Democracy Attacked By Democrats on Capitol Hill

Complaints have piled up against the conduct of the congressional Democratic leadership and some have come from a surprising source.

The Washington Post stated "Democrats brought more measures to the House floor under closed rules - permitting no amendments - than any of the six previous Republican-controlled congresses." This means that Democrats have shut down one of the main ways that the minority party members can help their constituents or even perform their jobs. Senator Tom Coburn (R) of Oklahoma referred to the ability to add amendments as a "right." That may be up for debate, but it at least was a privilege that Republicans did not deny to their opposition.

Democrats have controlled Congress now for two years and now that an election commission in Minnesota has handed a Senate election to Bozo the Comedian, the atmosphere does not promise to improve anytime soon. Their arrogance is bipartisan, relishing conflict with not only Republican colleagues, but also The One himself.

Republicans can and should respond with filibusters to reassert their power to influence events and help their constituents. The voters from Republican districts do not deserve to have all of their needs blotted out by a dictatorial majority.

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Too bad a president can't just order up a high quality Cabinet from American Woodmark. Obama has had a difficult time assembling one on his own. First Bill Richardson withdrew his name under a cloud. Now we see that a nominee for Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, could not figure out how to prepare his own tax return and got into trouble with teh IRS.

Even Senate Republicans say that the Treasury nomination will be approved. He made a mistake. With our overcomplicated tax system, only H and R Block and their competitors benefit.

I wonder if Geithner ever wishes that the Bush plan to simplify the tax code and reduce the burden on workign Americans had been passed a few years back.

WV GOP unvails Think Tank

CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Republican Party today unveiled a new website featuring commentary from Republicans around the state offering their perspectives on the future of the Republican Party.

The new website, www.wvgopthinktank.org, kicks off with articles from Republicans ranging from state lawmakers to county chairs to state committee members and activists. Also featured is a WVGOP Speakers Bureau.

Dr. Doug McKinney, chairman of the WVGOP, said the new site will be an evolving entity updated frequently with new columns and other information. “This is a starting point for the conversation about our purpose and our future,” said McKinney. “The Republican Party is having similar discussions all across the country. By creating new ways for their voices to be heard, we’ll make sure that Republicans everywhere will be able to offer their thoughts and advice on the direction of our party, and how best to achieve victory in future elections.”

McKinney said the state party will also initiate a series of regional roundtable discussions across West Virginia seeking input from Republicans in all parts of the state.

“We know Republicans face different challenges in different regions,” said McKinney. “By encouraging input and holding face to face roundtable meetings, we’ll determine how the state party can best meet the needs of our GOP officeholders, officials, candidates and activists. Communication is the first key toward building a roadmap for victory.”

To Buy or Not to Buy

With recent changes to help the National Housing Market to bounce back from the bubble burst, it is bringing some benefits to housing markets that were not affected in the same manner, such as our local market.

Regionally in Cabell, Wayne and Putman counties especially, our housing market is remaining stable. Averages for days on market and the average home prices are not fluctuating greatly, it still remains a great time to sell and buy homes.

There is no doubt there is a solid inventory of homes available for buyers searching either for their starter homes for first time home buyers, larger homes for growing families, and homes ideal for folks looking to down size due to retirement or just not requiring the amount of space they once did.

Nationally, This never ending cycle is what keeps our market afloat, but with our local market remaining strong now may be the time to benefit from the changes that are taking place.
With interest rates plummeting to their lowest levels in U.S. history, speculation leads us to believe that there will be an influx of people returning to the market to purchase homes.

Lowered rates also give buyers in some cases the opportunity to purchase a higher priced home than before. In other cases, it will allow people to purchase who could not afford a home because the monthly payment would have been too high once the rate was factored into the monthly payment.

This is also a good time in the market for those interested in investment properties that are available on the market. Homes exist that can be renovated and re-listed for a profit or in other cases, homes that can be purchased to be rented to tenants.

Just think – owning a tangible asset that someone else pays for. Over the life of a rental property, theoretically, it can be paid for time and time again. Additionally, investment property can serve as a wonderful source of income currently or in retirement.

Whether you are in the market as a first time home owner, selling and purchasing a new home or interested in investment properties, it is a great time to get involved in the real estate market and reap the benefits.

Lisa Peana is a Realtor with Great American Realty. She can be reached at lisa_peana@yahoo.com

The Nanny State Strikes in Nigeria

Perhaps Joe can help these guys.

Nigeria's largest cities have descended into near chaos due to the strict enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws. Nigeria's poor tend to use motorcycles for personal transport due to the fact that they are not only inexpensive, but often just given away in large numbers. Cyclists argue that the high cost and limited supply of helmets prevents them from complying with the law. Some rent hard hats from construction workers. Others use gourds, pieces of tire, or other objects with string tied to them. Using these or no helmet at all results in arrest.

Nigerians complain that the helmets, which will undoubtedly be shared, pose a health risk. Skin diseases and hair parasites run rampant in this nation. Others fear that helmets put riders at risk for black magic spells that could cause accidents.

This sounds like a strange story from half way around the world, but it reflects a serious problem. Is Nigeria's biggest social, health, and public order problem helmetless motorcycle riders? Isn't Nigeria the home of a multitude of corrupt criminal organizations? Don't they suffer from terror attacks on oil facilities? Do police really have time to contend with such nonsense?

We have the same issue in the United States. Whenever I see several police gathered around a "click it or ticket" checkpoint, I wonder whose home has been left vulnerable or what domestic assault will go on for ten or fifteen more minutes because we have to make sure every good citizen wears their safety belts. Enforcing the nanny state takes time and resources that could go to stopping real crimes.

Moving Right Along to a Story of Political Courage

During a recent Brit Hume interview the nation got a glimpse of the man who will soon retire from the presidency.

George W. Bush in this interview exudes a sense of right and strength that US presidents do not often have the opportunity to demonstrate. Abraham Lincoln in the darkest days of the Civil War seemed to stand almost alone with the military fighting for what he saw as right. Ulysses S. Grant while president stood almost alone in his insistence that the United States would stand for justice against the terror of the Ku Klux Klan.

Bush revealed this week that many of his strongest opponents on the War in Iraq came from within his own party. They tried to exert powerful pressure on the president to "cut and run" from Iraq, fearing more for Republican defeats than the collapse of an eventually successful American policy. Bush remembered "The biggest disappointment in the political process, that's been this kind of bitterness by a few people to the point where they don't want to have a logical discussion or a civil discussion about policy," he said. "They just want to tear you down."

George W. Bush will be vindicated by history. Winning in Iraq will help to sway the future to his side, but so will the resiliency he showed in the face of "offensive" critics. We all can learn from an example of a man who made tough decisions and stuck by them. President Bush never cared for popularity, only for doing right. We may disagree with him on some issues, but as time passes, we and most Americans will grow to respect his toughness and courage in the face of critics at home and terror around the world.

When asked how well he was doing as he exits the presidency, he responded,

"I'm better than fine -- I am proud of the accomplishments of this administration," he said. "I know I gave it my all for eight years, and I did not sell my soul for the sake of popularity. And so when I get back home and look in the mirror, I will be proud of what I see."