Where Did All Our Tax Money Go?!

 

Click to enlarge

Merry Christmas from the Obama Administration

I said posting will be light, but this is important......more Federal over-regulation that will cost jobs and stress the national power grid.  And right before Christmas.....

EPA officially releases Utility MACT rule

This afternoon, the EPA announced regulations that will require power plants to reduce emissions of mercury and other toxics within the next three years. In other words, the rule targets coal-fired power plants. Sure, coal is a “dirty” form of energy and, yes, it is a fossil fuel, but, unfortunately, these regulations will cost the country too much to justify.

According to Scott Segal, the director of the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, this rule — commonly known as the Utility MACT rule (MACT stands for “maximum achievable control technology”) — is the most expensive air rule the EPA has ever proposed in terms of direct costs.

Read the whole thing.  And don't forget -- 2012 is a Presidential election year.

Irregular posting through New Years

Christmas is here, and I'm pretty busy, so posting will be irregular until New Year's.

Merry Christmas!

The EPA hearts Agenda 21

This looks to be an extension of Agenda 21 by the EPA, from Fox News:

EXCLUSIVE: EPA Ponders Expanded Regulatory Power In Name of 'Sustainable Development'

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to change how it analyzes problems and makes decisions, in a way that would give it vastly expanded power to regulate businesses, communities and ecosystems in the name of “sustainable development,” the centerpiece of a global United Nations conference slated for Rio de Janeiro next June.

The major focus of the EPA thinking is a weighty study the agency commissioned last year from the National Academies of Science. Published in August, the study, entitled “Sustainability and the U.S. EPA,” cost nearly $700,000 and involved a team of a dozen outside experts and about half as many National Academies staff.

Its aim: how to integrate sustainability “as one of the key drivers within the regulatory responsibilities of EPA.” The panel who wrote the study declares part of its job to be “providing guidance to EPA on how it might implement its existing statutory authority to contribute more fully to a more sustainable-development trajectory for the United States.”

Or, in other words, how to use existing laws to new ends.

 Read the whole thing -- this looks to be Federal over reach on a massive scale.

A 2011 Christmas Message from Israel

From Prime Minister Netanyahu:

This man is a class act, unlike President Obama.

The "Stop Online Piracy Act": more Federal government overreach

The "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA) amounts to control of the INTERNET by the US Government. Granted, there is a lot of piracy taking place, but the usual problem solving approach by the government ("punish everyone to control a small group of miscreants") is something to be avoided here, as the SOPA is way over the line.

Dan Collins of the Conservative Commune offers good analysis of this legislation, currently being fought by Congressman Daryl Issa (R-CA), with the advice to contact your Federal Representatives about this bill.

UPDATE:

Hot Air offers some more thoughts on the matter.....and the bill is coming up for a vote in Congress this week.  Contact your Congressional Delegation about your concerns (links are in the side bar). 

County Commissioners seek comments on "Voluntary Stewardship Program"

Related to the Agenda 21 problems.....a story in the Sunday edition of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin concerns a meeting with the County Commissioners on the "Voluntary Stewardship Program". The Commissioners are seeking comments on this program, "...which intends to balance the needs of farmers and ranchers while protecting critical areas on agriculture lands."

(The story at the link has the full story on the WWUB site, but you will need to register to access the full story; fair use limits what I can copy&paste here.)

From the article:

According to the state Conservation Commission, the long-term goal of the program is to allow ongoing agricultural production in sensitive areas in such a way as to protect the environment, yet still allow economically viable farming and ranching.

The intent is also to avoid challenges and lawsuits between agricultural groups, environmentalists, landowners and state agencies over such rules as buffers between working farmlands and streams.

At a workshop in October, commissioners discussed the possible pros and cons of the program with staff members and representatives of farm and watershed groups. Participants agreed that while the program holds the promise to protect critical areas on agricultural lands through voluntary actions by farmers, ranchers and landowners, many questions still need to be answered.

So this is an important meeting. The idea seems straightforward, but as Commissioner Tompkins asks, "What's the catch here?"

