Uh oh. Where did all the money go?

Ok. Unless you have been hiding under a rock, or hit in the head with a rock, or dating a rock (or The Rock), you know by  now that the government has until August 2, 2011 to raise the debt ceiling before the world explodes. I'm just being overdramatic, but you know what EVERYONE else is. The Republicans, the Democrats, the news, even the usually chillaxed President. There's talk of depression and meltdown and shutdown, and we the normal people of these United States are left confused. Well here, let me break it down for ya.

In order for this country to keep spending money, we need money, and oh yeah...we don't really have any. We have a budget of how much money we would like to spend, but we bring in hardly that much so we do what every other American does. Bust out the credit card. We borrow. We print out tons of cash, issue bonds, and promise we'll pay it back. Whenever we borrow too much, we just raise our own limit of spending. Billions. Trillions of dollars.

America has done this for years. Raised our limit. Fight wars. Raise the limit. Lower taxes. Raise the limit. Buy a taco. Raise the limit. It's routine. Every President did it, more than once (that's what she said). But now, we are in a pickle.

Just like you, once you go past your limit on a credit card, you can't really buy more. Well, the US is about to go past their limit, and so they want to raise the debt they can spend on. But, something happened. This time, some people said no. Now, every other time people said no, but the President brushed them aside and got it raised anyways, months before crisis or fear of default set in. But, this time, "No" was not only an option, but a theme that would be persistant up until it pushed this country, OUR country onto the brink of bouncing it's credit card.

Party Politics will have more information later on what's going on now in Washington DC, and we also apologize for being gone too long. Google refused to pay us, so we took a break and we legally can't say we went on strike, but we did go bowling if ya catch our drift ;) It's good to be back.

Emmanuel Delfin

Editor-at-Large

New Texas

      So, I wrote this movie where the world goes to chaos and all the people of America formed different colonies and the strongest one was of course "New Texas". Why am I writing about this? Well...

     A new UT (Wooo Longhorns!) and Texas Tribune Poll shows that a large majority of Texas wants the budget cut, but an even stronger majority hopes that we don't cut any large state funds. For instance, more than 60%of Texans oppose any cuts to Medicaid, Teahers Retirement, and almost every other expenditure the state has. It is a strange paradox when people want the budget cut but no one wants any "Program" cuts. 

     Republicans want CUTS. (Education, Public Services, etc.)

     Democrats want REVENUE. (Income Taxes, Legalize Gambling, etc.)

     The common consensus though by any real economist or level headed individual, would use characteristics from both. Cut a little of public ed and Medicare, tax a little bit from gambling. But the one thing I have a leaf about it, is Marijuana.

     Now, 41% of Texans wouldn't mind taxing Marijuana. This isn't enough to get a Congressman to write a bill for it, but it means progress. The truth is, the worse off the economy is, the more likely weed will be allowed to be smoked (and taxed) by all Texans. I predict that by the next year we'll see something toke up in Austin. A movement of hippies or something. Like the Willie Nelson "Tea Pot Party" Let's hop on that bandwagon all the way to cloud nine -_-

-Emmanuel Delfin

Weed Consult

TEXAS DEMOCRATS PLAN WALK OUT

BREAKING NEWS:

(DISCLAIMER: This is not a confirmed report nor is it happening yet this is just rumors around the offices)

     There are 49 Democrats in the Texas Legislature in Austin. Today they're apparently leaving. 

     As the day goes by, the vote counts grow less (can something grow less?) The Democrats are sneaking off the floor every bill that is read. 

Why?

     Democrats know as the time goes on, there is less hope for their bills to be heard and voted on, so they are going to their last resort. Playing hooky.

     There has been rumors in the hallways that the strategy is to force the Speaker of the House to call a "House Call" in order to keep 2/3rds of the house in session so the votes can still count. It is a tricky strategy. We will update you on how it goes.

When?

     Before HB 12 is read, this is the "Sanctuary City" bill that would ban cities from sheltering illegal immigrants. Controversial to say the least, so Democrats are working hard to make sure that their voice is heard...or not heard.

P.S. Remember the members that left in 2003, or more recently the Wisconsin walk-out. Imagine Austin like this:

Emmanuel Delfin

Texas Legislature Reporter

Cinco De Mayo

Abraham Lincoln Statue in Tijuana, Mexico

     It is Cinco De Mayo, and no it is not Mexican Independence Day. Today is the day where Mexico commemorates the valiant efforts of Mexico and America together cooperated to keep France from invading and dominating the entire continent. Here are some fun facts about the holiday:
- During 5 de May, 70 million pounds of avocado will be consumed
     (Whoa. That's a lotta diahrrea!)
- The actual holiday of Cinco De Mayo started in a California College
     (Cuz we know how to partay!!)
- Mexican's celebrate their Independence on Sept. 16, American companies made 5 de May popular
     (Soon there'll be a Coke 5....de Mayo)
- In Chandler, Arizona a race is held during the festival between 150 chihuahuahs
     (Whoa that's a lotta diarrhea!)

- Emmanuel (Pena)

Mexican Consultant/Gardener

WHOA! I AM NOT A VIRUS! I PROMISE! >:)

     If you've been on Facebook recently, you've either had a link posted on your wall or a message sent to you that proclaimed that you can watch the actual death photo of Osama Bin Laden with his eye shot up. However, if you look at the animation above, you can see that it is clearly photoshopped. DO NOT CLICK IT. Hell, I've seen pictures of Bigfoot more realistic than this one! But pictures of Bigfoot wouldnt hack my computer. He is a gentle cyber giant.

      You aren't the only ones fooled though. A lot of Senators and Congressman said that they saw these photos and didn't know whether or not they were authentic. Now, with all this fake stuff flying around, more pressure is on Obama to show the real stuff! He said he wouldn't release them, but should he? If he doesn't then who knows which photos are real. Is THIS one real?

-Emmanuel Delfin

Chief Virus Protector Analyst

Best Political Cartoons from Pulitzer Prize winning Cartoonist Mike Keefe

Who Killed Osama? A San Antonian Longhorn! That's who

Vice Admiral Bill McRaven, a Roosevelt High School grad from San Antonio is credited with planning the air raid that ultimelty  killed Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al Quaeda. He was appointed the commander of the Joint Forces Special Operations division, and oversaw and planned every detail of the May 1st attack.


P.S. He also went to The University of Texas at Austin..."What Starts Here...kills Osama Bin Laden."

-Robert 

Chief Investigative Reporter