President Obama unveiled plans Thursday to double U.S. exports over the next five years in hopes of spurring job growth, an ambitious goal that may rekindle the battle over free-trade policy.

The president acknowledged the formidable barriers to his goal: doubts in Congress over new free-trade agreements, misaligned currencies that make Chinese products cheaper on global markets, and continued weakness in global demand, all problems that could dwarf efforts to promote U.S. products and services abroad.

But, Obama said in a speech, “in a time when millions of Americans are out of work, boosting our exports is a short-term imperative.”

Pretty speech. Interesting idea. The only problem is, people have to be actually, you know, employed and producing products first. You can’t double exports on products not being produced.

Next up, we have the Senate’s $149 billion jobs bill (wait, didn’t we have one of those in February 2009?), which does virtually everything that doesn’t actually create jobs. It has plenty of tax breaks, but, not the kind that actually stimulate jobs production, as well as

• Extending unemployment benefits to Americans out of work for more than a year, providing for a total of up to 99 weeks in most states.
• Offering subsidies for unemployed workers in an effort to help pay for employer-sponsored health insurance.
• Adding an individual income tax deduction for sales and property taxes, and a business tax credit for research and development.
• Extending a variety of energy and alternative fuel tax credits.
• $1.5 billion to help farmers affected by heavy rains, floods and other weather-related disasters.

There are primarily, at the top end, three ways government can stimulate a decrease in unemployment

1. Put them on the government payroll (which is what we have primarily seen with Stimulus, and a good chunk of those jobs were temporary or “saved”
2. Providing long term tax incentives/breaks
3. Companies have confidence in what the government is doing

Even if the tax breaks were perfect, targeted, and long term, there are so many worries about what government will do in the future, companies are staying in a “wait and see” mode. Cap and tax, health system change, a potential for increased taxes, illegal immigration reform, you name it, companies are unsure what will happen. No one wants to hire someone they will not be able to potentially afford. Without confidence, unemployment will remain high.

Other tax breaks in the bill include a deduction for college tuition for couples making less than $160,000 a year, and one for teachers who use their own money to buy school supplies.

That helps the unemployed get a job how, exactly?

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For those without video function, Harry celebrates a “big day” because only 36,000 lost their jobs this month! 26,000 lost their jobs in January. This is Harry’s definition of progress!???

H/T: Michelle Malkin

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One month after President Obama declared jobs his “number one focus,” Congress has been unable to push through a single measure aimed at putting people back to work, as lawmakers haggle over how best to create jobs and how much to spend in the face of soaring budget deficits.

Say, Lori? You do not mention the Generational Theft Act (Stimulus) till way down in the article, which was meant to create jobs immediately, and only then in passing because of something Jim Bunning stated. Furthermore, you fail to mention that Obama and the Democrats almost immediately went back to work primarily on the health system destruction boondoggle after the SOTU, during which Obama said jobs were his “number one focus.”

On Friday, Obama’s jobs agenda stalled on both ends of the Capitol. In the House, leaders delayed a vote until next week on a Senate plan to extend tax breaks to employers who hire new workers. Liberals called it weak medicine for a 9.7 percent jobless rate, and conservatives said that it would worsen a deficit projected to approach $1.6 trillion this year.

What the Washington elite do not understand is that if a company needed to hire, they would if they could. Giving them a little tax break means nothing, since companies, especially the big ones who have the people on staff to make the recommendations, are still massively concerned over which way the economy will go, and are in “wait and see” mode.

In the Senate, Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) blocked a vote on a House-passed bill that would have extended emergency unemployment benefits past Sunday, arguing that lawmakers should come up with a plan to pay for it. As lawmakers left town for the weekend, more than a million people, by one estimate, were in danger of losing federal aid by the end of March.

Unemployment benefits do not create jobs, except for some extra people hired by the government to deal with all the extra unemployed people and their benefits.

