SamSaid!

THE UNEMPLOYMENT STIMULUS

31st December 2009

THE UNEMPLOYMENT STIMULUS

As the unemployment level rose beyond 7% back in 2008, the Obama administration identified it as a major priority for strong Federal action. Nobody looked upon high unemployment as being acceptable  — even on a short term basis. Hence, the Stimulus Bill  –  almost  a $800 Billion  — aimed at creating private sector jobs on projects dubbed “shovel ready”.  But instead of dropping, unemployment rose to more than 10% and has stayed there. By any math model, the Stimulus program has been a colossal failure  –  a total flop. In order to buttress their contentions of success, the numerical scorekeeping by Democrats has been downright laughable. Now the Prez wants to take the unspent money and spend it on do-gooder government projects.  No more discussions about shovel ready.

Virtually all economists agree that the real engine of job creation is in the small business private sector of the economy –  not the  public sector. All the private sector gets is more burdensome regulations and higher taxes.  We might ask Mr Obama, “Exactly what are you trying to fix??”

This assumes that he has some kind of plan. Not very clear to me.

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11th December 2009

THE CHICKEN HAWK

Back in the days of the cold war there was a favorite term used to describe politicians who equivocated or vacillated on key issues in dealing with the USSR.  These are the folks who talked tough and then hid from the hard facts that could not be ignored. They said all of the right things and were very “hawk-like” until it came to decision time. Then they “chickened out”.  Hence came the term “chicken hawks “.

In watching our Prez and listening to his rhetoric, I think it is time to dust off the chicken hawk nomenclature and pin a badge of feathers on his lapel. When the first duty of  the President is to secure the welfare of the country and its citizens it is not too comforting to have a chicken hawk sitting in the White House.

Back in the 60s and 70s the chicken hawks were confident that we could negotiate our way around, through, or over any international issue.  Sound familiar?? All we need is a good microphone and sound batteries. Obama might think that the verbal skills of Churchill and FDR made all the difference in winning WWII.  Sure,  —that plus the willingness to commit an Army, Navy and Air Force  —  and the decision  to use them.

Do you really think that we can pursuade the Iranians, Koreans, etc.,  to give up their nukes??  Why should they believe Obama?  Based on events to date, would you?? If we eventually have some kind of showdown, who will be the first to blink?  Maybe the Prez should check the oddsmakers in Las Vegas.

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4th December 2009

DESTROYING SARAH

Sarah Palin arrived on the national political scene at the 2008 Republican Convention last fall and made an immediate impact on the political scene  –  particularly among women.The Obama camp was caught flat-footedand had an immediate strategy council meeting to decide what to do about Sarah. Almost immediately the game plan was to destroy Sarah.  With no holds barred, the targets were Sarah, her spouse, her family, her kids, her role as Governor of Alaska, her education, etc etc.  Anything and everything. The attack dogs of the major media were turned loose.  Simple objective  –  Destroy Sarah.

As a part-time stay at home political junkie, I have followed with interest the skirmishes between Sarah and the major media gurus over the past year, including the past 3 months in which she has re-emerged as a major voice on the national scene, to say nothing of her new book recently published with great success. While I understand the strategy of the Democrats,  the harshness and viciousness of the media assaults are hard to accept. She is attractive, well spoken, knowledgeable, and a far cry from the political destructiveness of the left wingers. Clearly, her messages have  resonated strongly with voters of all persuasions on the major issues of the day. Will she seek high office next year?  Probably not. Will she speak out to endorse candidates of her preferences?  Undoubtedly, yes.  Does she have political ambitions?  Yes, no doubt. Can she win the Presidency?  Doubtful. But she will be a powerful force in any national election, and the Democrats know it.

Would I vote for her?  Yes, if I have a chance. If experience is a pre-requisite, what about Obama??

