Delusions of Competence

It is no mere coincidence that the updated jobless numbers were released this Friday before a long holiday weekend. The ObamaNation would rather not trumpet the fact that 125,000 more people are without work and the unemployment rate still hovers around 10%.

If too many people were focused on the report, they might start asking questions. And, the answers would inevitably reveal that things are even worse than the official statistics. The truth is there are more like 24 million unemployed and underemployed, a much higher rate of misery.

This is not the sort of "hope and change" they promised, is it?

Poor Christina Romer. She's the unfortunate soul who chairs the president's Council of Economic Advisors. So, it was her unenviable task to spin the dismal results of her advice on all the cable news outlets today. When the folks at Bloomberg TV pressed her on what the administration is going to do now, her frightening response was: "We're always talking about what more we can do."

What MORE they can do?!?

One might argue that all the tinkering they've already done is exactly what is prolonging this great recession. And, if they want the business environment to improve, the best thing they could do would be to exercise restraint. Romer et al would do us all a great service if they encouraged the president to pursue a simple three-point strategy on the economy: (1) extend the low '01 & '03 tax rates, (2) stop discouraging banks from lending, and (3) repeal the many and onerous mandates of ObamaCare.

Instead, she is busy sputtering her flimsy defenses and laughable claims that her boss still has job creation at the top of his agenda.

Actions speak louder than words.

Since taking office, Mr. Obama has made socialized medicine and relaxed immigration policy his primary domestic concerns, not job creation.

Today's jobless numbers reflect that misdirected focus.

And, don't even get me started on the Gulf oil leak. It is, after all, the Friday before a long holiday weekend . . .

Adios, Mel!

No doubt in response to the withering criticism in yesterday's post in the dryer, Florida's most beloved spineless RINO announced his resignation at Orlando International Airport at 3pm today.

Senator Mel Martinez once inspired great confidence in these parts, and even succeeded in getting yours truly off his wallet to make a campaign contribution back in 2004.

All I can say now is that he hosed me. He hosed us all.

After taking his senate seat, Mel fell into some bad company. Supporting the ObamaNation's recent Supreme Court nominee was only the latest example. The most egregious was his partnership with Ted Kennedy back in 2006, when they crafted a bill that would have granted amnesty to ten million illegal aliens.

Ironically, despite his affinity for Democrats and their policies, the Republican National Committee made Mel their chairman about the same time. And, it was under his "leadership" that the party lost its majority in Congress.

So, goodbye, Mel. I wish you well in your future as a private citizen, but can't say I'll miss your style of "public service." I only hope your departure hasn't opened the door to 6 years of Charlie Crist warming your seat on the left of the aisle in the senate chambers . . .

Sorrento is shrinking!

There seems to be an awful lot of hot air coming out of the nearby town of Sorrento lately.

It all started a couple of months ago when someone called the Lake County Sheriff Department to complain about a loud party.

A deputy was dispatched to restore order, but was promptly beaten by the revelers who were illegal aliens.

Sheriff Gary Bonds responded by increasing patrols in the Sorrento vicinity, causing a noticeable drop in the population surrounding "El Mercado del Pueblo."

Now, Tirso Moreno with the Farmworkers Association of Florida is insinuating the sheriff is behaving unfairly.

Disclaimer: I actually admire what Moreno's organization tries to do in the farmworker community, especially their AIDS education/awareness program, healthy babies initiative, and advocating for workplace safety and sanitation.

But, we part ways when it comes to enforcing the law, which is exactly what Sheriff Borders and his deputies are doing.

If there are illegal aliens leaving the area because of strict enforcement of the law, that is a GOOD thing. And, they should be applauded. Maybe, they can serve as an example to other jurisdictions.

Truth be told, though, I suspect many illegals are having a tough time finding employment in this economic downturn and are simply giving up and returning home.

I wonder, when they get back to their native lands, if they'll throw loud parties and beat up a cop or two . . .

Doubtful.