Star Spangled Banner

This is an essay written by the late Isaac Asimov, in March 1991.  Asimov, a prolific writer of science and science fiction, was born in Russia, and emigrated in 1923 with his parents when he was a young child. He became an American citizen in 1928.   The essay begins:

I have a weakness — I am crazy, absolutely nuts, about our national anthem. The words are difficult, and the tune is almost impossible, but frequently when I'm taking a shower, I sing it with as much power and emotion as I can. It shakes me up every time. I was once asked to speak at a luncheon. Taking my life in my hands, I announced I was going to sing our national anthem — all four stanzas. This was greeted with loud groans. One man closed the door to the kitchen, where the noise of dishes and cutlery was loud and distracting. "Thanks, Herb," I said. "That's all right," he said. "It was at the request of the kitchen staff."

I explained the background of the anthem, and then sang all four stanzas. Let me tell you, those people had never heard it before — or had never really listened. I got a standing ovation. But, it was not me; it was the anthem. More recently, while conducting a seminar, I told my students the story of the anthem, and sang all four stanzas. Again, there was a wild ovation and prolonged applause. And again, it was the anthem, and not me. So, now let me tell you how it came to be written.

 Please read the whole essay -- it's excellent prose from a master author.

Young Tea Party Patriots and Caroling

From the Young Tea Party Patriots of Milton-Freewater!  Please read.

New site, part 2

Good evening! 

We're getting the new web site up and running!  In case you've forgotten, it's at:

http://www.wallawallateapartypatriots.com/

The site is designed for information sharing, on a larger scale than Facebook or the Blog allows.  Both will continue to function, but for short or immediate announcements.  The new web site allows for the long term storage of references, and commenting as well. 

You must be registered to comment on discussions (blog format), and authorized to post files in addition to that.  If you are interested in commenting, click on the CONTACT tab, and send a message to that effect.  If you want to post files, say so, and we'll discuss what topic(s) you might be interested in.

Given that this is the INTERNET, and everyone can see you, we have site rules at:

http://www.wallawallateapartypatriots.com/?q=node/13

Or, click on "Topics", and then on "Site Rules".  We want to keep this open and informal, but there are a lot of people who disagree with our core values, and want to take down the TEA Party.  So we need some standards.  The site rules try to provide that.  If you have problems or concerns with them, please use the contact form, and we'll discuss them.


We'll eventually wean ourselves off this blog; it has served its purpose, but I'll keep up for a while, just so there's less confusion.

In any event......Merry Christmas!  Enjoy the holidays, because 2012 looks to be a rambunctious year.  At the very least.

New web site coming on line!!

Mark is cranking up our web site nicely. Not the blog, but our own web site. He's done a nice job, allowing us to post more information in an organized fashion. The blog and Facebook sites are nice for one-off contacts, but not so if you want to find something again.

He's started the "Topics" page, beginning with Agenda 21. Check it out!

If you are interested in becoming a contributor, contact myself or Mark Perkins through Facebook, or use the nifty contact page on the new site.

Just so you know....there will be rules. Sorry, but they are necessary. Not onerous, but I like to have things said clearly and up front. I'll post them at the web site, once Mark gives me the permissions......(hint hint!) :-D

A taste of sanity

I dropped a line to Senator Mike Hewitt, one of Walla Walla's representatives in Olympia. He returned with a good response, which I will quote a small part here:

Budgeting around the expectation of voter approved tax revenue is a very poor, failed idea, and one we’ve already seen from Olympia.  I simply don't think that we can tax our way into a balanced budget, or into prosperity, as suggested by the majority.  The legislature has tried that before, and it only served to delay and exacerbate the deficit problem, perpetuating the real problem of overspending. Remember, we still have sustained, record levels of unemployment.

Spot on, sir. Well said.

If you want to contact Senator Hewitt, or another of our representatives in Olympia, you can find their official State page (and an e-mail link) here.

(Federal government + National Education Standards) * Washington State = $300 million

From the Washington Policy Center: 

...Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction now admits that the cost of implementing the national Common Core Standards Initiative here will exceed $300 million.

