Clueless Emma

Dept. of Justice Funding Luaus, Carnivals, and Film Festivals?

A review of recent activities sponsored by DOJ grantees identified luaus, a Mardi Gras party, block parties, a film festival, a carnival, skateboarding, dancing, fashion shows, and even a doughnut eating contest as among the recreational activities made possible with federal crime prevention funding.

via www.humanevents.com

Waste in Washington? Say it ain't so!

Michelle Malkin » Dealergate, social justice & the Obama job-killing machine; Update: The race factor

In sum, the inspector general found: “(A)t a time when the country was experiencing the worst economic downturn in generations and the government was asking its taxpayers to support a $787 billion stimulus package designed primarily to preserve jobs, Treasury made a series of decisions that may have substantially contributed to the accelerated shuttering of thousands of small businesses and thereby potentially adding tens of thousands of workers to the already lengthy unemployment rolls — all based on a theory and without sufficient consideration of the decisions’ broader economic impact.”

via michellemalkin.com

Morning Bell: The Obama Tax Tsunami is Here | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.

The American people are already well aware of President Barack Obama’s historic expansion of government spending: his $862 billion economic stimulus that has completely failed to keep unemployment below 8% as promised; his still-expanding health care law which the Congressional Budget Office now admits will cost more than $1 trillion; and an Obama budget that increases government spending by $12,000 per household. But all that spending is just the first half of President Obama’s game plan.

via blog.heritage.org

Morning Bell: Cap and Ban

Taking the full cost of wind and other renewables into account, the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Data Analysis has found that an RES would: 1) raise electricity prices by 36 percent for households and 60 percent for industry; 2) cut national income (GDP) by $5.2 trillion between 2012 and 2035; 3) cut national income by $2,400 per year for a family of four; 4) reduce employment by more than 1,000,000 jobs; and 5) add more than $10,000 to a family of four’s share of the national debt by 2035.

And that is just the “cap” half of President Obama’s Cap and Ban approach. The first Obama oil drilling ban already caused some oil rigs to leave U.S. waters entirely.

via blog.heritage.org

Oregon is top state for teachers union political influence in 2008 (and now, I'm sure)

The state Republican party spokesman said the teachers' big-dollar contributions to campaigns pay off for them. "Teachers contribute a disproportionate amount of money in the political process in Oregon... It's out of line with other groups and citizens in Oregon. As a result, teachers have a policy grip on legislation and other kinds of administrative decisions at the state level."

via www.oregonlive.com

Not shocking.

Racial, Gender Quotas in the Financial Bill? : New Patriot Journal

Section 342, which declares that race and gender employment ratios, if not quotas, must be observed by private financial institutions that do business with the government. In a major power grab, the new law inserts race and gender quotas into America's financial industry.

via www.newpatriotjournal.com

Federal Budget Deficits Will Reach Levels Never Seen Before in the U.S.

Recent budget deficits have reached unprecedented levels, but the future will be much worse. Unless entitlements are reformed, spending on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will drive deficits to unsustainable levels.

via www.heritage.org

Obama’s Latest Bailout: Another Payoff To Teachers’ Union | NewsReal Blog

You may be unemployed, but according to the Obama administration more than 300,000 teachers’ jobs were “saved” through the Democrat’s Economic Stimulus package. But no worries, the Democrats’ payoff to union supporters isn’t over yet! You, and your descendants, still have much more money to earn which they intend to spend buying votes and securing party loyalty during their reign. 

via www.newsrealblog.com

RealClearPolitics - Big Government and Its Discontents

Pfeiffer: We were sitting in the Oval Office, and we were sort of having a debate around health care at one point, and the president said, "It's about health care, but it's not really about health care. It's also about proving whether we can still solve big problems in this country." And this was going to be the test case for that.

But the test case did not meet the times. The recession carried on. A pyrrhic victory followed. And as for those big problems? Americans again consider government to be one.

via www.realclearpolitics.com

All Business Hurt by 'Wall Street' Smear at SmartMoney.com

Nearly 45 years ago philosopher Ayn Rand identified businessmen, including those who work in finance, as the distinguished symbols of a free and prosperous society. “All the other social groups — workers, farmers, professional men, scientists, soldiers — exist under dictatorships, even though they exist in chains, in terror, in misery, and in progressive self-destruction. But there is no such group as businessmen under a dictatorship. Their place is taken by armed thugs: by bureaucrats and commissars.”

