Miracles Do Happen

It must be the end of the world because Congress is finally doing its job!  Interesting, an unrecorded voice vote -- they all know that it is the right thing to do.

House Approves $600M For More Drones, Agents at U.S.-Mexican Border

The bill is a step in the right direction.  Comprehensive Immigration legislation is still needed but, not blanket amnesty.  Nothing will do any good though until the border is secure.

The president Just Dosn't "Get" It On Jobs

Sustainable jobs are created by businesses, not by government.  There is a tipping point that will be reached in which there is not enough productivity by the private sector to support the public (government) sector.  Unless of course, the trend toward nationalization of businesses continues (bank bailout, automaker bailout, etc.) and we convert completely to the "dark side" -- er, I mean Communism/Socialism/State Ownership.

To create jobs, businesses need 1) adequate excess income to reinvest and 2) a stable regulatory environment in which risk is known.  The current Administration and Democrat controlled Congress has taken, or is taking away in the form of repealing the Bush tax cuts, both of these necessary ingredients.

In an AP article (Obama overtures to business fall flat ) out today, the president notes:

"This should be as American as apple pie," Obama told a Democratic fundraiser in Austin, Texas, on Monday. "And yet we can't get it moving through the Senate." He speculated that Republicans were blocking the bill because they didn't want to do anything to help him and were "thinking about the next election instead of the next generation."

The truth of the matter is better stated by Steve Forbes in the same article:

"The truth is that not even the Franklin Roosevelt administration was as hostile to and ignorant about free enterprise as this administration is," declared magazine publisher and one-time GOP presidential contender Steve Forbes.

So, is it all about politics, or is it about the economic policies of the Administration/Democratic Congress?  As a small-business owner/manager, I say it is about the economic policies of the Administration.  It appears that Mitch McConnell at least has a clue.

But Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky shot back in a statement, "For more than a year and a half, the president and his Democrat allies on Capitol Hill have pushed an antibusiness, anti-jobs agenda on the American people in the form of one massive government intrusion after another."

I wonder when the president will "get" the message?  After all, as noted in the same article, there isn't a single former CEO of a business in his entire cabinet or among his top economic advisers.  The outlook for an improving jobs situation given the shape of things in Washington is dismal.

Austin: Safe Haven City for Alien Socialists

Isn't it interesting, Governor Rick Perry (R-Texas) did the polite thing?  He greeted the president and shook his hand after applauding him as he left Air Force One.  But, the president wouldn't even accept the letter personally offered by the Governor.  I guess it was beneath his dignity.

Perry invites Obama to tour the border with him

I doubt very much that the president will tour the border with Governor Perry.  I'm actually a little surprised that he entered the state given the attitude of the majority of the people.  I suppose that Austin would be considered a "safe haven" city for alien Socialists though.....

Note:  I have placed the word president in a smaller font and without capitalization to make the point that I believe the office, as well as our country in the eyes of the world, has been significantly diminished under the current administration.

Protesting federal cops detain commander in Juarez

Until the law enforcement agencies in Mexico can clean up internal corruption, there will be little progress in the border war.

Protesting federal cops detain commander in Juarez

It is criminal elements along the border that are creating the real problem. Yes, unrestricted immigration must be addressed, but, the violence is coming from criminals. Control is necessary to stop the criminals -- and not just those from Latin America -- from crossing our borders. Islamic terrorists are coming in also.

Trying to Snuff the Light

It's not about religion as much as it is about power.  The Taliban doesn't want charity to reach the needy villagers of remote parts of Afghanistan because it would hurt their grip of power over them.

Charity: 6 Americans on medical team among 10 killed by militants in remote Afghanistan

They fear Christianity.  Light shining in darkness reveals the evil that lurks therein.

Feeding The World in the Face of Poverty

In the past, I did a lot of blogging about Agriculture (see Common Sense Agriculture, Conservation and Energy).  After all, agriculture is how I make my living.  The opinion article linked below is about the future of feeding the world.  I hope that you will take the time to read it and go to the linked information.  It is important.

Poverty and Lack of Research Block Path to a Well-Fed World

The lack of good governance is at the root of much of the poverty in the world.  Political corruption is one of the biggest problems in Africa and Latin America as well as parts of the Middle East, Asia and many of the former Soviet states.  It is a primary reason for the abject poverty of their people.

USPS Doesn't Get It

Ooo, Ooo, I know the answer!!!!

USPS posts $3.5 billion third quarter loss

Can anyone say Free Enterprise???

Keeping Distance

A politically shrewd move by Texas Democratic Gubernatorial candidate.

Bill White to President Obama: Call me
Candidate can’t meet with president, but would like to chat
 
Obviously, he realizes how unpopular Obama is in Texas.  Gotta keep that distance!

The "Pecking" Order

I thought that I would just "blow past" the article linked below in my Google Reader but, I couldn't.  Something kept drawing me back to it!

Fox News Receives Front-Row Seat in White House Briefing Room

How do they determine the pecking order?  Is it purely seniority?  If it was based on viewership/readership, Fox should have been on the front row before now.  If it was politically motivated, Fox would likely never hit the front row in the current administration.  I have to laugh.  It reminds me of a bunch of school children....