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Survey says we are headed the wrong way
You know, I hate being a naysayer. I hate it, especially during this time of year. According to a recent Rasmussen Reports survey, 71% of voters believe our country is headed on the wrong track.
Why doesn’t this surprise me? The President and Congress continually pass legislation that places our economy in harms way. Unemployment numbers are at an all-time high and the government seems to be consumed by wasting the taxpayers dollar (rather than putting it to good use by giving it back to them). Add to this, the fact that Americans are also concerned with how the Obama Administration is dealing with the Muslim world and they recognize that U.S. relations with Israel will continue to worsen over time.
If anything, it will take a long time to get the country back in the right direction with the Obama Administration. The only way we can see a possible turnaround might be in 2012. In the meantime, the incoming Congress needs to address the unemployment crisis, focusing on lowering taxes across the board, and cutting all unnecessary expenditures.
Obama Administration Blocks Offshore Drilling
Go figure!
The Obama Administration decided yesterday to block drilling and exploration off the coasts of the Gulf, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. This is a major blow to economic development and will result in lost job opportunities, especially here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This also deals a major blow to energy independence.
Governor Bob McDonnell has been working tirelessly to get the Obama Administration to include Virginia in the lease sale.
“I am extremely disappointed that the Obama Administration has unilaterally blocked environmentally responsible, and economically crucial, offshore energy exploration and development in Virginia, along the Atlantic Coast and throughout other broad swaths of offshore territory nationwide. This is an irresponsible and short-sighted decision. It demonstrates a complete lack of confidence in the entrepreneurial spirit of American industry and its ability to fix the problems experienced in the Gulf spill, and no confidence in the ability of the U.S. government to better plan for and react to offshore emergencies. I personally relayed this message to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar during our phone conversation shortly before the announcement was made today.This decision comes in the midst of one of the toughest economies in our history. The cost of today’s decision will be seen in major lost job opportunities, surrendered economic growth, and increased dependence on foreign sources of energy, from nations often hostile to American interests.
Advances in technology continue to make offshore energy production more cost effective and safe. Instead of using that technology to produce more energy in a responsible manner here at home, this Administration apparently prefers that we continue to depend more and more on oil from other nations and foreign cartels with far-less stringent environmental regulations and policies. Further, the Administration’s policy of permitting thousands of oil and gas platforms in the Gulf and Alaska, but none off the Atlantic Coast, makes no sense. Punishing an entire industry because of the actions of one company is not good policy.
Virginians support the development of our offshore resources. They know that it would mean thousands of good paying jobs in our Commonwealth and billions in economic impact. Now, the White House has said no to that progress. They have closed the door on an industry poised to breathe new life into our economy and improve American security. This decision calls into serious question the priorities and focus of the Obama Administration. Americans want new jobs created, our economy improved, and more reliable sources of domestic energy utilized. I strongly urge the White House to reconsider this decision. We now look to our US. Senators and Congressmen, who will be playing significant leadership roles in the new Congress, to work on a legislative fix of this decision in order for Virginia to move forward on domestic energy production off our coast, and the creation of thousands of new jobs that will come with it. Left to stand, this policy will have a real, negative impact on the people of our state and this nation. It is the wrong decision at the wrong time.”
Emphasizing the negative impact that this would have on job creation and economic development, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling released the following statement.
“I am very disappointed that the Obama Administration has refused to move forward with the responsible development of our nation’s offshore energy resources. This is a baseless, misguided and short-sighted decision that will leave our nation dependent on foreign sources of energy, leave significant economic benefits associated with offshore energy development unrealized in Virginia and deny the creation of thousands of new jobs for Virginians.
“Governor McDonnell and I continue to support the responsible development of Virginia’s offshore energy resources. We believe that this can be done safely, and we know that development of these resources will help our country achieve a greater degree of energy security, while helping Virginia achieve a greater degree of economic security, including billions of dollars in capital investment, thousands of new jobs and millions of dollars in state and local tax revenue.
“Unfortunately, as a result of the President’s unjustified decision, these considerable resources will remain unutilized and our over-dependence on foreign sources of energy will continue. This is another example of the Obama Administration pursuing anti-business policies that will perpetuate our current economic malaise.”
Americans for Prosperity-Virginia State Director Ben Marchi also released a statement calling the Obama Administration out for their decision that would have drastic economic effects across the nation and the Commonwealth.
