Doug Ross @ Journal

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Larwyn's Linx: Every Picture Tells a Story

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Saturday, March 27, 2010

Lunatic Democrat Alan Grayson: We need politics without fear and hatred, which is why I support cleansing the world of Republicans

And the media continues to market the intolerance of conservatives? Interviewed on MSNBC by Ed Schultz, whose ratings lie somewhere between electron microscopes and nasal ultrasounds, the utterly bizarre Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) expounded upon the delightful philosophy of the Left.

It's all they've [GOP] got left, fear and hatred, it's all they've got left.

...It's absurd, they stoke the fires of hatred and inspire a national nervous breakdown by instilling people with fear the way that Naomi Klein described in "The Shock Doctrine" and then they blame the Democrat Party for that.

...I think the Republican leadership's at fault.

[On talk radio and Fox News fanning the flames by misrepresenting health care reform] Is the Pope Catholic?

We have to put them out of office, once and for all. These haters and fearmongers from office in the November elections. I'm not worrying any more about losing seats for the Democrats, we have to put an end to that style of politics.

And that means getting rid of the Republicans entirely.

...we're trying to work on a new model that doesn't work on fear, and doesn't work on hatred. That means people of good conscience coming together and showing what people power looks like in this country.

...Every time [Sarah Palin] smiles, she proves that ignorance is bliss. I don't know if she understands half the things she's talking about.

...I'd love to see a Palin-Grayson ticket in 2016, because the next day she'd quit. She's the patron saint of quitting.

As an aside, in the videotaped discussion, Ed Schultz appears almost physically repulsed by Grayson, who everyone suspects is several sandwiches shy of a picnic.

Hat tip: American Power. Linked by: Michelle Malkin. Thanks!

A Government Within a Government

By Victor the Contractor

This Administration and the Congress who cloy before President Oabama are a stain upon the soul of the nation. Indelicately put, but inescapably true.

I am moved to nausea as I consider the policies this Government is pursuing. The demeaning gloating makes it all the more distasteful to me. If we're lucky there will be a Great Depression to 'wipe the slate clean' and we can start over. I just don't see how winning a few seats in November will change things substantially.

We need a sweep of both Houses of Congress and subsequent impeachment proceedings. It is that simple. The President has failed miserably to uphold the Constitution. He has, in fact, labored to subvert and defame it in his speeches, actions, and legislative agenda. President Obama is part of a fifth column, if you will: an organization of traitors who are trying to dismantle our economy one industry at a time.

Their ideals are not those of patriots: they are the ideals of narcissists who believe that everyone will dance to their tune based on a collective cult of personality. The ability of President Obama to give a scripted speech does not give him the right to unlawfully alter our form of government.

Similarly, the allure of a society where all are provided for equally discounts the reality of competition ingrained in mankind. The immutable fact of nature is that some will rise and many will fall, even when given a 'level' playing field. Most see the truth that hiring incentives and minority quotas in the workplace have resulted in a jaded workforce that often sees the promotion of the unqualified to a level that renders them incompetent. The dream of Shangri-La evaporates when exposed to the piercing sunlight of human ambition and personal industry.

Such extensive delusion is, unfortunately, contagious to a populace who thirsts to be provided for and comforted in their want of largess. We have a citizenry who have no living memory of totalitarianism in its harshest forms and has been lulled into a false sense of obligation to the rest of the world.

But the better part of the world tolerates unjust tyrannies that openly rob the people of their productivity to support those who do not produce a thing. And so we are taught to feel guilty about being members of a successful country and are then coerced to feed, clothe and shelter a world of failing economies. And by failing economies I mean a debt-sodden European Union, perennially war-torn Africa and an Asia still trying, in varying degrees, to emerge from a Colonial stupor and enter the fray of economic modernism.

The 1.5% growth that the EU 'enjoys' can not be called success on any level given its debt obligations. Most countries in Africa possess non-existent economies, dominated by clans who reinforce their military juntas from the back of pickup trucks. Most of Asia and South America seem to be barely concealed dictatorships running roughshod over duly elected representatives who either rubber stamp or passively tolerate overt socialist agendas.

