It is not much for its beauty that makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanates from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Update on Yesterday's Post
- GOP Debt Reduction Super Committee Announced THUMBS UP! As anyone who read my posted suggestions to Mitch McConnell before today's announcement, I had recommended Jon Kyl and Rob Portman, two of his three selections. The only difference was I chose Tom Coburn over Pat Toomey. Boehner's choice to chair the committee is Ryan ally Jeb Hensarling, with an unambiguous conservative voting record, will co-chair the committee (with Patty Murray, Reid's "pragmatic" choice to chair--why wouldn't we expect a balanced perspective by the senator in charge of next year's Democratic Senate campaign) Former Reagan OMB staffer Fred Upton and Ways and Means Chair David Camp round out a very solid group. Much criticism I've seen involves Toomey's selection, and all 6 will veto a class warfare tax hike. The Democrats continue to try to marginalize the GOP, arguing that the GOP is being unrealistic because they disagree with tax hikes. The problem here is that the Democrats have repeatedly acted in bad faith, for years promising $3 in cuts for every $1 in new revenues. The cuts have NEVER happened. The fact is the Democrats increased discretionary spending nearly 25% last Congress, even with double-digit percentage decreases in revenues. The fact that Democrats demand tax hikes before discussing in good faith across-the-board spending cuts underscores the disingenuous nature of Democrats. There are two basic problems with tax hikes: first, the convoluted tax structure, including Democratic winners and losers, unfairly distributes the tax burden; second, tax hikes constitute an additional cost of doing business and hence have a dampening effect on economic growth. But the idea that we would reward Democrats with a counterproductive tax hike when nearly half of workers do not pay a penny of federal income tax and without going back to a baseline 2008 budget sets expectations for future behavior.
- Wisconsin Dems, Unions Lose Recall Battle. To flip the state senate, the Dems needed to win at least half of the recall races yesterday; despite outspending the GOP with massive labor support, the Dems converted only 2 of the 3 seats they needed. In addition to the earlier hold of the state Supreme Court seat, the Dems have failed to capitalize on momentum from the unpopular restrictions on collective bargain in the public sector
[No.] Thumbs UP!
How many times have we heard it said that Mr. Obama is the smartest president ever? Even when he's criticized, his failures are usually chalked up to his supposed brilliance. Liberals say he's too cerebral for the Beltway rough-and-tumble...I don't buy it. I just think the president isn't very bright. Socrates taught that wisdom begins in the recognition of how little we know...Can anyone recall a memorable phrase from one of Mr. Obama's big speeches that didn't amount to cliché?... He makes predictions that prove false. He makes promises he cannot honor. He raises expectations he cannot meet. He reneges on commitments made in private. He surrenders positions staked in public. He is absent from issues in which he has a duty to be involved. He is overbearing when he ought to be absent....It also explains his insulting and politically inept habit of suggesting...that the fault always lies in the failure of his audiences to listen attentively.There are a number of related points to be made. For example, one should not underestimate one's audience. Second, avoid being repetitive, and less is more. Third, you should be direct and avoid packaged sound bites. Fourth, do not scapegoat, avoid finger-pointing, and be positive and action-oriented.
Political Humor
"Al Gore got so angry during a speech about global warming that he almost woke up some of the people in the audience." - Jimmy Kimmel
[The preacher got so angry during his sermon about afterlife warming that he almost woke up Al Gore in the congregation. He was dreaming about poodles.]
Musical Interlude: My Favorite Groups
The Eagles, "I Can't Tell You Why"
