Obama's Proposed Oil and Gas Tax Hikes to Cost U.S. Economy 154,000 Jobs in 2011

/PRNewswire/ -- Louisiana State University Endowed Chair of Banking and nationally-renowned economist Dr. Joseph R. Mason estimates that President Obama's proposed energy tax changes would trigger grave economic consequences. In the newly released "Regional and National Economic Impact of Repealing the Section 199 Tax Deduction and Dual-capacity Tax Credit for Oil and Gas Producers," Dr. Mason finds the resulting fallout over the next ten years would include:

-- Initial losses of over 154,000 jobs by the end of 2011, not only in
the energy sector but across the whole economy;
-- More than $341 billion in lost U.S. economic output; and
-- In excess of $68 billion in lost wages nationwide.


"As we've seen in its 2011 budget and newly unveiled 'stimulus' plans, the Obama administration aims to single out U.S. oil and gas firms and raise the cost of energy for consumers by eliminating crucial tax credits to which all taxpayers are entitled," Dr. Mason said.

"Though politicians think they are selectively targeting 'Big Oil' with these energy tax proposals, they would actually devastate thousands of small American businesses nationwide as well as the workers who depend on them. With at least 150,000 U.S. jobs at stake - in fields ranging from healthcare to real estate - it's clear that the costs of repealing Section 199 and dual capacity far outweigh the potential benefit of increased government revenues that may be derived from the proposal."

"The discriminatory energy tax increases proposed by the administration will destroy American jobs and raise the price of energy for consumers," president and CEO of the American Energy Alliance Tom Pyle said. "President Obama's proposed changes -- which would apply solely to oil and gas companies -- have little to do with the debate over offshore drilling safety or even energy policy in general. This tax grab merely represents punitive policies that are now finding a place in the sun in the post-BP oil spill crisis political environment."

Using the government's own economic model - the U.S. Commerce Department's RIMS II system - Dr. Mason provides incredibly conservative economic impacts. In fact, these already staggering estimates do not even include the effects of the proposed tax increases on individual investors. That means if Congress implements these proposed changes, the economic fallout could be even more substantial.

Dr. Mason's report was sponsored by Save U.S. Energy Jobs - a project of the AEA - established to help promote the nation's energy sector. To learn more and get exclusive information on upcoming projects, follow Save U.S. Energy Jobs on Twitter and Facebook.

Founded in May, 2008, The American Energy Alliance ("AEA") is a not-for-profit organization that engages in grassroots public policy advocacy and debate concerning energy and environmental policies. AEA is the advocacy arm of the Institute for Energy Research (IER), a not-for-profit organization - founded in 1989 - that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets.

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Vice President Biden Announces End of Year Targets for Recovery Act Progress

Vice President Joe Biden today announced nine new targets for Recovery Act progress through the end of 2009. The nine spotlighted targets are just a few of the many objectives set for Federal agencies implementing the Recovery Act during the final 90 days of 2009. Included in the announcement was a new Administration-wide goal of obligating 60 percent of the CBO estimated $499 billion in spending under the Recovery Act by December 31, 2009.

"We’ve made great progress in the first seven months of Recovery Act implementation in 2009 – now we want to finish the year even stronger," said Vice President Biden. "We want to continue to be ahead of schedule on key metrics, doing all we can to create and save jobs, and building a lasting economic platform for our country."

Vice President Biden last set Recovery Act targets in early June as part of the Recovery Roadmap for the second 100 days of the Recovery Act. At the 200 day mark, he announced that every goal set as part of that effort had been met – and, in many cases, exceeded.

The year-end goals for the Recovery Act (targets to be met by December 31, 2009) that the Vice President announced were:

Batteries for Vehicle Electrification: By the end of the year, the Department of Energy will have put in place funding for battery manufacturing plants that can power 400,000 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, each year.
Military Hospitals: The Department of Defense will begin 34 construction and modernization projects at hospitals and medical centers throughout the country over the next 90 days, for a total of 65 hospitals and medical centers with projects under construction since passage of the Act.
National Parks: The Department of Interior will begin on-site construction improvement work in 105 more national parks throughout the country over the next 90 days.
Small Business Assistance: The Small Business Administration will provide and leverage $5 billion in capital to over 12,000 small businesses through two key lending programs (7a and 504) in the next 90 days.
Fuel Efficient Bus Purchases: By the end of the year, the Federal Transit Agency will have awarded enough grants to enable the purchase of approximately 10,000 new transit vehicles across the country.
Housing Loans and Rehabilitation: By the end of the year, the Department of Agriculture and the Housing and Urban Development Department will have provided housing loans and capital funding to finance, build, or renovate over 100,000 households across America.
Renewable Energy: By the end of the year, the Departments of Energy and Treasury will help fund renewable energy projects that will generate enough alternative energy to power 900,000 homes in the United States once completed.
Road Projects: By the end of the year, the Department of Transportation will have obligated enough funds to support 10,000 highway projects.
The Recovery Act was signed into law on February 17, 2009 as the country faced the greatest economic crisis in a generation. The Act was designed to create jobs and drive economic growth through a combination of tax relief for individuals and businesses, aid to hard-hit families and state and local governments and funding for science, technology and infrastructure projects across the country. The Council of Economic Advisors estimates that the Recovery Act is responsible for approximately 1 million jobs so far.

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Biden Admits "Stimulus" Spending Scheme Is Falling Short, Says Dems "Misread the Economy"

Washington Democrats are officially all over the map on the spending binge known as the “stimulus.” Vice President Joe Biden was one of many Democrats scrambling over the weekend to defend the trillion-dollar “stimulus” that, by any objective account, isn’t working. The Obama Administration’s latest excuse for the bill’s poor returns? On ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos, the Vice President claimed, “The truth is, we and everyone else misread the economy.”

This change in rhetoric comes less than two months after the Vice President issued his initial report on the “stimulus,” in which he said the package was “ahead of schedule.”

Here’s another example of Democrats’ mixed messages on wasteful stimulus spending:
Yesterday on ABC, the Vice President asserted, “There were predictions that this was going to be wasteful and all these terrible projects were going to be out there, and we’re wasting money. Well, that dog hasn’t barked yet.”

Yet just last month, in a roundtable to discuss the “success” of the stimulus, the Vice President admitted, “We know some of this money is going to be wasted… Some people are being scammed already.”

The “dog” to which the Vice President referred is now barking, and her name is Ellie Mae, the bloodhound House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) sent out looking for jobs created by the “stimulus” in a lighthearted web video released last week. In an appearance yesterday on Fox News Sunday, Boehner underscored the fact that the “stimulus” bill isn’t working and reiterated Republicans’ support for a real stimulus – one that empowers families and small businesses to keep more of what they earn so they can save, invest, and create jobs:

“This was supposed to be about jobs, jobs, and jobs and the fact is it turned into nothing but spending, spending and more spending on a lot of big government bureaucracy… All it does is fund more government. If you really want to get the economy going, you have to trust small businesses and the American people to reinvest their own money. So we ought to try a real stimulus bill and allow them to keep more of what they earn.”

As the “stimulus” continues to fall short of its goals, how will Democrats try to move the goalposts next? What rhetoric will they use to backtrack off of previous predictions and statements? And, most importantly, how hard will Democrats continue to block a real stimulus that trusts small businesses – the real engine of our economy – to create jobs? As Congress prepares to begin a busy stretch of legislative action over the next four weeks and unemployment continues to rise, these are questions the American people need answered.

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Join in Rome's Tax Day Tea Party

Message from the Rome Tea Party team:

April 15 11:30 A.M.

Senator Chip Rogers, R-Powder Springs, GA.
11:30 a.m., Gather at Opi's Waterfront Grill parking lot , 112 W. 2nd Ave..

Enjoy the music and patriotic songs by our own "Buck and Duke." .

Participate in making signs or bring your own. .

11:50 Program begins. .

Open the program with Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem (sung by Rome's own Samantha Weekly).

Be inspired by featured speakers including great American citizens and young Americans who care about their country. Speakers include State Senator Preston Smith, House Representative Barry Loudermilk, Jared Thomas of Americans for Prosperity, Sherri Reese of Don't Go Movement and State Tea Party Coordinator, County Commissioners Eddie Lumsden and Irwin Bagwell, small businessmen Mel Funk and Randy Smith, our own local "Joe the Plumber's", and young men and women from around the county.

.Watch and enjoy the dumping of tea leaves from the John Ross Memorial Bridge into the Oostanaula River just as those great American patriots did in 1773. It was the beginning of a revolution.

.Enjoy live radio coverage including Joy Christian Radio Network

.1:15 p.m. Program ends.

