Politics not as Usual…Thank Goodness

The one take we can derive from last night’s elections, It is the people who rein in the end, that’s why I thank God for living in the greatest Nation on Earth. What a show, for an otherwise off election year. Doug Hoffman the Conservative candidate losing to Democrat Bill Owens after all the national attention of Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava dropping out of the race just days before the election. Then Scozzafava endorses her former democrat Challenger Owens against the Conservative Hoffman, who was ahead in the polls over Scozzafava simply because the Republican candidate leaned Liberal on several key issues. It turns out Republicans were right about Scozzafava, who proved them so, all on her own, leaving the more stable campaign of Democrat candidate Owens to victory, and the first Democrat to win this district in a blue moon. The only sour note from the election in New York’s 23 District race, I just wish Vice President Joe Biden hadn’t made a recent appearance to pitch for the Owens campaign, because now we’ll never hear the end of it. So goes politics.

 

The Virginia and New Jersey elections brought no less drama than the congressional race of Owens and Hoffman. While the White House claims now the most important election last night came from the Owens victory over conservative Hoffman in the New York 23 race. In reality they knew it meant nothing. Obama and the Democrats have already owned Congress with an overwhelming majority. What Democrats should be concerned about are the coming elections next year. The election results in New Jersey and Virginia produced a majority of Republican wins, with victories for GOP candidates and value propositions. The results undermining Obama’s illusional statement after winning the Presidential election last year, that the GOP was finished and America was now turning to the Left for good.

 

The voters in a liberal Maine not only voted against gay marriage, they voted to repeal an already existing law that would have permitted gay marriage in the left leaning, but still conservative valued Left state. Talk about drama, once again I love America, where in the end what matters, it’s what the people want, that matters. And last night’s elections once again proved the power, beauty, the wonder of America is always in the hands of her people, reinforcing my belief that this is the greatest nation on earth. 

 

I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…110409.

“I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it” Geithner

“I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it” Geithner really means what he says, mistake in personal taxes, maybe mistakes in job and employment growth in this year’s numbers, maybe tax increases in the proposed Healthcare Reform Bill now before Congress, but wait Geithner brings clarity with; “I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it.”

 U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner can not even answer the relatively soft ball questions from a moderately left leaning commentator like David Gregory on Meet the Press Sunday November 2, 2009. Is it any wonder the White House is prohibiting any of their Top Guns from appearing on any other radio or TV/Cable broadcast companies less favorable to them? To Gregory’s credit, he did make some attempt to get Geithner to answer a tough question or two, but each time fell short when Geithner refused to answer the question. Gregory needed to throw a few more punches, but pulled back instead.

 Earlier in the MTP interview Sunday Geithner referred to the 650,000 to 1million job growth numbers coming out of the White House, of course that is depending on which bogeyman of this current Administration you are hearing from. I feel they are handing the American public more Tricks than Treats this past Halloween weekend with this, the Administration’s most recent employment numbers. After all when Gregory again threw a softball question about these numbers and how they could justify them up against real statistics of unemployment and job growth. Geithner once again characterized the issue “I don’t think that’s the right way to look at it” bringing up the ludicrous idea that a job saved, is job growth. Who wouldn’t want an accountant/tax man like Geithner on their payroll? Oh I forgot, he’s on President Obama’s payroll, because he sure isn’t working for the people, me, you, most Americans.

I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…110209.

Newt, say it isn’t so.

This past Halloween Newt Gingrich, former GOP House Speaker received trick and no treat when Republican Congressional candidate Dede Scozzafava backed her former Democratic opponent  in the race for New York’s 23rd district congressional seat. It wasn’t a great night for RNC (Republican National Committee) Chairman Michael S. Steele more so. Both in beautiful Technicolor backed Scozzafava despite her liberal stances on healthcare, abortion, gay marriage, and the stimulus. Their endorsement was for the win, thought to be best for the party.

It turns out, what the people of the party want, is what’s best for the American People, and Americans are still conservative. If nothing else the turn of events in New York’s 23rd district congressional race is definitely a wake up call, one could say Mother Liberty herself is ringing, loud and clear to all political parties in America. Sure I could be wrong and the one candidate in this Congressional race backed by conservatives across America, Conservative Party candidate, Doug Hoffman, who has been out distancing Dede Scozzafava over the last few weeks could still lose to the Democrat candidate Owens. After all anything is possible in love, war, and politics.

 My point, RNC Chair Michael Steele and Republican Party so, so celebrities had the better start listening to the people of their party as well as Americans on the whole. They voice conservatism, but when it comes down to push or shove, they’d rather play pattycake, pattycake with Republican values to win an election. Values that have been diluted for some time, and that time has come to an end or mark Dr. Quack’s words now, the Republican Party will come to an end. I know this because Politics in America regardless of the which side of the fence you’re on, is at the most challenging and exciting it has ever been, and “Something Wicked This Way Comes” Ray Bradbury book…

I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason….110209

When our men and women went off to war…

When our men and women went off to war, for some it was the adventure, a life option, others an escape, and for a few pure patriotism. Pretty much, most of our men and women who enlist into anyone of the United States of America’s arm services fit into one or all the above. Generally, it’s a combination of two or more above that best describe the motivation for most, if not all who enlist in the military. Nonetheless, they soon become the guardians of America’s sovereignty as a free democratic state. Our democracy. Regardless of the enlistee’s reason for joining the military, we can be proud of them.

America’s military is made up of soldiers with various and non-religious believe. Nationality backgrounds from the world over and of every skin color. Not to mention gender orientation, OK I just did. That puts me one up on President Obama who within his first ten months of office can’t even keep a promise to the gays and lesbians serving in the U.S. military. The best he’s done is continued to repeat his campaign pledge, but then Obama has never left the campaign trail. We can only hope being President will become as important to President Obama, as being popular.

Our troops especially those in harm’s way, Iraq, Afghanistan particularly, are in need of additional troops. So has the president who promised to bring them home from Iraq now, during last year’s presidential election. And declared… “The Afghan government needs to do more. But we have to understand that the situation is precarious and urgent here. And I believe this has to be our central focus, the central front, on our battle against terrorism,” Obama said Sunday on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” July 21, 2008 CNN reported.  http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/20/obama.afghanistan/

President Obama has continued to deliver promises. I am just not sure if he’s done campaigning and ready to be president, initiating those promises into reality, are you?

Today President Obama commented; “I won’t risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary,” Obama told servicemen and women at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. He promised a “clear mission” with defined goals and the equipment needed to get the job done.” source Fox News.com http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/26/obama-says-rush-decision-afghanistan-strategy-troop-levels/

While I appreciate the President taking care in putting additional men and women into harm’s way in Afghanistan. I ask the President, what’s he doing for the U.S. Military men and women currently in harm’s way in Afghanistan now. Right now Mr. President. The soldiers you sent over this year with the promise of more support and supplies, this is one broken promise that could cost many needless deaths of our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, uncles, brothers and sisters. No amount of over thinking strategies and playing war games is going to help the soldiers currently serving if the President’s indecision and delay after delay helps to embolden the enemy to strike sooner than later.

 I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…102609

Leave the Census Alone

Leave the U.S. Census Alone! The Obama Administration is considering moving control of the U.S. Census, again due to begin April 1, 2010. Into the hands of Professional politicians, specifically Obama chief adviser David Axelrod and Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Axelrod by his own admission on Sunday news programs Meet the Press and Sunday with Chris Wallace said he and Emanuel were not Census professionals. And assured their hosts the Census would not be politicized, sure, and I’ve got $50 million to burn!

Individual States sense 1789, the year congress first met have manipulated and misused State Census data for Gerrymandering. A scrupulous means by which Politicians of all Party’s have misused the Census, Geographic’s, Demographic studies of States, Gerrymandering. The Founders intended the Census a nonpartisan and nonpolitical necessity of operating a federal Government and guaranteeing a reasonable fair balance of ‘The Peoples Representation’ to Congress. The Founders wrote the Census into the Constitution with no political Party in mind.