Read the whole thing.

Governor Gregoire might want to look at this in lieu of her proposed "temporary" tax increase.  Just a thought.

The flavor doesn't matter, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth

From the "It's only Federal money" department:  Snow cones to improve national security.

Deficit?  What deficit?

(Thanks to TheD Man.)

Meeting schedule, 2012 version

Plus the 2011 edition: no meeting this month!   Enjoy the holidays.

As for 2012: our group meets on the second Tuesday of the month, in the conference room at the Walla Walla Regional Airport.  There is a business meeting at 6:30 PM, and the regular meeting starts at 7:00 PM, and generally lasts for an hour.  Topics will be announced here, and on our Facebook page.  The meeting dates for the first 6 months are:

• 10 January
• 14 February
• 13 March
• 10 April
• 8 May
• 12 June

Merry Christmas!

Governor Gregoire proposes "temporary" sales tax increase.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday!  I didn't post because I thought everyone was too busy with family, friends, and food!!!!

No matter -- our esteemed Governor, Chris Gregoire, isproposing a "temporary" sales tax hike.  This hit the news just before the holidays, which I find to be interesting timing, especially given as how the Obama Administration likes to make all their bad news announcements on a Friday night......

In any case, I suggest that everyone look at this CLOSELY, and contact your state representative.

My first issue is that sales taxes assume a given state of commerce, which in turn assumes that the economy is going in a given direction.  If those (among other) assumptions fail to pan out, this particular attempt to close the spending gap fails. 

And it’s important to note that very few organizations have called this economy correctly, and most of THEM have offered bleak outlooks.

My second issue is that taxes as counterproductive; taking money away from people means they have less to spend, which means they’ll spend less (if they’re smart, that is).  Which, in turn, means the sales tax will have a smaller commerce base to draw on, and the state won’t collect as much as they estimated.

Which makes the idea of a tax increase at this time a bad idea.  Mike Hewitt says pretty much the same thing in the linked article.

Finally.....who ever heard of a “TEMPORARY” tax increase?  That’s a rare animal indeed.

In any case, read the article, make your choice, and contact your representatives.

#OccupyFail

The "Occupy" movement is not of direct interest to our group (unless you are watching the "Occupy Walla Walla" or "Occupy Tri-Cities" Facebook pages). But it is a good example of how the left operates......and just what they really support, and who supports the left.

A key part of this is the open support of the media, and how they try to cover for the #Occupy[Insert Location here] groups. But they can't cover everything up, and don't. Instapundit has a great roll-up of of #OccupyFail that is a good review of how this is all working out for the Democrats.

That is to say....not too well.

New Addition To Our Information Network

Thanks to Mark, we now have our own web site, www.wallawallateapartypatriots.com!

This rounds out our capabilities.  Blogger is a good web service, but it's not suited for a small group like ours.  Posting documents, references, and other information is difficult, especially since we can't organize it for easy reference. 

The new web site will handle that nicely.  The blog will continue to be a source of immediate news and information, as will Facebook, but can be linked to the new site for permanent reference. 

A "tab" system for categories simplifies finding information.  There's a "Contact" page if you wish to send a message to the Walla Walla Tea Party Patriots, even if you aren't a member.

There will be more information added to www.wallawallateapartypatriots.com, so stay tuned!

Apologies for the hiatus!

I've been wrapped up in work and personal matters, so posting here and on the Facebook page has been scattered.  Regular posting will resume after Thanksgiving.

