Congress wants to stop passing resolutions celebrating sports teams

As newly minted House Majority leader John Boehner points out in his weekly blog, not only are the Republicans going to cut wasteful spending, but also  useless debate in the House chamber as well. 

Specifically, Boehner and Eric Cantor, the new Majority Whip for the House, want to do away with resolutions that commemorate things like: "Recognizing Gail Abarbanel and the Rape Treatment Center,’ ‘Honoring the 30th Anniversary of the Bayh-Dole Act,’ and ‘Recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of Ruby Bridges desegregating a previously all-white public elementary school.’

But Boehner has taken a particular disliking to other useless resolutions: such as those that congratulate a sports team: 

"With all the challenges facing our nation, it is absurd that Congress spends so much time on naming post offices, congratulating sports teams, and celebrating the birthdays of historical figures," writes Boehner in his blog.

Ok, so I have to admit, while I find this debate itself to be a bit of a waste of time, I have to agree with Boehner and the Republicans. With staggering unemployment, a $13 trillion federal deficit, and two major wars being fought in the Middle East, he and the GOP have a point. 

But that means that future Americans will never get to watch their elected officials make fools of themselves by trying to congratulate a team they hardly even watch or follow, as is the case of 'life-long' Florida Gators fan Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL) (click on the link below for a real laugh)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvRbO73vfXc

President Bush is making a comeback...and Democrats are loving it

Thought the "Blame Bush" game was sooooo last election year? Think again. The 43rd President rears his head at the worst time for the GOP.

 Dubya's out with a new book, titled "Decision Points", set to be released November 9, a week after the hotly contested congressional elections. The timing of the book has some Republican operatives fuming. 


Matt Latimer from the blog, The Daily Beast aptly described Republican frustration: 

Monumentally bad timing" was the reaction of one former Bush aide who learned of the book release date. Another prominent conservative compared the Bushies' public-relations savvy to LeBron James. "Selfish and stupid" was another noted right-wing columnist's reaction.

Some Bush-era issues are being making a comeback as well: 


--When asked what his greatest failure was during his eight years in office, he told attendees at a trade conference in Chicago it was his administration's failure to privatize social security. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats have jumped on the comments, warning seniors that the Republicans will turn over social security to Wall Street ...just like Bush wanted.


--In an election year when bailouts are a vulgar, four letter word, the former President said that his choice to use taxpayer dollars to bailout Wall Street back in 2008 wasn't hard. 


--To make matters worse, Wikileaks released 400,000 top-secret documents on the Iraq War today, bringing to light various military abuses during the Bush Administration, something that is sure to get anti-war liberals fired up. 


While this may seem like a godsend for Dems, it comes too little, too late. The 'Blame Bush' game will only help them win a handful of seats, as the GOP is set to take back the House, with a few wins in the Senate. 


--JM

Uncle Luke gives Obama an A

Uncle Luke (pictured above) of 2 Live Crew fame, who helped give UM it's bad boy image in the 80's, weighs in on Obama's first two years. 

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2010-10-07/news/obama-is-supernegro/

Politico: Newt Gingrich outraises all GOP 2012 rivals

Back in the 1990's then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was the face of conservative opposition to President Bill Clinton.

In 2012, he hopes to be the same against President Obama.

Even in the face of better known, younger candidates seeking the Republican nomination for president, Gingrich, 67, has raised more money than Romney and Palin--combined.

The majority of Gingrich's cash flow comes from a 527-group, American Solutions for Winning the Future, which is allowed to accept unlimited monetary donations, while Romney and Palin political action committees (PAC's) are forbidden from accepting corporate donations and cap individual donations at $5,000 per year. This year, the group raised $9.9 million, almost twice as much as Romney PAC's, which racked up $5.1 million, while dwarfing Tea-Party favorite Sarah Palin PAC, which raised $2.5 million this year.

While this may seem to bode well for the former Speaker: there's just one problem: money from American Solutions can't be used directly for Gingrich's presidential run.

It is legally barred from giving to Gingrich's 2012 campaign (if he decides to do so). The 527 group also can't donate money to other like-minded political candidates running in the midterms, some of which could offer Gingrich financial and political support after they are elected. In contrast, Gingrich's PAC has raised only a miniscule amount of money this year compared to big shots like Palin and Romney.
The question leading up to the 2012 elections will be if Gingrich is truly serious about his presidential ambitions, or if he is merely using American Solutions to advocate for certain pet causes. Gingrich may be the best choice for Republicans because of his extensive resume, as well as his nearly flawless delivery as a speaker. Still, his past could come back to haunt him, as details of infidelity during the Clinton impeachment proceedings have been uncovered.
JM

This is a test

I'm testing out this blog for the first time.

That is all.

JM