HotMES

In Case You Missed It, I Moved!

2009-03-23T21:43:00.002-04:00

B.Frank Is At It, Again.

The Tonight Show with Barack Obama

It's about communication, people!

Really Chris? Really?

Why I Hate Jon Stewart, Other Than He Spells My Name Wrong

Here's the gun. What will it be?

The bigger they are...

Thank you, America. I owe you one!

And, there's plenty more. Just check out the new site!

Have you been to the new site?

2009-03-16T12:05:00.002-04:00

Here's what you've been missing:

Introduction: The Chronicles of Testaclese

Is there anything this guy won't tax?

What to expect next from Ministry of Truth

As long as you live in my castle, you'll live by my rules!

Start smoking: You just may save a child's life!

Lieberman, Can You Take McCain With You?

Where Did This Elevated Level of Fear Come From?

A "Collosal Waste of Taxpayer Funds"

I Get the Outrage, But...

Coming Soon: The Chronicles of Testaclese

Michelle Obama Channeling the Grinch?

Real Men Need Apply

S.Logan in My Dreams!

New Posts

2009-03-12T10:57:00.002-04:00

I have a couple of new posts on my new site, make sure to update your browser:

www.moniquestuart.com

I hope you enjoy!

HotMES

Update: I'm Moving Up

2009-03-10T21:19:00.005-04:00

Established my own site. Sorry, I couldn't deal with the confines of blogger.com. Please, update your links and continue to follow me at:

www.moniquestuart.com.

Thank you!

HotMES

When you say "our generation," is this who you're talking about?

2009-03-10T17:13:00.002-04:00

You would think with all of the talk about how Barack Obama needs to get some rest, the man might start to ease up a little and take a break. Not the case with this man on the go. Top of today's list: Education.

And I quote:

Every so often, throughout our history, a generation of Americans bears the responsibility of seeing this country through difficult times and protecting the dream of its founding for posterity. This is a responsibility that has fallen to our generation. Meeting it will require steering our nation's economy through a crisis unlike any we have seen in our time. In the short-term, that means jumpstarting job creation, re-starting lending, and restoring confidence in our markets and our financial system. But it also means taking steps that not only advance our recovery, but lay the foundation for lasting, shared prosperity.

When you say that this is a responsibility that has fallen to our\generation, wouldn't it be more accurate to say the next eight generations to come? I mean, let's be honest. Your generation isn't making the tough choices and sacrifices you talked about at the inauguration. Your creating more debt and spending money that you your generation won't be around to payback.

What about “restoring confidence in our markets and financial system?" You might be the best in town at reading off of a teleprompter (a career on SNL in your future?) but, restoring confidence hasn’t been your strong suit. Every time you talk, the markets tank. It’s not how you’re saying it; it’s what you’re saying.

And, for further clarification, when you are talking about being able to handle more than one challenge at a time, I think you’re a little confused. You said, “Likewise, President Roosevelt didn’t have the luxury of choosing between ending a depression and fighting a war.” Actually, he was given the gift of a war that helped us out of the Great Depression, which enabled him to claim credit for the recovery for a depression he had actually prolonged and exasperated.

You concluded:

Of course, no matter how innovative our schools or how effective our teachers, America cannot succeed unless our students take responsibility for their own education…. And, to any student who’s watching, I say this: don’t even think about dropping out of school.

Wait, we have effective teachers? Sorry, sidetrack. How do you expect students to take responsibility in an age of irresponsibility? An age in which teachers won’t take responsibility for their teaching, parents won’t take responsibility for their parenting, and politicians won’t take responsibility for their policies that have helped us into the current mess.

Don’t worry, Dad. No one is thinking about dropping out of school. We know, we know. It is our job as patriots to get an education, so that we can enter the workforce, be productive, and make a bunch of money so that you can tax the hell out of it, villainize us for being “rich” and support the failed policies of socialism and keynesian economics that you seem bent on pushing!

When you say "our generation," is this who you're talking about?

SLogan vs. HotMES: The Fight for Big Sexy

2009-03-10T16:43:00.007-04:00

Robert Stacy McCain recently reported:

BTW, both Moe Unique Hits and Clever S. Logan are in love with Mattera, whom Logan nicknamed "Big Sexy." A couple of years ago, I jokingly suggested to Big Sexy that he should marry Moe and, when he refused to act on my suggestion -- I was joking, but Moe really was in love with the boy -- I sicced Logan on him, so he would know how a broken heart feels. I'm evil like that.

The time has come for SLogan and me to settle this once and for all. The match has been set. After intense negotiations between the two parties, mediated by RSM, these are the details that have been agreed upon, so far:

The Event: Jell-O Wrestling Match (Strawberry Jell-O and Whipped Cream)
Location: Washington, DC
When: TBD

Keep check our sites frequently for more details.

This Family Should Live In A Shed

2009-03-10T11:43:00.007-04:00

When it comes to McCains, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. John McCain is as much of a tool as his daughter. At least we know where she gets it from. Where are their matching fedoras?

