Opinions from the right

One of the real issues America faces

NLRB jettisons federalism for unionism

A FEDERAL AGENCY WANTS TO DICTATE EXACTLY WHERE BUSINESSES CAN CREATE JOBS.

Last month, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a complaint against Boeing’s decision to open a new aircraft plant in South Carolina. THE AGENCY CHARGES THAT THE MANUFACTURER’S EXPANSION PLANS CONSTITUTE “RETALIATION” AGAINST UNIONS, including the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union. Here’s the back story.

For years, Seattle-based Boeing has dealt with burdensome labor policies and contentious unions in Washington State. It has endured multiple lengthy strikes since 1989 and lost several business opportunities as a result. The good news: Today, THE DEMAND FOR THE COMPANY’S DREAMLINER 787 IS SO GREAT THAT BOEING NEEDS TO BUILD A NEW PLANT TO FILL THE ADDITIONAL ORDERS.

But where? South Carolina’s business-friendly environment, significant tax incentives and right-to-work status led Boeing to build near Charleston, rather than Seattle.

Boeing has spent millions (by some estimates, nearly $2 billion) and already employed nearly 1,000 on the project. NOW, THE NLRB SAYS BOEING MUST CLOSE THE FACILITY UNLESS IT ALSO BUILDS ONE IN WASHINGTON, WHERE EMPLOYEES CAN BE FORCED TO JOIN UNIONS…..

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/11/nlrb-jettisons-federalism-for-unionism/?page=all#pagebreak

Sigh. What’s this country coming to?

A history lesson from Mr. Will

….The hysteria and hyperbole about Ryan’s plan arise, in part, from A POVERTY OF TODAY’S LIBERAL IMAGINATION, AN INABILITY TO THINK BEYOND THE STRAIGHT-LINE CONTINUATION OF PROGRAMS from the second and third quarters of the last century. It is odd that “progressives,” as liberals now wish to be called, have such a constricted notion of the possibilities of progress.

LIBERALS THINK MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY AS THEY EXIST ARE “FUNDAMENTAL” TO THE NATION’S IDENTITY. But LIBERALS THINK THE CONSTITUTION — WHICH THE FRAMERS MEANT TO BE FUNDAMENTAL, MEANING CONSTITUTING, LAW — SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS A “LIVING” DOCUMENT, continually evolving to take different meanings under whatever liberals consider new social imperatives.

The lesson of all this is that one’s sense of possibilities — and proprieties — is shaped by what we know, and often do not know, about history. The regnant ideology within the Obama administration and among congressional Democrats is reactionary liberalism, THE CONVICTION THAT WHATEVER GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS EXIST SHOULD FOREVER EXIST BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS HAVE EXISTED. That is, as baby boomers, in their narcissism — or perhaps solipsism; or both — understand “always…..”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/history-lessons-for-obama-and-other-liberals/2011/05/11/AFXxmdsG_story.html?hpid=z4

As someone who loves history it is distressing to see the ignorance of so many people about what is, what was, and what has and hasn’t worked.



It’s Off to the Races

….New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, on a radio call-in show in Philadelphia, was asked again this week if he’s tired of being asked if he’ll run for president. No, he said, “I’M A KID FROM JERSEY WHO HAS PEOPLE ASKING HIM TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT. I’M THRILLED BY IT, I JUST DON’T WANT IT.”

It was vintage Christie. He loves the kid-from-Jersey stuff, and he’s good at it. He has, and one suspects cultivates, a kind of working-class patina (blunt, disheveled, overweight, no-nonsense, satirical) that Republicans of a certain sort used to sniff at and now adore. Their ideal candidate would be a guy who looks and talks like a union boss but quotes Hayek…..

…..What’s interesting about the Christie-for-president thing is it doesn’t go away, even after months of Shermanesque announcements that he isn’t ready and doesn’t want it. Why would that be? In part it’s that HE SAYS “NO” WITH CHARM AND DEEP CLEVERNESS. He could say, “I’ve only been governor for 16 months, I don’t have anything remotely like the level of experience needed at a time like this.” But he doesn’t, quite…..

….What I suspect people like most about him, apart from policy, is what they liked about Tim Russert: HE WAS NORMAL. A lot of people at this point in history think only the abnormal run for president. ONLY THE ABNORMAL WANT THEIR FINGER ON THE BUTTON OR WANT RESPONSIBILITY FOR EPIC ECONOMIC DECISIONS…..

http://peggynoonan.com/

Peggy Noonan always says things so well. Christie looks so good because he is doing in New Jersey what needs to be done across the country—cut spending.


Crony Capitalism on display

THAT BREAK WILL REDUCE GM'S U.S. TAX BILL BY AN ESTIMATED $14 BILLION IN THE COMING YEARS, AND ITS GLOBAL TAXES BY CLOSE TO $19 BILLION, ACCORDING TO A COMPANY FILING.

Companies typically get a break on future taxes because of past losses. BUT IN MOST CASES THEY LOSE THAT TAX BREAK DURING BANKRUPTCY, because the losses are offset by the "income" the company receives from shedding its debt.