Makes one wonder why they’ve even bothered filing charges against Goldman Sachs. In today’s culture, the verdict’s already in.

via www.smartmoney.com

Overtime pay piles up as Oregon state workers must take furlough days | Oregonlive.com

via www.oregonlive.com

Just shocking. Yawn.

But I thought the Stimulus and Healthcare/student loan bills would save us!

City and county governments in the Salem-Keizer area are bracing themselves for pension rate increases from the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System that could cause further belt-tightening for already lean budgets.

via www.statesmanjournal.com

ObamaScare

Here we go, ladies--Tampon Tax. Still believe no one making less than 250k will be taxed?

Democrat Health Care Bill is Sexist and Anti-Mom | NewsReal Blog

"Speaker Pelosi herself informed us that they’d have to pass the bill, so that we can see what’s in the bill. Well, now we can see it and there’s a little something called sexism showing up. The Mommy taxes, including the tampon tax (that’s right. A Ko-tax) is back"

States may hold onto tax refunds for months - USATODAY.com

Officials in the following states say they have had to delay issuing refunds or consider doing so because the state might not have the cash on hand to cover the checks.HawaiiAlabamaNorth CarolinaKansasIdahoNew YorkSource: USA TODAY research

via www.usatoday.com

Glad I got mine already!

Updates from Oregonwatchdog.com

Referendum update: More than 126,000 signatures were turned in on both referendum petitions (income tax and business tax petition). This is more than twice the amount needed to qualify. This was the result of one of the largest grassroots coalitions in history and proof positive that a wave of No New Taxes is sweeping Oregon. Once the signatures are verified, look for a January special election and a Christmas season filled with campaign ads.

Thank you dearly for all of your hard work,

Jason Williams, Taxpayer Association of Oregon

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oregon: 2nd fastest growing government

Words of the Wise: Horowitz

"Capitalism has given the world the only democracies it has ever really known. (The Greeks had one but it was built on slavery.) Capitalism is the only system which has given people life beyond mere survival and has made more people prosperous and comfortable than any other in the history of mankind."

David Horowitz

Salem's [Oregon] housing market ranked 4th in nation

Forbes ranks city fourth in nation as a best bet for housing recovery

By Tracy Loew
Statesman Journal

Salem is among the top 5 cities in the nation for a housing turnaround, according to a new ranking from Forbes.

The magazine last week ranked Salem No. 4 on its "Best Cities For A Housing Recovery" list.

"I think this is just a recognition of the fact that the market probably overreacted," said Byron Hendricks, the president Prudential Real Estate Professionals.

"Certainly the first-time homebuyer tax credit is working, and people are realizing there are just some tremendous values out there."

In compiling its list, Forbes looked at online housing data from 161 of the nation's largest metropolitan statistical areas. It picked areas with increased transactions and relatively low foreclosures.

In Salem, sales activity is up 3 percent year over year, and a relatively low 14 percent of transactions are foreclosure resales.

Most of the activity locally is in homes priced less than $200,000, said Gladys Blum, of the Gladys Blum Group in Salem.

"There's still a ton of standing inventory over $300,000 and not a lot of activity there," Blum said. "Hopefully it will trickle up."

Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., ranked No. 1 on the Forbes list.

Other cities on the list are Lincoln, Neb.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; Bremerton, Wash.; Denver; Redding, Calif.; Santa Barbara, Calif.; and San Jose, Calif.

tloew@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6779

Additional Facts

Link

http://www.forbes.com/2009/08/13/recovery-cities-homes-lifestyle-real-estate-housing-recovery-cities.html

---

Dave Ramsey on Cash for Clunkers

Obamascare Posters Via The People's Cube

Hogs in The House

Then VS Now and Who's Driving Whom?

I Highly Recommend Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Live, Coming to PDX this fall. Make it a weekend out with your spouse and grow closer!

A recent study revealed that two of the top ten destructive issues for Christian families are financial pressures and divorce. The bottom line is that money problems are hurting our families!