Politico.com, reports, "McCain: 'I don't want him to fail.'" Of course you don't, Johnny. You want him to come play with you on the playground to keep you relevant. You want him to give you a sense of importance by gracing you with his presence and invitations to the White House. Let me guess, you're just trying to up your "hip" factor.

As evidence that you are in the wrong party, I offer your comment that, "Clearly, their policies are evolving.... I was supporting of their housing proposal. I didn't think it went far enough, but I was supportive of that" McCain reportedly said of Treasury.

As a self-proclaimed Republican, Senator McCain, how could you be supportive of a wealth-redistribution plan? You're only problem was that it didn't go far enough? Really, that's all you could come up with?

Why don't you and your daughter pack up the Prius and head yourselves over to the Party where you belong? You're not a liberal Republican; you're a strong defense Democrat. Go talk to your boy Lieberman. He can tell you all about it.

*Note, in no way shape or form are these McCains represntative of all McCains. The Other McCain is a worthy representative of what Republicans should stand for. His family slogan isn't, "Trust me, we're not RINOs." And, I do believe he does want Obama to fail.

Meghan McCain Is A Tool

2009-03-09T20:14:00.004-04:00

It is easy to be a gay-marriage supporting, Barack Obama-loving, Prius-driving, welfare-advocate. Just remember this, Miss McCain, your father flirted with the media, too. And, as we all saw when it came to election time and he was nominated on the Republican ticket, all of a sudden his “mavericky” hipness seemed to fade from their minds.

You remind of that dork in high school who was always trying too hard to fit in with the cool kids. There you are doing their homework for them and they pretend to be your friend. Then, they invite you out for that Friday night party just to play a prank on you, give you some awful nickname that will haunt you for life, and kick you out of the circle.

I’m waiting to see you on an episode of Maury ten years from now where you bring back the boy who wouldn’t kiss you to tell him how over it you are. Except, you’re obviously not over it because if you were you wouldn’t be concerned with bringing the guy on Maury and telling him about it.

The rebels are the edgy ones, always have been. Right now, conservatives are the rebels. It has always been “hipper” to stand alone than to be lost in the crowd. It’s too bad you don’t know that. You are trying to be a nonconformist in the most conformist way, like the eighteen year old that gets a tramp stamp or a bellybutton ring.

Just looking at your picture, with your oh-so-hip fedora (you’re just like Lindsay Lohan!), tells me all I need to know. You’re a tool.

Thanks my peeps for the inspiration: The Other McCain, Jimmie at Sundries Shack, Donald Douglas,and With Bias.

Congress Marches On

2009-03-09T18:10:00.003-04:00

It appears that Congress will pass the $410 billion budget to carry the federal government through the end of FY09. There are two points that are important here.

1.) The federal government is currently operating under a "continuing resolution" (CR). This does not mean that they have no money. It just means they are operating under the same budget they had last year. There is a huge difference!

2.) All essential funding has already been budgeted. The budget they are talking about now is for discretionary spending, or frivolous spending.

If what is essential is already taken care of, why are we pushing through more spending? As I have said before, a CR is a good thing. It forces government to cut back and only spend what is vitally necessary. Isn’t that what they should be doing anyway?

Catholic Connecticut Conservative: Who Could Have Predicted That?

2009-03-09T17:33:00.003-04:00

As a Catholic from Connecticut, I wasn't too happy to read about this.

Interestingly, it was a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Baptists of Danbury, CONNECTICUT where the idea of a wall of separation between church and state originated. I'm no legal scholar, here, but I'm pretty sure that this is a violation of said separation between church and state.

Somehow, I don't think they would get away with this if instead of the Catholic Church the state tried to reorganize the leadership of a local mosque.

Big Sexy Does It Again!

2009-03-09T15:57:00.003-04:00

Big Sexy, AKA Jason Mattera, recently paired up with HotAir, again. The target du jour: Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY). Oh come on, now, you know who he is. That smooth talking, tax evading, Congressional Black Caucus founding guy.

Quick question, RSM, what's love got to do with it? My suggestion to you, and Rep. Rangel, is to keep it clean.

If I Say Irish And You Think Drunk...

2009-03-09T12:18:00.006-04:00

If I say Irish and you think drunk, who is the bigot in this equation?

Jason Mattera (spokesman, Young America’s Foundation), in an appearance on DC 50’s Weekend News with Chris Core, made the mistake of saying that he would vote for anyone for president that was a constitutionalist, regardless of irrelevant matters such as race.

The quote his opponents have decided to focus their attention on is, "I would vote for Wing Wang Wong for president if he was a constitutionalist."

Somehow, randomly plucking a wacky name (does that make me racist, now, too?) out of his head to help prove his point makes Mattera a racist, Rush Limbaugh a racist, and conservatives, in general, racist.

The point that Mattera was trying to make—before they tried to confuse it by bringing Asians into it—was that he would vote for anybody, regardless of their race, as long as they stood for the right principles.

