Education Bandaid, Not Reform

Interesting that not everyone agrees with Nancy Pelosi's statement today about the wonderful steps forward for women and children.

Stimulus Bill Misses the Mark for Education

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While a broad base of national educators, leaders and policymakers have agreed that the nation's education system requires fundamental operational changes, the federal government is poised to subsidize the systems that have failed American students, allowed them to fall behind their international counterparts and left a yawning achievement gap that sees barely 50 percent of African-American males graduating from high school.......
http://potluckpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/stimulus-bill-misses-mark-for-education.html

Pelosi Will Get Her Contraceptives Back into Legislation

....And as far as the contraception is concerned, we will have to have that in some legislation. It saves $700 million. But it was a distraction. It was a distraction, and therefore, we want to say, "Look, our economy is experiencing great difficulties. The American people, therefore, are, too. We need to act, and we need to act now."...... Nancy Pelosi

Gee, if it wasn't going to save money this week, how can it next week or next month?

No Tolerance for Their Own

Guess you can't expect tolerance from your own political party these days. Who knew?

Reaction to Gillebrand Proves Democrats Still Party of Gun Control, Says CCRKBA

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The hysteria-laden reaction from members of her own party to last week's appointment of New York Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to fill the United States Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton proves that Democrats are still the party of gun control, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.

http://potluckpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/reaction-to-gillebrand-proves-democrats.html

Obama Friends Not Neccessarily Welcome in Canada

Seems like being so very friendly with the President over the last few decades doesn't matter to Canada. They treat 'em like they see 'em. This is a few days old, but it is interesting.

Ayers Turned Away From Canada By Immigration Officials

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/19/ayers-turned-away-canada-immigration-officials/

Sea of Obama Love and Voice of Patriotic Resistance

Just in case you are interested:

In a Sea of Obama Love, There's a Voice of Patriotic Resistance

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the $150 million inauguration only days away, Grassfire.org is announcing that a record 350,000 grassroots conservatives have pledged a patriotic, resilient and determined resistance-against an Obama ideology that could have devastating consequences on our nation.......
http://potluckpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/in-sea-of-obama-love-theres-voice-of.html

Save the Constitution

H J Res 5, introduced last week to those in power, would change the Constitution.

The proposed resolution removes terms of limits for the President.

The resolution is currently being studied. Watch for updates.

Let Congress know your views on this subject.

Congress Gets Raise, Seniors Get Zippo

The members of Congress are getting a fatter wallet, thanks to their ever vigilant voting for themselves. While seniors get.....

Seniors to Receive $0.00 Increase in Social Security Next Year

The 37 million Americans aged 65 and over who receive a Social Security check each month are forecast to receive no increase in their Social Security checks next year, according to the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) 2009 Budget Report......
http://potluckpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/seniors-to-receive-000-increase-in.html

Shrink the Economy, Mr. Obama?

According to a story in the Washington Times today, Obama's pick for climate czar has been part of the leadership of a socialist group who calls for shrinking our economy. Wouldn't that be in direct conflict to stimulating the American economy?

Obama climate czar has socialist ties
By Stephen Dinan

Until last week, Carol M. Browner, President-elect Barack Obama's pick as global warming czar, was listed as one of 14 leaders of a socialist group's Commission for a Sustainable World Society, which calls for "global governance" and says rich countries must shrink their economies to address climate change. ......
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/12/obama-climate-czar-has-socialist-ties/

Pelosi Supports Venture Capitalists Over Small Business for Economy

This article is just out and says it all. Pelosi appears to want her wealthy friends from her neighborhood to have federal money which is supposed to go to small business. What a way to jumpstart the economy.

Pelosi-Backed Loophole for Venture Capitalists Will Damage Middle Class Economy

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D - CA) is leading congressional support for a new loophole in federal contracting law that will allow some of the wealthiest venture capitalists in America to receive federal contracts set-aside for small businesses......
http://potluckpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/pelosi-backed-loophole-for-venture.html

Pelosi Comments on Support for Israel's Rights to Defend Itself

Glad to see Congress Supports Israel in its Rights to Defend Itself. Wonder what Obama will do?

Pelosi Statement on House Resolution on Gaza

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor this morning in support of H.Res 34, which recognizes Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirms the United States' strong support for Israel, and supports the Israeli-Palestinian peace process......

http://threatreport.blogspot.com/2009/01/pelosi-statement-on-house-resolution-on.html

Obama Knows Best, Ignores Economic Experts

Obama and the Democratic Congress appear to have closed minds on listening to the experts who could really provide sound advice in stimulating the economy. Small business is the backbone of this country and any stimulus plan should focus on helping small business owners.

Will Obama listen? Will Congress?

Obama Ignores Economic Experts on Stimulus Plan

President-elect Barack Obama and the new 111th Congress will soon be rolling-out an economic stimulus plan. The stimulus package will no doubt cost taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, and there is no guarantee it will achieve its goal of rescuing most Americans from the failing economy.....
http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/obama-ignores-economic-experts-on.html

Bipartisan Legislation Intoduced for Small Business Tax Relief

New legislation for small business tax relief was introduced today in the hopes it can help stimulate the economy.

