So Much For Transparency!

...Barack Obama's new standards of openness in the federal government have not trickled down to some of its agencies, where officials have used special statutes inserted into bills to skirt the Freedom of Information Act, open government advocates said Wednesday. [link]

By now you wouldn't even expect coverage like this. Hasn't anyone learned yet that this man cannot tell the truth, especially as it concerns anything he said in his campaign. Obama is a smoke and mirrors politician.

And They Claim They Can Reform Health Care Efficiently and Affordably!

"Letters were sent to 1,864 veterans about disability benefits for those with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and a "small number" have contacted the VA indicating they received the letters in error, VA spokeswoman Katie Roberts said Monday night.

However, the National Gulf War Resource Center said Reid was among at least 1,200 veterans who received the letter, even though they hadn't been diagnosed with the illness. Veterans were initially suspicious, but still went through the pain not knowing whether they had the degenerative disease, which typically kills people within five years." [link]

Besides bloating itself on tax dollars of hard working people, and producing a red tape driven efficient at being inefficient bureaucracy, can anyone name anything that any government has been able to do cheaper and more efficiently than the private sector?

Debacles such as the one mentioned seem to pop up everyday with government run anything. Google medicare/medicaid problems, along with social security. And they now want us to trust them to "improve" health care and coverage. I for one don't buy it!

Another Obama Plant

Thanks to the folks over at www.ar15.com for this jewel. Just click on the link and read all about Obama's latest plant.

Almost Funny (Notice the Dates and Times of Headlines)

Obama priorities won't burden middle class: Summers

Sun Aug 2, 2009 11:06am EDT [link]

Obama officials eye more jobless aid, weigh taxes

Sun Aug 2, 2009 5:36pm EDT [link]

Obama officials: Taxes may rise to pay health care

August 3, 2009 - 7:35am [link]

Talk about a complete reversal in headlines and statements by the Obama administration. Funny that an administration that can't get its acts and lies together within a 24 hour time frame wants to take over health care for all.

More Lies and Theft (SHOUT THEM DOWN)

"President Obama may have to break his campaign pledge and raise taxes on middle-class Americans to pay for public health care and the growing deficit, an eventuality that administration officials touched lightly on Sunday as they promoted an economy emerging from recession.

With an expected deficit next year of $1.8 trillion, and spending still being planned for a $1 trillion, 10-year health care reform, officials say something will have to be done to prevent further erosion of the economy." [link]

Did anyone really think that with the massive government spending he could keep a promise to not raise taxes? I am sure that there were millions that actually believed this? For some reason there seem to be millions of people in this country that believe you can get something for nothing. Wait a minute, in this country you actually can. You don't have to work, the government will take care of you. Just go down to the food stamp and welfare office. Don't mind that you really can work you're just too lazy to. That is your "right" not to work. Remember it is a free country after all.

First and foremost this is a relatively "easy" problem to fix. Men and women are doing it across the nation as we speak. As times get tougher, you quit spending as much as you used to (SHOCKER). The average American understands this and most do so without having to be told to. But the government has yet to understand this very simple concept.

Secondly something has to be done about the perceived "rights of entitlement". I have spoken briefly about this before, and have briefly discussed a fix for this as well in that short piece.

Lastly the government (elected officials) truly need to understand their place and their true duty. It is not that hard to pick up a small pocket Constitution, read it and understand it in roughly an hours time. In fact just to give an example of how much the government has overstepped its bounds do this small experiment. Go to a local bookstore and find a small pocket Constitution that includes the text of the Declaration of Independence. Two documents that our country was founded upon and set out how and what a government is allowed and is not allowed to do to the people. Now take that pocket Constitution and set it next to a recent copy of the U.S. tax code...enough said.

