Monthly Archives: September 2010

Obama is the Perfect Storm of Freedom Stifling, Economy Killing Policies

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According to US Debt Clock.org the United States’ national debt is $13.48 trillion. The $13.4 trillion represents 92 per cent of GDP. By means of comparison, in 1980 the entire debt was $909 billion, or 33 per cent of GDP. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) the national debt will hit $16.5 trillion. At that point, for the first time in history, the US national debt will exceed 100 per cent of GDP (it will be 100.6 per cent). That means that if every asset produced that year was seized by the government, the United Sates would still not be able to pay off its gargantuan debt. A frightening situation, but is that the worst of it?

Not according to Boston University economist Laurence Kotlikoff. Kotlikoff holds that “the Government is lying about the amount of debt. It is engaging in Enron accounting.”  The official debt does not count some major government entitlement programs because they are classified as ‘off-budget obligations.’ Two examples of ‘off-budget obligations’ are Social Security and Medicare. Factoring in these ‘off-budget obligations,’ and other unfunded liabilities is difficult. The National Debt Clock claims that the United States’ total unfunded liabilities adds up to $110 trillion, or $356,146 for every individual American citizen. The aforementioned Mr. Kotlikoff claims that number to be $200 trillion. Either way, the debt translates to serious problems that are already hurting ordinary Americans.

A Bloomberg poll of 1,408 investors found that the United States is no longer the number one investment market in the world. Brazil, China and India have all shot passed the United States as places of preferred investment. Eric Kraus, the chief strategist for Otkritie Brockerage House in Moscow said that the US economic situation “is obviously unsustainable, and the concerted attempt to suspend disbelief is playing increasingly poorly abroad. One can delay, but no one can forestall the unwind of a multidecade credit bubble.” The debt is warding off potential investors.

Through reckless and irresponsible spending, the Obama administration has allowed the debt problem to metastasize. The United States is scaring off investment in its private sector because investors see the looming debt crisis. At the same time that the debt is spiraling out of control, the United States is being led by decidedly anti-free market ideologues. According to the Wall Street Journal and Heritage Foundation index of free economies, the United States fell from ‘free’ to ‘mostly free’ for the first time since the index began last year. Since Obama was elected the United States has fallen from first to fourth on the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) list of competitive economies. Meanwhile, property rights, the bedrock of US capitalism, are being eroded, with the United States falling 10 places in the WEF’s rankings.  The Obama administration is the perfect storm of freedom stifling, economy killing policies. The Democrats spend like drunken sailors (although, that is unfair to drunken sailors, who at least spend their own money) and hinder any and all economic growth. The results of unchecked Democratic power have, not surprisingly, been disastrous throughout history. From the New Deal, to the Great Society, from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama, when Democrats have unlimited power the economy, and thus every ordinary citizen, is hurt. The only way out of the economic hole the Democrats have dug is through freedom. Get the government out of the way, cut taxes and regulations and rein in spending. If the government creates a business friendly environment, America’s problems can be solved. If the Obama socialist path is followed it will finally lead the country to the dustbin of history.

Strictly Right Radio Episode 56

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On this Strictly Right, Andrew makes his triumphant return and joins Ari to discuss the importance having real conservatives take back America in 2010, the importance of God in the small government movement, billionaire speculator George Soros’ attempt to subvert another country, It Must Be A Liberal and more.

You can listen to this episode online here or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

Review of "Young Guns: a New generation of Conservative Leaders"

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Two years ago it was said that the elections of Barack Obama to the presidency, an overwhelming Democratic majority in the House and 60 Democrats in the Senate signaled the death of conservatism. At this writing, November 2nd is less than 50 days away. Real Clear Politics’ polling averages has the GOP picking up at least 7 seats in the Senate, leading by 5% on the House generic ballot, Republicans picking up a minimum 7 Governorships, and Republicans controlling of 31 state Houses by November 3rd. This rapid sea change raises two questions: why did this happen? What will the new GOP majority look like?

Those two quandaries are answered by Representatives Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan and Kevin McCarthy in their great new book Young Guns: a New Generation of Conservative Leaders. The book is divided into three sections, authored by the aforementioned Congressmen. Cantor, the second highest ranking Republican in the House, broadly outlines the political environment that led to his party’s decline and swift resurgence. Cantor also expounds upon the general direction the party will head in, should they take the majority this fall. Representative Ryan tackles the nuts and bolts of Republican domestic policy. The third and final section of the book is written by Representative Kevin McCarthy, Cantor’s deputy Whip. McCarthy’s section focuses on how 2010 candidates were recruited, and what they will do to connect with voters this election cycle. Young Guns sets forth the pro-freedom agenda that the GOP will use this election cycle, and govern by once in power.

America rests in the hands of a Democratic majority that views America differently… they focus on its flaws rather than it greatness…They think America is an ordinary nation, not an exceptional nation.

Eric Cantor begins the book by telling the sad story of the GOP in the waning days of its last majority in 2006. While we are all familiar with this narrative, it is important for elected Republicans to understand what voters mean when they say the GOP ‘lost its way.’ It is one thing to acknowledge a popular catchphrase, it is another to truly comprehend it. If the GOP hopes to not just win a majority in 2010, but to retain it in the future, it must correct the mistakes that have damaged the conservative brand. The Republican Party is not spared in Cantor’s honest analysis. He laments that Republicans did in fact lose their way. At some point the party stopped being the party of limited government and became the party of government. Honest men and women forgot that they were elected to change Washington. Instead, Republicans focused on reelection bids and constructing a political machine akin to that of the former Democrat majorities. With that lesson understood, Cantor moves forward in offering the message of the newly revitalized GOP.

When President Obama was elected in 2008, along with his Democratic counterparts in both Houses of Congress, his party promised honesty and transparency. Obama repeatedly promised to be a ‘post-partisan’ President, who would reach across the aisle to adopt the best ideas put forward. While astute observes noted that President Obama was rated the most liberal of all 100 Senators by the non-partisan National Journal, many held out faith, hoping Obama would live up to his campaign promises. This matter was immediately put to the test. With the economy in a tailspin, the new administration claimed their first priority was calming the economic storm. President Obama made it known that he was in favor of a government spending program that would allegedly stimulate the economy. The price tag of his $787,000,000,000 stimulus bill was unsettling to many on both sides of the partisan divide. With a true bipartisan spirit, the Republican minority put together an alternative stimulus bill. The bill was not doctrinaire conservatism, but rather an attempt to find common ground with the new President. The bill recommended:

  • Reducing the lowest individual tax rates from 15% to 10% and eventually down to 5%
  • Allowing small businesses to reduce tax liability by 20%
  • Ensuring no tax increases to pay for spending
  • Assistance for the unemployed
  • A home buyers credit of $7.500 for those buyers who can make a minimum down payment of 5%

It was determined that this bill would create twice as many jobs as Obama claimed his stimulus bill would at half the cost – using the the Obama administrations own economic modeling. Obama’s eventual response to GOP alternatives? “Elections have consequences… and Eric, I won.” From then on it was clear that the the new President had no intention of pursuing a non-partisan agenda. Obama, Pelosi and Reid routinely shut the GOP out of any and all policy making decisions. The GOP was painted as the part of ‘no,’ but that was a more fitting name for the Democrats. They were, and still remain, the party of ‘no.’ They have said ‘no’ to any and all new ideas that might deviate from strict adherence to their failed ideology.

Paul, Kevin and I are unapologetic believers in the concept of American exceptionalism. America offers opportunity like no other nation, and with hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance, no one is limited.

If Cantor disputes the party of ‘no’ label, Representative Ryan blows it out of the water. While Representatives Cantor and McCarthy hold leadership roles in the party, Paul Ryan is recognized as one of the great thinkers of the conservative movement. His section of the book explains the crossroads his country is at. According to Ryan, America has to make a choice: to pursue the dream of the Founders: limited government, liberty and a prosperous future, or that of Western Europe: gradual decline, substantial tax increases, and an enormous federal leviathan.

