/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations that have uncovered billions of dollars in federal contracts intended for small businesses actually wound up in the hands of Fortune 500 firms.
Any plans from President Barack Obama to adopt the recommendation of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General to address the problem have been conspicuously absent from any of his stimulus plans or proposed policies.
President Obama has also ignored repeated pleas from small business groups around the country to adopt legislation and policies to stop Fortune 500 firms and thousands of other large businesses from commandeering up to $100 billion a year in federal small business contracts.
ABC, CBS and CNN have all released investigative stories on the issue, which found that firms such as Lockheed Martin, Wal-Mart, Microsoft, John Deere, Xerox, Dell Computer, Northrop Grumman and Home Depot all received millions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
Even some of the largest firms in Europe such as British Aerospace (BAE), Rolls-Royce and Dutch giant Buhrmann NV have received hundreds of millions a year in U.S. government contracts intended for small businesses.
Thousands of middle class firms have been forced to close their doors as they struggled in vain to compete with Fortune 500 firms for even the smallest government orders for goods and services specifically set aside for small businesses.
Small business advocates are concerned that President Obama will not only allow federal small business contracts to continue to be diverted to Fortune 500 firms, but that he will support a new federal policy that will create a new loophole in federal law allowing even more government small business contracts to be diverted to firms controlled by some of the nation's wealthiest investors.
The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) has contributed millions of dollars to President Obama and key members of Congress, such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to try and have federal law changed to allow some of the wealthiest investors in the country to masquerade as small businesses and take billions of dollars in federal contracts designated for legitimate small businesses.
President Obama's appointment of Karen Mills, a multi-millionaire venture capitalist, to the post of Administrator of the SBA is seen by small business groups as a confirmation that President Obama will attempt to create more loopholes in federal contracting law, which will divert more federal small business contracts away from middle class firms and into the hands of wealthy investors.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Obama's 'Newer Deal' Likely to Raise Deficit
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As President Barack Obama takes office, he is promising a bold stimulus plan for the declining economy. Some of his proposals mirror those of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. A new report from Casey Research, "Obama's Newer Deal," examines Obama's plan in comparison to Roosevelt's and concludes that it is even more risky.
The Obama plan relies on both spending and tax cuts to raise incomes and promote recovery. The Obama administration believes people need to have money to spend in order to get the economy moving.
Casey Research's analysis shows that what is needed is a "great deleveraging: using assets to pay down debts. Like a household with finite income and too many credit cards, there comes a time when the piper has to be paid. Getting more credit cards only temporarily makes the problem go away and surely makes it all worse."
There are other key differences between the New Deal and the Obama plan. In 1933, the federal debt was $360 billion in 2008 dollars and 40% of the GDP. In 2008, the federal debt was just under $11 trillion and 70% of the GDP.
The government is likely to add $3 trillion to the national debt in 2009 alone.
"The time will come and probably in 2009," concludes Casey Research, "that the only way the U.S. will be able to fund its deficits is to create money by printing it. The Treasury will have to sell bonds, and in the absence of foreign buyers, the Fed will have to print the money to buy them. The consequence will be runaway inflation, increasing interest rates, recession, and inevitable tax increases."
"The era of runaway U.S. consumerism is over. The economy's eventual turnaround will only occur after the debt that permeates the economy is substantially reduced. It's going to be a painful process," says Casey Research.
Casey Research is a team of highly experienced investors and trained economists who spend countless hours researching powerful economic trends and the very best ways to profit from same. Their clientele is made up of individual and institutional investors who share the costs - through subscription fees - in exchange for unbiased research and information they can use in managing their portfolios to produce above-average returns.
The Obama plan relies on both spending and tax cuts to raise incomes and promote recovery. The Obama administration believes people need to have money to spend in order to get the economy moving.
Casey Research's analysis shows that what is needed is a "great deleveraging: using assets to pay down debts. Like a household with finite income and too many credit cards, there comes a time when the piper has to be paid. Getting more credit cards only temporarily makes the problem go away and surely makes it all worse."
