Another Sunday

Away we go.

Comments

[Pofarmer]

I'm set up for it, but to whom exactly would these 1099s be sent? Would I have to get their EINs too?

Two Words.

Tax. Revolt.

[Ranger]

Via Instapundit:

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/proof-new-records-show-doj-lied-about-new-black-panther-dismissal/>Proof: New Records Show DOJ Lied About New Black Panther Dismissal

A FOIA request reveals contradictions in statements made to Congress, the Civil Rights Commission, and to the public. Some of these statements were made under oath.

Sounds like time for a "very special" prosecutor, and for the Republicans to demand Obama impose the same strict rules on co-operation that the Dems demanded of the Bush administration in the Plame investigation.

[Cecil Turner]

They are planning to do teach-ins for Obamacare. That ought to help.

I got a great chuckle out of that one, thanks. (And I haven't heard "teach-in" since the early '70's, but boy is that spot-on.)

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

I want Eric Holder and Tom Perez in jail.

[Ranger]

Withholding is one thing -- government getting first cut at your paycheck is another. Sure, you're forced to send the government some portion of your paycheck, but the rest goes to you. In this new scheme, employers are essentially paying the government for the use of their chattel, the employee, with the government deciding how much (if anything) to pass along.

Posted by: Rob Crawford | September 20, 2010 at 12:11 PM

I see your point, but I would argue they are simply two different variations on the same concept. It is the government that gets the first cut at your pay. The government sets the withholding tables. Unless you know how to play the system, the government always over withholds and then gives the taxpayer a "refund" at the end of the tax year. Its important to note that even that refund is a mere discretion on the part of the government. There is nothing preventing the government from just keeping the money to be applied against an individual's future tax obligations (and I have no doubt that the idea has occured to more than a few of the Ruling Class in DC who are desperate to increase government cash flow).

[RichatUF]

More from the CNBC interview...

"The debt that I inherited..."

Yea...tax cuts for the rich..."I'm speaking against my own interests (wtf, the President has his assets in a blind trust)...the GOP wants to give tax relief to millionaires and billionaires". Seems to be drawing a line...another question...a small business owner-"It is an honor to be in front of you..." Stimulus bill helped small business-wth...investing in this country and the country doesn't get it. What the hell, was that one even a question...he gladhanded the auto bailout. It is guaranteed to lose money because "New GM" doesn't have to pay back some $40 billion of DIP from "Old GM".

[Rick Ballard]

The political nature of the NBER declaration can be ascertained by careful examination of the previous declaration

The committee noted that the most recent data indicate that the broadest measure of economic activity-gross domestic product in constant dollars-has risen 4.0 percent from its low in the third quarter of 2001, and is 3.3 percent above its pre-recession peak in the fourth quarter of 2000.

in comparison with the current declaration

The committee noted that in the most recent data, for the second quarter of 2010, the average of real GDP and real GDI was 3.1 percent above its low in the second quarter of 2009 but remained 1.3 percent below the previous peak which was reached in the fourth quarter of 2007.

They timed the declaration of the "end" of the current Democrat recession to the benefit of the Democrats just as they timed the declaration of the beginning to the detriment of the Republicans.

What they do is politics, not economics.

[Ignatz]

--What they do is politics, not economics.--

It's political witchcraft.

--I see your point, but I would argue they are simply two different variations on the same concept. It is the government that gets the first cut at your pay.--

Yep. Presently companies are conscripted as unpaid agents of the government which in some ways is worse, as it creates an additional unnatural adversarial relationship between the employee and the employer.

[glasater]

Rich--Rick Santelli got a question in there.... Zero didn't quite know how to answer though, heh.

[RichatUF]

Hell yea, Rick Santelli gets a question!!!! Deficit spending.

It bothers me a lot, and I had a 1.3 Trillion dollar defict wrapped in a bow when I took office (not true). Responsible stewards of the budget, freeze identified spending and close loopholes. 2/3's of the budget is entitlements. The biggest drive of our long term deficits is healthcare. Veterans (humm wrap it in the flag-what's the numbers for every 100 vets on the rolls dieing a new one goes on?) Compare foreign spending on infrastructure (Yea, China)...cutting spending that doesn't effect the recovery now...cuts that take affect 5 years 10 years down the road.

Tea Party movement. The American people have a healthy skepticism (?) of government. A tradition in the Reppublican and Democrat about paying. The problem is that the tea parties are missing the villains. A tax cut that wasn't paid for and wars...they can't just say get spending under control. What about Medicare and want about Social Security-cut them? There are facts that are relevant...

