Tuesday, July 26, 2011

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.


Sphere: Related Content

Monday, July 25, 2011

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
 


Sphere: Related Content

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

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.

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
 


Sphere: Related Content

Monday, July 18, 2011

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
 


Sphere: Related Content

Monday, July 11, 2011

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


Sphere: Related Content

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.





Sphere: Related Content

Blog stats

Add to Technorati Favorites