With New Congress Ready to Take the Stage – Leadership is in question – 60% of Constituents want a new House Speaker. Hukabee enters the 2016 “crowded field”

With New Congress Ready to Take the Stage – Leadership is in question – 60% of Constituents want a new House Speaker. Hukabee enters the 2016 “crowded field”

A record number of Congressmen and women will be assuming their roles this week, the 55 new reps according to Bay News 9 made up of both Senators and Congressional Reps and one of the most historic in both numbers and diversity. Enter the Republicans, and the new Millennial.

While the conservative wing of the Republican Party has been fairly vocal, they have been stymied by that middle of the road politicians using diplomacy and appearing to get the short end of the stick. This is true of the current speaker, John Boehner, who now has multiple challengers to his position. CNN reviews one of those challengers here

It will be this week when we find whether he can hold his spot, or it will go to a newcomer.

Either way, it is far too early to tell how this Congress with a mudslide of new ideas, and cultures, will address the President as well as trend to the conservative roots.

As an aside, Mike Huckabee is clearly throwing his hat in the ring on the 2016 side. With a field crowed with moderates, and conservatives, Huckabee offers something to everyone – The reason that this blogger feels a crowded field is the best field as there are choices – and the opportunity for those on that national stage to either capitalize and reach the masses, or fizzle. The Washington Post offers an overview of Huckabee here and the troubles he may face.

Did the President Lie About Obama Care – The Affordable Health Care Act? If He Did Lie, Who Else Knew That You Could Not Keep Your Plan or Doctor?

The South Florida Sun Sentinel asks the question this morning: “Did Obama Blatantly Lie About Keeping Your Doctor Under Obama Care?” – and the answer from the paper’s, Gary Stein, is a resounding – yes.. One might also turn to the national NBC News article where it is revealed that the administration knew “millions could not keep their health insurance” – for three years prior to its implementation.” For those who understand the President has said, on numerous occasions, that one would not lose their insurance plan nor their doctor, it does appear as if he did, indeed, lie to the American People, however, the question should be asked: “Who else knew that one might not keep their insurance plan, or that their doctor was not about to accept patients under Obama Care? “: -

That answer is: every Congressional Representative, and every Senator – they had the bill, they had oodles of time to read the bill and should have been screaming from the rooftops in each and every hamlet that this plan was going to tug at the emotions, finances and general trust in government by those millions and millions who now find that they are losing both.

As the President’s team starts to go into “damage control”, the line is that one might not keep their “sub-standard” plan. The term sub-standard applies to any plan that does not meet the minimum requirements of additional mandates added to the program. For example, living in Massachusetts under “Romney Care”, one is obliged to carry infertility benefits in their plan, regardless of gender or age. The reason: the increase in insurance premiums that are collected by the insurance carriers (big business), on plans for individuals who do not need the coverage, pays for those who do! Some of the benefits mandated may seem medically unnecessary – however, in an attempt to please everyone, those who are socially liberal will mandate just about anything imaginable. – It is simply not fair. The nations workers already pay taxes for Medicaid – which is for coverage of those who cannot afford it, this type of mandate becomes a second or hidden tax.

Every single one of those Senators and Congressmen and women who supported this bill, or who allowed it to go through the last budget standoff (otherwise known as the government shut-down) knew about this – Those who were screaming to Defund Obama Care knew about it – Ted Cruz warned, Mike Lee warned, and their “Tea Party” crazy friends and allies – they knew too – they just wanted to let the America People know.

Now we know.

Did we expect a President to lie to the American People? If the answer to that is no, then one has a short memory – or has no reference in history. Nixon famously said “I am not a crook”, Bill Clinton “Did not have sexual intercourse with that woman”, Republican and Democrat alike, they both lied to the public. They both were chastised; Nixon resigned in disgrace and Bill Clinton was impeached, but forgiven in the long run. Assuming that all things are equal, then one would understand that this should be an impeachable offence, however, one would have to impeach: Harry Reid, Democrat Senate Majority Leader, Nancy Pelosi, Democrat Congresswoman from San Francisco’s district, John Boehner, Republican Speaker of the House, John McCain, former Republican Presidential Candidate, and so on and so on.

Since that’s not quite possible, one might also take their angst out at the voting booth – One might ask the important question of their Congressman or Senator, or Presidential Candidate, if they voted for either Obama Care outright, or if they voted to fund the government, and then Obama Care – if the answer is yea, then vote for the other candidate, Republican or Democrat, Tea Party or Progressive, Independent or Green Party – replace the incumbent who knew exactly what they were doing to a huge segment of the American People.

One cannot vote President Obama out of office, he’s a “lame duck” or in his final term and cannot run again (regardless of the conspiracy theorists). He may lose the trust of the American People (some of them) – but vote for the individual who might have wanted to fix the plan, start over and keep segments in place, but not fund the darn thing. Those that think that Ted Cruz was wrong to point out that the plan was a problem for millions, like potential 2016 presidential candidate and former 2012 Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum, or Senator Elizabeth Warren of MA who clearly voted to fund the program, or anyone of their ilk, should not be given a glance – it should be the individuals who stood to uphold the Constitution, those crazy people who would rather have millions enjoy the freedom to choose their own plans, while funding a plan for those who could not afford one – a system that is already in place.

