Flint Is Not a Republican Scandal

What we learned from Hurricane Katrina: No matter what happens, it's never the governor's fault. What we've learned from the contaminated drinking water in Flint, Mich.: It's always the governor's fault. A bit of background first.
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Study: Most Convicts Vote Democrat

A scholarly study newly released in The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science has revealed that most convicts in jail register as Democrats.
The study stated, "Democrats would benefit from additional ex-felon participation."  The professors who authored the study came from the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University.


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The Coming Democratic Crack-Up

Nobody explained the crack-up of the New Deal coalition better than New York Mayor Ed Koch at the 1980 Democratic convention:

When I ran for Mayor, I went up to a Bronx senior citizens center, and I told 200 senior citizens: “Ladies and gentlemen, a judge I helped elect was mugged recently. And do you know what that judge did, ladies and gentlemen? He called a press conference and he said to the newsmen, ‘This mugging of me will in no way affect my decision in matters of this kind.’ And an elderly lady got up in the back of the room and said, ‘Then mug him again.’”

Read more at The Atlantic Read More......

Is There a Dime’s Worth of Difference between the Two Major Parties?

At last count there were about three dozen potential candidates for president on the Republican side. Although Hillary Clinton is the expected Democratic nominee, should she falter, there are probably about a half dozen people ready to take her place. Without knowing who the candidates will be and without knowing who will win the election, can we say today with some confidence what difference a Republican or a Democratic victory would mean in 2016?
Paul Krugman asked this question the other day in The New York Times. His answer: parties matter a lot more than candidates, and if a Democrat is elected you can be sure of four things:


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Oregon Dems’ scandals & investigations

OK, this is just getting overwhelming. There were already 4 different federal investigations into the quarter of a billion dollars wasted on the Cover Oregon disaster, and now there are more federal and state investigations as part of the massive criminal public corruption probe into former Gov. John Kitzhaber and former First Lady Cylvia Hayes!

Then new email revelations this week brought Patricia McCaig back into the news. McCaig, “a secretive campaign consultant who liked to call herself the Princess of Darkness,” ran Kitzhaber’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign. Once elected, “Kitzhaber made her his top adviser on the Columbia River Crossing.” While serving as Kitzhaber’s adviser, McCaig also worked for the CRC’s top contractor and she “eventually collected $553,000 for her work on the CRC, which was never built.”

Read more at the Oregon Catalyst Read More......

Bernie Sanders's 12-Point Socialist Plan for America

Every committed revolutionary needs a plan. Karl Marx had one, and so did Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong. Add to that group socialist senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont, who is considering running for president (as a Democrat) and has already announced a 12-point plan at the Huffington Post. He writes:  As Vermont's senator, here are 12 initiatives that I will be fighting for which can restore America's middle class.

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Michelle Malkin: Rocky Mountain Heist

Rocky Mountain Heist, written and directed by Jason Killian Meath (King of Bain) and produced by David N. Bossie (Hillary The Movie), sheds light on the once-Red state of Colorado which is now reliably Democrat. This documentary reveals the truth behind the “Gang of Four” – a secretive group of Leftist millionaires and billionaires who hijacked Colorado politics. The result was a restructuring of the once-reliable Red state. Now, homelessness is at an all-time high, marijuana is smoked in once family-friendly parks, gun control is rampant and the state’s energy industry is under constant assault. Unfortunately, the State of Colorado is now a perfect example of President Obama’s promise to “fundamentally transform America.” The most disturbing aspect of this Colorado “heist” is this model is being replicated across other reliably Red states such as Virginia and Texas – if successful, the results could be catastrophic for America as a nation.

"Liberty-loving Americans: You must watch our film exposing how a small group of wealth Liberals overtook Colorado. They used every scheme possible to impose a backward agenda and they transformed the place I love into a testing ground for their liberal ideology. Make sure it doesn't happen in your state next!" — Michelle Malkin

See the official trailer at Rocky Mountain Heist
Related: Who's afraid of "Rocky Mountain Heist?" Read More......

Joe Piscopo’s confessions of a disillusioned Democrat

The party of the working class has sold out to fat cats.

I’m a Democrat. I’ve been a Democrat my entire life.

I used to utter those two sentences with pride and would shout them from the highest rooftops. Now, I’m almost embarrassed to say those words.
I almost can’t articulate my political affiliation in public (or on the radio) without immediately offering an apology and an explanation.

How did I get here?

I’ve been asking myself that question a lot lately. The more I ask it, the more I come to the realization that I haven’t changed all that much. Sure, I’m a little older … OK, a lot older. I have a few more children (one at every exit in New Jersey). I am also a little closer to collecting Social Security than I might’ve been a few years ago. However, in examining the current state of world affairs and the political landscape, the more I realize that the Democratic Party has changed far more than I have.

