Obama Budget Defeated in Senate 99-0
President Obama's budget suffered a second embarrassing defeat Wednesday, when senators voted 99-0 to reject it. Coupled with the House's rejection in March, 414-0, that means Mr. Obama's budget has failed to win a single vote in support this year. Republicans forced the vote by offering the president's plan on the Senate floor. Democrats disputed that it was actually the president's plan, arguing that the slim amendment didn't actually match Mr. Obama's budget document, which ran thousands of pages. But Republicans said they used all of the president's numbers in the proposal, so it faithfully represented his plan.

Krauthammer: Holder Political Hack
Fox News contributor and syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer accused embattled U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder of being a political hack. “I will tell you what I think explains this guy. He’s a political hack. And the reason that is so grating is because you have be a political hack in HEW (Department of Health, Education, and Welfare), in HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), or somewhere else,” insisted Krauthammer, appearing on “The O'Reilly Factor” on Tuesday. “The Justice Department is a really important job.”

Nebraska GOP Elects Conservative in Senate Primary
An insurgent Republican lawmaker in Nebraska will square off against former Sen. Bob Kerrey this fall in the state’s U.S. Senate race, as Democrats look to hold onto the Senate seat and control of one part of Capitol Hill. In Tuesday’s Republican primary, state Sen. Deb Fischer rode a wave of discontent with the GOP establishment to best Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, the preferred candidate of Washington, D.C.-based Republicans, and Treasurer Don Stenberg in a race that drew national attention from outside groups in its final, unpredictable weeks.

Gov Jindal: Obama has never even ran a lemonade stand
“President Obama hasn’t run anything before he was elected President of the United States. Never ran a state, never ran a business, and never ran a lemonade stand. This job’s too important for on-the-job training. In contrast, Mitt Romney’s been a successful governor, successful businessman; he’s got the executive experience," Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-Louisiana) said on FOX News today.

Romney to endorse Conservative FLA Senate Candidate
According to sources familiar with the campaign’s thinking, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is set to endorse Rep. Connie Mack in the Florida Republican primary against George LeMieux. LeMieux was Charlie Crist’s former Chief of Staff — and the man Crist appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2009. LeMieux described himself then as a “Charlie Crist Republican,” and led an assault on Rubio during the 2009 campaign, but is now trying to remake himself as a tea party candidate. (It’s also worth noting that Romney endorsed Marco Rubio over Crist two years ago.) Mack has emerged as the conservative favorite, having been endorsed by Sen. Rand Paul, Rep. Michelle Bachman and the American Conservative Union.

New Book: Defending the Free Market
The Left has seized on our economic troubles as an excuse to “blame the rich guy” and paint a picture of capitalism and the free market as selfish, greedy, and cruel. Democrats in Congress and “Occupy” protesters across the country assert that the free market is not only unforgiving, it’s morally corrupt. According to President Obama and his allies, only by allowing the government to heavily control and regulate business and by redistributing the wealth can we ensure fairness and compassion. Exactly the opposite is true, says Father Robert A. Sirico in his thought–provoking new book, The Moral Case for a Free Economy. Father Sirico argues that a free economy actually promotes charity, selflessness, and kindness. And in The Moral Case for a Free Economy, he shows why free-market capitalism is not only the best way to ensure individual success and national prosperity but is also the surest route to a moral and socially–just society.

Romney Campaigns with Debt Clock
Mitt Romney continued to drive a debt-oriented message here on Wednesday morning, extending his "prairie fire" of debt metaphor with the assistance of a prop. In a nod to the independent voters who pushed the Sunshine State into the Democratic column in 2008, Romney noted that both parties were responsible for pushing the debt to the "incomprehensible" levels – which were represented on a giant prop debt clock behind him.

Colter: Sacrificial Scams
The real class warfare in this country isn’t rich vs. poor, it’s government employees vs. we, the taxpayers, who pay their salaries. Working for the government is supposed to be a trade-off: You can’t be fired and don’t have to exert yourself, but you will receive smaller remuneration than in the private sector, where layoffs are common (especially in the Obama economy!). Instead, government jobs are safe, secure, pressure-free – and now, amazingly lucrative!

Obscure Dem Neck and Neck with Obama in Arkansas Primary
You haven’t heard of John Wolfe because the obscure Democratic candidate for president has raised less than $500, can’t afford radio or TV ads and hasn’t gotten much press. Yet miraculously, a poll released this week shows Wolfe trailing President Barack Obama in the Arkansas Democratic primary — occurring next week — by just seven points.

Warning Signs in Wisconsin for Obama
In a potentially ominous sign for the Obama campaign, a new poll has declared Wisconsin a true tossup state, finding President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney locked in a 46%-46% tie among likely voters. As the Obama team eyes potential paths to victory in November, all count on the president winning the reliably blue states of New England, the Midwest and the Upper Midwest, all of which went for Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004. A loss of any of the bigger traditionally blue states—particularly Pennsylvania, Michigan or Wisconsin—would scramble the Obama math and make matters much easier for Mr. Romney, allowing him to lose in Virginia or Ohio without that automatically jeopardizing his chances.

