Obama Continues His War on Success

The core of his message is:

President Obama calls on Congress to pass the Buffett Rule, a principle that ensures that millionaires and billionaires do not pay less in taxes as a share of their income than middle class families pay -- as a matter of fairness.

Since Obama is illiterate when it comes to anything related to the economy, it might help if he visited the IRS website where he will find this data:

The difference between statutory income tax rates and effective tax rates is what he is focused on. Two of the largest drivers of this difference is the tax on Capital gains and Dividends. Imagine if Obama stopped talking about raising taxes on the rich and talked about raising taxes on Capital gains and dividends.

Data from the Tax Foundation reflect these differences:

The Top 1% pay an average tax rate of 24.01%
The Bottom 50% pay an average tax rate of 1.85%
The 25%-50% (middle class?) pay an average tax rate of 5.58%
All Taxpayers pay an average tax rate of 11.06%

So, if Obama want's the rich to pay a share of their income similar to what the middle class families pay, I'm sure the rich will be happy to oblige.

What bothers me is that Warren Buffett started this "Tax The Rich" movement with a NYT Editorial. Here is his analysis:

Since 1992, the I.R.S. has compiled data from the returns of the 400 Americans reporting the largest income. In 1992, the top 400 had aggregate taxable income of $16.9 billion and paid federal taxes of 29.2 percent on that sum. In 2008, the aggregate income of the highest 400 had soared to $90.9 billion — a staggering $227.4 million on average — but the rate paid had fallen to 21.5 percent.

Obama has translated this "policy" into higher taxes on anyone making more that $250,000, and added that anyone who makes more than $1 million should pay a tax rate of 30%. That's a long way from the calculation that Bufffett did, indicating that the super rich's average aggregate income was a "staggering $227.4 million on average."

I used to have a lot of respect for Warren Buffett, but no longer. Why has he not been critical of the twisting of his "Coddling the super rich" suggestion.

As a revenue driver, the Buffett Rule is a loser.

A bill designed to enact President Barack Obama's plan for a "Buffett rule" tax on the wealthy would rake in just $47 billion over the next 11 years, according to an estimate by Congress' official tax analysts obtained by The Associated Press.

That a drop in the bucket of Obama's deficits, but Obama doesn't care about how much revenue the Buffett Rule generates. This is what he had to say with Charles Gibson at ABC:

State Employees Put Taxpayers On The Hook for $96 Millon

The Dayton Daily News has an article today about a perk that allows state employees to cash out unused vacation and sick time. 

The cost to taxpayers: $96 million.

This type of perk is relatively unusual for private employers.  The article cited a study that said only 16% of private employers allow employees to be paid for unused vacation time and even fewer (6%) allow employees to be paid for unused sick time. 

Why do most private employers avoid these types of perks?  They do it because a business model like this is typically completely unsustainable.  Most private employers can’t afford perks like this, and neither can state government. 

To be completely fair, I really can’t blame these people for cashing in.  Who wouldn’t take advantage of a loophole that allows you to bilk the system?

The key quote to this article is, of course, at the very end:

Senate Bill 5 would have limited unused leave payouts for public employees, as well as make it illegal for public employees to strike. But voters rejected the bill, voting in November to repeal it. Republicans are not eager to resurrect any individual portions of SB 5, state legislators have said.

Senate Bill 5 was clearly designed with abuses like this in mind.  Republican legislators tried to address these problems and voters said no.  Now we are left to pay the consequences of that decision.

I hate to say I told you so but…

Paul Ryan schools Debbie Wasserman Schultz

I love Paul Ryan. If you do too, you'll like this short video. I apologize in advance for the 20 seconds or so that you have to watch Debbie Downer before Ryan responds to her.



This guy should be running for President. He would've had the nomination locked up already.

Follow @Bytor3BP

ODP Chairman Redfern under fire, will face challenge for chairmanship

Anthony Giardini
Elyria Chronicle Photo

The Republicans aren't the only party in Ohio with a struggle within the state party. Anthony Giardini is expected to become the new chairman of the Democratic Party here in my home county of Lorain, and he is challenging Redfern for his job.

“We had a disastrous 2010. We lost every statewide office,” Giardini said. “We lost 13 seats in the Ohio House, more than ever before. That’s not necessarily all Chris’ fault, but I don’t think he has acknowledged any responsibility.”