But growth of 2.5% or more is required to replace infrastructure and provide jobs for a growing pool of the educated -- and most countries never achieve that mark.

But our President, his advisers, and a cloyingly obnoxious Congress are spreading and marketing a hatred for American exceptionalism and the free market. They call capitalism a failed paradigm that can logically be succeeded by a socialist model which suppresses individuality and unction while it encourages sloth and conformism.

President Obama is attacking our way of life, our moral tenets and our raison d'être! Pardon the French. But our reason for being -- America's core! -- is to maintain and advance freedom and defy the same forms of tyranny that socialists espouse and which they try to teach our children in our schools.

I believe this administration and this Congress are attempting nothing less than an end-run on the Constitution; what else could you call the federal government swallowing up as many industries as possible before the midterm elections?

With more than 50% of the economy under its control or outright owned by illegal buyouts in the financial, automotive and now the health care sectors, the administration has formed a government within a government. President Obama is putting on a show, with the trappings of a democracy but the substance of a dictatorship with a capitol 'D'.

One fine example of this twisted ideology is the 'decision' by GM to start importing the Renault 500 model while rebadging them for sale in the United States. Thus, take a car that could not possibly survive the NHTSA crash tests and market it as a new 'Green Machine." This Parmesan grater is so small that you have to drive with your arms out the windows (one does need the tiniest bit of humor to avoid tearing up from time to time, but I digress).

We have a government so out of control that it has become a danger to its citizens. President Obama has already overstepped the lawful boundaries clearly delineated by the United States Constitution and should be impeached. His close ties to Acorn and other obviously subversive political organs require investigation at the very least.

Additionally, Congress, especially Nancy Pelosi and her Senate counterpart, Harry Reid, have so abrogated their responsibilities that there is a pressing need to investigate their bizarre activities. Consider the financial and political circumstances that led to the climate of secrecy, special exemptions, political favors and promised jobs they used to get their horrible piece of legislation passed.

For if we still have a representative Government, then we have the right, no, the obligation, to call for an accounting when our elected officials act in such an immoral and arrogant fashion. When leaders in our midst become senile, morally compromised or otherwise unable to perform their functions it is incumbent upon us, the citizenry, to recall them and install saner, wiser persons who are able to perform as promised.

As November nears we are called upon to prepare. To prepare to field candidates who can meet the responsibilities of leadership and follow their oaths to uphold the Constitution. To prepare to debate and expose those who denigrate our way of life, our belief in hard work and our faith in American exceptionalism. And to prepare to resurrect the country from the malaise that the relativists have levied upon our society, our collective outlook and even our children.

For my America is a land not or of promises but of promise. My America is a country that prevails, not is prevailed against. My America is a reprieve for all who seek opportunity and flee tyranny. The ideals we hold dear are the values that built this nation and made it a welcoming light in a dark world, the model to be emulated, the haven for the tired and for the poor to rebuild their lives. Not to disable ambition, but to enable the spirit, through hard work and vigor, to achieve and attain all of the blessings that this wonderful nation offers. For it is through honest endeavor and forthrightness that we shine as a beacon that none can dim and none can extinguish.

Now let us go to work. Let us share the concerns we have with an open heart and discerning spirit. Let us meet and decide that which is dear to us and that which is beneath us. Let us choose new leaders from among us who will resist temptation and shine a light on the dark actions of the ignoble in Congress. Leaders who share our vision, our ideals and vigilance so that our generation will never again have to go to Washington to clean out the moral refuse who have squatted there, in our house.

This great country of ours requires upkeep from time to time, and a cleaning of the machinery of Democracy is needed when it is gummed up by the muck of greedy men and covetous women.

Let us start now!

Victor The Contractor

New York public sector workers slated for $1B in raises this year despite $9.2B budget deficit

WGRZ (NBC) reports that, despite an immense budget shortfall, the state of New York will grant about half a billion dollars in raises to state employees next month.

