OK People...How Much Is Enough?
By Phil Kerpen
Director of Policy, Americans for Prosperity
Promise #5: Sunlight Before Signing
What he said:
“Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days.” (BarackObama.com campaign Web site)
What he did:
Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter bill, the SCHIP/cigarette tax hike, and the stimulus bill all with far less than a five-day waiting period that he promised–and continues to promise–on his campaign Web site.
Promise #4: Lobbyist Revolving Door
What he said:
“No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.” (BarackObama.com campaign Web site)
What he did:
Obama appointed Goldman Sachs lobbyists Mark Patterson chief of staff at the Treasury Department, where he directly oversees his former employer, a recipient of $10 billion of taxpayer funds from the TARP. Obama also appointed Raytheon lobbyist William Lynn to be an undersecretary of Defense.
Promise #3: No Tax Hikes on the Poor
What he said first:
“I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.” (September 12, 2008, Dover, N.H.)
What he did first:
By signing H.R. 2 into law, Obama happily signed onto the idea that smokers should pay for a $35 billion expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP). Cigarette taxes are going up 61 cents a pack starting April 1. Obama signed this bill knowing that the majority of smokers in the United States are working poor, and one in four lives below the federal poverty line.
What he said next:
“If your family earns less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes increased a single dime. I repeat: not one single dime.” (February 24th, 2009, Address to a Joint Session of Congress)
What he did next:
Ignored the already-hiked cigarette tax at the time of the statement and then this restated promise was broken just two days later, when the Obama’s budget proposal was released. His new budget raises 45 percent of its revenue from energy taxes that will be paid by everyone who fills a gas tank, pays an electric bill, or buys anything that was grown, shipped, or manufactured.
Promise #2: Pork Barrel Earmark Reform
What he said:
“The system is broken. We can no longer accept a process that doles out earmarks based on a member of Congress’ seniority, rather than the merit of the project. We can no longer accept an earmarks process that has become so complicated to navigate that a municipality or non-profit group has to hire high-priced D.C. lobbyists to do it. And we can no longer accept an earmarks process in which many of the projects being funded fail to address the real needs of our country.”
(Statement on Earmarks, March 10, 2008)
What he is expected to do:
The White House has signaled that it intends to sign the $410 billion Omnibus Appropriations bill, which according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, contains 8,570 earmarks totaling $7.7 billion, including dozens of wasteful pork-barrel projects. These earmarks were awarded based on seniority, not on merit, and were mostly the result of high-priced lobbying, precisely the process that Obama promised to end. When the omnibus reaches his desk later this week or next week, we’ll find out if this is one more broken promise.
Promise #1: Big Government
OK, so this one is more of a statement than a promise, but it’s the biggest whopper of all.
What he said:
“Not because I believe in bigger government — I don’t.” (February 24, 2009, Joint Address to Congress)
What he did:
Obama proposed a budget that is breathtaking in scope, a blueprint for the biggest permanent expansion of government in history right on the heels of a sweeping trillion dollar stimulus plan. The budget lays the foundation for a government takeover of the health care and energy sectors and dramatically increasing spending across the board, other than defense weapons programs. Spending as a percentage of the economy under this budget will reach the historic level of 27.7 percent this year. The deficit as a percent of the economy, at 12.3 percent, is set to be the biggest in the entire history of the country outside of the four peak years of World War II. Anyone who offers such a budget can only fairly be described as a believer in bigger government.
Phil Kerpen is director of policy for Americans for Prosperity.
I’m sure many of us here do a schedule C. I believe this is where some real tax hikes will occur, because deductions will be taken or for that matter audits more stringent (why not, more gov’t jobs).
But Americans love him, and don't understand this stuff. The American economy is chewing cocaine leaves now (not snorting). There will be panic buying (stocks). Might as well enjoy the ride and turn off Hannity for a while. Republican will win when inflation hits double digits, and we find out who the real poor ba*****s are.Awesome post Philo.