There are other key differences between the New Deal and the Obama plan. In 1933, the federal debt was $360 billion in 2008 dollars and 40% of the GDP. In 2008, the federal debt was just under $11 trillion and 70% of the GDP.
The government is likely to add $3 trillion to the national debt in 2009 alone.
"The time will come and probably in 2009," concludes Casey Research, "that the only way the U.S. will be able to fund its deficits is to create money by printing it. The Treasury will have to sell bonds, and in the absence of foreign buyers, the Fed will have to print the money to buy them. The consequence will be runaway inflation, increasing interest rates, recession, and inevitable tax increases."
"The era of runaway U.S. consumerism is over. The economy's eventual turnaround will only occur after the debt that permeates the economy is substantially reduced. It's going to be a painful process," says Casey Research.
Casey Research is a team of highly experienced investors and trained economists who spend countless hours researching powerful economic trends and the very best ways to profit from same. Their clientele is made up of individual and institutional investors who share the costs - through subscription fees - in exchange for unbiased research and information they can use in managing their portfolios to produce above-average returns.
Americans' Confidence Level Increases Regarding Nation's Issues After Obama's Inauguration Speech
/PRNewswire/ -- A study conducted among 1,819 self-reported Democrats, Republicans and Independents revealed that the majority of Americans are more confident that the key issues facing the nation will improve during the next four years after viewing President Barack Obama's inauguration speech.
The study was conducted by HCD Research on January 20 to obtain Americans' perceptions of President Barack Obama and what effect his presidency will have on the nation's critical issues, including the economy, health care, education, the war in Iraq and energy supply and creation.
Participants were asked to respond the questions before and after viewing the inauguration speech to determine if their perceptions changed after viewing the speech. Participants were also asked to rate Barack Obama based on 8 leadership attributes. To view detailed results, visit: www.mediacurves.com.
Among the findings:
After the speech, 51% of Republicans were confident that the economy would improve over the next four years compared to 38% before watching the speech. Democrats were more confident with regard to the issue of Iraq. There was an increase of 17% of Democrats who believed that the issue of the war in Iraq would improve in the next presidency after watching the inauguration speech.
Republicans' perception of President Obama's leadership also improved after the inauguration speech. Participants were asked to rate President Obama on an agreement scale based on 8 leadership attributes before and after watching the inauguration speech. Republicans increased their level of agreement for every leadership attribute after viewing the speech. The highest increases were seen in the following attributes: "Obama is firm and consistent in his views" (increase of 15%), "Obama is representing my values (increase of 14%) and "Obama is honest" (increase of 13%).
Participants' emotions were also measured while viewing the speech. The emotion that was felt the most by viewers during the inauguration speech was hopefulness. Hopefulness was the top emotion felt by Democrats (68%), Republicans (36%), as well as Independents (57%). Democrats and Independents also reported that they felt confident and attentive, while Republicans reported that they felt some skepticism.
The study was conducted by HCD Research on January 20 to obtain Americans' perceptions of President Barack Obama and what effect his presidency will have on the nation's critical issues, including the economy, health care, education, the war in Iraq and energy supply and creation.
Participants were asked to respond the questions before and after viewing the inauguration speech to determine if their perceptions changed after viewing the speech. Participants were also asked to rate Barack Obama based on 8 leadership attributes. To view detailed results, visit: www.mediacurves.com.
Among the findings:
After the speech, 51% of Republicans were confident that the economy would improve over the next four years compared to 38% before watching the speech. Democrats were more confident with regard to the issue of Iraq. There was an increase of 17% of Democrats who believed that the issue of the war in Iraq would improve in the next presidency after watching the inauguration speech.
Republicans' perception of President Obama's leadership also improved after the inauguration speech. Participants were asked to rate President Obama on an agreement scale based on 8 leadership attributes before and after watching the inauguration speech. Republicans increased their level of agreement for every leadership attribute after viewing the speech. The highest increases were seen in the following attributes: "Obama is firm and consistent in his views" (increase of 15%), "Obama is representing my values (increase of 14%) and "Obama is honest" (increase of 13%).
