/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Peter Flaherty, President of the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC), today made the following statement:
President-elect Obama should withdraw Timothy Geithner's nomination for Treasury Secretary. Obama says that middle-class families with incomes of $250,000 are wealthy and their taxes should be raised, but he wants a Wall Streeter who didn't pay his taxes to be his point man on the economy.
The amount of unpaid taxes -- $42,000 -- may sound like pocket change to Geithner and his Wall Street buddies, but it is a lot of money on Main Street.
Geithner's claim that he didn't know he was supposed to pay taxes doesn't pass the laugh test. It is true that American citizens who work for the IMF are responsible for the employer's share of the payroll tax, but IMF employment includes generous pay and a host of other perks. Anyone who has ever worked there is well versed on the details because it is such great deal.
Henry Paulson and Timothy Geithner are the architects of our bailout policies, where ordinary taxpayers are forced to subsidize the wealthy, who are not allowed to go broke, no matter how spectacular their failures. Geithner was a poor choice, and his failure to pay his taxes proves it.
Charles Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, did not report or disclose years of rental income on a Dominican Republic beach house and claims he did nothing wrong. His committee writes the tax laws. Now we have a Treasury nominee who for years failed to pay his payroll taxes and we are again told that he did nothing wrong. Will the same officials who plan to raise our taxes ever take responsibility for paying theirs?
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Pelosi Statement Following House Introduction of SCHIP Legislation
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today after House Members introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover 11 million children. Similar bipartisan legislation was vetoed twice by President Bush in 2007. For more information about the bill, click here http://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/legislation?id=0270:
"Today, the House took the first step to achieve one of the top health care priorities for the new Congress: providing health care to 11 million children from working families. This legislation preserves the health coverage of 7 million children and extends it to 4 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.
"At a time of economic crisis, nothing could be more essential than ensuring that the children of hardworking families receive the quality care they deserve. With more than 2.6 million jobs lost last year alone, Americans are seeing the health care they and their children depend on disappear. By helping working families find affordable health care coverage, this bipartisan legislation will ensure that 11 million of America's children grow up healthy, strong, and ready to learn.
"This bipartisan, fully-paid-for children's health insurance bill represents the New Direction many Members fought for in the last Congress, and it is only the beginning of the change we will achieve with our new President. We look forward to this legislation being among the first bills President Obama will sign into law."
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"Today, the House took the first step to achieve one of the top health care priorities for the new Congress: providing health care to 11 million children from working families. This legislation preserves the health coverage of 7 million children and extends it to 4 million uninsured children who are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, SCHIP and Medicaid.
"At a time of economic crisis, nothing could be more essential than ensuring that the children of hardworking families receive the quality care they deserve. With more than 2.6 million jobs lost last year alone, Americans are seeing the health care they and their children depend on disappear. By helping working families find affordable health care coverage, this bipartisan legislation will ensure that 11 million of America's children grow up healthy, strong, and ready to learn.
"This bipartisan, fully-paid-for children's health insurance bill represents the New Direction many Members fought for in the last Congress, and it is only the beginning of the change we will achieve with our new President. We look forward to this legislation being among the first bills President Obama will sign into law."
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If Obama's Plan Doesn't Seem to Make Sense, it's Because it Doesn't
America's largest third party says that President-elect Barack Obama's spending plans are based on flawed economics. "If you think Obama's economic plans don't make sense, it's because they don't," says Libertarian Party National Chairman William Redpath.
"Americans are taking a look at Obama's economic plans and scratching their heads," says Redpath. "And, there is good reason to do so. The theory behind his plan, Keynesian economics, has been unsuccessfully tried by multiple presidential administrations in the past. It didn't work for President Hoover in the early 1930s. It didn't work for President Roosevelt in the Great Depression. It didn't work for President Ford in 1970s. Why does Obama think it will work for him now?"
"Just look at the last eight years," says Redpath. "President George Bush did more to increase government spending during his administration than any president in American history. Yet, this is the same period in which we entered into economic decline. Is there any reason then to believe that more government spending will pull us out of this decline?"
"Keynesians believe that government can jump-start the economy by creating artificial demand through massive spending projects," says Redpath. "This debt is later repaid with magic money borrowed from foreign countries, printed out of thin air or from tax increases. But, unfortunately, government can't spend billions of dollars without incredible amounts of waste, through fraud or worthless projects. So, much of the money taken out of the economy, in order to jump-start the economy, is lost, leaving American taxpayers with a flat economy and even more debt to pay."
"Politicians like Keynesian-based spending plans because it makes it easy to bring pork projects back to their districts, and they'll be out of office before they ever have to worry about paying down the debt," explains Redpath. "It's all about power. It's not about helping the American people."