“This excessive, sweeping and unnecessary move by the Obama Administration is nothing short of a kneejerk reaction that will have lasting repercussions on the economy of Virginia, potential job creation and the nation at large.
“Such a categorical action during an economic downturn denies the uniquely American ability to solve problems and formulate effective methods to overcome obstacles. By this action, President Obama is eliminating the possibility of creating thousands of jobs in Virginia and elsewhere. He has also cemented – at least for the foreseeable future – America’s reliance on foreign sources of energy while we have untapped resources here within reach on our own shores.
“This is an issue of national economic security, and we are deeply disappointed in President Obama’s actions. Now is the time for our members of Congress, including our two U.S. Senators, to express opposition to this shortsighted policy.”
I guess there is one thing that you can say about the Obama Administration. They really do know how to kill the economy and force complete dependence on government.
Are you better off than you were four years ago?
Former President Ronald Reagan once asked if voters were better off in 1980 than they were four years ago. The voters during that time elected Reagan out of pure frustration with the Carter Administration.
Fast forward to 2010, voters are once again ticked off. The Obama Administration and the 111th Congress have wasted taxpayer dollars on unnecessary programs combined with an unwanted health care reform package. According to a recent CNN survey, 75% of Americans believe things are going bad in this country. This low rating has not been seen in this country since the mid-1970s.
Why are voters so pessimistic? Could it be the fact that unemployment rates are at an all-time high? Could it be that our economy is failing? So, are we better off than we were four years ago? NO! Not in a chance.
Here’s how we can make things better.
- VOTE TODAY! Take my advice and don’t sit this one out.
- VOTE for:
- Keith Fimian (VA-11)
- Patrick Murray (VA-8)
- Frank Wolf (VA-10)
- Scott Rigell (VA-2)
- Robert Hurt (VA-5)
- Morgan Griffith (VA-9)
- Rob Wittman (VA-1)
- Randy Forbes (VA-4)
- Bob Goodlatte (VA-6)
- If you are from Washington state, VOTE FOR DINO ROSSI!
- If you are from Maryland, RID YOURSELVES OF THE O’MALLEY TYRANNY…vote EHRLICH/KANE. If you are in MD-1, Andy Harris will make a great Congressman
- A shout-out to Ohio, vote Kasich/Taylor, Rob Portman, Josh Mandel, Peter Corrigan (who could oust Dennis Kucinich)
- Rand Paul would make a fine Senator from Kentucky…just sayin’
- VOTE against:
- the Obama Administration/Nancy Pelosi/Harry Reid’s wishes
- ALL THREE VIRGINIA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
It’s time to restore liberty!
Forget about Recovering Lost Jobs
Vice President Joe Biden is known for making all kinds of interesting remarks, ranging from hilarious to really dumb. However, his remarks from a campaign stop on Friday were truthful and albeit, honest. He said, “there’s no possibility to restore 8 million jobs lost in the Great Recession.” Unfortunately, he is right.
With the recent display by the federal government to spend to excess and the possibility of taxes being raised on the horizon, it is no wonder why we can not restore this massive job loss. Wasteful spending, enacting more financial regulations, and raising taxes are no way towards prosperity or solving a budget deficit.
Recently, the New York Times ran an article about whether the Obama Administration and Congress can create jobs without additional stimulus legislation. Of the experts questioned, there was more mention about putting free market principles to work, rather than relying on wasteful spending and additional bailouts. Easing regulations and reducing taxes were other suggestions. These are the examples Obama should be seeking, not enacting stricter regulations, wasteful spending measures, etc.
We need to put America back to work, and it is unfortunate that the Democrats in control of Washington would rather tax and spend, than address the unemployment issue by utilizing free market principles.
How Scary is this?
If you look at the comments from National Juggernaut‘s post, this cartoon points to many of the things happening today under President Obama’s administration. This is a pretty scary cartoon.
"Public Option" for Student Loans should be a no go!
Anytime the government seeks to take over a failing industry, there is always a probability that failures can ensue. After all, when has the federal government ever got anything right?
Now, the Obama Administration is moving to exclude all private lenders from making government guaranteed student loans. This job killing move will cost tens of thousands private sector jobs as the government earns a profit on charging students for higher education. Additionally, schools and families will lose the choice of how to borrow money to pay for college. Currently, legislation is being drafted in Congress to federalize student loans, and Senator Tom Harkin, who chairs the Senate HELP Committee has promised to schedule hearings as soon as this bill passes the House. (This eerily sounds like Obama’s health care reform…doesn’t it?)
