Let’s Be Real, The GOP Wanted The Sequester To Happen

The sequester was pushed by the republican party in 2011 during the debt ceiling battle in which the GOP took the country hostage and demanded that there be a series of harsh spending cuts.  These spending cuts effected everything from defense, education, research and development, and infrastructure.  Because the sequester is not liked by the majority of Americans, the GOP is claiming it’s the “President’s Sequester”.  A phrase I’ve heard over and over again on CSPAN during the republican’s response to no deal being reached. They think by associating the sequester with the President that it’ll hurt his ratings with the American people.  Unfortunately for them, we are all too well familiar with republican obstructionism and the fact that they would love to see President Obama fail.  I’m not sure what makes them think that we will not notice it now….but no harm in trying right?  Here’s the republican’s response and President Obama’s response to the sequester released today,

I’m certainly not happy with the way both sides handled this issue, but if the sequester lasts too long because the republican party failed to compromise, American’s aren’t going to solely blame Pres. Obama.  Additionally, I think it’s smart to say that the GOP needs to be focusing on issues that will help boost their party image.  We should be focusing on immigration reform, real tax reform, and creating jobs.  Because of GOP obstructionism, infrastructure reductions will mean, less construction jobs, a field historically dominated by Hispanics. There are so many sectors of the population that will be hurt and once again because the GOP wanted to protect the top 1% of wealthy Americans, the rest of the country is currently being held hostage til they get their way.  Here’s a great video created by Think Progress,

Republicans could care less about the working poor.  Just let them starve while the income disparity widens.  People won’t forget this. First, hold the country hostage during the debt ceiling debates, and the outcome being the sequester.  Second, prolong the fiscal cliff negotiations and the outcome being delayed tax refunds that disproportionally hit middle-low income tax filers.  Now, obstruct negotiations initiate the sequester and the outcome once again hurting the middle and low income people.  Great way to kick people while they’re down.

New York Soda Ban Is Another Example Of Nanny Politics

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg decided it was a good idea to ban soda (or caffeinated drinks) over 16oz so that he can help “curbed obesity”.  This story has been making headlines even more now because the NAACP and Hispanic Federation has come out against this measure.  However, supporters, mainly out of Bloomberg’s office is saying that because Coca Cola gives money in support of these organizations, that’s why the NAACP and Hispanic Federation has come out against the ban.  What’s to note is none of these organizations had to come out in support or against this ban and their reasoning behind their lawsuits is extremely reasonable.  Their lawsuit is about economics and how small businesses will be disproportionally hurt by the ban.

Corporations like 7- eleven, Starbucks, and large grocery store chains can still sell drinks over 20oz because they’re regulated by the state, not city.  I don’t know which corporations Mayor Bloomberg is getting money from, but the fact that these large and popular corporations are exempt while small business competitors are losing money really says something here.

Mayor Bloomberg’s rational is that if you don’t have a 20oz soda in front of you, you won’t drink 20ounces of soda.  Does Bloomberg not have kids?  Is he completely withdrawn from reality?  If people want to drink a lot of soda, then they’ll find a way to drink it.  You can’t curb obesity by forcing people to eat the way you want them to eat.  You have to use educational and fitness programs.  Matter of the fact, the reason why low income people may be disproportionally obese is due to the lack of exercise facilities and these expensive gym memberships…and lets remember that not every neighborhood is safe to run in.

This ban is stupid for several reasons.  The fact that 7-eleven is exempt and probably gets more customers means that the ban will do nothing to curb obesity anyways.  And at smaller businesses, all someone has to do is buy two 16oz at once and whoops! Mayor Bloomberg’s rational just flew out the window because now people will have 32 ounces of soda to drink.  Additionally, what about free refills at restaurants and gas stations? Bloomberg doesn’t seem to want to include that.

Economically, this could have a major impact on minority neighborhoods where small business thrives.  And if someone wants to throw a birthday party with a large group of people…they’ll have to inconveniently buy a bunch of 16oz drinks instead of a 2 liters…unless they want to drive to an exempt store.  For some perspective here, if this rule was enacted in a city like Detroit, MI where there are mostly small businesses with virtually no large chain grocery stores in most parts and I have never seen a 7-eleven there in my life, residents would have to drive several miles to get out the city and waste gas to get to a store that would be exempt.  Obviously, New York isn’t like that but if you don’t have a car or live in a poor neighborhood, you may find it difficult to get a larger soda.

