o'bamanomics - National Debt Increases for 53rd Straight Fiscal Year; Jumped $1.65 Trillion in FY 2010

From: http://CNSNews.com Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010

National Debt Increases for 53rd Straight Fiscal Year; Jumped $1.65 Trillion in FY 2010  (CNSNews.com) - The national debt increased for the 53rd straight fiscal year in fiscal 2010, when it jumped $1.65 trillion, according to data posted online by the Bureau of the Public Debt and confirmed by a spokesperson for the agency. The bureau says its reporting of the federal debt at the end of each fiscal year (as posted here) states exactly to the penny the full and actual amount the U.S. government has borrowed as of that date. Value-Added Tax Would Hurt Economy, Kill Jobs, Business Group Study Finds  (CNSNews.com) – An economic analysis sponsored by the National Retail Federation shows that a Value-Added Tax would damage economic growth and kill hundreds of thousands of jobs. The study showed that a large reduction in federal spending would be better for the economy. President Obama's Fiscal Commission reportedly is considering a VAT as one option for reigning in out-of-control federal deficits. Iran Elected to Chair OPEC Next Year; Dismisses Western Energy Sanctions as Ineffective (CNSNews.com) – For the first time since the Islamic revolution, Iran has been handed the rotating presidency of the OPEC cartel of oil-producing nations. The move comes at a time when Western governments are seeking to target Iran's energy sector over its nuclear programs. Iran is pushing for oil to be priced against a currency, or basket of currencies, other than the U.S. dollar. Warm Reception for Ahmadinejad Came From Lebanese Leaders As Well As Hezbollah (CNSNews.com) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's provocative visit to Lebanon made headlines for a second day Thursday, but less attention has been given to the warm reception he received from Lebanese leaders and groups other than Hezbollah. Ahmadinejad also received expressions of support from top leaders including President Michel Suleiman and parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri, both of whom hosted events in the Iranian's honor. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized Ahmadinejad visit, calling the situation in Lebanon "volatile." George Clooney: 'We Could Be Facing a Real Disaster Again' in Sudan  (CNSNews.com) - Actor and activist George Clooney, who met with President Barack Obama and lawmakers about Sudan this week, told CNSNews.com that "both sides of the [political] aisle have been very strong on defending the defenseless." COMMENTARY The Revolt of the Pampered By Patrick J. Buchanan All of Europe also seems to be slashing defense budgets to save as much as they can of their welfare states. Which raises questions we debt-swamped Americans cannot put off forever. Why, 65 years after World War II, are we still defending these nations? When Europe has more wealth, more people and a more lavish welfare state than we do, why should we impose sacrifices on our people to pay for the privilege of defending her people?  Parents vs. 'Public Health' By L. Brent Bozell III Why does it seem at times that our government and "public health" advocates think parents are a social problem? Parents at Hardy Middle School in the affluent Glover Park neighborhood in Washington, D.C., were shocked to discover that a sex-and-drug-use survey had been distributed to 12-year-olds in their physical education classes without any warnings or consent forms sent to parents. The very first question was, "What is your gender?" What of parents' moral objections? The Hardy Middle School response was simple: Drop dead. Public Enemy No. 1: GOP Donors By Michelle Malkin The White House attack on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce isn't about "disclosure." It's about disarmament. While posing as campaign finance champions, the ultimate goal of the Democratic offensive is to intimidate conservative donors, chill political free speech and drain Republican coffers. Visit our web site at www.cnsnews.com

---