Somehow, they missed this point. As the blogger at fightingliberals wrote:

Jason, in true dittohead form seems to have no idea how racist, out of touch, and crazed he sounds…I wonder if some of the more conservative members of the Asian American community will now see what people like Mattera and Rush really think about them.

I watched the whole exchange. At no point did I think that Mattera sounded racist, out of touch, or crazed. I wonder, if he had said the name Patrick Fitzpatrick, would they have jumped on him for insulting the drunks, I mean, Irish? And, no matter what he said, how is that a reflection on Rush?

Conservatives, no matter what we say, will always be labeled as racist, xenophobic, homophobic, anti-women, blah, blah, blah. Anytime we argue otherwise they twist whatever we say to prove their original accusation.

The left, who just voted the most radically liberal person to ever hold the office of president based purely on his race, can’t seem to get over their race-based obsession. Mattera would vote for an individual based on their ideas, while they only care about the color of a person’s skin.

Mattera said Wing Wang Wong, they thought Asian. Is that his racism, or theirs?

Tearing A Newborn From His Mother's Breast

2009-03-08T19:41:00.004-04:00

Breaking Barack Obama of his teleprompter habit is proving harder than tearing a newborn away from his mother’s breast:

The Czar of the Teleprompter: that might come to be known as a revealing nickname for Barack Obama, and I think I like it the best—especially since I thought of it. After all, being called The Czar of the Telestrator has sure given NBA televison analyst Mike Fratello some panache.
Anyway, as this story in Politico notes, the smartest and most eloquent man ever to roam the halls of the West Wing goes nowhere—and is nothing—without his teleprompter.

(H/T: Jim Lakeley). For a man whose highest compliment is how well he speaks, this is quite frightening. If only the teleprompter could tell him how to fix the economy and deal with foreign enemies. Scratch that, if it could just tell him how to deal with our allies, I might have some hope.

I'm Just Some Young (dirty) Blond Chick, What Do I know?

2009-03-08T19:22:00.007-04:00

When are politicians going to learn that if banks aren’t giving loans (extending credit), it’s probably with good reason? Banks make money off of lending. It would make sense, if they aren’t lending, it’s because the person who is asking for the money isn’t creditworthy. Otherwise, why would they prevent themselves from turning a quick buck?

Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) (linked to that McCain guy. No, not The Other McCain) in his appearance on Meet the Press this morning was asked if more stimulus was needed for this economy, and this was his response:

I've got people in South Carolina who are thinking about buying a car but are having a very difficult time getting a car loan. But their biggest fear is they think they may get laid off in the next six months. So if we could get credit flowing in the consumer areas, I think it would stabilize the economy more than anything else.

How exactly is getting credit flowing to unworthy borrowers going to stabilize the economy? I’m just some young (dirty) blond chick, what do I know? I may be wrong here but, it seems to me, if your biggest fear is that you think you may be laid off in the next six months, you probably shouldn’t be thinking about buying a car. I’m just saying.

I understand that we are having some “economic difficulties,” to say the least. Here’s the thing, I don’t seem to be having any problems getting credit. In fact, just last week one of my credit cards increased my credit line without me requesting it. I attribute this to the fact that I live within my means and pay all of my bills in full and on time. I could be wrong, though. It might just be because I’m white.

Here’s what I think is happening. Those who are creditworthy will receive credit for whatever they are deemed capable of paying back. If you are try to buy a car when you think you may get laid off within the next six months, I have a sneaking suspicion, the lender may have that same inclination about your fate. In this event, if they looked into their crystal ball, they might deny you for that loan.

For example, banks (now, members of Congress like B.Frank) used to decide who was creditworthy when it came to buying houses. Then, Congress stepped in. There were people who wanted to own a home and were denied based on their creditworthiness. Then Congress decided the American Dream is really an American right and created a situation that allowed banks to loan money to borrowers who should not have been buying a home, or should have been more modest in their home buying. I can’t remember how that movie ended, exactly, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a happy one.

Spoiler alert: banks are better at determining who is creditworthy than politicians on Capitol Hill. People who are worried about losing their job in six months have no business buying a new car; just as those who bought houses over the past couple of years who couldn’t afford them should have either a) bought more affordable housing or, b) continued to rent.

The problem, at this point, is not credit. The market is operating exactly how it should be in the current economic climate. The problem is the people and the politicians who insist we can spend our way out of this. If you can’t afford something, don’t buy it (yes, Congress, that means you, too!). ! It’s as simple as that. The beauty is, it has always been that simple. The shocker is, no one seems willing to accept this.

Something for the Youngins

2009-03-08T19:12:00.004-04:00

As a former college “conservative activist,” I am often asked for advice as to what the next generation can do to finally turn the tide of liberalism that has been washing over our nation for the past seventy years. Without hesitation, here is my advice to you, in no particular order.

1. Don’t take on the role of victim. You are a conservative. The deck is stacked against you; get over it. Don’t cry about it; change it. Take action! If people tell you it’s “crazy,” it’s probably not crazy enough.

