Another Reason Lugar Must Go #INSen

Dick Lugar (R-IN) has been a Senator for so long, he's lost touch with the way things work outside the Senate cloakroom.



Lugar called for the House to pass the Senate's bill that extends the current payroll tax rate by two months because it was "best for the country".



Yet as The Right Sphere reports, that will cause huge problems for the businesses who have to implement it.



A little common sense would show why. Businesses that calculate payroll taxes do so with accounting payroll software. It takes time for these non-trivial changes to software and business practices to be implemented. A payroll tax switchover is already cooked in to most accounting packages, so that the planned payroll tax changes will happen automatically when current law would have them change (Jauary 1). Because payroll software needs accuracy, any significant alteration will take weeks to plan and execute, passing the window for the extension.



As Rep Renee Ellmers (R,NC02) said in her press release:

Last week we passed a bill here in the House that extends the payroll tax cut for a full year. But instead of passing the House bill, or another bill which extended the payroll credit for a year, the Democrats in the Senate opted for a meager two month extension…that's the definition of uncertainty!





The Senate refuses to do the job they were elected to do and is being irresponsible. They have not even passed a budget in over 950 days and now are kicking the can down the road again by only extending the payroll tax for a mere two months. A two month payroll tax extension is a disgrace. Americans have enough uncertainty with their jobs and homes. Senator Reid is kicking them while they're down with this proposal.

Senator Lugar has ceased to understand the needs of Indiana, and should yield the floor to a new generation.

Amplify’d from thehill.com

GOP's Lugar: House should pass tax bill for the good of the country By Daniel Strauss - 12/19/11 01:22 PM ET Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) on Monday said House Republicans need to pass the Senate's two-month extension of the payroll tax cut for the good of the country.   "I'm hopeful there are a majority of Republicans and Democrats today who will proceed, because it seems to me this is best for the country, as well as for all the individuals who are affected," Lugar said Monday on MSNBC.   Read more at thehill.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/rK4r6p

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HHS ObamaCare Targets Insurance Companies Again

The Department of Health and Human Services is sprinting like mad to get ObamaCare implemented ahead of the 2013 inauguration of President Obama's successor, trying to cement as much of the law as possible state and federal bureaucracy. Today they promulgate more in their ever-expanding set of regulations about what is and is not insurance. The result will limit consumer choice and force more and more onto Medicaid.



HHS says state governments should pick one of the health plans available in their state as a "benchmark", but by that they mean "baseline": plans offered after the determination is made could only be more generous than the selected plan.



This approach, like the rest of ObamaCare, can only serve to narrow the number of choices consumers have, forcing more and more insurance companies out of the marketplace altogether.



The end result will be more and more people who are forced to choose Medicaid as their health insurance, while many others are unable to afford insurance altogether.

Amplify’d from www.hhs.gov

HHS to give states more flexibility to implement health reform

Under the Department’s intended approach announced today, states would have the flexibility to select an existing health plan to set the “benchmark” for the items and services included in the essential health benefits package.  States would choose one of the following health insurance plans as a benchmark: One of the three largest small group plans in the state; One of the three largest state employee health plans;  One of the three largest federal employee health plan options; The largest HMO plan offered in the state’s commercial market.   The benefits and services included in the health insurance plan selected by the state would be the essential health benefits package.  Plans could modify coverage within a benefit category so long as they do not reduce the value of coverage.  Consistent with the law, states must ensure the essential health benefits package covers items and services in at least ten categories of care, including preventive care, emergency services, maternity care, hospital and physician services, and prescription drugs.  If a state selects a plan that does not cover all ten categories of care, the state will have the option to examine other benchmark insurance plans, including the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan, to determine the type of benefits that will be included in the essential health benefits package.    Read more at www.hhs.gov

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/sQsxuv

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NTSB Power Grab

In a move well outside its charter, the National Transportatation Safety Board on December 13 called for the 50 states to ban the use of texting and other electronic communications in moving vehicles.



http://www.ntsb.gov/news/2011/111213.html



NTSB couches its outrageous power grab in terms few would dispute, that "No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life."



But the bargain the texter faces is not to trade his life for a single call, text, or update, but rather an increased risk that he will be insufficiently attentive to the driving task while engaged with the portable device.



According to the NTSB's press release itself, there are more cell phones in use in the U.S. than there are people. So (taking the NTSB's causality statistics arguendo) if there are 3,100 deaths per year due to cell phone use while driving, then less than 1 in 100,000 cell phones "causes" a traffic death every year.



