Learning from Norway’s Tragedy

Norway Mourns Victims Anti-Islam “Crusader”

It’s scary what one “person” can do. He detonates a bomb at government headquarters. Then, he takes a ferry to an island where a summer camp is being held. He is able to go on a shooting rampage for an hour and a half, killing over 80 people.

He believes this was necessary. He was anti-Muslim and was part of the party that became the 2nd biggest in 2009. That party ran on an anti-immigration platform. He left because they were too “politically correct.”

These kinds of terrorists can be the most dangerous because they’re almost impossible to keep track of. They think that whatever organization they belong to aren’t doing enough. Not bringing about change fast enough. They branch out on their own and take matters into their own hands.

All of these people are dead because he has a problem with the changing population in Norway. In 15 years, the number of Muslim immigrants tripled to half a million. Anti-immigrant sentiment is rising there, but this guy took it to a whole new level.

It’s scary because we are seeing that here too. Anti-Muslim rhetoric is all over – from protesting the building of a Mosque in TN to sites like Creeping Sharia. And that idiot preacher in Florida who burned the Qur’an? Completely offensive.

I really hope we don’t see something like that here. Throughout our short American history, immigrants have gone through discrimination. It’s sad that it really isn’t changing. Only the group targeted changes.

Maybe this tragedy will help open our eyes. We’re a land of immigrants. And the newest group isn’t the enemy.

Jobs, Schmobs

Democrats Turn “Where are the Jobs?” Chant on GOP

This article talks about how the GOP’s emphasized job creation but now, it’s all about reducing the size of government and spending. Hmm. So you reduce the size of government by slashing programs. As a result, government workers may lose their jobs. Job loss ≠ job creation. Speaker Boehner’s answer? “So be it.”

Is this supposed to help the economy? Maybe you can trim government when the economy is stronger, but now? If government workers lose their jobs, what happens to the unemployment rate? Spending stimulates the economy. If you are unemployed, do you have a lot of money to spend?

I’m sure an economist can explain this to me, but I want to go off-roading a bit. The GOP emphasized that they were going to go in there to help fix the economy and create jobs. Put America back on track. Just how important was that promise? At this really cool site, OpenCongress, you can look at the different bills that are on the floor. I looked for bills based on issues related to jobs, employment, etc.

The one that stuck out was H.R. 589 – extending unemployment insurance.

Others were pretty cool. One has to do with whistle blowers – providing extra protection for them and harsher penalties for the offender they “outed.” (H.R. 190) Another prevents employers (prospective and current), from checking your credit (H.R. 321)

Admirable. But where are the bills that help with job creation? I couldn’t find any. Wouldn’t it be cool to see something like tax credits for shipping jobs back to the United States? Anything that has to do with trying to get people back to work?

I guess that’s not really they’re priority? What is, then?

• Repealing Healthcare (H.R. 2)

Death panels for Obamacare

• Declaring that Life Begins at Conception (S.91 and H.R. 212)

To make absolutely sure you agree, we’re making two declarations.

• Prohibiting Federal Funding of Abortion (H.R. 3 & H.R. 358)

It’s already prohibited, but what the hell? Let’s remind people. Twice.

• Challenging Birthright Citizenship? (H.R. 140)

Drown, “anchor baby,” drown.

• Making Sales Tax the Only Tax? (H.R. 25)

23% sales tax can eliminate income, payroll, and estate taxes. What’s 23% of a $350K house? $80,050? That’s in my other purse.

It looks like the GOP is concentrating on everything but job creation.

Shocked? Yeah, me neither.