Entries
Tom Ridge Slams Michele Bachmann
The Washington Times reports : Former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge said Tuesday that fellow Republican Michele Bachmann , the Minnesota congresswoman who has been surging in the 2012 GOP presidential sweepstakes in recent weeks, was unelectable and unqualified to be commander-i…
Michelle Obama's Burger-Gate
The Washington Post reports that First Lady Michelle Obama had a hamburger for lunch. The Washington Post reports that First Lady Michelle Obama had a hamburger for lunch: First lady Michelle Obama ordered a whopper of a meal at the newly opened Washington diner Shake Shack during lunch …GOP Must Use Debt Debate to get Real Cuts
The GOP must extract political concessions with the debt debate. What other opportunity will there be to hold the Democrats' feet to the fire? I have been struck by the arguments here at FrumForum that the hard line Republicans against raising the debt limit are “radical.” I put aside the …The Economy Can't Survive Abrupt Spending Cuts
An economic precedent that is remotely comparable to an abrupt hit-the-wall 44% cut in federal government spending is the defense build-down at the end of World War II. I'm trying to think of an economic precedent even remotely comparable to an abrupt hit-the-wall 44% cut in federal government …Hoyer won't promise Dems' votes
Politico reports House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer threatened Tuesday to withhold Democratic votes on a debt-ceiling deal if Republicans don’t make concessions on taxes. “I think if what the Republicans do is to try to hold hostage the creditworthiness of the United States of America so …
Balanced budget gets leadership stamp
Politico reports Support for the conservative-backed balanced budget amendment continued to gain steam Tuesday as Republican leaders argued it should be a part of the “long-term solution” to reducing the federal debt. The freshmen have been pushing for a balanced budget amendment …
Boehner rallies GOP troops on debt limit
Politico reports Speaker John Boehner told a closed gathering of House Republicans on Tuesday morning that he was “pissed” over being unable to reach a “ grand bargain ” with President Barack Obama to make sweeping entitlement changes in return for an overhaul of the U.S. tax code . But …
This is Not the End of Ron Paul
Ron Paul has announced that he will not be seeking the reelection for his House seat and will instead be focusing on his Presidential campaign. Ron Paul has announced that he will not be seeking reelection for his House seat and will instead be focusing on his presidential campaign. (Or will it …Who is the Priority Creditor on Default Day?
Here's a skill-testing question in this time of debt showdown, who is the most senior government creditor after Default Day? Here's a skill-testing question in this time of debt showdown. Who would be the more senior government creditor after Default Day: - A disabled Social Security …Will Hamid Karzai be Assassinated Next?
The assassination of Ahmed Wali Karzai is probably and indication of what the future holds for Afghanistan. More than anything else, the assassination of Ahmed Wali Karzai is probably and indication of what the future holds for Afghanistan. Never mind that he was President Hamid Karzai’s …Ron Paul Won't Seek Reelection
The Hill reports : Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) said Tuesday that he won't seek reelection in 2012. Paul strong> posted to his official Twitter account told the Texas news outletGaza Flotilla Faces New Setbacks
Looks like that one forlorn Gaza-bound flotilla boat from Piraeus is also in trouble with Greek law enforcement. And the Russian boat at the next dock is making a lot of noise! Looks like that one forlorn Gaza-bound flotilla boat from Piraeus is also in trouble with Greek law enforcement. And the …How to Make 2011 a Repeat of 1931
If the US government fails to make its payments, there is a risk of repeating the same crisis that struck the world in 1931. The US government is the largest purchaser of goods and services on planet earth. The government buys everything from equipment for cancer research to metal for warships …Soros: Greek Default Might Be "Inevitable"
Reuters reports : Greece is heading for default, or at least a devaluation, and European Union (EU) leaders have to adopt a "plan B" to stem contagion to the rest of the bloc, billionaire investor George Soros said on Tuesday. "Greece is heading toward disorderly default and/or devaluation …
Geithner Wants Debt Limit Deal by Next Week
The Associated Press reports : Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Tuesday said that time is running out for a deal to raise the debt limit , and wants a broad agreement with Congress in place by the end of next week at the latest. Speaking at a finance symposium at the Treasury …
Murdochs Called Before Parliament
Politico reports : Rupert and James Murdoch on Tuesday were called to appear before British Parliament next week to answer questions about the actions of their newspapers in the phone hacking scandal. The summoning from Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which was also …
Clinton: Assad Has "Lost Legitimacy"
Politico reports : Secretary of State Hillary Clinton blasted Syria’s government in the strongest language to date, saying President Bashar al-Assad has “lost legitimacy” and is “not indispensable” in the wake of attacks on the U.S. and French embassies in Damascus. “From our perspective…
Ryan: Companies Can't Bear New Taxes
The Associated Press reports : The Republican chairman of the House Budget Committee says his party is vehemently opposed to tax increases because U.S. businesses have been put at a disadvantage with their foreign competitors. Wisconsin's Rep. Paul Ryan tells CBS's "The Early Show" that "we …
Report: Systems to Catch Medicaid Fraud Inadequate
The Associated Press reports : The federal government's systems for analyzing Medicare and Medicaid data for possible fraud are inadequate and underused, making it more difficult to detect the billions of dollars in fraudulent claims paid out each year, according to a report released …