Chart of the Day: Record Antarctic Sea Ice

From The Cryosphere Today  via WUWT

Antarctic sea ice reached a record on 22 September

Al Gore hardest hit...

Via WUWT:

Antarctica: The extent of sea ice (white) reached a record on 22 September. The yellow line shows the median of 1981 to 2000. Ice shelf is shown in gray.

Obama built this: Food stamp rolls hit new record high

Let's give Obama the credit he deserves. Yes, he built this:

Food-stamp use reached a record 46.7 million people in June, the government said, as Democrats prepare to nominate President Barack Obama for a second term with the economy as a chief issue in the campaign. 

Participation was up 0.4 percent from May and 3.3 percent higher than a year earlier and has remained greater than 46 million all year as the unemployment rate stayed higher than 8 percent. New jobless numbers will be released Sept. 7. 

“Too many middle-class families who have fallen on hard times are still struggling,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an e-mailed statement today. “Our goal is to get these families the temporary assistance they need so they are able to get through these tough times and back on their feet as soon as possible.”

CBO: New Record Deficit of $1.5 Trillion Predicted for This Year

A trillion here, a trillion there and pretty soon it will be real money.

Washington (AP) – New budget estimates released Wednesday predict the government’s deficit will hit almost $1.5 trillion this year, a new record.

The daunting numbers mean that the government will have to borrow 40 cents for every dollar it spends.

The new Congressional Budget Office estimates will add fuel to a raging debate over cutting spending and looming legislation that’s required to allow the government to borrow more money as the national debt nears the $14.3 trillion cap set by law. Republicans controlling the House say there’s no way they’ll raise the limit without significant cuts in spending, starting with a government funding bill that will advance next month.

If you spent 40% more than you made every year, how long would it be before you had to go bankrupt?

Rasmussen Finds Record Lead for Republicans on Generic Congressional Ballot

Ten years of polling and this is the biggest lead ever for Republicans on the Generic Congressional Ballot according to Rasmussen. Republicans hold an almost astronomical 12-point lead. It's time for Democrats to hit the panic button.

Rasmussen reported:

Republican candidates have jumped out to a record-setting 12-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, August 15, 2010. This is the biggest lead the GOP has held in over a decade of Rasmussen Reports surveying.