This document (SEIU Battleground Poll) is a memo detailing Democrats and Independents Concerns Regarding Congress in Colorado, New Hampshire and Nevada. The Benenson Strategy Group conducted a poll on behalf of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to figure out what Democrats need to do to stay in power through the 2010 election.  After reading through the document, I came up with 3 trends repeated in their answers.

1. Democrats and Independents don’t like deal cutting.
2. Democrats and Independents haven’t seen a change since the Democrats took power.
3. Democrats and Independents don’t like to see narrow interests taking precedent of the greater good.

So Democrats and Independents don’t like deal cutting? According to the poll takers “one key element to [winning in November] will be demonstrating that individual Democrats, unlike Republicans, are placing what’s best for the country ahead of narrow individual interests.”  Excuse me? Allow me to use health care to demonstrate who is putting narrow individual interests first with a little help from a list circulated by Congressman John Shadegg (R) AZ.

Current special deals in the health care bill:

(Read more after the leap)

Growing up in a Baptist church, I was taught at a young age there are sins of omission (failure to do something you should do) and commission (committing a sin willfully).  Yesterday, I encountered a sin of omission in the Washington Post article detailing Sarah Palin’s confession that she visited Canadian hospitals as a child.  Palin has criticized the medical system in Canada on multiple occasions and the Washington Post was clearly trying to play gotcha.

Palin states:

“My first five years of life we spent in Skagway, Alaska, right there by Whitehorse. Believe it or not — this was in the ’60s — we used to hustle on over the border for health care that we would receive in Whitehorse. I remember my brother, he burned his ankle in some little kid accident thing and my parents had to put him on a train and rush him over to Whitehorse and I think, isn’t that kind of ironic now. Zooming over the border, getting health care from Canada.”

I was a little surprised that Palin even mentioned this incident as she has made clear her disdain for socialized medicine.  Now there is one minor detail missing from the Washington Post’s story.  With a little fact checking, one finds that Whitehorse is the capitol of the Yukon province of Canada.  This is important for one reason, the Yukon province did not begin socialized medicine until April 1, 1972 and their visits occurred in the 1960’s.  So while the Washington Post enjoys painting Sarah Palin as a hypocritical liar, I enjoy proving them guilty of omitting relevant information in a story seeking to smear someone they don’t like.  The Washington Post clearly has an agenda to make Palin look dumb and sought to spin one of her statements by leaving out facts that rendered their story pointless.

I am not out to push Sarah Palin as a potential presidential candidate in 2012, I have other people (Mike Pence and Mitch Daniels) that I want to run.  But the smear stories that the mainstream regularly runs seeking to make Palin look like a fool prove a point about any “news” story on a public figure.  It is important to fact check information and try to discern the motivation behind a story that paints someone in a negative light before believing what is printed.

Earlier this week, America’s entitlement problem came into full view as millions of Americans, the main stream media and a million talking heads on cable news lambasted Senator Jim Bunning for daring to refuse unanimous consent for a bill extending unemployment and COBRA benefits and Medicare reimbursements among other things.  Senator Bunning sought to highlight our debt problem and ensure that the Senate enforced their previously passed Pay-Go bill by blocking the vote.  While the mainstream media was busy lambasting Senator Bunning for filibustering (side note: He was not filibustering, he was refusing unanimous consent. If you are going to talk about it, get it right MSM) against millions of Americans who rely on those benefits because of the difficult economic situation, they ignored that this bill has a price tag of approximately $10 billion.  Senator Bunning’s sin was daring to ask “How are we going to pay for this?”  After being hammered by both sides of the aisle, the press, cable news, late night talk shows and the blogosphere, Senator Bunning finally relented last night and allowed the vote to proceed with it passing 78-19.

While it is certain that many people are relying on this money to help them get through this hard time, the American reaction to this is a microcosm of what would happen if more politicians would dare ask the question, “How are we going to pay for this?”  Anyone who has been paying attention to the meltdown that is currently in play in Greece knows that people don’t like their benefits being taken away, whether they can pay for them or not.  What needs to occur in this country before we can address our debt problem is to acknowledge that we have an entitlement problem. For decades unions, politicians, teachers, parents and the media have been telling us that we deserve everything that the government hands us and that it is our right to take as much as we can get.  All the while, our debt has been silently growing while we gorged ourselves on all the benefits we can’t pay for.  As evidenced by the riots that have spilled into the streets in Greece after their government “announced a fresh austerity package that includes an immediate freeze on pensions, further salary cuts for public sector workers and sharp increases in excise and value added taxes,” taking away people’s “rightful” benefits does not go over well.  The outpouring of hatred directed at Senator Bunning over the past couple of days for denying Americans the money they are “entitled” to begs the question, what would happen if the government really did start cutting programs, benefits and subsidies?

