READING THE TEA LEAVES

What kind of situation do we face in the USA if we don't control our spending and balance the budget? Here is a sample of items for your consideration

From the New York Times
Europeans Fear Crisis Threatens Liberal Benefits

...all over Europe governments with big budgets, falling tax revenues and aging populations are experiencing rising deficits, with more bad news ahead.

With low growth, low birthrates and longer life expectancies, Europe can no longer afford its comfortable lifestyle, at least not without a period of austerity and significant changes. The countries are trying to reassure investors by cutting salaries, raising legal retirement ages, increasing work hours and reducing health benefits and pensions.

From the Guardian/The Observer

"We are building up an almighty bubble of debt which is going to burst in one great bang," says Hans-Werner Sinn, chief of Ifo, one of the country's leading economic thinktanks.

That means a bitter round of budget cuts, deeper than any seen since 1945. Every area of German life is expected to take a hit, from education to welfare benefits, swimming pools to autobahns. Far-fetched as talk of the return of the mark seems, the more it is talked about, the more it is likely to become popular, despite Merkel's insistence that if the euro fails, so will Europe.

Don't think we are exempt. We need to cut the spending and balance the budget NOW.

THE MOST ETHICAL GOVERNMENT EVER??

According to the claims during the past by many Democrats now in office, transparency, ethical government, and an end to the corruption was to occur with the past election of officials. The cry of "the most ethical Congress ever", along with "Hope and Change" was ever present. How is that working out?

For some answers, read this article (Obama Justice Department Shut Down Federal ACORN Investigation According to Documents Obtained by Judicial Watch)

ARE YOU UNEMPLOYED/UNDEREMPLAYED?

According to this article, Gov't workers feel no economic pain, from "The Washington Times", that's probably because you don't work for the US Government.

Exit question - why don't government workers suffer with the rest of America? And a second question - where do you think the funds come from to pay these government workers?

"VOTE EARLY VOTE OFTEN"

The quote "Vote early, vote often." comes from President Obama's adopted Chicago. A town with which I am very familiar. I grew up in Chicago. It's is illegal; it is undemocratic; it is just plain wrong. But now a prominent liberal radio host, Ed Schultz, condones that kind of voter fraud for Tuesday's Senatorial Election in the State of Massachusetts.Ed Schultz: I'd cheat to keep Brown from winning shows just how corrupt many liberals are. They are in almost total agreement that the Conservatives Cheat all the time, but apparently it's not bad when liberals cheat.

Ed Schultz has been mentioned prominently by liberals as a someone who would be a great Democrat Party selection to be an elected member of Congress. Apparently Ed does not realize these are the same tactics that the American Voting Public despise, and condemn. The end does not justify the means. You can watch the video at the above link. Here is the transcript:

I tell you what, if I lived in Massachusetts I'd try to vote 10 times. I don't know if they'd let me or not, but I'd try to. Yeah, that's right. I'd cheat to keep these bastards out. I would. 'Cause that's exactly what they are. [Ed Schultz Quote, from the Video]

ANOTHER FALSE CLAIM FOUND IN IPCC

Global Warming claims are being found to be false again. Details here, [World misled over Himalayan glacier meltdown] show that the Himalayan Glaciers are not going to be completely gone by 2035, NOT EVEN CLOSE.

A WARNING that climate change will melt most of the Himalayan glaciers by 2035 is likely to be retracted after a series of scientific blunders by the United Nations body that issued it.

Notice the word blunders in the quote.

Once again Al Gore's statement that "...it is settled." is just another mistake.

GLOBAL WARMING? AN UPDATE

Here are some more links of interest to anyone interested in Global Warming.

Winter of 2009-2010 Could Be Worst in 25 Years

Nearly the entire eastern half of the United States is enduring bitterly cold temperatures not experienced since 1985. Even Florida, which has been hovering around freezing levels overnight recently, is also feeling the almost-nationwide chill.

All-time record snowfall in Burlington [Vermont]

In South Burlington, 33 inches fell -- an all-time record for one storm.

Feeling cold? We're at 30 below normal

[In Iowa] Spencer and Sheldon recorded the coldest temperatures in the state with minus-33 degrees. Estherville came in at 28 below zero, Fort Dodge at negative 26. Sioux City and Orange City both reported minus-22 degrees. At least 16 more cities across the state reported lows in the negative double digits.

