THIS WEEK MARKS THE END OF SUMMER (PRACTICALLY), KIDS ARE BACK TO SCHOOL AND CONGRESS IS HEADING BACK INTO SESSION
This is my last chance to pass on an assortment of articles, posts and messages that are too good to leave in the "save" pile.
COULD THIS BE A GLIMMER OF PROGRESS? IT SURE IS THE "RIGHT DIRECTION" FOR A CHANGE--(BUT FAR FROM ENOUGH)
September 2, 2011 -- 12:15 p.m. EDT--WSJ
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THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE HAS TO FACE DOWN THE PRESIDENT--HOW SAD, HOW BAD
If Barack Obama's weakness hasn't been exposed by his past two+ years of mis-deeds, it was showcased this week. In one of his typical thoughtless moves, Obama (or his inept staff) scheduled his BIG Speech to the Congress on a day that presented two problems. First, it conflicted with a long-advance scheduled GOP Presidential Debate. That makes his scheduling seem like an "in your face" insult (he's done this sort of purposeful conflict before); second, they didn't think--or plan--to involve the Speaker of the House until the very last minute. The House is just back from recess that day and had assorted business scheduled, (but nothing all that important I bet) BUT--there was not enough time to do the "security sweep" the entire Capitol and chamber. Or at least that is what John Boehner said in his terse letter to Obama telling him that the House would be glad to hear him speak--one night later than Obama had planned on!
What an affront to a sitting President! And a self-inflicted wound due to foolish scheduling. FYI--NBC, who is sponsoring the GOP Debate was considering doing a "split screen" simulcast of both events, if the President wouldn't change his date. As it is, Obama has go compete with the opening game of the NFL. Hmmm. Weak? Yep! To read more about President Obama's failings, see the next item.
FOR THOSE WHO MISSED MY CONTROVERSIAL POST ON FORBES LAST WEEK, HERE IS THE LINK
It was picked up by Yahoo and ran all over the place resulting in lots of comments--including many that were decidedly "not nice" ones at all.
FROM THE NYTIMES: Economy Showed Zero Job Growth in August; Unemployment Rate at 9.1%
"The economy showed no job growth in August, the first time there has been no job growth in the United States in a year. The net addition of no jobs in the month was down sharply from a revised 85,000 gain of jobs in July, the Labor Department said Friday, and was far below a consensus forecast by economists of 60,000. The unemployment rate stayed constant at 9.1 percent in August. The non-farm payrolls stayed flat in August after a prolonged increase in economic anxiety that began with the brinksmanship in the debt-ceiling debate and was followed by the country’s loss of its triple-A credit rating, stock market whiplash and renewed concerns about Europe’s sovereign debt. And the jobs figure, a monthly statistical snapshot by the Department of Labor, appear more negative than they actually are because they do not include 45,000 Verizon workers who were on strike when the survey was taken."
OBAMA'S MINIONS BYPASS CONGRESS TO KILL JOBS---AND RESTRICT FREEDOM IN AMERICA
Remember the "Card Check" law, the Employee Free Choice Act, that was rejected by Congress last year. Well, think again. Barack Obama is proving what I have said for a long time. His "minions" appointed to agency seats and Cabinet posts are killing jobs faster than he can try to create them. If it's not the EPA, or the CPSC, or the EEOC, et. al., it's the National Labor Relations Board, stacked by Obama with intensely pro-union members, helping Unions kill jobs. Read all about it--and weep.
CONGRESS SHARES THE BLAME--NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT
The debt ceiling debate was a debacle, largely due to two mistakes that added up to a big mistake. First, the newly elected Tea Party conservatives showed a concerning lack of pragmatism by being totally inflexible--and thus thwarting Speaker Boehner's attempt to get a "big deal" in spending cuts. It would have taken some minor concessions on revenue increases (tax increases--yes, that's a bad idea--but not if you get enough in return for them). Then there was the absence of leadership by the President, replaced instead by petulance, frustration and weak behavior--always blaming someone else. He walked into the negotiations with Boehner and tried to "up the ante" in tax cuts--after a deal was agreed to--because he couldn't sell his deal to his Democratic liberal base either.
That sounds to me like a good compromise: neither side likes it much, but both agree that it is the right thing to do--in general. That "grand bargain" deal would have included $4 Trillion in spending cuts for $800 Billion in revenue increases--both over a 10 year time frame. Much better than the compromise deal reached finally, and one that probably would have left S. & P. without a good reason for a credit downgrade.
