NebraskaPatriot

Farmers Win Only Because of Election Politics

it just keeps coming at us . . .

President Obama and his minions throughout the Federal Government for the past 2 ½ years have basically viewed our lives as their personal chess pieces by implementing regulation after regulation after regulation. If it moves, Obama-ites theorize, either implement new regulates or pile on to those already in place.  

Among the recently proposed was to make farmers who operated tractors, combines and semi tractors on rural roads, get a commercial driver’s license like professional truck drivers.

You can only imagine what the great majority of farmers thought about this one. They can be a rather independent and conservative lot.

But something happened on the way to the barn. The Feds have announced that they have changed their collectivist minds and so, "never mind"!

Did pressure from farm state Senators become too great or did folks in the Obama 2012 campaign cabal in Chicago realize they had just given Republicans a fat, hanging curve ball that could easily be swatted out of the park? I don't think they give a hoot about farmers, rather, I imagine they could envision a campaign ad by Republicans that even soccer moms could relate to and drive their suspicion and dislike even further lower of Obama.

When your poll numbers are already in the tank, the last thing you need to do is give opponents more political fodder and further re-enforce a doubting electorate.

Regardless of why, thankfully this one has gone by the way side. One down and hundreds of thousands to go . . .

Important to Know Out Here In Everyday U.S.A.

insight that is helpful . . .

I'm not one that really gets into all the "inside the Beltway" political games. I just find it a waste of energy in general. And, each of us have enough going on raising families and making our budgets work each day and week. But on occasion, there are some tidbits that we all should know and in this case, I thought this was one of those times.

As you know President Obama is Liberal. No surprise here. Consequently, I don't agree with him on most issues. Again, no surprise here.

What usually gets all that attention in the news are the big things: budget, Libya, Iraq, spending like drunken sailors (sorry editorial comment), etc.

In those cases, both sides become very vocal and political fights ensue.

However, where a President can really have a lasting impact on our country is in his political appointments to the various levels of our court system and as heads of the various agencies in Washington.

Here in lies the real power in our country. Folks whose names we don't know and that we rarely see can have dramatic impact on the country. In many instances, these positions do become political battles in Congress but usually out of the public eye and they rarely make big news. And when both sides can't agree, Presidents throughout history have used what is known as "recess appointments".

Hang with me here because this is something  you really need to be aware.

Recess appointments are allowable in the Constitution but the appointment last for only one year.

President Obama is trying to use "recess appointments" in numerous cases because Republicans along with some vulnerable Democrats in 2012 are blocking his Liberal nominees. Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid did the same thing to President Bush in the past so it's something both sides do.

Now to the real important part of all of this. The on-line blog Red State has an excellent piece on two very, very Liberal nominees. One is an example of what happens when you allow the recess appointment to occur and his intrusively-negative effect and the other is one that Republicans are blocking from even being allowed to go to a "recess appointment".

It's a short article but really a must read and you can access it by clicking here.

 

 

It's Beginning to Look Like A Campaign . . .

Hmmmm, looky here

So what's the message with the new web site look?

Is Governor Palin starting to make a move or is it just purely coincidence?

This will be fun to sit back and watch the Liberals take the bate. Whether you agree with her or not, you have to give it to her, she knows how to tweak the Libs. You would thinks these so-called elite intellectuals would learn to ignore her but maybe they aren't as smart as they keep telling us . . .

 

Trillions In Debt and Dems Remain, Well, Silent

a lack of guts, a lack of duty; your choice . . .

Democrats in the Senate continue to struggle to find anything worth cutting in the current fiscal year. I guess no one should be surprised.

Consider this: This same group, the Democrats controlled the House, the Senate and the White House in 2010. Their primary responsibility to the country was to pass a budget for the 2011 fiscal year, by the way the 2011 fiscal year started back on October 1, 2010 and ends September 30, 2011. 

These same Democrats have YET to produce a budget plan. President Obama remains silent on the budget yet oddly found time to tell us who will win the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament. Interesting priorities one could say.

What that means is that Democrats have in 16 months failed and failed miserably the country fiscally. So now here we are almost half way through the 2011 budget year and the House has passed 2 budgets bills and what has the Senate done?

NOTHING

NOTHING

Earth to Senator Ben Nelson, are you out there????

You are in the Majority Party in the Senate.

Where's the outrage?

Where's the criticism of your friend Harry Reid?

Que the song "The Sounds of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel as its become an all to familiar theme of Mr. Nelson and his fellow Democrats on the budget.

And so House Republicans wait for the Senate to do something. But they are not sitting idly by. They are also working on a 2012 budget and expect to release it on Tuesday. And the framework outlined by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin on FOX News Sunday, would cut nearly $4 Trillion from the budget over the next 10 years. Ryan on FOX News Sunday this morning:

                  

Trust me, when this get released on Tuesday, watch the long knives come out from the Democrats.

