Anti-Tribute to Retiring (Retreating) Congressman Henry Waxman

I don't know whether to laugh or throw a field goal.

After forty years of unrepentant liberalism, and after winning his toughest reelection fight by five points in 2012, and even after sending an eblast in 2013, in which he announced that he would run in 2014, Congressman Henry Waxman is retiring (or rather, retreating) with other long-term, over-time Democratic Congressmen in Washington, D.C.

It's about time! That's the first thing I can say.

But let's look at his reasons why and wherefore:

The reason for my decision is simple.  After 40 years in Congress, it’s time for someone else to have the chance to make his or her mark.

Waxman pushed a 1,200 page Cap and Trade bill. He helped author and sponsor the 2,500 page monstrosity called the Affordable Care Act. There is nothing simple about this Congressman.

Let's consider some of the lowlights resulting from passage of Obama-WaxmanCare:

1. Massive, shocking rate hikes throughout the country. I even wrote a letter to the Beach Reporter about a Manhattan Beach resident whose insurance was cancelled, who lost his doctor because of Obamacare.

2. Covered California has been anything but a success, despite the media's spin to make it look good.

- The website registered dreadful numbers with Latinos in California

- Californians are witnessing the massive increases in their premiums, including the hidden rate hikes because of Obamacare

- California doctors are boycotting the Obamacare exchanges, refusing to receive Medicare, Medicaid patients, and many more are leaving the medical profession entirely because of Waxman's legislation

- Staggering numbers of Californians are losing their health insurance because of Obamacare.

- Only one third of Californians who lost insurance because of Obamacare have regained their plans.

Of course, the long litany of lies, distortions, and stupid remarks from Congressman Henry Waxman would inevitably caught up with him, too:

He did not know the basic laws regulating steroid abuse, or the legal drinking age, or where $15 million for steroid abuse education ended up, yet he insisted on running oversight hearings on the subject. (Check out clip from Bigger, Faster, Stronger here)

He did not know the contents of his failed Cap and Trade Bill (Check out his embarrassing admission here)

He did not even know that General Motors went bankrupt in 2009 (This was too much) He even played the One Percent card to justify the $700 TARP billion bailout, which ended up costing taxpayers billions of dollars, including retired teachers and police officers in Indiana.

Waxman claimed in open committee in early 2011 that "We're not broke!" Because of Obamacare, failed foreign policies, stimulus largesse profligately wasted, along with reckless overspending to rival even the Bush Administration, the United States Government now has a $17 trillion national debt.

Not one, but nineteen green tech companies, subsidized with taxpayer dollars, when bust under the Obama Administration, yet Waxman would only lament "I'm sorry Solyndra happened!" Of course, Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa pursued Waxman's potential links with the company. That was not good enough for Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-Kentucky) who slammed the LA Congressman's obstreperous behavior. Even after his close reelection, Waxman blamed the Koch Brothers for all the ills of the world, even though Waxman spent forty years ignoring the needs of LA area veterans, along with ignoring LA's need for the Subway to the Sea for better commuting opportunities along the Wilshire-West Los Angeles corridor. This country is not any better for Waxman’s efforts, whether relating to environment, health, or any other issue, for that matter.

Waxman’s 2012 challenger Bill Bloomfield remarked shortly after Waxman's announcement:

I'd like to offer my gratitude to Congressman Waxman for his dedication to public service and wish him the best personally in his upcoming life as a private citizen.

Excuse me?! This kind of “bipartisan” pandering is precisely the problem. For decades, both sides would berate each other in public, agree in private, spend money that the country does not have, and do nothing to reform the growing, unsustainable entitlement burden bearing down on our future. The last thing that we need in Washington is more politicians who please themselves and each other with niceties, while not-so-nice policies waste away our rights, opportunities, and economic freedom.

No More Waxman! Retreat!

No, Congressman Waxman did not do a good job. Of course, there are the numerous constituencies, beyond just the homeless veterans of Los Angeles County, who have been harmed by Waxman’s legislation and policy support. What would you like to tell them, Henry? He shut down constituents in open forums, he played up the most rank partisanship, and denied science while hyping up climate change as a serious issue (it isn’t. Polar vortex, anyone?). His record of pandemic liberalism has left us none the better, and he retired not a moment too soon.
So, California’s 33^rd Congressional District is an open seat. Electoral reforms have done their job, so far. Possible contenders: Zev Yaroslavsky? Antonio Villaraigosa? Ted Lieu? Richard Bloom? Aside from a Malibu Exec and a West Hollywood guru, the pickings are all too slim.

