The New American Elite

February 6, 2012 | Filed Under Alan Caruba, Anti-Americanism, Book Reviews, Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, Democracy, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, Ethics, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Jobs, Liberals, President, Republicans, Socialism, Taxes, WWII | No Comments

-By Alan Caruba

The only constant in the life of individuals and nations is change. Since the beginning of the last century, the process or rate of change has accelerated with the invention and availability of a myriad of machines, technologies that have altered the lifestyle of Americans as well as of millions around the world.

Let me put it in personal terms. When I was born in the late 1930s, my Mother washed the family laundry by hand and hung it out to dry on sunny days or in the basement of our home if it was raining. We were not poor. We were middle class. My Father was a Certified Public Accountant and we lived in a spacious suburban home in an upscale New Jersey community. Mass produced washers and dryers would arrive after the end of World War Two.

The differences between lower economic classes, the middle class, and upper classes were well defined back then. All, however, generally held the same values regarding societal institutions such as marriage, religion, national pride. Those values have eroded since the 1960s and Charles Murray, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, whose new book, “Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010” ($27.00, Crown Forum) tells you how and why.
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The U.S. is on a Suicide Watch

January 22, 2012 | Filed Under Alan Caruba, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Cold War, Communism, Democrats/Leftists, Ethics, Free Trade, Government, Liberals, President, Socialism, Taxes | No Comments

-By Alan Caruba

In 1991, the Soviet Union, arguably the greatest experiment in Communism, collapsed. After Mao Zedong died in 1976, his successors moved to shift its Communist economy to one that embraced Capitalism while retaining centralized government control.

Following World War Two, the recovering nations of Europe were rescued from Communism by the Marshall Plan, but adopted Communism-Light in the form of Socialism. The U.S. was already headed in that direction, creating programs that we now call “entitlements.” For most of the nation’s history, such “entitlements” did not exist.

What binds together the financial problems of the West is the common thread of infantile behavior and thought. One might call it wishful thinking. Instead of encouraging people to provide for old age and possible illness, politicians decided to turn government into Big Daddy, the eternal source of money for everything.

Need to go to college, start a business, or plan for retirement? Government would be there to help. All this ignored the need to actually pay for these programs. In the case of Social Security Congress began to dip into its funding to pay for other programs! This is what children do.
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Not to Nag But Obama’s Horse Flip Flop Leaves Media Uninterested

December 16, 2011 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Capitalism, Democrats/Leftists, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, Journalism, Liberals, Media, Media Bias, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Let’s talk about flip flops, shall we? No not those of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, but those of President Obama. One in particular, in fact. It turns out that Obama was horsing around with one of his many campaign promises and has ended up galloping in the opposite direction of the thing. And throughout this whole episode the Old Media has gone silent.

What we talking about is Obama’s 180 turn on his promise to make a ban on American horse slaughter houses permanent. And no less than the Barbi Twins of Hugh Heffner fame find this story a night-mare and are a bit peeved at their Big “O” over the whole thing.

A few media outlets did mention the controversy over the reopening of American horse slaughter houses that Obama signed into law in September — The Washington Times and Politico, for instance — but here it is almost two months later and few others have paid much mind to the incident that sent Barbi One and Two into a snit over the President.
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Time Mag: Occupy Wall Street The Number One Story of 2011?

December 12, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Banks, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Communism, Congress, Crime, Crony Capitalism, Democrats/Leftists, Ethics, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, Jobs, Liberals, Media, Media Bias, Nanny State, Taxes, Tea Party, Time Magazine, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

It’s that time of year again, time for newspapers and magazines to start floating their “top stories of the year” lists and Time Magazine has a whole “Top of Everything” list with which to thrill us. But it is Time’s Top U.S. News Stories list that deserves some closer scrutiny because on it Time has determined that the Occupy Wall Street tale is the number one story of the year. As if anyone ever doubted that this left-wing temper tantrum would pique Time’s interest most.

