Congress is currently holding hearings on the misuse of the original TARP funds, yet wasn't it Congress who rushed their release? Now they are trying to rush through a "stimulus bill" that contains untold items that has absolutely nothing to do with stimulating the economy. Over $800 billion of our money, our children's, grand children's and great-grand children's money is being allocated to things we really know nothing about and we are purposely not being told because the President and the Pelosi's of the world do not want us to know. Kudos to former Lt. Gov. Betsy McCaughey for bringing some of it to light: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs Then read the story in the WSJ by Nadeem Esmail on "Too Old for Hip Surgery" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123413701032661445.html

We must educate our friends and families on the latest hidden gems buried in the stimulus bill.

Is this the health care that President Obama wanted for his mother?

Well it is official...work hard, earn a good salary and be overly taxed for it! All your hard work, earning a living that enables you to afford to buy items that keep others working is going to be taxed to enable government to redistribute what you earn. The New York Post Editorial points out the absurdity of what government wants to do. http://www.nypost.com/seven/02112009/postopinion/editorials/millionaires_everywhere_154456.htm

E. J. McMahon has a good article on the importance of not raising the rate of personal income tax on New Yorkers as the unions and the Working Families Party are now demanding. They have begun airing ads calling for the wealthiest to pay their fair share.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02112009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/ny_without_wall_st__154447.htm

Dave Ramsey (financial expert) was on Fox and Friends this AM with a symbolic bag of tea and asked the question if it was time for a new revolution. You decide.

Yesterday, the NYS Conservative Party concluded its annual conference and if you were unable to attend, you missed a great conference. Congressman Peter King, exploring a run for US Senate, former Congressman Rick Lazio, considering a run for Governor, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, definitely staying in public service, either as Attorney General or possibly another office, all received press coverage and the applause of those in attendance.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/02/09/2009-02-09_republican_congressman_pete_king_says_ki.html
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/monday/news/ny-stlazi096029892feb09,0,2194740.story
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02102009/news/regionalnews/3_conservative_cheers_for_cuomo_154387.htm

Dan Janison blogged from the conference, but his title of “Conservative Party conference one of doom and gloom” is certainly controversial at best. http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/monday/longisland/ny-pojani096029897feb09,0,1786413.story It is true that the speakers reported on the fiscal problems that the state and nation face, but in doing so; offered ways to change the fiscal Armageddon government has and continues to create. Participants at the conference were energized to know that many in government understood the need to change the wasteful spending habits that have driven government so very long. Conservatives understand that the populist message is easy for many people to seek and fall into a trap with, but conservatives know that it is not in their best interest to let government be the provider. Our Constitution is not based on government handouts...it is based on the least amount of government interference in our lives.
Rich Lowry has a great column in today’s New York Post http://www.nypost.com/seven/02102009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/new_prez_just_like_reagan___in_reverse_154413.htm .

Breaking on Fox News this AM was a story about health care rationing for the elderly being hidden in the “stimulus bill.” More on that later...

Weekly Wrap-Up

What will people be talking about this Sunday at our 42nd Annual Political Action Conference? This week has given us plenty of topics...

First: Sen. Gillibrand – the latest example of Gov. David Paterson’s utter incompetence and the liberals’ complete lack of principles. Here’s a good overview of the whole mess...

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--nypolitics-analys0131jan31,0,2350266.story

Sen. Gillibrand’s first act was to sell out virtually everything she’s ever claimed to believe in, and make a pathetic bid for acceptance by New York’s most extreme special interests. First up: The mass immigration lobby.

http://www.nydailynews.com/other/2009/02/04/2009-02-04_immigration_reform.html

All this pandering will have Sen. Gillibrand in hot water when she runs for election in 2010 and tries as to actually win the seat she was given by Gov. Paterson – who will be facing a tough election fight of his own. Can anybody believe anything these two say?

But that’s the least of the Democrats’ worries right now. The big focus in the coming weeks will be the special election to fill Gillibrand’s House seat – which just happens to be a heavily Republican district. The Democrats are worried...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/02/01/2009-02-01_election_in_gillibrand_district_big_trou.html

This week also saw President Obama looking more and more desperate to pass his so-called “stimulus” (AKA “spend like there’s no tomorrow”) bill.

