A Thanksgiving Family Forum, hosted by Focus on the Family, with 2012 GOP Republican Candidates was held today at 5 PM, the moderator Frank Luntz,did an excellent job in keeping on topic - the topic social issues. A complete video is available at: Citizenlink.com
This is well worth the watch - regardless of one's religious leanings, this forum, in an Iowa Faith Based setting, gives an insight into both the integrity as well as the character of each candidate - topics ranged from personal introspection to What one would consider a "just war". It was not so much a debate, rather than a round table discussion, however, it was difficult to choose one candidate over another as to a "right" answer - to a man and a woman, they are all admirable. It was unfortunate that the Romney campaign was either unable or chose not to attend this particular event.
A Portion is shown below
Gingrich, as always, is stellar in any forum, debate or otherwise.
The next debate will be held on November 22nd, on CNN, and co-sponsored by the Heritage Foundation - The Topic - National Security.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Obama Brokering Deals for U.S. Companies in Asia – Boeing to Benefit, Reuters also points to G.E. , the company paid $0 taxes on Billions in Profit.
Best Buddies: President Obama and Jeffrey Immelt, CEO of G.E. tax excempt corpration - photo c-span)
From Reuters: The President, Barack Obama has been heavily vested in a nine –day Asian economic tour, during which time, he brokered a deal between and Indonesian Airline and Boeing.
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"This is an example of how we are going to achieve the long-term goals I set of doubling our exports over the next several years," Obama said after executives from Boeing and Lion Air, Indonesia's largest private carrier, signed a commitment for the jet orders.
Their provisional agreement for the sale of 230 short-haul 737 jets, worth $21.7 billion at list prices, sets up the largest commercial order in Boeing's history, toppling a previous record set just days ago as the industry taps into relentless demand in emerging economies.
It is unclear by the article, if the President also brokered deals for General Electric and United Technologies Research Centers (Sikorsky Air), two major corporations that will be selling jet engines and black hawk helicopters to Indonesia and Brunei respectively, as credit is not specifically given to the President, rather they are mentioned.
Understanding that ours is a global economy, one would hope that our corporations would be manufacturing inside the U.S., and exporting goods. Trade agreements are the job of the President; however, one might recoil a bit when one reads of individual deals brokered by the President for individual companies.
This due to the rising tide of businesses given loans by the Federal Government which are tied directly to a campaign donation to the Obama camping (Granted Green Industries).
What one has to wonder is if the G.E. deal will result in increased tax revenue for the United States, however, that is doubtful. Consider that General Electric Corporation, headed by Jeffery Immelt (Adviser to President Obama) paid zero taxes on 14 Billion dollars in profit in 2010. If Immelt had managed to avoid the loopholes and participated in the “spread the wealth” plan put forth by Obama, the administration would have collected (under the corporate tax rate which is roughly 27 percent, and one of, if not the highest globally (Tax Foundation) 3.8 Billion in taxes (sans loopholes), that’s in Federal Taxes. In the case that GE’s corporate offices are located in Fairfield CT, they are also subject to Connecticut Taxes. According to the (The Tax Foundation) Connecticut Corporate tax at a measly 7.5% on income. If, playing devil’s advocate, General Electric’s State Tax Liability was based on taxable net profits (after Federal Taxes were paid), then they would have given the very needy state of Connecticut an addition eight million plus in revenue.
Therefore, one has to ponder, while our President is out brokering deals on behalf of U.S. companies, why certain companies (specifically G.E.) are not paying one dime of taxes to the U.S.?
Understanding this is an election year, and regardless, that the President should be working on job creation, brokering trade agreements are one way to go about that business, but more broad based, and less specific to companies that are virtually on the Obama campaign donor list. (See Open Secrets.org). To be fair to Immelt, he personally gave to both political parties - full disclosure here Open Secrets.org.
Although the words “crony capitalism” are bandied about the capital and those states holding early Republican primaries, and has grown a bit old – none-the –less, it is apparent that an atmosphere of extreme moral economic chicanery exists between the administration and corporate friends of the administration, be they so called “green start-ups” that go belly-up, or Corporate Giants that evade paying taxes (though what one must assume are perfectly legal tax loopholes). What is most astonishing is that those who sit on the helm of the largest Corporations and are most vocal about Corporations paying more in taxes, end up paying none at all (See Buffett particularly). There is a reason why these corporations, specifically GE, who owns MSNBC, and NBC, are not purloined daily in the press (which, in most common terms, is seen to be “in the tank” for the president), rather held up as examples for the President’s accomplishments in an attempt at job creation.
Simply put, Obama should gather around his corporate buddies, cut a few deals for them (again, said deal cutting for individual companies rather than a competitive arena, where companies are invited to bid after a trade agreement is reached), in exchange for these titans of industry ponying up taxes sans loopholes –given the sheer number of corporate donors to the Presidents campaign, one can well imagine these revenues would go a long way towards mending the deficit.
