Blogs For Victory

Today, 100 distinguished economists at major American universities and research organizations, including five Nobel Prize winners, put out a joint statement explain why Barack Obama’s proposals including “misguided tax hikes,” would “decrease the number of jobs in America.”

Below is the entire statement:

Barack Obama argues that his proposals to raise tax rates and halt international trade agreements would benefit the American economy. They would do nothing of the sort. Economic analysis and historical experience show that they would do the opposite. They would reduce economic growth and decrease the number of jobs in America. Moreover, with the credit crunch, the housing slump, and high energy prices weakening the U.S. economy, his proposals run a high risk of throwing the economy into a deep recession. It was exactly such misguided tax hikes and protectionism, enacted when the U.S. economy was weak in the early 1930s, that greatly increased the severity of the Great Depression.

We are very concerned with Barack Obama’s opposition to trade agreements such as the pending one with Colombia, the new one with Central America, or the established one with Canada and Mexico. Exports from the United States to other countries create jobs for Americans. Imports make goods available to Americans at lower prices and are a particular benefit to families and individuals with low incomes. International trade is also a powerful source of strength in a weak economy. In the second quarter of this year, for example, increased international trade did far more to stimulate the U.S. economy than the federal government’s “stimulus” package.

Ironically, rather than supporting international trade, Barack Obama is now proposing yet another so-called stimulus package, which would do very little to grow the economy. And his proposal to finance the package with higher taxes on oil would raise oil prices directly and by reducing exploration and production.

We are equally concerned with his proposals to increase tax rates on labor income and investment. His dividend and capital gains tax increases would reduce investment and cut into the savings of millions of Americans. His proposals to increase income and payroll tax rates would discourage the formation and expansion of small businesses and reduce employment and take-home pay, as would his mandates on firms to provide expensive health insurance.

After hearing such economic criticism of his proposals, Barack Obama has apparently suggested to some people that he might postpone his tax increases, perhaps to 2010. But it is a mistake to think that postponing such tax increases would prevent their harmful effect on the economy today. The prospect of such tax rate increases in 2010 is already a drag on the economy. Businesses considering whether to hire workers today and expand their operations have time horizons longer than a year or two, so the prospect of higher taxes starting in 2009 or 2010 reduces hiring and investment in 2008.

In sum, Barack Obama’s economic proposals are wrong for the American economy. They defy both economic reason and economic experience.

In the extended entry is the list of economists who signed on: Continue reading →

He really does – the man who wants to be Commander in Chief certainly shouldn’t be a man who thinks the magnificent men and women of the United States Armed Forces are criminals:

HARRISBURG, PA — Rear Admiral Tom Lynch, USN (Ret.) today issued the following statement on Barack Obama’s accusation of American war crimes in Afghanistan:

“Barack Obama must disavow his comments equating American forces in Afghanistan to war criminals. This dangerous rhetoric emboldens our enemy, but it also speaks to Barack Obama’s judgment and competency to serve as commander in chief. While his remarks were designed to score political points with the left wing of his party during the primary, Barack Obama stands by the comments even after securing the nomination. By defending his words, Barack Obama makes it more difficult for our American heroes in uniform to complete the job we have asked them to do.

“John McCain understands that, as commander in chief, words do matter. As a POW, John McCain endured years of torture to avoid making similar statements that would be used as propaganda to demoralize Americans. He put country first then, and John McCain continues to place the interests of those who bravely serve our nation above all else.”

It was a great thing when Governor Palin – the mother of a serving, US combat soldier – brought back up Obama’s absurd and anti-American statement about our troops in Afghanistan. When Obama made his hateful statement that our troops are just bombing villages and killing civilians, what he did was send a thrill up the spine of every Taliban goon and al Qaeda terrorist in Afghanistan…Obama essentially told them that they were right and America was wrong…that our troops are the bad guys. Nothing could more encourage a whipped enemy to keep fighting than such asinine statements.

Obama’s only excuse can be sheer ignorance – if he knew what he was doing, then that would make him a traitor. I prefer to think of Obama as misguided rather than malicious. But this also points out that the anti-American and unpatriotic elements of the left have gathered ’round Obama, hopeful that he wil be able to sneak into power and carry a huge amount of un-electable leftism into government with him.

Among the many reasons for backing McCain/Palin this year is the men and women we have overseas at this moment – victorious troops who have done splendidly against a cruel and wicked foe, they deserve a Commander in Chief who understands suffering, and understands the excellence of those Americans who have quitted the quite, prosperous life of an everyday American to become a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine. America needs John McCain and, more importantly, our troops in harm’s way need John McCain.

