Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen: Our Divisive President – WSJ.com

Add in the lawsuit against the Arizona immigration law and it’s clear the Obama administration is willing to run the risk of dividing the American people along racial and ethnic lines to mobilize its supporters—particularly Hispanic voters, whose backing it needs in the fall midterm elections and beyond.

via Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen: Our Divisive President – WSJ.com.

While I may personally agree with this assesment, why should we expect politicians to change their tactics unless we, as the voting public, decide to become more discerning in the way we react to such tactics.  As long as this strategy works, due to our tacit consent, then what motivation to politicians have to try different strategies?

Two Clues to November

As of July 28, President Barack Obama’s weekly approval rating in the Gallup Poll stood at a precarious 45%. If that is what it is in early November, it would fit Mr. Obama snugly between Bill Clinton’s election-eve rating of 46% in 1994 and Lyndon Johnson’s final pre-election approval score of 44% in 1966. In both of those elections, Democrats lost in the vicinity of 50 House seats.

via Two Clues to November – Capital Journal – WSJ.

While I may personally like the implication of this paragraph, in the end, I think it is indicative of what is wrong with American politics.  People should not vote for the party, but for the candidate.  As national organizations, the RNC and DNC are expected to put out a general national policy platform, but it is up to each individual candidate to decide how much of that platform they support.  Sadly, this is not often the case.  Even worse, voters play into this situation by often voting for people based on the national party platform, and not individual beliefs of the candidates in their district.  It is, to say the least, a sad comment on the intelligence of the American voter.

Judge Blocks Parts of Arizona Immigration Law

A federal judge blocked key sections of Arizona’s tough new immigration law on Wednesday, granting the Obama administration’s request for an injunction based on the belief that immigration matters are the purview of the federal government.

via Judge Blocks Parts of Arizona Immigration Law – WSJ.com.

Well, I am sure that Arizona would be happy to let the federal government handle the issue, if, in fact, the federal government were actually handling the issue.  Since they are not, Arizona has had to step up.  “Arizona is the busiest human- and drug-smuggling corridor in the U.S. It is home to 460,000 undocumented immigrants, according to the Department of Homeland Security.”  So the Feds know there is a problem, they simply aren’t doing anything about it.

Tax-Cut Debate Grows Louder

As Congress begins wrestling with the soon-to-expire Bush tax cuts, a new survey by Rasmussen Reports shows the number of U.S. voters viewing the tax issue as very important has reached a new high.  In the survey, conducted in mid-July and released last weekend, 68% of voters said they view the issue of taxes as very important. That’s 10 points above the last reading in May, Rasmussen says. A Gallup survey in April also suggested voters are becoming more conscious of the issue of looming tax increases. That survey showed that 63% of voters expected their taxes to go up next year, the highest level since 1977.

via Tax-Cut Debate Grows Louder – Washington Wire – WSJ.

While their reasons may be somewhat unfounded, I am happy that more people are interested, because that’s the ONLY way to get Congress interested.

White House to Allow Tax Cuts for Wealthy to Expire – WSJ.com

The Obama administration will allow tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to expire on schedule, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Thursday, setting up a clash with Republicans and a small but vocal group of Democrats who want to delay the looming tax increases.

via White House to Allow Tax Cuts for Wealthy to Expire – WSJ.com.

When will they get it.  Tax increases ALWAYS work their way down to the middle class.  Those “top earners” are the ones who run our largest corporations.  The more they have to pay in taxes, the more steps they will take to increase their annual income, meaning layoffs and/or price increases.  The sheer stupidity is enough to drive me insane.

Poll: Obama approval hits low

President Barack Obama’s approval rating has dropped to its lowest point yet in a new Quinnipiac University poll out Wednesday.

Only 44 percent of the 2,181 registered voters surveyed said they approve of the way Obama is handling his job. Forty-eight percent disapprove of the president’s performance.

via Poll: Obama approval hits low – Andy Barr – POLITICO.com.

2 years later, I think the honeymoon is officially over.

Dems talk jobs as elections near

Yet it’s common for the majority party to vote on “jobs” bills in the summer of an election year — even if they’re going nowhere.  In the summer of 2004, House Republicans moved a series of bills they had previously passed in the same Congress in nearly identical form.

via Dems talk jobs as elections near – Jonathan Allen – POLITICO.com.

Now, I am not condoning the GOP doing it in 2004, but is this really the “New Direction” Congressional Democrats promised in 2006?

Senate to Vote on Bill That Would Renew Extended-Unemployment Benefits

A bill that would renew extended-unemployment benefits cleared a hurdle in the Senate Tuesday, ending weeks of stalemate that had led to the expiration of federal aid to millions of jobless Americans amid a debate on the legislation’s cost.

If the bill is enacted, unemployed workers in the states with the highest unemployment rates would again be able to draw on up to 99 weeks of aid.

The estimated cost of $34 billion will be added to the deficit.

via Senate to Vote on Bill That Would Renew Extended-Unemployment Benefits – WSJ.com.

So, we are adding to a deficit that is already past the trillion mark, which will allow for unemployment benefits for almost 2 years.  2 years?! Someone please explain to me why my hard-earned tax dollars should go to help someone who, after more than a year, still can’t or won’t find a job.

Now, you can claim that I have the luxury to make such an argument since I am gainfully employed, and you’re exactly right.  I do have that luxury, but I also have the very real knowledge of what it takes to get a job.  I   was working multiple part time jobs for more than 6 months before I found the job I have now.

7 months of splitting time between a University facilities job, Barnes & Noble, and doing part-time administrative work at a law firm.  Its not that people can’t find work for two years, its that they can’t find work they are willing to do (no, I don’t have any research to back that up, because its just my personal opinion).

I know people right now who are doing whatever work they can while they look for a more permanent placement.  You just have to be willing to do hard work for little pay until you can find something better.  Anything is better than becoming a burden on society for 2 years!

Senate Panel to Meet on Extending Bush Tax Cuts

With congressional Democrats increasingly nervous about their ebbing political fortunes, the Senate Finance Committee scheduled a meeting on Thursday to try to sort out a plan for passing an extension of the Bush tax cuts this summer. Finance Chairman Max Baucus sent the notice to other lawmakers late on Friday.

via Senate Panel to Meet on Extending Bush Tax Cuts – Washington Wire – WSJ.

Funny how they are all about tax cuts when the realize how much trouble they are in in November.

McConnell: Jobless Benefits Must Be Offset With Spending Cuts – Washington Wire – WSJ

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) on Sunday insisted that any extension of unemployment benefits be offset with spending cuts.  Remaining defiant after President Barack Obama accused the Republican leadership Saturday of obstructionism, McConnell told CNN’s “State of the Nation” that the administration needed to end its “incredible spending spree.”

via McConnell: Jobless Benefits Must Be Offset With Spending Cuts – Washington Wire – WSJ.

Considering that one of the Dems biggest complaints against the Bush Administration was the rising deficit, you would think that Obama and his cohorts would be a bit more fiscally responsible.  That’s fault, I am using logic in a discussion about politics, an area that does not abide by reason and intelligence.