In the wake of the passage of Obamacare, several large corporations announced that the new law would have adverse effects on their health care costs and their bottom lines. Notably, AT&T announced that it was taking a One Billion Dollar write down against its revenues due to the effect of the repeal of the 28% Medicare Tax Credit which was contained in the law.
Well, the Commissars, oops, I mean the Democrats, are not amused. Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak have written to several of these companies and have asked them to testify before their Committee about how it's possible that the great blessing of health care reform they bestowed on us all could possibly have any negative effects. I guess the Dems think these CEO's got some 'splainin to do.
Andy McCarthy points out the pernicious nature of this effort in this NRO post. He calls our alleged leaders a "thugocracy". I'm afraid he's not far wrong.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Random Thoughts
Health Care Vote; Where Do We Go From Here?
The election of 2010 may well determine what kind of country we live in and we leave to our kids. If incumbent liberals are ousted, America as a democratic republic and as the exceptional nation and last refuge of liberty may survive. If not, we will have moved irretrievably down the road to a European-style social democracy.
Violent, Racist Tea-partiers?
The "race card" has been so over-played that it is really beginning to lose its effect. No reasonable people believe the charges of the racial overtones of the anti-health care protests. The libs claims in this regard show how badly they want to change the subject from their arrogant power play in passing the bill. Its not working.
Show Trial?
The James Smith/Robutrad case seems weak from my perspective. It's clear that Smith was concerned about the impact of a criminal investigation on the GOP. I don't see how that translates to criminal behavior on his part. He did not stop the investigation. Furthermore, there is more than one way to deal with employees who violate work rules. Unless there is evidence that Smith had actual knowledge of criminal acts by Bob Morone and his crew (something more than over-long lunches at the Klassy Kat), and having such information, supressing it, I don't think he's guilty of a crime. Bad judgment, yes, a crime, no.
UPDATE: Take a look at this post by Philbrick at Mustard Street. He notes what a weak case exists against Smith, particularly on the main points of knowledge of criminal activity and efforts to cover up. Judge Gerace may well have come to the same conclusion that many observers have; namely that there really is no evidence of a crime here. I think there's a fair chance that he may dismiss the case.
Bad Judgment?
Speaking about bad judgment. Ben Roethlisberger is, at the very least, guilty of that. His being accused of sexual misconduct twice in eight months makes you wonder. He's 28 years old. Why is he drinking at college bars and (to euphemize) "chatting-up" co-eds? I hope he didn't do it, but either way, I've lost a lot of respect for him. He felt the need to hire the attorney who got Ray Lewis out of his murder accessory rap. Wow! Talk about keeping good company.
The election of 2010 may well determine what kind of country we live in and we leave to our kids. If incumbent liberals are ousted, America as a democratic republic and as the exceptional nation and last refuge of liberty may survive. If not, we will have moved irretrievably down the road to a European-style social democracy.
Violent, Racist Tea-partiers?
The "race card" has been so over-played that it is really beginning to lose its effect. No reasonable people believe the charges of the racial overtones of the anti-health care protests. The libs claims in this regard show how badly they want to change the subject from their arrogant power play in passing the bill. Its not working.
Show Trial?
The James Smith/Robutrad case seems weak from my perspective. It's clear that Smith was concerned about the impact of a criminal investigation on the GOP. I don't see how that translates to criminal behavior on his part. He did not stop the investigation. Furthermore, there is more than one way to deal with employees who violate work rules. Unless there is evidence that Smith had actual knowledge of criminal acts by Bob Morone and his crew (something more than over-long lunches at the Klassy Kat), and having such information, supressing it, I don't think he's guilty of a crime. Bad judgment, yes, a crime, no.
UPDATE: Take a look at this post by Philbrick at Mustard Street. He notes what a weak case exists against Smith, particularly on the main points of knowledge of criminal activity and efforts to cover up. Judge Gerace may well have come to the same conclusion that many observers have; namely that there really is no evidence of a crime here. I think there's a fair chance that he may dismiss the case.
Bad Judgment?
Speaking about bad judgment. Ben Roethlisberger is, at the very least, guilty of that. His being accused of sexual misconduct twice in eight months makes you wonder. He's 28 years old. Why is he drinking at college bars and (to euphemize) "chatting-up" co-eds? I hope he didn't do it, but either way, I've lost a lot of respect for him. He felt the need to hire the attorney who got Ray Lewis out of his murder accessory rap. Wow! Talk about keeping good company.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Reform Over Our Dead Bodies
Despite overwhelming polling showing that Americans do not want health care "reform" as delivered in the current bill being debated in Washington, it appears that President Obama and Democrat Congressional leaders are determined to cram it down our throats.
