Federal Reserve Concerns = Obama

I'm drawing the bulk of comments below from the Minutes of the Federal Reserve Meeting November 3-4, 2009. It's too much to post on a blog. I'm also relying on an analysis by Investor's Business Daily.

The unemployment rate varies from region to region. The Federal Reserve expects that it will remain in the 10% range nationwide through 2010 and won't drop much in 2011. Small businesses are not powering the "recovery" because credit is tight, there are fears of what the Obama Administration will do (taxation, more regulations, etc.) and the demand for goods and services has not rebounded. The Federal Reserve believes that the US economy will be slow in recovering, and are currently predicting a return to normal in five years, if we don't face another serious national crisis that interrupts the cycle.

"The Democrats...will be heading toward the midterm elections hoping to preserve their 81-seat margin in the House. Vulnerable incumbents will be clamoring for more economic stimulus, but the Obama administration will be constrained by the huge budget deficits needed to bail out the economy."  (IBD)

The Federal Reserve addressed its concerns for the US economy. I'll extrapolate a bit here but it's all in the meeting minutes: Corporate Bail-outs unfairly distributed billions in taxpayer dollars and added to a blooming national debt that is out of control. The "Stimulus Package" didn't stimulate much beyond serving as a vehicle for election day pay-backs. Congress continues to fiddle while Rome burns and wants to tack on $2 trillion in medical costs for a government boondoggle that many of us feel is completely unnecessary. Healthcare reform doesn't mean a public option. It means tort reform, portability, access to markets and common sense measures that won't cost the taxpayer a nickel. 

People understand that Barack Hussein Obama's agenda is all about forced redistribution (theft) of wealth with an eye toward establishing the US as a utopian socialist nation. Business understands where he wants to go and they aren't happy about it. So they'll avoid hiring, they'll avoid maintaining unrealistic inventories and they'll try to survive as best they can. That means no bonuses, no growth and no RISK.

The Fed struggled to answer the basic question that is haunting administration policymakers: Why has unemployment remained so high, even as the economy has started to grow again and the stock market has been on a tear?

The Fed's answer is that businesses, having been burned by the recession, are wary about adding more workers or making new investments. Like consumers who have just discovered the virtues of saving, their prudence — however sensible on an individual basis — is a collective drag on the economy. (IBD)

"Business contacts reported that they would be cautious in their hiring,"..."Indeed, participants expected that businesses would be able to meet any increases in demand in the near term by raising their employees' hours and boosting productivity, thus delaying the need to add to their payrolls." (Federal Reserve)

Now there is a way out. Barack Hussein Obama wouldn't take this course - but there is a way:

* Reduce the size of government. Relinquish to the States the things best handled by the States and focus on dealing with the core issues of greatest concern to the nation as a whole.

* Withdraw the US Military from Afghanistan. Continue the phased withdrawal from Iraq. Consider our national military strategy in terms of our vital interests and avoid "adventurism".

* Focus national resources on eliminating our dependency on foreign oil.

* Become a loyal ally to our friends and a scourge to our enemies. There is a difference between the two and Barack Hussein Obama doesn't understand the concept.

* Reduce federal regulations and return to a free market system. Allow businesses that can't make it to fail. Once those businesses fail the unions won't be happy because the people who buy the bones and build them back up may not have a place for union bosses at the table.

* Avoid knee-jerk reactions to the left wing whackos' dire warnings. Global Warming comes to mind.

* Dismantle the Department of Homeland Security - it's a joke to all who understand its workings. Reconsider what we do and how we do it with an eye toward eliminating massive (expensive) bureaucratic overhead and allow the legions of drones to try to find honest work. America has legitimate security concerns, but that Department, along with the Department of Education, has outlived any usefulness it might have once had.

* Allow the CIA to be the secret intelligence service of the United States once again. It's degraded to the point of redundancy and needs to be rebuilt. It will take years, but best start now.

New Green Jobs Czar

I've felt somewhat adrift since famous Black Panther, communist and Green Jobs Czar Van Jones, resigned at midnight on a Sunday evening. How will America ever generate green jobs without a czar to manage it properly. Yes, I know that Dear Leader appointed another one but he has no charisma, none of that Che Guevera radical panache.