Contrary to popular belief, my first exposure to Democratic politicians wasn’t when I played Jimmy Carter in my first episode of “Saturday Night Live.” I’ve always been a political junkie and followed politics, the way my friends followed sports. My parents never told me where they were politically or where I should be. They encouraged an independent streak, a healthy skepticism of authority, coupled with a large dose of common sense and a love of country that was all-consuming.

My father was a proud Italian-American, but the American was second to no other nationality. “Pop” was a World War II veteran and a brilliant lawyer who devoted his professional life representing the working class, particularly new legal immigrants.

I was a Democrat because I believed in civil rights, like Lyndon Johnson. I was a Democrat because while it was clear to me that the Republican politicians were out of touch and cared for only the upper class, Democrats like Franklin Roosevelt cared for the masses and helping the working man. I was a Democrat because I believed in a strong defense and opposed communism, like John F. Kennedy. And I was a Democrat because I loved the fact that Kennedy understood we needed lower marginal tax rates.

By and large, none of these values are represented in the Democratic Party today. From where I’m standing, the party has largely abandoned its commitment to civil rights and instead allows race-baiters to be national power brokers. As spokesman for the Boys and Girls Clubs of New Jersey, I am hurt that there is not one Democrat in Washington who cares enough about the great inner cities of this country to help those in dire distress from poverty and crime. These cities are in worse shape than those countries from which all those illegal “children” crossing our borders daily are coming.

In my home state, if I can walk the streets of Camden to try to help the disenfranchised, why can’t the Democrat in the White House walk the South Side of his hometown and do the same? In terms of caring for the working class, it seems as though Democrats are more interested in catering to the special interests, such as the trial lawyers, lobbyists and George Soros who fund their campaigns — rather than fighting for small-business relief to allow a higher minimum wage or (God forbid) middle-class tax relief.

Most disheartening, though, is the Democrats’ weak commitment to a strong defense and maintaining America’s place in the world as the only superpower. All I see is an American foreign policy led by a Democratic administration that is floundering when it comes to things like dealing with Iraq, Russia and Syria, inept when it comes to crises like Benghazi, and weak at the knees when it comes to protecting our strongest Middle Eastern ally, Israel.

I guess a big part of the reason I’m a Democrat has to do with who I am. I grew up idolizing the larger-than-life-personas I’ve encountered over the years in music, sports, movies and business. Which, of course, explains my fondness for “The Old Man,” as we affectionately called Frank Sinatra. I grew up believing that all of the rock-star personas were Democrats — no bigger star in the world than Kennedy. Lyndon Johnson had a Texas swagger that got things done, and Ed Koch could host “Saturday Night Live” as well as any other politician.

In politics today, where are today’s larger-than-life figures, ready to inspire the next generation of public servants to “ask not what your country can do for you …”?

When I met President Reagan, I felt inspired. I want to feel inspired again. Like Reagan, I think the time has come for me to leave the party I’ve been a member of my entire life — not because I want to leave it, but because it has already left me.

I don’t think I’m ready to become a Republican yet (although despite their lack of solutions, I still find myself rooting for the Republicans in the midterm elections for the first time I can recall).

In good conscience, however, I can’t continue to call myself a Democrat.

In becoming an independent, I think I’m maintaining the independent (dare I say, libertarian?) mindedness and patriotism that my parents endowed me with. For the country’s sake and for their own, I hope the Democrats wake up.

I am also hopeful that we, the people, will wake up and strongly feel, with heart and soul, what my family always instilled in me and what is sadly absent in many of today’s political leaders: the love, the appreciation and an unapologetic pride of being an American.

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Sign up for Peter DeFazio's October 1st tele-townhall

UPDATE: CANCELLED DUE TO SHUTDOWN

DeFazio cancels townhalls scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday (Sep 25-26). Schedules Tele-townhall for 6:00PM (PDT), Tuesday, October 1st. SIGN UP FOR REP. DEFAZIO'S OCTOBER 1 TELE-TOWN HALL Read More......

It Begins… 2010 Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Pushes Chinese-Style Population Control

Michael E. Arth ran for governor in Florida in 2010 as a Democrat.

This week Arth pushed Chinese-style population control. He also Americans should purchase “birth credits” to have kids. Vice.com reported:

So if people live longer and longer, how do you deal with overpopulation? That’s why we have to get started now. Waiting just compounds the problem. World population increases by 220,000 every day, after accounting for the 155,000 who die. It’s truly a hydra-headed problem, because for every person that is cut down by death, more than two are born. This is like adding the combined populations of England, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand to the world every year. Politicians don’t address overpopulation because they focus on issues that will get them re-elected in the short term, while the business interests that influence them want to see more and more consumers.