2. Learn to communicate effectively why you are a conservative. I have the bonus of coming from a liberal background. People, especially liberals, are always interested to hear what changed my mind. That interest opens up their mind to the conservative ideas that brought me over. What in your life can help them relate to you? (Tip: That mommy and daddy were Republicans and that’s how you were raised isn’t helpful.)

3. Don’t become a business major! Take up a major that is traditionally liberal. It’s time to beat them at their own game. Infiltrate liberal classes and stand up to your professors with your conservative ideas. The time has come, conservatives are now the revolutionaries. Embrace this! Imagine the damage you could cause in a women’s studies class.

4. Take a traditionally liberal career path. One of the reasons the left has been so successful is because they now consume almost every aspect of our lives. Become a teacher, actor, or government employee. You really want to change government? Become a federal employee and cut your office’s budget down. It will get you farther than whining about federal spending from the outside.

5. Rethink the way you approach CPAC. No one is impressed by you with your business card stating how you are the president of the College Republicans at your local university. You’re just a kid. Get over yourself! If you’re actually making a difference others will notice, you won’t need a card to tell them. See CPAC as a chance to hang out with likeminded people, exchange ideas, and have fun, not a networking opportunity.

6. Be skeptical, no matter who the messenger is! A healthy dose of cynicism is the best thing for you. For this, I recommend Sen. Tom Coburn’s (R-OK) book, Breach of Trust: How Washington Turns Outsiders into Insiders.

7. Branch out! Don’t always surround yourself with likeminded people. You cannot fully understand or debate the other side until you have befriended the other side. Trust me, you are way more likely to convince a liberal friend of something than a liberal enemy. A friendship gives you a starting point that rests on a common ground unrelated to politics.

8. Read, read, read! And, I mean, read everything. It’s easy to read what you agree with. Challenge yourself! The better acquainted you are with the enemy, the better prepared you are to beat them, or at least neutralize them. For more on this tactic, I recommend the last battle-rap scene in the movie 8 Mile.

9. Don’t forget, there are plenty of people that aren’t on either side of an issue. They are either apathetic or middle-of-the-road. It is your job to bring them to the right side of the road. Everyone is looking for something to believe in. Give them that something!

10. Don’t worry about your present actions hindering your future possibilities. Too many times I have met a student so consumed with some future career in politics that they think they have planned that they refuse to act now. I know this is the age of the Internet and what you do will be known forever. I’ve pulled some stunts. As long as you’re willing to be honest and exposed, most people will understand anything that you’ve done. You have youth on your side. Use it!

Perhaps this is helpful, perhaps not. I don’t know. This was my mindset in college, and it remains my mindset today. Whatever happens, I know that I have always done what I thought was right at the moment. I have no regrets. Can you say the same?

Think about what so many others have given up to fight for the principles this nation was founded on. Are you worried about losing some friends? Can’t take a little name-calling? How many people died in the Revolutionary W ar to guarantee the rights we all take for granted? And, you’re not willing to be uncomfortable? The time to stand up and fight back has not just arrived. It’s been here for quite some time. Go out, get crazy, and do something today!

Not So Worldly After All

2009-03-07T17:36:00.004-05:00

I guess those years of experience in community organizing didn’t prepare Barack Obama for this. The self-proclaimed “citizen of the world” isn’t as worldly after all:

After insulting Gordon Brown during the British prime minister’s visit this week by ignoring protocol and cheaping out on the traditional gift exchange, the UK media has erupted in outrage. The Obama White House has now started to recognize the firestorm the new President created with our closest ally, and wants to assure the Brits that he meant no disrespect.

(H/T: Ed Morrissey) Of course, it’s never polite to point out a loved one’s shortcomings in public, so I’m sure the MSM will forget and/or downplay this gaffe. Tough break for Obama that the rest of the world is watching and their press isn’t as infatuated with him as ours seems to be.

In other, related, news. Sorry, Hill, our press just isn't that into you. It would appear, the Secretary of State isn’t doing much better:

When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton greeted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Friday before sitting down to their working dinner, she presented him a small green box with a ribbon. Inside was a red button with the Russian word "peregruzka" printed on it.

"I would like to present you with a little gift that represents what President Obama and Vice President Biden and I have been saying and that is: 'We want to reset our relationship and so we will do it together.'"
Clinton, laughing, added, "We worked hard to get the right Russian word. Do you think we got it?" she asked Lavrov.
"You got it wrong," Lavrov said." Both diplomats laughed. "It should be "perezagruzka" (the Russian word for reset,) Lavrov said. "This says 'peregruzka,' which means 'overcharged.'"

Perhaps that button was meant for the American public? And, not to be a stickler, I don’t know if I would be handing off Red Buttons for the Russians to push, no matter what it was supposed to say!

Bush-Bashing: The GOP's New Favorite Sport?

2009-03-07T13:40:00.003-05:00

I’ve been bashing Bush since I still considered myself a liberal-leaning, really just apathetic, independent. Long story short, I was raised as a Democrat in Connecticut by a single mother employed by the state. My first vote ever cast was for Al Gore (again, I want to punch myself in the face for this. What can I say, I was a confused kid? We all have our moments!) Then I went to college.

