Cost to your family for Obamacare? Oh, say, $1,000

Link

ObamaCare imposes a new tax on health insurers of $8.1 billion annually beginning in 2014 and rising to $14.3 billion by 2018. The Congressional Budget Office affirms the general consensus of economists that the new tax “would be largely passed through to consumers in the form of higher premiums for private coverage.” Results from a Ken Kies study suggest that the insurance tax could cost the typical family of four with employment-based coverage as much as $1,000 a year in higher health premiums.

Spain dumps Green jobs, Too Expensive

The only thing green about green jobs is the taxpayer money that is being wasted by the billions.

Link

April 30 (Bloomberg) — Spain is lancing an 18 billion-euro ($24 billion) investment bubble in solar energy that has boosted public liabilities, choking off new projects as it works to cut power prices and insulate itself from Greece’s debt crisis.

US now has more TV's than People

Link

The average American home now has 2.93 TV sets per household, up from 2.86 sets per home in 2009, the largest year-over-year increase since 2006 according to Nielsen’s latest Television Audience Report. This year the number of US homes with three or more TV sets increased to 55%, 28% have two sets and 17% have one set.

Tea Party News Headlines for Friday April 30

A Sampling of Tea Party Headlines across the US

Ohio tea party activists win procedural ruling
http://www.wksu.org/news/story/25330

Djou gets ad support from Tea Party-affiliated group (HI)
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/breaking/92448869.html

Tea Party Numbers Released: 2 Million, 2 Thousand
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=xprnw.20100429.DC96062&show_article=1

GOP convention delegates weigh tea party's impact (MN)
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/04/30/republican-tea-party-convention/?refid=0

Local Illinois cops dispute accounts of alleged federal crackdown at tea party protest
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100429/ts_ynews/ynews_ts1859_1

NPR: The Tea Party, A Modern Movement
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126390876&ft=1&f=1014

Republican Tea Party movement could get first senator
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7653452/Republican-Tea-Party-movement-could-get-first-senator.html

Tea party storms budget meeting (OR)
http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story.php?story_id=127256270321699000

Tea party principles serve as basis of Dave Funk's first run for public office (IA)
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100430/NEWS10/4300344/1001/

Commission candidate campaigns on Tea Party values (OH)
http://www.journal-news.com/news/election/commission-candidate-campaigns-on-tea-party-values-680193.html

Ocean County GOP freeholder candidates debate at Tea Party forum (NJ)
http://www.app.com/article/20100429/NEWS/4290360/1070/NEWS02

Blackstone Valley Tea Party to hold rally (CT)
http://www.telegram.com/article/20100430/NEWS/4300445/1101/

Tea Party Backers Hope To Change Politics (OH)
http://www.onntv.com/live/content/onnnews/stories/2010/04/29/story_tea_party_promotable.html?sid=102

At some point you have grabbed enough power

Link

Given that poorer citizens always outnumber the rich, the classic political philosophers held that government based on majority rule would lead to organized theft from the wealthy by the democratic masses. Thus Aristotle warned, for example: "If the majority distributes among itself the things of a minority, it is evident that it will destroy the city."

Is this Al Gore's new house?

The LA Times is reporting that Al and Tipper just bought a new "Italian Villa" in Montecito, CA.

I am guessing this is Al's new crib? Could be wrong but the sale amount and parcel size match a recent sale listed here.

Can Al's hypocrisy, and carbon footprint, grow any larger?

Kudos to Stacey Campfield, thank you Stacey

Every campaigning politician talks about cutting government but almost never has the guts to act after they are elected.

Taxpayers in Tennessee and across the country have made extraordinarily difficult cuts to their family budgets over the last three years. However, most of our elected representatives are afraid to even discuss specific cuts to government budgets. They act as if maintaining the status quo is an act of great bravery. Taxpayers should be so lucky.

Few will come forward and suggest specific CUTS. Knoxville Representative Stacey Campfield has done just that, thank YOU Stacey.

Want to get rich? Work for the Federal Government

Link

Data compiled by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis reveals the extent of the pay gap between federal and private workers. As of 2008, the average federal salary was $119,982, compared with $59,909 for the average private sector employee. In other words, the average federal bureaucrat makes twice as much as the average working taxpayer. Add the value of benefits like health care and pensions, and the gap grows even bigger. The average federal employee's benefits add $40,785 to his annual total compensation, whereas the average working taxpayer's benefits increase his total compensation by only $9,881. In other words, federal workers are paid on average salaries that are twice as generous as those in the private sector, and they receive benefits that are four times greater.

Tea Party News Headlines for Thursday April 29

A Sampling of Tea Party News from across the US

KOTA anchorman temporarily sidelined after tea party appearance
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_a0740daa-5237-11df-afea-001cc4c03286.html

Health lawsuit supporters defend Colo. AG
http://www.kjct8.com/Global/story.asp?S=12389428

GOP race pits insider vs. outsider (MN)
http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/92368514.html

Tea Partier challenges incumbent Reno (MT)
http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_020121a0-5352-11df-8b6c-001cc4c03286.html

About 200 tea party members make their feelings known during president's Quincy visit (IL)
http://www.whig.com/story/news/WEB-Tea-Party-043010

What's behind the anti-tea party hate stories?
http://www.detnews.com/article/20100429/OPINION01/4290336/1008/What-s-behind-the-anti-tea-party-hate-stories?

