Democrats playing the healthcare blame game

Here's the lead paragraph from this story in The Hill:  "Senate Democratic leaders on Thursday blamed Capitol Hill media for setting an August deadline for health reform and Republicans for blocking the bill's progress."

What a bunch of B.S. spin!  Barack Obama set the August deadline for Obamacare.  And, yes, Republicans are doing their best to block this fiasco's progress . . . but the Democrats have a big majority in the Senate.  If they were united behind a plan, there would be nothing - repeat, nothing - that the Republicans could do about it.

Here's the truth . . . Democrats wanted to blast Obamacare through without anybody getting wise to the bill's contents.  But they failed, thanks and credit goes to the Republican minority, the new media and blogosphere, and, frankly, enough Americans paying attention, so far.

"Freedom of expression must be limited."

So says Venezuela's Attorney General as Hugo Chavez seeks to clamp down on dissenting media voices.  (Link to story here.)

Thank God and our founding fathers for the First Amendment.

And be ever vigilant.

"Blue Dogs" are still Democrats

Though the so-called "Blue Dog" Democrats could have stopped Obamacare cold, they've caved.  (Link to story here.)  Emphasis in their group, apparently, is on their party status more than the color of their dogs.

Environmental Nuts focus scare tactics on Missouri

Here's the lead of a story from tomorrow's St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase at current rates over the next few decades, St. Louis could face heat waves every other year like the one that killed hundreds of people in Chicago in 1995, according to a climate-change analysis released Tuesday.

Note two major weasel-words in this single (though long) sentence.  It boils down to this . . . "if" something we don't like happens, something really bad "could" happen and kill lots of people.

But, guess what, if it "could" happen, it also might not.  And, in reality, probably won't.

I have to give credit to the commenter "LEONARDWILSON" who wrote, "If we had valid climate data over the past 1,000 years, which we don't, we might actually be able to see some trends in climate change.  I guess the fact that we've experienced the coolest July on record, more or less, this year, doesn't mean anything."

I hate to tell you this Leonard, but facts don't mean much to the global warming nuts.  Our cool July - like Chicago's - is ignored because it doesn't fit the template.  To them, it isn't about science, it is a cult-like religion to them.

Eat your vegetables and drink water or pay through the nose!

Signs of the ever increasing intrusion into the lives of common folks are everywhere these days.  What has me riled today is the new linkage between the liberal's concept of healthcare "reform" and the growing nanny state . . . 

In order to pay for the "holy grail" of government-run medicine, the Senate Finance Committee is considering a tax on "soda and other sugary drinks."  (Link to story here.)  So-called "sin" taxes on alcohol and tobacco have been cash cows for our governments' (local, state, and federal) for years.  Politicians don't seem to care that the poorest citizens shoulder most of the burden of these taxes because, after all, the items taxed are "bad for you" so Big Brother is really acting in folks best interest by taking more of their money.  (?)

And here we go again.  In order to protect us all from obesity, the government is going to take more of our money . . . and use it to take over healthcare.

Think this doesn't concern you because you don't drink soda?  Guess what . . . it is not just soda that the liberals are after.  The "Urban Institute," whatever that might be, is calling for a tax on everything "fattening" as part of an "intervention" of "tough love."  (Link to story here.)

Liberals are going to go wild over this idea.  It would allow them to accomplish two of their goals . . . take more money to grow the government and socialize medicine.

But really, enough is enough.  Get off our backs already.  It is not the food's fault that it tastes good or that people eat it.  And it is not the government's responsibility to keep me - or anyone else - thin.

Priorities

Apologies to the readership for my failure to post last night.  But, when a free ticket to the Cardinals is offered to SLC, the blog must suffer.

Liberals shouldn't get too excited, though.  I'm back.

Liberalism on the run . . . conservatives must keep up the chase.

Present trends seem good for conservatives . . . the Democrats' plans to socialize medicine have been delayed until fall, giving us time to show Americans the truth about so-called healthcare "reform."  Some of that truth is coming straight from the Congressional Budget Office, which, for example pointed out this weekend that a change in the proposal touted as bringing down the monstrous cost really doesn't.  (Link to story here.)