More precisely, suppose, given the statistics here:



http://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cell-phone/statistics.html



that roughly 20% of drivers are regular texters. That would mean that of the 930 billion vehicle miles driven by Americans every year,



(http://www.calculatedriskblog.com)



about 180 billion miles are driven by regular texters.



Over the course of 180 billion miles, 3,100 deaths yield one death for every 58 million miles.



Yes, talking on the phone is risky, as is texting, updating Facebook, or changing radio stations.



But every time we allow the government to restrict our ability to take risks, we take one more incremental step toward a soft, pillowy totalitarian world in which we exist endlessly and live not at all.

Amplify’d from techliberation.com

NTSB and Electronic Devices: Regulation by Anecdote

But the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendation is a classic example of regulatory overreach based on anecdote.  The NTSB wants to use one tired driver’s indefensible and extreme texting (which led to horrific results) as an excuse to ban all use of portable electronic devices while driving – including hands-free phone conversations.  Before states act on this recommendation, they should carefully examine systematic evidence – not just anecdotes — to determine whether different uses of handheld devices pose different risks. They should also consider whether bans on some uses would expose drivers to risks greater than the risk the ban would prevent. Read more at techliberation.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/rxfUTU

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The Incomparable @SarahPalinUSA

As a writer, I am continually impressed by Sarah Palin's ability to do the writer's job: convey meaning as efficiently as possible. By efficiently, I mean so that the words we use do not get in the way of understanding. The reader neither has to struggle with a definition or sentence construct, nor wonder why she didn't use some polysyllabic parallelism.



Some highbrow types might think that's a left-handed compliment, but it isn't. It's a full on tip of the hat from an aspiring wordsmith to his better.



But the test of a pundit is not just the ability to convey meaning, but the ability to grasp it, divine the important parts, and write about them.



Read the linked essay on the downgrade of the US credit rating, and what's important for us now.

Amplify’d from www.facebook.com

I know none of this will be easy, but, “thick” or not, the average American outside the D.C. politico bubble knows that we no longer have a choice! We will have entitlement reform and a balanced budget; it’s just a matter of how. We can do it ourselves in a calm, methodical, and responsible manner, or we can wait for the world’s capital markets to ram it down on us. Let’s be responsible and do it ourselves. Read more at www.facebook.com

 

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Sen. Rand Paul endorses @TedCruz for #TXSen

I'm not sure this is news, but Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) endorses Ted Cruz for US Senate from Texas:
 

I’ve watched Ted Cruz take a stand against the tax and spend crowd, and I’m convinced that he is the constitutional conservative candidate who can help solve our problems in Washington.

Having met Ted and heard him speak on multiple occasions, I believe him to be driven by his ideals, and not by the desire for personal power. Paul continues:

Ted Cruz is a great candidate for Tea Party conservatives - and for all Republicans concerned about stopping the exploding federal spending.

It's time for constitutional conservatives (especially but not only) in Texas to rally around Cruz to beat the establishment candidate.

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It's not clueless flipflopping, though. (h/t @mkhammer)

Even though the president says stuff he has no reasonable anticipation of being able to back up, he's the reasonable, one according to Associate Depressed,

Amplify’d from hosted.ap.org

White House shifts in unpredictable debt debate

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The roller-coaster debate over raising the nation's debt limit has forced the White House to explain away, brush aside or even ignore declarations by President Barack Obama and aides that no longer served much purpose in the unpredictable negotiations.

The White House shifts have been less a matter of flip-flops and more a case of unforeseen twists forcing the administration to reposition as the Aug. 2 deadline to prevent the U.S. from defaulting on its financial obligations draws closer.

The White House's willingness to change course underscores efforts to cast Obama as a reasonable and flexible compromiser in the face of Republican intransigence. Read more at hosted.ap.org

 

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Uh, @ewerickson? Check your sources.

I know it's hard to pass up the admission against interest aspect of the Democratic Underground calling Eric Holder an international criminal and terrorist supporter.



But considering the other bat-guano crazy material in their post (http://gadaf.fi/anw) you linked to from Redstate (http://gadaf.fi/anx), their reliability as a source takes something of a hit.



I mean, they thought Obama was one of them all along.

Amplify’d from www.democraticunderground.com

Chiquita death squad attorney Eric Holder floated for U.S. Attorney General!