.Stay at Opi's Waterfront Grill for "debriefing", networking, and idea sharing. Enjoy Opi's fine foods and the continuing music of "Buck and Duke".

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. --Edmund Burke

Where:
Opi's Waterfront Grill
112 West 2nd Avenue
Rome, GA 30161

Opi's is at the corner of West 2nd Avenue and West 1st Street. One block off Broad Street. By the Oostanaula River and in the historic old Battey Machinery Building. All roads lead to downtown Rome to Broad Street. Go south on Broad Street to 2nd Avenue. Parking will be tight but there is a new parking deck on West 1st Street at West 3rd Avenue. $1.00 per hour/ $5.00 per day. Another parking deck is at the corner on East 4th Avenue at the corner of Broad Street. A large new parking lot is on West 3rd Street at the west end of the John Ross Memorial Bridge (pedestrian bridge) its a quick and scenic walk across to the area of Opi's Waterfront Grill parking lot.

Maps: Go to www.maps.google.com and type Opi's Waterfront Grill into the Search block. Can also be found on www.mapquest.com Directions with Opi's Waterfront Grill 112 West 2nd Avenue Rome, GA 30161 typed into the Ending section.

Costs: Will have 500 small American flags for you. May charge 50 cents for them. May "pass the hat" for donations at your discretion. $1.00 to $10.00 or whatever you choose is fine. If you choose to write a check please make it to Mike Morton and memo it to Rome GA Tea Party. Sorry it has to be personal but we choose not to open a bank account.

Signs: Please make and bring your own signs if possible. We will have a limited number available and some facilities to make them. Poster board no larger than "36 X 36" is allowed. Wooden handles or any materials other than cardboard are not allowed by ordinance.

Costumes/Dress: Some folks will be wearing "revolutionary war" or Indian type attire. Remember the Boston Tea Party was the beginning of the Revolution with a few patriots dressed in Indian attire.

Volunteers: Please contact us if you wish to volunteer to help, to volunteer to speak, to have your child volunteer to speak, or to read from patriotic "Founding Father" quotes. We also need someone to do high quality video to insert on You Tube, web sites that are discussing the Tea Parties, and other venues.

Contact: For more information or to volunteer to help please contact: Mike Morton mikeofrome@yahoo.com 706.346.3400 or Layla Shipman laylas36@gmail.com 706.853.9014 or FaceBook page Rome Georgia Tea Party

Thanks and look forward to seeing you. Please say hello to me.....and all your new friends there. And oh yes, this goes without saying, but Be Nice just as you are. This is going to be a peaceful and respectful, but enthusiastic gathering. An American awakening.

Boehner Responds to President’s Request for Bipartisan Budget Proposals

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today released a video responding to President Obama’s request yesterday for bipartisan budget proposals. In the video, which was transmitted to the White House this morning, Boehner respectfully informs the President that his budget spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much; makes clear that Republicans will offer a superior alternative, as Republicans did during the “stimulus” debate in January; and outlines the GOP principles for a better budget. A transcript of Boehner’s message to President Obama follows:

“Families and small businesses across America are hurting, and they’re counting on both parties in Washington to provide real solutions to help create jobs and end this recession. Mr. President, you’ve submitted your budget, and we appreciate you seeking input from Republicans on how it can be improved.

“As you’ll recall, our Republican Whip Eric Cantor and I personally delivered to you our Republican stimulus alternative during a White House meeting. Unfortunately, that plan was rejected by Washington Democrats, even though it would have created 6.2 million jobs according to an economic model developed by your own advisor, Dr. Christina Romer. That’s twice the jobs at half the cost of the trillion-dollar spending bill you ultimately signed into law.

“Republicans are eager to offer better solutions on the budget as well. Mr. President, with all due respect: your budget spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much, and that’s going to do further harm to our economy at a time when it desperately needs our help.

“We believe there’s a better way – better solutions to restore some fiscal sanity here in Washington while encouraging more job creation and more investment. Our alternative, which is being drafted as we speak by Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and others, will reflect core principles that should guide us as our nation works to emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.

“First, our budget alternative will help create and protect jobs by letting families and small businesses keep more of what they earn.

“Second, our budget will make sure the federal budget doesn’t grow faster than family budgets. Americans are making tough spending decisions every day. It’s time for Washington to do the same.

“Third, our budget will aim to expand access to affordable health care for every American, while preserving Social Security and Medicare for future generations.

