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« on: December 19, 2011, 05:41:48 PM » |
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The Patriot Post Brief 12-19-2011
From The Federalist Patriot
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The Foundation
"The truth is that the want of common education with us is not from our poverty, but from the want of an orderly system. More money is now paid for the education of a part than would be paid for that of the whole if systematically arranged." --Thomas Jefferson
Government
"One of the oldest economic maxims, 'if you subsidize something, you get more of it' has created the next trillion dollar-plus bubble for which American taxpayers will be on the hook. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education discovered that published college tuition and fees increased 439 percent from 1982 to 2007, while median family income rose 147 percent. What is driving those costs? The idea that every high school graduate should attend college, and that government -- meaning taxpayers -- will guarantee loans made to those students. ... As college tuition costs increase, the government makes more funding available to students to pay for them. The more funding available -- guaranteed by the taxpayers, so that colleges never face the possibility of a loan default -- the more they can raise their tuition costs without ever having to worry about getting stiffed. ... If college tuition, aided and abetted by government subsidies, continues to almost triple relative to family income, at some point the amount of debt incurred to obtain a college degree will surpass the additional income one may derive from it. Considering that any attempt to reign in government's role in facilitating these runaway costs is inevitably characterized as 'depriving needy students of critically needed funds,' the trend is likely to continue. Or at least it will until the bubble pops, exactly like the government-abetted housing bubble did. Are Americans ready for another trillion dollar bailout precipitated by irresponsible government?" --columnist Arnold Ahlert1
For the Record
"President Obama had hoped to be in Hawaii [Sunday] for the start of his 17-day Christmas vacation. Instead, he's stuck in Washington until Congress finishes its work for the year. But in the Aloha State, residents are already abuzz about the first family's trip -- and its high price tag. Figures obtained by Hawaii Reporter reveal the trip is expected to run taxpayers about $4 million. It has already cost taxpayers about $100,000 extra just so first lady Michelle Obama and the president's daughters, Sasha and Malia, could leave Friday before the president, according to White House Dossier. Hawaii Reporter's comprehensive breakdown uses government data to calculate travel, housing, hotel and local costs. 'Hawaii Reporter research shows the total cost for the President's visit for taxpayers far exceeded $1.5 million in 2010 -- but is even more costly this year because he extended his vacation by three days and the cost for Air Force One travel has jumped since last assessed in 2000. In addition, Hawaii Reporter was able to obtain more specifics about the executive expenditures. The total cost (based on what is known) for the 17-day vacation roundtrip vacation to Hawaii for the President, his family and staff has climbed to more than $4 million.'" --Heritage Foundation's Rob Bluey2
Re: The Left
"[Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently] faced questions from liberal '60 Minutes' and conservative investigative author Peter Schweitzer about a 5,000-share Visa stock purchase she made with her husband as the House was considering credit card regulations. She made a 'killing' off the highly sought-after initial public offering. ... While she makes grand gestures toward banning congressional insider trading, San Fran Nan's financial conflicts of interest are once again on display. [Last] week, Reuters columnist Dan Indiviglio pointed to pending House legislation titled the 'New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2011,' which is stuffed with natural gas vehicle subsidies: $9 billion worth, to be precise. These very subsidies are championed by Texas billionaire and failed wind farm evangelist T. Boone Pickens. He just happens to be a major stockholder in the company that would benefit from the bill: Clean Energy Fuels. Question the timing? Indeed. As The Washington Examiner's Tim Carney observes: 'While Pickens, a longtime oil and gas man, has been lobbying for natural gas subsidies for decades, his cause has become particularly urgent this month. Pickens owns options to buy 15 million shares of Clean Energy Fuels at $10 per share, according to SEC filings. Those options expire Dec. 28. If Congress could pass the NATGAS Act this month, shares of Clean Energy would skyrocket.' Pelosi just happens to be a stockholder in -- you guessed it -- Clean Energy Fuels." --columnist Michelle Malkin3
The Gipper
"In spite of everything, we Americans are still uniquely blessed, not only with the rich bounty of our land but by a bounty of the spirit -- a kind of year-round Christmas spirit that still makes our country a beacon of hope in a troubled world and that makes this Christmas and every Christmas even more special for all of us who number among our gifts the birthright of being an American." --Ronald Reagan4
Political Futures
"Ronald Reagan didn't pick up his toys and go home like a spoiled brat when things didn't go his way, even after a hard-fought loss in 1976. He supported the winning candidate as he would support today's nominee, no matter who might be chosen. He understood that Republicans can always win when they are united. They have a message the voters understand and support. We can beat Barack Hussein Obama and his socialist message if we are unified, but if we are divided and broadcasting a confusing message -- which is what Obama craves -- it will help him win another four years in the White House. He'll get it, and America will suffer if Republicans spend their time attacking each other. Republicans must understand that the American people are tired of all the intraparty bickering. They want a party that offers solutions, not cat fights." --columnist Michael Reagan5
Faith & Family
"Former Wall Streeter David Goldman pointed out in Of Demographics and Depressions (First Things, May 2009) that the economic slump began in the home mortgage industry because we have no more young marrieds with children than we had in 1969. The home mortgage industry has been the driver of America's post-World War II economic prosperity. ... Can America afford to subsidize the breakdown in the family? Planned Parenthood thinks we can. They see a smaller America with smaller hopes. Just keep shoveling public monies to them and their family banning activities and all will be well. President Obama is suing Texas, Indiana, and Kansas to keep the torrent of federal funds flowing to Planned Parenthood. Not even state governments should be able, according to him, to stop subsidizing this abortion advocacy institution. ... Have we so shackled ourselves to the dogmas of population control and no-growth 'progressive' taxation and regulation policies that we cannot see the obvious way out? Strong families are the engine that drives strong economies. It's that simple." --columnist Ken Blackwell6 |
