President Obama is gearing up for his presidential campaign. He's also created a new series of ads. The first ad boasts, "Just last week my Secret Service created jobs for 11 Colombian women...Conan
- From Pres. Obama to almost every Progressive Democrat (which means most of them), they always talk about the need to "redistribute" the wealth and/or paying our "fair share." These are both core principles of Socialist doctrine, but that's not what I want to focus on. I want to focus on the hypocrisy, the scam being perpetrated on the American people when they use these words and phrases. And nowhere is this more evident than reviewing the data on who actually gives more money to charity or more of their time to charity. Almost all of the research in this area shows over and over again that conservatives are much more generous than liberals. In other words, conservatives share THEIR wealth, not the wealth of others. A study by Arthur Brooks of Syracuse University entitled, "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism," found that liberals are less likely to give to charity---meaning, less likely to spread THEIR wealth. But conservatives don't only donate more money to charity, Brooks found they donate more of their time, goods and even their blood. ABC's 20/20 also found liberals donate less to charity. Just last week, the White House released the tax records of Slo Joe Biden (who is the lap dog for the White House regarding redistributing wealth) which showed he paid a whopping 1.5% of his income to charity. In fact, since Biden took office, he's made about $1.1 mil and has donated about $16 grand to charity. In 1997, Al Gore's IRS tax returns showed he made about $200 grand and gave a whopping $353 to charity that year. And for all those Dick Cheney bashers, in 2005, the Cheney's gave 77% of their income to charity or a total of almost $7 million. In 2011, the Romney's gave 19% of their income to charity or $21 million. Yet, with all of these facts, the media has been able to portray conservatives as being the "big, bad guys" who want the poor to starve. Their narrative is a lie and a smokescreen. Giving USA/NY Post/ABC News/Real Clear Politics
- The Congressional Budget Officer reported today that food stamp rolls have jumped 70% since 2007. Spending on the program rose $72 billion, up from $30 billion just four years ago. So to paraphrase Sarah Palin: How's That Hope and Changee Thing Going For Ya?
- The Obama campaign is also trying to use these type of tactics in their "class warfare" strategy as well. Just this week, Obama, at another one of his campaign speeches, implied Romney was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. It was good to see Romney hitting back strongly and with pride. He pointed out his father grew up poor, but became a successful businessman. Romney, himself, did not inherit his father's wealth. He went out on his own and created his wealth through hard work. The Obama campaign keeps demonizing "success." What I believe he and his handlers don't realize is their are attacking the long held "American Dream."
- Regarding the inane back and forth on the social media---especially Twitter---about Obama's eating of dogs while in Indonesia and Romney's transporting his dog on the roof of his vehicle, one thing is certain--the Obama campaign can no longer use the dog story as a wedge issue. Chris Hayes of MSNBC reported last week that the Obama campaign was "obsessed" with the Romney dog story. So John Podhoretz of the NY Post put it in perspective regarding the message that the Romney people Tweeted back to the Obama people: "You want to make a political issue of the decades-old dog story? Fine, then. Here's one that makes your guy look really weird. How do you like dog stories now?"
- One lesson the Republicans have learned from 2008: Social media is a powerful thing. Finally, they've learned how to use it effectively. And kudos to the conservatives on Twitter.
- Delusional Statement of the Week: No, not Slo Joe Biden, but Michelle Obama. Last week, she said Pres. Obama, "Brought us out of the dark and into the light." I would venture to say most Americans would say the light is at the far end of the tunnel.
- Yesterday I neglected to mention "Days of Remembrance" memorial to the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis. Memorials were held around the world including at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp, a place I've visited myself (In fact, it was the place of my conversion from a moderate-liberal to a conservative. I think my reasons were obvious). Today, in Israel alone, there are almost 200,000 survivors remaining. One survivor dies each hour in Israel since 88% are 75 or older now. It's imperative we remember considering the Nazis tried not only to exterminate all Jews, but also every trace of Jews.
- Not only should we ever forget the Holocaust, but we should not forget that there are radical thugs out there still who would like nothing more than the Holocaust being repeated. Unfortunately, in many cases it has been---Rwanda and The Balkans come immediately to mind. Yet, we have to remain vigilant.
If nobody paid their taxes, imagine what the country would be like. America would be flat broke. Alright, we'd be more flat broke. Ferguson
- A Tweeter world has gone ballistic in the last 24 hours. The Obama campaign thought they had a great issue with the story of Romney having his dog ride on top of his car during a family vacation some years ago. I never paid much attention to it for two reasons. One, dogs love to feel the wind streaming over their snozolas when riding in a car. So riding on top of a car must feel like they died and went to heaven. That's why we always see dogs sticking their heads out car windows or out of car sun roofs. The other reason is more practical. I lived in several areas of the country where dogs regularly were in the back of pick-up trucks. In other words, it was no big deal for me and I'm a huge dog lover. But the Obama campaign thought they had a issue. David Axelrod, Obama's strategist, thought he'd take advantage of this opportunity and Tweeted a caption of Obama and his dog, "How loving dog owners transport their dogs." But there was one slight problem. In his book, "Dreams From My Father," Obama admitted to eating dogs in Indonesia. Well, that's all the Tweet world needed. The response was volcanic with Tweets about Obama's eating dogs: "Beagles with cream cheese," "Eggs Rover easy,"Pugs in a blanket," and a whole host of great responses to Axelrod. So what's the lesson here: You probably shouldn't put your dog on top of your car. But you also shouldn't put your dog over rice.