Missed most of that answer

[DrJ]

Presently companies are conscripted as unpaid agents of the government

Yup, and not only are the companies unpaid, they have to pay to do this themselves.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

I don't know why ever republican in Congress doesn't just say: Obama's plan to get us out of the ditch did not work and made the problem worse and will continue to make the problem worse so we aren't voting for anything he wants.

Cause that's the truth.

[Janet]

Odd/funny thing -

Found an Obama bumper sticker in my daughter's room - she is my true Republican child, so some friends that were for Obama would "decorate her car" sometimes with Obama stuff - anyway, the bumper sticker says:
"REDNECKS FOR OBAMA - Workin' for the man who'll do more for the workin' man." LOL!

[Melinda Romanoff]

Santelli submitted two questions, the other one to come is on raising taxes.

If they get to it in this historic event.

yecch.

[RichatUF]

He's yammering on about tax cuts for the rich. If he is this unsteady with this sort of friendly audience and easy questioner, I hate to see him in front of a hostile audience.

His answer to Santelli's question wasn't even an answer. Obama signed the last busget because the dems only passed continuing resolutions to keep government open. Obama signed a $450 billion spending bill. Obama drew down the second helping of TARP-$350 billion. Obama signed, after he got a dinner and show in Chicago, the $800 billion Stimulus bill. The deficit was his.

China. Currency is undervalued...giving them an advantage in trade. There should be an adjustment (Romer's work shows why the Chinese won't allow their currency to float)...the trade relationship has to be fair...we are going to enforce our trade agreements? Yea he was winging that answer.

[Rob Crawford]

A tax cut that wasn't paid for...

In other words -- gubmint didn't steal all the money the left wanted.

[RichatUF]

Mel-

I think he is going to run out the clock. He called on ringers and was allowed to give stump speeches. Little surprise from GE. 2 tax cuts and 2 wars unpaid for? Not a word about a stimulus bill that cost more than the Iraq War being unpaid for. And why is it that a "tax cut" needs to be paid for? What does that even mean.

[Ranger]

The Republicans really need to point out that the only real way to "pay" for a tax cut (if you are simply going to assume a static model to begin with) is to also reduce government spending by the same amount. Since those are two things the majority of American now approve of, its not a hard sell.

BTW, is anyone going to ask Obama about his promise of "net spending cuts"?

[glasater]

He didn't say anything new.

Was watching the market to see if it would go down. It didn't.

What does the market know that I don't. Wait--don't answer that:)

[Rob Crawford]

BTW, is anyone going to ask Obama about his promise of "net spending cuts"?

Gulf fishermen are spending less on nets.

[RichatUF]

I don't know. It might help if the spin is right. Nothing groundbreaking policy wise. Was surprised that he was shakey with a friendly audience-halting and unsure speech pattern. Seemed more annoyed that he had to do something like this. Go Erin, this recovery has been stronger than previous recessions. Give her a chart of the 1930's.

[Porchlight]

And why is it that a "tax cut" needs to be paid for? What does that even mean.

In statistspeak, it means that the presumed loss in revenue has to be made up with money from a different source.

Yeah, they don't get it.

[RichatUF]

Go Bill Clinton!!! Let's get back to the 1990's-terrorism and NASDAQ bubbles-we can do it!

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

Does anyone else think that everything has changed in the last few weeks. Tea Partiers went from racist nutcases to a force to be reckoned with. It's as if the ruling class is waking up to what is actually happening out there.

I fully expect to be courted by the idiots before November rolls around.

[RichatUF]

glasater-

The dollar was down giving a pop to big US exporters and energy and some carry over from a Euro relief rally. The speech itself was benign, but it didn't even rise to a Clintonian "I feel your pain" bull session. Not sure whom it was addressed. No new policies so not sure why business would be interested. Investing public got Obama's line about "tax cuts for the rich". Retirees got Tea Partiers might come after your Social Security. I'm a tough critic, so here is a link.

[Rob Crawford]

Retirees got Tea Partiers might come after your Social Security.

*snort*

Our oh-so professional press lets the leftists get away with this while they hold hearings on confiscating our 401ks.

[Clarice]

I think Obama is seriously ill--whether it is just mental or mental and Physical I can't say.
Those Dems who voted for Obamacare at Bill's urgings must be mighty glad to see old triangulator now say he was wrong and that they ought to listen to the tea party.

Perhaps he's losing it. Perhaps there's one born every minute. Perhaps his time on the stage has come and gone.

[RichatUF]

Jane-

Maybe it is starting to sink in that the Reps are the first ones that the Tea Party could take their political frustrations out on (I lifted that sentiment from somewhere). Also, the Dems might be in the bargining stage and think that maybe with a different style they'd be able to co-opt the movement.

