Monday, January 14, 2013
The American middle class is caught between two rebellions. One by an urban middle class elite that would like a more closed and regulated society and another by a rural middle class that would like a more open and less regulated society, with the suburbs split in the middle.
◼ And This is Revolution - Daniel Greenfield/Sultan Knish
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OBAMA TAKES SHOT AT GUN GROUPS WHILE OUTLINING NEW FIREARMS LAWS HE SUPPORTS: ‘GINNING UP FEAR’
◼ Signaling an all-of-the-above approach to reducing gun violence, President Barack Obama said Monday that he is reviewing a range of proposals from Vice President Joe Biden, including executive actions that would bypass Congress, and will present his plan within days. - The Blaze
Soon after, President Obama weighed in on the record gun sales in recent months:
“As far as people lining up and purchasing more guns, I think that we’ve seen for some time now that those who oppose any common sense gun control or gun safety measures have a pretty effective way of ginning up fear on the part of gun owners that somehow, the federal government’s about to take all your guns away. And, you know there’s probably an economic element to that, it obviously is good for business, but I think that those of us who look at this problem have repeatedly said that responsible gun owners, people who have a gun for protection, for hunting, for sportsmanship– they don’t have anything to worry about.
“The issue here is not whether or not we believe in the Second Amendment. The issue is are there some sensible steps we can take to make sure that somebody like the individual in Newtown can’t walk into a school and gun down a bunch of children in a shockingly rapid fashion…but part of the challenge that we confront is that even the slightest hint of some sensible, responsible legislation in this area fans this notion that somehow, ‘here it comes,’ and that everybody’s guns are going to be taken away. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the case.” [Emphasis added]
Soon after, President Obama weighed in on the record gun sales in recent months:
“As far as people lining up and purchasing more guns, I think that we’ve seen for some time now that those who oppose any common sense gun control or gun safety measures have a pretty effective way of ginning up fear on the part of gun owners that somehow, the federal government’s about to take all your guns away. And, you know there’s probably an economic element to that, it obviously is good for business, but I think that those of us who look at this problem have repeatedly said that responsible gun owners, people who have a gun for protection, for hunting, for sportsmanship– they don’t have anything to worry about.
“The issue here is not whether or not we believe in the Second Amendment. The issue is are there some sensible steps we can take to make sure that somebody like the individual in Newtown can’t walk into a school and gun down a bunch of children in a shockingly rapid fashion…but part of the challenge that we confront is that even the slightest hint of some sensible, responsible legislation in this area fans this notion that somehow, ‘here it comes,’ and that everybody’s guns are going to be taken away. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the case.” [Emphasis added]
Rep. Stockman threatens Obama impeachment over guns
◼ Rep. Steve Stockman (R-Texas) is threatening to file articles of impeachment against President Barack Obama if he moves to change gun regulations through executive order. - Politico
“I will seek to thwart this action by any means necessary, including but not limited to eliminating funding for implementation, defunding the White House, and even filing articles of impeachment,” Stockman said.
In a statement, Stockman didn’t hold back, saying Obama is launching an “attack on the very founding principles of this republic.”
“The President’s actions are an existential threat to this nation,” Stockman said in a statement. “The right of the people to keep and bear arms is what has kept this nation free and secure for over 200 years. The very purpose of the Second Amendment is to stop the government from disallowing people the means to defend themselves against tyranny. Any proposal to abuse executive power and infringe upon gun rights must be repelled with the stiffest legislative force possible.”
...“The President’s actions are not just an attack on the Constitution and a violation of his sworn oath of office – they are a direct attack on Americans that place all of us in danger,” he said. “If the President is allowed to suspend constitutional rights on his own personal whims, our free republic has effectively ceased to exist.”
“I will seek to thwart this action by any means necessary, including but not limited to eliminating funding for implementation, defunding the White House, and even filing articles of impeachment,” Stockman said.
In a statement, Stockman didn’t hold back, saying Obama is launching an “attack on the very founding principles of this republic.”
“The President’s actions are an existential threat to this nation,” Stockman said in a statement. “The right of the people to keep and bear arms is what has kept this nation free and secure for over 200 years. The very purpose of the Second Amendment is to stop the government from disallowing people the means to defend themselves against tyranny. Any proposal to abuse executive power and infringe upon gun rights must be repelled with the stiffest legislative force possible.”