Some, mistakenly, attribute my pilgrimage out of the cave to an infamous blond conservative. I would say it was more my natural inclination to rebel against the status quo, which on my campus was liberalism. That, coupled with a “crazy” group of College Republicans and some pivotal life moments (Thanks S.Logan) that sent me on my way to where I find myself today. But, I digress.

When I was first brought into the conservative fold, admittedly, I stayed away from insulting our trusty President Bush and other Party leaders. Then I experienced my first couple of run-ins with the Rhode Island GOP, where I was introduced to not only the concept of a RINO, but an actual state party full of them.

Although I voted for President Bush in 2004, under the “lesser-of-two-evils/please-keep-me-safe-from-terrorists” banner, I never felt the GOP represented me. What they claimed to represent always sounded like something I could believe in. It’s just that their votes betrayed the lie. To this day, I can’t say much has changed.

In my circles, call them conservative, Republican, confused, or whatever other label you want (refer to my previous blog, Mr. Steele, The Line Is Over There, for my opinion about labels), people have been bashing Bush for as long as they have known who Bush was.

Perhaps Bush-Bashing is the GOP leadership’s new favorite sport, as John Feehery recently suggested. I’m not sure. In a way, who could blame them? Bush might have done a lot of things right for the Party but, he also did a lot wrong.

The truth is, though, it’s the media’s misdirection of the public’s attention away from the socialization of the American economy that is the new favorite sport in Washington. For the life of me, I can’t get why the GOP alsways let’s them (the left) frame the game.

For a party struggling to find its way, an honest reflection on the Bush presidency is important. A look at the nomination of John McCain as it’s leader in 2008 is even more important. Most importantly, though, is some soul searching and self-reflection.

Bush wasn’t the only Republican wielding power for the past eight years. It is disingenuous for party leaders who fell in line with his policies and proposals (and, relied on him every election for fundraising) to now bash him for those same policies and proposals. If you felt so strongly, why didn’t you say something then? You weren’t elected to play follow the leader; you were elected to be a leader.

It’s all pointless, anyway, isn’t it? The right needs to stop playing into the left’s hand. This is what they are after, our infighting. Stop letting them dictate to us what the debate is going to be about.

Our political class lacks leaders. They sound like a bunch of children fighting over who started it first and what name who called whom. I don’t care who pulled Suzy’s hair first, or that it was even pulled. I just care how you plan to lead us back to the future and stop pulling us back into the past. This incestuous bickering is enough to make me reach for the vodka. Who am I kidding? Just hand me a glass, a couple of ice cubes, and the bottle of Maker's Mark.

If the GOP leadership is looking for a new hobby to try, well, they should try leading. Leave the Bush-Bashing to the historians and the left (yes, I realize those are one in the same). They’re better at it. They’ve been perfecting it for eight-plus years.

You just worry your pretty little heads about how to move forward. Return to the principles I’m still under the impression the Republican Party is supposed to stand for. Some high points might be smaller government, lower taxes, strong national defense. For more suggestions, I refer you to the Constituion.

The Republican brand hasn’t been damaged because of what it’s supposed to stand for; it’s been damaged by those who wear the brand who haven’t been living up to the standard. Bush wasn't the problem; he was just a symptom.

CR: Safeguard on Wasteful Spending

2009-03-06T21:22:00.001-05:00

Congress tries to scare you by saying that they are forcing federal agencies to operate under last year's budget. As if that were a bad thing. The truth is, there is a lot of wasteful spending in every agency's budget, and by expanding that budget Congress is rewarding and encoraging that wasteful spending. Being forced to operate under last year's budget is the best thing that could happen to them. Every agency is forced to look at what is vitally necessary and make cuts accordingly:

Congress Friday passed a temporary spending measure to keep the government open through Wednesday as lawmakers struggled over an omnibus appropriations bill for the remainder of the fiscal year. . . .
The new “continuing resolution” keeps spending levels essentially at the previous fiscal year’s limits. The resolution was needed because funding for more than a dozen Cabinet-level departments and agencies was set to expire at midnight.

(H/T: Michelle Malkin.) The thing about a "continuing resolution" is, it requires the government to cut back to what is essential and necessary. I work for the federal government. I am quite familiar with the term "CR." We operate under it every year. In the federal government you are rewarded for spending and/or exceeding your budget. You are punished for saving taxpayer dollars. A CR requires that government employees actually admit they don't need the excessive budgets they request.

It's Time to B.Frank

2009-03-06T10:55:00.001-05:00

When will Barney Frank (D-Mass.) learn to shut up and take his seat in the back of the room? For someone so intimately involved (no pun intended) in the current financial meltdown, you would think, like any dog that has just made a mess in the House, he would be hiding down the hall with his tail between his legs.

Instead, he’s out bullying “state and federal authorities to seek criminal and civil penalties on financial actors that helped cause the current crisis.” Note to B.Frank, why don’t you be frank with the American public and take the blame for the part you played in causing the current financial crisis, rather than blaming it all on “predatory lenders” and greed on Wall Street. What about greed on Capitol Hill?

