Now Democrat Governor may Reject Stimulus aid like Republicans.

Tennessee may reject stimulus aid for jobless | www.tennessean.com | The Tennessean

Tennessee could reject a portion of the $787 billion economic stimulus package out of concerns that it would force the state to raise taxes on businesses in the future.

At the National Governors Association meetings in Washington, D.C., Gov. Phil Bredesen said this week that he might turn down relief for unemployed workers worth an estimated $143 million because of conditions placed on the money by Congress.

The stimulus package would also raise unemployment benefits by $25 a week for all workers, but in addition, lawmakers want states to expand the pool of people who can apply for benefits. That would put more pressure on an unemployment trust fund that is already trying to stave off insolvency.

Democrat Tennessee governor Phil Bredesen.

Republican governor Bobby Jindal was the first to refuse some of the stimulus package.

Then a couple days later other republican governors joined with Bobby Jindal in refusing some of the stimulus package. These Governors -- Haley Barbour of Mississippi,  Butch Otter of Idaho, Rick Perry of Texas and Mark Sanford of South Carolina -- all have the same objection: The tens of billions of dollars of aid for health care, welfare and education will disappear
in two years and leave states with no way to finance the expanded programs.The problem for these Governors is that they may be forced to spend the federal money whether they want it or not.

Now there is a Democrat governor saying the same thing.The stimulus package would also raise unemployment benefits by $25 a week for all workers, but in addition, lawmakers want states to expand the pool of people who can apply for benefits. That would put more
pressure on an unemployment trust fund that is already trying to stave off insolvency.

The stimulus package allocates $7 billion to states for unemployment trust funds, but to get the money, they must meet two sets of requirements:
One-third of the payout is contingent on states' changing the formulas  used to calculate whether people qualify for unemployment payments. The change is meant to make more people eligible for benefits.
Two-thirds of the payout is contingent on states' taking two actions on a menu of four options. These options are: adding a $15 allowance for dependents, lengthening benefits for people who are training for a new job, extending benefits to people looking for part-time work or letting people claim unemployment if they leave work for some family reasons, such as a sick relative or domestic violence.

To pay for this I think that we should just tax people who are in their 20's and 30's. Thay have at least 30 to 40 years to work and pay taxes, so they can help pay this bill. Plus I am going to retire in about 10 years, so I need them to help pay for my social security and medical care. Buddy can you spare a dime.

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Democrat's Culture of Corruption over shadows Republicans, Wag This Dog

The Associated Press: Analysis: Democrats self-destructing over ethics

The Obama administration and the new Congress are quickly handing over to Republicans the same "culture of corruption" issue that Democrats used so effectively against the GOP before coming to power.
Freshman Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., is only the latest embarrassment.
Senate Democrats accepted Burris because they believed what he told them: He was clean. Burris now admits he tried to raise money for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who authorities say sought to sell President Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

Culture of Corruption

The pattern that has developed so quickly over the past few months is the political mess for the Democratic Party. Now the Democrats are trapped in their own ethics system. In 2006, Republicans lost control of the House after Democrats effectively used a "culture of corruption" theme against them. The Democrats waited shortly before the election and broke the Rep. Mark Foley story. They knew it would help them with their "culture of corruption" issue and help them win the house.

Now the Democrats are doing it to themselves with the help of the Republicans.

Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, who has been under intense scrutiny in the aftermath of reports about financial arrangements involving
rental properties in New York and a beachfront villa in the Dominican Republic.

Rep. John P. Murtha, chairman of the powerful defense panel on the House Appropriations Committee, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, has helped steer more than $100 million in contracts to Kuchera, a government contractor founded in 1985 by Bill Kuchera .FBI agents have scrutinized other contractors linked to the 76-year-old Democrat. Murtha was caught on tape during the ABSCAM scandal back in the 1980s  discussing a bribe from an FBI undercover agent, but he was never charged with a crime.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Democratic governor and his chief of staff John Harris, who also was arrested, to "sell the U.S. Senate seat" once held by President-elect Barack Obama for a high-paying job, promises of campaign funds, a Cabinet post or ambassadorship or corporate-board seats for Blagojevich's wife, Patricia.

Democrat Tom Daschle, who was to head the Health and Human Services Department, had income that he didn’t report in a timely fashion.

Democrat Nancy Killefer, who was Mr. Obama’s nominee for chief White House performance officer, had a nanny tax problem.

Democrat Timothy Geithner made public his tax obligations, which resulted in his recent payment of $42,702 in additional taxes and interest for tax years 2001 to 2004. In addition, the committee's report on the matter says that in 2005 Geithner employed a housekeeper for about three and a half months after her ability to work in the U.S. had lapsed.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Democrat, abandoned his nomination to become commerce secretary under pressure of a grand jury investigation into a state contract awarded to his political donors _ an investigation that threatened to embarrass President-elect Barack Obama.

Democrat William Lynn as Deputy Secretary of Defense has placed Barack Obama under the burn of political heat just days into the presidency.
Having lobbied the government on behalf of the defense industry giant Raytheon, Lynn's appointment violates the newly-instituted ethics guidelines that the president applied to his staff shortly after taking office. Questioned about the transgression, the White House said Lynn was being granted a waiver.

