It's Confirmed! Rachel Maddow Interviews Senate Candidate Dr. Rand Paul (Video)

Politics makes strange bedfellows...Dr. Rand Paul, son of Ron Paul confirms he has launched an exploratory committee to run for United States Senate.

http://www.randpaul2010.com/

Former McCain Campaign Manager Steve Schmidt: GOP Is Extinct! (Video)

Extinct? Not quite.

Seen better days? Probably. But it's not like the GOP received much help from Team McCain.

Bill Maher: Republicans Are "Morons" and "Don't Get Science" Of Global Warming Despite Warnings Of "Any Scientist That Matters" (Video)

Bill, I got news for you. Not every environmental scientist believes in your so-called "global warming".

President Meets GOP On Capitol Hill; President "Optimistic", Republican Say They Still Have No Input,

The Washington Post discussed the President's optimism:

President Obama declared himself optimistic after meeting with Republican House leaders Tuesday afternoon and called for a suspension of partisan politics as he and lawmakers try to craft a rescue of the nation's economy. Speaking to reporters before heading into a similar meeting with Senate Republicans, Obama called the House meeting "constructive."

"The American people expect action," he said. "They want us to put together a recovery package that puts people back to work, that creates investments that assure our long-term energy independence, an effective health care system, an education system that works; they want our infrastructure rebuilt, and they want it done wisely, so that we're not wasting taxpayer money."

Mr. President, allow us to respectfully differ... here and here.

"But let no one be mistaken that this bill is the result of bipartisan egotiations. While Republicans were courteously consulted at the member and staff level, we were never at the negotiating table. Speaker Pelosi best described the bottom line on the process. She said: “Yes, we wrote the bill. Yes, we won the election.” That quote comes right out of the front page of the Washington Post, dated Friday, January 23, 2009." Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) said in a statement earlier in the day.

Grassley called the legislation "a deal made between the Democratic Leadership and the Obama administration. No Republican ideas need apply."

A "behind-the-scenes look from ABC highlights the discussions and illustrates how the Republicans are standing up to Obama:

Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., asked the first question, pushing for tax cuts that he said would move money into the economy more quickly.

The president said that if there are new ideas that he hasn't seen, he would like to talk about them. But on the issue of offering tax cuts to people who pay payroll and other taxes but who don't pay income taxes -- refundability -- Obama said there is simply a philosophical difference between Republicans and Democrats, and he would not compromise on that issue. Tax relief for some working families must come from payroll so even families who don’t pay income taxes get relief and they will spend it.

"Feel free to whack me over the head because I probably will not compromise on that part," the president said.

Obama said that there will be time to beat him up and a time for politics.
"I understand that and I will watch you on FOX News and feel bad about myself," he joked.

Rep. Pete Roskam, R-Ill., told the president that he won the presidency by rising above "Republicans" and Democrats" but that House Democrats are not living up to the Obama standard , he said. They have written a bill that spends more on re-sodding the National Mall than small business tax relief.

"The National Mall is kind of important," the president said, somewhat jokingly, prompting laughs.

Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, received some applause after asking if the president could assure the room that this stimulus will not be an excuse to raise taxes and have wasteful spending.

Spending can sometimes be like closing the barn door after the horse has already left, President Obama said. This recession is different, he said. It's deeper and global. "Nobody is more worried about the deficit and the debt than me. I will be judged by the legacy I have left behind. I don’t want to leave our children with a legacy of debt. I am inheriting an annual yearly debt of over 1 trillion."

"At the pace we are going, we are doing irreparable damage to our economy," said the president. "We are going to have to make some very painful choices. We will present a budget with a realistic approach to eliminate debt, and bring down spending."

Brady's fellow Texas Republican Jeb Hensarling then made a passionate appeal for the president to focus on reducing the national debt.

President Obama agreed, but said these are extraordinary circumstances. "We have to pass this bill," he said.

Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo., challenged some of the economists' underlying assumptions about the merits of government spending stimulus effect versus tax cuts. He proposed capital gains tax cuts and tax cuts on dividends to give the people who create jobs the ability to invest in the economy and create jobs.

Obama disagreed, saying most economists say we really need government spending in this unique circumstance to fill the hole create by economic loss.

Said Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.: "Mr. President, I probably come at this from a slightly different perspective. I remember when FDR beat Hoover in 1932. So I remember the Great Depression very well. I don't remember any of the many government programs affecting the course of the Depression. Government programs didn't work then, I don't know why we think they would work now. Mr. President, I think our obsessive borrowing has fully mortgaged my kids and my grandkids. Now we're working on mortgaging my two great-grandkids. Mr. President, I think it's more than a little bit selfish to try to solve our economic problems which we created by burdening future generations yet to be born."
This prompted applause.

"Thank you for your outreach and the spirit in which you came here," said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., the House GOP Conference Chair. "You mentioned that this bill had been negotiated in the House. Let me make it clear that there has been no negotiating in the House."

Democrats have shut them out of the process, he said, to applause.

"I don't expect a hundred percent agreement from my Republican colleagues," Obama said, "but I do hope that we can all put politics aside and do the American people's business right now."

