Lucid Links (032409, Morning)
Noteworthy Net-Worthies:
50-50? I believe that was before any impact of President ‘Prompter’s alleged punch-drunkenness could be measured.
Former DNC Chair Howard Dean has been hired by CNBC — To be Rick Santelli’s and Jim Cramer’s minder, perhaps?
Obama’s judicial nominee (HT the Other McCain) for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, John F. Hamilton, is a former ACORN fundraiser. Hamilton, in a ruling overturned on appeal, barred prayers that mention Jesus Christ from opening daily sessions of the Indiana House of Representatives. He’s so far-left we don’t even have to ask if he’s pro-abort, do we, prolife poseurs and Obama endorsers Steve Driehaus and John Boccieri?
George Will — “The Toxic Assets We Elected.” Great column, as he chronicles much, but nowhere near all, of the “lawlessness, situational constitutionalism and institutional derangement” in the Obama administration thus far. What we elected also has created trillions in liabilities.
Of all the targeted campaigns against supposedly evil capitalistic excess, the idea of banning “luxury” corporate travel by recipients of federal bailout funds is among the worst. It has sent a chill throughout the entire corporate world, as, bailed-out or not, no one wants to be seen as the next target of the Overindulgence Police. It has thus sent the travel industry and related services (catering, etc.) into a serious tailspin well beyond what other industries are experiencing in this downturn. That’s quite a contrast from the post-9/11 mindset, where the Bush administration virtually begged people to travel and not “let the terrorists win” (eventually, it worked). The hypocrisy is hard to swallow too, from Nancy Pelosi’s military aircraft antics to senators of both parties leaving town for meetings on the Florida coast. Another element of hypocrisy: the alleged champions of the little guy apparently don’t care that a lot of little guys at hotels and resorts are losing their jobs because of their posturing.
The Toledo Blade, in an editorial, tells us that the one thing financially strapped Michigan needs more than anything else right now is a graduated income tax with a top rate of 7.9%. Well, states to which former Michiganders continue to flee would surely be pleased.
“U.S. Seeks Expanded Power to Seize Firms” — Yeah, because the federal government doesn’t have enough power already. Oh, and Tax Cheat and Proven Liar (under oath?) Tim Geithner is in charge of it. Feel better now?
