Have a balanced budget amendment? Just ignore it.

The proposed Balanced Budget Amendment (HJR 1) which is referenced in the Cut Cap n Spend has interesting clause to provide for debt driven war spending

The provisions of this article may be waived for any fiscal year in which the United States is engaged in military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security

So when was the last time you remember that we weren’t “engaged in military conflict” because of the imminent threat to national security that drives The War on Terror? At no time in the last 10 years would this amendment have prevented deficit spending.

Notice also this out gives them the authority to ignore balancing the entire budget, not just giving allowances for going over the budget for military needs.

Need to bail out banks and car companies? Just declare a military threat, drop in a SEAL team, and pass any massive new government program you want in the meantime.

Federal “investment” in Chrysler comes to an end

Announced from the Treasury today

"the U.S. government has exited its investment in Chrysler at least six years earlier than expected," said Tim Massad, assistant secretary for financial stability

Investment?

Treasury provided a total of $12.5 billion to Chrysler and its financing arm after the recession hampered auto sales and sent Chrysler and General Motors to the brink of collapse.

Right, I remember that (*cough* bailout *cough*). Did we make a profit or at least get our money back with this “investment”?

Since then, $11.2 billion of the assistance has been repaid, Treasury said. Chrysler repaid $5.1 billion in loans from the government in May. But the $1.3 billion remaining is unlikely to be recovered, Treasury said.

Oh. Well at least that foreign company that is taking it off our hands got a good deal…

Federal Government Investment Group, providing -10.4% return since 2009.

Balanced budget amendment will help? Nope.

I’m not sure why the balanced budget amendment is even in discussion right now. Congress has already proven to us that it won’t make a difference.

If you don’t pass a budget, you don’t have to balance one.

Custom license plates

Since they starting outsourcing custom plates in TX to a private contractor there are more and more options available. You can go on their site and mix and match to see what your plate might look like.

Unfortunately this one is already taken by someone.

as was this one

That was fast…

Someone wants another unneeded feel good law named for a cute little victim

Criminal Justice Petition: Create Caylee's Law

Bonus laziness points for being an online petition