“The unchecked expansion of congressional power to the limits suggested by the Minimum Essential Coverage Provision would invite unbridled exercise of federal police powers. At its core, this dispute is not simply about regulating the business of insurance—or crafting a scheme of universal health insurance coverage—it’s about an individual’s right to choose to participate.”

• Cloture Motion, Defense Authorization Act
• Continuing Resolution
• DREAM Act
• Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010

Apparently Hirono is catching hell from her Obamabot base.  So she sent this email out today.... 

The Obama administration’s requirement that most citizens maintain minimum health coverage as part of a broad overhaul of the industry is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled, striking down the linchpin of the plan.

When President Obama and Congressional Republicans first announced their tax deal early last week, our reaction was to hold our noses against its bad elements; on balance, we thought the extension of the current tax rates was laudable. Now, however, the full text of the bill has been released and we see all the bad things that were in the original deal.

S.510 has been called the “most dangerous bill in the history of the United States.” With over 225 pages of regulations, the FDA is not only granted the authority to issue mandatory recalls, but has the power to tell farmers how to grow food, including regulations on soil, water, temperature, even what type of animals are permitted on the premises. From 2011 to 2015, the estimated cost by the Congressional Budget Office is $1.4 billion.

The GAO is in the “design phase” of preparing the audit plan. US Interior Department official Tom Bussanich, who was in Majuro last week for the Development Partners Meeting, said GAO officials had an “entrance conference” with him last month to start the audit process.

Highlights:

With the defeat of Rep Bertram, convicted child molester Leon Rouse has become a demonstrated electoral liability to his employers.  Will he still be rehired by Baker or Cabanilla for 2011?  It is likely this question which has caused Rouse to pop up and try to spread his self-serving justifications and denials in the pages of the Maui News.

For those who have been party members for a while, you know that he does this every year and you may already be disregarding them.  For those who have recently joined, these accusations may be alarming and that is why although most of what is said should be disregarded, we feel it is necessary to address a few of the points....

The Hawaii State Board of Education approved the following committee leadership assignments at a meeting Thursday night at Radford High School....

In the case of Queen Lydia Lili’uokalani School, history and tradition argues even more strongly against closure.  It would indeed be ironic to shut its doors on the 100^th school year since the Queen dedicated its opening.

US Attorney General Eric Holder and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar have written to Senate leaders to “express the Administration’s strong support for …  S 3945 .”  S3945 is the latest version of the Akaka Bill.  

“Hawaii’s projected shortfall is $201.9 million, or 3.6% of its total budget, according to NCSL data.”

The NCSL report also projects a 2.6% budget gap for 2013, this adds up to $145M.

When I was a mere eight-year-old boy I was sexually abused for an entire year of my childhood life. In addition to the horrific abuse my abuser took child porn photographs of me and had me develop them at his apartment.

He put his hand on my shoulder and said “wouldn’t your mother like a copy.”

On Wednesday, Vice President Joe Biden reportedly told House Democrats that the tax deal cut with Republicans was a “take it or leave it” proposition that could not be changed. But by last night, after fierce opposition from his leftist base, President Barack Obama was singing a different tune, telling NPR: “My sense is there are going to be discussions between both House and Senate leadership about all the final elements of the package. Keep in mind we didn’t actually write a bill.”

60% of individuals lack a "rainy day" fund to cover expenses for three months, in case of emergencies such as sickness, job loss or economic downturn.

Olbermann: It is not disloyalty to remind the President that he was elected by people to whom he had given a clear outline of what he would do for them.  And if he does not steer out of the skid of what he is doing to them, he will not only not be reelected, he may not even be re-nominated.

It is not disloyalty to remind him that we are not bound to an individual.  We are bound to principles.  If the individual changes or fails often or needlessly, then we get a new man.  Or woman….

First it's important to mention the impeccable reputation and expert subject knowledge of the primary authors of the report prepared by Infrastructure Management Group, Inc.

Steve Steckler is a Harvard University planner and chairman of IMG with past service in the U.S. DOT. Thomas Rubin is a mass transit consultant who's served as Controller-Treasurer of the Southern California Rapid Transit District, now known as Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority.