Congressional Spending + Prez's Veto Power

The media/Democrat Congress passed a pork spending bill for education, health and job training programs.

Here's how they voted:

U.S. Senate

44 / 45 - 98% - Democrats in favor of more spending
10 / 46 - 22% - Republicans in favor of more spending

1 / 45 - 2% - Democrats opposed to more spending
36 / 46 - 78% - Republicans opposed to more spending

Plus Lieberman + Sanders = 56-37, in favor.

U.S. House

223 / 223 - 100% - Democrats in favor of more spending
51 / 192 - 27% - Republicans in favor of more spending

0 / 223 - 0% - Democrats opposed to more spending
141 / 192 - 73% - Republicans opposed to more spending

274-141, in favor.

Obviously this bill does not have nearly enough votes to override the Prez's upcoming veto.

Congressional Business Politicking + Prez's Veto Power

The U.S. House voted this week to expand federal job discrimination laws, adding gays, lesbians and bisexuals to classes of covered workers.

200 / 225 - 89% - Democrats in favor of expanding federal discrimination laws
35 / 194 - 18% - Republicans in favor of expanding federal discrimination laws

25 / 225 - 11% - Democrats opposed to expanding federal discrimination laws
159 / 194 - 82% - Republicans opposed to expanding federal discrimination laws

235-184, in favor.

Obviously this bill won't survive what would be a guaranteed veto, assuming it even makes it past the Senate.

State Legislatures + Tax Policies

The Michigan Senate voted this week to repeal a widely-loathed tax on the state's local service industry.

21 / 21 - 100% - Republicans in favor of repealing the service tax
2 / 17 - 12% - Democrats in favor of repealing the service tax

0 / 21 - 0% - Republicans opposed to repealing the service tax
15 / 17 - 88% - Democrats opposed to repealing the service tax

Here's a link to a pretty decent article -- especially by AP standards -- on the various machinations and maneuverings.

Peru Free Trade Pact

The U.S. House on Thursday voted to approve that free trade accord with Peru.

109 / 225 - 48% - Democrats in favor of freer trade
176 / 192 - 92% - Republicans in favor of freer trade

285-132, in favor

The Senate will take up the matter in due course.

This measure is not nearly as useful as any of the half-dozen major free trade laws enacted from 2001-2006. Pelosi & Co. have engrafted various pro-union and enviro mandates onto the Peru accord that simply weren't part of the equation under the old regime in Congress.

Having said all that, however, and on balance, a further lessening of trade restrictions is welcome news. Despite what you often hear on conservative talk radio, fewer trade barriers mean more prosperity over the long term -- for all of us. If you don't believe me, well, go ahead and research the U.S.'s average inflation and unemployment rates in the 14 years preceding NAFTA and compare and contrast those numbers with the U.S.'s average unemployment and inflation rates in the 14 years post NAFTA.

It's a no-brainer.

Glug, Glug, Glug

Speaking of the global economy here's a link to a fascinating article about what could turn out to be a gigantic supply of oil down south, in the Land of Carnivale.

Ah, yes, Brazil. The beaches. The women. The heavy metal music. The oil. What more could you want from a potential military conquest, er, I mean from a potential strong ally and energy trading partner???

There's Energy in Them Thar Corn Cobs

Speaking of energy deposits here's a link to very good MSM article -- sans bias and agenda -- regarding a company's efforts to turn corn cobs into Ethanol power.

Fence

Last but not least, here's a link to U.S. Customs & Border Protection's fiscal year review.

Probably the most interesting item is that CBP already has completed 76 miles of that 370-mile border fence the former GOP Congress approved and funded back in 2006. As everyone knows, however, the media/Democrats are trying to figure out ways to delay or perhaps even to de-fund that fence. So, it'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

BTW, for reasons that should be quite obvious the facts about the building of that border fence and related items either (a) won't be reported by the national media, or (b) will be reported, but in a fashion specifically designed to anger (fickle and non-voting) conservatives and to motivate Democrat activists. We are, after all, approaching a presidential election year.