PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH SIGNS $1.35 TRILLION TAX CUT--President Bush achieves his promised tax cut in what is considered the most important tax legislation in a generation.
US SENATE APPROVES PRESIDENT'S $1.35 TRILLION TAX CUT- By a vote of 62 to 38 the Senate passed the tax cut bill that President Bush has been promoting. All 50 Republicans and 12 Democrats voted for the tax cut bill. The House already voted for the tax cutting bill of $1.6 Trillion that lowered the top tax rate to 33%. The Senate version only cut the top rate to 36% and now a joint conference between the House and Senate will work out the final tax cut bill compromise. George Bush had campaigned on a tax cut of $1.3 trillion and after elected, promoted a $1.6 trillion tax cut. The tax cut bill had received 53 votes in the Senate on the first important vote before all amendments were disposed of. The added amount of $300 million helped in negotiations where the President was able to gain a compromise with 5 moderate Democrats to get a tax cut of $50 million more then Bush campaigned for during the election against Gore. Only two liberal Republicans voted against the tax cut and are no longer seen as having much influence in the party. However, the two liberal Republicans then voted for the final bill along with 12 Democrats including the first five moderate Democrats to support the tax cuts; Breaux, Baucus, Cleland, Nelson and Miller. Who are now in a position to make more deals with the President and are real power brokers in Congress.
DAY CARE PROVEN TO HARM CHILDREN-(TomG Report) A 10 year federally funded study showed that the longer young children spend in day care away from their mothers, the more problem behavior is exhibited, especially aggression. Lead researcher, Jay Belsky of Birkbeck College in London, reported that children that spend more than 30 hours a week in day care or pre school are harmed the most and showed behavior problems of fighting, cruelty, explosive behavior and often argues a lot. The study results, although not surprising to many, was an embarrassment to liberal and left wing groups including the NY Times which also reported the study. The liberal/left promoted the use of day care as a beneficial way to raise children, without any evidence, and has become part of their propaganda to institutionalize children at early ages and break down the family structure. The harm to children and society by the liberal/left due to their social experimenting has caused many additional problems. Many behavioral problems lead to learning disabilities and has resulted in a new phenomenon of children diagnosed with ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, and are then often prescribed medication such as Ritalin which also leads to harmful results. More on the Hazards of stimulant drugs like Ritalin.
SENATE CONTINUES TO DEBATE LIMITING FREE SPEECH BY WAY OF NEW CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS- The McCain-Feingold Bill restricts free speech by limiting the type and amount of money that can be raised and spent on elections. John McCain, a Republican, joins the vast majority of Democrats to strike to blow against the first Amendment of the Constitution that guarantees free speech and particularly political speech. It the bill passes and becomes law, the US Supreme Court would most likely rule the bill unconstitutional or at least main parts of it. The bill supporters want to include a part called severability that will allow parts of the bill to go into law that are constitutional if the US Supreme court strikes down other parts. If severability passes along with the bill, the Democrats may be in for a rude awakening as a conservative Supreme Court strikes down the parts the liberals like that restrict free speech and leaves parts that the Republicans like such as raising per person campaign donation limits. Constitutional rights have always been absolute, and the McCain-Feingold bill if made law will end the guarantee of political free speech in the first amendment of the Constitution and allow more laws restricting free speech to be very likely as other forms of speech have less protection then political speech.
CNN CRACKS UP-The cable news channel often called the Communist News Network or the Clinton News Network is in a ratings free fall which may explain the crazy happenings there recently. Ted Turner, CNN founder and now part owner, again displayed his anti-Christian bigotry calling employees at the network 'Jesus freaks' because of ashes they had on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. He then joked that they should be working at Fox. Turner made other anti-Christian remarks in the past, usually trying to mock Christians with jokes and was quoted as saying, "Christianity is for losers". The remark by Turner mentioning the Fox network is not so surprising. The Fox News cable channel is now the number one cable news channel in just a few years of existence which has really embarrassed CNN. The left wing CNN has tried to make changes to stop the decline but has not been able to stop losing round to Fox. This embarrassment for Turner and CNN has not had any effect on their liberal/left political spin which continues as if that isn't any reason for the decline or that declining ratings are acceptable as long as their political propaganda can continue.
The liberal John King at CNN complained that Larry King hosted an inaugural for President Bush. John King couldn't tolerate that Larry King would associate in a positive matter with the Republican President but apparently never had a problem with the liberal/left agenda at CNN and the continued spin for Clinton, the liberal Democrat President. Other oddities at the network is a revelation that Jesse Jackson made a huge 250,000 dollar a year salary for his very low rated, once a week show, and much more money then most others at the network make.
The once mighty network as had layoffs and program changes but not many watch the liberal propaganda and left wing slanted news anymore.
CONGRESS VOTES FOR PRESIDENT BUSH's TAX CUTS-All Republicans along with 10 Democrats voted 230-198 for the House version of the income tax cut. The House Ways and Means committee earlier approved, 23 to 15 vote, the income tax cut portion of George Bush's 1.6 Trillion dollar tax cut and now the whole House will vote on it before sending it to the Senate. The only part that is retroactive is the lowest rate of 15% going to 12% and cuts at the marginal rates are small the first year. Many have been critical of the plan because it will take 5 years to be completed, reducing the top rate over that time period from 39% to 33% and the lowest rate from15% to 10%. Criticism has not gone unnoticed by house leaders as many voiced disappointment that the tax cut plan is too timid and not likely to help the slowing economy. The income tax cut will only reduce taxes by under 6 billion this year and just over 40 Billion next year out of the near 950 billion income tax cut portion over 10 years. Republican majority leader Dick Armey has said that he will press for a larger tax cut and many are looking for and expecting a much larger part of the tax cut coming in the next two years to boost the sagging economy. President Bush is campaigning for tax cuts around the nation to build support and put pressure on congress to vote in favor of the tax cut plan. When the House and Senate conference committee takes up the bill there is hope that strong support by the public will pressure congressional members and lead to greater tax cuts, as well as more being front loaded over the next two years instead of taking over 5 years to be phased in.
DEBATE TAPE INDICTMENT-An aide to the media firm the Bush campaign hired was indicted for mail fraud, lying to investigators and perjury when questioned before a grand jury. The aide, Lozano, was a Democrat and worked for Mark McKinnon who also has ties to Democrats including Paul Begala, Mandy Grunwald and James Carville who are well known apologists and political spinners for Clinton and Gore. The practice debate tape was stolen from the Bush campaign and sent to Gore campaign member Tom Downey. The tape contained information about Bush's preparation for the debates with Gore and would have been very useful if the Gore campaign had used it. Downey turned over the tape to the FBI and an investigation immediately followed. The liberal media down played the incident which raised comparisons to Watergate where the Democrats headquarters were broken into by members of Nixon's administration looking for some information. It is not known yet if members of the Gore campaign were involved or received any other sensitive information. One Gore staff member had bragged a week earlier in an e-mail that they had a mole in the Bush campaign, then denied it saying he was only making a joke in the e-mail to his friend.
HILLARY DENIES KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT PARDONS BUT ADMITS SOME INVOLVEMENT-Hillary Rodham Clinton said she knew nothing of the "vast majority" of pardons and only passed envelopes with pardon request information to be considered by Bill Clinton. Hillary said she didn't look into the envelopes and said the pardons were up to Bill Clinton. However, Webb Hubbell who was a friend of Bill Clinton, didn't receive a pardon by the ex-president. It was reported by NewsMax that Hillary "vetoed" his pardon because Hubbell didn't protect her well enough from the Whitewater scandals. It was also well known that Hillary directed members of the Clinton administration to complete tasks she wanted done without approval from Bill Clinton or any other high ranking Clinton official; Hillary handing over pardon requests would have had implicit support for when considered by her husband. Hillary also distanced herself from her brother Hugh Rodham saying she was "disappointed in this misjudgment that he made" and she denied knowing of his involvement.
XXX HILLARY CLINTON'S BROTHER, HUGH RODHAM, RECEIVED CLOSE TO $400,000 PAYMENT FOR PARDON'S BY EX-PRESIDENT CLINTON OF TWO CONVICTS INCLUDING A DRUG DEALER-The pardons by Clinton didn't receive the proper Justice Department review and recommendation and were given for unknown reasons. It was reported that most of the money was returned at the request of the Clinton's but only after it was exposed by the media. What role the payments to Hillary's brother played is being investigated to determine if criminality was involved such as bribery. Clinton pardoned about 140 people and of these about 40 of them didn't receive the proper Justice Department review and recommendation. Clinton pardoned and commuted the sentences of criminals such as perjurers, swindlers, thieves, international fugitives, tax cheats and drug dealers. Bill Clinton was thought to be a candidate for a pardon if he was indicted by the Independent Council Ray, but Clinton entered a plea bargain to avoid criminal charges. Clinton was subject to numerous investigations in his scandal filled presidency having lied under oath in a court of law and was found in contempt of court. He was also investigated for trading nuclear missile technology for campaign money among other improprieties.
ROGER CLINTON, EX-PRESIDENTS BROTHER, ARRESTED-Roger Clinton was arrested for drunk driving and released. Ex-president Clinton pardoned his brother for a cocaine conviction in the 1980's and Clinton also pardoned Roger's cocaine friend who was also convicted and who claimed that Roger supplied him with the illegal drug. It was also reported by media sources that Roger Clinton was subject to an FBI probe to possible influence peddling, of offering Clinton approved pardons for cash. The case was dropped because Roger Clinton wasn't a federal government official.
GORE LASHED OUT AT CLINTON!-The Washington Post has reported that Gore "clashed" in a closed door meeting with Clinton a few days after Gore conceded the election. Gore was reported to have blamed Clinton for his loss of the presidency because of Clinton's low personal approval and the Clinton scandals of Lewinsky and fund raising involving China. The article by Harris reported that Clinton told Gore with equal force that he lost because he didn't run on the Clinton record. On Inaugural Day, Clinton had numerous appearances to "say good bye" and many speculated that he was trying to upstage the new president but Gore was put in a car along with his wife and whisked away without much fanfare. With the power of party leadership at stake, it appears that Clinton successfully sent Gore packing without any power in the party and named his own loyalist Terry McAuliffe and not Gore's choice for DNC chairman thought to be Peter Knight. Although Gore came lose to winning, he is now out of power in the party and will have a tough time getting the resources needed to win the party nomination in 2004. Clinton has control of the party and can promote who he wants including Hillary for the 2004 presidential Democrat nomination.
GEORGE BUSH SUBMITS TAX CUT PLAN OF 1.6 TRILLION DOLARS TO CONGRESS-President Bush said his tax cut proposal would save the average family $1,600, lower tax brackets to 10%, 15%, 25% an 33%, give a $1000 per child tax break, eliminate the death tax and marriage penalty and expand charitable donations tax deductions. Bush said,
"My plan addresses the struggles of American families and respects their judgment. It doesn't tell families how to spend their money. It doesn't single out some Americans for relief while leaving others out. It's tax relief for everybody who pays taxes. That's what these - that's what the times and basic fairness demand,". Democrats attacked the plan, led by Daschle, who made the tax cut plan sound very small to the average guy saying it means a new muffler on a used car. Daschle also lied saying that the"middle class" will get "stuck" with the bill knowing full well that the tax cut is across the board and particularly for the middle class. In 1981, Daschle voted for the Reagan across the board tax cuts of 25%, but now in "leadership" roll of opposition to President Bush he is against the similar tax cut plan. The Democrats have tried to say the tax cut was too large but with many now supporting the tax cut, Democrats are now using class warfare of rich verses poor.
PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER ENDING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST RELIGIOUS GROUPS- Bush signed the executive order allowing religious groups an equal opportunity to run social service programs and be eligible for government funding to run them. Many non-religious groups receive government funds to run poverty programs but now religious groups will also be able to run the programs and not have to hide or end their religious activities in order to qualify for the funds. This change has set off liberal and anti-Christian groups into a rage as they see religious groups no longer discriminated against and now left wing groups will have a new competitor for the government funds. It is clear to these liberal groups that they will no longer be the preferred benefactors that they were under 8 years of Clinton for government largess. Religious based organizations are more effective helping people then most government run programs and can usually do more without all of the bureaucracy and regulations. George Bush has high hopes that religious groups can help more people and be more compassionate to people in need; while the liberals see this as a threat to their funding or a de-funding of the political left.
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TRASHED THE WHITE HOUSE ON THE WAY OUT- Members of the Clinton administration did damage to the White House causing thousands of dollars of repairs and clean-up work in a display of nasty bitterness for the incoming Bush administration. Phone lines were cut, answering machines or voice mail contained obscene messages, phone lines were misdirected to other government offices. Desks were turned upside down and trash left everywhere. Computer printers had paper with pornographic pictures and obscene messages. The 'W' keys on computers were torn off and some were glued on upside down and filing cabinets glued shut. The Vice Presidents office found in complete shambles. Lewd graffiti on one office hallway. Reports said Mrs. Al Gore phoned Mrs. Cheney to apologize for the VP office mess.
TED KENNEDY LIES AND DEMAGOGUES ABOUT ASHCROFT-Senator Kennedy lied when saying Ashcroft owes an apology to the people for insinuating our government is tyrannical. Ashcroft never insinuated that our government is tyrannical and said in the quote that kennedy referred to, that "a citizenry armed with a right both to possess firearms and to speak freely is less likely to fall victim to a tyrannical central government...". Similar statements were made by founding fathers of the United States including Madison and Jefferson that the right to keep and bare arms guaranteed in the second amendment helps to protect freedom and is the purpose for the 2nd amendment. The lie and demagogic words by Kennedy to hurt the great reputation of Ashcroft has made the Democrats, Kennedy and the liberals to look overly partisan and mean-spirited.
THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND CONSERVATIVES FIGHT BACK AGAINST LIBERAL GROUPS THAT ARE SMEARING ATTORNEY GENERAL PICK ALAN ASHCROFT- The RNC started a support effort for Ashcroft and supporters of Ashcroft have begun contacting
members of the Senate expressing their outrage over the unfair attacks on Ashcroft. Ashcroft was a Senator, Governor and state Attorney General from Missouri and well respected as someone who will bring integrity to the Attorney General's office and enforce the country's laws. For many weeks, politicians from the Democrats party have been demanding bipartisan cooperation, but liberal groups have tried to destroy the nomination of Ashcroft by means of personal destruction. In what can be described as McCarthyism and just mean-spirited attacks, the liberals and the political left has tried to poison the political process to hurt the new Bush administration. Now many conservatives have begun to defend Ashcroft and others picked for the new administration.
US POPULATION GROWS 13.2% TO 281,421,906 REPUBLICAN STATES ARE THE BIGGEST WINNERS-(second most important political news after the presidential election) Republicans are set to gain congressional house seats due to the population growth being highest in states that Bush and Republicans win. If the census was taken and congressional state representation of house seats was done before the presidential election, Bush would have won by and aditional 14 electoral votes.with Bush adding 7 and Gore losing 7. Republican winning states set to gain congressional seats are Florida, Georgia, Arizona and Texas with two additional seats and electoral votes each and NC, NV, and CO gaining one each. Democrats lose seats and electoral votes in NY and PA, two each, CA, CT and IL one each. Other states losing representation are OH, MS, MI, IN, OK and WS each losing one seat. With the Republican majority in congress small, the additional house seats in Republican leaning states make the likelihood of Democrats gaining control in 2002 less likely. In a few months the census will release population figures with in states so that congressional districts can be drawn up. The population numbers with in states also will help Republicans as the larger increases are in heavily Republican areas and Democrat areas, like cities, will lose US House seats and state legislature seats.
Democrats led by Senator Daschle kill bill to help military personnel vote-The Democrats threatened to object to a bill that allows voting on military bases; the bill needed unanimous agreement at this time. Many in the military would otherwise have trouble voting off base because of the location of the base and the requirements of their job serving and protecting the country. The Democrats repeatedly said during the election that they wanted ever vote counted, but prevented counting many votes of those that serve in the military. Now after the election the Democrats again show they will go to any extreme to prevent voting by the men and women in the military. Clinton, a year earlier, changed the policy of military personnel voting on bases to make it more difficult for them.