Snowe, Kerry, Landrieu Tout Bipartisan Bill to Provide Immediate Tax Relief for American Small Businesses

Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), the Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), the outgoing Chairman of the Committee, and Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.), the incoming Chair, today introduced the Small Business Act of 2009. This bipartisan legislation provides immediate tax relief for small businesses making vital investments in new equipment to further weather the current economic storm.... http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/snowe-kerry-landrieu-tout-bipartisan.html

Braodcaster Freedom Act

The Broadcaster Freedom Act was introduced into Congress today as an effort to protect free speech.

Today, Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN), Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act. The bill strips the FCC of its authority to reinstitute the so-called "Fairness Doctrine," effectively codifying the status quo and protecting free speech.... http://statenationalpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/01/frc-urges-support-for-broadcaster.html

Illicit Financial Woes

An interesting study on illegal cash flowing out of developing regions like the Middle East and Northern Africa has been released. Crime, corruption and tax evasion seem to rule the day.

Obama plans to tackle global poverty. Will he begin by stopping crime and corruption in the Middle East? Or will he stop the crime and corruption in Washington? But wait, he's never been known as a fighter of crime. Just look at his American home state and his record there.

....."Illicit financial flows siphon revenue out of poor countries, robbing them of much-needed assets and forestalling economic development," said GFI director Raymond Baker. "These new figures reveal that illicit financial flows outpace ODA by a ratio of nearly 10 to 1. This is critical to understanding global poverty and developing effective poverty alleviation and economic development strategies," Baker said......

Click to read the story.

Bailout for Defaulted Homeowners? Not so Fast, says Survey

Americans are weighing in with opinions on bailouts and mortgages. Will Congress and the Obama Administration listen?

Here is the story:

Majority Opposes Using Bailout Funds to Help Defaulting Homeowners

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As a new Congress and the incoming Obama Administration prepare to tackle record numbers of foreclosures that have depressed real estate values, a new national survey released today by the Reecon Advisory Report found that a majority of Americans, 51 percent, opposes using Federal bailout funds to help pay the mortgages of homeowners who are in default. Forty-three percent of those surveyed favor helping homeowners in trouble.

The survey found that opposition to using bailout money to help defaulters is greatest among men (58.3 percent), elderly (56.2 percent) and those living in the Northeast (56.1 percent). Support for helping defaulting homeowners is greatest among young people age 18 to 24 (69.1 percent) and those earning less than $20,000 a year (60.1 percent).

"These findings indicate that there are significant political barriers to proposals now being drafted in Congress to use some of the remaining $700 billion of bailout funds to help stem foreclosures by helping defaulting homeowners with their mortgages," said David Lereah, president of Reecon Advisors Inc., an independent real estate economics and information company.

"As a new Federal foreclosure policy unfolds in the months to come, public opinion will certainly play a central role. It's clear that people have strong opinions and a candid and vigorous debate will improve the chances for a successful outcome. The outcome could shape the real estate markets for many years to come," added Lereah.

The survey also found that consumer confidence in real estate is significantly higher than the stock market, despite the depression in property values. By a margin of 53.7 percent to 30.8 percent, those surveyed think real estate is a better long-term investment than the stock market, considering the current economic situation. Confidence in real estate is highest in the South (58.6 percent) and West (58.4 percent), and among young people 18 to 24 (63.8 percent). The stock market ranks highest with those age 35-49 (34.7 percent).

However, public opinion on whether the stock market or real estate will recover first is much more evenly split and falls within the survey's margin of error. Forty-six percent predict the stock market will recover first; 43.2 percent believe real estate will be first. Real estate ranked highest with young people 18 to 24 (57.3 percent) and Southerners (50.6 percent).

The telephone survey, by GFK Custom Research North America, was conducted December 19-21, 2008. A total of 1,004 interviews were completed, 524 with female adults and 480 with male adults. The margin of error on weighted data is +3 percentage points for the full sample. All completed interviews are weighted to ensure accurate and reliable representation of the total population, 18 years and older.

The poll is the first in a series of opinion surveys on issues critical to real estate markets to be conducted by Reecon Advisors, Inc. for the Reecon Advisory Report, a weekly newsletter being launched today, to provide insight, analysis and intelligence on residential real estate.

American Corporations and Immigration Study

A new study shows many corporations want cheap labor with immigrants while pink slipping Americans and asking for bailout money.

Here is the story.

Who's Lobbying on Immigration and Why? New Report Details Extensive Corporate Lobbying for Increased Immigration

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) finds that over the past three years dozens of well-known American corporations, representing virtually every sector of the economy, have committed extensive resources lobbying for increased immigration, more foreign guest-workers, and amnesty for illegal aliens. Many of these same corporations that have pressured Congress to provide them a cheap labor supply have recently been pink-slipping their existing workers and seeking federal taxpayer bailouts. The report, Immigration Lobbying: A Window into the World of Special Interests, is the first and only study of lobbying on immigration policy and reveals a scope of influence previously unknown.