"Obama's plans will put the United States another trillion dollars in debt while doing nothing to pull us out of the recession," says Redpath. "Taxpayers have good reason to be skeptical of the stimulus plan because it is their money backing Obama's multibillion-dollar boondoggle."
The Libertarian Party recommends permanent tax cuts for individuals and businesses as an alternative to government spending projects, which have proven records of economic stimulation. The Party also states that any cuts in taxes must be offset by cuts to spending.
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"Americans are taking a look at Obama's economic plans and scratching their heads," says Redpath. "And, there is good reason to do so. The theory behind his plan, Keynesian economics, has been unsuccessfully tried by multiple presidential administrations in the past. It didn't work for President Hoover in the early 1930s. It didn't work for President Roosevelt in the Great Depression. It didn't work for President Ford in 1970s. Why does Obama think it will work for him now?"
"Just look at the last eight years," says Redpath. "President George Bush did more to increase government spending during his administration than any president in American history. Yet, this is the same period in which we entered into economic decline. Is there any reason then to believe that more government spending will pull us out of this decline?"
"Keynesians believe that government can jump-start the economy by creating artificial demand through massive spending projects," says Redpath. "This debt is later repaid with magic money borrowed from foreign countries, printed out of thin air or from tax increases. But, unfortunately, government can't spend billions of dollars without incredible amounts of waste, through fraud or worthless projects. So, much of the money taken out of the economy, in order to jump-start the economy, is lost, leaving American taxpayers with a flat economy and even more debt to pay."
"Politicians like Keynesian-based spending plans because it makes it easy to bring pork projects back to their districts, and they'll be out of office before they ever have to worry about paying down the debt," explains Redpath. "It's all about power. It's not about helping the American people."
"Obama's plans will put the United States another trillion dollars in debt while doing nothing to pull us out of the recession," says Redpath. "Taxpayers have good reason to be skeptical of the stimulus plan because it is their money backing Obama's multibillion-dollar boondoggle."
The Libertarian Party recommends permanent tax cuts for individuals and businesses as an alternative to government spending projects, which have proven records of economic stimulation. The Party also states that any cuts in taxes must be offset by cuts to spending.
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Monday, January 12, 2009
Pelosi Statement on Request for Second $350 Billion in TARP Funds
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on President Bush's expected request of the second $350 billion of funds in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
"Congress will soon receive a formal request from the Bush Administration to release the second half of the financial rescue funds. The request comes the same week the House will vote on Chairman Barney Frank's reform and accountability legislation to address the many shortcomings in the Bush Administration's handling of the first $350 billion in TARP funds, used largely to bolster the balance sheets of banks. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs or face the prospect of foreclosure, and it is past time that we helped these families bolster their balance sheets.
"Chairman Frank's legislation makes significant changes to the financial rescue package - from requiring strengthened oversight and transparency to additional foreclosure relief. At a minimum, the legislation will require $40 billion from the TARP for initiatives to keep families in their homes.
"The legislation will require that financial institutions specify how they will spend taxpayer dollars, ensuring that the second $350 billion in TARP comes with clear and specific strings attached.
"Congress and the incoming Obama Administration will work together to protect taxpayers, address the foreclosure crisis, and to bolster our economy."
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"Congress will soon receive a formal request from the Bush Administration to release the second half of the financial rescue funds. The request comes the same week the House will vote on Chairman Barney Frank's reform and accountability legislation to address the many shortcomings in the Bush Administration's handling of the first $350 billion in TARP funds, used largely to bolster the balance sheets of banks. Millions of Americans have lost their jobs or face the prospect of foreclosure, and it is past time that we helped these families bolster their balance sheets.
"Chairman Frank's legislation makes significant changes to the financial rescue package - from requiring strengthened oversight and transparency to additional foreclosure relief. At a minimum, the legislation will require $40 billion from the TARP for initiatives to keep families in their homes.
"The legislation will require that financial institutions specify how they will spend taxpayer dollars, ensuring that the second $350 billion in TARP comes with clear and specific strings attached.
"Congress and the incoming Obama Administration will work together to protect taxpayers, address the foreclosure crisis, and to bolster our economy."
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John Finan Throws His Name in the Hat for Clinton's New York Senate Seat
Amongst Others, Including Caroline Kennedy, John M. Finan, President and CEO NYCCG, Past Presidential Candidate 2008, Libertarian Party, Has Submitted His Name to NY Governor David Paterson for Consideration as NY Senator to Replace the Upcoming Opening as the Result of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's Upcoming Appointment to Secretary of State by President-Elect Barack Obama
PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In his official Communique to Governor Paterson dated December 27, 2008, John M. Finan stated, "As you know, I have recently concluded a very successful campaign as a Libertarian write-in candidate for the 2008 Presidential race. As a result of this, which I have detailed below, I am in a position to bring much to the people and State of New York. At the urging of my supporters, I would like to ask you, with humility, to be considered for the position of Senator of New York.