“Fourth, our budget will end the bailouts to protect taxpayers and reform the financial system so this crisis never repeats itself. Instead of raising energy costs through a “cap and trade” energy tax that will cost every family up to $3,100 a year, our budget will encourage an “all of the above” energy strategy that harnesses new technologies, encourages greater conservation and efficiency, and increases American energy production in an environmentally-safe manner.

“And last but not least, our budget will fight inflation so the prices of goods and services Americans depend on every day remain stable during and after this economic crisis.

“Mr. President, we appreciate the opportunity to answer your call for bipartisan input by sharing our Republican budget solutions. Republicans are eager to offer our alternative when the debate continues in Congress later this month. It’s time for both parties in Washington to work together to tackle the challenges confronting our nation – and we shouldn’t wait a moment longer to start.”

NOTE: In remarks on the budget at the White House yesterday, President Obama said, “The answers don’t have to be partisan, and I welcome and encourage proposals and improvements from both Democrats and Republicans in the coming days.”

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Regional Roundup: President Obama's "Cap-and-Trade" Energy Tax Hits Families, Small Businesses

For weeks, Republicans have been highlighting the fact that the President’s budget taxes too much. Among the tax hikes that has been getting the most attention is the Administration’s “cap-and-trade” energy tax scheme. Under this plan, every American will be hit by the tax hike: middle-class families, small businesses, seniors, charities, schools … basically, anyone who has the audacity to flip on a light switch will be forced to pay higher energy bills thanks to this new $646 billion tax increase. And some of the states suffering the most during the economic downturn – such as Michigan, West Virginia, and Ohio – will be hit hardest by the Administration’s energy tax. The result? Higher energy bills for families and small businesses and more American jobs shipped to Mexico, India, China, and other countries not forced to pay a “cap-and-trade” energy tax.

Don’t hard hit states – and families and small businesses struggling through this recession – deserve better solutions than a massive tax increase that will only drive their energy costs up even further? Editorials and news reports around the country certainly believe so, and that’s why they’ve been taking aim at the Administration’s “cap-and-trade” energy tax ever since the President released his budget. Here’s just a sampling of what newspapers across America are saying about this ill-advised tax hike:

“Midwestern energy providers such as Dayton Power & Light and Duke Energy say the proposal could punish coal-dependent states like Ohio. Duke estimated it could force electric rates 40 percent higher.” – Dayton Daily News, 3/16/09

“[Washington State] House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said many fellow Democrats voiced concern about the economic toll new regulations could take on businesses already shaken by the recession.” – Seattle Times, 3/16/09

“The realization is slowly but surely growing that duplicating Europe’s failed cap-and-trade scheme would be a knockout blow to the U.S. economy that would dramatically increase energy costs and cripple the nation’s dwindling manufacturing base. The Detroit News aptly called cap-and-trade a giant economic dagger aimed at the nation’s heartland.” – San Francisco Examiner editorial, 3/15/09

“Where is this $650 billion or more [energy tax] going to come from? The answer, Louisiana and other industry heavy states: Louisiana ranks sixth in per capita CO2 emissions, California 47th. We have 19 refineries and dozens of chemical plants throughout Louisiana; they will be hit the hardest. It appears that the spread-the-wealth program not only applies to income levels of families, but also where you live.” – Lafayette (LA) Daily Advertiser op-ed, 3/15/09

“Since utilities pass through costs to customers, that’s tantamount to $180 billion in new taxes just on [Appalachian Power Companies] customers between the time cap-and-trade goes into effect and 2030.” – Charleston (WV) Daily Mail column, 3/13/09

“Not only does cap and trade tax at the point of production (even if some of those costs are ultimately borne by consumers elsewhere), but it also shifts economic activity away from those industries. The states that produce the most emissions are going to see the strongest ancillary declines in income and increases in unemployment. The top carbon states – in absolute, not per capita, emissions – include Ohio (No. 3), Pennsylvania (No. 4), Indiana (No. 7) and Michigan (No. 9).” – Wall Street Journal editorial, 3/13/09

House Republicans have a better solution for creating jobs and getting our nation back on a track to prosperity. It involves letting families and small businesses keep more of what they earn to encourage savings and investment – both of which will lead to more job creation now and in the future. In fact, the House GOP economic recovery alternative will create twice as many jobs – 6.2 million total – as the Democrats’ trillion-dollar “stimulus” spending plan at half the cost. As communities across the nation are beginning to realize just how much the Administration’s budget will burden them with more taxes and higher energy costs, isn’t it time for Washington Democrats to abandon its tax, borrow, and spend budget and work on bipartisan solutions to get our economy moving again?