Union workers are set to receive a 4 percent raise that totals more than half of the $478 million cost to taxpayers in the 2010-11 fiscal year, which starts April 1. The raise is part of the fourth and final year of contracts approved in 2007.

Fiscal emergency? What fiscal emergency?

Federal aid covers almost half of the salary increases, state officials said...

Let me guess: another shovel-ready Stimulus project. No wonder the economy remains completely screwed.

The raises for public employees and teachers, which some groups and legislators estimate will total $1 billion this year, have prompted some lawmakers to call for a wage freeze as the state grapples with a $9.2 billion budget deficit.

Oh, please -- let's not try anything drastic!

"I think New York state is in a state of emergency. This is the worst period of economic downturn since the Depression," said Assemblywoman Sandra Galef, D-Ossining, Westchester County. "So I think it would be something we should absolutely consider that there be a freeze on all salaries for all public employees."

A Democrat advocating against the public sector unions? Prediction: an abbreviated career for Sandra.

School groups said schools face about 14,000 layoffs if $1.4 billion in education cuts are adopted in the coming fiscal year.

Schools? What a bunch of self-righteous crybabies!

Some unions have rejected calls for a wage freeze, saying the sides lawfully negotiated the contracts in 2007... The 4 percent bump follows 3 percent increases the prior three years. About 150,000 employees are scheduled to receive a 4 percent raise, and 45,000 employees are slated to receive a performance advance, with some getting both.

Gee, sounds fair to me!

It's unclear, state officials said, whether a late state budget, which is due April 1 but not expected to be adopted on time, will impact the raises.

The budget's late?

What's the rush?

Related: A Brief, Illustrated History of the Public Sector Unions That Are Bleeding America Dry With the Full Support of the Democrat Party

Poetic Justice: DemCare Will Erase Health Care Benefits for Million of Union Members Starting in Just Nine Months

Remember how the President endlessly bragged that health care reform would never -- never! -- impact your existing health plans? You know, the "if you like your plan, you can keep it" shtick? Well, I know this comes as a shock, but he lied.

What no one appears to be pointing out is that DemCare specifically targets private sector union members first. Because of the dizzying new regulations imposed by the new law, "industrial concerns [and/or] those with unionized employees, say the end of the deduction could force them to ... curtail or even cancel them [health benefits]," according to The Los Angeles Times. That's right: most union retirees will have their cushy plans slammed by DemCare through changes in the tax code.

Which unions will be hardest hit?

• The Communication Workers of America, whose website doesn't bother to mention the impending disaster. Telecom companies such as Verizon and AT&T will be forced to slash upwards of two billion in health benefits to retirees.

• The United Auto Workers, specifically at manufacturers like Deere and Caterpillar.

• The United Steelworkers, through diversified manufacturers like 3M.

• The Sheet Metal Workers International Union.

• The Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers (OCAW) union.

And many, many more.

I won't get into the accounting details associated with these companies' benefits programs (mainly, because I don't understand them), but informant "CPA Ray" tells me that only three general scenarios are possible -- and all of them are devastating for union members and retirees.

Put simply, their promised benefits will be slashed and they'll be forced onto the government-run program. Oh -- and the government-run program will have 30 million more people on the books and spend $500 billion less on seniors, even as the need dramatically increases for the elderly.

Union members, it's time you started kicking the crap out of your union bigwigs -- politically speaking -- because:

They. Sold. You. Out.

Hat tip: Legal Insurrection.

Return of the Propagandist's Staged Fainting Spells

Presented without comment.

March 25, 2010:

What this reform does is build on the system of private health insurance that we already have. So does that mean that it’s going to solve every health care problem that we have? No. But it finally tells -- oops, it looks like somebody may have fainted. That happens sometimes in the crowd. Just give him some space. If the medics can make sure to check on them, in the meantime just make sure that they’ve got some air. And if anybody has some water down there, that’d be great. They’ll be all right.

