The BoBo Files

Conservative

Scott Spiegel presents New York Times Turns on Obama; Can Flyover Country Be Far Behind? posted at Scott Spiegel.

Excellent compilation of all those “major players” who have shown their disapproval of this disastrous plan.  While I believe flyover country will vehemently oppose the plan as well – P-BO has just way too many sheeple and way too many leftists behind him for us to have an overwhelming response against it.  At this point, the only one’s who still approve of this bill are the fringe left and the idiots in congress who cater to that fringe.

lsm presents Got Privacy? Not For Long. posted at awaken the elephants blog.

One more to add to your list there is the latest that the government funded plans through this new bill would give them authority to have the IRS send your tax information directly to the government without your permission for the purposes of determining what type and how much health care you are eligible for.  This administration has no concern or respect for our 4th Amendment Constitutional right to privacy.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents The Minimum Budget: The Cost of Living For A Family of Four posted at The Digerati Life, saying, “How much does it cost to take care of a family of four? I cover what it means to raise a family in this day and age.”

I think it also depends on what part of the country you live in.  I saw your chart representing some cities in the country as comparison – they were all major cities.  In the rural areas, like where I live, the cost of living is much lower.  For example, in 2001 I bought my home for $175K with 2700 sq living space.  This same size house, just one county to the south and only 4 miles away was going for $250K.  Additionally, I only pay $750/month for pre-school for 2 kids.  Across the county to the east it would have cost me as much as $1200 for both of them.  I think it all comes down to location location location.  In my county $80,000 is well above average and a family of 4 would live extremely comfortable.  However, despite my observation – your personal example provides a great perspective that I’m sure many others in this country are facing.  I like the examples you provided on how Californians sacrifice in order to survive.  Unfortunately, some of what you listed should never be sacrificed.  If you have to work outside jobs to buy a home – you really can’t afford that home and should consider renting instead.  And..I know, based on many of your past articles – living off credit card debt is a really bad idea.  Thanks again for a great and informative submission.

Democrats

Rick Sincere presents A Glimpse of Richard Nixon and Ted Kennedy posted at Rick Sincere News and Thoughts, saying, “Richard Nixon and John Ehrlichman muse about Ted Kennedy’s lifestyle in this Oval Office tape from 1971″

Very interesting read there.  Thanks for the link to the Miller Center for Public Affairs.  I didn’t even know these tapes were public.  I’m gonna be busy for a while!

Liberal

Friar Zero presents Why Torture Matters posted at Apple of Doubt, saying, “An argument against America’s use of torture. I know you disagree with my position but appearing in your carnival is sure to incite conversation on the topic.”

Bwahaha – you really cited Andrew Sullivan?  First – I disagree with torture as well.  What we disagree on is the fact that what you guys on the left are calling torture.  What our interrogators did is not considered torture and it was already proven they followed the law and guidance as directed by Congress under Clinton.  Clinton’s administration defined the line and our guys never crossed that line.  What you are looking for now is a retroactive revision to those rules.  What is going on now is a rehash of information already published – and a rehash of something Holder himself already stated was not an issue.  This is being done just to appease the loony fringe on the left.  All this will serve to do is weaken our national intelligence and open this country up to new attacks.  We will see our agents leaving all of our intelligence gathering communities in droves since they are now finding out that the next administration coming in with an agenda can throw them in jail for following the law.  I’m sorry, but waterboarding is not torture and neither is blowing cigar smoke in to the face of a murderer.

Libertarian

Aaron Powell presents The Age of Abundant Communication and the Decline of Privacy posted at Aaron Ross Powell.

Hey Aaron, I might consider picking up that book. While I have several opinions on what you wrote – given that I haven’t read The Age of Abundance by Brink Lindsey – I really can’t say anything.

Wenchypoo presents From One of My Newsletters posted at Wisdom From Wenchypoo’s Mental Wastebasket.

This is a most excellent point:

When the crisis is government created, as most are, then government action almost always makes it worse. This is why the step is taken towards what can be called the “sequential” crisis. As soon as one “crisis” is solved, another one appears.

Government is the most inefficient organizational structure in the world.  It consumes and never produces.  Your entire discussion here is well worth the read.  Thanks for submitting it.

Wenchypoo presents How the Hell Will We Pay For It All? posted at Wisdom From Wenchypoo’s Mental Wastebasket.

In 10 years the interest payments alone on our debts will be $805 Billion annually.  Even if every single man, woman, child and corporation in the country were taxed at 100% – we would never be able to pay for it.  In 10 years there won’t be a country or individual left that will by American bonds and treasuries.  Unless this country does a complete 180 degree turnaround – our country his headed for a major collapse.  We need to put a spending freeze on everything in the government – then we need to make some serious cuts and eliminate a helluva lot of programs – and especially those idiotic research grants for things like studying the affects of alcohol on Venezuelan prostitutes.  Likewise – giving $2 Billion to Venezuela to drill for their own oil is just plain ludicrous.

DWSUWF presents It’s baaaaaack… Divided Government rises from the grave. posted at Divided We Stand United We Fall, saying, “One side benefit of watching the undead specter of divided government continue to haunt the media – We’re just not hearing about how the United States is really a “center-left” country any more.”

I know you have been preaching for quite some time now about the dangers of a united government.  I guess it took the collapse of the American economy and attempts at a total government takeover (because of democrat and liberal policies gone unchecked and unchallenged) of our personal lives to drive the point home to people that a divided government is an absolute necessity.  Keep up the great work over there.

News

Linda Jones presents Top 10 College Scandals of All Time posted at Online Colleges.

I knew about some of these.  There were others that I had not heard about before. Also, what kept you in this carnival is #10.

River presents In defence of local journalism posted at River’s Edge, saying, “How cutbacks in local journalism mean democracy and accountability in local politics is going out the window.”

Excellent article.  However, given that, in general, the media no longer (at least here in the U.S.) is acting as the watchdog over government corruption – rather – they choose to be part of the corruption.  I hope that this isn’t the case on your side of the pond.  Often times I have to read The Guardian or the BBC website to find out what is going on over here since our own media refuses to report on it.

Politics

Archvillain presents Sick and Tired posted at A Dark and Sinister Force for Good, saying, “Make the stupid stop!”

As always, Archvillain, great post.  I have been stating for some time that the proposed health INSURANCE reform is unconstitutional.  I understand your point with regards to the lawmakers and their interpretation of “the general welfare of the United States.”  I think they are trying to fit it to fit their needs.  I too have stated that maintaining your health is a personal responsibility and your lack of ability to do so, or your choice to not, rests on your own shoulder.  It should not be the burden of the rest of the hard working taxpayers of this country to make up for what you failed to do on your own.

DWSUWF presents To Dream The (Im)Possible Health Care Reform Dream posted at Donklephant, saying, “Do the politics of the Wyden-Bennett Healthy Americans Act fall within the “art of the possible”? It feels like it should. Universal coverage for all, catastrophic illness protection for all, no increase in the deficit and no net new taxes. What’s not to like?”

I’m sure there’s a good reason why the MSM has not been reporting on The Wyden-Bennett Act – probably because it has better merits than the government takeover HR 3200 bill which I guess is now called the “Teddy Kennedy Memorial Government Intrusion Through Faux Healthcare Reform Bill”.  Thanks for the information – I’ll read that more thoroughly.  My readers should head over there to get the link for themselves to read it as well.

Rodney Sutton presents Area 51 posted at Happy Hog Speaks!.

Oh oh Rodney – you might possibly be sounding like one of right-wing nutjobs!  Are you really buying in to these conspiracies?

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of The BoBo Carnival of Politics using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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