But one has to ask those same Democrats, "So what is your plan?"

We are waiting; we are straining to hear any whimper of resolve.

So while we wait, for your listening pleasure, join me in the Democrat theme song:

                  

You Think?

entrenched bureaucrats several layers thick . . .

This is government so it's never going to be run like a business but click here for a must read on a new government report. This is absolutely ridiculous but not surprising. If nothing else go to the bottom of the article and click on the video. It's worth your time.

And there are people who actually think that the Federal Government is the answer to life's issues.

The Complete And Utter Meltdown of the Family Unit

this almost takes your breath away to watch . . .

I realize that teen pregnancy is a very uncomfortable subject. I tread ever so lightly here as a father of two. As a parent, you hope that you provide an environment that allows your kids to establish a solid self esteem and a good moral foundation but I also realize that even the best of intentions has its forks-in-the-road.

The value of life has found a new emptiness, a new sink hole of despair if you will at a high school in Memphis. It's a report that packs a real gut punch and just makes one wonder how this is happening at this level in 2011. Click here for the report.

You wonder how such a sizable segment of the teenage boys and girls could value their sexual being so cheaply. To give it away as if it's some video game without consequences. The result is that the cycle of despair just grew by another generation in this area of Memphis. It's obvious that government programs aren't the answer especially when there is such an apparent low value put on one's body and soul.

It's sad that these kids ignore the example that President Obama and his wife present. It's obvious  that the Obama's are good parents who have provided their two girls a wonderfully nurturing family environment. It's apparently completely lost upon the kids in this area of Memphis. Their eyes wide shut. Oblivious is not an excuse and it's sad that these kids having kids can't see that there is a better future out there for them.

Sadly, I do not know where we go from here to break this cycle that is all to prevalent in  too many areas of our country.

 

December(s) Become Ben Nelson's Waterloo -- UPDATE!!!!

UPDATE: We've been saved from the Ben Nelson of Christmas's Past as this outrageous budget bill has been withdrawn! 

December is becoming quite the month for our Democrat U.S. Senator Ben Nelson.

December '09, Senator Nelson sells his vote in the now world famous "Cornhusker Kickback" deal and his vote allows the passage of ObamaCare. The result, the majority of Nebraskans are outraged.

December '10, Senator Nelson agrees to vote FOR the $1.1 TRILLION Omnibus spending bill that is loaded with thousands upon thousands of earmarks worth over $8-billion. It INCREASES spending 20% over last year!!! Hello?

Earth to Senator Nelson: a 20 percent INCREASE in spending over last year?? Seriously!

Ok, folks, it's official, Senator Nelson is not running in 2012. There is no way he can  when he piles this vote on top of the ObamaCare debacle unless, his ego is so inflated that he somehow thinks THIS will get him re-elected.

This vote is just not made by a rationally thinking person, now, maybe by someone looking to boost his legacy through earmark but not by someone already in deep du-du with voters in Nebraska and a reelection coming up fast.

    For his earmark legacy see yesterday's post "Senator Nelson and His Earmarks"

So Dems in Nebraska, you better start looking for a candidate to put on the ballot in 2012 because it isn't going to be Nelson.

    

Federal Government Goes 0 For 2

maybe a light at the end of the tunnel . . .

ObamaCare passed last spring and the “Stimulus” program passed back in February ’09 have become faces of excessive Government intrusion and nanny-state governance. For many of us, they are prime, number one examples of why we desire a greater majority of government decisions being pushed back  down to the state and local levels.

On Monday (12-13-10), a federal district court judge in Virginia ruled that Congress “exceeded its authority” by imposing an individual mandate to purchase insurance. The website Hot Air points out the really important parts of the ruling in Virginia vs Sebelius:

“[Judge] Hudson rejected the government’s argument that it has the power under the Constitution to require individuals to buy health insurance, a provision that was set to take effect in 2014.”

Judge Hudson then wrote these two very interesting sentences:

“Of course, the same reasoning could apply to transportation, housing or nutritional decisions. This broad definition of the economic activity subject to congressional regulation lacks logical limitation”

As the folks at Hot Air were quick to point out, Judge Hudson’s two sentences described the progressive-liberal agenda and why the Constitution forbids it.

There is added significance in the ruling coming from this court as it is known as the “rocket docket” from which important cases are speedily launched to the U.S. Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. The very backbone upon which ObamaCare is built is now rejected. This will be one to watch in the coming days and weeks ahead.

Now a moment of less dramatic impact but still insightful into the workings of our Federal Government.

For most of us, $141,000 is a good amount of pocket change (!), in fact, enough for a company to hire and pay a couple people to work.