Participants' emotions were also measured while viewing the speech. The emotion that was felt the most by viewers during the inauguration speech was hopefulness. Hopefulness was the top emotion felt by Democrats (68%), Republicans (36%), as well as Independents (57%). Democrats and Independents also reported that they felt confident and attentive, while Republicans reported that they felt some skepticism.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Growing Optimism That Obama Will Improve US Relations: Global Poll
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Barack Obama prepares to be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, a new 17-nation poll conducted for the BBC World Service finds widespread and growing optimism that his presidency will lead to improved relations between the United States and the rest of the world.
The poll also shows people around the world are looking to President Obama to put highest priority on dealing with the current global financial crisis.
In 15 of the 17 countries polled, majorities think that the election of Barack Obama will lead to improved relations with the rest of the world. On average 67 percent express this upbeat view, while 19 percent think relations will stay the same and just 5 percent that relations will worsen. This is up sharply - by 21 points among tracking countries - from polling done for the BBC World Service six months ago, before Obama was elected
Asked to rate six possible priorities for the Obama Administration, the top priority in all 17 countries polled was the global financial crisis. On average 72 percent said that it should be a top priority.
This was followed by withdrawing US troops from Iraq - with 50 percent saying this should be a top priority - then addressing climate change (46%), improving America's relationship with the respondent's country (46%), brokering peace between Israel and the Palestinians (43%), and supporting the government of Afghanistan against the Taliban (29%).
The results are drawn from a survey of 17,356 adult citizens across 17 countries conducted for the BBC World Service by the international polling firm GlobeScan together with the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland. GlobeScan coordinated fieldwork between November 24, 2008 and January 5, 2009.
"Familiarity with Obama seems to be breeding hope," commented Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes. "But then again," he added, "he is starting from a low baseline, following eight years of an unpopular US president. Maintaining this enthusiasm will be a challenge given the complexities he now faces."
The poll also shows people around the world are looking to President Obama to put highest priority on dealing with the current global financial crisis.
In 15 of the 17 countries polled, majorities think that the election of Barack Obama will lead to improved relations with the rest of the world. On average 67 percent express this upbeat view, while 19 percent think relations will stay the same and just 5 percent that relations will worsen. This is up sharply - by 21 points among tracking countries - from polling done for the BBC World Service six months ago, before Obama was elected
Asked to rate six possible priorities for the Obama Administration, the top priority in all 17 countries polled was the global financial crisis. On average 72 percent said that it should be a top priority.
This was followed by withdrawing US troops from Iraq - with 50 percent saying this should be a top priority - then addressing climate change (46%), improving America's relationship with the respondent's country (46%), brokering peace between Israel and the Palestinians (43%), and supporting the government of Afghanistan against the Taliban (29%).
The results are drawn from a survey of 17,356 adult citizens across 17 countries conducted for the BBC World Service by the international polling firm GlobeScan together with the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland. GlobeScan coordinated fieldwork between November 24, 2008 and January 5, 2009.
"Familiarity with Obama seems to be breeding hope," commented Steven Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes. "But then again," he added, "he is starting from a low baseline, following eight years of an unpopular US president. Maintaining this enthusiasm will be a challenge given the complexities he now faces."
President Obama to Press Reset Button
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Barack Obama promised Planned Parenthood that, "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)." If he keeps this promise, American Right To Life president Brian Rohrbough said, "President Obama will press the reset button on the pro-life movement and reverse decades of legislation, regulations not built on the firm foundation of personhood, but misguided laws built on sand shifting in the political wind."
Catholic Bishops are warning that FOCA would regulate even pro-life medical facilities, pushing Catholic hospitals toward aborting children. "These bishops actually opposed valid personhood bills," said Rohrbough. "While supporting the immoral strategy of regulating child killing, they may be forced to take their own medicine, and become the target of further regulation, or close their hospitals."
