Six Months to Go Until
The Largest Tax Hikes in History
From Ryan Ellis on Thursday, July 1, 2010 4:15 PM
In just six months, the largest tax hikes in the history of America will take effect. They will hit families and small businesses in three great waves on January 1, 2011:
First Wave: Expiration of 2001 and 2003 Tax Relief
In 2001 and 2003, the GOP Congress enacted several tax cuts for investors, small business owners, and families. These will all expire on January 1, 2011:
Personal income tax rates will rise. The top income tax rate will rise from 35 to 39.6 percent (this is also the rate at which two-thirds of small business profits are taxed). The lowest rate will rise from 10 to 15 percent. All the rates in between will also rise. Itemized deductions and personal exemptions will again phase out, which has the same mathematical effect as higher marginal tax rates. The full list of marginal rate hikes is below:
- The 10% bracket rises to an expanded 15%
- The 25% bracket rises to 28%
- The 28% bracket rises to 31%
- The 33% bracket rises to 36%
- The 35% bracket rises to 39.6%
Higher taxes on marriage and family. The "marriage penalty" (narrower tax brackets for married couples) will return from the first dollar of income. The child tax credit will be cut in half from $1000 to $500 per child. The standard deduction will no longer be doubled for married couples relative to the single level. The dependent care and adoption tax credits will be cut.
The return of the Death Tax. This year, there is no death tax. For those dying on or after January 1 2011, there is a 55 percent top death tax rate on estates over $1 million. A person leaving behind two homes and a retirement account could easily pass along a death tax bill to their loved ones.
Higher tax rates on savers and investors. The capital gains tax will rise from 15 percent this year to 20 percent in 2011. The dividends tax will rise from 15 percent this year to 39.6 percent in 2011. These rates will rise another 3.8 percent in 2013.
Second Wave: Obamacare
There are over twenty new or higher taxes in Obamacare. Several will first go into effect on January 1, 2011. They include:
The "Medicine Cabinet Tax" Thanks to Obamacare, Americans will no longer be able to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin).
The "Special Needs Kids Tax" This provision of Obamacare imposes a cap on flexible spending accounts (FSAs) of $2500 (Currently, there is no federal government limit). There is one group of FSA owners for whom this new cap will be particularly cruel and onerous: parents of special needs children. There are thousands of families with special needs children in the United States, and many of them use FSAs to pay for special needs education. Tuition rates at one leading school that teaches special needs children in Washington, D.C. (National Child Research Center) can easily exceed $14,000 per year. Under tax rules, FSA dollars can be used to pay for this type of special needs education.
The HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike. This provision of Obamacare increases the additional tax on non-medical early withdrawals from an HSA from 10 to 20 percent, disadvantaging them relative to IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts, which remain at 10 percent.
Third Wave: The Alternative Minimum Tax and Employer Tax Hikes
When Americans prepare to file their tax returns in January of 2011, they'll be in for a nasty surprise-the AMT won't be held harmless, and many tax relief provisions will have expired. The major items include:
The AMT will ensnare over 28 million families, up from 4 million last year. According to the left-leaning Tax Policy Center, Congress' failure to index the AMT will lead to an explosion of AMT taxpaying families-rising from 4 million last year to 28.5 million. These families will have to calculate their tax burdens twice, and pay taxes at the higher level. The AMT was created in 1969 to ensnare a handful of taxpayers.
Small business expensing will be slashed and 50% expensing will disappear. Small businesses can normally expense (rather than slowly-deduct, or "depreciate") equipment purchases up to $250,000. This will be cut all the way down to $25,000. Larger businesses can expense half of their purchases of equipment. In January of 2011, all of it will have to be "depreciated."
Taxes will be raised on all types of businesses. There are literally scores of tax hikes on business that will take place. The biggest is the loss of the "research and experimentation tax credit," but there are many, many others. Combining high marginal tax rates with the loss of this tax relief will cost jobs.
Tax Benefits for Education and Teaching Reduced. The deduction for tuition and fees will not be available. Tax credits for education will be limited. Teachers will no longer be able to deduct classroom expenses. Coverdell Education Savings Accounts will be cut. Employer-provided educational assistance is curtailed. The student loan interest deduction will be disallowed for hundreds of thousands of families.
Charitable Contributions from IRAs no longer allowed. Under current law, a retired person with an IRA can contribute up to $100,000 per year directly to a charity from their IRA. This contribution also counts toward an annual "required minimum distribution." This ability will no longer be there.
PDF Version
Read more: http://www.atr.org/sixmonths.html?content=5171#ixzz0szmK4uSI
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
A Shrink Asks: What's Wrong with Obama?
A Shrink Asks: What's Wrong with Obama?
By Robin of Berkeley
So what is the matter with Obama? Conservatives have been asking this question for some time. I've written a number of articles trying to solve the mystery.
Even some liberals are starting to wonder. James Carville railed about Obama's blasé attitude after the catastrophic oil spill. The New York Times' Maureen Dowd revamped Obama's "Yes We Can" motto into "Will We Ever?"
The liberal women of the TV show "The View" have expressed sympathy for Michelle Obama's living with a man so out of touch. Peggy Noonan, hardly a vehement Obama foe, recently pronounced him disconnected.
Obama's odd mannerisms intrigue a psychotherapist like me. He also presents a serious diagnostic challenge.
For one, Obama's teleprompter and the men behind the Blackberry keep him well-scripted. We know so little about the facts of his life.
But it's more than just a lack of information. Obama himself is a strange bird. He doesn't fit easily into any diagnostic category.
Many people attribute Obama's oddness to his narcissism. True, Obama has a gargantuan ego, and he is notoriously thin-skinned.