The media is already being clearly careful in its reporting on the issues (See the analysis here by Reuters this morning. Therefore, which suggests thousands might be affected, rather than millions, but does it really matter? It was the fact that from the President on down, throughout the hallowed halls of the Senate and the Congress, they knew – and they all lied to the public.

“Fiscal Cliff” Impasse – Pelosi, Boehner, Obama, Reid – What Compromise? Tax Hikes Certain, No Cuts Likely; Debt has No Ceiling, Nothing but Political Chicanery

The Impossible Task: Getting anything accomplished - image Al.com

One might come to the conclusion that the whole lot of those who “we the people” elected to make decisions on our behalf are, for lack of a better set of phrases, “out to lunch” and “out of touch”. The last three weeks or so, the big deal on the horizon has been the “Fiscal Cliff” – or where the government must act to prevent a slew of tax increases from occurring, while cutting the budget, and keeping both businesses happy, in order to continue recovery, and sustaining or increasing entitlement spending in order to please “everyone”. It’s all about the body politic and has little to do with reality.

The basic concept of spending money is not unique to this current crop in Washington; it is a lifestyle that has proliferated since the “temporary” income tax (to cover costs to fight WWII) morphed into a permanent stream of income for the Federal Government. The problem occurs when the Federal Government has fewer “taxpayers” and more programs than one can shake a stick at. The fact remains that without taxpayers, the government has no income- does not produce a product, does not offer a commercial service, does not have an unlimited trust fund from an old rich aunt or uncle. When, late in 2008 it appeared as though the world would end due to the burst of the housing bubble, and banks bad business decisions (some due to government regulations), with the prospects of a dire economic collapse on the horizon, President George W. Bush called the troops to Washington and they all agreed to bail out the banks. When President Obama took office in 2009, he decided to stave off more layoffs and underwater mortgages by jump starting the economy with a “Stimulus” in the billion. That tactic did not works as most of the money either went unspent or went to those who worked for a government – teachers, for example, we hired more teachers. We (as a nation) also bailed out and took ownership of “GM”, which was nearing bankruptcy, in order to “save jobs”. Apparently that didn’t work as, one has to have a stream of tax income from the private sector in order to pay for those teachers, and government employees of various skills, as again, the Government makes no money of its own.

How difficult is that to grasp? The government has two choices, increase revenue by raising taxes, and cutting unnecessary items from the budget – the only way that we, as a nation will get our house in order. The problem lays in the fact that the GOP would rather stick a fork in their collective eye than raise taxes, and the DNC (with the President at the head), would rather do the same than to cut one duplicate or totally unnecessary budget item and delete it from the budget. We appear to have an impasse and the press is screaming “Fiscal Cliff!

Apparently, no one in Washington is smarter than a 5th, 4th or 3rd grader (who is in a private school setting); otherwise, this debate would not even be occurring. The alleged debate has turned into name calling and avoidance.

Last week, as the specter of the Cliff loomed, Republican John Boehner, Speaker of the House, came up with a plan that mirrored, former speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s plan as to tax increases and limited to no cuts (and throwing those down the road a bit) Conservatives were (and still are) ready to throw Boehner to the proverbial wolves, so anti-tax, and anti-spend a group has never graced the halls of congress since, the 1990’s.(Human Events). The plan was immediately rejected by the President. One might recall that the President and Nancy Pelosi play on the same team. It was John Boehner reaching across the aisle and giving an opening to the “other team” in an attempt to be bi-partisan. Suddenly, Boehner is under fire, for his “Plan B” (the Pelosi Plan) from and Harry Reid, Democrat, Senate Majority Leader got into a “pithing” match with Mitch McConnell (Republican) - over the whole shenanigans. Reid would not sign any bill that came from the house offering only taxes on those earning 1 million or more (the Pelosi-Boehner plan), and McConnell filibustered over Reid’s insistence that we raise the debt ceiling (increase the already limitless ability of the U.S. to borrow money (or print money that doesn’t exist). (Huffington Post).

The latest gambit is that the President is going to veto Plan B, and will not sign a bill unless the tax hikes go towards those earning $250,000 or $400,000, and he has put Social Security on the table, in return. (Reuters)

This was followed by the President, saying ”Take me out of it” (NBC News) and the GOP calling the President: “Irrational” (NRP)

Something the collective “we” should remember – we pay these people.

That‘s why we pay taxes, to pay for these collective idiots to screw around like 10 year olds at the playground.

Meanwhile, Rome is burning.

Here’s the most likely outcome: we, the collective, will all pay more taxes, either through income tax increases, or elimination of child tax credits, mortgage deductions, and bear the brunt of the new taxes on the Affordable Health Care Act (Obama-care) including the $53 tax on every insurance policy in order to build a “pool” to cover those who have pre-existing conditions, and the tax on medical equipment (which includes everything you may need from a crutch to a pacemaker). The debt ceiling will no longer exist as there will continue to be a need to feed the collective trough, and those left with any taxable income will have a little bit less income and make due. Unlike those we sent to Washington, who will continue to live in la la land, and refusing to craft a reasonable budget and make some hard decisions – such as cutting duplicate programs. We’ve paid higher taxes before (before George W. Bush), and so it’s not the end of the world. Who doesn’t like eating more pasta? Or carpooling if possible? What is incompressible is that this is occurring at all.