However there’s a ‘But.’ But then, there always is. The Constitution left control of the Census in the hands of Congress. “[An] Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct.” Who makes the Laws, Congress. There’s no more a group of diverse polarizing political bubbleheads then that of which we see in Congress. A body of politicians that have consistently rated lower public opinion scores than former President Bush. This sways both ways, during the Republican and Democrat reins of power.

Regardless of which side of the fence you sit. Politicians should remove themselves from any part of the U.S. Census taking, and resulting data summaries. David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel are professional politicians whose loyalties lie with the Party, not necessarily the People. Yes the administrator of the Census is a Cabinet member of any Administration, and the Constitution gives control of the U.S. Census to the Laws enacted by Congress. But better men, and women, better minded politicians, and true representatives of the people, would assure the people of a clean and fair U.S. Census, Always…Should they not?

I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…21709

The Stimulus Trojan Horse

Is the Stimulus a Trojan Horse

Dr. Quack’s advice to Stimulus recipients like the Auto, Financial, Business Industries and such, “Don’t Take the Money.” It’s better to reorganized (Chapter 11) and perhaps wiser than to climb into bed with Barney Franks and Christopher Dodd. Not to mention Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

The Stimulus Bill contains pages and pages of Company and Executive limits, prohibitions, and stipulations. All argumentatively could be a stymie to Economic recovery in themselves. The bigger point is Capitalism is much like nature, evolution if you please. It’s an economic system that rewards the strongest, wisest, and in the end those businesses with good values. Usually, not always, but mostly does it work out this way. Good people may have good businesses and fail, for many reasons, I have, but we pick ourselves up and do it again.

Capitalism works like nature in an ever-evolutionary process. And left to its natural forces, Capitalism is good. These businesses that take the Stimulus money are circumventing the natural forces of Capitalism for the wide and level path of Socialism. At least the beginnings of socialism, worst yet communism. Socialism being Economic Government, Communism the Political Economic Governing, which do you think America’s headed for? If America’s banks, Financial Institutions (Wall Street) and big Industries swallow the Trojan horse, what ugly head will wile from within?

I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason. 21109

Stimulus or Government Expansion

I know, you know that an economic stimulus is needed now. But I have read over 400 pages of this updated Stimulus

(‘‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’’) and so far have read mostly Government Expansion Projects. Some will provide jobs, most of what I read are unnecessary, unrelated to a Stimulus with expenditures so high that they defy gravity, to use Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s phrase of Corporate abuses.

American’s who have bought into the Administration’s Doom and Gloom prophesy, with savior Obama to the rescue, are in for a big disappointment. If you are expecting a check in the mail, you’d be waiting till doomsday. If you are hoping for the bank to return your foreclosed on home, you have a better chance to win the Lottery. Then buy a new home.

There’s no Earmarks, no Pork, per-say. But Congress has given the entire $838billion to bureaucracies who will then distribute to whom, and what they please. There’s no transparency in that, I guarantee you. Just as with Mayor Daily of Chicago, the Transparency is only at the Federal level and the recipients don’t have to detail to us their accounting of money received. Therefore under TITLE VIII—DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR…in the ‘‘American Recovery 5 and Reinvestment Act of 2009.” Organizations like President Obama’s favorite organization in Chicago, ACORN could receive millions, if not billions of dollars. Without accountability they are third-party recipients. That aside, under the same Title VIII, $1,200,000,000 for grants to the States for youth activities, including summer employment for youth: I have a teenager my friends have teenagers, but there are programs and funds in place for these programs already, is it necessary as part of this Stimulus to add more dollars for Teenage activities and summer employment. I don’t believe so.