Frankly, Obama and company have taken their statist, paternalistic views on government to their logical extreme. They "know" better than we do what is "good" for us, and, by God, they are going to give it to us whether we want it or not. I only hope that Republicans, Conservatives, and Independents pay attention to what is going on and call these arrogant "aristocrats" to task in November.
This is a very real problem that transcends the health care reform bill. Its an issue regarding the consent of the governed. There was a recent poll which indicated that less than 30% of Americans believe that our current government has the consent of the people. Meanwhile, the same poll found that approximately two-thirds of the members of Congress believe that it does have the people's consent. There is an obvious disconnect between our views and the views of those in power (plus, what does this say about the one-third in Congress who believe that the government they are part of does not have the consent of the governed; as one pundit put it "they apparently are not bothered by being tyrants"). Here's a video which discusses the poll and the book by Scott Rasmussen about the consent of the governed.
Seriously, we the people have the ultimate power; the power of the ballot box. The question is whether or not we will exercise it. If we don't do it soon, it may never happen. The changes being sought by Pres. Obama and the Democrats in Congress are intended to dramatically (and possibly, irrevocably) increase the power of government over our lives. The Tea Party movement appears to be a reaction to this arrogant power grab by the statists in Washington (as well as those in Albany, Sacramento and some other state capitols).
Are enough people involved? Can the movement be maintained? Let's pray that the answer is yes.
UPDATE: Sen. Brown gets it. See and hear his address on health care "reform". Here's an excerpt:
“Maybe you remember what President Obama promised in his State of the Union address. He said he was going to finally focus on jobs and the economy for the remainder of this year. I applauded him for that. Well, here it is, it’s almost spring. And what is he out there talking about again? That same 2,700-page, multi-trillion dollar health care legislation.
So, an entire year has gone to waste. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, and many more jobs are in danger. Even now, the President still hasn't gotten the message.
Somehow, the greater the public opposition to the health care bill, the more determined they seem to force it on us anyway. Their attitude shows Washington at its very worst – the presumption that they know best, and they’re going to get their way whether the American people like it or not.
And, when politicians start thinking like that, they don’t let anything get in their way – not public opinion, not the rules of fair play, not even their own promises. "
Look at the whole address, its pretty much on point.
Frankly, Obama and company have taken their statist, paternalistic views on government to their logical extreme. They "know" better than we do what is "good" for us, and, by God, they are going to give it to us whether we want it or not. I only hope that Republicans, Conservatives, and Independents pay attention to what is going on and call these arrogant "aristocrats" to task in November.
This is a very real problem that transcends the health care reform bill. Its an issue regarding the consent of the governed. There was a recent poll which indicated that less than 30% of Americans believe that our current government has the consent of the people. Meanwhile, the same poll found that approximately two-thirds of the members of Congress believe that it does have the people's consent. There is an obvious disconnect between our views and the views of those in power (plus, what does this say about the one-third in Congress who believe that the government they are part of does not have the consent of the governed; as one pundit put it "they apparently are not bothered by being tyrants"). Here's a video which discusses the poll and the book by Scott Rasmussen about the consent of the governed.
Seriously, we the people have the ultimate power; the power of the ballot box. The question is whether or not we will exercise it. If we don't do it soon, it may never happen. The changes being sought by Pres. Obama and the Democrats in Congress are intended to dramatically (and possibly, irrevocably) increase the power of government over our lives. The Tea Party movement appears to be a reaction to this arrogant power grab by the statists in Washington (as well as those in Albany, Sacramento and some other state capitols).
Are enough people involved? Can the movement be maintained? Let's pray that the answer is yes.
UPDATE: Sen. Brown gets it. See and hear his address on health care "reform". Here's an excerpt:
“Maybe you remember what President Obama promised in his State of the Union address. He said he was going to finally focus on jobs and the economy for the remainder of this year. I applauded him for that. Well, here it is, it’s almost spring. And what is he out there talking about again? That same 2,700-page, multi-trillion dollar health care legislation.
So, an entire year has gone to waste. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, and many more jobs are in danger. Even now, the President still hasn't gotten the message.
Somehow, the greater the public opposition to the health care bill, the more determined they seem to force it on us anyway. Their attitude shows Washington at its very worst – the presumption that they know best, and they’re going to get their way whether the American people like it or not.
And, when politicians start thinking like that, they don’t let anything get in their way – not public opinion, not the rules of fair play, not even their own promises. "
Look at the whole address, its pretty much on point.
