My Take on the News

Can we spend our way out of this economic mess?

Lonnie Barham
Posted 1/4/12

CONGRESSMAN PINOCCHIO: To what level of dishonesty will Congressman Cicilline sink to try to enhance his re-election odds? Apparently, there is no limit. Both Democrats and Republicans have some …

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My Take on the News

Can we spend our way out of this economic mess?

Posted

CONGRESSMAN PINOCCHIO: To what level of dishonesty will Congressman Cicilline sink to try to enhance his re-election odds? Apparently, there is no limit. Both Democrats and Republicans have some valid arguments for and against the bill before the U.S. Senate that would require states to recognize concealed-carry gun permits issued by other states. Logical and reasoned arguments are what we expect of our congressmen, not specious, inflammatory rhetoric that discourages rather than promotes bi-partisanship. A Cicilline letter to constituents accused Republicans of choosing “…to focus their efforts on expanding the rights of sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.” Regardless of what one thinks of the Right to Carry Act, Cicilline’s reckless and dishonest accusation that Republicans are pushing to allow terrorists and sex offenders – who by law cannot even own or possess a firearm – to carry weapons from state to state is not just stretching the truth, it is an outright lie. Almost everyone would agree that Republicans have been far harder than Democrats on terrorists and sex offenders and, in this case, neither Republicans’ intent nor any possible outcome could have anything to do with terrorists or sex offenders. Instead of offering an amendment that would standardize gun permit procedures across all states, Cicilline chose to try to tar-and-feather Republicans with outright lies. After the fallout from Cicilline’s despicable lies about the financial condition of Providence as he left office, one would think he would have learned a lesson about dishonesty. Not so! His nose gets longer every day!

RAISING DEBT LIMIT: President Obama has again requested the U.S. debt limit be raised, this time by $1.2 trillion – bringing our debt to $16.4 trillion. This is more debt than was accumulated by all previous presidents combined! President Bush added $5 trillion to the national debt during his eight years in office, most in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. President Obama has added $6 trillion in just three years in office! Obama seems to think we can spend our way out of this economic mess by borrowing more money – primarily from China. Limited tax increases imposed on all earners, not just the wealthy, should be considered; however, cutting spending is the first and most important prescription to improve our nation’s economic health.

LOST PROPERTY RIGHTS: What is happening to property rights in our country? The U.S. Justice Department is trying to steal a Massachusetts motel from its rightful owner under a federal law that allows police to confiscate property used in a drug crime. There were eight drug arrests in eight years at the Tewksbury motel, an average of one per year, and the motel owner and staff had nothing to do with the drug offenses – yet our Justice Department wants to confiscate the motel, sell it and give the money to police. This is wrong on so many levels! Where will it lead? If a series of drug deals go down in a shopping mall lot, will the mall be confiscated? If a renter is charged with selling drugs from his apartment, will the apartment complex be confiscated? The law was designed to confiscate property belonging to the drug offenders, not someone else’s building or parking lot unconnected to the crime. This unconstitutional trampling on property rights must be stopped by the courts!

FANNIE & FREDDIE: With unbelievable chutzpah, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, after approving $12 million in bonuses to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac CEOs, said the bonuses were necessary “to prevent the talent from going elsewhere.” Is this the same “talent” that oversaw the U.S. housing market reach such a low point in 2011? Who is he kidding? If we have to pay $12 million for this kind of talent, then send in the clowns. Could they do any worse?

BEST OLD QUOTE IN THE NEWS: John Sununu, former governor of New Hampshire: “Iowa picks corn, while New Hampshire picks presidents.”

BEST NEW QUOTE IN THE NEWS: Jake Retter, a Michigan chimney cleaner, speaking about our faltering economy and decline in world stature: “It’s not that capitalism is failing us. It’s that we’re failing capitalism.”

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  • RichardLangseth

    "A Cicilline letter to constituents accused Republicans of choosing “…to focus their efforts on expanding the rights of sex offenders, terrorists, child predators, and abusers to carry concealed weapons across state lines.”"

    I thought conservative Republicans were for states rights!

    Thursday, January 5, 2012 Report this

  • leslied

    Lonnie, you are right on with your comments. I find it puzzling that every time a Democrat has nothing to say they come up with lame statements accusing Republicans of supporting any and all negative forces that they themselves could easily be accused of creating. I do not know why Richard (above) would write anything about state's rights with the legislation that was written on the concealed weapons and making a negative comment about conservative Republicans. Did he read what you wrote and did he read the legislation? If he did. I do not think he would have been so quick to comment like he did. On another note, is every Republican considered a Conservative? and is every Democrat considered a Liberal? Is ever Independent considered a thinker? Isn't it sad how our tax dollars are going to support gun slingers who shoot from the hip and mouth at the same time and don't know the true meaning of diplomacy.

    Thursday, January 5, 2012 Report this