Why Are We Having A Debate Tonight?

I have one simple question.  WHY ARE WE HAVING A DEBATE TONIGHT????  Our nation is in economic and financial crisis and it is not being helped that the two major Presidential candidates are sitting Senators.  As I understand it at this hour there is no solution to the problem.  The deals have not been finalized yet.  So you send the two sitting senators out to Oxford Mississippi to a debate while they should be holed up with everyone else on Capitol Hill until a consensus solution is agreed upon?!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME???  Yes this whole issue has been politicized all week long but it should not be up to McCain or Obama whether the debate is held.  This debate should have been postponed by the people in charge until a solution is reached on the current crisis because both of them should be a part of the solution, no matter if we agree with the solution or not.  


But hey would you expect anything less from the hate-America mainstream media (yep Fox News you are part of the problem too) that runs these debates?  This is par for the course for these morons!  Thanks a lot for being part of the problem and leaving our nation’s economy and finances in a bind.  


GOD BLESS AMERICA…ISN’T THIS WONDERFUL???  

John Oxendine: "Put Georgia Taxpayers first!"

The following is the latest press release from John Oxendine, the current Georgia Insurance Commissioner and Republican Candidate for Governor in 2010:   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:           FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
September 26, 2008                         Kathryn Ballou,  (404) 558-4905

OXENDINE TO GEORGIA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
PUT GEORGIA TAXPAYERS FIRST IN ANY SOLUTION TO ECONOMIC CRISIS  

Oxendine Urges a Solution Focused on Wal-Mart – Main Street Working Georgians, Not Wall Street – D.C. Special Interests

A Statement from Commissioner John Oxendine:

Atlanta, GA – The idea of a government bailout in which we’d entrust $700 billion to one man without Congressional oversight or accountability is absurd.  

The idea that America and Georgia need a solution that is Washington D.C. and Wall Street based is just not in the best interest of the Georgia taxpayer.  Georgia taxpayers want a solution that is focused on Wal-Mart – Main Street working Georgians not Wall Street – D.C. special interests.  

What happened to the “free market” idea?   

If you are a small business owner, is this the way it works at your place? When you have a bad month, a bad year, or face having to close, can you go up to Congress and get them to write YOU a fat check to take away your risk?  

America needs a solution, but it needs one that is focused on the best interests of  the hard working taxpayers who make America what it is.  I care about the farmer in Moultrie, the dock worker in Savannah, the teacher in Roswell, the health care professional in Kennesaw, the factory worker in Dalton.  I do not care about fat cat Wall Street executives or Washington D.C. lobbyists. 

I urge Senator Saxby Chambliss, Senator Johnny Isakson and the entire Georgia delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose any so called deal or solution that does not include the following:  

Repeal of the Sarbanes/Oxley law.  This law costs American businesses million of dollars in unnecessary fees.  

An elimination of ALL capital gains taxes and taxes on savings and dividends.  Free up the capital and encourage investment. This is the kind of economic stimulus the Fair Tax would bring, and if Congress is going to lose money, let them lose it with lower taxes, not with public dollar bailouts of private market mistakes.  

Apply appropriate safeguards for good mortgage risk to the “market to market” accounting provision, which is driving companies into bankruptcy unnecessarily.  

Pass a strong energy bill. Speaker Gingrich points out that if America had an extra $5 trillion in energy spending in our economy in the next ten years with a zero capital gains tax and a liberated entrepreneurial sector no longer crippled by Sarbanes-Oxley, we would generate the wealth to absorb all the current losses. Speaker Gingrich is correct on this point.

Somebody needs to be held accountable. Liberal Democrats such as, Senator Chris Dodd, who was very much involved in the Countrywide mortgage business, sweetheart loans and interest rates – what about him?  What about Barney Frank?  What about the heads of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae?   

Liberals are trying to lay the blame on the Free Market. When they talk about needing more regulation – they’re telling America that the Free Market has caused this crisis.  They’re telling America that capitalism is responsible.   

They are wrong.  

This is not the fault of the American people or of Free Market capitalism.  This is the fault of liberals in Washington D.C., Wall Street and special interest lobbyists in Washington, D.C.  