Regular meeting of the Greenwich Tea Party of South Jersey
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20100428/NEWS01/100428002/WOODSTOWN--Linda-Biamonte--GOP-primary-candidate-for-the-Congress--speaking

Grady County TEA Party to host forum (OK)
http://chickashanews.com/features/x1164466684/Grady-County-TEA-Party-to-host-forum

Kinder to file suit against health care law (MO)
http://www.newsmagazinenetwork.com/news/missouri/100428-2958/kinder-file-suit-against-health-care-law

Kan. groups sponsor dueling rallies over taxes
http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/04/28/1446312/hundreds-rally-at-kan-statehouse.html

Tea Party effort to recall Sen. Menendez moves to New Jersey Supreme Court
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2010/04/tea_party_effort_to_recall_sen.html

Tea Party rallies in Macon (MO)
http://media.www.trumanindex.com/media/storage/paper607/news/2010/04/29/Sports/Tea-Party.Rallies.In.Macon-3914761.shtml

Daisy Mountain TEA Party meets May 4
http://www.sonorannews.com/archives/2010/100428/comm-tea.html

Senate buries challenge to federal health care plan (KS)
http://www.kansas.com/2010/04/29/1291181/senate-buries-challenge-to-federal.html

Congress, What a bunch of hypocritical boobs!

Link

Egg throwing, smoke bombs in Ukranian Parliament

Link

Obama will not rule out tax hike? No bleep Sherlock

Link

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said he refuses to rule out measures that would fight "exploding deficits," signalling that members of a panel he tasked with reducing federal deficits are considering tax increases.

Washington must urgently confront unpleasant truths about deficits, Obama said, telling reporters in the White House's Rose Garden yesterday that neither he nor his commission members would say what options remain viable.

"We're not playing that game. I'm not going to say what's in. I'm not going to say what's out. I want this commission to be free to do its work," said the President.

Tea Party News Headlines for Wednesday April 28

A Sampling of Tea Party Headlines from across the US

Tea Party conducts ‘Read the Health Care Bill Marathon’ (OH)
http://www.fairfield-echo.com/news/fairfield-news/tea-party-conducts-read-the-health-care-bill-marathon-676305.html

Tea Party vs. Patriots: different names, similar goals (DE)
http://www.capegazette.com/storiescurrent/201004/tea-patriots27.html

Lake County Tea Party Patriots to hold second candidates' night Wednesday (CA)
http://lakeconews.com/content/view/13674/926/

Video: Advice to Tea Partiers
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2010/04/27/advice-to-tea-partiers/

Republican outsiders versus insiders at Tea Party candidate's forum (PA)
http://www.examiner.com/x-46024-Allentown-Independent-Examiner~y2010m4d28-Republican-outsiders-versus-insiders-at-Tea-Party-candidates-forum

The Republican Governors Association goes after a tea party independent
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/04/the_republican_governors_assoc.html

Tea Party founder faces GOP questions (OH)
http://cincinnati.com/blogs/politics/2010/04/27/what-if-you-dont-vote-in-primaries/

NV SEN: Tea Party Group Runs First Ads
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/04/nv_sen_tea_part.php

N.J. Tea Party group urges Gov. Chris Christie to file health care lawsuit against Obama administration
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/tea_party_group_urges_gov_chri.html

Letter to the Congressional Black Caucus from Tea Party Federation: Please Provide Evidence of Cannon N-Word Incident
http://biggovernment.com/natteafed/2010/04/26/letter-to-the-congressional-black-caucus-from-tea-party-federation-please-provide-evidence-of-cannon-n-word-incident/

Protesters turn out for Obama's stop in Macon (MO)
http://www.connectmidmissouri.com/news/story.aspx?id=449529
http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com/2010/04/1100-turn-out-to-protest-obama-in-macon-missouri-a-town-of-5500/

Bingo Gambling Bribes in Alabama Legislature

Link HT: Flashpoint

News of the probe exploded across the capital four weeks ago. That's when the FBI, federal prosecutors and officials with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation met with legislative leaders to inform them that they had uncovered evidence of corruption surrounding the effort to pass an electronic bingo bill.

That meeting took place just two days after the state Senate passed the bill, which eventually died in the House last week. The plan would have let voters decide Nov. 2 whether to clearly legalize electronic bingo and create a State Gaming Commission to regulate it and license operators.

Obama's Strategy: More Personal Attacks

Link HT: Legal Insurrection

By setting himself up against specific opponents, he provides a point of contrast that’s useful in invigorating a base hungry for bare knuckles and bravado — and forces those in the middle to choose between him and his villain du jour.

“He lost some of his spunk and fight. He lost what he had in the campaign. When you campaign, you campaign against people,” said Paul Stob, a Vanderbilt professor who co-operates the website www.presidentialrhetoric.com. “I think there have been very conscious decisions to get back to that.”

Democrats continue to pummel Insurance Industry CEOs

Link

Even though health reform is now the law of the land, the White House and Dems continue to use the insurance industry as their pummeling dummy, hammering away at lingering industry practices, even though they will ultimately be changed by the new law.

