Great Information…..

While I can not claim credit for the compilation of facts below, after confirming the facts I felt that it was important to share…..

$34,000:
The amount of federal taxes that Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner (D) failed to pay during his employment at the International Monetary Fund despite receiving extra compensation and explanatory brochures that described his tax liabilities.

True:  http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/01/timothy_geithner_obamas_nomine.html
$75,000:

The amount of money that the  head of the  powerful tax-writing committee, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), was forced to report  on his taxes after the discovery that he had not reported income from a  Dominican Republic rental property. His excuses for the failure started with blaming his wife, then his accountant and finally the fact that  he didn’t speak Spanish.

True http://www.nypost.com/seven/09102008/news/regionalnews/rangels_spanish_excuse_128444.htm

$93,000:

The  INCREASE in the amount of petty cash each of our Congressional representatives voted to give themselves in January 2009 during the height of an economic meltdown. That’s a $40 + million INCREASE!

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/01/its-recession-congress-gives-lawmakers.html See video here from Fox

$133,900:

The amount Fannie Mae “invested” in Chris Dodd (D-CT), head of the powerful Senate Banking Committee, presumably to repel oversight of the GSE prior to its meltdown. Said meltdown helped touch off the  current economic crisis. In only a few years time, Fannie also “invested” over $105,000 in then-Senator Barack Obama.

True:  http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/07/top-senate-recipients-of-fanni.html

$140,000:

The amount of back taxes and interest that Cabinet nominee Tom Daschle (D) was forced to cough up after the vetting process revealed significant, unexplained tax liabilities.

True:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123335984751235247.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Wall Street Journal

$356,000:

The approximate amount of income and deductions that Daschle (D) was forced to report on his amended 2005 and 2007 tax returns after being caught cheating on his taxes.  This includes $255,256 for the use of a car service, $83,333 in unreported income, and $14,963 in charitable contributions.

True:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123335984751235247.html?mod=googlenews_wsj Wall Street Journal

$800,000:

The amount of “sweetheart” mortgages Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) received from Countrywide Financial, the details for which he has refused to release details despite months of promises  to do so. Countrywide was once the nation’s largest mortgage lender and linked to  Government-Sponsored Entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Their meltdown precipitated the current financial crisis. Just days ago in Pennsylvania , Countrywide was forced to pay $150,000,000 in mortgage assistance following “a state investigation that concluded that Countrywide relaxed its underwriting standards to sell risky loans to consumers who did not understand them and could not afford them.”

True:  http://rightvoices.com/2008/08/21/more-sweetheart-loan-details-on-senator-chris-dodd-d-ct-chairman-of-the-senate-committee-on-banking-housing-and-urban-affairs/

$1,000,000:

The  estimated amount of donations by Denise Rich, wife of fugitive Marc Rich, to Democrat interests and the William J. Clinton Foundation in an apparent quid pro quo deal that resulted in a pardon for Mr. Rich. The pardon was reviewed and blessed by Obama Attorney General and then Deputy AG Eric Holder, despite numerous requests by government officials to turn it down.

True:  http://articles.latimes.com/2008/nov/20/nation/na-holder20

$12,000,000:

The amount of TARP money provided to community bank One United despite the fact that it did not qualify for funds, and was “under attack from its regulators for
allegations of poor lending practices and executive-pay abuses.”  It turns out that Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), a key contributor to the Fannie Mae meltdown, just happens to be married to one of the bank’s former directors.

True:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123258284337504295.html Wall Street Journal

$23,500,000:

The upper range of net worth Rep. Allan  Mollohan (D-WV) accumulated in four years time according to The Washington Post through earmarks of “tens of millions of dollars to groups associated with his own business partners.”

True:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/14/AR2006051401032.html Washington Post

$2,000,000,000:

($2 billion) the approximate amount of  money that House Appropriations Chairman David Obey (D-WI) is earmarking related to his son’s lobbying  efforts. The son, Craig Obey, is “a top lobbyist for the nonprofit group” that would receive a roughly $2 billion component of the “Stimulus”package.

True:  http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/a_plan_for_stimulus_money_national_parks/C530/L37/

…and this as a list of these related stories:  http://search.yahoo.com/404handler?src=news&+++%0A+fr%3D404_news%26ref%3Dhttp://directorblue.blogspot.com/2009/01/obama-democrats-by-numbers.html&url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090129/ap_on_go_co/stimulus_national_parks_2

$3,700,000,000:

($3.7 billion) not to be outdone, this is the estimated value of various defense contracts awarded to a company controlled by the husband of Rep. Diane Feinstein (D-CA).  Despite an obvious conflict-of-interest as “a  member of the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee, Sen. Feinstein voted for appropriations worth billions to her husband’s firms.”

