The Stimulus package passed by the House of Representatives this week has been the main topic of discussion in the news, on the blogs and around the water cooler. Here are a couple of my reactions.
Stimulus or Pork?
The gigantic "stimulus" bill has come under a lot of fire. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that less than 20% of the funds in the bill would be spent in the first year and less than half in the first two. From my perspective, the bill looks like an attempt to pass every possible liberal program while the public is receptive to spending due to recession fears. Frankly, it appears that passage will lead to inflation and guarantee a generation of suffocating tax increases to pay the enormous bill for all that spending.
GOP Still Has Some Life:
I was very pleased by the House Republicans refusal to vote for the bill. It sent me a message that the GOP is not quite ready to go the way of the Whigs. Eric Cantor is a real leader for the GOP. He's smart, calm, reasonable and persuasive. He called Obama's bluff on the "I won" statement. Now there is even hope that some Senate Democrats may abandon the bill. Mitch McConnell has to steel his troops. If this bloated deal becomes law, the GOP should have no part in it.
The Public Still Gets the Story Despite Media Cheerleading (And Mis-Leading):
A poll indicated that support for the stimulus plan has dropped under 50%. Apparently reports that experts from various political persuasions (like Alice Rivlin, Democratic former head of the CBO) were against the bill have had some effect on the Obama-fest that was running unabated in Washington. Polls such as this may explain the cold feet which some Senate Democrats appear to be getting regarding the bill.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Paterson's Surprise
Governor David Paterson surprised many (and angered some on the left) with his choice of Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand as New York's next Senator.
Caroline Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo had been the presumed favorites, but Kennedy withdrew her name abruptly earlier this week and Cuomo never actually claimed interest in the seat.
Gillibrand represents a Congressional District which stretches north from Westchester County, up the Hudson Valley through Albany, and into the North Country. The district has a high percentage of Republican enrolled voters and Gillibrand is considered a "blue dog" Democrat. She has associations with Al D'Amato and George Pataki as well as the Albany Democratic political machine which was led by Erastus Corning. Gillibrand is also supported by the NRA.
While her choice is being met with cautious optimism by many Republicans, the liberal left is none too pleased. The dailyKos is particularly full of unhappy commentary. Many NY Democrats are unhappy as well, but most of their fire is aimed at the Governor, who they feel bungled the selection process. other critics were upset that the Governor's office allowed word to leak that one of the reasons Kennedy dropped out may have been a tax problem.
The chairman of the NY GOP, Joe Mondello, predictably blasted Gillibrand as inexperienced and unqualified to handle NY's interests in this very dangerous time. Frankly, his comments offend me. I realize that we Republicans would prefer someone else as our Senator. We don't control the Statehouse, however, so I think we should be content with an Upstate moderate Democrat. Further, the immediate knee-jerk criticism that Mondello spouted is the kind of thing that always puts people off. Lets give her a chance. We are free to criticise actions or inaction that deserves criticism. I just can't accept baseless, partisan shots before the woman is even sworn in.
Caroline Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo had been the presumed favorites, but Kennedy withdrew her name abruptly earlier this week and Cuomo never actually claimed interest in the seat.
Gillibrand represents a Congressional District which stretches north from Westchester County, up the Hudson Valley through Albany, and into the North Country. The district has a high percentage of Republican enrolled voters and Gillibrand is considered a "blue dog" Democrat. She has associations with Al D'Amato and George Pataki as well as the Albany Democratic political machine which was led by Erastus Corning. Gillibrand is also supported by the NRA.
While her choice is being met with cautious optimism by many Republicans, the liberal left is none too pleased. The dailyKos is particularly full of unhappy commentary. Many NY Democrats are unhappy as well, but most of their fire is aimed at the Governor, who they feel bungled the selection process. other critics were upset that the Governor's office allowed word to leak that one of the reasons Kennedy dropped out may have been a tax problem.
The chairman of the NY GOP, Joe Mondello, predictably blasted Gillibrand as inexperienced and unqualified to handle NY's interests in this very dangerous time. Frankly, his comments offend me. I realize that we Republicans would prefer someone else as our Senator. We don't control the Statehouse, however, so I think we should be content with an Upstate moderate Democrat. Further, the immediate knee-jerk criticism that Mondello spouted is the kind of thing that always puts people off. Lets give her a chance. We are free to criticise actions or inaction that deserves criticism. I just can't accept baseless, partisan shots before the woman is even sworn in.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Steelers Go For Number Six
The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed to Tampa to play Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII (that's 43 to you non Latin speakers).
The Steelers survived their third death-match with the Baltimore Ravens despite dropped passes, clock mis-management, and injury to Hines Ward. Pittsburgh should have won more easily. They dominated the Ravens all day but did not clinch the victory until Troy Polamalu returned an interception for a score with about four minutes to go.
