Obama Weekly Address Highlights Executive Action He Has Started Taking: ‘I’ve Got a Pen and a Phone’

President Barack Obama highlighted in his weekly  address Saturday some of the executive actions he has taken this year, warning Congress once again that he will not stand by and wait for them to act on a host of issues.

“I want to work with Congress on this agenda where I can,” Obama said. “But in this year of action, whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, I will.”

“I’ve got a pen and a phone…”

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“I’ve got a pen and a phone – a pen to take executive action, and a phone to rally citizens and business leaders who are eager to create new jobs and new opportunities,” he continued. “And we’ve already begun.”

Among a series of moves, Obama noted that he has ordered “across-the-board reform of our training programs” and directed the U.S. Department of Treasury to create “my-RA.”

“So when you hear me talk about using my pen and my phone to make a difference for middle class Americans and those working to get into the middle class, that’s what I mean,” he said. “And I’m going to keep asking students and parents and business leaders to help – because there are millions of Americans outside Washington who are tired of stale political arguments, ready to move this country forward, and determined to restore the founding vision of opportunity for all.”

Via: The Blaze

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The Media's Most Outrageous Olympic Outbursts: Ridiculing Republicans

Sports fans checking in on coverage of Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia might want to brace themselves for unexpected outbursts of liberal preaching from reporters covering the games.

Over the years the MRC has documented lefty reporters and writers using the games to celebrate socialist policies, bash expressions of patriotism and even work in jabs against Republicans. In the spirit of the games, the most outrageous journalists are competing with each other in three events for the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. Today's competition: The “We'll Find a Way to Ridicule Republicans Even in Our Olympic Coverage” Event. Click the Read More button to see who takes home the gold!

Day one results here.

Day two results here.

 The “We’ll Find a Way to Ridicule Republicans Even in Our Olympic Coverage” Event

 We Interrupt Your Sports Report to Remind You People Hate the Bush Administration (runner-up)

 “At the last minute Secretary of State Colin Powell canceled his trip to Athens. He had planned to attend tomorrow’s closing ceremony. Just hours before that happened Greek activists hung a huge banner on the Acropolis. It said, ‘Powell Killer Go Home.’”

— NBC’s Lester Holt on Today, August 8, 2004.

Via: Newsbusters

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McCain: Bob Costas ‘Doesn’t Know What the Hell He’s Talking About’

During an appearance on Fox News with Neil Cavuto Friday afternoon, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) weighed in on what he, and other critics, viewed as a too-friendly report on Russian president Vladimir Putin that NBC’s Bob Costasdelivered during last night’s Olympics coverage. “Bob Costas ought to stick to sports,” McCain said, “because he obviously didn’t know what the hell he was talking about.”

After Cavuto confirmed McCain knew he was being recorded, the senator continued with his analysis. “Mr. Costas giving him this kind of credit borders on the ludicrous,” McCain said.

RELATED: Garry Kasparov: NBC Acting Like ‘Cheerleaders’ for Putin ‘Propaganda’

Costas’ report touched on many aspects of Putin’s political career in Russia, giving him some level of credit for helping to prevent U.S. air strikes in Syria and getting Iran to the negotiating table on the issue of nuclear development.

“I have admired Bob Costas’ knowledge of sports and his in-depth analysis from time to time. I watch his program quite often,” McCain said. “But on this one, Bob, stick to the hockey games, will you?”

VIA: Mediate

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1,154,000 Fewer Americans Working Today Than 6 Years Ago

(CNSNews.com) - 1,154,000 fewer Americans are working today than six years ago, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In January 2008, 146,378,000 Americans 16 and over were employed, and now in January 2014, 145,224,000 are employed, a difference of 1,154,000.

91,455,000 Americans 16 or older did not participate in the nation’s labor force in January, meaning they neither held a job nor actively sought one. That's a 353,000 decline from December, but 172,000 more than November.

The national labor force participation rate -- the share of Americans who had a job or were actively looking for one -- ticked up to 63 percent in January, from 62.8 percent in December.

In January, according to BLS, the nation’s civilian non-institutional population, consisting of all people 16 or older who were not in the military, a nursing home or other institution, reached 246,915,000 (number not seasonally adjusted). Of those, 155,460,000 participated in the labor force by either holding a job or actively seeking one.

The 155,460,000 who participated in the labor force equaled only 63.0 percent of the 246,915,000 civilian non-institutional population.

Via: CNS News

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Goodnight to “Tonight Show” as California’s Star Shines Less Bright

The legendary Tonight Show with Jay Leno will have its last hurrah in “Beautiful Downtown Burbank” before packing for New York. Another entertainment show that is leaving Southern California and taking with it about 160 jobs.