Obama might as well appoint Albert Gonzales as A.G. That's what Holder and Gonzales do for a living--they get big powerful, multi-millionaire white men immunity for mass murder of the poor and the brown. I was willing to give Obama the benefit of the doubt on the appointment of Rahm Emmanuel as WH chief of staff--at least until we see who he wants as DNC chair (if Dean is leaving that position). Emmanuel is the DLC politico who went round dropping cash on pro-war Democrats, to defeat anti-war Democrats and real leftists (majorityists) in the '06 primaries. He is as responsible as Pelosi and Reid for Congress' 10% approval rating (worse than Bush!). This is to be Obama's "gatekeeper"--a powerful DLCer who hates the grass roots and the 70% majority of Americans opposed to the Iraq War, and likely would have done anything in his power to prevent Obama from getting the nomination? Yup! Him. Chief of staff. Read more at www.democraticunderground.com

 

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Iran Captures Bases in Iraq. Will Obama Respond?

The Obama Administration has something of a decision to make. Will it respond to Iranian aggression and enforce Iraq's internationally recognized borders, or will it allow the Iranian thugs to use military force against an American ally with impunity?



Obama for years declared the Iraq war to be A dumb war. A rash war. A war based not on reason but on passion, not on principle but on politics.. Indeed, in many ways that statement got him elected to the office he now occupies.



So, will he capitulate, showing our Iraqi allies that they are alone in their fight to remain free from Iranian domination, or will he respond with decisive military action? In all likelihood he will do the former, protesting diplomatically with words that will be ignored by the mullahs.

Amplify’d from ap.stripes.com

AP Newswire

Report: Iranians seize Kurdish bases in Iraq

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's official news agency says Revolutionary Guard forces have taken control of three bases of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group in neighboring Iraq.

Iran has sporadically bombed PEJAK bases deep inside Iraqi Kurdistan. Read more at ap.stripes.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/pjvds6

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If you are a conservative in Wisconsin, you have a great opportunity Tuesday to nudge the Wisconsin Democratic Party toward more rational, pro-Wisconsin ideas



I know it's crazy, but the Dems actually pushed through an open primary system when they were in power, so that anyone can vote in any party's primary.



The Republicans are running unopposed, so there is no reason for you to vote in the Republican primary.



But on the Democratic side, the following candidates could use your vote:



Senate District Pro-Wisconsin candidate



2 Otto Junkerman



8 Gladys Huber



10 Isaac Weix



14 Rol Church



18 John Buckstaff



32 James Smi http://bit.ly/pknZzm

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HHS Press Release on Insurance Exchanges

HHS and states move to establish Affordable Insurance Exchanges, give Americans the same insurance choices as members of Congress

Proposed rules offer states flexibility, choices, competition and clout for


consumers and small businesses

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a framework to assist states in building Affordable Insurance Exchanges, state-based competitive marketplaces where individuals and small businesses will be able to purchase affordable private health insurance and have the same insurance choices as members of Congress. Starting in 2014, Exchanges will make it easy for individuals and small businesses to compare health plans, get answers to questions, find out if they are eligible for tax credits for private insurance or health programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and enroll in a health plan that meets their needs.

“Exchanges offer Americans competition, choice, and clout,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Insurance companies will compete for business on a transparent, level playing field, driving down costs; and Exchanges will give individuals and small businesses the same purchasing power as big businesses and a choice of plans to fit their needs.”

Today’s announcement is designed to help support and guide states in their efforts to implement Exchanges. HHS proposed new rules offering states guidance and options on how to structure their Exchanges in two key areas:

• Setting standards for establishing Exchanges, setting up a Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), performing the basic functions of an Exchange, and certifying health plans for participation in the Exchange, and;



• Ensuring premium stability for plans and enrollees in the Exchange, especially in the early years as new people come in to Exchanges to shop for health insurance.

These proposed rules set minimum standards for Exchanges, give states the flexibility they need to design Exchanges that best fit their unique insurance markets, and are consistent with steps states have already taken to move forward with Exchanges.

Forty-nine states, the District of Columbia and four territories accepted grants to help plan and operate Exchanges. In addition, over half of all states are taking additional action beyond receiving a planning grant such as passing legislation or taking Administrative action to begin building exchanges. States will continue to implement exchanges on different schedules through 2014.

“States are leading the way in implementing health reform, and today’s announcement builds on that momentum by giving states flexibility to design the Exchange that works for them,” said Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight Director Steve Larsen. “This regulation allows us to meet states where they are.”

Today’s proposals build on over a year’s worth of work with states, small businesses, consumers and health insurance plans and offer states substantial flexibility. For example, it allows states to decide whether their Exchanges should be local, regional, or operated by a non-profit organization, how to select plans to participate, and whether to partner with HHS to split up the work.