Ryan explains that his road map will allow Americans to have a social safety net, remain solvent and ensure the preservation of individual liberty. Ryan tackles: Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and health care. Drawing on his experience, which included working for Jack Kemp, Ryan has constructed a pro-freedom agenda for the GOP that leaves no stone unturned. Foremost in his reforms is an area that has been seen as a political third-rail for Republicans in the past: entitlements. However, Ryan’s sober analysis and sensible solutions show that the GOP is willing to tackle the most important issues facing the nation.

Unlike some in Washington today, I don’t have any doubt about the moral strength of America…We’re the good guys.

The final section of the book by Kevin McCarthy explains how the GOP, and especially the Young Guns have been recruiting candidates. Representative McCarthy details how the GOP is not just looking to create a Republican majority, they are trying to create a conservative majority. A majority of what I have called ‘citizen legislators.’ Rather than recruiting typical pols to run for office, McCarthy and the rest of the GOP have been looking for people who ‘get it.’ The GOP brand was damaged by a decade long spending binge. Prospective candidates must understand that being elected to Congress is about something bigger than themselves; it is about “changing America.” In making this point, McCarthy recalls a conversation he had with an aspiring candidate:

McCarthy: Are you going to run?

Candidate: Do you need me to run?

McCarthy: No, I don’t need you to run.

Candidate: Do you want me to run?

McCarthy: No, I don’t want you to run. I’ll help you if you want to run.

McCarthy eventually advised this candidate not to run, telling him “this can’t be about you. This is about changing America.” The section goes on to profile a number of the Young Guns running this year. These candidates do ‘get it.’ They are running to change Washington, not to become political hacks.

Young Guns provides more than a road map to Republican victory in 2010. It offers the basis under which a conservative coalition will govern once in power. If the principles outlined in this work are adhered to by a new class of Republicans, the party will unite the center-right, that makes up the majority of the United States, achieve electoral successes, and more importantly, implement the solutions that will put America back on track. In 1976 Ronald Reagan said:

This is our challenge; and this is why here in this hall tonight, better than we have ever done before, we have got to quit talking to each other and about each other and go out and communicate to the world that we may be fewer in numbers than we have ever been, but we carry the message they are waiting for.

We must go forth from here united, determined that what a great general said a few years ago is true: There is no substitute for victory.

Republicans once again are in the political wilderness. However, conservatives again carry the message the country is waiting for. Young Guns makes it clear that the GOP will trumpet this message, and lends hope that once in the majority again, Republicans will govern appropriately.

Click here to purchase a copy of Young Guns: a New generation of Conservative Leaders.

Strictly Right Radio episode 55

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On this Strictly Right: a celebration of Christine O’Donnell’s victory, an analysis of the citizen legislators heading to DC in 2010, why I’m thinking of picking up smoking, Democrat hypocrisy and much more.

You can listen to this episode online here or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

HOPE! The Musical

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In January Andrew and I both wrote about HOPE! the musical about the 2008 election. Andrew described it as:

It appears that a bunch of idiots are going to be dancing around singing about hope and change! No I’m not talking about the California primaries, but Hope! the new musical about Barack Obama premiering in Frankfurt, Germany on January 17th.

I suppose this only makes sense though. After all, Germany adopted a similar healthcare plan to Obama’s back in the late 1930′s…

Well the wait is over. We know have video from the magical production:

I thought this would be more fitting, but that’s just me:

Eleanore Holme$ Norton (D-D.C.): Do you know who I am?

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Remember this:

To be fair, honesty was sooo 2006.

Andrew Breitbart’s Big Government broke this bombshell today:

A couple weeks ago, House Member Eleanor Holmes Norton made a fundraising call to a lobbyist. The lobbyist wasn’t available, so Holmes Norton left a voicemail. CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

To summarize, in the message Democrat Eleanore Holmes Norton repeatedly described herself as a senior official in her party to a lobbyist who she was soliciting campaign donations from. First and foremost, it is a crime to solicit funds from federal property. If these calls were made from Rep. Norton’s Congressional office she is guilty. In addition, Norton repeatedly touts her seniority on committees that are important in this lobbyist’s “sector.” It is painfully clear that Norton was soliciting a quid pro quo. Norton needed the donation to match what Speaker Pelosi required of her, so Norton offered to sell her vote and influence, obviously also a crime.