But, seriously, now. Is Gabrielle Giffords somehow a lesser story than the Occupiers? Is the long-drawn out GOP primary campaign a lesser story? How about the debt crisis? Is that somehow a less important story than Occupy Wall Street? Apparently Time thinks so.

Certainly these lists are always somewhat subjective. After all, what one considers important another may not. But some of these entries seem to point out Time’s ideology as opposed to a serious attempt to pick the top stories of 2011. And making the Occupy story number one is pure ideology.

Time puts this story above the bad economy, Iraq, the Penn State sex abuse case, and the Gabrielle Giffords shooting. In fact, if it weren’t for the bad economy, the debt ceiling debate and the bank crisis this Occupy business would not have occurred at all.
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Obama: Capitalism and Liberty Don’t Work

December 8, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Communism, Constitution, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, Ethics, Federalism, Founders, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, Jobs, Liberals, Nanny State, President, Regulation, Socialism, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Barack Obama, President of the United Deniers of America, is slamming the country again. This time he ways that capitalism, liberty, and American principles have never worked.

Speaking in Osawatomie, Kansas, where in 1910 an off-the-rails Teddy Roosevelt laid out a new socialist-inspired dream for America he entitled the “New Nationalism,” Obama had a few choice words for our American principles.

In his speech, Obama went for the gusto in class warfare rhetoric characterizing anyone that makes a few dollars as the eeevil rich that refuse to be “fair” to the poor. Obama told his audience that capitalism doesn’t work and never did. And guess what he thinks the solution is? Yep, more power to himself and government.

If no other video clip has done it for you, this one should show that Barack Obama’s ideals are not American ideals.
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Greedy Union to Destroy Black Restaurant Owner’s Business

December 1, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Capitalism, Free Trade, Jobs, New York City, Unions, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

An actress, model, and African American business entrepreneur credited with reviving a once-blighted neighborhood and bringing back theater goers to the New York Theater District is about to lose her business to a greedy union that wants to hike the rent for her famous restaurant 350 percent.

Back in 1986, Barbara Smith, sometimes called “the black Martha Stewart,” opened a restaurant in the Theater District called B. Smith’s. Her eatery soon became the toast of theater goers and stars alike. It also became a favorite in the African American community.

B. Smith’s was visited by such famous people as Denzel Washington, August Wilson, Danny Glover, Sidney Poitier, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Angela Bassett Liza Minnelli and more.

Unfortunately, the building in which Smith opened her famous restaurant is run by the Local One of the stagehands union and quite despite what she has done for New York Theater the union has decided to raise the rent so high on Smith that she will be priced out of her long-time business.
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Video: Urgent – Tell Your Senator to Overturn FCC’s Illicit Net Neutrality Internet Power Grab

November 8, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Barack Obama, Blogging, Business, Capitalism, Censorship, Computers, Congress, Democrats/Leftists, Elections, Ethics, FCC, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, Inernet, Law, Liberals, Net Neutrality, President, Regulation, Senate, Technology, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Seton Motley

From most appearances, the Senate will this week vote on Senate Joint Resolution (S.J.Res) 6 – the Congressional Review Act Resolution of Disapproval of the Obama Administration Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s illegal Internet Net Neutrality power grab.

Only 51 votes are required for passage – which means only 4 Democrats are needed. There are 23 Democrat Senate seats up for reelection next year. A few of these folks aren’t running. The rest are – many in center or center-right states. Additionally, there are a few other Senators that should also be subject to Constitutional reason, and thusly contacted.
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Pelosi: Boeing Plant Should Unionize or be Shut Down

November 1, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Democrats/Leftists, Ethics, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Jobs, Liberals, Nancy Pelosi, NLRB, Pensions, Unions, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

The now thankfully former Speaker of the House Nancy “San Fran Nan” Pelosi said in a recent interview that a Boeing plant in South Carolina should either unionize or be shut down by the iron fist of government. So much for America being the land of the free, eh?

Pelosi appeared on CNBC with hostette Maria Bartiromo. Bartiromo asked about the famed Boeing plant being harassed by Obama’s union-sold National Labor Relations Board.