...“The President’s actions are not just an attack on the Constitution and a violation of his sworn oath of office – they are a direct attack on Americans that place all of us in danger,” he said. “If the President is allowed to suspend constitutional rights on his own personal whims, our free republic has effectively ceased to exist.”
Obama says Congress must pay its dinner bill. But he’s the guy who ordered the caviar and champagne
◼ Obama gave a press conference today that displayed some of the most controversial features of his governing style. The big issue was raising the debt ceiling. - Tim Stanley/The Telegraph
Whereas the Republicans want to debate spending and then lift the ceiling, Obama wants to lift the ceiling first and debate spending later. “We are not a deadbeat nation” he insisted, and then delivered this interesting analogy:
The issue here is that the GOP sees the debt ceiling as a fiscal problem, whereas Obama sees it as a political headache. The Republicans acknowledge Obama’s point that lifting the ceiling only pays for past bills and doesn’t commit to future spending – so it's probably best to do it. But the battle over the rise does set the context for decisions made on spending in the new year. Without that fight, the big spenders won’t feel any political pressure to reduce their ambitions. The debt ceiling debates are ugly and unseemly for such a great nation to indulge in – but they at least recognise that a fiscal problem exists....
◼ Obama: Not raising the debt ceiling would be like a dine-and-dash at a restaurant - Doug Powers/Michelle Malkin
President Obama held the final press conference of his first term today. “We need to pay our bills” is the latest craze to justify raising the debt ceiling (try that one on your credit card company when you hit your limit).
Here are a few quotes from a presser that revolved in part around the debt ceiling and gun control, which led to some interesting metaphor placement:
Whereas the Republicans want to debate spending and then lift the ceiling, Obama wants to lift the ceiling first and debate spending later. “We are not a deadbeat nation” he insisted, and then delivered this interesting analogy:
You don’t go out to dinner and then eat all you want and then leave without paying the check. And if you do, you’re breaking the law. And Congress should think about it the same way that the American people do. Now, if Congress wants to have a debate about, ‘Maybe we shouldn’t go out to dinner next time, maybe we should go to a more modest restaurant,’ that’s fine.Okay, it’s true that eating dinner and then refusing to pay the bill would be an unethical thing for Congress to do. But Obama’s the guy who ordered all the champagne and caviar – it’s partly his fault that the tally is so high....
The issue here is that the GOP sees the debt ceiling as a fiscal problem, whereas Obama sees it as a political headache. The Republicans acknowledge Obama’s point that lifting the ceiling only pays for past bills and doesn’t commit to future spending – so it's probably best to do it. But the battle over the rise does set the context for decisions made on spending in the new year. Without that fight, the big spenders won’t feel any political pressure to reduce their ambitions. The debt ceiling debates are ugly and unseemly for such a great nation to indulge in – but they at least recognise that a fiscal problem exists....
◼ Obama: Not raising the debt ceiling would be like a dine-and-dash at a restaurant - Doug Powers/Michelle Malkin
“You don’t go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don’t blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you’re trying to save for college. You prioritise. You make tough choices.” – President Obama, February 2010*****
President Obama held the final press conference of his first term today. “We need to pay our bills” is the latest craze to justify raising the debt ceiling (try that one on your credit card company when you hit your limit).
Here are a few quotes from a presser that revolved in part around the debt ceiling and gun control, which led to some interesting metaphor placement:
“I’m happy to have that conversation,” Obama said of future deficit-reduction talks. “What I will not do is have that negotiation with a gun at the head of the American people.”
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S MISSED BUDGET DEADLINES
◼ An Unprecedented Disrespect for the Law - COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 requires the President to submit his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year no later than the first Monday of February. Earlier this week, the Obama administration announced that for the third time in four years it will not adhere to this legal deadline. The Office of Management and Budget cites “the need to finalize decisions and technical details of the document.” This failure to meet statutory budget obligations has become a pernicious pattern for the President and his party’s leaders. For over 1,000 days, Senate Democrats have failed to pass a budget resolution, ignoring the legal requirement to pass a budget resolution by April 15 of each year.
As House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan recently noted, “The decision to delay the release of his budget again could not come at a more precarious moment for our fiscal and economic future. Rather than tackle these challenges head-on, this President continues to punt, while his party’s leaders in the Senate have simply abandoned responsible budgeting altogether.”