[jimmyk]

In statistspeak, it means that the presumed loss in revenue has to be made up with money from a different source.

Yes, or to put it another way, a statist views allowing you to keep what you earn as just a different kind of spending. To them it's an inferior form of spending, a cost to the government, because they don't control it.

It's of a piece with the other discussion about employers sending the government your paycheck. In the statist mindset, whatever the government sends you (out of your own paycheck) is viewed as a cost (in foregone revenue).

[Rob Crawford]

In the statist mindset, whatever the government sends you (out of your own paycheck) is viewed as a cost (in foregone revenue).

Which is just more evidence that "statist" is a euphemism for "slaver".

[glasater]

Zero is not going to give on extending the Bush tax cuts. He spent too much time talking about how bad the past eight years were for the middle class.
He's like a dog with a bone on that subject.

Short covering on energy indicating higher costs down the road.

[Frau Leseratte]

Great day for a birthday, cc. Smile all day.

[Frau Pfui!]

"The debt that I inherited..."

In such a situation would any sane person then incur, on purpose, additional debt *three times* that inherited?
We were to elect this inexperienced man for his judgment.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

Rich,

I actually think they are all shocked that anyone is demanding they work for us, not their personal bank account - which as far as I'm concerned is all they do. Unlike Wall Street they just don't admit it.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Rich-

I took at as a sop in front of the election.

The real work is coming in the lame duck session, where they will "finish the job". He just telegraphed it in that dodge.

They really could care less, when they're this close to sealing up their perceived goal of permanent power.

[Porchlight]

The real work is coming in the lame duck session, where they will "finish the job". He just telegraphed it in that dodge.

If they try that, bad things will happen.

I can only hope the November wipeout is big enough that the Dems that survive it will defect in droves from that agenda.

[Chubby]

Rick and Clarice have posted in the past that the feelie women demographic is the decisive sliver within the within the squish demographic (thus 0's appearances on the View etc.) I don't see how bashing O'Donnell will endear that demographic to the bashers. First Palin, now O'Donnell. Surely some of them are seeing a pattern?

[Dave (in MA)]

So the September Surprise was to announce that the recession ended a long time ago and that the past year+ of misery has all been a figment of the the unemployed and at-risk workers' and underwater mortgage holders' imaginations.

[Clarice]

My best advice on that score, Chubby, is that Obama send Mrs O out on the campaign trail in rubber dresses and green Jimmy Choo heels telling women what to at and feed their chldren and giving them her fabled career advice just as their insurance and tax bills arrive and grandma gets her doctor's letter that he's no longer taking Medicare patients.

[Clarice]

*What to Eat an feed***

[Clarice]

*What to Eat and feed***

[RichatUF]

glasater-

No tax cuts for the rich...woof, woof, woof.

Always treatin' him like a dog.

On energy, Po linked that bit about demand being down (again). We'll see. Maybe another superspike. Gold could pop it to over $100. The last time there was this sort of divergence was June 99 and oil doubled in a year and gold held flat. I think that is unlikely and a modest increase in oil price is the shock the global economy (and the US economy) can't afford.

[Dave (in MA)]

http://hotair.com/archives/2010/09/20/video-recession-over/>Ed Morrissey:"another recession won’t technically be a double-dip, but instead a brand-new recession that will entirely belong to the current administration".

[Janet]

I don't see how bashing O'Donnell will endear that demographic to the bashers. First Palin, now O'Donnell.

Another danger for the Dems will be the mocking of the Restoring Honor idea. The Dem entertainment arm will probably take that too far....they can't help themselves. The rot & corruption in our politics is a big component too, along with the economy.

[centralcal]

Janet - I agree about the Dem "entertainment" arm. Comedy Central's dueling rallies in October may only serve to lose both show's viewers.

[Rick Ballard]

cc,

Best wishes for a Happy Birthday.

[RichatUF]

Mel-

Hope not. I also don't see the Dems getting really aggressive with cap-and-trade or card check. The line in the sand looks to be taxes and the current congress seems to be ok with just allowing the cuts to expire. Also, worrying about a few points (and good grief, Obama is talking about it as costs, but leaves out the other 95% which, even in Obama math, wouldn't be cost free) here and there is missing the point that the US tax code is bloated and inefficent and a corporate tax cut would have more bang for the buck.

I found the town hall odd and uninformative.

[Chubby]

Interesting facts about Agnes Moorehead, who played Endora on Bewitched ...

In addition to her interest in acting, she developed a lifelong interest in religion; in later years actors such as Dick Sargent would recall Moorehead arriving on the set with "the Bible in one hand and the script in the other"....