Remember the Stimulus program passed back in February ’09? Remember how we had to quickly pass it because we had all these “shovel ready” projects just waiting to get started that would put Americans back to work? Remember how Vice President Biden was going to be the watchdog for abuse and make sure our almost 900-billion in tax dollars were spent appropriately? Remember President Obama telling us that “no one messed with Joe” [Biden]? Well, since that time, we found out just what Washington-speak for Stimulus is and it’s not pretty. One ideological wish list after another had money thrown at it. And now, we have yet another example of Stimulus money not going to produce jobs but someone’s pork project, this time at the National Science Foundation.

Here are the brief disappointing details. The National Science Foundation gave $141,000 in Stimulus funds to Montana State University to fund a six-week student trip to China to study dinosaur eggs and other fossils. Now, the trip on its own is a great experience for those students so I’m not questioning that, what I am questioning is the use of Stimulus money. How many jobs did that $141,000 Stimulate or create? I think we all know the answer and over the past two years, it’s become an all too familiar answer to Stimulus outlay after Stimulus outlay.

This is yet another example of why we need to get as much control back down to the state and local level. Trust me, if the State of Nebraska had taken state tax dollars that were meant for job creation and given it to one of the college or universities for a trip to China to study dinosaur eggs, I can guarantee you that phone lines and e-mails would be flooding into the State Capitol. It would be a very unpleasant time for state senators and the Governor and trust me, they would feel the heat. I’m very confident in saying that answers and a resolution would be forthcoming. Yet, no one in Washington seems the least bit concerned. Oh well, it’s just $141,000 no biggy. Well, here’s a dose of reality nuanced just for the elites in Washington.

This is yet another example of the complete ineptitude of the Stimulus program. Remember the Stimulus program was passed after our Democrat U.S. Senator Ben Nelson stepped in and marshaled it past a filibuster and to a successful vote in the Senate. Yet another proud moment for Cornhusker Kickback Ben which I’m sure he will make into a real snappy campaign ad in 2012 (sarcasm)!  

Now there will be those that will debate that we giving tax cuts (soon I hope) and cost the treasury $800-billion over two years. I would remind everyone there is a big difference. First, Obama/Pelosi/Reid and Mr. Nelson sold the Stimulus as a job creator. Again, the phrase “shovel ready projects” was the mantra.   Second, the Stimulus has cost almost one-TRILLION dollars and produced how many jobs? And don’t give me the “it saved jobs” unless you have hard numbers which no one can produce because if we are going to go down that road then the Bush tax cuts after 9-11 saved thousands upon thousands of jobs. Are Bush’s detractors willing to say that? I think hell will freeze over first and cue the song “The Sound of Silence”.

Third and most important, the Stimulus took money from you and me in the form of taxes and redistributed it throughout the country on ideological wish lists that Democrats have for decades wanted but were unable to get passed through Congress. Conversely, the tax cuts that should be approved this week, will maintain the tax rate levels that we’ve had and will NOT take additional money from tax payers rather leaving it to families across the country to spend as they see fit. I know, novel concept allowing folks to decide how they want to spend their own money but hey, call me silly, it Stimulates me.

 

Some Folks Just Don't Get It, It's Our Money

when you squeeze the pig, it squeals and boy is some squealing going on in Washington . . .

It appears that we are on the road to renewing the CURRENT tax rate structure for another two years at  the Federal level. Kudos to President Obama on this one. It could not have happened without him. I find it interesting that some claim it's extending tax CUTS, it's not, it's extending the tax levels that have been in place. Failure to do so is a tax INCREASE.

Ok, so that's said, I also find it fascinating that some inside the Beltway have suddenly found religion on the deficit. Apparently, maintaining the CURRENT tax levels will explode the deficit but spending $800-billion on pork projects disguised as a Stimulus plan back in February '09 was inconsequential.

Below you will find an interview that Andrea Mitchell of MSNBC did with Senator Judd Gregg on the tax agreement. For those unfamiliar with Mr. Gregg, he is a Republican from New Hampshire who is retiring after this session. No one will ever accuse Senator Gregg of being a right wing flame thrower. I have great respect for Senator Gregg as he brings a commonsense, calm approach to budgeting in Washington. Too bad he has decided to retire, but before he does, he gives Ms. Mitchell a gentle schooling on paying for the extension of the CURRENT tax rates:

                      

Finally, I do find it all a bit much with this Warren Buffet and Bill Gates self-flagellation that they aren't paying enough taxes. Both are tremendous businessmen who have philanthropic organizations that provide wonderful benefits to so many around the country, but please already. If you hold that much guilt about being a successful businessman then do as the Senator suggested and have your assistant write out a check to the Federal Treasury and be done with it.  

Three Weeks and Counting for Economy

The November 2^nd elections are quickly approaching. I’ve written previously that I really believe that the November election could have a beneficial impact on the economy if Republicans are successful to the levels that they could be and here’s why: Gridlock and the Tea Party.