Giardini also noted that Redfern is running for the 89th Ohio House District seat being vacated by Dennis Murray of Sandusky.

“That’s a problem,” Giardini said. “A state representative has to serve the interests of all the people, not just Democrats or Republicans. His duties as a representative could be in potential conflict with his party duties.”

Confirmed: Liberal anti-gun groups used Ohio tragedy to grow their email list

One month ago we all witnessed the terrible tragedy that claimed 3 lives in Chardon. While most of the state was mourning, we saw a suspicious website pop up almost immediately.

Anti-gun group Ohio Ceasefire has created a website for people to send their thoughts and prayers to students and staff in Chardon.

The catch, they don’t make it clear who is sponsoring the site and require that you leave an email address so they can contact you later to “let you know when they get it.”

I’m going to take them at their word and trust that I won’t start getting anti-gun emails as a result of my participation. I really hope that Ohio Ceasefire isn’t going to use this horrible tragedy as a way to increase their email distribution list for future communications.

I hope that I am wrong about their intentions with this site, because playing politics with the lives of those murdered is simply wrong.

Sad to say, our suspicions were correct. I used the website to send my own condolences and prayers. I never did receive notice that "they got my message", but I did start receiving other emails that I had never received before.

Latest poll: Josh Mandel and Sherrod Brown tied at 43

BOOM.

Gone are the days of Sherrod Brown holding a double digit lead over Josh Mandel. According to a new Rasmussen poll of likely voters, they are tied at 43% each.

Republican Josh Mandel, in the first Rasmussen Reports survey since his decisive primary victory, is now running neck-and-neck with Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown in Ohio’s U.S. Senate race.

The latest telephone survey of Likely Voters in the Buckeye State finds Brown and Mandel each with 43% support. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate in the race, and another 11% are undecided.

Josh is officially the nominee now, and as I've been saying for months now, this race is going to be very competitive, be very closely watched nationwide, and potentially determine who controls the Senate next year.

Yet another Republican group calls on Kevin DeWine to resign

This time, its the Ohio Young Republicans. They've had enough of the same shenanigans we've been telling you about.

March 26, 2012

Chairman DeWine & State Central Committee,

As the next generation of Republican leaders, the Ohio Young Republicans have a long-term interest in th decisions made by our state and national leaders. While many people talk about this year’s elections and how they might affect our future, we are the ones who will actually have to live with the consequences.

There Is A Lot At Stake In Sanford, Florida

Kevin DeWine's allies now teaming up with Plunderbund to attack Governor Kasich

If you are a polical wonk in Ohio, you know about Plunderbund, the big left-wing blog in the state. If you love Obama, Sherrod Brown, and their statist policies, you love the Plunderpals. And if you love Ted Strickland and hate Governor Kasich, well, you probably have them set as your browser's home page.

Of course, you expect them to often be on the same side as other left-wing blogs, and the Ohio Democratic Party. What you wouldn't expect is for a supposed self-described "tea partier" to join up and collaborate with them to attack the governor. But that's exactly what is happening.

Meet Justin Higgins. He's a 22 year old ego-maniac who thinks he's God's gift to politics. He's started and ended so many self-promoting blogs, nobody remembers them all. Higgins, for some reason, thinks Kevin DeWine has done a terrific job and that we should look past his corruption and disloyalty to Ohio's elected Republicans like Governor Kasich and Ohio House speaker Bill Batchelder. So in DeWine's pocket is he, that he came out and declared victory for DeWine after the primary, and predicted a DeWine reelection in December.

Obama's Puppet Master on Obamacare, Social Security and Medicare

I got this email over the weekend. If it wasn't so sad, I would have to laugh.

From David Axlerod, Obama's Puppet Master:

I like Obamacare.

I'm proud of it -- and you should be, too.

Sherrod Brown "an accomplished fighter for Ohio’s middle class families?"

These are the words of the former Governor of Ohio, Ted Strickland. Thank God he is the former Governor.

In 2010, the Tax Foundation rated Ohio 47th in the State Business Climate Index. This put Ohio in the Top 10 Worst State Business Tax Climate.