Under other Titles in this Stimulus Bill we have, NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION For an additional amount for ‘‘National Cemetery Administration’’, $64,961,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010, of which $59,476,000 shall be for capital infrastructure and memorial and monument repairs; and $5,485,000 shall be for energy efficiency initiatives.” How many jobs will this bring, how does this stimulate our economy, yours, mine? It goes on, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

FACILITIES CAPITAL For an additional amount for ‘‘Facilities Capital’’, $75,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010.” Is this Stimulating the economy? And On, PAYMENTS TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN THE FAR EAST DURING WORLD WAR II. (a) FINDINGS. Congress makes the following findings: (l) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATION. There is authorized to be appropriated to the compensation fund $198,000,000, to remain available until expended, to make payments under this section.” I’m not against these benefits, but they are not Economic Stimulus generating expenditures.

I can go on and on, and I will continue to show more of the unnecessary expenditures included in the ‘‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009’’ over the next few days. Our President means well, but Obama has allowed a Liberal Congress to kickoff his Presidency with ‘One Giant Step For Socialism’ with huge Government Expansion. Judging by what is written into this Legislation I can only concluded they is one mischievous Bill.

Recession yes, but most of what this recession is, will self-dissipate on its own. Not by this Administration’s so-called Stimulus. We need a Stimulus, but one that reaches out to all Americans.

I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…21009

Wolves Guarding the Henhouse

America’s 75th Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner spelled out some good stuff today in his first Press Conference. But left out the Details of a complex Economic Recovery program leaving Wall Street and all Markets on a downward spiral. A spiral that ended with the Dow down nearly 400 points. Geithner began his news conference painting the bleakest picture of America’s economic woes one could say. He continued this harsh portrait of America throughout his conference. The More Secretary Geithner spoke the less we knew, the more questions we had.

Perhaps his News conference would have enlightened more and inspired the Marketplace had he not been so seemingly or should I say (Transparently) over exaggerated of America’s Recession. Then made it clear at the end of his News Conference that it’s the Wolves guarding the Henhouse (Chris Dodd and Barney Frank)….that makes us leery of these new proposed policies…and more so of those not proposed yet. I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason…21009

It’s a Mad, Mad, Government

There’s an infinite amount of discussions we could have with the headline, ‘It’s a Mad, Mad, World (Government). Am I wrong? Don’t be alarmed, Dr. Quack isn’t going Mad nor cynical, but sort of. Cynical that is.

Perhaps this cynicalism (My Word) is due to the Information Age we live in and the increased amount of transparency we are now seeing in Government and Big Business. (Small Business too) It isn’t your fault, nor mine, for we Duckeons are the ones outside the asylum looking in. And unfortunately we’re all to reminded of this fact every time we read, hear, or see the current news. In particular, related to the cause, effect, and reaction to our Nation’s current Recession, by the Government and Financial Institutions. Frankly they all need to be placed into Institutions, make that one Institution for all the Washington D.C. Bureaucrats, Wall Street, Big Business, and Banking so-called intellectual Elitist. They should all be committed into the Institution for Loonies. That’s right Loonies. Too far Left or too far Right they are all one in the same, birds of the same feather, and not DUCK feathers either. They all have been in bed together for decades, and now in the Age of Information and unsurpassed techno-driven transparency their Corruption, Greed, and Cynicalism is coming out of the closet faster than the Gay Liberation Movement. (Not to offend the Gay Liberation Movement)

Our Founding Fathers and those who have sacrificed the supreme sacrifice for our Country, are rumbling and grumbling in their graves. The Cynical (Concerned Only With One’s Own Interests and Disregarding Accepted Standards to Achieve Them) seems to be the Washington D.C. Standard, rather Substandard culture. What’s more alarming is that this appears the standard taught to our children in higher education universities for which parents and our taxes pay for. They’re teaching the Standard in life, Marriage, and Business to ‘Be Concerned Only With One’s Own Interests and Disregard Accepted Standards to Achieve Them.’ What a crock of Duck Dung, you think?