Tickle Fights? 'Nuff Said!
Eric Massa denied charges he "groped" male staffers by telling Larry King that all he ever did was engage in "tickle fights" with his staff.
I'm happy to let that be the last word on the quickly becoming little-lamented end of former Congressman Eric Massa's tenure.
I'm happy to let that be the last word on the quickly becoming little-lamented end of former Congressman Eric Massa's tenure.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Massa Resignation Fallout
Well, Eric Massa has gone from not running for re-election to resigning in the space of 3 days.So much for the "health scare" theory. It's pretty clear that Democrat leaders did not want Massa staying in office for the rest of the year, threatening to turn his sexual harrassment problem into a "Foleygate".
More interesting to me is the flurry of interest from so many politicians, in both parties, to become the person who replaces Massa. Local contenders include David Koon, Susan John and Sandy Frankel on the Democrat side and Maggie Brooks, Randy Kuhl, and Brian Kolb from the GOP. There is also lots of interest by Democrat and Republican office holders in the Southern Tier, as well.
I initially wondered why Maggie Brooks would be interested in this spot when the likely result (after the Census is reviewed) will be the elimination of the 29th Congressional District. From that perspective, it might seem that Randy Kuhl is a more obvious choice, since he is already at the end of his career. Maggie Brooks, on the other hand, seems to have more of a potential future (although GOP prospects in New York do not seem good in the longer term).
Maggie would be a great candidate and a great Congressperson. She can raise money with the best of them and altthough she's relatively unknown in the Southern Tier, she has both a warm and dynamic personality which would quickly win over support. She would be an articulate and effective spokesperson for our district.
There is some risk in such a run, however. If Maggie were to run unsuccessfully, it could damage her prospects in seeking re-election as County Executive. Another potential consequense of a run by Maggie, could be a succession controversy with regard to the County Executive slot. Several names have bubbled up as possible replacements, including Cheryl DiNolfo and Joe Robach, among others.
The fact that we will now have a special election makes the situation all the more interesting. The 29th should be a GOP seat. Massa won it due in large part, to "Bush fatigue". Randy Kuhl had been a very staunch supporter of the President's Iraq policy. The seat should go back to GOP hands due to both the enrollment advantage and the clearly growing "Obama remorse" factor.
All in all, it makes for an exciting time in local politics!
More interesting to me is the flurry of interest from so many politicians, in both parties, to become the person who replaces Massa. Local contenders include David Koon, Susan John and Sandy Frankel on the Democrat side and Maggie Brooks, Randy Kuhl, and Brian Kolb from the GOP. There is also lots of interest by Democrat and Republican office holders in the Southern Tier, as well.
I initially wondered why Maggie Brooks would be interested in this spot when the likely result (after the Census is reviewed) will be the elimination of the 29th Congressional District. From that perspective, it might seem that Randy Kuhl is a more obvious choice, since he is already at the end of his career. Maggie Brooks, on the other hand, seems to have more of a potential future (although GOP prospects in New York do not seem good in the longer term).
Maggie would be a great candidate and a great Congressperson. She can raise money with the best of them and altthough she's relatively unknown in the Southern Tier, she has both a warm and dynamic personality which would quickly win over support. She would be an articulate and effective spokesperson for our district.
There is some risk in such a run, however. If Maggie were to run unsuccessfully, it could damage her prospects in seeking re-election as County Executive. Another potential consequense of a run by Maggie, could be a succession controversy with regard to the County Executive slot. Several names have bubbled up as possible replacements, including Cheryl DiNolfo and Joe Robach, among others.
The fact that we will now have a special election makes the situation all the more interesting. The 29th should be a GOP seat. Massa won it due in large part, to "Bush fatigue". Randy Kuhl had been a very staunch supporter of the President's Iraq policy. The seat should go back to GOP hands due to both the enrollment advantage and the clearly growing "Obama remorse" factor.
All in all, it makes for an exciting time in local politics!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Comment Problems Continue
As I wrote back in December, I was having problems with "spam comments". I went to word verification in an effort to stop it. Last week I encountered a new problem. A comment posted on the blog turned out to be a gateway to Asian pornography sites.
Since I really do not want to expose anyone to anything offensive (other than my opinions), I have gone to comment moderation. I will review the comments before they appear so as to block offensive material.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please note that I will not block critics. Frankly, I enjoy the contrary points of view most of all.
Since I really do not want to expose anyone to anything offensive (other than my opinions), I have gone to comment moderation. I will review the comments before they appear so as to block offensive material.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please note that I will not block critics. Frankly, I enjoy the contrary points of view most of all.
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