True:  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/04/22/MN310531.DTL

$4,190,000,000:

($4.19 billion) the amount of money in the so-called “Stimulus” package devoted to fraudulent voter registration ACORN group under the auspices of “Community Stabilization Activities”. ACORN is currently the subject
of a RICO suit in Ohio .

True:  http://www.ocregister.com/articles/stimulus-economy-percent-2295331-bill-pelosi

$1,646,000,000,000  ($1.646  trillion):

The approximate amount of annual United States exports endangered by the “Stimulus” package, which provides a “Buy American” stricture. According to international trade experts, a “US-EU trade war looms” which could result in a worldwide economic depression reminiscent of that touched off by the protectionist Smoot-Hawley Act.

True:  http://www.asiaing.com/2008-national-export-strategy-the-new-global-main-street.html

and http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/01/022685.php

Background:  Smmot-Hawley Act:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot-Hawley_Tariff_Act

After reading this, it makes no sense why we as a society, a people who are struggling during these tough financial times would continue to keep these “thieves” in office.  Do your part, and I’ll do mine at the voting booths and we can get these corrupt incumbents out of Washington!!!

Obama Approval Rating in the Toilet

Last week’s polling numbers are in and the outcome was bleak for freshman President, Barak Obama.  While on average the polling data showed an approval rating of 60% (and only 33% disapproval) back on June 24 those same polls indicate that as of August 29 Obama’s rating has fallen to 51% approval with a growing base of 42% of likely voters disapproving his job performance.  The tide is starting to change.

I for one realized that the campaign rhetoric spewed by the Obama camp during the election was based more in theatrics than on planning and conscious deliberation, though 53% of fellow Americans were fooled into believing that the President’s plan to bring “hope” and “change” had been clearly defined and somehow without hearing the details conceded that they agreed with his policies.  Those folks were sadly mistaken, and some are asking themselves, “what have we done?” as they watch our country “change” dramatically and lie in wait with “hope” that the overconfident bullies that have control of the reins can be stopped before it’s too late.

In an article for RealClearPolitics.com, Troy Senik makes a good point that any idea that the tide was turning in Washington in strong favor of liberals and that “conservatism is dead” now has to be reevaluated and disregarded in light of plummeting polling data.  The President is losing ground, fast and his congressional counterparts up for re-election in 2010 should sit-up and take notice of how the people feel.  Shockingly, particularly due to the popularity of the President just a few short weeks ago, only 38.8% of likely voters think that the country is currently headed in the right direction.

Why is this happening, you ask?  My response, Americans are waking up and paying attention.  Todd J. Zywicki provides a more analytical response in an article for Forbes.com where he states “This is not only due to Obama’s unpopular health reform program (although that may explain some of it). It is also because of the process he has used to push his signature initiative–a process that reeks of arrogance, deception and bullying.”

The people are speaking and only time will tell if politicians are getting the message.  For the sake of this country, let’s hope they are!

Troy Senik served in the White House as a speechwriter for President George W. Bush.  He previously wrote for California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.  He can be reached at troysenik@gmail.com.

Todd J. Zywicki is a professor at George Mason University School of Law and a senior scholar at Mercatus Center.

Afraid of the Doctor?

National Debt Road Trip – Great Video Analogy

Ever wonder where we went wrong with national spending?  PoliticalMath provides us with visualization to help us decide…..

Are you willing to continue traveling 174 MPH down the road we’re traveling?

I AM NOT!!!

What Have We Done?

Is Obama a President or a King?

One has to wonder.  He controls our Military, our auto manufacturers, and the banks….how much more power can one man take, what about a power grab of the internet?

In a report by Declan McCullagh for CNET news it is relayed that the “cyber security” bill that was proposed in the Senate in the Spring has had major attention from staff in the offices of Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)and that the “revised” legislation is still vague in scope, not to mention just downright scary.  The internet providers are confused, and citizens should be alarmed.

It seems to me that with strong opposition by conservatives in Washington and falling approval ratings the White House would cease and desist the current path and turn to more moderate, bi-partisan efforts to truly help this country recover from one of the largest down-trends our economy has ever faced.  However, instead, an informed Middle America is undermining their progress and therefore initiatives such as the “Fairness Doctrine” and this “Cyber-Security” bill are appearing to secure the President’s control over two of the major information sources used by independent and conservative talk-show hosts to educate the masses.  Is this some coincidence?  I think not!

Gay Marriage Debate Lies with Congress

In a calculated measure by gay rights groups the debate on the Federal recognition of same-sex marriages is facing Congress. 

In an AP article published today it was reported that the City Council of the District of Columbia has unanimously voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere in the country. Supporters of the action are optimistic that the measure will pass Congress, who has final authority of the city’s laws.  This issue will undergo a thirty day Congressional review and a final vote will be completed in May.