In drafting these proposals, the administration examined models of Exchanges, held numerous meetings with stakeholders and consulted closely with state leaders, consumer advocates, employers and insurers. To continue that conversation, HHS is accepting public comment on the proposed rules over the next 75 days to learn from states, consumers, and other stakeholders how the rules can be improved and HHS will modify these proposals based on feedback from the American people. To facilitate that public comment process, HHS will convene a series of regional listening sessions and meetings.

To reduce duplication of effort and the administrative burden on the states, HHS also announced that the federal government will partner with states to make Exchange development and operations more efficient. States can choose to develop an Exchange in partnership with the federal government or develop these systems themselves. This provides states more flexibility to focus their resources on designing the right Exchanges for their local insurance markets.

For more information on Exchanges, including fact sheets, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/exchanges.

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/p7FMHK

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#TXSen - Ted Cruz gets key endorsement

Former Texas Solicitor General and US Senate candidate Ted Cruz received the endorsement of Project Madison, a national PAC that supports proven conservative candidates.



In the race for US Senator from Texas, the Republican primary is the whole ball game, as it isn't likely that a Democrat will do well.



In 2010, Project Madison endorsed Pat Toomey and Marco Rubio.

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/jR7Vjx

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Ted Cruz doesn't pander #TXSen #tcot

I can't stand silly politicians, who will spout silliness because they believe it.



I also can't stand politicians who will agree with silliness just to get elected.



Far, far better are politicians who will make a case for their principles -- whatever those principles are. Ted Cruz, candidate on the Republican side for US Senator from Texas, is one who will do that.



Give me a campaigning politician who will make a principled argument, and I'll show you an elected official who will lead.

Amplify’d from www.bigjollypolitics.com

Ted Cruz highlights RNHA meeting

Gotta love retail politics because it separates the wanna be politicians from the ones that are willing to work hard to get elected. I mean, seriously, would you want to speak at three or four meetings a day to groups that average 20 people? That is what it takes to win a primary race in Texas and U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz appears to understand this because his schedule is full of these types of meetings. Last night’s meeting of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly-Harris County was a perfect example of retail politics.

Then it was time for the featured speaker of the evening, Ted Cruz. Some people think that speaking in front of large crowds is hard but the truth is that it is much, much harder to address a very small group like the one assembled last night. Counting Mr. Cruz and his assistant, there were 16 people in the room. Mr. Cruz did an excellent job of outlining his campaign, from the “why I’m running” all the way to the “what you can do to help me”.

The highlight of the evening for me was when he took questions from the audience. One of the questions was about free trade – the questioner obviously didn’t believe in free trade, claiming that we were sending all of our jobs overseas and would never get them back.  It was refreshing to hear a politician not suck up to a potential voter – instead, Mr. Cruz gave a quick lesson in free market economics that really showed the depth and breadth of his knowledge of economics. When was the last time you heard a politician talk off the cuff, accurately, about public choice theory and the economics of taxation?  Very, very impressive. Read more at www.bigjollypolitics.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/iTfNFc

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A Clean Solution for California Energy

To meet Jerry Brown's demand that a third of electrical power must be generated with renewable sources, California energy companies should:

1. Purchase large fans, such as are used to create wind effects in Hollywood movies.



2. Power the wind machines with coal-fired power plants.



3. Use the fans to drive wind turbines

Granted, some energy is lost in the transfer, but this plan has the advantage that, if enough fans are bought and enough coal is burned, the demand for clean, renewable energy can at least be met.

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/f6YzBe

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The World's Stupidest Post #birthers

So someone at Canada Free Press posted about Trump being so great and the One True Conservative because he's going after Obama on the birth certificate. Never mind that the birth certificate issue was first brought up by Hillary supporters.



In a comment to the linked post, I wrote the following:



Obama's eligibility is not the most important issue.



Yes, the Constitution is at the center of our country's government, and adherence to it is important and fundamental. I swore an oath to defend it "from all enemies, foreign and domestic", and have never considered myself released from that oath. I believe it should be interpreted by the meaning of the words as the founders meant them when they wrote them.



I am as conservative as anyone, perhaps more than anyone.



Further, I am curious about Obama's history, his ties to communists, and where he picked up these unAmerican ideas of his.



But if the President is found ineligible, it does not immediately mean that anything he did in office is illegal. That you would suggest otherwise makes you sound like a crackpot.



Obama's mother was an American. A stinking commie, but an American. Passing though the birth canal of an American woman is not good enough, but a piece of paper is? I would not have the President declared ineligible merely because of a paperwork issue.



There are other Constitutional issues on which to attack Obama, so your contention that this is the most important one is a matter of interpretation.



Finally, Donald Trump has a record of saying whatever he thinks is popular at the time. He called for universal health care in his book in 2000. He called George Bush the worst president in history, and wondered why Nancy Pelosi hadn't done more to impeach him for "lying us into Iraq".