At least Congressman Henry Waxman will be gone for good.

Henry Waxman Retires!

Probably reading the handwriting on the wall, Congressman Henry Waxman has announced that he is retiring.

Like George Miller of the North Bay area, Henry Waxman entered Congress in 1974, along with the post-Watergate class of legislators.

Let us count the reasons why Waxman is leaving the building, so to speak:

1. Obamacare has turned out to be one big turkey. From millions of people losing their health insurance, to struggling Americans fighting just to get part-time work.

2. The Post Office is going bankrupt, in part from legislation which he co-sponsored.

3. Homeless veterans stayed homeless, and the Brentwood VA fell into neglect for decades.

4. Trillion dollar annual deficits and rising national debt.

5. Crony capitalism, from stimulus to Solyndra.

6. Congressional Hearings wasted on Tobacco, steroid abuse, etc.

The list goes on and on.

More long-term Dems are jumping ship, as they should.

How could it be otherwise? George Will was right -- the best antidote to liberalism is liberalism unchecked.

Another Take on Roske for Congress

So far, only two candidates will challenge Congressman Henry Waxman in 2014 for the 33rd Congressional District. Besides spiritual author/guru/lecturer Marianne Williamson of West Hollywood (who wants to restore Washington with a big, collective hug), there’s Independent Hollywood Producer Brent Roske of Malibu.

Roske for Congress: Can't We Do Better?

 

Arguing that Washington needs a “live-and-let-live” nonpartisan in Washington, Roske wants to represent the needs of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Not even a sitcom could make this up. Upon winning, Roske claims that he will share his seat with Henry Waxman for one year before taking the reins of office by himself. Refusing to criticize Waxman’s prior record, but primarily focusing on the representative’s forty-year tenure, Roske might as well have proposed: "Henry Waxman, will you marry me?"

 

Roske’s articles to the Huffington Post have trotted out the same empty arguments from the liberal elite class. The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. The minimum wage needs to be raised. Roske has ignored the research of economists left and right, who reject the government fiat raising of entry level pay. Even Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (R-Minnesota) smacked down self-described socialist US Senator Bernie Sanders (another Independent, from Vermont) with: “Visit Australia. They have a $20 minimum wage. No one can get work!”

 

As of now, the candidates for the 33rd Congressional District are no good for the political soul. We need independence from Washington, not Independents going to Washington, showing there blatant independence of any better ideas. Will anyone better step up to Waxman?

Shorter Statement on Waxman Challengers

So far, only two "viable" candidates will challenge Congressman Henry Waxman in 2014for the 33rd Congressional District.

 

Independent Hollywood Producer Brent Roske of Malibu will run a shoe-string campaign. Upon winning, Roske will share his seat with Henry Waxman for one year before taking the reins of office by himself. Refusing to criticize Waxman’s prior record, Roske might as well have asked: "Henry Waxman, will you marry me?"

Then there's spiritual author/lecturer/guru Marianne Williamson of West Hollywood, and Independent (?) who will caucus with Democrats. She aims to replace Waxman, now “serving” his fortieth year in Washington. Some political handicappers are actually taking Williamson’s campaign seriously. At least she is, since she provided flyers in the El Segundo public library a few months ago.

 

Williamson wants to redeem Washington and bring harmony to America. Humming a mantra and chanting “Ohm!” won’t do much good. A big, collective hug won’t bring bipartisanship, either. Summing up Waxman’s tenure in Congress as “I don’t know!” “I’m sorry!” and “We’re not broke!” would help.

 

Recently, LA Weekly published a cover piece on Williamson’s campaign to heal the soul of Congress, which has no a soul. Government does not need healing, but amputation (or sterilization). Like many self-help types, Williamson wants more government to restore our ravaged, savaged land. One unlikely article from the Ludwig Von Mises Institute (Liberty in Aquarius?) confirms the Big Government bent of spiritual gurus like Williamson.