How do we put these elected officials in their place. SHOUT THEM DOWN! Go to your local fiscal court meetings, your congresscritters "town hall forums" and take along a copy of the Declaration and the Constitution. When they say anything contradictory to or in direct violation of the Constitution SHOUT THEM DOWN! Let them know that enough is enough. Demand they show you in the Constitution what clause gives them the authority to take your hard earned money. Demand they show you the clause that gives them the authority to make sweeping changes via procedural measures instead of voting on bills. SHOUT THEM DOWN! When they are looking after their own best interests and not the best interests of freedom and liberty. SHOUT THEM DOWN! When they refuse to listen to you, because in all reality we are their bosses not the other way around. They are put there to serve us and to protect the Constitution.

Out of Touch With Reality

"I thought this was like a frequent-flier program," Sen. Kent Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said of the special benefits. "I thought nothing of it." [link]

Let us just assume for a moment that Congressman Conrad speaks the truth. These words would have been spoken right in the middle of the housing bubble burst. How often does he think people go out an buy new homes. Quite a bit evidently if he makes comments like that above. And he is supposed to represent the people of his state with a warped sense of reality like that?

Now lets assume that he lied. He knew he was getting the good deal because of his clout as a senator and there was a little quid-pro-quo going on. Then he either acted illegally and/or unethically and does not deserve to represent the good people of North Dakota.

Highway Robbery aka Taxes

"The Republican governor will delay $63 million worth of sales tax refunds for capital equipment purchases starting in January 2011. Businesses will wait an extra three months for their cash as part of Pawlenty's plan to balance the state budget using executive powers." [link]

The key phrase above is "for their cash" which rightfully denotes that the money belongs to them not to the government. Yet the government in this case is going to use private money to fix its problems. But in reality this is exactly what governments due on a consistent basis, they cause a problem then they use the taxpayer money to attempt to fix a problem that would not have existed in the first place had the government left things alone.

Government in the long run amounts to highway robbery and those in the right positions benefit from those whose industry they rely upon to support themselves

Once Again, So Much For Transparency!

"White House Won’t Reveal How Much Michelle Obama’s European Vacation Cost Taxpayers" [link]

Sometimes a headline is enough and nothing else really needs to be said.

Obamaspeak

To understand someone who says one thing then turns around and does the exact opposite is quite infuriating to anyone who uses logic, has a brain, or consumes oxygen. However there are some people out there that have actually put together lists of what Obama actually means when he acts in this manner. Far be it from me to even attempt such project. Here is a short list of "Obamaspeak" and how it works...Make sure to go to the link to see the rest.

"1. The Budget. Wanting to cut $17 billion from the budget, as President Obama has promised, is proof of financial responsibility. Borrowing $1.84 trillion this year for new programs is "stimulus." The old phrase "out-of-control spending" is inoperative.

2. Unemployment. The number of jobs theoretically saved, or created, by new government policies - not the actual percentage of Americans out of work, or the total number of jobs lost - is now the far better indicator of unemployment.

3. The Private Sector. Nationalizing much of the auto and financial industries, while regulating executive compensation, is an indication of our new government's repeatedly stated reluctance to interfere in the private sector." [link]

Lies and Rhetoric but No True Freedom

"President Barack Obama says no country should try to impose a system of government on another nation...Obama also says he believes governments must reflect the will of their people. And, he says he believes all people want to be able to speak their minds and have a say in how they are governed. He says he believes people want to have confidence in law and justice, as well as a transparent government and the freedom to live as they choose." [link]

How about an administration trying to impose a system of government that 50+million of its citizens voted to reject? A government reflecting the will of the people? Please Mr. Obama lie to us again. How many people in America are against your taxpayer money spending spree, yet the floodgates seem to be open with no sign of anyone shutting off the flow.

Americans, at least a large number, do prefer to have the freedom to live as they choose. This means being able to live as they see fit without government intervention, so long as they do not violate the rights of others. Keep your rhetoric and false promises. Start doing what you say not saying one thing and then doing the other. Quit spending OUR hard earned money, stop taxing us to support your programs, get your hands out of and off of private business. Do these and show that you truly believe in transparent government and freedom!

Scary Proposal

"The law would regulate the storage, possession and sale of ammunition and require dealers to record each ammo sale and the caliber, make and model of the firearm for which the ammo purchase was made. Initially, the law had required the serial number of the firearm, but Steck removed that requirement from the legislation...

