News for social, fiscal & national security conservatives who believe in God, family & the USA. We seek to uphold the rights granted by God & guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, traditional family values, "republican" principles / ideals, transparent & limited government, free markets, liberty & individual freedom. The ARRA News Service is an outreach of the Arkansas Republican Assembly. However, all content approval rests with the Editor. While varied positions are reported, our beliefs & principles remain fixed. No revenue is generated by this blog, no paid ads accepted and no payments for articles. Note the posted Fair Use doctrine. -- Editor: Dr. Bill Smith [OzarkGuru] - editor/arranewsservice.com (Published Since July, 2006)
Today in Washington, D.C. - June 7, 2011:
Last night, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 782. If no agreement to proceed to the bill is reached today, a cloture vote on the motion to proceed would occur tomorrow. Also, yYesterday, the Senate voted 72-16 to confirm Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. to be solicitor general.
The House is not in session this week. However, as detailed later, many are still hard at work to get the message out about solutions to the pending collapse of our U.S. economy. Next week,the House expects to debate and vote on the appropriations bill for military construction and veterans programs and potentially the appropriations bill for agriculture programs. The House Republican leadership is pushing the House to do its Constitutional responsibility of authorizing and appropriated funds for operation of the government. Whereas, the democrat leadership of the past relied on continuing resolutions (CRs) without review,, hearings and debate in assigned subcommittees and committees. The US Senate under the leadership of democrats continues this practice of no or very few committee meetings and pushing for CRs.
On the heels of a May jobs report showing “anemic” growth and higher unemployment, Gallup writes today, “[H]iring remains seven to eight points below early 2008. That is, current job creation has not returned to its levels of nearly 3 ½ years ago, when the recession got underway. On an absolute basis, job creation in 2011 is better than it was over the same five months in 2009 and 2010. At the same time, new jobs are being created at an anemic pace compared with what is needed to lower the U.S. unemployment rate, and the rate of improvement this year compared with last is declining. These trends are consistent with Gallup's recent unemployment report showing there has been virtually no improvement in the current jobs situation year over year.”
It’s understandable, then, that The Washington Post reports today, “The public opinion boost President Obama received after the killing of Osama bin Laden has dissipated, and Americans’ disapproval of how he is handling the nation’s economy and the deficit has reached new highs, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. The survey portrays a broadly pessimistic mood in the country this spring as higher gasoline prices, sliding home values and a disappointing employment picture have raised fresh concerns about the pace of the economic recovery.”
According to The Post, “By 2 to 1, Americans say the country is pretty seriously on the wrong track, and nine in 10 continue to rate the economy in negative terms. Nearly six in 10 say the economy has not started to recover, regardless of what official statistics may say, and most of those who say it has improved rate the recovery as weak. . . . Overall, about six in 10 of those surveyed give Obama negative marks on the economy and the deficit. Significantly, nearly half strongly disapprove of his performance in these two crucial areas. Nearly two-thirds of political independents disapprove of the president’s handling of the economy, including — for the first time — a slim majority who do so strongly.”
Interestingly, The Post also notes, “In another indicator of rapidly shifting views on economic issues, 45 percent trust congressional Republicans over the president when it comes to dealing with the economy, an 11-point improvement for the GOP since March.” That percentage is greater than the 42% who say they trust the president more.
Yesterday, the ARRA News Service posted about 103 House Republicans supporting the the House Republican Study Committee's "Cut, Cap, and Balance” response to the debt limit and the bigger debt crisis that’s just over the horizon. It’s a simple, three-part plan:
Today, The Washington Times in an editorial said, “the debt ceiling represents the last chance conservatives have” to cut spending and prevent this most predictable crisis. The Republican Study Committee Chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), also said today "The United States of America, the most dynamic country in history, is running headlong into a major debt crisis. Prominent Democrat Erskine Bowles calls it 'the most predictable economic crisis in history.' And with Washington borrowing more than 40 cents out of every dollar spent, we are rapidly approaching a tipping point. While President Obama asked Congress for a blank check debt limit increase (which the House voted down 97-318), conservatives are getting behind a plan that could actually prevent the coming calamity."
Speaking on the floor yesterday, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell explained how things got to this point. “[W]hile some in Washington have sought to paper over our economic problems, or offer weak assurances that a recovery is right around the corner, millions of Americans continue to suffer — with no end in sight. And very few people are confident that things will turn around anytime soon. It’s no secret why. For two and a half years, Democrats in Washington have paid lip service to the idea of job creation while pursuing an agenda that is radically opposed to it. And the results speak for themselves. They told us that if we borrowed a trillion dollars and spent it, unemployment wouldn’t rise above 8 percent. Two and a half years later, unemployment is hovering above nine percent, higher than when the Stimulus was signed. They told us that if we spent trillions on a new health care entitlement we’d see health care costs go down. A year later, health care costs are expected to go up. They told us that if we spent money we didn’t have on things like cash for clunkers, turtle tunnels, solar panels and windmills — in other words, on more government — the recovery would take care of itself.”
“These past weeks should have been a wake-up call for Democrats,” Leader McConnell said. “ Democrats have ignored every warning. Americans look at all this and ask themselves a simple question: when will these guys get serious?” Tags:Washington, D.C., The House, The Senate, poll numbers, the economy, lost jobsTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Bill Smith, Editor: In the "yesteryears" we used the term "the domino effect"to illustrate the spreading of communism. Cartoonist William Warren has now used dominoes in his latest political cartoon (below) to depict the coming collapse of the American economy.
Is there anyone "who cares" at the White House or in the Senate Democrat leadership and is also willing to stop or to help mitigate the coming economic collapse of America? Mr. Obama, we do not need anymore campaign rhetoric! The progressive liberals and even a few anarchist from odd political variations may be looking favorably toward the collapse of our country, but the rest of America is not.
Many House Republican have demonstrated their concern. They came to Washington with a clear understanding that they have no promise of returning for another term. They also understand that time is running out for certain problems to be resolved. They know they might be "out on the street" with their follow Americans if the economy collapses. Also, rumors are spreading of fear of a potential dictatorship operating out of the White House in the future if an economic collapse were to occur.