 

As of now, the candidates for the 33^rd Congressional District are no good for the political soul. We need independence from Washington, not Independents going to Washington, who will support the same failed policies of more, careless government attempting to care for us.

 

So far, so little for individual liberty. Will anyone better step up to Waxman? At this point, I need a hug!

Marianne Williamson for Congress -- Or, Who Needs a Hug?

Spiritual author and motivational speaker Marianne Williamson is running for Congress.

She is running against Henry Waxman, who will be entering into his fortieth year in the Beltway this year.

So far, there are only two "viable" challengers against Waxman.

Brent Roske for Congress, or "Will You Marry Me, Henry?"
(source: roskeforcongress,com

Hollywood Producer Brent Roske of Malibu, who will run his campaign on a shoe-string, then offer to share the seat with Henry Waxman for one year before taking the reins of office by himself.

I glibly called his campaign: "Henry Waxman, will you marry me?"

Give me a break! I don't want someone to partner with the guy, I want someone who will remove the Washington insider outside of office for good.

Then there's Ms. Williamson.

Some political handicappers are taking this woman's run seriously.



Marianne Williamson for Congress? (Source: MDCarchives)

At least she is. I saw some of her Congressional flyers in the El Segundo public library a few months ago. She also made the Patch.com circuit some time ago, too.

She also grace the cover of "Natural Awakenings" Magazine in November. Of course, there was no mention of her Congressional run, since such blatant electioneering would violate California campaign laws.

Her column on middle age and discovering ourselves was not meaty reading.

We still have the power to redeem our lives, she claims. Does she have the sand to take away the 33rd Congressional District from Henry Waxman? Or the soul, or the substance, for that matter?

Spiritually speaking, as a New Age guru of sorts, one who lives just outside the 33rd Congressional District, the notion of redemption does not spring from our minds tabula rasa. There is an understanding inside of all men, inside of all humanity, that we live in this fallen earth, that death is an enemy, and that something needs to be done about it.

While her seemingly uplifting piece in "Natural Awakenings" seems to open  up new vistas of experience and life, she is merely spinning an old sale of humanized, old time religion.

If she read the Bible, she would find the perfect and accurate assessment of the living God, who through the death of His Son offers redemption to all who are willing to believe on Him (John 6: 29

Unfortunately, this Gospel is too much for human minds to bear, so caught up are we with our own powers, as if fallen humanity can help raise this fallen earth from nothing to something.

Williamson sits in coffee houses and encourages people to embrace their inner child. Washington is not a children's playground, or child's play, but the most exposed reservoir of selfish ambition, masquerading as service to one's country. Or the most partisan resistance to a governor gone wild, and expecting to get wilder.

No, Ms. Williamson, redemption in Washington will not be found in an Independent who will caucus with Democrats. She is playing the same card as Bill Bloomfield did in 2012, still convinced that an Independent in so partisan a fray can alter the balance of power.

Bloomfield actually believed that he would force Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner into a room and get them to negotiate which committees he would sit on, should he win the election in 2012.

Such chutzpah was duly rewarded. He lost 54-46. A swing of five points would have netted him the win. Then again, what would the constituents of the 33rd Congressional District have won for the effort?

Last week, LA Weekly ran a cover piece on her desire to bring peace to Washington and heal the soul of Congress.

Congress does not have a soul, and government does not need to be healed as much as amputated or euthanized. Like a lot of self-help, lotions and potions guru-types, she wants more government to help bring peace to our ravaged, savaged land. No, Ms. Williamson, the answer is not more of the state, but to state that we need less of the state in our lives.

I remember an article from the Von Mises institute, which investigated the political impulses of these Spiritual gurus. Their conclusion: they end up favoring more globalizing, concentrating power. So much for individual liberty, or redemption.

Frankly, looking over the prospective challengers who will take on Henry Waxman in 2014, I need a hug! A Hollywood something, a spiritual something else, and perhaps a Manhattan Beach billionaire without much but lost of money.

How sad, how uninvolved, how independent of any novel ideas or real hopes can a political campaign get?

I need a hug!



Who Will Run Against Waxman in 2014?
(Source: US Congress)

Waxman and the LA Times

“Your time was up, Mr. Waxman!” – Rep Ed Whitfield (R-Kentucky)

Congressman Henry Waxman announced concerns about the Los Angeles Times last month, and the Tribune Company agreed to meet with him to discuss long-term plans to salvage the sinking media conglomerate. Because of bankruptcy restructuring, the Tribune Co. will spin off the newspaper portions into a separate company, Tribune Publishing.

