Blog @ MoreWhat.com

With Congress not in session there has been less reason or urgency to monitor House and Senate websites. A casual pass by several of the usual suspects is responsible for the following small tidbit. Most of the quotes and the post itself are from March of this year. But it is still relevant. Read it with the caveat that members of political parties do not promote bipartisanship from a position of strength. The news media and blogs are filled with stories about the GOP fall from grace in abandoning longstanding conservative principles even if the effort was never unanimous. And to a lesser degree the question is always present on how long it will take the Democratic party majority to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

To repeat , no members of political parties promote bipartisanship from a position of strength. This means the White House and Congress being filled almost exclusively by members of both parties are aware of their own peril. Polls show it. Public outrage shows it. And even some of the politicians themselves show it. That is one reason this post with an item from the Republican Senate leadership website is presented.

Anyone who is concerned about the future of our country has cause to worry.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Budget Chairman And 14 Senate Dems Decry Fast-Tracking Energy Tax, Health Care Reforms But Take No Responsibility For Removing The Option

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND) ON FAST TRACKING SWEEPING REFORMS: “I would just say I am going to argue strenuously against it in conference committee. The Senator asked me what will be the result. I don’t know. Am I going to be able to prevail in the conference committee on this matter? I don’t know.” (Sen. Conrad, Congressional Record, S.3957, 3/30/09)

SEN. KENT CONRAD (D-ND): “I have said publicly and privately what I believe. I don’t believe reconciliation was ever intended for the purpose of writing this kind of substantive reform legislation such as health care reform, such as climate change.” (Sen. Conrad, Congressional Record, S.3957, 3/30/09)

SEN. ROBERT BYRD (D-WV): “I was one of the authors of the legislation that created the budget ‘reconciliation’ process in 1974, and I am certain that putting health-care reform and climate change legislation on a freight train through Congress is an outrage that must be resisted.” (“The End Of Bipartisanship For Obama’s Big Initiatives?” The Washington Post, 3/22/09)

SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT): “‘Reconciliation tends to be partisan,’ Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus said. ‘It’s not a good idea.’” (“Dems Resistant To Using Reconciliation For Climate Bill,” Congress Daily AM, 3/11/09)

SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “That’s a deal-breaker.” (“Obama Budget Set for Debate Next Week in U.S. House and Senate,” Bloomberg, 03/27/09)

SEN. BYRON DORGAN (D-ND): “It unnecessarily short circuits Congress’ ability to more fully debate this complex and multi-faceted public policy issue.” (Letter To Sens. Conrad & Gregg, 3/13/09)

SEN. TOM CARPER (D-DE): “And Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) warned Monday that Democrats could do ‘serious damage to our bipartisan effort’ if they start talking ‘in earnest about putting [health care reform] in reconciliation.’” (“GOP Warns About Budget Hardball,” Politico, 3/24/09)

SEN. RON WYDEN (D-OR): “[W]e want to do it by bringing Democrats and Republicans together and making the issue of reconciliation on the issue of health care reform irrelevant.” (Sen. Wyden, Congressional Record, S.3972, 3/30/09)

SEN. MARK BEGICH (D-AK): Q: “Will you commit to supporting efforts to bring up important legislation under budget reconciliation rules even if other moderate Democrats try to stop that?” SEN. BEGICH:
“I’ll tell you, Rachel, the answer is probably no.” (MSNBC, 3/19/09)

SEN. MARK PRYOR (D-AR): “I really do hope we follow the regular order around here.” (“Democrats Mull End-Run For Obama,” The Washington Times, 3/17/09)

SEN. JAY ROCKEFELLER (D-WV): “If you go for budget reconciliation, you’re basically going for a bill that goes nowhere.” (“Bipartisan Senate Group Makes Health-Care Progress,” TIME, 3/13/09)

RECONCILIATION LETTER SIGNED BY:

SENS. ROBERT BYRD (D-WV), EVAN BAYH (D-IN), ROBERT CASEY (D-PA), MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA), CARL LEVIN (D-MI), BLANCHE LINCOLN (D-AR), BEN NELSON (D-NE), & MARK PRYOR (D-AR)

“Using this procedure would circumvent normal Senate practice and would be inconsistent with the Administration’s stated goals of bipartisanship, cooperation, and openness.”
(Letter To Sens. Conrad & Gregg, 3/12/09)

###
SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

April 2, 2009 – 3:26 p.m.
Sebelius Confirmation Delayed by Bunning Objection to Timing
By John Reichard, CQ Staff

Senate confirmation of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to head the Department of Health and Human Services probably won’t take place until after the coming two-week recess because at least one senator has objected to an expedited procedure to move the nomination.

Finance Committee member Jim Bunning , R-Ky., confirmed Thursday night that he had objected to allowing the committee move up the finance panel’s vote.

“The rules that the Democrats made say that there’s a layover of two days,” Bunning said. “That’s what I objected to.”

Bunning said he also planned to oppose Sebelius’ nomination when the panel does hold a vote after the recess.

“I am going to vote ‘no’ on the nomination, but I wasn’t going to allow them to break their own rules,” he said.

Earlier Thursday, Committee Chairman Max Baucus , D-Mont. had predicted the Senate would confirm the nominee later that day.

The excerpt and link above provide an opportunity for members of the voting public to express their concern over confirming Kathleen Sebelius as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The GOP appears to have largely ignored this troubling nomination. It may be a case of choosing your battles when in the minority. But conceding this nomination to the liberals may prove to be a mistake from which dire circumstances will be exacerbated.

Sebelius is Obama’s ‘point person’ for so-called health care reform. While she may have some positive attributes being another nominee with tax problems and a strong proponent of abortion do not support her pursuit of Secretary of HHS. The person placed in that position will have substantial power over how you receive health care and what is or is not available.

Over the past few decades Americans have strongly opposed socialized medicine. Where are those voices now? Changing the name to universal health care is a political ploy. It does not change the fact that choice will be removed as well as other criteria Americans have come ot expect from their healthcare.