A case in point. Congress can’t even for one moment keep their grubby greedy hands out of the Stimulus Bill. Loading it down with an unbelievable amount of DUNG. I don’t need to give you the blow-by-blow, you can visit Citizens Against Government Waste; http://councilfor.cagw.org/site/PageServer?pagename=CCAGW_homepage here you’ll find all the nasty details of the current Stimulus Bill. Or read it for yourself at; http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h1/text

Facts are Facts, and America’s elitist in Washington D.C., our financial and educational institutions are Clueless, to say the least.

I and America still await the Senate’s final draft of the Stimulus Bill, now called the Tax Cut and Spending Bill. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner announced Sunday that he’ll postpone by a day (Or so) the details of how the money from the Stimulus Legislation will be spent on the Financial Industry bailout.

As of this post, the Obama Stimulus package has gone from $816billion in the House Bill to $920billion in the Senate to a proposed but not yet released Final Senate rewrite of $827Billion. Where’s the cuts. The only Bill cutting came from added Amendments proposed by the Senate leaders, after receiving an already ridiculously amendment packed House Stimulus Bill. This is like walking into a Department Store sale and paying $65 for a pair of jeans marked down from $85. When I can ill afford the $65 let alone at $85. Better to shop the discount stores for what I need rather than what I may want at a time my family needs food on the table. (So to speak)

Congress needs only to spend of our money, what is needed to stimulate and move this economy, and no more. Congress needs to get the money, our money-back into our hands to manage and stimulate the economy. This is what they need to be working on. Not infrastructure and Financial Institutions. What infrastructure job would I be eligible for, none I assure you. And how does giving our tax dollars to bailout greedy corrupt Financial Institutions. For them to LOAN me the money-back at high interest,(Any Interest) going to better I and other Americans. The Government’s plan will not only indebt the Federal Government, but every small business entrepreneur like myself, every American like you.

Stipulations, such as mandating Stimulus funds scheduled for construction and manufacturing expenses be limited to unionized companies is what? I see it as a payoff. The CBO (Congressional Budget Office) writes this in its assessment of the Stimulus Bill

(American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) “CBO and JCT estimate that enacting H.R. 1 would increase budget deficits by $526 billion over the 2009-2010 period (about 19 months) and by a total of $816 billion over the 2009-2019 period. In addition, CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that enacting the provisions in Division B would reduce revenues by $76 billion in fiscal year 2009, by $131 billion in fiscal year 2010, and by a net of $212 billion over the 2009-2019 period. Combining the spending and revenue effects of H.R. 1, CBO estimates that enacting the bill would increase federal budget deficits by $169 billion over the remaining months of fiscal year 2009, by $356 billion in 2010, by $174 billion in 2011, and by $816 billion over the 2009-2019 period. CBO anticipates that implementation of H.R. 1 would have a noticeable impact on economic growth and employment in the next few years. Following longstanding Congressional budget procedures, however, this estimate does not address the potential budgetary effects of such changes in the economic outlook.”

In other words, letting well enough alone, may, could, and has, over the history of America. With reason, good judgment, and Capitalism’s (No pain, no gain)… And responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars is the best path to ending this Recession. A Recession not created by normal Capitalistic means. Rather by the selfishness and greed of many of America’s Elected and Financial Institution leaders. I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason. 20909

Hope by any name is…

First I wish my new President all the success. I recognize the moment in history President Obama brings to a collective America, coining his words. And I applauded his personal achievement in elected to the highest office in the land.

If there’s hope in change then America should look forward to a prosperous four years. The verdict is still out on just whose change will be the signature of our hope. Writers from the New York Times to the L.A. Times hoped the change Obama would bring. Would be theirs.

The odd of it all. Liberal writers from Left Coast to Left Coast boast of President Obama’s pragmatic style vs President Bush’s ideologies. However President Obama campaigned on Hope, and the Left championed the ‘Hope in Change.’ Yet Hope, is ideological in itself, is it not? So where’s the beef? I’m Dr. Quack with the harsh cry of reason. 12009