I stand with Georgia taxpayers who expect – demand – that any solution protect their interests and families and not Wall Street and Washington D.C.



Atta boy John!  You tell ’em! 

Huck: "The Fleecing of the American Taxpayer"

Governor Mike Huckabee continued his strong response to the bailout proposal this evening in his latest e-mail to supporters:  


We’ve received am overwhelming response to my last email.  The comments my email generated were loud and clear:  we have had enough of Washington’s knee-jerk big government and we want and demand a return to the conservatism our Party has championed for decades.

We also had over 500 contributors more than 300 of whom were first time supporters of Huck PAC.  Let’s keep that momentum going.

If you have already responded to my email with a contribution please leave a comment on my blog because I want to hear what you think.

If you haven’t yet, I strongly urge you to do so.  Even if it is for just 5 or 10 dollars you will be making a difference.  And if you can afford to contribute 25, 50, 75, 100 or more please do so now. 

And then after you have contributed please leave a comment on my blog post titled “The Fleecing of the American Taxpayer.”

The word out of Washington this afternoon is that Congress and the Bush administration are very close to an agreement on The “Bailout”.  I can’t tell you how disappointed and disgusted I am with this news.  Like most Americans I have no idea what this “Sweetheart” deal will consist of, but I do know that forcing the American  people to accept the secretive work of Washington politicians is just plain wrong.  Now more than ever, I need you financial help to fight back against the inside the beltway gang.  Please make the largest contribution that you can afford today.  The battle begins now.

God Bless

Mike Huckabee

Jack Hoogendyk: "Is Senator Levin Really That Forgetful?"

The latest campaign mailing from Fack Hoogendyk is very timely and deservedly hard on Senator Levin.  Does this man really deserve to be re-hired by the people of Michigan?   

Is Carl Levin Having a Convenient Lapse in Memory?

When asked last week by WJR morning radio host, Paul W. Smith whether there was blame to be laid for this “market meltdown”, Carl Levin could not help but place it on President Bush. He said that the “economic policies and deregulatory policies of this administration are the major cause of this economy being where it is at.” Either Mr. Levin is playing on the ignorance of the voters, or he has forgotten what role he himself played in this mess.

It All Started With the Community Reinvestment Act 

Unless you just returned from a three-month fishing trip in Yellowknife where there are no radios, cell phones or Internet, you certainly know that the financial markets are in difficulty. It seems all these mortgages that so many folks obtained with little or no equity or credit rating, have suddenly crashed around all of us.

The genesis of this collapse is the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) of 1977. This act which was championed by President Carter required lending institutions to offer credit and home ownership opportunities to “underserved populations.” This happened as a result of pressure from community organizers and groups like ACORN .

What it ultimately led to was a large number of no-money-down or poor-credit-rating mortgages. These mortgages were only moderately risky as long as housing prices continued to escalate. In 1995 under Bill Clinton, the CRA was liberalized  to “generate billions of dollars in new lending and extend basic banking to the inner cities and to distressed rural communities.”

Now that the housing market is in full collapse, the chickens are, as they say, coming home to roost. Could this have been foreseen? Could this have been prevented? Of course. If all of us had exercised a little common sense added to a strong dose of personal responsibility, this would not have happened. Short of that, some solid regulation would have helped.

In fact, regulatory reform was proposed in the U.S. Senate in 2005. The bill, S.190 was introduced by Republican Senator Chuck Hagel and co-sponsored by Sens. Dole (R), Sununu (R), and McCain (R). It would have put some good controls in place to largely prevent the meltdown that is occurring today. The bill was supported by four Republicans and no Democrats. Where was Senator Levin on this? I cannot find any evidence of his support for the bill and, in fact, it was Democrats that effectively killed the bill out of committee.

President Bush had proposed a significant regulatory overhaul of the housing finance industry in 2003. It even included reducing the power of the administration. The New York Times reported on it. Democrats opposed it. Again, Carl Levin does not appear to have supported it. Senator Barney Frank (D), said it was unnecessary. It never saw the light of day.

