Beneath the propaganda and the well-crafted sound bites thatare Sen. Harry Reid’s health care bill is the mention of "tax" 183 times. One Hundred and Eighty Three times!

As documented by Americans for Tax Reform, here are some of the tax proposals the tax-and-spend liberals have proposed for you:

– An Individual Mandate Tax (Sec. 1501/$8 billion); – An Employer Mandate Tax (Sec. 1513/$28 billion), – An Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans (Sec. 9001/$149.1 billion); – An Employer Reporting of Insurance on W-2 (Sec. 9002/Min$); –A Medicine Cabinet Tax (Sec. 9003/$5 billion); – An HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike (Sec. 9004/$1.3 billion); – An FSA Cap (Sec. 9005/$14.6 billion); –A Corporate 1099-MISC Information Reporting tax (Sec. 9006/$17.1 billion); – an Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals (Sec. 9007/Min$); –A Tax on Innovator Drug Companies (Sec. 9008/$22.2 billion); –A Tax of Medical Device Manufacturers (Sec. 9009/$19.3 billion); –A Tax on Health Insurers (Sec. 9010/$60.4 billion);… Read More

The California State Auditors office has announced it’s accepting applications to become a member of California ‘s first-ever Citizens Redistricting Commission. Created by Prop. 11 in 2008, the commission will be responsible for reapportioning legislative and board of equalization districts following the 2010 census. The application process closes Feb. 12, 2010. For more information go to www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov. Contact: Margarita Fernandez916 445 0255.… Read More

Off to Sacramento for meetings — got to keep all of those FR contacts fresh. On the flight with me (okay, we carpooled) is CRP Treasurer Keith Carlson. Undoubtedly there are other politicos on the flight. But it's so early I can't focus beyond Keith here in my aisle.

Wheel's up!… Read More

[Cross-posted from RedCounty.com]

Cha-ching.

Steve Poizner, state Insurance Commissioner and software gazillionaire, announced — or rather his campaign announced — he will be writing his campaign a really big check: $15 million.

It’s good timing. I was chatting with some other politicos of Mike and Susan Schroeder’s Christmas party yesterday, and Poizner’s spending — or relative lack thereof — was one topic of conversation: namely, whether allowing rival Meg Whitman to leverage her fortune to dominate the airwaves was a deliberate strategy, or a reflection of personal parsimony on Poizner’s part.

I did see Poizner consultant Steve Franks there at the Schroeders, dropping big hints that "some big news" was going to pop. No word on whether any portion of the $15 million will go to a Cash for Bloggers program.

Barbs aside, I was beginning to wonder when Poizner would hit the airwaves (I’m assuming that’s where such a large sum of money will be… Read More

Merry Christmas? ‘Tis the season for carols, presents, and such…even in Washington D.C. As we move into the home stretch of 2009, there is a lot of unfinished business. The business is largely unfinishedbecause of the singular obsession onhaving the government take over 1/6 of the American economy and your health care. Senate rules do not allow them to break off for any other business during theweeks of health care debate except for appointments, confirmations, and conference committee reports.

But the calendar days continue to tick by and cannot be stopped or slowed down. Christmas will come in 11 days and the Speaker cannot repeal it. So, of all the various things that might be passed during thesenext11 days, what are Santa Obama and his merry elves, Nancy and Harry, likely to put in your stocking? Will your stocking be full of presents….or coal….or will it be empty? Here is a rundown of all the potentials:

Empty or Coal – Government run health… Read More

Veteran KNBC sportscaster Fred Roggin contacted me earlier this month and invited me to be a regular commentator on his new program "The Filter," a fast-paced news and opinion program currently airing evenings on KNBC’s Digital Channel 4.2.

Yesterday was my debut on "The Filter." I appeared opposite Charlotte Laws, another regular who is a member of the Greater Valley Glen Council.

Here’s the first half of the segment, in which the topics were how Barbara Boxer’s "ma’am" incident with Grig. Gen. Michael Walsh is impacting the U.S. Senate campaign, and whether employees usage of employer cel phones enjoys privacy protection:

… Read More

I was born and raised in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. For the duration of my life, it has been a Republican district – until now. Liberal Mark Schauer defeated Republican incumbent Tim Walberg 49-46% in 2008. Now I like Tim Walberg and I’ve rarely disagreed with him. But his path to Congress and his performance along the way demonstrate why conservatives cannot afford him as the nominee in November if we are going to capitalize on the current advantages the GOP has going into 2010. Nick Smith represented the 7th District from 1992-2004 and comfortably held the seat with nearly 60% of the vote every time. After his retirement in 2004, a crowded primary which featured his son, Brad, Walberg, and a few others (in a race that divided the conservative base), nominated moderate Republican Joe Schwarz. Schwarz went on to win the 7th handily. In 2006, Walberg, recognizing… Read More

Check outthis video that points out the true impact of cap and trade on a California based oil producer – Valero. The costs to them in California alone will be $7 billion annually. Is there any possible way this scenario doesn’t translate into higher gas prices for California consumers? I don’t think so. … Read More