Here’s the latest: A set of powerful House Dems has just fired off a letter to the CEOs of some of the top insurance companies, demanding that they institute a system of independent third-party review to prevent the practice of “rescissions,” or the dropping of people’s insurance coverage. Rescissions will ultimately be illegal under the new law, but Dems are demanding the industry take these steps immediately.

TNInvestco: Taxpayer funded Crony, Corrupt Capitalism

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research via their website Tennessee.watchdog.org continues to do a stellar job of documenting the TNInvestco debacle.

The surest way to ruin the free market is to put politicians in charge of choosing winners and losers. Especially when all important decisions are made in secret. The is an insult to taxpayers and an open invitation to corruption. If there is one thing the "Tennessee Waltz" investigation taught us, it is that corruption will be the direct result of this sort of crony capitalism.

Nothing good can come of this secretive slush fund. And Republicans are leading the way to expand this crony capitalism. The entrepreneurs and investors of Tennessee are quite capable of conducting their business without vote-seeking, publicity-seeking politicians "helping" them.

Thank you Clint Brewer and TCPR for leading the investigation on this abuse of government power.

Tea Party News Headlines for Tuesday April 27

A Sampling of Tea Party Headlines from across the US

Tea Party movement: meeting at Civic Center draws crowd (NC)
http://www.jeffersonpost.com/view/full_story/7200519/article-Tea-Party-movement--meeting-at-Civic-Center-draws-crowd

Local Tea Party plans to rank, rate candidates (LA)
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/92155064.html

Tea Party panel discussion set for April 29 at Arcadia (PA)
http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2010/04/26/glenside_news_globe_times_chronicle/news/doc4bd612aeaf891979120489.txt

America The Story of US Breaks Records For History
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/04/26/america-the-story-of-us-breaks-records-for-history/49712

Tea party fails to capture Republican chairmanship (FL)
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/elections/fl-republican-chairman-teaparty-20100426,0,7834499.story

Patriots don't get apology, vow to continue fight (IN)
http://www.post-trib.com/news/porter/2204596,new-ptgskul0427.article

Mansfield Tea Party Sponsoring Essay Contest (OH)
http://www.wmfd.com/newsboard/single.asp?Story=40816

UW poll: Tea Partiers not as concerned with civil liberties (WA)
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlepolitics/archives/203424.asp

Mo. Republicans join tea party group to protest Obama visit to Macon ethanol plant
http://www.kplr11.com/news/sns-ap-mo--obama-protest,0,1210745.story?track=rss

Video: Olbermann: Tea party disconnect from reality is profound
http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/olbermann-tea-party-disconnect-from-reality-is-profound/6pn6i71

Tea Party not embracing GOP (TX)
http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/apr/26/tea-party-not-embracing-gop/

The Hall Family sets standard for Political Involvement

Link

The father, David Hall, is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Rep. Jim Cooper's 5th Congressional District. His wife, Michelle Hall, is running for her district's Republican Party executive committee. Son Dave Hall is running for Rep. Gary Moore's District 50 state House seat. Daughter Alexandra is running for Davidson County Register of Deeds.

Not to be outdone, the three younger Hall children — who aren't old enough to run for office, or even vote yet — run their own political action committee called Do Hard Things 2010, which encourages teenagers to get politically involved.

We are governed by a group of really bad liars

History Channel's 'America The Story of US' Breaks Records

Link

NEW YORK, April 26 /PRNewswire/ — The first night of AMERICA THE STORY OF US has become the highest rated, most watched special in network history, it was announced today by Nancy Dubuc, President and General Manager, HISTORY(TM). The first night was watched by 5.7 million total viewers and drew a 4.0 household rating. Last night 8-11pm will go down as HISTORY’s best night ever across the board (based on Fast Cable ratings).

  AMERICA THE STORY OF US -- 9-11PM   HH Rating:  4.0   Total Viewers:  5.7 million   A18-49:  2.6 million   A25-54:  2.7 million   M18-49:  1.6 million   M25-54:  1.6 million

“We’re thrilled by the launch of AMERICA THE STORY OF US,” said Ms. Dubuc. “The success personifies the hunger for information and the desire to re-connect with our past. Ultimately there’s no story more dramatic and gripping than the story of America itself. We’ve tried to present this incredibly diverse narrative in a way that is engaging for people today. We’re very pleased with the response and look forward to sharing the upcoming episodes with the American public.”