Since the company shed $30 billion in debt during bankruptcy, it should have wiped out most of the tax break. GM even warned it expected to lose those tax breaks shortly before filing for Chapter 11 protection.

But somehow, that never happened, and THE AUTOMAKER WAS ABLE TO KEEP MOST OF ITS TAX BREAKS, ESSENTIALLY RECEIVING A $14 BILLION "GIFT" FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

While it's unclear why GM was allowed to carry over its losses, some experts insist that GM got preferential treatment.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/05/gms-bailout-has-been-a-huge-net-loss/238795/

Obama and the Democrats do not believe in capitalism but do believe in crony capitalism.  With the constant refrain about the rich and corporations not paying their fair share, it seems incoherent that the Democrats would grant GM this break.



Crony Capitalism Part 2: Be good to Obama

President Obama neatly summed up his political philosophy last year when he advised Latinos to "PUNISH OUR ENEMIES" AND "REWARD OUR FRIENDS" ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., took a brave stand against that philosophy Tuesday, announcing his opposition to a draft presidential executive order that would REQUIRE ANY COMPANY SEEKING A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT TO DISCLOSE ALL FEDERAL POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS BY THE FIRM'S OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGERS. If Obama signs the order, he will effectively restore the partisan spoils system in federal contracting that civil service reformers struggled for decades to eradicate.

"I THINK THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS AS TO WHAT IMPLICATIONS THERE ARE IF SOMEHOW WE CONSIDER POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF AWARDING CONTRACTS," HOYER SAID. "I'm not in agreement with the administration on that issue. The issue on contracting ought to be on the merits of the contractors' application and bid and capabilities," he added.

Awarding government contracts on bidder merits rather than as a reward for partisan political activity should not be controversial. THE LAW AT 2 U.S.C. ¤ 441C BARS CONTRACTORS FROM MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS TO FEDERAL OFFICEHOLDERS AND CANDIDATES DURING THE NEGOTIATION AND PERFORMANCE OF A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT. Obama's proposed order would capture contributions made prior to negotiations.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/2011/05/if-you-want-federal-contract-better-be-nice-obama#ixzz1MEQGSEah

It appears this could easily become pay to have a chance to play. Give Steny Hoyer a round of applause for what appears to be a principled stand.




Presidential Learning Curves

There's nothing like bitter experience to test glib theories. BUT PRESIDENTS CAN BE REMARKABLY SLOW LEARNERS, SUCH IS THE POWER OF THEIR MORE CHERISHED -- AND FIXED -- IDEAS…..

….. BARACK OBAMA, TOO, HAS FINALLY CAUGHT ON, AND CHANGED COURSE 180 DEGREES IN THIS LONG WAR AGAINST TERROR. By now President Obama has embraced a whole gamut of policies he used to denounce (rather eloquently, too) as Senator and Presidential Candidate Obama. HE'S REVIVED MILITARY COMMISSIONS, APPROVED WARRANTLESS WIRETAPPING (OF TERRORISTS' INTERNATIONAL CALLS), AND IS KEEPING THE MILITARY PRISON AT GUANTANAMO OPEN AFTER ALL.

As president and commander-in-chief, Mr. Obama has come to understand that some unlawful combatants are much too dangerous to turn loose on the world. Maybe that's why HE'S EXPANDED HIS PREDECESSOR'S PRACTICE OF RENDITIONS -- THE TRANSFER OF CERTAIN PRISONERS TO LESS HOSPITABLE CONFINES ABROAD.

This commander-in-chief has also ADOPTED TACTICS LIKE TARGETED ASSASSINATIONS OF TERRORIST LEADERS, CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS ON ENEMY HIDEOUTS IN PAKISTAN, AND THE USE OF PREDATOR DRONES AGAINST AN ELUSIVE FOE who turns out to be not so elusive after all on happy occasion.

http://townhall.com/columnists/paulgreenberg/2011/05/12/the_learning_curve_of_presidents



It’s odd that the policies that I can support of BHO are the ones the Left never mentions.



EU to reinstitute passport controls

European nations moved to reverse decades of unfettered travel across the continent when a majority of EU governments agreed the need to reinstate national passport controls amid fears of a flood of immigrants fleeing the upheaval in north Africa.

In a serious blow to one of the cornerstones of a united, integrated Europe, EU interior ministers embarked on a radical revision of the passport-free travel regime known as the Schengen system to allow the 26 participating governments to restore border controls.

They also agreed to combat immigration by pressing for "readmission accords" with countries in the Middle East and north Africa to send refugees back to where they came from.

The policy shift was pushed by France and Italy, who have been feuding and panicking in recent weeks over a small influx of refugees from Tunisia. But 15 of the 22 EU states which had signed up to Schengen supported the move, with only four resisting, according to officials and diplomats present.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/12/europe-to-end-passport-free-travel

This is big news.



