MEDICARE THE SURPRISING BURDEN
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Romney Says Obama "Ineffective"
Romney may be among the last in the country to discover that Obama is an ineffective president.
Oh well, better late than never, huh?
Yahoo News
WASHINGTON – Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is calling Barack Obama "one of the most ineffective presidents" he's ever seen, and says he can beat him next year.
Romney tells NBC in an interview that while Obama wasn't responsible for the recession he inherited, "he made things worse. He's failed."
Oh well, better late than never, huh?
Yahoo News
WASHINGTON – Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is calling Barack Obama "one of the most ineffective presidents" he's ever seen, and says he can beat him next year.
Romney tells NBC in an interview that while Obama wasn't responsible for the recession he inherited, "he made things worse. He's failed."
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Reader Jack Weighs in on Medicare
In the interest of being fair, a commenter called Jack has been giving some thought to the Medicare issue. He wrote: “The entire premise begins by assuming that Ryan’s plan for Medicare is the only idea in town. It surely isn’t. And it isn’t
Friday, May 27, 2011
Blowing Rock Cuts It's Budget
The proposed budget introduced at last nights Town Council Meeting cuts $85,000.00 from last years approved budget.
Town Of Blowing Rock
Contrast this with the Watauga County PROPOSED budget which includes a $6 MILLION INCREASE.
Neither budget is final
More on NY 26
Most of the sharp Republicans say we should fight back hard. Rove in the WSJ says start with Ryan’s opening statement “makes no changes for those in or near retirement, and offers future generations a strengthened Medicare program they can count on, with guaranteed coverage of options, less help for the wealthy, and more help for the poor and the sick.”
Rove says “Republicans must go on the offense. Democratic nonchalance towards Medicare’s bankruptcy in 2024 and the crushing debt it will leave for our children gives the GOP the chance to depict Democrats as tone deaf, irresponsible and reckless. The country can’t afford Democratic leaders who simply order the orchestra to play louder as the Titanic tilts and begins to slide under.”
Extra Territorial Jurisdiction - Regulation Without Representation?
There are a couple of bills currently in committee that would restrict and/or modify a municipalities use of Extra Territorial Jurisdiction to regulate land use outside of their municipal limits.
House Bill 281 would allow citizens living within the ETJ of a municipality to vote in the municipal elections and to run for municipal office. The bill is pending in the Committee On Government.
House Bill 281 would allow citizens living within the ETJ of a municipality to vote in the municipal elections and to run for municipal office. The bill is pending in the Committee On Government.
Some Questions Raised By Inquiring Minds....
I am moving this post to a thread of it's own....posted originally by Inquiring Minds on the "Organizations Ask County For More" thread....
- inquiring mind said...
- Questions and Answers - Watauga County’s Finance Director:
- Q1: Is the Capital Reserve Fund an unreserved or a reserved fund?
- A1: The fund name is Capital Reserve Fund; the balances remaining at year end are board designated funds held in an unreserved fund balance under the old accounting method.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
FINALLY! Supreme Gets it Right on Immigration!
SUPREME COURT HELPS SOLVE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM
Now we have a rational and humane way of solving our immigration problem.
Now we have a rational and humane way of solving our immigration problem.
Senate Fails To Pass Budget Proposals of Ryan OR Obama.
The 'Ryan Budget Plan" was defeated in the Senate yesterday by a vote of 57 to 40. No Democrats voted for the plan.
The OBAMA budget was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 97 to 0. No Democrats, Republicans, Socialists or Independents voted for the plan.
The OBAMA budget was defeated in the Senate by a vote of 97 to 0. No Democrats, Republicans, Socialists or Independents voted for the plan.