Tea Party News Headlines for Monday April 26

A Sampling of Tea Party Headlines from across the US

Tea Party rally held Saturday at Kittanning's Riverfront Park (PA)
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/news/s_678192.html

Hundreds on Chambersburg's Memorial Square for tea party rally (PA)
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/ci_14955417?source=most_emailed

Rome/Floyd GA TEA Party 2010 To Host Post-Tea Party Training Tour On Thursday
http://www.romenewswire.com/index.php/2010/04/26/romefloyd-ga-tea-party-2010-to-host-post-tea-party-training-tour-on-thursday/

Quincy may also be Tea Party Central (again) this week (IL)
http://quincynews.org/local-news/quincy-may-also-be-tea-party-central-again-this-week.html

Local Tea Party, still a toddler, tests its political muscle (TX)
http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Local-Tea-Party-still-a-toddler-tests-its-political-muscle.html

Tea Party in North Brunswick brews political action for November elections (NJ)
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100425/POLITICS/100425010/1003/NEWS01

With little money to spend, Chuck DeVore puts his faith in his message
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-devore-20100426,0,6655707.story

Larry Elder: Why the Left doesn't get the Tea Party
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/bush-245761-spending-tea.html

TN tea party plans May convention
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100426/NEWS02/100426009/1001/NEWS

Tea Party Growth Spreads Across State (MS)
http://www.wcbi.com/article.php?subaction=showfull&id=1272285577&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2,5&

Gov Patrick said he would lower Property Taxes, Yeah, RIGHT!

Link

Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke’’ was booming, the crowd was cheering, and Governor Deval Patrick was still in full campaign mode, urging his supporters to help make one of his promises a reality.

“You want property tax relief? Come and get it! Come and get it,’’ he declared during the March 2007 rally at Boston Latin School. “You want it? Come and get it!’’

But they never got it.

Tennesseans demonstrate outside Corker's Office

Nuns attend a Tea Party in IL

Link

But even among sisters, there are divisions, which is why we have a photograph of three nuns waving their "Don't Tread on Me" flag at a recent tea party "Taxed Enough Already" rally in Palatine.

"We find today's government and society to have sunk in a morass of atheism, filth and greed, and that is why we are on the streets, backing the people who have strong faith and family values," e-mails Mother Mary Patrick, a founder of the fledgling Daughters of Immaculata community in Libertyville, a group of four nuns with a median age of 55. She says she prefers e-mail because "we take a vow of poverty and find 'gabbing' on the phone not something in line with that."

Maggie Thatcher's Last Stand Against Socialism

HT: David Oatney

Tea Party News Headlines for Sunday April 25

A Sampling Tea Party Headlines from across the US

Strong Ohio Patriots are looking for new members
http://www.cleveland.com/sunstarcourier/index.ssf/2010/04/strong_ohio_patriots_are_looki.html

Video: Ed Rendell, Democrats Empowering Tea Party?
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4165589/democrats-empowering-tea-party/

Otsego County Tea Party meeting Monday night BJ’s Restaurant (MI)
http://www.gaylordheraldtimes.com/articles/2010/04/25/news/local_news/doc4bd1c4c9917b8112674653.txt

Faulkner County Tea Party offering class of country’s history (AR)
http://thecabin.net/news/local/2010-04-24/faulkner-county-tea-party-offering-class-country%E2%80%99s-history

'Tea Party' Eyes Big Prize: The 2010 Midterm Elections
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tea-party-eyes-big-prize-2010-midterm-elections/story?id=10450713

Tea Party test could come in auditor’s race (OH)
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/election/tea-party-test-could-come-in-auditors-race-670730.html

Local Republicans gathered at the courthouse Saturday for a Tea Party rally (TX)
http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=12369982

Congressman Turner facing Tea Party activist in GOP primary (OH)
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/election/congressman-turner-facing-tea-party-activist-in-gop-primary-670739.html

Tyler tea party features governor, pundit Beck (TX)
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/state/Tyler_tea_party_features_governor_pundit_Beck.html

'Tea party' founder: Why our movement will succeed -- and why it's
good for America
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2010/0423/Tea-party-founder-Why-our-movement-will-succeed-and-why-it-s-good-for-America

Tea Party News Headlines for Saturday April 24

A Sampling of Tea Party Headlines

Nuns dare to delve into divisive political morass (IL)
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=375621

Video: Bill Hennessy Kudlow interview
http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/tea-party-mojo/3xeq9hlz

Tea party stereotypes largely inaccurate
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20104240305

GOP foes struggle to stand apart (NV)
http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20104240335

Video: Where Are the Tea Party Protests About Wall Street?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqNiK_sVvUw

Video: Poll: More Americans taking Tea Party seriously
http://video.foxnews.com/v/4163911/force-to-be-reckoned-with/

NPR: Listeners Sound Off On Tea Party Movement
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126219408&ft=1&f=1014

Tedesco still drawing fire over Tea Party speech (NC)
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/wakeed/tedesco-still-drawing-fire-over-tea-party-speech

Campaign corner: Walorski, Souder and Stutzman endorsed (IN)
http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=511398

Tea-party fuss brews over school use (FL)
http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/flagler/2010/04/24/tea-party-fuss-over-flagler-school-use.html

GOP congressional candidates tout Tea Party credentials (KY)
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/04/23/1237396/gop-congressional-candidates-tout.html

Brandeis Univ says logo not intended to equate Tea Party and Nazis
http://www.brandeis.edu/now/2010/april/statement.html

Newt, the Tea Party Is Already the Militant Arm of the GOP
http://blog.seattlepi.com/morningeconomist/archives/203132.asp

About 12 protest outside Ayers speech (CA)
http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/04/23/1908417/about-12-protest-outside-ayers.html

Mayor Daley: Taxpayers will not pay pension liabilities

Mayor Daley, one of the many politicians responsible for a the huge unfunded public employee pension liability in Chicago, now says taxpayers should not have to fund this huge debt.