“I don’t think it’s an issue of gun control advocates versus gun enthusiasts,” the lawmaker added. “I’ve campaigned for public office many times. I’ve met many people who are gun owners in New York, and I’ve never encountered a one who feels oppressed by the existing gun control laws of New York..." [link]

It's not just gun control, it is just control. The more they go after rights the more obvious it becomes. Also would anyone like to make odds that the bold statement is a complete lie?

I Plan on Some Flack From This

By now many of you that keep up with my blog probably know about the passage of the concealed carry in national parks having been re instituted. What will probably surprise nearly all of you is that I was against this legislation!

Now before the flame wars start let me explain. First off this legislation was added as an amendment to another bill before congress. I have always thought that this was unethical and underhanded (even when it comes to the 2nd Amendment). Secondly the original bill was a bill that imposes restrictions on credit card companies. I believe this to be un-Constitutional. Article 1 Section 10 of the Constitution forbids states from impairing obligations to contracts. However a pretty good argument could be made against the Federal government via the 14th Amendment and the due process clause.

Also notice that republicans (not true conservatives) in order to stand up for gun rights had to go against their own free market rhetoric (restricting credit card companies, a for profit business and industry). Granted nearly all of the credit card companies use aggressive tactics all of these changes in an individuals credit card fees are listed in the contract when they sign up for one, it is ones own responsibility to read the fine print.

Isn't it funny to watch republicans line up to vote for firearms at the expense of fiscal responsibility? Weren't they always the party that wanted the government to keep their hands off of what someone did financially?

Don't get me wrong, I am glad that concealed carry of firearms is "legal" but it should never have been illegal due to the 2nd Amendment.

An Example of How to Handle Them

"Republicans kept the pressure up on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday, with Republican House leader John Boehner saying she should prove her allegation that the CIA lied about waterboarding, or apologize to the nation's intelligence officials.

"I think that she ought to either present the evidence or apologize, one or the other," Boehner (R-Ohio) said..." [link]

They're sort of like puppies. You have to catch them in the act, put their nose in it, then swat their tells.

Isn't It Fun To Watch Them Squirm

Isn't it fun to watch them sqirm! Now as far as I know there is no full proof way to tell if someone is lying or not, however there are several key signs that more often than not are indicators of being told a lie. You can search for them yourself, I will link you to one.

Contradictions and Lies Abound in This Administration

"The long-term deficit and debt that we have accumulated is unsustainable. We can't keep on just borrowing from China or borrowing from other countries," Obama told a town hall meeting event in New Mexico..."What's also true is at some point they're just going to get tired of buying our debt," he said. "And when that happens, we will really have to raise interest rates to be able to borrow and that will raise interest rates for everybody." [link]

We already know about the broken campaign promises, the lies about government transparency, lies about fixing spending etc... But take a close look at the quotes from our Liar-in-Chief, "We can't just keep on borrowing..." and a bit later "...raise interest rates to be able to borrow..." I mean what the hell! One moment he says we have to stop borrowing, and a moment later he says eventually interest rates will have to go up to continue borrowing.

Can this man speak without a lie spilling forth from his mouth, or some other form of deceptive doublespeak?

The "Other" Side

I have been very critical of the left in Washington since I started this blog and I am sure that quite a few people think that I am a hard line Conservative/Republican. However had I started this blog during the Bush years more than likely I would have been labeled as a hard line Liberal/Democrat. The reason for this is I would have just as loudly spoken out about the corruption and demolition of rights that took place under Bush. So in dubious honor to B43 I offer you a small sampling of the liberties stripped from the American people via the un-"Patriot Act":

Let's start with that pesky 4th Amendment, you know, the one about unreasonable search and seizure. Well the un-"Patriot Act" pretty much states that, the government may search and seize Americans' papers and effects without probable cause to assist terror investigation.