And, thanks to President Obama's "stupid" comments at his recent press conference (along with his actual performance - or lack thereof - since taking office), Obama's poll numbers are lower than ever.  (Link to story here.)  According to Rasmussen, 40% of the country's likely voters "strongly disapprove" of Obama's job performance.  Just 29% strongly approve.

When Obama was elected with Democrat majorities in both houses of Congress, conservatives (and the country at large) had two things to hang onto until the 2010 elections . . . the possibility of a filibuster in the U.S. Senate stopping the Democrats' most egregious proposals and hope that Obama and the Democrats would overreach.  

Arlen Specter and Minnesota have all but neutralized the filibuster but, thankfully, the Democrats have not been patient.  They have already overreached and Americans have taken note.  

But, contrary to what some might believe, Obama and the Democrats aren't stupid.  And they are persistent.  (Didn't you all think that socialized medicine was dead when Hillary-care was defeated?)  Look for them, with their willing accomplices in Big Media, to pull back and spin this Healthcare bill however they have to spin it (a.k.a. tell as many lies as they need to tell) in order to provide enough political cover to get something passed.

And "something" is all they need to get their foot in the door.  "Something" will start the ball rolling and nobody will be able to stop it later.  Government entitlement programs grow, it is in their nature.  So conservatives can't compromise here.  The mantra must be . . . no government-run healthcare.  Not now.  Not ever.

Liberalism has taken some body blows over the past few days.  But conservatism hasn't delivered the knockout punch.  Until that happens, we must keep up the fight.

Obama hopes that Gates incident creates a "teachable moment." Me too!

Barack Obama stuck his foot in his mouth Wednesday, accusing Cambridge, Massachusetts, police officers of "acting stupidly" in arresting a friend of his, Henry Louis Gates, for disorderly conduct . . . before he knew all the facts.  Obama jumped to a conclusion that his friend was arrested because he was black and the officer was white, not because the guy deserved to be arrested.  And he passed judgment on the police when he had no clue what actually happened.

So now, the story seems to be coming out and, guess what, the more we find out, the more we see that Gates deserved to be arrested.  Don't take my word for it, though, take the word of the black police officer who was there.  (Link here.)  He's 100% certain that the arrest should have been made.

But enough of that.  Obama (for certain) wants to move on and has done everything but apologize (and that failure is telling).

Obama said today that he's hoping this matter becomes a "teachable moment."

I agree.  But guess what, Mr. President, you shouldn't be teaching the class . . . you should be enrolled as a student.

What does Obama need to be taught?  Lots of things, but here are a couple of biggies:

1)  Nobody, certainly not the President of the United States, should be commenting on issues like this one before gathering the facts; and

2)  Sometimes (not always but at least sometimes) black people, even elite black people, who are arrested actually deserve it.

Reid says no healthcare vote until fall . . . but be vigilant

Word from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid came today that there would be no vote on Obamacare until Congress returns from its August recess.  Thankfully, heads cooler than Barack Obama's prevailed.

Or so it seems.  Don't forget that the cap-and-trade vote came out of the House of Representatives with little to no warning.  And it isn't August yet.

Don't let your guard down and don't trust the Democrats on this one.  Or, if you're feeling particularly Reaganesque, "trust, but verify."

And, if there is no movement until September, please don't forget about this issue.  It is too, too important.

The Chart that Democrats don't want you to see

Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in Congress are so scared that the American people will figure out what's actually in their monstrous healthcare "reform" bill that they've taken the extraordinary measure of blocking a House Republican mailing to constituents.  (Link to story here.)  The Democrats are using their majority status to silence dissent and, they hope, bully this mess through.

The Dems are specifically peeved about the chart shown above, which actually shows how their proposed healthcare system, a.k.a. massive new bureaucracy, would work.

Pelosi and her minions may be able to censor and block the mail because they disagree with what it says, but (so far anyway) they can't block the truth on the internet.  It is time to take action folks.  Spread the word.  Spread the chart (Link to bigger version here).  And stop this fiasco before it is too late.