The public employee unions that wield so much power in Chicago are probably having a good laugh at this public pro-taxpayer bravado. They would happily use all their political brute force to bankrupt the city over the pension issue.

Hugo Chavez: Using Blackberry and Twitter to Fight Capitalism

Video: Hugo goes on a rant. He wants to re-educate the masses to repeal the counter-revolution.

Its worth watching just to hear him say "Blackberry."

Link

How comforting: Brandeis says Tea Party not Nazis

Link

On April 28, the Center for German and European Studies at Brandeis University is hosting a conference on the rise of right-wing radicalism.

The event, which features speakers from a variety of universities and institutions, focuses on developments in Europe, including the rise of neo-Nazi and anti-semitic groups. It also includes discussion of a wide range of movements and activities in the United States, from the extreme and violent to the Tea Party, as a point of comparison.

The logo created for the conference showed a swastika inside the international symbol of negation, reflecting the legitimate concern people feel over the activities, often violent, of neo-Nazi extremists.

Unfortunately, this logo created an impression that Brandeis and the conference organizers equated a range of organizations, including the Tea Party in the United States, with extremist groups on both continents.

That was not the intention of the faculty, staff or students of the University who were involved in creating the conference, and Brandeis regrets the unintended association and pain this caused. The logo has been removed from the event page promoting the conference.

Here is a report from Fox on the controversy.

The Green Energy Debacle Continues

"Green" energy is a wholly owned creation of the US Congress and other governments, mostly European. Most green energy production, Ethanol and Solar and wind, would not exist except for the taxpayer subsidies and favors granted by governments.

The real problem is that R&D on really new and innovative energy solutions is being stifled because so much time and energy and capital is being wasted on the phantom green energy market.

The most recent example of just how ridiculous the situation has become:

In Spain, it is now profitable for "green energy" producers to use diesel powered lights to shine on solar panels.

Sebelius: We don't know what its going to cost

Link

Speaker Williams threatens to throw them out

More from AP via Tom Humphrey

Obama proposes Crony Capitalism on a Grand Scale

The idea that US Citizens can conduct commerce outside of government oversight is foreign to the Obama administration. It simply doesn't compute. Free people freely exchanging their own goods and services based on their enlightened self-interest is silly talk to Obama.

People are just too evil and mean spirited to be trusted to wield a wide range of freedoms as envisioned in the Bill of Rights and Constitution.

What is needed, they reckon, is even more crony capitalism, even more politicians working in tandem to identify winners and losers in a modified game of un-free markets. 2012 can not come soon enough.

Link

Accomplishing this sea change in economic thinking will be difficult. The current system of states and cities battling for companies, often outbidding each other with ever-higher tax breaks, is pretty ingrained. President Obama’s hand-picked chairman of the Democratic National Committee, former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, was one of the best practitioners; Virginia topped Forbes magazine’s “best states for business” every year of his term.

But the administration believes that economic recovery will be led by a collection of regions around the U.S., not necessarily individual states. America’s regions will battle those in other countries for supremacy in the global economy.

To use one example, northern Ohio and southern Michigan have been walloped by the decline in the U.S. auto industry. So Obama wants the governors of those states and local officials in those regions to forget they are Buckeyes and Wolverines and work together to reinvent a common regional economy straddling state lines. The federal government will reward regions with financial incentives if they team up; the president recently gave $25 million to a plant in Elyria, Ohio, west of Cleveland, that is producing batteries for electric vehicles built in Michigan. Federal officials say that the northern Ohio-southern Michigan region is poised to repackage itself as a clean-energy center.

Obama lied, YES, he did...over and over

Ace nails it, the pledge was always a LIE.

Link

Obama's "pledge" was always a lie, and the media repeated his promise incessantly, and uncritically, to sell Obama as a different kind of Democrat. They never inquired how it was he could spend so much more without bankrupting the country if he also did not raise taxes on the middle class -- a bit of easy math would have shown this as an impossibility, but, alas, the media was apparently told there would be no math in this election.

Obama originally planned -- and stated as much -- to tax the middle class by levying huge carbon taxes which would of course hit the middle class (and poor, for that matter). He confessed -- or rather proudly declared -- that his planned carbon taxes would "necessarily" cause electricity rates to "skyrocket" -- and again, the media simply ignored this, and again, simply insisted to the public that Obama's word was bond about not raising taxes. Even though he just announced that taxes would be raised in the form of "skyrocketing" electricity costs.

That was Obama's Plan A for raising taxes on the middle class -- taxing the living hell out of the motive force of our economy, energy, which every single human being and business uses in varying quantities.

His Plan B was the VAT.

How Sweet: Acorn CEO says Tea Party a "Bowel Movement"

Link

During the address, Lewis praised the group's members for calling themselves socialists, and warned that undefined forces are plotting their doom.

"Any group that says, 'I'm young, I'm Democratic, and I'm a socialist,' is all right with me. You know that's no light thing to do -- to actually say, I'm a socialist -- because you guys know right now we are living in a time which is going to dwarf the McCarthy era. It is going to dwarf the internment during World War II. We are right now in a time that is going to dwarf the era of Jim Crow and segregation," Lewis said.