“Rules don’t work if people have no fear of them,” B.Frank announced at a press conference, on Thursday. You would know, wouldn’t you B.Frank? Can we hold a hearing to discover plans to prosecute your irresponsible and possibly (at the very least, borderline) criminal behaviors? Does the phrase “conflict of interest” ring any bells?

B.Frank has been a major player in creating the conditions that allowed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to get into the mess they allowed themselves get into, while blocking any attempts at reform. I guess all of those predictions about an impending crisis weren’t just fear mongering by the Republicans, after all, were they, Franky Boy?

I’m sure there are plenty of people who should be held responsible and criminally prosecuted in this mortgage meltdown. As someone who can honestly say she shares in none of the blame, I say let’s go after them all.

Let’s start with the predatory borrowers who lied on loan applications and bought houses they couldn’t afford. Next, we can go after the “predatory lenders.” Finally, let’s go after those predatory legislators that created a moral hazard with the implicit, eventually explicit, guarantee to back all of this bad debt that their “everyone-should-own-a-home-no-matter-how-deserving” legislation created.

Predatory borrowers were rewarded for their fraudulence with McMansions. Predatory lenders were rewarded with their bonuses. And, the predatory legislators were rewarded with your votes (bought and paid for by those same predatory lenders they now like to blame).

In a perfect world, the American public would be fully aware of how deep B.Frank had his pen dipped in this particular well of ink and he would be, at the very least, voted out of office. Unfortunately, he’s a Democrat from Massachusetts. If killing a woman isn’t a career ender there, I doubt helping to lay down the bedrock of the financial collapse of America would be enough.

Let Me Repeat, Mr. President: $3.55 Trillion!

2009-03-05T08:37:00.000-05:00

Last year, America apprehensively watched as the first “stimulus” bill was pushed through Congress and signed by President Bush. In the midst of a heated presidential campaign, unsure what to do, Americans were left with no other choice than to trust in their elected officials to do the right thing. The American economy would have crashed if Congress didn’t do something! Or, so they said. Unfortunately, all of the bailouts have yet to resolve the issues.

Then came the big three with their hands out; flying in on their separate private jets. Congress turned them down; a sigh of relief. Then, that “compassionate conservative” saved the day. President Bush stood doling out taxpayers dollars—to save car companies producing cars that most Americans won’t even buy, like the tooth fairy who doles out dollars for teeth no one wants.

But, what could we do? Bush would be gone soon, and the White House would be filled with hope and change. We just hadn’t realized that he would be collecting that change from our pockets, and the pockets of those yet to be born or even conceived.

As it turns out, that stimulus bill didn’t save the economy. It seemed to make things worse. Every politician who voted for the original bill should be voted out in the next election. But, we were told by those geniuses that reside in the White House on Capitol Hill it was simply because we hadn’t spent enough on the first go-round. So, it was time to spend some more.

Perhaps it has been “the sky is falling rhetoric” coupled with a push of a bunch of money that has strings tinkering with our economy’s ticker that has worsened the problem. Why does that sound familiar? Oh yeah! This is kind of like what Hoover started and FDR finished that exasperated and prolonged the problems of the Great Depression.

I finally understand the difference between the Democrats and Republicans: Republicans want to spend your money; Democrats want to spend more. It’s been bill after bill. We were hit first with an incomprehensible bill that would eventually cost over one TRILLION dollars. A number that is too astronomical for us to grasp. All we really know is that every American citizen to ever be born for the rest of eternity will be paying off all of the money being spent now.

I get the trillion dollars was a part of Obama’s “shock and awe” campaign. After the shock and awe of a trillion, these new proposals almost seem inconsequential. I mean, what’s another $635 billion to socialize, I mean “overhaul,” the health care system? Yesterday, the House approved another $410 billion spending bill for FY09. There goes another $75 billion dollars for those who bought houses they couldn’t afford. The list goes continues to grow.

The problem is, all of this is starting to add up. We’re talking about a $3.55 trillion budget proposal. Let me repeat, Mr. President: $3.55 TRILLION! And, that’s just what’s being proposed. Forget what has already been spent, or has been approved to be spent. This spending orgy can’t last forever. President Obama knows that. That’s why he’s pushing it all through so quickly.

The American people won’t let their protestations be ignored forever. It’s only a matter of time before the people demand this stops. Unfortunately, were at least two trillion dollars too late. And, it doesn’t seem like the powers that be are going to be inclined to listen. They haven’t listened to us so far.

Teachers Get Creative With Duct Tape

2009-03-05T08:36:00.000-05:00

Admittedly, I got a little chuckle out of a news announcer last week when I heard the following, “The question is: when is it OK to tape a student’s mouth shut? Prince George’s County [MD] answered the question: Never.” Or, something along those lines.

Apparently, some frustrated teacher, after repeated attempts to get her students to be quiet, took action and silenced them by getting creative with the duct tape. Of course, the parents are outraged and I am sure the lawsuits will follow to compensate them and their children for their “pain and suffering.”

