Plenty of folk honestly thought Obama was on to something when it came to health. When we noted that he was up to no good, we were ignored.
Recall when BO told us that if we made under $250M / yr we would not see a tax increase to pay for this thing? He said Sep/9/09 that, “The middle class will realize greater security, not higher taxes,” when referring to his health plan.
Guess what? That was a ruse. Even our progressive pals have figured it out. From the Heritage Foundation: “Yale Law School professor Jack Balkin told a meeting of progressive activists last month that, ‘Obama has not been honest with the American people about the nature of this bill. This bill is a tax.’” BO has all kinds of new taxes in mind, but as Heritage continues, “None of these taxes touches the lives of every American as closely as the individual mandate to purchase health insurance. For the first time in American history, Obamacare forces all Americans to purchase a product or face sanction from the Internal Revenue Service. This is clearly a tax, as pointed out by ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos during a September 20th interview with the President himself.” Thank you George (and nice hair by the way).
But wait. There’s more. Really. See in the act, Title IX, subtitle A - Revenue Offset Provisions, Sec 9002. It seems that starting 2011 your W-2 will be increased by the value of the health ins you are given, even if you are retired. You’re a teacher and a big BO fan? Add $15,000 or $20,000 to your tax bill. Maybe now you’re in a higher bracket. Still like the guy? Sure you do. This is how BO will pay for the tiny fraction in the US who are uninsured, half of whom don’t care. You’re happy to make the sacrifice for these folk.
Robert Craven
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Insight - It's free
We don’t own a TV. That’s proved to be an assist over the past few years.
This weekend I happened to view a bit of what is offered by the way of that venue. Where in the world are Ozzie & Harriet, Jack Benny, the Honeymooners, Gun Smoke, Paladin? Replaced by garbage. OK. But where is the news? After a glimpse at CNN it’s easy to understand why this outfit resides in the cellar. Fox is better, but even there a lot of noise, a lot of words, a lot of entertainment. Ok, sure, the $ dictates the menu. But it’s not enough.
So for those of us who may be serious about our citizenship something more is required. Thirty years ago - that meant trips to the library. Now it means the keyboard. It’s all there folks.
Example: Our blogs have been prescient, past years, months. We have predicted public reaction to 1) Obama, 2) health care, 3) “stimulus” and 4) business reaction to this new environment. We don’t have a crystal ball, only a curiosity.
We don’t know any insiders, at least not anymore. But we knew Obama was not one of us before it became the catch phrase in conservative journalism. We knew that Obama was simply a savvy (and gutless) politician disguised as a messiah, that earlier he was a detached academic who believed in abstract notions he'd picked up in the faculty lounge, none of these American and all devoid of pride of ownership.
It’s easy to criticize after the fact. Better to get there early.
Want insight? It’s free.
Robert Craven
This weekend I happened to view a bit of what is offered by the way of that venue. Where in the world are Ozzie & Harriet, Jack Benny, the Honeymooners, Gun Smoke, Paladin? Replaced by garbage. OK. But where is the news? After a glimpse at CNN it’s easy to understand why this outfit resides in the cellar. Fox is better, but even there a lot of noise, a lot of words, a lot of entertainment. Ok, sure, the $ dictates the menu. But it’s not enough.
So for those of us who may be serious about our citizenship something more is required. Thirty years ago - that meant trips to the library. Now it means the keyboard. It’s all there folks.
Example: Our blogs have been prescient, past years, months. We have predicted public reaction to 1) Obama, 2) health care, 3) “stimulus” and 4) business reaction to this new environment. We don’t have a crystal ball, only a curiosity.
We don’t know any insiders, at least not anymore. But we knew Obama was not one of us before it became the catch phrase in conservative journalism. We knew that Obama was simply a savvy (and gutless) politician disguised as a messiah, that earlier he was a detached academic who believed in abstract notions he'd picked up in the faculty lounge, none of these American and all devoid of pride of ownership.