Thou shalt not speak ill of Barack Obama . . . not if you want to keep your lease

The owner of a kiosk at a North Carolina mall has learned that his lease won't be renewed because he sells "offensive" anti-liberal merchandise.  Check out the news story at this link.

Then, to support free speech, try this one.

Obama rescued the economy . . . Boehner doesn't think so.

Other Random Stuff

Believe it or not, this blogger has interests other than politics.  And, some things, like Cardinal baseball recently, have caused me to want a forum to publish my thoughts on other subjects not appropriate for this one.  So, if you're interested in other random stuff . . . take this link to my new blog . . . Other Random Stuff.

Enjoy.

Barack Obama . . . the spoiled brat

It is good to know that Barack Obama and his administration think the same way about foreign relations as domestic policy . . . they want things their way, and they want them NOW!  

After passing a massive bailout bill through Congress faster than any human being could read it, and attempting to force a massive healthcare change through before the August recess, Obama's State Department is now demanding that ousted Honduran officials and that country's ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, agree to reinstate Zelaya to set up a coalition government . . .  "now."  (Link to story here.)  Or what, we'll cry and scream and throw a tantrum?

Is it me or are the Obamites acting like spoiled children?  Has Obama ever been told "no" before?  Or is he so used to getting whatever he wants, whenever he wants it, that he thinks he's entitled to it now?

Blue Dogs called to the woodshed

The Blue Dog Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are one obstacle in the way of Obamacare.  (Link to prior post here.)  But President Obama is not throwing in the towel.  Instead, he's summoned them all to the White House for some arm-twisting.  (Link to story here.)  Will they go with their heads held high or their tail between their legs?  More importantly, how will they come out of the meeting?

Stand firm Blue Dogs . . . or show that your true color is liberal.

Another reason Obama wants to rush the healthcare vote . . .

his administration can't hold off the release of bad economic news forever.  But they'll certainly wait long enough to rush a vote on another big-spending bill like healthcare "reform."  (Link to story here.)

Alton Illinois Tea Party - Saturday

Y'all come.  Details here.

$23,000,000,000,000.00

Here's the lead from this piece written by Eamon Javers at Politico.com today . . .

"A series of bailouts, bank rescues, and other economic lifelines could end up costing the federal government as much as $23 trillion, the U.S. government's watchdog over the effort says - a staggering amount that is nearly double the nation's entire economic output for a year."

Javers continues and gives us a little perspective on just how much money $23 trillion . . . It is "more than the total cost of all the wars the United States has ever fought, put together."  It much more than the cost of the moon landings and, get this, more than the entire cost of the New Deal.  In fact, if you took the cost of all those wars, every trip to the moon, AND the New Deal, AND quadrupled it, you would only get to about $20 trillion.

The amount of money being spent in Washington these days is so far off the charts it can't be fathomed.  And, guess what, that money's got to come from somewhere . . . you and me, the printing presses, and/or our children, grandchildren, and their grandchildren.

Enough is enough.  Stop the madness.

If a tree falls in the forest . . .

I must admit that one of my guilty pleasures in life is "American Idol" (one can't spend every moment of every day saving the world from liberalism), so this story caught my eye.  It seems that Judge Paula Abdul's feelings have been hurt and she may not return the the show for its ninth season.  The show has re-signed Ryan Seacrest to a multimillion dollar deal and is in negotiations with Abdul's fellow-judge Simon Cowell on what will certainly be an even bigger deal but has yet to approach Abdul's team about a new contract.

But would anyone (ANYONE) care if Paula Abdul left the show?  Probably not.  Frankly, with the addition of a fourth judge last season, there was one too many anyway.  And, except for comic relief (laughing at - not with - her) has she ever made a relevant, insightful, or entertaining comment?  No, the best thing that Paula Abdul provides viewers of "American Idol" is time to talk about Randy Jackson's comments before Simon Cowell speaks.

So Abdul and her new manager had better not go all-in on this "respect" angle because if an "American Idol" judge (other than Cowell) quit, would anyone notice?