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RNC: A Disappointing Month

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Republican National Committee:

President Obama Promised To Slash Earmarks And Stop Wasteful Spending:


President Obama Pledged To "Slash Earmarks." "Slash Earmarks: ... In the past two years, the Democratic Congress has cut earmarks nearly in half, to $17.2 billion in 2008. Obama and Biden are committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year." (Obama For America, Blueprint For Change, www.barackobama.com, p. 20, Accessed 2/19/09)

President Obama: The Stimulus Has No Earmarks. "'I am confident that by the time we have the final package on the floor that we are going to see substantial support, and people are going to see this is a serious effort. It has no earmarks. We are going to be trimming out things that are not relevant to putting people back to work right now,' Obama said." (Douglass K. Daniel, "GOP Leader Doubts Stimulus Bill Will Pass Senate," The Associated Press, 2/2/09)

But President Obama Just Signed An Economic Stimulus Package Full Of Wasteful Spending:

Despite Promises, The Stimulus Is Not Free Of Money For Special Interests. "The compromise stimulus bill adopted by House and Senate negotiators this week is not free of spending that benefits specific communities, industries or groups, despite vows by President Obama that the legislation would be kept clear of pet projects, according to lawmakers, legislative aides and anti-tax groups." (Dan Eggen and Ellen Nakashima, "Despite Pledges, Package Has Some Pork," The Washington Post, 2/13/09)

The Bill Even Includes $30 Million For Salt Marsh Harvest Mice In San Francisco. "Lawmakers and administration officials divulged Wednesday that the $789 billion economic stimulus bill being finalized behind closed doors in Congress includes $30 million for wetlands restoration that the Obama administration intends to spend in the San Francisco Bay Area to protect, among other things, the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi represents the city of San Francisco and has previously championed preserving the mouse's habitat in the Bay Area." (S.A. Miller, "Pelosi's Mo use Slated For $30m Slice Of Cheese," The Washington Times, 2/12/09)

And President Obama Campaigned On The Promise Of Bipartisanship And Said He Wanted Republicans To Vote For His Stimulus Package:

"Obama Has Said He Plans To Work With Republicans To Cut Through Partisan Gridlock That Often Blocks Legislative Progress." (Sabrina Eaton, "Ohioan An Early Obama Critic," [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 1/29/09)

President Obama Wanted Not Only "Quick Congressional Action" But Also "Significant Numbers Of Republicans" To Vote For The Stimulus." In pursuit of his twin goals of reviving the economy and transforming the political climate in Washington, President-elect Barack Obama not only wants quick congressional action on his mammoth stimulus package but also wants significant numbers of Republicans to join in voting for it." (James Puzzanghera and Christi Parsons, "Obama Aims For Quick Economic Stimulus, Bipartisan Support," Chicago Tribune, 1/6/09)

But The Stimulus Package Was Not Bipartisan; House Republicans Were Not Even Allowed At The Table When The Bill Was Written:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): We Won The Election, We Wrote The Bill. "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) parried GOP assaults on Democrats' $825 billion stimulus package Thursday and refused to slow the bill down to give more time for Republican input. 'Yes, we wrote the bill. Yes we won the election, but that doesn't mean we don't want sustainability or Republican support,' Pelosi said." (Steven T. Dennis, "Pelosi Defends Democrats' Vetting Of Stimulus Plan," Roll Call, 1/22/09)

Democrats Rolled Over House Republicans And "Yielded No More Than Necessary" In The Senate To Pass The Stimulus Package." In the case of the stimulus bill, Democrats used their solid majority to roll over House Republicans and yielded no more than necessary to garner three critical GOP votes in the Senate." (Janet Hook, "Bipartisanship Faces Stiff Test," Chicago Tribune, 2/16/09)

For President Obama, "Urgency Trumps Bipartisanship." "But with the economy in crisis and the stimulus his top priority, [President Obama] also made clear that urgency trumps bipartisanship." (Todd J. Gillman, "Selling The Stimulus Bill President Discovering That Bipartisanship Has Its Limits," The Dallas Morning News, 2/10/09)

