Republican Congress screws Americans

Republicans say cut the debt, yet increase budget costs again.
This time President Obama had requested a 1-year extension of middle-class citizen payroll tax cuts before the house holiday vacation. The house republicans wasted time in Congress. They went day-after-day discussing names for post offices and other buildings around the country. Some days they did not meet at all - just did an opening ceremony, then immediately recessed. The republicans spent days talking about religion in government and days talking about a wide array of other non-urgent issues. They purposefully left the payroll cut extension for the last days before the Christmas holiday, then they padded the payroll cut with other controversial issues, the Canada pipeline, hoping President Obama would reject it and the republicans could blame him for the financial hit across America. Wise to the republican tricks, President Obama said he would sign the bill. The Senate was not happy with the bill and passed a two month tax-cut extension. Now the incompetent house went to work to sock it to Americans by rejecting the Senate bill. The house claimed it would only pass a year-long payroll-cut extension (they could have done this in November), so republicans rejected the Senate bill and created a new one. Meanwhile, the senators went home for Christmas. So, no tax-cut extension and the republicans have caused everyone to have an automatic lower income beginning January 1st 2012.
Fear not, the republicans yell, we will do this in January, after we take our luxury holiday vacations. What the republicans fail to realize is not only will Americans have a lower income, but the government must spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, perhaps millions, in changing all of the accounting and payroll systems and notices for every employee. This is FINANCIAL WASTE caused by republicans playing stupid political games and failing to represent Americans - and American debt grows bigger.
We need a focused and competent Congress, not a bunch of Obama haters who will ruin every American for their selfish personal job goals. Yes, the republicans have jobs and could care less about the homeless and/or unemployed regular citizens. The republicans chant, if Obama supports it, we will fight it - regardless of what it is and the injury it will cause Americans, along with government excess, waste and fraud.
We voters must get these republican congressmen OUT in 2012, so we can save America and ensure our kids will be able to enjoy the American dream. Do you know that the US gives billions of dollars of financial aid to CHINA!! And from where does that money come from that we give regularly to China come????  CHINA!!!
Yes, America borrows the money from China, then gives billions back to China as aid - and American debt grows and Americans pay the loan and interest on the deficit. Maybe the republicans could schedule this topic on one of those many days that they get paid, but don't show up for work!!!
WE NEED A MUCH BETTER CONGRESS!!!!
STOP the repetitive TV sound bites, CUT HE DEFICIT and help AMERICANS!!!

Merry Christmas God

An unhappy Republican stated he was even unhappier because President Obama did not mention "God" in his speech. Well statesmen today, may not because they realize they are the leader of many different people with different names for "God." I know many who are often speaking of God, yet they are committing crimes or bigoted or controlled by money and hate. It is not the mentioning of God that is important, it is your everyday actions to your spouse, family, and community. If the words are not explicitly spelled out, look between the lines and look at the actions and life of the speaker. I can not think of a better family role model than the Obama family. Living in front of the world is difficult and living a daily godly life is even harder.
I remember when President Obama stated he was ending the war in Iraq. President Bush started the war looking for weapons after 9/11, and after no weapons were found, he continued the war for profit. Now, President Obama stated he was going to stop the killing on both sides. After he said those words, thousands of troops and military families yelled "Thank God!"
A child asked, is President Obama God? I said, no, but sometimes God works through President Obama. This Christmas most of our troops will be spending Christmas in the good 'ole USA. I hope everyone will hang "Welcome Home Troops, the war is over - Thank you for your service" ribbons and signs outside their homes. (Now here is a job for some needy artists - I haven't seen any for sale.)
If you are unhappy with President Obama and Michelle, wait until you hear about Newt Gingrich. Hold on to your hats and cover the kid's eyes and ears. I guess Newt thought it was godly to discuss divorce with his wife as she recovered from cancer surgery in the hospital.
Anyway - Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Feliz Navidad - I can add more, but some people will never be happy. God Bless you, and Peace on Earth...and let it begin with me.

Welcome United States of EUROPE

The euro, the common EU currency, has been around for 12 years and things are not going well. Some say the EU "has 10 days at most" to avoid collapse. One proposed idea to solve the fiscal crisis would have countries cede some control over their budgets to a central European authority. YIPE!! Another United States.  The proposal calls for a fiscal union of the euro countries and the creation of a powerful common treasury.

