The scene is the daily White House Press Briefing, presided over by the unlikable and incompetent (not a good combination) White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. (We miss you soo much, Tony Snow.) When asked about rumors regarding a possibly imminent Value Added Tax (VAT), Gibbsy replies:

I think I directly answered this the other day by saying that it wasn’t something that the president had under consideration.

You know– I know that there’s been a lot of talk around town lately about the value-added tax–(Yeah.  Paul Volcker started it.) that is something that has worked for some countries. It’s something that would be novel– for the United States. And before, you know, I started saying, “This makes sense or that makes sense.” I want to get a better picture of what our options are.

And my first priority is to figure out how can we reduce wasteful spending so that– you know, we have a baseline of the core services that we need and the government should provide. And then we decide how do we pay for that. (Why start now?)  As opposed to figuring out how much money can we raise and then– not have to make some tough choices on the spending side.

For those that do not know, a VAT is a tax which taxes the value that is added at each stage of production of certain commodities.  It is already in place in several European countries. (So, you know Scooter loves it.)

Ready for another shot to the gut?  Here’s some figures from the legendary Dr. Charles Krauthammer:

We are now $8 trillion in debt. The Congressional Budget Office projects that another $12 trillion will be added over the next decade. Obamacare, when stripped of its budgetary gimmicks — the unfunded $200 billion-plus doctor fix, the double counting of Medicare cuts, the 10-6 sleight-of-hand (counting 10 years of revenue and only 6 years of outflows) — is at minimum a $2 trillion new entitlement.

It will vastly increase the debt. But even if it were revenue-neutral, Obamacare pre-empts and appropriates for itself the best and easiest means of reducing the existing deficit. Obamacare’s $500 billion of cuts in Medicare and $600 billion in tax hikes are no longer available for deficit reduction. They are siphoned off for the new entitlement of insuring the uninsured.

So, Americans are looking at a  tax burden bigger than Rosie O’Donnell after three trips to the buffet line.   Will this solve Scooter’s problems and achieve his goal of radically changing America?

The United Kingdom has implemented a VAT.  I wonder how they’re doing?  Has it helped their National Healthcare System?  Not hardly.

In the United Kingdom, health care is tax-funded and government-run. The government directly pays doctors and pays hospital fees. Patients do not receive bills for National Health Service (NHS) care. All citizens and legal residents are automatically part of this universal system. In terms of financing, 95% of funding comes from taxes and around 5% comes from user charges (for items like co-payments and costs associated with prescription drugs).

Long wait times have become second nature, despite dangerous consequences. In the period between 2001 and 2006, the United Kingdom saw the median wait time increase from 44 to 51 days for hospital admission after the decision to admit had been made. In 2004, according to a BBC report, waiting times in Scotland and England were 8 months for cataract surgery, 11 months for hip surgery, 12 months for knee replacement, 5 months for repairing a slipped disk, and 5 months for hernia operations. In 2007, in 42% of the localities surveyed, hospitals had to turn women in childbirth away because their maternity wards were full.

The government’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) advises which high-cost treatments should and should not be covered. As reported in the June 8 Time magazine, “NICE uses a metric called quality-adjusted life year (QALY), which grades a person’s health-related quality of life from 0 to 1. … NICE rarely approves a drug that costs more than 45,000 per QALY.

Is there any doubt this is where we’re headed?  Especially after news leaked yesterday that:

Fearing that health insurance premiums may shoot up in the next few years, Senate Democrats laid a foundation on Tuesday for federal regulation of rates, four weeks after President Obama signed a law intended to rein in soaring health costs.

There is no doubt, that if it were solely up to the President of the United States, we would already have a Government-run Healthcare System.  If Obamacare is allowed to continue, unchecked by elections and repeals,we will.  Once single payer and the VAT are a fact of American life, Scooter will have achieved his goal of radically changing the greatest country on the face of the Earth into just another third-rate failed Marxist experiment. 

On Monday night, President Barack Hussein Obama (mm mmm mmmm) spoke at a $35,ooo a plate Los Angeles Fundraiser for Barbara (don’t call me ma’am) Boxer.  Hilarity ensued.  (At least I think so.) 

But wait, there’s more:

Okay, not too much to see there.  Just our petulant President being petulant.

However, yesterday, the following occured:

This is the first time ever in America that the press corps has been barred from covering something like this.  Those 6 American Veterans who chained themselves to that fence had every right to be heard.  While I don’t agree with them, I will defend to the death their right to say it.

Why are Gay Activists upset with Scooter in the first place?  They helped to elect him.  This video from the 2009 Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner helps to explain:

Gays are not the only ones suffering from unrequited love.  The Daily Caller reports:

In an effort to appease his Far Left Base, Barack Hussein Obama ‘s(mm mmm mmmm), latest Don Quixote-ish crusade (without the noble intentions) is Financial Reform.  This poorly hidden quest for power began with the takeovers of Financial Institutions and GMC by Il Duce II.  It has all the sincerity of a “blood feud” between Nature Boy Ric Flair and The American Dream Dusty Rhodes.  (WOOOO!)

Scooter faces some problems in completing his Quixotic quest.  First, Goldman Sachs, currently involved in a law suit with the SEC (great timing, huh?), was his second largest contributor.  But his ties with them do not stop there:

According to OpenSecrets.com, those at Goldman Sachs were second only to the University of California in terms of being an Obama top donor. While the organization itself did not donate the money, such donations were made either through employees, owners, the immediate families of such members and/or through the organization’s PAC.

During the 2008 campaign, those at Goldman Sachs donated $955,473 to the Obama campaign. Morgan Stanley, though further down the list, still made the top 20 with a bundled donation of $485,823.

Mr. Obama has also dipped in the Goldman Sachs pool in making his presidential appointments. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s loyalty to Goldman Sachs has been an issue of contention and, upon assuming his post at the Treasury Department, he named Mark Patterson, a former Goldman Sachs lobbyist, as a top aide.

This is like a wrestling feud.  The wrestlers have a bloody brawl and you see them later that night having pancakes together at IHOP.

As a result of Scooter’s (Soros’) plan for the Socialization of America,  Democrats on Wall Street are, like a lot of other Obama voters, beginning to experience buyers’ remorse:

Just two years after Mr. Obama helped his party pull in record Wall Street contributions — $89 million from the securities and investment business, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics — some of his biggest supporters, like Mr. Dimon (JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon), have become the industry’s chief lobbyists against his regulatory agenda.

Republicans are rushing to capitalize on what they call Wall Street’s “buyer’s remorse” with the Democrats. And industry executives and lobbyists are warning Democrats that if Mr. Obama keeps attacking Wall Street “fat cats,” they may fight back by withholding their cash.

So, how far can Obama push Wall Street without losing a huge source of financial support for the Democrats?

From the Daily Caller:

Sources:   thebulletin.us, theatlantic.com, thedailycaller.com 

Today marks the 15th anniversary of the bombing of the Oklamhoma City Federal Building by the psycopathic Timothy McVeigh.  In the flash of an eye, 168 people lost their lives.  They ranged in age from the 19 toddlers from 4 months – 5 years playing in a daycare in the building to a 73 year old.

There willl be a Remembrance Ceremony today in Oklahoma City.  They will observe 168 minutes of silence to remember those lives senselessly snuffed out.  One of the keynote speakers today is Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.  Her topic is “Combating Home-Grown Terrorism”.

Tonight on The President’s favorite Cable News Channel, Secretary “Big Sis” (I had an aunt like her.)  Napolitano’s theme continues”.  According to their press release:

MSNBC viewers will hear Timothy McVeigh’s chilling confession in his own words for the first time in “The McVeigh Tapes: Confessions of an American Terrorist.”

Drawing from 45 hours of never-before-released interview audiotapes recorded during McVeigh’s prison stay, the film reveals the bomber’s descriptions of the planning and execution of the horrific attack and offers insight into how a decorated American soldier became a dangerous, anti-government terrorist.  It will be hosted by Rachel Maddow (fill in your own smart aleck comment here). 

It is very important to remember the anniversary of this tragedy.  However, it is not appropriate to politicize it.  How do I come to this conclusion?  Allow me to refresh your memory: 

 About a year ago, The Department of Homeland Security released a report titled Rightwing Extremism:  Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.  Their key findings? 