This is a slippery slope for lawmakers to wander down because the situation in DC is different than that of most states.  The District of Columbia is under the legislative control of Congress, due to its status as a city, rather than a state.  Congress will undoubtedly review the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act which negated any federal recognition of same-sex marriages, yet leaves the issue up to individual states to determine legitimacy in their jurisdictions.

 The concern is this, if following Congressional review and the member vote passes the legitimacy of the DC City Council right to recognize gay-marriage, will the measure be un-stoppable moving toward a federal recognition of these unions?

It seems orchastrated, that with all that is facing lawmakers in Washington, the city council of DC would place this gem on the table.  With not enough republican support to derail the Obama administration on issues such as stimulus and an out-of-control budget that it would make for easy passage of this measure through Congress. 

Another Corrupt Adviser for Obama

Do you know the name Lawrence Summers? 

Lawrence Summers was the Treasury Secretary under President Clinton who was the mastermind behind the loopholes in the financial regulations that allowed the toxic derivatives market to almost bankrupt this country.  He now holds the post of Obama’s top economic advisor, and received $8 million dollars from Wall Street firms last year – hedge fund firms which Summers and his protégé, Tim Geithner are using to clean up toxic assets with taxpayer dollars.

Summers was the proponent behind the prevention of hedge fund regulation during the Clinton administration, which was at the center of the collapse of the derivatives market last year.  In addition, Summers was paid outrageous amounts for speaking engagements at D.E. Shaw, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and Citigroup as late as November 2008, shortly before these companies received bailout funds from American taxpayers.

The scariest point, is now Summers is in charge of overseeing the $2.86 trillion of bailout funds to these same companies he once protected from regulation, and received large payments from in the past year.  Someone scream, CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

Before we put a weasel at the helm of the financial crisis, I beg Congress to question Dr. Summers about what has happened to change his 1998 theory about regulations on financial companies:  “the parties to these kinds of contracts are largely sophisticated financial institutions that would appear to be eminently capable of protecting themselves from fraud and counterparty insolvencies. … ”

The same man, who less than a decade ago claimed that the financial district could self manage their loss factor is now been placed at the “forefront of the Obama administrations work to provide regulatory framework that will strengthen the financial system” as described by the White House spokesman Ben Labolt.

Read the article from Robert Scheer @ truthdig.com

MSNBC Obama Poll

Since few of us watch MSNBC, we need to get this sent around to our friends so MSNBC will know what people really think of him. Otherwise, they will report everyone is happy. VOTE and send it on to your friends. It will take 3 seconds to vote…..and look at the results after you vote.

MSNBC has a live poll to grade Obama’s performance as President, and we need to get some conservative voices showing up in the results! Here is the site:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29493093/
PLEASE VOTE AND THEN PASS THIS ON!!! It only takes a minute . one click!

VOTE..AND THEN SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR OTHER CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS, ASSOCIATES, FAMILY AND SITES!

A Change in Tune

The President addressed an international grouping of reporters in Stratasbourg, France following the NATO conference that concluded this morning.  He was openly optimistic of the work that was done to reach an agreement regarding Afghani stabilization.  While fielding questions he was careful to call on a multi-national selection of reporters, and threw aside the vetted list that was prepared ahead of time following a question posed from Ed Luce, Financial Times (UK):

                “Mr. President, in the context of all the multi-national actions this week at the G20, and then NATO and your enthusiasm of multi-national frameworks whether you subscribe, as many of your predecessors did to American exceptionalism that sees America as uniquely qualified to lead the world or do you have a slightly different philosophy?”

For a moment, President Obama seemed amused and responded “I believe in American exceptionalism… as the Brits believe in British exceptionalism…”; he continued that he is “enormously proud” of America’s role in the history Europe and that Americans should “not be embarrassed” to see the sacrifices of our troops and resources that have been provided to Europe since the conclusion of WWII. 

Judging from this defense of America to a European audience most certainly announces that the staff surrounding Obama received the message of American outrage with the President’s remarks of apology for the United States and his predecessor during the G20 Summit this week.

Going on, Pres. Obama expressed his understanding that despite the strength and leadership in America, “we are not always right” and that we have to recognize that “others have good ideas.”  He sees no contradiction between accepting American exceptionalism while providing leadership that depends on partnerships because “we cannot solve these problems alone” and because “all parties must compromise.” 

How can Obama be so arrogant to walk on to a European stage and tout his skills of “compromise” on issues when he has been incapable of displaying that message domestically?  His policies are passing through congress like steamrollers with virtually no bi-partisan support, and he has been unwilling to scale back any point of his agenda. What makes foreign leaders think he will have more regard for their views when he ignores the voices of the citizen’s he represents?