The Democratic Progressive Party Sees "Blacks" as "Useful Idiots"

We Are The 53%

 

"My husband worked on a drilling rig 12 hrs a day for 301 of 365 days last year in the heat & cold to provide for our family.  The petroleum he helped produced created the INK for your protest signs, the STRINGS for your guitars, the contacts and glasses you need to watch your speakers, the ICE CHESTS that hold your organic milk, the black nail POLISH you are wearing, the rubber tires on your bikes and the soles of your protesting shoes, the TARPS & TENTS you are sleeping under, the CAMERAS you use to capture images of police brutality, and the port-o-cans you are demanding from the city.  Even the microphones you use to condemn the evil Oil Companies, banks, & corporations are made from petroleum.  The pensions you expect contain 27% of oil stocks.  So until you're willing to A) Do my husband's job or B) give up your iPhone for a goat & cotton tent -- Go home you HYPOCRITES.  WE ARE THE 53%"

Funny, But Sadly True

OccupyWallStreet Comes To Harvard

Harvard Students Channel ‘Occupy’ Movement, Protest Economics Class

Protests that began on Wall Street and spread to cities across America have now reached the pristine halls of Harvard. That’s right, the country’s oldest university is experiencing walkouts by students sympathizing with the “Occupy” movement.

The source of their frustration: Students don’t like the content presented in an introductory course in economics. The professor, Greg Mankiw, is one of the world’s best-known economists and served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Bush.

Never mind those credentials, however. According to some students, Mankiw is indoctrinating America’s vulnerable and unsuspecting youth with a “strongly conservative neoliberal ideology.”

Seriously.  Read The Whole Thing for a view of how the "flagship" of American education really looks.

H/T to Jim H., posted on our Facebook page, who notes, "Imagine what you can think of when someone else is paying for your tuition!"

It's Been Three Years

One year from now, on Election Day 2012, Americans will have the opportunity to vote Barack Obama and his failed policies out of office. After three tough years of record-setting deficits and high unemployment, the American people are ready to change direction.

Keep in mind though, that BHO is the symptom. Federal overreach is the problem.

H/T:  Smitty at The Other McCain.

House Job Plan versus Obama Job Plan

First.....

House Republican Study Committee introduces new jobs plan

From the folks who brought you “Cut, Cap and Balance” comes a plan to create jobs by growing the economy — not the government. The Republican Study Committee this morning unveiled the Jobs Through Growth Act, a bill that incorporates tax reform, regulatory rollback and boosts to energy production. The legislation builds upon the past work of House Republicans, packaging “the best of the best” into one neat program.

Among other things, the bill creates a new optional tax system, in which taxpayers pay just two rates: 15 percent on the first $50,000 of income for single filers or the first $100,000 of income for joint filers and 25 percent on all income above that. The system also includes generous deductions for dependents and eliminates the marriage penalty. No matter what — even if no taxpayers were to opt in to the new system — the bill eliminates the Alternative Minimum Tax and caps the tax rate on investment income at 15 percent. Jobs Through Growth also lowers the corporate tax rate to 25 percent and eliminates the Death Tax.

And then.....


Obama: God wants people back at work

Urging Congress again to pass a portion of his jobs bill, President Obama claimed Wednesday that God is on his side.

Mr. Obama was standing at the D.C. side of the Key Bridge, calling attention to America’s crumbling infrastructure and the need to put more construction workers back on the job. He criticized House Republicans for ignoring his legislation while approving a measure that reaffirms “In God We Trust” as the national motto.

“That’s not putting people back to work,” Mr. Obama said. “I trust in God, but God wants to see us help ourselves by putting people back to work.

  Read both articles, and you'll see that Obama loses.  Hands down.

Words of Wisdom, Part II

Words of Wisdom

Who supports #OccupyWallStreet?

#OccupyWallStreet has a long list of supporters. A partial list has been compiled by PJ Media......and while it isn't surprising, the sheer scope of it will open your eyes.  #OccupyWallStreet is anything but pro-America.

A few examples:

• Communist Party USA
• American Nazi Party
• Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran
• Barack Obama
• The government of North Korea
• Louis Farrakhan, Nation of Islam
• Revolutionary Communist Party
• David Duke
• Joe Biden
• Hugo Chavez

And more to come -- PJ Media is working on that. Visit them for more details.

"She speaks from the heart....this is our time, this is our job."

The title is from Martha.  Here's the video.  Enjoy.