“Do you think it’s right that Boeing has to close down that plant in South Carolina because it’s non union?” Bartiromo asked. “Yes” insisted the former Speaker.

A flat out “yes.” No equivocation.

Lachlan Markay notes that the workers at the Boeing plant in question overwhelmingly voted not to join a union.
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Business Roundtable: Regulations Are Killing Business

October 28, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Banks, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Conservatives, Democracy, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, EPA, Ethics, Financial Reform, Free Trade, Freedom, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Government, Ill. County, House of Representatives, Illinois, Illinois State Government, Jobs, Liberals, Policy, President, Public Employees Unions, Regulation, Republicans, Senate, Taxes, The Law, Unemployment, Unions, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

On Friday I attended an informative business roundtable meeting of Chicago-area small businessmen who came together to discuss how government intervention and its avalanche of regulations are killing jobs and businesses not only in Illinois, but nation wide. Some of the stories were chilling, to say the least. These trials go to show how anti-business the most famously capitalist country in the world has become. No wonder we can’t get out of this second great depression!

The event was held at the headquarters of The Rabine Group in Schaumburg, Illinois. The Rabine Group is a group of nationwide companies that specializes in driveway paving, roofing, and other contracting work. The company is headed by owner and CEO Gary Rabine.

Filling out the panel was Moderator, Brian Kelly of Bulk Lift International; Gary Rabine, The Rabine Group; Garrett Patten, Patten Industries; Randy Truckenbrodt, Randall Industries, Inc, and Former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger, Rauschenberger Partners.

The panel began with some of the regulatory horror stories experienced by the panel. Each story illustrated how government stands in the way of job creation, small business, and expansion, and how government is not working hand-in-hand with small business but actually fosters an inimical relationship. The panel showed how the oppressiveness of these regulations actually tempts business to break laws just to be able to carry on with business.
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Income Inequality? Not Really a Big Deal!

October 27, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Capitalism, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Ethics, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, Jobs, Liberals, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

What more can be said…

Watch Does U.S. Economic Inequality Have a Good Side? on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.

Bi-Racial Tea Party Group Harassed by GA Capitol Police, Occupy Wall Streeters Given Pass to Break Laws

October 21, 2011 | Filed Under Atlanta, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Cities, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Free Trade, Georgia, Government, Corruption, Jobs, Liberals, PCism, Society/Culture, Taxes, Tea Party, Warner Todd Huston | 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

There has been a lot of talk comparing and contrasting the Tea Partiers and these Occupy-Whatever people. But in Georgia we can see a stark difference. Tea Partiers are law-abiding citizens while the Occupy Atlantans are law breakers. Sadly, Capitol Police in Atlanta have sided with the Occupiers and against Tea Partiers.

At the very least the Capitol Police in Atlanta have definitely been treating these two groups unequally. These officers of the law have turned a blind eye to law breaking by the Occupy folks allowing them to do anything they want but did not extend that courtesy to those Tea Party groups that also protested at the Georgia Capitol House.
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Dold Announces the Creation of an Economic Innovation Zone at Naval Station Great Lakes and Lovell Center

October 20, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Congress, Free Trade, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Republicans, Robert Dold, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Robert Dold (Ill., 10th District)…

NORTH CHICAGO, IL – Today, U.S. Congressman Robert J. Dold (IL-10), Lake County Board Chairman David Stolman, members of Lake County Partners and Naval Station Great Lakes, announced a new project at Naval Station Great Lakes and Lovell Center that would create an innovation zone designed to address the high unemployment throughout the region.

“I am pleased to announce today that with the help of Lake County Partners, North Chicago will be at the center of an economic innovation zone,” said Dold. “This will help to address the high unemployment throughout the local community and be a resource in which local officials, businesses, and community leaders can come together and implement an effective strategy to bring jobs to North Chicago residents.”

Rep. Dold is a third-generation resident of the 10th District of Illinois. As a small business owner, he has faced many of the challenges confronting business leaders today and is using that firsthand experience in Washington to help find ways to create more jobs and strengthen the economy. For more information on his work in Congress, visit: http://dold.house.gov/

Roskam Floor Speech in Support of Pro-Export FTAs

October 14, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Capitalism, Congress, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, Free Trade, GOP, House of Representatives, Illinois, Peter Roskam, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, Illinois 6th District)…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today, Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06), Chief Deputy Whip, gave the following remarks on the House Floor in support of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.

Transcript:

Thank you, Madame Speaker. Madame Speaker, as the public is listening to this, I think they’re kind of collectively going: whew. Finally there’s something that’s going on in Congress. Finally there’s something going with the other body. Finally there’s something going on with the White House that is common ground around a very simple premise and that’s this: no-cost job creation. It doesn’t cost a single dime.
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Hultgren Applauds House Passage Of Free Trade Agreements

October 14, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Conservatives, Free Trade, GOP, House of Representatives, Illinois, Randy Hultgren, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (R, Illinois 14th District)…

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) tonight applauded the passage of Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, by the House of Representatives. Hultgren voted for the three FTAs.

“Tonight’s votes are long-overdue victories for manufacturers and farmers in Illinois and across the country,” said Hultgren. “By passing these Free Trade Agreements, we have secured American exporters new markets for their goods, enabling them to expand and hire here at home. Already, exports have an enormous impact in the 14th District, supporting almost 26,000 jobs. The benefits to our agricultural sector will also be substantial – last year alone, Illinois’s agricultural exports were an estimated $5.8 billion, supporting almost 49,000 jobs statewide. I hope the Senate acts promptly on these FTAs and sends them to President Obama as soon as possible.”

“Congressional passage of the Free Trade Agreements with Panama, Columbia and South Korea is long overdue. Eliminating trade barriers and boosting U.S. export trade is key to furthering the nation’s economic recovery. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce supports passage of the Free Trade Agreements because we know that facilitating the expansion of international trade is critical to the state’s economic future. We thank Congressman Hultgren for his leadership on this issue.” – Doug Whitley, President and CEO, Illinois Chamber of Commerce

“Trade is important to Illinois and American agriculture, and passage of the FTA’s is a big step in the right direction for agriculture and the entire economy. These agreements will open new markets to Illinois’ agricultural exports, leading to job creation and economic expansion; that is critically important in these tough economic times. The Illinois Farm Bureau thanks Congressman Hultgren for his support of these agreements.” – Philip Nelson, President, Illinois Farm Bureau

Illinois employers supporting the FTAs include Boeing, Caterpillar, Kraft Foods and Navistar.

http://hultgren.house.gov/

Dold Votes to Approve Three Free Trade Agreements, 3 Agreements to Benefit Illinois Small Businesses

October 14, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Congress, Free Trade, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Republicans, Robert Dold, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Robert Dold (Ill., 10th District)…

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Robert Dold (IL-10) voted to approve three free trade agreements. The three agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea have bipartisan support in Congress and are part of President Obama’s jobs plan.
“Small businesses throughout the 10th District of Illinois depend on our ability to export to other countries,” said Dold. “I voted to approve these trade agreements so that we can give local job creators an opportunity to expand and create new jobs. Right here in our district over 58,000 jobs rely on exports- the approval of these agreements will help increase exports and create new business right here at home.”

Background Information on the Free Trade Agreements:

Exports directly support 58,076 jobs in Illinois’ 10th District. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Accessed 10/12/11)
Almost 25% of all manufacturing jobs in Illinois are dependent on exports. That is one in every four workers. (U.S. Department of Commerce, Accessed 10/12/11)
47 companies in the 10th District export to other nations. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Accessed 10/12/11)
Since 2003, Illinois manufacturing exports rose more than three times as fast as the state’s overall economy. (National Association of Manufacturers, Accessed 10/12/11)

http://dold.house.gov/

Fox Bus. Network’s Cheryl Casone Broadcasts From Chicago on Friday

October 13, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Capitalism, Fox Business Network, Free Trade, Illinois, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

FOX Business Network (FBN)’s Cheryl Casone will report live from the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 11 AM/CST. Casone will interview a number of Chicago business leaders and CEOs to get the latest on commodities and market moves.

Cheryl dropped me a note to weigh in on why she’s leaving New York City for Chicago for the day.

Why NOT Chicago? The Chicago Metro Area is home to 27 Fortune 500 company headquarters and 34 S&P 500 company headquarters. They make Chicago their home and now Fox Business has made the CME our home. The city is crucial to Fox Business Network in so many ways.

Look at what Chicago contributes to US GDP. While it doesn’t equal New York, at $532.33 billion in 2010, Chicago is a crucial component to the United States. If Chicago does well, America does well.

The CME has been and still is the hub of US commodities trading. From grain to soybeans to cotton to what Americans pay at their table and at the clothing store begins right here. Fox Business has a unique vantage point our competition doesn’t: we are looking out for everyone not just Wall Street traders.

Chicago’s banking sector is of particular fascination. What are they doing New York is not? I am joined Friday by Stephen Calk the Chairman and CEO of Chicago Bancorp who sees a lot fear in lending right now. He also believes mortgage rates are in store for some volatility.

Personally I love coming to Chicago for the amazing food! From pizza to steak I always bring my running shoes to burn those calories. My good friend Chris Artinian (CEO of Morton’s The Steakhouse) is coming by the CME as well Friday to talk business at his chain and of course food.

Be sure to tune in Friday –DISH Channel 206; DIRECTV Channel 359.
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The Hate From The Occupy-Whatever Left

October 11, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Banks, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Democrats/Leftists, Ethics, Free Trade, Government, Corruption, Liberals, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

The left is built on pure hate. Hate for patriotism, hate for the Constitution, hate for our troops, hate for the left’s opponents… just plain hate.

Accuracy in Media, Let Freedom Ring and Young America’s Foundation have joined forces to invade Occupy DC. Our objective: to see what happens when three peaceful fans of capitalism, guns and our military take to the streets. It’s a good thing we didn’t do a live shot, they weren’t greeted nicely to say the least.

ILLINOIS IMPACT ALERT: How the Trade Agreements Will Affect Illinois’ Economy

October 10, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Liberals, Peter Roskam, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, Illinois 6th District)…

Next week, the House will vote on the long-stalled Colombia, Panama, and Korea Free Trade Agreements (FTA).These no-cost job-creating pacts will make it easier for American manufacturers to sell our products abroad and in turn create more jobs here. Note: If passed, these Agreements are expected to become law.

BY THE NUMBERS: What do these FTAs mean for Illinois? More American exports, more economic growth, more jobs

Exports directly support 145,903 jobs in Illinois (60,137 of those in the 6th District alone) in 650 companies – once the new FTA’s become law more markets will open, incentivizing local companies to grow and hire. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Accessed 10/6/11)
Almost 25% of all manufacturing jobs in Illinois are dependent on exports. That is one in every four workers. (U.S. Department of Commerce, Accessed 10/6/11)
FTA’s will directly impact the engines of Illinois’ economy – small and medium businesses. These enterprises with less than 500 employees account for 15,170 of Illinois exporting firms, and generated over one-fifth of our state’s total merchandise exports in 2008. (U.S. Department of Commerce, Accessed 10/6/11)
Last year, Illinois exported over $48.4 billion worth of goods – new trade agreements will open up new markets to increase the amount of goods sold. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Accessed 10/6/11)
Illinois has benefitted from trade agreements. For example, the U.S.-Chile agreement in 2004 grew Illinois’s exports to Chile by 400%. (U.S. Department of Commerce, Accessed 10/6/11)

ILLINOIS COMPANIES SPEAK OUT: These Agreements Will Help Local Companies Grow and Create Private-Sector Jobs
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Rep. Dold on the Pending Free Trade Agreements‏

October 10, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Economy/Finances, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Illinois, Republicans, Robert Dold, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Robert Dold (Ill., 10th District)…

WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Congressman Robert J. Dold (IL-10) released a video on the pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea that President Obama sent to Congress for approval. Rep. Dold spoke about the positive implications these agreements will have on Illinois’ 10th District.