The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment. 

In the real word, we call that supposition.

That was just the beginning.  Once the Tea Parties got going and the Townhall blowback hit full steam, that stalwart of accuracy, San Fran Nan Pelosi said the following:

See a pattern developing here?

On February 27th, NY Times Columnist Frank Rich wrote the editorial colum, The Axis of the Obsessed and Deranged, after psychopath Andrew Joseph Stack III  flew a small plane into the IRS Building in Austin Texas, killing himself and one innocent man.  In it, he launched a diatribe against the Tea Party Movement, using phrases like: 

It is not glib or inaccurate to invoke Oklahoma City in this context, because the acrid stench of 1995 is back in the air.

…the unhinged and sometimes armed anti-government right that was thought to have vaporized after its Oklahoma apotheosis is making a comeback. And now it is finding common cause with some elements of the diverse, far-flung and still inchoate Tea Party movement. All it takes is a few self-styled “patriots” to sow havoc.

I could go on and on with examples of the Left’s current message concerning Tea Partiers and violence, but I would have to go to some Blogs where I would have to disinfect myself after reading.  This brilliant strategy is backfiring against the Libs, as just plain ol’ average Americans have become fed up with being villified and demonized for disageeing with the Petulant President and his plans for the Socialization of America.

Today is a solemn day for remembering the innocent lives lost.  It will be reprehensible if the Left uses it for its’ own Political purposes.  Unfortunately, it appears that they plan to do exactly that.  As Uncle Jed Clampett used to say:

Pitiful.  Just pi-ti-ful.

Sources:  krmg.com, msnbc.com, atlasshrugs.com, youtube.com

It was announced yesterday by the White House, that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad had sent a personal letter to Barack Obama.  The Washington Post has printed a translation of that letter.  Being your humble servant, I will now attempt to translate their translation for you.

In the name of ( the Iranian version of) God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Mr. Barack Obama

President-elect (as of a year and a half ago) of the United States of America

I congratulate you on having gained the majority of the votes of those who took part in the election (The majority of which are experiencing the worst buyers’ remorse in history.). As you know, the chances that God gives to his subjects pass swiftly(come on, 2012). They can be used for the perfection of humanity and to the benefit of nations or, God forbid, to the detriment of nations.(Too Late. Obama definitely has the “detriment” part down already.)

I hope you will choose to honor the real interests of people and justice and equity over the insatiable appetites of the selfish minority(You know, Barry.  Those people that still believe in Freedom and the Constitution.). Use this chance to serve to the extent you can. And leave a good name behind for yourself (Too late). 

People expect an immediate and clear response to the pressure for fundamental change in the American government’s policies, both foreign and domestic (He’s changing them, alright.  And not for the better.). This is the desire of all the world’s nations and of the American nation as well, and it should be the objective and basis of all your future government’s programs and actions (Play ball with us, Barry, and we’ll keep those anonymous contributions from the Middle East coming in your next campaign, like we did the first one.).

On the one hand, the American nation, which has spiritual inclinations (75 %of Americans identify themselves as Christians.  I guess that’s an “inclination”.), expects your government to focus its energy and will on serving the people; dealing with the current economic crisis; restoring the country’s standing, morale and hope; eradicating poverty and discrimination; and renewing respect for individuals, their safety and their rights (Pay no attention to the fact that we are making Atomic Bombs.). It also expects policies that will strengthen the foundations of the family — part of the teachings of the holy prophets, who are also revered in America (You remember.  The holy prophets you studied at the Private Madrassa, err, School in Indonesia, where you grew up.).

On the other hand, the nations of the world expect an end to policies based on warmongering, invasion, bullying, trickery, the humiliation of other countries by the imposition of biased and unfair requirements, and a diplomatic approach that has bred hatred for America’s leaders and undermined respect for its people ( In other words, just leave us alone so that we can destroy all the civilized world, including America.) . They want to see actions based on justice, respect for the rights of human beings and nations, friendship and non-intervention in the affairs of others (Thanks for shutting down Gitmo and the upcoming show trials of our “freedom fighters” in American cities.  We ought to get some great publicity out of those.  Hug my man Eric Holder for me.). They want the American government to keep its interventions within its own country’s borders (We love us some Ron Paul.). 