It’s time to pay the piper, the American taxpayer saw this coming from a mile away (ok, Tea Party Members), and the idiots on the hill, are putting their heads in the sand. There will be, by the way, no cuts to government programs, only increases in government programs.

Will it be the “end” of the way the U.S. does business? Will we be “Greece”? – Hardly, what we will be are the people paying for the mistakes of those we hired. We have an opportunity coming up every 2 years to change the situation. If one thinks its one party alone, then one is as out of touch with reality as the entire lot in Washington – it’s both parties. Whatever can we do? Vote out incumbents; bring in a bunch of individuals who have no ties to Washington in any previous life, and hope for the best. One can hazard to guess if tomorrow, the Congress and the Senate, was composed of Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Handymen, Construction Workers, and name a career path other than professional politician, things would move forward as all of the aforementioned have to balance budgets, make cuts and care for those less fortunate, and manage to do it, day in and day out. – Therein lays the solution, the problem is finding anyone who is willing to take on the job for starters, and then getting those so used to pulling a lever for an R or a D to do the opposite.

For now and the foreseeable future we will be “paying Caesar”, no matter which party, no matter how ridiculous the debate becomes and no matter who blames who.

Additional Reading: Opportunity to step away from ‘fiscal cliff’ dissolves into one-upsmanship” (Las Vegas Sun

On the “Debt Crisis” – Boston Globe Blames Republicans, Reuters decries “Rebel” Tea Party, while Obama, Pelosi and Reid, Still Playing the “Bush Card”

The Original Rebels of 1773 - Tea Party - image from CRWflags.com

The Boston Globemakes no pretence of lack of objectivity in their article on the Debt Ceiling “alleged” crisis (alleged as the date continues to move at the whim of Tim Geithner and the Democrat Controlled House, up to the elections in 2010 either had no budget or blocked any attempts at a reasonable budget under Pelosi and Reid’s watch – 2006 bears repeating). The article begins:

Inflexible House Republicans forced Speaker John Boehner late last night to put off an expected vote on legislation to raise the country’s borrowing limit, dealing a stunning blow to the GOP leader’s authority just days before the country is set to run out of money.

Read that twice. In the real world, Boehner did have a plan that compromised more with President Obama’s plan to spend through the roof, and cuts to the budget were dramatically reduced to billions. The House Republican’s that are considered “Tea Party” are fiscally conservative and were perhaps looking for something with more “Teeth” in it, as regards any chance of getting the debt under control.

The last bill that the House put together (to solve this very same crisis) was rejected by the Democrats in the Senate, not even making it to the floor for a vote! Obama insisted he would veto legislation that called for cuts to the budget, a onetime rise in the debt ceiling, and a start to a balanced budget amendment to the constitution. (Bill Clinton with a Republican Congress led by Newt Gingrich balanced the budget - therefore, it can be done.)The President’s preference is obviously to run without a clear budget, continue to spend, and continue to raise the debt ceiling, which effectively lowers the US dollars worth. Go figure.

The Tea Party, fiscally sane conservatives, want to effect positive change in the way those juvenile delinquents that are currently entrenched in Congress spend other people’s money. It is, in effect, a log-jam.

Obama won’t sign a bill unless it includes limited cuts to spending, while allowing him to raise the debt ceiling enough through 2012 so that he can comfortably get back on the campaign trail.

The Republican’s led by Boehner, are trying desperately to come up with a compromise and have presented several bills, all of which the President refuses to sign if they pass the Congress anyhow.

Tea Party members, see this happening, and figure, they might as well just stand firm and continue to give their constituents full attention, and do exactly what they were sent to Washington to do – stand up against insanity regardless of which Party happens to be involved in the lasted mess.

Reuters, is now calling those members of the Tea Party Caucus Rebels! It is as if those members elected in 2010, because of the financial crisis, sent to Washington to stop the spending, are somehow out of touch with reality. More to the point, they are in touch with their constituents, and it is Washington, the Beltway Pundits and their media cheerleaders, who clearly don’t understand jack (you know what.)

It is the word Rebels, being used by Reuters, which calls to mind the original intent of the Tea Party, and the original Tea Party Rebels of in the year 1773, were also called rebels, and later revolutionaries a point that should not be missed by those who live within the safe confines of Washington Think! It was about taxes then, and it is about taxes now. Overburden the people, and the people “rebel”, It might be predicted that at this point, the more the media maligns the Tea Party, and lays blame, that they are, in effect, creating a notoriety which a good percentage of thinking American’s (and they exist) find appealing.