Moorehead was a devout Presbyterian (Reynolds [close friend Debbie Reynolds]described her as "terribly religious") and, in interviews, often spoke of her relationship with God. Erin Murphy stated that the actress would read Bible stories to the children affiliated with Bewitched. In one of her last films, What's the Matter with Helen? (1971, costarring Reynolds), she played an evangelist. Shortly before her death, Moorehead, who embraced her Reformed Calvinist roots, sought conservative causes to benefit after her death through her estate.

source: Wikipedia

[RichatUF]

Happy Birthday centralcal.

[bgates]

2 wars unpaid for

So then you get the argument, well, this is not a stimulus war funding bill, this is a spending bill. What do you think a stimulus is? That's the whole point.

No seriously, that's the point.

[RichatUF]

You got me there bgates? Maybe I need another cup of coffee. The "2 wars and 2 tax cuts unpaid for" was Obama's formulation.

[centralcal]

Thanks, Rick and Rich.

[Melinda Romanoff]

bgates-

And the next war funding bill has the DREAM Act (Amnesty) as an amendment.

[Porchlight]

I'm not sure, but I think bgates is saying that if the two wars and the two tax cuts are unpaid for, then so is the stimulus. But they would like us to believe that their "spending" is paid for, and our "spending" isn't.

[RichatUF]

Ohhh...deficit spending to boost aggregate demand, but wars (except WW2) and tax cuts don't count. Just microwaved my old cup of coffee, think I might be getting closer.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Rich-

Easier way to think of it, talk long enough and you'll never remember the question.

[bgates]

Sorry, I should have expected I would come across as both opaque and snippy, given who I was quoting on the subject of "why government spending is wonderful".

[Ignatz]

Interesting Chubby, especially in light of how left wing Elizabeth Montgomery was, despite how conservative her dad Robert Montgomery was, a man who, incidentally, never gave a bad performance. He was particularly good and creepy in Night Must Fall.

[RichatUF]

True, but it would have helped if the people called upon asked questions. It had a Senate q&a feel. Santelli had the only simple, direct question posed and Obama blamed shifted and punted on that. Surprised that no one in the audience fainted.

CNBC has been puffing up the historic event in a Made-for-Obama spin ally. They even had a Luntz-like focus group.

[hit and run]

bgates:
this is not a stimulus war funding bill, this is a spending bill. What do you think a stimulus is? That's the whole point.
--stuff Barack Obama (almost) said

[Rick Ballard]

Rich,

The depth and breadth of the President's intellectual prowess was summed up by Orwell in Animal Farm as "four legs good, two legs bad". Why would you expect an intelligent answer from a stupid man?

The lame duck session should be a riot with the Senators up for reelection in '12 studying the bayonet wounds on the Blue Dogs and considering the full implications involved with "this time you've got me".

[RichatUF]

LOL.

And it was just opaque, not snippy.

[RichatUF]

Rick-

I wasn't expecting much and the bar was pretty low. And his administration isn't even half over.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Rich-

It's the only channel I get in the office, except for the City Of Chicago PSA Channel.

No wonder I often have a sore head from banging it on the desk.

No blood yet though!

[JM Hanes]

RichatUF:

"I'm speaking against my own interests"

And here I thought that only Republican rubes voted against their own best interests!

[Melinda Romanoff]

Rick-

Are you reading it the same way I am? That nothing was answered, the room was stuffed with allies, and they're looking past this election.

[BobDenver]

"I'd hate to see him in front of a hostile audience."

You won't see him in front of a hostile audience. Not until the next State of the Uniom speech.

[BobDenver]

Uniom = Union

[RichatUF]

Mel-

Get some nerf footballs and throw them at the tv whenever Erin goes on about how strong this recovery has been. That has got to be about the dumbest bit of "reflexivity" the Obama braintrust has cooked up.

JM Hanes-

I thought so too. bgates can find the quote, but Michelle has drooled out the "What's the matter with Kansas" formulation. That whole bit was stupid.

[Rick Ballard]

Mel,

I'm with Clarice - this was Hedley Lamar handing Governor LePetomane the paddle with the ball on a rubber string. They aren't "looking past", they're trying to line his cocoon with the softest material available.

He's poison - there isn't any way to disguise it any more.

[Janet]

Well look here! Dems worried Jon Stewart rally will hurt them.

[Chubby]

oh oh Ignatz, you shouldna done that. I've never seen "Night Must Fall", and I just had to search YouTube for it ... and now another couple of idle hours have my name stamped on them

(my YouTube movie addiction is a terrible cross to bear :))

[Porchlight]

The lame duck session should be a riot with the Senators up for reelection in '12 studying the bayonet wounds on the Blue Dogs and considering the full implications involved with "this time you've got me".

