Singing the Blue State Blues

According to The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, twenty eight states and the District of Columbia face a budget deficit for the fiscal year 2008-2009. Twenty of these 29 voted for Barack Obama and are thus considered "blue" states (or in the case of DC, a district). California faces the biggest deficit ($16 billion), as well as the largest deficit per taxpayer ($740). My home state of RI is 4th on the list according to deficit per taxpayer at $550 per person, and also has the largest unemployment rate in the nation at 8.8%. So why would does Barack Obama's economic plans rely on the same failed policies employed by these "blue" states which are bleeding red ink?

Rhode Island has a long time Democrat run State General Assembly. In fact, after this year's elections, only 10 Republicans remain in the 113 seat legislature. The state is plagued by cronyism, strong unions, high personal and corporate taxes, entitlement programs which attract the non- working as well as illegal immigrants, and rampant political corruption. And yet the voters, in their ultimate wisdom, continue to reward the same self-destructive policies and politicians without fail. The Republican Governor is all but ham-strung by a legislature which works concertedly to thwart his every policy proposal to grow the state's economy and create a business friendly environment. Rhode Island recently made national headlines when Jack Welch held it up as a dismal place in which to do business. Unless there is change, this does not bode well for the state in the years to come.

Blue states such as California and New York are lining up to ask the federal government for bail-outs. In addition, the Big 3 automakers from Michigan (another blue state that is "in the red" and which has the 2nd highest unemployment rate) are asking the federal government for loans of $25 million to stay in business, despite the fact that they admit that they have not shown innovation and failed to control the strong unions which have squeezed them dry.

Obama and his advisors are currently prioritizing which policies to enact when he transitions to President. He stated at his first press conference that he believes the policies he campaigned on are still the best way to go. Is this the economic policy that is going to shape our entire country under Obama's plans: high corporate taxes, unimpeded unions, engorged and newly created entitlement programs, and innovation busting taxes on successful small business owners, combined with a Democratic supermajority? Throw in stringent carbon emissions caps which will increase energy costs for all, along with a protectionist trade policy and a picture emerges of a downturn of which even Rhode Island couldn't dream. Perhaps Li'l Rhody's economy will be held up as example as to what we can all expect to"enjoy" under our new President-elect's direction. The rest of you have no idea what you're in for.

Does Something Wicked This Way Come?

What is it about Obama that continues to gnaw at a huge number of people? His election as first African American President of the USA is, and should be, a source of pride for all Americans. It sends a message loud and clear to the rest of the world who harbor notions of our deep seated racism that it is they, who have never elected a minority to their highest office, who should look inward at their own collective feelings about minorities.

But there is something about this man, color aside, that deeply disturbs. It goes beyond his far left record in the Senate, and his radical, fringe element associations of the past 20 years. There is something elusive, and dare I say, creepy, about this person, Barack Obama.

Nobody seems to know the real Obama, not even his closest associates. While giving his convention speech, he surrounded himself, Zeus-like, with Greek columns. He stood alone on that giant stage in Grant Park, Chicago to give his victory speech on election night. No kids, no wife, no running mate to detract from all eyes upon HIM. Simply viewing him on TV, one can sense the arrogance, as if he transcends above us regular human beings.

Many politicians, perhaps most, have narcissistic tendencies. It is their desire for adulation that propels them onward. Obama, who is clearly a gifted politician and orator, seems to take this to the next level. It is all about Obama, all the time. This will make for interesting times in the years ahead, as he has never been in the position of actually having to make unpopular decisions and deal with the consequences. In the Senate, he voted Present for difficut bills. On other votes, he followed the party line, so as not to arouse the ire of his party leaders. This is a man who works the system to his own benefit and advancement. He clearly will not want to be ousted in four years. So how does he keep the wackier elements of the Democrat party happy, without irritating a centrist electorate who simply wanted change, any change, and who will turn on him should he prove to them that his brand of change is not what they thought they bought into?

Many charismatic leaders throughout history have demonstrated such self grandiosity. But a President of the United States of America should be most interested in serving the people, not in calculating how to most brightly make his own star shine. Perhaps someone should inform him that he is merely human, or he is destined to fail and bring us all down in his agonizing self-realization. I sure wouldn't want to be the one to tell him.

Rebuilding the Ground Game

The Republican Party got smacked upside the head the other night. Part of the thrashing was well deserved, part of it was outside anyone's control, and part of it was manufactured by a concerted media effort. Whatever the causes, what's done is done, and it's now time to suck it up and get back in the saddle.

We've heard lots of conciliatory garbage from the politicians and taking heads alike. At the end, Obama campaigned on a centrist message. Nancy Pelosi is now playing the part of Queen of Bi-Partisanship. Conservative commentators are saying let's work together. Blah, blah, blah. What a bunch of hooey.

