BluegrassBulletin.com

McConnell's Great Commission

When Mitch McConnell becomes the next majority leader of the United States Senate he will have achieved a life long dream.  Not only will he deserve the job, but he should enjoy the credit for having created the majority that will elect him.

Mitch McConnell is a master of the political process.  It was he who made the 2014 mid-term elections a referendum on Barack Obama which ended up being the force beneath the ground swell of discontented voters who swept republicans into office in greater numbers than anytime since the reign of FDR converted so many to the democratic party where they have remained ever since.

Not only did Mitch substantially outperform the polls which nearly all predicted that a win in Kentucky, by either candidate, would be within the margin of error.  Not only did he exhibit great poise and leadership in his acceptance speech in contrast to what even liberal pundits are saying about how ungracious his opponent was in defeat.  But Mitch McConnell helped orchestrate the national conversation we all have been having for the last few years which conversation became the sentiment which was then mobilized into the movement that has now demanded that someone turn the direction we are heading around.  And as reward for all of those things Mitch McConnell won not only his race, but an incredible, historic obligation.

It is he who told America that there is a better way forward than the path our current president and his troops in the Senate and the House have been marching us down.  It is he, McConnell, who has promised to repeal Obamacare "root and branch".  It is he who has promised to get the Congress working again, to bring matters to a vote, to pass a budget and to improve the prosperity of our country.  These are huge tasks, and they are now his burden.

I once had the chance to meet Karl Rove when I was a candidate for office and asked his advice.  He actually grabbed me by my necktie, pulled me close and gave me his wise insight.  He looked me right in the eye and said, "remember, if you win this, you asked for it."  McConnell has really asked for it.

Not only will he have the burden of a victor on his shoulders as well as the burden of defining his own legacy on his mind, but the architect of the republican party in Kentucky will have the fate of the republican party of America in his hands.

It was McConnell who motivated and moved the electorate by his carefully planned campaign talking points which were repeated with great discipline by the candidates that he, the NRSC, and other influential republicans all working together helped to put into place by winning primaries for those candidates who they deemed could eventually and did win November.

To accomplish this these so-called mainstream republicans had to go out and defeat the kind of fringe candidates that had been buoyed through primaries by the seething discontent of many republicans who had left the fold, formed splinter groups and ran as much against the GOP as they said they would against the democrats.  That hadn't worked out so well and so the adults in the room had to bring order back to the process.  They did, and they won.

But that doesn't mean McConnell will get the unanimous support of every one of his republican members.  Grandstanders like Ted Cruz and presidential hopefuls like Rand Paul will certainly take shots at their own party and its leaders in order to get the kind of attention they crave and to appeal to those fragile parts of their own coalitions they perceive to be necessary to their own political survival.

And Mitch will have to weather the criticism of many others elected under the GOP banner who came to Congress just to be troublemakers and who will not be able to control their rhetoric because it has become indistiguishable from their identity.

But perhaps the greater battle Mitch has won is the obligation to direct the battle to save the republican party.  While Rand Paul goes about trying to build a new kind of GOP in much the same patchwork quilt manner that the democrats have done for years, Mitch can look out over the groundswell of support given to his candidates and see that a much more congruent mindset joins the republicans and democrats and independents alike who joined their votes to give the GOP the victory they achieved.

While many would be right to say that the outcome was a repudiation of Barack Obama and his agenda, it was also at the same time, and by virtue of that repudiation, a collective agreement that if the republicans say they really can turn the country around, now is their chance to put up, or shut up.

As crass as it is when LBJ pushed so hard to create his "great society" he admitted that he had a political motivation behind him when he stated "

“I’ll have those niggers voting Democratic for the next 200 years” as he confided with two like-minded governors on Air Force One regarding his underlying intentions for the “Great Society” programs. liveleak.com

What is really at stake for McConnell is nothing less than the future of and the relevance of the republican party.  Unless he and his fellow republicans deliver what the voters want, he may end us casting the GOP into the dark abyss for a century or more to come.

And those who know this is what is at stake and who want him to fail in that quest will bring incredible forces and resources to the battlefield in order to prevent him from succeeding.

Gridlock is not dead, it will be like the undead, nearly impossible to kill, raging out of control, incorrigible on all levels, defiant to a fault, relentless and vicious.  For McConnell to save the nation and the GOP he will face a battle on a scale not unlike a world war.  And I do not use that comparison lightly. 

 

As in all prior wars where the American people rallied in support it was in defense of liberty, human rights, freedom and western prosperity that was threatened by socialist movements, dictators and those that opposed our way of life.  That's just how the voters on Tuesday see the world today and McConnell has been elevated to be our supreme commander in that war.

 

He and the republicans must succeed and success will not be measured in small accomplishments.  The mindset of McConnell's generation does not resonate today.  The notion of working hard, saving a little, and watching progress come to your own life a little at a time isn't shared by many any more.

 

America today is filled with the "me generation", people convinced that they are the center of the universe, who refuse to accept that they can't have everything they want just for the asking, who through an ignorance taught to them for generations deeply believe that anything they want is a "right".

 

If McConnell believes that he can re-train America to accept incremental progress after six years of perceived decline he may lose his grip on the tiller before the ship of state crashes.  He must make big moves, bold moves and each and every one must succeed.

 

He should sponsor legislation immediately to create jobs in America while at the same time reducing corporate taxation, ending our dependence on foreign manufacturing as a national security measure and get America working again.  How?

 

Pass legislation giving not just a tax deduction, but a dollar for dollar tax credit for wages paid in America to companies that bring manufacturing jobs back from overseas.  Tie this commitment to a three year term of guaranteed American employment. 

 

Sure, our treasury would suffer the loss of corporate taxes, but the taxes on the incomes of workers would help to offset that.  In addition, those wages being paid to American workers will be spent in America boosting the economy, resulting in a better standard of living for every one.  As money circulates in America it too produces revenues to offset the corporate tax credits.

 

As manufacturing in America increases investment in buildings, equipment, housing and all sectors will improve.

 

On a political level this appeals to the corporate players, the out of work Americans, the housing, banking, manufacturing, tooling and other interests who are clamoring for bold initiatives.  It could end up, after more careful analysis than some lowly blogger in Kentucky has given it, as nearly revenue neutral, but because it is founded on such a strong nationalistic and patriotic core it could marginalize opposition.

 

How about being even bigger and bolder and legislate away the IRS?  Replace it with a fairer system eliminating the abusive power so many Americans perceive that this one private army of the government wields?

 

Big, bold moves include putting a bill to allow the Keystone XL pipeline on the president's desk but only AFTER other bold moves.  The people know when special interests jump line and get ahead of their own and this has been the criticism of the GOP for a long, long time.  Don't let that happen Senator.

 

Big bold moves include a total repeal of Obamacare being passed at the same time as a balanced budget.

 

These are the kinds of things people expect to see out of McConnell's party,  now in power.  And I predict they will accept nothing less.

 

Yes Mitch deserves great credit for what he has accomplished.  But in exchange he has also now received a great commission.  There is much riding on what he does.

 

And so Senator, as one who has backed you in all your races, let me at this moment while you are enjoying the after glow of your victory, remind you that you are standing on the threshold of an historic era.  And as you go forward let me repeat for you what Karl Rove once said to me, "remember, you asked for it."

Government Motors Recall

Here's a little glimpse into your future under government run Obamacare.

December 2008: President Bush announced a rescue plan for General Motors and Chrysler LLC Friday morning that will make $13.4 billion in federal loans available almost immediately.

The money will come from the $700 billion fund set aside to bail out Wall Street firms and banks in October.

With these loans, Treasury will have committed virtually all of the $350 billion of that fund that it can hand out without additional authorization from Congress. Once Congress releases the other $350 billion, the two automakers will be able to borrow an additional $4 billion. [CNN]

******

President Obama, speaking at a GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio, September 15, 2009: “That program was good for automakers, consumers, and our environment,” Obama said of the Cash for Clunkers programs, “and the Chevy Cobalt that you build here was one of GM’s most sought-after cars under that program. Dealers across the country started running out of it and needed you to build more.” [National Review]

******

"General Motors late Friday expanded its ignition switch recall to cover 824,000 newer models of the same cars in the U.S., and 970,700 worldwide.

GM says it now will replace the ignition switch in all model years of its Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Pontiac G5, Solstice and Saturn Ion and Sky. Until now the recall covered only cars through the 2007 model year." [USA Today]

 

Anecdotal Obamacare Report

I had the occasion to discuss my grandfathered health insurance policy with my company yesterday.  I wanted to know, now that all the issues about Obamacare have settled down a bit, if I would be better off with a new ACA compliant plan, or sticking with my old plan.

My old plan has a $3,000 per person annual deductible and costs $X.xx per month.  After the deductible is met there is no co-pay, in other words the company picks up the rest.

The most comparable ACA compliant plan (price wise) would impose a $5,000 per person annual deductible, a 50% co-pay after the deductible is met and costs 40% per month more than my current plan.  Why?