Meanwhile, the Democrats and their leaders Pelosi, Reid and President Obama, continue to cry “Bush!” as they lay blame for the current conditions on the past. As Bush left office with a crumbling real estate fiasco (caused by whom in Congress? Who controlled Congress in 2006?), and ran with the limited TARP program (which was, incidentally opposed by most Conservatives), he put into effect a stop gap, that should have been enough of a rise in the debt crisis of 2008, to set up a lovely and easy to manage scenario for incoming Obama – had Obama not followed former President Carter’s economic and foreign policy to the letter. Unfortunately, he did, growing government, increasing the payroll for an ever-growing crop of government employees (through the Stimulus), and wondering why the private sector was not hiring? Additional large scale social programs also insured that businesses would be wary of hiring, there was no fix to the housing crisis (see Fanny and Freddy) rather, the administration and Happy Nancy just threw more money at the problem, hoping for a correction. It kept going; one spending project after the next, all without a budget, no budget, not one budget during the entire time the Democrats and President Obama had the reigns of government.

Now, these much maligned “inflexible” and “rebellious” members of Congress, sent by and for the people, are taking heat for doing the job that all Republicans and heck all Democrats should have done, but not unlike a herd of Ostrich, stuck their heads in the sand.
Also, just a note to the media: Globe in particular, although it appears that Boehner did not have the support for yet another bill that he came up with versus, one very shady backroom deal under Reid, which would have been vote now, we’ll let you know what’s it in later (recall the Health Care disaster), and they call is position “weakened”. Give us the proverbial break. Recall the deals, begging, pleading, midnight votes and calls to the White House to those poor “Blue Dog” Democrats who finally jumped on the Obama Health Care vote, a midnight vote to nowhere. It was not as if they had control, they had a plan (that no one could read), they wanted it done, and they held Congress in chains, until the vote passed, on straight party lines. The Democrats have their divisions, which are rarely spoken of in the media, their Progressive arm (i.e. Socialists who have taken control of the party) and the “moderate democrat” – who looks more like John McCain every day –or vice versa.

It is refreshing to see debate, and it is refreshing that some of those sent to Congress have a clue, it is refreshing that, although, yet another crisis looms (see Obama under Boy Cries Wolf), that some members, regardless of being called names, are standing up to principal, while, Beltway Republican’s attempt to play nice with Obama, and Obama pouts and refuses to move away from his Progressive roots, thinking there is no way out but tax increases across the board, and a continued rise in the nation’s debt ceiling.
If one thought that 1793 was a bad year for Progressives, as was 2010, just wait. The majority of Tea Party Members are not, repeat, not Republican’s (although they vote with them and run as Republicans due to the allege fiscal conservatism that party represents), but Independents and, get this, Democrats, as well as some disenfranchised Republicans. Rebels yes, a Revolution yes, at the ballot box in 2012, which, if this continues to be a pre-school scenario (or high school, hard to tell the difference and with the decline in education in the nation, between a 3year olds knowledge and that of one about to graduate high school, and God Help us! vote!!!) of Congress and the White House, it will be a rout across the board. It is not, therefore, unthinkable, that a third party candidate, would put themselves forth, should the Republican party nominate one more McCain like Republican (one who wants to be a conservative, while assuaging every Democrat they meet, and of course, retain their popularity with the press.)

Therefore, when the sky doesn’t’ fall on the 2nd of August, and the Wolf never arrives at the door, and yet another plan is proposed in Congress, which will be vetoed by Progressive of the Year, President Obama, life, will go on – The blame for all of this lies with those in Washington despite acting like a bunch of 17 year old girls (and any parent with a 17 year old girl understands what that means), even despite Party, being unable to get their act together. It is the job of Congress to take charge of the nations purse strings (See U.S. Constitution), it is the Presidents job to create a budget (which he has consistently failed to do, since the Brilliant Obama took office), and it is the peoples job to vote.

Does it really matter if the only checks being cut in Washington got to Social Security, and Medicare? Does it really matter if the Parks department, the EPA, the TSA cannot pay their employees? Will the people miss the pat down and lack of profiling done unless one is an aging grandmother or 4 year old boy? One might call this naive, however, with the focus on one’s own declining revenue of what little paycheck is left for those working in the private sector, focus on Obama’s difficulties in getting another rise in the debt ceiling and Boehner’s’ inability to control members of Congress who are, literally, more Republican than those incumbents who sit in that August body. The personal pocketbook, or lack thereof, will place the blame where it belongs – and that will be on those who were supposed to have gotten “the message” but refused to listen. In other words, the Tea Party has a point, and as one of those who is sick of Party politics as usual, and looking at the Unenrolled status as a badge of pride, it is only disgust one must feel, for the continued one-sidedness of the media, and the same old crap coming out of DC for the past eight plus years.

While New GOP Controlled Congress Abides by Constitution, Democrats and K-Street Lobbyists Hire Lawyers.

The Constitution of the United States - image: thisnation.com

On Wednesday, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA8), new Democrat Minority Leader, will hand over the Congressional gavel to to Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH8), in a televised ceremony. (Middletown Journal) The Congress, under new GOP leadership, will be adhering to the document that defines the nation – The Constitution of the United States. In fact, the Congress will read the Constitution, a historical first, and all future bills must contain a statement by the bills’ author, citing constitutional authority. The Washington Post refers to the “back to basics” approach to governing as the “tea party-ization of Congress”. The biting commentary vis a vis the Tea Party, contained within a news article may be due to fact that the Post’s staff, notably, Ezra Kline finds that particular document difficult to understand. (The Constitution of the United States is available to read online at www.usconstitution.net, and although some of the language is “old English”, it should not be incomprehensible to an individual who should have, at the least, a few English language courses under one’s belt.)