Even a documentary from the less than conservative Frontline on PBS left viewers with the impression the road to government run medical services is not cost effective nor in the recipient’s best interest. Again, you should inform your elected representative you do not want socialized medicine nor Kathleen Sebelius as the next Secretary of HHS. For she will be the one to take the heat on forcing Americans down a road they will regret. And President Obama will deflect criticism toward him as Sebelius becomes the willing scapegoat. But that won’t matter to most Americans because after she is gone and Obmaa too, you will still be stuck with whatever they succeed in taking from you and your healthcare.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

crossposted to:
Maggie’s Notebook
Conservative Thoughts

This is rich. An organization who never saw a tax dollar they didn’t like, especially when it is spent on them, the NEA, has audacity greater than President Obama to criticize Governor Sarah Palin in a story indicating she is rejecting stimulus money.

From the people who brought you flat line educational performance that cannot compete on a global scale they claim as the justification for unrestrained spending comes a criticism of a Governor who may say no to liberals.

“Logic-defying, dumb-founding, short-sighted – and a slap in the face to parents, children and educators across Alaska.” That’s how the National Education Association of Alaska is describing Governor Palin’s decision to reject more than $160 million of federal stimulus funds for Alaska education.

“Governor Palin has deliberately chosen to ignore the education needs of tens of thousands of children across Alaska. Her attempt to score short term gains will have long-term, dire consequences for our students and educators,” said Barb Angaiak, President of NEA-Alaska.

“Her message to our children is callously blunt: ‘In the interests of my political agenda, you’re on your own.’ The governor’s decision is unacceptable to the 13,000 members of NEA-Alaska – and it will be unacceptable to parents, students and all who are concerned about education in our state. Programs will be cut and class sizes will increase. And Governor Palin has rejected millions of dollars that would be used to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable children with disabilities or in need of special education programs.”

“The Governor tells us making Alaska an education leader is a priority. Then she says she will reject federal government funding to support our schools and educators,” Angaiak said.

There is an abundance of reports in the news slamming Gov Sarah Palin for rejecting at least some of the stimulus package funding. The first thing those who criticize ignore is that all government funding comes from taxpayers. The second thing they forget is that many who receive benefit from such funding have contributed little or nothing to the public coffers. It is evidence in the case of the National Education Association pointing to their dismal record on teaching. The math suggests the enormous debt facing this country will hamstring future generations more than ever before in history. Yet they charge Palin with short-sighted political motives for rejecting the cash. Yet they would take the money now, or anytime, regardless of the consequences. They also claim Palin’s rejection of funds will have long term negative effects on education in Alaska but fail to mention the long term negative effects of the national debt and deficit spending. Who has the real vision problem?

In addition to $160 million in education related funds, $50 million in energy related spending was reported to be rejected by Palin. Where is the NEA outrage over that? Oh, that’s right, it doesn’t count as it shouldn’t find its way to their pockets.

If the NEA wants to hold someone accountable they should invest in a mirror. But that would require another tax increase. The data exposing their failure year after year is out there for everyone to see. Yet they can only slam those who may question education spending that continues to increase while education results continue to flat line or decrease.

At the very least the NEA and teachers who support it are hypocrites. Just another special interest group lobbying for taxpayer money to fill their own pockets.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

A report from The Australian provides a handy overview of the forming AIG bonus scandal which points to many in the political majority of the US. Pelosi has said she’s not to blame or the House is not to blame and both Dodd and her point to the previous administration and the current one as the culprits.

But it looks like Obama’s wonder boy was and is at the center of the controversy. Which places more concern over amateur hour at the current White House and President Obama’s ability to lead.

Senator gave nod for AIG bonuses
David Nason, New York correspondent | March 20, 2009

FORMER Democrat presidential contender Chris Dodd has revealed himself as the author of a controversial amendment that cleared the way for the huge bonuses to be paid to executives of AIG, the insurance giant rescued by the US Government last year to avert a global financial meltdown.

The Senate banking committee chairman, who last year topped AIG’s political donations list with $US104,000 ($154,000), admitted to changing the executive pay provisions of the Obama administration’s $US787 billion stimulus bill.

Mr Geithner was in charge of the stimulus package negotiations, but appears to have been unaware of the executive pay changes until after the bill was signed into law.

Pelosi also suggested it is a matter of fact and record that the conference working out differences in the stimulus package did not deal with the AIG situation as indicated by Dodd. But the best part is while the GOP complained they were not allowed to participate that may now be a good thing. The liberals fingerprints are all over this one and it looks as if they get complete ownership of this fiasco as well as others related to economic problems and a lack of honest or qualified leadership.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Pelosi says she is not to be blamed for the AIG bonus amendment. She also says it is a matter of ‘ fact and record.’ If that is the case Nancy, provide the fact and record rather than asking people to take your ‘word’ or look for it themselves. If you do not provide the proof why should anyone believe you?

Don’t blame me on AIG, Pelosi says
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, speaking at her weekly presser this morning, says she had nothing - nothing — to do with Chris Dodd’s AIG amendment.

But the better part of all this distraction from the real problems is liberals attacking each other. Pelosi blames everyone else for the AIG bonus flap. Even the current White House is blamed by Dodd and Pelosi. Yet it seems Pelosi indicated Dodd was wrong on what happened with his amendment. They can’t all be right but they can all be wrong.

Pelosi: Don’t Blame Us for AIG Mess
By Ben Pershing

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pushed back strongly today at the suggestion that she or her fellow House Democrats might deserve any blame for the AIG bonus controversy, insisting that the real fault lay with the Bush administration and — to a lesser extent — the Senate and the White House.

If Pelosi is blaming the Senate, the White House, past and present and Bernanke then then is she agreeing with some reports which point to Secretary Tax Cheat of the Treasury Tim Geithner as authoring the bonus portion of the funding for AIG?

Pelosi Blames Bernanke Over AIG Bonus Fiasco
By COREY BOLES

WASHINGTON — House of Representatives Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke deserves at least part of the blame for American International Group Inc. executives receiving $165 million in bonuses at taxpayer expense.

Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Rep. Pelosi said it was the Fed that initially provided financial assistance to the beleaguered insurance giant in September, with little involvement from congressional lawmakers.

“The announcement was made by the chairman of the Fed [it] would be making this big infusion of cash into AIG without any prior notification to us,” Rep. Pelosi said. “We didn’t even know [the Fed] had that kind of money…That’s when it all started.”

The two items that provide the glare from these stories is that Pelosi, Obama and the rest of those in the majority are dead wrong when they claim government operations, especially Congress, are transparent and they are taking focus off the real target of properly attending to this nation’s economic problems and policy decisions.

They would do this because they are screwing up worse than those they want to blame for the problems. The growing ‘backlash’ against those charged with leading our country will reach the tipping point if matters don’t improve soon. The apathetic nature and short memory of the public at large will hold them (politicians) responsible above the culpability of any other participants if the madness does not subside.

But there are so many politicians guilty of some misdeed related to economic scandals of late that doing the right thing requires some political careers to be destroyed. Who will be first?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Look beyond the bogus bonus smokescreen (Michelle Malkin) 

Some time ago The Christian Science Monitor went internet only as just another print media failure to learn. The NYT is holding themselves under water. Just recently the Rocky Mountain News went toes up and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer may be the most recent MSM fatality. If WaPo continues to be complicit or incompetent with their style of so-called journalism they may be next.

A quick survey of a recent news feed from the Washington Post offers an abundance of what has become typical reporting from most major outlets in the American press. Here are some examples.

How the Fed Failed to Tell Obama About The Bonuses

Federal Reserve officials knew for months about bonuses at American International Group but failed to tell the Obama administration, according to government and company officials, exposing problems in a relationship that is vital to addressing the financial crisis.

The White House didn’t know. Treasury Tax Cheat Secretary Geithner was ’shocked to learn’ about this. And pigs fly.

Reporting System for Lobbyists Called Inaccurate, Inadequate

The lobbying firm that features Democratic power broker Harold Ickes reported earning nearly $700,000 from its clients last year. But according to disclosure reports filed with Congress, more than half of the money was spent on no lobbying at all.

Which is worse, bad reporting or news that isn’t news? Did anyone really expect the Senate Public Disclosure system to effectively illuminate the lobby business. That would be equivalent to criminals sending accurate reports of their activities to law enforcement. If you ever spent time using such resources the thought of donating a week’s vacation for enough time to ‘follow the money’ may have convinced you to abandon your search which is exactly the expectation by those providing it.

Obama, in Calif., Says He Hopes To Return ‘Balance’ to Economy

COSTA MESA, Calif., March 18 — Striking a sharp populist tone, President Obama used a town hall meeting here Wednesday to argue that he is “trying to bring balance back to our economy” after years when only the wealthiest Americans benefited from government policy and lack of regulation.

No subtle finger pointing or liberal support featured in this piece. In the excerpt alone suggesting only the wealthy benefit from government policy omits the very real manipulaton of the now troubled banking system forcing no docs loans and other high risk mortgages to comply with lending requirements for banks to service and provide home purchases to those who could not afford it. Lack of regulation is equally a poor choice to describe hiding the truth about Fannie and Freddie in the days leading up to the subprime meltdown. Maybe now that Senator Dodd, President Obama and Tax Cheat Geithner are being exposed for their role in the AIG mess more reports from those not beholding to the Democratic party will include the rest of the story on the liberal agenda past, present and future.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

The only thing better than Senator Dodd admitting he is responsible for the AIG bonus fiasco is him blaming the Obama Administration for insisting on it. The added ‘bonus’ (pun intended) is liberals still claiming it is someone else’s fault.

US Sen Dodd Blames Administration For Changes To Executive Comp Rules

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The chairman of the Senate Banking Committee said it was the Obama administration who pushed for changes to executive compensation restrictions that may have allowed American International Group Inc. (AIG) to issue millions in bonuses that have set off a public outcry.

Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said an amendment to the economic stimulus legislation that he authored was not intended to protect the troubled insurer, and he denied knowing about the controversial bonus program until last week.

In a post earlier on this blog the public’s outrage and desire for their pound of flesh from AIG was suggested to be reasonable only if bonuses were somehow concocted after AIG knew public funding would be forthcoming and their was some sort of sinister arrangement between the bailout and the bonuses. It was a short wiat for the information and the news reports are coming fast and furious. So go ahead America, enjoy your pound of flesh courtesy of Senator Dodd and the Obama Administration.

4 Fannie Execs Each to Get $400K in Govt.-Okayed Bonuses

At least four Fannie Mae executives are slated to receive more than $400,000 in bonuses each this year as a result of the company’s government-approved retention program, The Post’s Zach Goldfarb reports.

Fannie Mae, which suffered $59 billion in losses last year, has requested $15 billion in taxpayer assistance, and has said it expects to need plenty more.

It just keeps on getting better. Not only is the news beginning to demonstrate what many have been saying for months, that Dodd, Frank and other liberals were neck deep in the subprime mess, but now more news on Fannie Mae execs are getting bonuses for causing billions more in losses at the tainted GSE. Not to be outdone by the GOP and their fall from grace, the liberals and their D party are already in flames since the 2006 midterms and last year’s Presidential election. Hillary Clinton has to be cackling herself to sleep at night wondering if her deals with Obama and becoming Secretary of Moscow Overcharge (remember her team’s language barrier?) will get her in the White House before 2012?

Here are two more great headlines and excerpts:
Dodd won’t take blame for AIG bonuses
Journal Inquirer -
Christopher J. Dodd is denying that he’s to blame for the $165 million in bonuses handed out to 418 employees of the taxpayer bailed-out American …

Let’s see. Dodd denies creating the ‘loophole’ for exec bonuses in taxpayer funded bailouts. Then…..