A Lib Outs Himself
Around 2:30 p.m. yesterday, someone under the name of Liberal POV posted links to two youtube films promoting the virtues of Socialism. If it was Liberal POV, then he has finally outed himself as a pure Socialist. He also revealed
The Gop loss in New York Was About New York, Not Paul Ryan
You won’t read this in the left controlled media.
the-gop-loss-in-new-york-was-about-new-york-not-paul-ryan/
“Certainly the Democrats made Paul Ryan’s medicare plan an issue, and certainly it was not hugely popular. But to say that is why Corwin was defeated is spin devoid of fact. Ultimately, for those who think this was a rejection of the GOP’s medicare reform efforts, they’ll have to explain who the GOP candidate and the Tea Party candidate combined got more votes than the Democrat.”
the-gop-loss-in-new-york-was-about-new-york-not-paul-ryan/
“Certainly the Democrats made Paul Ryan’s medicare plan an issue, and certainly it was not hugely popular. But to say that is why Corwin was defeated is spin devoid of fact. Ultimately, for those who think this was a rejection of the GOP’s medicare reform efforts, they’ll have to explain who the GOP candidate and the Tea Party candidate combined got more votes than the Democrat.”
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
John Edwards To Be Indicted?
From The Daily Caller
1.) John Edwards gets early Father’s Day present — Remember when some people thought John Edwards would make a good president? Remember when he knocked up his mistress on the campaign trail, and then spent a fortune moving her and the baby all over the place to hide them from the press (which was pointless, because the media did everything possible to look the other way so as not to spoil the Democrats’ electoral chances in ‘08)? Yeah, it turns out that was kind of a bad idea: “The United States Department of Justice has green-lighted the prosecution of former presidential candidate John Edwards for alleged violations of campaign laws while he tried to cover up an extra-marital affair, ABC News has learned
1.) John Edwards gets early Father’s Day present — Remember when some people thought John Edwards would make a good president? Remember when he knocked up his mistress on the campaign trail, and then spent a fortune moving her and the baby all over the place to hide them from the press (which was pointless, because the media did everything possible to look the other way so as not to spoil the Democrats’ electoral chances in ‘08)? Yeah, it turns out that was kind of a bad idea: “The United States Department of Justice has green-lighted the prosecution of former presidential candidate John Edwards for alleged violations of campaign laws while he tried to cover up an extra-marital affair, ABC News has learned
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Back in the News--Israel/Palestine
Now, the Israeli/Palestinian problem will be back in the headlines. Because we have new readers, I decided to rerun a post from two years ago because of its relevance. This is a synopsis of the book “From Time Immemorial” by Joan Peters. From the dust jacket: “Joan Peters strikes a heavy blow against the broad consensus about ‘the Palestinians’ and the assumption that Palestinian rights are at the heart of the Arab Israeli conflict . . . From Time Immemorial supplies abundant justification for reversing the moral and legal presumptions that have cast Israel in the role of defendant before the court of world opinion.” And from the Washington Post, “A remarkable document in itself. . . . The refugees are not the problem but the excuse.”(my emphasis)
Starting out to write a book supporting the Palestinian cause, her exhaustive research caused her to turn 180 degrees. What Peters uncovered was
Starting out to write a book supporting the Palestinian cause, her exhaustive research caused her to turn 180 degrees. What Peters uncovered was
Education Budget...
From News and Observer
N.C. Senate Republicans today put the finishing touches on a budget that cuts education spending by less than the recently passed House budget, a Union County senator said this afternoon.
Though the budget won’t be officially released until Tuesday, Sen. Tommy Tucker told Charlotte Observer reporter Jim Morrill that the Senate plan cuts money for K-12 education by 8.4 percent, less than the House’s 8.8 percent.
It cuts 12.5 percent from the university system compared to 15.5 percent in the House spending plan
N.C. Senate Republicans today put the finishing touches on a budget that cuts education spending by less than the recently passed House budget, a Union County senator said this afternoon.
Though the budget won’t be officially released until Tuesday, Sen. Tommy Tucker told Charlotte Observer reporter Jim Morrill that the Senate plan cuts money for K-12 education by 8.4 percent, less than the House’s 8.8 percent.
It cuts 12.5 percent from the university system compared to 15.5 percent in the House spending plan
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Opposition to Teachers Unions is widespread and appears to be growing
Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsyvania, ....backlash against public unions and, in particular, teachers unions, appears to be growing.
The Tennessee House recently passed limitations on the bargaining rights of Tn teachers...
"
The Tennessee House recently passed limitations on the bargaining rights of Tn teachers...
"
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Obama Anti-Israel
OBAMA STICKS FOOT IN IT
Genesis 12:2-3. God is speaking to Abraham. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
This president is getting us into deep doodoo.