Dold also released this statement…
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Why Isn’t Obama’s Teacher Lie National News?

October 7, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, Democrats/Leftists, Education, Elections, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, Jobs, Journalism, Liberals, Media Bias, President, Regulation, Republicans, Senate, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

During the latest campaign appearance disguised as a presidential press conference, President Obama uttered one straight out lie that stands out above the rest of them. To help sell his “jobs bill,” Obama claimed to have met a Boston-based teacher named Robert Baroz and intimated that Baroz had no job despite his excellent teaching credentials. The problem is, neither claim is true. Obama simply lied. So, where is the national Old Media to pin Obama to the wall over this out right lie?

During his presser, Obama introduced teacher Baroz into the national discussion of his “jobs bill.” Obama claimed to have met Mr. Baroz and lamented that Baroz was out of work.

I had a chance to meet a young man named Robert Baroz. He’s got two decades of teaching experience. He’s got a master’s degree. He’s got an outstanding track record of helping his students make huge gains in reading and writing. In the last few years, he’s received three pink slips because of budget cuts. Why wouldn’t we want to pass a bill that puts somebody like Robert back in the classroom teaching our kids?

The problem with this little tale of woe? Firstly President Obama did not meet teacher Baroz. Robert Baroz did attend a Rose Garden press conference last September with a few other teachers, but the closest he ever got to the president was Baroz’ front row seat during the event. The two never came face to face, never shook hands, never actually met. Baroz saw Obama up at the lectern and Obama may have noticed Baroz sitting in the audience. That hardly makes for a meeting.
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Roskam Applauds FTA Passage In Ways & Means Committee And Passage of Cement Sector Regulatory Relief Act

October 7, 2011 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Congress, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Money, Peter Roskam, Regulation, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, Ill)…

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip and member of the House Ways & Means Committee, issued the following statement after the long-stalled Colombia, Panama, and Korea Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) passed out of the Ways & Means Committee today. Roskam has traveled to South Korea, Panama, and Colombia in support of these three agreements:

“Today was an important step forward to implementing no-cost job creating policies. These pro-export policies will open up more markets for American products to be sold, and in turn create more American jobs. Furthermore, they will be important strategic tools for our foreign policy. Republicans have been advocating for these commonsense policies for years. With unemployment at 9.1% nationally, Washington has to be embracing commonsense solutions that remove barriers to private-sector job creation.”
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Roskam Introduces Bill for Permanent Cap Gains Limits

October 6, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, Free Trade, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Peter Roskam, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, Ill)…

Roskam Introduces Legislation to Permanently Cap Capital Gains and Dividend Tax Rates at 15%

Broad coalition of American job creators send letter in support; impending tax-hike would hit seniors, businesses, investors of all sizes

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL), Chief Deputy Whip and member of the Ways & Means Committee, introduced legislation today to permanently cap the Capital Gains and Dividend Tax Rates at 15% to avoid an impending tax hike that would particularly affect American businesses, seniors, and investors of all sizes. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), member of the Senate Finance Committee, is introducing companion Senate legislation.
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Roskam Discusses Excessive Cement Regulations at Stakeout

October 5, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Congress, Free Trade, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Peter Roskam, Republicans, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, Ill)…

Roskam: “…if the Cement MACT proposal goes into place, with certainty, it will have an adverse impact on job creation.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today, Congressman Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip, gave the following remarks at the GOP leadership stakeout

“Well as you’ve heard there’s two types of actions being taken up this week and next week by the House of Representatives. The good news is the White House seems to get one of those. That is this notion of the expert opportunities for American manufacturers to get into markets abroad. As someone who has traveled to South Korea, and to Panama, and to Colombia it is without question clear to me – and I think most folks on Capitol Hill – that those opportunities are inextricably linked to our long-term prosperity.

