The Factor Rundown
Talking Points Memo & Top Story
Want KILLING REAGAN Free?
Comments
|
Why Politicians Will Not Tell You The Truth
"For the past 48 years, Democrats have controlled the city of Baltimore. During that time, the city's population has fallen 30% and the poverty situation has grown more intense. During the last five years, the federal government has poured billions of dollars into the poor areas of Baltimore. Total taxpayer money given: $1.8 billion. The result: Not much improvement. So either the money is being stolen or the Democratic administration in Baltimore is so incompetent that, despite billions in funding, poverty and hopelessness remain entrenched. It is the behavior of individual people, not big daddy government, that leads to success. And touting that message is free of charge. Poor Americans trapped in ghettos have a right to be furious, but their anger should be directed at the corrupt, dishonest politicians who are lying to them. The truth is, liberal policies of creating dependence and entitlement, promoting victimization and anger have failed to help Americans who desperately need help. Now, another example of truth-evading from the opposite end of the spectrum. The Clinton Foundation has benefited Bill and Hillary Clinton by allowing them an affluence few human beings will ever experience. Nearly $2 billion has flowed into the foundation. President Clinton believes there is nothing wrong, even though the foundation has to re-file its income taxes because it neglected to mention some big donors. And even though Hillary Clinton violated a signed agreement with President Obama by accepting foreign money for the foundation while she was secretary of state. There is no way on earth that Bill and Hillary Clinton are going to admit any wrongdoing. They have to know that the whole foundation thing is unethical, but as long as it's not illegal, apparently they are fine with it. So the question becomes, what about the legality? Shouldn't the Clinton Foundation be investigated? Of course it should, and the FBI can start that investigation tomorrow. So my question is for FBI Director James Comey: Will you start an investigation? Today we presented that question formally to the FBI. We'll let you know what the agency says."
The Factor asked Charles Krauthammer to opine on the situation in Baltimore. "A seminal piece of social legislation," Dr. K began, "was the 1996 abolition of welfare as an entitlement, It was signed by Bill Clinton and over the next six years the poverty rate for black children had the biggest decline in history. But when you pour money in and reinforce the rotten structures, you create dependency and you make things worse. This is not just in Baltimore or Washington - since 1970 per-student spending on education has doubled, while test scores have remained flat or declined. The money goes into bureaucracies and you wind up with nothing for the kids. The unions are fat, the Democrats are fat, but the kids wind up poor and uneducated."
|
|
More On Why Politicians Will Not Tell You The Truth
Returning for another segment, Krauthammer turned to the controversies surrounding Hillary Clinton and the family foundation. "The government has indicted Senator Menendez on far less evidence," he said, "and the government convicted the former governor of Virginia for quid pro quo. On the other hand, you have possible influence peddling and corruption by one of the government's highest officials. It is a double standard and it is not an accident that the people who have been hounded are adversaries of the administration and Democratic Party." The Factor again called for an investigation, saying, "When you have a presidential candidate like Hillary Clinton, the FBI has the duty to investigate any appearance of impropriety."
|
|
Where Is The Money Going?
What are the rules governing a multi-billion non-profit organization like the Clinton Foundation? The Factor turned to attorney David Tafuri for expert analysis. "Bill Clinton is on the board of directors," Tafuri explained, "and the board members do not get compensated. However, they are entitled to have 'reasonable' travel expenses reimbursed. For most organizations, a private jet would not be 'reasonable,' but Bill and Hillary Clinton have some extra security concerns. It appears that donors have provided the Clintons with private jet travel, which is okay as long as the purpose of the trip is to advance the charity." The Factor concluded, "You're telling me that under the banner of expenses you can live pretty well."
|
|
More On Hillary's Troubles
Juan Williams and Mary Katharine Ham also examined the questions involving the Clinton Foundation. "I agree there are too many tentacles and too much going on," Williams began, "but where is the smoking gun? Do you want us to investigate everyone? I remember when conservatives got upset because they thought the FBI was going after someone for political reasons. Why should the FBI go after someone unless there is convincing evidence of wrongdoing?" Ham implied that the Clinton Foundation is not living up to its stated goals. "There should be red flags for the IRS about what the foundation is actually spending on. It spends 10% to 15% on charitable giving and 60% is unaccounted for. There has been an appearance of impropriety and a lack of best practices."
|
|
Weekend Violence
Two heavily armed men were shot dead by a police officer Sunday as they were about to attack an anti-Muslim gathering in Texas. Megyn Kelly elaborated on the story. "This organization asked people to draw pictures of Muhammad," she said. "They were trying to make a point about the First Amendment and free speech, and on that they were absolutely right. The most outrageous, incendiary speech is why the First Amendment was born!" Meanwhile, in New York City, career criminal Demetrius Blackwell shot and killed police officer Brian Moore. Kelly lamented that cops, who are carrying out a tremendously dangerous job, are often vilified. "There is now an atmosphere in which politicians are sending a message that the police are a bunch of murderers, that they are out to do target practice." The Factor, engaging in a bit of whimsy, fantasized about a "respect the police" rally in New York City.
|
|
Kentucky Derby
Jesse Watters turned down his collar, donned his finest spring duds, and headed to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby. He elicited this advice from some horse racing fans: "Drink lots of mint juleps" ... "Dress up to the nines and drink like you're a freshman in college" ... "Dress up to get messed up." Watters gleefully reported that he got a hot tip, nailed the trifecta, and returned home with a profit of $200. Left unsaid was whether he will report his windfall to the IRS.
|
|
Viewers Sound Off
Steven Almaguer, Bakersfield, CA: "Leland Vittert's questions for the mayor of Baltimore were provocative and accusatory."
Bob McBain, Venice, FL: "Bill, blacks are drowning and both the left and the right have no solutions. You do not listen to the other side."
Cody James, Grandview, TX: "Mr. O'Reilly, I am a combat vet with severe injuries. I have several tattoos and a great work ethic. You implied that people with tattoos should not be hired. That is not right."
|
|
Ignoble Guy, Noble Cause
It turns out that a vet in Oregon lied when he said his track chair had been stolen, but that certainly does nothing to diminish this great charity.
|
|
|
|