Seoul buried in heaviest snowfall in 70 years

SEOUL, South Korea – Seoul residents slogged through the heaviest snowfall in modern Korean history after a winter storm dumped more than 11 inches (28 centimeters) Monday, forcing airports to cancel flights and paralyzing traffic in South Korea's bustling capital.

Ice Slows Operation At N.J. Nuclear Power Plant

Plant officials told Eyewitness News that it is the first time that they had to take this unusual step because of ice.

Siberian winds usher in record lows in Beijing

A FREEZING cold front swept over much of northern China on Sunday with snowstorms snarling traffic and air travel, while some of the coldest temperatures in decades were forecast for coming days.

Miami shivers from coldest weather in decade

Residents of Miami donned heavy coats and wool mufflers Monday to face down the coldest weather to hit the usually balmy city nearly in a decade.

GLOBAL WARMING?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

To start 2010, here are some stories about Global Warming.

1. Cold weather kills scores

   New Delhi - At least 17 people died as towns and cities in India's northern states were hit by cold weather, officials said on Friday [Jan 01, 2010].

2. Britain facing one of the coldest winters in 100 years, experts predict

   They predicted no let up in the freezing snap until at least mid-January, with snow, ice and severe frosts dominating.
   
   And the likelihood is that the second half of the month will be even colder.

3. Once in a generation cold snap forecast for NC

   RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Forecasters say the coldest stretch of weather in years if not decades could be heading for North Carolina.

4. Man's Death Is Fourth Related To Cold This Winter

   CHICAGO (AP) ― A man whose body was found in a park on Chicago's South Side is Cook County's fourth confirmed cold-related death.

5. Prisoners used to shovel snow-bound US capital

   WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US capital paid prison inmates to shovel sidewalks, crosswalks and bus stops after the biggest December blizzard in the city's history, the Department of Corrections said Thursday.

For further facts and informed opinion on Global Climate Change, please refer to The WSJ Guide to Climate Change and if you are a Union Member, be sure to read this article. It is part of the WSJ Guide.

Cap and Trade in Practice

Also please consider the following.

During testimony before The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on March 27, 2007, Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) asked Al Gore to take the following pledge:

As a believer:

-that human-caused global warming is a moral, ethical, and spiritual issue affecting our survival;

-that home energy use is a key component of overall energy use;

-that reducing my fossil fuel-based home energy usage will lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions; and

-that leaders on moral issues should lead by example;

I pledge to consume no more energy for use in my residence than the average American household by March 21, 2008.”

Former Senator and Vice President of the United States, Al Gore refused to take this pledge.

As of January 02, 2010, another 1018 days have passed; however Mr. Gore, who won the Nobel Peace Prize and an Oscar for his movie "An Inconvenient Truth", continues his refusal to sign this pledge.

NON-TRANSPARENT DEMOCRAT SENATE

This is the Senate of Harry Reid.

PRESS RELEASES

Completely Reckless, Completely Irresponsible
from the Office of Senator Mitch McConnell

Thursday, December 17, 2009

‘And here’s the most outrageous part: at the end of this rush, they want us to vote on a bill that no one outside the Majority Leader’s conference room has even seen. That’s right. The final bill we’ll vote on isn’t even the one we’ve had on the floor. It’s the deal Democrat leaders have been trying to work out in private’

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the importance of getting it right on health care reform:

“Senators on both sides acknowledge that the health care bill we’re considering is among the most significant pieces of legislation any of us will ever consider.

“So it stands to reason that we’d devote significant time and attention to it.

“Indeed, some would argue that we should spend more time and attention on this bill than most — if not every — previous bill we’ve considered.

“The Majority disagrees.

“Why? Because this bill has become a political nightmare for them.

“They know Americans overwhelmingly oppose it, so they want to get it over with.

“Americans are already outraged at the fact that Democrat leaders took their eyes off the ball. Rushing the process on a partisan line makes the situation even worse.

“Americans were told the purpose of reform was to reduce the cost of health care.

“Instead, Democrat leaders produced a $2.5 trillion, 2,074-page monstrosity that vastly expands government, raises taxes, raises premiums, and wrecks Medicare.

“And they want to rush this bill through by Christmas — one of the most significant, far-reaching pieces of legislation in U.S. history. They want to rush it.

“And here’s the most outrageous part: at the end of this rush, they want us to vote on a bill that no one outside the Majority Leader’s conference room has even seen.

“That’s right. The final bill we’ll vote on isn’t even the one we’ve had on the floor. It’s the deal Democrat leaders have been trying to work out in private.

“That’s what they intend to bring to the floor and force a vote on before Christmas.

“So this entire process is essentially a charade.

“But let’s just compare the process so far with previous legislation for some perspective. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve done and where we stand:

• The Majority Leader intends to bring this debate to a close as early as this weekend — four days from now, on this $2.5 trillion dollar mistake

• No American who hasn’t been invited into the Majority Leader’s conference room knows what will be in that bill

• This bill has been the pending business of the Senate since the last week of November — less than four weeks ago.

• We started the amendment process two weeks ago.

• We’ve had 21 amendments and motions — less than two a day.

“Now let’s look at how the Senate has dealt with previous legislation.

“No Child Left Behind (2001):

• 21 session days or 7 weeks.

• Roll Call votes: 44

• Number of Amendments offered: 157

“9/11 Commission/Homeland Security Act (2002):

• 19 session days over 7 weeks.

• Roll Call votes: 20

• Number of Amendments offered: 30

“Energy Bill (2002):

• 21 session days over 8 weeks

• Number of Roll Call votes: 36

• Number of Amendments offered: 158

“This isn’t an energy bill. This is an attempt by a majority to take over one sixth of the U.S. economy — to vastly expand the reach and the role of government into the health care decisions of every single American — and they want to be done after one substantive amendment. This is absolutely inexcusable.

“I think Senator Snowe put it best on Tuesday:

‘Given the enormity and complexity,’ she said, ‘I don’t see anything magical about the Christmas deadline if this bill is going to become law in 2014.’

“And I think Senator Snowe’s comments on a lack of bipartisanship at the outset of this debate are also right on point.

“Here’s what she said in late November:

‘I am truly disappointed we are commencing our historic debate on one of the most significant and pressing domestic issues of our time with a process that has forestalled our ability to arrive at broader agreement on some of the most crucial elements of health care reform. The bottom line is, the most consequential health care legislation in the history of our country and the reordering of $33 trillion in health care spending over the coming decade shouldn’t be determined by one vote-margin strategies – surely we can and must do better.’

“The only conceivable justification for rushing this bill is the overwhelming opposition of the American people. Democrats know that the longer Americans see this bill the less they like it. Here’s the latest from Pew. It came out just yesterday.

“A majority (58 percent) of those who have heard a lot about the bills oppose them while only 32 percent favor them.”

“There is no justification for this blind rush — except a political one, and that’s not good enough for the American people.

“And there’s no justification for forcing the Senate to vote on a bill none of us has seen.

“Americans already oppose this bill. The process is just as bad.

“It’s completely reckless, completely irresponsible.”

BE AFRAID - BE VERY AFRAID

OBAMACARE/KENNEDY CARE HR3200

By whatever title, the current Health Care Bill has some really frightening sections from the standpoint of Privacy. Remember how up in arms the Liberal Dems where about the NSA wiretapping?

But in the present Public Option Health Care Bill there is no outcry, but the requirements for Privacy invasion are much greater. Instead of someone who MIGHT be accessing you library card info, reading your email, listening to your cell phone etc, this bill contains MUST do accessing and storing Income Tax Records, Social Security Information, Health Information Records (Doctor, Clinic, Hospital and all other Medical Information) in some bureau of the Federal Government headed by the Health Choices Commissioner. This is a REQUIREMENT. And the information will be shared with State and Local Governments. How safe is your VERY PRIVATE INFORMATION when every politician, Government Worker and who knows who else has this information at their computer?

Democratic Health Care Bill Divulges IRS Tax Data is from CBS News and contains these paragraphs.

Section 431(a) of the bill says that the IRS must divulge taxpayer identity information, including the filing status, the modified adjusted gross income, the number of dependents, and "other information as is prescribed by" regulation. That information will be provided to the new Health Choices Commissioner and state health programs and used to determine who qualifies for "affordability credits."

And this.

Section 245(b)(2)(A) says the IRS must divulge tax return details -- there's no specified limit on what's available or unavailable -- to the Health Choices Commissioner. The purpose, again, is to verify "affordability credits."

Another section says this.

Section 1801(a) says that the Social Security Administration can obtain tax return data on anyone who may be eligible for a "low-income prescription drug subsidy" but has not applied for it.

This Legislation is 1000+ pages what else is hidden therein?
Why no outcry about Privacy Invasion from the Liberal Dems? Ask Them, Please. Go to Town Hall meetings and ask questions.