Leaders in both chambers hope to return to the issue next week, and aides expressed confidence that a jobs bill in some form would soon be approved. But the intense squabbling over even modest initiatives cast doubt on Democrats’ ability to deliver on Obama’s request for another big dose of tax cuts and spending, which many economists say are needed to push the recovery into high gear.

Bunning said we should take what is left of Stimulus (over 60% has still not been spent,) and redirect it from it’s proposed spending periods (which are set to be just in time for the 2010 mid-terms) and use it towards jobs. Better ideas: stop spending so darned much, and stop trying to push through legislation (not limited to cap-and-trade and the health care system) which makes employers too nervous to consider hiring. Stop talking about taxing to death the people who run businesses, create new businesses, and hire people. Reauthorize the 2001/2003 tax cuts in full. Heck, if Obama, Reid, and/or Pelosi simply announced they were going to do that, it would create confidence. Lower corporate taxes. Reduce federal spending and show that something is actually being done about the record breaking deficit.

Meanwhile, China, which doesn’t have the insane ideas of our Washington elite, is facing a shortage of workers nowadays, just a year after having high unemployment. Of course, the NY Times attempts to subtlety spin this as negative, in order to protect what the idiots in Washington are doing.

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Many of us on the right like to claim that the Old Media is just an arm of the Democrat Party. Of course some of that on our part is bombast, but incidents like this tend to make conservative’s complaints seem more like right-on-target truth than over-the-top complaining.

On February 23, ABC TV Channel 7, WTRF News (Wheeling, West Virginia/ Steubenville, Ohio), posted on its website what was originally credited as a story written by reporter Bob Westfall. Unfortunately, though, this posting was only posing as a news story as it was nothing but a word-for-word re-posting of Democrat Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown’s latest press release. There was little to no difference between Brown’s press release and the “story” as posted on the ABC 7 news site.

The story was up for most of the day, but was taken down in the early evening of February 23. (Originally seen here) One can only assume that WTRF got a bit embarrassed at its schilling for a Democrat Senator.

Here is a screen shot of the Google search page that showed WTRF’s original posting.

To show that there was really no difference between Senator Brown’s press release and the ABC 7 “story,” here is the story as supposedly written by reporter Bob Westfall as it appeared on the ABC 7, WTRF website:

Ohio Senator Urging Extension of Unemployment Benefits

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, is asking for an extension of federal unemployment insurance.

Story by Bob Westfall

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Tuesday urged the extension of unemployment insurance to support Ohio’s dislocated workers and their families through Dec. 31, 2010.

Nearly 200,000 Ohioans will lose these emergency benefits if unemployment insurance is not extended by the end of the month.

“Too many middle class families are struggling to get by,” Brown said. “This legislation will help Ohioans and all Americans who worked hard and played by the rules but are still struggling to find jobs. We must extend unemployment insurance while passing critical jobs legislation that will give incentives to businesses that hire unemployed workers.”

In a letter to Senate Leadership, Brown called for full federal funding of the Extended Benefit program, increasing state and federal benefits by $25 per week, and the suspension of the federal income tax on an individual’s first $2,400 of unemployment benefits. Brown is also seeking an additional six months of extended benefits.

As of mid-February, more than 432,000 Ohioans were receiving unemployment compensation. Almost half of these Ohioans, nearly 200,000, will lose these benefits if unemployment insurance is not extended by the end of the month. In addition, more than 232,000 Ohioans receiving extended benefits will be ineligible for the next phase of benefits if no extension is passed.

Eligible workers may receive up to 26 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. Previous extensions created two tiers of additional coverage: Tier 1, which provides up to 20 additional weeks of benefits, and Tier 2, which provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits. The latest extension, passed in Nov. 2009, added one additional week to the Tier 2 benefits and created two new tiers: Tier 3 (up to 13 additional weeks of benefits) and Tier 4 (up to 6 additional weeks of benefits for workers in hard-hit states like Ohio).