And President Obama Pledged Transparency And Openness Before Signing Legislation:

During The Campaign, President Obama Promised To Give The American Public 5 Days To Review Legislation Before Signing Any Bill. "Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days." (Obama For America Website, www.barackobama.com, Accessed 2/19/09)

But The Obama Administration Has Failed To Allow The Public 5 Days To Review Legislation It Has Signed:

According To The Nonpartisan PolitiFact, President Obama Did Not Provide 5 Days Before Signing His First Bill, The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. "But the first bill Obama signed into law as president -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act -- got no such vetting. In fact, the Congressional Record shows that the law was passed in the Senate on Jan. 22, 2009, passed in the House on Jan. 27, and signed by the president on Jan. 29. So only two days passed between the bill's final passage and the signing." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Obama Signs First Law Without Web Comment," St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 1/29/09)

President Obama's Second Bill Signing Occurred Hours After Passed By Congress. "For his second bill, Obama signed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides health coverage for low-income children. He signed it on Feb. 4, 2009, just hours after it was finalized in Congress." (Angie Drobnic Holan, "Still No 'Sunlight Before Signing,'" St. Petersburg Times' "PolitiFact," www.politifact.com, 2/4/09)

And During The Campaign, Obama Said Lobbyists Wouldn't Dominate His White House Or Work For Agencies They Used To Lobby:

During His Campaign, President Obama Promised To "Stop The Revolving Door That Lets Onetime Lobbyists Go To Work For The Federal Government." "[O]n the campaign trail, Obama vowed to stop the revolving door that lets onetime lobbyists go to work for the Federal Government and oversee contracts that could harm -- or help -- their former employer." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)

President Obama Signed An Executive Order Banning Lobbyists From Working For Agencies They Used To Lobby. "And one of the first things the new President did in office was seemingly make good on that promise, signing an Executive Order barring former lobbyists from joining his Administration to work at agencies they recently lobbied." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)

But President Obama Has Appointed Numerous Former Lobbyists:

President Obama Has Appointed At Least 21 Former Federal Registered Lobbyists, Including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "A USA TODAY review of Obama hires shows that 21 have registered as federal lobbyists, although most have not done so within the past two years. They include White House aide Cecilia Muoz, who lobbied last year for the National Council of La Raza, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who lobbied in 2007 for a national teachers union." (Fredreka Schouten, "Geithner Names Ex-Lobbyist As Treasury Chief Of Staff," USA< /st1:country-region> Today, 1/27/09)

President Obama Appointed Former Raytheon Lobbyist William Lynn As Deputy Secretary Of Defense. "This year President Barack Obama is putting Raytheon's recently departed top lobbyist in charge of the Pentagon's day-to-day management. ... Not surprisingly, Obama's good-government backers were less than pleased to see the President, only a few days after signing the blanket ban, issue a waiver permitting William Lynn to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense." (Mark Thompson, "Obama's Lobbyist Ban Meets A Loophole: William Lynn," Time, 1/27/09)

In Addition To These Issues, President Obama Has Had Difficulties Appointing People To Fill Top Positions In His Administration:

"But Mr. Obama Lost Four Nominees To Tax And Other Issues And The Pace Of Appointments Slowed." (Peter Baker, "Obama Team Has Billions To Spend, But Few Ready To Do It," The New York Times, 2/17/09)

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner Failed To Pay Taxes While Working For The International Monetary Fund. "Timothy Geithner didn't pay Social Security and Medicare taxes for several years while he worked for the International Monetary Fund, and he employed an immigrant housekeeper who briefly lacked proper work papers." (Jonathan Weisman, "Geithner's Tax History Muddles Confirmation," The Wall Street Journal, 1/14/09)

Health And Human Services Secretary Nominee Tom Daschle Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That He Had Failed To Pay Taxes. "Former Sen. Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to head the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a statement Tuesday from the White House. ... Daschle, the former Senate majority leader, apologized Monday for failing to pay his taxes in full. He said earlier he was 'deeply embarrassed' for a series of errors that included failing to report $15,000 in charitable donations, unreported car service and more than $80,000 in unreported income from consulting." (Ed Henry and Kristi Keck, "Daschle Withdraws As HHS Nominee," CNN, 2/3/09)

Nancy Killefer Withdrew Her Nomination For Tax Problems Dating Back To 1995. "They knew about Nancy Killefer's tax problem from 1995, yet they nominated her for a post in the office of management and budget anyway. This morning she withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)