Post-Dispatch profiles Blaine Luetkemeyer

Bill Lambrecht penned this piece for Monday's St. Louis Post-Dispatch on freshman GOP Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer.  It paints Luetkemeyer as a true conservative, willing to stand up for what he believes in and vote against what he doesn't.

It looks like voters in the 9th District elected the right guy.

Three Cheers for the Blue Dogs

Don't get excited yet but it looks like disunion among Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives may stop Barack Obama's healthcare plan.  The "Blue Dog Coalition" of self-described "fiscally conservative" Democrats opposes Obamacare.  And the group has seven members on the House Energy and Commerce Committee including Representative Mike Ross (D-Arkansas) who pointed out to reporters that, "Last time I checked, it takes seven Democrats to stop a bill."  Last week all seven were committed to vote against the plan and today, according to Ross, three more Democrats on the committee decided to oppose it."  (Link to story here.)

I hope that Ross is right and that his group can stand up to what will be significant pressure from the White House over the next few weeks.  On this point, lets give the "fiscally conservative" Democrats some support and pats on the back.

But remember, we thought that socialized medicine was dead when Hillary Clinton's plan died in the 1990's.  Don't count out liberalism until you see its cold, dead body buried in a grave.

Department of Natural Resources: "It's all about the Benjamins"

A volunteer group has been testing bacteria levels at the Lake of the Ozarks every month for the past two years.  Their findings are reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, which is supposed to disseminate them to the public.  Why?  Presumably to keep people from getting sick by swimming, skiing, or otherwise recreating in the Lake.  Sounds like a pretty good idea to me.

But not to Governor Jay Nixon's cronies at the DNR.  Nope.  In May, when the level of E. coli was found to be "unsafe," Nixon pal (since promoted) Joe Bindbeutel, apparently ordered that the report be withheld and the public kept in the dark.  Why?  According to an official with the group that did the testing, Bindbeutel said, "The Lake of the Ozarks brings in a lot of dollars to Missouri."  DNR spokesperson Susanne Medley apparently concurs stating that her department withheld the report rather than "panic the people."

To the governor's credit, he's admitting that the DNR was wrong.  But wow, what's going on in a department that knows that public health is at risk and hides the information?

(Link to Tony Messenger's story from the Post-Dispatch here.)

Why the rush?

Barack Obama is urging Congress to pass his healthcare plan before the August recess.  (Link to story here.)

Why the rush?  As with everything Obama, its popularity is fading fast.  And time allows folks to actually read the proposal and see the devil in the details.

Typically, members of Congress head home during the recess.  Away from Washington, they speak with and hear from real people, constituents, people who don't want the government to manage any more of our lives, including our healthcare system.

If it is a good idea to socialize medicine now, it would be a good idea after the Congressional recess.  But it is not a good idea and Obama knows that it can't stand up to scrutiny or public input.

Before voting on such a dramatic change in America, wouldn't it be nice if the people's representatives and Senators actually took the time to talk with people about it?

Even when the global warming nuts admit they can't explain things . . .

Today, this story came out where scientists studying climate change have had to admit that their s.w.a.g.'s about the "greenhouse gas" methane being released from the ocean floor 55 million years ago cannot explain why temperatures rose rapidly over a period of a few thousand years.  It seems that at a time when the world was already hotter than it is now, temperatures spiked another 5 to 9 degrees Celsius.  And the "commonly accepted scientific range" for the increase in greenhouse gasses during that time would only explain a 1 to 3.5 degree change.

In other words, what the climate scientists have theorized is not supported by historical, scientific fact.

But that doesn't seem to matter much to them.  Even after admitting that they have no idea why the earth warmed in the past, they remain certain that they know why it is "warming" now.  (Even though the planet actually seems to be cooling.)  And that, of course, is the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide.

It is maddening.  Oh if these folks could just learn a lesson from So-crates (as read/paraphrased by Bill S. Preston, Esq.) . . . "The only true knowledge is knowing that you know nothing."