This fall, Dave Ramsey will be traveling to Detroit, Indianapolis, Atlanta and Portland to address these issues in an inspirational, entertaining and Christ-centered way. Spouses will learn how to work together toward success, and how to laugh together at some of the mistakes they have already made with money.

Total Money Makeover LIVE is full of energy, fun and the tools your family needs to ultimately win with money. You will learn how to:
Did You Know?

• Spend without fear and guilt with an easy-to-follow plan.
• Achieve peace of mind by getting out of debt and staying out of debt.
• Stop fighting with your spouse about money by learning to communicate and develop a family plan for success.
• Become a cheerful, generous giver

See Dave Ramsey Live and Change Your Family Tree!

"My husband and I attended the live event last year, and it's amazing to see how far we've come! We paid off $90,000 in debt and now have a plan for our future. We've started planning for our children's college. This event has changed our family tree!" —2008 Live Event Attendee

Good Ol' Boy Lock-'n-Loads-->Reporter Tongue-Tied

No Job? Shoot Up Some Youthfulness!

Clinic offers free Botox to job hunters

Well, DUH!

So, y'all, happy with your choice of an "academic" as leader of the (at the moment) Free World?

Rush on Current Events June 11, 2009

Hate-Promoting Left Seizes Chance to Falsely Blame Right for Violence This museum shooter admires Hitler's National Socialists. He hates neocons -- Republican Jews -- both Bushes, and thinks 9/11 was an inside job. That sounds leftist! (Rush 24/7 Members:  Listen) » Right-Winger?  Rev. Wright on Obama: “Them Jews Aren’t Going to Let Him Talk to Me” » FBI Raids Office:  Shooter May Have Targeted the Conservative, Neocon Weekly Standard   "After eight years of hatred and vitriol -- assassination movies and books about Bush -- for liberals to claim that the atmosphere is now more violently anti-Obama is simply preposterous. If you want to see real hate, I can tell you were to find it. It's called M-S-N-B-C." -Rush   Obama Administration Moves to Cap Pay All Across Private Sector That means your job, and your salary -- while raising your taxes. (Rush 24/7 Members:  Listen)

Obama Lies About Health Care: It's an Uncomfortable Thing to Accuse Him of Doing Of course he wants socialized medicine, and the power to force you to live "healthy." This "single-payer" plan means everybody pays and gets less. (Rush 24/7 Members:  Listen) » Charen:  Health Care Bill is the Ball Game » WSJ:  More Opposition Forms to Gov't Insurance » Nobody Talks About the Abuse: Austin ER's Got 2,678 Visits From 9 People Over 6 Years   "We never talk about those of our fellow citizens who aren't angels, who are spoiled-brat, slothful, hypochondriacs who abuse the health care system and cost everybody a whole bunch of money. We only hear that everybody is sick all the time and every doctor's visit is justified." -Rush    Palin Told Ya So: Obama Gov't Grants Miranda Rights to Terrorists The White House spokesman doesn't deny it. (Rush 24/7 Members:  Listen) » Fox:  Reading of Miranda Rights to Detainees Draws Criticism

Voters now trust Republicans more than Dems on the economy

Only 31% of U.S. voters believe the economic stimulus package has helped the economy. That's down from 38% when it first passed in February.

For the first time in years, voters now trust Republicans more than Democrats on the handling of the economy.

Rasmussen Report

Contact lagging House Reps to act upon Fed Audit Bill

ALG Calls Upon 26 House Republicans to Cosponsor Fed Audit Bill

 

June 9^th, 2009, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today called upon 26 House Republicans to cosponsor legislation that would require an audit of the Federal Reserve "to account for more than $7.76 trillion committed by the Fed in just the past two years."

 

"So far, 151 House Republicans are cosponsoring this critical legislation," Wilson said.  "But unless the entire 178 member Conference is on board, including leadership, this legislation will not have a realistic chance at passage."

