The political world is predicting huge gains for Republicans in Congress at the midterm elections. Some are even predicting clean sweeps in both houses. It certainly seems possible given the lackluster performance by the Democratic leadership.
But Republicans should be very cautious.
If Republicans take control of Congress at the midterm, then President Obama has two years to run against what he will clearly define as an obstructionist Congress. Given America’s penchant of late to keep politics “balanced”, that would seem to favor re-electing Obama rather than give Republicans control, once again, of Congress and the White House.
Then again I don’t know what is worse: President Obama’s pathetic agenda or a spending Congress.
This I do know: if Republicans take control of Congress, they better change their ways. The reason they lost control in 2006 is because they were corrupt and they spent taxpayer money silly.
While there have been glimmers of change, frankly I have not seen a reformation of the GOP. Michael Steele is still leading. Newt Gingrich even though I really like him, is still a player. There’s a battle between the establishment and the new right-wing. The problem is that the newcomers are easily pigeon-holed, a la Millville First and TrackRacket, as extreme. If not handled properly and promptly, this new emergence will just be a Ross Perot moment.
Leadership extends beyond the day’s news cycle. Vision is needed. Honestly, what national politician (heck, name any on any level) has a clear vision? I guess, President Obama fits that criteria. Obviously more is needed than a vision because his vision is wreaking havoc.
Seeing an opportunity to take profits, it has proposed a 10% tax on the industry. Seriously!
Some will say the tax will discourage tanning use and that is a good thing. If government wants to discourage indoor tanning it can either outlaw it or put a 97% tax on the industry. Both would be far more efficient in reducing use. Just like tobacco taxes, it’s about the money, not the social ill.
So tanning salons have to absorb this tax . . . or pass it off to its customers. Cha-ching!
Customers will pay 17% to the government for the privilege to sit inside under heat lamps. Precious.
Think this will stimulate business here?
That tax began today. Browning ones boobs indoors now has the government grabbing 17% on the price of the service. How does this help anyone/thing other than government coffers?
Is this the role of government?
Tanning tax in the health care bill: Ledger Live goes ultraviolet
Politics is an interesting endeavor. POTUS sits at the top of the heap. He takes shots from all over. Some are deserved, but many are gratuitous.
Jan Brewer is governor of Arizona. She is up for election; not re-election as she took over when President Obama selected the former Arizona governor to be Secretary of Homeland Security. Brewer is running a wonderful campaign. She keeps attacking President Obama for Arizona’s ills. I commented back in May on her powerful message.
Brewer has not sat idle since. She has a new commercial that hits Obama hard. Again, whether you agree or disagree with her position, one has to appreciate how she’s politicking. That a governor is putting POTUS in such a position that he is going to have to respond demonstrates who is politically more savvy on this issue. I guess his response is the impending lawsuit.
I’ve been coughing for days now. Apparently allergies have gotten me. They say after this cold winter of ours lots of folks are being affected. My throat is raw. Stopped off and picked up a water ice. The cold feels good . . . One cannot process photographs after 10:00 in Millville . . . Despite whatever one may feel about BP, Barton was correct originally: Obama did shake them down for $20 billion . . . I don’t think I am a Foursquare kind of guy. Too much like logging geocaches for me . . . Found a wild Where’s George bill in my change today. It’s been a while since one has crossed my path . . . Happiness is listening to your daughter act out Peter and the Wolf by humming each instrument . . . A close second is having the irrigation system working properly again. The lawn thanks us . . . Just ordered an Xshot . . . Stunning commentary from The Sarge: “The Minnesota Twins are a team that does not give up. They hustle throughout the game.” Name a team that does . . . Enjoying the World Cup thus far . . .
I have not been impressed with President Obama. There is little I can point to that I have found to be a positive since he has taken office. I suspect he will go down as an ineffective leader.
Having said that, I am not buying into the seeming campaign to paint him responsible for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
President Obama is not responsible for the oil rig blowing up and 50 days of oil spewing into the gulf. Furthermore, I don’t expect him or the federal government to have in place “the fix” for such a catastrophe. It simply is not the responsibility for the feds to be able to fix this.
That leaves all the talk of whether Obama is displaying the right tone, is sufficiently moved, etc. He is in a no-win position. If he acts calmly, he is excoriated for not be passionate. If he shows passion, he is raked for being salty.
It’s all made up. It is not his Katrina. The federal government can deliver supplies, shelter, etc. after a natural disaster. Those are not needed with an oil spill. What do we really expect a president to do in such a situation?