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3rd December 2009

THE OBAMA STIMULUS

The primary yardstick used to gauge the depth of the current recession is the unemployment  rate.  A year or so ago it hovered between 7 and 7.5 %. Responding to that urgent problem, Obama and his advisory team came up with a Stimulus package priced at about $800,ooo,ooo,000. That’s right  –  $800 Billion. During the past year, the unemployment rate has surged to 10.2 %.  Obviously the Stimulus package has been a disastrous flop. Whatever became of the “shovel ready” projects?? Now, some of his Democratic  supporters are talking about a Stimulus II  —  you know, when in doubt, throw more money at it. In trying to justify the 2008 Stimulus package, the reports of job creation (and/or job saving) have been downright laughable, including job creation in phantom non-existent  Congressional districts. Yoo-hoo, anyone driving this train??

Even left wing economists concede that real job creation rests with small businesses. The economy doesn’t await the IBMs and Chevrons to hire thousands of new employes. Rather, the prime mover is thousands of small businesses hiring 5-10-20 people or so apiece.  Doesn’t it make senses to help small business owners instead of imposing more and more burdensome taxes on them? Instead of impressive rhetoric, a few pro business measures might be the real stimulus that is needed.

Are you listening, Mr Prez??

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15th November 2009

Setting all time records

In some form, competition exists in all phases of our society and culture for all organizations and individuals. It is the fuel that drives our engines of accomplishment. And it figures that with measurements of success there will be records. That leads us to the Holy Grails of accomplishment  –  all time records.

In the world politics and government, all- time records are revered in some circles and new records are being set every day.  Take Prez Obama for example. First, he is setting and all time record for TV appearances.  Not a day goes by without spending time in front of the TV cameras, and at last count, none of his predecessors (even Bill Clinton) qualifies for second place.  One question is whether or not he is wearing out his welcome. Either that or else he suffers from self intoxication.

Second, he has set all time records for spending. There are 3 main  sources for money  —  printing more currency, borrowing, and higher taxes. The Treasury printing presses are in overdrive, China is our main source of borrowed funds and he has raised taxes on all of us with more to come.  All of this without much regard for paying back all of the huge commitments.

All- time records. Obama’s legacy to the next generation.

Not too long ago we were introduced to the term “Billions”. Now it is Trillions which is a number followed by twelve zeroes. Does he really care about the burden of “payback?”

TV time and spending. All- time records with more to come.

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10th November 2009

The Murderous Muslim Major

Shortly after invoking the Islamic prayer “Allah Akbhar” (God is Great) Major Hasan drew two hand guns and killed 13 people and wounded 29 others. All in the name of Allah. The do-gooders and others of the persuasion of Political Corrrectness say that the shooter suffered from lack of counseling. War related trauma. Try that on the families of the dead or dying victims. Here is a guy who thinks that suicide bombers are OK and places loyalty to Islam over loyalty to the USA or the Army. And he has tried to contact Al Queda leaders and recruiters. He bought hand guns and ammunition well in advance —- which he used at Ft Hood where he fired close to 100 shots. Not exactly a spur of the momen action. If he “snapped”, when did he snap? When he bought the guns?? Personally, I wish he had been killed by the four shots he received. And think about the hundreds and thousands of taxpayer dollars that will be spent for medical and legal expenses of his trial. In the end, he won’t be executed. It might make the Muslim leaders mad. But he will be remembered — while the 38 dead and wounded will be largely forgotten. For the Murderous Major it will be reduced to a long sentence that will at some point be commuted since the real defense will be inadequate counseling. That is the PC defense. And for the dead soldiers, Just another case of “Sorry buddy, wrong place, wrong time”.
The real culprits in this sad scenario are at Walter Reed Hospital. They Knew he was big trouble, but passed him off to Ft. Hood. That’s all a part of the PC solution.