While I would love more politicians to begin to ask the “How are we going to pay for it?” question and begin massive cuts of government programs, it is not easy and that it is rarely attempted.  People don’t like being told no, especially after being told yes for so long.  I am warning you, unless Americans have a dramatic change in the way they look at what they are entitled to, the day cuts begin, bust out your rubber bullet guns and face shields and riot gear because it is going to be a bumpy riotous road to defeating the debt.

Some might ask why someone in Virginia cares anything about what is happening in Indiana’s Second Congressional district.  Well, I have several reasons why I am watching so closely.  First of all, I grew up in the South Bend area and I care about what goes on there.

Secondly, Joe Donnelly voted for the stimulus bill and the health care bill.  Representative Donnelly likes to bill himself as a moderate, mostly by playing up his pro-life stance in the heavily Catholic South Bend area; being fiscally conservative is not part of that moderate package.  Somehow he failed to see the crushing debt that a socialized health care system would create as a bad thing.  Furthermore, remember that stimulus bill that he was so sure was going to create jobs?  Remember Congress telling the American people that it was imperative that bill be passed immediately so money could get into the system? One-third of the money has been spent a year after the bill passed.  Sorry Joe, you’ve been duped; they are holding that money to be spent on highly publicized projects right before the November election to make incumbents look good.  It has nothing to do with creating jobs or economic recovery.  Anyone who voted for these two monstrous bills should be voted out of office.

But most of all, I like Jackie and think she would be an excellent addition to Congress.  I find her genuine and I share her views on issues I consider important (abortion, gun control, and states’ rights).

(Read more after the leap)

Our gift came a day late, but it seems that Evan Bayh read our breakup letter and decided to leave the relationship before we ended it in November.  I can’t say that I am surprised by the announcement.  While Bayh claims that “[e]ven in the current challenging environment, I am confident in my prospects for re-election,” the people standing outside his offices with proverbial torches and pitchforks have told a different story.  I believe his support for the health care bill in Congress would have ensured a loss in November.

I take two things from Senator Bayh’s announcement today:

1.  I believe this is a way for Senator Bayh to save face from a potential walloping in November and hopefully keep his name out there for a future cabinet appointment, a spot on a future Democratic ticket for vice-president or a potential Presidential run of his own.

2. My other thought on the motivation for Bayh’s abrupt retirement is also tied into his future political aspirations.  Without an election to win in November, Senator Bayh will not have an electorate at home to appease and he will be free to vote for a potential health care bill without fearing for his seat.   He knows that the health care bill in Congress is not popular in Indiana, but voting for it would be a good quality for a future run for higher office on the Democrat ticket.

I make no attempt to know what is in a person’s heart, but judging by his past actions and propensity toward doing what is right for himself rather than the people of Indiana, I believe there is more to this story than meets the eye.  Keep the pressure on Bayh, Lugar and all the other Senators to vote against this health care bill.  I assure you that Harry Reid (who might also be making an exit from the Senate come November) would love to make use of Bayh no longer having an election to win in Indiana in an attempt to pass this health care bill.

And now that the Democrat side of the ticket is open, there are already names floating for the Democrat Nomination:

(Read more after the leap)

Via Politico:

“The House has just canceled votes for the week, meaning the chamber will be out of session through Feb. 22, including next week’s scheduled Presidents Day recess. Across Capitol Hill, virtually every press conference and every committee hearing are also being canceled as a second blizzard approaches.”

I don’t know about you, but I think this might be a terrorist plot.  It looks as if the terrorists have gotten a hold of George Bush’s hurricane machine and retrofitted it to become a blizzard maker.  Instead of blowing up planes to get their point across, they are now blocking legislation through natural phenomena…ingenious.

The Office of Personnel Management has announced that the Federal Government in DC will be closed Tuesday as it was Monday.  Snowpocalypse is doing an excellent job of making sure that nothing gets accomplished in Washington this week.  And personally, I consider the government shutdown and inability to get anything accomplished the best aspect of this snowstorm.

With 10-20 more inches of snow expected Tuesday and Wednesday, I also consider this the death knell of the global warming movement.

I believe the best comment on this situation comes from from Psalms “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.” And that my friends, is a beautiful thing.

my pomeranian is also very happy the Federal Government is closed again tomorrow because it means I can stay home with her.

Soooo, the snow has been falling since about 10 am, I got to leave work at 1:30 and it starting sticking around 2.  It is really starting to get deep.  I would say at my house it is about 9 inches deep.  It is very very quiet and there is not a snowplow in sight.

I kid you not, they are forecasting a thunder snow overnight.  I guess this is what happens when Massachusetts sends a Republican to Washington, hell might literally be freezing over.

And I will leave you with a teaser picture, a view from my back porch.

I will post more pictures tomorrow as long as our electricity doesn’t give out. If it does, I will still be Tweeting away from my Blackberry till the battery dies.