As Deadline.com reported, when Leno replacement Jimmy Fallon as a guest on the show recently “naively joked to the house band, “Hey, what are you guys up to in two weeks?” “Oh, they’ll be looking for work,” Leno assured Fallon, jumping on Fallon’s throw-away question/blunder. “They’re actually washing cars in my garage.”

It’s another chapter in the on-going tale of California’s marquee identity being tarnished. A report released last month by Film L.A. said filming in Los Angeles City and County fell 50-percent since 1996 and television production dropped 40-percent since 2008. Even when there is an uptick in production it often occurs in less costly venues such as TV reality shows.

Film incentive programs from other states and around the world are luring away productions and jobs.

The report will add fuel to the debate in the state capitol over whether to increase California’s tax credit program. There are plenty of instances of runaway production, but a glaring example was discussed in a Wall Street Journal article recently in which a studio executive commented that a California-centric movie be filmed in Vancouver “and roll in some palm trees to make it look like L.A.”

There is great motivation to save the California brand that is the movie industry. Assembly member Raul Bocanegra, chairman of the Revenue and Tax Committee, has made it a point to fight for an increased credit in an effort to save jobs.

However, the film tax credit increase has met opposition from those who say one industry should not be singled out for a break — especially an industry whose image is of wealth and glamour. The reality is, that image doesn’t hold for thousands of workers who labor in the industry in what is often referred to as “below the line” – the folks who make the movies and TV shows work but don’t have their names in lights.

Given the importance of the entertainment industry to California’s image and psyche, the reality of runaway production, and the state’s current budget situation, the chances of an increased tax credit being approved by the legislature is good.

Via: California Political Review

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Was Obama stoned during Bob Costas interview?

The emergence of Twitter as a social media goliath has unleashed gossip and speculation as a media force. The long term consequences are unknowable, but in the meantime, with a far left president with a dicey past, it is producing some highly amusing results.

Last night, President Obama explained to Bob Costas of NBC Sports why he wasn't attending the Sochi Olympics, but the substance of what he had to say was lost in the controversy that erupted on Twitter over whether or not he was stoned. Yahoo writer Mike Oz took the high road, as would nearly any journalist, and described the president as looking "sleepy." But in the Twitterverse, ,many popeple outright speculated that he was stoned on marijuana, a drug that he is well known to have indulged in to excess in his younger years (at least so far as we know). Twitchy has collected a bunch of comments and pictures taken from TV screens that are far more suspicious than what appears in more mainstream outlets.  Luke Manning wrote: "Obama is stoned" accompanied by this picture:

Via: American Thinker

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Different Shades of Blue: California and Wisconsin

Though both Wisconsin and California have been a solid shade of blue in electoral politics for over 20 years, there are nonetheless important differences in their governing styles.  These distinctions, driven principally by the fact that Wisconsin has a Republican Governor, offer keen insights into the priorities of fiscal management between Republicans and Democrats.

Both states were hit particularly hard by fallout from the Great Recession.  Unemployment increased, manufacturing withdrew, and economic growth was anemic.  Governors Walker and Brown entered office staring at a wall of red ink from debts run up by years of political mismanagement and economic malaise.   Both had no choice but to implement significant changes.

After California’s Jerry Brown was elected in 2010, he was immediately faced with a $26.6 billion budget gap.  To address it, Brown instituted a combination of spending reductions and tax increases.  There was virtually no choice but to cut spending – everything from primary education to welfare recipients to correctional facilities saw reductions in their allocations.  Brown also successfully persuaded voters to pass Prop. 30, a “temporary” hike in income tax rates on the state’s wealthiest and an increase in the state’s sales tax rate.  After the increases, the nation’s most populous state now boasts the country’s second highest income tax rate and the highest sales tax rate.

Wisconsin was similarly faced with dire financial straits.  Governor Walker entered office in 2010 and was quickly faced with a deficit of $3.6 billion.  To address the sea of red, Walker implemented structural reforms to the state’s economics.  He reduced runaway spending, imposed targeted tax cuts to boost growth, and most controversially, sought to modify public sector union contracts.   The result was the “Budget Repair Bill”, also known as Act 10.   The Act required public sector employees to contribute a portion of their income to their pensions (previously they contributed little or nothing to their pensions), pay 12 percent of their health care premiums (previously they paid 6 percent), and most public employee unions would be unable to collectively bargain for wages.  In addition, Act 10 eliminated the requirement for public sector unions to have their dues automatically deducted from their paychecks – instead, members would have to “opt in” to the union.

The results for both California and Wisconsin were significant; the fiscal fortunes for the respective Governors improved markedly.  Though the resurgence of the stock market in 2013 as well as the rebound in housing certainly contributed to the turnarounds, the reforms also had clear impacts.  California is expected to generate approximately a $4.7 billion surplus this year.  Wisconsin, a smaller state with lower revenues and expenditures, is expected to have a surplus of $977 million.

