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Obama's No. 1 problem? He tried to redistribute the economic pie, not grow it.

President Obama and congressional Democrats could have pursued sensible policies that promote growth and fairness. They didn't. And now voters stand ready to support the Republicans' pro-growth agenda in midterm elections next week.

By Patrick Fleenor / October 28, 2010

Alexandria, Va.

As congressional Democrats brace for an electoral shellacking next week, one question still seems to puzzle pundits: “Why didn’t President Obama do more to help the economy?” The short answer is that his goal has always been to redistribute the economic pie – not necessarily grow it. That’s a shame, because he could have pursued policies that achieve both.

“[W]hat people really want is fairness” Mr. Obama stated during the campaign. “They want people paying their fair share of taxes. They want that money allocated fairly.” After his victory, despite the economic crisis, he eschewed the Clinton mantra of “it’s the economy, stupid” and set out to make America more equitable.

Voters want economic growth

Voters, it turns out, are much more concerned about ensuring the economy grows than who gets what – especially during a deep recession. Unfortunately, the president seems locked into the mindset that greater equality of income must come at the expense of economic growth.

One Minute Debate: What's the best way to create more jobs?

Take the administration’s signature achievement: enactment of healthcare reform, aka Obamacare. This legislation subsidizes health insurance for low- and middle-income groups with taxes on high-earners, leveling material wealth but dampening economic growth by encouraging everyone to pare back on their work effort.

High-income workers have an incentive to work less since they get to keep less of what they earn. Low- and moderate-income workers face the same incentive because they can now maintain the same standard of living with even less effort.

Do high tax rates really harm the economy? Consider the countries of the European Union. Since the end of the Second World War, these nations have offered their citizens generous social benefits such as government provided health care and mandated lengthy vacations. Today per capita purchasing power in the EU is just two-thirds that of the US. More-equal slices maybe, but from a much smaller pie.

To deflect criticism that his policies are harming the economy, the president has tried to rely on his formidable rhetorical skills: expanding health care coverage was going to somehow drive down costs, handouts to state and local governments became a stimulus package, climate change legislation became a “green jobs” bill, and so on. Voters, it seems, aren’t buying any of it.

Policies that achieve growth and fairness

This didn’t have to happen. Obama could have embraced many policies that would have enhanced both equity and economic performance. And some of them could have bridged the ideological divide.

An obvious candidate would have been to tackle one of the biggest factors that contributed to the financial crisis in the first place: massive federal subsidies to the real estate industry via Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The implicit loan guarantees provided by Fannie and Freddie prior to the bust shifted risk from participants in real estate transactions to taxpayers and allowed capital to flow into the industry under very favorable terms.

This allowed Realtors, homebuilders, developers, mortgage lenders, securities traders, and others to reap enormous gains during the boom, only to dump their losses on taxpayers during the bust. It was a classic case of private gains, socialized losses. Eliminating these loan guaranteees – indeed, cutting all federal support for Fannie and Freddie – would not only have greatly enhanced equity, it would also have helped steer investment away from ever more conspicuous McMansions and into productive endeavors like building newer, more-efficient factories, stimulating economic growth.

Another area ripe for reform would have been the loophole-ridden tax code. Today the proliferation of carve-outs means that only 40 percent of personal income is taxed, pushing rates to more than twice what they could be and creating the situation where similarly situated families often face vastly different tax burdens depending on their ability to game the system. It also means that investment is steered away from companies adept at building better products and into those with the knack for lobbying.

By closing loopholes and broadening the tax base, the president could have slashed rates, enhanced equity, and provided a huge stimulus to the economy. Instead, he’s done the opposite, adding even more loopholes and promising to raise rates.

Obama and Democrats will probably pay a high price next week for failing to see a pro-growth path to fairness. Will the presence of a Republican-led, pro-growth Congress persuade the president to pursue his goal of greater fairness in a way that helps economic growth? Our mutual prosperity depends on it.