Dodd admits inserting loophole in stimulus for bonuses
Norwalk Advocate -
Christopher Dodd for the first time Wednesday acknowledged he was instrumental in creating legislation that cleared the way for disgraced executives at …

Which Dodd lie is the American public supposed to believe? It doesn’t matter. At this rate their will be plenty more of them by tomorrow.

Chris Dodd (D): Real Estate Scandals at Home and Abroad | KXNet …
KXMC - ?Mar 15, 2009?
Like his fearless leader, Barack Obama, Chris Dodd had a little help from his friends when it came to buying an expensive ten acre island property on …

Funny how much of what the loyal opposition was being criticized for when it comes to pointing out liberal ties to the subprime meltdown and other precursors to economic woes and the Democratic party’s socialist agenda is finally being echoed in the MSM. And in record time the libs are making good on their proclivity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. That may be the only natural predator of socialist agendas in America. That the evil intentions of Democratic party politics cannot survive their own sinister plots.

Stay tuned their almost certainly has to be more entertainment provided by the party who brought us The New Deal in the days ahead including tomorrow.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

There’s a nice little chronology in the news headlines. Rep Maxine Waters (D-CA) is under scrutiny due to a story she arranged for bailout funds to a bank on which her husband is a board member. You can view her press release here. Below there are headlines that outline the story. Waters defends her advocacy. Then Waters defends her ties to banks. She denies acting improperly. She denies wrongdoing. And then there is Congresswoman tied to bank, helped seek funds and a personal bailout.

That’s the troublesome part. A personal bailout that may be for $50 million dollars. Makes you wonder if advocacy pays. Also makes you wonder what the driving force behind bailouts is. Many politicians who voted for the bailouts use the lame excuse that something had to be done but they don’t like the bills offered. The relevant question would then be if you’re the legislators and you didn’t like the legislation why did you pass it? That may be a rhetorical question as it is in their best interest and not yours.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Waters defends bank advocacy

Contra Costa Times -
By Gene Maddaus, Staff Writer Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, defended herself Friday from criticism over a meeting she arranged last fall between Treasury Department officials and executives of a bank in which her husband owned stock. …

Maxine Waters defends her ties to banks

Los Angeles Times -
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) today defended her efforts to help minority-owned banks — including one with ties to her husband - survive the financial crisis, and scoffed at the notion that she could sway the Bush administration’s actions. ...

Waters Denies Improperly Aiding Bank Where Husband Was Board Member

CQPolitics.com -
By Bennett Roth, CQ Staff Rep. Maxine Waters said Friday she had not sought special favors for a Massachusetts-based bank where her husband had been a board member. Watchdog groups claimed the California Democrat took inappropriate actions on behalf of …

Rep. Waters denies wrongdoing in bank bailout

The Hill -
By Mike Soraghan Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) is lashing back at newspaper investigations that accuse her of exerting undue influence in securing bailout money for a bank. Waters says she did nothing improper and didn’t even attend a meeting at the …

Congresswoman, Tied to Bank, Helped Seek Funds

New York Times -
By ERIC LIPTON and JIM RUTENBERG WASHINGTON — Top federal regulators say they were taken aback when they learned that a California congresswoman who helped set up a meeting with bankers last year had family financial ties to a bank whose chief …

A Personal Bailout

Harper’s Magazine -
By Ken Silverstein Top banking regulators were taken aback late last year when a California congresswoman helped set up a meeting in which the chief executive of a bank with financial ties to her family asked them for up to $50 million in special …

from her congressional website bio…..

Congresswoman Maxine Waters is considered by many to be one of the most powerful women in American politics today. She has gained a reputation as a fearless and outspoken advocate for women, children, people of color and the poor.

Elected in November 2008 to her tenth term in the House of Representatives with an overwhelming 80 percent of the votes in the 35th District of California, Congresswoman Maxine Waters represents a large part of South Central Los Angeles, the communities of Westchester and Playa Del Rey as well as the diverse cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood and Lawndale.

She continues to be a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Chairwoman of its Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. She also serves on the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, and the Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy, Trade and Technology.

She also continues to serve on the Committee on the Judiciary and its Subcommittees on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, and on Immigration, Border Security and Claims.

crossposted to:
Maggie’s Notebook
Conservative Thoughts

(from Wordnet; ’scourge’: lay waste to: cause extensive destruction or ruin)

Neither major political party has done anything one can notice about ending politics as usual in Washington and the ever present plague of lobbyists. Some argue that lobbying is simply engaging the process and the public’s right to make their preferences known to politicians. But everyone knows lobbying is simply buying influence.

GOP still dominates drug lobby

By CHRIS FRATES | 3/12/09
With Democrats in charge of both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, this really ought to be a no-brainer: Should GlaxoSmithKline put a Democrat or a Republican in charge of its Washington lobbying shop?

The in-house lobbying shops of at least eight of the nation’s largest drug companies are still run by Republicans, even as the industry’s major trade association, PhRMA, is desperately trying to cozy up to Democrats who now control both the Congress and the White House.

“They’re dealing with us the same way they dealt with us when we were in the minority, and we’re not,” said a Democratic House health staffer. “We literally don’t know where all the different companies stand on anything, so we just don’t care.”

Obama has set his sights on healthcare among other things. With another of his campaign promises tossed in the trash any optimism that politics as usual would end, including lobbying, has been reduced to a laughable footnote as expected for 21st century governing.

A Republican Congressman who is an outspoken critic of earmarks, Jeff Flake, (R-AZ) has a resolution in Congress related to lobbying. Here is an excerpt.

Raising a question of the privileges of the House.

Whereas The Hill reported on February 10, 2009, that `a top defense-lobbying firm’ that `specializes in obtaining earmarks in the defense budget for a long list of clients’ was `recently raided by the FBI.’;

Whereas the Associated Press reported on February 25, 2009 that the `FBI searched the lobbying firm … and the residence of its founder … .’;

Whereas The Hill reported on March 4, 2009, that the firm `has given $3.4 million to 284 Members of Congress’;

This resolution is to accomplish what exactly? Obama said no lobbyists will work in his White House. Really? How many lobbyists now work in the Obama Administration? Last tally taken through reports from various outlets suggested the number was at least a dozen.

