Kehinde Wiley, the artist who painted the portrait of Barack Obama, coming under fire for previous paintings depicting beheaded white women

 The portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama have drawn fire, and some criticism and praise, for their unconventional take on the former president and first lady. Now comes word that the artist who painted Obama, Kehinde Wiley, has done paintings of black women holding the severed heads of white women. Artistic license or in bad taste? You decide.

McCarthy: One budget is the typical tax and spend Democratic plan, while the House plan calls for pro-growth tax reform and a plan to pay down the national debt

 Rep. Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Whip, brings us up to date on Capitol Hill. In his words:

 "This week was budget week in the House of Representatives. Just as budgets are an important tool for American families and businesses, my colleagues and I believe it is important for elected Representatives to present our constituents with a plan for the future. I would like to highlight two

budgets, in particular, and let you decide which plan you prefer.

 "The first is President Obama’s proposed budget. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid described this plan as 'a powerful statement of Democratic principles,' and I couldn’t agree more. The Administration’s plan for America consists of raising taxes by $1.8 trillion to pay for $6.1 trillion in new spending. It cuts national defense by $283 billion, and leaves our future generations with $3.8 trillion in increased debt. Moreover, the President’s budget never comes to balance—ever. In short, it is the same tax-and-spend policy that Washington Democrats have prescribed for years.

  "The other plan was drafted by my good friend House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and supported by House Republicans. It addresses Washington’s out-of-control spending and comes to balance in 10 years. It expands opportunity for all by calling for pro-growth tax reform and increased domestic energy production. It increases spending on national defense, so our men and women in harm’s way can have the training and tools they need. It repeals Obamacare and calls for patient-centered reforms. It protects Medicare so we can keep the promise to our seniors. And it strengthens the safety net for those among us who have fallen on hard times.

 "The President’s budget was given a vote on the House Floor this week.  Out of 415 votes, it received only two “aye” votes. Yes – only two.

  "Meanwhile, I worked to help pass the only budget in Washington that balances and takes the necessary steps to pay down our debt and get our economy back on track. The budgets described here present very distinct paths and I believe our budget provides the only real path to prosperity.

McCarthy: Obama's move to tap into petroleum reserves a cheap gimmick to win votes, but creates no jobs

 Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

"The Obama Administration’s decision to release 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve this week underscores the problem with the President’s energy policy. This was a decision to
score political points, pure and simple. Americans consume 19 million barrels of oil every day, which means that the 30 million barrels of oil the President is releasing could be consumed in a matter of 36 hours. And it doesn’t create a single job.
 "House Republicans have passed four pieces of legislation since May that would allow Americans
to start taking advantage of our own abundant energy resources, create hundreds of thousands of American jobs and reduce our dependence on unstable foreign oil.

  "One of these bills is H.R. 2021, the Jobs and Energy Permitting Act of 2011, which the House passed on Wednesday. This legislation reduces regulatory duplication to allow responsible oil production in Alaska to move forward, which could produce up to one million barrels of oil per day. This level of production could create tens of thousands of jobs throughout the U.S. and actually offset foreign oil imports by seven percent – a win-win for America’s economy and energy security now and in the future. While it will take some time to ramp up to maximum production, certainty that more oil will be coming into the market could help ease prices today.

  "My colleagues and I also took action to revamp our patent system this week to keep America the leader in technological innovation. If we just look at the latest developments in the past fifty years, advances
in science, medicine and technology have truly transformed our daily lives. I don’t know what my kids would do without their cell phones. Our country remains the world leader in patents, but our global competitors are catching up. Lawmakers in Washington have long been discussing needed reforms to our patent system so the U.S. can stay number one, and on Thursday, Democrats and Republicans in the House  came together to pass the America Invents Act. In a nutshell, this legislation contains reforms that will make it easier for innovators,
who produce new technologies that drive economic growth and generate jobs, to obtain and defend their patents.

  "Speaking of technology, I had a very productive discussion with residents in East Kern this week during a telephone town hall meeting. I like to do these live calls regularly to speak directly with you, hear your concerns and answer your questions. I am planning one for Bakersfield soon, so I hope you’ll participate when I call.

  "Also this week, we had a reception in Washington for all the Congressional Art Competition winners. Christiana Kallemeyn, the winner from California’s 22nd District, was in attendance with her family, and it was great to spend time with them.

Is the New York Post cartoon racist? You decide

There's a huge brouhaha over a cartoon in today's New York Post, depicting a rabid chimpanzee being shot by police. Critics are saying it is clearly racist (see the Huffington Post report here) but others say it's a takeoff on the bad stimulus bill and the Connecticut chimp that went wild and had to be shot. Is the cartoon implying President Obama is a monkey who should be shot? Or is it simply a takeoff on the rapid chimp who was shot the other day? You be the judge on this one, but it's bound to be fodder for local Bakersfield radio talk show hosts.