About Me

Name: Rich from NW...
Biography
Loading...

Create Your Own Blog Find Other Townhall Blogs

Comments

Ironies of the Power of the President and Government: Which President will Lead to Less Freedom, Bush or Obama?

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:24:13 PM
Many people on the left worried endlessly about the power of the presidency and government during the eight years of the Bush administration.     They will likely not think that anymore during Obama's (hopefully only four) years.

However the power of the president (and the government) will grow more during the Obama presidency far more then any imaged growth during Bush's years.  Why would I say that,  you may ask.  

Obama has been given a "crisis".    Crisis's almost always lead to more government especially  during Democrat presidents.    Reagan was about the only president that managed to avoid bigger government during a crisis.   He was the rare politician that realized that government is the problem not the solution.   Most don't believe that.   Obama is one of them.    He doesn't believe in the free enterprise system.   He thinks it is the problem and the government job is to bail it out yet again.  

Never mind that the government will likely lead to this recession going longer then it would have had they laid off and allowed it to correct itself.   Government "help" leads to kicking the can of problems down the road to be "solved" later.    Later is unfortunately going to be even harder to fix.   Society will be much poorer if the bailout really goes south.  

We do a poor job of learning from history.   Obama will pick the same tired old "solutions" that don't work.  The have never worked and never will.  The only thing it will do is grow government.  That isn't change we can believe in.

The Obama Clock:   The countdown to the next president in (hopefully) 2012 


Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Estate Tax to Remain Under Democrats: 2010 Faze-out Nixed!

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Monday, January 12, 2009 9:50:31 PM
The repressive estate tax,  which was due to expire in 2010, will remain after all.   Congressional Democrats and the incoming Obama administration have decided that the government needs the money more then the families that earned them. 

Yup,  Change We Can Believe In!

I am believing that this recession will last far longer then it would have, due to bone-headed "economic" decisions like this one.    Small business fold far more often  then you think due to a family member passing away.    When you lose up to 45% of a business just because someone died is one of the most repressive things you can do to someone loved ones and their livelihood.  After burying your family member you have to fire all your employees, close the business, pay a lot of taxes, and find a job.   Its just plain wrong.  

And it costs people their jobs!   Big time!  No one notices because its not hundreds or thousands of jobs like GM.    It happens hundreds or thousands of times every year,  not just in bad economic years. 

What did small business do to Democrats to get the raw end of the deal every time?   When your group creates most of the new jobs in the country you think you would be treated better then the estate tax!

Its time for Democrats to stop being the reason for unemployment.   They are the problem not the solution. 

Obama's death tax deadly for jobs

The Obama Clock:   The countdown to the next president in (hopefully) 2012
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Naive Decisions You Can Believe In: Obama Still Wants to Close Gitmo

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Monday, January 12, 2009 8:11:20 PM
I was hoping that getting daily threat briefings would end some of the more stupid foreign policies that will come with the Obama Administration.  Sometimes a idea that sounds OK on the campaign trail (without all the information),  shows itself to be as stupid as it is in reality.    Its one thing to say you are going to do something,  its something different to try to do something.   The time for all talk for Obama is over.    Unfortunately I was wrong that he would see how dumb it would be to close Gitmo. 

He still wants to close Gitmo.    Never mind that there isn't any better choices.   Why do you think the Bush Administration chose it?   It was the best choice in a selection of crappy choices.   All the other choices are far worse.  

Obama needs to think twice about closing Gitmo.  

Pentagon: Guantanamo Detainees Returning to Terrorism

Guantanamo Bay Prisoners Could Be Arraigned Before Inauguration Day

The Obama Clock:   The countdown to the next president in (hopefully) 2012
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Guns Sales Up Before Obama Takes Office

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:50:57 PM
There is one part of the economy that is booming right now.   Gun sales!  

It seems that gun owners don't trust the incoming Democrat congress and Obama.   Image that!    So gun sales are though the roof. 

In an article today gun store owners are getting people in that think that this may be the last chance to buy guns.   They may be right.   Democrats don't like the second amendment  much.    Even though they have tried to walk around the issue its clear that most gun owners did not drink the cool-aid.  

I am counting there will be more gun control in the next couple of years.   Never mind that it doesn't work.  

The Obama Clock:   The countdown to the next president in (hopefully) 2012

Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

City of Gary Indiana Tries to Weasel Out of Property Tax Caps

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 5:19:52 PM
After many years the state of Indiana have finally achieved property tax reform.   It was not a fun process for many here in Lake County.     The lawsuit that started it all was filed here in Lake County by a homeowner in St. John.     I am not going to say his name because he has been demonized by  the many uninformed people for starting it all. 

He did all of the taxpayers in Indiana a big favor though.    Many don't believe it yet,  but he really did.     Starting in 2010 all property tax rates are capped at 1% of property value (2 or 3% in some areas,  business and income-producing etc).   Most property owners will be seeing big reductions in their property taxes.   

The idea is to prevent towns and cities from increasing spending too quickly (or to dial back overspending already happening).   It has been noted by virtually no one that this is a really overdue tax reform.    It gives back to the taxpayer for once.

Because the media is fixated on the spending that must be cut.  

Almost every community has to cut spending somewhere.   The income from the property tax is going to be lower everywhere.    Most towns officials are complaining,  but are cutting their budgets knowing that they will get no support for spending increases. 

Gary has to cut $30 million in spending to get under the cap.    Mayor Clay has claimed to have cut $30 million already (it would have been $60 million over).   Well Mayor you will have to do the whole job, not just half.   

However there is a loophole that he is trying to drive thru.     "Distressed"  communities can get the state to allow higher caps for them.   They are asking for "relief "  from this budget mess.   

I say the taxpayers are the ones that need relief, not the government of Gary Indiana.  

Tax caps are pointless if elected officials can weasel out of them.    

I hope that tax caps become more popular.    It should be VERY hard to increase any taxes and something like this goes in the correct direction.    Taxpayers are tapped out and elected politicians are not getting the message.  

It shouldn't be that taxes are always rising.    It kills peoples dreams and makes it harder to make a living. 

I hope the state tells Gary to cut spending instead of increasing taxes.    It would be better in the long run to have Gary spending far less money.  

Recent articles about Gary tax cap.

Gary to make tax cap pitch The Times Jan.5, 2009

Gary makes tax plea    Post Tribune Jan.5, 2009

Gary wants businesses to foot city bailout The Times Jan.6, 2009

Business cool to bailout for Gary Post Tribune Jan. 7, 2009

Gary buys new SUV for mayor The Times Jan. 7, 2009

As you can see,  Gary officials have a lot of things that could be cut (easy).    They don't seem able to see what is fat.   Thats why we need caps.

Daniels blasts Gary Tax Cap Plan The Times Jan. 11, 2009

Gary mayor makes financial plea The Times Jan. 15, 2009

Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Open Mouth, Insert Foot: Kathy Griffin

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Sunday, January 04, 2009 7:53:40 PM
The first Open Mouth, Insert Foot "award"  of 2009 goes to Kathy Griffin.   The so called comedian,  who isn't very funny by the way,  said the d- word on national TV on New Years Eve.   Granted it was CNN (who watches that on NYE? or anytime for that matter) so not very many people saw and heard her.     She was being heckled (big surprise,,,not)  by the people in the crowd.    I guess they had hoped for real entertainers.    So like Babs she lost it. 

Ever since I first saw her on Seinfeld (never got how that got on TV either) I didn't think she was funny.   I still don't,   only now she babbles on about liberal politics as well.   yawn!     How do people like this keep getting back on TV?    
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Liberals Worst Nightmare: President Bush III, (That would be Jeb by the Way)

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Sunday, January 04, 2009 7:01:50 PM
In a interview with Fox News today,  that will give liberals heart attacks around the world.   George Bush Sr. (the first President Bush)  thinks Jeb Bush would be a good president.  Read it here.    Jeb Bush,   son of the first President Bush and younger brother of the present President Bush,  is the former governor of Florida.  


 "(Jeb) as qualified and as able as anyone I know in the political scene" to be president.  I'd like to see him run,   I'd like to see him be president some day." said the former president. 

This blogger can't image the amount of whining and complaining that would come from the left .     They would have hissy fits of enormous  proportions if something like that would come to pass.       I don't see it happening though.   Even though Jeb Bush would likely be a good president,  he would be stuck with the same "mainstream" media that hates his brother.    They would waste little time pining the same label on Jeb (not that they haven't already) that they have on the present President Bush. 

Even though the "mainstream" media is quickly declining, it can still pack a punch.   the recent election of Obama is proof of that.     They have painted President Bush as unpopular  even though he is more popular then the Democrat controlled Congress.  

That was the other point of the first President Bush.   The unfair treatment of the current President Bush.     I can't agree more.   There has been very unprofessional  and bad "reporting" in the last eight years.


Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Happy New Year!! A Little of This and That

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Friday, January 02, 2009 4:19:09 AM
Happy New Year to everybody!  

Time for a little of this and that.

Al Franken's stealing of Norm Coleman's Minnesota Senate seat is almost complete.    Harry Reid seems willing to seat Franken if the "recounting" is not finished.   Never mind that he wasn't willing to seat Coleman when he was still "ahead".    The Democrats don't care that the voters rejected this scary nitwit Franken and reelected Coleman,  their super-majority is in danger.

Meanwhile in New York,  Democrats  want to hand a Senate seat to Caroline Kennedy.   Never mind that she really hasn't done anything on her own to get there.  Her last name is Kennedy so I guess that's the reason why she would be prefect for the Senate.   I for one was looking forward to a Senate free of a member with the last name of Kennedy.    Now there will be two.  Oh, goody!   Once she is there she will be there forever!  Good luck to any smuck that would have to actually run to earn that office. 

In Illinois the arrogant indicted Governor Rod Blagojevich goes ahead and names the replacement for the vacated Obama Senate seat.  Roland Burris comes out of nowhere and ends his retirement.    (I had honestly thought he had passed away, since I hadn't seen him in the news lately).     Of course there is talk about the Democrats not seating him, that's as likely as Franken conceding his election loss. 

AND THIS IS THE CHANGE PEOPLE "VOTED"  FOR!!     YIKES!!!

They aren't  even in office yet and its a huge mess already.    I think I miss George Bush already.     I will have plenty to write and complain about for at least the next two years.     If the Republicans aren't returned to power in Congress in two years this country needs its head examined.  

In International News,  the delusional leader of Cuba,  Raul Castro thinks the Communist Revolution will last another 50 years there.   He will be lucky to get another 5 years out of it.    We can only hope that the end of Communism in Cuba doesn't lead to a bloodbath,  in the island nation that has suffered greatly under its communist dictatorship.    Cuba future could be great if they could turn into a Democracy soon. 

The election of Obama doesn't help the nations that hope for a better future.    Obama will be a weak president,  that the dictators of the world will take advantage of.     With many Clinton staffers back for a "third Clinton" term,  the foreign policy will likely be alot like Clintons.   One that goes in many mixed up directions.    If you are a foreign person reading this,  the U.S. is out to lunch for the next four years at least.   Help for you will have to wait for the next Republican president to clean up after.    Sorry!  

Why the global elites  of the world  prefer a  president like Obama?   I sure don't know why.     I understand that many people don't like a powerhouse like the U.S. with so much strength.    But the world is a vacuum,  do you really want former or current communists or muslim terrorists running the world?   I think not.    Cause you elites types will be the first ones lined up and gotten rid of.

The political world is so strange,  isn't it?   Logic or reason has no place there.    The more stupid the better!

Its going to be a fun years isn't it?!?!?!?

 

Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Merry Christmas

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Thursday, December 25, 2008 2:38:31 PM
Have a great and Merry Christmas!
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

What Ignorance of History (and Economics) Gets You: Obama's New New Deal

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Saturday, December 20, 2008 4:05:56 AM
The media is getting all giddy about the return of the "New Deal".   They all look warmly back to the days of the new deal.  They think about all the money the government is going to spend on projects.   They talk about all the things FDR and the government did during the dark days of the depression.  

One small little problem with the New Deal.   It was an enormous failure. 

Yes, Virginia,   what you thought you learned in social studies is dead wrong.   The new deal did nothing to end the depression.   In fact it most likely made it longer and much worse.     Had WWII not happened it would have extended it into the 1940's.   

You sure wouldn't think so if you listen to the "mainstream" media.    Economics don't change that much.   The fundamentals don't change.   Government spending never "helps" the economy.    The worst time is when the economy is bad,  which is the time that most want more government spending.   A bad combination if you ask me.  

When the government spend money it has to come from somewhere.    That somewhere is you,  the dumb smuck taxpayer.    So that dollar you would have spent somewhere  (or saved for later) is now in the governments grabby hands.   And since it didn't earn it,  it thinks nothing on how to spend it.  Even if the government spends it the same way you would have,  it will manage to pay more for it and will be far less efficient  while spending it. 

Downturns require that the government spends LESS money not more.   But nobody from the government learns anything do they?   Economic growth is always from the people not the government.  
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

What Ignorance of History Gets You: Che Guevara T-shirts

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Friday, December 19, 2008 5:54:49 PM
The Bolivian government did the world a huge favor when it executed Che Guevara in 1967.    If you don't know who Che Guevara is,  just look for the Andy Warhol like image on things.   You see that image mostly on T-shirts worn by college students and those at left wing rallies and protests.   Its very  clear they don't know who he is either.    

Let me be as clear as I can about Che Guevara.    HE IS A MURDERER,  PURE AND SIMPLE!!!

He is not a revolutionary, man of the people, political thinker etc,  that many make him out to be.   The death toll due to this man is huge,   considering he only lived to age 39.    He should only be compared with Hilter, Mao,  Stalin,  Pol Pot,  Castro and the like.    He only shows the world the evil and misery  that Communism has  brought  to the world.   He is not a hero.   He is a monster that we are lucky that we didn't have any longer then we did.  

But most don't know the story of Che Guevara.   A major movie isn't going to help that  either.   Since most in Hollywood think the "commonly held" story of him is true.   Just look at the "history" of him on Wikipedia.   There is a good article by Mark Goldblatt at NRO that you should read about it.   

We do a great dishonor to his many victims by celebrating the life of this murderer.   We will be doomed to repeat history if we continue the ignorance of  the truth about Cuevara.   

If you are wearing one of those stupid t-shirts,  due us a favor and throw it out.  
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Special Election Unlikely for Open Illinois Senate Seat

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:02:53 PM
The Democrats have a major problem with what to do with the open Senate seat left by Barack "I am going to finish my term before running for President" Obama.     Now that the recently indicted  Governor Blagojevich isn't  going to be able to make the selection,  who will?      There is talk of a special election,  but I don't see that happening, Democrats will not risk that. 

If there is an election,  the seat could be lost to a Republican.     The seat was Republican before Obama,  so it is possible.    There is no longer a possibility of a super majority   for the Dems in the Senate,  even if their cheating in Minnesota  works due to the second election in Georgia going Republican.   But I am sure they don't relish the idea of losing the seat back to the Republicans. 

Some of my predictions of an Obama presidency are coming true already.  A scandal has arrived before Obama has even taken office.   The far left is also unhappy with Obama already too.   The federal government will be like the Illinois government has been since Blagojevich became governor.    Infighting and scandal will prevent the "change" that the left wants to force on this nation. 
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Don't Pardon and Release the American Taliban!

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 10:40:31 PM
The parents of American born Taliban terrorist John Walker Lindh are asking President Bush to pardon him before he leaves office.   Read about it here. 

I for one,  think that President Bush should NOT pardon John Lindh.   He is a traitor  of the worst kind.   He took up arms against his own country.   He is undeserving of a pardon.    He is serving a twenty year sentence.   He should serve it all.  
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (2) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

The Media's Foot Fetish

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:49:03 AM
I don't know if you all have noticed this,  but does the media have a foot fetish?   A "reporter" in Iraq throws a shoe at President Bush the other day.     Of course no reporter from the mainstream media would think of throwing a shoe at  Prez-elect Obama.    That's only because they are kissing his feet.  

The fourth estate sure has some weird problems these days!  
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (0) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive

Unions Slowly Killing American Auto Industry

Posted by Rich from NW Indiana on Saturday, December 13, 2008 3:41:25 AM
I wonder about the logic that union leaders use.   It sure doesn't have any basis in reality.    The U.S. auto industry is in big trouble and unions are one of the parties responsible.     Today they killed the bailout.   And they are the ones that want the bailout. 

Most Americans oppose the bailout, including this blogger.   So outside of their own members that don't know any better and the mainstream media,  they aren't going to get much support from the general public.    

They should be pushing to get this done as soon as possible with this logic.    But they aren't.   Why do that,  because they get pushed to the back in bankruptcy court, and that makes less sense.    So they have even less leverage then they do now.    No they jump to their standard answer of the last thirty years, blame the evil Republicans for all their trouble. 

Not very helpful and useful.    The unions do a great disservice to their members by this stupid behavior.     Being useless is the reason for the lowest percentage of union membership in decades.      

If there aren't any American auto companies in the future,  unions will one of the reasons why.   Then they will have no members to represent.    How that helps them and the current union members,  I sure don't know. 
Email ItEmail It | Print ItPrint It | CommentsComments (1) | TrackbacksTrackbacks (0) | Flag as offensiveFlag as Offensive
« Previous12345678910…2425Next »