Trump is an idiot, and anyone who buys his crap is a worse idiot.



And by "idiot", I mean not a conservative.

Amplify’d from canadafreepress.com

Flushing Out RINOs, Neo-cons, Faux Conservatives, Controlled Opposition, and the Clueless

Make no mistake, the question of Obama’s eligibility to be POTUS is of vital importance, and seeing as Donald Trump is the ONLY figure of national stature to address the issue, it is incumbent on every constitutional conservative (read that as “patriotic American”) to support Trump, until something better comes down the pike—and I don’t see anyone else coming down the road at the moment. Read more at canadafreepress.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/ePgXvu

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Let's have the Big Budget Fight now.

Why wait?



Shut the government down.



Reauthorize agencies and departments, one at a time, at 2006 or 2008 spending levels for the rest of the year. Reset the baseline for the FY12 budget.



Do that, Mr. Boehner, and I will personally come to your district in Ohio and knock on doors asking for votes for you. And I won't be alone.

Amplify’d from www.businessinsider.com

HOLD EVERYTHING: There's No Budget Deal, And The Government May Still Shut Down

On Friday, The White House and the GOP came to a budget agreement to fund the government for the rest of Fiscal Year 2011, averting a government shutdown. But they didn't actually vote on the deal. They voted on a 1-week continuing resolution so they could wrangle up the details for an official vote this week. And that might not work out. The buzz out of DC is that the number of GOPers who will vote "no" is growing.

Even if this isn't the case, it's pretty ominous for the bigger debates -- the debt ceiling, the 2012 budget -- that are due to begin in just weeks. As we noted this weekend, the whole reason the GOP caved on certain issues, was because they knew the much bigger fights were right around the corner. Read more at www.businessinsider.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/fQeTvT

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The Budget Deal: All Phony

So Speaker Boehner and the Democrats came to an agreement to spend this year essentially what the Democrats proposed.







All of his figures are "less than what the President wanted to spend."



So there are no cuts at all, only a little quibbling over whether Obama is to get all of what he asked for, or more than he expected.

Amplify’d from www.nationalreview.com

So What’s Left?

So the budget deal is supposed to deliver $38 billion in spending cuts, including $20 billion in cuts to domestic discretionary spending. (House Republicans originally passed $61 billion of cuts in that category of spending.) Based on news accounts, quite a lot of that $20 billion could be phony: $6.2 billion in unspent money for the Census; $2.5 billion of highway funds that couldn’t be spent; $3.5 billion of unused spending authority in a children’s health-care program. Is it possible that Republicans have gone from $61 billion in domestic discretionary savings all the way down to $8 billion? Read more at www.nationalreview.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/hVmoPy

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Rasmussen: Obama Approval New Low #tcot

President Obama is managing to irritate his base while simultaneously failing to appeal to opponents.



The new low came among those who Strongly Approve of the President's performance, mostly hard-left progressives.



Obama's inability or aversion to making decisions is not helping his standing with voters.

Amplify’d from www.rasmussenreports.com

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Monday shows that 19% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Thirty-nine percent (39%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -20 (see trends).

Today’s numbers reflect the lowest level of Strong Approval yet recorded for this president. There has been a sharp decline in enthusiasm among liberal voters.

Sixty-one percent (61%) believe that enforcing immigration laws would reduce poverty.

Most voters continue to favor repeal of last year’s new health care law. Read more at www.rasmussenreports.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/e3Wx1M

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Health Care News - @HeartlandInst

Tea Party groups need to keep their legislators and governors from implementing Obamacare. Here is one state that did it.

Amplify’d from www.heartland.org

Georgia Health Exchange Bill Withdrawn After Tea Party Pushback

Responding to a backlash led by Georgia Tea Party activists against implementation of President Obama’s health care law, Republican Governor Nathan Deal decided to reconsider legislation that would have mandated the creation of a Georgia health insurance exchange.

Proponents said the bill would allow them to plan for an exchange while continuing to fight Obamacare in court. Activists claimed the law would have jeopardized those court challenges and undercut their arguments against the policy. Read more at www.heartland.org

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/ffdHJ5

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Vetting Candidates #teaparty #tcot

I have written a first stab at something that has been missing in the public web, as far as I can tell from bingoogling around, and that is an outline on how to systematically vet a candidate for office.



The piece, available at precinctproject.us and concordproject.org, is written primarily from the point of view of a Precinct Committeeman. But it is general enough to serve as both the jumping off point for activists interviewing candidates and as a set of principles the average well-informed voter can use when deciding among candidates for higher office.