March 14, 2010:

Anybody here, if you lost your job right now, and after the COBRA ran out -- looks like we have someone who fainted right there... we got a medic... no, no, no, hold on, I'm talking about there might have been somebody who fainted right there... they're probably okay, just give her -- or him -- some space.

April 27, 2009:

Back in 1908…oh somebody fainted. Do we have an EMT here? Right down here. Just give him a little bit of space. This happened during my political campaign all the time. I was talking too long people would be falling out every which way. They're usually fine. They just need a little bit of air and a little bit of water. Right down here, right in the middle. Not you! Alright, I think they'll be alright.

September 28, 2008:

At the Obama speech in Midtown today I saw what I thought was quite the telling characteristic about him. Someone fainted in the crowd of thousands and Obama stopped mid sentence and calmly pointed it out to the paramedics. He and his wife even tossed their bottles of water to the people helping this person. On top of that, Obama didn't start speaking again until that person was alright. He gave an excellent speech but that one action said a lot more about him and his priorities.

August 30, 2008:

My favorite moment was how very cool and collected Obama was when someone fainted in the heat. He was so gracious, noticed immediately that people were calling for help, asked people to clear the way for the EMTs. What made it a great moment, was that he asked, "And if someone has some water ... Wait, I might have some back here." He proceeded to go get a bottle from behind the podium and pass it back.

May 15, 2008:

We can make sure that every child in America -- EMT, I think we may have had somebody who fainted. So if we've got somebody out there. Somebody want to catch this? Give them some water and give them some space. They'll be all right. EMT, they're right in front of me. Give them some space.

May 2, 2008:

So like while I was at tonight’s “Get Out The Vote Rally” featuring BO, at roughly 6:55, about 30 minutes into his speech, guess what happens? Someone faints. I hadn’t heard about this happening in a while, at least not since there had been quite a bit of discussion in the blogosphere a couple months ago about all the fainting episodes, and how they all seemed so strangely similar. Well, add another one to the list.

March 5, 2008:

OBAMA: There's somebody who fainted.
H. CLINTON: Did somebody faint?
OBAMA: It looks like we have somebody who may have fainted.
H. CLINTON: Oh, we need a doctor right here.
OBAMA: That's OK. This happens all the time.

February 8, 2008:

"Climate change, the Iraq war and Obama tossing a bottle of water to a woman about to faint all received big cheers," MSNBC.com reported. "As Obama told the crowd to part so that the woman in question could leave and called for help, a young girl in the crowd shouted out, 'What a man!' The audience roared with laughter (although the press that has seen this happen before rolled its eyes)."

Feburary 4, 2008:

And when a woman appeared to faint in the standing-only VIP section in front of the podium, Obama paused his speech for over a minute as he directed the crowd to make way for an EMT team and tossed a bottle of water from the stage," reported the Yale Daily News.

January 8, 2008:

"Barack Obama's first and only rally on election day came to a sudden and lengthy stop when a young woman in the Dartmouth College gym fainted, and was eventually rolled off on a gurney by emergency medical technicians," the Los Angeles Times reported. "At first Obama half-narrated the episode, saying soothing things like, 'She's OK,' 'She's talking.' But the longer she lay on the floor, the quieter Obama got, standing on the podium, arms folded, looking worried as the medical crew worked." Minneapolis's WCCO-TV has video showing Obama handing a bottle of water to the Dartmouth damsel in distress.

Deccember 7, 2007:

Someone fainted in the audience as Obama was giving his speech about change. Paramedics had to come in and rescue someone in the stands.

October 22, 2007:

"This excitement mirrored the aura in the room that grew throughout his speech," reported WISN-TV. "Before the senator arrived, students were tossing around an inflatable cow above the crowd. Three people fainted in the midst of all the enthusiasm."