Dude, that's them!

A Jim Wright Book Deal - 2009 Style

Twenty years ago, then-Speaker of the House Jim Wright (D-Tex.) was forced to resign when his lucrative book deal came to light.  Wright's "friends" bought multiple copies of his book, priced at $5.95, to get around federal election laws limiting contributions.

One of the things that got Wright and his friends caught was the low price of his book.  To get any real money to his campaign's coffers (or to Wright personally), folks had to buy hundreds of books.  Such bulk purchases were not logical or defensible - even by a skilled and powerful politician.

Fast forward to today . . . U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) has a Wright-like book deal of his own.  A publisher has given Teddy an $8 million advance on a memoir and has found away to cover a big chunk of that advance, without resorting to solicitation of bulk purchases.  Instead, they're going to issue a special "limited edition" of 1,000 books and sell them for $1,000.00 each.  (Link to story here.)

Pretty slick deal, don't you think?

Norma McCorvey, a.k.a. Jane Roe arrested

Norma McCorvey, the repentant former abortion proponent (and the "Roe" in Roe v. Wade) was arrested today at the confirmation hearing for Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination.  McCorvey was tossed from the chamber when she "began screaming that Sotomayor was 'wrong' about abortion."  (Link to story here.)

I suppose truth was no defense.

The "global warming" guise for "global governance"

I'm not a conspiracy theorist - far from it.  I'm a genuine skeptic.  I do not believe in an international cabal out to build a one-world government.

But I could be wrong . . .  Al Gore is on board.

Speaking at Oxford on July 7, global warming's chief nut happily reported that the cap-and-trade bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives will increase awareness of the "crisis" and that awareness will "drive the change and one of the ways it will is through global governance and global agreements."  (Link to story, which has link to video, here.)

Global governance would be the death of freedom.  And, by definition, the death of American sovereignty.

And, just think, its advocate was only a few hanging chads away from becoming president.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em . . . before it's too late

I'm no fan of tobacco smoke.  Far from it.  I cannot figure out how or why anybody lights up that first one.  Have you no sense of smell?  Have you no desire to live a long life?  Without coughing up a lung?  Or two?

But I am a fan of freedom.  Cigarettes are, at least for now, legal.  Yet anti-smoking crusaders are out in force and attempting to ban Americans from conducting a legal activity on their own time and on their own property.

Two such stories are in the news today . . .

First, "experts" at the Pentagon are urging the U.S. Military to ban tobacco use by soldiers, sailors, and marines.  (Link to story here.)  No word on whether or not the ban would apply to the Commander-in-Chief.

Second, and closer to home, West County EMS and Fire Protection District (which serves Manchester and Town and Country) is banning smoking by its employees on district property and when in uniform (I have no quarrel with that) and "Anyone hired to the district after January 1 must refrain from smoking or chewing tobacco while on or off duty as a condition of employment."  (Link to story here.)

Listen, I understand the harmful effects of tobacco.  And I understand the effects of public smoking.  But these efforts to control employees' behavior off-duty is overstepping the bounds of an employer.

What is happening to Americans' freedom to be left alone?

Federalism flipping . . . here comes the nanny state

One of the great things about America, historically, has been a concept of federalism.  State and local governments had autonomy over state and local issues.  The federal government is designed to keep its nose out of those things because, guess what, central planning doesn't work.  What is good in New York may not be in Idaho.  What is necessary in California may be wasteful in Missouri.  And what is wanted in the public school system in Washington, D.C., may not be wanted in Rockwood or Parkway or Webster Groves.

But with Democrats in control of everything federal, your federal government is on a path to destruction of state and local autonomy.  Here's the latest example . . . Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Agriculture Committee, wants to give the U.S. Department of Agriculture power to regulate ALL food sold in schools nationwide.  That's the cafeterias; that's the vending machines; and probably the fundraisers and snack bars at football games . . . all under the control of the federal government.

Harkin and the Democrats believe that they, from their ivory towers in Washington, know best - about everything.  Why do we have school boards at all?  Why have states?  Local governments?  Let's just let the feds tell us what to do in every situation.