ALL GRANDCHILDREN ARE VERY SMART

Got this from a cousin of mine:

I was eating lunch on the 20th of February with my 10-year-old Granddaughter and I asked her, "What day is tomorrow?"

She said "It's President's Day!"

She is a smart kid. I asked "What does President's Day mean?"

I was waiting for something about Washington or Lincoln .... etc.

She replied, "President's Day is when President Obama steps out of the White House, and if he sees his shadow we have one more year of unemployment."

You know, it hurts when hot coffee spurts out your nose.

The Coming Chinese Storm?

This is a fascinating video report (from Australia) about the Chinese economy, and it's own housing bubble. Bottom line, economic woes for China loom on the horizon, possibly worse than we face here in America.  But on thing is absolutely clear: don't believe a word when the media praises the Chinese economy. It's a "command economy", directed by the Beijig government, a recipe for certain disaster.

As Nick Sorrentino (who linked to this video) put it:

For so long we have heard nothing but how the Chinese were doing things right. Hundred of millions rising up out of poverty. News cars replacing bicycles on the streets of Beijing. An economy that could not be stopped, which grew year after year after year by 10%+. But there is trouble brewing.

Thanks to Legal Insurrection for the links.

Poll: Democrats drive declining approval of Obamacare - Hot Air

From Hot Air:  More and more Democrats are realizing that ObamaCare adds to the healthcare problems, instead of solving them. The problem is, they think that the law won't make a difference, which is wrong. ObamaCare *does* make a difference.......only that difference is something that America does not need.

Obamacare makes a *bad* difference. We need to spread that message.

Jay Leno explains Obama mortgage-relief program

And he got it right!

The TEA Party and #OccupyWallStreet Are Not The Same.

Some claim that #OccupyWallStreet is "similar" to the TEA Party.

They aren't. Here are the differences.

Who are the 99% and the 1% "#OccupyWallStreet" talks about?

It's obvious!

"Wake Up America, Before It's Too Late"

An excellent video, brought to you by Breitbart TV.

Epstein 1, PBS 0

Professor Richard Epstein hits a home run his "contrarian view" when interviewed by PBS.

If you're confused, it's simple: the Public Broadcasting System is airing a series of spots on how income inequality is a bad thing. Professor Epstein rips that premise to shreds. As a friend of mine said, "I’m sure whoever’s idea it was has been sacked. Along with all the llama trainers."

Enjoy.

Imagine Choosing to Attend a Religious Institution of Higher Learning

…and then getting angry off about the religious stuff all over campus. Especially some of the stuff you might not have noticed when you toured the campus prior to accepting a spot as a student. You know. The stuff that just sort of LOOMS ON THE HORIZON SO LARGE, it completely blends into the background, like a, oh…say…cathedral.

    …Banzhaf said some Muslim students were particularly offended because they had to meditate in the school’s chapels “and at the cathedral that looms over the entire campus – the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.”

 Additionally, poor old “malice and forethought” have picked up a little different slant than when I used to watch Perry Mason.

    …“It may not be illegal, but it suggests they are acting improperly and probably with malice,” he said. “They do have to pray five times a day, they have to look around for empty classrooms and to be sitting there trying to do Muslim prayers with a big cross looking down or a picture of Jesus or a picture of the Pope is not very conductive to their religion.”

Muslim students who just happen to CHOOSE to attend a…wait for it…CATHOLIC University.

(I’m confused. Are vous?)

And I’m sure you all know the answer to what should be, in any other time…

    …“I don’t know what the attorney wants them to do – if he wants them to actually move the Basilica or if the Muslim students can find someplace where they don’t have to look at it,” he told Fox News.

…a purely rhetorical question.

A couple of Buddhas in Afghanistan probably have your real answer…

(Post borrowed from The Coalition Of The Swilling)

"His Job"

From the Republican National Committee, who actually produced something worthwhile for a change:

TEA Party and social media

VIA Martha:

This is an on-line "webinar" that focuses on social networking for beginners, with applications to the TEA Party.