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Radio host David Webb reacts to attack by Rep. Carson on Tea Party

On August 31st, David Webb, black talk show host and a founder of Tea Party 365 appeared on Megyn Kelly’s America Live on FNC in reaction to Andre Carson’s comment that the tea party wants blacks 'hanging on a tree.' SEE VIDEO. Webb points out that most blacks are Democrats; blacks make up 12% of the population, therefore, black conservatives make up a very small percentage of Americans. So it is not surprising to find few blacks involved in the tea party. He maintains that it’s not a matter of color, it’s a matter of principle. He advocates for limited government and sound fiscal policy. ✧ According to a 2010 article on Webb’s website, if you are black and you’re not a Democrat and especially if you are a tea partier, you’re an Oreo, a traitor, a ‘spook at the door’, or an Uncle Tom. If this isn't a form of racism, it is intimidation and it's coming from black leadership as heard recently from members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
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Oregonian: Who wants to kill the Independent Party?

OREGONLIVE.COM, 4/16/2011 by Jeff Mapes (Hat tip: D'Ann Matthews) - Oregon Capitol mystery: Who wants to kill the Independent Party? Representative Andy Olson (R-Dist. 15) vows to find out. Read More......

U.S. Rep. David Wu loses staffers, political team amid complaints

OREGONLIVE.COM (The Oregonian), 1/18/2011 by Janie Har (Hat tip: D'Ann Mathews) - Since the November election, U.S. Rep. David Wu, D-Ore., has lost at least six staffers plus the leadership of a veteran campaign team that guided him to a seventh term amid complaints about his public behavior. Read more at Oregon Live... Read More......

NRO: The Battle Is Lost, and the War Has Begun

NRO/CRITICAL CONDITION, 3/22/2010 by Jeffrey H. Anderson - [Excerpt] James Madison’s words cannot be repeated often enough: “The cool and deliberate sense of the community ought, in all governments, and actually will, in all free governments, ultimately prevail over the views of its rulers.” The American people don’t want Obamacare, and the will of the American people will ultimately prevail over the will of their rulers — starting in November. ∴ Repeal will be achieved through a three-step process: First, the vast majority of Americans who oppose Obamacare will elect members to Congress who will actually reflect their views. Second, they will elect a president who will actually reflect their views. Third, this new Congress and new president will repeal the overhaul. (Remember, only 1 percent of Obamacare — based on its projected costs over the next ten years — will have kicked in by then.) Read full post at National Review Online... Read More......

Sen. Morse: Taxes & The Budget

2009 Oregon Legislative Session News Update by Senator Frank Morse, Volume 11

“I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” ~ Winston Churchill

“The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.” ~ Mark Twain

By the end of this session, I hope we have something more than skin and a handle left. As the session begins its final weeks, the overshadowing issue is the budget: how big and who pays. In the context of the worst economy since the Great Depression, two schools of thought have emerged. As would be expected, (though unfortunate), they are partisan. One is represented by Democrats, the other by Republicans.

The Democrat school of thought is to begin with what is called the Essential Budget Level as determined in the Governor’s Recommended Budget which was prepared in 2008, long before the full depth of this recession was known. The EBL assumes a roll up of all costs to continue existing programs, plus the costs of what is known as policy option packages to add new services and programs. When “cuts” are mentioned in the Democrat plan, they represent cuts from the EBL and not cuts from existing spending. Further, the Democrat plan calls for $800 million in new taxes from businesses and high income taxpayers. It is important to remember that raising the personal income tax from 9% to 11% for the 31,000 taxpayers who have incomes above $125,000 is mostly a tax on small businesses who are incorporated as Sub S, LLC’s and partnerships.

On the other hand, the Republican school of thought is to begin with the Legislatively Adopted Budget for 2007-09 as the starting point and then add targeted increases based on the most critical needs. The Republican “Back to Basics Budget” plan proposes to increase spending by 5% over the 07-09 Legislatively Approved Budget and assumes that a combination of reducing costs and utilizing the very un-transparent Other Fund Reserves is preferable to raising taxes. One of the most obscure parts of state government is the reserves held by fee supported regulatory agencies. The Republicans believe the use of these reserves is much preferred to raising taxes.

Generally, there is a very basic difference in philosophy between the parties. There is the belief within the Democrat plan that businesses and high income taxpayers do not pay their fair share; therefore, raising taxes on these groups is the equitable thing to do. Republicans believe that businesses and the private sector are the foundation of our economy and that increased taxes will lead to fewer jobs. The Legislative Revenue Office has determined that the result of $400 million in increased taxes will “result in an estimate of 5,865 less jobs due to the short-term demand side effects of the tax increase”. The Democrat proposed $800 million tax increase would result in nearly 12,000 estimated fewer jobs. The Republicans believe it makes little sense on the one hand to spend money to stimulate jobs and then on the other hand to tax money out of the economy that results in fewer jobs.