Because under Obamacare they are required to include many coverages I don't want or need, things I don't want to pay for.  And of course since everybody else's plan has the same mandatory coverages (like full maternity and child birth coverage, mental health coverage, drug addiction coverage etc.) my premiums would have to make up for the additional exposure the insurance company has across the board.

Your experience might change, but for those of us already paying way too much for what we get, who are watching as formerly uncompensated medical treatment is now going to get a government guarantee and as the price of that care is not going to got down but rather up, who in his/her right mind would pay more, for less?

That's why Obamacare comes with a penalty, a fine, a "tax" if you will, because without punitive consequences, nobody would pay more for less, at least not in a free marketplace.  Remember those?

Obama Takes It To McConnell At Home

Don't think for one minute that Barack Obama wouldn't like to have complete control of the government.  He said as much in his speech last night vowing to take action with or without Congress.  But to make the point even more emphatically he gave a shout out to Democrat Steve Beshear in Mitch McConnell's home state.

Mitch has been the single most effective check on a runaway Obama administration and anything the president can do to elevate Kentucky democrats in his effort to defeat McConnell and replace him with Alison Lundergan Grimes, who the FLOTUS has already dubbed "a reliable vote" for their plans to fundamentally transform America, he's going to do.

I mean come on, you don't really think that patting Beshear on the head was a sincere gesture of accomplishment now do you?  Beshear did fall in line right behind Obama on the socialized medicine plan, but spreading favor to Kentucky has much more to do with helping clear the field for his next three years than raising the political capital of a lame duck governor.

Pay attention folks.  The president wants complete control and he won't get it as long as we have Mitch in office.  Like it or not, no one else on the R side or the D side of the ticket can possibly be as effective, and that's just a fact.

Ky Army Hosptial Ends Opera Career With Flatulence

Think you're gonna like the government being in charge of your health care?  Ask this opera singer how she likes it.

An opera singer says her career is threatened by flatulence and incontinence after a botched episiotomy done while giving birth at an Army hospital in Kentucky.

Herbst, who has performed with the Nashville Opera, is unable to work "as a result of her incontinence and excessive flatulence," the suit says. [Breitbart]

 

Pandering, Profiting And Politicizing On The Back's Of Kentucky's Unemployed

The U.S. Senate democrats led by the words of Barack Obama and now many democrats in Kentucky have begun trying to build a voter block on the backs of the unemployed.  In a nation which at one time stood for unbridled opportunity and the land of prosperity, this is a shameful display of inhumanity.

Let's face facts.  The agenda, the decisions and the actions of Barack Obama, aided by a complicit U.S. Senate, have all combined to worsen the living conditions of millions of Americans since he took office in 2009.

There Are 7.7 Million Americans Who Are Currently Working Part-Time Because They Can’t Find Full-Time Employment. 

27 Percent Of Unemployed Americans Have Been Unemployed For A Year Or More – Up From 11 Percent When Obama Took Office In 2009.

The “Real” Unemployment Rate, Including Those Who Have Given Up Looking For Work Or Are Involuntarily Working Part-Time, Is 14.6 Percent In Kentucky. The Real Unemployment Rate In Kentucky Was 12.6 Percent When Obama Took Office In 2009.

The Labor Force Participation Rate Is 63 Percent – Down From 65.7 Percent When President Obama Took Office In 2009. [Bureau Of Labor Statistics]

In other words, the Obama administration, pursuing his policy agenda for America, with the help of the U.S. Senate democrats have made matters far worse for America's workers since he took office in 2009 and now they want to paint the picture as if "they" are out to help the unemployed by extending benefits.

Look, get the teat out of your mouth and think for a minute.  If they really wanted to help they would stop bankrupting the country and playing politics with the future of Americas middle class, get off the backs of businesses and working people and let this economy flourish creating REAL jobs, not made up government paychecks sent to potential voters.

You don't think that the democrats are essentially buying votes with this behavior?  Well, Candy Crowley at CNN has virtually admitted that they are.

CANDY CROWLEY: If I am an unemployed American and I hear from Republicans that, “Yeah, you know, we should go ahead and do that provided we do the following three things,” and it’s a caveat approval of extending those [unemployment] benefits, or if I am a minimum wage worker and I find, I see Republicans who say, “You know what? It's artificial, it messes with the marketplace, it might mean some teens can't get into the job market,” why would I become a Republican? How do you message that in any way to reach out to those who are disinclined to sign up for the Republican Party?

Doesn’t Crowley know that she indicted the Democratic Party as one that is basically buying votes?

So folks that are currently unemployed or on minimum wage must support politicians that promote policies that hurt the very job creation that might lead to them having better lives?

