Alan Joel

Sworn Testimony this morning, IRS admits WH knew about Lerner emails in April

In sworn testimony this morning (Friday, June 20th) IRS Commissioner John Koskinen stated that Obama was told about Lerner’s emails in April. This would be 6 weeks before Congress was told.

The Media Was Complicit in the VA Scandal

We now know that the state of affairs within the VA system was abhorrent--and that Obama, like his predecessor, knew there were problems. And yet, several well known left-leaning columnists spoke highly about the VA health system over the last few years, ramping up the rhetoric right at the time ObamaCare began to take shape in Congress.

Did A Failed Medical Scheduling Project at the VA Contribute to the Secret Lists?

At least one attempt to implement a scheduling system at the VA never got off the ground after nearly a decade of trying.

IRS Loses Lerner Emails -- But What About the TIGTA Report?

The IRS claims to have lost emails related to Lois Lerner and outside agencies. From Committee on Ways and Means Chairman, Dave Camp:

The Tea Party Turns Five

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Santinelli Rant on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, which spawned the infamous Tea Party (Taxed Enough Already?). Even if you heard it then, it’s definitely worthwhile listening to once more:

ObamaCare Lies

Obama has lied to this country. Most recently and most memorably, he lied too when he said, “you can keep your health plan" and "you can keep your doctor". But charging that someone "lied" implies that they knew it was untrue when they said it, so how can anyone be sure?

Flashback -- The 1913 Tax Return Form Was Only 4 Pages

As we begin tax season, here’s something to ponder.

Hillary Clinton will run on repealing Obamacare

With all the talk abuzz about an inevitable Hillary Clinton candidacy, I wager that her platform will include repealing ObamaCare. Hillary will declare late in the spring so that she can positively impact the midterm elections to benefit the Democrats.

How to Solve Detroit's Pension System Problem in One Easy Step

The NY Post had a good piece on Friday by William McGurn on the state of the union (pension system) in Detroit, making the case for Detroit to switch to defined contribution plans for their union workers. McGurn is right on the mark that the such a move is critical for the city’s revitalization.

Obamacare Architect Now Says If You Want to Keep Your Doctor, You Have To Pay More

On Sunday, the architect of Obamacare, Zeke Emanuel, modified another one of Obama's promises. This time, he explained the "if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor" now actually means "if you want to, you can pay for it,".

Obamacare "Essential Benefits" Rendered Most Current Health Plans Obsolete

The great bait-and-switch of ObamaCare ("you can keep your plan and your doctor") was intentionally orchestrated by the architects of the legislation. There were thousands of policies offered nationwide that were good and even very good but now they can't be sustained under the new Obamacare policy requirements.

Irregular Circumstances -- Not Policy -- Have Reduced the Deficit So Far This Year

Obamapologists have been pointing to the shrinking budget deficit as proof that the economy is heading in the right direction. There is a sense of desperation afoot to find something, anything, that can be positive news upon which Obama can rebuild his reputation.

De Blasio and The Triborough Amendment: The Impending Fiscal Crisis For NYC

De Blasio’s recent mayoral victory was a sad day for New Yorkers. Electing him was proof that the constituency in NYC is morally, philosophically, and educationally bankrupt. And if the mayor sticks to his positions that he declared as candidate De Blasio, NYC will be financially bankrupt as well.

We Finally Have The Real Reason Behind ObamaCare: Discrimination and Wealth Transfer

The legislative name for ObamaCare is the Affordable Care Act. This name was chosen precisely to appeal to Americans to consider buying a health insurance plan from a government-run exchange. Who doesn’t like the idea of something that is “affordable”? By using that term, it suggested that the current system of health care was the opposite –”unafforable”.

84 Years Since Black Tuesday Stock Market Crash

Today marks 84 years since the Great Stock Market Crash of 1929, also known as Black Tuesday. This typically is considered the beginning event of the Great Depression that lasted some 10 years in the United States.

Hurricane Sandy and Government Machinations: One Year Later

What a year it has been since Hurricane Sandy. Nearly three months after Superstorm Sandy hit the US on October 29, 2012, the Sandy Relief bill was passed. It almost didn’t make it in Congress at all, having been caught up in the “Fiscal Cliff” crisis.

Are Obamacare Enrollment Pressures Unconstitutional?

As each day passes, the various facets of Obamacare are getting implemented in order to be fully operational by January 1, 2014. But we are hearing about the difficulties in the implementation caused primarily by either 1) the website fiasco; 2) low number of enrollees; and 3) people wanting to pay the penalties in order to avoid having to pay for intentionally overpriced health “insurance”.

Detroit’s $320 Million Federal Aid Package

Right before the government shutdown, Detroit received a pledge for a $320 million federal "aid package". The Obama Administration wants to make it perfectly clear: this is not a bailout. That word is too toxic during this time of fiscal instability in Washington. This is relief. A stimulus. It is a hand-up, not a hand-out, and, as the NY Times reports, this will not be the only federal infusion that Detroit receives to get back on its feet.

150 Days Since the Treasury Department Reports Have Shown No Increase in Debt

Sunday, October 13, 2013 marks 150 days since the Treasury Department's listing of public debt has not moved. The most current Daily Treasury report (October 10) shows "Total Public Debt Subject to Limit $ 16,699,396,000,000; Statutory Debt Limit $16,699,421,000,000."

Bush Tax Cuts vs Obamacare—Same Playbook, Different Reactions & Blame (of course)

The tactics that the Democrats used in 2012 regarding the Bush tax cuts is the same strategy being deployed by the Republicans in 2013 and Obamacare. Yet, this time around, the Republicans are getting vilified for it.