Rush Makes Missouri Hall of Fame
It’s official and it’s a done deal: Conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh is now officially inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians. People might have wondered why he wasn’t doing his radio show today — it’s because he was in Jefferson City. Just before 1:00 p.m. the mad scramble in the halls of the state capitol began, barriers started going up and additional Capitol police and the Highway Patrol started drifting in. The word leaked out that today was the day for Limbaugh to take his place in Missouri history.

Armed Environmental Cops Shut Down Ice Cream Stand
Looking to hit the spot with a savory ice cream at Great Brook Farm State Park this week? You may be out of luck. The park's popular ice-cream stand was unexpectedly shut down by state officials over the weekend, after the stand's operator made building improvements at the site without getting permission first. Mark Duffy, who has operated the dairy farm at the state-owned park for 26 years and has a lease with the state to run the stand, said armed Environmental Police officers showed up at stand on Friday evening and stood guard throughout the weekend, turning away customers craving delectable sundaes and frappes.

United States Debt Clock
http://www.usdebtclock.org/

UCCB Attorneys Calls HHS Mandate Infringement of liberty
Arguing that a promised “accommodation” to the Obama administration’s contraception mandate fails to address religious freedom concerns, attorneys for the U.S. bishops suggest a possible lawsuit if the mandate is not rescinded. “Absent prompt congressional attention to this infringement on fundamental civil liberties, we believe the only remaining recourse, in light of the approaching regulatory deadlines, is in the courts,” said lawyers representing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The mandate and its extremely narrow religious exemption are currently being challenged in at least 11 lawsuits by states, colleges, private employers and organizations across the country.

NY Court: Viewing Child Porn Okay
In the wake of a New York court ruling that says it’s not illegal to “merely” view online child pornography, child advocates are urging Internet-savvy federal prosecutors to take over these kinds of cases as two state lawmakers rush to fix the law. It is “a singular outrage that the highest court in New York has decriminalized the act of viewing child pornography by computer,” Patrick Trueman, president and chief executive of Morality in Media, said after the May 8 ruling by the New York Court of Appeals.

Boxing Champ Says Gay Marriage is direct Contradiction to Scripture
International boxing star Manny Pacquiao was banned from one of the LA’s most popular destinations after an interview on Wednesday afternoon with Mario Lopez of TV’s “Extra” at The Grove in Los Angeles, when he made comments in response to President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage last week. The Philippino-born boxing champ told the National Conservative Examiner that he believes the Bible is very clear on the issue of homosexuality and that the President’s comments are in direct contradiction to Scripture. “God’s words first,” Pacquiao told the Examiner. “Obey God’s law first before considering the laws of man.”

New Baltimore Archbishop Affirms Life
At his May 16 installation in the “Premier See” of the U.S. Church, new Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori urged believers to proclaim their faith to the nation while standing up for the Church's freedom. “Let us not shrink from entering the public square to proclaim the person of Christ, to teach the values that flow from reason and faith, to uphold our right to go about our daily work in accord with our teachings and values,” he told the 2,000-strong congregation at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. “By its nature, the profession of faith is a public matter,” said the archbishop, who also leads the U.S. bishops' religious freedom committee.

Romney: Values Determine Success of US Future
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said that the morals and values held by a culture are important because of the role they play in a nation’s ultimate success or failure. “Culture matters,” said Romney, who delivered the May 12 commencement address at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., the largest Christian university in the world.

Arizona Gov Praised for Signing Religious Freedom Bill
Governor Jan Brewer drew praise for signing a measure into law that allows employers in Arizona to opt out of contraception and abortifacient coverage. “We're absolutely thrilled that Gov. Brewer signed this important religious liberty legislation after many years of battling over this issue in Arizona and now across the country,” Ron Johnson, executive director of the Arizona Catholic Conference, told CNA.

First Video Game About Jesus Launches on Facebook
On the heels of its widely-popular “The Journey of Moses” Facebook game, Lightside Games is venturing into historic territory by creating the first-ever video game based on the life of Jesus. “There's stories that need to be told in games,” Brent Dusing told CNA May 9, “and there's not a lot of games where you can do really good, positive things from a Christian stand point,” Dusing, the founder and CEO of the Mountain View, Calif.-based Lightside Games, said that the new game, “The Journey of Jesus: The Calling,” will give people an opportunity to experience the life of Jesus firsthand. The company’s first game on the life of Moses has had great success, registering over 2 million players.

Franciscan University Drops Health Insurance Over HHS Mandate
Rather than compromise its Catholic values by complying with the federal contraception mandate, Franciscan University has decided to drop its student health insurance. According to the school's website, Franciscan University of Steubenville chose to cut student health insurance altogether instead of participating “in a plan that requires us to violate the consistent teachings of the Catholic Church on the sacredness of human life.”