Patrick Fleenor is chief economist of the Fiscal Economics, Inc. Read more at www.csmonitor.com

 

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Obama's No. 1 problem? He tried to redistribute the economic pie, not grow it. - CSMonitor.com

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Watch Online Amazing Discoveries Satellite Channel

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Cheerleader dumped for not cheering her 'rapist'

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257 - Image Of The Beast - Amazing Discoveries TV

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BBC News: Catholic/Jesuit Infiltration Of Secular Governments! Pope Benedict says migrants have duty to integrate

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Wake the kids and phone the neighbors; We have Democrats arrested for ballot fraud | Red White Blue News

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NEW WORLD ORDER.THE DEVIL IN THE VATICAN!!

9/11 TRUTHERS LOCKED UP FOR LIFE UNDER NEW US LAW (PLEASE SHARE THIS)

Students scrape up roadkill barbecue | Courier Mail

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Group Asks IRS to Probe Christian Voter Guides

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Keep the Faith: Pope to Chile: Church and State should respectfully Collaborate

http://www.ktfministry.org/news/908/pope-to-chile-church-and-s...

There should be “loyal and respectful collaboration” between the Church and state, Benedict XVI affirmed today with Chile’s new ambassador to the Holy See. Fernando Zegers Santa Cruz presented his credentials to the Pope at the Vatican. The Pope emphasized that both the church and the state are called “to develop a loyal and respectful collaboration.”



“When the Church raises her voice in face of today’s great challenges and problems, such as wars, hunger, the extreme poverty of so many, the defense of human life from its conception until its natural end, or the promotion of the family founded on marriage between a man and a woman and the first [entity] responsible for the education of children, it does not act out of individual interests or for principles that can only be perceived by those who profess a specific religious faith” said the Pope.



Note that the Pope listed almost all areas of social life in which the Vatican wants influence. But especially it should be noted that the Catholic Church claims that it is the “first entity responsible for the education of children.” The bible teaches that it is the parents who are the first entity to teach the children. Rome is claiming control over children’s education. This is in her self-interest. If she can train children to think, she can get them to do what she wants them to do.



Pope Benedict XVI also emphasized the role of the Church in the most important events of the country, “as well as in the consolidation of its own national identity, profoundly marked by the Catholic sentiment.”



The Vatican continues to promote itself as the foundation of society and the family in order to achieve more influence and power. Revelation 17 reaveals that she is positioning herself to govern the nations according to her moral teaching. The slow and steady movements of the Holy See clearly show that the time is near where “all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him.” Revelation 13:8.

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Digital Publius: Groomed To Fail

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JUST THE FACTS

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JUST THE FACTS Read more at inquisitionnews.blogspot.com

 