 

The 26 House Republicans who have not yet signed on to the legislation are:

 

John Boehner (OH-8) Dave Camp (MI-4) A. Joseph Cao (LA-2) Mike Coffman (CO-6) Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25) Jo Ann Emerson (MO-8) Elton Gallegly (CA-24) Steve King (IA-5) Chris Lee (NY-26) Howard Buck McKeon (CA-25) Devin Nunes (CA-21) Christopher Smith (NJ-4)       John Sullivan (OK-1)

Jo Bonner (AL-1) Eric Cantor (VA-7) Howard Coble (NC-6) Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL-21) David Dreier (CA-26) Darrell Issa (CA-49) Mark Kirk (IL-10) Jerry Lewis (CA-41) Gary Miller (CA-42) Harold Hal Rogers (KY-5) Jean Schmidt (OH-2) Mark Souder (IN-3) Frank Wolf (VA-10)

 

Wilson commented that the bill, HR 1207—sponsored by Congressman Ron Paul (TX-14)—would "provide a full accounting of the Fed's irresponsible activities of moving trillions of dollars to foreign governments and banks, crashing markets, and wrecking the economy."

 

"The Federal Reserve has committed taxpayers to bailouts totaling $7.76 trillion in less than two years," said Wilson.  "No member of Congress, including House Republicans, knows where the entirety of this $7.76 trillion will go, because the Fed is mostly exempt from being audited and attempts at oversight have been met with consistent stonewalling."

 

"This bill needs to get passed before all of the $7.76 trillion is pushed out the nation's back door," Wilson warned.

 

From ALG newsletter June 9, 2009

www.getliberty.org

Cow Fart Gas Tax??

In case you've been wondering, Congress is still mucking around in the barnyard. Fox News reports this morning that farmers could be taxed for cow flatulence which, of course, would increase the cost of beef for all Americans.

But don't worry, cuz science arrives with the rescue--even when it's quite obvious to even laymen who take the time to listen, that there is absolutely no great environmental threat emanating from bovine or any other man-controllable source.

Obama taking over tobacco industry?

Banks? Check.

Auto industry? Check.

Housing market? Check.

Health care? Getting there.

Tobacco? Why the hell not?

from Michelle Malkin

Uncle Sam's Heist: Jonathan Hoenig

SOMETIMES YOU CAN SEE an accident waiting to happen and there's nothing you can do but stand there, shield your eyes and cringe. That's the maddening position American citizens are now in as they prepare for the inevitable inflation that will result from deficit spending, socialist political patronage and the centrally planned economy now taking hold in America.

 

One need not be an economist to understand inflation. If you started writing checks with no money in your account, they'd throw you in jail. Yet when the government does it,at least for the time being, it's called "stimulus" and rewarded with high approval ratings, that is, until the bills come due. And they always do.

As we pointed out years back there's no fundamental difference between a $1 and $50 bill. Both are simply pieces of paper, backed by the future production of Americans. Printing money doesn't create wealth; it only debases the currency that already exists. Shortly put, there is no free lunch.

When Bernie Madoff stole $50 billion, he harmed thousands of private citizens. But the government's thievery through inflation is even more brazen and destructive. Middle and lower income individuals are hurt most of all.

The law of supply and demand cannot be conned. And as the supply of money increases, prices rise, and the dollars you and other productive members of society have worked so hard to save decrease in value. This is why $100 billion Zimbabwe dollars, which used to be the equivalent of $100 billion U.S. dollars, now buys only three eggs.

Private citizens and corporations don't cause inflation; only government has the power to destroy the purchasing power of millions of its citizens without as much as laying a finger on their checking accounts. Make no mistake: The billions lost on bailouts for GM (GM), Chrysler and AIG (AIG) will be paid for by you...whether you want to or not.

Meanwhile, as Washington systematically slits our throats, they add insult to injury by stabbing the productive class in the back, busily "clamping down" on hedge funds, speculators, any profit-seeking investor on whom they can lay the blame for their own fiscal misdeeds.

And while the government is quick to highlight how our money is being spent on feel-good social programs though web sites like Recovery.gov, what we don't see is the production, productivity and progress not achieved because of the disastrous effects of government theft.  Our government outright ownership of General Motors doesn't give me much hope that trend is poised to reverse anytime soon.

 

Jonathan Hoenig is managing member at Capitalistpig Hedge Fund LLC Hoenig archive at Smartmoney.com

Oh. My. How bad is it going to get? My stomach hurts.

Caution: Obama gangland tactics at work.