Rick,

The GOP Senators up in '12 will be studying the bayonet wounds on Bennett, Murkowski, etc. as well.

To paraphrase Dr. Johnson, their minds will be much more concentrated than they were in previous sessions.

[Clarice]

so. there are TWO events staged in DC in Oct--On Oct 2, the SEIU thugs and vote stealers are having one and they are having a hard time whipping up enthusiasm..and then just before the election there are the Colbert/Stewart poke America in the eye rallies.

Surely, some of you smartie pants can find ways to turn the tables on these..What signs and costumi should we come with?

[Rick Ballard]

Che T with a "where's my pie?" poster?

[JM Hanes]

Clarice:

I nominate Jane to do "Jay Walking" interviews with the folks who show up at the Stewart/Colbert confab.

[glenda]

To my favorite California girl, CC:

Happy, Happy Birthday!! May the sun always shine on you and yours! I hope the beautiful granddaughter is improving! :)
XOXOXOXO***************************XOXOXOXO

[hit and run]

JMH:
I nominate Jane to do "Jay Walking" interviews with the folks who show up at the Stewart/Colbert confab.

I like it!

But we must also find some official JOM capacity in which Appalled can be used to represent us at what they are dubbing "The Million Moderate March".

[Rick Ballard]

Ras Generic - R+10

+1 from last week so no statistically important change. (That means no check to the wave building.)

[centralcal]

Glenda - thank you so much! smooches back at you. (Waiting to hear the report of granddaughter's doctor visit today.)

[Pagar]

This might be the start of something.Questioner to Obama-I'm exhausted Defending you

[Dave (in MA)]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0910/42439.html>D panicThe House may adjourn at the earliest point during an election year in 50 years in order to allow Dems to campaign full time.

[Ralph]

Slightly OT,

The song, "When You're holding a hammer" LUN may be of interest to everyone.

[jimmyk]

So the September Surprise was to announce that the recession ended a long time ago

I'm not convinced this was a political decision by the NBER--I'm pretty sure at least three or four of the seven committee members are not Obama supporters. I do think it's political in a different sense: they've tied themselves to a narrow definition that has been embarrassingly wrong the last two cycles, but rather than admit the mistake they go for consistency. So now they're locked in.

I don't think it really matters that much. Voters see what's out there.

[rse]

On the presser, did you guys see that link from the Princeton Club looking for people to attend?

I put it up sometime last week.

Plants indeed.

[Ranger]

I have to say, I got the feeling that there were a lot of Wall Street wallets snapping shut for the Dems when Obama answered the question about why he was beating up on Wall Street and when it would stop by basically saying:

"You'll get nothing and like it!"

Followed by:

"The beatings will continue until moral improves."

[Rick Ballard]

Gallup generic

Gallup is becoming statistically incoherent with swings outside the MOE on almost a weekly basis. This week they have it 46D/45R and a three point drop in Dem voter enthusiasm. Gallup is also going to wait two more weeks to go to an LV rather than RV model, although they acknowledge that the Reps are going have the edge once the model changes.

[Ranger]

Gallup is also going to wait two more weeks to go to an LV rather than RV model, although they acknowledge that the Reps are going have the edge once the model changes.

Posted by: Rick Ballard | September 20, 2010 at 06:02 PM

I am getting the feeling Gallup is trying like hell to tamp down the RCP generic ballot average for as long as possible hoping to keep money flowing to the Dems for as long as possible. Funny how their numbers swing in almost an direct inverse proportion to Ras.

[Jane]

I nominate Jane to do "Jay Walking" interviews with the folks who show up at the Stewart/Colbert confab.

Hey -

I suspect I will be working full tiome on the tea party that day. Besides I'm not sure I'm capable of not making fun of them.

I think Clarice should go with a Bush/Hitler sign.

[Chubby]

((Dems worried Jon Stewart rally will hurt them.))

Now why on earth would they think small, mean, nasty and petty would hurt them?

[Chubby]

(("The Million Moderate March".))

The Million Mealy-Mouth March

mealy-mouth: unwilling to state facts or opinions simply and directly.

[dick]

Clarice,

Look up a website called tagines.com - they have a wonderful harissa there - and good tagines as well at decent prices. I got one there that I have used for the past 5 years with no problems. There is also a shop in Alexandria called La Cuisine which has some good stuff like preserved lemons and harissa and some other good Moroccan products. They also have a lot of good cooking demos there as well. I get their emails. I think they are located in the Old Town area.

[Army of Davids]

Just a gut feeling.

Despite all the money....Harry Reid is slipping. Blood is in the water.