Genesis 12:2-3. God is speaking to Abraham. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
This president is getting us into deep doodoo.
Organizations ask county for more budget support
Good article in Wednesday Democrat by Kellen Moore....
I don't envy the job of the County Commissioners! No matter what or where they cut, they will get criticism.
If they DON'T cut, they will get even more!
I don't envy the job of the County Commissioners! No matter what or where they cut, they will get criticism.
If they DON'T cut, they will get even more!
Monday, May 16, 2011
YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!
RALEIGH, NC - Today, North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes made the following statement regarding Governor Perdue's recent hire of Stephen Neuman. According to the News and Observer, Mr. Neuman is a "major Obama campaign figure" and will "serve as her $120,000-per year senior advisor."
"We congratulate Governor Perdue on creating another government job - hiring an out of state political operative for $120,000 per year to help her get re-elected in 2012. Rather than working with Republicans in the General Assembly to balance the budget without raising taxes and creating a business climate where the private sector can grow and create jobs, Governor Perdue again proves she is only concerned with one job, her own."
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Huckabee Out
WATAUGA CONSERVATIVE
Cynics will charge that Huckabee did not want to give up the money. But as Titus 1:15 observes: “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.” Last night Huckabee said that his decision was made when he heard from God. This morning when discussing whether he meant he hears the audible voice of God, he replied, “No, God’s voice is much louder than that.”
The great Spanish mystic Theresa of Avila, teaches us how we know it is God speaking. “The first and truest sign is the power and authority they hear.” The second sign is “the great quietude left in the soul.” “The third sign is that the words do not fade from the memory for a very long time; some stay forever.” (The Interior Castle p. 175 Chapter on the Sixth Dwelling)
Cynics will charge that Huckabee did not want to give up the money. But as Titus 1:15 observes: “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.” Last night Huckabee said that his decision was made when he heard from God. This morning when discussing whether he meant he hears the audible voice of God, he replied, “No, God’s voice is much louder than that.”
The great Spanish mystic Theresa of Avila, teaches us how we know it is God speaking. “The first and truest sign is the power and authority they hear.” The second sign is “the great quietude left in the soul.” “The third sign is that the words do not fade from the memory for a very long time; some stay forever.” (The Interior Castle p. 175 Chapter on the Sixth Dwelling)
Saturday, May 14, 2011
WHY DID THE WHITE HOUSE OUT THE SEALS?
GATES SOUNDS BETRAYED
I published this earlier. I was shocked when there were no comments. I also was shocked that one of the grovernment controlled media originally ran the story. Now I am baffled why everyone is not running with this story.
Listen carefully. They had an agreement in the situation room to not let out much of the details. Yet in a few hours, this campaigning president gave out "a tidal wave of information!" There was absolutely no justification for outing the Seals, for instance. Others are asking why was so much insight in to covert actions being revealed. This on- the- job- training of the boy king who seems only competent at one thing, i.e. campaigning, is wearing very thin.
I published this earlier. I was shocked when there were no comments. I also was shocked that one of the grovernment controlled media originally ran the story. Now I am baffled why everyone is not running with this story.
Listen carefully. They had an agreement in the situation room to not let out much of the details. Yet in a few hours, this campaigning president gave out "a tidal wave of information!" There was absolutely no justification for outing the Seals, for instance. Others are asking why was so much insight in to covert actions being revealed. This on- the- job- training of the boy king who seems only competent at one thing, i.e. campaigning, is wearing very thin.
BOC MEETS TUESDAY 5:00 PM Commissioners Board Room
TENTATIVE AGENDA & MEETING NOTICE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2011
5:00 P.M.
WATAUGA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Following is the agenda for the upcoming BOC meeting.
Hope to see you there!
Medicaire Benefits Running Out
It really is too bad that politicians need to demagogue the issue of medicare funding. Accusations that Republicans are trying to gut medicare serve only to inflame emotions. Probably the majority of voters do not have much real grasp of the situation or of the issues, but let some lefty politician start with the talking points about attempts to 'privatize' medicare, or social security, or anything else that MIGHT allow these programs to continue - and seniors get upset. The theory I suppose is that if they can be threatened by false claims about benefit reductions, then perhaps they will vote democrat and continue plunging this nation further into debt.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Problems With The Site
Our host "blogspot" has been having some difficulties since Wednesday. The blog has been intermittently inaccessible for the past day or two. At one point users were notified that all posts for the past couple of days had been deleted but would be reposted soon.