Democrat Sen. Roland Burris revealed he was asked by Mr. Blagojevich's brother to raise campaign money for the governor. In testimony before the committee in January, when asked about conversations with associates of the governor, Mr. Burris had acknowledged only one conversation with a former chief of staff for Mr. Blagojevich in which Mr. Burris expressed interest in the open Senate seat.

In 2006, Republicans lost control of the House after Democrats effectively used a "culture of corruption" theme against them, there October surprise. Looks like it's coming back to bite them on the ass.
More post from Wag This Dog.
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Technorati Tags: Corruption, Democrats, Politics

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Blago Announces Roland Burris for IL Seat

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama Flip Flop on Chinese Human Rights.

Clinton: Chinese human rights can't interfere with other crises - CNN.com

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton broached the issue of human rights with Chinese leaders on Saturday, but emphasized that the global financial slump and other international crises were more pressing and immediate priorities.

"Successive administrations and Chinese governments have been poised back and forth on these issues, and we have to continue to press them. But our pressing on those issues can't interfere with the global economic crisis, the global climate change crisis, and the security crisis," she told reporters in Seoul, South Korea.

U.S. Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton.

Here are the words of U.S. Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton in April of 2008 less than one year ago. "These events underscore why I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government."

Here are the words of Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House. "The president of the United States, if he is going to give credibility to the Chinese government, he should also take the time to say to them we are very concerned, not only about human rights, which are a very important value to us, but we are also concerned about our trade situation,"

Here are the words of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "I've been invited to the opening of the Olympics and I'm not going," said Reid. "I think the Chinese need to know that what they are doing in Tibet, as an example, is wrong."Asked by Press whether Reid thought the president should follow his lead, the majority leader replied: "Well, he doesn't on anything else. So maybe I should say I'm going and maybe he wouldn't go. But I'm not going."

And finally from our new President. Here is Obama's full statement:

"If the Chinese do not take steps to help stop the genocide in Darfur
and to respect the dignity, security, and human rights of the Tibetan
people, then the President should boycott the opening ceremonies. As I
have communicated in public and to the President, it is past time for
China to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people, to allow
foreign journalists and diplomats access to the region, and to engage
the Dalai Lama in meaningful talks about the future of Tibet. I am also
deeply concerned about China's failure to support efforts to halt the
genocide in Darfur. Regarding the Beijing Olympics this summer, a
boycott of the opening ceremonies should be firmly on the table, but
this decision should be made closer to the Games."

The Democrats wanted the Bush administration to stand tough against the Chinese government and boycott the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games. Because of the Chinese human rights of the Tibetan people and the people in China. Why did the Democrats flip flop on this important issue?

Hillary Clinton and the Obama administration has said, "We have to continue to press them but our pressing on those issues can't interfere with the global economic crisis, the global climate change crisis and the security crises," she added. "We have to have a dialogue that leads to an understanding and cooperation on each of those."

Because.....China, the world's top holder of U.S. debt, wants to ensure liquidity and security in its dealings with U.S. treasury bonds. China-U.S. trade volume rose by 10.5 percent in 2008 to 333.7 billion U.S. dollars, Xinhua reported.

Last year the Democrats wanted the Bush administration to get tough with China. Now, today, the Obama administration is going to bow down and kiss the ass of the Chinese. Last October, the Bush administration notified Congress of its plan to sell $6.5 billion in arms to Taiwan -- a move that caused China to suspend military talks with the U.S. Clinton announced Saturday, more Mid-level military discussions will resume this month. President Barack Obama doesn't want to upset the Chinese.

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Technorati Tags: Hillary Clinton, China, Trade

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Hillary: We Can't Press China on Human Rights Issues For Sake Of Economy, Climate & Security

President Obama pledges co-operation with Canada for Oil

BBC NEWS | Americas | Obama pledges Canada co-operation

In Canada's capital, Ottawa, he, Obama, said global challenges, including security, required a global response.
He did not press PM Stephen Harper on the planned pull-out of Canadian troops from Afghanistan in 2011, he said.
Mr Obama also assured his country's biggest trade partner that he would not pursue protectionist policies.

This is what was being said in February 2008 by the news media. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama wants to make something clear: When it comes to hating NAFTA — the North American Free Trade Agreement — he's way out in front of his rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The North American Free Trade Agreement was signed in 1994. NAFTA eliminated most tariffs — or import taxes — on goods moving from one of the three countries to another. So President Barack Obama wanted to tax Canada and Mexico. The reason he hated NAFTA is because Canada was not paying or giving the United States Government any money for private factory goods. That was 2008.

What is being said in February 2009. President Obama warned on Thursday against a "strong impulse" toward protectionism while the world suffers a global economic recession and said his election-year promise to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement on behalf of unions and environmentalists will have to wait. Mr Obama stressed that nothing should disrupt the free flow of trade between neighbors.

At one time Obama even suggested that the United States might opt out of NAFTA if
the standards could not be improved to the nation's satisfaction. What changed his mind? I think I know.

The problem for Obama is that Canada is the largest single supplier of energy to the United States. Canadian oil production last year was 2.75 million barrels a day. Can you imagine what would happen to our economy, if Canada or Mexico puts a tariff or tax on their oil? And Barack Obama knows this, because about half of the oil coming from Canada is sands oil, "dirty oil."

Here is another blow to Greenpeace activists. Obama declined to characterize crude from the sands as "dirty oil" which should somehow be curtailed.

He acknowledged the sands create "a big carbon footprint" and said the United States and Canada should collaborate on ways to capture carbon and then store it to prevent greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere. I think Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, pulled President Barack Obama aside and said, "Hay Barry, Thinking about reopen negotiations on NAFTA? Think again. We hold the oil cards."


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Technorati Tags: Canada, Barack Obama, Oil

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Barack Obama NAFTA Scandal: A Smear Says Canada PM 3/3

Hundreds Protest President Obama's Arrival in Arizona

More than 500 protest Obama's arrival | Mesa Arizona News - Mesa News - Mesa AZ news | eastvalleytribune.com

Presidential protesters made their voices heard in chants and signs Wednesday outside Dobson High School.
Here protesters, about 500 to 600 strong and growing, began arriving as ticket holders walked in.
Mesa police set up a protest area along Guadalupe Road.
They held their signs up high: "Don't tread on me," "Spend all you want, I'll pick up the tab," "I'll keep my freedom! You keep the change!" "Free fertility drugs now." And "B.O. smells and so does Socialism."

Protesters hold up signs as President Obama Arrive.

When protesters repeatedly interrupted President Bush's Fourth of July speech at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's residence in Charlottesville, Virginia, every national news media outlet reported it. But in none of their reports do they tell you how many people protested President Bush. Why, because it was about 25 people. These 25 people made national news.

When George W. Bush swore the presidential oath for a second term there were small demonstrations at scattered locations, including one several miles from the Capitol where anti-war protesters carried coffin-like cardboard boxes to signify the death of U.S. troops in Iraq. A small group of protesters close to the inaugural stands tried to interrupt Bush's speech, but he ignored their chants. There were protesters along the parade route, too, again ignored by Bush. Here again small groups making national news.

What about all the protesters near George Bush's ranch? A dozen war protesters were arrested for setting up camp near President Bush’s ranch in defiance of new local bans on roadside camping and parking. A dozen or so other demonstrators left the public right of way after deputies warned them they would be arrested. Again a small group of about 25 protesters making national news.

Now what about the 500 to 600 protester that showed up to protest President Obama. Did they make all the national news? NO, in fact the nation news played it down. Reporting; Across the road from the school, about 150 protesters shouted chants and waved signs protesting Obama's economic stimulus plan. But most of the signs protested Sheriff Joe Arpaio's crackdown on illegal immigration. Just covered it up.

The national news media was more than willing to report the small groups that protested President Bush. They ignored the 500 to 600 that protest President Obama. You can close your eyes to the protesters today but as the wave of discontent grows, so will the crowds and you will not be able to ignore them.

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Technorati Tags: Barack Obama, Protesters

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Protest to Obama Mortgaging US for stimulus Denver Colorado

Barack Obama Screws Smokers Signs Children's Insurance Law.

VOA News - Obama Signs Children's Insurance Law


U.S. President Barack Obama has signed into law a children's health insurance bill that will extend government benefits to four million more needy children over the next five years.

The program expansion is expected to cost some $33 billion.

The law substantially raises the federal tax on tobacco products to pay for the expansion of the program. The tax on cigarettes will more than double, to $1 a pack.

SMOKERS have feelings too ...

How much does your family have to make to qualify for this insurance? It's $66,150 for a family of four, to be paid at Medicaid levels rather than the higher SCHIP level. But the bill allowed an exception for New Jersey and New York. Lawmakers said a family of four in New York could potentially qualify for SCHIP even if the family's income came to about $88,000.

Who would administer this program? The legislation would authorise and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program, that is if the state can find the money to put up its matching share of the federal money. The federal government puts up 70 percent of the funding for State Children's Health Insurance Program and the state provides 30 percent.

How will the states come up with the money, the extra 30 percent? Now 29 states are facing budget deficits. That may be business as usual in Washington, but most states are obliged by their laws to maintain a balanced budget. Wait a while, didn't the Democrats in Washington pledge to balance the budget? "Pay-as-You-Go" When Democrats took control of Congress, they declared that any expansion of government programs would be paid for by tax increases or spending cuts

So to pay for the Federal government's 70 percent, they will tax the poor smoker. Now the states need a way to come up with their 30 percent. Raise taxes or cut spending? I have a great idea and it's simple. To get more money, just get more people smoking. The Federal and State governments just need to advertise.

Here are some ideas.
The more you smoke, a poor child is helped.
Every puff you take, helps a sick child.
Poor children are counting on you to smoke.
Every smoke circle, is a circle of love.
The reason you smoke is to help a poor sick child.

Do you have any more ideas? Leave a comment.

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Technorati Tags: Health Care, Smokers

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Chesterfield cigarettes preferred by professional smokers!?