At least, that was the intent.

Amplify’d from precinctproject.us

Vetting Candidates

Most of us have done a very limited amount of vetting candidates, though of course we size them up all the time. But there is a difference between choosing among a group of candidates from their media presentation and actually vetting them. Vetting is a systematic process for discovering the strengths and weaknesses of individual candidates before offering them assistance.

The process of vetting is especially important to Precinct Committemen, who are the ultimate grassroots activists. As members of political parties, committeemen (or precinct captains, delegates, or whatever they are called in your state) are the first line of defense in keeping the bad actors out of politics — and in identifying good public servants, as well.

Commitment

Issues

Retail Politics Read more at precinctproject.us

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/dOUhQ4

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Dear Hill: You lie. And bring it on.

The linked article from The Hill has two fundamental problems. The experts they quote don't say that momentum is shifting, only that the Democrats would like the momentum to shift. And they assume that the blaming the Republicans for a government shutdown would be positive for Democrats.



To the second point, since Americans favor a government shutdown over increased spending 2:1. the proper word is not "blame", but "credit".

Amplify’d from thehill.com

Momentum shifts toward Democrats in PR battle over shutdown

Momentum in the partisan messaging battle over who’s to blame if the government shuts down has shifted in recent weeks to favor Democrats, according to political experts. Read more at thehill.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/gXsFqf

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Oh, dear. Andy Martin 2012.

The same Andy Martin who ran against Mark Kirk (R-IL) for the US Senate. By taking out ads explicitly calling Kirk a homosexual, Martin thought to help his own chances. The ads (unsurprisingly) backfired. Martin didn't get double digits, coming in a distant fifth in the Republican primary.



Via the FEC.

Amplify’d from andymartinforpresident.com

Andy Martin, having received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Illinois, is a trusted Midwesterner; with genuine conservative values and a practical, creative approach to solving America's economic problems.  Jobs come first; working families are his priority. He will Stand Up for Main Street and Stand Up to Wall Street. Read more at andymartinforpresident.com

 

See this Amp at http://bit.ly/goP6Yc

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#Dems in lockstep on budget spin

Not trusting even a high-ranking Democrat Senator like Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to get the message right, Democrat staffers have given him the words to mouth as he talks to reporters.



These people are like the Borg. Any original thoughts they may have once had are now subsumed by the collective.

Amplify’d from washingtonexaminer.com

Schumer coordinates Dem budget attack on GOP

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., a member of the Democratic Senate leadership, got on a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning without realizing the reporters were already listening in. Schumer thought he was on a private line with four Democratic senators who were to talk with reporters about the current budget stalemate.

He told the group to make sure they label the GOP spending cuts as "extreme."

"I always use extreme, Schumer said. "That is what the caucus instructed me to use."

"The main thrust is basically that we want to negotiate and we want to come up with a compromise but the Tea Party is pulling Boehner too far over to the right and so far over that there is no more fruitful negotiations," Schumer said on the call. "The only way we can avoid a shutdown is for Boehner to come up with a reasonable compromise and not just listen to what the Tea Party wants. "

The four senators came on the call after Schumer abruptly went silent and followed Schumer's script closely. Read more at washingtonexaminer.com

 

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Effingham #TeaParty April 15

From the Effingham Tea Party Steering Committee

Effingham, Illinois



Hello patriots!



It's that time of the year again, when we hand over to the government part of our paychecks to spend, spend, and spend even more so they can keep putting us into debt, debt, and more debt!  It's also that time of the year again for our Effingham Tea Party rally!!



When: April 15th, 6pm - ?

Where: Old Effingham Courthouse, N Rt. 45, downtown Effingham, IL

Who??  GOOD QUESTION!!



Featured speakers: Adam Andrzejewski, Carlyle Rhodes, and back by popular demand......Dr. Joe Hartmann!



We will also be announcing an exciting opportunity for our children this summer - Vacation Patriot Camp - June 6th - 10th!!



We will have informational tables at the event to keep you informed on the issues that face us, including a candidate school for those of you who wish to throw your hat into the ring of politics!



Also, there will be bus riders coming down on their return from the Springfield rally earlier in the day.  This could become the largest event we have held to this date!



And last, but definitely not least.....ATLAS SHRUGGED: THE MOVIE!!!  You've read the book, now see it on the big screen!  Effingham will be one of a few select cities across the nation who will be showing this movie on April 15th.







There will be show times at 8pm and 10pm on April 15th.  More times may follow, and will be announced at the Tea Party!!  RMC Cinemas at the Village Square Mall will be showing the film, so after the Tea Party, let's all go see ATLAS SHRUGGED!!!!