Lewis went on to explain that she wasn't exaggerating -- just look at the Tea Parties, she reasoned.

"This is not rhetoric or hyperbole -- this is real," Lewis said. "This rise of this Tea Party so-called movement -- bowel movement in my estimation -- and this blatant uncovering and ripping off the mask of racism."

TPN Protest at Bail Out Bob Corker's Office at 5PM today

Tea Party Nation is organizing a protest today, Thursday, April 22nd at 5PM in Front of Corker's Nashville Office. Please come if you are available:

Friends, once more we need your help. Bail out Bob is still on the fence. Corker is the vote the Democrats could peel away to break a filibuster and allow "financial reform" to make it to the Senate floor and be voted on. We must convince Corker to show some backbone.

1. Please keep the calls to his office coming: 615-279-8125
2. There will be an event in front of his office, in Nashville, at 5 PM (on April 22). We need your help. Tell your friends about it and show up, if only for a little while. With "Healthcare" they took over 1/6 of the economy. This is the measure that will give them the other 5/6. We must stop it now!

Corker's office is at 3322 West End Ave. Please come by, bring signs and flags and let's send Bail out Bob a message.

Large Chambers of Commerce = Crony Capitalism

Most large Chamber's of Commerce receive taxpayer funds for so-called economic development. Many times this money goes toward overhead and general operating expenses and becomes a vital part of the chamber's revenue. Because of this and a general shift in membership towards non-profits, many of which also receive taxpayer money, large, urban chambers of commerce have become the leading voice for crony capitalism and higher local taxes.

Thankfully, there are a few government officials who will still raise their voices against this crony capitalism. Frank Nicely is one of those people. Thank YOU Frank.

Our taxpayer group, TN Tax Revolt, very often finds Chambers of Commerce as the loudest cheerleader for local tax hikes.

SEIU Rallies for Higher Taxes in Illinois

This video from a rally in Illinois where the SEIU is demanding a tax increase.

Not ONE retiring Congressman would pledge NOT to lobby

Link

Retiring members of Congress are ignoring a call to promise they won't become lobbyists when their terms end.

Public Citizen, a Washington-based watchdog nonprofit, asked the 47 short-timers in the House and Senate on Monday if they would sign a pledge not to take a job with a lobbying firm (20 of the retiring members are running for another office).

"We have not received any pledges and we have not received any inquiries for more information about the pledge from any retiring members," said Public Citizen's Angela Canterbury.

Bill Gates daddy pushing Washington State Income Tax

Washington is one of the 9 states, including Tennessee of course, that still does not have a State Income Tax on earned income.

Gates Sr has also been active in opposing a reduction in the Federal Estate Tax and other big government policies. Why doesn't he just get sonny boy to turn over his fortune to the government?

The Washington State proposal is the same camel's nose under the tent approach that is ALWAYS used, "it will reduce most people's taxes by soaking the rich." Sooner or later the income limits are reduced and it becomes just another funding mechanism for public employee unions and others that feed at the government trough.

Link

Individuals would pay 5 percent income tax on earnings over $200,000 a year and 9 percent on earnings over $500,000. For couples, those tax rates would kick in at $400,000 and $1 million, respectively.

Backers say the income tax also would raise $1 billion a year for education and health care. "It will cut taxes for the vast majority of Washington citizens," said the initiative's most prominent supporter, Bill Gates Sr., father of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. He was the first person to sign an I-1077 petition at a news conference at Soho Coffee in Seattle's Central Area.

Rutherford 912 Group holds 6th District Candidate Forum

SYMRNA, TN)—Voters in the sixth congressional district of Tennessee now served by retiring Congressman Bart Gordon will have a chance to question candidates hoping to win that seat at a forum set for Saturday, May 1, 2010 beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Christian Academy in Smyrna.

“This is a chance for anyone in the district to probe those asking for the opportunity to represent them in Washington,” said Rutherford County 9.12 Project Tennessee member and forum organizer Mishelle Perkins. “This forum is for the people, not the politicians. This is not a fund raiser and there will be no political speeches. The candidates will be there for one purpose and one purpose only—to answer questions directly from those they propose to represent.”

According to Perkins, all conservative candidates who have qualified to be on the ballot in the August 5th primary have been invited to be present at the event. “Project 9.12 is an organization of ordinary citizens with the extraordinary goal of helping identify and elect a true citizen legislature versus the current career politicians. We think it is time to return the power to where it belongs—with the people.”

The school is located at 150 Soccer Way in Smyrna and seating begins at 3:30 pm. For directions, log onto www.lancasterchristianacademy.com. Candidates will be available to meet and greet visitors prior to the event. Concessions and ample parking are available.

More information about Project 9.12 Tennessee, this event and others scheduled by the group can be found at www. 912ProjectTennessee.com or by sending an email to mishelleperkins@comcast.net

The Healthcare Debacle Continues in Mass

The script is already written. Now we just have to watch the play unfold.

Link

Health insurers are starting to sell policies that largely bar consumers from receiving medical care at popular but expensive hospitals such as Massachusetts General and Brigham and Women’s — a once radical idea that is gaining traction as a way to control soaring health care costs.

