Rahm Emanuel Should Do More Than Apologize

Once again, Rahm Emanuel has been exposed for being crude and insulting. He has admitted to making a very morally corrupt statement about persons with disabilities. Sarah Palin rightfully called him out on it, and he has reportedly made apologies to several advocacy organizations that support persons with disabilities. Apparently, he takes his cue from the president, who made the comment on the Jay Leno show that he bowls like a Special Olympics person. This White House apparently supports a culture in which people are demoralized and verbally abused. We see our president tour the country, making jokes and poking fun at Republicans, tea party goer's and anyone that disagrees with him. His audiences join him in laughing and pointing condescending fingers at those they believe are beneath them.

The New York Jets just levied a $50,000 fine against their head coach, Rex Ryan, for making an obscene hand gesture at some hostile fans. If the NFL has no tolerance for such conduct, how can the American people allow those in the White House to degrade our citizens?

An apology is not enough. Mr. Emanuel should pay a fine that is either donated to an organization that assists those with disabilities, or to the Treasury Department. At the rate our leadership spews such hateful remarks, they could impact the budget in a big way.

Lest We Forget: He Won

President Obama met with Congressional Republicans yesterday with the expressed intent to listen and discuss policy differences.   As it turns out, he put on his Professor Obama demeanor and sternly wielded his hickory stick within the one-room classroom full of students of the minority party.  Early in his presidency, even back during the days when he stood before a podium adorned with an "Office of the President-Elect" seal, Mr. Obama reminded those in opposition that  he'd won the election, and thus, silence and submission was appropriate decorum for dissenters so as not to muddle the boisterous cheering and adoration of his followers. 

Much is being reported about the president's attitude yesterday during that conference with Republican House members.  He quickly called the class to order and made sure his unruly, defiant students were all facing forward, both feet on the floor, pencils put away and all eyes on him. His photo op crew was there to capture every disdainful wave of his finger, every upward tilt of his head in superiority and every word of reprimand and condemnation.  Class was in session and the GOP was about to be tutored in how to march in lockstep with the majority.  Just as many Americans disapprovingly considered the media release of his midnight salute to fallen war heroes at Dover AFB to be some type of publicity stunt, his Head Schoolmaster routine yesterday in Baltimore is also being seen as little more than a campaign stump speech.  He took it to the Republicans and he wanted his far leftie friends to know it.

During the question and answer period, Mr. Obama noted he is not an ideologue.   The president has had us fooled on that one!   After all, a majority of the electorate now considers the White House and Congress tone deaf to the will of the people.  Democrat leadership has been deliberate in excluding not just Republican input, but that of independent thinkers and some in their own party.     Meanwhile, across the nation letters are penned, emails sent and phone calls  made to this Congress and White House, demanding transparency and adherence to the Constitution.  Time and again, those voices are ignored.   In spite of a vast majority of Americans that disagree with much of the proposed health care reform legislation, Nancy Pelosi put forth a visual on Thursday of her and her cohorts pole vaulting and sky diving if need be in order to pass a bill, targeted for the president's desk. 

When the president called for ideas about health care reform during his State of the Union address, it is possible the CEO's of Safeway Food Stores and Whole Food Stores both were shaking their heads and thinking, "I tried to tell you how successful our company has been in providing quality health care to our associates at a manageable cost, but you and your Congressional majority refused to entertain any suggestions.  The Far Left recommended boycotts of our stores and we were maligned and ridiculed."  Any opposition voiced in the debate has resulted in about as much anger and personal attack as we've ever seen in modern day politics.  We will not soon forget the spectacle of the comedic junior senator from Minnesota basically telling Sen. Lieberman to sit down and shut up on the Senate floor when he respectfully requested another minute of time to express the views of his constituents.  Maybe that Saturday Night Live-type skit was the source of a good laugh in the Oval Office, but Americans were appalled.    When citizens cried foul because the AARP, insurance and pharma companies had private, closed door meetings and emerged with big smiles of support for the reform bill, they were dismissed by the president as being "all wee-weed up".  This was a new phrase in our political discourse and most didn't understand until Press Secy Gibbs graciously clarified for us by saying it is synonomous with bedwetters.   Apparently, in this era of hope and change, a president can make such remarks without reproach, because after all, he won. 

Health care reform is one of the president's premier pieces of legislation that he's determined to sign into law, forever engraving his name affectionately on the hearts of those in the progressive movement . The House bill created the first fire storm as citizens learned of cuts here, spending (and borrowing) there with lots of gray areas in between.  In one response,  the White House hosted a pathetic press conference in the Rose Garden on a fine autumn day, inviting several physicians that are also Obama supporters.  We learned later, many in attendance were not doctors at all, but rather were devoted Obama fans/SEIU activists.  The president spoke to the gathering of people, garbed in stereotypical white lab coats,  provided courtesy of the American Taxpayer.  The message was clear: "America, can't you see that your doctors support the president and Congress regarding the future of your care and access?  It is time for the public to disengage about this matter and allow the federal government to take over health care delivery.  Trust us, you''re going to love our plan.  We don't trust you to make good decisions for yourselves and your families, so we are asking you to trust us to do it for you."  The point  of that particular photo op/campaign ad/indoctrination attempt was to make sure that the average American not only stopped demanding a 'nay' vote from their House representatives, but that they simply stopped questioning the process all together.    No press coverage or photo op's were allowed for the 100,000 physicians that gathered from across the nation about the same time on the steps of the Capitol to voice their opinions.  The White House made sure that group of physicians were denied white coats and a Rose Garden reception.  They disagreed with him; their professional assessments were not valued.  After all, he won.