The more important issue here for me is personal freedom.  Obesity is a choice unless you have a medical condition.  People choose to drink soda over 16oz because they want to and not everyone who drinks large soda is obese.  Honestly, the only reason I get a 20oz drink is because they usually serve it with a bunch of ice.  Another reason is because there’s a party and people need drinks.  People have reasons for buying certain products and it’s their right.  Everyone should be allowed to drink and do whatever makes them happy if it’s not hurting anyone else.  The government should not feel like it has to babysit the public.

What next? Putting a limit on the amount of coke we buy? How about making a rule to only buy one 16oz coke every 3 hours.  What about pizza? What if there were regulations on the size of a large pizza.  What if a pizza couldn’t contain extra cheese because it raises cholesterol.  A ban like this encourages other ridiculous bans in an attempt to control our lives.  Maybe Mayor Bloomberg should just admit his stupid mistake and say sorry to the people for trying to control their lives because not only is this ban not effective, it stings economically and hurts small businesses and entrenching on our personal freedoms.  A law like this has no place in the United States of America much less a democracy anywhere else.  I’m sorry that you’re bored of your job Bloomberg, but New York doesn’t need a nanny.

Video: Sen. Rand Paul Goes On A Condescending Rant Towards Hillary Clinton At Benghazi Hearing

Sen. Rand Paul, another star of the Tea Party movement (or what’s left of it), he not only was condescending, suggested that President Obama should have fired her, and then said the Benghazi attack, that killed 4 Americans, “was the worst [American] tragedy since 9/11″.  Good one Sen. Paul, cause it’s not like we just didn’t have the Sandy Hook tragedy that killed more innocent children and teachers -_-

(h/t Marmel on Twitter)

I like how Hillary Clinton knows that Sen. Paul is an idiot and essentially just let him rant and look like a fool.  Once again, the republican party never misses an opportunity to look like douchebags to the American people.  The GOP lost big in the last election, lost on the fiscal cliff, lost on the gun debate, lost on women’s issues, lost on healthcare…they are struggling to find something to hold on to.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t look they’ll win if they keep attacking Hillary Clinton like this instead of actually asking meaningful questions.

Video: Tea Party Senator Ron Johnson Sets Off Hillary Clinton During Benghazi Hearing

During today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Benghazi terror attacks, things became a little heated between tea party senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Hillary Clinton.  Sen. Johnson asked a series of conspiracy theory-related questions about the attack in Benghazi.   Mainly about why we didn’t know immediately about the who made the attack on the consulate right after it happened…while there was still chaos happening.  Seems pretty unreasonable to me.  His questioning was centered along the republican attacks during the 2012 election when Ambassador Rice, who was filling in for Hillary Clinton who couldn’t make the talk show appointments at the time, she read supposedly inaccurate talking points given to her.  Ambassador Rice unfairly took the blame because of republican attacks on her instead of the people who gave her the talking points.

Sen. Johnson obviously has Tea Party written all over his bank account statement.  His language was extremely unprofessional and in true conspiracy theorist fashion.  Multiple times he suggested that Ambassador Rice and the administration “purposefully” lied about the attacks.  At another point he said, wouldn’t a “simple phone call” to the evacuees had given us the information of who did the attacks, which eventually led to the scolding by Secretary Clinton.

Not only did Secretary Clinton handle herself beautifully and defended how she handled the consulate attacks, but she also schooled Sen. Johnson.  Clearly Sen. Johnson needs to find another committee to be on until he learns a bit more about government procedures.  I’m sure as a tea party member, he’ll be better suited to stick to trying to deminish women’s rights and gay marriage….foreign relations….not so much.

Video: Beyonce Didn’t Really Lip Sync and GIF: Malia Photobomb at Inaugural

First, everyone is making a big deal about Beyonce Knowles using a background track of her singing the National Anthem at the Inaugural and claiming she lip synced the song.  However, this raw video of Beyonce singing the National Anthem proves that she was still singing over the recorded track and she was singing beautifully (video below).  My issue with this latest “controversy” is what’s the big deal? We all know Beyonce is one of the best singers out right now…it’s undeniable.  Maybe she didn’t want to screw up?  Maybe her nerves got the best of her and she decided to use a recording at the last minute.  No one knows right now but I don’t see what the big deal.  Greats like Whitney Houston used background tracks of them singing at National Anthems. Anyways, here’s the video to see for yourself.

In other news, here’s another GIF from the Inauguration of Malia (14 years old) and Sasha (11 years old) Obama.  I can only imagine Sasha was telling Michelle and Obama to kiss so she can take a picture and then Malia deciding to ruin the picture.

How cute! These girls constantly remind us that the President has a beautiful and normal family life like the rest of us.