Going back a little further, a bill was introduced in 1999, S.900 , which would have put some controls in place and, in effect, “weaken” the Community Reinvestment Act. Carl Levin opposed it saying this, “I oppose the provisions weakening the CRA included in S.900, a bill intended to modernize the financial sector of our economy.”

It certainly looks like Carl Levin and his Democrat (and some Republican) colleagues passed on numerous opportunities to address the crisis that was rising on the horizon as far back as 1994. Legislation was offered to reign in the problem. Senator Levin is certainly motivated to find answers now, but where was he in 1994, 1999, 2003, and 2005? It’s no wonder that in his interview with Paul W. Smith, he mentioned that we should not look back, but rather, look forward.

Mike Huckabee Responds To The Bail Out

Governor Mike Huckabee, on his blog, is appalled at the idea of the bail out and offers solutions.  I complete agree with him.  

Frankly, I’m disappointed and disgusted with my own Republican party as I watch them attempt to strong-arm a bailout of some of America’s biggest corporations by asking the taxpayers to suck up the staggering results of the hubris, greed, and arrogance of those who sought to make a quick buck by throwing the dice. They lost, but want the rest of us to cover their bets so they won’t be effected in their lavish lifestyles as they figure out how to spend their tens of millions and in some cases, hundreds of millions in bonuses and compensation which was their reward for not only sinking their companies, but basically doing the same to the entire American economy.

It’s especially disconcerting to see the very people who pilloried me during the Presidential campaign for being a “populist” and not “understanding Wall Street” to now line up like thirsty dogs at the Washington, D. C. water dish, otherwise known as Congress, and plead for help. I thought these guys were the smartest people in America! I thought that taxpayers like you and I were similar to the people at the U. N. who have no translator speaking into their headset – that we just needed to trust those that I called the power bunch in the “Wall Street to Washington axis of power.”

The idea of a government bailout in which we’d entrust $700 billion to one man without Congressional oversight or accountability is absurd. My party or not, that is insanity and I believe unconstitutional.

Will there be far-reaching consequences without some intervention? Probably, but we honestly don’t know since we’ve really never seen this level of greed and stupidity all rolled into one massive move. But may I suggest that letting “Uncle Sugar” step in and bail out the billionaires who made the mess will be far worse and will start a long line of companies and individuals who will demand the same of the government—which last time I checked means that they will be demanding it out of YOU and ME. This is not money that Congress is risking from THEIR pockets or future, but ours. Many if not most of us have already experienced lost value on our homes, retirement accounts, and pensions. Now they’d like for us to assume some further risks so they won’t have to.

What happened to the “free market” idea? Is that only our view when we WIN and when we LOSE, we ask the government to come in and take away the pain?

If you are a small business owner, is this the way it works at your place? When you have a bad month, a bad year, or face having to close, can you go up to Congress and get them to write YOU a fat check to take away your risk?

Some of what contributed to this disaster is too much government in the form of Sarbanes/Oxley. Some is due to the tax structure that created the hunger for companies to “game” the system. Some is the common sense that was ignored like loaning money to people who can’t pay it back.

Wall Street has become Las Vegas east, but at least in Vegas, people KNOW they are gambling and they don’t expect the government to cover their losses at the tables. In Wall Street, they do. And the American taxpayer burdens the responsibility.

If Congress wants to do something, here are some suggestions:

       1. Eliminate ALL capital gains taxes and taxes on savings and dividends right now. Free up the capital and encourage investment. This is the   kind of  economic stimulus the Fair Tax would bring and if Congress is going to lose money, let them lose it with lower taxes, not with public dollar bailouts of  private market mistakes.

2. Repeal Sarbanes/Oxley. It has failed. It was supposed to prevent this. It didn’t. Kill it.
   

        3.  Demand that the executives who steered their ships into the ground be forced to pay back the losses of their companies. Of course, they can’t, so let  them work and give back to the government and they can live like the people they put on the streets or kept there. It makes no sense to put them in jail—that’s just more they will cost you and me. I’d rather them go out and earn money—just not get to keep so much of it this time. I’m not talking about limiting CEO salaries—just those of the people who now are up in Washington begging for help because they ruined their companies.