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JUST THE FACTS

JUST THE FACTS

JUST THE FACTS | Richard Rives

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When the church rightfully ran for the hills Oct. 27, 2010 - Richard Rives recalls early Christianity's faithful, the Nazareans Running Time: 03:24 Modern Christianity: Man's own religion? Oct. 20, 2010 - Richard Rives sees atheists gaining ground over church's paganism Running Time: 03:39 Christianity cannot forget its Founding Fathers Oct. 13, 2010 - Richard Rives worries children of Abraham have lost their identity Running Time: 02:03 Christians celebrate Caesar's pagan religion Oct. 6, 2010 - Richard Rives says church's top 3 festivals tied to Augustus Running Time: 02:11 Blessing or curse, you choose Sept. 29, 2010 - Richard Rives calls Christians to heed same warning given to Israelites Running Time: 03:30 Christianity corrupted over time Sept. 22, 2010 - Richard Rives sees religious history like 'pass it on' party game Running Time: 03:0 God is in no way 'tolerant' Sept. 15, 2010 - Richard Rives explains people today mistake Jesus' mission Running Time: 03:29 Christians left defenseless in evolution debate Even famous apologists miss God's sign pointing to creation Running Time: 02:34 You call yourself a Christian? Richard Rives challenges many who take up Jesus' name Running Time: 02:58 Battling Satan in borrowed armor Richard Rives explains how Christians' blind trust endangers them Running Time: 02:38 Pastors trained to undermine Jesus' message Richard Rives says defending modern faith turns away unbelievers Running Time: 03:0 Moral relativism sweeps stealthily through church Richard Rives warns things unacceptable now proclaimed 'Christian' Running Time: 02:32 Pastors taught to explain away Bible Richard Rives reveals deception creeping into church Running Time: 03:10 Church traditions: Centuries of deceit Richard Rives asks, 'Who are we going to believe?' Running Time: 02:35 Watch pastors dance the 'Sunday shuffle' Richard Rives' questions set preachers to sidesteppin' Running Time: 02:51 Is the Christian cross a pagan idol? Richard Rives challenges history behind church's symbol Running Time: 04:08 How quickly Christianity is corrupted Richard Rives reveals pagan influence on 2nd century church Running Time: 01:52 When Christianity went wrong Richard Rives shows how early church compromised faith Running Time: 03:34 From which of God's laws are Christians exempt? Dec 29, 2009 - Richard Rives explains connection between heaven and Ten Commandments Running Time: 02:50 From which of God's laws are Christians exempt? Jan 20, 2010 - Richard Rives explains connection between heaven and Ten Commandments Running Time: 02:54 Selling Easter to the highest bidder March 31, 2010 - Richard Rives argues Christians have been sold a bill of pagan goods Running Time: 02:20 Why would Christians celebrate that? March 24, 1010 - Richard Rives explains pagan origin of eggs, bunnies at Easter Running Time: 02:13 Christians, it's time to celebrate ... the goddess March 17, 2010 Richard Rives reveals holy holidays set to honor Aphrodite Running Time: 02:08 Church renames Jesus' resurrection after pagan god March 10, 2010 - Richard Rives explains how synod coopted worship of sun queen Running Time: 02:46 Christians duped by 'another Jesus' March 3, 2010 - Richard Rives shows ancient swap that still fools believers today Running Time: 02:09 How the chuch was corrupted by its pagan leader Feb. 23, 2010 - Richard Rives explains ways 1st 'Christian' emperor led faith astray Running Time: 02:15 How the church was corrupted by a pagan leader Feb. 23, 2010 - Richard Rives explains ways 1st 'Christian' emperor led faith astray Running Time: 02:15 Jesus forgives, so people can do whatever, right? Feb 17, 2010 - Richard Rives shows Christianity does not negate God's law Running Time: 02:13 Thou shalt not make my law so complicated Feb. 10, 2010 - Richard Rives demonstrates how people wriggle out of obedience Running Time: 02:53 How Christianity was almost drowned out Feb 3, 2010 - Richard Rives contends for faith against Roman Empire's might Running Time: 01:56 Did church 'fathers' corrupt Christ's teaching? Jan 27, 2010 - Richard Rives explains how tradition, theology can replace truth Running Time: 02:03 Flee to the mountains Oct 7, 2009 - Richard Rives unlocks lessons from 1st century Christian fugitives Running Time: 02:53 Moses' Seat Sept 23, 2009 - Richard Rives answers whether Christians must obey 10 Commandments Running Time: 03:44 Hath God said Oct 14, 2009 - Richard Rives explains how faithful are still tempted today Running Time: 02:40 The Ten Commandments Sept 30, 2009 - Richard Rives warns Christians not to neglect the Creator's laws Running Time: 02:40 'The fear of the Lord' Oct 21, 2009 - Richard Rives corrects common misunderstanding of popular phrase Running Time: 02:50 Why 'Christian rest' on Sunday doesn't cut it Jan 13, 2009 - Richard Rives claims faithful have no excuse for dodging Sabbath Running Time: 03:09 Who says legalism is a bad thing? Oct 28, 2009 - Richard Rives makes case for embracing obedience to God's law Running Time: 01:59 Protestants condemn Christmas Dec 23, 2009 - Richard Rives remembers forefathers' ban on 'pagan' holiday Running Time: 02:49 The god who was actually born Dec. 25 Dec 16, 2009 - Richard Rives explains pagan origins of 'Christ'-mas Running Time: 02:21 The pagan cave in Bethlehem Dec 9, 2009 - Richard Rives exposes false worship at birthplace of Jesus Running Time: 02:07 Choos you this day Dec 2, 2009 - Richard Rives warns of pagan gods celebrated in church holidays Running Time: 02:12 Casting down imaginations Nov 25, 2009 - Richard Rives points out pagan roots of Christmas, Easter, Sunday worship Running Time: 02:10 If Jesus is the image of the invisible God Nov 4, 2009 - Richard Rives unpacks implications of Christ at work on Sinai Running Time: 01:58 The Lord of the Sabbath Nov 18, 2009 - Richard Rives explains why Christians still observe day of rest Running Time: 02:07 Philosophy and vain deceit Nov 11, 2009 - Richard Rives wrestles with modern arguments against Scripture Running Time: 02:16 Read more at www.wnd.com

