The president as used car salesman:

“Let me say it as plainly as I can: If you buy a car from Chrysler or General Motors, you will be able to get your car serviced and repaired, just like always.”

All that was missing was the sharkskin suit, giant pinky ring and slicked-back ‘do.

“Your warranty will be safe,” Obama promised. “In fact, it will be safer than it’s ever been!

“Because, starting today, the United States government will stand behind your warranty.”

Sold!

But wait.

This is the same federal government that can’t even switch America to digital TV?

Remember during the campaign, everyone said electing Obama would restore America’s reputation in the world?  Me neither.

Introducing punitive, sometimes greater than 100% tax rates on unpopular groups of people - that’s not something democracies do.  Meddling in compensation for private sector executives is a good next step.

Release Gitmo detainees in the US.  Sure, why not.

Team Obama is seriously committed to a pre-9/11 mindset and they don’t care how many people have to be killed to get there.

Funnily enough, the Europeans have decided it’s not such a great idea after all.

It looks like the White House is going ahead with plans to charge vets through private insurance for service-related treatment.  It was expected that Obama wouldn’t have the same reverence for the troops as his predecessor, but this is ridiculous.  There are many ways to generate government revenue, and this isn’t one of them.

“It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan,” said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. “He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it.”

The Commander, clearly angered as he emerged from the session said, “This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ‘ to care for him who shall have borne the battle’ given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm’s way, and not private insurance companies. I say again that The American Legion does not and will not support any plan that seeks to bill a veteran for treatment of a service connected disability at the very agency that was created to treat the unique need of America’s veterans!”

A fascinating if dismaying read at The American Thinker:

Ethanol subsidies began in 1979.  Ethanol has had 30 years of taxpayer-assisted experience.  Ethanol is the only “feasible” alternative renewable biofuel in the competition.  All other biofuels lack the production potential that ethanol has.

According to the latest data from the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol production is currently averaging 0.60 million barrels per day.  At the subsidy of 51¢ per gallon, this amount of ethanol production costs taxpayers over $4 Billion in 2008.

The ethanol future looks much worse.  The “Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007” required maximum ethanol production of 2.35 million barrels per day by 2022.  But, this amount of ethanol production will require the entire corn crop in the US, every kernel of corn.

Janet Napolitano is a dedicated opponent of efforts to enforce border security. So naturally the president tapped her to head Homeland Security.  Laugh or cry; your choice.

Not only is she continuing her quixotic campaign against Real ID, the main federal law safeguarding the integrity of drivers’ licenses and keeping them out of the hands of terrorists, but she has also been weak and apologetic about the efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to do its job - removing illegal aliens from the United States.

Taking time out from alienating the UK, Team Obama has decided it’s a good idea to invite Iran to a conference on how to stabilize Afghanistan.

Public to Obama: no!

Remember all the blowback when Bush encouraged economic activity and a return to life after 9/11? Don’t expect much this time around when the president tries to hustle business for Wall Street, when any prudent investor would know now is not the time to buy.  There’s a bottoming out yet to come and he must know it.

Apparently Gitmo is not the fascistic hell-hole everyone in the media said it was. Or at least, it isn’t any more now that Team Obama are in charge of it.  Now it’s “a well-run, professional facility that will be difficult to close”.  And yet, they’re going to close it anyway.