Where the White House doesn’t seem to get it and where there’s an opportunity maybe to change their minds is on these two issues that you’ve heard described: Boiler MACT and Cement MACT. We’ve had two job creators in here for the past day or so. They are Brad Slabaugh with Hilltop Basic Resources and Karl Watson of CEMEX USA. Both of which described situations that if the Cement MACT proposal goes into place, with certainty, it will have an adverse impact on job creation. With certainty, it will have an adverse impact on cement kilns here in the United States. We can do better. The Administration needs to join us to turn this situation around quickly.”

http://roskam.house.gov/

Roskam Applauds Progress on Long-Stalled Trade Agreements

October 4, 2011 | Filed Under Business, Capitalism, Congress, Conservatives, Free Trade, GOP, Government, House of Representatives, Illinois, Jobs, Peter Roskam, Republicans, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Peter Roskam (R, Ill)…

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Peter Roskam, Chief Deputy Whip and member of the House Ways & Means Committee, issued the following statement after the Obama Administration sent the long-stalled Columbia, Panama, and Korea Free Trade Agreements (FTA) to Congress today. Roskam has traveled to South Korea, Panama, and Colombia to meet with the respective countries’ leaders in support of these three agreements:

“These three pro-export policies will make it easier for American manufacturers to sell our products overseas and in turn create jobs here. Republicans have been advocating for these commonsense no-cost job-creation policies for years. While our economy has unfortunately suffered as the Administration stalled on these agreements for the last years, it is very welcome news that the Administration is finally supporting them. With unemployment at 9.1% nationally, Washington has to be embracing commonsense solutions that remove barriers to private-sector job creation.”

One Illinois Guy Who Won’t Be At TeaCon 2011

September 30, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Capitalism, Chicago, Conservatives, Economy/Finances, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Illinois, Libertarian, Republicans, Taxes, Tea Party, Warner Todd Huston | 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, there is one local Illinois activist that apparently won’t be at this weekend’s TeaCon 2011, but not for want of trying. Bill Kelly, one-time candidate for Illinois Comptroller — he came in second, by the way — has told me that he’s been barred not only from getting media credentials for the event, but even from buying a ticket.

Kelly has a page on the Washington Times community section blogs and was told by the Times that he could get media creds representing them at TeaCon, but when he went to the event staff with his request TeaCon organizers denied his credentialing.

Kelly feels that people at WIND radio, one of the event co-hosts, put the kybosh on his credentials because of a recent dust up between Kelly and Senator Dick Durbin not to mention another dustup between Kelly and local TV reporter Jay Levine.
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Does Government Regulate Too Much?‏

September 30, 2011 | Filed Under Budget, Business, Democrats/Leftists, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, House of Representatives, Illinois, President, Randy Hultgren, Regulation, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

From the office of Rep. Randy Hultgren (Ill., 14th District)…

Recently, I spoke on the House floor about what regulatory uncertainty is doing to small business owners like Rock Katschnig, a farmer and resident of the 14th District.

Unfortunately, Rock’s situation isn’t unique – I’ve heard similar stories over and over again as I travel throughout the area.

That’s why this fall, I’m joining my colleagues to fight for a pro-growth environment where small businesses and job-creators can hire new workers and invest without fearing what Washington will do to them. Our efforts are focused on creating a reasonable, stable regulatory environment that gives our economy the confidence it needs to grow.
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Ron Paul: NOT a Serious Candidate

September 26, 2011 | Filed Under 9/11, Banks, Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Capitalism, Congress, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Elections, Federalism, Financial Reform, Foreign Countries, Foreign Policy, Free Trade, GOP, Government, Government, Corruption, History, House of Representatives, Jobs, Law, Military, President, Regulation, Republicans, Ron Paul, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Ron Paul is not serious about running for president nor is he a serious candidate even were he to be so inclined. But serious or no, he is a horrible candidate regardless.

Now, there may have been a time a decade or so ago when Ron Paul really thought he had a shot at being elected the president of the United States but that time has long ago passed into history. His last several campaigns were not serious efforts.

Let’s take Paul’s unserious campaign effort first, before I get to his amazing unsuitability for the White House.