As your Hoosier correspondent on location in Washington DC, I feel it is my duty to report on the biggest story of the day. No, not the stock market, no not Toyota, no not even the demon sheep. No, I am talking about the imminent snow storm, or Snopocalypse 2010 as it has been dubbed on Twitter. (p.s. Has anyone seen Al Gore? He is strangely absent in the wake of current weather phenomena.)

I was born and raised in Indiana’s 2nd district, (side note: GO JACKIE! more on that in another post) so if there is one thing I know better than politics, it is snow (can you say Lake Effect?). Anyway, normally I am first in line to make fun of all the drama that occurs in the DC metro area when snow is in the forecast.  But this is a nor’easter aiming to dump close to 2 feet of snow with 50 mile an hour winds.  I would say that is pretty dramatic for even my Midwestern roots.

At the moment, the government is using their “liberal leave” policy, meaning employees can take unscheduled leave, and most places are taking it seriously and shutting down for tomorrow.  But alas, my employer is not one of those intelligent companies.  I fully expect to get to work in time for it to start snowing and absolute chaos to be reigning by the time I leave. Don’t worry, I plan on taking my camera to document the insanity.

Speaking of chaos, the supermarket situation in the entire DC area is a mad house as evidenced here, here and here.  I took my Midwestern level head and went grocery shopping last night thank goodness.  And now for the dumbest thing you have ever heard if you grew up around snow: in Virginia most counties have a policy of not beginning to plow until the snow has stopped.  Since it is supposed to start snowing tomorrow morning and not stop till 10 pm Saturday, I expect to not see blacktop until April.  And while on the subject of snow removal, I also stopped by the Home Depot and every person walking out had a snow shovel (I don’t know if Virginians realize this, but shovels are reusable and can be used for multiple snow falls).

As for the snow storm, I have 3 predictions:

1. I will make it to work, but I will there just in time to be told that we are closing for the day.

2. I will not make it to the Super Bowl party with all my fellow Hoosiers in DC on Sunday, but there will be an awesome Colts themed snow creation in my front yard.

3. DC metro maternity wards will be full in T-9 months.

Catch me on Twitter for up to the minute updates on Snopocalypse 2010 and now back to your regularly scheduled posts on Indiana politics.

Senator Evan Bayh

131 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Bayh:

We, the people of the great state of Indiana, think it is time we see other people.  We can’t seem to find you anywhere, our attempts to contact you have been fruitless.  Even our local media can’t seem to find you anywhere, although you always seem eager to have your mug on the national outlets.  So, it seems an open letter is the best way to get through to you.

While you were Governor of Indiana you seemed to have a focus on fiscal responsibility and education, it was only natural that we thought you would make a good Senator. But after leaving the Governorship, your focus gradually shifted from your constituents to playing Washington politics and somewhere along the line you forgot all of us back home.  You have been unwilling to commit to any one side of an issue because you hope that someone someday will give you the Vice Presidential nod.  After having a quite high approval rating for so many years, we know that you are probably dismayed at the thought of us not wanting you anymore.  Our only hope is that repeated rejection on all those denied Vice Presidential nods over the years has somewhat prepared you for defeat.  By now it seems that you would have learned that even would-be presidents don’t like someone without a spine.

We are sick of the way you have treated us over these eleven years.  Has it seriously been that long? We cannot believe we have wasted all those years with you.  You see yourself as a Blue Dog Democrat, someone who can play both sides of the aisle.  And while you see this as an asset, your inability to stand firm on any issue is disgusting to all of us on both the Right and the Left.

It seems like the only time we see you is every 4 or so years when there is a campaign to be won.  You mosey yourself on back to Indiana to whisper sweet nothings in our ear.  You tell us all the great things you are doing for us, hoping that we haven’t been checking up on you.  The only time you ever listen to your constituents is when you think your seat is in jeopardy.  You shape up until people quit watching and you are right back to your old games.  Well we are sick of it.   This has worked for your first 9 years in office, but something changed in 2008 with the election of President Obama.

A lot of us in Indiana don’t like what he is doing to us and we don’t like that you are going along with his plans.  And if the Democratic party has been hijacked by the far-Left and effective governing comes from the middle as you have said it does, why have you voted with them 69% of the time during your career?  We, the people of Indiana, are a stubborn bunch and we don’t like people telling us one thing and doing another. When it comes to universal health care, it is obvious the American people, Indiana included, do not want it. But instead of listening to us, you voted for it anyway. And now that you see that your seat is in danger you are backpedaling hoping to save your spot in the Senate.

While we don’t have another suitor in mind yet, we know one thing, we are too good for you and your lily-livered voting record.  We need someone that will stand for our values and isn’t just a senator hoping to get a better gig down the line.  We are sure we will see you on TV shortly, pleading for our votes, telling us all the things we want to hear, but we are over you and November 2 can’t come soon enough.

Wishing you all the best in the lobbying role you will be sure to retreat to after your defeat in November,

The People of the Great State of Indiana