Comparing Obama and Reagan?

Larry Kudlow

Townhall - A week after Ronald Reagan’s 100th birthday celebration, comparisons between presidents Obama and Reagan continue. The conversation began when Obama praised Reagan in a USA Today op-ed. He commended Reagan’s leadership, his confidence in and optimism for America, and his great ability to communicate his vision for the country. Reaganites like myself appreciate these sentiments. But so far, the differences between the two presidents are still huge. Begin with the economy. Reagan and Obama both inherited deep and brutal recessions. But the first six recovery quarters look completely different for each president. So far, real GDP has averaged only 3 percent annually for Obama. Employment as defined by nonfarm payrolls has increased by a paltry 121,000. On the other hand, going back to Reagan’s first six recovery quarters, real GDP averaged 7.7 percent annually while nonfarm payrolls rose by 5.3 million. Read full column here:

Comparing Obama and Reagan?

John Arthur Smith Appeared on NewsNM

John Arthur Smith

One of the most powerful and well-respected leaders in the New Mexico Senate will appear on News New Mexico this morning. John Arthur Smith of Deming, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Legislative Finance Committee talked with Michael, Janice, and Rachel. You can hear the entire interview HERE. The mission of the Legislative Finance Committee is to provide the Legislature with objective fiscal and public policy analyses, recommendations and oversight of state agencies to improve performance and ensure accountability through the effective allocation of resources for the benefit of all New Mexicans. The Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) was first established as a fiscal and management arm of the New Mexico Legislature in 1957. Since its inception, the committee's role in the state budget process has grown as the complexity and size of the budget has increased. In 1991, the LFC assumed responsibility for the performance audit program, previously a part of the Office of the State Auditor.

Luciano "Lucky Varela"

The committee makes budgetary recommendations to the Legislature for funding state government, higher education and public schools. The committee also prepares legislation addressing financial and management issues of state government. The program evaluation unit, formerly the performance audit unit, reviews the costs, efficiency and effectiveness of activities of state agencies and political subdivisions and recommends changes to the Legislature. The current Chairman of the LFC is Representative Luciano "Lucky" Varela of Santa Fe.

New Mexico is rare in that both the governor and a legislative agency (LFC) propose comprehensive state budgets to the Legislature. The New Mexico budget currently amounts to about $6 billion in general fund appropriations and about $14.7 billion in total funds. Four areas account for seventy-eight percent of the general fund budget: 43 percent for public schools, 15 percent for higher education, 13 percent for Medicaid and 7 percent for public safety.

John Arthur Smith Appeared on NewsNM

Lawmaker proposes concealed handguns in schools

NewsNM (Swickard) The mantra of no guns in schools wants us to believe that keeping people with no evil intent who are trained in the use of a weapon from having access to a weapon while in a school will somehow keep people with evil intent from bringing and using guns to schools. Leaving schools with no protection plays into the hands of those of evil intent. What conceal carry provides is the doubt in the minds of those who would do wrong that someone, anyone, could shoot back. Gun free zones foster violence because people of evil intent count on no victim having a weapon.

From the Santa Fe New Mexican - Guns have long been taboo in schools, but a state legislator wants to change that in New Mexico. A proposal Rep. Zach Cook, a Ruidoso Republican, would allow people licensed to have a concealed handgun to take their weapons into schools and preschools, on college campuses, bars, state parks and buses. Cook said he offered the measure to address complaints from his southern New Mexico constituents. "There are a lot of people who have concealed carry permits that have to leave their gun in their cars to take their kids to school, which creates a burden on them," Cook said in a recent interview. "I would rather that gun be on the body of the responsible person who has met all the requirements for having a concealed carry permit than sitting in a car unattended." But the measure faces plenty of opposition. "Just the idea of having unlimited access to weapons on a school campus is alarming," said Tom Sullivan of the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who has a concealed handgun permit, opposes people carrying concealed weapons in schools and bars. Read more

Lawmaker proposes concealed handguns in schools

Hundreds who lost gas demand answers

From KOB-TV.com - It was supposed to be a forum on federal assistance for those who were left without natural gas for seven days. But a crowd who packed into the Mission Museum in Espanola on Thursday seemed more interested in hearing from the New Mexico Gas Company directly, and began shouting when they found out gas executives had not shown up. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development went through several grant and loan programs aimed at helping people who have lost live stock or had their houses damaged because of the cold. But many took turns venting their frustrations, one man yelling that they didn't want loans, they wanted results. An hour into the meeting one man demanded to know why New Mexico Gas officials were not in attendance to answer questions and was told company had been invited but did not show up. Taos Mayor Darren Cordova began to address the crowd, speaking out against the New Mexico Gas Company and vowing to "hold their feet to the fire," and "make them pay." Read more

Hundreds who lost gas demand answers

Bill prohibiting driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants tabled on party line vote

From Capitol Report New Mexico - House Bill 261, introduced by Rep. Bill Rehm (R-Albuquerque) was tabled on a 5-4 vote in the House Labor and Human Resources Committee, with all five Democrats voting to table the measure and all four Republicans voting against tabling, essentially killing the bill at its first legislative stop. The thrust of the bill would have rescinded the state’s practice of granting driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants. New Mexico is one of just three states (Utah and Washington being the others) that allow undocumented aliens to legally drive. Read more

Bill prohibiting driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants tabled on party line vote

Swickard column: The Spender Generation will stop spending

by Michael Swickard, Ph.D. - We are the Spender Generation and there is no amount of money we cannot spend. All that constrains us is how much we can borrow.So when future generations look back, I am sure that there are a few things those generations from now will know. They will know that we, The Spender Generation, were the most selfish and self-centered generation in all of history. Perhaps they will refer to us as the Spender Generation, or something worse.How we will get that moniker is that our generation has spent all of the money we ourselves had and then spent much of the money from the future generations. What did we spend it on? We spent it on ourselves. They will know that we did this. Read Column

Swickard column: The Spender Generation will stop spending

Unconstitutional? Make Them Hire Lawyers!