The idea of having a national campaign organization to propel a candidate to winning primaries is predicated on reaching out to local state and country party organizations, working with them on ideas, and bringing some of those local political operatives into your own primary effort. This practice then extends your influence and helps bring ground troops to your game, folks that are influential in each sector of the country, folks that will presumably bring voters to your candidacy.
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Fox Business Network Takes on Regulations Burying the Open Road Trucking Industry

September 16, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Budget, Capitalism, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Fox Business Network, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, Jobs, Liberals, Regulation, Taxes, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

Much of what you eat, wear, read, play with, drive, and ride gets to your hometown store via a truck of some kind so the open road trucking industry — as well as local, short distance haulers — is a vital link between all of us and the necessities of life. That is why the constant wave of new regulations that roll over truckers like a killer tidal wave is something to which we all need to pay more attention. So, it looks like Fox Business Network’s Adam Shapiro has been doing some of that attention paying.

These jobs killing regulations need to be reassessed because small business owners — called owner-operators — are being priced right out of the business leaving only the giant trucking firms that can afford to pay all the fees, licenses, tags, and stickers while at the same time being able to have the legal advice to satisfy all the mounds of regulations as well as the yearly and multitudinous changes in same that happen every single year.

Remembering that President Obama keeps claiming that he wants to eliminate regulations, even though his own regulatory powers grow by the day, regulations in this country are killing businesses and smothering any possible recovery. Nearly every day we hear of a new major regulation the Obama administration wants to add to the pile.

Worse, every single year there are hundreds of new regulations and thousands of alterations to regulations that we never hear about, changes that affect nearly every American business. Changes that ultimately make our lives more difficult and costly, changes that cost jobs.

Fox Business Network has been doing a special entitled Regulation Nation that explores the litany of regulations that inhibit the stimulation of the economy and one of the particular issues has been those regulations that affect the trucking industry.
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Obama Now Trying to Intimidate Consultants and PR Firms of Businesses

September 13, 2011 | Filed Under Anti-Americanism, Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Communism, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Ethics, Free Trade, Freedom, Government, Government, Corruption, Liberals, President, Regulation, Right To Work, Socialism, Unions, Warner Todd Huston | Comments Off

-By Warner Todd Huston

True to form, even as he says he wants to cut regulations, Obama’s regulatory army is marching hard against business and this week the president’s Labor Dept. has unleashed yet another salvo in order to hurt the business sector. Before I start this explanation of yet another Obama powergrab through his powers to regulate, may I remember you all that this president has made a big, fake show out of claiming that he wants to cut unnecessary regulations? While he says it a lot, he’s made few attempt to live up to the claim.

Now, in two weeks — Sept. 24 to be exact — the public comment period on Obama’s newest powergrab will be over and the Dept. of Labor will undertake to implement a new scheme to make it uncomfortable for PR firms. law firms, polling firms, and communications companies of all sorts to do business with companies that have employees, workers that might in the future be unionized or currently are unionized.

The new regulation by Obama’s Labor Dept. would force all “persuaders” to register with the government and disclose all their financial info to the DOL.
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Spreading ‘Big Oil Subsidy’ Disinformation

September 2, 2011 | Filed Under Barack Obama, Budget, Business, Democrats/Leftists, Economy/Finances, Energy, Free Trade, Government, Government, Corruption, Liberals, Oil, Paul Driessen, President, Regulation, Taxes | Comments Off

-By Paul Driessen

Every American manufacturing company gets tax deductions that help it create jobs and strengthen our economy – whether it produces newspapers, furniture, cars or fuel. Eliminating those deductions would increase unemployment and further slow our nation’s desperately needed economic recovery.

Yet that is precisely what President Obama wants to do when oil companies want to use the deductions. It is one of many ways the Obama administration is undermining the oil industry and 9.2 million Americans whose jobs it supports. It is part of the administration’s strategy for replacing fossil fuels with heavily subsidized “alternatives” that taxpayers cannot afford, and consumers will not purchase on their own.

Newspapers that benefit from the same genre of tax deductions as oil companies nevertheless sometimes join attacking the oil industry, and the jobs and benefits it creates. This is rank hypocrisy.
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