Dobson: Obama Killing Marriages
President Barack Obama told reporter Robin Roberts last week that his thinking has “evolved” into support for same-sex marriage. His words conjure up imagery of a brooding, contemplative president, seeking the advice of friends and associates and finally coming to a new conclusion three years later. I don’t believe it for a minute. He stated as far back as 1996 that he was in favor of gay marriage and then flip-flopped on the issue when he ran for president. His new position sounds more like a political calculation in an election year.

Gospel - Jn 16:12-15

12I have yet many things to say to you: but you cannot bear them now. 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you all truth. For he shall not speak of himself; but what things soever he shall hear, he shall speak; and the things that are to come, he shall shew you. 14He shall glorify me; because he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it to you. 15All things whatsoever the Father hath, are mine. Therefore I said, that he shall receive of mine, and shew it to you.

It has been over three years (1,111 days to be precise) since the U.S. Senate last passed a budget. The last time Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) fulfilled his legal responsibility, Conan was still on NBC, Tea Parties hadn’t come together and the iPad hadn’t yet been introduced. This is one of the biggest abdications of power we have seen on the part of our government in modern time. And there is no excuse. The Senate needs only 51 votes to pass a budget. Democrats have had well over that for President Obama’s entire term, yet they refuse to even offer a plan.

Let’s be clear. The Senate must pass a budget if we are going to halt Washington’s disastrous habit of overspending, overborrowing and overtaxing our fragile economy. While liberals sit on the sidelines saying ‘no,’ conservatives are offering solutions. Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and others have courageously put credible and thoughtful plans on the table. But today, I am happy to report that a member of the Senate has put forward an unprecedented new plan that directly confronts all of the major economic challenges our nation faces.

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced a budget resolution that mirrors the bold and thorough reforms The Heritage Foundation first proposed in our comprehensive program, “Saving the American Dream.”

Recognizing that our nation has come to the point where we either change course or risk falling into permanent decline, Senator Lee’s “Saving the American Dream” budget resolution puts forth a framework for strengthening the core principles that make this country exceptional, namely:

Limiting the size and scope of the federal government

Reforming our entitlement programs so that they ensure real economic protection instead of unrealistic promises no government can sustain

Simplifying our complex federal tax code so Americans have greater opportunities to create lasting economic prosperity.

Lee’s plan is a strong blueprint for restraining and ultimately reducing our nation’s massive debt, cutting Washington’s out-of-control spending and above all restoring our nation’s economic prosperity. This is the only way that we can make sure future generations are not saddled with debt that keeps them from having the same opportunity of achieving the American Dream.

The reaction from those who want to continue the status quo against all evidence that we can’t is predictable. They will demagogue Senator Lee and other conservatives of wanting to throw grandma over the cliff. How blind, and how irresponsible. If we fail to act then spending under programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid will balloon unchecked and eventually the nation will effectively go bankrupt. The truth is that the president’s health reform law magnified the financial problem while already ending Medicare as we know it.

Instead of making promises Congress has no chance of keeping even with massive tax hikes, Social Security and Medicare should provide seniors with a reasonable, affordable and predicable benefit that protects seniors from the threat of living in poverty.

Under the Lee budget, Social Security is converted into a true insurance that supplements income for retirees who need it. For the more affluent, benefits will be quickly restored in cases of sudden reversals.

By completing the transition begun years ago to a premium-support program, Medicare would assist seniors in buying the affordable health coverage they want and need from a marketplace that would have been freed to be more competitive. Similar approaches in Medicare Part D and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (the plan Congress enjoys) have resulted in lower health care costs and higher value in the delivery of care.

You may have heard the false allegation that conservatives don’t have a plan to solve our health care problems once Obamacare is ultimately repealed. This plan provides the answer.

This budget finally addresses one of the biggest problems with the healthcare industry–ever rising costs. Senator Lee proposes changing the outdated tax treatment of health insurance so that every American receives a tax credit (equal to what they get today in the workplace) to buy and own health coverage that meets individual needs.

This can be done without mandates from the federal government that intrude upon the moral, religious and philosophical sensibilities of the American public. At the same time, the Lee budget resolution redesigns the entire federal tax code into an expenditure tax that has a single flat rate. That’s right, a single, simple and fair tax system.

The plan encourages more savings, benefiting every American who dreams of going to college, buying a house or starting a business. Greater savings and a less punitive business tax also means more resources to invest and more opportunities to invest in our economy, and that means more jobs for Americans who are out of work and better wages for those who have jobs.

Finally, like Heritage’s fiscal plan, Lee’s budget reevaluates what the federal government can do with taxpayer money and time. By substantially reducing the size and scope of the federal government, Lee’s plan rightfully moves government towards its core responsibilities that fit within the Constitution and original intent of our Founding Fathers.

It is encouraging to see lawmakers taking a serious look at the crucial steps that are necessary to get our nation on a path of fiscal, political and constitutional responsibility. But there is more to do, and we hope you’ll join us in our efforts to make sure that “Saving the American Dream” becomes a reality.