We've got to get some sanity back to Washington.  2010 or bust.

Sotomayor knows best . . . at least she thinks she does

Today's Washington Post includes this story by Jerry Markon analyzing several of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's opinions from the Second Circuit.  The tone of the piece boils down to . . . she's a typical, left-of-center, Democrat.  That's not really news.  It would be sort-of like reporting that I like chocolate ice cream.  Would anyone expect otherwise from a woman nominated for promotion by Barack Obama?

What I do find interesting about this analysis of Sotomayor's opinions, though, is her willingness to repeatedly substitute her version of the facts of a case for the facts as determined by the court below . . . the folks actually charged with determining the facts.  She's willing to reexamine testimony and decide what weight to give it, though she didn't see the witness.  And she's willing to go look for additional evidence to support her position, even if that evidence was not presented in the case.

This willingness to "almost overstep her role," as the Post headline puts it, shows something about Sotomayor's judicial philosophy . . . . she's an activist!  Clearly and unapologetically so.  (I like vanilla ice cream too.)

Sonia Sotomayor is not right for the Supreme Court.  But, given Barack Obama's view of the Court and the world, I doubt that he would ever nominate someone who was.

G8 vows to control the weather

Since ancient times, human beings have wanted to control the weather.  Without success.

Now, leaders at the G8 Summit have vowed to do it.  (Link to story here.)  They've promised each other to keep the planet from warming more than 3.6 degrees.

To adapt one of Rush Limbaugh's recent favorite old jokes but . . . what's the difference between God and G8 leader?  God doesn't think that he's a G8 leader.

Illinois in play in 2010?

Barack Obama's old Senate seat is up in 2010 and his state has swung to the left in recent years but Congressman Mark Kirk has Politico referring to Illinois as "a major Senate battleground."

Too bad that Kirk isn't conservative (he voted for cap-and-trade) but maybe we should take what we can get in Illinois.

The male dairy cow

Have you ever wondered what happens to most male dairy cows?  Next time you have a hamburger, you might want to think about it.  A few lucky ones survive long enough to father some babies but most don't last too long.  Without the means to produce milk, there's not much reason to have them around.  They aren't worth their feed.

Why do I bring this up?  Well, guys, we're one step closer to suffering the same fate as those male dairy cows as researchers in England have produced (yes, that's produced, as in artificially created) "human" sperm in their laboratories.  (Link to story here.)

Are we (the human race) getting close to the point where enough is enough?  We're trying to play God and messing with things we ought to leave alone.   Forgive us.

Time.com publishes interview with Sarah Palin

Check out this interview of Sarah Palin by Jay Newton-Small at Time.com.

Highlights include Palin's statement that "President Obama is growing government outrageously, and it's immoral."  Obama's plan, she continues, which takes on trillions of dollars in debt and "passing it on to our kids, expecting them to pay off for us, is immoral and doesn't even make economic sense."

Palin also takes on Obama's and the Democrats' cap-and-trade proposal.  If implemented, Palin says, this ridiculous measure would "drive the cost of consumer goods and the cost of energy so extremely high that our nation is going to start exporting even more jobs to China and to other countries that do not have the corporate tax or the equivalent of the corporate tax that the cap-and-trade - I call it cap-and-tax - agenda is going to usher in."

Sarah Palin gets it folks.

The definition of insanity . . . Washington-style

It seems rather obvious that the so-called stimulus passed earlier this year has not had the desired effect.  The American economy is still in the tank and there are no real signs of recovery.  But that's not stopping Barack Obama's advisors from proposing yet another stimulus.  (Link to story here.)

Somebody (Albert Einstein or Benjamin Franklin or Rita Mae Brown, depending on which source you believe) once defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

By this definition (and possibly others) Barack Obama's advisors are clearly insane.

Exporting jobs to Mexico

This story came out last week in the lead-up to a holiday weekend and I missed it.  Mea culpa.  But it is important to note . . .