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sent around this letter to colleges and universities encouraging them to switch to government loans now (even though, the bill has not even been passed yet). Since when do departments institute laws before they are even passed?
From: Duncan, Arne [mailto:Arne.Duncan@ed.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 10:39 AM
Subject: Letter from the U.S. Department of Education regarding student loan programs
THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
WASHINGTON, DC 20202
October 26, 2009
As this academic year moves forward, it is hard to believe we already need to consider the 2010-2011 year to come. In doing so, I am writing to seek your assistance and offer mine in taking the necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted access to federal student loans by ensuring your institution is Direct Loan-ready for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Eighteen months ago, uncertainty in the financial markets seriously threatened the availability of Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program loans for the upcoming 2008-09 academic year. Congress acted quickly to provide the Department of Education with unprecedented temporary authority to directly finance loans made through FFEL Program lenders. The goal was to ensure that every student or parent with a need for a federal loan would be able to get one, whether or not the student’s educational institution had taken the steps to provide loans through the Direct Loan Program (where loan access was not affected). This stopgap measure, the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (ECASLA), was helpful in assisting FFEL Program lenders in making $61.3 billion in new loans to students and their parents this past year. And the bulk of those funds—some $46.3 billion—was provided by the Department of Education.
While many institutions like yours continued to use the FFEL Program loan delivery process last year, more than 500 others responded to the uncertainty by switching to the Direct Loan Program. These colleges’ move to direct lending happened in an efficient and effective manner, without any interruption of service to students, and the number of Direct Loans increased by nearly two-thirds compared to the previous year. As you know, the Direct Loan Program provides students with the same types of loans, with essentially the same terms, as those made in the FFEL Program.
I do not anticipate any major loan access problems during the remainder of this academic year because Congress’s temporary measure remains in effect. However, while there are encouraging signs that the financial markets are rebounding, the most prudent course of action is for you to ensure that your institution is Direct Loan-ready for the 2010-2011 academic year. That way, loan access for your students will be assured. As you may know, President Obama has proposed that Congress make the loan system more reliable by moving to a 100 percent Direct Loan delivery system. In any event, under current law, ECASLA will expire, and the continued participation of FFEL Program lenders will be in question.
The Department of Education stands ready to assist with any questions you and your staff may have about becoming Direct Loan-ready. Many institutions have already taken the initial step of contacting us to ensure the appropriate transition steps have been taken at Federal Student Aid to begin the process. If your school has not taken this initial step, we recommend that you do so. Please also reach out to your technology, financial aid, and business offices to make sure they are working together to ensure federal loan access for your students and their parents. If they are unsure of the steps to take, please have them contact our school relations center at 1-800-848-0978, or e-mail us at DLEnrollment_FSA@ed.gov with questions.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Arne Duncan
This has caused quite a firestorm at colleges and universities throughout the country, even prompting them to send letters to legislators urging them not to support any legislation that would federalize the student loan industry. In fact, Sens. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) sent letters to Secretary Arne Duncan in November warning of the ramifications of doing this to the student loan industry.
There is great anxiety by the states that could be impacted: Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Delaware, and New York will all lose jobs due to this legislation (if passed). With unemployment at an all-time high, wouldn’t you think that the Obama Administration would allow private businesses to flourish and create new opportunities? Instead, it appears they are planning to destroy them and continue adding to the unemployment numbers.
As I was entering college in 2000, I relied on student loans to pay the $30,000 a year tuition at the private college I attended. If I did not have the opportunity to borrow from a private lender, my dreams of being the first female and first person on both sides of my family to graduate with a degree would not have been reality. I received a fine liberal arts education and have received many opportunities that would not have been open to me otherwise. If the government takes over the student loan industry, this would be shutting the doors of opportunity on others, whose stories might be similar to mine.
Note: Erick over at RedState has more on this, as the New York Times came out in defense of this proposed legislation.
Phantom Zip Codes: Just Another Stimulus Flaw
Recovery.gov provided lots of entertainment in the beginning with its phantom Congressional Districts. After all, Virginia had more districts and I was even running for the 51st Congressional District seat.
Thanks to a report from Jim Scarantino of the New Mexico Watchdog, there appears to be more errors in the same report…this time with non-existent zip codes.
More errors in the same report. I am really beginning to question if accuracy will ever be conveyed through these reports.
