With the holidays behind them, Americans are determining the aftermath of their annual holiday spending spree. For the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the spending spree at taxpayer expense has just begun. On December 11, 2014, the FCC met to vote on changes to the E-Rate program, which is part of the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Fiscally Drunk and Disorderly
In spite of the decisive drubbing that President Obama and his party sustained in the mid-term elections, he continues to gallop along on his (gift) horse, proposing all kinds of new government spending programs, as if nothing has changed. His behavior is reminiscent of the over-served guy drowning his sorrows at the local watering hole, running up a big tab on his maxed-out credit card, yelling “another round on me for everybody!”
Repealing Obamacare – Is It Doable?
On January 6, the 114th Congress convened and is now under Republican control, with 54 senators out of 100 in the Senate and 246 representatives out of 435 in the House. One of the major Republican campaign promises was the full repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more often referred to as ObamaCare. But can it be done?
114th Congress: The New Sheriff(s) in Town
Unlike the United States Senate, control of the House of Representatives did not change as a result of the November 4, 2014 elections. However, the Republican majority did expand to at least 244 members, its highest level since the 1928 elections. Two seats in Louisiana will be decided by a December 6, 2014 runoff election, while the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona is the subject of a mandatory recount, with Republican Martha McSally slightly ahead of incumbent Democrat Ron Barber.
Net Neutrality Strikes Back
During the first week following its release on November 28, more than 42 million people had watched the trailer for “Star Wars VII – The Force Awakens.” It was a reminder that every time it appears either the Empire or the Republic are defeated, the vanquished side rises with renewed energy. Fittingly, the trailer appeared […]
Who’s the Obstructionist?
While I tend to write mostly about healthcare issues, a November 27 article from Investor’s Business Daily, entitled “Obama Taking Hard Line, Blows Up Bipartisan Tax Deal,” provides a brief look into what the next two years will be like. Says Investor’s: The White House move this week to torpedo a deal between House Republicans […]
Dueling Agencies
On October 22, 2014, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) released his annual “Wastebook 2014. What Washington Doesn’t Want You To Read.” The new edition includes 100 wasteful programs or projects, ranging from the bizarre to the truly egregious, worth $25 billion. Here are just a few examples: A $331,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) […]
John Locke was Right….
When he said “I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.” Partisan ideology, never-ending campaigning, and empty rhetoric is no substitute for leadership, competence, and good management. The Keystone Cop character of the “we first heard about it when we read about it in the news” Obama administration is […]
WHO Are You to Raise the Tobacco Tax?
Black-and-white images of soldiers abroad brandishing “victory cigars” in the fight against a cruel and oppressive enemy lit up television screens in homes across the nation, and “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” by Merle Travis was a national hit on the air waves. Cigarettes were an icon of glamor with a hint of rugged sophistication, and America was very much the land of the free and home of the brave during World War II.
Marketplace Fairness Is Not A Fair Option
On July 15, 2014, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 3086, the Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act. This legislation would make the current moratorium on Internet access taxes, which was first enacted by Congress in 1998. However, Democratic leaders in the Senate allowed the bill to languish in an effort to appease a few […]