Yet a personality disorder like narcissism does not explain Obama's strangeness: his giggling while being asked about the economy; his continuing a shout-out rather than announcing the Ft. Hood shootings; or his vacations, golfing, partying and fundraising during the calamitous oil spill.
Take also Obama's declaring on the "Today Show" that he wants to know whose ass to kick. Consummate narcissists would never stoop to this vulgar display of adolescent machismo.
Obama is flat when passion is needed; he's aggressive when savvy is required. What's most worrisome is that Obama doesn't even realize that his behavior is inappropriate.
So if it's not just simple narcissism, what is wrong with Obama? Since I've never evaluated him, I can't say for sure. But I can hazard some educated guesses.
If I saw a client as disconnected as him, the first thing I would wonder: Is something wrong with his brain? And I'd consider the following theoretical diagnostic possibilities.
--Physical problems: There are a multitude of physiological conditions that can cause people to act strangely. For instance: head injuries, endocrine disturbances, epilepsy, and toxic chemical exposure.
It makes me wonder: Did Obama ever have a head injury? His stepfather in Indonesia was purportedly an alcoholic abuser. Was Obama subject to any physical abuse?
-- Drugs and alcohol: Damage to the brain from drugs and alcohol can also cause significant cognitive impairments. Obama once said that there were 57 states -- and didn't correct himself. Memory problems can be caused by both illicit and prescription drug use.
Obama admits to a history of drug use in his youth. Did his usage cause some damage? Does Obama still use?
--Asperger's Syndrome: Also known as high-functioning autism, Asperger's causes deficits in social skills. A person with Asperger's can't read social cues. Consequently, he can be insensitive and hurtful without even knowing it.
Could Obama have Asperger's? He might have some mild traits, but certainly not the full-blown disorder. In contrast to Obama, those with Asperger's get fixated on some behavior, like programming computers. Obama lacks this kind of passion and zeal.
--Mental Illness: Obama's family tree is replete with the unbalanced. His maternal great-grandmother committed suicide. His grandfather, Stanley Dunham, was particularly unhinged: He was expelled from high school for punching his principal; named his daughter Stanley because he wanted a boy; and exposed young Barry to not just drunken trash talk, but unrestricted visits with alleged pedophile Frank Marshall Davis (who might or might not be Obama's biological father). Barack Sr. was an abusive, alcoholic bigamist.
Since mental illness runs in the family, does Obama have any signs? Yes and no. No, he is not a schizophrenic babbling about Martians. But there are red flags for some other conditions.
While Obama doesn't appear to hallucinate, he seems to have delusions. His believing he has a Messiah-like special gift smacks of grandiose delusions. His externalizing all blame to conservatives, George W. Bush, or the "racist" bogeyman hints at persecutory delusions.
Along with a delusional disorder, Obama may fit for a mild psychotic disorder called schizotypal disorder. It may explain some of Obama's oddness.
People with schizotypal disorder hold bizarre beliefs, are suspicious and paranoid, and have inappropriate and constricted affect. They have few close friends and are socially awkward. A schizotypal is someone like your strange cousin Becky who is addicted to astrology, believes she is psychic, and is the oddball at social gatherings.
Schizotypal Disorder does ring some bells vis-à-vis Obama. One way the diagnosis doesn't fit, however, is that schizotypals are generally harmless, odd ducks. Not so with Obama.
--Trauma: My gut tells me that Obama was seriously traumatized in childhood. His mother disregarded his basic needs, dragged him all over the place, and ultimately abandoned him.
But I think there may be something even more insidious in his family background. While I can't prove it, the degree of Obama's disconnect reminds me of my sexually abused clients.
With serious sexual abuse, the brain chemistry may change. The child dissociates -- that is, disconnects from his being -- in order to cope. Many adult survivors still dissociate, from occasional trances to the most extreme cases of multiple personality disorder.
Apparently, young Barry was left in the care of Communist Frank Marshall Davis, who admitted to molesting a 13-year-old girl. As a teenager, Obama wrote a disturbing poem, "Pop," that evoked images of sexual abuse -- for instance, describing dual amber stains on both his and "Pop's" shorts.
Would trauma explain Obama's disconnect? In many ways, yes. A damaged and unattached child may develop a "false self." To compensate for the enormous deficits in identity and attachment, the child invents his own personality. For Obama, it may have been as a special, gifted person.
Let's return now to my original question: What is wrong with Obama? My guess is a great deal. The answer is complex and likely includes some combination of the above.
Along with the brain issues are personality disorders: narcissism, paranoia, passive-aggressiveness. There's even the possibility of the most destructive character defect of all, an antisocial personality. Untreated abuse can foster antisocial traits, especially among boys.
If my assessment is accurate, what does this mean?
It means that liberals need to wake up and spit out the Kool-Aid...and that conservatives should put aside differences, band together, and elect as many Republicans as possible.
Because Obama will not change. He will not learn from his mistakes. He will not grow and mature from on-the-job experience. In fact, over time, Obama will likely become a more ferocious version of who he is today.
Why? Because this is a damaged person. Obama's fate was sealed years ago growing up in his strange and poisonous family. Later on, his empty vessel was filled with the hateful bile of men like Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers.
Obama will not evolve; he will not rise to the occasion; he will not become the man he was meant to be. This is for one reason and one reason alone:
He is not capable of it.
This article is not intended to offer any definitive diagnoses, but for educational purposes only.
A frequent AT contributor, Robin is a psychotherapist in Berkeley and a recovering liberal. You can e-mail Robin at robinofberkeley@hotmail.com. She regrets that she may not be able to acknowledge your e-mail.
142 Comments on "A Shrink Asks: What's Wrong with Obama?"
By Robin of Berkeley
So what is the matter with Obama? Conservatives have been asking this question for some time. I've written a number of articles trying to solve the mystery.
