IT'S BEEN A BAD WEEK:

THIS WEEK IN PICTURES.

IT BETTER BE HIS PERSONAL MONEY: "New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announces $12 million television ad campaign meant to pressure senators into backing gun control efforts, including comprehensive background checks."

DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Sequester means my staff can’t afford to eat. Cue the tiny violin and follow the links.

DEEP SPACE W-9: set phasers to 'waste'.

"THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE in this country who apparently believe they're so special, so elite, so much better than the rest of the "riff-raff," that they should have a right to be protected even if you don't." They're not hypocrites. They don't own guns. they just hire people who own guns.

Ri-i-ight.

SPACEX'S DRAGON CAPSULE is 'go' for return to Earth today.

REPUBLICANS AMERICANS should prepare for the collapse of ObamaCare. In my opinion, the solution is obvious:

Disconnect healthcare from employment by moving the tax deduction for health insurance from employers to employees.

Allow premiums to rise for pre-existing conditions when switching insurers.

Allow insurance to be sold across state lines.

Remove all government mandates on minimum coverage and allow individuals and families to select the coverages they want.

In other words, put the consumer back in control of health care.

DAY BY DAY: "HELP me? The TSA gropes me, the IRS screws me, Washington elites hate me, the Attorney General discriminates against me, my politician lies to me, and God knows how many czars regulate me."

Don't miss this one.

WHY IMMIGRATION REFORM is unlikely to happen:

The executive branch has the authority to enforce border and visa security. But these days, it appears the executive branch, particularly the Department of Homeland Security, doesn't want to do the job.

Until it does, there will be no immigration reform.

BILL O'REILLY: Pinheads and progressives (but I repeat myself).

GINGRICH: Obama ‘Has Made Shallowness an Art Form’.

A REMINDER: That incandescent light bulb ban was a terrible idea.

OBAMACARE TURNS THREE and here's more evidence you made one big mistake, America.

COMCAST CABLE bans all firearms and ammunition advertisers. While I'm not exactly overwhelmed by Verizon's FIOS service, I'm glad I switched. Comcast can now quit begging me to return.

PROSECUTOR SEEKS DEATH PENALTY for Punxsutawney Phil.

It's a joke, people. But I still like the idea of prosecuting the media for over-hyping every progressive doom-merchant.

THE HIGH COSTS of Medicare’s low prices. It's not just Medicare, and it's the entire medical 'industry' -- politicians, pharmacuticals, insurers, hospitals, and doctors -- that have driven costs through the roof.

Two quick personal examples. I recently went to have my teeth cleaned and check out a new dental practice for future business. They refused to do the cleaning until I had a 'comprehensive dental examination'. I walked out. The last time I went to my family physician to have my blood pressure medications renewed, he insisted I have a complete physical, including an electrocardiagram and prostate exam. I'm now looking for another physician.

It seems to me that I should have some say in what medical/dental/etc. procedures I need and am willing to pay for. But this is paid by your insurance, they claim. So what? Shouldn't I get a say in what medical procedures are inflicted on me? And what if I don't have insurance? Must I go without if I can only pay for the things I think are necessary?

THOSE 'AFFORDABLE' CARE ACT taxes I posted about here won't be imposed just on the rich; we'll all pay. And they're only the tip of the iceberg; imagine how much more will be required for the government to 'administer' ObamaCare.

CVS TO EMPLOYEES: reveal personal health information -- or pay a penalty. Generally I like CVS, and have used their local pharmacy for at least the last ten years. But if this holds up, I will seriously consider moving my business to another pharmacy chain.

TOP TEN SMALL TOWNS IN AMERICA: note that they're all progressive enclaves.