REVISITING SOME OLD POLICIES IS IN ORDER
--Trade: Free trade is not fair trade if one of the trading partners cheats. That is what tariffs & duties, and trade policies were created to avert. It is time to "reset" the level of US duties and tariffs in order to protect a select group of industries that are critical to our success as a nation. China is the biggest offender, but there are many more. Japan used our policies to build its auto industry. Many smaller nations cheat all the time. Our creation and granting of Most Favored Nation trade status needs a total overhaul. If we do this, we will send a message loud and clear. We want to trade with other countries who are fine with a "level playing field." No less.
--Taxes: The tax system needs a total restructuring. There are way too many subsidies and loopholes obtained by well-connected and well-heeled lobbyists. They need to be cleaned out, and cleaned up. That will increase tax revenue--and much of it will come from companies--but they will just pass it on in pricing of their goods and services (unless there is no rational way for them to do it, and then they will "eat it" and pay their fair share of taxes. Then lower rates on taxpayers, and simplify the structure. Insist that everyone pay some taxes--even if it is only $20, and let them apply to recover it if they qualify for or already participate in one of more of the multitude of government funded programs already in place (Food Stamps, School Lunch programs, housing allowances, etc. etc.)
--Unions: Under Obama's NLRB, they are growing in power at just the time that they are growing more useless and predatory. It is time for a National Right To Work Law, which can only happen if the GOP gains control of the Senate, holds onto the House and wins the White House. Maybe those are long odds, but this is the best chance to take a big swing at unions and their power-plays.
WHO WILL SAVE AMERICA? LEADERSHIP IS ESSENTIAL...
We have now seen, time and again, that Barack Obama is ineffective as a leader. His supporters scream profanities at me when I blog that, but it's true. The rest of the world either laughs at him or simply shakes their head in puzzlement. Americans are figuring it out, as more and more see his incompetence in the condition of our country and economy. I have been waiting and listening before finally choosing who I think is the best 2012 GOP Presidential candidate. There are a couple of GOP debates coming--Sept. 7 and Sept. 22--and those could change my mind. Right now, my choices are close calls--see below.
HERE IS WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW
Most of the "candidates" are "also rans" who have tiny chances of being nominated: Gingrich, Paul, Santorum, Cain, and Huntsman, etc. are barely moving the needle in polls.
Perry and Bachman are going to hammer each other, while they both try to hammer Mitt Romney. But they both may be "too conservative" to beat Obama. To win the White House in 2012 takes a "moderate"--someone that the full range of Republicans can get behind--even the Tea Partiers, AND someone that Independents will choose over Obama. (Jon Huntsman is too little, too late.)
So, right now, that someone is Mitt Romney. He's been down this road before. He may be less colorful than Perry or Bachman (or even Palin if she foolishly jumps in)--but Mitt may be the guy most Americans will (compromise on and) choose to put the country back together. He did it on a smaller scale during the troubled Salt Lake City Olympics--and believe me--Olympic politics are enormous and diverse.
But before I go on, there is a video you need to watch--and note that the speaker has no teleprompters and few visible notes. Here is an up and comer! Just needs experience and seasoning--Marco Rubio, young Senator from FL
Watch and listen to this. It's kind of long, but it's worth it--and when you are done, you will say, "Wow! That guy's good!"
DID YOU GUESS MY EARLY PICKS: AT THIS POINT--(and there is a long time before the election)
I THINK A ROMNEY-RUBIO TICKET COULD BE THE BEST POSITIONED TO BEAT BARACK OBAMA--AND ALSO TO FIX AMERICA.
BUT--and there is always a "but," IF Perry moderates his positions a bit, he could be a winner too. I have not seen or heard enough of him directly to form an opinion on him compared to Romney, who I liked all the way back in 2008. IF Perry comes up the winner, then his VP pick might not be Rubio (too much conservatism on the ticket). Then Ohio's Rob Portman might be a great VP choice. He's a calm, cool, and experienced moderate, former Bush Budget Director and former International Trade Rep under Bush, and a six-term Congressman from OH before that.
SO THERE'S MY CLOSE SECOND CHOICE: A PERRY-PORTMAN TICKET, AND THOSE TWO WOULD ALSO HAVE THE CREDENTIALS TO FIX AMERICA.
You read about those two "tickets" here. BOTH ARE BETTER THAN OBAMA-BIDEN!
Let's watch and see what evolves.
Best, JOHN
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