1. We have an agreement in place to build high mileage vehicles which we can build in New York and bring good jobs. Initial funding is already in place from Canada. The Native Americans are also involved and anxious to cooperate, which we believe will be very positive for New York, and also alleviate some of the indignation that exists there. 2. We can work with Washington to obtain further funding and bring this and other projects and jobs to New York. 3. There is additional wind turbine technology which can also be brought to New York in deployment, development, and manufacture of the turbines. The turbines are well-suited for individual homes, wind farms, and urban centers. 4. We believe in your economic initiatives and we can help you bring prosperity to the State. We also, like you, support matrimonial law reform as a human rights issue via amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. 5. We have a major development plan which calls for the privatization and development of Saratoga State Park into a world class destination featuring art by Picasso, O'Keefe, Vincent van Gogh, Rauschenberg, Warhol, Renoir, Bob Ross, etc.; several new golf courses; a stadium; renovation of existing historic facilities; a professional sports team; indoor skiing; and an additional world class luxury (think Monte Carlo) hotel and casino complex (all predicated on the current town center and race track remaining as a historic area, and renovation of existing spa facilities and historic buildings). This initiative is being met with great enthusiasm and acceptance from the residents and local business people.
For many, I am merely the voice in the wilderness; however, what I say and stand for is true and vehemently supported. Additionally, there are other significant initiatives that we have begun through our company, New York City Consulting Group, which will bring both economic and social stability to New York, as detailed at www.nyccg.com.
As a Senator for New York I will work with you, other political leaders, and the private sector to get all of these initiatives completed for the State and people of New York. The success of these initiatives will also significantly affect the economic prosperity, happiness and freedom of the people of New York State and the citizens of the United States of America in a most positive way.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
With all sincerity, respect and humility,
John M. Finan"
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PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In his official Communique to Governor Paterson dated December 27, 2008, John M. Finan stated, "As you know, I have recently concluded a very successful campaign as a Libertarian write-in candidate for the 2008 Presidential race. As a result of this, which I have detailed below, I am in a position to bring much to the people and State of New York. At the urging of my supporters, I would like to ask you, with humility, to be considered for the position of Senator of New York.
1. We have an agreement in place to build high mileage vehicles which we can build in New York and bring good jobs. Initial funding is already in place from Canada. The Native Americans are also involved and anxious to cooperate, which we believe will be very positive for New York, and also alleviate some of the indignation that exists there. 2. We can work with Washington to obtain further funding and bring this and other projects and jobs to New York. 3. There is additional wind turbine technology which can also be brought to New York in deployment, development, and manufacture of the turbines. The turbines are well-suited for individual homes, wind farms, and urban centers. 4. We believe in your economic initiatives and we can help you bring prosperity to the State. We also, like you, support matrimonial law reform as a human rights issue via amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America. 5. We have a major development plan which calls for the privatization and development of Saratoga State Park into a world class destination featuring art by Picasso, O'Keefe, Vincent van Gogh, Rauschenberg, Warhol, Renoir, Bob Ross, etc.; several new golf courses; a stadium; renovation of existing historic facilities; a professional sports team; indoor skiing; and an additional world class luxury (think Monte Carlo) hotel and casino complex (all predicated on the current town center and race track remaining as a historic area, and renovation of existing spa facilities and historic buildings). This initiative is being met with great enthusiasm and acceptance from the residents and local business people.
For many, I am merely the voice in the wilderness; however, what I say and stand for is true and vehemently supported. Additionally, there are other significant initiatives that we have begun through our company, New York City Consulting Group, which will bring both economic and social stability to New York, as detailed at www.nyccg.com.
As a Senator for New York I will work with you, other political leaders, and the private sector to get all of these initiatives completed for the State and people of New York. The success of these initiatives will also significantly affect the economic prosperity, happiness and freedom of the people of New York State and the citizens of the United States of America in a most positive way.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
With all sincerity, respect and humility,
John M. Finan"
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Saturday, January 10, 2009
Economic Recovery Watch: Sobering Jobless Data Highlight Need for Recovery Package to Focus On Hard-Hit Families and States
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since a decline in overall demand is the main cause of rising unemployment and the weak economy, the economic recovery package should focus on putting money in the hands of people who will spend it quickly, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Most economists agree that two cost-effective ways to do this are by helping hard-pressed families, such as those with low incomes and those that have experienced layoffs, and helping states avert steep budget cuts and tax increases that would reduce overall demand. In fact, these measures would do more to protect jobs and the economy than the business tax cuts and certain other measures that some in Congress are promoting as "job creators."
