Free Republic

TITLE I Diversity in Hiring and Advancement. -While many Legislative Branch agencies have achieved reasonable diversity at the lower wage tiers, diversity levels are sharply lower among managers and executives. More can be done to maximize diversity in the workplace, especially in the executive ranks. All Legislative Branch agencies who have not done so are directed to adopt by May 31, 2009 a formal written policy, in accordance with all applicable Federal laws, to develop and institute an affirmative action plan with specific goals and objectives to further the ability of women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities to achieve balanced...

... To expand broadband service to rural and underserved areas, ARRA also charges Commerce with providing support, training and equipment to schools, libraries, medical and health care providers, colleges, and other community organizations. It also stresses support for job-creating facilities and public safety agencies. FCCs National Telecommunications and Information Administration will dole out $84 million in grants by October and $756 million in fiscal 2010. The lions share of the grant money about $2.5 billion will be spent in 2012 and 2013, with remaining funds to be dispensed by the end of fiscal 2015. ...

"Your medical treatments will be tracked electronically by a federal system," writes Betsy McCaughey, adjunct senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. "Having electronic medical records at your fingertips, easily transferred to a hospital, is beneficial. It will help avoid duplicate tests and errors. "But the bill goes further. One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and 'guide' your doctor's decisions." In short, rationing. The above quote is from an excellent editorial in...

Democrats have pulled slightly further ahead this week in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot. Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveys found that 41% of voters said they would vote for their district’s Democratic candidate while 37% said they would choose the Republican. While support for the Democrats has not changed since last week, support for the GOP dropped two points since the last release. Over the past year, Democratic support has ranged from a low of 40% to a high of 50%. In that same time period, Republicans have been preferred by 34% to 41% of voters nationwide....

When Barack Obama was a senator, he was much more upbeat. In fact, he was ultra-positive and almost too cheery and idealistic to be credible. — We heard him on the campaign trail speaking incessantly about a gauzy vision of hope and change while his supporters snorted his every amorphous and vague word in the quest for the euphoric Obama-high. President Obama is a much different orator. He’s replaced the flowery can-do language with a daily diatribe of doomsday. Like any drug , this one has given way to the harsh reality that coming down from his apex of hope...

Chuck Schumer is demanding that the States in the union should NOT have the power to make decisions on the what and where the money given to them is spent from the Generational Theft Act: In recent days, a small minority of governors, mostly Republicans, have publicly weighed the possibility of foregoing certain emergency provisions provided under the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed last week by President Obama. I believe this prospect not only would undercut the stimulative effect of the recovery package, but also is inconsistent with a key provision included in the law passed by Congress....

HR 1105 IH 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1105Making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 23, 2009 Mr. OBEY introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL Making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. Be...