Commerce Secretary Nominee Bill Richardson Withdrew His Nomination After Reports That State Contracts In New Mexico Were Under Investigation. "First, they knew about Gov. Bill Richardson's potential problem in the New Mexico investigation into state contracts, but they nominated him to be commerce secretary anyway. Weeks later, of course, Richardson withdrew." (Sam Donaldson, Op-Ed, "Sam On What Nominees' Withdrawal Says About Obama," ABC News, 2/3/09)

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Boehner: Dems' Trillion-Dollar Spending Bill Rations Health Care, Guts Welfare Reform, Raises Energy Costs

Dems' Trillion-Dollar Spending Bill Rations Health Care, Guts Welfare Reform, Raises Energy Costs

Though no one – aside from a few senior Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill – has actually seen the final trillion-dollar spending bill set for House and Senate votes later this week, some details about the legislation are emerging … and they aren’t pretty. For starters, the bill is loaded with unfocused Washington spending – like money for plug-in cars, funding for education on sexually-transmitted diseases, and $2 billion for a fund available to the scandal-plagued Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) – and leaves behind critical tax relief for middle-class families and small businesses......
http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=111214

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Americans wisely turning against stimulus plan

By Lynn Westmoreland

It seems like every other day an old friend or business partner calls to let me know that they’re declaring bankruptcy or going out of business.

We can all agree that the United States needs a federal stimulus plan to give our crippled economy a jolt. Our economy shrank 3.8 percent in the last quarter. Jobless claims have mushroomed to 626,000. Stock portfolios and retirement plans have lost 30 percent or more of their values.

But Americans have figured out that the $816 billion plan that passed the House with no Republican votes carries as much danger to the republic as it does hope. In fact, polls show support rapidly declining; today, just 37 percent of Americans favor the current stimulus legislation, down from 45 percent just two weeks ago. That’s startling, considering that Americans are increasingly nervous about huge job losses, business failures and home foreclosures.

Americans are turning against the bill because they know we can craft a much better bill that will simultaneously cost less and create more jobs.

But first, let’s discuss the price tag. The House-passed version totals $816 billion. Once you factor in the finance charges on borrowing that money, the total crests over $1 trillion.

It’s almost useless to discuss a trillion-dollar figure because it’s a number we can’t really comprehend. We’re more likely to get incensed by the government wasting $25,000 than $25,000,000,000 because one number we can understand and the other one is basically inconceivable. This is a problem.

One way to put this in perspective is comparisons. Liberals have complained for years over the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Well, Nancy Pelosi’s stimulus bill costs more than both those wars combined. Put another way, if you spent $1 million every day since the day that Jesus was born, you would have spent less than this one piece of legislation appropriates.

Even without this new spending, the federal deficit would top $1 trillion and our debt has soared to $11 trillion. This has real-world consequences. We risk further devaluing our currency and scaring off foreign investors who have seen Uncle Sam as a “safe” place to keep their money.

The Democrats’ stimulus plan focuses more on fulfilling liberals’ pent-up wish list over the eight years than it does with creating or saving jobs. In Georgia, we desperately need transportation infrastructure but spending on those job-creating projects is only 6 percent of the bill.

Instead, the bill spends hundreds of millions and often billions on items such as facelifts for national parks, buying new cars for the federal fleet and repairing federal buildings. Those may all be great but won’t stimulate the economy. Plus, we’re setting a dangerous precedent by spending billions to bail out states’ Medicare and Medicaid shortfalls; I fear this will become a permanent expectation.

Republicans are offering an alternative plan that reduces spending, allows families and businesses to keep more of their own money and actually creates MORE jobs than the Democratic plan. The Republican plan lowers tax rates for individuals, families and small businesses; it removes taxes from unemployment income and extends that insurance for a year.

The GOP plan would pan out better for Georgia, too. The House Ways and Means Committee estimates the Republican plan would create 186,000 jobs in our state while the Democrat plan would yield only 113,000.

In a survey sent to 3rd District constituents in my e-newsletter (sign up at www.house.gov/westmoreland), respondents preferred the taxpayer-friendly Republican version by a 9-1 margin. I know my district is more conservative than most, but the rest of the United States is moving toward our position of more timely, targeted and fiscally responsible stimulus.

Lynn Westmoreland (R-Grantville) represents Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.