Will 'Stimulus' bill give you the healthcare you deserve?

A teen gets a vaccination. [Image from CDC image library](Washington, D.C.)—Obviously Tom Daschle didn’t foresee his rejection as nominee for head of U.S. Health and Human Services—his ideology is embedded in the ‘stimulus’ bill President Barack Obama is stumping for. Betsy McCaughey, former lieutenant governor of New York, wrote commentary for Bloomberg News about healthcare provisions written into a pork-laden bill Democrats call a ‘stimulus’ bill and fiscal conservatives might call a ‘barbecue.’  McCaughey said, “Senators should read these provisions and vote against them because they are dangerous to your health.”

Click to read more ...

The inauguration and the flu

I planned to watch the inauguration today, but what I didn’t plan was getting the flu. I rarely get sick, so it came as a surprise. A nasty one, arising suddenly in the middle of the night. But I managed to stay conscious long enough today to see Itzhak Perlman and Yo Yo Ma play a special composition ‘Air and Simple Gifts.’ I heard Aretha Franklin sing a hearfelt ‘My Country ‘Tis of Thee.’ And a poet read a very accessible work—the praises of the common man. It was, all told, a beautiful ceremony. And though I didn’t vote for President Barack Obama, I sincerely wish him well. To do otherwise would be to wish harm to my country.

Click to read more ...

Geithner not the only politico who botched taxes

Senatorial hopeful Al Franken has problems with taxes, as does Rep. Charles Rangel. Both are Democrats. [Photo Al Franken campaign site.]At the moment, President-Elect Barack Obama’s spokesman Robert Gibbs is hard-pressed to defend Obama’s choice of Tim Geithner for Secretary of the Treasury. Geithner’s housekeeper had a problem with her immigration status, but that’s not really the big problem. The big problem is Geithner’s alleged failure to pay income taxes on some of his earnings. But Geithner isn’t alone in the tax quagmire, and that’s one reason I wrote to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) this morning. “America's tax system is antiquated and places an undue burden on many of us. In my opinion the tax system is unconstitutional because within that system we are not equals,” I wrote. Consider the fact Rep. Charles Rangel still chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. One duty is writing tax legislation. Yet Rangel botched his own taxes. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) apparently forgave him, acquiescing to keeping Rangel on as chair.  And another Democratic senatorial hopeful has tax issues of his own.

Click to read more ...

On C-Span Gov. Sanford gets tongue lashing, but last laugh on Democratic critic

Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) is shown at right attending a political event. [Photo SC Governor's website.]Gov. Mark Sanford (R) of South Carolina did a stint on C-Span Wednesday, and one caller from Michigan gave him a tongue lashing. Phoning in on the Democratic line, the woman basically thanked God Michigan has a Democratic governor. She unleashed a stream of criticisms at Sanford for recent budget cuts in the Palmetto State. Sanford responded with the melodious, “Yes, ma’am,” characteristic of those we think of as Southern gentlemen. And then he calmly defended himself by explaining the cuts were necessary and were across the board.

Sanford is categorized as a moderate populist conservative by the website On the Issues. He’s a true fiscal conservative in spirit, and I suspect he does what he can with a state that’s run for a long time on Democratic principles no matter who controls the legislature.

Click to read more ...

Democrats show partisan colors with investigation as campaign promises ignored

Every Democrat appearing on a talk show drones about the serious problems confronting the nation, invoking the Great Depression at every turn—the economy, the war, healthcare, education. So what are your representatives in Washington doing? They’re focusing on an investigation of the Bush administration. Looks like all those promises President-Elect Barack Obama made about “reaching across the aisle” aren’t going to be kept. And despite questionable behavior by Democrats like Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Chris Dodd, Rep. Barney Frank, Rep. Robert Wexler, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Tim Mahoney, Rep. William Jefferson and others, the party won’t be investigating its own. As a matter of fact, almost all of those listed will keep their committee assignments. Mahoney won’t. Florida GOP candidate Tom Rooney won the District 16 seat Mahoney lucked into. But the Democrats have problems of their own both past and present.

Click to read more ...

Choice of school more personal than pup for Obama family

Days after the presidential election, various pundits and tongue waggers spent time debating what breed of dog would be best for President-Elect Barack Obama’s family. From poodles to labs, infotainers discussed the high points of doggie selection. Now there’s a new topic—where will the Obama children go to school?

In the Nov. 12 edition of USA Today, there’s an editorial suggesting public schools in the Washington area—“to boost reform, offer Obama a reality check.” The reality check is of course the opportunity for a politician to see the impact of the ‘No Child Left Behind Act.’ Many readers will know my own disdain for that act. I’d like it retooled to ‘No Parent Permitting a Child to Be Left Behind.’ Because in my opinion the lion’s share of responsibility for children should be on a parent’s shoulders.

Click to read more ...

Kiss your 401k tax credit goodbye and enjoy your new 5 percent payroll tax Dems are considering

I’ve said our current Congress is the worst in history and every day my belief is confirmed. The Committee on Education and Labor has been taking testimony about the losses in 401k plans. What the committee overlooks is the inherent risk in such a plan. If you invest in instruments or plans that may offer a high return you are agreeing to risk. Note that you are responsible for managing your 401k.

When the mortgage industry tanked due to the goverment's worst plans ever (Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae), a lot of 401k plans declined in value. I believe many union plans were affected. But in a crisis, bureaucrats see an opportunity to put their hands in your pockets.

Click to read more ...