Even some liberals are starting to wonder. James Carville railed about Obama's blasé attitude after the catastrophic oil spill. The New York Times' Maureen Dowd revamped Obama's "Yes We Can" motto into "Will We Ever?"
The liberal women of the TV show "The View" have expressed sympathy for Michelle Obama's living with a man so out of touch. Peggy Noonan, hardly a vehement Obama foe, recently pronounced him disconnected.
Obama's odd mannerisms intrigue a psychotherapist like me. He also presents a serious diagnostic challenge.
For one, Obama's teleprompter and the men behind the Blackberry keep him well-scripted. We know so little about the facts of his life.
But it's more than just a lack of information. Obama himself is a strange bird. He doesn't fit easily into any diagnostic category.
Many people attribute Obama's oddness to his narcissism. True, Obama has a gargantuan ego, and he is notoriously thin-skinned.
Yet a personality disorder like narcissism does not explain Obama's strangeness: his giggling while being asked about the economy; his continuing a shout-out rather than announcing the Ft. Hood shootings; or his vacations, golfing, partying and fundraising during the calamitous oil spill.
Take also Obama's declaring on the "Today Show" that he wants to know whose ass to kick. Consummate narcissists would never stoop to this vulgar display of adolescent machismo.
Obama is flat when passion is needed; he's aggressive when savvy is required. What's most worrisome is that Obama doesn't even realize that his behavior is inappropriate.
So if it's not just simple narcissism, what is wrong with Obama? Since I've never evaluated him, I can't say for sure. But I can hazard some educated guesses.
If I saw a client as disconnected as him, the first thing I would wonder: Is something wrong with his brain? And I'd consider the following theoretical diagnostic possibilities.
--Physical problems: There are a multitude of physiological conditions that can cause people to act strangely. For instance: head injuries, endocrine disturbances, epilepsy, and toxic chemical exposure.
It makes me wonder: Did Obama ever have a head injury? His stepfather in Indonesia was purportedly an alcoholic abuser. Was Obama subject to any physical abuse?
-- Drugs and alcohol: Damage to the brain from drugs and alcohol can also cause significant cognitive impairments. Obama once said that there were 57 states -- and didn't correct himself. Memory problems can be caused by both illicit and prescription drug use.
Obama admits to a history of drug use in his youth. Did his usage cause some damage? Does Obama still use?
--Asperger's Syndrome: Also known as high-functioning autism, Asperger's causes deficits in social skills. A person with Asperger's can't read social cues. Consequently, he can be insensitive and hurtful without even knowing it.
Could Obama have Asperger's? He might have some mild traits, but certainly not the full-blown disorder. In contrast to Obama, those with Asperger's get fixated on some behavior, like programming computers. Obama lacks this kind of passion and zeal.
--Mental Illness: Obama's family tree is replete with the unbalanced. His maternal great-grandmother committed suicide. His grandfather, Stanley Dunham, was particularly unhinged: He was expelled from high school for punching his principal; named his daughter Stanley because he wanted a boy; and exposed young Barry to not just drunken trash talk, but unrestricted visits with alleged pedophile Frank Marshall Davis (who might or might not be Obama's biological father). Barack Sr. was an abusive, alcoholic bigamist.
Since mental illness runs in the family, does Obama have any signs? Yes and no. No, he is not a schizophrenic babbling about Martians. But there are red flags for some other conditions.
While Obama doesn't appear to hallucinate, he seems to have delusions. His believing he has a Messiah-like special gift smacks of grandiose delusions. His externalizing all blame to conservatives, George W. Bush, or the "racist" bogeyman hints at persecutory delusions.
Along with a delusional disorder, Obama may fit for a mild psychotic disorder called schizotypal disorder. It may explain some of Obama's oddness.
People with schizotypal disorder hold bizarre beliefs, are suspicious and paranoid, and have inappropriate and constricted affect. They have few close friends and are socially awkward. A schizotypal is someone like your strange cousin Becky who is addicted to astrology, believes she is psychic, and is the oddball at social gatherings.
Schizotypal Disorder does ring some bells vis-à-vis Obama. One way the diagnosis doesn't fit, however, is that schizotypals are generally harmless, odd ducks. Not so with Obama.
--Trauma: My gut tells me that Obama was seriously traumatized in childhood. His mother disregarded his basic needs, dragged him all over the place, and ultimately abandoned him.
But I think there may be something even more insidious in his family background. While I can't prove it, the degree of Obama's disconnect reminds me of my sexually abused clients.
With serious sexual abuse, the brain chemistry may change. The child dissociates -- that is, disconnects from his being -- in order to cope. Many adult survivors still dissociate, from occasional trances to the most extreme cases of multiple personality disorder.
Apparently, young Barry was left in the care of Communist Frank Marshall Davis, who admitted to molesting a 13-year-old girl. As a teenager, Obama wrote a disturbing poem, "Pop," that evoked images of sexual abuse -- for instance, describing dual amber stains on both his and "Pop's" shorts.
Would trauma explain Obama's disconnect? In many ways, yes. A damaged and unattached child may develop a "false self." To compensate for the enormous deficits in identity and attachment, the child invents his own personality. For Obama, it may have been as a special, gifted person.
Let's return now to my original question: What is wrong with Obama? My guess is a great deal. The answer is complex and likely includes some combination of the above.
Along with the brain issues are personality disorders: narcissism, paranoia, passive-aggressiveness. There's even the possibility of the most destructive character defect of all, an antisocial personality. Untreated abuse can foster antisocial traits, especially among boys.
If my assessment is accurate, what does this mean?