Governor Deval Patrick and Senate President Therese Murray have included such restricted provider networks in their recent legislative proposals to control rising insurance rates. And the state this month began offering limited-network plans to 300,000 state employees, retirees, and their families, promising 20 percent discounts on premiums if they are willing to give up access to some of the Boston area’s most renowned hospitals.

Poll: Republican Leads in Murtha Special Election

Link

Buoyed by an electorate that is exceptionally sour on national Democrats, Republican Tim Burns has a 44-41 lead over Democrat Mark Critz in the special election to replace John Murtha in the House.

It's a rare election these days where both candidates are viewed pretty favorably in the district. 45% of voters have a favorable opinion of Burns to 26% who view him unfavorably and Critz is in positive territory as well with 41% of voters saying they like him to 34% who do not.

Tipping the balance in a race where each candidate is pretty well liked may be the way voters in the district feel about a number of key Democrats- Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Arlen Specter, and Ed Rendell are all exceptionally unpopular. Obama's approval rating is just 33% to 57% disapproving, only 24% have a favorable opinion of Pelosi to 64% with an unfavorable one, 28% of voters approve of Specter to 60% who don't, and 24% give Rendell good marks to 63% unhappy with him. Those aren't the sorts of reviews that bode well for the district electing another Democratic politician.

Frustrated voters cut ties with Democrats, Republicans

Link

The nation's fastest-growing political party is "none of the above," which could be bad news for Democrats and Republicans.

As the 2010 midterm elections and the anti-tax "Tea Party" movement take shape, more Americans are registering "unaffiliated" rather than signing up with one of the two major parties.

The number of independent voters has grown faster in the past two years than Democrats and Republicans in at least 14 of the 28 states and the District of Columbia that register voters by party, according to a USA TODAY review.

Unions to California Taxpayers: Tighten your belt

Link

How public employees became members of the elite class in a declining California offers a cautionary tale to the rest of the country, where the same process is happening in slower motion. The story starts half a century ago, when California public workers won bargaining rights and quickly learned how to elect their own bosses—that is, sympathetic politicians who would grant them outsize pay and benefits in exchange for their support. Over time, the unions have turned the state’s politics completely in their favor. The result: unaffordable benefits for civil servants; fiscal chaos in Sacramento and in cities and towns across the state; and angry taxpayers finally confronting the unionized masters of California’s unsustainable government.

Sen Boxer: have as much enthusiasm as Tea Party

"Outlook Grim for Postal Service" - Hold on to your wallet

Unfortunately, the Postal Worker Unions have much greater political clout than taxpayers so the unions will continue to benefit from the postal monopoly and taxpayers will get the huge bill. This is how DC works and its just one more reason why the Tea Party movement will continue to grow.

Link

Even if anyone knew how to fix the Postal Service - an independent agency written into the Constitution - Congress, regulators and postal management are at loggerheads over what to do next.

Its main customers are not waiting to find out. Businesses of all kinds foresee a death spiral of shrinking service and rising prices and are getting out as fast as they can, encouraging their patrons to use digital alternatives such as electronic bill payment, e-mail document delivery and Web catalog shopping.

Since its peak delivery of 213 billion pieces of mail in 2006, volume has dropped 17 percent, to 177 billion pieces this year. Average deliveries have fallen from five pieces of mail to four, and Potter said that's headed fast to just three.

Also, Is the Postal Service Obsolete?

22% say they can trust the government in Washington

Link

The Tea Party movement, which has a small but fervent anti-government constituency, could be a wild card in this election. On one hand, its sympathizers are highly energized and inclined to vote Republican this fall. On the other, many Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the Tea Party represents their point of view better than does the GOP.

60% favor making tax cuts permanent

Link

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. April 9-11, 2010. N=1,008 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
"As you may know, the federal income tax cuts passed into law in 2001 are set to expire next year. Would you favor or oppose making those tax cuts permanent?" 3/08 & earlier: "As you may know, the federal income tax cuts passed into law since George W. Bush became president are set to expire within the next several years. Would you favor or oppose making those tax cuts permanent?"
		Favor	Oppose	Unsure
		%	%	%
	4/9-11/10	60	33	8
	3/14-16/08	54	40	6
	5/4-6/07	57	37	6

Saturday Night Live: James Carville on Tea Party

Tea Parties will help Dems says Party Leader

Link

Tea Parties may end up helping Democrats, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine told 200 Organizing For America activists at an Ethiopian restaurant on Chicago’s North Side Wednesday night.

The Tea Party is built on “Anger politics - and the anger movements peter out,” said Kaine, a finalist for Obama’s vice-president.

“It’s going to be tough for Democrats in mid-term elections,” Kaine said. “The president in the first mid-term loses 28 House seats and four senate seats and that’s the average and we’re not living in average times. We’re living in times of anxiety and economic uncertainty. We have to assume going into this mid-term cycle that we are running into a headwind and we are running uphill.”

But Tea Party activists helped conservatives beat moderates in Illinois’ Republican primary: Bill Brady for governor; Bob Dold and Joe Walsh for Congress, he said.

Tea Party news, video, blog, discussion forum search links

Here are some Tea Party news, video, blog, and discussion forum search and research links I have found useful. All are date sorted with most recent at the top.