- After spending a portion of my young life in the Bronx, we moved to Philadelphia. I relate that because of the passing of Dick Clark yesterday. At the time, Clark's American Bandstand was in Philadelphia. And like most teenagers at the time, I couldn't wait to watch the show. In fact, the show put Philadelphia right in the forefront of the music culture scene at the time. All the great artists of the era appeared on that show. It was great TV for teenagers coming of age. And from all accounts, he was also a good and decent guy. RIP Dick Clark.
- "Religion of Peace" Update: One of the stinking terrorist on trial in NY for planning to blow up several prime NYC targets admitted he didn't care if he killed innocent women, children or cops in the attack because it was justified "in Jihad."
- While I'm on the Religion of Peace, it's now being reported that al-Qaeda is expanding to such lovely tourist destinations as Somalia, Tunisia, and Nigeria. In fact, anticipating this expansion, in 2004, the Bush administration created the U.S. Africa Command. The command has been helping in intercepting weapons and provides counter-terrorism training in that region.
- These terrorists might know how to murder innocent people, but they can't be that smart. Mohammed Ashan, a Taliban commander, might be the dummest terrorist in the world. There was a bounty on him, a $100 reward. So what did he do? He turned himself in to collect the $100. When U.S. Army specialist Mathew Baker asked the dummy if that photo was of him, Ashan replied, "Yes, yes, that's me. Can I get my reward now?" We need to either kill or capture all these guys, because not only are they dangerous; they're also really, really stupid. Being both stupid and dangerous has only one outcome, and it's never good.
- Oh, yes, one more thing. How effective is the UN? It was reported yesterday that Syrian forces shot protesters right under the noses of the blue helmets. In fact, when the UN "peace keepers" heard the gun shots, they sped off to safety. They appears to have a bad habit of doing that---a lot. USA TODAY
- Dale McFeatter of the NY Post and his advice to government workers: "Be sure to remind them: Don't appear in any videos while on a government junket, and always pay the hookers." It's been reported that 3 Secret Service agents have already been fired. There will be more firings.
- While on the Secret Service, Daily Caller is reporting Secret Service costs to protect Newt is costing US taxpayers thousands a day. I've been saying this for weeks now: Newt, bow out and go away---please. You're an annoyance and you're wasting taxpayers a lot of money.
- While first-time unemployment claims dipped by 2000 this week, first-time unemployment claims numbers were revised up from last week's numbers, from 380,000 to 388,000. And last week was a tick up over the previous few weeks.
- You won't see this headline anywhere and you won't see the likes of Sharpie Sharpton either: "Black Nurse Murders Young White Mother And Steals Her Newborn." I only hear crickets chirping.
- In case you missed the news, Romney has surged up 12 points in just the last few weeks in most major polls. In some polls, they are virtually tied. In other polls, Obama has only a slight edge and Gallup's tracking poll has Romney ahead 2 points. Right now, it appears the tide is turning in Romney's favor. The fact is Pres. Obama's last several weeks have been painful with the GSA and Secret Service scandals and the economy still teetering on the edge.
- I have good news to report: Read the image below.
Onion's "Politics" reports: "Democrats: Obama Has Dicked Us Around For Four Years; Now It's Our Turn" Most Democrats continue to tell pollsters they are undecided just for the fun of messing with the president's head.
- After 35 years of managing small and large organizations, I think I know something about "systemic" problems in an organization, including recognizing dysfunctional organizations. That's why all of these recent scandals in our government fascinate me. I also find them disturbing as we all should. We find out GSA spent hundreds of thousands of dollars partying on our dime. It appears some members of the Secret Service also partied on our dime (although it should not have been a surprise to anyone. Professionals in the service of our country who put their lives on the line 24/7 have a tendency to party down on occasion. That's why "cop bars" and "firefighter bars" exist. In fact, over ten years ago, U.S. News and World Report reported on the partying and heavy drinking of agents in the Secret Service. However, in this case, it was a monumental lack of judgement in my opinion but not criminal. Those involved will most likely see their careers go down the drain anyway). It also appears the Department of Justice screwed up big time with the Fast and Furious operation (still under investigation). The list of systemic problems in government is endless. Do I blame the Obama administration for these screwups? Some might find it surprising but I don't, at least not all of it. Systemic issues take years and sometimes decades to appear especially in an organization as vast as the federal government. But it's still up to leadership to set the tone that stuff like this will not be tolerated. In addition, it also depends on whom the leader surrounds himself/herself with. In the case of Pres. Obama, I've often said don't always focus on him as much as the people he chooses. Many of his choices have been questionable at best. Who can forget his appointment of Van Jones as czar of green energy, an open and avowed Communist? And that was just for starters (actually, for starters, it was Slo Joe Biden). And, as I've written about so often, I believe leadership is lacking in the highest levels of government today and that includes Congress and senior government officials. Really folks, when you think of Pelosi, Boehner, Reid, Rangel, Wasserman, Holder and so many other yo-yo's in government, does it give you any degree of confidence? (every single poll shows---you have almost zero). But if you're one of those who does, then you are getting the government you deserve.