It’s easy to criticize after the fact. Better to get there early.
Want insight? It’s free.
Robert Craven
Monday, July 12, 2010
Litmus Paper From The Left
We have three friends who vote the lefty line without fail. One is a nurseryman, one is a plastic surgeon and one is a trial lawyer. Our trial lawyer pal is ok, the current recession having little impact on his bottom line. (He goes about his business of defending the “victims” of our society, strafing those who may look to uphold the law.) Our plastic surgeon buddy is hurting, naturally, his business being almost completely discretionary - save the new boobs for a happier time. Our nurseryman pal just reported that his semi-annual sale, well hyped, was mediocre, nothing special. New plants can wait.
All of this is nothing if not litmus paper for the blood swell of our economy. There is none. Why? Look to our - “US Economy - A Snapshot,” or, put two and two together. Is there plenty of blame to go around? No there is not. Every fool who voted Democratic yet finds his business in the tank, knows who’s to blame.
Robert Craven
All of this is nothing if not litmus paper for the blood swell of our economy. There is none. Why? Look to our - “US Economy - A Snapshot,” or, put two and two together. Is there plenty of blame to go around? No there is not. Every fool who voted Democratic yet finds his business in the tank, knows who’s to blame.
Robert Craven
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Open Season On Obama
In The Nation on Thursday, journalist Eric Alterman calls the Obama presidency “a big disappointment” for progressives. Now folks, how this bunch ever acquired the handle “progressives” eludes us. “Retrograde” works. No matter, these far left types are upset with their once-upon-a-time cult figure. Let’s take a look.
We know now that most moderates - those who do not share the progressive agenda - yet who voted for bo, simply failed to hit the books. They took a blind shot, the easy way. It didn’t work out for them or us. Obama remains Obama. But that excuse does not apply to faculty lounge types, phony intellectuals, all the rest of the progressive bunch (who despise moderate Democrats almost as much as they do Republicans). They did indeed do their homework. Obama was the most partisan in the Senate and they knew it. He was half black. He was slick. He palled around with those who instinctively kick the US - a credential for this bunch if there ever was one - and they knew it.
So they should have liked all of that, and they did. But wait! “It’s open season on Obama, whom so many hoped would lead us out of the neoliberal wilderness,”according to progressive blogger Les Leopold. “He was a community organizer and ought to know how working people have suffered through a generation of tax breaks for the rich, Wall Street deregulation and unfair competition. When the economy crashed, he was in the perfect position to limit the unjustified pay levels on Wall Street,” but did nothing to address the progressive agenda, claims Leopold.
What did these types miss? Easy, although they can be idealists (profoundly naive, but idealists anyway) and actually believe in this stuff, BO never was and never did. He is pure Chicago-bred politician, looking out for his own interest and knowing the machine well enough to secure that end. There is no idealist there for goodness sake. He knew how to lever his blackness, and to say what he needed to say. He isn’t going to fight any of their battles now. What fools.
Robert Craven
We know now that most moderates - those who do not share the progressive agenda - yet who voted for bo, simply failed to hit the books. They took a blind shot, the easy way. It didn’t work out for them or us. Obama remains Obama. But that excuse does not apply to faculty lounge types, phony intellectuals, all the rest of the progressive bunch (who despise moderate Democrats almost as much as they do Republicans). They did indeed do their homework. Obama was the most partisan in the Senate and they knew it. He was half black. He was slick. He palled around with those who instinctively kick the US - a credential for this bunch if there ever was one - and they knew it.
So they should have liked all of that, and they did. But wait! “It’s open season on Obama, whom so many hoped would lead us out of the neoliberal wilderness,”according to progressive blogger Les Leopold. “He was a community organizer and ought to know how working people have suffered through a generation of tax breaks for the rich, Wall Street deregulation and unfair competition. When the economy crashed, he was in the perfect position to limit the unjustified pay levels on Wall Street,” but did nothing to address the progressive agenda, claims Leopold.