The assembly line at the Chrysler plant in Fenton is now idle.  Forever closed, despite the $7.5 billion dollars that our elected representatives "lent" to that formerly American and formerly giant automobile manufacturer.  

What's worse?  Chrysler isn't closing the plant because it no longer needs to manufacture the Dodge Ram that had been built in Fenton.  Nope.  Instead, Chrysler is closing the American plant and shipping production to Mexico.

Great investment that bailout was, eh?  Was the point to save Mexican jobs?  Because, apparently, that's what happened.

Independence Day Tea Party

I couldn't make it, but Gateway Pundit did (link here).

Looks like the event was a big success.  And, I'm pleased to see, Congressman Roy Blunt was in attendance.  

Slavery and Reparations

Why are politicians in Washington trying desperately to apologize for slavery?  And why is the Congressional Black Caucus fighting the apology's notation that it can't be used as legal support for reparations claims?  (Link to story here.)

The answer to the first question is easy . . . they're politicians and they're attempting to seek the favor of minority voters by words.  Words are easy and liberals hope that enough words will keep them in power.  And words are necessary since liberal policies are largely responsible for devastating the inner cities of America and destroying so many black families.

The answer to the second question is just as easy . . . money.  The Congressional Black Caucus is clearly hoping to, sooner or later, get another government handout for their constituents.  This time in the guise of reparations to the descendants of slaves.

Apologies for slavery are owed and reparations should be paid if any slave owners are still around and any former slaves can be found to pay.  But, unless someone from one group or the other has found the Fountain of Youth, I doubt that anyone who had any personal involvement with the evil of slavery is still alive.  

What will conservatives to without Sarah? Nothing. She's not going anywhere.

Alaska is a long way from here - wherever here is.  And, it take a long time to get to and from there from here.  Transit, and governing a state (not to mention being a wife and mother) take one heck of a lot of time.  So much, in fact, that running for president would be difficult.  So, in what was a surprise - at least until we had time to think about it - Sarah Palin announced Friday that she was resigning as Alaska's governor.

And now, she's off and running and announced on her Facebook page that she has a "higher calling."  She wrote about her desire to unite the country behind conservatism, citing "our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint."  (Link to story here.)

All that I have to say at this point is . . . run Sarah, run!

Economy causes Americans to tighten their belts . . . but not Congress

The economy is, obviously, in the toilet.  Many Americans, this blogger included, have cut back on spending and are trying to save more just in case someone (Barack Obama maybe?) flushes and things go from bad to worse.  Some of us have even foregone expensive vacations for the cheaper, local variety.  But not Congress.

It might be a good time for our elected representatives to cut back on some of their own spending and international travel too, don't you think?  

If you think so . . . you're not thinking like a politician.  Disappointingly, as the Wall Street Journal reports here, "spending by lawmakers on taxpayer-financed trips abroad has risen sharply in recent years."  In fact spending on such junkets has been skyrocketing for years but, since the Democrats took majorities in both houses, it has gone to a new level.  There has been a 50% increase in spending in just two years.

I wish that only Democrats were to blame (and they may be mostly to blame) but some Republicans are in on the game too.  Enough is enough.

If you're as fed up as I am - and as fed up as millions of Americans are - make your voice known and take part in the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition's Independence Day Tea Party at Rennick Park in Washington, MO.  (Details at this link.)

Hypocrite-in-Chief

If you answered "no" to my prior questions (Link 1 or Link 2) about whether or not there had ever been a bigger hypocrite that Barack Obama, check out this piece at RedState.com.  You might want to reconsider your answer.

The piece juxtaposes Obama's words with his administration's actions.  

On December 20, 2008, Obama waxed poetic about how "promoting science" requires "listening to what our scientists have to say, even when it's inconvenient - especially when it's inconvenient."

But in March, Obama's "Environmental Protection Agency suppressed an internal report that was skeptical of claims about global warming."  An EPA official explained to skeptical scientist in his own agency that "the administrator and the administration has decided to move forward . . . and your comments do not help the legal or policy case for this decision."

In other words . . . if the science is inconvenient, the Obama administration sure hopes that you don't hear about it.