Washington Post Fact Checker Gives Obama Tweet 3 Pinocchio’s

By William Teach July 9, 2012 – 8:28 am

Let’s face it, Team Obama likes to stretch the truth, if not out right lie, in order to smear opponents. The number of un-truths, stretches, and lies that are going into Obama campaign fodder is a daily occurrence. It would take a giant post to list all the false ads. He can’t win on his record, so Team O is going negative and false. During a 30 day period ending July 2nd 76% of Obama’s ads were negative. And here comes more

(Washington Post) “FACT: In 2010 and 2011, Romney paid less than 15% in taxes on $42.5 million in income—much less than what many middle-class families pay.”

— Tweet by @BarackObama, July 3, 2012

We are avid readers of tweets by @BarackObama, though of course it is not the president himself but his campaign team that posts them. We are also very curious when politicians claim they have uttered “a fact.”

So, is it really true that the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, who is very wealthy, pays a tax rate “much less” than “many” middle-class families?

In a word, no.

First, one can see that for all the rhetoric about high taxes in the United States, most Americans pay a relatively small percentage of their income in taxes. Second, Romney had an effective rate of 13.9 percent in 2010 and 15.4 percent in 2011, which gives him a higher rate than 80 percent of taxpayers in the first method and puts him just about in the middle of all taxpayers in the second method.

And let’s not forget that under those net tax rates, Romney still pays around $3 million of his earnings to the federal treasury. So, as has become the norm with the Obama campaign

The Obama campaign’s tweet relies on a very slippery “fact.”

Romney, by receiving much of his income in capital gains and dividends and giving millions of dollars to charity, is certainly able to keep his effective tax rate relatively low, especially compared to a wealthy person who earns much of his or her income in salary. But, even so, Romney still pays an effective tax rate that is higher than the tax rate paid by most Americans.

And the Glenn Kessler, the fact checker, gives Team Obama 3 Pinocchio’s.

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.

Read: Washington Post Fact Checker Gives Obama Tweet 3 Pinocchio’s »

Posted in Barry Obama, Elections | 4 Comments | Trackback URL

Watcher Of Weasels Forum Up: Romney’s Running Mate

By William Teach July 9, 2012 – 8:05 am

You’ll remember the other day I wrote a short post regarding who I think Mitt Romney will pick as his running mate. Over at The Watcher’s Council forum many other folks chime in on their picks. Head on over at check it out.

Read: Watcher Of Weasels Forum Up: Romney’s Running Mate »

Posted in Romney | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

Yet Another “This Is What Globull Warming Regulations Looks Like”

By William Teach July 8, 2012 – 5:02 pm

A view of the future as globull warming regulations and stuff are passed: After the Storm: The Haves and the Have-Nots

Here’s part of the 1,009-word missive that Bush tapped out on her cell phone:

Over the last 4 and a half days, I’ve seen families struggle over what to eat when most of the food has spoiled. I’ve personally had to wait in line for gas, praying they wouldn’t run out before I got my fill. I’ve taken cold showers because there is no hot water (WT: because there’s no electricity). I’ve gone hunting for elusive ice that has become worth more than gold, and not found any. I’ve seen fights break out over basic necessaries, because nerves are becoming frayed from the stress of the heat and lack of water.

Kate Sheppard pushes the notion that we can expect more of this thanks to hotcoldwetdry because you, dear reader, decided to use your ice maker and record a few shows on your DVR. We can expect long lines for fuel and rolling blackouts and brownouts. I wonder if Kate will complain next week when temperatures are at or below normal?

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Posted in AGW Idiocy, Global Warming | 4 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach July 8, 2012 – 1:00 pm

…is a wonderful non-carbon powered mode of transportation, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Jammie Wearing Fools.

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup

By William Teach July 8, 2012 – 8:04 am

Happy Sunday! Another gorgeous, and hot, day in America, though relief is right around the corner. This pinup is by Gil Elvgren, with a wee bit of help.

What is happening in Ye Olde Blogosphere? The Fine 15

  1. The First Street Journal beats up on excitable Juan Cole
  2. The Lonely Conservative beats up on excitable Barack Obama and his “I’ve tried real hard” comment
  3. The Jawa Report beats up on Obama over his Sharia czar
  4. Jammie Wearing Fool highlights all the IRS agents to come under Obamacare
  5. Ed Morrissey tells Obama to stop with the “I inherited” garbage
  6. Dan Riehl points out that the media has already done more digging on Romney than they did all of 2008 on Obama
  7. Gay Patriot contrasts Obama’s economic “recovery” with Reagan’s
  8. Public Secrets points out why California’s can’t have nice things
  9. Powerline wonders who’s really secretive
  10. Weasel Zippers features Holder pandering to the bigots at La Raza
  11. Wizbang highlights that Obama is not offering to pay your power bill
  12. Wake Up America explains exactly what Obama has done for Blacks and Hispanics
  13. This ain’t Hell… discusses how peace talks inspire more terrorist groups
  14. The Daley Gator shows liberals what real charity and compassion looks like
  15. And last, but not least, congratulations to Political Junkie Mom and family on the new edition!