Attempts by Democrats and Republicans to blame each other is nonsense. They are both guilty and ought to own up and admit it. They all lived off big campaign contributions and the swill of the lobbyists who strong armed them into permission to steal. Enough of blame. Fix it!

This would be a start. If we don’t hold these guys responsible, we are all finished.

LIVE BLOG – Mike Huckabee Fills In For Neal Boortz

I will be Live Blogging Mike Huckabee’s fill in for Neal Boortz.  He will be on the air live from 10 AM-1 PM Eastern.  I am getting started early to set everyone up so that they can listen and participate:  


As far as listening live you can click this link HERE.  In addition to see which radio stations are affiliates of the Neal Boortz show you can click this link.  Locally in Atlanta you can call into the show at 404-872-0750 or you can call toll-free at 1-877 310-2100  


It is currently 9:47 AM Eastern.  As soon as the show starts and thereafter I will update this post as we go along.  It’s going to be a fun morning.  Stay tuned!  


9:57 AM – We are just minutes away from the show.  Local host Herman Cain just finished his 1 1/2 hour fill in for Neal and will pass the baton to Huck after the news.  DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL!!


10:05 AM – Weather and Traffic will soon be replaced by the winner of the Georgia GOP Primary, FairTax supporter, and my hero and champion Governor Mike Huckabee!!


HERE COMES HUCK!!!!!  🙂  


10:07 AM – Mike starts the show by remarking on on the hurricane, LA train wreck, and the trouble on Wall Street and then after introducing himself and why he was filling in for Neal, Mike mentioned that Merril Lynch has been sold to Bank of America and Leeman Bros. has filed for Chapter 11 and how atrocious it all is for us struggling in the current economy with high gas prices and truck drivers.  “Only in the financial world do bosses get a bonus for running their company into the ground”  With all of this “After this weekend our country is in a world of hurt.”  Mike now explains how Hurricane Ike impacted more than the Gulf Coast.  Also that “We are resilient!”


10:14 AM – Back to Leeman Brothers.  Mike says that a major reason why they ended up claiming bankruptcy is because they expected the Government to bail them out and credited those in charge for doing the right thing and not bailing them out.  Mike now goes into the FairTax and why we need it now more than ever and it would really help our economy out now.  “The economy is one of the most challenging issues today.” 


10:16 AM – COMMERCIAL BREAK


10:22 AM – We’re back!  “I wish term limits could get rid of some of these people.”  If in charge he would support term liomits for Congress and he says it might give a better chance to pass the FairTax because the people in Washington would not be power hungry.  A caller asked about the Bush tax cuts and he commented on how great they were but pushed the FairTax for a more permanent solution.  Mike says now the harder you work and the more money you make the more you are penalized you are under the current tax system.  “Let’s not penalize hard work.  There is a long line of callers.  My friend Don Williamson has now called in and he explained to Mike,  John Oxendine’s efforts to pass the FairTax via Constitutional conventions and Mike supports it. whole heartedly.  Don goes on to explain the true impact of the Huckabee Republican movement and how supporters are now running for local office.  


10:30 AM – NEWS BREAK  Mike is doing a fantastic job.  Between this and filling in for Paul Harvey occasionally he is now having an impact on the radio like Ronald Reagan did.  People seem to be interested in talking to him because the phone lines are packed to the gills!  Keep up the great work this morning Mike!  Also notice that he is spending a lot of time talking about the economy…he did not have a lot of time in the spotlight to talk about these issues and was hurt by it when he was running for President.  


10:35 – News is ending and Mike is coming back on the air.  “I’m on a high horse today and I’m not going to get off!”  He doesn’t mind the guy at the top getting a nice paycheck but it shouldn’t be disproportionate to the workers and he shouldn’t be paid for failure.  Airline workers are working really hard and it is not fair that their employers are being paid to drive the companies into the ground.  Mike gives stas on how bonus have increased while revenues are not increasing too much.  Mike esplained  that this is not a good way to run your business.  


The next caller Steve asked a question why Conservative leaders failed to get behind Mike during the primary but they are demanding Mike give commentary for them.  Mike said it had to deal with the way the money was flowing.  Some of it will be explained in his new book.  He was very frustrated especially with the way it was covered and that it was all about the money instead of the issues.  Candidates are now echoing Mike’s stances on the issues after he was laughed off the debate stands for having them.  