• Republicans of the past have been part OF the problem becoming squishy and spending tax dollars like drunken sailors. What’s different this time? The Tea Party. It has squishy Republicans running scared as primaries showed this year that squishy is out, Bennett in Utah; Murkowski in Alaska; Castle in Delaware are prime examples. And it appears the message is getting across, just look at Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine who is up for re-election in 2012. She and her fellow Maine Republican Susan Collins are about as squishy as you can get. But the rumblings coming out of Maine have the Tea Party there looking for a primary challenger to Snowe. The Tea Party effect has even Snowe taking a second look at issues she was squishy on in the past, as evidence last week by her strongly worded endorsement of all of the Bush tax cuts.
• The Tea Party is also in the head of Democrats, especially those in the Central part of the country. Here are Democrat Senators in that area that are up of re-election in 2012:
  • Ben Nelson (D)                     Nebraska
  • Claire McCaskill (D)              Missouri
  • John Testor (D)                     Montana
  • Amy Klobuchar (D)              Minnesota
  • Sherrod Brown (D)               Ohio
  • Kent Conrad (D)                   North Dakota
  • Debbie Stabenow (D)           Michigan
  • Jeff Bingaman (D)                 New Mexico
  • Herb Kohl (D)                      Wisconsin

 Each can not help but have an eye on what’s taking place right now.

• A majority of the Republican candidates that will be new to Washington also appear to be more interested in real Change and are sincerely interested in proving Hope for future generations whom they do not want to burden with unsustainable fiscal and tax commitments.  

One of the first orders of business of the new Congress needs to be extending the current tax levels which would mean the Bush tax cuts would stay in place retroactive to January 1, 2011. If the election goes as it appears, Republicans will have some major momentum and what Democrats are left, are political animals and their survival instincts will kick in. Consequently, Congress may have enough votes to override any threatened Presidential veto or it could also have enough votes that the White House just throws its collective hands up and gives in on this vote.

The importance of extending tax levels is both psychological and economically important.

Psychological. The extension provides the American tax payer with the first good news it’s had in some time after months of uncertainty and the complete malpractice of the prior Congress when it adjourned before setting tax policy that will take effect January 1^st. The last thing people outside Washington D.C. need right now is higher federal taxes because it’s more than likely their state and local taxes will be rising as those political subdivisions face budget deficits but unlike the Federal Government, these political subdivisions are in most cases mandated to balance the budget each year.

Economically. Uncertainty is a plague upon businesses. Projecting costs on future plans is the basis upon which decisions are made on such basic items as staffing and infrastructure and expansion. These decisions also impact local communities as employee paychecks turn over in their local economies and infrastructure construction and/or expansion results in higher local employment and business for local vendors who get subcontracts. It is money entering the local economy and it's positive re-enforcement that life is good. It’s this reverberation, this re-enforcement that has been missing from this recovery. This is real, sustainable money not one-time Stimulus dollars that in most cases have no rhyme or reason to them. Businesses investing are what gets local communities excited and lifts the hearts and minds of the citizens. And the more business and industry you have, the more competition there is for quality employees, which results in higher wages and benefits to attract the quality needed.  

Gridlock is GOOD. In addition, Republicans doing well on November 2^nd translates into a Congress that will stop all further regulation and government intrusion. Republicans retaking the House means the House will not be able to get anything past a Presidential veto and the President’s Leftist-Government-Knows-Best initiatives will not see the light of day in the House, hence, nothing happens, which would be the best result for this economy short of closing down Washington (gosh what a tempting thought). So if we can get the Federal Government to basically be tied down in gridlock, then the engine of this country’s economy can be allowed to proceed knowing that the rules of the game will not be altered. And businesses are just waiting for the battle field to quiet and the Federal snipers to go away.

The exciting aspect for American workers and families is that companies generally have strong balance sheets and as such are ready to invest that money in infrastructure and expand hiring. Larry Kudlow, host of the Kudlow Report on CNBC, said in a recent Op-Ed that corporate profits have come back strong and American business “have been stockpiling cash and making money hand over fist, and while they have yet to hire new workers or invest in new projects in earnest, the financial-health numbers are very impressive.”

The only thing holding them back is the uncertainty and toxic environment that this Congress and this President have delivered with their naïve belief that Government knows best in running our economy.

Even if all of this comes to fruition, it’s going to take until at least the summer months to start seeing the positive impact on the economy. It’s just takes time for decisions to be made and for plans to be put in place and even next summer may be optimistic. But, the evidence is there that businesses have been sitting on cash waiting for a positive environment to allow them to do their thing. And the thing they do best is fuel this economy, provide jobs and provide creative innovation.

November 2^nd is more than an election. The results will send a message. Let’s hope it’s the right message that turns businesses loose. Better days are ahead if results go Right on November 2nd.