As always, the full set of pinups can be seen in the Patriotic Pinup category, or over at my Gallery page. While we are on pinups, since it is that time of year, have you gotten your “Pinups for Vets” calendar yet? And don’t forget to check out what I declare to be our War on Women Rule 5 and linky luv posts

Note: I’m on the road today traveling to see the parents, so I did this post Saturday night, hence, any “Last Weeks” or LW goes to the website’s home page, regardless of the place holder material I’ve left. I’ll try and update Sunday night or Monday morning

Anyone else have a link or hotty-fest going on? Let me know so I can add you to the list. (BTW, since someone asked, the reason I leave links for the previous week up (or you might see a *) is because they are place holders for later in the day or for next weeks. Easier than rewriting all the time. Also, the listing order has to do with how they are added over time, not how good a post is. I just copy and paste from the previous week, then edit. If you see one of the *’s, go ahead and check out the blog anyhow, see if there is an update. I cannot update with my Android during the day.

The posts do take a long time, so, if you want to send me your links for Rule 5 babeage or links, use ye olde email in the header bar (remove the NOSPAM part). Preferably, create the html link so I can copy and paste how you want it to read.

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Posted in Patriotic Pinup | 4 Comments | Trackback URL

Politico Offers 5 Ways To Kill Obamacare Without Repeal

By William Teach July 8, 2012 – 8:01 am

Romney has said that “What the Court did not do on its last day in session, I will do on my first day if elected President of the United States. And that is I will act to repeal Obamacare.” Obviously, that doesn’t mean he will abolish it by executive order, as many liberals, including the article over at the Politico, thinks. What that means is that he wants the Republican Congress, provided the GOP takeover the Senate and hold the House, to pass legislation to repeal this horrific and un-American legislation, and replace it with common sense ideas. As the Politico article points out, there are methods Romney can use even without legislation to gum up the works

1. Break the federal exchanges – Under the law, the federal government is supposed to build health insurance exchanges for states that don’t create their own.

But with Romney’s help, those states could defeat that effort, too, even if the law remains unchanged.

A quirk in the language of the law — which the law’s supporters call a “drafting error” — could allow Romney to make it basically impossible for federally run exchanges to function. That’s because the law doesn’t explicitly give federal exchanges the ability to provide the same insurance subsidies that it will give to state-run exchanges.

Obama’s Internal Revenue Service issued rules intended to eliminate this problem, but Romney’s IRS could reverse that interpretation of the law.

Then you get

2. Starve the federal exchanges –

Romney and the GOP could make sure that the Federal exchanges never see any more money, because the Democrats who wrote and passed Obamacare forgot to offer a means to fund them. Oops!

3. Withdraw rules – A new administration can’t just change existing rules that its predecessors have gotten into final form. That requires a full rulemaking process, and they have to prove they have a “rational” reason for the change.

Actually, Politico made a mistake here, because the Affordable Care Act gave enormous latitude and power to the director of HHS to create the rules. The phrase “the director of HHS shall/may” is scattered throughout the bill, allow said director to determine what the rules shall be. A Romney appointed director can change it all. Which Politico points out in the next bullet point

4. Be very ‘flexible’ – The secretary of HHS is in charge of ultimately certifying whether states are enforcing provisions of the law or whether the federal government needs to use its backup enforcement powers.

That means that a Romney HHS secretary could let states and employers get away with things an Obama secretary likely wouldn’t. That could include certifying state-based exchanges that don’t meet many of the law’s requirements, or giving broader latitude to companies that don’t want to update their insurance plans to meet the letter of the law.

Finally, we get to

5. Do nothing – He could stop the writing of the remaining rules to implement the law, stop Medicare from moving ahead with programs to find new ways to pay providers, stop the IRS from enforcing the individual mandate and even stop Medicaid officials from facilitating the expansion of the program in the states that want it.

So, a President Romney would have options to gum up the works with Obamacare even without full control of Congress by the Republican party. Expect massive teeth gnashing and Moonbat Level 10 from liberals.

Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU.