Spread the word!  Forward this on to everyone you know!  Tell your friends, tell your neighbors!  Our work is not done!  We will be victorious!!!

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Obomba still uncomfortable with victory

If he's uncomfortable with victory, it should not surprise us that he's unwilling to call a war a war.



Equally unsurprising is that he refuses the mantle of leadership required for the legitimate exercise of the power he abuses.

Amplify’d from www.politico.com

Obama ditches Oval for speech

An address from the Oval Office has at least three problems for President Obama. Among other things, it implies the nation is at war -- and if there is one thing the administration is rather emphatic about, it's that we are involved in a limited military action in Libya, not a war.

"The Oval Office calls to mind too many other images," said Stephen Hess, a presidential scholar at the Brookings Institution. "When you are going to war, you do the Oval -- if you claim it's not a war, you don't." Read more at www.politico.com

 

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#Dems demonize Kochs, drunk with Gallo.

Just sayin'.

Amplify’d from www.opensecrets.org

Politics on Tap: Alcohol Producers Pour Out Campaign Cash for Parties

The Democratic Party has received a windfall from major wine producers during recent years, including some notable brands in California.

Among the top five alcohol-related political contributors during the 2010 election cycle, no one donated a greater percentage of cash to Democrats than E. & J. Gallo Winery, the Center finds. Individuals connected to the massive Sonoma County winery, famous for such brands as Gallo and Turning Leaf, uncorked more than $256,700 in the 2010 election cycle, a full 93 percent of which went to Democratic candidates or party committees. Gallo winery employees are also notably the top donor to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) over her career. Read more at www.opensecrets.org

 

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Obama "Searching for clarity" on Libya

Amplify’d from www.chicagotribune.com

Home  > News  > columnists While Obama searches for clarity, we're plunged into another war

President Barack Obama unmasked himself Tuesday. He was in El Salvador, standing with Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes, when reporters asked him about his war in Libya. It is indeed his war. He started it. He gave the order to launch the missiles over the weekend. And now the man who ran for president as an anti-war candidate owns his very own war.

But there has been confusion over which member of his coalition will command the war. Will Obama ask a foreign general to direct American troops? Will President Nicolas Sarkozy of France take the coalition lead?

On Tuesday, Obama was asked about these command issues. It wasn't a trick. It should have been expected. He stood there, and he opened his mouth. "I would expect that over the next several days you will have clarity and a meeting of the minds of all those who are participating in the process," Obama said. Read more at www.chicagotribune.com

 

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Dear FLOTUS: Shut up. Signed, your kids.

It's clear that Michelle Obama has issues.



I mean, selling a national weight-guilt program on the basis that your skinny daughters are fat, when you buy your dresses at Milan's and Paris' most trendy tent and awning shoppes?



So, on behalf of your children and kids everywhere, please shut up.



Thanks.

Amplify’d from www.txtrendychick.com

Who Needs A Therapist?

In that awkward stage in between being a little kid and a teenager, that space of years we’ve come to call “tween”, I can tell you that girls already have taken notice of their body shape and type and started comparing it to the celebrities they see on TV, girls often older than they are.  This comparison influences the way they dress, what they eat, how they carry themselves, and most importantly how they view themselves when they look in the mirror.  In a culture that dictates girls should be stick thin and flawless, dress provocatively and above their age group, and intimacy is expected lest you be considered a “prude”, it is harder for girls today than ever before to be comfortable in their own skin.

Michelle Obama has, on more than one occasion, drawn attention to her daughters’ weight and BMI (body mass index) in an attempt to justify her Food Police agenda.  Rather than coming out and saying, “Gee, I really want to control what people eat and drink because I think it’d be fun”, the First Lady is poking her finger at her own kids and telling parents, “See, I relate to you. Your kids aren’t the only ones with a little paunch – look at my girls!” (The Obama girls are NOT fat or even close to it; in fact, they are beautiful, healthy girls that don’t deserve any of this, in my opinion.) Read more at www.txtrendychick.com

 

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War? There is no war. #israel

Those rockets landing in the South of Israel? That's just teaching people how to be good targets.

Amplify’d from israelsurvivalupdates.wordpress.com

IDF Homefront Command – Colonel Eitan Yitzchak: “We are not in a time of war.” ‘Scuse me ? “We are in an unstable period that requires special preparations on the home front in order to maintain routine life.” Um…… As rocket fire and mortar shells slam into Israel’s southern communities at an increasing pace, the IDF insists Israelis should pretend there is no war. Read more at israelsurvivalupdates.wordpress.com

 

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Judge Orders NJ to Dump $1.6B down hole

Amplify’d from www.redstate.com

SaveJersey: Court Orders State to Spend $1.6 Billion

Today Judge Doyne, the special master appointed by the Supreme Court to consider the impact of the education cuts made to the budget, found against the state, ordering them to pay $1.6 billion to Abbott school districts.