Earlier this month, Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., sought to temporarily extend benefits. However, Reid’s bill was blocked by Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Now here is Brown’s press release from his U.S. Senate website.

Brown Urges Extension of Unemployment Insurance through 2010

Nearly 200,000 Ohioans Will Lose Coverage if Unemployment Insurance is Not Extended

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today urged the extension of unemployment insurance to support Ohio’s dislocated workers and their families through December 31, 2010. Nearly 200,000 Ohioans will lose these emergency benefits if unemployment insurance is not extended by the end of the month.

“Too many middle class families are struggling to get by,” Brown said. “This legislation will help Ohioans and all Americans who worked hard and played by the rules but are still struggling to find jobs. We must extend unemployment insurance while passing critical jobs legislation that will give incentives to businesses that hire unemployed workers.”

In a letter to Senate Leadership, Senator Brown called for full federal funding of the Extended Benefit program, increasing state and federal benefits by $25 per week, and the suspension of the federal income tax on an individual’s first $2,400 of unemployment benefits. Brown is also seeking an additional six months of extended benefits.

As of mid-February, more than 432,000 Ohioans were receiving unemployment compensation. Almost half of these Ohioans, nearly 200,000, will lose these benefits if unemployment insurance is not extended by the end of the month. In addition, more than 232,000 Ohioans receiving extended benefits will be ineligible for the next phase of benefits if no extension is passed.

Eligible workers may receive up to 26 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. Previous extensions created two tiers of additional coverage: Tier 1, which provides up to 20 additional weeks of benefits, and Tier 2, which provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits. The latest extension, passed in Nov. 2009, added one additional week to the Tier 2 benefits and created two new tiers: Tier 3 (up to 13 additional weeks of benefits) and Tier 4 (up to 6 additional weeks of benefits for workers in hard-hit states like Ohio).

Earlier this month, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) sought to temporarily extend benefits. However, Reid’s bill was blocked by Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

If you can find any material difference you have a sharper eye than I do! What we have here is a TV news site simply regurgitating a Democrat’s press release and acting as if it is reporting a “story.”

And the Old Media protests when conservatives claim that they are just an arm of the Democrat Party? With examples like this it sure is hard to refute the accusation, isn’t it?

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As President Obama’s approval ratings sag and the mood of voters sours, some Democratic congressional candidates are distancing themselves from the White House, with the back-channel blessing of party officials.

The candidates are positioning themselves as independent voices no less frustrated with the Obama administration than people back home.

Rep. Dennis Cardoza, a Democrat who represents a California Central Valley district burdened by high unemployment and home foreclosures, said in an interview: “The Obama administration has failed miserably in trying to solve the problem.”

I’m stunned! Who could have possibly thought that a problem couldn’t be solved by a guy who has no experience in the private sector, has never been in charge of anything of consequence, tended to vote “present” on the tough legislation, and has surrounded himself with beyond partisan Chicago hacks and extremists while he plays golf, shoots some hoops, and uses Air Force One to see the sights? Besides the “outsourced most of his agenda to Congress” issues, of course.

But, just because some Democrats are moving away from Barry, doesn’t mean some of them aren’t complete kooks

Rep. Jim Costa, a Democrat who also represents California’s Central Valley, blames Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for not doing enough to alleviate a drought that has hobbled farmers. Costa said his phone calls to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel have gone unreturned.

I’m all for blaming the Obama admin. and the people in it when they deserve it, but, come on, Jim, there is not much that Ken can do about a drought other than say some kind words about support and hope. He can’t actually make it rain. This is the same type of imbecility that caused Lefties to blame Bush for 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, among others.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who leads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in an interview: “Our candidates need to reflect the values and priorities of their districts. And that means on some issues they’ll support the Obama administration’s position, and on some issues they’ll oppose it.”