News Search

Topix

Congoo

Google News

Bing News

Yahoo News

Infopig

Video Search

Bing

YouTube

Obovo

Clip Syndicate

Blogs

Technorati

Google Blog Srch

Discussion Forums

Google Groups
Craigstlist

Yahoo Msg Brds

Tea Party News Headlines for Friday April 16

A (very small) Sampling of Tea Party Headlines

More than 1,000 gather at Iowa Capitol for tea party rally
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100416/NEWS/4160366/1001/

Tea party rally draws thousands to state Capitol (WI)
http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/state-and-regional/wi/article_0efdf5ca-4913-11df-927f-001cc4c002e0.html

Anti-tax rally draws 10,000 from throughout the Bay Area
http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/show_story.php?id=3876

3,000 attend Spokane Tea Party (WA)
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/apr/15/tea-supporters-turn-out-party/

Tea Party members rally amid calls to unite (IL)
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/04/tea-party-members-rally-amid-calls-to-unite.html

Video: Thousands of North Texans Rally for Change
http://cbs11tv.com/video/?cid=51

Tea Party protests in park (WA)
http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/31664

Tax Day draws big crowd at State Capitol (CO)
http://www.2thedeuce.com/news/kdvr-tax-day-text-041510,0,6313080.story

Tax day brings out protesters (MN)
http://ksax.com/article/stories/S1514037.shtml?cat=10230

Tea Party Protest Held In Sacramento
http://www.kcra.com/slideshow/news/23162238/detail.html

Thousands attend Tea Party rally (VA)
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/TEAP15GAT_20100415-191401/337577/

Their patience taxed: Disgruntled citizens take their message to the
streets in Dover (NH)
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100416/GJNEWS_01/704169925/-1/FOSNEWS

One-year anniversary draws a crowd to Kokomo Event Center (IN)
http://kokomotribune.com/local/x1612539464/Tea-Party-asks-members-to-keep-the-faith

Tea Party rallies on tax day across Washington St
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/418545_teaparty15.html

Tea party ends tour in capital it loves to hate
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36560551

No Room for Incumbents (TN)
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/apr/16/no-room-for-incumbents/

Enthusiasm reigns at Statehouse tea party rally (IN)
http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20100416/NEWS06/100416003/1002/rss

Hundreds turn out for Salem, Ore., tea party rally
http://www.theolympian.com/2010/04/16/1208208/hundreds-turn-out-for-salem-ore.html

Humboldt's tax day protest: Hundreds turn out for event at county
courthouse (CA)
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_14896381

Tea Parties Pour Anti-Tax Message Across Triad (NC)
http://www.digtriad.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=140567&catid=57

Amarillo Tea Party Patriots: A subdued gathering (TX)
http://www.amarillo.com/stories/041610/new_news1.shtml

Tea party speakers lash out at government (AL)
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20100416/NEWS02/4160329/1009/rss04

Tea Party protests big government in Mission Viejo (CA)
http://www.ocregister.com/news/government-244341-protest-party.html

Tea Partiers Cry Socialism In White Plains (NY)
http://wcbstv.com/business/tea.party.movement.2.1634959.html

Tea Party activists rally at Statehouse (OH)
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/04/15/columbus-tea-party.html?

Tax day demonstration in Naples (FL)
http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=12317628

Tea Party demonstrators in Springfield out in force on income tax due date (MA)
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/tea_party_demonstrators_in_spr.html

Tea Party in Rome brings out tax protesters (NY)
http://www.oneidadispatch.com/articles/2010/04/15/news/doc4bc7df5810835713769304.txt

Tea partiers protest direction of country (MD)
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-04-15/news/bs-tea-party-tax-day-0415_1_tea-party-tax-code-taxes-and-big-government

About 200 rally at peaceful Tax Day Tea Party (MS)
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20100416/NEWS01/4160353

Eugene Tea Party: If it's Got Tax in the Title Vote No (OR)
http://salem-news.com/articles/april152010/tea-parties-ew.php

There's plenty to say about Obama at Brunswick tea party rally (GA)
http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2010-04-15/story/theres-plenty-say-about-obama-brunswick-tea-party-rally

Tax Day Tea Party not as large as last year but still draws hundreds (FL)
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100415/articles/100419586

Thousands Attend Cincinnati Tea Party Event (OH)
http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Thousands-Attend-Cincinnati-Tea-Party-Event/eMuZ0_tTdUuMtpiDPl3-9Q.cspx?rss=703

Tax Day Tea Party rally in Salt Lake City
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14892157

In Vt., tea party protests government spending
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VT_TEA_PARTY_VERMONT_VTOL-

More than 1,000 rally at Oklahoma tea party event
http://newsok.com/more-than-1000-rally-at-oklahoma-tea-party-event/article/3453923

Tax Day Tea Party Rally Draws Hundreds in Wheeling (WV)
http://www.wtrf.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=78390

Tea Party Brings out Emotions in Taxpayers (IA)
http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Tea-Party-Brings-out-Emotions-in-Taxpayers/dapsqgoBMUeHbL25AiAd7w.cspx

Local Tea Party Supporters Rally Downtown (KY)
http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/91003349.html