Yesterday, the ARRA News Service posted about 103 House Republicans supporting the the House Republican Study Committee's "Cut, Cap, and Balance” response to the debt limit and the bigger debt crisis that’s just over the horizon. It’s a simple, three-part plan:
Today, The Washington Times in an editorial said, “the debt ceiling represents the last chance conservatives have” to cut spending and prevent this most predictable crisis. The Republican Study Committee Chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), also said today "The United States of America, the most dynamic country in history, is running headlong into a major debt crisis. Prominent Democrat Erskine Bowles calls it 'the most predictable economic crisis in history.' And with Washington borrowing more than 40 cents out of every dollar spent, we are rapidly approaching a tipping point. While President Obama asked Congress for a blank check debt limit increase (which the House voted down 97-318), conservatives are getting behind a plan that could actually prevent the coming calamity."
Yesterday, the House grassroots Republicans released their; “Cut, Cap, and Balance” proposal which is supported by numerous conservative organizations. Where are the democrats and other republicans? Forget the tabloid journalism over Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY). The crisis looming over America is far more important and yes "bigger" (pun intended) than the anatomy and behavior issues of the misguided Rep. Weiner. It is shameful that elected members of Congress, the "lame street" news, and the cable channels, including Fox News, are wasting time and effort on WeinerGate. They were and are taking their eyes off the the real problems as detailed above and illustrated below in William Warren's political cartoon. By William Warren: "Today my cartoon looks at the debt crisis which is spreading from Europe to the U.S."
Tags:European Central Bank, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Political Cartoons, Portugal, Spain, U.S. Debt Crisis, William Warren, the economy, collapse of America, Anthony Weiner, US House, US Senate, White House, Cut, Cap, Balance, Bill SmithTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Some posts just cry out to be shared. The following is one of them. GM is a fellow "old" schooled blogger, husband, father, veteran, and has a way with words. Hope you enjoy his post as much as I did. - Bill Smith
GM Roper, GM's Place: Three items that would seem to have no linkage at all. But lets examine this for just a moment in this short (I promise) post.
If San Francisco is able to ban circumcision, they are perhaps condemning more women to cervical cancer. The increase in cervical cancer is approximately 5.6 times higher in women who have partners who are uncircumcised than with circumcised partners. Thus, while our Jewish brothers and sisters feel it is an anti-Semitic law (and it is, because as the Constitution states “Congress (and by extension the city of San Francisco) shall make no law…”) it is also more than that.
One of the Constitutional arguments about the ill advised Obamacare Law is that congress does not have the power (under the commerce clause) to compel people to purchase something under the Commerce Clause. Were it so, congress could all then require us all to buy a Chevy Volt, or even a Hummer or perhaps a beanie with a propeller on top. In San Francisco’s case, the proposed city rule banning circumcision (an arguably medical practice not necessarily a cultural genital mutilation issue) one could argue that if the city has that kind of power, the city could also at some other time require male infants (and todlers, adolescent and adult men moving into the city) to have circumcision done in order to save countless women the horror that is cervical cancer.
In the case of Chevy Volts… well, who wants to spend $43,000 plus dollars to save maybe $1800.00 in increase gasoline costs per year? It would take approximately 23 years to make that a financially sound move. How many of us keep our cars for 23 years? Tags:Absurdities, Conundrums, Religion, Socialism, The Court, Abject Stupidity, Anti-Semitism, Political Correctness, GM Roper, Chevy Volts, Circumcision, ObamacareTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Bankrupting America: As Washington continues to spend far beyond its means, uncertainty about the future of our economy is stifling the ability of businesses to plan for the future. When businesses owners are dealing with uncertainty, they’re less likely to invest and grow. This puts a strain on the job market.
Our new video takes a closer look at our jobs crisis and asks: what can Washington do to put Americans back to work?
Jobs and the Economy:
2011 College Graduates
“The class of 2011 will likely face the highest unemployment rate for college graduates…in history.” – The Economic Policy Institute
This spring, over 1.7 million college students[i] will graduate from four-year universities, bright eyed and ready to launch their careers. Has Washington prepared the job market to provide opportunity for so many young professionals to enter the workforce?
Class of 2011 and the Job Market The Employment Situation The Link: Uncertainty
The Employment Situation
In May, unemployment bounced to its highest level in 2011, at 9.1 percent.[ii]
Many Americans would argue the unemployment rate does not represent the job market they have encountered. While the Department of Labor reports 9.1 percent unemployment, Gallup rates underemployment, which takes into account people who have given up looking or taken part time work because they couldn’t find a job, at 19.1 percent.[iii]
Most Americans have felt the tight squeeze of a struggling economy, and college students are no exception. To put this into context: College student’s dads who graduated from college in the 1970’s encountered an average 6.1 percent[iv] unemployment rate… a stark difference from today’s college graduates.
The Link: Uncertainty
High government spending leaves businesses uncertain of future tax and interest rates, which leaves them more hesitant to invest in long-term projects that create jobs. Uncertainty over the future of the economy is keeping American businesses from recovery.
With each passing day our nation’s fiscal health gets worse, leaving our children and grandchildren falling further into debt. Democrats seem to have given up, proposing even more borrowing in response to our massive debt addiction. With the problem growing larger every day, we must move quickly and unite behind a plan to cut spending and get our budget into balance. Tags:Cut Spending, Cap Spending, Balance the Budget, RSC, US House, Jim Jordan, Neil Cavuto, FoxNews, videoTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Today in Washington, D.C. - June 6, 2011:
After a series of pro forma sessions preventing recess appointments by President Obama, the Senate reconvenes at 2 PM today. At 4:30 PM, the Senate will take up the nomination of Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. to be solicitor general. Following around an hour of debate, the Senate will vote on cloture on the nomination.
Last week the US House passed (231-188) an appropriations bill, HR 2017, for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in fiscal 2012 that cuts about $1 billion from the department's budget in 2011, largely by cutting grants for first and local first responders administered by FEMA. Democrats largely opposed the bill because of cuts n grant programs which the House Republicans noted as being inefficient and expensive in a time when the federal government needs to cut spending. Democrats like using grants to shore up their votes. The appropriations bill (note moneys still must be authorized) provides DHS in fiscal 2012 with $40.6 billion. This is 2.6% less than their funding in inf fiscal 2011 and 7 percent less that the big spenders at the White House requested. The Senate has to pass their version of an
Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) is chair of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. She expressed her concerns over the House cuts but she has yet to bring forth an appropriation bill from her subcommittee. The House Republicans are following the Constitution while the Senate Democrats ignore the Constitution and opt to operate by continuing resolutions without subcommittee hearings.
