Thoughts & Commentary on the Obama Administration

[Don Corleone]

And now, Hilda Silas.... Hilda Salis confirmation put on hold to investegate tax liens against husband.. Boy, for folks that are big on raising them on the rest of us, do ANY Democrats actually pay taxes? (the ones in office, that is).

[Don Corleone]

And now, Hilda Silas.... Hilda Salis confirmation put on hold to investegate tax liens against husband.. Boy, for folks that are big on raising them on the rest of us, do ANY Democrats actually pay taxes? (the ones in office, that is).

For the record, this is not a partisan hack or me being led by the masses... this is the VERY reason I have never trusted the Democrats in office. It's not that I don't have a big heart or want to help people. It's that you do enough digging, and you learn that they don't, that government is just one giant Ponzi scheme. After the past 8 years, I have a host of reasons not to trust the Republicans either, so I guess I'm voting Federalist in the next election.

[Xiahou]

Judd Gregg Withdraws as Commerce Secretary Nominee

“It has become apparent during this process that this will not work for me as I have found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census, there are irresolvable conflicts for me,” Mr. Gregg said in a statement. “Prior to accepting this post, we had discussed these and other potential differences, but unfortunately we did not adequately focus on these concerns. We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.”

I never understood why Gregg ever contemplated the nomination to begin with- glad to see he changed his mind. I'd guess the census issue was probably the final straw.

[drone]

His nomination has been catching flak from minorities over the control of the 2010 census. He apparently opposed some changes for the 2000 census, I guess the heat got to be too much.

[Lemur]

Apparently everyone and his dog has a theory about why, exactly Gregg walked away from Commerce. The bloggers are all pontificating, at greater length and with more vehemence than you'll see here. I expect the talking heads on cable to go on about for at least a full 24-hour news cycle.

I don't get the impression that anybody yet has the authoritative take on why Gregg went back to the Senate.

[Xiahou]

His nomination has been catching flak from minorities over the control of the 2010 census. He apparently opposed some changes for the 2000 census, I guess the heat got to be too much.

As far as I know, Obama had already said that the census would be taken out of the Commerce Department and put under the direct control of the White House. I'm sure that didn't sit well with Gregg. I'm not comfortable with it either- some of the sampling ideas I've heard kicked around are very questionable Constitutionally.

[Lemur]

As far as I know, Obama had already said that the census would be taken out of the Commerce Department and put under the direct control of the White House.

Gregg was also fully aware of the stimulus bill.

"We need a robust [stimulus package]. I think the one that's pending is in the range we need. I do believe it's a good idea to do it at two levels, which this bill basically does, which is immediate stimulus and long-term initiatives which actually improve our competitiveness and our productivity," -- Judd Gregg

So that leaves pressure from constituents (who wouldn't really be his constituents anymore, so I'm not clear on how hard they could hammer him) and pressure from the GOP, which appears to have decided that any form of cooperation with the Obama Administration is unacceptable.

[Don Corleone]

So that leaves pressure from constituents (who wouldn't really be his constituents anymore, so I'm not clear on how hard they could hammer him) and pressure from the GOP, which appears to have decided that any form of cooperation with the Obama Administration is unacceptable.

Or, as you so graciously sidestepped with catlike agility, maybe it's Obama's plans for the census, as Xiahou has said... oh I don't know, 3 times now?

[Brenus]

“pro-life”: anti- abortion. Most of them are for Death Penalty, hardly “pro-life” stance…

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

“pro-life”: anti- abortion. Most of them are for Death Penalty, hardly “pro-life” stance…

“pro-choice”: pro- abortion. Most of them are for Gun Control, hardly “pro-choice” stance...

[Husar]

Well, I rarely found the political terms americans use very clever but they keep using them and they own the internet, so what can we do?

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Well, I rarely found the political terms americans use very clever but they keep using them and they own the internet, so what can we do?

Boycott the internet and go to the barricades!

[Xiahou]

From Philanthopy.com:

Obama's Tax Plan Could Cause Giving by the Wealthy to Drop by Several Billion Dollars Annually

So, good idea, or great idea?

[CountArach]

“pro-choice”: pro- abortion. Most of them are for Gun Control, hardly “pro-choice” stance...

It's perfectly valid in regards to issues of life, not issues of arms control.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

It's perfectly valid in regards to issues of life, not issues of arms control.

Heard that before, and my reaction is the same.

Regardless, I shall give you another example. The issue of the death penalty. As pro-choice people are generally against the death penalty, I see no reason why they would be opposed to a responsible body of people, after due deliberation, passing a death sentence. After all, it is the choice of the people.

I can go on ad nauseum, but I hope that instead of trying to defend your side, you will see my point.