The next caller asked why more people are not behind the FairTax – Mike said that some of those people don’t understand it.  He was once one of those people.  Mike was won over when a supporter gave him “The FairTax Book” at a rally in Southwest Iowa last year (probably last spring based on my known time line of events). “I am now a strong unabashed supporter of the FairTax” Back to term limits – “You could go through the phone directory and pick 535 random names and they would do a better job than the current crop!”


10:45 – ANOTHER BREAK IN THE ACTION – Wow what a great show so far.  Mike is doing a fantastic job! 


10:51 AM – Mike is back.  Joe Biden has released 10 years of Tax returns.  and not much of it was donated to charity.  Anthony asks how the media became so biased.  “There is no such thing as pure unobjectivity in the media”  Mike says that if he read an article written about himself andh e couldn’t tell if he was a supporter than that is a good journalist.  


The next caller, Fabian is a Democrat and explained why he was a supporter and that because the GOP nominee is not him will be voting for Obama.  Mike will not press his luck and try to change his opinion and Mike respected his opinion.  


Rodney from Jacksonville asked about the Electoral College and Mike explained why it is needed.  If there was no Electoral College none of the smaller states would ever see a candidate and everything would be decided by the larger states.  “We have learned that from the past few election cycles.”   


10:57 – END OF THE FIRST HOUR  Phew!  time to rest my fingers for a few minutes.   I am really impressed with Mike’s radio skill and that he is talking about issues that are most important to us average everyday people.  I should not be surprised and I am not because this is what endeared me to Mike throughout his Presidential campaign.  


11:07 AM – START OF HOUR TWO  “The phone lights are lit up like a Christmas tree!” Mike read an E-mail and got a chance to explain that the Government shouldn’t force the companies to line up their salaries fairly…it should be up the the boards instead of the Government will take care of it because of public demand.  Mike does not want Government regulating it at all.  “That will only make the problem worse.”  “That is why we need the FairTax.” Mike said.  


The next caller James spent a long time railing on the Republican policies.  Mike is just letting him speak in Neal Boortz fashion.  James broke the ice, “if it wasn’t for that Movie Star you would have won South Carolina”  Mike understands James’ frustration.  “Republicans have not been acting like Republicans” on many issues.  When they go back to the basics and act like Republicans “We do fine” but they have not and that is why we lost the last cycle but the Democrats haven’t done any better.  Mike finished the thought, “There is a lot of blame to go around”


The next caller spoke about Ike and then the FairTax.  Mike said not only do we have to deal with a free spending Congress but they are spending money that they don’t even have!  Mike says that that is wrong!  


11:17 AM – TIME OUT!!  


11:23 AM – Mike is back on the air after the commercial break.  People are lining up on the phone lines.  Great response to his appearance!  Tina Fay’s spoof on Governor Palin on SNL.  Mike said it was very humorous.  the next caller, Ann wanted to talk about her.  The far left feminists have been down right nutty according to Huck.  “NOW is not a woman’s organization.  It is a leftist, feminist organization.”  they are hypocrites according to Mike because while they talk about how household duties should be shared that is exactly what Todd and Sarah do with their children.  “the NOW should applaud them” but they don’t because she is conservative and pro life and doesn’t fit their ideology.  “Sarah is drawing record crowds”  Mike was not optimistic about his parties chances a few weeks ago.   He did not see the base excited.  They were not going to be involved at the grassroots level.  However according to Huckabee, that has completely changed now thanks to Governor Palin!  


11:28 AM – TIME FOR NEWS BREAK – Wow how the time just flies.  We are now halfway through the program!  INCREDIBLE!  I wish Huck was on my radio everyday!  


11: 35 AM – Mike is back on the air!  More on Palin and the energy she has given to the campaign.  61% of Republicans are now more likely to donate money to the cause. Mike says that Governor Palin is authentic and she has run a small business and is the only person on a ticket that has signed a paycheck.  “If I knew being a woman was so important than I would have run in high  stiletto heels, lipstick and a wig!”  Mike is very appreciate to us Georgians for giving him a big win on February 5th and attributes a big part of it to us, the FairTax supporters!  