Compare your salary to a California public employee’s

“Special Nurse:” $350,000+

Municipal railway manager: $325,000+

“Administrative services” department head: $280,000+

And no, the figures do not include pensions and benefits.

And they want you to bail them out?

Please.

[Michelle Malkin]

I kinda like this guy

Oh, the Left will call it hateful... but I think it's a great illustration for those who insist on whining about the trouble they get themselves into--personal responsibility and all that...

THE PONZI PROSPERITY GOSPEL

Today we shriek as we hear of financial scams, corporate greed, and virtually anything money-related that isn't entirely on the up-and-up. While religion has generally been a help in these economically difficult times, there is one segment of Christianity that is scamming as many as they can. Those who have ears (and debt) let them hear.

The Prosperity Gospel, also known as a facet of the Word of Faith movement (a louder voice in Pentecostalism), has been writing checks with its lips that its theology can't cash. Last year's Pew Foundation mega-poll, which surveyed nearly 35,000 people (one of the largest religion polls ever accomplished), revealed a few interesting facts about Christians in the Pentecostal tradition....But the most interesting thing is that they earn the least annual income of any other Christian tradition polled. This is shocking, considering that a main feature in popular Pentecostalism is the Prosperity Gospel, where church members are promised that God will make them rich beyond their wildest dreams if they tithe generously and believe that they will receive the money.

Not only do Pentecostals fail to out-earn the regular "non-spirit filled" Christian, they make less. For me, to read such information is heartbreaking, as I am a teacher in a private school that's part of a Word of Faith church. The church is doing very well for itself, as most Pentecostal churches are, but the people are suffering.

Say what you want about the corruption of the pulpit, or the decadence of the minister-that's not my issue. My point is that while the world howls at the scam artists who fail to deliver on big promises, Christianity has its very own Ponzi scheme that's alive and well. At least when Bernie Madoff promised big returns he actually delivered (if only for a moment); the prosperity gospel doesn't even do that much. When Joel Osteen, Ken Copeland, Paula White, or Benny Hinn take your money, you'll never see it again (unless you happen to glimpse one of their private jets leaving a runway for Bermuda).

Ooooh, I wish I could attend! Go for me and let me know what you think!

"Stimulus" packages, $1.75 trillion deficits, and pork barrel spending plans that benefit special interest groups are just the beginning in Washington, DC. But bad policies aren't limited to just the Federal government, Oregon legislators have introduced more than 60 bills to increase your taxes and fees by more than $1.6 billion.

You can fight back!

Join Joe the Plumber, The Wall Street Journal and FoxNews Analyst John Fund and KXL’s Lars Larson, on May 29th for Americans for Prosperity Oregon’s Defending the American Dream Summit in Salem and receive professional training in important skills like debate and lobbying that will give you the tools to make a difference.

To register, click here:
http://defendingthedream.org/OR/

The entire day will culminate with a huge rally at the State Capitol and a visit to our Legislators.

With Oregonians already reeling from high unemployment and wasteful government spending, this is your chance to take the next step and to make an impact on behalf of limited government!

What: Americans for Prosperity Oregon's Defending the American Dream Summit
Where: Salem Conference Center, Salem, OR
When: Friday, May 29, 2009, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Send a message that the Tea Parties were not an end, but a beginning!

To register, click here:
http://defendingthedream.org/OR/

Sincerely,

Jeff Kropf
State Director
Americans for Prosperity Oregon

Lies and inflation

Happy Mother's Day 2009...and some people's kids...

Pigs

In case you missed the headline, we are all going to die!

Love this--I've been saying it all along! CE

"Swine Flu has engulfed Mexico and is spreading to ever corner of the globe. Egypt is slaughtering its entire pig population, the UK is dispensing information leaflets to every single home, and Barack Obama has recommended that some schools be shut down.

"And yet, only one victim has been claimed in the United States by the strain of influenza. Likewise, the World Health Organization says that seven-not the reported 152-is the total worldwide death toll thus far.

"What is replicating rapidly and claiming the psyches of millions, however, is paranoia.

"Simply put, the Swine Flu is the latest in a long line of over-hyped illnesses and so-called pandemics that have done little more than send the world into a paranoid frenzy. In case readers have a short-term memory, consider some of the Swine Flu's precursors (and consider the uniform media and government response to each):

. In 2003, Avian Flu claimed four lives. Paranoia and fear ensued.