These conclusions are widely shared among economists. Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com and a former advisor to presidential candidate John McCain, endorsed them earlier this week, stating: "To provide the largest bang for the buck, a well-designed stimulus plan should include a temporary increase in government spending... The most efficacious spending includes extending unemployment insurance benefits, expanding the food stamp program, and increasing aid to hard-pressed state and local governments."(1)
-- Poor families are more likely than businesses or higher-income families to spend quickly any new income they receive. The Congressional Budget Office has stated that "the efficacy of fiscal stimulus depends critically on households' tendency to spend the income placed in their hands."(2) CBO has also stated, "Lower-income households are... more likely to be among those with the highest propensity to spend. Therefore, policies aimed at lower-income households tend to have greater stimulative effects."(3)
The reason is simple. Families that are having difficulty affording food, shelter, and other necessities will spend any new income they receive to cover those basic costs. Higher-income families, in contrast, are likely to save more of any extra income.
So are businesses. As Goldman Sachs has stated, "companies don't spend money just because it's there to spend. To justify outlays for new projects, the expected returns have to exceed the costs, and that usually requires growth in demand strong enough to put pressure on existing resources."(4) This is why a 2008 CBO analysis comparing different stimulus proposals put corporate tax cuts in the lowest category for cost-effectiveness.(5)
-- Food stamps and unemployment insurance are two of the most effective forms of stimulus. The CBO analysis cited above put expanded food stamps and unemployment insurance in the highest category for cost-effectiveness as stimulus. "Additional [food stamp] benefits are likely to be spent rapidly by recipients, who tend to be experiencing periods of economic difficulty," CBO noted.
As for unemployment insurance, then-CBO director Peter Orszag told Congress in 2007 that "research has shown that the unemployment insurance system is among the most effective dollar-for-dollar economic stabilizers that we have in terms of counterbalancing periods of economic weakness."(6) Supporting spending by unemployed workers in hard-pressed communities helps prevent the spread of layoffs and loss of jobs in those communities.
-- But unemployment insurance reforms are needed. Fewer than half of unemployed workers actually receive jobless benefits because the unemployment insurance program, designed in the 1930s, is seriously out of date in many states. Most states, for example, require applicants to look for a full-time job, even if they are parents raising very young children and were working part-time before being laid off. These laws -- designed when most workers were married men who were the sole breadwinners for their family -- particularly disadvantaged women, who are much more likely to work part-time than men.
Congress is considering financial incentives to encourage more states to adopt reforms that would allow more part-time and other laid-off workers to qualify for benefits. States that adopt the reforms would receive temporary federal funds to cover the cost of paying the associated benefits for several years, but there would be no ongoing cost to the federal government, because regular unemployment insurance benefits are fully state-funded.
-- Fiscal relief is also badly needed. Prior to the recession, states not only balanced their budgets every year but also had built up the largest budget reserves in recent history. (This refutes the claim by some that states' budget problems reflect fiscal mismanagement.) The recession has largely wiped out these reserves. Already 30 states have had to cut services ranging from health care to education, and more than a dozen have raised revenues.
As a result of the deepening recession, state deficits are likely to total $350 billion to $370 billion over the next 2 1/2 years. Without fiscal relief to close part of that gap, states will have to institute exceedingly deep budget cuts and tax and fee increases. Both kinds of measures reduce overall demand: tax increases leave consumers with less money to spend, and budget cuts reduce state payments to vendors, benefit recipients, and others, thereby taking money out of the economy. These measures would undercut the stimulus Washington is trying to provide.
-- Loans are no substitute for fiscal relief. A few policymakers support converting the fiscal relief to loans. This would render it ineffective as stimulus. Many states have legal barriers that explicitly prohibit them from borrowing funds to cover operating expenses. Even states that could accept the loans would be reluctant to do so, since they cannot know when their budgets will recover sufficiently to begin repaying the loans. In the last two recessions, most states' fiscal problems continued two to three years after the economy hit bottom.
Funds for infrastructure projects that can be undertaken in the next couple of years constitute effective stimulus, as well. Such infrastructure investments are appropriate measures to include in a recovery package.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization and policy institute that conducts research and analysis on a range of government policies and programs. It is supported primarily by foundation grants.
NOTES:
(1) Mark Zandi, "The Economic Impact of a $750 Billion Fiscal Stimulus Package," testimony before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Forum, January 6, 2009.
