Another Obama Speech, more Shenanigans

I have not been writing my comments on current events lately, partly because I am too busy, but also because there has not been much new. Current political events are merely elaborations on the themes of one or two years ago. For instance, see my post of August 11, 2009, Mixed-Up Economy: We Are All Blood Suckers Now. The war of ideas between the Keynesian outlook and the Free market/Small Government school rages even more today.

Another theme of this blog, which has never been as obvious as now, is the observation that generally liberals accuse conservatives of doing exactly what they do, or plan on doing soon. (Such as their accusations of "uncivil" remarks from conservatives.) Today, Obama waved a newspaper and stated that the Republicans oppose his so-called jobs bill because it is to their political advantage, without regard to the damage to the country of not going along with his latest scheme. In actuality, it would seem to me very politically courageous to oppose Obama's proposal to hand out more stimulus money. For conservatives, who believe that less government intervention in the economy will ultimately bring the best results, it could be political suicide to advocate abandonment of bailouts and other government largess.

On the other hand, it may not be difficult to make the point that the "jobs bill" would not save any jobs, and is intended primarily to save Obama's job. He asks that our congressional representatives pass the bill right away, presumably before they have time to read it, just as they passed the other masterpieces of the Harry Reid bill writing factory. Those bills are never what we are told they are. We have to pass the bill "to see what is in it," as Nancy Pelosi tells us. (For instance, we just learned that if congress does not adopt the suggestions of the super-committee of bipartisan spending cutters, we will automatically get cuts to the military and cuts to what medical providers are paid by medicare. It was advertised that there would be cuts to medicare but it was not explained how the cuts would come about. Doctor fees are already cut to the bone.) No telling what will be lurking in the hundreds of pages of the latest Obamination.

What does seem obvious is that the new bill is the same as the old bill. It is a way of looting the treasury and giving the proceeds to his constituents, i.e. to serve Obama's political ends. The primary constituents to be rewarded are, as usual, the unions, especially government unions. There was little or no economic stimulant effect the first time. The Austrian school of free market economics, as well as the Gods of the Copybook Headings, would explain that only the free market can allocate recourse's to fill our most urgent needs. Government intervention only makes things worse with unintended consequences. Bailing out state government workers, for instance, only prolongs the problem of wages and benefits being too high. A 5% cut in government salaries would be a better way to avoid government layoffs. Longterm changes in government pension systems also are needed as soon as possible.

Glenn Beck had a guess the speech segment this morning. He played cuts from Obama's speech advancing the 2009 stimulus bill and his speech the other day pushing the "jobs bill'" You had to guess which speech was which. The only difference that I heard was the new strident, almost threatening tones of the president. He seemed to be ordering congress to pass this latest bill. I guess he was desperate, and ought to be.

The Continuing Non-Debate Debate

In 1993 President Clinton established the President’s Council on Sustainable Development, headed by Al Gore. If I ever heard of it, I took no notice, as was probably intended. When I started trying to learn about global warming, I was surprised at the almost total lack of objective scientific debate. This policy statement explains what happened to the debate we were promised:

"The Council should not debate the science of global warming, but should instead focus on the implementation of national and local greenhouse gas reduction policies and activities, and adaptations in the U.S. economy and society that maximize environmental and social benefits, minimize economic impacts, and are consistent with U.S. international agreements."

Why Al Gore Refuses to Debate Anyone

I heard a commentator speculate recently that he thought there could be credible opposition to President Obama for the Democrat nomination. He thought that the most likely contender would be Al Gore. I cannot think of anyone else who would cause me to wish for four more years of Barack Obama.

Truth Links

New lights of truth and common sense.

http://www.larryelder.com/

Mr. Elder filling in for Mark Levin on Wednesday March 30:

http://www.marklevinshow.com/sectional.asp?id=32930#


To hear Off The Wall Street economics commentary, the stock market, and who is a liar and who should be in Jail:

http://www.philsgang.com/

Just a Few Local Scenes, or Visions of the Future?

Marines Raise the Flag: True then and True Now

Early on D plus 4 (February 23, 1945), men of companies E and F, 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines,made it through battle debris to the top of Mt. Suribachi. They raised the first flag, to be followed four hours later by the more famous flag raising. On the beachhead below, thousands of Marines saw the tiny flag.




(Scanned page from "The Spearhead, the World War II History of the 5th Marine Division." Also,A few stamps from my collection)

Gung Ho Fa Choi

I think that means happy New Years. Our town has many citizens from the east. The far east, that is. We have many Vietnamese of Chinese ancestry. Of course we had other Chinese before the recent Vietnamese immigrants, I suppose dating back to Chinese railroad workers. In any event, the Chinese community has some sort of a New Years celebration every year. Luckily, this year the weather was good for being outdoors and for photography.

Local Photos

A Few Photos from Western Washington State

Angry Mobs

I haven't made it to town hall meetings but I did go to two Tea Parties in Olympia, Washington. I wanted to get some photos of violent, rude, loud, and angry protesters. I will be posting some of these photos.

In the above photos you can see that the little blond girl is waiving a banner with a drawing of a POISONOUS serpent. The caption says, "Don't Tread on Me." Just what is she threatening to do? The lady with the sign and her two indoctrinated daughters (probably home schooled) are smiling but you can see the hate in their hearts. Their sign has a quotation from the war monger Barry Goldwater. I think she has a gun hidden under that dress. Lastly, the lady in the wheelchair is faking. The insurance companies paid her big bucks.