GOP targets Dems for ethics complaints

March 10, 2009
WASHINGTON, Mar 10, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) — Congressional Republicans are filing ethics complaints against Democrats in an effort to put pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., analysts say.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., has filed three resolutions calling for a House ethics committee investigation centering on the relationship between Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., and PMA Group, a lobbying organization raided last year by federal authorities, the Washington publication Politico reported Tuesday. The House defeated one of the resolutions last week and is set to vote on the re-filed resolution later this week.

Liberals can raise the issue as is mentioned in the report above of the Tom Delay saga and conservatives can beat the drum over Murtha and PMA Group. But this is just another partisan mud slinging contest which serves no useful purpose. You either put an end to lobbying or you do not. It is that simple.

To dismiss the case against lobbying as merely a part of doing business is tantamount to admitting the purchase of public officials has Congressional approval. Which draws the logical conclusion that therefore the principles documented in the founding of our nation only receive lip service from those elected or appointed to act on the citizen’s behalf in governing the United States of America.

The dishonesty of lobbying or paying to play or buying executive, judicial or legislative outcomes cannot be overstated. Until this practice is eliminated the tainted legacy of Washington politics will continue to overshadow those ideals for which many have fought and died during the short history of this republic. Again, to merely dismiss this practice as the cost of doing business is a slap in the face to those whose legacy includes the ultimate sacrifice.

For public officials to have no shame in this regard serves as an indictment of who they are and the lack of character of those elected to serve in the public interest. It also adds to the suspicion other citizens of the world may have regarding our sincerity to do the right thing. If the current Administration and both major political parties are truly intereested in improving this nation’s image around the world this would be an excellent place to start.

But most of you know the odds of that ever happpening.

Here’s a tidbit related to the recent lobbying fiasco in the news.

The announcement comes as news broke on Monday that the FBI raided PMA’s offices in November.

Magliocchetti was a long-time aide for Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) on the House defense appropriations panel. PMA specializes in obtaining earmarks in the defense budget for a long list of clients.

Like other vermin in nature when exposed these fine examples simply start another company and business continues as usual buying outcomes from elected officials.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
Hmmm: Obama technology official’s office raided by FBI; employee charged in bribery sting (Michelle Malkin)

The public should be able to review this mess before the socialists vote on it. How about the latest economic news featuring jobless claims and retail sales? Sales are up 1% and jobless claims decreased without any porkulus package. Evidence that free markets can improve without government meddling wasting taxpayer money.

Obama nears win on stimulus plan to boost economy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lawmakers prepared on Thursday to pass a $789 billion stimulus package to revive the struggling economy in a victory for President Barack Obama that some warned may have costly consequences.

Obama’s man Geithner should be having some interesting conversations with the new President lately. If not, Obama is more clueless than originally thought or simply more subversive.

U.S. to weigh if more needed for bank bailout: Geithner
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Wednesday he would inform Congress as soon as possible if more taxpayer money were needed to salvage the banking sector as part of the effort to reinvigorate the economy.

Cannot help but make the connection between the Senate Intelligence Committee and mutually exclusive terms.

Senate panel approves Panetta to be next CIA chief
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leon Panetta, U.S. President Barack Obama’s choice to head the Central Intelligence Agency, was approved on Wednesday by the Senate intelligence committee.

There is already a post on this topic at this blog. Mr Hope and Change drops the ball again.

Senate clears ex-lobbyist as Pentagon No. 2
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate approved William Lynn, a former Raytheon Co lobbyist, to be deputy secretary of defense after he received a special White House waiver from strict new rules meant to close a “revolving door” between government and big business.

And is it any real surprise that the list of tax cheats grows larger and Congress continues to approve them for confirmation to the full Senate? Solis should get a pass on her husband’s tax problems according to the wisdom of the liberal dominated Senate. If she is unable to influence her husband to do the right thing how can she inspire others under her proposed function in government? Not to mention there is no evidence to suggest she had a problem with her husband’s lax attitude toward taxes. If you can approve a tax evader for Treasury Secretary this move is not such a big leap. Unless you believe those in government should be at least as accountable as the rest of us are expected to be.

Obama’s labor nominee advances despite tax problem
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Senate panel on Wednesday recommended that President Barack Obama’s nominee for labor secretary be confirmed by the full Senate, nearly a week after tax questions had put her confirmation hearing on hold.

How’s that for some cranky news commentary?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

From nearly one month ago the following press release is presented as exhibit one for one Wisconsinite’s apology for the action of another Wisconsinite. The vast left wing conspiracy is alive and well in the Upper Midwest. The second line below the date of the press release demonstrates full knowledge by liberals that this dog won’t hunt. Sorry Gov Palin but I need to use the ‘lipstick’ reference (the original). There’s not enough lipstick to put on this pig. There is no credible evidence to support the notion that this bill will stabilize the economy nor restore public confidence whether intended or not.

Some may think blogs like this one have focused too much on this topic. It is only because there seems to be too little outrage displayed by the general public. Beyond this blog’s author contacting numerous members of Congress and no response from the Messiah at his wunnerful version of www.whitehouse.gov keeping this topic alive is the most pressing issue currently on the table. There are others of equal or greater importance perhaps but not right now.

If you are one of those the Dems need to payback for some favor you stand to gain from this package. If you are a lobbyist or other special interest like the National Education Association you stand to gain from this package. In nearly all other cases the only thing you will get from this massive pork legislation is the bill in the form of more taxes if you are lucky enough to keep your job or business operating. The burden placed on you will pay for the perks given to others. If that does not cause you to contact your elected rep in outrage nothing will and you deserve what you get.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

January 15, 2009

OBEY UNVEILS AMERICAN RECOVERY & REINVESTMENT BILL
Measure Intended to Stabilize the Economy and Restore Public Confidence

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Seventh District Congressman Dave Obey (D-WI) today unveiled details of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009, which is intended to help stabilize the economy and restore public confidence.