And if Republicans aren’t willing to support such failed policies, it behooves such people to be Democrats thereby potentially condemning themselves to mediocrity and possibly lifetime government dependence?

Clearly, Crowley has forgotten that in 1980, a great deal of unemployed and minimum wage workers voted for Ronald Reagan because they realized Democratic policies weren't helping them. [Newsbusters]

It is time for the people of America to wake up.

The stated "need" to continue extending these benefits is a symptom of the Democrats economic failures under Harry Reid and Barack Obama and their biggest failure is the fact that they’ve failed to create jobs. 

So of course the people of Kentucky are being bamboozled into thinking that all we need to do to make things better is to shift the balance of power in the Senate by getting rid of Mitch McConnell, the most powerful counter force to this failed agenda, and replace him with another reliable vote for Harry Reid and Barack Obama.

Ignorance is the offense which condemns those guilty of it to the consequences of their inaction.  Remember the words of Patrick Henry:

"There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come....

Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!"

McConnell: "I Stand With Rand"

Wow!  It used to be that having your name associated with Mitch McConnell was the kind of affiliation you hoped would be a big political plus.  But judging by the big spend about to be launched in the Commonwealth by Kentucky Opportunity Coalition, McConnell is getting cozy with Rand Paul.

Just one more example of the shifting political powers in the Commonwealth.

"January Is Going To Be A Train Wreck" For Democrats

From Charles Krauthammer, on FoxNews, assessing the miserable failure that Obamacare is going to hang around the necks of democrats next year:

 

Another Obamacare Lie: Pre-Existing Conditions Get Cancelled

Both Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi made it clear: if you have a pre-existing condition, Obamacare will provide you with coverage you can't get elsewhere.  It was then and is today a lie.

One of the key promises from the Obama administration was that, at the very least, people with pre-existing conditions would be insured. Now these people are having their insurance canceled – because of Obamacare.

Investors.com reports:

The pre-existing conditions problem affects about 2 million people in the individual market. The best options for these sick people are being closed because of ObamaCare.

In 35 states, they currently get coverage through high-risk pools, where premiums are subsidized to help keep them within reach. Most of these pools have long waiting lists.

But high-risk pools must close on Dec. 31, 2013, or shortly after, because the Affordable Care Act directs ill patients to enroll in ObamaCare exchange plans.

Okay, but if they enroll in the Obamacare exchange plans, they will then have “better access,” right? Think again:

The problem is most exchange plans severely limit their choice of hospitals and doctors. … State insurance commissioners are scrambling to delay closing the high-risk pools. [CapitalismInstitute]

Can't South Africa just keep him and send back the Bushes?

McConnell Slams Bevin Again

Matt Bevin gave an interview in which he claims that republican voters are ready to sweep McConnell out of office because he hasn't fought hard enough against Obamacare.  He also claims that there is a tidal wave of support building for him.  McConnell sees things quite differently and issued this reply:

“Mitch McConnell was leading the fight against Obamacare while Matt Bevin was lying on his bailout application and pretending to be an MIT alum,” McConnell spokeswoman Allison Moore said. [Joe Gerth via NKY.com]

Let's look at this.

First, Bevin is emboldened by a small group of disgruntled fanatics who act out on their hatred of anybody already in office, particularly republicans in office, by falling for the first guy to come along and pander to their seething discontent.  They do not represent the larger republican community.

Second, Bevin cannot compete financially with McConnell, although he can be enough of a nusiance to make McConnell spend money which though it might seem like a waste of November resources really isn't.  In fact, Bevin will make McConnell do only one thing that Mitch doesn't like to do, spend money early.  Then again, for Mitch's sake this could be a good thing.  The early he reminds folks what he has done for Kentucky, the less likely they will be to give money to the democrat.

Third, Bevin is running statewide, not just in a few Northern Kentucky counties where the TEA party has out worked the rank and file GOP and has a foothold of power.

Fourth, Bevin is virtually unknown, which makes all "interviews" with him by the liberal media so revealing.  The liberal media in Kentucky (and the United States for that matter) would like nothing more than to see the end of McConnell. Bevin is one more liberal weapon in that battle.

Fifth, does anybody with a lick of sense really think that Bevin or Grimes have any chance at being more successful in navigating the complicated mine field of the United States Senate than Mitch McConnell?  If so it might be time for you to put down the bong and step away from the Chee-tos.

The tag team of Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul have brought great pride to Kentucky.  Neither of Mitch's opponents can hold a candle to these guys and neither will likely win.  In fact, the appearance of 90 year old Gurley Martin in the race is a far more interesting development than Bevin's blustery claim that he is riding a wave of angered support.

Put your money on McConnell.  The others are just a distraction.