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30th October 2009

THIN-SKINNED AND EGO

George Bush was not a very popular President — at least as judged by most of the mass media. He suffered harsh criticism and even ridicule by some of the evening TV spokesmen. But he didn’t lash out at the media people or political spokesmen. He was not a whiner or an attack dog. He kept his cool with a statesman-like demeanor and a thick hide.
Not so with our current President who has a thin skin and a big ego. Obama thinks the role of the media is to praise his rhetoric and support his programs. To him, it is unthinkable for the media to question his programs, motives, or leadership.
Then along comes Fox news with a different take on his administration. They (Fox)have the temerity to question his leadership and his programs. He does not like to be labeled as Barack the Big spender, nor does he enjoy being accused of ducking tough decisions. His thin skin is showing puncture wounds that clever phrases can’t hide or disguise. So now he has declared war on Fox news.
I enjoy Fox — it is refreshing and it tackles areas that the Big Media passes over. Personally, I think Obama will rue the day he attacked the press — when some of the other guys will turn on him.
Can’t buy your way out of this one, and people are beginning to see thru the fancy words.
Score : Fox 3 Obama 1

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28th October 2009

No Kidding; it’s true

For the past 5-6 decades the print media in the USA included prominent daily newspapers from virtually every major city in the country. The Wall Street Journal had only a modest circulation among the New York City financial types and didn’t come close to circulation comparisons with the big City papers. Last week it was announced that the WSJ had passed USA Today and now has the widest and largest circulation of any newspaper in the country. I have subscribed to the WSJ for many years but I had no idea that it had grown that much. For many years I have been convinced that the editorial pages of the WSJ are the best in the US and it is gratifying to see that so many folks now have access the WSJ editorialists. In days of Obamanomics we need quality input to matters of National and International import. Personally, my breakfast consists of coffee, the WSJ and food — in that order. Who would ever have imagined that the WSJ could achieve such nationwide prominence without either a Comics section or a Sports page.
No kidding — it’s true. Maybe there is still hope to avoid the slide to socialism.

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23rd October 2009

Knowing the difference

It is World series time and thoughts can move from Obama’s grandiose spending programs to more mundane subjects like Afghanistan and our foreign policy (if we have one). I am reminded of a couple of sayings that would seem appropriate. In the world of baseball a particularly inept participant is one who doesn’t know the difference between his elbow and first base. In the world of politics, those in the slow lane just don’t seem to know the difference between a particular part of their anatomy from a hole in the ground ( borrowed from a barnyard expression). This seems to fit Omama and his “brain trust” as they spend week after week in trying to decide what to do in the Middle East. Is it brain picking or pooling ignorance?? I’ll try ot be kind. I don’t think they have the foggiest notion of what to do, and they are in the soup way over their heads. As citizens, I think we have every right to be very concerned about our country under his leadership. The only enemies he sees on the horizon are Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. Pretty sad commentary. Will $250 be enough to pay for his lack of leadership? Not in this household.

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20th October 2009

Feeling hot or cold??

Ten -twenty years ago, Academicians were all concerned about the approach of some kind of mini-ice age  –  the prospect of global cooling.  And these theorems were strongly supported by some of the more pre-eminent scientists in the US.  Of course it all fizzled and then among came Al Gore. Now all the rage is global warming.   And you can just see Obama licking his chops at the prospect of  Cap and Trade to satisfy his Green buddies.  Congress will be starting the legislative (spending) process soon. In this day and age, what is another $100 Billion or so?

But aren’t we getting the cart before the horse. It seems to me that there are two separate threshold questions to be answered before we plunge off the deep end of the pool.  First, is the planet really warming, and if so, at what rate? Second, is the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere man induced or not?  If we can get consensus on Q 1 then we can proceed to Q2. But until we can sensibly agree on Q1, why should we contemplete major expenditures on Q 2? With a shaky economy, we don’t need another  big wild goose chase.  Is any big CO2  expenditure really prudent right now?  And what if we launch a huge spending program and the rest of the world says Ho-hum and good luck.

I do not have much confidence in our Prez when it come to spending $Trillions.

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