“The economy is in a crisis not seen since the Great Depression. Credit is frozen, consumer purchasing power is in decline, in the last four months the country has lost 2 million jobs and we are expected to lose another 3 to 5 million in the next year. Conservative economist Mark Zandi was blunt: ‘the economy is shutting down,’” Obey noted. “In the next two weeks, the Congress will be considering the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009. This package is the first crucial step in a concerted effort to create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, jumpstart our economy, and begin the process of transforming it for the 21st century with $275 billion in economic recovery tax cuts and $550 billion in thoughtful and carefully targeted priority investments with unprecedented accountability measures built in.”

The package that was unveiled today contains targeted efforts in:

• Clean, Efficient, American Energy
• Transforming our Economy with Science and Technology, including expanding Broadband Infrastructure for rural and underserved communities
• Modernizing Roads, Bridges, Transit and Waterways
• Education for the 21st Century
• Tax Cuts to Make Work Pay and Create Jobs
• Lowering Healthcare Costs
• Helping Workers Hurt by the Economy
• Saving Public Sector Jobs and Protect Vital Services

“The economy is in such trouble that, even with passage of this package, unemployment rates are expected to rise to between eight and nine percent this year. Without this package, we are warned that unemployment could explode to near twelve percent. With passage of this package, we will face a large deficit for years to come. Without it, those deficits will be devastating and we face the risk of economic chaos. Tough choices have been made in this legislation and fiscal discipline will demand more tough choices in years to come,” Obey added.

Obey pointed out that, since 2001, as worker productivity went up, 96% of the income growth in this country went to the wealthiest 10% of society. “While they were benefitting from record high worker productivity, the remaining 90% of Americans were struggling to sustain their standard of living. They sustained it by borrowing… and borrowing… and borrowing, and when they couldn’t borrow anymore, the bottom fell out,” Obey said, adding that “this plan will strengthen the middle class, not just Wall Street CEOs and special interests in Washington.”

“Our short term task is to try to prevent the loss of millions of jobs and get our economy moving,” Obey concluded. “The long term task is to make the needed investments that restore the ability of average middle income families to increase their income and build a decent future for their children.”

# # #

Update:

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

WASHINGTON. D.C. – A report by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Minority Staff contradicts assertions by the House Appropriations Committee that National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) lobbyist Craig Obey does not lobby the House Committee chaired by his father, Rep. David Obey. The House Appropriations Committee approved a $2 billion earmark for the National Parks Service lobbied for by Craig Obey and the NPCA.

Click here for the report

Update:

House GOP holds the line; Nancy’s leaving on a jet plane (Michelle Malkin) 

This is not about the porkulus bill but still significant. Much has been said about candidate Obama’s promises and delivery of same as President. A recurring theme is recruiting lobbyists for his administration. William J Lynn is no exception. A registered lobbyist until July and Senior Vice President of Government Operations and Strategy for Raytheon he was nominated and confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Defense this week.

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) voiced opposition on Obama’s selection. On his first day in office, Obama issued an executive order forcing individuals to wait two years before they could be hired for the agencies they had lobbied and to remove themselves from involvement in issues related to their former employers.

“Obviously the American people were promised one thing but delivered another,” said McCain, Obama’s opponent in the presidential election.

Grassley’s comments included mention of Lynn being yet another Obama pick from the former Clinton Administration. On Lynn’s time as comptroller at the Pentagon Grassley said the following: As chief financial officer, Lynn “advocated very questionable accounting practices that were obviously not in the public interest,” Grassley told his colleagues on the Senate floor.

Lynn’s lame expression of how and when he would recuse himself from ‘banned’ actiivties, as if being there wasn’t one of them, is compounded by the fact that McCain opposed this nomination but voted for Lynn anyway. At least Grassley voted against the confirmation as did three others.

You could say it does not matter how Senators vote after the 1/2 majority is reached for it does not affect the outcome. But there is the nagging obstacle with that argument called principle. You could say casting a vote for other reasons is a political necessity or reality but the same problem exists regarding principle. Sort of ironic to be discussing principle when the President promised no lobbyists would not be allowed, then changed his mind on the specifics and then his former campaign opponent expresses concern on the topic but votes in favor of a lobbyist confirmation anyhow.

The only part of Washington politics and hope and change from Obama and others is Washington still works the same way and they hope you won’t notice they did not change anything as promised in this regard. However a change in this republic to socialism is a stronger possibility no matter how often anyone dismisses the claim.

The roll call vote is of course listed below.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111^th Congress - 1^st Session

as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate

Vote Summary

Grouped By Vote Position
YEAs —93

NAYs —4

Not Voting - 2

ASSOCIATED PRESS: “Moments before the vote, the Congressional Budget Office issued a new estimate that put the cost at $838 billion, an increase from the $827 billion figure from last week.” (“Stimulus bill narrowly survives Senate test vote,” Associated Press, 02/09/09)

THE NEW YORK TIMES: “The Senate agreement on a roughly $827 billion economic stimulus bill sets up tough negotiations with the House, primarily over tens of billions of dollars in aid to states and local governments, tax provisions, and education, health and renewable energy programs.” (“Divisions Over the Competing Stimulus Bills,” The New York Times, 02/07/09)

ABC NEWS: “After hammering out a deal on a now-$780 billion stimulus package this evening, Senate leaders believe they have a bill that likely can pass a Senate vote some time in the coming days.” (“Senate Debates $780 Billion Stimulus Deal,” ABC NEWS, 02/06/09)

POLITICO: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) today announced a $56.2 billion stimulus package.” (“Second stimulus announced,” Politico, 09/25/08)

CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY: “The House Friday passed a $60.8 billion economic stimulus package designed to pump money into infrastructure projects, unemployment insurance and Medicaid, but a similar measure failed to advance in the Senate.” (“House Passes Stimulus Measure; Senate Proposal Fails,” CQ, 09/26/08)

