.S. Supreme Court Justice O’Conner, writing for the majority)
“…The threshold question before us is whether the Executive has the authority to detain citizens who qualify as “enemy combatants.” There is some debate as to the proper scope of this term, and the Government has never provided any court with the full criteria that it uses in classifying individuals as such. It has made clear, however, that, for purposes of this case, the “enemy combatant” that it is seeking to detain is an individual who, it alleges, was “ ‘part of or supporting forces hostile to the United States or coalition partners’ ” in Afghanistan and who “ ‘engaged in an armed conflict against the United States’ ” there. Brief for Respondents 3. We therefore answer only the narrow question before us: whether the detention of citizens falling within that definition is authorized.”
“The Government again presses two alternative positions. First, it argues that §4001(a), in light of its legislative history and its location in Title 18, applies only to “the control of civilian prisons and related detentions,” not to military detentions. Brief for Respondents 21. Second, it maintains that §4001(a) is satisfied, because Hamdi is being detained “pursuant to an Act of Congress”–the AUMF. Id., at 21—22. Again, because we conclude that the Government’s second assertion is correct, we do not address the first. In other words, for the reasons that follow, we conclude that the AUMF is explicit congressional authorization for the detention of individuals in the narrow category we describe (assuming, without deciding, that such authorization is required), and that the AUMF satisfied §4001(a)’s requirement that a detention be “pursuant to an Act of Congress” (assuming, without deciding, that §4001(a) applies to military detentions).”
(quip) “The Government maintains that no explicit congressional authorization is required, because the Executive possesses plenary authority to detain pursuant to Article II of the Constitution. We do not reach the question whether Article II provides such authority, however, because we agree with the Government’s alternative position, that Congress has in fact authorized Hamdi’s detention, through the AUMF.”
Dictionary definition of expressly: “in an express manner; explicitly”
To put this in context, if the “Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011” provisions are added to 18 USC 4001, and based on recent Supreme Court rulings, what will that mean?
1) Congress is asserting by stating “unless an Act of Congress expressly authorizes such detention” is that it has the power to give the Executive branch the authority to “detain without charge or trial” any person, including U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents, (i.e., suspend Habeas Corpus without actually suspending it); and,
2) According to the U.S. Supreme Court, the government can detain U.S. Citizens and permanent residents without charge or trial because Congress has already authorized it in the 2001 AUMF.”
The “Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011,” as written, does absolutely nothing to restore the Constitutionally-guaranteed unalienable Rights of United States Citizens. The slippery slope of destroying the Bill of Rights by statute is all but complete.
When the U.S. is “waging war” on foreign battlefields, in the eyes of the international community, we are judged based on our adherence to the various international treaties and agreements we have entered into, such as The Hague and Geneva conventions.
The U.S. government, under both the Bush and Obama Administrations, has sought ways to “legalize” the indefinite detention, cruel and unusual rendition methods such as water-boarding and prolonged interrogation of suspects, regardless of nationality and citizenship, to include U.S. Citizens and lawful resident aliens.
It became obvious that they could not accomplish this and still adhere to the Constitution and Bill of Rights, because the ‘supreme law of the land’ expressly prohibits denying due process, trial by jury in an Article III court, etc…
They also could not apply the internationally-recognized “laws of war” as embodied in the Geneva Conventions, because they too prohibited the indefinite detention of “non-militarized” combatants by the military.
Words mean something. The Geneva Conventions only recognize two types of people as it relates to the proverbial “law of war.” They are “enemy combatant” and “civilian.” Each nation has its own “law of war” handbook to guide their respective military regimes on how they should “wage war.”
The U.S. government’s “2010 Law of War Deskbook” acknowledges that nowhere in the Geneva Conventions or Additional Protocols (AP’s) is there a classification of “unlawful enemy combatant.” That term is a legal fiction created by Congress in the 2006 and 2009 “Military Commissions Act.”
Congress has “modified” the U.S. “law of war” handbook to justify the detention, torture, and killing of a “third” category of individuals they call “unlawful enemy combatants,” and passed laws such as the “Military Commissions Act” to create a statutory authority for our Commander-in-Chief and U.S. military to act outside the constraints of either the Constitution or international “law of war” protocols.
AP I states: “Consequently, under AP I, a civilian can only be lawfully, lethally targeted “for such time” that civilian has a direct causal relationship to harm being caused to military personnel or equipment at that point in time.” (Law of War Deskbook, page 96)
Anwar al-Awlaki, (a “civilian” who was “out of combat” by international treaty and “law of war” standards, and a U.S. citizen who was not on a “battlefield”), could not “lawfully” be “lethally targeted.”
As a “civilian” under both the U.S. Constitution and internationally-recognized “laws of war,” Anwar al-Awlaki should have been arrested, and tried by the civil courts as a criminal. As a U.S. Citizen who was allegedly “levying War” or “adhering to their [the United States’] enemies,” under the U.S. Constitution, Article III, Section 3, Awlaki should have been tried for treason. Instead, President Obama had him assassinated in Yemen with a drone attack that also killed Awlaki’s teenage son. Many in Congress have expressed outrage that the President would assassinate a U.S. Citizen, yet they are the ones who passed the laws that gave such power to the Executive Branch.
America is in trouble, and if we don’t get a grip soon, the Blessings of Liberty will become the Tribulations of Slavery. There is only one piece of legislation that begins the process of restoring the liberties stolen by the NDAA, and it is not “The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011.”
H.R. 3785, introduced by Rep. Ron Paul would repeal section 1021 of the 2012 NDAA. It’s simple. It’s honest. It’s constitutional. Demand your Members of Congress stop playing politics with your freedoms, and start defending your God-given unalienable Rights.
For God & Country,
Jeff Lewis
National Director, Patriot Coalition
National Director, FIRE Coalition
http://blog.patriotcoalition.com
http://livestream.com/WRCG
Email: Jeff@PatriotCoalition.com
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