Unlike the United States, which has centralized institutions in Washington for raising taxes and spending money, the euro nations have 17 independent treasuries with little oversight from Brussels, the headquarters of the EU.

Germany and France fearful of encountering increased problems from weaker countries, have promised to propose measures that will make the 17 euro countries operate under strict and enforceable rules, so that no single country can wreak continent-wide damage. Last week, Germany tried to auction $8 billion worth of its national bonds but it could persuade investors to buy only $5.2 billion. 


Among the 10 countries who did not adopt the EU currency includes; Britain, Poland, and Sweden.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/11/28/international/i091441
S92.DTL&ao=2#ixzz1f3dICOVV

Native American Indians get more rights

(11-28) 11:11 PST Washington (AP) --

Ahead of a meeting Friday between President Barack Obama and hundreds of Native American leaders, the administration unveiled new rules for tribal lands that officials say will expedite home building and energy development.

The proposed changes — the first of its kind in 50 years — would open the door to badly-needed housing development on reservations, and for wind and solar energy projects that tribes have been eager to launch.

The plan gives Obama another boasting point for this week's meeting with leaders of the 565 federally-recognized tribes at the White House.

The president has appointed Native Americans to high level positions in his administration, signed laws to improve health care and law enforcement for Native Americans and resolved a long running lawsuit over royalties for minerals on tribal lands.

The Obama administration has held a number of meetings with tribes on the subject and provided draft proposals to leaders as the rules were being rewritten. Land on American Indian reservations cannot be bought and sold because it is held in trust by the federal government on behalf of the tribes. If a tribe or tribe member wants to build a house on it or use it for multifamily housing, a business or industry, the Interior Department must approve a "lease" of the land or mortgages.

The proposed changes would set time limits for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to approve such leases. Residential leases, subleases and mortgages would have to be approved in 30 days; leases for commercial or industrial development must be approved in 60 days. If the bureau does not meet the deadlines, leases would automatically be approved. Currently, there are no time limits.

The proposed rules apply only to land development and not to oil and gas and mining leases.

The administration has been pushing for renewable energy projects and working to advance solar and wind projects on public lands. It has given priority to 18 projects, including the Moapa Solar Project, which will be built mostly on Moapa Band of Paiutes tribal lands in Nevada.

Developing wind and solar energy projects has drawn interest from tribes around the country, Dossett said. Tribes can partner with companies and sell the energy produced back to power grids.

Willie said the changes should also help tribal members get mortgages more quickly. Under the current rules, government approval of mortgages can take two months to two years. With that kind of delay, getting the banking industry to see tribal members as a profitable market can be difficult, Willie said.

The rules will be open for public comment for 60 days beginning Tuesday. The administration also plans additional meetings with tribes on the proposed changes

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2011/11/28/national/a095132S23.DTL#ixzz1f3VK6rHb

Rich invited to US

While many cry to keep illegal aliens out of the US, there are other pathways to US citizenship. Some use the old, come to the US for a few weeks and have a baby born here. The child will be a US citizen and can later come to the US for a free education. Others use the US investment angle. Just by buying a house in the US or starting a US business you can become eligible for a US visa and apply for permanent citizenship.

Many want to move to Miami. Miami has drawn significant interest from both the Latin American elite looking to escape political instability and drug violence — and the developers who want their money.Naturally, many rich criminals are interested in moving there too, as Miami has a reputation for drug trades. But, all states have their draw and immigrants are investigating the choices.

By investing $500,000 in a designated high-unemployment or rural area, or $1 million anywhere else, a foreign national and his or her family can obtain conditional EB-5 visas that become permanent if the investment creates at least 10 jobs for two years.

What’s more, experts say, is that the U.S. recession has contributed to a growing EB-5 industry as dozens of private companies seek permission to pool investors’ money in order to finance projects such as hotels and housing developments that can’t get traditional loans from banks. For the foreigners, applying through a so-called EB-5 regional center lets them live in the U.S., put their children through school here and sit back while somebody else manages their investment and worries about fulfilling the job creation requirements.