The president lectured and scolded Republicans yesterday and his chastisement kicked off his new direction as we head toward the November elections.  He and his Congress will now try to flip every complaint against him as being the fault of the GOP.  He knows the country is bored and annoyed with his blame game toward George W. Bush, who remains typically silent when wrongly attacked.  In Obama's America, he scorns Fox News and he sets his jaw and steels his stare at anyone that takes issue with something he says or proposes. Yes, he won in November, '08, but he is completely out of touch with middle class reality. Most Americans consider themselves conservatives, Fox News consistently has the highest ratings of all news networks. Conservative talk radio is exploding in popularity, while progressive Air America is now belly-up.   Activists, tea party patriots, independents, Republicans and conservative Democrats are not going away quietly.  House Republicans stood their ground yesterday in questioning the president. 

Maybe the president should simply remind the country that he won.

Breaking: Rally Today at Capitol

Join us at noon today on the west steps of the State Capitol in peaceful protest of the Stimulus Bill as Obama signs it here in Denver. Please gather on the steps by 12 noon today.  A press conference is scheduled for 12:15 p.m., with the Rally underway by 12:30 p.m.  The steps have been reserved until 2 p.m.  The rally theme is, "You Don't Know Stimulus".  Special guest speaker is Michelle Malkin, author, Fox News contributor and manager of www.hotair.com  Also attending will be Jim Pfaff, Colorado president of Americans for Prosperity, Bob Beauprez, Dick Wadhams, State GOP Chair and other members of the GOP leadership.  U.S. Congressman Mike Coffman may attend and Rep. Doug Lamborn has been invited. 

 It is imperative that our voices be heard today in protest of the president's plan to mortgage the financial future of this great nation.   Come down to the Capitol and watch the 'hog roast'! 

The Capitol is located at 200 E. Colfax.  Off of I25, take the 210A exit.

Transparency please, Mr. President

It would likely be impossible for me to deal with the crowd that will attend Mr. Obama's stop in Colorado next week.  Standing in line for a long period of time with folks that are looking at America's future through rose-tinted glasses, oblivious to the lessons history has taught would be more than I could tolerate. I would, however, like a chance to ask questions of our president: 1.  Mr. President, during your campaign you favored tax cuts for small businesses.  In recent days, you've come out with a forceful regulatory tone toward big business.  Your Stimulus Bill does not include those tax breaks for small business.   Is business, small and large, under attack in your administration?  Are the American people correct in observing that you are moving toward as much government take-over of business, in general, as you can push through?  Are you not in favor of providing incentive to Americans that may want to start a business, or grow a business to include additional hiring and productivity?

2.  Would you please explain to the American people why you believe the census should be managed by you and your administrative team?  If you are fearful that not enough minorities are being counted, it would seem most appropriate that you appoint a non-political census task force to conduct this process in a completely transparent, and certainly non-partisan way.  

3.  You have been adamantly opposed to lobbyists since the early days of your presidential campaign.  You've made assertions about not having lobbyists in your White House.  Your campaign team attacked Senator McCain for connections to lobbyists.  Of course, we know now that lobbyists are connected to your administration and yesterday, lobbyists were given the first opportunity to review your Stimulus Bill before members of Congress.  What other campaign promises can the American people expect to see broken?

4.  Your SCHIP bill was recently signed into law and was done so very quickly before the American people had a chance to examine the expansion and revisions.  Funding for this bill will be taken from tobacco taxes.  Your Stimulus Bill provides funding for a nationwide stop smoking effort.  Can you explain the reasoning as to how healthcare initiatives can be funded on one hand with a tobacco use tax, and then on the other hand, we are asked to pay for smoking cessation programs?  It would appear that the costs of the expanded SCHIP program would actually necessitate the need for every American to start smoking.

5.  You have stated that your Stimulus Bill is not perfect.  You acknowledge there are likely some mistakes.  Your vice president went further and stated it may only have a 30% chance of working.  Given our financial crisis, and your own admission that if we don't get this right, we may never recover, shouldn't the American people have a right to expect a better plan from our president, perhaps a plan that has even a projected 50% chance of working?  The fact that you have no prior business or economic experience comparable to the level of your new job and our current situation, should we not expect to see you sitting in your office every day working closely with your advisors to make sure you put forth a plan that has better than 30% odds?  Many Americans are troubled to observe your travel around the country promoting a bill that your administration admits may not have the desired outcome.  Would it not be more prudent for you to spend your time instead, working on a plan that includes historically proven positive outcomes? 