Today they announced that another Prince George’s County, MD teacher is under investigation for taping students’ mouths shut, after they refused to be quiet. Once again, I found myself laughing at the news.

I know you may be thinking that it’s not funny. These teachers, who have both been forced to take leave since the accusations arose, should be punished. I beg to differ. Of course, I’m of the school of thought that a little public humiliation is good, especially for children in this day and age. Adversity builds character.

Prince George’s County, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the area, isn’t exactly the nicest or safest place to live. In fact, it’s a place most of the rest of us avoid for fear of being ransacked, robbed, and raped.

I can imagine the children we’re dealing with, here. They are probably little criminals in training. Their parents are probably on welfare and just looking for another payday (hence, the upcoming lawsuits for pain and suffering I predicted). If they had done their job as parents in the first place, their children would show some respect for adults and authority and would have obeyed their teachers numerous requests to quiet down.

I’m usually not the first to defend teachers. But, in this case, I have to agree. What harm does putting a little duct tape over their mouths cause? These children should have been too embarrassed to tell their parents. Back in the day, you were ashamed when you got in trouble at school, and did your best to ensure your parents didn’t find out for fear of more punishment at home. “Why did your teacher yell at you? You did what? Get your butt over here right now!”

If the parents and school backed the teachers in this dispute, every other kid would think twice the next time a teacher made a legitimate request, like to be quiet. Instead, they have taken away more power from teachers and put it in the hands of hoodlums.

I Concure, Mr. President

2009-03-04T08:35:00.001-05:00

On the White House Blog, today, there was a new posting that the White House priorities were not to “line the pockets of contractors.” First things first, they are looking at changes in defense contracting. No surprise, there, my beloved Commander-in-Chief. Excuse me if I’m not convinced that you will do “whatever it takes to defend the American people.” I’m still waiting to see who is going to defend us, and our great-grandchildren’s pockets, from you.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), they found cost overruns that totaled more than $295 billion. The cherry on top was when you followed that announcement with, “Let me repeat: That’s $295 billion dollars in wasteful spending.”

You’re a funny man, there, Mr. President. Since marijuana isn’t legal and so my short-term memory isn’t shot, I believe it wasn’t too long ago you hoisted a trillion dollars in wasteful spending on every American taxpayer, including all of those to be born forever and ever. Let me repeat: That’s a TRILLION dollars in wasteful spending. That makes your measly $295 billion argument a little weak. Your repetition has desensitized the masses.

As a government employee, though, the word contractor has a different connotation to me. I’m not just thinking of big time overruns in defense. There are thousands of little leaks right here in DC.

There have been presidents in the past who have claimed to lower the welfare rolls, I mean, the government pay rolls. There have been presidents who have boasted of not increasing the government pay rolls, as well. Technically, these claims may be true, but that is only because a good portion of people who work for the federal government are actually “contractors,” hired by a third party we (taxpayers) pay in order for politicians to trick us into thinking they are keeping the size of government in check, in order to secure our votes. What a fun little game they play!

Your timing, Mr. President, is impeccable. Earlier this week I saw an email from a contracting firm that, currently, only carries about 22 federal employees, err, I mean, contractors. That’s chump change in the federal contracting world.

For an employee that would cost the federal government $33,269 in salary, plus benefits, we were handed a figure of over $80,000. Now, I do realize that what an employee gets paid is never what they actually cost. But, I believe, this is a bit excessive. As wasteful as the federal government is, I can’t imagine that it actually costs the contracting firm over $80,000 to employ someone who is only making $33,269 in salary on the federal payroll. So, it would seem, we are lining the pockets of contractors.

One of the benefits of hiring contractors, supposedly, is they are easier to let go if they don’t work out. This is only a benefit because our system, with all of its victim classes and special interest groups, makes it nearly impossible to fire a federal employee. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as it’s supposed to be. Often members of a federally protected class threaten to make a claim or start litigation based on (often non-existent) discrimination.

The threat of a claim is enough to stop any supervisor in their tracks. A claim against a person or office, no matter how unfounded or untrue, will automatically cost the taxpayers more money than it’s worth to fight it. It’s cheaper just to pat them on the back, say job well done, cut them a check, and send them on their way.If Barack Obama sincerely wants to start a “new era of fiscal responsibility,” why doesn’t he start here?

I concur, Mr. President. The “American people’s money should be spent to advance their priorities.” I’m just not sure you know what their priorities are. Based on the “stimulus” bill you and Congress just shoved down our throats, I would say you haven’t a clue. Hacking away at wasteful spending, probably. Putting defense on the chopping block first, not so much.

Mr. Steele, The Line Is Over There

2009-03-04T08:31:00.000-05:00

Begrudgingly, I will accept the label of being a conservative. This isn’t because I begrudge conservatives just that I believe labels are for jars; and, I’m not a jar. I’m a complicated woman. No single label seems to fit.

I will go with conservative because I do not identify with most members of the Republican Party or the Republican Party platform. I am not impressed with the selection of Michael Steele to head the Republican National Committee (RNC). In fact, if anything, I’m insulted. After America elected its first affirmative action president, the Republicans followed suit with their first affirmative action hire to lead their Party.

