Free kibbles

TAX AND SPEND:

Yesterday I wrote, "It also seems the Republican caucus and the people might save Boehner from himself because he really wanted to compromise on some grand bargain." Today I read that Eric Cantor has taken over leadership on these talks because his harder line jives with the caucus. Boehner tried to sell us out, but Cantor is resisting. For that I'm thankful, but it's still hilarious to see these big government hypocrites like Cantor and Paul Ryan who voted for every big spending program they could while Bush was president suddenly act like they have principled resistance to government spending. They're just a bunch of crooks like the rest, but they might be more dangerous because they're building a reputation otherwise.

"There remains a discrepancy in how the White House, congressional Republicans and congressional Democrats tabulate the proposed cuts: Obama, according to a source briefed on the meeting, said the $1.7 trillion that Cantor seemed to lay out was not enough. Cantor believes his policy prescriptions would total more than $2 trillion, while Capitol Hill Democrats peg the number close to $1 trillion."

Obama, the guy who just a couple of months ago proposed an official budget that would dramatically increase spending again, now says the Cantor-Biden cuts aren't big enough. Boy has he shifted position to try and capitalize on Republican's failure to push for big cuts. Obama plays the scare card by warning seniors that Social Security checks won't be sent unless Republicans cave. Obama is a monster. Boehner is reduced to promising his own caucus he won't cave on taxes. Boehner is a joke.

GLOBAL WARMING AND ENERGY:

Republicans, many of whom supported the ban on incandescent light bulbs when it passed and was signed by George Bush in 2007, are now voting to repeal the ban.

WAR:

Afghan President Karzai's half-brother assassinated by a bodyguard.

US missiles kill 42 in Pakistan.

POLITICS:

Ron Paul to retire from Congress. I can't imagine how he's put up with those crooks for this long.

MISC:

Apple unhappy it's partnership with government on IP isn't effective enough.