Obama Tax Plan Assumes Government is an Entitled Class

Senator Obama claims he will give 95 percent of the american people a tax cut or tax credit. But in order to - as he says - "pay for it," he must raise the taxes of those americans who make more than $250,000.

The operitaive words here are "pay for it." Senator Obama comes from a world where you can't give one group a tax cut unless you "pay for it" by raising the taxes of another group. This "pay for it" mentality assumes that the government is entitled to a certain amount of money.

That is not only statist ideology, but it invites even more centrailized control and planning of the federal government. If you enjoyed the malthusian growth of the federal government under the Bush administration, you'll go absolutely ga-ga over the government expansion that Obama has in mind for you and me.

At least John McCain still subscribes to the core principles of the Republican Party: Reward productivity, encourage private investment, and move government accountability closer to the people.

Let Oil Drilling Pay for Bailout

Instead of using taxpayer money to finance the bailout, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proposing using royalties from the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), a “piggybank” conservatively valued at $1.56 trillion.

Recenly the congress allowed the OCS ban to expire. But many clear minded people agree that if the Dems win the White House, big gains in both houses, and a few more governors - they'll reinstate the ban in a heartbeat.

Drilling in the OCS will move us slowly toward energy independence and may even play a crucial role in the global financial crisis - most of which had its origin in U.S. ploicy and non-policy.

Senate Approves $13 Billion Amtrak Authorization Bill

Well, it's about time. On October 1, 2008 the United States Senate passed an Amtrak Funding Bill to the tune of $13 billion. It's the first bill of its kind in 11 years. And it shows.

Amtrak has been woefully underfunded for the last decade. Much needed maintenance on passenger cars, engines, and terminals have been neglected due to the lack of funding. It's shameful. Governments of every developed nation help fund passenger rail service. We spend $40 billion a year on highways and give what amounts to table scraps for passenger rail service. It's no secret that President Bush (whom I support) is not a friend of Amtrak.

The five year bill calls for $2.5 billion a year to go to Amtrak , which is double its current level of funding. According to the Friends of Amtrak, the money would cover operating and capital expenses, including equipment purchases and rail repairs.

Another $1.4 billion will help pay down Amtrak's $3 billion debt, and $1.9 billion would fund a matching-grant program to encourage states to invest in passenger rail expansion and repair.

The bill will also require technology known as positive train control, or PTC by 2015. The technology instantly stops trains that run a stop signal and is already in use on the Northeast Corridor.

The bill enjoys about the same margin of support in the U.S. House making it veto-proof. It's now safe to say that the federal policy toward Amtrak is officially changed.

It's no secret that I'm a John McCain supporter but here's an area where I disagree with the Arizona senator. McCain voted NO on the authorization bill. Senator Obama voted yes.

Congress must approve budget appropriations each year in order for the funding to reach Amtrak. Surprisingly, President Bush has indicated he will sign the authorization bill. Wonders never cease.

For more on this important bill go to http://www.FriendsO fAmtrak.com

Congratulations to Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey for his leadership on this issue.

Astronaut Tom Jones Says U.S. Still Leader in Space Science But Not in Space Flight

Former astronaut, Dr. Thomas D. Jones, was a guest on Radio Active Thursday October 2, 2008. Jones flew on four shuttle missions that included 3 spacewalks and work on the International Space Station.

According to Jones, China's recent space activity and the retirement of our space shuttle are indicators that "the United States is still the leader in space science, but no longer the leader in space flight."

Jones will visit Coalwood West Virginia this weekend for the annual "October Skies" festival. He'll appear with Homer Hickham, NASA engineer, author, and founder of the festival.

The hour long Radio Active airs every weekday on WHIS (1440 AM) at 9:06 am.

Rahall Talks Bailout, Amtrak, King Coal Highway, and Post Office

Congressman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV 3) was the guest on Radio Active today Wednesday October 1, 2008.

Rep. Rahall discussed the $700 billion dollar bailout or "rescue"of the nation's so called financial crisis. He said he voted for it because he felt the risk was to high to to do nothing. Doing nothing, however, is exactly what University of Illinois - Chicago Economics Professor, Lawrence Officer, said Congress should do on C-Span's Open Phone segment this morning. He said Federal intervention should be minimal.

Rahall also reinforced his support of Amtrak (I agree with him on this). I even suggested that Bluefield be added to the number of passenger stations in the 3rd district. There are presently 3 stops - Huntington, Hinton, and Prince (Raliegh County).

Funding for the King Coal Highway was another topic. Rahall said when people drive less, the Highway Trust Fund gets less money for road projects. The Fund is funded with a federal tax on gasoline. He pledged to continue to look for new resources for the highway.

While Congress doesn't have a direct role in deciding what post offices stay open or are closed, Rahall said he would at least inquire about the status of the Downtown Bluefield Post Office. It was announced on Radio Active (WHIS 1440 AM) and on The Bluefield Red Eye last week that there are plans to close the 97 year old post office located in the Elizabeth Kee Federal Building.

William Paine, the show's producer and the station's news director, asked the Congressman if he would be willing to appear on the show with his Republican opponent, Marty Gearheart of Bluefield for an issues discussion. He said he was open to the idea. He also said that he has already agreed to a debate in Huntington later this month.

Contact me, Craig Hammond, at newsbrew@gmail.com