And, he did nothing to ease the insult this morning when I watched him on The Today Show being interviewed by Matt Lauer. Lauer asked something along the lines of whether or not Steele agreed that it is common sense that as a conservative you should want Barack Obama’s agenda to fail (I note, we have not established that Steele is a conservative so for this question he may have limited expertise).

In my view, there was only one correct response here: It is common sense that as an American you should want Barack Obama’s agenda to fail! But, Steele would rather kowtow to the left while trying his hardest not to trample the right. Apparently, trample us is exactly what those elephants plan to do.

Steele went on to pontificate about the cost of the bill, where the money is being spent, and how the bill was written. And, this right here is a perfect example of why I am insulted by him and am insulted to be labeled a Republican by people in the media and on the left because they can’t comprehend the difference between a Republican and a conservative. One does not equal the other.

It’s not about the cost of the bill, Mr. Steele. It’s that the bill costs anything at all. It’s not about where the money should be spent. It’s that the money shouldn’t be spent at all. It’s not about how the bill was written. It’s that this bill—like the last “stimulus” bill—should have never been written at all! And, it is common sense for ALL Americans to be against this bill, and Obama’s agenda, because his agenda is against all of us.

Conservatives are against this bill, against his agenda, and know that he is going to fail. These policies have been tried and tested. They have failed every time. There are no exceptions. If Michael Steele really wanted to lead his party to victory, he would lead himself to the unemployment line and let Rush Limbaugh take his place.

There Were Two Things I Liked About Obama

2009-03-03T20:37:00.000-05:00

There were two things I liked about Barack Obama: he’s a Marlboro Man, and he said DC was full of wimps when it comes to snow. I’m going to have to take that second one back.

DC is not full of wimps when it comes to snow. It is full of federal government employees. Typically, they lack work ethic, which is how they ended up in the federal government in the first place, because they couldn’t compete in the private sector, and look for any opportunity to milk the system in every way they can.

Yesterday morning I woke up to find out that the branch I work for was on a two hour delay, or unscheduled/liberal leave policy. What this means is that it is up to the employee to decide whether or not they should come in to work, and leaves the supervisor unable to deny their request for leave. Now, a good employee does their best to make it in, at the very least, on a two hour delay. The government employee doesn’t make it in at all. Why would they if they know that a) they can get away with it; b) everyone else is doing it so; and, c) they can't be judged?

Your typical government employee wants to get paid as much as possible without doing anything. Most are looking for an opportunity to get paid to do nothing. There’s a sense of entitlement that permeates every government building. And, this is why I’m taking that second one back.

Obama mischaracterizes the situation when he calls them wimps. It suggests that they’re not strong enough to come in, or that they’re too scared, as if they just need to toughen up. They don’t need to toughen up; they need to grow up. They need to act like responsible adults, not like spoiled brats. They are despicable, lazy, federal government employees who are just coasting until they can retire. And, with his “stimulus” plan, there will be plenty more where that came from and they will be planted in every state.

How prepared can we possibly be for any catastrophe when our nation’s capital comes to a grinding halt for a half a foot of snow? How vital can these government employees be when they can all simultaneously take an unexpected day off with no effect? What does it say about a city that can stop at the drop of a snow flake?

Yesterday’s “snow” day was like the Day Without (Illegal) Immigrants protest a couple of years ago. The only lesson I learned from both is how much easier my life would be without federal employees and illegal immigrants.I grew up in Connecticut. What I’m sure most of DC will refer to as a snow “storm” would have been considered a dusting. We should be required to come to work. That’s a mentality I can get behind. And, our president has the capability of changing the current mentality.

If he feels it is ridiculous for his children’s (private) school to be closed, shouldn’t the people whose jobs are supposedly vital to running our nation be seen as ridiculous for getting the day off? He can change this, but he won’t. Why would he? The majority of federal government employees are Democrats; they’re an interest group. Tell them you’re taking a holiday away and you might lose some votes!

On the shuttle into work this morning, the two people sitting in front of me were talking. The guy mentioned something about work the day before. The woman, in complete shock turned to him with her expression of dismay, and said, "You came to work, yesterday!" That about sums it up. When it comes to federal employees, coming to work on a liberal leave day is a revolutionary idea. Why would you do a thing like that? Didn't you hear, you're entitled to that day off! There was five inches of snow out there!

The truth is, the majority of federal government employees aren’t necessary. A snow day in DC proves that. The good news for Obama is, in my eyes, he still has one thing going for him. And, he better not quit. With the new SCHIP bill he signed into law, it is now the responsibility of every smoker to keep smoking or else some middle-class child might not get health care. So, light up Mr. Marlboro Man! That cigarette just may save a child's life.

*Full disclosure requires that I confess to you that I am a federal government employee. Judge me as you see fit; I can take it. There are days I want to punch myself in the face for working there. But, during my tenure there, I have never taken advantage of the “liberal” leave policy.