Boehner, is going the extra mile, having his staff sworn in by Supreme Court, Chief Justice, John Roberts, a move, that is ceremonial, as Congressional aides, sign a “form” that includes the following language: “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” (Politico) However, there is a bit more weight carried by reading an oath of defense of the nation laws rather than simply acknowledging their existence by signing a form.

The New Congress is set to work on reducing the budget and reforming the unpopular Health Care Reform Act. Appointments to the various Committees have been made, and incoming Chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Darrell Issa (R-CA49), will begin a series of investigations into waste and fraud. Specifically named in an article by the Washington Post is the fiasco over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac the government run lending groups closely aligned with the former Chair of the House Finance Committee, Barney Frank (D-MA4). To counteract any investigations, the House Democrats have hired David Rapallo as their attorney Rapallo a Democrat Staffer, will be joined by lobbying firm lawyers who are obviously concerned about Issa’s planned investigations.(Politico)

Apparently, when a group of duly elected Republican (and yes, Tea Party) Representatives of Congress, who intend to focus on the Constitution which regulates their positions and the nations laws (along with all branches of the government), the opposition gets a bit nervous. As well it should - those that feel the Constitution is to be interpreted and/or cast aside if need be, will now be faced with a group within the Congress that intends to abide by the august Document. One might find C-Span’s ratings spike over the next few months.

Side notes: The President has actually been studying up on former President Ronald Reagan in order to cope with the 112th Congress (Bloomberg).

With Obama’s seeming attempt to “move to the middle, an article from Canada’s Star speaks to the difficulties Obama may face as the progressives attempt to block any moves he may make to the middle by running an opposition candidate in 2012. The article goes on to note that those incumbents who faced challengers from within their own parties, specifically Jimmy Carter, (whose actions and policies Obama has appeared to mimic for the past two years), who lost to Ronald Reagan.

From the Star: :

Four years later, Carter was the one in trouble. The inflation rate was even higher — as Americans endured the new phenomenon of “stagflation,” whereby prices rose even as the economy flagged. Carter was a weak leader, urging Americans to adjust to limits. Conservatives hated him for this defeatism. Liberals hated him because they considered him the most conservative Democrat since Grover Cleveland, pushing to deregulate the economy and balance the budget.
Carter’s standing with party regulars and liberals sank so low that the crown prince of the Democratic Party, senator Ted Kennedy, decided to run for the nomination. Kennedy’s candidacy was ill-fated. When a sympathetic interviewer, Roger Mudd, asked why he was running, Kennedy rambled. When radical Islamist students overran the American embassy and held 52 diplomats hostage in November 1979, just as the nomination campaign was starting, Americans initially rallied around their president in an instinctive patriotic reaction.
Eventually, Kennedy found his footing, winning the important New York primary. Kennedy failed to win the Democratic nomination, but at the party’s national convention he upstaged Carter. Kennedy’s passionate endorsement of the welfare state, vowing “the dream shall never die” in a speech that became an instant classic, captured Democratic hearts. At the same time, it helped Carter’s general election opponent, Ronald Reagan, define Carter as yet another liberal to a nation increasingly fed up with liberalism’s failures.

Eerily familiar.

Women journalist and the next Speaker: Leslie Stahl’s Take on Boehner – The Quintessential American

Stahl: “I Really Liked Him, I did, I thought He was so Authentic.” Politico appraises Boehner’s Fashion Sense.

Leslie Stahl’s take on John Boehner has been interpreted as being partisan by some , bloggers however, the video (shown below), regardless of the perceived intent of Ms. Stahl, paints a picture of the man who will be 3rd in line to the Presidency, as not only a product of the American Dream (which is pivotal), but as someone who will do his utmost to move the nation forward. In an interview with editor, Ann Silvio, on the Boehner piece, (shown below), Stahl goes through her interview, stating emphatically; “I think people are going to like him”.

What the public learns about Boehner in the 60 minute segment is that the next speaker is a regular guy, a Catholic, who was born into a large family, and worked his way through college, through business and through politics. Boehner, was a Democrat until the Reagan revolution, a man who has no problem showing his emotion (which Stahl defends), and someone who will be tough when he needs to be, although one who is willing to cross the aisle. In other words, Boehner is the perfect Speaker of the House – from a seemingly left of center woman’s point of view. This speaks volumes about John Boehner’s ability as a politician: the fact that he is perceived by Stahl to be a regular all-around good guy and the support he may receive from Stahl's CBS’s viewership going forward. According to Neilson’s Sunday’s rankings 60 minutes averaged 12 million viewers the prior week.

It is difficult to comprehend (partisanship aside) a negative, especially with women: The final frames in the 60 minutes segment is of Boehner’s on being the next Speaker of the House – fading into the one final comment: “Welcome to America.”