It means that liberals need to wake up and spit out the Kool-Aid...and that conservatives should put aside differences, band together, and elect as many Republicans as possible.
Because Obama will not change. He will not learn from his mistakes. He will not grow and mature from on-the-job experience. In fact, over time, Obama will likely become a more ferocious version of who he is today.
Why? Because this is a damaged person. Obama's fate was sealed years ago growing up in his strange and poisonous family. Later on, his empty vessel was filled with the hateful bile of men like Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers.
Obama will not evolve; he will not rise to the occasion; he will not become the man he was meant to be. This is for one reason and one reason alone:
He is not capable of it.
This article is not intended to offer any definitive diagnoses, but for educational purposes only.
A frequent AT contributor, Robin is a psychotherapist in Berkeley and a recovering liberal. You can e-mail Robin at robinofberkeley@hotmail.com. She regrets that she may not be able to acknowledge your e-mail.
142 Comments on "A Shrink Asks: What's Wrong with Obama?"
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Preserve Our Nations History
This country, The United States of America, is the greatest nation in the world. It was made that way by the men and women that forged forward relentlessly over the years since its founding. And, it doesn't take a genius to recognize that it was founded on Christian principles. Anyone with a brain can see that merely by reading a few lines of our Constitution or any other historical document for that matter. And those documents, principles and all, are part of our history. These things cannot and should not be forgotten or altered in any way. Our history, the good and the bad, needs to be taught to the generations to come lest mistakes made be repeated. The citizens of this great country should stand tall and proud of all of the accomplishments that our country (meaning the people themselves) have made.
The "Board" must make sure that factual accounts be kept in our chidrens text books. If Texas fails the youth of America, then they have no hope at all.
"To penetrate and dissipate these clouds of darkness, the general mind must be strengthened by education" Thomas Jefferson
The "Board" must make sure that factual accounts be kept in our chidrens text books. If Texas fails the youth of America, then they have no hope at all.
"To penetrate and dissipate these clouds of darkness, the general mind must be strengthened by education" Thomas Jefferson
Monday, October 12, 2009
Texas Proposition 11 On The November Ballot
Your “yes” vote for proposition 11 in November will help protect private land owners from the government’s use of eminent domain.
Texas Proposition 11, also known as House Joint Resolution 14-1, will appear on the November 3, 2009 ballot in Texas as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment.
If passed after the November election, the measure will strengthen Senate Bill 7, which prohibits the government from acquiring land for non-public use. The bill will also require the government to first determine if each property in a neighborhood is blighted before deciding if the neighborhood itself is blighted. According to Sen. Robert Duncan, who is sponsoring the amendment: “Texas voters are the most appropriate authority on the government's use of eminent domain. This proposition gives them the final word on that authority.”
The Texas House of Representatives approved the proposed amendment on May 11, 2009 with a vote of 144-0, followed by the State Senate on May 25, 2009 with a vote of 30-1.Texas Governor Rick Perry signed the legislation on June 15, 2009, therefore allowing voters to decide on the constitutional amendment in the fall.
Impact
If enacted, the measure would:
Amend the state constitution to limit the taking of private property by eminent domain.
Specifically prohibit the taking of private property to give to another private entity for the purpose of economic development or enhanced tax revenue.
Limit the use and ownership of property taken by eminent domain to either the state or the public at large
Require new entities seeking the power of eminent domain to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature
Require condemnation for urban blight to address each particular property
Ballot language
"The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity."
Support
The Texas Farm Bureau have voiced their support of the measure, making a statement on October 2, 2009 on their website, encouraging members of the bureau to go vote, saying a big turnout would lead to a successfull passage of the measure. Kenneth Dierschke, president of the organization, wrote the column on the Texas Farm Bureau’s website and stated that the amendment would also protect property owners in a state that “takes pride in property ownership.” Also among the reasons to vote “yes” on the measure is that passage would pave a way for further eminent domain reform in the future, such as compensation to owners who have lost their property access rights. Dierschke stated:
"Eminent domain is not something people think about until their land, home or business property is taken. That power is being misused and abused in Texas. Proposition 11 does not fix all of the problems, but is a good first step toward eminent domain reform."
Texas Proposition 11, also known as House Joint Resolution 14-1, will appear on the November 3, 2009 ballot in Texas as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment.
If passed after the November election, the measure will strengthen Senate Bill 7, which prohibits the government from acquiring land for non-public use. The bill will also require the government to first determine if each property in a neighborhood is blighted before deciding if the neighborhood itself is blighted. According to Sen. Robert Duncan, who is sponsoring the amendment: “Texas voters are the most appropriate authority on the government's use of eminent domain. This proposition gives them the final word on that authority.”
The Texas House of Representatives approved the proposed amendment on May 11, 2009 with a vote of 144-0, followed by the State Senate on May 25, 2009 with a vote of 30-1.Texas Governor Rick Perry signed the legislation on June 15, 2009, therefore allowing voters to decide on the constitutional amendment in the fall.
Impact
If enacted, the measure would:
Amend the state constitution to limit the taking of private property by eminent domain.
Specifically prohibit the taking of private property to give to another private entity for the purpose of economic development or enhanced tax revenue.
Limit the use and ownership of property taken by eminent domain to either the state or the public at large
Require new entities seeking the power of eminent domain to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature
Require condemnation for urban blight to address each particular property
Ballot language
"The constitutional amendment to prohibit the taking, damaging, or destroying of private property for public use unless the action is for the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the property by the State, a political subdivision of the State, the public at large, or entities granted the power of eminent domain under law or for the elimination of urban blight on a particular parcel of property, but not for certain economic development or enhancement of tax revenue purposes, and to limit the legislature's authority to grant the power of eminent domain to an entity."