Thanks Sam! What I find most disturbing is that the majority of the electorate apparently didn't see this coming. Indeed, the electorate doesn't seem to see it staring them in the face.Awesome post Philo.
I’ve not paid as much attention most other elections like I have this one. I agree that his is the president and therefore I am hopeful his policies help make the country successful. However, I don’t believe he even remotely resembles the man a lot of people thought they were voting for. Most of them saw him as Moses leading the chosen people out of slavery into the promised land. They’re now finding out that he’s actually Charon ferrying people across the river Styx into Hades. Charon charged everyone but Hercules two gold coins to make the crossing. Obama’s new budget does the same thing. Question is how many levels down will we end up before we can start heading back up?
Judge a person by who he hangs with. This guy hangs with unreformed 60s terrorists and Hyde Park liberals and wacky preachers. He is un-American. We elected a subversive radical to be president because we didn’t want to look closely at his record (because we WANTED to believe in fairy tale.) Him and his low-class wife will be exposed soon enough.
B&H, I like your name and I do believe you have correctly pointed out the other side of the liberal mold (everything's relative & the government knows best).
Ice, you must be a trust fund baby. If my president watches while my revenues are down, fixed costs are the same, ( So what does that do to the profit of most small business?), and Pres. deems spending by the government "responsible" stimulus (versus cutting my taxes so I can hire one unemployed talented young advisor who should stay in this industry), then, he's YOUR Pres. At least he' "historic", too bad the Dems got him first.
He’s a puppet…Reid and Pelosi will smack him down very quickly if they see a need to. He is leading us to the slaughter house and Ice is singing "Lets rally around our president. Class warfare is a losers game, Ice. You need to wake up, step up and take a stand against taking from the rich and giving to some undeserving lazy sht, because they’re “entitled” to a better life. If you want to give more of yours to others…do it…but leave mine alone…I worked hard for it. I took a risk and put capital to work…while others borrowed up to their eyeballs and now want a bailout. I call bullsht.
If the prez would have said...make the dividend, cap gains, estate tax cuts permanent, lower corp tax rates to the lowest in the world. Give a tax credit to companies that hire individuals AND pushed for a balanced budget amendment...I would think the markets would have shot up like a rocket. If I remember correctly, back after 9-11, many in the financial world stepped up and put their money to work in the markets...as patriots..as people who believed in the free markets..Bush CUT taxes to stimulate...How many money people have you heard pounding the desk saying their all in...heck if anything...their saying "I don't see anything of value right now..so we're on the sidelines"...to me thats a thumbs down on what "Hollywood" (Obama) is doing...What really gets me..Ice is from the Midwest and he talks just like a liberal from Massachusetts...You liberal pig...rally..rally around your president...I hope like hell he goes the way of Jimmy Carter...
This is the funniest thread ever!!!
Ice, if you had the chance to go to the White House and stare into Obama's big, brown eyes ... or if you could have gone there and gotten a little prayer counseling and a Texas hug, now, be honest, you'd gone for a cigarette on the back porch with YOUR PRESIDENT.
“Welcome to democracy.”
Above is the PRECISE problem. Our country is supposed to be a Representative Republic. It was NEVER intended to be a democracy.
When the man was elected, I vowed that I would support him when, in conscience, I could, and further hope and pray that he’d be successful for all of our sakes. It didn’t take long to blow THAT out of the water!
How, for example, did we pass the largest spending bill (the bailout) in the history of the world, and NO ONE EVEN READ THE DAMN THING??? How do we elect a reform candidate who promised to reign in if not eliminate pork-barrel spending, and then watch that same candidate make one of his first orders of business sign a $410BN pork-laded omnibus spending package? The hypocrisy, not to mention the hubris, is mind numbing. We’ve got to let these clowns know NOW that we’re on to them…we can’t wait for the next presidential election cycle. There won’t be anything left.