September 8, 2007:

A woman standing in front of the stage appeared to faint as Obama spoke about Iraq," the Associated Press reported. "The candidate paused and asked the crowd to make way for firefighters. One supporter shouted, 'You're a good man,' leaving Obama momentarily at a loss for words. 'Well, I'm not the only one stopping to help her,' he said, sounding almost embarrassed."

* * * * * * * * *

"The beginning [of his speeches] is slow and halting. Gradually be warms up when the spiritual atmosphere of the great crowd is engendered. For he responds to this metaphysical contact in such a way that each member of the multitude feels bound to him by an individual link of sympathy."

All of our informants report the slow start, waiting for the feel of the audience. As soon as he has found it, the tempo increases in smooth rhythm and volume until he is shouting at the climax. Through all this, the listener seems to identify himself with Hitler' s voice which becomes the voice of Germany.

This is all in keeping with Hitler's own conception of mass psychology as given in MEIN KAMPF where he says:

"The psyche of the broad masses does not respond to anything weak or half-way. Like a woman, whose spiritual sensitiveness is determined less by abstract reason than by an indefinable emotional longing for fulfilling power and who, for that reason, prefers to submit to the strong rather than the weakling - the mass, too, prefers the ruler to a pleader."

And Hitler let them have it. NEWSWEEK (572) reported:

"Women faint, when, with face purpled and contorted with effort, he blows forth his magic oratory."

-- The OSS Psychological Analysis of Adolph Hitler

The Generational Chain Of Trust

Adapted from a comment by Pappy G

There are no more intimate generational relationships than those which exist between members of a family; a parent and a child, a grandparent and a grandchild, etc.

Passing of family heirlooms, traditions, and values symbolizes the importance of these relationships. These precious moments represent the custodial responsibilities one generation has fulfilled in preserving, protecting and defending that which they received by way of inheritance from a previous generation.

When one generation fails to honor their responsibilities, the generational chain of trust is broken.

The current custodial generation received the chain of trust intact and, along with it, numerous opportunities. However, they are finding keeping the generational chain of trust intact overwhelming. For each billion dollars of new debt placed on the backs of their children and grandchildren, the chain weakens.

Nothing demonstrates the dramatic erosion of generational responsibilities better than the current entitlement abuse that began in 1935 with the enactment of Social Security. It has a long history of financial instability and every attempt to repair it has made things worse. Consider 1983, when 'Social Security Reform' legislation was signed into law. It was promoted as a plan to avert near-term Social Security bankruptcy and to fund long term stability. Taxpayers began overpaying their social security taxes by billions of dollars annually. With their over-payments deposited in a 'trust fund', most Americans believed they were doing their part in alleviating seniors' fears. And they were also sold the idea that they were responsibly preparing for the retirements of 78 million baby boomers.

With no choice in the matter, and in spite of significant financial hardships, millions of average Americans struggled to keep their end of the bargain. Politicians however, chose to renege on their end of the deal. From day one, they’ve spent every dollar of the excess Social Security 'trust fund', by transferring the money to the general revenue fund. Once co-mingled with other tax receipts, they lose their unique identity, allowing politicians to fund sweetheart deals for special interests.

Using Bernie Madoff sleight-of-hand deceit, politicians covered up their tax-and-transfer scheme by replacing excess Social Security 'trust fund' cash with special obligation bonds, or IOUs. These slips of paper are represented as assets on the Social Security 'trust fund' balance sheet. The IOU obligations created by this malevolent scheme will have to be paid again plus interest, and the amount owed already exceeds 2.5 trillion dollars, growing at the rate of several thousand dollars a second.

Some inheritance we're passing along.

How can swallowing another Kool-Aid cocktail served up by another political bloviator be considered a viable solution? The answer is: it can’t. The solution resides within the current custodial generation, and their willingness to speak up and reach out in a spirit of cooperation to the next generation. We must end the vigil of silence that permits politicians to violate the Constitution.