That 6th Amendment really causes a lot of problems how can that be fixed via the un-"Patriot Act"? Answer: How about by monitoring conversations between attorneys and clients in federal prisons and deny lawyers to Americans accused of crimes, and also, Americans may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them. US citizens (labeled "unlawful combatants") have been held incommunicado and refused attorneys.

And lastly how can the government subvert the ever deadly and dangerous 1st Amendment? Answer: The government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone the government subpoenaed information related to a terror investigation they may also monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity.

You may find a full text of the Act here. It might also be interesting to note specifically Section 802 (B) i and ii which specifically states the definition of a domestic terrorist. I believe that by this definition both Bush and Obama would classify, along with a vast number of the members of Congress. Because when the economy started to head south, they both started with the doom and gloom projections and what would happen if the people did not "allow" the administration to act quickly.

Did You Really Think This Wouldn't Happen?

"Counties suffering the most from job losses stand to receive the least help from President Barack Obama's plan to spend billions of stimulus dollars on roads and bridges, an Associated Press analysis has found.

Altogether, the government is set to spend 50 percent more per person in areas with the lowest unemployment than it will in communities with the highest." [link]

Really doesn't make much since, when jobs are promised via the stimulus to give money to the areas where the jobs are needed least. Of course, no one thought that the government would actually get it right did they?

This is Transparency in Government?

"The White House is refusing to release the controversial photos of Air Force One flying over the Manhattan skyline last week that triggered panic among New Yorkers and an internal review in the Obama administration.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that there was no need to release them.

"I've watched CNN," he said, noting the considerable coverage from amateur footage. "I didn't notice a lack of archival material from that flight." [link]

Now this I find strange. WE the taxpayers shell out $328K [source] for this unique photo-op and probably several heart attacks, strokes, stress related illnesses, etc... in the New York metro area. Don't you think that we should be allowed to see these wonderful pictures. Maybe the White House could even blow them up as posters and sell them to tourists, wouldn't that be a wonderful way to generate money for the government? Instead of taking it by force let the people pay to own such a wonderful piece of history.

For my part I think I will request the photos via a FOIA request. Here is how you can request them to.

If the Shoe Were on the Other Foot

It happened once already. That is how the Democrats gained control of Congress. However after all the corruption that was brought to light in the Republican party let us now take a look at issues going on in the Democratic party:

"Barack Obama, who vowed he'd provide a transparent administration staffed with disinterested public servants...appointed an admitted tax cheat to run the Treasury Department -- and he's hardly the only one in the administration." [link]

Charles Rangle, Chairman of House Ways and Means Committee: Under investigation for failing to report income from his Caribbean villa.

Chris Dodd, Chairman of Senate Banking Committee: Got special deals from sub prime lender Countrywide, has yet to explain million plus dollar "cottage" in Ireland which could possibly have come as a favor for helping to get a pardon granted for a felon under Clinton.

Jack Murtha, Rep. Pennsylvania: How much federal money has he diverted to cronies and lobbyists?

John Edwards, ex-presidential candidate: Being investigated for misuse of campaign funds that were funneled to his then mistress and her company.

This is just a sampling of what is going on within the Democratic party. Imagine all the corruption that has not made it into the public yet. Sort of like an iceberg I like to think we have only seen the 10% that is above the waterline.

We'll Take It Any Way We Can!

"...Obama announced Monday a plan to prevent U.S. companies using offshore banks to deferr tax payments, saying that the effort to "shelter" money creates an unfair advantage to U.S. companies and amounts to evasion." [link]

Take a moment and think about that for just a moment. First off there are provisions in place that allow companies and individuals to keep more of the money that they make due to their work and industry. Boy would be a shame to allow them to keep all of their hard earned money wouldn't it? In effect Obama is saying it does not matter where you keep it, we are coming after it, with force!

Also notice the quip about "unfair" advantages to U.S. companies. HELLO! As president of the United States shouldn't you want U.S. companies to get ahead? Or is this another sneak peak at your true intentions?

Explain how it is unfair when most other nations have provisions in place to allow income from outside the country to be sheltered from taxation? Wake up America, this man and his administration are going to run the country straight into the ground!