Support
The Texas Farm Bureau have voiced their support of the measure, making a statement on October 2, 2009 on their website, encouraging members of the bureau to go vote, saying a big turnout would lead to a successfull passage of the measure. Kenneth Dierschke, president of the organization, wrote the column on the Texas Farm Bureau’s website and stated that the amendment would also protect property owners in a state that “takes pride in property ownership.” Also among the reasons to vote “yes” on the measure is that passage would pave a way for further eminent domain reform in the future, such as compensation to owners who have lost their property access rights. Dierschke stated:
"Eminent domain is not something people think about until their land, home or business property is taken. That power is being misused and abused in Texas. Proposition 11 does not fix all of the problems, but is a good first step toward eminent domain reform."
Friday, October 9, 2009
Speak No Evil
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Markup
Publications
Wednesday, 07 October 2009 14:42
The Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet will meet in open markup session on Thursday, October 8, 2009, to consider H.R. 1147, the Local Community Radio Act of 2009; H.R. 1084, the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (CALM Act); H.R. 1258, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009; and H.R. 3633, a bill to allow the funding for the interoperable emergency communications grant program to remain available through FY 2012.
WHEN: Thursday, October 8 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
H.R. 1147 is being proposed to pave the way to end conservative talk radio and fund minority owned radio stations. It is yet another ploy by the Obama administration to take away free speech and turn to government (“community”) run radio. By doing so Obama silences his critics and opens up the airwaves to those who choose to chant or sing ditties in honor of his greatness. His community organizers will make public service announcements and point the peasants in the direction of the nearest food line….if there are any…. All the while playing “I’ld Like To Teach The World To Sing”. China would be so proud.
Call, write, email and/or fax your representatives. Voice your concerns about H.R. 1147.
No government ought to be without censors; and where the press is free no one ever will.
Thomas Jefferson
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1147
To implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 24, 2009
Mr. DOYLE (for himself, Mr. TERRY, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. PAUL, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Ms. SCHWARTZ, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. CAPUANO, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and Ms. BALDWIN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Local Community Radio Act of 2009'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 led to increased ownership consolidation in the radio industry.
(2) At a hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 4, 2003, all 5 members of the Federal Communications Commission testified that there has been, in at least some local radio markets, too much consolidation.
(3) As a result of consolidation of media ownership, there have been strong financial incentives for companies to reduce local programming and rely instead on syndicated programming produced for hundreds of stations. A renewal of commitment to localism--local operations, local research, local management, locally originated programming, local artists, and local news and events--would bolster radio's service to the public.
(4) Local communities have sought to launch radio stations to meet their local needs. However, due to the scarce amount of spectrum available and the high cost of buying and running a large station, many local communities are unable to establish a radio station.
(5) In 2003, the average cost to acquire a commercial radio station was more than $2,500,000.
(6) In January 2000, the Federal Communications Commission authorized a new, affordable community radio service called `low-power FM' or `LPFM' to `enhance locally focused community-oriented radio broadcasting'.
(7) Through the creation of LPFM, the Commission sought to `create opportunities for new voices on the air waves and to allow local groups, including schools, churches, and other community-based organizations, to provide programming responsive to local community needs and interests'.
(8) The Commission made clear that the creation of LPFM would not compromise the integrity of the FM radio band by stating, `We are committed to creating a low-power FM radio service only if it does not cause unacceptable interference to existing radio service.'.
(9) Currently, FM translator stations can operate on the second- and third-adjacent channels to full power radio stations, up to an effective radiated power of 250 watts, pursuant to part 74 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, using the very same transmitters that LPFM stations will use. The Commission based its LPFM rules on the actual performance of these translators that already operate without undue interference to FM stations. The actual interference record of these translators is far more useful than any results that further testing could yield.
(10) Small rural broadcasters were particularly concerned about a lengthy and costly interference complaint process. Therefore, in September 2000, the Commission created a simple process to address interference complaints regarding LPFM stations on an expedited basis.
(11) In December 2000, Congress delayed the full implementation of LPFM until an independent engineering study was completed and reviewed. This delay was due to some broadcasters' concerns that LPFM service would cause interference in the FM band.
(12) The delay prevented millions of Americans from having a locally operated, community-based radio station in their neighborhood.
(13) Over 800 LPFM stations were allowed to proceed despite the congressional action. These stations are currently on the air and are run by local government agencies, groups promoting arts and education to immigrant and indigenous peoples, artists, schools, religious organizations, environmental groups, organizations promoting literacy, and many other civically oriented organizations.
(14) After 2 years and the expenditure of $2,193,343 in taxpayer dollars to conduct this study, the broadcasters' concerns were demonstrated to be unsubstantiated.
(15) The FCC issued a report to Congress on February 19, 2004, which stated that `Congress should readdress this issue and modify the statute to eliminate the third-adjacent channel distance separation requirement for LPFM stations.'.
(16) On November 27, 2007, the FCC again unanimously affirmed LPFM, stating in a news release about the passage of the Third Report and Order and Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that the Commission: `Recommends to Congress that it remove the requirement that LPFM stations protect full-power stations on operating on the third-adjacent channels.' Five years after the release of the FCC's report and recommendation, this recommendation has still not been acted upon.
(17) Minorities represent almost a third of our population. However, according to the Federal Communication Commission's most recent Form 323 data on the race and gender of full power, commercial broadcast licensees, minorities own only 7 percent of all local television and radio stations. Women represent more than half of the population, but own only 6 percent of all local television and radio stations. LPFM stations, while not a solution to the overall inequalities in minority and female broadcast ownership, provide an additional opportunity for underrepresented communities to operate a station and provide local communities with a greater diversity of viewpoints and culture.