It will be interesting, going forward from January to see how Boehner’s relationship with the Press will take shape. As of now, it appears that John Boehner has won more than one woman. Over at Politico, Karan Tanabe and Amie Parnes have dubbed Boehner as ”D.C.'s own Mr. Blackwell” Comparing Boehner to Blackwell gives an impression of wit and fashion sense.

Welcome to American indeed, where in Boehner’s vision, one is able to rise from humble beginnings, work their way through college, and one day become one of the most powerful figures in the U.S. Government. Regardless of one’s “take” on Ms. Stahl and other Journalist, both right and left, (not discounting CBS’s suspect brand of journalism - See Dan Rather’s story on George Bush’s service in the National Guard that was – fabricated, and the infamous 7 hour interview with Sarah Palin that Katie Couric and a team of editors pared down to Palin’s detriment.) one has to give credit where credit is due - Boehner for going into the “Lion’s den of 60 minutes” and Stahl for giving an honest presentation.

Profile of Leslie Stahl



CBS 60 Minute Segment on John Boehner

Pelosi, Up for Reelection in 2010 and 2012

John Dennis, Republican Candidate running Against Nancy Pelosi, image gilmerz.com


Addendum, August 18, 2011 - Pelosi will be up for reelection in 2012, 2014 (if reelected in 2012)- Congressional Represenatives, except in very rare instances must face reelection every two years.

Addendum October 4, 2004: An anonymous comment was left today noting that neither Nancy Pelosi nor John Dennis' names appear on the ballot. In reviewing information available at the San Francisco County Website, both names do appear on the ballot, a sample of which can be found here http://www.sfgov2.org/ftp/unloadedfiles/elections/PrecinctServices/2010/Nov/BT23.pdf”.

A list of all qualified candidates can be found here at the CA Secretary of State website

To find out where to vote in San Francisco County go here to the San Francisco County Website.

Should someone be in receipt of a ballot that does not contain the names of neither of these candidates it is suggested that one contact both the Dennis and Pelosi campaigns.

End Addendum


The Hill Blogran an article on a Pelosi “fund-raiser” which asks supporters for donations to stop the GOP in November. One might, at this point, see this as throwing good money after bad, as the Lead Singer of the Democrat’s in Congress, is not exactly at the top of the charts, nationally or in her home district. Meanwhile, Her Republican counterpart, John Boehner (D-OH), House Minority Leader has given a pledge of 1 million dollars to the NRCC (National Republican Congressional Committee). Nancy is going hat in hand to supporters, noting that the GOP will spend all of its time investigating Obama, and so, they must be stopped. Recalling 2006 and forward, the Congress, under the leadership of Ms. Pelosi, spent all of their time investigating George Bush and company, getting little done, up until the Democrats took control of the White House. This virtually gave Pelosi a blank check – which, the outcome is evidenced by the economy laying in near ruin. Boehner, on the flip side, is a fiscal conservative, so one can imagine that hefty donation is being considered a worthwhile investment – the man is no fool.

In begging for donations to help reelect the current Congress, (despite evidence to the contrary, at this point, that the House is going to be lost to Pelosi), in order to stop investigations of Barack Obama, Ms. Pelosi may be a little too late. The proverbial train has left the station, be it the “lack of command” (Chris Matthews, MSNBC) shown during the Presidents recent address vis a vis the Gulf Oil spill, or more importantly, the trial taking place in Illinois, where Blagojevich and company, have set the stage for realistic calls for investigations into high crimes and misdemeanors.

Most important however, is that Nancy is facing opposition in the San Francisco 8th from John Dennis(website: www.johndennis2010.com. Dennis won the recent Republican primary, defeating a fairly well financed Republican, Dana Walsh. Since the primary, Dennis has been actively growing his war chest, the last FEC filing shows the majority of his campaign donations coming from the individuals. Additionally, he has endorsements from the Log Cabin Republicans, Ron Paul, and Barry Goldwater, Jr., among others. Not that endorsements' mean a great deal, unless the candidate is capable of winning the battle, and Dennis appears both confident and capable, which are two terms that hardly describe the current 8th District Representative.

Nancy Pelosi has not faced a serious contender for her seat in decades, so that is a negative (lack of experience). Of course, the media will most likely call this seat “safe”, but one gets the impression that Nancy knows better. Nancy has received a mere $1.8 million in donations since 2009, which, for a Democrat candidate, one who is House Speaker, is somewhat paltry. The majority of those donations again, are coming from Corporations and every conceivable union By comparison, Dana Walsh, the former Republican challenger, had, as of last filing, received $1.7 million in donations, these came, overwhelmingly from individuals who are most likely to throw their support to Dennis. In addition, the NRCC is actively targeting the Speaker in advertisements. Conservatives, again, as a rule, do not throw good money after bad, and although one must understand that money does not make or break a candidate in certain scenarios, it is the who is donating, not the amount of cash on hand that carries the day. (Additionally a fiscal conservative can do more with a third of the money amassed by someone who has been used to being given blank checks).