Some points: 

1.  It'll take a few minutes to load up.

2.  It's a recording, so please be patient, especially when you can hear people dragging their microphones around, or coughing.  This is a common problem with webinars, especially when people forget to mute their mike.

3.  It's 98 minutes long, but does offer good points on social media.

Informed Voter Guide, 2011

From the Freedom Foundation:

We are now just a few weeks away from the November 8th election. In fact, the ballots are being mailed out this Friday , which means people will get them in the mailboxes early next week! While there probably won't be the same amount of hype for this election as there will be for the one taking place in 2012, there are still three initiatives and two constitutional amendments that will be on this year's ballot. These items will have an impact on our state spending, state-run liquor, increased union power, and more! Voters need to take the time to educate themselves about these issues so they can make a responsible decision with their vote. That's why the Freedom Foundation created the Informed Voter Guide. This tool gives voters the unbiased facts about how each ballot measure will impact the state without the political spin.

We have our work cut out for us

VIA Martha: 

CBS removed this video from YouTube, but I've found another copy, watch it quick before it's gone. You have to watch this video of Judge Judy before it's removed- it's actually a guy from St Paul, MN. Unbelievable.

Do watch it -- Duane Brooks, Jr, is a Capital L Loser, but so is the plantiff.  

CLALLAM COUNTY Wash. --ICLEI and AGENDA 21 OUSTED and more

VIA Martha:

Good Afternoon,
Here's an update from a fellow tea partier. Congratulations to the Clallam County Tea Party Patriots for their recent success in ousting ICLEI and Agenda 21.
Martha
=================================================================================================

Friends,

I got a heads up from Cindy Z, the former chairwoman of the Spokane Wash. GOP. Cindy sends some GOOD NEWS about Clallam County Washington dropping out of ICLEI and rejecting Agenda 21 due to pressure from the grassroots citizens of Clallam county. Please note that Spokane Wash. Republicans have rejected Agenda 21 and stated so in the Spokane GOP Platform and the Clallam County GOP have resolved to do the same. The push back against Agenda 21 is growing with the Tea Party Patriot Groups leading the charge with more GOP organizations getting into the fight as they become aware of the truth. Also note that the grassroots in the Oklahoma GOP and the Tulsa County GOP have had anti-Agenda 21 planks in their platforms since 2007. See the info below. Regards, Jim Stack

• CLALLAM COUNTY CUTS ICLEI (Oct.19, 2011)
• FORMER REDSKIN STAR CLINT DIDIER SPEAKS TO FULL MEETING IN CLALLAM COUNTY; THE STRUGGLE OVER ICLEI and AGENDA 21 CONTINUES
• CLALLAM COUNTY GOP PASSES RESOLUTION DEMANDING CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSION WITHDRAW FROM ICLEI AND REJECT UN AGENDA 21 (Aug 15, 2001)

Democrats less classy each day

As Schumer mocks millionaires, Sessions proposes “Solyndra Rule”

Another day, another Dem spouting class-warfare rhetoric and attributing to opponents the most heinous motives for objecting to the American Jobs Act. At least Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) decided to enliven his act with an infantile impersonation that — yep — reminds me pretty exactly of all the millionaires I know.

Meanwhile, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) says: Y’all want to talk about tax hikes? Sure. Just as soon as the federal government stops wasting money.

 And thus is born the "Solyndra Rule". 

Mark Levin 1, Clueless Marxist, 0

"Have you looked at North Korea my friend? Are those people eating in North Korea?"

“…we have a safe, free nation where anybody can make whatever the Hell they want out of themselves!“

Mark Levin.  Click and enjoy.

#OccupyWallaWalla......

......is here.  The Walla Walla Union Bulletin kindly includes a handy link to their Facebook page in their article.

 

From the WWUB:

Approximately 50 people occupied the park, not so much to protest corporate greed and social inequality -- though there was plenty of that --  but to discuss how to organize future protests.

So, if you're walking past Heritage Park, remember the 1st Amendment, and wave politely to #OccupyWallaWalla.

By the way......our Facebook page is linked in the side bar, but here y'go for an immediate click!