Indeed:

On Monday Pope Benedict XVI briefly remarked on the financial crisis during the opening of the first General Congregation of the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. In the aftermath of the “fall of the great banks,” he reminded synod attendees that money is of “secondary importance” to the Word of God, which he called the “foundation of all reality.”

The Pope referenced Christ’s words at the close of the Sermon on the Mount in which he speaks of building one’s house’s foundation upon sand or upon rock.

“Those who build on sand do so only on visible and tangible things: on success, career and money,” the Pope explained.

“These seem to true reality, but one day they will pass away”, he continued.

“We see this now with the fall of the great banks. Money disappears, it becomes nothing. And thus all these things which seem to be real and upon which we can rely, are in fact of secondary importance.

“All human things, all things we can invent and create are finite. So too all human religious experiences are finite. They show only one aspect of reality, because our limited being understands only some parts, some elements.

“Only God is infinite and through him, his Word too is universal and knows no end,” Pope Benedict remarked.

“Only the Word of God is the foundation of all reality, stable like heaven. Therefore we must change our concept of reality. A realist is one who recognizes that the Word of God – this reality that appears so weak – is in fact the foundation of everything.”

Our liberal and leftwing friends are all about money – who has it, how much they have, what they do with it, how much should be taxed, how it will resolve all problems if only leftists are allowed to control it. But money is nothing – nothing of any importance. My house was worth $400,000, now its worth about $225,000 – back when it was worth 400k, if I hadn’t shown proper love, respect and devotion to my wife that day, what does it matter that my house is worth 400k? If today I show my wife the proper love, respect and devotion, of what consequence is it that the house is worth 225k? Its all a lot of rot and nonsense – a paper chase in the worst sense of the word, and we’ve allowed ourselves to be caught up in it as if it mattered.

Yesterday afternoon, I did a Rosary – for those unfamiliar, this is a prayer Catholics frequently do (but don’t do nearly enough). Its a great devotional prayer and something is strongly pulling me towards doing it each day, starting yesterday, for nine days. Various mysteries are contemplated when doing the Rosary – for yesterday, it was what are called the “Joyful Mysteries”; the Annunciation (when Mary was told she would bear Jesus), Visitation (Mary visits Elizabeth), Nativity (birth of Jesus), Presentation (Jesus consecrated at the Temple) and Finding Jesus in the Temple. In contemplating these things, we look for the spiritual fruits of Humility, Love of Neighbor, Poverty, Obedience and Joy in Finding Jesus. If one is humble, loves his neighbor, renounces the tyranny of material things, obeys the laws human and divine and worships God, what then does it matter if a person is rich or poor? We really need to get things back into the proper perspective – to understand the relative value of things in relation to humanity.

In God We Trust – in great wisdom we have placed that phrase on our currency, because we understood, once upon a time, that while money can be useful, one shouldn’t put any faith in it. Its here today and gone tomorrow – and if you win a million dollars next week and die the week after, what did the money matter? If you pile up billions, what will it advantage you upon your death? You’ll get a fancy casket, I guess. Other than that, I can’t think of anything – and for the corpse the type of casket doesn’t seem to be a matter for concern. It is time we take the one thing our money has of great value – In God We Trust – and start to re-apply it to our lives. In God We Trust – not political parties, not politicians, not business, not the media…heck, in the end, we are not even to place our trust in our rabbis, priests and pastors. In God We Trust. Our leftwing friends, especially, should take that to heart – I’ve seen “Obama Youth”, blue shirted fanatics and people fainting dead away at the mere sight of Barack Obama. He’s just a man – if you place your trust in him, you will be disappointed. He’s human – he’ll make mistakes, and all the more of them the more people ascribe to him a super-human ability to solve problems and make things all better.

I will write of politics; argue of politics; I will vote in November – I will try talk everyone I know into casting a McCain/Palin vote…but if McCain/Palin wins it won’t make life perfect, nor will an Obama/Biden win make it all miserable (though it would spread a great deal of misery). Battle! Strive! Love! Endure! – but In God We Trust; remember that.

Obama has pledged to sign this misbegotten, anti-human legislation (out of a desire to bring us together for some hopeful change, of course):

Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph in Missouri, writing in his diocesan newspaper, has discussed the proposed Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which he said would overturn all existing federal regulations on abortion. Claiming the passage of the act would lead to an increase in abortions, he also questioned whether pro-life supporters of pro-choice politicians have their priorities “backwards.”

Writing in his latest column for The Catholic Key, Bishop Finn said “It is clear that FOCA would immediately make null and void every current restriction on abortion in all jurisdictions.”

Though Bishop Finn did not mention any presidential candidates by name, Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama has pledged to pass FOCA as his first act as president.