Today, the House Republican Study Committee shared that 103 House Republicans sent a letter [pdf copy of letter with signatures identified] to Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Cantor calling for a "Cut, Cap, and Balance” response to the debt limit and the bigger debt crisis that’s just over the horizon. It’s a simple, three-part plan:
With each passing day our nation’s fiscal health gets worse, leaving our children and grandchildren falling further into debt. Democrats seem to have given up, proposing even more borrowing in response to our massive debt addiction. With the problem growing larger every day, we must move quickly and unite behind a plan to cut spending and get our budget into balance.
ABC News reported on Friday, “Unemployment ticked up in May to 9.1 percent as private employers added 54,000 jobs, far fewer than economists were expecting, capping a week of gloomy economic news. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the May unemployment figures [Friday] morning, and few were pleased given the string of negative economic reports. . . . More people entered the work force in May. But most of the new entrants couldn’t find work. That pushed the unemployment rate up from 9.0 percent in April. The number of unemployed rose to 13.9 million. And the government revised the previous months’ job totals to show 39,000 fewer jobs were created in March and April than first thought.”
Despite the disappointing numbers on the economy, Obama administration economic advisor Austan Goolsbee tried to minimize the bad jobs report, as the AP put it. But The Wall Street Journal editors remained unimpressed, writing today, “As chief White House economist Austan Goolsbee put it, ‘there are always bumps on the road to recovery, but the overall trajectory of the economy has improved dramatically over the past two years.’ Nice try, but there’s no way to spin news that the economy in May created only 54,000 new jobs, which is about one-third the number necessary to keep up with the growth in the labor force. The jobless rate rose for the second straight month to 9.1%, which is especially depressing nearly two years after the end of a very deep recession.”
And it’s not just the failed stimulus; many other policies of the Obama administration are making it difficult to create American jobs as Senate Republican Conference Chairman Lamar Alexander pointed out in the Weekly Republican Address. “Last month the National Labor Relations Board moved to stop America’s largest exporter, the Boeing Company, from building airplanes at a non-union plant in South Carolina, suggesting that a unionized American company can’t expand its operations into one of the 22 states with right-to-work laws, which protect a worker’s right to join or not to join a union. . . . According to the chief of the Boeing company: ‘An unintended consequence of the Boeing complaint is that forward thinking CEOs also would be reluctant to place new plants in unionized states -- lest they be forever restricted from placing future plants across the country.’ Boeing is America’s largest exporter, but we want them to export airplanes, not jobs.”
As the WSJ editors put it, “The real ‘bumps on the road’ to recovery are these policies and the larger climate of hostility toward job creators that still prevails in Washington. A National Labor Relations Board that wants to stop businesses from moving plants; . . . hundreds of major new regulations from ObamaCare, Dodd-Frank and the EPA’s war on carbon energy; federal deficits that Mr. Obama says require higher taxes; . . . and so much more. The economy doesn’t need more of this.” Tags:Washington, DC, US Senate, US House, jobs, debt, spending, To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
NOTE: At the end of this article, is the following kinked article The truth behind Chrysler’s fake auto bailout pay back, by Conn Carroll for the Washington Examiner. Ever wonder who really payed back the US for the money loaned by the US to GM?Read the article - You are going to get very angry because YOU paid for the money to pay back for the loan that YOU (via the Obama Administration) gave to bailout GM. What a screwed up Country. Shaft me once, I am angry. Shaft me twice and I want to see heads roll even before the next election.
By Christine Hall: Washington, DC, June 2, 2011 – Documents released last week by the U.S. Treasury Department indicate that General Motors and the Obama administration coordinated their PR strategy regarding GM’s much criticized 2010 ad campaign, in which the car maker misleadingly claimed to have repaid all its government loans. In May 2010, after GM’s campaign was launched, CEI filed a deceptive advertising complaint with the FTC, and GM shortly thereafter stopped running the ads. CEI also filed a Freedom of Information request with Treasury for documents on the ad campaign. Those documents were finally released last week, after nearly a year of delay.
“One year ago, the US Treasury Department aided General Motors in its fraudulent claim that it fully repaid its government loans,” said Sam Kazman, CEI General Counsel. “The detailed nature of their cooperation is demonstrated in the Freedom of Information documents that the Department has finally produced. Rather than respond within the 20 day statutory time period, Treasury took nearly a year to release these documents.
“Now the Treasury Department is re-enacting this smoke-and-mirrors routine on behalf of Chrysler,” said Kazman. “Whatever the bailouts may be credited with creating, honesty isn’t one of them.”
The documents produced as a result of CEI’s FOIA request show GM sharing PR strategy with the Obama administration more than three weeks before launching the campaign. The Treasury Department sent some of those documents on to the White House at least two weeks before the launch.
Key points about the FOIA documents:
The timing of the Treasury Department’s response to CEI’s FOIA request appears to be connected to the administration’s current flurry of activity to tout the alleged success of the auto bailout.
The Treasury Department inexplicably took almost a full year to respond to CEI’s FOIA request. (See FOIA document pg. 1.) Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner wrote a Washington Post op-ed on June 1, 2011 with a similarly misleading statement that Chrysler had repaid its government loans. Tomorrow, President Obama is scheduled to give a speech at a Chrysler plant in Toledo, Ohio, likely trumpeting the auto bailout.
Treasury Secretary Geithner issued a press release touting GM’s repayment on the same day that GM launched its ad campaign. (See pgs. 9-10.) The newly released documents, however, indicate that the interrelationship between the Treasury Department, the White House, and GM on this PR effort was more extensive than previously realized.
Starting on March 30, 2010, three weeks before GM’s planned launch of its ad campaign, Brian Deese from the Executive Office of the President and numerous Treasury officials began exchanging emails relating to GM’s planned announcement. (See pgs. 55-59;97-102.) These emails included draft schedules, draft remarks by GM to be given by its chairman and CEO, Edward Whitacre, and draft press releases from both GM and Treasury. (See pgs. 9-14; 18-24; 36-39; 83-96.) Treasury also had advance copies of GM’s marketing materials for its ironically titled “Trust Campaign.” (See pgs. 73-81.)