In the sensitive Middle East region, in particular, the expectation is that the unjust actions of the past 60 years will give way to a policy encouraging full rights for all nations, especially the oppressed nations of Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan ( We approve of the way you’re dealing with Israel.  Who cares if they’ve been your loyal friend for over 60 years.  Stick that knife in their back and twist it, Barry.).

The great civilization-building and justice-seeking nation of Iran would welcome major, fair and real changes, in policies and actions, especially in this region ( It’s amazing how much demolition work can be done by just one suicide bomber.  And we give our prisoners a swift trial, followed by a first class beheading.  Sometimes, we even sharpen the blade.)

If steps are taken in the path of righteousness, toward the goal of carrying out the teachings of the holy prophets, it is hoped that almighty God will help and that the enormous damage done in the past will be somewhat diminished (You’re doing great, Barry.  Just keep that radical change coming.  Pretty soon, you’ll have America turned into the Third-rate Socialist nation that we all want it to be.).

I ask the high God to grant all of humanity and all nations health and happiness, honor and prosperity, and to grant rulers and officials the ability to learn from the past and to use every chance to serve, to spread love and kindness, to eradicate oppression, to do justice and to follow the holy guidelines. (I ask Allah to give us the strength and ability to kill all the Infidels.  Keep up the good work, Barry.  By the way, you sure are a snappy dresser.)

(Love)

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

While thousands of Americans gathered at Tea Party Events throughout America yesterday, President Barack Hussein Obama (mm mmm mmm) gave them  the following gracious (sarc)  shout-out at a Democratic National Committee Fundraising Event held in Miami, Florida.  The Magnificent One orated the following reconciliatory (sarc) words: 

I’ve been a little amused over the last couple of days where people have been having these rallies about taxes, the president said, noting the numerous tax cuts pushed by his administration. You would think they’d be saying thank you.

For all the sound and fury and all the scare tactics… the law doesn’t hand more control to the government, the president said, it gives it back to you, the American people.

Obama borrowed a line from Vice President Biden, telling the audience, this is a big deal but strategically omitting the expletive Biden infamously was heard using on an open microphone just weeks ago.  Joe’s got a way with words, and he was right, it’s a big deal.

And the president challenged Republicans and others seeking to repeal health care legislation, saying, Go for it.

Before we talk about some serious stuff, allow me to share a piece of my childhood with you:

Well, here it is.  April 15th.  The day Uncle Sam takes his cut and ours, too. 

For those of you who are scrambling to get your tax forms mailed by Midnight tonight, here  are some interesting facts that should make your day even more special.

According to Associated Press:

About 47 percent will pay no federal income taxes at all for 2009. Either their incomes were too low, or they qualified for enough credits, deductions and exemptions to eliminate their liability. That’s according to projections by the Tax Policy Center, a Washington research organization.

Most people still are required to file returns by the April 15 deadline. The penalty for skipping it is limited to the amount of taxes owed, but it’s still almost always better to file: That’s the only way to get a refund of all the income taxes withheld by employers.

 This is up from 38% in 2007.

From a Tax Foundation Review of IRS Data through 2007: 

1) The top 1 percent of taxpayers paid 40.4 percent of the total income taxes collected by the federal government — the highest percentage in modern history — while the top 1 percent paid 24.8 percent of the income tax burden.

2) The share of the tax burden borne by the top 1 percent now exceeds the share paid by the bottom 95 percent of taxpayers combined. In 2007, the bottom 95 percent paid 39.4 percent of the income tax burden. This is down from the 58 percent of the total income tax burden they paid twenty years ago.

3) To put this in perspective, the top 1 percent is comprised of just 1.4 million taxpayers and they pay a larger share of the income tax burden now than the bottom 134 million taxpayers combined.

Another interesting fact from Fox and Friends this morning:  The top 5 % would have to be taxed from 77% – 91% in order to erase the Federal Deficit.