(2) Congressional Budget Office, "Economic Stimulus: Evaluating Proposed Changes in Tax Policy," January 2002, http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdoc.cfm?index=3251&type=0.
(3) Congressional Budget Office, "Options for Responding to Short-Term Economic Weakness," January 2008, http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/89xx/doc8916/01-15-Econ_Stimulus.pdf.
(4) GS Weekly, September 21, 2007.
(5) CBO, 2008.
(6) "State of the U.S. Economy and Implications for the Federal Budget," Hearing before the House Budget Committee, House of Representatives, December 5, 2007.
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Most economists agree that two cost-effective ways to do this are by helping hard-pressed families, such as those with low incomes and those that have experienced layoffs, and helping states avert steep budget cuts and tax increases that would reduce overall demand. In fact, these measures would do more to protect jobs and the economy than the business tax cuts and certain other measures that some in Congress are promoting as "job creators."
These conclusions are widely shared among economists. Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com and a former advisor to presidential candidate John McCain, endorsed them earlier this week, stating: "To provide the largest bang for the buck, a well-designed stimulus plan should include a temporary increase in government spending... The most efficacious spending includes extending unemployment insurance benefits, expanding the food stamp program, and increasing aid to hard-pressed state and local governments."(1)
-- Poor families are more likely than businesses or higher-income families to spend quickly any new income they receive. The Congressional Budget Office has stated that "the efficacy of fiscal stimulus depends critically on households' tendency to spend the income placed in their hands."(2) CBO has also stated, "Lower-income households are... more likely to be among those with the highest propensity to spend. Therefore, policies aimed at lower-income households tend to have greater stimulative effects."(3)
The reason is simple. Families that are having difficulty affording food, shelter, and other necessities will spend any new income they receive to cover those basic costs. Higher-income families, in contrast, are likely to save more of any extra income.
So are businesses. As Goldman Sachs has stated, "companies don't spend money just because it's there to spend. To justify outlays for new projects, the expected returns have to exceed the costs, and that usually requires growth in demand strong enough to put pressure on existing resources."(4) This is why a 2008 CBO analysis comparing different stimulus proposals put corporate tax cuts in the lowest category for cost-effectiveness.(5)
-- Food stamps and unemployment insurance are two of the most effective forms of stimulus. The CBO analysis cited above put expanded food stamps and unemployment insurance in the highest category for cost-effectiveness as stimulus. "Additional [food stamp] benefits are likely to be spent rapidly by recipients, who tend to be experiencing periods of economic difficulty," CBO noted.
As for unemployment insurance, then-CBO director Peter Orszag told Congress in 2007 that "research has shown that the unemployment insurance system is among the most effective dollar-for-dollar economic stabilizers that we have in terms of counterbalancing periods of economic weakness."(6) Supporting spending by unemployed workers in hard-pressed communities helps prevent the spread of layoffs and loss of jobs in those communities.
-- But unemployment insurance reforms are needed. Fewer than half of unemployed workers actually receive jobless benefits because the unemployment insurance program, designed in the 1930s, is seriously out of date in many states. Most states, for example, require applicants to look for a full-time job, even if they are parents raising very young children and were working part-time before being laid off. These laws -- designed when most workers were married men who were the sole breadwinners for their family -- particularly disadvantaged women, who are much more likely to work part-time than men.
Congress is considering financial incentives to encourage more states to adopt reforms that would allow more part-time and other laid-off workers to qualify for benefits. States that adopt the reforms would receive temporary federal funds to cover the cost of paying the associated benefits for several years, but there would be no ongoing cost to the federal government, because regular unemployment insurance benefits are fully state-funded.
-- Fiscal relief is also badly needed. Prior to the recession, states not only balanced their budgets every year but also had built up the largest budget reserves in recent history. (This refutes the claim by some that states' budget problems reflect fiscal mismanagement.) The recession has largely wiped out these reserves. Already 30 states have had to cut services ranging from health care to education, and more than a dozen have raised revenues.
As a result of the deepening recession, state deficits are likely to total $350 billion to $370 billion over the next 2 1/2 years. Without fiscal relief to close part of that gap, states will have to institute exceedingly deep budget cuts and tax and fee increases. Both kinds of measures reduce overall demand: tax increases leave consumers with less money to spend, and budget cuts reduce state payments to vendors, benefit recipients, and others, thereby taking money out of the economy. These measures would undercut the stimulus Washington is trying to provide.
-- Loans are no substitute for fiscal relief. A few policymakers support converting the fiscal relief to loans. This would render it ineffective as stimulus. Many states have legal barriers that explicitly prohibit them from borrowing funds to cover operating expenses. Even states that could accept the loans would be reluctant to do so, since they cannot know when their budgets will recover sufficiently to begin repaying the loans. In the last two recessions, most states' fiscal problems continued two to three years after the economy hit bottom.