Okay, you're cool. I tried to be positive about Obama, and you're doing better job, that's all. I think what Congress and O are doing now WILL make the market settle, so in that sense I'm grateful he's OUR president. :).
I hope to god that he does well,
(extra credit) and IF he does, I will vote for him for a second term. This is way more politics than I should be writing, but I'm waiting for an appointment to walk in at any moment: okay, hoping to God that he does well is just reasonable, until the Dem spin Karl Rove wannabees took it to Rush (comical). Rush is kinda of fat boy doushe bag, but he's right in saying if Obama succeeds, we'll all be wearing Mao suits.Ice, hoping Obama does well while he centralizes economic decision making is like buying a stock just because it goes down. It depends on your definition of "does well". For example, some folks would find the White House attacking Rush for saying he hopes Obama won't do well (expanding government) as ironic. ( Call it the "irony of hope". " Don't question me, it's unpatriotic not to get behind your president ". )
You don't have to defend yourself, man, just explain yourself. Try to articulate yourself or ask questions. I do know I am smart, but not smarter than the others here. Even Bobby, whose web site "dungeon" where I once suffered a virtual death, is smart.All I read from your posts…“Liberal douchebag, I love Obama, I want a cramdown on the house I couldn’t afford”…Damn the cat is out of the bag…why don’t you move to f*ing China, butt plug.
Can we all agree (as crazy as this sounds), that this was the only scenario where Hillary would have actually been the preferred (Democrat) candidate for President?
Jindal 2012!![quote=apprentice] Can we all agree (as crazy as this sounds), that this was the only scenario where Hillary would have actually been the preferred (Democrat) candidate for President?
Jindal 2012!!
[/quote]
No, I’m afraid that I can’t agree with that.
Not at all.
Thanks Philo - you’re right, she would have been just as much a disaster.
Let me start by saying I’m pretty much pissed off with all politicians and our political system in general. We all don’t like Obama and his policies but what exactly was going so well during Bush’s time in office.
I'm not suggesting that there isn't plenty of blame to go around, but the economy was doing fine until the mid-term elections when Pelosi et al took over the Congress.Let me start by saying I’m pretty much pissed off with all politicians and our political system in general. We all don’t like Obama and his policies but what exactly was going so well during Bush’s time in office.
I agree with you that the economy was humming along but the housing market (which IMHO is the cause) and all that is now associated with it couldn’t last forever. That is why we are were we are! To me this isn’t necessarily a political blame game. They are all at fault. Only time will tell if the decisions our politicians are making now will have the desired effect, if not we all have to power to change it with our vote. Of course all we get with change is more self-serving government officials.
There’s little question, both parties helped get us into the mortgage crisis. It would just be nice to have some (real) business people leading us out. The Dems, throwing an entire social agenda in with a stimulus plan is just plain irresponsible.
Stabilizing the banking system is mandatory, the way is has been done is almost comical. And now, the socialist treatment of the auto makers (while the union leadership parties in their $400 rooms in FL) is the icing on the cake for those who know better than "us". America thinks Obama is doing a great job. Econonic ignorance ( the lack of economic education and savvy) plays out in America. Thank God the market is greedy. This too shall pass. But the common (ice) man needs to get focused on what is important to America playing to its greatest strengths, which does not include some kind of all-knowing (Democratic) leadership. Pelosi et al IS the problem with America, and Wall Street knows it.Ok Ice..fess up...how many obama pictures do you have on your walls....come on now...3..maybe 5 if you count the one above the toilet.
[quote=iceco1d][quote=Doksee]
Thank God the market is greedy. This too shall pass. But the common (ice) man needs to get focused on what is important to America playing to its greatest strengths, which does not include some kind of all-knowing (Democratic) leadership. [/quote] You have no f*cking clue what I believe pal. Your snide, glancing remarks are really starting to irritate me. I'd be willing to bet a tidy sum that I've forgotten more about economics than you presently think you know, son. [/quote] Economics? Read any Karl Marx lately ..... comrade? Sincerely, Colonel FlaggOkay, Ice. Economics happens to be my passion. But when I mentioned wanting tax cuts (for my small business) instead of the federal government making spending decisions, your reading comprehension was zero. Seriously, are you like, a trust fund baby or what? Defend yourself with logic, “old man”. We’re all trying to make sense of things.