. In November of 2002, the first case of SARS (sever acute respiratory syndrome) was reported in China. Paranoia and fear ensued.

. In 1999, the first case of West Nile Virus was reported in New York City. Paranoia and fear ensued.

"And now, in 2009, the first cases of Swine Flu have been reported. And, predictably, paranoia and fear have ensued-all of which has been entirely goaded by the government and media alike.

"Also predictable is the Obama Administration's response. As with any other "good crisis", Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, and the rest won't let this one go to waste.

"One way they've already seized upon the crisis is with the successful confirmation of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to the post of health and human services secretary. Mere days ago, the Sebelius nomination was mired in controversy regarding the Governor's shady ties to a particular Kansas abortionist.

"And then Swine Flu happened.

"On Tuesday, she was promptly confirmed by a 61-35 vote in the Senate. As Barack Obama said of his new cabinet member:

"I expect her to hit the ground running…We had to swear her in right away [because the outbreak of swine flu will need her] immediate attention."

In the same vein, Chris Dodd remarked:

"The challenges facing the secretary are so serious..she brings welcome experience."

"In addition to Governor Sebelius, Barack Obama wants the American people to understand that everyone in Washington is "closely monitoring" the flu outbreak and is ready-and definitely willing-to step in. As he said:

"Every American should know that the federal government is prepared to do whatever is necessary to control the impact of this virus."

"Whatever is necessary" is a frightening phrase, especially coming from President Obama who sees every crisis as an opportunity to expand the size and scope of government. The obvious side effect of Swine Flu will be a swollen government.

Exploiting a "crisis" like this, however, is nothing new for the new president.

"For instance, when Barack Obama was bolstering support for his gargantuan $3.6 trillion budget in March, he used similar fear and urgency tactics. The President made it perfectly clear: only his budget could save the nation from certain economic doom. As he said:

"That's why this budget is inseparable from this recovery -- because it is what lays the foundation for a secure and lasting prosperity."

"According to Mr. Obama, if the people fail to support his policies, fire and brimstone will fall upon America. The same can be said regarding the $787 billion "stimulus" package, all the TARP funds, and any legislation predicated on "Global Warming" logic.

"Given the Obama "Oh-gosh!" track record, Swine Flu ought to be viewed through the critical lens of the iconoclast. The public ought to be wary of any issue with which the government and the media attempt to whip the masses into a frenzy.

"What the public ought to be concerned about is the reign of paranoia that President Obama's first one hundred days has shaped up to be. At this rate, the strain of paranoia will undoubtedly mutate into something akin to hysteria that renders the public dependent on the protective care of Big Government for everything from a bounced check to a hang nail.

"But don't worry about it too much. It's not like we're all going to die."

William Warren is a Contributing Editor of ALG News Bureau.

ALG CTA: New mutations of the flu have been occurring for millions of years, hundreds of thousands of flu deaths are occurring worldwide every year and are not cause for hysteria. Call the White House comment line at 202-456-1111 or write to comments@whitehouse.gov and tell Barack Obama and Joe Biden to stop scaring people.

http://blog.getliberty.org/default.asp?Display=1164

California's government has been subsidizing torture-based pornography

Warning: the link will take you to an article that may not be appropriate for work or children or individuals with morals.

The subsidy has been routed through the California Employment Training Panel (ETP), an agency set up to make state businesses more competitive with foreign and out-of-state ones by paying contractors who train in-state workers.

EVIL

More Proof Lib Policies Fail--right here in Oregon

Oregon thought it would be a good idea to tie minimum wage with inflation -- the result has not been so hot for the state. As the job situation worsens, employers are being forced to pay higher and higher minimum wages. It just went up again 45 cents to $8.40 per hour and has many business owners complaining it's causing the 12.1% unemployment rate in Oregon. ( Transcript, Insider Audio) from Glenn Beck newsletter

Dave Ramsey Town Hall Meeting April 2009: Oregon update

Mark your calendar for April 23 at 8:00 p.m. EDT! We are holding an exciting one-time national event called Town Hall for Hope, and you're invited!

