From Fox News: President Obama is heading back to the late-night circuit, with an appearance on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" set for this week.
Jeez. I thought we had a President, not a late-night show comedian.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
OBAMA? CARTER?
I’m not the first to consider a comparison between Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter - a quick Google search with the phrase “Obama Carter comparison” will generate over 17 million hits – and I certainly won’t be the last.
With less than two months into the Obama administration, two things strike me as obvious. Both men are clearly incompetent and both are self-righteous, close-minded, dogmatics.
But there is one striking difference. Carter believed in the American dream but was convinced that Americans had lost the will to achieve it.
Obama is actively hostile to that dream.
President Obama is on track to becoming the worst American president of the 21st century.
With less than two months into the Obama administration, two things strike me as obvious. Both men are clearly incompetent and both are self-righteous, close-minded, dogmatics.
But there is one striking difference. Carter believed in the American dream but was convinced that Americans had lost the will to achieve it.
Obama is actively hostile to that dream.
President Obama is on track to becoming the worst American president of the 21st century.
MULTI-FRONT MANDATE
Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson is convinced that “Obama is right to pile his plate high.” Robinson argues
And
Robinson continues by bemoaning the “multitrillion-dollar bailout for the banks,” a “wasteful and ruinously expensive” health care system, and “dependen[cy] on foreign oil.”
He continues: “The ‘overload’ criticism makes sense, until you think about it.” And “I would argue that a laserlike focus on the financial crisis, to the exclusion of everything else, is unlikely to improve the situation and may actually make things worse.”
Robinson shouldn't have thought about it; he was correct to begin with.
I can attest to the fact that the “overload” criticism does make sense.
Been there, done that, learned from the mistake.
As a systems engineer with considerable experience in the design and development of large systems, it’s taken as gospel that you don’t tackle big problems all at once. You break them into smaller, more manageable systems and work them one at a time. It used to be called “build a little, test a little;” the current phrase du jour is “spiral development.”
Today, a “laserlike focus on the financial crisis, to the exclusion of everything else” is exactly the right approach. Why? Here’s an analogy: one doesn’t build a high-rise by constructing and occupying the 17th floor first -- without a foundation, keeping it airborne is tricky.
And the foundation for today’s problems is the financial and banking system. Fix it, and the rest of America’s problems become manageable. Don’t and, well, that 17th floor isn’t going to stay hanging in the sky for very long.
Robinson again:
Ignoring the ad hominem attack on “Wall Street’s irresponsibility and greed,” here’s the real question: Do we continue to put our children and grandchildren deeper and deeper in debt in a vain hope that Government irresponsibility will compensate for our own? Or do we step up, act responsibly and individually to fix what ails and move on?
Advice to "fix" the financial system before even thinking about health care, energy or education is either misguided or disingenuous.
And
This isn't about Rahm Emanuel's too-cute admonition not to "waste" a good crisis. It's about honoring a clear mandate.
Robinson continues by bemoaning the “multitrillion-dollar bailout for the banks,” a “wasteful and ruinously expensive” health care system, and “dependen[cy] on foreign oil.”
He continues: “The ‘overload’ criticism makes sense, until you think about it.” And “I would argue that a laserlike focus on the financial crisis, to the exclusion of everything else, is unlikely to improve the situation and may actually make things worse.”
Robinson shouldn't have thought about it; he was correct to begin with.
I can attest to the fact that the “overload” criticism does make sense.
Been there, done that, learned from the mistake.
As a systems engineer with considerable experience in the design and development of large systems, it’s taken as gospel that you don’t tackle big problems all at once. You break them into smaller, more manageable systems and work them one at a time. It used to be called “build a little, test a little;” the current phrase du jour is “spiral development.”
Today, a “laserlike focus on the financial crisis, to the exclusion of everything else” is exactly the right approach. Why? Here’s an analogy: one doesn’t build a high-rise by constructing and occupying the 17th floor first -- without a foundation, keeping it airborne is tricky.
And the foundation for today’s problems is the financial and banking system. Fix it, and the rest of America’s problems become manageable. Don’t and, well, that 17th floor isn’t going to stay hanging in the sky for very long.
Robinson again:
Here's the real question: Do we throw all that money into the apparently bottomless pit of Wall Street's irresponsibility and greed? Or do we spend some of it on initiatives that will make the American people healthier, better educated and less dependent on foreign oil -- and that, in the long run, should make us all more prosperous?
Ignoring the ad hominem attack on “Wall Street’s irresponsibility and greed,” here’s the real question: Do we continue to put our children and grandchildren deeper and deeper in debt in a vain hope that Government irresponsibility will compensate for our own? Or do we step up, act responsibly and individually to fix what ails and move on?
CAN’T WE ALL AGREE?
