Free Republic

I hope you like higher taxes. Much higher taxes. Last night I couldn't figure out at first blush how Boehner/Reid managed to get their "numbers" to work. Well, when I looked at it again this morning, it snapped into focus, along with a backhanded comment and, yes, math. Ok, ok, not really math. It was just a calendar. See, the Bush Tax Cuts and the FICA holiday expire at or before the end of 2012. And guess who's going to be President then - either having just been re-elected or much worse, as a lame duck?

And we have a Federal Government providing $1,700 billion - 12% of GDP - in false economic demand that does not actually exist! The alarm clock is ringing right now. ... there will be a crash.

The "most-recent" proposals cut anywhere from nothing in actual spending (Democrat proposal) for 2012 to $90 billion (Republican.) And neither contains any actual cuts on a forward basis - the Republicans are at least honest about it and say they just "hold discretionary non-defense spending at 2011 levels." That's not a cut in spending.

* 12:36 pm - The Department of Central Management Services has just sent a memo to agency directors decreeing that pay raises mandated by union contracts in 14 state “departments, boards, authorities and commissions” cannot and should not be paid.

The Only Part That Mattered In Obama's Telethon. Yes, telethon. Let me direct you to the only question that had value from an investment perspective:...

Mayor Richard Daley says he will not run for re-election in 2011, saying it's "time for me, it's time for Chicago to move on."

Market Manipulation On Display "Rarely does it get this blatant..... this ...goes on every day, but once in a while it's just "in your face." Tonight was one of those examples."

...The grant-receiving states would be required to mandate that all health care providers in the state determine the Body Mass Index of all their patients in the 2-to-18 age bracket and then report that information to the state government. The state government, in turn, would be required to report the information to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for analysis....

Snip: The machinations between the FED and the US Treasury, have taken the word bamboozle to new heights. Here is an example. .... Zero dollars becomes $100 billion in capital.

A Conservative Caucus within the Republican Party, a concept (vanity) Historical perspective: In 1968-9 there was a movement within the Democrat party to form a new left alliance. This alliance was formed of neo-communists, socialists, far left liberals and antiwar activists. It’s purpose was to effectively move the direction or take over the Democrat party. The intention was, first, as a caucus within the party to direct and shape national policy. Its long term goal was to take over the party. It partially succeeded when McGovern was nominated. It has continued to this day. I was a college student, what...