 

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WND.com - Video - When the church rightfully ran for the hills

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Prof, protesters punish pastor for speaking on campus

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Napolitano swears in backer of al-Qaida hero

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Comcast Gives ‘TV Anywhere’ Another Nudge in Right Direction

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The Air Force swears there was no panic. But for three-quarters of an hour Saturday morning, launch control officers at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming couldn’t reliably communicate or monitor the status of 50 Minuteman III nuclear missiles.

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Communication With 50 Nuke Missiles Dropped in ICBM Snafu

The Air Force swears there was no panic. But for three-quarters of an hour Saturday morning, launch control officers at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming couldn’t reliably communicate or monitor the status of 50 Minuteman III nuclear missiles. Gulp. Backup security and communications systems, located elsewhere on the base, allowed the intercontinental ballistic missiles to be continually monitored. But the outage is considered serious enough that the very highest rungs on the chain of command — including the President — are being briefed on the incident today. A single hardware failure appears to have been the root cause of the disruption, which snarled communications on the network that links the five launch control centers and 50 silos of the 319th Missile Squadron. Multiple error codes were reported, including “launch facility down.” It was a “significant disruption of service,” an Air Force official familiar with the incident tells Danger Room. But not unprecedented: “Something similar happened before at other missile fields.” A disruption of this magnitude, however, is considered an anomaly of anomalies. “Over the course of 300 alerts — those are 24-hour shifts in the capsule — I saw this happen to three or four missiles, maybe,” says John Noonan, a former U.S. Air Force missile launch officer who first tweeted word of the issue. “This is 50 ICBMs dropping off at once. I never heard of anything like it.” “There are plans and procedures available to deal with individual broken missiles,” Noonan adds, “but they are wholly inadequate to handle an entire squadron of missiles dropping offline.” The incident comes at a particularly tricky time for the Obama administration, which is struggling to get the Senate to ratify a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia. In conservative political circles, there’s a distrust of the nuclear cuts — and a demand that they be matched with investments in atomic weapon upgrades. Saturday’s shutdown will undoubtedly bolster that view. The disruption is also dark news for the Air Force, which has been hustling to restore the “zero defects” culture that was the hallmark of its nuclear forces during the Cold War. After a series of mishaps — including nosecone fuses mistakenly sent to Taiwan, and warheads temporarily MIA — the Air Force has made restoring confidence in its nuclear enterprise a top priority. Officers have been fired and disciplined for nuclear lapses. The Air Force’s top general and civilian chief have been replaced. A new Global Strike Command has been put in place, to oversee all nuclear weapons. Nuclear Surety Inspections, once relatively lax, have become pressure cookers. These days, a few misfiled papers or a few out-of-place troops means the entire wing flunks the NSI. “Any anecdotal exposure of a weakness … could result in an unsafe, unsure, unsecure or unreliable nuclear weapon system,” Maj. Gen. Don Alston, who oversees the Air Force’s entire ICBM arsenal, told Danger Room last year. “And I am not encouraged when people can rationalize: ‘but for that mistake, we were, y’know, kicking ass.’ Well, but for that mistake, you would have passed. But you didn’t. You failed. Tough business. And it needs to stay that way.” Yet the Air Force official claims there was “no angst” about Saturday’s incident. “Every crew member and every maintainer seemed to follow their checklists and procedures in order to establish normal communications,” the official says. “I haven’t detected anyone being particularly upset with what happened.” Photo: DoD See Also: Video: Robots Now Guarding Nevada Nuke Site Fewer Nukes, More Cash: Energy Dep't Wants $175 Billion After Losing Nukes, Air Base Flunks Security Tests General to Nuclear Crews: Get it Right. Or Else Air Force Fires Nuke Commander, Finally Bosses Nuked, Some Air Force Missileers Cheer Read more at www.wired.com

 

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