Seriously Mr. President, take your own advice. The mere illusion of appearing bipartisan by spending a couple hours on Capitol Hill does not qualify as putting aside politics.

It is obvious to us what you and your Pelosi/Reid friends are planning.

And soon, the American people will learn the truth behind your "transparency" -- it is merely a cleverly designed political hologram designed to confuse and deceive the American people.

The Conservative Stimulus Plan That Actually Makes Sense

At least some Republicans still believe in Conservatism and fiscals responsibility.

Here is a proposal from The Republican Study Committee (RSC) not being reported in the media.

The Republican Study Committee is a group of over 100 House Republicans organized for the purpose of advancing a conservative social and economic agenda in the House of Representatives.

The Republican Study Committee is dedicated to: -- a limited and Constitutional role for the federal government, -- a strong national defense, -- the protection of individual and property rights, -- and the preservation of traditional family values. The group has played a major role in key policy areas including budget, appropriations, taxes, education, Social Security reform, defense, deregulation, and general government reform. The Republican Study Committee is an independent research arm for Republicans.


The Republican Study Committee (RSC) is introducing the Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act of 2009—to provide some much-needed, incentive-based relief to job creators and to reduce the cost that government imposes on middle-class families.


The RSC’s Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act is designed to provide broad,growth-oriented, permanent incentives for economic activity across all sectors and industries, with immediate application and sustained, long-term implications. This will ensure that Washington takes a back seat to Main Street and job creators are empowered to do what they do best—create jobs.

Highlights: The RSC’s Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act is based on three main themes: 1) Support Families through Tax Relief; 2) Provide Economic Relief or American Businesses and Entrepreneurs; and 3) Save Future Generations from a Crushing Debt Burden.

Support Families through Tax Relief:

• Five Percent Across the Board Income Tax Cut.
• Increase the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $5,000.
• Make the Lower 15% Rate on Capital Gains and Dividends Permanent.
• Repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax on Individuals.
• Permanently Repeal Required Distributions on Retirement Accounts.
• Make All Withdrawals from IRAs Tax- and Penalty-Free During 2009.
• Increase by 50% the Tax Deduction on Student Loans and the Tax Deduction on Qualified Higher Education Expenses.

Provide Economic Relief or American Businesses and Entrepreneurs


Full, Immediate Expensing. By uncapping and accelerating the expensing, this provision would encourage the purchase of assets with which to grow a business.


Significant Reduction in the Top Corporate Income Tax Rate. The bill would immediately cut the top corporate income tax rate from 35% to 25%, aligning it with the average rate in the European Union. By allowing businesses to keep more of the money they earn, this provision would encourage the expansion of businesses, the hiring of more workers, and an acceleration of investment, while making American companies more competitive internationally.

End the Capital Gains Tax on Inflation. By effectively reducing the amount of a gain that is taxable, this provision would encourage the movement of capital in 2009 and spur voluminous economic investment.


Simplify the Capital Gains Rate Structure. By encouraging corporations to sell unwanted assets, this provision would unleash funds and materials with which to create jobs and grow the economy.


Make the R and D Tax Credit Permanent: The purpose of this tax provision is to spur research and development in the private sector.


Extend the Carryback Period for Net Operating Losses to Seven Years. This legislation would extend this period from two years to seven years, which will smooth out changes in business income, and incentivize private sector investment and job creation.

And finally, The Crushing Debt Burden, the best part!

1) NO Trillion Dollar Spending Spree. Even before Congress enacts one penny of spending from a “stimulus” bill currently being put together by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid, this year’s deficit is projected to be, by far, the highest peacetime deficit in the history of the country— 8.3% of GDP. And this is because federal spending is projected to be 24.9% of GDP (also the highest figure in American history, excepting World War II), even before any new spending is enacted. This legislation does not contain one penny of new spending, and rejects the idea that massive new government spending will lead to an economic recovery. Borrowing from one part of the economy and redistributing it to others will not grow the economy.

RegularFolksUnited has these comments from supporters of the Republican plan.

"The RSC's tax cuts are sorely needed in this environment. Currently, businesses are burdened by an above average corporate tax rate and investors have little reason to go near the stock market...If you want to encourage economic growth, you need legislation that will change incentives and give people a reason to invest, produce, and hire more workers." - Pat Toomey, President, Club for Growth

"By stepping forward with a limited government economic stimulus package, the RSC is helping to keep the torch of freedom burning bright. While it is likely the Democrats will ram through their own, bloated, big - government stimulus, people will see as we begin to slip deeper into recession that the bold ideas of the RSC, centered on freedom and empowering the individual, are the only true way towards economic recovery." - Dick Armey, Chairman, FreedomWorks


"Unlike other so-called 'stimulus' ideas supported by the Pelosi-Obama-Reid troika, the ideas contained in your bill set the stage for strong growth in 2009 and permanently after that...Your bill should be the conservative alternative to trillion-dollar bailouts and massive spreading of wealth." - Grover Norquist, Chairman, Americans for Tax Reform.

'Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council' and 'American Conservative Union' Give Support, according to an RSC press release 1/23/2009.

See if your Representative is a member here. Spread this information around, get your friends talking about this pro-growth, tax cut plan vs. the Democrats wasteful, pork-laden plan.