February 2009 Archives

For people making over $250,000:

Democrats and Republicans poured cold water on President Obama's budget plan to cut down on wealthy taxpayers' charitable giving tax deductions, the second of his ambitious cost-savings plans to earn lawmakers' scorn, and underscoring the legislative minefield he is entering.

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Still, the charitable giving deduction reduction, which would limit deductions for couples making $250,000 or individuals making $200,000, provoked the most heat Thursday. Mr. Obama is counting on that provision to raise $179.8 billion over 10 years.

When deductions for charitable giving are cut donations fall but don't fret Obama's plan takes care of that:

Asked about that, Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag said Mr. Obama took care of that by giving charities government money to make up part of the difference.

ASTRID RIECKEN/THE WASHINGTON TIMES Rep. Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, describes "the good, the bad and the ugly" of President Obama's 2010 budget plan Thursday on Capitol Hill.

"Contained in the recovery act, there's $100 million to support nonprofits and charities as we get through this period of economic difficulty," he said.

He disputed that giving would drop, and said an economic recovery will help charities, too.

So, the government will take over charitable donations? Of course it will be to charities that Obama deems worthy. Another example of the intrusion of the Obama big government into our business. Looks like they'll be plenty more to come.

BTW, this won't impact me at all so don't even bother saying that I shouldn't be complaining about deducting my charitable giving. I'd give the same amount whether it was deductible or not. I'm not rich so my charitable deductions aren't impacted. I'm actually more concerned for the charities because I know they'll lose money under this plan.

How many of you are willing to demonstrate your commitment to the cause by using cloth instead of toilet paper? Aren't you using more resources (electricity, water, etc.) cleaning them?

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The terminally ill should keep in mind that 27% of health care costs are incurred in the last few days and hours of life and should act accordingly (I guess before the federal government steps in).

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Pretty much nails the hypocrisy of Congressmen questioning the use of private jets:

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She bought well above her means and the house has dropped in value to $675,000. Now she wants to be bailed out because she can't make the payments:

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): School bus driver and mother of two, Minta Garcia got the letter every homeowner dreads, your mortgage is in jeopardy of going into foreclosure.

MINTA GARCIA, DISTRESSED HOMEOWNER: We're going to be losing the house. We're going to lose everything.

ACOSTA (on camera): You think you're going to lose everything?

GARCIA: Yes.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Her message to the president...

GARCIA: Stop with the foreclosure.

ACOSTA (on camera): Stop the foreclosures?

GARCIA: Yes. Right now, because if people are losing houses, losing jobs, what are we going to do? ...

ACOSTA: Like countless other Americans, Garcia admits she and her husband bought more house than they could afford, but she says the lender made the purchase all too easy. Now her mortgage is worth more than her house.

(on camera): How much was the house when you bought it?

GARCIA: Eight hundred.

ACOSTA: Eight hundred thousand dollars?. And how much is the house worth?

GARCIA: Right now, it's like $675,000 on the market.

Why in the world should the American taxpayers bail this woman out? She couldn't afford the house she bought and is now looking for the rest of us to pay for her risk. Why should we, Obamanites?

Only 18 day after surgery for pancreatic cancer. Pretty impressive!...

I started chemo on Friday. Everything went well during the treatment. The oncologists prepare your body with drugs to ensure that they're aren't major incidents. I had to take 5 Dexamethason the night before and the day of chemo, its...

According to Obama's justice department. Of course the lefties had a cow over this when the Bush administration said the same thing, I wonder what their reaction will be now that their hope and change guy is not acting...

Scott Dikkers is the Editor of the Onion newspaper and as most of you are probably aware it is a satirical magazine. As funny as his newspaper is, I expected more humor from his speech. I guess it's hard for...

You have to hand it to the Pope, he is pretty politically shrewd. Pelosi is trying to push her brand of Catholicism and the Pope isn't letting her get away with it. Here's her take of their meeting:In our conversation,...

I know I'm late with this post (I've been busy translating Hebrew) but I thought it was sooo funny that Blagojevich is so corrupt that he would send a guy to Congress that paid to play (well, at least trying...

Have you seen this story yet? What is up with a bookstore that would put Michelle and Barack Obama children's books in the religion section? According to a Border's spokesperson this is what's up: "We are a completely politically neutral...

I did not! I had a Mediport inserted Friday and it was causing me much discomfort yesterday and today. It hurts when I swallow and I feel the Mediport in my chest and the site is tender to the touch...

That the stimulus package isn't going to do squat to help the economy: World stock markets fell Thursday, with Japan's Nikkei index losing over 3 percent, amid doubts that U.S. rescue plans costing trillions of dollars will soon restore the...

Lefties have been blathering on and on about invasion of privacy under Bush for years but where are they now that the government is trying to get between you and your doctor and force your doctor to make decisions based...

Finally, Obama finds a job that Biden can handle: The White House announced that Biden will watch the final round of Thursday's figure skating competition and present medals to THE athletes. He also will host a reception for the athletes,...

Here's a shout out to my mom who turns 70 today (sorry, mom but it's true). Have a fun day looking at your pictures on your new HP digital picture frame and make dad get you Chinese food or a...

Here's a list of 15 companies that might go under this year. Not surprising that they are ready to go under since they took on way too much debt during the good times and didn't prepare for a downturn in...

As your messiah requested? If not, you are not alone: Few supporters are answering President Barack Obama's call for nationwide house-party gatherings this weekend to build grass-roots support for his economic stimulus plan. A McClatchy survey of sign-up rosters for...

Hey, have you guys seen this video yet? Pretty funny but I do feel the poor child's pain over the dazed feeling you get from the drugs (though, I was never this out of it :-) (via)...

Guess more than one tax cheater was too much to offer the American public:Tom Daschle has withdrawn his name from nomination for the post of Health and Human Services secretary, USA TODAY's David Jackson reports. That word comes directly from...