"FOCA trumps regulations, and personhood trumps FOCA," said Rohrbough, "because personhood invokes the laws that already protect persons. For a state to re-introduce slavery is inconceivable, yet after a mere election cycle, Obama is committed to reverse decades of misguided pro-life effort." American Right To Life opposes what it calls the "pro-life industry" exposing that "National Right To Life's regulation of child killing will never end abortion; establishing personhood from the very moment of human reproduction is the only way to protect the innocent."
Lawyer Clarke Forsythe, president of Americans United for Life (AUL), erred when he wrote in Human Life Review that the partial-birth abortion ban "served as a legal fence." Laws that end with, "and then you can kill the baby," as do all such regulations including the PBA ban, erect no walls, nor fences, but only swinging gates. "The PBA fiasco confirms what happens when a Christian movement is turned over to secular humanist lawyers," said American RTL's VP Steve Curtis, "because it never had the authority to save one child, as James Dobson stated that 'Ending partial-birth abortion...does not save a single human life."
World Magazine's latest issue reports that FOCA "would kill... informed consent, waiting periods, ultrasound use, and parental involvement, [prohibition of] federal funding..., and the partial-birth abortion ban." American RTL sees the FOCA fight as the opportunity for pro-lifers to unite in establishing personhood and the God-given right to life.
Catholic Bishops are warning that FOCA would regulate even pro-life medical facilities, pushing Catholic hospitals toward aborting children. "These bishops actually opposed valid personhood bills," said Rohrbough. "While supporting the immoral strategy of regulating child killing, they may be forced to take their own medicine, and become the target of further regulation, or close their hospitals."
"FOCA trumps regulations, and personhood trumps FOCA," said Rohrbough, "because personhood invokes the laws that already protect persons. For a state to re-introduce slavery is inconceivable, yet after a mere election cycle, Obama is committed to reverse decades of misguided pro-life effort." American Right To Life opposes what it calls the "pro-life industry" exposing that "National Right To Life's regulation of child killing will never end abortion; establishing personhood from the very moment of human reproduction is the only way to protect the innocent."
Lawyer Clarke Forsythe, president of Americans United for Life (AUL), erred when he wrote in Human Life Review that the partial-birth abortion ban "served as a legal fence." Laws that end with, "and then you can kill the baby," as do all such regulations including the PBA ban, erect no walls, nor fences, but only swinging gates. "The PBA fiasco confirms what happens when a Christian movement is turned over to secular humanist lawyers," said American RTL's VP Steve Curtis, "because it never had the authority to save one child, as James Dobson stated that 'Ending partial-birth abortion...does not save a single human life."
World Magazine's latest issue reports that FOCA "would kill... informed consent, waiting periods, ultrasound use, and parental involvement, [prohibition of] federal funding..., and the partial-birth abortion ban." American RTL sees the FOCA fight as the opportunity for pro-lifers to unite in establishing personhood and the God-given right to life.
41 Student Groups Demonstrate on Barack Obama’s Inauguration Day
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Barack Obama’s Inauguration Day, students on college campuses nationwide will declare, “One day of Obama is enough. It’s time for change.”
41 chapters of the group Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) have confirmed their participation in a nationwide activism event to demonstrate against Barack Obama’s policies. Each chapter will distribute flyers, hand out pocket constitutions, and talk to students about the dangers of Barack Obama’s policies on their campus.
“Not all young people are excited about the policies of President Obama. Who do you think will pay for all of this reckless spending? Who will fight and die in these unnecessary wars oversees? Our generation will,” says Jeff Frazee, Executive Director of YAL, in Arlington, VA.
YAL’s event, Real Change Requires R3volution, seeks to peel back the marketing of Barack Obama and expose his policies for what they really are – not real change. Before taking office, Barack Obama has put forth an $800 billion economic plan, promised more troops in Afghanistan, and begun talks of reviving the draft.
“YAL chapters will demonstrate that there is a strong opposition to Obama’s youth movement and policies. He does not have a monopoly on our generation,” says Frazee.
41 chapters of the group Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) have confirmed their participation in a nationwide activism event to demonstrate against Barack Obama’s policies. Each chapter will distribute flyers, hand out pocket constitutions, and talk to students about the dangers of Barack Obama’s policies on their campus.