The legislation, which was first proposed in 1989, was reproduced in its current form by Bishop Finn in his October 1 column:

“A government may not (1) deny or interfere with a woman’s right to choose – (A) to bear a child; (B) to terminate a pregnancy prior to viability; or (C) to terminate a pregnancy after viability where termination is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman; or (2) discriminate against the exercise of the rights set forth in paragraph (1) in the regulation or provision of benefits, facilities, services, or information.”

According to Bishop Finn, the bill would overturn many state laws, such as abortion reporting requirements in all 50 states. It would additionally overturn states’ laws concerning parental involvement, restrictions on later-term abortions, conscience protection laws for individual health care providers, bans on partial-birth abortions, conscience protection laws for institutions, requirements for counseling before an abortion, and laws providing ultrasounds to distressed women before an abortion.

We can also expect that a law which prohibits government from denying the alleged “right” to an abortion will be turned around in an Obama Supreme Court to mean that the government must fund abortions – the whole law is designed to make the United States of America the leader in the world-wide Culture of Death…someone may correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think any nation in the world has abortion laws as permissive as the legislation proposed here. This would be the left’s Final Solution to the abortion question.

We daren’t let it happen – not for any reason whatsoever.

Cause it’s not going to be anything resembling a fair contest.

It seemed that the Ohio Secretary of State (who just happens to be a democrat–go figger) disallowed any observers in their “vote early, vote often” program. Despite the fact that the State Supreme Court finally disallowed the SOS’s edict, this went on for a couple of days:

Michelle Malkin has another example of voter fraud waiting to happen, if it hasn’t already occurred.

To the leftward leaning people of this board:

With the lack of scruples evident on your side, whether it be from ACORN, or even from willing elected officials who are complicit in enabling conditions for fraud to occur, aren’t you beginning to feel a bit dirty?

Do you really want to “win” elections in this manner?

Is the paucity of substance regarding your side’s policy positions really that significant such that you must resort to abject fraud in order to advance them?

And don’t insult my intelligence with your tired, “You can’t prove anything!” line of B.S. You know damn well what’s going on.

Is this really what you’re made of?

Don’t know about you, but when I think about it, it literally makes me physically ill.

Sucks to be you.

UPDATE, by Mark Noonan: While agreeing with the sentiment that it must suck to be a Democrat, I wish to disassociate myself with any contention that Ohio will fall to Obama…Obama and his Democrats will make a full court press to steal the State, but I believe that the good people of Ohio – including many Democrats – will rise up on election day and swamp the voter fraud efforts.

Just a few blog links that I’ve gleaned from Twitter:

Election Journal reports that in Indiana, ACORN dropped off 2,000 voter registrations today – and 1,100 ”are no good.”
McCain wraps Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac around Obama’s neck
The media’s infatuation with Obama blinds them to the truth about Obama and Ayers.
A different Keating 5 member introduces Bruce Springsteen at an Obama rally.
What Does McCain Need To Do To Get His Mojo Back?
Someone’s happy McCain is finally attacking Obama over Fannie & Freddie

I heard our next president, John McCain, was fantastic earlier today in New Mexico… I’m posting his prepared remarks in full in the extended entry. Continue reading →

Earlier today, the Republican National Committee filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) against the Obama campaign regarding reports it accepted around $200 million in illegal contributions, and their failure to comply with campaign finance laws.

RNC Chief Counsel Sean Cairncross released the following statement today concerning the complaint:

“We believe Obama for America has knowingly accepted excessive contributions and donations from foreign nationals, and has failed to take the necessary remedial action required by law. We see this as a wide-scale problem and it appears the Obama campaign may be in substantial noncompliance with federal campaign finance laws. Barack Obama broke his word to the American people and refused to accept public financing, and now his campaign appears to be disregarding the rules and laws that govern federal campaigns. Senator Obama routinely mentions the word ‘change’ on the campaign trail, yet it seems the only changes he supports are ones that personally benefit his own political aspirations.”

Since the FEC complaint was filed, CBS reported on more suspicious contributions:

Two donors to the Obama campaign that gave a total of $7,722 appear to have made their contributions under fake names that look like they were written by a mouse running across a keyboard: Dahsudhu Hdusahfd of Df, Hawaii with the following employer CZXVC/ZXVZXV and Uadhshgu Hduadh listed as living in Dhff, Florida listed their employer as DASADA/SAFASF.

CBS News did not find any records of these last names, towns or employers anywhere else. Newsweek reported two questionable Obama donors over the weekend named “Doodad Pro” and “Good Will”.

Contributions from the two donors Hdusahfd and Hduadh were made on the same day starting on July 16, 2008. Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show the campaign began refunding the donations as early as August 6, 2008.

Despite numerous refunds from the Obama campaign, Hdusahfd still has a record of giving a total of $7500 to Obama which is well over the legal limit for the primary and general election of $4600. Hduadh gave $14,200 but the Obama campaign returned all but $222.00.