Our new leader sold himself as the President of hope, not fear. “Until, that is, you need fear to pass a bill,” writes columnist Charles Krauthammer. As usual, he hits the nail on the head several times. Read it here...

http://townhall.com/columnists/CharlesKrauthammer/2009/02/06/crisis,_catastrophe_are_these_words_of_hope

The stimulus battle has shifted to the Senate, and The Weekly Standard (http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/TWSFPView.asp) has a look at the GOP amendments the Democrats have rejected this week. They include...

- An amendment by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) to cut $47 billion in wasteful spending.
- An amendment by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) cut corporate and individual income taxes and repeal the AMT.
- An amendment by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) to cut $5.2 billion in pet projects and replace it with the same amount of defense spending.
- An amendment by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to cut the tax rate for the lowest tax bracket in half.
- An amendment by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) to repeal the 1993 Social Security tax increase.

Conservatives didn’t win these battles, but it’s good to see our allies fighting the good fight and standing up for taxpayers.

That’s what we’ll be doing Sunday in Albany at our 42nd Annual Political Action Conference. We’ll have some interesting guests, to say the least – including, as I’m sure you’ve heard, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who will present his recommendations on how New York can save money by consolidating local government.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/02042009/news/regionalnews/cuomos_courting_the_right_153471.htm

A Cuomo at a Conservative Party event? That might be unheard of, but here’s the bottom line: This guy has some good ideas that will save money and streamline government. We should hear him out on this, even if we disagree with him on plenty of other issues.

Other speakers this Sunday will include Rick Lazio, who is being mentioned as a possible gubernatorial candidate for 2010, as well as Rep. Peter King, who is considering a bid for the U.S. Senate next year.

Join us Sunday – or check here to find out who’s saying what at CPPAC.

Have a great weekend!

Hold on to your wallets...the federal government is set to pass the biggest spending bill in the history of our country and New York is getting ready to take the few coins we have left. http://www.nypost.com/seven/02042009/postopinion/editorials/do_nothing_dave_153425.htm

Also in the NY Post Opinion Pages are a few thoughts from those who helped resolved the fiscal crisis New Yorker faced in the 70's.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02042009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/advice_for_the_gov_153430.htm
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02042009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/advice_for_the_gov_153431.htm
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02042009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/advice_for_the_gov_153411.htm

Another article on the "Stimulus Bill" is worth reading: http://www.nypost.com/seven/02042009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/empty_stimulus_153410.htm

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has an interesting proposal to save money in New York State and has been invited to the Conservative Party's annual conference. Fred Dicker writes about it here: http://www.nypost.com/seven/02042009/news/regionalnews/cuomos_courting_the_right_153471.htm

The good news is that former Senator Tom Daschle withdrew his name from consideration as Health and Human Services Secretary. Perhaps the editorials, including the New York Post: http://www.nypost.com/seven/02032009/postopinion/editorials/os_ethics_exceptions_153355.htm and from around the country, helped.

Steven Malanga warns of the perils of gutting welfare reform: http://www.nypost.com/seven/02032009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/will_dems_move_to_gut_welfare_reform__153303.htm

Thomas Sowell's article on Townhall.com is an excellent reminder to republicans to be true to the principles of the conservative movement. http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/02/03/republicans_as_democrats

Let's hope that Sen. Judd Gregg remembers Thomas Sowell's words if and when he is confirmed as Commerce Secretary. Larry Kudlow offers his opinion on the Gregg nomination: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/political_commentary/commentary_by_lawrence_kudlow/the_gregg_factor

New York Wage Watch is coming to New York:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02022009/postopinion/editorials/vigilante_labor_justice_153134.htm

Nicole Gelinas clarifies Mayor Bloomberg's "doomsday" budget:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02022009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/mikes_doomsday_budget__if_only_153217.htm

Maybe it is time for the "Rangle Rule"
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02022009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_rangel_rule_153222.htm

Or maybe we need a "Daschle's Rule" also
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123353200827537439.html

Many states recognize the importance of cutting taxes: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123353481151637695.html, New York is not among them, so brace yourselves as more and more New York businesses move to smarter states.

And even more on the "Stimulus Bill"

The $800B Mistake: http://www.nypost.com/seven/02012009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_800b_mistake_152967.htm

Give Us All $3,000:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02012009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/give_us_all_3_000_152966.htm

And from the WSJ on line:
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/01/29/economists-debate-diverse-perspectives-on-stimulus/?mod=rss_WSJBlog?mod=blogmod

The Senate begins debate on Monday....let your voice be heard. Call Senator Schumer (202-224-3027 ) and Senator Gillibrand (202-224-4451) and tell them NO to the "Stimulus Bill"