“It’s access to capital,” said Emilio González, a former director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President George W. Bush. “It satisfies the U.S. need to create jobs and it satisfies an investor’s need to get a green card for whatever reason.”

In recent months, the Obama administration has promised to streamline the EB-5 process in order to encourage more foreigners to make investments that will create jobs. The program is estimated to have created about 34,000 jobs since its inception in 1990. Meanwhile, two U.S. senators recently proposed a similar program that would grant visas to foreigners who spend $500,000 on real estate as a way to bolster the housing market.

In the 2009 fiscal year, about 1,000 foreigners applied for EB-5 visas, according to USCIS. The number doubled in 2010. And, in just the first 10 months of the 2011 fiscal year, 3,355 foreigners had petitioned for the visa, of which about 1,400 have been approved.

More than half the applicants are Chinese. However, in the past two years petitions from Latin Americans rose by about 71 percent, with Venezuela and Mexico leading the way. Government statistics show that 95 Latin Americans applied for the program in the 2010 fiscal year. Another 163 applied in the first 10 months of 2011. Of these, USCIS approved 44 petitions in 2010 and 68 in 2011.

By Melissa Sanchez and Alfonso Chardy | The Miami Herald

PRESIDENT OBAMA DECLARES WAR OVER

YAHOOOOO!!!!! The day we have waited for for over ten years. President Obama declared today,"the Iraq/Afghanistan war is over" and the President states all troops will be out by the end of the year and hopefully home for Christmas !!!! LET'S DANCE!!!!!!
Republicans say, not so fast. Republicans feel U.S. needs to be involved in the war area for additional years and want to pour more borrowed money into Iraq, Afghanistan, and the corrupt pockets of foreign leaders and contractors. Republicans do not understand that the money used for the war was borrowed from China and has a huge interest component. Our children for generations will be paying of this ten-year plus war debt. We can not afford to increase our debt more and continue a questionable presence in the Middle East.
President Obama is correct. End the war this year, stop the financial waste and borrowing, and allow our troops to come home and get their lives back.
THEY'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Gun control for some?

Conservative radio commentator, Mike Levine says now he wants gun control. Why?  Well, Mike is angry that the criminals involved in the drug trade in Mexico are committing horrible crimes with weapons, allegedly purchased with American money, and American border guards are being killed. So, let’s see…no gun control in the US because “guns don’t kill people, people kill people.” Now, since the Mexicans are creating problems with guns, Mike wants federal gun control and he wants the Obama administration to head this project. Mike needs to understand laws don’t work against just one group of people. The Republicans want no gun control, so that is what we have. If they are committing crimes with guns, go after the people, not the guns.
Also, when President Bush started the wars in the Middle East, many American military and innocent civilians were killed by weapons purchased by the enemy with American money. Often they used American payments to buy American weapons to kill Americans. We have a long history of giving large amounts of money to hostile groups abroad, even as Americans are in great financial need.
Pray that President Obama can get our remaining military out of this quagmire fast and safely.

A Bankrupt Uncle Sam Hypocritically Lectures Europe on Debt

by Doug Bandow

This article appeared in Forbes on September 26, 2011.

Europe's worsening debt crisis, highlighted by the threat of default by Greece, was the top topic as finance ministers from around the world gathered in Washington for the annual International Monetary Fund meeting. Despite frantic European efforts to prop up the Athens government's finances, investors have been fleeing to safer investments, driving German bond yields down to record lows. European governments remain divided, lacking answers and time.

Uncle Sam should declare bankruptcy. The government faces debts and unfunded liabilities on the order of $211 trillion, according to economist Laurence Kotlikoff. That's about 15 times America's official national debt — and GDP. Yet the Obama administration continues to lecture the rest of the world on how to get its economic house in order.

President Barack Obama has been pressing European leaders, most importantly German Chancellor Angela Merkel, to follow his profligate policies in the U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner even attended the recent European Union summit on the continent's economic crisis to lobby his counterparts.

Geithner gave his hosts the benefit of his thinking whether they wanted it or not. Some did not. Maria Fekter, Austria's finance minister, noted archly: "I found it peculiar that even though the Americans have significantly worse fundamental data than the Euro zone that they tell us what we should do." Jean-Claude Juncker, both prime minister and finance minister of Luxembourg, declared: "We are not discussing the expansion or increase of the [financial stability fund] with a non-member of the Euro area."