Why the Constitution? Because it is the highest law of the land and it was designed to limit government, not men. Over the years, the Constitution has been bastardized by Presidents, Congress and the courts. Far from limiting government, an infinite series of greedy, power-hungry politicians have interpreted the highest law to mean precisely what it does not say. They have squeezed, stretched and torn the law to allow the federal government to grow in size, scope and strength, in every direction, controlling virtually all human endeavors.

We must end the vigil of silence that's permitting politicians to financially enslave our children and grandchildren.

If you are a member of the current custodial generation, you have an obligation to restore the generational chain of trust while there’s still time; it simply cannot be passed along to the next generation with a broken link. We must return the rule of law to America.

Larwyn's Linx: How the left fakes the hate -- a primer

Have a great link you'd like me to review? Drop me an email. You can also install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget.

Nation

How the left fakes the hate -- a primer: Malkin
A Narcissus just had his own delusions reinforced. Be afraid.: PJM
Muslims, Amish excused from Obamacare mandate?: AT

Special Prosecutor needed for Sestak Affair: Tapscott
Ask your representative what 'insurance' means: Berman
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: ConfYank

Economy

Should Grandma Get Divorced? ObamaCare Says So: Blumer
Arizona's budget hole now downgraded to "abyss": Exurban
A chance to refine the Commerce Clause: Times

Firefighter laid off to save union bennies as city burns: BlogProf
Europe, here we come: WashExam
Surprise: new medical device tax could shutter makers: BlogProf

The Illinois Pension Mess: RWN

Climate & Energy

Green Waste: AT
Earth Hour? How about celebrating 'Reason Hour' instead.: Hindenblog
Is Global Warming Causing the Tea Parties?: Malkin

Media

Going from bias to insanity: MoneyRunner
The Wishful Thinking Election of 2008: AT
Krugman almost gets one right: ConfYank

PBS Now Offering Teachers Indoctrination Materials on Nationalized Healthcare: GWP
I'll gladly take the Constitution over precedent: RWN
Ignoring reality, the deplorable Leonard Pitts repeats lie that tea party movement is racist: BlogProf

Leftist Issues Death Threats to Palin, Her Family, and 'Teabaggers' – Media Silent: GWP
Ending the Frum Fiasco with a quick link or two: Riehl
Jumping The Fuchsia Shark: Camp o' the Saints

World

Bin Laden Threatens America, NYC Welcomes Tariq Ramadan: Chesler
Obama snubbed Netanyahu for dinner with Michelle and the girls, Israelis claim: Telegraph (UK)
Misconceptions, Confusions, and Conflicts Concerning Socialism, Communism, and Capitalism: ConBlkWoman

Turkey's PM to Armenians: Get Out!: EuropeNews
Barack Hussein Obama II’s War Against Israel: Big Journalism
Toyota Demands ABC Retraction, Apology For Crap Death Ride Story: Gawker

SciTech

Welcome to the Machine: Cultural Marxism in Education: AT
Steve Jobs and Eric Schmidt on a coffee date: CNet

Cornucopia

Wealth redistribution on the menu: BMW
Tonight's Blonde Joke: SondraK

Image credit: Michael Ramirez

Friday, March 26, 2010

Yes, Virginia, some states really do have a recall mechanism for political hacks gone bad

Yes, Virginia, it may be possible to recall your Congressional representative.

The state of New Jersey provides in Article 1 Section 2b of its Constitution that:

The people reserve unto themselves the power to recall, after at least one year of service, any elected official in this State or representing this State in the United States Congress. The Legislature shall enact laws to provide for such recall elections.

Eight other states—Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin—have laws on their books providing for broad recall of elected officials, which could include Members of Congress. Altogether, these nine states have 12 incumbent Senators in the runaway Congressional majority who are not already standing for re-election in 2010, but, in the event of successful petition drives, could be.

Give it a look-see. The current rush to socialism deserves nothing less.

Hail to the Chief

Brutally Honest relays this choice snapshot of our Commander-in-Chief.

Now that's Presidential.

The Seven Most Awesome Quotes from President Obama's Health Care Victory Speech in Iowa

Quotes from the President are on the left. Today's news stories are on the right.