Via: California Political Review

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Achieve Olympic Glory - Now Pay the IRS

As 230 U.S. Olympic athletes gear up to compete in the 2014 Winter Games, the only thing colder than the slopes at Sochi is the fact that any prizes awarded by the U.S. Olympic Commission (USOC) will be taxed by the IRS. Many Americans don't realize that the U.S. taxes income earned abroad, and as such even the winnings of Olympic athletes are subject to the reach of the IRS.

The USOC awards prizes to U.S. Olympic medal winners: $25,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver, and $10,000 for bronze. Relative to each athlete's income tax bracket, some top earners such as Shaun White could end up paying over a third (39.6 percent) of their winnings to the IRS. 

Additionally, because the U.S. is one of only a handful of developed countries that tax income earned abroad, it is likely America's competitors will not be subject to such a tax. Taken together - the tax on Olympic athletes and the tax on income earned abroad - it can be said the U.S. has officially "earned the Gold" for having one of the most backwards and illogical tax codes in the world. 

U.S. Tax Rates per Bracket	Max. Tax Liability on Gold Medal Prize of $25,000	Max. Tax Liability on Silver Medal Prize of $15,000	Max. Tax Liability on Bronze Medal Prize of $10,000
39.6%	$9,900	$5,940	$3,960
35%	$8,750	$5,250	$3,500
33%	$8,250	$4,950	$3,300
28%	$7,000	$4,200	$2,800
25%	$6,250	$3,750	$2,500
15%	$3,750	$2,250	$1,500
10%	$2,500	$1,500	$1,000

Americans for Tax Reform has calculated the federal income tax medal winners could potentially face.  It will vary depending on which marginal income tax bracket the athlete finds himself in for 2014. The amounts below represent only the federal income tax liability, and do not account for income taxes owed in most states.

 For gold medal winners, ATR believes applying the top marginal income tax bracket of 39.6 percent to gold medal winners is reasonable for the following reasons:

• Gold medal winners (as opposed to silver and bronze medal winners) are likely to have marketing, endorsement, speaking, etc. deals in 2014, and should have higher-than-usual earnings
• 
  
• Because state income taxes are not being calculated, there is a margin of error built into the methodology

Via: Americans for Tax Reform
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Is the Obama administration waving the white flag on canceled plans?

The Obama administration’s admission that it may extend the exemption for health insurance plans canceled due to Obamacare regulations could signal an end to the war on “junk plans.”

Conservative estimates from the Associated Press put the total of canceled plans at 4.7 million; in contrast, Obamacare exchanges across the country can only claim that 3 million Americans have selected private plans via online exchanges (actual enrollment could reportedly be even lower).

In response to growing outcry over the cancellations, the Obama administration issued an “administrative fix” in November to extend the plans — a move that was rejected by at least 22 states and several private insurance companies as well.

Obama’s original fix was slammed by some states and industry leaders as a last-minute attempt to mitigate the political repercussions of canceling plans, not a practical fix to help those without coverage. Obama’s order came just over a month before Obamacare went live; insurers had already canceled the plans, told customers they’d need new coverage and informed regulators of the changes. Widespread rejection of the plan fixated on it as a political move, not a practical solution.

Avalere CEO Dan Mendelson said Thursday that he’d had casual conservations with administration officials about a potential extension, soon to be seconded by Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokeswoman Joanne Peters confirmed the reports, saying the Obama administration hasn’t yet made a decision about the millions of Americans whose preferred plans are not Affordable Care Act-compliant.

Via: Daily Caller

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Democratic Sheila Jackson Lee: ‘Let’s write up these executive orders’

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a member of the new “Full Employment Caucus” formed on Capitol Hill, described the group’s top priority this way: To get President Obama as many tailored-made executive orders for speedy signing as possible.

She said at a recent press conference reported by The Daily Mail that the caucus members will work hard to “give President Obama a number of executive orders that he can sign with pride and strength. In fact, I think that should be our number one agenda. Let’s write up these executive orders – draft them, of course – and ask the president to stand with us on full employment.”

Mr. Obama, meanwhile, has taken to executive orders to push through his policies and agendas, famously claiming in widely published reports that “I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone. And I can use that pen to sign executive orders and take executive actions and administrative actions that move the ball forward,” during Jan. 14 remarks.

The other members of the new caucus: Reps. John Conyers, Maxine Waters, Charles Rangel, Frederica Wilson, Barbara Lee, Jose Serrano and Mike Quigley.

It’s not clear that the caucus’ number one goal will succeed.

House Speaker John Boehner issued scathing criticisms about Mr. Obama’s push for executive powers during a recent Capitol Hill press conference. The Daily Mail reported Mr. Boehner said: “We’re going to watch very closely because there’s a Constitution that we all take an oath to, including [Obama], and following that Constitution is the basis for our republic and we shouldn’t put that in jeopardy.”

Via: Washington Times

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