Senator Barbara Boxer, Comedic Genius

Few in the country realize the comedy genius of one of California's fine Senators. Of course, I speak of Senator (don't call her ma'am!) Boxer. She brings such levity to the hallowed halls of Congress. But then again, it might just be something leeching out of the old plumbing in the Capitol.

And some people still wonder why I worry about the state of our union. Folks, I think we have ourselves a new spokesmodel for good governance!

Let's all give it up for Senatoooor Barbaraaaaa Boooooxer (and the audience goes wild)!

Barbara Boxer and Appropriate Protest Attire

What? Smart, articulate, people with good grooming habits can't protest the government? Well, it must be a conspiracy I tell you!

Don't Call Me Ma'am!

Sorry Senator Boxer, I don't think the general meant any disrespect but you know those whacky brigadier generals! Generally, people in the military address people with superior authority as "sir" or "ma'am."

It's Only Racist If Someone Else Does It

The interesting bits start about a minute into it. Harry Alford, CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce, is testifying regarding green jobs. Let's see Senator Boxer's witty retort. Maybe it's because he called her "ma'am." Makes us all proud, doesn't it.

How long 'til 2010? Democrats, really, you don't have anybody else that can run?

See also ...

Barbara Boxer Performs "Daily Show" Reenactment
www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-march-1-2012/pill-bill---volume-1---barbara-boxer-s-daily-show-reenactment

An Honest Health Care Debate?: Are We Really THIS #*&@ Stupid?

Like many Americans, yes, I'm interested in real, sensible, practical health-care reform--you know, the type that makes sense, reduces costs, and improves care. However, I just have to shake my head when I see the blatant manipulation (they're not technically lies) coming from our so-called "leaders" in Washington.

Here's a little snippet that caught my eye about a month ago in a Washington Post article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/01/AR2009070100950.html

"In the stage-managed event, questions for Obama came from a live audience selected by the White House and the college, and from Internet questions chosen by the administration's new-media team. Of the seven questions the president answered, four were selected by his staff from videos submitted to the White House Web site or from those responding to a request for 'tweets.'

"The president called randomly on three audience members. All turned out to be members of groups with close ties to his administration: the Service Employees International Union, Health Care for America Now, and Organizing for America, which is a part of the Democratic National Committee. White House officials said that was a coincidence."

If this really was "a coincidence," I would suggest that the President buy himself a lottery ticket! His luck is truly phenomenal!

The Serivce Employees International Union (SEIU)? I've heard of them. As reported in the L.A. Times and the Chicago Tribune, didn't the SEIU spend $60 million to elect the President and now have unprecedented access to the White House? The SEIU is also #9 on the list of the largest political contributors to some of our lofty, ethical elected officials (97% from only one political party--you guess which).

I'm not familiar with Health Care for America Now. That sounds like a non-partisan group interested in prudent health-care reforms, right? Let's see what I can find out about them from their web site.
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/about-us/members/

Hmm, well let's see. There's ACORN, the AFL-CIO (#31 on the top politcal donors list), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (#2 on the list), Americans United for Change (hey, isn't their former president, Brad Woodhouse, now the communications director for the Democratic National Commitee (DNC)?). Wow, and I haven't even made it out of the 'A's yet.

Again, I wasn't familiar with the name Organizing for America until I again searched the web. Oh yeah, this was the organization that then-candidate Obama formed when he was seeking the White House. The site helped organize his campaign in different states, mobilize his volunteers, and they maintain huge E-mail list. I scroll down the page. Wait a second, is this site managed by the DNC--the same DNC where Brad Woodhouse now works but used to be with Americans United for Change? Wow, another stunning "coincidence"!

And people thought Richard Nixon was tricky. Apparently President Obama excelled in his previous role as a "community organizer." These groups are well coordinated from the top, but they are also more inbred than some crazy dog breeds.

This so-called "national debate on health care" is a complete SHAM. This is a complete SHAME!!!

All Clunkers Are Not Created Equally

Apparently unlike most Americans, I am usually uncomfortable taking supposedly "free money" from the government. However, as the owner of an eleven-year old minivan and a fourteen-year old four-door sedan, I put aside my prohibitions in favor of the "free" $4,500. After all, I and my children will be paying for it anyway via taxes plus interest on all that debt.

But image my surprise that my "clunkers" are not gas-guzzly enough to qualify (wow, Congress actually put a limitation on a government give-away program?). Unfortunately for me, I stupidly made prudent, common-sense choices in automobiles and was concerned about good gas mileage even back at $1.40 a gallon. Back then, I had the money to purchase something much grander but stupidly chose not to and instead save the money. Many of my smarter friends had it right, though. They purchased massive, luxurious, heavy, gas-guzzling SUV land-yachts and took full advantage of the IRS tax incentives encouraging larger vehicles. They’re written off many thousands of dollars since then and will now likely receive another $4,500 toward the purchase of a new car courtesy of the federal government. Huh? Congress first incentivizes bad behavior and then later rewards such behavior. And people wonder why I worry when Congress attempts to influence markets.

Fortunately, a few brave souls in Congress attempted to close the ridiculous SUV tax loophole with HR 5579 back in 2006, which died in committee of course. Good luck now that the government owns G.M. SUVs are a highly-profitable segment of the market and the auto union, owners of many in Congress, is a major shareholder.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r109:E09JN6-0040:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-5579

United Auto Workers (UAW)#16 on the All-Time Top Political Donors to Congress
http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/summary.php?id=D000000070

Top Recipients of UAW Donations
http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/toprecips.php?id=D000000070
(Image that! The top recipient also helped the UAW negotiate a better position ahead of other creditors during the government purchase of G.M.)