Newsweek also reported on the suspicious donations.

Obama’s chickens coming home to roost?

First off, Obama has promised a “middle class tax cut” – what this is, exactly, is hard to define, but it seems to revolve around some Democratic focus-group results showing that middle class people are concerned with middle class issues and thus Democrats better come up with something to appeal to middle class people. The only track record we have on this particular Democratic program is Bill Clinton’s 1992 promise to give us a middle class tax cut. Sadly, Bill was unable to provide this as a spending binge commanded all funds possible…including a retroactive tax increase. We can, I believe, expect Obama’s tax cut to become a tax increase, too.

Obama’s people seem to have a hankering for a thing called the “fairness doctrine” – this is predicated upon the theory that liberalism is the default position and any non-liberal assertion in the media must be countered by a liberal response. Conservatives don’t give a two-penny dam what some liberal twit or other is saying on an obscure radio station and thus won’t avail themselves of the fairness doctrine. Liberals, on the other hand, care very much what the highly rated Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, Ingram, etc say on the radio, and they will launch complaint after complaint regarding conservative comment and will demand equal time to respond. This intense harassment will be coupled with the sort of thuggish attacks on criticism we’ve seen by Team Obama against any of those who dare to question The One’s past, programs or motivations. Boiled down, we can expect a severe crimping of free speech if Obama is elected.

Senator Obama advocated a cut and run from Iraq out of a desire to build up kook left support for his candidacy. We can expect Obama to treat American foreign and military policy as if they were an adjunct to his personal, political fortunes. Only if it seems to be useful to Obama will any particular policy – good or bad – be followed. If it so happens that American need and Obama desire match, then that is fine and dandy – but if they don’t, America will come in a poor second. We can expect Obama’s foreign and military policy to be a compendium of Clinton’s erratic behavior coupled with Carter’s penchant for finding fault with America’s friends and excuses for America’s enemies.

Obama’s people are of that line of thinking which figures that Israel is the problem and if we can just figure out a way to get terrorists to love Israel, we’ll have peace – that the terrorists will never love Israel and will consider all concessions to be a sign of weakness is not a concept Obama or his people are capable of grasping. We can expect Obama to continually pressure Israel to give ground and to never, ever take a strong stand against those who seek the destruction of Israel.

Have Democrats ever had a fiscal year in which they advocated an actual reduction in the number of dollars the federal government spends? No – and thus we can expect that any idea about cutting the size of government is dead as a doornail under Obama.

Have Democrats ever had a year when they looked around and couldn’t think of a single thing to increase government spending on? No – and thus we can expect Democrats to pile on as much spending as they can.

Have Democrats come through with their 2006 promise to run the most open and ethical government in history? No. Oh, you think Obama will? I guess you can make an argument for holding that position, but the odds are that it will be corrupt business as usual for the party which hammered GOPer Foley for writing a dirty e mail or two but can’t find it in itself to eject William “Cold Cash” Jefferson (D-LA) from the House.

Democrats exerted great efforts to prevent a reigning in of Fannie and Freddie before the crunch hit. Will they now actually keep an eye out for trouble and act in a timely manner to prevent it? Perhaps – but Obama and his Democrats give no indication of having learned anything from the financial debacle than to blame Republicans for their own failures…and if it works in 2008 by helping Dems to victory, what makes anyone think they’ll change their ways in 2009? We can expect Obama and his Democrats to grandstand on things like Gitmo – which isn’t an actual problem – while real crisis are allowed to fester until they become unmanageable.

The last time the US military was in better shape at the end of a Democratic Administration than it was at the beginning was FDR/Truman…but it took a World War to convince a Democratic Administration that maybe we needed a first class military. We can expect Obama to let things slide in this area – especially as he looks for money to spend on various liberal programs.

We can expect strenuous efforts on the part of Obama and his Democrats to stop any measures designed to limit voter fraud.

Behind rhetoric about secure borders, etc, we can expect Obama and his Democrats to do nothing about illegal immigration but very much to ensure that their votes are cast and counted in American elections, provided they vote Democrat.

Any chance an Obama Administration will appoint any judge anywhere who is not pre-approved by NARAL/ACLU/NOW? Not a chance – so, we can expect Obama to appoint only ultra-liberal, activist judges from top to bottom as vacancies occur.

All in all, we can expect an Obama Administration to be a complete disaster – there is no area in which Obama has a policy edge on John McCain…its all about advancing liberalism, liberal power, liberal wealth and liberal politicians. America is a fine thing and if its not too much trouble Obama will spare a moment for her, but America will have to get used to the fact – if Obama wins – that she is subordinate to Obama and his Democrat’s personal interests.