I can’t wait to stand in line for my bread handout…just me and my old pal ICE…talking about the good ol days. At least he will have pictures of my wife…she now lives with her parents and 6 cousins…in a community housing project…selling herself to feed our children…wearing big ass combat boots…
I love Pelosi, Reed, Obama, Frank...the real forward thinking leaders. Thanks for pointing this out to all of us Ice...rally around the president...yes comrade...the supreme leader is cool isn't he...You are just in a sour mood because your practice is failing and/or crumbling around you, and you just want to sit behind your desk all day and attack someone to make yourself feel better.
Okay, I accept your apology for uttering words that would suggest you are a liberal. If you're a golfer, we might be friends, who knows. So I'm well into my second decade of running my independent practice, sure my revenues are down, but basically I'm bored out of my mind. Sorry if I gave you the impression I was attacking you to make myself feel better. Dude, I'm almost manic about the prospect of cleaning up on this messing, once money starts really moving again, with what, 1/3 less rr's? F*** the Socialists.Ice, I was just kidding, and I assume these other guys are, too.
Ice I’m so sorry. Now I understand, we all just misunderstood you and your gay analogy about backing the pres…because you want us all to get along. Man…did I make a huge mistake. Thanks man…thanks for making me see the light. I’m so glad you’re not a socialist, gay, overweight, welfare baby type of person. I will be more social with you.
douchebagice - Don’t worry too much about spears. Unless you agree wholeheartedly with him about everything he thinks you’re gay, stupid, or a db. At least he’s not arguing much these days with me about EDJ. Hopefully he’s moved on from there.
Good s***, mon. Just remind me when I get pissed off - that you’re teasing.
And this one time at band camp!
Ice… washout…are you kidding? If you would do your homework smartass, you would know you can’t just open your own shop out of the kindness of some indy b/d. You keep working for your employer and maybe one day you’ll get to put on the big boy pants and open your own shop…and see what it means to make real money in this business, not what your employer will allow you to have.
You sound like a 28 yr old, only child who's never been teased and has their panties in a wad. You poor f*ing baby...did you get picked on as a kid. Sorry. Instead of sitting your lonely ass at home every evening posting here, why don't you get some nuts and go out and find a nice piece of ass and make her scream, it will help your low self esteem. Mama's boy...Since this thread has veered entirely off course, I thought I would add this.
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/05/abortion-ascendance/Ice and Spears:
Ice you know I respect you. Spears I agree with you on a lot of things involving Eddie Jones. But guys please: SHUT THE f*** UP!
BTW...I've got to agree with Ice on this one, I didn't see where he said he agreed with the Dems. Spears why are you always looking for a fight! I've said it before and I'll say it again. If more people would listen to Bob Marley the world would be a better place. One Love y'all!Ok, I admit it, I voted for Obama. Hang me.
What I don’t get is how it took this country 8 years to figure out Bush was bad for us, but less than 60 days to determine Obama is bad for us. When did we get so smart? When we all knew the market was going to tank last September?
The man ran on a platform of change, did you all sleep through that? It didn’t take a rocket scientist to understand what he was going to do and that he had the charisma and political capital to make it happen. Did you honestly think he’d get in and it would be business as usual? I didn’t vote for him because I thought he was Jesus, I voted because I was tired of W’s Crusades into the Middle East and making us the mockery of the world.
I’ll adapt my practice to fit the new paradigm, and it would probably be a wise thing for all of us to do if we want to stay in this business.
Ok, bring it on. I’ll take my lashings.
