Another Failure for Obama

World Leaders at Toronto Summit Pledge to Cut Deficits

Leaders of the world's biggest economies agreed on Sunday on a timetable for cutting their deficits and halting the growth of their public debt, despite the Obama administration's concern that reducing spending too quickly might set back the fragile global recovery.

The Group of 20 countries ended a two-day summit meeting here by endorsing a goal of cutting government deficits in half by 2013 and stabilizing the ratio of public debt to gross domestic product by 2016. Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper, had proposed the targets and received the backing of several European leaders.

It seems Greece was more compelling than Mr. Obama? Read More:

Oh, and Tyler Durden was arrested.

Hello Dad, Happy Birthday. I'm in Jail!

He doesn't rule out jail time, folks.

And I shall furthermore, never use Healthcare and Car Insurance as similarities again, mostly because it's just been poached by the President... and used it to defend the idea of throwing people in JAIL for not purchasing insurance. USA Health Care - the only health care system in the world which puts you in jail...

I had been thinking about my car insurance analogy and I've decided that it really isn't relevant. Car insurance is only required if you drive, and only liability then, in the case that you hit someone else. Catastrophic liability. Health insurance is you and the damaged caused by your own fat ass.

But let's get back to the idea of the government taking your liberty - actually placing your ass in a cold jail cell - for not purchasing their insurance! Look how far they've gotten with this insanity!

I've said it before, I'm repeating it now. The more you let the State into your life, the more power the State has over your life. And now it will include how you choose to maintain your health. Same is true for when you choose security over liberty. Liberty is traded for 'safety' and is never given back.

Because I point out perversions and inconsistencies of justice and morality, don't confuse this with racism or misplaced trust in the corporate welfare system. I'm not anti-reform nor do I wish for sick people to die. I'm talking about freedom, liberty, and rational solutions - together -, not as a coercive force of the State.

The interview also confirmed another 'outrageous' claim I made here that the IRS would be the enforcement arm of the Health Care (Insurance) Reform Bill.

Somehow, "Give me liberty, unless there is any risk whatsoever of death" doesn't have the same ring to it.

What YOU Owe

Some of you are getting tired of my [almost] daily rantings on taxes. Well - here is an explanation why I'm so uptight and have my panties in a bunch. Here's WHAT WE OWE...

As our "leaders" are out telling everyone what a great job they did with the stimulus package - bringing the economy from the brink (oh yeah, prove it) You, me and all the taxpayers are on the hook for an extra $55,000 EACH to cover insane, unchecked federal commitments made to retirement benefits, the national debt and other government promises such as rainbows and unicycles for every household

The 12% rise in red ink in 2008 stems from an explosion of federal borrowing, plus an aging population driving up the costs of Medicare and Social Security. Thanks baby boomers!

That's the biggest leap in the long-term burden on taxpayers since a Medicare prescription drug benefit was added in 2003. That's all George Bush trying to get Jeb's state.... and it worked by the skin of his teeth.

The latest increase raises federal obligations to a record $546,668 per household in 2008. Even USA TODAY did an analysis of it. Where do you think I snagged that graphic?

So what? Well, that's quadruple what the average U.S. household owes for all mortgages, car loans, credit cards and other debt combined.

"We have a huge implicit mortgage on every household in America — except, unlike a real mortgage, it's not backed up by a house," says David Walker, former U.S. comptroller general, the government's top auditor. In other words, you don't have anything to show for it.

My debt is paid

They called him the Georgia Peach. The young left handed batter was in his second World Series game in as many years. He played poorly the year before in the post season but was batting .368 this year and knocked in a team leading 4 RBI's. But at times like this stats mean little to a player. This inning, the bottom of the eighth, could well be the last game he will play in the 1908 season.

It's a depression. Not one that would make you throw the hair dryer in the bathtub but more of a Peanuts kind of depression. The kind that makes you sigh at the unfairness of life. Knowing that the baseball game cannot be won, the football won't be kicked, and that god damned Great Pumpkin will never, NEVER show up. "Wait 'till next year" a cruel joke that tears at the soul of Chicago's north side. Goats, black cats, and most of all, poor play has lead to a century of failure. A century since the fateful night in Detroit's Bennett field when the Cubs became World Champions for the final time.

The thought of losing to the same team in back to back years seemed unfathomable to Cobb. They should not have even been in the Series this year. On September 23 Fred Merkle of the New York Giants was too busy celebrating a seeming game winning run on first base to realize he was the force out at second. Cub Johnny Evers retrieved the ball and tagged second for the third out of the inning nullifying the run and sending the game into extra innings. Or would have if the New York fans were not already on the field. The game was declared a tie, the teams wound up tying the season and the Cubs had won the one game playoff. Now, it looked liked they were going to repeat as Champions.

Every spring, Addison and Clark buzzes with blue. Caps, jerseys of players past and present, foam claws, and various Cub paraphernalia buzz around the park in eagerness and excitement. Old men with scorecards. Suspenders hoisting too large pants. Young girls with beers. Suggestive slogans like "We got Wood" or "I like Pie" sprawled across their too tight shirts. Proud fathers with their wide eyed sons looking around in awe at the scene. The athletic, fat, drunk, sober, young, old, all gather in the excitement for another year of Cubs baseball. Knowing the chances are slim even if the odds aren't. Knowing it will probably end with the heartache of the previous 100 seasons. Junkies each and everyone. Coming back for their Cubs fix.

Cobb knew that a 2 run lead was not unsurmountable. But there were only four outs left in the game and Orval Overall was pitching a good game. He needed to concentrate. A hit here might fire up their lifeless bats. The first pitched whizzes by inside backing Cobb off the plate. Cobb glares at the catcher Johnny Kling and steps back into the box. Second pitch flies in down the middle of the plate. Knowing he should have swung at that pitch Cobb steps out of the box to regroup. Concentrate. Cobb steps in for the third pitch of the at bat. The ball starts down the middle. Cobb lifts his front foot. The ball moves in on Cobb. The swing is fluid but the contact is low on the bat. The grounder rolls to the short stop who throws it to first to end the inning. Cobbs stares into the stands. There are very few people out tonight.

It has been this way for years. Passed down generation to generation in hopes that maybe the younger fans will be able to experience what we never did. Baseball Joy. A joy no other team in any sports will ever be able to appreciate. A joy slow cooked in 100 years of failure. A joy that has almost been achieved a few times before but it just needed a little more time. Just a little more time.

Cobb sat in the dugout for a few moments after the game. He watched the Cubs celebrating around the mound. Two straight years the Tigers had lost to the Cubs. He stood up, grabbed his mitt, his bat, and his cap. He placed the cap on his head sloppily. "Well, there is always next year," Cobb thought as he walked off the field, "There is always next year."


Update: I cross posted at Bleed Cubbie Blue to truly live up to my debt to the Cap'n.