Polamalu, apparently stung by pundits opining that Ravens safety Ed Reed was the better player, was a dominant force on defense. He played with the fire of someone with something to prove. He made a number of tackles, including a key 4th and one stop of a QB sneak. The TD return was the icing on the cake of an incredible performance. I guess that James Harrison must really be a superb player, if he was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year instead of Polamalu.
By the way, you may have seen the devastating hit that knocked Willis McGahee out of the game. It is my understanding that he is out of the hospital and, despite a very sore neck, he'll be OK, thank God.
Meanwhile, the Steelers will go to Tampa to face the Arizona Cardinals. If the Steelers win, it will be their sixth Super Bowl win, the most by any team.
My kids bought new Terrible Towels for the big game. Go Steelers
The Steelers survived their third death-match with the Baltimore Ravens despite dropped passes, clock mis-management, and injury to Hines Ward. Pittsburgh should have won more easily. They dominated the Ravens all day but did not clinch the victory until Troy Polamalu returned an interception for a score with about four minutes to go.
Polamalu, apparently stung by pundits opining that Ravens safety Ed Reed was the better player, was a dominant force on defense. He played with the fire of someone with something to prove. He made a number of tackles, including a key 4th and one stop of a QB sneak. The TD return was the icing on the cake of an incredible performance. I guess that James Harrison must really be a superb player, if he was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year instead of Polamalu.
By the way, you may have seen the devastating hit that knocked Willis McGahee out of the game. It is my understanding that he is out of the hospital and, despite a very sore neck, he'll be OK, thank God.
Meanwhile, the Steelers will go to Tampa to face the Arizona Cardinals. If the Steelers win, it will be their sixth Super Bowl win, the most by any team.
My kids bought new Terrible Towels for the big game. Go Steelers
Friday, January 9, 2009
Hanson Reviews 2008
Victor Davis Hanson reviews some of the highlights (and lowlights) of 2008 in this article.
I found his discussion of the double standards by which Sarah Palin and Caroline Kennedy have been judged to be particularly illuminating. Hanson's discussion here touches on something that my wife noted often regarding the mis-treatment of Sarah Palin; to wit: that liberals talk a good game about women's rights and choice, but if the woman isn't PC, her choices are often derided.
Hanson remains an insightful observer of politics and society. He is always on the mark, especially when he's pointing out liberal hypocrisy.
I found his discussion of the double standards by which Sarah Palin and Caroline Kennedy have been judged to be particularly illuminating. Hanson's discussion here touches on something that my wife noted often regarding the mis-treatment of Sarah Palin; to wit: that liberals talk a good game about women's rights and choice, but if the woman isn't PC, her choices are often derided.
Hanson remains an insightful observer of politics and society. He is always on the mark, especially when he's pointing out liberal hypocrisy.
Foreclosure Folly
You have to love the compassion liberals have for those who find themselves in difficult straits.
As an example, take a look at this video report from CNBC regarding a Berkeley professor's plan to solve the foreclosure crisis. In a nutshell (no pun intended for those of you who knew me in my law school days), his plan calls for delinquent mortgage balances to be reduced to 85% of fair market value and their terms modified to a 4.5% interest, 30 year, fixed rate loan. Oh, yeah, and by the way, this starts right after that 6 month foreclosure moratorium that he also proposed.
I'm sure that sounds great to all those people who borrowed more than they could afford to pay, with loans having terms that they can't live with, and who are not making their monthly payments. It may not sound so good to those 95% of American homeowners who have been paying on time and who have loans with interest rates which exceed 4.5%.
I can't wait for the reaction of a guy who has been paying his bills, when he realizes that his neighbor, who was in default on his mortgage, is going to get a sweetheart deal (funded in part by his tax money) while his mortgage remains at a higher interest rate.
The logical reaction would be to stop paying your mortgage and wait for your "deal". I wonder if the liberals will still be compassionate if that happens?
As an example, take a look at this video report from CNBC regarding a Berkeley professor's plan to solve the foreclosure crisis. In a nutshell (no pun intended for those of you who knew me in my law school days), his plan calls for delinquent mortgage balances to be reduced to 85% of fair market value and their terms modified to a 4.5% interest, 30 year, fixed rate loan. Oh, yeah, and by the way, this starts right after that 6 month foreclosure moratorium that he also proposed.
I'm sure that sounds great to all those people who borrowed more than they could afford to pay, with loans having terms that they can't live with, and who are not making their monthly payments. It may not sound so good to those 95% of American homeowners who have been paying on time and who have loans with interest rates which exceed 4.5%.
I can't wait for the reaction of a guy who has been paying his bills, when he realizes that his neighbor, who was in default on his mortgage, is going to get a sweetheart deal (funded in part by his tax money) while his mortgage remains at a higher interest rate.