No conspiracy here folks, just a glitch from Google.
No conspiracy here folks, just a glitch from Google.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Obama VS The Voters
Poster GuyFaulkes makes a good point here:\\
How about a thread on Obama being out of touch with the citizens of this country as evidenced by his rhetoric concerning illegal aliens today and this Rasmussen poll.
RASMUSSEN SANCTUARY CITIES
Without looking, I recall that the poll numbers rate him pretty low on his handling of the economy. His positions on immigration are not supported by most Americans, and he certainly is alienating more voters every month with the actions of his Justice Department ...and, as poster Nobody points out, his Department of Labor....
Nobody said..
How about a thread on Obama being out of touch with the citizens of this country as evidenced by his rhetoric concerning illegal aliens today and this Rasmussen poll.
RASMUSSEN SANCTUARY CITIES
Without looking, I recall that the poll numbers rate him pretty low on his handling of the economy. His positions on immigration are not supported by most Americans, and he certainly is alienating more voters every month with the actions of his Justice Department ...and, as poster Nobody points out, his Department of Labor....
Nobody said..Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Constructing The Dream Candidate
While it's early and we still have the luxury to pontificate meaninglessly, let's try something new. A game of sorts. If you could put together the qualities of several people into one dream candidate, who would you choose? Here are the rules:
Pick any person whose traits you like most for the following categories:
Foreign Policy -
Fiscal Policy -
Social Policy -
National Security -
Charisma -
Morals -
I wrote them as I did so you can copy and paste to your comment. The choices do not have to be politicians or even famous. You can pick the same person for more than one issue. Also feel free to add a category of your own. This is open to Liberals as well as Conservatives. I will hold off for now partly because I want to give it some thought but mostly because I don't want to set the tone. That's your job.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Establishing "Establishment"
Commenter Guy Faulkes asked an anonymous commenter an interesting question on another thread: "Anonymous, who do you like? Do you favor an establishment Republican over the Tea Party variety." This got me wondering, what is an establishment Republican or, more importantly, who falls into that category? Is it a bad thing? How is it different from a Tea Party Republican?
Let's start with the recent debate. The easiest and most obvious candidate to peg is Herman Cain who clearly is not an establishment Republican. Rick Santorum served two terms (12 years)in the Senate, I'd consider that established. Tim Pawlenty spent 10 years in the Minnesota House before serving 12 as Governor. He initially had his sights set on the Senate in 2002 but Dick Cheney asked him to step aside and make way for Norm Coleman so he ran for Governor. Establishment. Gary Johnson served two terms as Governor of New Mexico with no prior political experience. Many of his Libertarian views are in conflict with established Republican dogma. Many are not. He's a little harder to peg. Ron Paul served in the Texas House from 1975 to 1985 except for one term (1977-8). He ran for President in 1988. He has been in the US House of Representatives since 1997. It's hard not to consider him an establishment Republican but it's also hard not to label him as a Tea Party Candidate.
Newt Gingrich is about as establishment as they come. He has embraced the Tea Party and they love him.
Sarah Palin is Tea Party all the way but as a Vice-Presiditial candidate for John McCain how can one dismiss her credentials as an establishment Republican?
Mike Huckabee is another establishment Republican that has embraced the Tea Party. You tell me.
Mitt Romney. Establishment with a pedigree.
Michelle Bachmann is a Tea Party candidate working within the establishment.
Donald Trump is anything but an establishment Republican and a Tea Party favorite.
Who did I miss? Some listed have not declared and may not run. Others not listed may. This is admittedly an exercise in semantics but the words are being thrown around so it would be nice to know what they mean. All in all "Tea Party" doesn't necessarily mean good and "establishment" doesn't mean bad or vice versa. Experience counts. So does a fresh start. I like the "Establishment Tea Party Republicans".