What did these types miss? Easy, although they can be idealists (profoundly naive, but idealists anyway) and actually believe in this stuff, BO never was and never did. He is pure Chicago-bred politician, looking out for his own interest and knowing the machine well enough to secure that end. There is no idealist there for goodness sake. He knew how to lever his blackness, and to say what he needed to say. He isn’t going to fight any of their battles now. What fools.
Robert Craven
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
OVERLOAD
We sat down to highlight the Gulf “clean up” and the implications for those who may still believe that Obama is not just a typical, Chicago-bred pol. Sure he is. He’s what he always was. For example, why has BO refused to do much of anything to clean up? Most of us know the answer - he has higher interests than protecting the Gulf. Labor unions (to which the Dem’s are in hock) and the Jones Act come to mind, so does the offshore drilling conspiracy, this crisis a useful lever to those types.
But no, just as soon as our fingers hit the key board for a little fun Obama decides it's best if NASA handles the free world’s relationship with the Muslims; he wants them - the Muslims - to “feel good” about their past. Oh, well sure, that makes sense. Forget space. NASA-applied group therapy is just what these troglodytes need. Sure it’ll cure ‘em.
But wait, why delve into that one even? In the next 20 minutes or so, BO will deliver yet another classic reflecting 1) his chronic lack of judgement in domestic affairs and 2) his ongoing application of adolescent diplomacy in matters offshore.
Is this fun or what?
Robert Craven
But no, just as soon as our fingers hit the key board for a little fun Obama decides it's best if NASA handles the free world’s relationship with the Muslims; he wants them - the Muslims - to “feel good” about their past. Oh, well sure, that makes sense. Forget space. NASA-applied group therapy is just what these troglodytes need. Sure it’ll cure ‘em.
But wait, why delve into that one even? In the next 20 minutes or so, BO will deliver yet another classic reflecting 1) his chronic lack of judgement in domestic affairs and 2) his ongoing application of adolescent diplomacy in matters offshore.
Is this fun or what?
Robert Craven
Friday, July 2, 2010
US Economy - A Snapshot
We concluded our last blog as follows: Instead, BO artfully exploited the groundless fears of capitalism and the instinct of many to look to government for a fix. He understands the indolent nature of a good portion of our population, those whose library is stuffed with past issues of People and Newsweek but never an Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Buchanan, Stigler, Hayek or Friedman.
That above of course was taken in the context of bo’s hijacking of the health sector. But the statist agenda so thoroughly woven through Obama’s fabric and that of his kind - never waste a crisis - makes this response all but a sure thing in reaction to today’s key June payroll release. Don’t believe us? Hold on a day or two.
Today's weakness was about as expected; much of the loss was due to known layoffs at the census bureau. No matter. Obama will highlight this report as reason for more stimulus. Anyone who has done a little homework or consulted those who have understands that gov’t plans to spark the economy are at best a wash, at worst a retardant.
Kennedy and Reagan understood just how to recover from a slowdown. All of us know that. So does BO. He is not entirely stupid. His problem - for us - is that he is a fanatic. Thus, a Kennedy or Reagan extraction would offend his elitist, faculty-lounging-propeller-headed buddies whose track record is zip but whose sweet and easy ways never fail to provide an attractant to the chatterers. It’s that easy my friends.
Robert Craven
That above of course was taken in the context of bo’s hijacking of the health sector. But the statist agenda so thoroughly woven through Obama’s fabric and that of his kind - never waste a crisis - makes this response all but a sure thing in reaction to today’s key June payroll release. Don’t believe us? Hold on a day or two.
Today's weakness was about as expected; much of the loss was due to known layoffs at the census bureau. No matter. Obama will highlight this report as reason for more stimulus. Anyone who has done a little homework or consulted those who have understands that gov’t plans to spark the economy are at best a wash, at worst a retardant.