To be fair, the administration was not without something to say. But any advice should have been what not to do.

Don't engage in counter-productive, large-scale bail-outs. Don't waste hundreds of billions of dollars on ineffective "stimulus" programs. Don't initiate massive new regulatory programs that create expense and uncertainty without addressing the most important causes of the last crisis. Don't put off tough budget decisions involving domestic entitlements and military outlays.

However, that's not what Secretary Geithner said. True, he admitted that "we're not in a particularly strong position to provide advice to all of you." But that didn't stop him from doing so.

He warned of "catastrophic risk," as if his European counterparts were blind and deaf. He insisted that "the big countries in Europe, the leaders in Europe must meet and take a decision on how to coordinate monetary integration with more effective coordinated fiscal policy," as if the EU was a centralized nation state like America.

He told the other participants to act "decisively" even though the administration in which he serves has failed to address this country's toughest spending issues. He urged the EU members to stimulate their individual economies and expand their continental bail-out fund, even though the Obama administration's comparable domestic efforts have failed. The Europeans have the capacity to deal with their problems, he declared: they "just have to choose to do it." As Americans have not done.

The Europeans face severe economic difficulties. Successive bail-outs increasingly seem unlikely to prevent default by Greece, which would threaten banks across the continent, including in Germany, heretofore Europe's growth engine. Some investors worry about a reprise of the 2008 financial crisis.

Contagion threatens to spread well beyond Greece: Ireland and Portugal already have collected a hand-out from their European brethren. Worse, Spain and Italy, with far larger economies, face uncertain futures.

EU heavyweights, like President Obama, have lined up to demand that Chancellor Merkel show "bold leadership" — meaning commit more of her countrymen's money to prop up Europe's most improvident states. However, German citizens have begun to shout Nein! A majority wants to abandon their spendthrift friends and bring back the hallowed Deutsch Mark.

The normally sober Economist magazine declared that she just "needs to explain to her people" that the alternatives are worse. But even the fabled German economy can't forever underwrite the rest of Europe. No wonder Germans are worried, punishing Angela Merkel's governing coalition in regional elections despite a growing economy.

Nevertheless, so far the Eurocratic elite, a motley collection of politicians, bureaucrats, journalists, businessmen, and academics which dominates the European Union, is determined to save the Euro zone by strengthening continental control over national budget and economic policy. In essence, this group is hoping to create a Europe more akin to that of the United States, a quasi-nation state which will take its place as a Weltmacht alongside America and China.

There's nothing wrong in principle with such an ambition — except for the fact that no one in Europe other than the Eurocrats wants to turn Brussels into Washington. Most Europeans, at least the ones working, paying taxes, and suffering under the EU's regulatory dictates, are either indifferent or strongly opposed to further continental centralization.

Indeed, the only way EU leaders were able to win ratification of the so-called Lisbon Treaty, which further concentrated political authority in Brussels and created a European president and foreign minister, was to press the Irish to vote twice, after they defeated the agreement the first time, and prevent anyone else from voting. Polls indicated that citizens in half of the EU countries would have rejected the treaty if given a chance.

Today expanding Brussels' authority over national budgets faces resolute opposition, including from many governments. Yet without a more unified European fiscal policy, the Eurozone — to which 17 of the 27 EU members belong — could shrink, if not collapse. The costs of a messy economic divorce likely would be huge.

Europe's total debt to GDP is around 80%, but several nations have more serious problems. As of last year Greece's ratio hit 143%. Italy's was 119%. The debt ratios for Belgium, Ireland, and Portugal all exceeded 90%. Other countries like Great Britain are making painful budget cuts to avoid their own debt crises.

There are no easy answers. Nor are there any painless ones. Who should pay for whom? Who should have political authority over whom? Certainly the U.S. has no answers. Washington should offer Europe good wishes and little more.

There's an even better reason for U.S. officials to shut up. They have no credibility to instruct the Europeans. Maria Fekter observed: "I had expected that, when [Secretary Geithner] tells us how he sees the world, that he would listen to what we have to say."