6.  Your Treasury Secretary was asked this week from whom the money will be borrowed to set your Stimulus Plan in motion.  He was not transparent.  He stated some American and some foreign investors will be loaning the government the money.  Since American taxpayers are on the hook to pay back this money, in the spirit of transparency do we not have the right to know the lending sources?

7.  During the campaign, Republicans pointed to your lack of experience and suggested the presidency is not a position that is conducive to on the job training.  You've experienced several set-backs in terms of improper vetting of high ranking appointments.  You left the White House one day unexpectedly when things weren't going well to visit a school, and you've fallen back on your greatest strength, which is public appearances rather than stay at your desk.  Would you admit that the office of the presidency has presented you with more challenges beyond your previous experience than you expected?

8.  In Elkhart, IN, you stated that private citizens will be able to email you with questions or concerns with respect to how your Stimulus money is being spent.  If Americans observe delays, waste or other problems with these public works projects, they will have direct access to you in order to report.  Another campaign promise was your claim that Americans would be able to view all policy and legislation online for 5 days prior to your signing into law.  This has not occurred thus far.  Because there is an early failure to adhere to transparency ethics, can the American people really expect to  email the White House whenever they want to report problems with the spending of Stimulus money and receive a credible response?

The list of questions could go on and on, but the reality of our life here in Obama Land tells us we will not get transparent answers.  We probably shouldn't even dare to ask.   This new transparency is about as clear as mud.

Obama hits the trail again

Polls show not all Americans are onboard for the President's stimulus bill, and reports are that folks like us who have flooded the hallowed halls of Congress with emails, faxes and phone calls in dissent surely have been a cause for concern. Mr. Obama is a president that seeks to be popular.  After all, he entered the Oval Office as an icon.  There remains not a rock star, professional athlete or Hollywood heart throb that can hold a candle to Mr. Obama's appeal. The rubber has hit the road and the real work of being president took an early toll.  Just days into the grind, he took some time of, claiming to be tired of being in the White House, and headed to a school to read to children.  Good thing a Republican isn't president!  Walking away from duties and needing time off so soon would have ignited outrage and days and days of humilitation and taunting from late night TV personalities and news anchors.  It sure pays to be a super hero; you don't have to be subjected to that kind of thing.

Yesterday Mr. Obama visited Elhart, IN., a community that has prospered due to the recreational vehicle and boat industries.  The Left has long looked down their noses at the big gas guzzling motorcoaches that lumber down our highways and byways.  They frown at man littering and destroying the environment by setting up campsites, running around on ATV's, supporting big business with the purchase of outdoor gear of any kind. Certain lakes and reserviors have banned motorized boats for a variety of reasons, but in some cases its because of they use fuel and pollute the waters, not to mention, put money in the pockets of Big Oil.  The point is, recreational vehicles of many kinds have fallen out of favor and when gas prices hovered at $4.00 this past summer and marine fuel was significantly more than that, sales fell sharply.  People in Elkhart lost a tremendous number of jobs.  Yesterday, their president came to town to tell them that when his stimulus bill is passed, he's going to right the ship in Elkhart.  Jobs will come and if people are concerned about how money is being spent, they can go to his website and report what they don't like. 

Mr. Obama is out doing town hall meetings already.  Apparently, there isn't enough important business on his desk right now, so getting out among the people, plying the best trick of his trade which is his eloquence and articulation, he launched his 2012 re-election campaign yesterday.  He will thrill the throngs with his speeches.  He'll dodge difficult questions and give everything except a direct answer.  This first stimulus package contains much to bring a smile to some of his special interest groups.  Meanwhile, back in Washington, his staff stealthily puts together plans to take over the census and redistricting process which will also be very helpful in moving toward a one-party political system for a very long time, if not permanently.  As the CEO of GE signs on to the economic advisory team, TV  (NBC)  networks get an even brighter green light to increase the intensity of pro-Obama programming of every kind. 

Just when we thought we had a break in campaign promises and fainting crowds and women revealing their fantasies, it appears we are already back in an election season.  I was expecting weekly televised fireside chats to start soon, but hadn't expected full fledged campaign stops, replete with hecklers drowning out voices that attempt to ask legitimate questions; at least not yet.

It probably makes good political sense to keep the folks distracted with the hope that the president might be stopping soon in our towns and cities. Normally in this environment, people still working wouldn't dare take a day off to go see a celebrity for fear of losing their job, and those not working and living in fear of what tomorrow will bring usually would spend their days looking for work. But, hope and change has come to America. The people voted for it. Now, when given the chance to see our leader, we go forth in joy, giving no thought to whether our job is in jeopardy, or whether a job was waiting for us that day but we failed to show up and apply.

The campaign slogan of Hope and Change has ironically been replaced recently with Fear and Things Are Going to Get Worse. Any day now we'll probably start seeing the '12 bumper stickers, and I wonder what the catch phrase will be this time around.