Kennedy and Reagan understood just how to recover from a slowdown. All of us know that. So does BO. He is not entirely stupid. His problem - for us - is that he is a fanatic. Thus, a Kennedy or Reagan extraction would offend his elitist, faculty-lounging-propeller-headed buddies whose track record is zip but whose sweet and easy ways never fail to provide an attractant to the chatterers. It’s that easy my friends.
Robert Craven
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Have they learned a thing?
Evening sets in; there’s time for reflection out in West Marin. Dinner talk swings from the Pride Parade, to explaining away Biden’s latest gaff, finally to Obama. In their own little hearts can these types see or come to acknowledge a lack of regard for the responsibility that goes with American citizenship; can they acknowledge their lack of zeal to self inform; can they acknowledge their dismissal of American and world history, dismissal even of the message of the Founders themselves as little more than an irritant? For how else could they have voted for Obama?
That is, can they admit they made a major mistake - not publically naturally but perhaps at dinner time - and if they can admit that, can they learn? This is the key to the rest of us. Because if they have not learned we are destined to repeat the cycle. This is the anchor which retards progress in the free world. We ratchet up a little bit at a time, sure; major strides however are ruled out because of the general amnesia of the left.
Many of those who voted for BO are “disappointed.” (There are plenty of bumpers out there minus the H & Change sticker, just a stripe of glue remaining.) But “disappointed” in Obama is disappointment misdirected. It was a failure of scholarship that led to this disaster.
As we have highlighted in detail in past blogs - BO is acting perfectly in character. He’s genuine. He wore a sandwich poster in earlier times; because our lefty friends failed to read it, they are “disappointed.”
Are today’s left unique to world history? Naturally not. A group of faculty lounge types (whom Stalin fondly called his “useful idiots”) fell hook, line and sinker for the utopia of communism. Bounce ahead a few years and witness another group made of the same stuff, taken in by another cult figure this time bent not on a communist but a statist agenda. It’s all the same and always and everywhere goes to the same place - control. Lacking an acquaintance with Hayek, von Misses, Reagan and others most lefties simply cannot believe that Hitler started just like Obama. There was a recession; folks were desperate; they fairly elected this guy; he used health care as his first hook, then gradually took control of the rest with the aid of a compliant media. Genocide is not the point; control is the point and it starts with a lot of people who are too naive or stupid to know better.
Robert Craven
That is, can they admit they made a major mistake - not publically naturally but perhaps at dinner time - and if they can admit that, can they learn? This is the key to the rest of us. Because if they have not learned we are destined to repeat the cycle. This is the anchor which retards progress in the free world. We ratchet up a little bit at a time, sure; major strides however are ruled out because of the general amnesia of the left.
Many of those who voted for BO are “disappointed.” (There are plenty of bumpers out there minus the H & Change sticker, just a stripe of glue remaining.) But “disappointed” in Obama is disappointment misdirected. It was a failure of scholarship that led to this disaster.
As we have highlighted in detail in past blogs - BO is acting perfectly in character. He’s genuine. He wore a sandwich poster in earlier times; because our lefty friends failed to read it, they are “disappointed.”
Are today’s left unique to world history? Naturally not. A group of faculty lounge types (whom Stalin fondly called his “useful idiots”) fell hook, line and sinker for the utopia of communism. Bounce ahead a few years and witness another group made of the same stuff, taken in by another cult figure this time bent not on a communist but a statist agenda. It’s all the same and always and everywhere goes to the same place - control. Lacking an acquaintance with Hayek, von Misses, Reagan and others most lefties simply cannot believe that Hitler started just like Obama. There was a recession; folks were desperate; they fairly elected this guy; he used health care as his first hook, then gradually took control of the rest with the aid of a compliant media. Genocide is not the point; control is the point and it starts with a lot of people who are too naive or stupid to know better.
Robert Craven
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