The Conservative Opinion

Monday, January 17, 2011

Loughner was a Bush Hater

The New York Times just reported that Jared Loughner hated (well, probably still hates) George W. Bush, and that some of his favorite books were: the Communist Manifesto, Mein Kampf, Animal Farm, and Farenheit 451. Much to the dismay of the news outlets, Sheriff Dupnik, Barak Obama, and some Palin haters, it would appear that Loughner was more of a product of radical leftists, than of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and the Tea Party. Click here to read the full story.

Lessons from Tucson: Part I

We are saddened by the shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the other victims: Judge John Roll, Dorwan Stoddard, Dorothy Murray, Phyllis Schenk, Gabe Zimmerman and 9 year old Christina Green. Our prayers and faith are with Representative Giffords and the others injured. We hope that they all recover.

How horrific that a gunman should kill in America at a peaceful political assembly. Unfortunately there has been a nationwide rush to blame talk radio, Sarah Palin, and political rhetoric. The fact that Loughner didn't like the news, politics, or tv, didn't stop the media from making the connection between Loughner's violence and vitriolic rhetoric. (read more...)

Friday, January 14, 2011

Quick Thoughts: No federal funds means federal control?

NPR is fearful of more governmental intrusion over two recent bills introduced by Rep Doug Lamborn to cut off federal subsidies to NPR and reduce federal spending.

I would understand if the fear were about losing money and suddenly having to compete in the marketplace that everyone else in radio does, but I'm a little confused about being afraid of the government controlling your broadcasting without giving you money?

That's a bit odd, because when you loose federal funding, you usually loose the strings that come with that money. When the federal government gives you the strings without the money, that's called an unfunded mandate. Usually, only States have to deal with both funded and unfunded mandates from the feds (think No Child Left Behind and Obamacare) and they hate both.

You would think that the fact Rep. Slaughter (remember her rule that would have "deemed" Obamacare into law without a vote?) is trying to increase FCC control what is said and how it is said over the airwaves would be more worrisome for NPR.

It makes you wonder if NPR is trying to be a propaganda machine?

CBS Poll: Tucson Shooting and Rhetoric Not Related

Breaking news!

CBS just did a poll indicating that over 55% of people don't feel that the Tucson shooting and political rhetoric are related.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20028105-503544.html

Contrary to the suppositions of those clamoring for the FCC to reinstate the "fairness doctrine" (regulation requiring radio broadcasters to give equal time to opposing voices) people are able, at least in this instance, to see what is reported to them and decide the truth for themselves.

Now, how much more informed would we be if the news outlets would actually report?

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Anger is a feeling, not a crime.

Although the president referred to his political opponents as enemies requiring punishment, it appears that he has turned a new leaf calling for us to remove anger from our political discourse. That begs the question, "Is there a case for political anger?"

First of all, anger is not violence. What Loughner did was horrific, but it was an action, and not a feeling. (And since when are we supposed to be legally judged on our feelings?) Anger is a feeling, which in this case means that people feel strongly about what is going on in government. Most people are fed up with the actions taken by the Obama Administration (e.g. the Food Safety Bill, Obamacare, TARP, forced selling of Chrysler and GM, the offshore Oil drilling ban, EPA regulation of CO2 etc.)and their willing accomplices in Congress.

Most people who feel like this (over half of the country) have spoken up, voted, and tried to stop the Federal government from doing similar things. Will getting rid of this "anger" help political discourse?

Probably not.

(read more...)

Look at that: Polling on Obamacare and Deficit

Rasmussen Reports just came out with a poll showing that only 29% of people think that repealing Obamacare will increase the deficit. A huge majority of Americans get what the CBO, and Nancy Pelosi seem unable to understand: adding another trillion dollars (estimated conservatively) to the Federal budget increases the deficit, regardless of how many times we double count "savings" from Medicare. The tax increases in the bill aren't going to bring in as much in revenue estimated either. Tax increases usually equal lesser federal revenues, while lower taxes usually equal higher tax revenues. Just look at the JFK, Reagan, and Bush '43 tax cuts. Tax revenues increased after each tax cut.

Here's to hoping for a repeal of Obamacare.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Quick Thoughts: Protecting us from Carbon Dioxide

Barbara Boxer vowed on January 6th to use every tool available to thwart the Republican plans to step back the Environmental Protection Agency climate regulatory powers. Aside from the fact that the Constitution didn't give congress the authority to set up an agency to "protect" the environment, Congress didn't pass a law giving the EPA regulatory power over CO2. Why on earth would a member of Congress fight to give an executive office powers not given to them?

The whole idea of checks and balances built into the Constitution is to stop the government from gaining too much power. Just think of the crabs in the bucket analogy and you'll understand the reason why. (read more...)