I missed the last call typing.  Sorry.  I am surprised it hadn’t happened yet.  I must be doing a better job than I thought I would.  I am a fast typer but I have to go back to fix my typos a lot.    


The next caller went back to executives…or at least he wanted to…Mike was able to elucidate and cleared the air.  The caller went on to talk about gas prices. Mike clarified his position on executive salaries again.  Mike wants to let the executive take home all he can as long as the wealth is shared for the hard work of the employees but Government shouldn’t force the issue – “I’m not for government regulations. I’m a free market guy!”


Grace in Kansas is up next  (mentioned Huck’s Army!  Great plug) and asked about the black vote. Mike noted it is a big mistake to go to their community to reach out their hand in October.  “They should start at the beginning.”  the GOP doesn’t have to refine its message it just has to be clear from the beginning and reach out at the very start of the cycle.  The preceived notion that all blacks are liberal is nonsense.  there are lots of them that are conservative but they are not hearing from a lot of Republicans who think they matter or are authentically respected.    


11:45 AM – BREAK TIME


11:52  AM – Here we go again!  Mike is commenting on the news.  One of the stories going over the wire is that Obama is questioning why the Iraqis won’t wait to drawback troops until after election.  Mike is steamed.  “Obama better answer that and answer it soon” 


The next caller, Dan wondered if a political commentator had to present his credentials publicly before an interview.  Mike thought it was interesting and a good idea but said it will never happen.  Mike says that the commentators were more interested in their own credentials while hosting the debates.  That frustrated him a lot!  


11:58 PM – END OF HOUR TWO   While you listen to the news I am going to go get the mail.  Maybe I got some Birthday cards today (Mine is on Friday!).  Nope…not today.  Just a stupid Credit Card offer.  I hate those!  😦  


12:06 PM – Mike is back for the final hour of his fill in for Boortz.  Mike says that Obama has been claiming that he is the agent of change and that he would bring a new breeze to Washington.  Washington Times now claims that John McCain has been partnered 55% of the time with Democrats in the Senate over the past two terms.  Take that!  


Mike is now joined by WSB Washington Correspondent Jamie Dupree.  Dupree says that the state of New York now has a 5 percent lead for Obama (down from 18 %).  Jamie Dupree agrees with Mike in that the establishment and the Washington chattering class are eating their hats on the Palin selection.  Jamie thinks they are jealous and that people can identify with her and the more they look down on her the more the people support Sarah.  Mike says at the convention there was a sigh of relief that Joe Lieberman was not picked.  Mike even says he would not have spoken at the convention if McCain had done that.   Than Governor Palin invigorated the delegates and energized the party base.  Jamie Dupree says the bounce while it will eventually receded it will take a long time to do so – “Whomever wins three out of four between FL, MI, PA, and OH will win the election.”  They went on to discuss the Charlie Gibson interview.  There were many got cha questions and Jamie said that we in the media look bad when we ask those.  In other words Gibson and ABC looks terrible for asking the questions that they did of Governor Palin.    They both agreed that this has galvanized the Conservatives and it is working.  They also agreed that Palin is now in Obama’s head and has really hurt him.  Mike is criticizing both campaigns for not talking to the American people and focusing on the issues and neither have lately according to Mike.  


12:17 PM – END OF SEGMENT AND COMMERCIAL BREAK


12:22 PM – Mike is back from the break.  Mike is talking about the Charles Rangle scandal with his tax returns.  He helped write the current tax code and he screwed up on his returns.  there are demands that he step down from the Ways and Means Committee.  “Neal would not be as polite as I am to Charlie”  My friend Lisa is now on the line and she asked about their (McCain/Palin) position about the FairTax.  He does not know about Governor Palin’s position but that he hopes John McCain would consider it and he thinks he will and hopes he will support it.  Mike would like to see the IRS out of business within the next few years and definitely in his lifetime.


i missed the last caller of the half hour cause I had to feed the cat.  Sorry.  