You work on Wall Street and you want to be lashed for supporting socialism? This is a sad day for America.
Phil Gramm was right. This is a nation of whiners.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr2-f-_EwrQ
Here is the full link.All good points, Ice. And if you want to go back farther, see the Community Reinvestment Act under Jimmy Carter. This was the legislation that originally required lending institutions to carry a certain amount of sub-prime on the books. Clinton gave the act more teeth.
To add to that, Bush (and McCain) tried to warn everyone about the Fannie Mae subprime stuff, but they were called racists. Bawney Fwank (no, that’s not a typo) makes me want to break the tv.
Sorry, ignore this you like, I’m just fed up and need to laugh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roTe8PXJkpI (We are very accepting of our gay extended family members, it's just a joke.)Now here you go putting words in my mouth. I didn’t say GWB caused all of this. I wasn’t happy with his leadership or his foreign policies, and the GOP certainly did nothing to convince me that putting McCain in office would change anything. I think my dog could have beat McCain by simply asking the question, “How will you be different?” He had no answer to it.
I’m not a historian, but I certainly understand that the policies put forth by any president have an impact often many years in the future. If I put my mind to it, I imagine I can come up with a few great Republican fiascos as well. Bottom line, as long as there are two parties, there will never be a government that acts in the overall best interest of the public. But that’s another thread.
But I ask you, as President, if Bush really understood the sub-prime mess and where it was going, what kind of a leader was he to cow-tow the likes of Barney Frank? That’s not leadership in any book.
I’m glad all of you have been around the block many times and are far wiser than I am, I can learn a thing or two. Does that mean you all of you already know everything there is to know?
[quote=mojo99] Now here you go putting words in my mouth. I didn’t say GWB caused all of this. I wasn’t happy with his leadership or his foreign policies, and the GOP certainly did nothing to convince me that putting McCain in office would change anything. I think my dog could have beat McCain by simply asking the question, “How will you be different?” He had no answer to it.
I’m not a historian, but I certainly understand that the policies put forth by any president have an impact often many years in the future. If I put my mind to it, I imagine I can come up with a few great Republican fiascos as well. Bottom line, as long as there are two parties, there will never be a government that acts in the overall best interest of the public. But that’s another thread.
But I ask you, as President, if Bush really understood the sub-prime mess and where it was going, what kind of a leader was he to cow-tow the likes of Barney Frank? That’s not leadership in any book.
I’m glad all of you have been around the block many times and are far wiser than I am, I can learn a thing or two. Does that mean you all of you already know everything there is to know?[/quote]
Make no mistake…there’s more than enough blame to go around for BOTH sides of the aisle. It just seems that the longer we go on, the more vicious the partisan attacks become. We’ve finally reached the point I believe that if one side came up with a cure for cancer the other would oppose it.
Finally some sanity has returned
Every member o’ Congress should be fired
It iz now clear ta be dat Obama iz Pelosi’s puppet
Yall iz mad mad stupid
Yeah, yo. Nancy pop-up, bro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQto3HZvkYU
Dear Santa,
Please let da citizens o’ San Francisco an’ Nevada give Rep. Pelosi an’ Sen. Reid da gift o’ retirement
Ya’ dig?
I’m just surprised how many “financial advisors” don’t understand how marginal taxes work.
How many financial advisors could name six deduction categories on a Schedule C?
As to Obama .....like all politicans his first and foremost " job " is to win the next election. Our Prime Minister works on the same assumption. Unfortunately , this politicans and the government employees are spending our money.
As our respective governments continue to " print money " and spend the tax dollars like " drunken sailors " we again are going to pay a very heavy price for these programs. The other day , as I recall the President stated he " was prepared to accept inflation as result of government spending".
I would suggest that politicans better take a very long and hard look at what that will mean 4-5 years from now. For some of us that went through it before....remember Mortgage Rates at 18% or Term Deposits ( GIC's ) at 14-16% Annual Interest. It was not pretty.
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