HillaryCare 2008 Redux

Here we go again!

According to the Associated Press, "(i)nsurance companies should face the same kind of federal regulation as firms that sell stocks and bonds" -- attributed to Hillary Rodham Clinton

Probable Clinton solutions:
Health insurance problems? We should raise taxes and regulate it through the Federal Government!
Medicare funding problems? We should raise taxes and regulate it through the Federal Government!
Social security funding problems? We should raise taxes and regulate it through the Federal Government!
Your favorite sports team didn't win the championship this year? We should raise taxes and regulate it through the Federal Government!

Is there a pattern here?
Government regulation and higher taxes... Just Being A HillBilly
Capitalism, competitive marketplace, and reduced taxes... Reagan must have been wrong!!

-- Submitted by R Wellesley

A Lott to be Thankful For

It's widely expected that Senator Trent Lott (MS) will announce his impending retirement today, effective at the end of the year. Lott has been through many challenges during his time in the Senate, and few (if any) Senators today have earned the level of respect that Lott has gained during this time. He will be missed.

As if we didn't remember, 2008 is an election year. While the 2008 Presidential election is garnering most of the attention, let's not forget that there are numerous Senate and House seats up for election as well. Today, we'll focus on the Senate. As we know, the Democrats hold a majority (51-49) today. Tomorrow...this majority could grow. How? Let's look at the numbers.

Facts about 2008 Senate Elections:
35 seats up for election (including the remaining 4 years of Lott's term)
-- 23 seats currently held by Republicans
-- 12 seats currently held by Democrats

According to a state-by-state review done by some experts, the Democrats could gain 3 seats (Virginia, New Hampshire and Colorado) to strenghten their hold on the Senate.

If the House, as expected, also maintains a Democrat plurality, the importance of the 2008 Presidential race is amplified. "Remember the Maine!" rallying cry will more likely be transformed into a slogan to remember the last two times that the Democrats controlled the Senate, the House, and the Presidency concurrently: "Remember Bill & Jimmy!"

-- Submitted by R Wellesley

Who Are You?

A couple of quizzes for some amusement today.

The first link is to the 2005 Political Typology website. A good summary of what "type" you are, in case you have any questions about where you may stand with regards to your hot button issues.
http://typology.people-press.org/typology/

The second website link is provided by Kamber & O'Leary. It's a bit dated (1995), but it's at least amusing. I especially like the "standards" listed with their scores. I wonder where all of today's candidates would fall...

http://madrabbit.net/webrabbit/quizshow.html

-- Submitted by R Wellesley

A Case for Giuliani

Pat Robertson's endorsement of Giuliani on Wednesday came as a surprise to many. Although Robertson does not have the clout that he once had with evangelicals, his endorsement of a candidate, whose main shortcoming appears to be his credentials as a social conservative, is very curious. Certainly, Brownback and Huckabee would make a better choice for an evangelical preacher.

Robertson's selection of Giuliani makes sense in several ways. First, Robertson is being pragmatic. Giuliani has a much better chance of getting the nomination and beating the democratic nominee than any of the also-ran social conservatives. Second, Giuliani, despite his socially leftward leanings, has promised constructionist judges of the Alito, Thomas and Roberts ilk. Third, Robertson would have some influence with the man 'who would be king' if he participates in his victory.

On the issue of judges, which is really what it is all about, conservatives must be realistic. It is futile to speculate about a pro-life president establishing anti-abortion laws in fifty states. It is not going to happen. The biggest influence that the president can have over social issues such as abortion and gay marriage is through the courts. This does not mean appointing judges who are going to ban gay marriage and abortion - this isn't happening either - but by appointing judges who allow the electoral process to work. By allowing the states to vote on parental notification and partial-birth abortion, it returns the discussion to where it belongs.

In addition, Giuliani is not afraid of the heat. If he wants to put Ted Olsen (his good friend, political advisor and best conservative lawyer in America) on the bench, he will do it and make it stick. In fact, it would be hard to accuse Giuliani of selecting 'extremists,' given his own moderate positions.

Of course, it is not all candy and roses. The President is the leader of America and his opinions have influence. If the president for four or eight years has a staunch pro-choice position, it will impact the future of the pro-life movement and the Republican party. But of course, how much more damage would Hillary Clinton do with three or four more Ruth Bader Ginsbergs on the bench?

I can live with Giuliani and be happy, if he fulfills his promises on the supreme court nominees. He brings much to the table in terms of leadership and national security. He is an upbeat guy with the thickest skin of any politician that I have observed...try being a tough-on-crime, fiscally-conservative Republican in NYC.

Now, if we can just keep him out of a dress for eight years :-)


Submitted by D.B. Jackson

Dennis Kucinich: A True Democrat

Dateline: Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Background:
- Emergency rule in Pakistan, one of the few countries supporting US causes in Afghanistan
- Budget proposals have not yet been passed by either House (we're already in the "emergency extension" period)
- China's decision to take investment out of the US Dollar (USD) is contributing to the NYSE falling 112 points in the first hour of trading today
- The Euro was trading above 1.47 USD per Euro, a new low for the USD
- Oil is now selling at $98 per barrel

So, what was our Congress doing yesterday (Tuesday, November 6, 2007)?
Voting on whether to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney.

Thank you, Dennis Kucinich. I'm relieved to know that you managed to direct the US House of Representatives' attention away from these other minor issues for a few hours. After all, it's much more important to spend everyone's time on your personal vendetta against VP Cheney, rather than worrying about silly things like the value of the USD, price of oil, and political instability in the area of the world where Bin-Laden resides.

-- Submitted by R. Wellesley