McCLATCHY: “Washington is poised during the next 90 days to approve spending perhaps $100 billion to jolt the ailing economy.” (“Can a $100 billion stimulus save a $14 trillion economy?,” McClatchy, 11/09/08)

DENVER POST: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for a new $150 billion economic-stimulus package today and suggested Congress may need to act this year.” (“Pelosi: New stimulus package needed,” Denver Post, 10/08/08)

WASHINGTON TIMES: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed Wednesday to hold a lame-duck session to pass a $200 billion economic-stimulus package likely to include rebates to middle-class taxpayers, despite recent failure to enact less ambitious plans and Republican charges it is a ‘spending hike to exploit the nation’s economic troubles.’” (“ Lame-duck session eyed to OK stimulus,” Washington Times, 10/16/08)

WASHINGTON POST: “With fears rising that the nation stands on the precipice of a prolonged recession, House Democrats are contemplating a huge infusion of public cash — as much as $300 billion — to stoke economic growth by creating public jobs and padding the wallets of struggling consumers.” (“House Democrats Consider Large, New Economic Stimulus Package,” Washington Post, 10/14/08)

THE NEW YORK TIMES: “The programs will be a part of a larger economic stimulus package whose outlines are faint but which is expected to cost $400 billion to $500 billion.” (“Proposal Ties Economic Stimulus to Energy Plan,” The New York Times, 12/04/08)

McCLATCHY: “President-elect Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders have agreed to a $500 billion economic-stimulus package that they want to move next month even before Obama takes office.” (“Obama, Democrats Agree to $500 Billion Stimulus Package,” McClatchy, 12/13/08)

POLITICO: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has increased the size of the economic stimulus package she will support when Congress reconvenes next month, saying it will need to be $500 billion to $600 billion.” (“Pelosi sees bigger, greener stimulus,” Politico, 12/12/08)

WASHINGTON POST: “Facing an increasingly ominous economic outlook, President-elect Barack Obama and other Democrats are rapidly ratcheting up plans for a massive fiscal stimulus program that could total as much as $700 billion over the next two years.” (“Democrats’ Stimulus Plan May Reach $700 Billion,” Washington Post, 11/24/08)

WALL STREET JOURNAL: “President-elect Barack Obama’s economic team is crafting a stimulus package to send to Congress worth between $675 billion and $775 billion over two years, according to officials familiar with the package…” (“Stimulus Package Heads Toward $850 Billion,” The Wall Street Journal, 12/19/09)

THE NEW YORK TIMES: “Ask just about anyone in Washington involved in the $800-billion-plus economic stimulus legislation churning its way through Congress and they will tell you it is a milestone — but without question the less expensive, and politically and technically less chancy, part of the Great National Bailout of 2009.” (“Spending More Than $800 Billion Is the Easy Part,” The New York Times, 02/08/09)

###

Information provided by Senate Republicans Communication Center

The list of Senators not trusted by the owner of this blog is not provided in its entirety for this post. But two Senators are. They apparently represent Maine’s idea of having a pair. But that is not exactly what the reference suggests even metaphorically speaking. But then maybe pair refers to RINOs.

Collins could specifically define what she means by ‘targeted programs’. Under any circumstance the word ‘program’ generally means pork.

SENATOR COLLINS DISCUSSES ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA

February 4, 2009

U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today met personally with President Barack Obama to discuss her concerns with the proposed economic stimulus package. Senator Collins is leading a bipartisan group of her colleagues, including Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), to develop a final stimulus package that would boost our nation’s troubled economy and create and save jobs.

“President Obama and I had a productive and lengthy discussion about the economic stimulus package being considered by the Senate,” said Senator Collins. “We spoke about the importance of passing a bipartisan package that would include targeted programs and tax relief to help get the economy moving again.

“I explained to the President my serious concerns with the House-passed bill, which now exceeds $900 billion and includes spending for some programs that would neither boost the economy nor create jobs. That is why I am working so hard with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to forge a compromise. I also assured the President that I shared his goal of passing a recovery package as soon as possible.”

Senator Snowe describes herself as a ‘key centrist’ in the release below. It is sufficient to state these two Senators are engaged in political slight of hand. Accepting the rhetoric without proof of concept including evidence of pork removal from HR1 renders their spoken or printed words as nothing more than snake oil.

Snowe Supports Economic Stimulus Package to Boost American Economy & Create Jobs
Works as Consensus-Builder to Develop Bipartisan Compromise

February 6, 2009
Washington, D.C. -

U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), a senior member on the Senate Finance Committee, tonight announced her support for a $780 billion economic stimulus package that will produce new jobs and aid the ailing American economy. A key centrist in Congress, Senator Snowe played a pivotal role in working with the Administration and Senate Leadership to adjust the tax provisions in the economic stimulus legislation to help garner support to achieve the bipartisan compromise announced in the Senate.

“The catalogue of arguments in the Senate have spanned the gamut – from those who believed this bill initially was about the right size and the right balance to those who thought it was far too expensive, providing too little bang for the proverbial buck,” Senator Snowe said. “However, through true consensus building, the Senate has rightly been engaged in a vigorous and healthy debate to arrive at this monumental compromise.”

Over the past several months Senator Snowe has consistently worked to enact a second stimulus package and has championed several pro-growth policies that aim to lift the struggling economy, spur job growth, and assist those who have been displaced by the worst economic downturn since World War II. She worked with members of the Senate Finance Committee to have several of her key job-igniting initiatives incorporated into the measure including: small business expensing to provide firms more rapid write-offs for making job-creating investments and the tax-free treatment of unemployment insurance benefits to help displaced workers.

“Through the Finance Committee tax-writing process we were able to produce a bill that will assist small business owners and hard-working Americans who are struggling during these trying economic times,” Senator Snowe said. “The tax and Medicaid provisions of this legislation, constituting nearly 60 percent of the entire proposal, will provide an immediate jolt to our nation’s economy.”