Nancy Pelosi promised to “drain the swamps” of corruption. She told the country that the Democrats would offer the “most honest and ethical” Congress in history. In reality, the Democrats have been the most secretive and most corrupt Congress in memory. Kickbacks through earmarks to favored groups have been standard operating procedure. Support the Democrats and you’ll get preferential treatment in housing, caring for the salt marsh harvest mouse or your major media conglomerate. It is time to drain the swamps in DC of the obscene corruption of the party of Charlie Rangel, Nancy Pelosi, Chris Dodd and Eleanore Holmes Norotn.

Here is a detailed look at exactly what Rep. Norton said:

Her message raises many concerns.

1. At the very beginning of the message, Holmes Norton notes that the lobbyist:

ha[s] given to other colleagues of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Beyond being a bit heavy-handed, where did she get this information? Such donations are listed in FEC reports, but it is a violation to use that information to solicit campaign donations.

2. More serious, however, is her frequent mention of her seniority and her Chairmanship of a subcommittee. She is attempting to solicit funds based on her past actions taken in her official capacity in Congress. She is implying to the lobbyist that, should he decline to donate, he will be turning down a senior member of Congress who Chairs a subcommittee highly relevant to his “sector”.

3.  Worse than that, she details her role overseeing a large economic development project in the District, funded by “stimulus” funds. It would appear that either the lobbyist has an interest in this project, or the Congresswoman thinks he does, as she states she is “frankly surprised” the lobbyist hasn’t given to her. Especially, she notes, because of her

long and deep work …in fact it has been by major work on the committee and subcommittee it’s been essentially in your sector

“In your sector.” This raises additional concerns, and we note potentially relevant laws here:

She who promises, directly or indirectly, any government contract or other government benefit (provided for or made possible by any Act of Congress) as a reward for a political contribution shall be guilty of a misdemeanor (18 U.S.C. § 600).

She who attempts to cause anyone to make a political contribution by denying or threatening to deny any government payment or other government benefit (provided for or made possible, in whole or in part, by any Act of Congress) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor (18 U.S.C. § 601).

Then there are the House Ethics rules, according to House Ethics Manual (2008 Edition):

p. 147: “[N]o solicitation of a campaign or political contribution may be linked to an action taken or to be taken by a Member … in his or her official capacity. … The Standards Committee has long advised Members … that they should always exercise caution to avoid even the appearance that solicitations of campaign contributions are connected in any way with an action taken or to be taken in their official capacity. … [A] Member should not sponsor or participate in any solicitation that offers donors any special access to the Member in the Member’s official capacity.”

p. 150: “[A] Member may not accept any contribution that is linked with an action that the Member has taken or is being asked to take. A corollary of these rules is that Members … are not to take or withhold any official action on the basis of the campaign contributions or support of the involved individuals …. Members … are likewise prohibited from threatening punitive action on the basis of such considerations.”

4. We don’t know from where she made this call, but it is a relevant inquiry. It is, after all, illegal to solicit campaign funds on federal property.

As Holmes Norton repeatedly notes on the call, she is a senior member of Congress. She knows or should know all of this. First elected to Congress in 1990, she took her law degree from Yale University and clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Leon Higginbotham before working as an assistant legal director at the ACLU, law professor at NYU, Chairman of the NYC Human Rights Commission, and Chairman of the EEOC. She is a tenured law professor at Georgetown University and serves on the boards of three Fortune 500 companies.

That a Member like Holmes Norton would leave the foregoing voicemail message must be a testament to the kind of pressure Speaker Pelosi has put on her members. Indeed, she acknowledges this in the call:

As the senior member of the um, committee and a sub-committee chair, we have (chuckles) obligations to raise, uh funds. And, I think it must have been me who hasn’t, frankly, uh, done my homework to ask for a contribution earlier. So I’m trying to make up for it by asking for one now, when we particularly, uh, need, uh contributions, particularly those of us who have the seniority and chairmanships and are in a position to raise the funds.