Rachel Pulaski

 Much controversy has been surrounding NewsNM the past few days concerning the actions of Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima at a City Council meeting held on February 7, 2011.   The topic of interest was the sale of guns at a Lion’s Club Gun Show within the city limits.  A concerned citizen wanted to know what steps the City was taking to prevent criminals from buying guns at the Lions Club Gun Show and shipping them to Mexico. The video for the City Council Meeting can be seen here (Fast forward to 1:28:15)  NewsNM reported meeting minutes taken by contributor Jim Harbison (audio of the show can be listened to here and here ) which relayed the following information: “Police Chief Williams commented that these sales are regulated by Federal Law and the ATF and that the city has little authority over them.

Jim Harbison

Mayor Miyagishima wants to pass a resolution to require background checks on all individuals who purchase guns.  City Attorney Connolly stated it would be unconstitutional because the NM Constitutions says cities have no right to interfere with the Second Amendment right to bear arms.  Mayor Miyagishima said "Of course we could always do it ourselves and let someone challenge us on it ."” Shortly after reporting this information the Mayor called the show in an effort to defend his actions. You can listen to that segment here.  Today we had Jim Harbison as a guest to speak on the topic and defend the allegations made against him by the Major which can be heard here.  In my personal opinion after watching the video several times, I would say that Mr. Harbison was truthful and accurate in his account of the meeting. 

Ken Miyagishima

I believe the underlying issues have been overlooked which is the blatant disregard for the rule of law and our constitutional rights by our elected officials who want to perform illegal acts under the guise of “knowing what is best for us."  Not to mention the blatant arrogance on behalf of Major Miyagishima to disregard the state constitution and force the taxpayers to be burdened with the cost to fight for their constitutional rights in court.  Mayor Miyagishima defended his actions by stating “It is my job to protect the citizens of this city” and that he wanted a level playing field for complying businesses like Wal-Mart and gun dealers at a gun show.  The fact is, all licensed gun dealers MUST perform background checks AT GUN SHOWS. There is no "loophole" for guns shows.  Private transactions between citizens who are not licensed gun dealers are not covered under the law at gun shows or anywhere else for that matter.  There are many of us who do not wish to give up our freedoms for better security or to have our state constitution overlooked for the “greater good”  This is one instance in many where the end does not justify the means.  I invite you to watch the video and listen to the audio to judge for yourself.

Unconstitutional? Make Them Hire Lawyers!

AZ Countersuit Against Obama Administration

Jan Brewer

From cubachi.com -Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona has had enough of the ineptitude of the federal government when it comes to the immigration laws. She declared today that she will countersue the Federal Government on 5 counts: 1/ failure to achieve operational control over the Mexico/Arizona border…2/ failure to protect Arizona from invasion and Arizona says invasion not just limited to other countries to invade but applies to people and secured border…3 / failure to enforce immigration laws….and their failure causes national security risks…abuse of discretion that Fed only enforce the law they want to and they should enforce all……4/ declaratory relief about reimbursement for Fed govt’s failure to pay for incarceration of prisoners (illegal)….5/ under 10th amendment..powers not delegated to the Fed, are reserved to the people and while control of border is fed responsibility, when criminals cross border illegally and commit crimes, it is a state responsibility and the Feds are interfering with the state to fulfill its responsibilities.  More here

AZ Countersuit Against Obama Administration

Williams: F.D.A. - Killer Agency

Walter Williams

Townhall - Sam Kazman's "Drug Approvals and Deadly Delays" article in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons (Winter 2010), tells a story about how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's policies have led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans. Let's look at how it happens. During the FDA's drug approval process, it confronts the possibility of two errors. If the FDA approves a drug that turns out to have unanticipated, dangerous side effects, people will suffer. Similarly, if the FDA denies or delays the marketing of a perfectly safe and beneficial drug, people will also suffer. Both errors cause medical harm. Kazman argues that from a political point of view, there's a huge difference between the errors. People who are injured by incorrectly approved drugs will know that they are victims of FDA mistakes. Their suffering makes headlines. FDA officials face unfavorable publicity and perhaps congressional hearings. Read full story here:

Williams: F.D.A. - Killer Agency

A Drop in the Bucket

Washington Times - The chairman of the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday announced deeper budget cuts than earlier proposed - a move intended to stem criticisms that House Republicans would renege on a top campaign promise. Chairman Harold Rogers promised to cut $100 billion from President Obama‘s fiscal year 2011 request. The cuts - about $58 billion, compared with last year’s budget - would be included in a bill to keep the federal government running once the current funding authority expires March 4. “My committee has been working diligently to go line-by-line in every agency budget to find and cut unnecessary spending to reduce our deficit and help our economy thrive,” the Kentucky Republican said in a prepared statement. Mr. Rogers‘ announcement came a day after he said he would cut about $74 billion from the president’s budget plan, or $35 billion compared with last year’s budget. House Republicans campaigned in 2010 on a promise to cut $100 billion from Mr. Obama‘s request for domestic agencies - a pledge many conservative House Republicans pressed their party to stick to. Read full story here:

A Drop in the Bucket