This week, during a one-on-one meeting in the Oval Office with President Obama, Senator Snowe discussed the shortcomings of the legislation. The Senator offered the President nearly $100 billion worth of non-stimulative spending that could be stripped from the package. This laid the groundwork to broker a deal that would create bipartisan legislation that is timely, targeted, and temporary.

“Throughout our deliberations this week in the Senate, I have consistently advocated for a package that will truly stimulate this economy, not an omnibus bill bloated with frivolous spending” Senator Snowe continued. “We must be vigilant to ensure this is the right package that will address the urgency of our economic crisis and achieve credibility with the American people.”

This week the Senate started to debate a $900 billion economic stimulus package, which through bipartisan negotiations, has been trimmed down to $780 billion. In addition to helping lead negotiations regarding adjustments to the tax portion of the bill, Senator Snowe expects many of her job-creating amendments to be included in the underlying bill, further strengthening the stimulus proposal.

-###-

CBO Cost Estimate from January 26, 2009

Assuming enactment in mid-February, CBO estimates that the bill would increase outlays by $92 billion during the remaining several months of fiscal year 2009, by $225 billion in fiscal year 2010 (which begins on October 1), by $159 billion in 2011, and by a total of $604 billion over the 2009-2019 period. That spending includes outlays from discretionary appropriations in Division A of the bill and direct spending resulting from Division B.

In addition, CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that enacting the provisions in Division B would reduce revenues by $76 billion in fiscal year 2009, by $131 billion in fiscal year 2010, and by a net of $212 billion over the 2009-2019 period.

In combining the spending and revenue effects of H.R. 1, CBO estimates that enacting the bill would increase federal budget deficits by $169 billion over the remaining months of fiscal year 2009, by $356 billion in 2010, by $174 billion in 2011, and by $816 billion over the 2009-2019 period.

Did you read the excerpt or follow the link? Even without pork the so-called stimulus provided is neither quick nor stimulating. It appears Congress and the White House don’t have a clue or think you don’t. Americans will get hosed from every direction.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

From market-based to “savior-based” (Michelle Malkin) 

A battle between ‘mainstream’ hospitals and smaller ’specialty’ hospitals is not the central theme in the healthcare battle but it raises some common issues within healthcare and the US Congress. Like most legislation not only is there a high probability of pork being inserted but also ’stealth’ language misplaced intentionally to quietly affect an entirely diffrent bill or public law. This tactic suggests once again that the medical industry is not the altruistic enterprise they want you to believe.

SCHIP Expanded–Specialty Hospitals Survive (Again)
Over the last year laws to ban specialty hospitals have been inserted into a farm bill, a mental health parity bill, and most recently, the SCHIP expansion. In this most recent case the House version of the SCHIP bill contained such language but the Senate version did not.

It is safe to say that those owning or managing medical facilities do not care whether insurance or other payment systems are in the private or public sector as long as they get their money and no one effectively controls anything about how services are provided including quality of care, treatment decisions and what will be paid.

Physician Hospitals of America (PHA) Congratulates Congress on its Passage of a ‘Clean’ SCHIP Children’s Health Bill

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ — “Physician Hospitals of America (PHA) congratulates Congress on its passage of the SCHIP bill which will provide healthcare access and insurance to millions of children nationwide,” said Molly Sandvig, PHA Executive Director. “Congress recognized that the SCHIP bill was too important to delay its passage in order to address the contentious issue of physician ownership of hospitals, which was inappropriately attached to this important package.”

For the seventh time in 18 months, Congress has rejected special interest legislation intended to shutdown hospitals owned and operated by physicians, including general hospitals, children’s hospitals, women’s hospitals and specialty orthopedic, heart and rehab hospitals.

The challenge faced by reform minded physician hospitals in HR 2, the House SCHIP bill, was one of these many attempts by Representative Pete Stark and/or Senator Max Baucus, to kill hospitals owned and operated by physicians in the last 18 months.

Previous failed attempts included efforts to insert anti-physician hospital language into the Farm Bill, the Supplemental War Spending Bill and the 2008 SCHIP bill.

Countless lobbying hours and millions of dollars have been spent by the opponents of physician hospitals in their multiple attempts to destroy an industry that truly represents the closest thing to actual healthcare reform our country has seen.

If you are not comforted by the press release above give yourself ten points for recognizing that everyone has an agenda and physician-owned hospitals are no exception. Their motives may or may not be honorable which is the case for all the players involved. What is certain is that the general public shares in the burden of solving healthcare issues but those with the most power and influence will control the outcome unless the public gets involved.

Supporters of SCHIP love to sing the praises of helping the children. But they avoid discussions of how the plan may be abused and how much it will cost and who pays for it. You may love to hate the tobacco companies as well as those who smoke but consider the following:

The tax on a pack of cigarettes will go up more than 60 cents to about $1 a pack to help fund the $33 billion SCHIP expansion. Analysts expect the hike to eat into sales at the three major U.S. cigarette makers, Altria Group, Reynolds American and Lorillard.

What is wrong with that you say? The trend to ‘outlaw’ smoking by banning it in both public and private places is aimed at eliminating tobacco use. If successful the bad old smokers and tobacco companies will no longer cover expenses for government programs like SCHIP.

Decades ago universal healthcare was more commonly called socialized medicine. How did we get to regularly calling it universal healthcare? Just another item from the socialized medicine crowd to support their intention that government run or socialized medicine and other components of socialism like government owned banks and other private sector entities is the way to go. It is if you no longer want to enjoy the republic we live in which the founders carefully crafted to protect individual rights like life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Dismiss the criticism of socialized medicine by conservative voices and embrace the liberal advocacy for this and other socialist ideas at your own peril. It may be that those who favor government run everthing and have not done their due diligence expect it to be the grand free lunch for everyone. It would be more accurate to understand the word ‘free’ would cease to exist along with the concept of freedom and individual rights. That of course includes the notion of individual responsibility which may be the real issue those who favor socialism oppose.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trojan Horse watch: Obama quietly takes next universal health care step (Michelle Malkin)