We all know that the economy is causing a lot of fear among Americans. It's time for our nation to come together to find hope for the future—and that's exactly what Town Hall for Hope is all about.

At this free, 90-minute event, Dave will address the nation live with straight talk about what's really going on with the economy. He will discuss the history of the economy, real stats, and steps to take toward hope! Plus, he will answer questions from all around the country.

You do not want to miss this historic event! It's shaping up to be one of the most-viewed webcasts in history. Over 6,000 host locations across the U.S. will be broadcasting the live feed on Thursday, April 23, at 8:00 p.m. EDT (West Coast delay—7:00 p.m. PT). The event is completely free for anyone to attend. Search for a host location nearest you on our site using the zip code tool.

Get involved now and start spreading the word at townhallforhope.com. We'll see you there!

—The Dave Ramsey Team

Update: Direct TV Fox Business News airs Dave Ramsey Town Hall Meeting tonight right now at 8 on 359.

Taxes, equality, shmoozing with the enemy April 2009

April 15, 2009 Tax Day Tea party Salem, Oregon--slideshow. Update: VIDEO

Find recaps from tea parties across the nation HERE VIDEO:

Mr. Wolcott, thanks for unwittingly making our point

parties were not professionally organized. Huh. Funny, that's what we've been saying all along. That's what makes this amazing--the silent majority has finally spoken out. Give it a year--we'll have millions more.

2) Liberal organizations have lots of deep pockets. Tea parties do not.

3) people are very concerned and very angry. The difference between the liberal hatred you are used to and conservative (fiscally, in this case) salt-of-the earth protesters, Mr. Wolcott, is the way that anger is displayed. There were no instances of violence or destruction Wednesday. Try to say that about any liberal gathering. We are not filled with bitter hatred. Many of us have faith that carries us through--peace that passes understanding. I know that must seem impossible to you, sir, but to many of us it's very real.

4) The "other part of the program" is the tsunami heading our way when the tax surf hits the beach. We can see what's coming. You have your head stuck in the sand.

5) We aren't trying to scare anyone, we're trying to let the government know enough is enough--we the people, by the people. You, however, Mr. Wolcott, are downright freakishly terrifying. It may do you good to come out into the sunlight occasionally.

Clueless Emma

The Million Taxpayer March

Let’s use liberal math to calculate attendance at this week’s nationwide Tax Day Tea Party protests. When left-wing activists make crowd estimates, the algorithm is: Six figures = one million. An incomplete survey of newspaper accounts and organizer estimates pegged the Tea Party protest population at a minimum of 250,000. We can now, therefore, officially call it the Million Taxpayer March.

Or the Million Rightwing Extremists March if you work for the Department of Homeland Security.

To George Soros-funded grievance professionals, 250,000 is an insignificant number. But unlike recent anti-war and pro-illegal immigration rallies padded with union workers, college students, and homeless people, the Tax Day Tea Party demonstrations featured small business owners, working taxpayers, and families. This wasn’t a weekend or holiday, mind you. A quarter million people took time off in the middle of the work week to raise their voices against reckless taxing and bipartisan spending.

Multi-millionaire jet-setter Nancy Pelosi scoffed that the Tax Day Tea Party movement was nothing more than “Astroturf” politics to protect the “wealthiest people” in America. Democrat Rep. Jan Schakowsky called the peaceable assemblies “despicable.” Other bitter, clingy Tea Party-bashers grumbled that activists only showed up where Fox News cameras were. But tens of thousands more came out in rain, snow, and cold – in Bozeman, Montana; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Carson City, Nevada; White Plains, New York; Bend, Oregon; Lansing, Michigan; Hilo, Hawaii; Nashville, TN; and everywhere in between — with no media personalities or celebrities in sight.

If only the condescending cable TV anchors at CNN and MSNBC had paused from wallowing in gutter puns about tea bags, they might have reported an even more significant phenomenon: Tea Party protesters were as vocal in their criticism of Republicans as they were of Democrats. In Salt Lake City, Utah, a crowd of 2,000 repeatedly booed GOP Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett, who both supported the $700 billion TARP bailout, and protested GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman’s decision to accept $1.6 billion in porky stimulus funds.