(18) LPFM stations have proven to be a vital source of information during local or national emergencies. Out of the few stations that were able to stay online during Katrina, several were LPFM stations. In Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, LPFM station WQRZ remained on the air during Hurricane Katrina and served as the Emergency Operations Center for Hancock County. Additionally, after Hurricane Katrina when thousands of evacuees temporarily housed at the Houston Astrodome were unable to hear information about the availability of food and ice, the location of FEMA representatives, and the whereabouts of missing loved ones over the loud speakers, volunteers handed out thousands of transistor radios and established a LPFM station outside the Astrodome to broadcast such information.
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF PRIOR LAW.
Section 632 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Public Law 106-553; 114 Stat. 2762A-111), is repealed.
SEC. 4. MINIMUM DISTANCE SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS.
The Federal Communications Commission shall modify its rules to eliminate third-adjacent minimum distance separation requirements between--
(1) low-power FM stations; and
(2) full-service FM stations, FM translator stations, and FM booster stations.
SEC. 5. PROTECTION OF RADIO READING SERVICES.
The Federal Communications Commission shall retain its rules that provide third-adjacent channel protection for full-power non-commercial FM stations that broadcast radio reading services via a subcarrier frequency from potential low-power FM station interference.
SEC. 6. ENSURING AVAILABILITY OF SPECTRUM FOR LPFM STATIONS.
The Federal Communications Commission when licensing FM translator stations shall ensure--
(1) that licenses are available to both FM translator stations and low-power FM stations; and
(2) that such decisions are made based on the needs of the local community.
Publications
Wednesday, 07 October 2009 14:42
The Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet will meet in open markup session on Thursday, October 8, 2009, to consider H.R. 1147, the Local Community Radio Act of 2009; H.R. 1084, the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act (CALM Act); H.R. 1258, the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009; and H.R. 3633, a bill to allow the funding for the interoperable emergency communications grant program to remain available through FY 2012.
WHEN: Thursday, October 8 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building
H.R. 1147 is being proposed to pave the way to end conservative talk radio and fund minority owned radio stations. It is yet another ploy by the Obama administration to take away free speech and turn to government (“community”) run radio. By doing so Obama silences his critics and opens up the airwaves to those who choose to chant or sing ditties in honor of his greatness. His community organizers will make public service announcements and point the peasants in the direction of the nearest food line….if there are any…. All the while playing “I’ld Like To Teach The World To Sing”. China would be so proud.
Call, write, email and/or fax your representatives. Voice your concerns about H.R. 1147.
No government ought to be without censors; and where the press is free no one ever will.
Thomas Jefferson
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1147
To implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 24, 2009
Mr. DOYLE (for himself, Mr. TERRY, Ms. ESHOO, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. PAUL, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania, Ms. SCHWARTZ, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. HINOJOSA, Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. DELAHUNT, Mr. CAPUANO, Mrs. MCMORRIS RODGERS, Mrs. BLACKBURN, and Ms. BALDWIN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Local Community Radio Act of 2009'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 led to increased ownership consolidation in the radio industry.
(2) At a hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 4, 2003, all 5 members of the Federal Communications Commission testified that there has been, in at least some local radio markets, too much consolidation.
(3) As a result of consolidation of media ownership, there have been strong financial incentives for companies to reduce local programming and rely instead on syndicated programming produced for hundreds of stations. A renewal of commitment to localism--local operations, local research, local management, locally originated programming, local artists, and local news and events--would bolster radio's service to the public.
(4) Local communities have sought to launch radio stations to meet their local needs. However, due to the scarce amount of spectrum available and the high cost of buying and running a large station, many local communities are unable to establish a radio station.
(5) In 2003, the average cost to acquire a commercial radio station was more than $2,500,000.
(6) In January 2000, the Federal Communications Commission authorized a new, affordable community radio service called `low-power FM' or `LPFM' to `enhance locally focused community-oriented radio broadcasting'.
(7) Through the creation of LPFM, the Commission sought to `create opportunities for new voices on the air waves and to allow local groups, including schools, churches, and other community-based organizations, to provide programming responsive to local community needs and interests'.
(8) The Commission made clear that the creation of LPFM would not compromise the integrity of the FM radio band by stating, `We are committed to creating a low-power FM radio service only if it does not cause unacceptable interference to existing radio service.'.
(9) Currently, FM translator stations can operate on the second- and third-adjacent channels to full power radio stations, up to an effective radiated power of 250 watts, pursuant to part 74 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, using the very same transmitters that LPFM stations will use. The Commission based its LPFM rules on the actual performance of these translators that already operate without undue interference to FM stations. The actual interference record of these translators is far more useful than any results that further testing could yield.
(10) Small rural broadcasters were particularly concerned about a lengthy and costly interference complaint process. Therefore, in September 2000, the Commission created a simple process to address interference complaints regarding LPFM stations on an expedited basis.
(11) In December 2000, Congress delayed the full implementation of LPFM until an independent engineering study was completed and reviewed. This delay was due to some broadcasters' concerns that LPFM service would cause interference in the FM band.
(12) The delay prevented millions of Americans from having a locally operated, community-based radio station in their neighborhood.
(13) Over 800 LPFM stations were allowed to proceed despite the congressional action. These stations are currently on the air and are run by local government agencies, groups promoting arts and education to immigrant and indigenous peoples, artists, schools, religious organizations, environmental groups, organizations promoting literacy, and many other civically oriented organizations.
(14) After 2 years and the expenditure of $2,193,343 in taxpayer dollars to conduct this study, the broadcasters' concerns were demonstrated to be unsubstantiated.
(15) The FCC issued a report to Congress on February 19, 2004, which stated that `Congress should readdress this issue and modify the statute to eliminate the third-adjacent channel distance separation requirement for LPFM stations.'.