In a letter to the Tribune’s chief executive, Waxman wrote:

"I am concerned that corporate actions the Tribune Co. is taking may not be in the best interests of the Los Angeles Times.”

The report continued:

Waxman said the company’s placing the newspaper unit into debt to pay a cash dividend to Tribune will "undoubtedly enrich the Tribune Co., but it may do so at the expense of the financial health of the Los Angeles Times and the other papers in the newspaper unit, all of which are already facing financial strains."

How did the paper end up in such dire straits? In late 2008, the Los Angeles Times acknowledged that the paper’s owner, Tribune Co., filed for bankruptcy. The article admitted that plunging advertisement revenue featured in the paper’s fiscal problems. Of course, the $12.9 billion debt load is nothing to sneeze at, either. Where did all the debt come from? According to earlier reports, declining revenue for the newspaper industry as a whole.

Still, why does Waxman want to save the LA Times? The paper is one of the most reliable, howbeit hardly viable, liberal mouthpieces in the greater Los Angeles area, of course. The unrepentant liberal bias of this publication cannot be ignored, including its frequent articles and editorial which hammered Kevin James, the socially liberal, fiscally conservative Republican candidate for LA mayor in 2013. The Times editorial board called the California billion dollar bullet train boondoggle a “worthy gamble”, even though the costs have tripled, and one poll registered that 52% of California residents want the bullet train project stopped (plus frequent endorsements for liberal, Democratic candidates).

Above all, one may assume that Waxman’s efforts to save the LA Times rest primarily on the paper’s promotion of the failing and decrepit Affordable Care Act, a piece of legislation, a monstrous one at that, which has forced the closure of clinics, along with pushing doctors into earlier retirement, along with the healthcare.gov glitches unending.

Consider the following headlines over the past few years touting the Affordable Care Act:

Seeing the positive changes brought by the healthcare law

Obamacare health plan enrollments rise sharply in December

White House issue new tip sheet for Obamacare consumers

The umpteenth Obamacare fix

In the above column, the Times editorial board offered up the impression that the Affordable Care Act was not a matter of hubris, but a necessary government action. The same government which was supposed to insure the uninsured has not uninsured the insured, with millions more still unable to access affordable health insurance.

Some other LA Times headlines on Obamacare:

Last-minute surge of health law sign-ups

California health exchange tops 400,000 enrolled prior to deadline

Other news sites, including Breitbart as well as local, conservative, and national affiliates throughout the country have reported the rising number of health insurance recipients losing their health insurance, or finding that premiums are rising beyond their  capacity to pay. Other reports share that millions of Americans will just pay the fine rather than get health care.
Further down in the article on the fate of the LA Times, the paper offered one of the most leading statements:

“In an interview, Waxman wouldn’t say what actions, if any, Congress could take.”
What can Congress do for the LA Times? Offer a bailout? Tribune Co., like many newspaper industries, has not shifted effectively with the rapid technological advances. Of course, the untrammeled bias of the paper has likely turned off potential readers, too. Diverse studies confirm the left-leaning elements within the LA Times.

Yet returning to the idea that Congressman Waxman could, or even should, do something to resurrect the LA Times. Congress getting involved in the content and dissemination of media? Such tinkering from the state in the media has happened before, with disastrous results for the Fourth Estate keeping the three branches of government accountable in our country.

The last thing that any Congressman should be considering is laws which will bolster the press. Do we really want journalists and their corporate leaders taking money from Washington? One can only imagine the distortion of current events and news reporting which would follow.

Granted, picketers lined up to protest the Koch Brothers potential purchase of Tribune Co, including unions, and half the Times’ staff pledged to resign should they take over. Then again, if the libertarian-leaning conservatism of the Kansas oil magnates could bring in more readers and greater revenue, working and middle-class employees connected with the Times should not be so hasty to reject the offer. Ultimately, the Koch Brothers’ decided against purchasing Tribune Co., citing that such a venture would “not be profitable”.

Much like the Affordable Care Act, and certainly any moves from the federal government to rescue the LA Times.