Funds for infrastructure projects that can be undertaken in the next couple of years constitute effective stimulus, as well. Such infrastructure investments are appropriate measures to include in a recovery package.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization and policy institute that conducts research and analysis on a range of government policies and programs. It is supported primarily by foundation grants.
NOTES:
(1) Mark Zandi, "The Economic Impact of a $750 Billion Fiscal Stimulus Package," testimony before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Forum, January 6, 2009.
(2) Congressional Budget Office, "Economic Stimulus: Evaluating Proposed Changes in Tax Policy," January 2002, http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdoc.cfm?index=3251&type=0.
(3) Congressional Budget Office, "Options for Responding to Short-Term Economic Weakness," January 2008, http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/89xx/doc8916/01-15-Econ_Stimulus.pdf.
(4) GS Weekly, September 21, 2007.
(5) CBO, 2008.
(6) "State of the U.S. Economy and Implications for the Federal Budget," Hearing before the House Budget Committee, House of Representatives, December 5, 2007.
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Friday, January 9, 2009
Blunt Votes for Resolution Supporting Israel's Right to Protect Citizens
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt issued the following statement today after voting for a resolution to reaffirm the United States' ties with Israel and condemn the terrorist actions of Hamas:
"When Hamas, with the support of outside agitators, declared the end of a six-month ceasefire with Israel, they began this conflict. Israel's leaders had no choice but to defend their borders, their sovereignty and their citizens from violent border attacks and rocket fire by Hamas militants.
"The actions of Israel are nothing more than self-defense. It is unrealistic to expect Israel to stand idly by waiting for a terrorist organization to commit to another short-term ceasefire.
"I am hopeful that peace can return to the border between Israel and Gaza, but peace is only possible if Hamas ceases their continued and unprovoked attacks on Israeli civilians."
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"When Hamas, with the support of outside agitators, declared the end of a six-month ceasefire with Israel, they began this conflict. Israel's leaders had no choice but to defend their borders, their sovereignty and their citizens from violent border attacks and rocket fire by Hamas militants.
"The actions of Israel are nothing more than self-defense. It is unrealistic to expect Israel to stand idly by waiting for a terrorist organization to commit to another short-term ceasefire.
"I am hopeful that peace can return to the border between Israel and Gaza, but peace is only possible if Hamas ceases their continued and unprovoked attacks on Israeli civilians."
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Republican National Committee: Will Rep. Hilda Solis Face Questions About Her Own Support for Secret Ballots for Congress But Not for Workers?
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Republican National Committee:
Today, The U.S. Senate Will Hold A Hearing For President-Elect Obama's Department Of Labor Nominee, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA):
Solis Will Be Testifying At Her Senate Confirmation Hearing On Friday. "On Friday, Mr. Kennedy's panel will question Representative Hilda Solis, who has been chosen to be the Labor Secretary." (Kate Philips, "Confirmation Hearings Update," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, 1/7/09)
In 2007, Solis Signed A Letter Protesting The Absence Of A Secret Ballot For The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election:
Solis Joined Other Female Democrats To Protest The Fact That The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election Was Held Without The Traditional Secret Ballot. "[Rep. Loretta] Sanchez said that beyond the personal problems she has with Baca, the fact that the caucus' election was held without the traditional secret ballot was a key issue she has with the group. Sanchez, her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, and Reps. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y. and Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, wrote a letter to Baca on Jan. 5 calling for a new election." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County Register, 2/2/07)
-- The Letter Argued That "It Is Imperative That Our Caucus' Integrity Be
Unquestioned." "'As we prepare for the 110th Congress in which the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus will have the opportunity to play a more
prominent role, we believe it is imperative that our Caucus' integrity
be unquestioned,' they said in the letter. The letter got no
response." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County
Register, 2/2/07)
But Solis Supports The "Employer Free Choice Act," Which Would Get Rid Of The Secret Ballot For Workers:
Solis Co-Sponsored The "Employer Free Choice Act." (H.R. 800, Introduced 2/5/07)
Solis: "I rise in support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act. As the daughter of union family -- my father was a Teamster and my mother worked tirelessly for twenty five years -- I know that my seven siblings and I would not be where we are today without the wages, health coverage and retirement benefits my parents received." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)
Solis: "The Employee Free Choice Act provides more protections for workers, and levels the playing field for those who want to join a union. I urge you to vote for H.R.800." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)
Solis Received High Marks From Labor Unions:
Solis Has A 97 Percent Lifetime Rating From The AFL-CIO. (AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
-- In 2007, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From The AFL-CIO.
(AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
Solis Has A 100 Percent Career Rating From AFSCME. (AFSCME Website, www.afscme.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
In 2008, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From SEIU. (SEIU Website, capwiz.com, Accessed 1/8/09)
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Today, The U.S. Senate Will Hold A Hearing For President-Elect Obama's Department Of Labor Nominee, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA):
Solis Will Be Testifying At Her Senate Confirmation Hearing On Friday. "On Friday, Mr. Kennedy's panel will question Representative Hilda Solis, who has been chosen to be the Labor Secretary." (Kate Philips, "Confirmation Hearings Update," The New York Times' "The Caucus" Blog, thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com, 1/7/09)
In 2007, Solis Signed A Letter Protesting The Absence Of A Secret Ballot For The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election:
Solis Joined Other Female Democrats To Protest The Fact That The Congressional Hispanic Caucus' Election Was Held Without The Traditional Secret Ballot. "[Rep. Loretta] Sanchez said that beyond the personal problems she has with Baca, the fact that the caucus' election was held without the traditional secret ballot was a key issue she has with the group. Sanchez, her sister, Rep. Linda Sanchez, and Reps. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y. and Hilda Solis, D-El Monte, wrote a letter to Baca on Jan. 5 calling for a new election." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County Register, 2/2/07)
-- The Letter Argued That "It Is Imperative That Our Caucus' Integrity Be
Unquestioned." "'As we prepare for the 110th Congress in which the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus will have the opportunity to play a more
prominent role, we believe it is imperative that our Caucus' integrity
be unquestioned,' they said in the letter. The letter got no
response." (Dena Bunis, "Sanchez's Ears Burning," The Orange County
Register, 2/2/07)
But Solis Supports The "Employer Free Choice Act," Which Would Get Rid Of The Secret Ballot For Workers:
Solis Co-Sponsored The "Employer Free Choice Act." (H.R. 800, Introduced 2/5/07)
Solis: "I rise in support of H.R. 800, the Employee Free Choice Act. As the daughter of union family -- my father was a Teamster and my mother worked tirelessly for twenty five years -- I know that my seven siblings and I would not be where we are today without the wages, health coverage and retirement benefits my parents received." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)
Solis: "The Employee Free Choice Act provides more protections for workers, and levels the playing field for those who want to join a union. I urge you to vote for H.R.800." (Rep. Hilda Solis, "Rep. Solis Issues Statement In Support Of H.R.800, Employee Free Choice Act," Press Release, 3/1/07)
Solis Received High Marks From Labor Unions:
Solis Has A 97 Percent Lifetime Rating From The AFL-CIO. (AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
-- In 2007, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From The AFL-CIO.
(AFL-CIO Website, www.aflcio.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
Solis Has A 100 Percent Career Rating From AFSCME. (AFSCME Website, www.afscme.org, Accessed 1/8/09)
In 2008, Solis Received A 100 Percent Rating From SEIU. (SEIU Website, capwiz.com, Accessed 1/8/09)
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Thursday, January 8, 2009
Libertarians: We're Not Going to Spend Our Way to Economic Recovery
American's largest third party is calling plans by the incoming Obama administration a "multibillion-dollar boondoggle."
"We're not going to spend our way to economic recovery," says Andrew Davis, a spokesperson for the Libertarian Party. "You can't even call Obama's economic plans a gamble because the results are written in stone. We've tried this Keynesian experiment many times in the past, with no proven success. It's nothing but a multibillion-dollar boondoggle."
The Libertarian Party says that Obama's spending proposals, which include funding the largest public works program since the 1950s, will take too long to implement and don't pass a cost/benefit test.
"The best plan for economic recovery would be giving more money back to taxpayers in the form of tax cuts, which can increase consumer spending and increase job creation," says Davis. "It will also avoid the corruption and wastefulness of government spending—something that must be addressed at once if we expect to remain a free and prosperous nation."
"Public works projects, like those proposed by the Obama administration, will take too long to implement and many will cost far more than their economic benefit," Davis explains. "So, not only will the government be spending taxpayer money on wasteful projects, it be spending money during a time when economic relief is not needed. Conversely, tax cuts are always in season."
The Libertarian Party also warns that adding close to a trillion dollars in additional government spending to the budget will push the United States closer to financial ruin.
"Elected officials don't like to talk about the reality of government spending because it's not an issue that gets them reelected, especially when they will be long-gone before it comes time to pay the piper." says Davis. "However, we've reached an event horizon in spending that if government doesn't immediately begin to cut its programs, the only option will be massive tax increases unlike Americans have ever seen."