Read: Politico Offers 5 Ways To Kill Obamacare Without Repeal »

Posted in Healthcare, Romney | 2 Comments | Trackback URL

Who I Think Mitt Romney Will Pick For VP

By William Teach July 7, 2012 – 6:25 pm

Over at Watcher Of Weasels, this week’s question is: Whom do you think Mitt Romney will pick as his running mate and whom would you pick? Good question. (Make sure to head over to WOW Monday to see all the answers)

There are lots of good choices out there. Bobby Jindal. Marco Rubio. Paul Ryan. Many others. Many have talked about Mitt picking a vanilla male running mate, someone who won’t over-shadow him, ala Sarah Palin with John McCain. Mitt certainly doesn’t want someone who is going to overshadow his run for the White House, but someone who will be a compliment and provide stability, knowledge, capability, and power. With the way the election is playing out, Romney doesn’t need a Southerner to offset his Yankee-ness. Ann Romney has talked about Mitt picking a woman, and while there are some excellent candidates, the best is Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wa.)

Rodgers was first elected in 2004, and has worked her way up to being vice-chair of the House Republican conference, and the GOP’s fourth most powerful official. She’s worked on the Armed Services and energy committees. She has a 96 percent rating from the American Conservative Union. The Club For Growth rated her with a 94. Rodgers is stable, knowledgeable, capable, won’t make massive gaffes, and is no wilting flower. She knows how to fight back. People give her respect, because she has earned respect. She’d help Romney tremendously with the military vote, as she is married, with children, to a retired officer. Over-all, a fantastic choice, and the choice Mitt will make.

Read: Who I Think Mitt Romney Will Pick For VP »

Posted in GOP, Romney | 7 Comments | Trackback URL

For Crummy Jobs Report, 25K Were Just Temporary Workers

By William Teach July 7, 2012 – 4:03 pm

Remember, you aren’t supposed to read too much into the jobs report

June 2012: “Therefore, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report and it is informative to consider each report in the context of other data that are becoming available.” (LINK: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/07/06/employment-situation-june)

They’ve been saying the same thing for years, month after month. But, unlike most times, the hiring of temporary workers isn’t a sign that things are getting better, despite some early spin from USA Today

A bright spot appeared to peek through Friday’s disappointing jobs report: The number of temporary workers rose by 25,000, making up nearly a third of the total 80,000 payroll gains in June.

Hooray, we’re saved!!!!!!!….oh, wait

The hiring of temporary employees traditionally augurs the addition of permanent staff. As employers grow more confident about their own needs and the economy, they convert contingent workers to staffers after several months, or bring on other employees.

While that’s still the case, staffing firms and company executives say temporary employees are keeping that status longer, in part due to nervousness about the unsettled economy. Also, many businesses are using contractors and other temp workers on an ongoing basis to better meet fluctuating demand and enlist workers with specialized skills for short-term projects. Firms also can save on benefits costs.

They keep trying to spin this as good news, then contradicting themselves. Because they aren’t converting those workers. They are worried about Obama’s unsettled economy. And benefits (cough Obamacare cough).

Partly as a result, the addition of contingent workers the past two years hasn’t consistently led to stronger permanent job growth. The number of temp workers placed by staffing firms is up 20% since June 2010, while total payrolls are up just 2.3%.

Manpower CEO Jeff Joerres says about 30% of the temporary employees his staffing firm has placed this year have been converted to permanent vs. 45% last year. “They’re loath to hire because they’ve been burned too many times” in a halting recovery, he says.

Don’t read too much into one month’s jobs report that highlights consistently poor data for the last two years.

Read: For Crummy Jobs Report, 25K Were Just Temporary Workers »

Posted in Barry Obama, Economy | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach July 7, 2012 – 1:00 pm

…is a world flooded because of the world’s most carbon polluting nation, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is bRight & Early, with a flag in the header.

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Posted in If All You See | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

As Everyone Freaks Out Over Heat Wave, A Bit Of Globull Warming Reality

By William Teach July 7, 2012 – 8:28 am

Over the past 10 days or so, we’ve been treated to a litany of unhinged discourse about this being what “global warming/climate change looks like.” If that’s so, then why do we have this, via Joe Bastardi (via Tom Nelson)

climate clowns, willing sheep in MSM wont show reality . US hot spot outweighed by cold other area.. GLOBALLY)

Notice that the global anomoly is -.007C. With most of the Earths landmass where there are weather gauges being in what used to be traditionally called “summer.” DC used to be much hotter back in the 1930’s when few had fossil fueled vehicles and CO2 was under 350ppm.

I wonder if next week will be what global warming looks likes, as temps from the hearland to the east coast will be at or below average? We’ve been told that charging your iPhone causes the weather to be hot and cold. Will it also cause average?

Read: As Everyone Freaks Out Over Heat Wave, A Bit Of Globull Warming Reality »

Posted in Collapsing Science, Global Warming | 2 Comments | Trackback URL
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