Despite trillion-dollar deficits and a growing urgency for Washington to put its fiscal house in order, President Obama continues to demonstrate an unprecedented disrespect for his legal obligations. A review of the historical record reveals that no administration has so flagrantly ignored its budgetary roles and responsibilities. The House Budget Committee has compiled a chronological review of Presidential budget submissions dating back to 1923. Several key points from the data:
The President’s flagrant disrespect for budget deadlines extends beyond the late submissions of his annual budget request. The President is required to submit a Midsession Review no later than July 16 each year. The President is required to submit a Financial Report of the U.S. Government no later than December 15. The President is required to submit a plan to shore up Medicare’s finances within 15 days of a funding warning by the Medicare Trustees.
Not once has President Obama adhered to any of these deadlines:
◼ White House tells Paul Ryan it won’t meet budget deadline - The Hill
The White House has informed House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) that it will miss the legal deadline for sending a budget to Congress.
Acting Budget Director Jeff Zients told Ryan (R-Wis.) in a letter late Friday that the budget will not be delivered by Feb. 4, as required by law.
The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 requires the President to submit his budget request for the upcoming fiscal year no later than the first Monday of February. Earlier this week, the Obama administration announced that for the third time in four years it will not adhere to this legal deadline. The Office of Management and Budget cites “the need to finalize decisions and technical details of the document.” This failure to meet statutory budget obligations has become a pernicious pattern for the President and his party’s leaders. For over 1,000 days, Senate Democrats have failed to pass a budget resolution, ignoring the legal requirement to pass a budget resolution by April 15 of each year.
As House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan recently noted, “The decision to delay the release of his budget again could not come at a more precarious moment for our fiscal and economic future. Rather than tackle these challenges head-on, this President continues to punt, while his party’s leaders in the Senate have simply abandoned responsible budgeting altogether.”
Despite trillion-dollar deficits and a growing urgency for Washington to put its fiscal house in order, President Obama continues to demonstrate an unprecedented disrespect for his legal obligations. A review of the historical record reveals that no administration has so flagrantly ignored its budgetary roles and responsibilities. The House Budget Committee has compiled a chronological review of Presidential budget submissions dating back to 1923. Several key points from the data:
◼ In just one term, President Obama has missed the budget deadline more than any other President.
◼ In the 90 years covering FY1923 through FY 2013, President Obama is the only President to miss the deadline two years in a row. He is the only President who has missed the deadline in three of the four years of a term. And, he holds the record for the longest delay (at 98 days).
◼ All Presidents from Harding through Reagan’s first term met the statutory budget submission deadline in every year. In five of these years, a change in the law was requested and passed to extend the deadline, and the President always met it.
◼ Since the budget process moved the date of submission to the first Monday in February, the incoming President’s first budget submission has been delayed for practical reasons (the President’s inauguration is less than three weeks before the budget submission’s deadline). Yet President Obama’s first budget in his first year set a new record with a 98-day delay for his FY2010 budget.
◼ Since the statutory deadline was extended to the first Monday in February, with the exception of the first budget for a new President, this deadline has only been missed three times: Clinton FY1998; Obama FY2012; and Obama FY 2013.
The President’s flagrant disrespect for budget deadlines extends beyond the late submissions of his annual budget request. The President is required to submit a Midsession Review no later than July 16 each year. The President is required to submit a Financial Report of the U.S. Government no later than December 15. The President is required to submit a plan to shore up Medicare’s finances within 15 days of a funding warning by the Medicare Trustees.
Not once has President Obama adhered to any of these deadlines:
◼ The President’s Midsession Review has never been released by July 16;The President’s failures to meet his legal obligations are symptomatic of a failure to meet his more critical moral obligation to the American people by tackling our most pressing fiscal and economic challenges. DETAILS at the link.
◼ The President’s Financial Report of the U.S. Government has never been released by December 15;
◼ The President has not once responded to the Medicare Trigger.
◼ White House tells Paul Ryan it won’t meet budget deadline - The Hill
The White House has informed House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) that it will miss the legal deadline for sending a budget to Congress.
Acting Budget Director Jeff Zients told Ryan (R-Wis.) in a letter late Friday that the budget will not be delivered by Feb. 4, as required by law.
Labels:
Budget,
Medicare,
President/Candidate Obama,
Spending
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