12:29 – TIME FOR NEWS  


12:35 PM –   The last break for News is over and the last half hour of the show has begun.  Wow.  Time flies.  “What would Neal Boortz do if he couldn’t find anyone good to fill in for him when he was gone?  He got me!”  Mike hopes to get Sarah Palin on board wit the FairTax as a response to a caller in North Carolina.  The next caller  wishes that every time Obama said change that people would hear “towards socialism”.  Mike agrees and while Obama wants change he doesn’t advocate change that he wants or that we need.  Mike ran into a small business owner last night and she is worried about Obama because his economic policy would kill her business.  Mike understands and he agrees.  Now he is advocating the FairTax for the 100th time today (it seems).  He is talking about the New Hampshire stump story about the 2nd job someone took to help her job and that it wasn’t helping because he was basically being taxed everything from that 2nd job. where he noted that the only way he could get assistance for his daughter would be to quit both jobs.   


Mike is now taking a deluge of calls and it is hard to follow.  Many of them are talking about the FairTax and/or people are hailing Mike and telling him that they voted for him.  One caller commented about the bias in the media and Mike said the only way it will stop is if the ratings and money go away and mentioned that MSNBC is now tanking because of their bias.  Mike doesn’t want Government to regulate it and he supports free press.  


12:46 PM – FINAL COMMERCIAL BREAK  One of the many soldiers in Huck’s Army is recording the show and will be splitting it up by segment.  Stay tuned for those.  


12:52 PM – FINAL SEGMENT BEGINS – Mike says thanks to Neal’s staff for helping him and for helping Neal and to Neal for supporting the FairTax.  Here comes another deluge of calls.  First topic  up is offshore drilling.  Mike is explaining  that there is not as much environmental concerns to get oil today than there once were.  Mike says we need energy developed of all types.  Mike is next asked about the cabinet. Mike doesn’t think he will be asked and is not really interested.  H wants to stay out there to help push the issues important to him.  “Never say never though”  The last caller asked about Obama and why he did not donate much money to help education initiatives.  


Mike finshes the show. “It was a pleasure.  God bless and have a nice day!”  


12:58 PM – AND THE SHOW IS OVER


Phew.  I’ll have more and add to this later in the coming hours and days.  I am going to get lunch now.  If you missed it there are some affiliates that run the show on tape later and WSB plays the show back from 1-5 AM the next morning.  So he would be on from 2-5 AM if you are up at that ungodly hour.  Thanks for hanging around with me for the past three hours.  It’s been a pleasure enjoying the show with you.  

Mike Huckabee – It’s the Economy Stupid!

Okay so Mike didn’t use that overused quote. However, Mike Huckabee just put out a news release about th state of the South Carolina economy.

News Release: Mike Huckabee: South Carolina Needs Aggressive Broad Based Economic Renewal

January 18, 2008

Former AR Governor Has Five-Point Plan to Stimulate Economy for Working Families

Greenville, SC – The latest unemployment news from South Carolina shows how important “aggressive action is to a broad-based economic renewal,” Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee said today.

“President Bush’s plan will help, and it’s an important step. But South Carolina and the rest of the nation need some bigger changes if we are to reverse the trends of the last few years,” Governor Huckabee said today while campaigning through South Carolina in advance of tomorrow’s Republican presidential primary.

Last Monday, Governor Huckabee released his own five-point “Fair Deal” stimulus package aimed at creating jobs: 1) More income, better jobs, more secure home ownership for middle-class families, 2) work with the Federal Reserve for a pro-growth, low-inflation economy, 3) increase defense spending to 6 percent of Gross Domestic Product in response to real threats to America’s security, 4) invest in energy independence and 5) move toward a Fair Tax that eliminates the current distorted tax code.

The South Carolina unemployment rate jumped to 6.6 percent in December, up from 5.9 percent the previous month, according to the state Employment Security Commission. It was the largest one-month increase since at least 1990, state officials said.

One major problem, Huckabee said, is the current unfair tax code. “If we replace the IRS with the Fair Tax, we lift the burden off of the small- and medium-sized businesses who create most of the jobs. Then the only people who we then have to feel sorry for are the legions of Washington lobbyists who manipulate the current complicated code for somebody else,” Huckabee said.