So here on Can We Keep Our Republic (and how can we possible keep the Republic without a green jobs czar?) I am putting a name forward to you that you can all agree on. Ed Begley, jr.

Some of you will remember Ed from his many appearances in the movies and television. I remember his appearances in the feature films: A Mighty Wind (where he played a guy who had a garage band in Stockholm) and Best of Show (where he played a hotel manager). He also played himself on the television cartoon, "The Simpsons" (1 episode). He has a lot of bit-part credits on movies and television, which suggests to me that he has a good agent. Congratulations on landing that agent, Ed.

Anyway, he's used his television fame to promote global warming and because of his senseless rants supporting unsupportable theory, I thought he'd make a perfect green jobs czar.

Yes, I know that czars aren't exactly what the founding fathers envisioned when they wrote the Constitution, but then again, they might not have considered the current global warming hoax would be taken seriously  (outside The Simpsons television cartoon).

I thought of Al Gore for the job. He'd be perfect but he's polishing the same Nobel Peace Prize that Barack Hussein Obama is -- that and he's giving speeches on how he created the Internet. That keeps Al busy.

So what about it? Who's for Ed Begley jr. as the next czar in the ObamaNation?

Obama Press Release

The following press release was issued last night on the eve of Thanksgiving by President Barack Hussein Obama:

Statement by the President on Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha (www.whitehouse.gov press release)

Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world’s major religions.

During Hajj, the world’s largest and most diverse gathering, three million Muslims from all walks of life – including thousands of American Muslims – will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat. The following day, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and distribute food to the less fortunate to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God.

This year, I am pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the Saudi Health Ministry to prevent and limit the spread of H1N1 during Hajj. Cooperating on combating H1N1 is one of the ways we are implementing my administration's commitment to partnership in areas of mutual interest.

On behalf of the American people, we would like to extend our greetings during this Hajj season – Eid Mubarak. ###

I know it may be just me, but I'd like a president that puts America first. Call me greedy if you must.

Obama on Charitable Giving

Whose side is he on?

I never thought he was on "our side", but this clearly outlines another facet of his personal agenda.

A Dismal Track Record

An Open Letter--

 to the US Congress and to Barack Hussein Obama (H/T WoFat)

The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke.

Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke.

Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke.

The "War on Poverty" was started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more.

Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke.

Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke.

The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.

How much did the "clunker program" cost?

You arranged for the taxpayers to "buy" General Motors - a failed automobile company.  Because of bad labor deals it will continue to produce cars at a loss into the foreseeable future.

You have FAILED in every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while over spending our tax dollars AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?

PC - The Need for Apologies?

I have never been accused of being long on political correctness. I tend to call them as I see them. Major Nidal Hasan should have been cashiered from the US Army a long time ago for activities not in keeping with those expected of a United States Soldier. I am not going to go into THAT rant right now. If you read this blog periodically, you understand my position. The most politically correct thing we can do for Nidal Hasan at the moment is to try him for murder and execute him. If the US Army can't find a wall and a squad of men, the State of Texas can.

The mainstream media is crawling all over itself to apologize to Muslims because of the murders committed by a jihadist - a traitor in the uniform of the United States Army. Barack Hasan Obama may feel the need to apologize, AMERICA does not.

The United States owes no apology to anyone or any nation. Yes we've made mistakes. Everyone does, every company does and every country does. But our quasi Muslim leader, Barack Hussein Obama feels as though he needs to be America's apologist whenever he leaves the country. I'm sure he'll be rolling on his back and peeing on his belly in the upcoming visit to Asia if the past is any indication of future behavior.

Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaule decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible.

Rusk responded, "Does that include those who are buried here?"

DeGuale did not respond. And Rusk did not apologize.

When in England, at a fairly large conference circa 2003, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of 'empire building' by George Bush.

He answered by saying, "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return." Powell did not apologize.

There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying, "Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?"

A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: "Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?" The Boeing engineer did not apologize.

A U.S. Navy Admiral was recently attending a naval conference that included admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that
we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German." The Admiral did not apologize.

The news carried the story of Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, who arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.