Once GM launched its campaign, it was widely ridiculed, and then, as revealed by the documents, Treasury officials began to develop a plan for responding to those criticisms.
In late April, 2010, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) accused GM of repaying TARP loans with other TARP funds. An April 29 email shows Treasury trying to “prepare a response today.” (See pg. 11.)
Then, on May 10, 2010, former auto czar Steve Rattner publicly admitted that “GM may have slightly elasticized the reality of things” in its claims of repayment. The documents show that, in response, Treasury officials privately began to look for ways to respond to Rattner’s criticism. Rattner’s successor, Ron Bloom, wanted “a couple bullet points… for response if this comes up.” (See pgs.61-62.)
The Treasury Department’s role in facilitating GM’s deception may be far greater than the documents reveal, because the Treasury Department withheld some of the documents covered by the FOIA request, including portions of documents shedding light on White House involvement. For example, a blacked out item in the Treasury document release is a March 30 email from Brian Deese in the Executive Office regarding GM’s upcoming campaign. The only item left visible was the opening phrase, “Hi guys.” (See. Pp. 58-59.)
The truth behind Chrysler’s fake auto bailout pay back, by Conn Carroll for the Washington Examiner Tags:Christine Hall, Competitive Enterprise Institute, GM, Obama Administration, bailout, documents, relationship, payback, To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Sen. Mark Pryor and Rep. Mike Ross Praise Obama, Ignore Rising Unemployment, Debt
“Where is the President’s plan? Disappointing unemployment report is further evidence that the President doesn't understand the economic problems we face. For over two years, the President and his friends in the Senate have dramatically increased our national debt, increased the number of overly burdensome regulations and created obstacles for small businesses, resulting in uncertainty and fewer jobs. Meanwhile, the House has passed a plan that tackles our debt, reforms entitlements, simplifies the tax code, and encourages private-sector job creation. Where is your plan, Mr. President?” - Rep. Tim Griffin (AR-02)
“The rise in unemployment is proof President Obama’s plan to spend our way out of an economic crisis is just plain bad policy. As a small business owner, I know to restore faith in our economy we need a long term economic plan that focuses on reducing our national debt, encourages private-sector job creation, and reforms the way Washington does business. An economic plan that lowers taxes, reduces burdensome regulations on small businesses and farms, and stops smothering future generations with mounds of suffocating debt. America can pull itself out of this economic hole if the government stops obstructing growth.” - Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01) Republican Party of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark. – Despite promises from Senator Mark Pryor and Congressman Mike Ross that the now $830 billion failed stimulus package would create jobs and decrease unemployment, today’s disappointing jobs report is yet another reminder that Barack Obama and his Democratic allies have failed to lead our economy back to recovery.
“In 2009, President Barack Obama, Senator Pryor and Congressman Ross were touting the stimulus bill as a remedy to our nation’s debt crisis. When the stimulus bill was signed into law, the national unemployment rate was at 8.1 percent. Two years later, with unemployment at 9.1 percent, the American people know we cannot spend our way into prosperity,” said Republican Party of Arkansas Communications Director Katherine Vasilos.
Ignoring the seriousness of our debt crisis, Senator Pryor recently called Republican attempts to include substantial spending cuts with a debt ceiling vote partisan “games,” and told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Barack Obama deserves another four years in the White House.
“The American people cannot afford another four years of failed policies and broken promises. Rather than defending the status quo, Republicans are offering serious proposals to cut spending and actually grow our economy. Any increase in the debt limit has to come with serious spending cuts. For hardworking Arkansans, this isn’t about partisan games. It’s about their life and putting our economy and nation first,” said Vasilos.
BACKGROUND Stimulus Price Tag Keeps Going Up
“Congress’s chief scorekeeper said Wednesday that the price tag on President Obama’s stimulus law has risen once again, this time to $830 billion — or more than $40 billion more than first projected.” (Stephen Dinan, “Stimulus price tag once again lurches higher,” Washington Times, 5/25/11)
Pryor and Ross Promise Arkansans Stimulus Package Will Deliver
“U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) today touted much-needed legislation he helped pass in the House to create jobs and revive the nation’s sagging economy…” (“Ross: Stimulus Package Will Create Jobs, Help Boost Sluggish Economy,” Press Release, 1/28/09)
“The recovery package…will provide the jolt our economy needs right now.” (“Statement by Senator Mark Pryor on Committee Passage of the Economic Recovery Plan,” Press Release, 1/27/09)
Pryor and Ross Praise Obama
“Pryor said he thought Obama deserved another four years.” (Charlie Frago, “Partisan ‘games’ miring debt-cap deal, Pryor says,” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 6/3/11)
Ross: "I fully expect that President Obama will be re-elected” (Roby Brock, Talk Business, ROSS SEES DEMOCRATIC HOUSE GAINS, SENATE BATTLE, OBAMA RE-ELECT, 5/17/11)
Unemployment Rises From 8.1% to 9.1% Since Stimulus Signed Into Law
“The unemployment rate climbed to 9.1 percent in May, up from 9 percent in April and 8.9 percent in March.” (Jennifer Epstein, “Unemployment rises to 9.1 percent,” Politico, 6/3/11)
The unemployment rate rose to 8.1% from 7.6% in January. It was the highest reading since December 1983 and higher than economists' projections of 7.9%. (Chris Isidore, “Unemployment hits 25-year high,” CNN, 3/6/09) Tags:Republican Party of Arkansas, Democrats, Mark Pryor, Mike Ross, Barack Obama, unemployment, debt, To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by Phyllis Schlafly, Eagle Forum: Elementary school curriculum isn't just about the three R's any more. Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic now have to make time for lessons in gender diversity and for nosy questionnaires that lead kids into teen sex and illegal drug usage.
Students in all grades at Oakland, California's Redwood Heights Elementary School were given two days of gender diversity lessons designed to teach them that gender is not confined to the "binary concept" of two options. The lessons promoted "gender neutrality," the concept that no distinctions between male and female should be legally allowed.
These lessons were taught by an anti-bullying group called Gender Spectrum and paid for by a $1,500 grant from the California Teachers Union. The course featured all-girl geckos and transgender clownfish. The major message was that "gender identity" means people can choose to be different from the sex assigned at birth and can freely "change their sex." According to Gender Spectrum, "Gender identity is a spectrum where people can be girls, feel like girls, they feel like boys, they feel like both, or they can feel like neither."
Kindergartners were introduced to this new subject by asking them to identify toys that are a "girl toy" or a "boy toy" or both, and whether they like the color pink. They were read a story called "My Princess Boy." Fourth-graders were told that if someone were born with male "private parts" but identified more with being a girl, he should be "accepted" and "respected." They were taught "gender fluidity," which means a boy might be a boy one day and a girl the next.
The Oakland School District personnel were apparently proud of this course because they allowed Fox News to audit and report on these lessons. District spokesman Troy Flint said that gender identity lessons are required by school board policy and supported by federal, state and local law as a means to support "equity" and a safe classroom environment. The lessons seem more likely to confuse the kids about who they are and, indeed, Gender Spectrum boasted that its goal is to confuse the children and make them question traditional ideas about who is a boy and who is a girl. It is not surprising that many parents were upset when they heard about the two-day course.
Some of the bills now pending in the California State Assembly indicate that these gender neutrality notions may become the new normal curriculum in California public schools. Gender Spectrum is determined to make children think that boy and girl don't mean anything anymore, and that it's no longer normal to believe people are born male or female or have different roles. The California State Assembly is considering changes to 34 statutes by redefining gender to include a person's own "gender expression," and passed AB 887 on May 17, which prohibits any discrimination against the "transgendered." Among its predictable effects is that employers can be forbidden to require men to dress like men.
We wonder why anyone is surprised at this Left Coast nonsense, because university women's studies courses have for years taught that the obvious differences we observe between males and females are not a natural occurrence but are a social construct due to conditioning by parents and traditional social norms. It's a misunderstanding of the feminist movement to think it was ever about equality for women; it always advocated the interchangeability of men and women and an end to what they lambaste as gender "stereotyping."
Memorial Middle School in Fitchburg, Massachusetts featured another type of classroom atrocity: requiring pupils to answer nosy questions that are not only intrusive but designed to lead the kids into unacceptable behaviors. The survey, called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, was created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which also provided the funding for it to be administered.
One question asked: "The last time you had sexual intercourse, what one method did you or your partner use to prevent pregnancy? ... A. I have never had sexual intercourse; B. No method was used to prevent pregnancy; C. Birth control pills; D. Condoms; E. Depo-Provera (or any injectable birth control), Nuva Ring (or any birth control ring), Implanon (or any implant), or any IUD; F. Withdrawal; G. Some other method; H. Not sure."
Here are a couple more leading questions: "During your life, how many times have you used methamphetamines (also called speed, crystal, crank, or ice)?" "During the past 30 days, how many times did you sniff glue, breathe the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhale any paints or sprays to get high?"
The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment makes such interrogation of students illegal without prior parental consent, which the school did not have. Some parents have appealed to the Rutherford Institute, and we wish them success in stopping the school from asking elementary school children such nosy questions. Tags:Phyllis Schlafly, Eagle Forum, Classroom Curricula, lessons, gender diversity, nosy questionnaires, teen sex, illegal drugs, Oakland, California, Redwood Heights Elementary School, Memorial Middle School, Fitchburg, Massachusetts To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Nancy Pelosi Remains Congress' Most Disliked Leader
Rasmussen Reports:: While she's much less often in the news these days, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) remains Congress' most disliked leader. But Pelosi earns higher favorables than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid whose popularity has fallen to its lowest level in over two years.
- 63% of US voters view her unfavorably
- 28% hold a favorable opinion
San Francisco voters:
- 8% Favorable
- 45% Very Unfavorable
For over the last two years, Pelosi’s unfavorable ratings ranged 52% to 64%.
By comparison, Pelosi's successor, Speaker John Boehner (R-OH):
- 37% Favorable
- 39% Unfavorable
Includes:
- 10% Very Favorable
- 25% Very Unfavorable
However, 25% still don't know enough about Boehner to voice an opinion.
Sen Harry Reid (D-NV):
- 21% of voters, the lowest level measured since February 2009.
- 50% unfavorable opinion of him.
Includes: Negative Index Rating of 29% (Almost 3 times worse than President Obama)
- 5% Very Favorable
- 35% Very Unfavorable
- 24% No Opinion. Tags:Rasmussen Reports, poll, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, John BoehnerTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Tags:A.F. Branco, political cartoon, Ponzi, schemes, Bernie Madoff, government, medicare, social securityTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
House Rebukes President Obama For Military Action In Libya
Update on yesterday's storySpeaker Boehner Responds To President Obama's Failure To Obtain Congressional authorization For Use of Military in Libya - President Obama who goes around the country rebuking Americans, their elected officials, and the former administration was himself rebuked today by the US House. By a vote of 268-145, the resolution by Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) was past; 45 Democrats joining 223 Republicans in rebuking Democrat President Obama. The Washington Post said, "he House harshly scolded President Barack Obama on Friday for launching U.S. military forces against Libya without congressional approval, fiercely disputing constitutional powers and flashing bipartisan frustration over a nearly three-month-old conflict with no end in sight. . . .
Over White House objections, the House did adopt a resolution chastising Obama for failing to provide a “compelling rationale” for the Libyan mission and demanding answers in the next 14 days on the operation’s objective, its costs and its impact on the nation’s two other wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The resolution, though non-binding, says U.S. ground forces must not be used in the conflict except to rescue an American service member."
White House spokesperson Josh Earnest who needs to read a copy of the Constitution responded, “It is the view of this administration that we’ve acted in accordance with the war powers act because of these regular consultations,” Tags:US House, Speaker John Boehner, War Powers Act, Libya, President Obam, resolution To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Mark your calendars! Seven candidates have agreed to participate in a presidential debate in New Hampshire on Monday, June 13th. The participating candidates are: Rep. Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rep. Ron Paul, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Gov. Mitt Romney and former Sen. Rick Santorum. Rudy Giuliani, Jon Huntsman and Gov. Sarah Palin declined to participate.
In an interview with Newsmax, Herman Cain blasted Barack Obama's leadership ability, saying, "The president has demonstrated that he lacks leadership in a whole lot of ways [and] could not run a company. And I don't mean to be disrespectful: He could not run one Godfather's pizza restaurant."
Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards was indicted today on charges of making false statements, receiving illegal campaign contributions and conspiracy. The charges stem from allegations that the former Democrat vice presidential nominee and two-time presidential candidate used nearly $1 million in campaign donations to support his mistress.
Why have I included this news about Edwards in the 2012 update? I can't tell you how many reporters over the years told me that Edwards was sleazy. But none of them ever dared to print what they knew about the liberal candidate many saw as the next JFK. The professional "journalists" left it to a tabloid to report the truth.
Do you remember the New York Times breaking the news of John McCain's alleged affair with a lobbyist? There was no proof, and the Times eventually settled a defamation lawsuit out of court. But it did not hesitate to smear the GOP nominee. In other words, the "mainstream" media will cover up for the left and lie about conservatives. Expect to see more such "journalism" in the days and weeks ahead.
In the past few weeks, I have received messages from despondent conservatives regarding a column allegedly written by popular conservative columnist Dr. Walter Williams. It explains why Barack Obama will be reelected in 2012 "no matter what."
I have tremendous respect for Dr. Williams, as do many conservatives. That's why I am pleased to report that Dr. Williams did not write it. The column was an April Fool's Day hoax that has unfortunately snared many good people.
As you will read below, Obama is beatable. But 2012 will very likely be a base election, meaning whichever side turns out more of its base wins. I guarantee that you will see more hoaxes like the Williams column or distorted and false media reports trying to demoralize conservatives between now and Election Day.
Don't fall for the left's psychological warfare. Please ask us before you forward or share anything like the fake Williams column that is intended to demoralize conservative voters!
Devastating Jobs Report Jaws dropped all over Washington this morning when the Labor Department released its official employment figures for May: Just 54,000 new jobs were created last month, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.1%. Economists had predicted gains of 160,000 jobs.
Worse yet, the government revised downward its job creation figures for March and April, so there were actually 40,000 fewer jobs created in those months than previously thought. This is bad news for job seekers, and bad news for America.
But it is potentially devastating news for President Obama. Liberal elites in Washington are in panic mode -- and with good reason. On Wednesday the New York Times sounded the alarm, writing, "No American president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt has won a second term in office when the unemployment rate on Election Day topped 7.2 percent."
President Obama will no doubt blame the current state of the economy on George W. Bush. But Obama has been president for 864 days now, and it is hard to think of a single day of good economic news since Obama took office.
When Obama was inaugurated in January 2009, the unemployment rate was 7.6%. Obama's stimulus bill was supposed to prevent the unemployment rate from exceeding 8%. We can see how well that has turned out.
Defeating an incumbent president is never easy. But do not despair, my friends. It is very difficult to make the case that Obama deserves reelection when his campaign cannot point to a single good day for the economy during his presidency. Everything he has done has failed.
Personnel Is Policy There is an old saying in Washington: "Personnel is policy." One explanation for why the economy is struggling is to look at the people Obama has appointed and the philosophy they bring with them into government. Consider the president's pick this week for Commerce Secretary, John Bryson.
Bryson is a co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, a radical left-wing environmental group, and a big believer in Big Government mandates. Last year, he told an audience at the University of California at Berkeley, "Greenhouse gas legislation, either with a tax or with cap and trade … has the advantage of politically sort of hiding the fact that you have a tax -- but that's what you're trying to do." By the way, Obama's cap and trade bill would have amounted to a tax of nearly $1,800 a year on every American family.
But there's an even better way than taxes to get results. According to Bryson, government mandates force businesses to act immediately, rather than waiting for "market signals."
It is very telling with gas prices near record highs that Obama would appoint a radical environmentalist as Commerce Secretary. This may increase your pain at the pump.
But there's more. Several weeks ago, I provided a link to a video of Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO), one of CWF's endorsed House freshmen, desperately trying to get a straight answer out of a top EPA official as to whether his agency even considers jobs when it conducts an economic analysis. Now we know why the EPA administrator was so evasive.
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), another of our endorsed House freshmen, got a letter this week from the EPA claiming that it "is prohibited from considering costs" when it sets regulatory policies.
Wait a minute… Didn't President Obama issue an executive order requiring federal agencies to reevaluate anti-business regulations? If Obama were really concerned about job-killing regulations, he would not appoint someone like Bryson to be Secretary of Commerce! . . . [More Info]
------------- Gary Bauer is is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families. Tags:Gary Bauer, Campaign for Working Families, 2012 campaign, candidates, potential candidates GOP, jobs, jobs Report, personnel, policy, Obama administrationTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Speaker Boehner Responds To President Obama's Failure To Obtain Congressional authorization For Use of Military in Libya
Img Via Google: U.S. Special Forces in Libya
Today, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) unveiled a House resolution today on Libya that (1) establishes that the president has not asked for congressional authorization, and that the Congress has not granted it; (2) reasserts Congress’ constitutional role on funding; (3) requires the president to provide within 14 days information on the mission that should have been provided from the start; and (4) reaffirms the vote we took last week that says there should be no troops on the ground. Boehner released the following statement:
"The American people and members on both sides of the aisle are concerned about questions that have gone unanswered regarding our mission in Libya. The President has failed to explain to the nation how this military action is consistent with U.S. national security goals and policy. In fact, this Administration has committed American resources to enforcing a U.N. resolution that is inconsistent with our stated policy goals and national interests when it comes to removing Muammar Qadafi from power. The resolution we will vote on tomorrow will enable members to clearly express the will of our constituents -- in a responsible way that reflects our commitments to our allies and our troops.
"The Kucinich measure would have long-term consequences that are unacceptable, including a precipitous withdrawal from our role supporting our NATO allies in Libya – which could have serious consequences for our broader national security. It would undermine our troops in harm’s way and undercut our allies who have stood by us in Afghanistan and other areas abroad. Regardless of how we got here, we cannot suddenly turn our backs on our troops and our NATO partners who have stuck by us for the last 10 years."
While today's action pitted two Ohio Representatives against each other on an issue that they were closer together than on most issues these days between Democrats and Republicans. While I seldom agreeing with Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D, OH), he made some major points regarding the President's use of American Blood, Sweat and Resources in Libya where the U.S. did not have to intervene. The War Powers Act requires that when the President authorizes military action without approval from Congress, the President must stop the action within 60 days unless Congress approves the action or unless there was an a national emergency due to an attack on the U.S. Libya did not attack the U.S. And the 60 days have come and gone and the President seems to be taking the Jackson approach to ignoring both Congress and the Constitution.
Declaring that the President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya, and for other purposes.
Resolved
SECTION 1. STATEMENTS OF POLICY.
The House of Representatives makes the following statements of policy:
(1) The United States Armed Forces shall be used exclusively to defend and advance the national security interests of the United States.
(2) The President has failed to provide Congress with a compelling rationale based upon United States national security interests for current United States military activities regarding Libya.
(3) The President shall not deploy, establish, or maintain the presence of units and members of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Libya unless the purpose of the presence is to rescue a member of the Armed Forces in imminent danger.
SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH INFORMATION RELATING TO OPERATION ODYSSEY DAWN AND OPERATION UNIFIED PROTECTOR.
The House of Representatives directs the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Attorney General, respectively, to transmit to the House of Representatives, not later than 14 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution, copies of any official document, record, memo, correspondence, or other communication in the possession of each officer that was created on or after February 15, 2011, and refers or relates to—
(1) consultation or communication with Congress regarding the employment or deployment of the United States Armed Forces for Operation Odyssey Dawn or NATO Operation Unified Protector; or
(2) the War Powers Resolution and Operation Odyssey Dawn or Operation Unified Protector.
SEC. 3. REPORT TO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 3
(a) CONTENTS.—Not later than ___, 2011, the President shall transmit to Congress a report describing in detail United States security interests and objectives, and the activities of United States Armed Forces, in Libya since March 19, 2011, including a description of the following:
(1) The President’s justification for not seeking authorization by Congress for the use of military force in Libya.
(2) United States political and military objectives regarding Libya, including the relationship between the intended objectives and the operational means being employed to achieve them.
(3) Changes in United States political and military objectives following the assumption of command by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
(4) Differences between United States political and military objectives regarding Libya and those of other NATO member states engaged in military activities.
(5) The specific commitments by the United States to ongoing NATO activities regarding Libya.
(6) The anticipated scope and duration of continued United States military involvement in support of NATO activities regarding Libya.
(7) The costs of United States military, political, and humanitarian efforts concerning Libya as of June 3, 2011.
(8) The total projected costs of United States military, political, and humanitarian efforts concerning Libya.
(9) The impact on United States activities in Iraq and Afghanistan.
(10) The role of the United States in the establishment of a political structure to succeed the current Libyan regime.
(11) An assessment of the current military capacity of opposition forces in Libya.
(12) An assessment of the ability of opposition forces in Libya to establish effective military and political control of Libya and a practicable timetable for accomplishing these objectives.
(13) An assessment of the consequences of a cessation of United States military activities on the viability of continued NATO operations regarding Libya and on the continued viability of groups opposing the Libyan regime.
(14) The composition and political agenda of the Interim Transitional National Council (ITNC) and its representation of the views of the Libyan people as a whole.
(15) The criteria to be used to determine United States recognition of the ITNC as the representative of the Libyan people, including the role of current and former members of the existing regime.
(16) Financial resources currently available to opposition groups and United States plans to facilitate their access to seized assets of the Libyan regime and proceeds from the sale of Libyan petroleum.
(17) The relationship between the ITNC and the Muslim Brotherhood, the members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and any other group that has promoted an agenda that would negatively impact United States interests.
(18) Weapons acquired for use, and operations initiated, in Libya by the Muslim Brotherhood, the members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, al Qaeda, Hezbollah, and any other group that has promoted an agenda that would negatively impact United States interests.
(19) The status of the 20,000 MANPADS cited by the Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, as well as Libya’s SCUD–Bs and chemical munitions, including mustard gas.
(20) Material, communication, coordination, financing and other forms of support between and among al-Qaeda operatives, its affiliates, and supporters in Yemen, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa.
(21) Contributions by Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and other regional states in support of NATO activities in Libya.
(b) TRANSMITTAL.—The report required by this section shall be submitted in unclassified form, with a classified annex, as deemed necessary.
SEC. 4. FINDINGS.
The President has not sought, and Congress has not provided, authorization for the introduction or continued involvement of the United States Armed Forces in Libya. Congress has the constitutional prerogative to withhold funding for any unauthorized use of the United States Armed Forces, including for unauthorized activities regarding Libya. Tags:Us House, Speaker John Boehner, War Powers Act, Libya, President Obam, Dennis Kucinich, resolutionTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Rep. Allen West Examines the 21st Century Battlefield
“We have the best soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen the world has ever known…but if they don’t have the right type of strategic goals and objectives, the right type of operational goals and direction that then filter down to the tactical level, it’s like a hamster—no matter how much exertion you are putting into that wheel, you are just not going anywhere.” Allen West
In the below speech, West identified four strategic goals he said should be the military’s focus:
Deny the enemy sanctuary.
Cut off the enemy’s flow of men, materials, and resources.
Win the information war.
Reduce the enemy’s sphere of influence.
by Bethany S. Murphy, Heritage Foundation: This week Rep. Allen West (R-FL) addressed a packed crowd at The Heritage Foundation to discuss how the battlefield in the 21st century has necessitated a change in military strategy. The speech was the closing event for Protect America Month, an annual series of events highlighting the importance of funding our military.
The Washington Post immediately posted their coverage of Rep. West’s remarks, noting:
In making the case for increased military spending, West, a retired Army veteran, drew upon several anecdotes from his 22 years of military service, telling the audience that at times, “my friends who were in tank units had to use golf carts to practice tank tactics.”
Watch West’s full speech below.