Victor Davis Hanson on some “hopenchange” measures that could get bipartisan support. I’ve paraphrased, so please read it all.
1) Recently the UN Secretary-General termed the US a “deadbeat” donor ... cannot we hope and change this organization out of New York? A UN headquarters in Nairobi or Lagos would save millions in transportation costs, and allow UN employees a feel for problems in a way New York does not.
2) We had a 9/11 Commission; a Baker-Hamilton Commission on Iraq. So why not a Meltdown Commission. Collate all the campaign contributions from the failed banks, Madoff, the entire open sewer of politics and high finance, and then let the commission issue a white paper on when, why, and how it all went down.
3) Farm subsidies. I never understood why a plum or grape grower got nothing and survived, and much wealthier cotton growers got lots, thrived, and said they would go broke without federal largess.
4) Our Ambassadors. Can we stop appointing the wealthy and well-connected to ambassadorships? Iimagine majors and colonels never making generals, who were instead appointed on the basis of campaign contributions.
5) When will the public simply ridicule the practice of naming buildings, highways, bridges, schools after living representatives and senators? If we must name infrastructure after our congressional grandees, cannot we at least wait until they are dead?
6) Do no harm. Yes, do nothing for a few months. Why not relax for 100 days and let the markets correct?
1) Recently the UN Secretary-General termed the US a “deadbeat” donor ... cannot we hope and change this organization out of New York? A UN headquarters in Nairobi or Lagos would save millions in transportation costs, and allow UN employees a feel for problems in a way New York does not.
2) We had a 9/11 Commission; a Baker-Hamilton Commission on Iraq. So why not a Meltdown Commission. Collate all the campaign contributions from the failed banks, Madoff, the entire open sewer of politics and high finance, and then let the commission issue a white paper on when, why, and how it all went down.
3) Farm subsidies. I never understood why a plum or grape grower got nothing and survived, and much wealthier cotton growers got lots, thrived, and said they would go broke without federal largess.
4) Our Ambassadors. Can we stop appointing the wealthy and well-connected to ambassadorships? Iimagine majors and colonels never making generals, who were instead appointed on the basis of campaign contributions.
5) When will the public simply ridicule the practice of naming buildings, highways, bridges, schools after living representatives and senators? If we must name infrastructure after our congressional grandees, cannot we at least wait until they are dead?
6) Do no harm. Yes, do nothing for a few months. Why not relax for 100 days and let the markets correct?
TAX THE RICH? IT'S BEEN DONE ALREADY
I originally posted on this subject when my daughter was laid off. Now it’s time for a little bit of the history of taxing the rich. First, the prediction, taken from a letter to the editor of the New York Times published on January 3, 1991:
And the result (taken from the transcript of a PBS News Hour program broadcast on January 1, 1996):
And now the Democrats want to do it again? Don’t I remember from somewhere something about those refusing to read history being condemned to repeat it? And something to the effect that history repeats itself, first as a tragedy, then as a farce?
Jeez. This administration makes Robin Hood look like a piker.
I have been in the boat business since 1972. The luxury tax that came into effect this year is in general unfair, but as it pertains to boats, grossly so. My industry was singled out and is being crushed by this tax. This will translate into lost jobs for about 600,000 people if something is not done quickly.
JOE MEGLEN
Dana Point, Calif.
Dec. 27, 1990
And the result (taken from the transcript of a PBS News Hour program broadcast on January 1, 1996):
KWAME HOLMAN: According to David MacFarlane, president of Alden Yachts, Dockery's order brought the company back from the brink of collapse. MacFarlane thinks back to November 1990, when President Bush and the Democratic majority in Congress agreed to levy the luxury tax. He says he still can't believe they did it.
DAVE MacFARLANE, Alden Yachts: I don't know anybody in the Marine industry that didn't know that there was a total disaster to start, and it's still amazing to think how somebody could come up with an idea that would shut off a business, and everybody that was in the business knew this would happen, and yet it floated right through.
KWAME HOLMAN: The theory behind the luxury tax sounded simple enough. Congress believed anyone willing to spend $100,000 or more on a new boat surely would be willing to pay an additional 10 percent to the federal government. But that didn't happen. Rather than pay the tax, many people in the market to buy a boat either didn't buy one, or bought one overseas. As a result, the luxury tax didn't bring in much money at all, and the customers' reluctance to buy put the boat-building business, particularly here in Rhode Island, out of business. We first visited Rhode Island in June of 1992. The luxury tax had been in effect for 18 months. Tens of thousands of jobs had been lost across the country, thousands in Rhode Island alone.
And now the Democrats want to do it again? Don’t I remember from somewhere something about those refusing to read history being condemned to repeat it? And something to the effect that history repeats itself, first as a tragedy, then as a farce?