About John Dennis:

Dennis, who lives in Liberty Heights, is a businessman and entrepreneur. Born without the silver spoon, he hailed from Jersey City, growing up in public housing and put himself through Fordham University. He then built several successful businesses, and, like so many independent minded Republican’s running this year, he had decided to put his life on hold in order to better the nation. His success in the CA 8th will depend a great deal on how well he brands, and it appears, that given his experience, he is the most viable candidate to best Pelosi. Pshaw? No – Pelosi has alienated her base in California, she had no support from those who even moved slightly to the middle. The LGBT local has criticized her for a failure to appear at meetings, and between winery executives and the fringe Progressives, Nancy has little else to rely upon. This will be another race to watch.

To learn more about John Dennis: visit: www.johndennis2010.com

Showdown - Pelosi May Lose Contraceptives in Stimulus Plan

From the Associated Press - Nancy Pelosi and company had inserted payment for contraceptives into the stimulus bill, drawing criticism from House Republican Leader, John Boehner (OH). Apparently, Pelosi felt that birth control would somehow stimulate the economy – it boggles the mind. After a meeting at the White House on Friday with Obama, Boehner asked: “How you can spend hundreds of millions of dollars on contraceptives how does that stimulate the economy?" "You can go through a whole host of issues that have nothing to do with growing jobs in America and helping people keep their jobs."

With the Los Angeles Times reporting on a “Deluge of Layoffs”, Boehner has an excellent point, so much so, that Democrats (speaking on condition of Anonymity) noted that Obama had gone to Waxman (D-CA), a close friend of Pelosi, asking for the provision to be removed.

It remains to be seen how much "power" the Speaker has, considering that Boehner is not shy about speaking out on issues that are left of reasonable. With Obama looking to 2012, he understands that without a bi-partisan effort, and compromises, that allow for viable results, that second term may not be possible.

Let’s Not Take Barney’s Word for It - Bailout Transparency Demanded by Republican House Leader, Boehner

On the 11th of November, Barney Frank (D-MA), gave the country the assurance that he was just fine and dandy with the Fed not disclosing who was receiving trillions of dollars in the government aid package – no need for transparency. Placing Frank in charge is akin to having the Fox guard the henhouse. (See Freddie and Fannie.) John Boehner (R-OH) is now demanding that the Fed disclose the recipients of the funds, as well as a list of trouble assets that the Fed is taking as collateral. On the 12th of November, “Boehner, in a prepared statement, also asked the Federal Reserve to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request seeking details about the loans.
The Fed ``should comply with this Freedom of Information Act request, and in the interest of full and fair disclosure, they must begin providing lawmakers and taxpayers all information about how they are using federal tax dollars,'' Boehner said. “
Bloomberg News, reporting on this story, has also requested details from the Fed, under the Freedom of Information Act – a lawsuit was filed on Nov. 7th. Meanwhile, other than the House Republicans and this news outlet, no one else seems bothered by the fact that there is no oversight in the disbursement of trillions of dollars in taxpayer’s money. Boehner recalls that there was bi-partisan agreement during the bail-out negotiations that oversight was part of the deal. However, with past experience, the members of our Legislature should have been suspect due to the dubious involvement of Frank and Company to begin with. Something needs to be done, Pelosi, Frank and Reid are about to bail out the auto industry, and the financial giant AMEX is next in line. Where does it stop - Apparently when the state, guided by the Trio of Incompetence, owns a piece of every failing business in this nation – expecting an increasingly shrinking tax base to pay for it all. This is, of course, unless those who stand up for “we the people”, like Boehner are successful in getting the information from the Fed and then to the people.

House Republicans – True Grit - On the Bail Out and Drilling for Oil

There are a group of House Republicans who have, in recent months, created a bit of a “thorn” in Nancy Pelosi’s side. The first “revolt” came with the energy crisis; Nancy Pelosi decided that there would be no vote on offshore oil drilling, going to extraordinary lengths to stop the debate – the House Republicans, including John Culberson and John Boehner, stayed to debate, long after Pelosi shut off the lights, turned off the CSPAN cameras and shut down the Congress. They stayed, using every available devise to communicate with constituents, and debated and demanded a return as well as a resolution that would include offshore oil drilling. Their success has not been touted in the press, in fact, there is little mention lately of the fact that Nancy Pelosi lost and the energy bill that included offshore drilling was passed. If it had not been for this “revolt”, the bill would not have seen the light of day. The price of crude had dropped significantly as a result of the addition of off-shore drilling's inclusion in the plan.

They are at it again – this time they are not enamored of the $700 Billion Bail Out and have been virtually left out of negotiations and ignored by Pelosi – (She did not even read the suggestions they had made). That was until she realized she needed them on board - why? – no one party wants to be responsible for this fiasco – and considering the mess can be laid at the feet of the Democrats (see previous posts on financial crisis on this blog). It is also worth noting that although there were warnings about this same fine mess from certain members, specifically John McCain, his bills got nowhere - blocked by Democrats, and little was done to stop the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac crisis. The bill now has the support of Boehner, (as a result of McCain’s trip back to Washington and his ability to bring all parties together – also going unnoticed) however, it does not necessarily have the support of the rank and file Boehner, to his credit, noted that he had told his party members to vote their conscious. Video’s taken yesterday by John Culberson (R-TX); clearly show that there are great misgivings about this bailout – as there should be. Culberson with John Carter outline the Republican House recommendations in the videos below.