Additionally, businesses will be faced with legislatively mandated insurance cost increases of an additional $250 million. (Premium tax to insure more uninsured, increased mandates and Oregon Medical Insurance Pool increased assessment). Republicans believe that putting a $1 billion + stress on business is not only unwise, it is dangerous at this particular time.

Obviously, there are no easy decisions to be made. What follows is the Back to Basics Budget as proposed by the Senate and House Republicans. I welcome your comments.

Back To Basics Budget Highlights – Updated on May 21, 2009
• The Back to Basics Budget is a fundamental shift in the way Oregon begins its budget process. Rather than starting with a number based on unsustainable growth the budget starts with what state agencies are spending today. The budget recognizes Oregon is a different place than it was in 2008 when the “Essential Budget Level” was set.

• The Back to Basics Budget does not rely on $800 million in new taxes.
  
• The Back to Basics Budget provides $6.245 million to K-12 education.
  
• The Back to Basics Budget makes an additional $500 million investment in human services for the upcoming budget cycle.
  
• The Back to Basics Budget funds voter approved Ballot Measure 57 (2008) with savings proposed by groups including the Oregon District Attorneys Association.

Background
The Ways and Means Co-Chairs recently released a budget based on a potential $4 billion shortfall from Essential Budget Level (EBL). The EBL is based on numbers from May 2008. Much has changed since the number was released and the EBL is clearly unsustainable. In the Back to Basics Budget we are basing our recommendations on the 07-09 Legislatively Adopted Budget (LAB). This is the budget that was approved in 2007. From the 07-09 LAB we are then asking agencies to justify any increases.

The attached spreadsheet is a roadmap to a 2009-11 balanced budget without the need for tax increases. It is based on the 2007-09 LAB, the use of federal stimulus and some state reserve funds along with a hard look at the ending fund balances in agencies that use other fund dollars. The Back to Basics Budget is a bridge through the current economic downturn and does not rely on tax increases from Oregon families. It allows agencies to continue current operations at current levels.

Starting Point
The Back to Basics Budget is based on the 2007-09 Legislatively Adopted Budget. We begin by holding services such as K-12 Education, colleges and universities, public safety agencies and human service providers harmless from cuts. The groups will have the same amount of money for the 2009-11 budget cycle that was approved in 2007.

Additional Funds
The Back to Basics Budget relies on two types of additional funds. The budget uses $941 million in Federal Stimulus money and $436 million in Rainy Day and Education Stability Funds (state reserves). The Federal Stimulus money does come with Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements meaning we cannot reduce state support to certain programs without jeopardizing federal money. To comply with these requirements the Back to Basics Budget prioritizes those programs within education and Human services which have MOE requirements.

Spending
The Back to Basics Budget is based on spending levels from the 2007-09 Legislatively Adopted Budget. The plan holds services like K-12 education harmless from cuts. Targeted increases include $28 million to fully fund the new Oregon State Police Troopers which were phased in over the 2007- 09 budget cycle. The budget also increases spending on human services by more than $500 million to compensate for increased caseloads based on the economic downturn.

For reference, total program area spending (after budget reductions) for the 2007-09 biennium was $14.373 billion.

To fund Ballot Measure 57 (2008), in which voters demanded increased prison time for those who commit property crimes, we are implementing cost savings measures proposed by groups including Oregon’s District Attorneys. With these cost savings Ballot Measure 57 can be implemented in a cost-neutral manner.

Other Sources of Savings or Enhancements
The Back to Basics Budget contains $529 million in funds based on an attached list of targeted savings. The budget also uses $500 million from the ending balances of agencies that receive “Other Funds.” On June 30, 2009 those accounts are projected to have more than $2.5 billion that was not used during the 2007-09 budget cycle. The Legislative Fiscal Office has confirmed we can use $500 million to help with the 2009-11 budget.

For 2009-2011 Budget Proposal Comparisons please download Sen. Morse’s full report HERE (pdf).

For the Oregon's Back to Basics Budget see HERE. Read More......

Dead Heat in NY Congressional Race, But Obama Undermined

The two candidates in a New York congressional special election viewed as a referendum on the Obama administration are separated by just 65 votes with thousands of absentee ballots yet to be counted. But one clear loser has emerged: a president whose popularity was put on the line to support the Democratic candidate in a Democrat-leaning district. Read full story at Newsmax... Read More......

Democrat Blogojevich Impeached

The Illinois House impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich (114-1), directing the Senate to put the state's 40th chief executive on trial. It was the first time in the state's 190-year history that a governor has been impeached. Blagojevich was also the first democrat in decades to win governor in Illinois.

A spokesman for the governor says he won't resign! Read More......