FAIR's Immigration Lobbying report uncovers how in the past three years, 521 corporations, trade associations, business groups, labor organizations, government entities, educational institutions, and non-profit groups attempted to influence key congressional immigration-related legislation. Only about 2 percent of these organizations supported reductions in immigration and enhanced enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. The rest -- 98 percent -- fought for increased immigration, amnesty and more foreign guest workers.

In addition, FAIR's report shows that over 58 percent of the lobbying on immigration between 2006 and 2008 was carried out by American corporations and business and trade associations ranging from high tech to agriculture.

Their primary goals included:
-- Amnesty for the estimated 13 million illegal aliens residing in the
U.S.
-- Dramatic increases in both low-skill and high-skill foreign guest
workers.
-- Increased admission of foreign students to U.S. universities, and
subsequent entry to the U.S. labor market.


"This new report demonstrates conclusively that the hallmark of corporate concern about immigration policy has been to increase their own access to cheap foreign labor," stated Dan Stein, president of FAIR. "Equally evident from this lobbying investigation is that the public interest has been almost entirely absent from efforts to influence the direction of U.S. immigration policy.

"In the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, many of these companies are simultaneously asking for more cheap foreign labor while laying off existing U.S. workers. It's contradictory behavior and shows an appalling lack of community and corporate responsibility," observed Stein. "With the exception of a small number of public interest advocacy organizations like FAIR, nearly every lobbying dollar spent on influencing immigration policy has been focused on bringing cheaper labor to this country, rewarding illegal immigration, and building ethnic political constituencies.

"Given the damage that these interests have already inflicted on hard-working American families, we hope that the incoming Obama administration will restore some modicum of public interest to this important policy debate," said Stein.

What a Surprise- Obama's Team Wants to Investigate Bush

It's another one of those rainy mornings and, according to Obama's website, one of the top issues for his administration could be to investigate the Bush Administration for crimes. I find this interesting as it has already been reported Obama's website selects the questions and actively practices censorship. In addition, with Obama and his staff's recent Blago encounters, along with allegations of Emanuel's shortcomings in following laws, this proposed investigation of Bush is a smokescreen. The question is for what.

Here is the story:

Bush Special Prosecutor is Top Question on Obama's Change.gov, Notes After Downing Street

/PRNewswire/ -- For the second time now, President-elect Obama has asked his new constituents, the whole of the American people, to come to his web site at Change.gov to ask and vote for questions, to help set the priorities for his administration.

After five days of citizen voting more than 60,000 questions have been submitted this time in eight categories ... and the current top vote-getter across all topic categories is this one, under the topic "Additional Issues":

"Will you appoint a Special Prosecutor - ideally Patrick Fitzgerald - to independently investigate the gravest crimes of the Bush Administration, including torture and warrantless wiretapping?"

-- Bob Fertik, New York City

As noted by Ari Melber, of The Nation magazine, the same question also ranked high in the first round of voting at the Obama site. But Melber writes, "Now that Vice President Cheney confessed his support for waterboarding on national television, flouting the rule of law, the issue is even more urgent."

http://tinyurl.com/7ylmmn

According to Bob Fertik of Democrats.com, "Besides Vice President Cheney's admissions of torture, President Bush himself has admitted to illegal spying. If these actions are not prosecuted we will be sanctioning open criminality. Moreover, the Geneva Conventions require the United States to prosecute war crimes. We can stand for the rule of law or against it; the choice cannot be avoided and the question must not be."

President-Elect Obama has promised to answer the top questions on his site. In this case it would be the first time since the Pennsylvania primary, and only the second time ever, he has had to address the issue of prosecuting the crimes of the Bush-Cheney administration. On April 14 he said, "if I found out that there were high officials who knowingly, consciously broke existing laws, engaged in cover-ups of those crimes with knowledge forefront, then I think a basic principle of our Constitution is nobody above the law."

At the same time, there has been increasing speculation that President Bush, who has been relatively stingy about granting other pardons, will pardon not only Vice President Cheney, but perhaps even himself in the final minutes of his term. "If George Bush pardons Dick Cheney and himself for their crimes, the American people will be outraged," Fertik said. "Under our Constitution, Presidents swear to uphold the Constitution, not to subvert it. If a President can deliberately authorize crimes and then abuse his pardon power to protect those who commit them, we live in a dictatorship - not a democracy."

Melber believes citizen engagement is key. "With so few journalists directly asking the President-Elect about these issues, however, it is up to the rest of us to put accountability and the rule of law on the agenda."

Looks like Franken has stolen the election...

I've been loosely keeping up with what most of us felt was a travesty waiting for an already-known conclusion. It's finally happened and Franken has stolen the election. We can only hope that in the next election the failed clown is booted by the electorate.

Anatomy of Franken's Election Theft
Franken Certified, But Not Declared 'Winner'
Republican Lawyers Detail Franken Vote Fraud
Pawlenty Raps Supreme Court over Recount