Bad News for the Democrats:

Minnesota Poll: Big show of support for voter photo ID

Legislation requiring voters to present photo ID at the polls has ignited a partisan battle at the Capitol this spring, but an overwhelming majority of Minnesotans support the idea, according to a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll.

EIGHTY PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY FAVOR A PHOTO ID REQUIREMENT, which Republican majorities at the Legislature have made one of their signature goals of the session. Democrats have almost universally opposed it, arguing that it will prevent members of some groups from voting

http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/121678219.html


Americans Oppose Raising Debt Ceiling, 47% to 19%

BY A 47% TO 19% MARGIN, AMERICANS SAY THEY WOULD WANT THEIR MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO VOTE AGAINST RAISING THE U.S. DEBT CEILING, while 34% don't know enough to say. Republicans oppose raising the debt ceiling by 70% to 8% and independents by 46% to 15%. Democrats favor raising the ceiling by 33% to 26%.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/147524/Americans-Oppose-Raising-Debt-Ceiling.aspx

Introducing Herman Cain

‘How many of you think Herman Cain won the debate?”

Twenty hands shot up.

“Well, we can stop right there,” said Frank Luntz, a fast-talking political consultant, as he paced before a Fox News focus group on May 5. “This is unprecedented.”

Luntz pointed to the top row, looking for answers. ONE BY ONE, SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICANS IN TRUCKER CAPS AND BUSINESS SUITS RAVED ABOUT CAIN. AFTER WATCHING THE 65-YEAR-OLD SPAR WITH FELLOW GOP PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS, MANY WERE ITCHING TO JOIN HIS RANKS.

“He’s a breath of fresh air,” explained one gentleman. “He is the godfather of business sense, and he can attack Obama well,” declared a middle-aged lady. Others nodded vigorously.

Luntz was stunned. “[Cain] was not a real candidate before tonight,” he exclaimed. “What happened?”

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/267029/introducing-herman-cain-robert-costa

How can this be? Minnesota, previously a liberal bastion, overwhelmingly supporting voter photo IDs, the American public favoring not increasing the debt ceiling, and a black man being embraced by southern Republicans as a possible presidential candidate!!! If you are a Democrat, your fundamental beliefs have been turned upside down.



Herman Cain’s 5 step plan to create US jobs

Herman Cain is the new exciting Republican candidate in the 2012 presidential race. He has won several straw polls and the first debate among 2012 Republican candidates.

Cain, 65 years old, came from a successful business career, during which he returned restaurant chain Godfather’s Pizza to profitability and made the Philadelphia area’s Burger King branches the most profitable in the company.

Now, he thinks he can turn around the US economy and create jobs with his 5-step plan (listed below)….

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/143640/20110510/herman-cain-5-step-plan-jobs.htm#ixzz1MEYhawAZ

Cain’s ideas at the exact opposite of the Obama policies. And as such, they probably would work. This is interesting article and worth a read.


Fleeing New York

Escape from New York is not just a movie - it's also a state of mind.

A NEW MARIST COLLEGE POLL SHOWS THAT 36% OF NEW YORKERS UNDER THE AGE OF 30 ARE PLANNING TO LEAVE NEW YORK WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS - AND MORE THAN A QUARTER OF ALL ADULTS ARE PLANNING TO BOLT THE EMPIRE STATE.

The New York City suburbs, with their high property values and taxes, are leading the exodus, the poll found.

Of those preparing to leave, 62% CITE ECONOMIC REASONS LIKE COST OF LIVING, TAXES - AND A LACK OF JOBS.

"A lot of people are questioning the affordability of the state," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/05/13/2011-05-13_new_yorkers_under_30_plan_to_flee_city_says_new_poll_cite_high_taxes_few_jobs_as.html



The real problem with this is the same people who are fleeing for economic reasons seem to want to bring the economic policies that resulted in them fleeing New York.







NASA-Funded Group Doctors Sea Level Data

….Satellite measurements, however, show global sea level rose merely 0.83 inches during the first decade of the 21st century (a pace of just 8 inches for the entire century), and has barely risen at all since 2006. This puts alarmists in the embarrassing position of defending predictions that are not coming true in the real world.

The UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO SEA LEVEL RESEARCH GROUP IS COMING TO THEIR RESCUE. The NASA-funded group claims GLACIAL MELT IS REMOVING WEIGHT THAT HAD BEEN PRESSING DOWN ON LAND MASSES, WHICH IN TURN IS CAUSING LAND MASS TO RISE. This welcome news mitigates sea-level rise from melting glacial ice, meaning sea level will rise less than previously thought. However, it is very inconvenient for alarmist sea level predictions. Therefore, instead of reporting the amount by which sea level is rising in the real world, the Sea Level Research Group has begun adding 0.3 millimeters per year of fictitious sea level rise to “compensate” for rising land mass….

http://blogs.forbes.com/jamestaylor/2011/05/11/nasa-funded-group-doctors-sea-level-data/

More nonsense from the desperate left. Massaging numbers to come up with temperature increases that aren’t there is now being joined by massaging numbers to show increases in sea level also aren’t there to project increases in the future that will never materialize.