(16) On November 27, 2007, the FCC again unanimously affirmed LPFM, stating in a news release about the passage of the Third Report and Order and Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that the Commission: `Recommends to Congress that it remove the requirement that LPFM stations protect full-power stations on operating on the third-adjacent channels.' Five years after the release of the FCC's report and recommendation, this recommendation has still not been acted upon.
(17) Minorities represent almost a third of our population. However, according to the Federal Communication Commission's most recent Form 323 data on the race and gender of full power, commercial broadcast licensees, minorities own only 7 percent of all local television and radio stations. Women represent more than half of the population, but own only 6 percent of all local television and radio stations. LPFM stations, while not a solution to the overall inequalities in minority and female broadcast ownership, provide an additional opportunity for underrepresented communities to operate a station and provide local communities with a greater diversity of viewpoints and culture.
(18) LPFM stations have proven to be a vital source of information during local or national emergencies. Out of the few stations that were able to stay online during Katrina, several were LPFM stations. In Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, LPFM station WQRZ remained on the air during Hurricane Katrina and served as the Emergency Operations Center for Hancock County. Additionally, after Hurricane Katrina when thousands of evacuees temporarily housed at the Houston Astrodome were unable to hear information about the availability of food and ice, the location of FEMA representatives, and the whereabouts of missing loved ones over the loud speakers, volunteers handed out thousands of transistor radios and established a LPFM station outside the Astrodome to broadcast such information.
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF PRIOR LAW.
Section 632 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 (Public Law 106-553; 114 Stat. 2762A-111), is repealed.
SEC. 4. MINIMUM DISTANCE SEPARATION REQUIREMENTS.
The Federal Communications Commission shall modify its rules to eliminate third-adjacent minimum distance separation requirements between--
(1) low-power FM stations; and
(2) full-service FM stations, FM translator stations, and FM booster stations.
SEC. 5. PROTECTION OF RADIO READING SERVICES.
The Federal Communications Commission shall retain its rules that provide third-adjacent channel protection for full-power non-commercial FM stations that broadcast radio reading services via a subcarrier frequency from potential low-power FM station interference.
SEC. 6. ENSURING AVAILABILITY OF SPECTRUM FOR LPFM STATIONS.
The Federal Communications Commission when licensing FM translator stations shall ensure--
(1) that licenses are available to both FM translator stations and low-power FM stations; and
(2) that such decisions are made based on the needs of the local community.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Make Him Sing
By now everyone has heard about this idiot Smadi that has been charged with attempting to blow up a building in Dallas a couple of weeks ago. The FBI agent that oversaw the investigation testified that Smadi researched how to use a cell phone to detonate a bomb and “made a video to give to Osama bin Laden”. Excuse me….this guy can get stuff to bin Laden. Does he just call him up or what? Shouldn’t we be water-boarding this guy or something to find out how to deliver our own bombs to bin Laden? We can drop them right in his lap.
Let the Texas Rangers have that little jerk for a while….they will find out what he knows.
DALLAS, TX (KERA) -
A federal judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence for the case to continue against a teenager from Jordan accused of trying to blow up a Dallas high-rise. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.
There just needed to be enough evidence to send to a grand jury for an indictment against 19 year old Hosam Smadi. And the judge ruled there was. In Monday's probable cause hearing, an FBI agent said Smadi made a 7-minute video he hoped to send to Osama Bin Laden. The agent also testified Smadi studied how to trigger a car bomb with his cell phone, and wondered whether the car was strategically parked to bring down Fountain Place.
Peter Fleury, one of Smadi's court appointed defenders, says he still does not know the exact charges against his client.
Fleury: They've had the case since March. We just go the case. We're way behind them. And we got a scared 19 year-old kid, well away from his family. And we're just going to do the best we can.
Former U.S. Prosecutor John Ratcliffe attended the hearing and says the government will methodically make its case.
John Ratcliffe, former U.S. Attorney: There's testimony here and there's going to be evidence presented that this will move before a jury who will hear that there are individuals out there that spent the better part of a year, in Mr. Smadi's case, talking about, planning, discussing surveilling and ultimately acting on the desire to commit mass casualties with a weapon of mass destruction.
Prosecutors have until October 24th to indict Smadi. No date has yet been set.
Let the Texas Rangers have that little jerk for a while….they will find out what he knows.
DALLAS, TX (KERA) -
A federal judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence for the case to continue against a teenager from Jordan accused of trying to blow up a Dallas high-rise. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more.
There just needed to be enough evidence to send to a grand jury for an indictment against 19 year old Hosam Smadi. And the judge ruled there was. In Monday's probable cause hearing, an FBI agent said Smadi made a 7-minute video he hoped to send to Osama Bin Laden. The agent also testified Smadi studied how to trigger a car bomb with his cell phone, and wondered whether the car was strategically parked to bring down Fountain Place.
Peter Fleury, one of Smadi's court appointed defenders, says he still does not know the exact charges against his client.
Fleury: They've had the case since March. We just go the case. We're way behind them. And we got a scared 19 year-old kid, well away from his family. And we're just going to do the best we can.
Former U.S. Prosecutor John Ratcliffe attended the hearing and says the government will methodically make its case.
John Ratcliffe, former U.S. Attorney: There's testimony here and there's going to be evidence presented that this will move before a jury who will hear that there are individuals out there that spent the better part of a year, in Mr. Smadi's case, talking about, planning, discussing surveilling and ultimately acting on the desire to commit mass casualties with a weapon of mass destruction.
Prosecutors have until October 24th to indict Smadi. No date has yet been set.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Texans Call Your Senators
Texas governor voices opposition to climate bill
By JUAN A. LOZANO
Associated Press Writer
HOUSTON — A climate bill being debated in Congress is "draconian" and would wreak havoc on the Texas economy by wiping out thousands of jobs in the energy sector, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday.