Obama's pick of Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) as Chief of Staff sends a pretty clear message. I'm out to fight, I'm out to win. Emanuel grew up in the same dirty Chicago political machine as Obama, and is known to be extremely partisan and sharp elbowed. As for Pelosi, she wouldn't know how to cross the aisle if her daughter's life depended upon it. House congressional committees are right now meeting to discuss how to go about confiscating workers' 401K plans and IRA's to put into a government trust fund like Social Security. And the Fairness Doctrine, which would bar any dissenting talk radio media, could be enacted as soon as June 2009. So much for working together. Two days after the election, Obama and his thieves are already out to put forth the most liberal, government run agenda EVER in the history of the USA.

That leaves the Republicans in Congress, with their tiny bit of leverage, left to the gargantuan task of holding back this tsunami of liberal over-reaching. Democrats up for re-election in 2010 had better pay heed. Those who voted for Obama did not do so to endorse the take-over of the country by the government. They idealistically (and ignorantly) wanted change. And if the change that comes is not what they thought they bought, they will abandon Obama and the Democrats in droves.

We must pay attention to every move made by our new Dear Leader. We must ACT when we do not agree, and make our voices heard. We will not let them turn our country into a socialist, propagandized dictatorship on our watch. America, it is now Time to Revolt!

A Perfect Storm

Barack Obama has made history and is now the first African-American President Elect of the United States of America. Swept up by the combined gales of massive campaign funds, a disgruntled electorate, and the financial crisis, while the media barred any headwinds in his path, he rode the winds unimpeded into the most powerful office in the world. His campaign was well run, and centrist, belying all that his actual record demonstrates. And in their anxiety, clinging to hope, a little more than half of the people in the land bought into his message. As a northerner, I see the results of this election as something akin to driving in a snow storm. When a car hits a patch of ice and slides, an inexperienced driver will instinctively turn the wheel forcefully in the opposite direction, overcompensating, which results in disaster when the car plunges off of the road or into a tree. A fearful electorate has similarly now lurched too far to the left, and we are all stuck with the potentially dire consequences of their actions.

So many questions remain unanswered about Obama, the man, and his campaign. With the Congress now comprised of even more Democrats, and the potential passing of the "Fairness Doctrine", which will effectively shut down all dissenting media, it is doubtful that answers will come soon. One hopes that future generations will bring the truth to light. But for now all we can do is wait and see how Obama governs. With the current state of affairs in the country and the world, he's got a tough row to hoe ahead of him. He will need the backing of all of the citizens of this great land. But he will have to earn it first.

A Vote For McCain and Against All Congressional Incumbents

America is at a watershed moment, and the choice for President could not be more clear.

John McCain: An honorable war hero, who fights for what he believes in, has a long and strong bi-partisan record, who will guide us through these rocky times and grow our economy, while protecting us from all those who would do us and our allies harm.

Barack Obama: A neophyte with no record of bipartisanship in his short Senatorial career, whose mentors represent the very worst that America has to offer, and who, along with Pelosi and Reid, would turn this country into an inwardly focused, socialist nation, leaving our global enemies unchecked.

Congressional Races: As I stated in my first post on this blog: Vote out Every incumbent in Every race! That's the change we need.

And most of all, please just VOTE!

Do You Like the Money You Have Earned?

The tax argument has been discussed non-stop during this campaign. Let's just cut to the chase and show how taxes would effect you and your family, based on both Obama and McCain's proposals. See for yourself and make your decision.


THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR RETIREMENT
For those among you who have more money than you will ever need, save your time and do not bother to read this post. For the rest of us who are still working with mortgages, children and grandchildren or retired living on a pension and or Social Security perhaps you will take a couple of minutes to read the proposed changes in the American tax system. Sharing this email with others can make a difference on November 4, 2008; for our citizens and our country.

INTERESTING DATA JUST RECEIVED ON TAXES
This is something you should be aware of so you don't get blind-sided. This is really going to catch a lot of families off guard. It should make you worry.Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election:
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples) McCain does not proposeany change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA 28% on profit from ALL home salesHow does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you willpay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement andwould like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28%of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal willadversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homesas part of their retirement income.
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change)
OBAMA 39.6 %How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market,mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, oranything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40%of the money earned on taxes if Obama become president. The experts predictthat higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stockmarket yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)Single making 30K - tax $4,500Single making 50K - tax $12,500Single making 75K - tax $18,750Married making 60K- tax $9,000Married making 75K - tax $18,750Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA(Reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)Single making 30K - tax $8,400Single making 50K - tax $14,000Single making 75K - tax $23,250Married making 60K - tax $16,800Married making 75K - tax $21,000Married making 125K - tax $38,750Under Obama your taxes will more than double! How does this affect you?

No explanation needed. This is pretty straight forward.
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA Restore the inheritance taxHow does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms andranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations becausethey could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets toloved ones will not only lose them to these taxes.

NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY OBAMA* New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet* New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)* New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)* New taxes on retirement accounts and last but not least....* New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same levelof medical care as other third-world countries!!!

Thank You to Robert D. Jenkins, Vice President - Investments for this information

As a final note, ask yourself this question: When was the last time you got a good paying job from a poor person?

Rocking the Vote

Those who do not take action against an unscrupulous adversary at a time of momentous importance shall never know if their apathy, and that of those like them, were the final nails in the coffin of this land of opportunity. Everyone can make a difference. Get up and do something today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpSpApPsuTg