Content by rblack198
Posted at 1:04pm on Jun. 10, 2008 Why simply having the letter R next to your name isn't good enough.
By rblack198
I'm sure everyone is having their mailbox flooded with requests and denouncements from the RNC either asking for money or asking why you've been ignoring them or both. These mailings implore us to support the GOP candidates because we can all agree that the Dems will be worse, oh so much worse. To me to turn an old phrase the proof is in the pudding.
Like most I'm frustrated, perplexed, annoyed and depressed about how several of our GOP members of Congress come pleading every few years with new promises only to deliver the same tried and true nonsense.
Posted in Energy — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 12:13pm on Nov. 23, 2007 No Senate Recess over Thanksgiving
By rblack198
Just some random thoughts here that someone may have already covered (if so my apologies). I'm curious as to everyone's opinion on the Senate still being "in session" over this Thanksgiving Break to prevent recess appointments. I read this a.m. that Webb gaveled the session to start and close within 22 seconds on Tuesday.
How would it play if every Republican took this chance and actually showed up on the Senate floor ready to take on the business of the country while the Dem side of the isle stood empty? Fully realizing this is only symbolic, but couldn't they then claim to simply be waiting on the majority to finish their vacation while they try to address the problems facing our nation? Would they be allowed to take any action or make any speeches without being "allowed" by the majority to do so?
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Posted at 9:58pm on Aug. 7, 2007 Earmarks, Spending and Taxes Oh My.
By rblack198
This is a bit of an offshoot of Erick's Ron Paul earmark blog. I'll avoid the whole is Ron Paul the end all be all of fiscal conservatism and go a little further. Let's say we all argee (hypothetically) that Ron and his $8 million is the best the taxpayers have in Congress when it comes to special projects and fiscal conservatism. My question is, even conceding this fact, why are we satisfied by that. Why as a party are Republicans simply content with SPENDING LESS than Democrats as if that is somehow a badge of honor? This prolonged campaign season I have seen repeatedly from the RNC, NRCC, and NRSC prouncements of how much worse the Dems are than the Rep's, why do we accept this premise as being good enough. You've all I'm sure gotten the pleas from the RNC proclaiming how much worse it could be.
Posted in Congress — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 4:29pm on Jun. 11, 2007 Chairman Obey on Earmarks
By rblack198
This is in response to Boehner's letter criticizing his practices.
"Obey told reporters: "If they think they can demagogue the earmarks process all the year long and expect Democrats to carry the burden of passing earmarks, they're wrong.... There will be no earmarks for anybody.""
There will be no earmarks for anybody . . . I like the sound of that.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070611/ap_on_go_co/congress_earmarks_2;_ylt...
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Posted at 8:09pm on Jun. 7, 2007 Dorgan on C-Span 2 row 6:06 pm cent 6/7/07 - free market
By rblack198
In all hopes his amendment kills the bill I have to respectfully disagree with his take on economics right then. Claims the free market and supply/demand is broken. The argument only works if he assumes nothing else changes, for all you econ nerds out there like myself thats the ole ceteris paribus (be gentle never learned to spell that correctly) argument, works great in theory. He's using the illegal as the means to get by paying lower wages, though I agree that's exactly the role.
Posted in Immigration — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 11:30pm on Jun. 3, 2007 Spending reality check
By rblack198
After watching Bill O'Reilly and James Carville at the Peneta Institute talking politics on CSPAN I ran a quick search about the fairly tale budget "surplus" of $5.3 trillion James was prattling on about. As we all know budget projections and actual results are obviously the same thing and exogenous events don't affect the economy, budgets, or tax collections (you know like terrorist attacks, corporate scandal, recessions). Basically Jimmy claims we've gone from $5.3 trillion ahead to nearly nine in the whole, despite the fact I've got issues with the GOP and their spending habits these days I don't think they managed to screw up quite that bad.
Posted in Economy — Comments (4) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 6:57pm on May 22, 2007 GAS PRICES TOO HIGH???
By rblack198
Got a problem, call the US House of Representatives, theres no jurisdiction outside their reach. Point of fact, does the US government buy the oil, that is made in to gasoline and other refined products, and then re-sell to "BIG OIL"? The US Government can sue OPEC for selling to private businesses at too high a cost, OUTLANDISH, ASINIE, etc. etc?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070522/ap_on_go_co/congress_energy_1
Posted in Energy — Comments (22) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 8:17pm on May 15, 2007 For policy Wonks and Free Speech Advocates
By rblack198
Well it looks like another blow for free speech today. Agree with them or disargee with Opie and Anthony were suspended from XM radio for 30 days. XM's management has deemed their speaking of some comments made last week to be too much to handle I guess, "something about responsibility that creative freedom requires". The makes at least two big names Imus, O&A and a lesser known name JV and Elvis from 92.3 Freem FM in New York all fired or suspended for "inappropriate remarks".
Posted in Policy — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 11:30am on May 15, 2007 Missouri 8th Congressional District
By rblack198
Is anyone on here a native of the Missouri 8th District? I'm a native Missourian myself and continue to struggle with the press I see regarding Jo Ann Emerson of the 8th District. My first frustration was a result of her yes vote regarding the minimum wage increase. That doozy was followed up with a yes vote on the now stalled "let's stick it to Big Oil Act of 2007". Now I see that she thinks we need to increase the level of Food Stamp Assistance via johncombest.com
Posted in 2008 — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Read More »
Posted at 1:46pm on May 10, 2007 Good News/Bad News
By rblack198
Well good news and bad news on the economic front. Let's start with the good news:
"So far this year, tax revenues total $1.505 trillion, an increase of 11.2 percent over the same period last year. That figure includes $383.6 billion collected in April, the largest monthly tax collection on record."
So as we all know tax cuts do work. And now the bad news:
"For the first seven months of this budget year, which began Oct. 1, revenue collections and government spending are at all-time highs."