"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked
sarcastically.

Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.

"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

Mr. Whiting replied, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France !"

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to." Mr. Whiting did not apologize.

America does not need a commander-in-chief who is an apologist.

Liberal vs Conservative

If a conservative doesn’t like guns, he doesn`t buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn`t eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy.
A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good.

If a conservative is homosexual, he/she quietly leads his life.
If a liberal is homosexual, he/she demands legislated respect.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Liberals demand that those they don’t like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced. (Unless it’s Islam)

If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.
(If you think health care is expensive now, wait until it is free)

If a conservative slips and falls in a store, he gets up, laughs and is embarrassed.
If a liberal slips and falls, he grabs his neck, moans like he's in labor and then sues.

This was a chain e-mail that drifted into my in-box (h/t to whoever wrote it in the first place)

Obama - the Rising Sun in Asia

On November 13, 2009, President Barack Hussein Obama will sweep through Asia with the intent to bolster US-Japanese relations and to address Japan's and Korea's reduction in participation in Mr. Obama's War in Afghanistan.

Tokyo is pushing to renegotiate the details of a formerly agreed plan to relocate the U.S. Futenma military base on Okinawa off Japanese soil. Japan also plans to discontinue the Japanese Self-Defense Forces refueling mission in Afghanistan.

Gaffs by the Obama Administration has also led to Japan creating Asia-focused foreign policy initiatives that exclude the United States. The Obama Administration's "miscommunications" are serious enough to cause a serious change in Japanese policy where they will go it alone without America. With the bungling evidenced by Obama's people and their rude and unprofessional treatment of the Japanese, who can blame Japan for not trusting the United States anymore. Frankly, I wouldn't either. Still it's a tragedy to see yet another ally treated shabbily and have them leave our family of allies. President Barack Hussein Obama is taking Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with him -- Clinton and Obama in Japan. Now there's a duo that can bring hope and change to our current foreign policy disaster in Japan.

Thel highlight of Barack Hussein Obama's triumphal sweep through Asia will be his visit to China Nov. 15-18. Barack Hussein Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao will meet and the United States will pronounce that China's economic system has full World Trade Organization"market economy" status. hat Beijing wants Washington to reaffirm publicly that China has sovereignty over Tibet. It remains to be seen whether or not the President will throw Tibet under the bus the way he has so many other countries.

The United States and China have serious disagreements in trade and defense. The United States is bogged down in a series of crises and potential crises from South Asia to the Middle East to the Former Soviet Union. Many of those crises are a result of bungling by the Obama--Biden team (sometimes called dumb and dumber) by cynics.

Should Muslims serve in the US Military

US Army Major Nidal Malik Hassan's shooting rampage at Ft. Hood, Texas brings an old concern to question. Can a Muslim serve effectively in the US Military when the focus of the American forces is the WAR ON TERROR (re-named: Foreign Contingency Operation by the administration of Barack Hussein Obama)? The war on terror, by whatever name it's known, is focused on radical Islam.

We don't need any ghosts to come from the grave to tell us that the attack on the Pentagon and World Trade Center, Marine Corps Barracks (Beruit), US facilities overseas, the USS Cole, the attacks on US Embassies in Africa, etc. were perpetrated by jihadists. There is a common thread that runs through all these attacks - which include attacks by US Soldiers who are Muslims on their fellow soldiers in Iraq. The attackers are all MUSLIMS.

I'm not saying that all Americans who embrace Islam automatically embrace the radical agendas of the Shiia or Suni, however, where is the higher loyalty to Muslims?

All combat takes place at night at the junction of four map segments and the best laid plans don't survive the first contact with the enemy. Those axioms demonstrate the chaotic nature of combat. Given the need for reliable soldiers, I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable serving in combat with a Muslim when our job is to kill Muslims.

Dr. Obama's Cure

Que: Cher - Gypseys, Tramps and Thieves


There is no such thing as a free lunch, though the utopian socialists would bark to you from the medicine wagon that there are. These are the people who can't tell you how many jobs they "created" with $800 BILLION taxpayer dollars. How can we trust them with an experimental $2 TRILLION healthcare blank check?