“Not all young people are excited about the policies of President Obama. Who do you think will pay for all of this reckless spending? Who will fight and die in these unnecessary wars oversees? Our generation will,” says Jeff Frazee, Executive Director of YAL, in Arlington, VA.
YAL’s event, Real Change Requires R3volution, seeks to peel back the marketing of Barack Obama and expose his policies for what they really are – not real change. Before taking office, Barack Obama has put forth an $800 billion economic plan, promised more troops in Afghanistan, and begun talks of reviving the draft.
“YAL chapters will demonstrate that there is a strong opposition to Obama’s youth movement and policies. He does not have a monopoly on our generation,” says Frazee.
Monday, January 19, 2009
In a Sea of Obama Love, There's a Voice of Patriotic Resistance
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the $150 million inauguration only days away, Grassfire.org is announcing that a record 350,000 grassroots conservatives have pledged a patriotic, resilient and determined resistance-against an Obama ideology that could have devastating consequences on our nation.
"This is not a personal attack on Barack Obama," says Grassfire.org founder Steve Elliott. "On the contrary, this is a call to action for conservatives who profess love for our country and respect for our institutions. Our disagreements with the President are based in ideology and public policy only. From this firm foundation we are mounting a patriotic, resilient, conservative resistance to Obama's agenda."
Elliott says he is thrilled by the early response, and anticipates meteoric growth within the first 100 Days of the Obama Presidency. "The President's first one hundred days will give citizens a digitally clear snapshot of where he intends to take us as a nation. This is where we will begin to see the depth of his socialist agenda for America."
The Resistance petition states:As an American citizen, while I will show respect to President-elect Obama, I oppose the far-Left and socialistic elements that comprise the centerpiece of his agenda. I recognize that it will take a patriotic and resilient Citizen Resistance to block implementation of this agenda and I join with others who oppose these threats to our liberties.
Launched shortly after the election, Grassfire's Resistance petition gives conservatives a place to join together around a common goal, and provides web-based structures and strategies that truly equip conservatives to resist any attempt to undermine or erode our liberties. "We believe the very foundation stones of our nation are being threatened, that's why this growing effort is needed. We are taking a stand on a variety of specific issues including wealth redistribution, higher taxes, amnesty and a persistent weakening of our uniquely American culture," says Elliott.
Through the Resistance, Elliott believes conservatives can begin to Rebuild and Restore - "developing new models that inform, equip and prepare conservatives for a return to political prominence."
"This is not a personal attack on Barack Obama," says Grassfire.org founder Steve Elliott. "On the contrary, this is a call to action for conservatives who profess love for our country and respect for our institutions. Our disagreements with the President are based in ideology and public policy only. From this firm foundation we are mounting a patriotic, resilient, conservative resistance to Obama's agenda."
Elliott says he is thrilled by the early response, and anticipates meteoric growth within the first 100 Days of the Obama Presidency. "The President's first one hundred days will give citizens a digitally clear snapshot of where he intends to take us as a nation. This is where we will begin to see the depth of his socialist agenda for America."
The Resistance petition states:As an American citizen, while I will show respect to President-elect Obama, I oppose the far-Left and socialistic elements that comprise the centerpiece of his agenda. I recognize that it will take a patriotic and resilient Citizen Resistance to block implementation of this agenda and I join with others who oppose these threats to our liberties.
Launched shortly after the election, Grassfire's Resistance petition gives conservatives a place to join together around a common goal, and provides web-based structures and strategies that truly equip conservatives to resist any attempt to undermine or erode our liberties. "We believe the very foundation stones of our nation are being threatened, that's why this growing effort is needed. We are taking a stand on a variety of specific issues including wealth redistribution, higher taxes, amnesty and a persistent weakening of our uniquely American culture," says Elliott.
Through the Resistance, Elliott believes conservatives can begin to Rebuild and Restore - "developing new models that inform, equip and prepare conservatives for a return to political prominence."
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