First, the U.S. has struggled with the issue of political centralization even though the American colonies shared a common culture, fought a war together to win their independence, and only once battled among themselves. Even today, political centralization remains controversial — for good reason, given Washington's many manifest policy failures.

Second, the U.S. has an abysmal fiscal record. Total federal debt, which includes "loans" from the Social Security Administration to the Treasury Department, approaches 100% of GDP. These intra-government debts are artificial, but over time their "redemption" as the government pays Social Security benefits will add to the publicly held debt, which accounts for about 67% of GDP today.

Moreover, the U.S. has its irresponsible states which don't know how to say no. In terms of debt/GDP, Massachusetts leads the pack, at 20.43% (2009 figures). Rhode Island follows at 19.19%. Despite its oil wealth, Alaska is at 14.42%. Supposedly frugal New Hampshire is at 14.16%. Vermont is at 13.47%. Montana stands at 13.25%. Connecticut comes in at 12.49%.

In recent years California has made a practice of borrowing to fund its profligacy. Its debt/GDP ratio is "only" 7.12%, but $134.6 billion in official debt is supplemented by $62.4 billion in unfunded health care and other liabilities and $59.5 billion in unfunded public pensions. Illinois has $57 billion in debts and, following Washington's lead in creating unfunded liabilities, another $54.4 billion in unfunded public pensions. New York suffers from a debt/GDP ratio of 11.22%; its $122.7 billion in official debt is augmented by $56.3 billion in unfunded health care and other liabilities.

Neither Republicans nor Democrats offer real solutions. This year's vaunted budget deal focused on domestic discretionary spending, yet these outlays make up only about 15% of the federal budget. Democrats hate cutting even these programs, while Republicans bridle at proposals to simply slow the growth of military outlays. And no one wants to take on the great budget boulders, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

The Congressional Budget Office sees only more red ink and debt. The most positive alternative fiscal path is merely horrible. According to CBO: "Even with declining deficits, debt held by the public would continue to grow in the near term relative to the size of the economy — from 67% of GDP this year to a peak of 73% by the end of 2013. After that, debt held by the public would gradually fall to 61% of GDP by 2021, an amount well above the annual average of 37% recorded over the past 40 years."

That's not all. "That substantial debt, coupled with rising interest rates, is projected to cause the government's annual net spending for interest to nearly double as a percentage of GDP between 2011 and 2021." Worse, so-called "mandatory" spending will continue to increase. In the next few years other spending, such as unemployment compensation, is expected to drop (assuming Congress doesn't up outlays, as it has in the past), helping to mask the impact of the entitlements increase. But in the latter years of this period, "rising spending on those health care and entitlement programs will cause mandatory outlays to increase again at a faster rate than the economy."

That is, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will continue racing upward, threatening to swamp the rest of spending. Or as CBO put it: "the aging of the population and rising costs for health care would almost certainly push federal spending up sharply relative to GDP after 2021 if current laws remained in effect." This is supposed to be the good news!

The more realistic scenario is frightening. Simply assume that Congress does what Congress normally does: refuse to make hard decisions and retreat from any hard decisions it made in the past. If "revenues remained near their historical average of 18% of GDP" while spending increased as past experience suggests, noted CBO, "debt held by the public would balloon to nearly 190% of GDP by 2035. Although new long-term projections reflecting the latest 10-year projections would differ, the amounts of federal borrowing that would be required under those policy assumptions clearly would be unsustainable."

Indeed, such a fiscal policy would shrink the economy. Economist Carmen Reinhart warned Congress last year that "across both advanced countries and emerging markets, high debt/GDP levels (90% and above) are associated with notably lower growth outcomes."

The CBO similarly predicted that "Large budget deficits and growing debt would reduce national saving, thus leading to higher interest rates, more borrowing from abroad, and less domestic investment — which in turn would lower real GDP and income in the United States relative to what would otherwise occur. Furthermore, paying for the rising costs of interest through higher marginal tax rates could discourage work and saving and reduce output even more." Finally, such a debt increase "would boost the probability of a sudden fiscal crisis, during which investors would lose confidence in the government's ability to borrow at affordable rates."