The logical reaction would be to stop paying your mortgage and wait for your "deal". I wonder if the liberals will still be compassionate if that happens?
Random Thoughts
Here are some musings about a few things that have been in the news during the past week or so.
Is Obama A Centrist?
I have noted a widespread belief among self-proclaimed moderates and conservatives, that Barak Obama is going to govern from the center . They offer as "evidence" that he (1) "is smart", (2) "wants a legacy" (being the first black President), and (3) has picked "moderates" and "Clintonistas" for his cabinet.
I am not convinced. Mr. Obama is, after all, a liberal Democrat politician. He had the most liberal voting record of any Senator. He developed his political chops in Chicago. He campaigned on traditional liberal themes, like "sharing the wealth". I think those facts trump any evidence, so far, of any inclination to govern from the center.
I think I'll wait for 6-9 months and let Obama's actions speak for him.
Continuing Media/Obama Lovefest.
One thing is certain, Obama doesn't have to worry about the media throwing cold water on any of his positions. When George W. Bush had the temerity to suggest that the economy was weak in early 2001, he was immediately and thoroughly chastised by the NY Times, Washington Post, and other liberal media critics for his "talking down the economy". Fast forward eight years and we have Barak Obama speaking of the economy in the most dire terms, including calling the current economic situation "the worst in our lifetime", yet the media lauds his fearless willingness to tell it like it is.
Except, of course, it really isn't. The current economic crisis is bad, however, lest we forget, when Ronald Reagan took office, he inherited double digit interest rates, inflation, and unemployment. Today's unemployment number was bad news, but at 7.7%, it is still significantly lower than the rate when Reagan was inaugurated.
No, the media want this to be the greatest economic crisis of all time, so that when the inevitable recovery comes, Obama will be hailed as an unparalleled leader (whether or not his policy prescriptions are the source of the recovery). My prediction: soon after Obama takes office, the economy will begin to improve, at least from the perspective of the media's "spin" on the economic news of the day. And, as the Times and WaPo opined at the beginning of the Bush presidency, people's perceptions about the economy end up driving the economy.
Analog vs. Digital TV.
As long as we are speaking about Pres. Elect Obama and his policy pronouncements, I wonder if you noticed that he wrote to Congress and asked that they delay the end of analog TV broadcasting?
My brother Dave was all over this one. He told me more than a year ago that the changeover would be delayed. I disagreed. I guess I just didn't realize that the government under Obama will even make sure that everybody gets to watch TV.
Is Obama A Centrist?
I have noted a widespread belief among self-proclaimed moderates and conservatives, that Barak Obama is going to govern from the center . They offer as "evidence" that he (1) "is smart", (2) "wants a legacy" (being the first black President), and (3) has picked "moderates" and "Clintonistas" for his cabinet.
I am not convinced. Mr. Obama is, after all, a liberal Democrat politician. He had the most liberal voting record of any Senator. He developed his political chops in Chicago. He campaigned on traditional liberal themes, like "sharing the wealth". I think those facts trump any evidence, so far, of any inclination to govern from the center.
I think I'll wait for 6-9 months and let Obama's actions speak for him.
Continuing Media/Obama Lovefest.
One thing is certain, Obama doesn't have to worry about the media throwing cold water on any of his positions. When George W. Bush had the temerity to suggest that the economy was weak in early 2001, he was immediately and thoroughly chastised by the NY Times, Washington Post, and other liberal media critics for his "talking down the economy". Fast forward eight years and we have Barak Obama speaking of the economy in the most dire terms, including calling the current economic situation "the worst in our lifetime", yet the media lauds his fearless willingness to tell it like it is.
Except, of course, it really isn't. The current economic crisis is bad, however, lest we forget, when Ronald Reagan took office, he inherited double digit interest rates, inflation, and unemployment. Today's unemployment number was bad news, but at 7.7%, it is still significantly lower than the rate when Reagan was inaugurated.
No, the media want this to be the greatest economic crisis of all time, so that when the inevitable recovery comes, Obama will be hailed as an unparalleled leader (whether or not his policy prescriptions are the source of the recovery). My prediction: soon after Obama takes office, the economy will begin to improve, at least from the perspective of the media's "spin" on the economic news of the day. And, as the Times and WaPo opined at the beginning of the Bush presidency, people's perceptions about the economy end up driving the economy.
Analog vs. Digital TV.
As long as we are speaking about Pres. Elect Obama and his policy pronouncements, I wonder if you noticed that he wrote to Congress and asked that they delay the end of analog TV broadcasting?
My brother Dave was all over this one. He told me more than a year ago that the changeover would be delayed. I disagreed. I guess I just didn't realize that the government under Obama will even make sure that everybody gets to watch TV.
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