The Citizen Legislators Cometh

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The featured headline on the Drudge Report today is “SHE’S A WINNER!” with a picture of Christine O’Donnell. O’Donnell defeated establishment darling and noted RINO Mike Castle in the Delaware GOP primary. In the campaign, O’Donnell was outspent ten to one by her opponent, was subject to countless calumny from seemingly the entire GOP establishment, yet she was still able to defeat a 2-term former Governor and sitting member of the House of Representatives.  And she won going away, by a margin of 6 percentage points (53% – 47%). If the message wasn’t clear in: Nevada, Kentucky, Florida, Alaska, Colorado and Utah, it should be clear now.

After losing to Christine O’Donnell, Mike Castle immediately announced that he will not endorse the chosen candidate of his party. When asked if he thought the national party would support O’Donnell, Castle said he did not know, then snidely threw in “they [the national party] should save their money.” Of course – only a spineless RINO like Castle can win.*

The party establishment has endorsed losers in seven states now. They have opposed Marco Rubio, Sharron Angle, Rand Paul, Joe Miller, Ken Buck, Mike Lee and now Christine O’Donnell. Meanwhile, the upper echelon of the party has pushed candidates like Chralie Crist and Mike Castle. In addition, the party leadership’s stated position is to support incumbents, like Lisa Murkowski this election cycle, and other loyal Republicans, like Arlen Specter, Lincoln Chafee and Dede Scozzafava. Notice a trend? Besides all these candidates being losers, none of them supported the GOP after it had outlived its usefulness for them. Arlen Specter even switched parties. But the establishment knows best.

The GOP ruling class is getting nervous. They know that the 2010 class of Republicans is not coming to Washington to climb the social ladder. Former Senate surrender Majority  Leader Trent Lott told the Washington Post of the new breed of Republicans, all endorsed, brought to the forefront, and financially supported by Jim DeMint, “We don’t need a lot of Jim DeMint disciples… as soon as they get here, we need to co-opt them.” In the same Post story, Bob Bennett, who lost in Utah, said “That’s my concern, that at the moment there is not a cohesive Republican strategy of this is what we’re going to do. And certainly among the tea-party types there’s clearly no strategy of this is what we’re going to do.” The GOP establishment is not just afraid of the Tea Party movement, some of the party leaders are downright resentful. The establishment fears and understands that the election of true citizen legislators spells the end of their reign.

The ruling class Republicans are being replaced by what was noted above as a ‘new breed’ of Republicans. These new Republicans are true to the vision of the Founders. They are regular, country class, Americans. These citizen legislators are running because they have seen the destruction caused by decades of ruling class politicians in both parties. These Republicans are not going to be persuaded into voting for Amnesty, No Child Left Behind or another TARP. Instead, the new GOP will fight big government and offer a choice, not an echo.

Hotline reported that a senior Republican leadership aide criticized Senator DeMint for his endorsement of Christine O’Donnell. The courageous anonymous aide said “DeMint took it a step too far here, and I think he has lost the remaining credibility he had, even within the caucus, DeMint is not interested in a majority, he’d rather establish himself as the leader on the fringe.” Think they’re nervous? The Republican leadership should be worried – Jim DeMint’s ‘fringe’ of citizen legislators is coming to town and their elections signals the end of the ruling class’ ownership of the Republican Party.

*UPDATE: last night the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) announced that they would not support Christine O’Donnell. After 12 hours of relentless criticism for their vindictive position, the NRSC has backtracked and is now supporting O’Donnell.

Strictly Right Radio episode 54

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On this Strictly Right, a recounting of the heroism of Specialist Salvatore A. Giunta, the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since Vietnam, an examination of the media and Democrats’ coordinated campaign of lies against John Boehner, Obama’s continued war on the American Way, It Must Be A Liberal, and much more.

You can listen to this episode online here or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.