Tags:Allen West, Florida, Representative. Retired Officer, US Army, Heritage Foundation, National Security and Defense, Protect AmericaTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by David Bozeman, former Libertarian Party Chairman*: While nothing here is intended as a diatribe against open primaries (where voters of any or no affiliation are allowed to vote in the party’s primary of their choice), I do submit that in 2012 Republican voters alone should pick their own nominee for president.
Supporters of Ron Paul are counting, in part, on anti-war Democrats to secure the GOP nomination. At least seventeen contests, including the delegate-rich states of Michigan and Texas, and the all-important South Carolina, provide some sort of open-primary option for voters (Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts and Tennessee are among the others).
While crossing over to stir chaos and help nominate the weakest candidate on the other side has been employed by both major parties, as well as third parties, the fact remains that any Democrat who wants to vote in my party’s primary does not have our best interests at heart. In 2000, Democrats and independents elevated John McCain over the perceived more conservative George W. Bush, arguably costing resources that could have been banked for the general election.
Sadly, also, name recognition factors too highly in any party’s nominating process, though Democrats seem more likely to choose an up-and-comer (Carter, Clinton, Obama). Republicans, notoriously, pick the ‘next in line’ (namely Bob Dole and John McCain).
Professional prognosticators and bloviators color public perception, thus voters believe that Michele Bachmann is unelectable before the first votes have even been cast. It must be true because George Will and Charles Krauthammer say so. Bill O’Reilly, furthermore, has publicly declared Herman Cain not worthy of consideration in his near-nightly analyses, despite the fact that the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO was declared the winner of the recent South Carolina debate by the Frank Luntz focus group and won an American Policy Summit straw poll (22 percent of 1600 votes cast) and an Iowa straw poll (42 votes to 16 for Newt Gingrich).
That is not to imply that GOP voters are incapable of independent thought, but the top-heavy nomination process leaves too many citizens without a voice. By the time North Carolina held its 2008 primary in early May, John McCain had already secured the nomination in March, leaving our votes not even worthy of a footnote, which means we must speak even louder, both verbally and with our contribution dollars.
We’re always hearing that Democrats are yearning for an Obama-Palin showdown because he would supposedly mop the floor with her in a debate, or that they long to see Gingrich nominated because he could be nailed for racism and hypocrisy.
Other liberals (and even some on the right) are advising that social conservatives should not compete for the nomination if the GOP is to stand a chance. Honestly, too much air time is wasted with whom liberals (be they commentators or ‘objective’ journalists) opine that the Republicans should nominate. Speaking as a lowly foot soldier in the conservative movement, just give me the facts. Give me the voting records. Give me the candidates themselves. I want political commentary to enhance my judgment, not to speak for me.
Whatever benefits one can derive from open primaries, the left still largely molds our nation’s political culture. “My party, my choice” makes a great rallying cry for Primary Season 2012. So, to liberals, keep your near hegemonic control of news dissemination and political thought, we’ll keep our ideological purity, thank you, and see who really connects with the American people. *David Bozeman, former Libertarian Party Chairman in North Carolina, is a political Liberty Features Syndicated writer. He has been into politics his whole life as he ran for the State Legislator as both a Libertarian and a Republican. He currently resides and works in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Tags:2012 GOP Nominee, GOP, primaries, Bill OReilly, Charles Krauthammer, George Will, Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Main Stream Media, Ron Paul, republicans, democrats, liberals, progressives,To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
End Run Around the Arkansas State Constitution on Apportionment
The following article was posted by Arkansas Watch Moderator Mike Moore. For Concerned Arkansans drop by their site and leave a comment. For other readers, What is going on in your state?
Are 135 more "Fayetteville Fingers" about to grope the voters of this state courtesy of Governor Mike Beebe and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel?
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The April 7th edition of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette contained a quote about the redistricting process that did not get enough attention at the time...
"After voting to hire former secretary of state’s office attorney Joe Woodson Jr. of Little Rock as the board’s redistricting coordinator, the board voted 2-to-1 to give Woodson autonomy from any of the elected officials involved."
The vote put Woodson in charge of most spending, along with the board website, scheduling, staff and the apportionment office.
What was behind the vote? Well the language of Article 8 of the Constitution gives the Secretary of State the most authority in the apportionment process, and the Secretary of State is a Republican (Mark Martin). So in a blatantly partisan move Beebe and McDaniel voted to not only hire as redistricting coordinator a man that Martin choose not to retain when he entered the Secretary of State's office, but voted over Martin's objection to give him "autonomy" from the redistricting board as well.
I see lots of problems with their partisan actions, not the least of which is that the language of State Constitution does not permit it. To whit, section 1 of article 8...
A Board to be known as "The Board of Apportionment," consisting of the Governor (who shall be Chairman), the Secretary of State and the Attorney General is hereby created and it shall be its imperative duty to make apportionment of representatives in accordance with the provisions hereof; the action of a majority in each instance shall be deemed the action of said board
The Constitution specifies that the Board of Apportionment has an "imperative duty" to make the apportionment of representatives (the state legislative districts). By voting to give the "redistricting coordinator" - a position created by fiat and not even listed in the constitution, "autonomy from any of the elected officials involved" Beebe and McDaniel undo the clear intent of the article that the Board itself is to do these things. They cannot delegate this power to another authority and then declare it "autonomous" from members of the very board the article empowers to control the process!
Example: Our federal Congress has the power of the purse strings. All funding bills are to originate in the House by the letter of the Constitution. Congress does not have the authority to delegate its power to originate funding bills to the Senate, to the President, or to any "funding coordinator" which they might choose to name. They don't have the authority to delegate duties which the Constitution expressly gives to them. The same principle applies to the state constitution and the Board of Apportionment. Their constitutional authority does not give them the power to violate their constitutional authority.
This is a time-honored legal principle. Unfortunately Beebe and McDaniel are ignoring it and acting in an unprincipled manner. What is especially galling is their claim that they are doing this to "take the politics out of it" when in reality their actions simply serve to insulate the politics they are putting into it from the sterilizing force of daylight. And this violation is not a mere academic point. Your family will be living with the results of this process for a decade. We all see what they tried to do with the Fayetteville Finger. Will the people of this state be subjected to 135 such maps, drawn up in secrecy, rammed through without oversight, all in violation of the law? Tags:Arkansas Watch, Arkansas, politics, Constitution, Apportionment, redistrictingTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
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