Republicans in Congress will spend the Memorial Day recess attacking Democrats for pushing a cap-and-trade bill that could raise Americans’ transportation and energy costs wrote The Hill on May 23, 2009.

“Democrats and the Obama administration have said that putting a price on carbon emissions is the best way to wean the country off of foreign oil and stem global warming while also creating new jobs.”

“The attacks on the Democratic energy proposals is part of a larger GOP effort to paint the Democrat-led Congress as big spenders who backed a $787 billion stimulus plan and are now pushing an energy tax and a “government takeover of healthcare,” according to House GOP talking points.”

Not much new about any of this. Republicans just naturally call anything the Democrats do as too expensive, socialistic, and an expansion of government. All the same things the Republicans did while they controlled the White House and Congress. [Read more →]

Dr. Frank Toppo

Dr. Frank Toppo has left the Pahrump Veteran’s Community Outpatient Clinic. A sad event for thousands of veterans who live in the Pahrump area, including me, one of his patients.

Dr. Toppo is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam with the 3rd Battalion, 17th Air Cavalry. He has worked at the VA for 16 years.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Dr. Toppo “the best advocate for veterans in Nevada.”

Reggie Knight, a veteran’s service officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran is quoted as saying “What he’s done to a lot of veterans is tremendous, looking out for our welfare, our health. He’s going to be missed very much by the veterans. He’s helped out so many veterans in giving them the support they needed for their claims.” Knight added, “I don’t think we’re going to get another doctor like him. He’s the veteran’s doctor. He’d put himself in the veteran’s shoes and look out for him. He’s been there and done it himself. That’s why he’s so conscientious of what he does, not only for the veterans but for their widows, their dependents.”

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Toppo at a Pahrump Fall Festival a few years ago depicted in the video above. He is a very pleasant fellow, more than just a doctor. He is a good friend.

Though having left the VA Dr. Toppo will continue his medical practice in Pahrump at the Toppo Medical Clinic located behind the Advanced Medical Center at 1501 E. Calvada Boulevard, Pahrump.

You can read more in the Pahrump Valley Times when it comes online sometime later today.

With a hat tip to Desert Beacon I commend for your reading enjoyment today’s blog post by DB.

There is no scientific basis for claiming that global warming is a hoax, the incredible statements of Oklahoma’s Senators notwithstanding, and there is no logic to the opposition to H.R. 2751, the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act. So, why might Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV2) have voted against it? The measure passed the House on June 9th, 298-119 (two voting present, 15 not voting) [roll call 314] Representatives Berkley (D-NV1) and Titus (D-NV3) voted in favor of the bill. More commonly known as the “Cash for Clunkers” bill, the legislation is a winning proposition for automobile manufacturers, consumers, and our environment. What’s not to love?

Dean Heller also voted against a tax deduction along with 176 of his colleagues.

It is one thing to make grandiloquent generalizations about “burdening our grandchildren,” or “small government,” and pass these off as rationales for voting against the interests of the constituency; it is indeed another to vote in diametric opposition to the interests of the Congressional District’s automobile dealerships (and the people who work there), local and state governments, and all the consumers in the District who could catch a break on their next vehicle purchases.

Be informed. Read Desert Beacon for additional insight into Congressman Heller’s brain.