After John Kasich was elected Governor, Ohio improved to the 46th rank, still in the the Top 10 Worst State Business Tax Climate.

In the 2012, Ohio improved to 39th.

Now Strickland wants you to support Sherrod Brown in 2012:

Uber Liberals Brown and Obama Distance Themselves From the Fallout of Their Policies

With higher gas prices turning into a campaign liability, uber Liberals Sherrod Brown and Barack Hussein Obama are trying to distance themselves from the fallout of their energy policies.

Re: Curtain Call for Dennis the Menace

A couple of minor complaints were directed at my recent posting about Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s loss in the recent Democrat primary election. Interestingly, they weren’t concerned with any injustice I might have inflicted upon Kucinich.

BREAKING: GOP Chairmen from Ohio's 7 largest counties demand that Kevin DeWine resign

In an attempt to bring a swift resolution to the issue, the GOP chairmen of 7 of the state's largest counties have sent a letter to Kevin DeWine, requesting that he step down as chairman of the Ohio Republican Party. The county parties represented are Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery, and Summit.

The text of the letter is below.

March 20, 2012

Chairman Kevin DeWine
Ohio Republican Party
211 South Fifth Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Chairman DeWine:

Curtain Call for Dennis the Menace

At the time of the Ohio primary election, I was otherwise busy, which is why I’m belatedly noting the apparent end of Dennis Kucinich’s career as a political office holder.

DeWine admits he doesn't have the majority

Today in an email to the Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee, Chairman Kevin DeWine indicated that he will not run for reelection.

“Over the past year, our state central committee has become the center of a highly charged contest for the future of the Ohio Republican Party,” DeWine wrote. “Too many members, through no fault of their own, have lost sleep, lost friends, and lost hope during this process. I believe that in order to ensure victory for 2012 this family fight must end now. To accomplish that goal, I intend to lead by example.”

DeWine continued: “Those who want to see new leadership in this party will have their chance, as I will not run for another term as your chairman in January of 2013.”

Translation: DeWine knows that in a straight-up election, he would lose badly. The next election isn't scheduled until January. The question now is whether the not-DeWine side has enough votes to call for an earlier election. We may see that happen on April 13 when the new committee meets.

Dude, Happy Saint Paddy's Day!

Folks, please join me in welcoming TobyToons to 3BP. If you read Redstate, you are already familiar with Toby's work and know what a great job he does. Since he is also an Ohioan, I thought he would be a good fit. Welcome aboard, Toby!  -Bytor


Cross-Posted: TobyToons.com (Conservative Political Cartoons)
Follow @TobyToons

New calls for ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine to resign

Ohio Democrats and leftists have tried to take advantage of the infighting within the Ohio Republican Party by claiming that it was all started by Governor Kasich. They accuse the governor of orchestrating a power grab, when in reality, the Republican base has had serious problems with Kevin DeWine since before Kasich was even elected.

For example, I highlighted on BigGovernment.com that 4 major conservative blogs in Ohio are all in agreement that DeWine should step down.

Another case in point is the Tea Party. The following is a press release from Jim Woods, a recently elected member of the State Central Committee. He does an excellent job of explaining why a change is needed. This isn't about the governor, folks. This started long before John Kasich was even sworn in.

Ohio GOP State Central Committee Calls for DeWine to Resign

Medina, Ohio - The “Tea Party Caucus” composed of Tea Party leaders who have
been elected to the Ohio GOP State Central Committee is calling for the immediate
resignation of Ohio GOP Chairman Kevin DeWine. Jim Woods, State Central
Committeeman-elect from Ohio’s 22nd District notes that “There is no shortage
of good candidates available to replace Kevin DeWine. The new State Central
Committee includes a former State Chairman, a former Speaker of the Ohio House of
Representatives, a former Congressman, several county Chairman, and many former
Ohio elected officials from Attorney General to State Representative.”

The Tea Party Caucus cites the following grievances against Chairman DeWine:

Thank God for Paul Ryan

THIS is what a leader looks like, my friends. This is what a leader sounds like.

Sherrod Brown describes Congress as "niggardly"

Watch Sherrod as he uses a word on cable news that people have been fired for using. (It being MSNBC, only a handful of people actually saw it live. Thank God for YouTube!)