In Sacramento, Tea Party organizer Mark Meckler singled out California GOP chair Ron Nehring for waffling on proposed $16 billion tax hikes. The crowd of 5,000 greeted Nehring – who unsuccessfully tried to hitch his wagon to the Tea Party movement – with a roar of boos and catcalls. Speaker after speaker lambasted Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for abandoning fiscal conservative principles. The loudest chant of the day: “Throw them out.”

In Madison, Wisconsin, GOP Rep. Paul Ryan – hyped as a conservative “rockstar” – was well-received. But I heard from staunch fiscal conservative constituents who refused to be silent about Ryan’s complicity. He gave one of the most hysterical speeches in the rush to pass TARP last fall; voted for the auto bailout; and voted with the Barney Frank/Nancy Pelosi AIG bonus-bashing stampede. Milwaukee blogger Nick Schweitzer wrote: “He ought to be apologizing for his previous votes, not pretending he was being responsible the entire time, but I don’t see one bit of regret for what he did previously. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him get away with it.”

Other Tea Party participants pointed out that Newt Gingrich, who jumped aboard the bandwagon, flip-flopped on TARP in the space of a week last September and made common cause with Al Gore and Nancy Pelosi in ads calling for immediate action on “climate change.”

Before the grass-roots Tea Party movement took them by surprise, Beltway GOP strategists argued fervently that the party’s traditional focus on taxes and spending had become outdated. The re-branders pitched their own expansive ideas to replace the anti-tax-and-spend agenda and inspire new voters. These included Gingrich’s “green conservatism,” David Frum’s proposal to raise carbon taxes, and open-borders Republicans’ plans for alternative forms of amnesty. Newsflash: Eco-zealotry and in-state tuition discounts for illegal aliens didn’t bring out thousands of first-time activists on the streets. Stay-at-home moms weren’t up all night making signs that read “Tax me more, please!”

What resonated on Tax Day were non-partisan calls to roll back pork, hold the line on taxing and spending, end the endless government bailouts, and stop the congressional steamrollers who have pushed through mountains of legislation without deliberation. This is a teachable moment for GOP public relations peddlers in Washington. While they search for the Holy Grail of Re-branding in tony salons and country club conferences, the agenda for 2010 is smacking them in the face. It’s the three T’s, stupid: Too Many Taxes, Trillions in Debt, and Transparency.

The GOP path to reclaiming power lies with candidates who can make a credible case that they will support and defend fiscal responsibility. That means acting on fiscal conservative principles now, not paying lip service later. The reckonable forces of the Tea Party movement didn’t let opportunists escape accountability on Tax Day. The GOP shouldn’t assume they’ll get a pass on Election Day, either.

As one of the most popular Tea Party signs read: “You can’t fix stupid, but you can vote it out.”

Michelle Malkin

Ann Coulter on Tea Parties

How much would you have to raise taxes before any of Obama's constituents noticed? They don't pay taxes, they engage in "tax-reduction" strategies, they work for the government, or they're too rich to care. (Or they have off-shore tax shelters, like George Soros.)

California tried the Obama soak-the-productive "stimulus" plan years ago and was hailed as the perfect exemplar of Democratic governance.

In June 2002, the liberal American Prospect magazine called California a "laboratory" for Democratic policies, noting that "California is the only one of the nation's 10 largest states that is uniformly under Democratic control."

They said this, mind you, as if it were a good thing. In California, the article proclaimed, "the next new deal is in tryouts." As they say in show biz: "Thanks, we'll call you. Next!"

In just a few years, Democrats had turned California into a state -- or as it's now known, a "job-free zone" -- with a $41 billion deficit, a credit rating that was slashed to junk-bond status and a middle class now located in Arizona.

Democrats governed California the way Democrats always govern. They bought the votes of government workers with taxpayer-funded jobs, salaries and benefits -- and then turned around and accused the productive class of "greed" for wanting not to have their taxes raised through the roof.

Having run out of things to tax, now the California legislature is considering a tax on taxes. Seriously. The only way out now for California is a tax on Botox and steroids. Sure, the governor will protest, but it is the best solution ...

California was, in fact, a laboratory of Democratic policies. The rabbit died, so now Obama is trying it on a national level.

That's what the tea parties are about.

Ann Coulter