Davis says the government's focus should be on permanent and significant tax cuts. "However, any tax cuts absolutely have to be offset by a reduction in government spending, or else we're merely asking for higher taxes in the future," Davis explains. "We must not make the same mistakes of the Bush administration, which cut taxes, but also dramatically increased government spending."
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"We're not going to spend our way to economic recovery," says Andrew Davis, a spokesperson for the Libertarian Party. "You can't even call Obama's economic plans a gamble because the results are written in stone. We've tried this Keynesian experiment many times in the past, with no proven success. It's nothing but a multibillion-dollar boondoggle."
The Libertarian Party says that Obama's spending proposals, which include funding the largest public works program since the 1950s, will take too long to implement and don't pass a cost/benefit test.
"The best plan for economic recovery would be giving more money back to taxpayers in the form of tax cuts, which can increase consumer spending and increase job creation," says Davis. "It will also avoid the corruption and wastefulness of government spending—something that must be addressed at once if we expect to remain a free and prosperous nation."
"Public works projects, like those proposed by the Obama administration, will take too long to implement and many will cost far more than their economic benefit," Davis explains. "So, not only will the government be spending taxpayer money on wasteful projects, it be spending money during a time when economic relief is not needed. Conversely, tax cuts are always in season."
The Libertarian Party also warns that adding close to a trillion dollars in additional government spending to the budget will push the United States closer to financial ruin.
"Elected officials don't like to talk about the reality of government spending because it's not an issue that gets them reelected, especially when they will be long-gone before it comes time to pay the piper." says Davis. "However, we've reached an event horizon in spending that if government doesn't immediately begin to cut its programs, the only option will be massive tax increases unlike Americans have ever seen."
Davis says the government's focus should be on permanent and significant tax cuts. "However, any tax cuts absolutely have to be offset by a reduction in government spending, or else we're merely asking for higher taxes in the future," Davis explains. "We must not make the same mistakes of the Bush administration, which cut taxes, but also dramatically increased government spending."
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Statement from John Oxendine on Second Amendment
A Statement from Commissioner John Oxendine:
Like many Georgians who support the Second Amendment, I was disappointed Casey Cagle all but abandoned his support for the Second Amendment during his annual pre-Session press conference.
Casey Cagle was emphatic that pro-Second Amendment legislation sponsored by State Senator Mitch Seabaugh, which would allow law abiding Georgians to expand the areas they can legally carry their concealed weapon, would be dead on arrival in a Casey Cagle Senate.
Casey Cagle stated he has "no appetite for it" and Georgians "should be content with where we are."
Casey Cagle may not have an appetite for expanding and protecting the Second Amendment Rights of Georgians, but I do. I support those legislators who stand for the Second Amendment.
Casey Cagle may be content and want a respite in standing up for our Second Amendment rights, but I will never rest until we ensure that we have protected the Second Amendment and made every effort to ensure our Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
I am a proud Life Member of the National Rifle Association, the Georgia Sports Shooting Association and GeorgiaCarry.org. I remain unapologetic and offer unqualified support of the Second Amendment. I will always have an appetite to protect and defend the Second Amendment.
It is of concern that people can legally carry guns in more places in states such as, California and Oregon. Georgians who understand the principles of the Second Amendment will not be content until we have the legal right in Georgia to enjoy the blessings of our liberty.
John Oxendine
Oxendine Working for Georgia
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Like many Georgians who support the Second Amendment, I was disappointed Casey Cagle all but abandoned his support for the Second Amendment during his annual pre-Session press conference.
Casey Cagle was emphatic that pro-Second Amendment legislation sponsored by State Senator Mitch Seabaugh, which would allow law abiding Georgians to expand the areas they can legally carry their concealed weapon, would be dead on arrival in a Casey Cagle Senate.
Casey Cagle stated he has "no appetite for it" and Georgians "should be content with where we are."
Casey Cagle may not have an appetite for expanding and protecting the Second Amendment Rights of Georgians, but I do. I support those legislators who stand for the Second Amendment.
Casey Cagle may be content and want a respite in standing up for our Second Amendment rights, but I will never rest until we ensure that we have protected the Second Amendment and made every effort to ensure our Constitutional Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
I am a proud Life Member of the National Rifle Association, the Georgia Sports Shooting Association and GeorgiaCarry.org. I remain unapologetic and offer unqualified support of the Second Amendment. I will always have an appetite to protect and defend the Second Amendment.
It is of concern that people can legally carry guns in more places in states such as, California and Oregon. Georgians who understand the principles of the Second Amendment will not be content until we have the legal right in Georgia to enjoy the blessings of our liberty.
John Oxendine
Oxendine Working for Georgia
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