It might be a smattering too late for that, Chris, unless the Republican elite screw it up. Most of your peeps voted for a good chunk of the Obama/Pelosi/Reid destroy America legislative bills. Witness NJ, Virginia, and Massachusetts, Chris, electoral losses that the Obama administration has not only denied, but used as a way to prop up their own failed agenda. We will see what happens in November.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove

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With much of his legislative agenda stalled in Congress, President Obama and his team are preparing an array of actions using his executive power to advance energy, environmental, fiscal and other domestic policy priorities.

I wonder when the left, and Obama, will pitch the same type of fit they enjoyed while Bush was president? I’ll get to that in a bit

Mr. Obama has not given up hope of progress on Capitol Hill, aides said, and has scheduled a session with Republican leaders on health care later this month. But in the aftermath of a special election in Massachusetts that cost Democrats unilateral control of the Senate, the White House is getting ready to act on its own in the face of partisan gridlock heading into the midterm campaign.

He is also considering the use of recess appointments. Didn’t he whine about those when Bush did the same? That said, something seems to be missing from his signing statements agenda

Mr. Obama has already decided to create a bipartisan budget commission under his own authority after Congress refused to do so. His administration has signaled that it plans to use its discretion to soften enforcement of the ban on openly gay men and lesbians serving in the military, even as Congress considers repealing the law. And the Environmental Protection Agency is moving forward with possible regulations on heat-trapping gases blamed for climate change, while a bill to cap such emissions languishes in the Senate.

Just like during a good chunk of his first year, his second year is going the same way, namely, he is still ignoring the economy and jobs, which are the top two priorities with the American people, as poll after poll after poll proves out. He is even planning a push on health care related issues through his Executive administrations.

After a bit in which the Times mentions that Obama has been critical over Bush’s use of signing statements, they mention

…but aides said last month that he still reserves the right to ignore sections of bills he considers unconstitutional if objections have been lodged previously by the executive branch.

Here’s a novel idea, one which apparently is eluding the Smartest Man On The Planet: do not sign the bill if it contains sections considered unconstitutional. Whip out ye olde Veto Pen, and send that puppy back.

As said and written ad nauseum, Obama is in way over his head. Furthermore, the notion that he cares little nothing about the plight of the American people has become crystal clear. Personally, I would not begrudge him the use of signing statements and recess appointments if he was at least engaged on the economy, but, at this time, he is divorced from reality, and caught up in his own little progressive world.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove

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Despite all the talk of green jobs, the overwhelming majority of stimulus money spent on wind power has gone to foreign companies, according to a new report by the Investigative Reporting Workshop at the American University’s School of Communication in Washington, D.C.

Nearly $2 billion in money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been spent on wind power, funding the creation of enough new wind farms to power 2.4 million homes over the past year. But the study found that nearly 80 percent of that money has gone to foreign manufacturers of wind turbines.

“Most of the jobs are going overseas,” said Russ Choma at the Investigative Reporting Workshop. He analyzed which foreign firms had accepted the most stimulus money. “According to our estimates, about 6,000 jobs have been created overseas, and maybe a couple hundred have been created in the U.S.”

Chuck Schumer is incensed, because the money was intended to create jobs in the USA fund liberal projects, and this makes people distrust Washington. Ya think? Cue a Typical Obama Administration Liar

Matt Rogers, the senior adviser to the Secretary of Energy for the Recovery Act, denied there was a problem.

“The recovery act is creating jobs in the U.S. for American workers,” said Rogers, “That is what the recovery act is about, that is what it is doing. Every dollar from the recovery act is going to create jobs for the American workers here in the U.S.”

And then the spin starts, as he sort of admits that quite a bit of the actual units are being built overseas. I think a firing would be in order for lying to the public.

And even with the wind farms, regular type power plants have to stay in operation for when it is not windy.

Crossed at Pirate’s Cove

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Taxpayers might want to pay close attention to this Sunday’s Super Bowl broadcast or they’ll miss Uncle Sam’s 30-second, $2.5-million reminder to stand up and be counted.