Pres. Obama released his tax returns. It turns out he made $900,000 less in 2011 than he did in 2010. You know what that means? Even Obama is doing worse under Pres. Obama. Leno
- Jay Leno hit the nail on the head regarding Obama's income. That joke leads me to ask an important question I believe no one has yet asked. Would 40-45% of Americans still support that president with the same track record? A track record that still includes unemployment over 8% for the last 3 years (about 25% for African Americans). A track record with over 350,000 people still filing for unemployment each week. A track record where the national debt is now approaching $16 trillion. A track record that has dumped billions into failed green auto and solar companies. A track record that shows poverty is at one of its highest rates ever in the history of the nation. A track record that showed those on food stamps jumped from 31 million in 2008 to 46 million in 2011. A track record that shows almost 1 in 4 children living in poverty. A track record where median household income has fallen. A track record on foreign policy that is dubious at best. You get the picture because you either live that life or see it everyday. I believe the answer to that question would be a flat-out NO. Regardless of whether another Democrat or Republican was sitting in the Oval Office, I believe they would want him/her run out of D.C. on the first train leaving the station on Jan. 20, 2013.
- Gallup tracking poll this week reports Romney with a slight edge over Obama, 47%-45% for registered voters.
- Just yesterday, I wrote about all the distractions the administration keeps throwing our way to distract us from how really bad things are. This from Charles Krauthammer today (Krauthammer is probably one of the most gifted pundits on the Right, not only an outstanding columnist; he's also a psychiatrist. His pieces have that added touch of "insight."): "The enterprise {referring to the Buffett Rule} is an exercise in mis-direction---a distraction not just from Obama's dismal record on growth and employment, but, more importantly, from his dereliction of duty to address the utterly predictable and devastating debt crisis ahead."
- Speaking of failed green auto companies, The Detroit News is reporting even Ford is having a hard time selling its electric Focus. Of course, this follows GM's plans a few months ago to suspend the production of their Volt. Since they restarted production, Volt sales in March were about 2000. However, if fuel prices continue to climb, I would also expect sales of these autos to also climb.
- Yesterday, Mitt Romney was the keynote speaker at the "Tax Day Summit" in Philadelphia. It was organized by the Independence Hall Tea Party. By most accounts, the Tea Party folks liked what they heard from Romney.
- Of course, a few Occupy Philly parasites showed up. Like parasites, they were just annoying. Even the progressive Philadelphia Inquirer gave them only one sentence in their piece on this event.
{Regarding the firestorm that erupted after Hilary Rosen made those stupid statements about Ann Romney}, even Vice President Joe Biden was furious. He said, "Making stupid statements that hurt the president, that's my job. She has no right."...Leno
- Whatever your opinions are about the Obama administration, there's one strategy they are brilliant at doing---diverting our attention from their incompetency and failures. The administration also gets a lot of help from the main stream media, and we all fall into that trap. For example, while the entire media world was obsessed with what Hilary Rosen said about Ann Romney last week (including moi), those filing for first-time unemployment claims jumped last week by 13,000 to 380,000. That should have been the larger story. While the administration keeps proclaiming the rich should pay their "fair share" (whatever that means) and continue to place a target on Romney for being rich, we never see stories about wealthy democrats and progressives having to pay their "fair share."
- In fact, do you ever once recall the late Ted Kennedy, Oprah or that fake, phony and back-stabbing fraud, John F. Kerry, being taken to task for being wealthy? At least, Romney earned his wealth. The Kennedy's and Kerry inherited their wealth. In addition, when was the last time anyone read a recent story about Charlie Rangel's tax problems or the tax issues associated with Warren Buffett? The entire Catholic Church and contraception debate was also a diversion from this administration's failed policies. Why? Because the administration and the media that continues to enable it know that the Obama administration has a very poor record to run on. And the fact is: diversions and blaming others works especially for the "stupids" among us.
- By the way, even if the rich were taxed more, most experts estimate it would bring in anywhere from $5 billion to $10 billion in revenue. To put that into perspective, our government spends about $10 billion per day. In other words, it would not even cover one day's of government spending ( based on 2010 Government Budget)