Just a thought, as one gathers all their receipts, and insures all is in order In preparation of paying income taxes for 2011 – on earnings that are not excessive, but below the “free pass” level on paying taxes and are wildly cramming every available dollar in accounts in order to meet tax obligations due on the 15th of April 2011, might just resent the fact that certain corporations tied to a certain administration pay nothing in taxes, similar to say, those taking an earned income credit. Those would be the middle class, or what is left of the middle class. In addition, one might think the same for all small businesses, as well as corporations who may have not been as generous to a certain campaign, are faced with paying exorbitant taxes, or in the case of Gibson Guitar, completely decimated by a federal raid and shutdown. (See Gibson under travesty of justice). The aforementioned create jobs on U.S. Soil and pay taxes, while…others, not so much. This is why a fair tax, flat tax, 9-9-9 tax, or any equitable tax plan and permanent overhaul of the system needs to be instituted.
Caveat: It is not to say that these types of corporate tax “incentives” have not taken place in other administrations (although not as blatantly), it is to say that tax reform is necessary – across the board.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
2012 GOP Update – Herman Cain – Guilty Until Proven Innocent? Chicago CBS 2 Anchor, Bill Kurtis, Debunks Cain Accuser Bialek – Audio from WLS-AM
From the windy city: a local anchor, who has more credentials than most of today’s journalist, one Bill Kurtis (biography here at Chicago.cbslocal.com/personality/bill-kurtis), was a recent guest on Chicago’s WLS-AM’s “The Roe Conn Show”, and has plenty to say about Bialek (who worked for a short time at CBS), along with Cain’s ability to ride out what he appears to note as a manufactured scandal, apparently more to the story on several levels. There is a brief note below from Media Bistro:
Video appears below (audio)
What is most interesting is the amount of conjecture on the subject, given the fact that guilty until proven innocent has been tossed out the window – however, here’s several scenario’s in which this blog has been given over the past few days, most of which, although “hearsay”, may make more sense in the long-run given the team of Bialek and Allred’s lack of credibility.
In an attempt to push Cain out of the way, as his climb to the top was gaining momentum and he represented a threat to other candidates in the GOP (some of whom have been known to play a dirty trick or two in Presidential Primary politics), but more so to the Obama campaign, given the fact that Cain’s message might resound with both Democrats as well as Independents – the best way to get rid of a Republican is to throw a scandal against the wall and hope it sticks (similar to cooking pasta), and, logic follows, that candidate would immediately withdraw from the race, or resign from Congress, or the Senate, or the local post as dog-catcher. Apparently, what they did not count on, should this be the case, is the fact that Cain is not a politician, as and such, when accused did not act like a politician, rather like a novice, which, instead of being the kiss of death, lent more credence to Cain’s innocence.
With fewer Conservatives and moderates for that matter, not trusting news sources to be as “truthful “as say a blog, or alternative source of news, Cain’s poll numbers, although in a slight decline (due more to one debate performance than any scandal), the majority of Republican Voters in (pick any poll) would prefer that Cain stay in the race (a little poll fact that is often left out of those news stories, noting the has dropped in the polls (by a few points mind you ), because of the allegations of sexual harassment (based on conjecture not fact). Those in the media, and the Obama campaign, appear to have run up against a dead horse.
Should Cain survive (and this appears to be the case at the moment) and go on to win the nomination (or be on the ticket at all), the fact that he has had allegations against him, has been made moot by the same party who has, for decades, lived by scandal and the fact that a sexual scandal is no reason for a candidate or sitting Congressman or sitting President, to leave office (See: Barney Frank and Bill Clinton, and an entire cast of characters). Therefore, they have created a scenario by which, in protecting their own (the DNC and Democrat Political Operatives); they have made it the “norm” for their constituents to look upon this type of scandal as “no big deal”. Fast forward to March (after super Tuesday), and should Cain be in the lead, or say Gingrich, and one or the other look to be heading hand in hand towards a solidified ticket, then Cain would appeal to Democrats across the board who may have had trouble voting for a “typical white man” (sorry Newt), but not for the affable, African-American, Cain.
This particular ticket, (which could, again, go either way), would solidify the
Conservatives, and surprising Democrats desperately seeking an alternative to Obama.
Also of note, the Republican Establishment and their pundits, continue to push Mitt Romney as the front runner, and, with no offense meant to the former Govenor of Massachustts, nothing short of a miracle will get that man past Super Tuesday with enough primary points to seriously continue the campaign.
This means that the Republican Party has more than one front runner, who is totally unacceptable to the Beltway, and totally acceptable to those Conservatives in the party, as well as those outside the Party.
This is not to say it would be a landslide, and that the fight would not get even dirtier (surely David Axelrod’s building must be full of Sharon Bielaks’ or someone else just as horrifying to voters that could be attached to either Newt or Cain.), but most likely to win this general, there will have to be a third party candidate, one that can peal enough votes away from the Republican, and allow the current occupant to win by even 1 point (See Massachusetts, David Axelrod’s testing grounds and the last Governors race). Therefore, a 5 point lead over an incumbent with a third party candidate in play will hardly be enough – that said, a healthy 10 point lead in polls like, for example a Gallup, would indicate that, although a tight race, more than winnable for team GOP. Of course, that all depends on how the candidate’s fortunes turn out – at the moment, in Iowa, the latest poll shows: Cain, Paul, Romney and Gingrich in a virtual tie for 1st.
The interview is worth a listen in its entirety.
Citing what he heard “in the elevator at work,” legendary WBBM anchor Bill Kurtis discredited Herman Cain accuser Sharon Bialek in a conversation last week on WLS-AM.
Speaking as a guest on WLS’s “The Roe Conn Show,” Kurtis said that Bialek, who worked for CBS in Chicago from 2006-2007, “has a history.”
“There’s a lot more to this story,” Kurtis said of Bialek’s account of sexual harrassment. “I ride in the elevator at work and I hear very quickly a different kind of story.”
“Let’s put Herman and Sharon in the car at the same time,” Kurtis said, “and the roles may even have been reversed, given [her] track record here.” Here’s the audio…
Video appears below (audio)
What is most interesting is the amount of conjecture on the subject, given the fact that guilty until proven innocent has been tossed out the window – however, here’s several scenario’s in which this blog has been given over the past few days, most of which, although “hearsay”, may make more sense in the long-run given the team of Bialek and Allred’s lack of credibility.
In an attempt to push Cain out of the way, as his climb to the top was gaining momentum and he represented a threat to other candidates in the GOP (some of whom have been known to play a dirty trick or two in Presidential Primary politics), but more so to the Obama campaign, given the fact that Cain’s message might resound with both Democrats as well as Independents – the best way to get rid of a Republican is to throw a scandal against the wall and hope it sticks (similar to cooking pasta), and, logic follows, that candidate would immediately withdraw from the race, or resign from Congress, or the Senate, or the local post as dog-catcher. Apparently, what they did not count on, should this be the case, is the fact that Cain is not a politician, as and such, when accused did not act like a politician, rather like a novice, which, instead of being the kiss of death, lent more credence to Cain’s innocence.
With fewer Conservatives and moderates for that matter, not trusting news sources to be as “truthful “as say a blog, or alternative source of news, Cain’s poll numbers, although in a slight decline (due more to one debate performance than any scandal), the majority of Republican Voters in (pick any poll) would prefer that Cain stay in the race (a little poll fact that is often left out of those news stories, noting the has dropped in the polls (by a few points mind you ), because of the allegations of sexual harassment (based on conjecture not fact). Those in the media, and the Obama campaign, appear to have run up against a dead horse.
Should Cain survive (and this appears to be the case at the moment) and go on to win the nomination (or be on the ticket at all), the fact that he has had allegations against him, has been made moot by the same party who has, for decades, lived by scandal and the fact that a sexual scandal is no reason for a candidate or sitting Congressman or sitting President, to leave office (See: Barney Frank and Bill Clinton, and an entire cast of characters). Therefore, they have created a scenario by which, in protecting their own (the DNC and Democrat Political Operatives); they have made it the “norm” for their constituents to look upon this type of scandal as “no big deal”. Fast forward to March (after super Tuesday), and should Cain be in the lead, or say Gingrich, and one or the other look to be heading hand in hand towards a solidified ticket, then Cain would appeal to Democrats across the board who may have had trouble voting for a “typical white man” (sorry Newt), but not for the affable, African-American, Cain.
This particular ticket, (which could, again, go either way), would solidify the
Conservatives, and surprising Democrats desperately seeking an alternative to Obama.
Also of note, the Republican Establishment and their pundits, continue to push Mitt Romney as the front runner, and, with no offense meant to the former Govenor of Massachustts, nothing short of a miracle will get that man past Super Tuesday with enough primary points to seriously continue the campaign.
This means that the Republican Party has more than one front runner, who is totally unacceptable to the Beltway, and totally acceptable to those Conservatives in the party, as well as those outside the Party.
This is not to say it would be a landslide, and that the fight would not get even dirtier (surely David Axelrod’s building must be full of Sharon Bielaks’ or someone else just as horrifying to voters that could be attached to either Newt or Cain.), but most likely to win this general, there will have to be a third party candidate, one that can peal enough votes away from the Republican, and allow the current occupant to win by even 1 point (See Massachusetts, David Axelrod’s testing grounds and the last Governors race). Therefore, a 5 point lead over an incumbent with a third party candidate in play will hardly be enough – that said, a healthy 10 point lead in polls like, for example a Gallup, would indicate that, although a tight race, more than winnable for team GOP. Of course, that all depends on how the candidate’s fortunes turn out – at the moment, in Iowa, the latest poll shows: Cain, Paul, Romney and Gingrich in a virtual tie for 1st.
The interview is worth a listen in its entirety.
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