Dodd Must Go

Today was certainly a rough day for President Barack Obama and his administration. First of all it was revealed that Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke served on the Board of Directors of AIG from 2001-2008 (but of course he knew nothing about executive bonuses).
It was also revealed that 13 corporations that received bail out money from Congress owe over 200 million dollars in back taxes.
If these two items weren't enough,the real blow came when one of the liberal icons in Congress (and a key architect of the $800billion dollar spending plan that was rammed down our throats) Christopher Dodd did an about face and admitted that he did indeed help craft a loophole in the bill that allowed AIG Corporate Executives to collect over $165 million in bonus money!
I've long been critical of Dodd's role in our economic meltdown as Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee but this latest revelation takes the cake! In my opinion it's time for him to step down....and hopefully the other three stooges of Congress.... Pelosi, Reid and Barney Frank will soon follow......and that's what shim sez.

Is the Honeymoon Over?

Latest Pew Research polls have President Obama's overall approval rating slipping to 59%. That's down from 64% just last month. Now that word is out that he is considering an outrageous proposal that would have veterans pay for war related injuries with their own insurance his popularity is sure to fall even further. With the exception of the far left fringe in the Democratic Party that plan is sure to anger the overwhelming majority of Americans and rightfully so.
This along with the fact that Americans are becoming more and more wary of The Administrations plans for the economy make me wonder.....Is the honeymoon over? And that's what shim sez.....

Getcha Popcorn Ready....

The biggest act in the NFL is heading to Buffalo with the Bills signing of controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens. While questioned by many this deal is a smart move by the Bills front office.
First of all it gives them a big time playmaker that they have sorely lacked for the past several years. It's going to be tough to double team Lee Evans each game with Owens lined up on the other side of the field.
Yes...he's been a distraction wherever he's been but by signing him for only one year they should be able to minimize the distractions. Owens is a bonafide super star who's work ethic has never been challenged and really wants to win.
For those that are concerned about his negatively effecting team chemistry...we're talking about a team that hasn't appeared in a playoff game in 10 years and has gone 7-9 the past three seasons! What is so sacred about that type of "chemistry" that it can't or shouldn't be shaken up at least a little? Buffalo Bills fans...getcha popcorn ready the show is about to begin...and that's what shim sez.

Down Again....What's up With Rush?

President Obama held a major Healthcare Summit today in Washington. Similar to what has happened everytime he's made a major announcement of any kind involving the economy or healthcare in the past month the stock market plunged downward. This time by almost 300 points. Looks like it's time for the Administration and the media to roll out a fresh batch of Rush Limbaugh stories! And that's what shim sez.....

Dems and Media vs. Rush

With the economy continuing to spin out of control, the stock market plunging at a record setting pace, questions of troop withdrawals in Iraq, and additions in Afghanistan, Presidential Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel went on the talk shows this past weekend and addressed.......Rush Limbaugh!
Since then the ever so willing media has taken up the cause and has done story after story on what Limbaugh's role is in the Republican Party.
Seems to me that our Democratic leaders would have more important issues to concentrate on. Unless of course they want to keep this discussion going and take the focus off the real story.....that Americans in increasing numbers aren't buying into any of the stuff that they have been selling.....and that's what shim sez..

The President vs. The Stock Market

Two things that President Obama has done exceptionally well since being elected (in addition to spending our money) are blaming George Bush for all that is wrong with the economy and demonizing Wall St. and the stock market as nothing but a bunch of fat cat, greedy Wall St. Bankers.
First off, the success of the stock market effects the savings, retirement plans and 401k's of millions of ordinary every day Americans so when his fear mongering, tax the rich, anti corporate America rhetoric causes the market to plunge it effects us all in a very negative way.
Secondly while it's convenient to blame his predecessor for the entire economic mess here are a few facts. Since election day the stock market has dropped 2000 points! In just the four days in February where Obama criticized executive salaries, announced his bank rescue plan, signed the $800 billion spending plan and held his Fiscal Responsibility Summit the market dropped a total of 1037 points on those days alone! Mr. President even though it is very convenient and the adoring press that follows you makes it easy to do so, please stop the rhetoric. All of this mess is occurring on your watch now......and that's what shim sez...

Good Speech....But Questions Remain

I have to say it was good to hear President Obama sounding more like a leader last night when he addressed Congress and the nation on the economy. It was good to hear reassuring tones rather than constant talk of crisis and gloom and doom scenarios. Why last night he even referred to it as the "worst economic crisis in decades" rather than the usual revisionist history talk of "worst ever" or "worst since the great depression."
I was also pleased to hear him talk about reforming education and putting the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of parents and children.
That said he made a few remarks that made wonder..he claimed that he was NOT a proponent of big government yet his current spending package and additional spending will bloat our government much bigger than it is now.
After getting in a partisan shot about the deficit he inherited, he then claimed that he will "reduce the deficit by half" by the end of his first term. Now I'm no math expert but after seeing the amount of spending in just the first month in office I'd like to see how he plans to do that.
And finally I'd like to refer to what may have been his George Bush #41 "Read My Lips" moment. President Obama guaranteed that "nobody who earns under $250,000 will pay a dime in new taxes." For effect he then repeated "not a dime."
You may recall that Mr. Bush went back on his famous "Read my Lips" pledge to not raise taxes and he was reminded of it constantly by both the media and Democrats and it cost him re election in 1992.
Trouble is if President Obama breaks his "not a dime" pledge he'll have one thing going for him that Mr. Bush didn't.....a main stream media that's willing to look the other way and cover for him...and that's what shim sez.