But an environmental group said the bill would be an economic boost.
Perry said Texas does not need federal mandates as the state already balances the needs of the environment and the energy sector.
"I would respectfully ask Washington if they are interested in having a positive impact on the environment, look at Texas. We can show them how to not put these sweeping mandates that have a draconian impact on the population," Perry said during a meeting in Houston with business leaders and state lawmakers.
The bill includes an economy-wide cap-and-trade system that would require power plants, industrial facilities and refineries to cut carbon dioxide and other climate changing pollution.
Perry said the bill is a massive energy tax on consumers that would result in higher prices in gasoline, utilities and household goods and wipe out between 200,000 and 300,000 energy sector jobs in Texas.
The governor said the federal government should follow Texas' example and do such things as expand its renewable energy portfolio, reduce the cost of alternative energy forms like solar and wind and promote investment in technology that captures emissions of carbon dioxide.
"We did it while still adding jobs and having the economy grow," he said.
Most Republicans like Perry have voiced strong opposition to the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill, which the House passed in June. The Senate is working on its own version of the bill.
Democrats who support the bill acknowledged the cost of energy will increase but contend the impact on consumers can be mitigated by increased energy efficiency and other measures included in the legislation.
Environmentalists see cap-and-trade as the best way to control carbon emissions.
But Oliver Bernstein, a spokesman for environmental group Sierra Club's office in Austin, said the climate bill "is the true pathway toward economic recovery" because it will create millions of clean energy jobs in Texas and across the country.
"The worst thing we can do for the economy here in Texas is to stay devoted to the dirty energy policies of the past," he said.
The state's energy industry supplies 20 percent of the nation's oil production, one-fourth of its natural gas production, a quarter of its refining capacity and nearly 60 percent of its chemical manufacturing.
___
Below are the Texas Representatives that voted for the “cap and trade” bill in June.
Remember them well in 2010. Pass this on to friends and family that live in the districts that these yahoos represent. Make sure that they become unemployed when we go to the polls on voting day. After all, that was their plan for millions of Texans.
Al Green, (D)
Ruben Hinojosa (D)
Silvestre Reyes (D)
Sheila Jackson-Lee (D)
Charles Gonzalez (D)
Lloyd Doggett (D)
Henry Cuellar (D)
Raymond Green (D)
Eddie Johnson (D)
Also, call your senators and make sure that they understand that Texans expect a “No” vote when this bill comes to the Senate floor. Make sure that they know that we are paying attention.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R- TX)
Phone: 202-224-5922
Fax: 202-224-0776
http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Senator John Cornyn (R- TX)
Phone: 202-224-2934
Fax: 202-228-2856
http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?
By JUAN A. LOZANO
Associated Press Writer
HOUSTON — A climate bill being debated in Congress is "draconian" and would wreak havoc on the Texas economy by wiping out thousands of jobs in the energy sector, Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Wednesday.
But an environmental group said the bill would be an economic boost.
Perry said Texas does not need federal mandates as the state already balances the needs of the environment and the energy sector.
"I would respectfully ask Washington if they are interested in having a positive impact on the environment, look at Texas. We can show them how to not put these sweeping mandates that have a draconian impact on the population," Perry said during a meeting in Houston with business leaders and state lawmakers.
The bill includes an economy-wide cap-and-trade system that would require power plants, industrial facilities and refineries to cut carbon dioxide and other climate changing pollution.
Perry said the bill is a massive energy tax on consumers that would result in higher prices in gasoline, utilities and household goods and wipe out between 200,000 and 300,000 energy sector jobs in Texas.
The governor said the federal government should follow Texas' example and do such things as expand its renewable energy portfolio, reduce the cost of alternative energy forms like solar and wind and promote investment in technology that captures emissions of carbon dioxide.
"We did it while still adding jobs and having the economy grow," he said.
Most Republicans like Perry have voiced strong opposition to the Waxman-Markey climate and energy bill, which the House passed in June. The Senate is working on its own version of the bill.
Democrats who support the bill acknowledged the cost of energy will increase but contend the impact on consumers can be mitigated by increased energy efficiency and other measures included in the legislation.
Environmentalists see cap-and-trade as the best way to control carbon emissions.
But Oliver Bernstein, a spokesman for environmental group Sierra Club's office in Austin, said the climate bill "is the true pathway toward economic recovery" because it will create millions of clean energy jobs in Texas and across the country.
"The worst thing we can do for the economy here in Texas is to stay devoted to the dirty energy policies of the past," he said.
The state's energy industry supplies 20 percent of the nation's oil production, one-fourth of its natural gas production, a quarter of its refining capacity and nearly 60 percent of its chemical manufacturing.
___
Below are the Texas Representatives that voted for the “cap and trade” bill in June.
Remember them well in 2010. Pass this on to friends and family that live in the districts that these yahoos represent. Make sure that they become unemployed when we go to the polls on voting day. After all, that was their plan for millions of Texans.
Al Green, (D)
Ruben Hinojosa (D)
Silvestre Reyes (D)
Sheila Jackson-Lee (D)
Charles Gonzalez (D)
Lloyd Doggett (D)
Henry Cuellar (D)
Raymond Green (D)
Eddie Johnson (D)
Also, call your senators and make sure that they understand that Texans expect a “No” vote when this bill comes to the Senate floor. Make sure that they know that we are paying attention.
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R- TX)
Phone: 202-224-5922
Fax: 202-224-0776
http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm
Senator John Cornyn (R- TX)
Phone: 202-224-2934
Fax: 202-228-2856
http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?
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