Let's start with the recent debate. The easiest and most obvious candidate to peg is Herman Cain who clearly is not an establishment Republican. Rick Santorum served two terms (12 years)in the Senate, I'd consider that established. Tim Pawlenty spent 10 years in the Minnesota House before serving 12 as Governor. He initially had his sights set on the Senate in 2002 but Dick Cheney asked him to step aside and make way for Norm Coleman so he ran for Governor. Establishment. Gary Johnson served two terms as Governor of New Mexico with no prior political experience. Many of his Libertarian views are in conflict with established Republican dogma. Many are not. He's a little harder to peg. Ron Paul served in the Texas House from 1975 to 1985 except for one term (1977-8). He ran for President in 1988. He has been in the US House of Representatives since 1997. It's hard not to consider him an establishment Republican but it's also hard not to label him as a Tea Party Candidate.
Newt Gingrich is about as establishment as they come. He has embraced the Tea Party and they love him.
Sarah Palin is Tea Party all the way but as a Vice-Presiditial candidate for John McCain how can one dismiss her credentials as an establishment Republican?
Mike Huckabee is another establishment Republican that has embraced the Tea Party. You tell me.
Mitt Romney. Establishment with a pedigree.
Michelle Bachmann is a Tea Party candidate working within the establishment.
Donald Trump is anything but an establishment Republican and a Tea Party favorite.
Who did I miss? Some listed have not declared and may not run. Others not listed may. This is admittedly an exercise in semantics but the words are being thrown around so it would be nice to know what they mean. All in all "Tea Party" doesn't necessarily mean good and "establishment" doesn't mean bad or vice versa. Experience counts. So does a fresh start. I like the "Establishment Tea Party Republicans".
Friday, May 6, 2011
Let's Debate The Debate
Five "Lower Tier" Republican hopefuls debated on Fox in South Carolina last night. Who won? Who pleasantly surprised you? Who disappointed you?
For those who missed it, you can watch excerpts here.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
From Our Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
Two budgets with
two visions for America
By Congresswoman Virginia Foxxtwo visions for America
Last month, the House of Representatives passed a landmark budget with $5.8 trillion in spending cuts. It also included a proposal to reform and save Medicare for future generations, while leaving it untouched for current retirees. Critics lambasted the budget for its “draconian” spending cuts and for “destroying” Medicare. These distortions ignore the fact that the federal government is currently borrowing 40 cents of each dollar it spends and that Medicare is broken and, if left unfixed, is headed for bankruptcy in nine short years.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A couple of comments on today's BOC meeting...
May 3 County Commissioners Meeting
Just some random thoughts on today's meeting and a small piece of news (or two)
1. A comment to the professor who remained seated while everyone else in the room stood and pledged allegiance to the flag. I want you to know that I strongly support your right to sit there while others salute the flag. I also support your right to burn the flag, spit on it, or engage in any other act of disrepect to our flag or our country as you want to. I am sure others on this board will agree with me.
Just as I am sure that you and others will respect my right to form my opinions of you based on the actions or lack of actions I observe in you. It is unfortunate that you are in a position to influence young, impressionable minds as you are...and particularly so that you do so at taxpayer expense. But, as I said, I respect your rights.
Just some random thoughts on today's meeting and a small piece of news (or two)
1. A comment to the professor who remained seated while everyone else in the room stood and pledged allegiance to the flag. I want you to know that I strongly support your right to sit there while others salute the flag. I also support your right to burn the flag, spit on it, or engage in any other act of disrepect to our flag or our country as you want to. I am sure others on this board will agree with me.
Just as I am sure that you and others will respect my right to form my opinions of you based on the actions or lack of actions I observe in you. It is unfortunate that you are in a position to influence young, impressionable minds as you are...and particularly so that you do so at taxpayer expense. But, as I said, I respect your rights.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Bin Laden is Dead! Now What?
I'm still awaiting President Obama's speech but Fox News has confirmed Usama Bin Laden is dead. That is awesome!!! It's a big deal and kudos to our military. As significant as it is, what does it mean in the larger picture? Nothing, it's symbolic at best. This is not a partisan remark. I would say the same thing if it happened under Bush. Revenge is nice but this has never been about something as petty and small as revenge. The enemy still exist. There are many many more Bin Ladens. The transformation of the Middle East from a brutal theocratic hell hole remains the only answer. There is still much work to do. I hope Obama realizes that but I have my doubts.
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