That’s what the Census Bureau paid CBS to get their message notched somewhere between a National Lampoon reprisal, a weird dude with big glasses, a beer-can house and men without pants.

And, that’s just a fraction of what the bureau plans to spend this year to get Americans to answer a simple, 10-question survey.

The bureau is spending $133 million between January and May — or, more than $13 million for each of 10 questions, one of which reads: What is your telephone number? — to publicize the national head-count. Part of that effort is the Super Bowl ad, which Kendall Johnson, a spokeswoman for the bureau, confirmed Wednesday to FoxNews.com cost $2.5 million to air. The ad, produced by actor and director Christopher Guest, also will appear in other media, Johnson said.

It’s insane that the government is spending so much money on a freaking public service announcement. Obama has already quadrupled the deficit. Unemployment is out of control. The economy is showing no signs of improving. Yet, Obama still found it necessary to spend $2.5 million on a 30 second ad? It’s as if this ad sums up the entire problem with the Obama presidency. To them, what’s another few million dollars? It’s as if Marie Antoinette has been reincarnated into our new president, who is just as clueless as she was. Why on earth do we need a $2.5 million commercial for the census during the Super Bowl? To put this into perspective, even Pepsi isn’t buying any ad spots during the game. Pepsi decided not to buy any because… it was too expensive. We’re spending more and more money on more and more crap that doesn’t even matter. There’s no reason to have an ad for the census during the Super Bowl, none whatsoever.

Oh, and check out this interesting little nugget about the census:

Every U.S. household, including those occupied by non-citizens and illegal immigrants, must be counted.

Including illegal immigrants. Way to go, Obama. You’ve turned something that’s fairly routine into another FUBAR mess.

Cross-posted from Cassy’s blog. Stop by for more original commentary, or follow her on Twitter!

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Pia Varma, an American of Indian background… not a redskin, an actual Indian… wants you to send her to Congress, Pennsylvania. And so she has announced her run for Pennsylvania’s First District Congressional seat (Philadelphia).

She tells us that her grandfathers were fighters in the Indian Independence movement of the 1960s, though she was born here from parents that immigrated from England. Pia proudly calls herself an American.

From what I can see, she has the right idea about what this “United States of America” thingie is all about…

Now THIS is the sort of ideals we want to see making its way to Congress. It seems to me, Pia’s principles are those that have been absent from Washington D.C. since, oh, since around 1933.

Well, I like her! VOTE PIA for Pennsylvania!

Here is her explanation of why she wants to run in Philly…

Why Philly?

I have chosen to run as the Congress representative of Pennsylvania’s First District for several reasons, including the fact that Philadelphia is the birthplace of liberty and home to the Liberty Bell and Constitution Hall. It was in this district that George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and others rallied for a radical idea called, ‘America’.

Today the First District has the distinction of being the second hungriest district in the nation. For too many years has this district been abused by those who have ravaged this birthplace of the American dream under the guise of brotherly love.

I have personal experience dealing with the injustice and wrongdoings currently occurring in the First District. In an attempt to revitalize the city by bringing a green real estate project to the district (without grants or government aid), I came head to head with the inner politics that go on here every day behind the scenes. The Industrial Empowerment Zone, a nation-wide government program started by President Clinton, was meant to bring industry back to Philadelphia but we know industry is not coming back. Philadelphia has been given millions of dollars in federal funds to essentially blight neighborhoods causing homeowners and landlords to drastically lose property value. These properties are being purchased by well connected insiders at bargain-basement prices at the expense of the residents of the First District. Our project was rejected by the zoning board the day after Michael Nutter promised to make Philadelphia the greenest city in the nation in his inaugural address. Today, the land still sits vacant.

I have championed civil liberties, constitutional rights, the right for all to be equal and to have equal access to all the benefits that America has to offer. I want to champion these for the First District.

I’m taking back America’s birthplace.

Yep, count me as an admirer.

And the first person that says she’s hoooooot gets a slap upside the head. Oh, wait. I just said it.

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