America's debt crisis is not a partisan issue. George W. Bush and his GOP congressional allies were extraordinary wastrals, upping federal outlays on most everything. His Medicare drug benefit was almost as large a budget-buster as was President Obama's health care "reform" bill. During the financial crisis the Bush administration encouraged the presumption that everyone everywhere would be bailed out for everything. The national debt doubled on President Bush's watch.

Under President Obama the bail-outs continued, money was wasted on ineffective economic "stimulus," welfare reforms were abandoned, and an expensive new entitlement, subsidized health insurance, was created. Each new budget has forecast higher outlays, debt, and interest payments. The administration pressed for "financial reform" while ignoring the epicenter of the 2008 disaster, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which degraded lending standards and securitized bad mortgages. These two bodies are still operating, losing ever more money. Wall Street rampent with greed and fraud took advantage of access to financial markets and engaged in Ponzi schemes which crashed upon everyone in the US - but the people who headed the scams were still hugely financially rewarded.rest of the world.

The administration is now pushing the same policies overseas. It's unfortunate for Americans; we have learned so little from our experience over the last three years. It's unfortunate for people elsewhere that the denizens of Washington believe themselves qualified to lecture the rest of the world.

Goodwin Announces Run For Congress

Goodwin Announces Run for Congress

AAAH! The ignorant spew racism and hate in the newspaper - it must be election time again in the valley. 

As the old-time Madera bigots regurgitate their frothy, green fowl-smelling words and accusations filled with hate, they hope to keep minorities and women out of elected office.  They offer no answers for our global problems, just attacks for attempting to make the Central Valley a better place.

We must prepare our children to recognize that smiles and head nods can bring a continuation of suppression and joblessness.  Only true INCLUSION will make the valley a better place. As a teacher, I want to reassure our Central Valley kids that these "haters" should not deter you from running for any elected office you wish to pursue. Much like the idiots we have in Congress now, who speak in TV sound bites and regurgitate party lines, they only serve to act as a blockade, but offer no real hope or ideas for the future. They only show up for fundraising parties. 

I hope no one will feel losing an election, especially when you are not a professional politician, is a bad thing. Denham, my opponent, had been in state office for over ten years. He had several fully staffed offices and banked funds. I, in contrast, was in my first big election and had no local Democratic structure. I was expected to lose, but I was learning. Losing was not a bad thing. The only bad things are: not showing up when we have our elections; not expressing your views in a civil,honest, respectful and intelligent way; and not voting for the best candidate, regardless of race or gender. I hope in the near future, we will be able to elect a minority representative to Congress in the Central Valley. We have had only white congressmen representing us for over two hundred years and the valley needs help. Old water wars still rage on and money is slipped under the table. 

United we are stronger. I am seeking to build communities in Madera and Merced that value diversity, compassion, and inclusion. I want the people in the valley to value education and the positive future changes it can bring. 

I was able to help integrate the Madera Unified school board, and we now have 5 of the 7 board seats filled by Hispanics. Due to “white flight,” MUSD has had a 60% to 80% Hispanic student population for many years with high dropout, suspension and expulsion rates and a wide achievement gap. A costly failing system. We needed better representation on the board by parents of children who are most affected by the school district. 

In 2007, my first year in office, I was able to create the MUSD Farm-to-School Program which ensures Madera kids enjoy the valley agricultural produce on a regular basis at school. I had to fight hard to create the Farm-to-School Program because the superintendent was against it. It is now a tremendous success. I hope in the future many more people will decide to run for a school board position - political office is NOT meant to be a career. 

The “haters” want to keep us all out of office, regardless of our qualifications, demean our efforts towards UNITY, COMPASSION and INCLUSION, and keep minorities divided. I know we can and will do better for our Central Valley communities in 2012. UNITED WE ARE BETTER!! We must encourage our kids to seek higher education. As we all know from 9/11, hatred kills.

For my supporters, 64,000 strong, yes, I will run for Congress again and you can follow me and contribute via www.ActBlue.com or via my website: www.drgoodwin.info. Remember:register to vote.

Dr. Loraine Goodwin, M.D.,J.D

Physician, Attorney Arbitrator, Hearing Officer, Teacher, Role Model for Kids

Candidate Congress 2012