Intelligence officials say NSA exceeding legal limits on domestic spying-intercepting private e-mails and phone calls, 43% of Americans pay no taxes or actually receive money from government (i.e. receive your money!), consumer prices mixed, nationwide anti-tax protests blast bailouts and big government, Obama vows to simplify the tax code, America has its first “Border Czar,” White House pushes for new government health insurance, Federal Reserve actually considers telling the public what it’s doing, central bank claims recession may be ending soon, Homeland Security labels returning war vets as “right-wing terrorists,” and Texas governor rallies tea partiers with states’ rights agenda…
NSA Domestic Spying Exceeds Legal Authority. The National Security Agency intercepted private e-mail messages and phone calls of Americans in recent months on a scale that went beyond the legal limits set by Congress last year. Several intelligence officials said the N.S.A. has been engaged in “overcollection” of domestic communications on a significant and systemic basis.
Not All Taxpayers Are Created Equal. The Tax Policy Center estimates that for 2009, 43% of tax units-most of which are low income households that may or may not file a return-will have either zero or a negative income tax liability, meaning the government will actually pay them. And when we say “government” will pay them, we mean government will take other peoples’ money and redistribute.
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Consumer Prices Mixed: General Prices Down, Core Prices Up. The Labor Department reported Wednesday that its consumer price index fell 0.1% in March, compared to the previous month. Consumer prices are 0.4% lower this month than they were in March 2009. However, core prices-which exclude volatile food and energy-are up 1.8% from last year at this time. The inflation-deflation debate has yet to be concluded.
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Nationwide Anti-Tax Protests Blast Bailout And Big Government. More than 300 organized “tea party” protests raged across the country on Wednesday. Protesters complained about the growing size of government, their tax burdens, and recent bailouts. At one protest a sign read, “I read as much of the stimulus bill as my Congresswoman.” Another read, “You can’t put lipstick on Socialism.” Conservatives are proving increasing sophistication in using social media to organize such events.
Obama Vows To Simplify U.S. Tax Code Amidst Protests. President Obama promised to rewrite the “monstrous” U.S. tax code as protesters marked April 15th with anti-tax demonstrations across the nation. Obama said he’s renewing his commitment to a simpler tax code, which he defined as one that rewards work and the pursuit of the American dream. These comments are entirely contrary to the massive redistribution programs his administration is pursuing.
The U.S. Now Has A “Border Czar” To Watch Mexican Border. Former U.S. Attorney Alan Bersin has been appointed the new “border czar.” Bersin will oversee Homeland Security’s efforts to end drug cartel violence along the U.S.-Mexico border and reduce the flow of illegal immigrants.
Obama Administration Pushes Government-Run Health Insurance. President Obama’s top health care adviser, Nancy-Ann DeParle, said on Wednesday that she was optimistic about implementing a new government-run health insurance program. The plan would compete with private insurers to provide affordable coverage to the uninsured. Government involvement would be anything but “competitive” since they are uninterested in profit and could easily set prices below market to drive private insurers out of business.
Fed Considers Actually Telling Public What It Is Doing With “Emergency Programs.” The Federal Reserve is mulling over whether or not it will provide more information about recent emergency programs to the public. This will probably entail increasing disclosure on the collateral it holds against loans to financial firms. Central bank bureaucrats are also thinking about possible press conferences. These statements come after increasing public and Congressional outcry over secrecy and lack of oversight.
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Fed Claims Recession Is Slowing, May be Bottoming. The Federal Reserve cited today that although the U.S. economy is continuing to weaken, the pace at which it is declining has slowed. Officials claim this is a sign that the recession may be nearing an end.
Homeland Security Report Calls War Veterans Potential Terrorists. A Homeland Security intelligence assessment characterizes military veterans as right-wing extremists. The assessment was sent to law enforcement officials last week, warning that right-wing extremists could use the bad economy and discontent over President Obama as recruiting tools for veterans returning from war.
Texas Governor Rallies Tea Partiers With States’ Rights Agenda. Texas Governor Rick Perry fired up an anti-tax “tea party” Wednesday with his opposition to the growth of federal power and its incursion into state sovereignty. Gov. Perry says federal officials have abandoned the country’s founding principles of limited government and are strangling Americans with taxation, spending, and debt.
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