"Obama's Gangster Government"

Before today, I have never heard of the government job of Inspector-General. What is an Inspector-General you say? "The mission of the Office of Inspector General (OIG), as mandated by Public Law 95-452 (as amended), is to protect the integrity of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs, as well as the health and welfare of the beneficiaries of those programs.

"OIG has a responsibility to report both to the Secretary and to the Congress program and management problems and recommendations to correct them. OIG's duties are carried out through a nationwide network of audits, investigations, evaluations and other mission-related functions performed by OIG components." One of the responsibilities of the OIG is fraud prevention and detection. SOURCE

Ever hear of Henry II? His supposed lament: "Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?" Led by a loyal Knight to bury his sword in Thomas Beckett's head, thus conveniently removing the Archbishop of Canterbury as a thorn in the side of the English king. A scene reminiscent of the infamous martyrdom occurred in the White House late last week, as one of President Obama's senior aids gave the Americorps Inspector-General an offer he could not refuse - resign within an hour or be fired.

The IG in question, Gerald Walpin, refused to go quietly despite threats from the assailant, Norman Eisen, special counsel to the president for ethics and government reform. Mr. Walpin was investigating the mismanagement of $850,000 (that's almost $1 million) Americorps grants to St. Hope, a a non-profit founded by Sacramento Mayor and former NBA star Kevin Johnson. Walpin found that Johnson used Americorps funds for personal and political benefit. Did I mention that Kevin Johnson is a high-profile Obama political supporter and a friend of First Lady Michelle Obama?

With that said, a couple of years ago a law was passed to protect IGs from political retaliation. This is to prevent presidential politics from interfering with the independence and integrity of IGs, whose sole job is to ferret out waste, fraud and corruption in federal spending. Walpin was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by Congress in 2007. The law required the president to give Congress 30-day notice of his intent to remove an IG and detailed justification for the removal. What's interesting about this legislation is that it was co-sponsored by Sen. Barack Obama. SOURCE

Hmmm, so basically, President Obama fired an IG outside what the law says (that he co-sponsored), because Gerald Walpin was a thorn in his side for investigating and proving that one of his high profile supporters is guilty of fraud.

Interestingly enough, Johnson wasn't charged, but half the grant money was returned under an agreement with the government. The key issue now is whether Congress will permit this latest illustration of what The Examiner’s Michael Barone calls Obama’s “gangster government.”

See also:

• Gerald Walpin speaks: The inside story of the AmeriCorps firing


• What's being Obama's sudden attempt to fire the AmeriCorps inspector general?

Did Barack Obama Fill Out One Of These?

CNN just came out with this news article titled, "White House Job Application Leaves No Stone Unturned." Apparently if you want to work for the Obama Administration you have to fill out a seven page, 63 item questionaire that basically spills everything there is to know about yourself.

From the story it says, "The questions cover everything from information on family members, Facebook pages, blogs and hired help to links to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, American International Group and troubled banks as well as lawsuits, gifts, resumes, loans and more.

"The largest part of the questionnaire asks prospective White House appointees and their spouses to list real estate and other business transactions, affiliations and relationships as well as personal financial and tax information.

"It also asks about writings, speeches, testimony, online communications and even personal diaries.

"An entire section requests details on any criminal or civil legal action in which the applicant may have been involved. The last question in that 11-item section asks for details on any child support or alimony orders.

"In an apparent effort to avoid the problems faced by several nominees in the last two administrations, a block of four questions is devoted to ferreting out details -- including the immigration status -- of any domestic help the applicant may have hired.

"Question 61 seems to have been prompted by the controversy over former 1960s radical William Ayres in Obama's campaign: 'Have you had any association with any person, group or business venture that could be used -- even unfairly -- to impugn or attack your character or qualifications for government service?'

"Under the final, "Miscellaneous" category, the questionnaire asks for the names and phone numbers of past live-in lovers; whether anyone in the applicant's family owns a gun; the state of the applicant's health; and whether he or she has any enemies."

As I was reading this article I could help ask the question: Did Barack Obama fill out this questionaire? If not, he should and have it published on the Internet because WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HIM! He wouldn't even pass his own questionaire! Question #61 has to be my favorite due to Obama's own association with the unrepentant terrorist William Ayers. It's pretty hypocrisy if you ask me because I do not believe that Obama has fully disclosed and given all the details concerning that relationship. Also, what about his college transcripts, medical records, thesis, his own links to the mortgage giants, and more.

OBAMA? WHERE'S YOUR OWN ANSWERS TO YOUR OWN QUESTIONAIRE? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW! WILL THE REAL BARACK OBAMA PLEASE STAND UP?

Frustrated With The Presidential Debate

I'm very frustrated with tonight's Presidential Debate. I don't feel like I learned anything new. Both candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama, said the same things they've been saying for the past few weeks and even kept repeating what was said in the first debate! I think one of the reasons why the repetition was the questions that were asked. Questions that were hand-picked by moderator Tom Brokaw, who I think is left-wing pro-Obama supporter. I was hoping more of a debate on character rather than foreign policy and economy even though that's what is on everyone's mind right now.

Character, by far, in my opinion is far more important than any other issue. Character defines who we are, how we act, how we think, and what we'll do.

This was supposed to be a "town hall" debate. In a real town hall meeting questions aren't pre-screened by a moderator. Attendees can ask any question they want about any topic. Again none of the questions sparked any new information that I've already heard. The only question that I did like was the last one, "What don't you know and how will you learn it?"

Barack Obama didn't answer the question outright. He even said, "Here's what I do know..." Uh, Obama? The question was what DON'T you know. He then talked about the opportunities that was given to him that allowed him to be in the position that he is today. Obama then talked about if we are going to pass on that same American Dream to the next generation. Again he's not answering the question.

John McCain did a little better in answering the question. He said, "I think what I don't know is what all of us don't know. And that's what's going to happen both here at home and abroad. The challenges that we face are unprecedented." McCain then talked about those challenges. He continued, "What I don't know is what the unexpected will be." At least McCain answered the first part of the question, but failed to answer how he'll learn it. Obama didn't answer the question in whole.

This all ties in to why I'm frustrated. That last question would have given us a lot of information about the character of McCain vs. Obama. What is so difficult about answering a simple question. The answer to the question may have even not been related to politics or their campaign. "I've don't know how to sculpt pottery," John McCain may have said, "I would like to take a few classes on how to do such a thing, which will help me develop patience and performing tasks carefully and thoroughly because the slightest deviation could make a potential masterpiece to a piece of junk." THAT! to me would have given me more about McCain's character than anything else he's ever said. He then could've tied it into his campaign..."and as President I will have the patience and make each decision with thoroughness and exactness to make sure it's the best decision for this country. I will put this country first above anything else." But no...just the same old same old. Hopefully the last and final debate will be different.