These are the people Obama wants to levy more taxes against.   How in the world would that stimulate the economy?  These are the people who generate employment.  They are also the people who have to lay off employees when their expenses exceed their revenue.  Laid-off people don’t go out to eat or shop at Walmart as much.  Nor do they take vacations. 

Now I’m wasn’t privy to an Ivy League Education like Scooter Obama was, but it seems to me that burdening the people who provide the jobs in our economy will reduce the effectiveness of America’s economic system (if unchecked through elections) until it eventually collapses, forcing the people (the Proletariat) to eventually turn  to Uncle Sugar (the Politburo) for all of their needs from cradle to grave.  This would give the magnanimous leader of the Politburo the opportunity to spread the wealth, out of concern for the welfare of the Proletariat, thereby strengthening the people’s reliance upon their benevolent Government.

That’s a nightmarish image, huh?   However, there is something that the people who want to radically change America did not count on:  the Patriotism and strength of will of just plain ol’ average Americans.  Turn on Fox News today and you’ll see them, coming together in cities throughout the land to let Scooter and all his minions know that they have had enough.  Like those Patriots who dumped the King’s tea into Boston Harbor, modern Americans will be sending the same message today, loud and clear:  Americans are fed up with a out-of-control Government.  Politicians need to pay attention or else they will find themselves out of power,  just like King George did.

Sources:  youtube.com, ap.org, reuters.com, gadsdenflag.com

The party’s over.  Those foreign dignitaries who did not fly out last night, will leave for their home countries today, probably nursing a hangover.  Over 50 nations attended Scooter’s little two-day get-together, for the purpose of reaching a consensus that nuclear weapons are bad…or something.

So, what was accomplished?  Other than the usual posturing and speechifying, not a whole heckuva lot.  Nearly 50 countries wound up endorsing his four-year goal of securing nuclear materials at risk of falling into terrorist hands.   That will make about as much difference as a Ralph Nader Campaign for President.

Csmonitor.com reminds us:

Obama originally set the four-year goal for securing loose nukes in an April 2009 speech in Prague. But it took a year simply to produce the communiqué – issued at the summit Tuesday – that includes few specifics and no enforcement mechanisms.

Then, Dinghy Harry rained on Scooter’s parade yesterday by saying that it could be 2011 before the Senate tackles the arms reduction treaty the president signed last week with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

To top it all off, Scooter got a taste of his own medicine when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu snubbed the Summit, just as he was snubbed by Obama when he came here for a serious discussion.

So, what was the purpose of  Obama’s summit?  I believe it was basically just a platform by which to pacify Scooter’s Far Left base , while at the same time assuring ou new “friends” that we “feel their pain” and humbly bow in deference to their wonderful ideologies.

Another thought that has been brought up by others this morning is how simular the Summit logo is to the flags of some of our new “friends”.  Subliminal reinforcement?

The best description of this Zombie Jamboree comes from the legendary Dr. Charles Krauthammer.  On Special Report last night, he called Obama’s Summit fatuous (per merriam-webster.com: complacently or inanely foolish : silly ):

What was unprecedented this week was the unprecedented use of the word “unprecedented” by the president to describe a conference which was completely fatuous. What were the accomplishments? 

Yesterday we talked about the Ukrainian uranium. Today, as Steve indicated, the big advantage is that Chile, Mexico, and Canada will now sequester highly enriched uranium. I’ve been asleep nights worrying about Canadian uranium. I grew in Canada. These people you don’t know what their capable of doing, and some of them remember the war of 1812. What was unprecedented this week was the unprecedented use of the word “unprecedented” by the president to describe a conference which was completely fatuous. What were the accomplishments? Yesterday we talked about the Ukrainian uranium. Today, as Steve indicated, the big advantage is that Chile, Mexico, and Canada will now sequester highly enriched uranium. I’ve been asleep nights worrying about Canadian uranium. I grew up in Canada. These people, you don’t know what their capable of doing, and some of them remember the war of 1812.

Dr. Krauthammer was exactly right.  The word, fatuous, aptly describes this two-day exercise in bloviating.  In fact, it describes this entire Presidency.

Sources:  csmonitor.com, foxnews.com, lexisnexis.com