To date, this group of rebellious men (quite American in concept), have got their point across, it is hopeful that they will succeed in having some impact on this bill that is being shoved down the throats of the public. It would not be for a lack of trying – they deserve credit for taking their jobs seriously – working for the American people.

House Republican’s Revolt against Pelosi Continues – Oil Prices Continue to Fall

The Price of Oil has dropped again yesterday, to 118.60 as speculators backed away – coinciding (coincidentally) with the third day of protest by House Republicans. The House was called into recess last week for a five week vacation by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi had continued to block a vote on an energy plan that would allow for offshore drilling, a popular energy plan with U.S. consumers. House Republicans continued to call for a vote, after Ms. Pelosi shut down the House, turned off the lights, and tried to silence those that were calling attention to the nations’ energy crisis.

The first noticeable drop in the price of oil came after President Bush lifted the Presidential Ban on Offshore Drilling, on July 14. At the time, oil was trading at $145 per barrel – a week after Bush lifted the ban and called on Congress to act, oil fell to $128. On Monday, oil dropped again - below $120, and the trend continues while House Republicans continue to call for action.

Although Pelosi publicly continues to stonewall, calling the House Protest a "war dance of the handmaidens of the oil companies.", Politco reported that she is privately telling those Democrats who are in danger of losing a seat, to go ahead and back offshore drilling. John Boehner, Republican Minority Leader, has asked House Democrats to join in an effort that would force the speaker to bring the Republican energy bill to a vote.

What can the “we the people” expect? The House Republican’s have vowed to continue their occupation of the darkened House and speculators will continue to look for excuses to back off oil futures – fearing that offshore drilling will become a reality. Should Pelosi come to her senses, allow the vote, and should it pass (which it is fairly apparent it would handily) America’s mere ability to tap into the nations vast oil supplies will send the price of oil to reasonable pre-Democrat controlled house levels. The nation cannot wait much longer, with home heating costs expected to double this year, those living in the Northeast, West and the Heartland, who don’t have the financial resources of a Pelosi, Kerry or Obama (recently changing his mind on offshore drilling), will be forced to bear the burden of her politically motivated inaction. Additionally, the people pay attention - Pelosi and companys shift with political winds - and subsequent actions speak to character and trustworthiness - these individuals, from the Oval Office through the House are merely hired by the people - political fortunes, like political winds, are subject to change.

House Republicans August 4th – Patriots Continue America’s Energy Debate in Darkened House

House Leader, John Boehner (R. Ohio) and Roy Blunt (House Whip, R. Missouri) sent a memo to Republican members of the House and their staff on over the weekend urging them to continue to protest and debate America’s energy crisis on Monday. John Culberson (R. Texas) and other house members, will continue to provide updates to constituants via Twitter today.

To what end? The call to action by this group of House Republicans is in the interest of the people, unlike their Democrat counterparts, led by House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi called the House into recess on Friday (5 week summer vacation), while House Republicans continued to protest and debate on the floor. Pelosi has continued to refuse to allow a vote on offshore drilling, despite the fact that the Democrats have a majority in the House and should, if one were to believe they were “one party in concert”, easily defeat the Republican Energy proposal. So, what could possibly prevent the Speaker from putting an end to this? The only logical conclusions are that Pelosi feels she would lose if the bill were put to a vote, or she is simply so power driven that she cannot see the trees for the forest.

Nancy has been busy, she’s promoting her latest book and she is also pushing her choice for the Democrats V.P. pick
Chet Edwards,on Obama. Surely within five weeks, she might find the time to address the American people’s needs? Perhaps she may even take time to notice that Cindy Sheehan, , her San Francisco contemporary, is expected to make the ballot and run against Madam Speaker. In a year where the Democrat controlled Legislature continues to poll at historically low favorability ratings, it would not come as a shock should Ms. Sheehan replace the speaker. (Think San Francisco.)

Republican’s have asked Ms. Pelosi to call Congress back in an emergency session to vote on this bill. From John Boehner’s website: “It’s not a request we make lightly. But the American people are suffering,” Boehner and Blunt said in the memo. “The consequences of continued congressional inaction on gas prices are unacceptable. We’ve called on the Speaker to call Congress back into an emergency session this month and schedule a vote on the American Energy Act. We must continue to make a stand until the Speaker complies.”

It is about time that the people we hire (those citizens who we, the people, vote into office to represent our needs) took action on our behalf. The type of “revolt” that the Republican house members began on Friday is exactly what makes one proud to be a part of this great Republic. They are displaying true patriotism. With an issue that is so urgent to the public, it is surprising that not one member from the other side of the political aisle has joined in an attempt to put the needs of their constituents over the wishes of their party master.

Playing “devils advocate”, one might argue that this group of Republicans are only looking for media attention and that they are playing on this issue in order to drive up the stock of the Republican Party. However, were that true, why would they have continued to debate without a single national media outlet available? (House Speaker Pelosi effectively kicked out the media on Friday, shutting down C-Span and removing reporters from the House). With the House still in darkness, and with limited ability to reach the public, the few will continue to speak for the people. Hurrah!