...today, health insurance reform is the law of the land all across America...

AT&T Inc. will take a $1 billion non-cash accounting charge in the first quarter because of the health care overhaul and may cut benefits it offers to current and retired workers...

...over the last year, there's been a lot of misinformation spread about health care reform. There's been plenty of fear-mongering, plenty of overheated rhetoric...

AK Steel Corp... and Valero Energy announced [similar] accounting charges, saying the health care law that President Barack Obama signed Tuesday will raise their expenses.

...You turn on the news, you'll see the same folks are still shouting about there's going to be an end of the world because this bill passed. (Laughter.) ...

On Friday, 3M Co. said it will also take a charge of $85 million to $90 million.

...I'm not exaggerating. Leaders of the Republican Party, they called the passage of this bill "Armageddon." (Laughter.) Armageddon. "End of freedom as we know it" ...

Manufacturer John Deere announced Thursday that it expected the company's expenses to be about $150 million higher than last year...

...So after I signed the bill, I looked around to see if there any -- (laughter) -- asteroids falling or -- (applause) -- some cracks opening up in the Earth. (Laughter.) It turned out it was a nice day. (Laughter.) ...

That came a day after Caterpillar predicted a new cost of $100 million...

...Birds were chirping. Folks were strolling down the Mall. People still have their doctors...

Most of the new costs will come in a reduction in subsidies that about 1,400 companies receive for providing drug coverage to their retirees. In an effort to raise several billion dollars for implementing the health care package, the law makes those subsidies taxable, just like income...

From this day forward, all of the cynics, all the naysayers -- they're going to have to confront the reality of what this reform is and what it isn't... this isn't a government takeover of our health care system. They'll see that if Americans like their doctor, they'll be keeping their doctor. You like your plan? You'll be keeping your plan. No one is taking that away from you...

...10 top companies, including Caterpillar, John Deere, Verizon, Xerox, Boeing and Met Life, warned Congress in December that over the long term, it would [hurt their bottom line] "Taxing the subsidy means that more companies will eliminate or reduce the coverage," they warned, "and more retirees will shift to Medicare ... which will create more cost for both the government and the retirees."

Doesn't Obama's rhetoric sound like "Hugo Chavez North"?

The real, uhmmm, benefits of Politburo-style central planning won't become obvious until 2014, when ObamaCare kicks in for good. But don't worry. Government-run health care will be shovel-ready.

Sources: Chicago Sun-Times Transcript, 'AT&T will take $1B non-cash charge for health care' and 'Health care law brings big cost for big companies'

Obscure centrist blog breaks into Alexa's top 100K website ranking, shocking critics and defying Nancy Pelosi's double-secret probation

I want to thank my Mom, who pressed reload over one million times, to get me to this Alexa ranking:

In all seriousness, getting to a top 100K Alexa rating is quite a benchmark. There are a zillion folks who've been absolutely awesome over the thirty or so years I've been blogging. First off, the amazing Larwyn, who kept pumping me up with encouragement and advice when I had six regular readers (I'm up to eighteen now).

Major, major thanks go to the brilliant Michelle Malkin, the amazing Glenn Reynolds, the inspirational Hugh Hewitt, the incredible Jim Hoft, the genius John Hawkins, the outstanding Mark Tapscott, the stunning Anchoress, Thomas Lifson & Clarice Feldman, Roger L. Simon, Kim Preistap & Lorie Byrd, Andrew Breitbart, Don Surber, Dan Riehl, ReliaPundit, Fausta, Ed Driscoll, William A. Jacobson, Pundette, Rob Port, the peerless Rush Limbaugh, the great Mark Levin, Don Rickles' PR folks, Papa B, Dan from New York, Victor the Contractor and likely dozens of others I've inadvertently omitted.

In short, thanks. I'm on a mission to do my own tiny part to preserve the Republic. Just a warning: those who humor me are only encouraging this behavior.