Jeez. This administration makes Robin Hood look like a piker.
IS THE ERA OF BIG GOVERNMENT OVER?
The stock market has gone up for four straight days.
Wall Street appears to have decided that it can’t afford the Government’s dithering with a “recovery stimulus” and it’s now time to “do it itself.”
“Tea Parties” are continuing throughout the nation. They haven’t gotten much national attention (yet), but at the grassroots level, the tea parties seem to be getting traction. Taxpayers are saying loudly and clearly that they are disgusted with Congress and the Obama administration.
Congressional overreach and chaos at Obama’s Treasury Department may be a blessing in disguise.
So I ask: “Is the era of Big Government over?”
Wall Street appears to have decided that it can’t afford the Government’s dithering with a “recovery stimulus” and it’s now time to “do it itself.”
“Tea Parties” are continuing throughout the nation. They haven’t gotten much national attention (yet), but at the grassroots level, the tea parties seem to be getting traction. Taxpayers are saying loudly and clearly that they are disgusted with Congress and the Obama administration.
Congressional overreach and chaos at Obama’s Treasury Department may be a blessing in disguise.
So I ask: “Is the era of Big Government over?”
THE DIVIDER IN CHIEF
Victor Davis Hanson scores again with good advice for President Obama. The Obama administration responds.
Hanson: Forget talk radio.
Obama Administration: We are. Rush won.
Hanson:Forget about George Bush.
Obama Administration: Rush won. Back to Bush.
Hanson: Drop the messianic style.
Obama Administration: The teleprompter made him do it.
Hanson: Enough of the evil “rich.”
Obama Administration: It distracts the people from the likes of William (“Cold Cash”) Jefferson, Charley Rangel, and John Murtha.
Hanson: Stop the dissimulation.
Obama Administration: What’s dissimulation?
Read VDH's post; it's worth the time.
Hanson: Forget talk radio.
Obama Administration: We are. Rush won.
Hanson:Forget about George Bush.
Obama Administration: Rush won. Back to Bush.
Hanson: Drop the messianic style.
Obama Administration: The teleprompter made him do it.
Hanson: Enough of the evil “rich.”
Obama Administration: It distracts the people from the likes of William (“Cold Cash”) Jefferson, Charley Rangel, and John Murtha.
Hanson: Stop the dissimulation.
Obama Administration: What’s dissimulation?
Read VDH's post; it's worth the time.
RICH DEMOCRATS
Gary Andres asks why the “rich” support Democrats.
My guess is that they simply consider high taxes a cost of doing business; an investment in future earnings from access.
Those without access, the “almost rich” – those with incomes in the $200-$500 thousand range - are "going John Galt” because the marginal tax burden is so high that it’s hardly worth working to earn that next dollar.
My guess is that they simply consider high taxes a cost of doing business; an investment in future earnings from access.
Those without access, the “almost rich” – those with incomes in the $200-$500 thousand range - are "going John Galt” because the marginal tax burden is so high that it’s hardly worth working to earn that next dollar.
OH, THE DEBTS WE WILL SEE!
More from Victor Davis Hanson.
A trillion dollars here, a trillion dollars there ... pretty soon you're talking real money.
Read it all.
These numbers are so fantastic, so absolutely crazed, that the thought of ever paying them off boggles the mathematical senses.
A trillion dollars here, a trillion dollars there ... pretty soon you're talking real money.
Read it all.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
REASON TV AT THE DC "TEA PARTY"
Reason TV was at the Washington DC "tea party" I posted on earlier.
Here's their take on the protest.
Here's their take on the protest.
RUSH TO FAILURE
Barack Obama was inaugurated as President on January 20, 2009. Twenty-four days later, on February 13, the Economic Stimulus Act was passed. It was signed into law on February 17. It seems to me that the Democrats were in somewhat of a rush to spend roughly $1 trillion (Ed: that’s 12 zeros following the number 1).
After Rush Limbaugh declared that he wanted "the President to fail” – meaning, of course that he wanted the President’s programs to fail, the Democrats attacked with this billboard.
Ouestion: Are the Democrats so stupid as to not realize that that very slogan applies as much -- if not more -- to them as it does to Rush Limbaugh’s comment?
Answer: Why, yes. Yes they are.
[Update] From Hot Air, a very perceptive commenter:
[Update 2] Yosimite Sam and Porky Pig keep coming to mind ....
After Rush Limbaugh declared that he wanted "the President to fail” – meaning, of course that he wanted the President’s programs to fail, the Democrats attacked with this billboard.
Ouestion: Are the Democrats so stupid as to not realize that that very slogan applies as much -- if not more -- to them as it does to Rush Limbaugh’s comment?
Answer: Why, yes. Yes they are.
[Update] From Hot Air, a very perceptive commenter:
Hmmm….guess they pulled the pin and forgot to throw.
ElectricPhase on March 14, 2009 at 8:04 PM
[Update 2] Yosimite Sam and Porky Pig keep coming to mind ....
Friday, March 13, 2009
JUST FOR FUN
Spotted a bright apple green Honda Element on the road to work today.
License plate - GRNPEA
License plate - GRNPEA
DEBT STAR? OR DEATH STAR?
Shamelessly stolen from Glenn Reynolds.
Frankly, I’m not sure that “Death Star” isn’t a better descriptor. It does seem that the Obama administration is calling for the death of that shining city on a hill, death of capitalism, death of American exceptionalism – simply put, the death of the American dream.
Frankly, I’m not sure that “Death Star” isn’t a better descriptor. It does seem that the Obama administration is calling for the death of that shining city on a hill, death of capitalism, death of American exceptionalism – simply put, the death of the American dream.
AWED BY HIS BRILLIANCE
Could Obama Be Just Too Awesome?
Read the whole post.
“[We] need to know that if Obama’s actions seem stupid or insulting, it’s only because [we] are not yet able to understand his splendor. We must remember that while Obama’s brilliant radiance may fill us with awe, it could actually hurt the eyes of those unused to such light.”
Read the whole post.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
SAVE $9,530 A YEAR TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
WASHINGTON - People who opt for public transportation over driving in the D.C. metro area can save $9,530 a year or $794 a month, a new report finds.
The report linked to an American Public Transportation Association public transit calculator that allows you to enter your individual information (for a number of cities, including D.C.) to calculate your savings by taking public transportation instead of your car.
I tried it. My car is a small truck, about 20 mpg (can’t go fast enough during the commute for the truck to get beyond a fast idle). Commute distance is 58 miles round trip. Using fare information from the Virginia Railway Express, the Washington DC Metro, and estimating the cost of a parking space at $7.50/day based on a monthly rate, I had my annual savings estimated:
That’s right. Public transportation would cost me roughly $1,000 more per year than driving in to work. Not to mention that it would cost an extra hour of commute time each day.
What happened to that $9,530 savings?
The report linked to an American Public Transportation Association public transit calculator that allows you to enter your individual information (for a number of cities, including D.C.) to calculate your savings by taking public transportation instead of your car.
I tried it. My car is a small truck, about 20 mpg (can’t go fast enough during the commute for the truck to get beyond a fast idle). Commute distance is 58 miles round trip. Using fare information from the Virginia Railway Express, the Washington DC Metro, and estimating the cost of a parking space at $7.50/day based on a monthly rate, I had my annual savings estimated:
-$1002.82
That’s right. Public transportation would cost me roughly $1,000 more per year than driving in to work. Not to mention that it would cost an extra hour of commute time each day.
What happened to that $9,530 savings?
AUGUSTINE’S LAWS
Norman R. Augustine, former chairman of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, wrote a book which I have used as a systems engineering “bible” for nearly as many years as I have been a practicing systems engineer. In it, he has written fifty-two “laws” about life, engineering, and defense acquisition which are both humorous and prescient.
Here’s Augustine:
President Obama exceeded $1 trillion in only 30 days.
The significance of these observations is obvious.
Here’s Augustine:
It took the federal government seventy-seven years to build up to where it could dispose of $1 billion in a single year. It reached the $10 billion level in another fifty-three years, jumped to $100 billion in just forty-three more years, and required only twenty-five years to smash through the $1 trillion ($1,000,000,000,000.00 for those who like figures) barrier. “Blessed are the young,” said Herbert Hoover, “for they shall inherit the national debt.”
President Obama exceeded $1 trillion in only 30 days.
The significance of these observations is obvious.
Law Number LII “People working in the private sector should try to save money. There remains the possibility that it may someday be valuable again.”
HMM
The stock market has been up for two consecutive days.
Is it because Wall Street is beginning to have some confidence in the Obama administration? Or because Wall Street has no confidence in the Obama administration and has decided to go it alone?
I'd like to hope for the former, but I'm betting on the latter.
Is it because Wall Street is beginning to have some confidence in the Obama administration? Or because Wall Street has no confidence in the Obama administration and has decided to go it alone?
I'd like to hope for the former, but I'm betting on the latter.
Monday, March 09, 2009
WELL ...
At today’s rate of decline (1%) the Dow Jones Industrial Average should cross the 5,000 mark on Tax Day (April 15) and 3,000 by Independence Day (July 4).
Beyond that I’m afraid to go.
[Update} The comment: “Once the Titanic is under water, does it really matter how much farther it sinks?”
Thank you. That made my day!
Beyond that I’m afraid to go.
[Update} The comment: “Once the Titanic is under water, does it really matter how much farther it sinks?”
Thank you. That made my day!
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