In this astounding display of judicial supremacy, the judge ACKNOWLEDGED that even though we’ve spent more money than any other state on our urban school districts, their performance is still declining.  He said: “Despite spending levels that meet or exceed virtually every state in the country, and that saw a significant increase in spending levels from 2000 to 2008, our ‘at risk’ children are now moving further from proficiency.” So obviously the solution is to spend more money, that makes perfect sense, right? Read more at www.redstate.com

 

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Brown: I kinda like funding abortion.

Hot Air says Scott Brown is just a little ambiguous, Well, sure. He's responding to the Massachusetts general election environment, playing for what he sees as the independent vote, because Scott Brown has never done this before. Yes, he knows the Massachusetts electorate very well, but he is forgetting the energy and vitality that an energized base can bring. In his reelection campaign he will not have national support if he is weak on this issue.



So it's a tradeoff between grabbing at moderate independents and energizing your base. Good luck, Scott.



But Allahpundit makes an interesting prediction: if Speaker Boehner bulls the Planned Parenthood defunding out into its own bill for Harry Reid to quash, I don't think Republican voters will blame Harry. I think they'll blame our wimpy House Crier.

Amplify’d from hotair.com

Scott Brown: I oppose defunding Planned Parenthood

We all understand that primarying him would be a kamikaze mission since at this point he may well be the only Republican in Massachusetts capable of getting elected to the Senate. That knowledge has bought him a wide, wide berth among the base. But I keep thinking — at some point, he’s going to cross a line and they’re going to go full RINO-stomp on him. Not even because they want to. Because they have to.

There’s a lot of deliberate ambiguity here, obviously. He’s open to cutting PP’s budget … just not the whole thing. And he’s open to voting for the House GOP’s budget resolutions even when they completely defund PPP … although he’s not happy about it. In fact, the ambiguity goes back to the aftermath of last year’s special election, when he told Barbara Walters that yes, he’s pro-choice, but “I’m against federal funding of abortions.” If federal money went towards PP’s abortion practice, he’d have to vote no, but since it’s earmarked for contraception and unrelated services (which of course frees up other money at PP to apply towards abortions), well, that’s A-OK. Behold the dilemma of a Massachusetts Republican, forever inching his way along a political tightrope.

He’s the third Senate Republican, along with Collins and Murkowski, to come out against defunding PP. Which leaves Boehner … where? If he attaches the PP rider to the next House budget bill and any of these three end up voting against it for that reason, the Democrats will crow about “bipartisan opposition” to the “renegade” House Republicans or whatever. Boehner’s going to have to yank it, right? Or at least split it off into a separate bill and let the Senate shoot it down, which will preserve the viability of the overarching budget bill while giving the base a new reason to be angry at Harry Reid. Read more at hotair.com

 

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Trutherism Spreading at UN

What people say in public is usually a filtered water version of their real opinion, reserved for release only with the like-minded. I'm the rare exception, since I'm a blogger. We just yap.



But here is the UN High Whatever for Palestine babbling on about how it's not a conspiracy theory just because you can't prove it.

Amplify’d from yidwithlid.blogspot.com

AUDIO PROOF! UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur Richard Falk LIED About Not Being a "Truther"

As I pointed out when he was appointed to his position, as United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Human Rights (the official Israel basher) Falk is a believer of all kinds of conspiracy theories including "trutherism."

FALK: Well, of course very speculative, I think that Griffin’s book is a devastating critique of the Sunstein position. The Sunstein position seems to reflect either an implicit or explicit anxiety in the power elite that is running this country that they have to do everything they can to discredit those that are questioning the official version of what took place on 9/11. That they do this in part by pretending that by calling something a conspiracy theory, you’ve eliminated the need to investigate the factual reality of what took place. The liberal press has gone along with that to a frightening degree because they seem to feel that their reputation depends on not endorsing any kind conspiracy notion or anything that is labeled a conspiracy, unless of course it comes from a progressive source, in which case they jump to establish a conspiracy theory. [The liberal press] are very ready ever since the Cold War, to call any sympathy with progressive causes as the basis for criminal accountability. You see that in the pursuit of some Muslim religious figures, not only here, but in Western Europe and elsewhere. Read more at yidwithlid.blogspot.com

 

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