9000 earmarks. The spending bill that Congress is sending to President Obama has 9000 earmarks. At a time when our economy is staggering Legislators still can't stop loading up spending bills with pet projects. When our deficit and our national debt are the highest in history, our elected officials still show no restraint. During his campaign, Obama promised to curtail earmarks. But the White House says that they are going to sign the omnibus bill, which is a holdover from the Bush administration. But they hinted that Obama would veto future spending bills that were loaded with earmarks. Why wait? Why not veto this one? Why not send a message that Congress simply cannot wallow up to the hog trough...especially not now, while Rome is burning.
9000 earmarks...I am totally disgusted.
Showing posts with label obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obama. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Obama home run, Jindal strikeout
Obama's speech last night was simply the most impressive presidential speech in over a decade. After four years of partisan sentiments, empty platitudes, and fractured syntax, it was good to see a president appear presidential. He made a lot of promises, and I am not convinced the numbers add up. But he was inspiring, and that is what the country needs right now.
Governor Bobby Jindal, offering the Republican rebuttal, looked kinda spooky. His walk to the microphone was so awkward, it looked like he was learning how to walk on new legs. His wide-eyed delivery and slow, simple oratory made him look like a Punjabi Mr. Rogers. This guy is a Rhodes scholar? And what was with the long tour guide opening? Many, many people have compared Jindal to Kenneth, the page on 30 rock. If you don't watch the show, you should. It's very funny. If you don't know Kenneth, here is a mash-up of some of his best lines.
The comparison to Kenneth will haunt Jindal for a long time, methinks. If this is the rising star that is favored to be a contender for the GOP nomination in 2012, the Democrats can sleep well.
Governor Bobby Jindal, offering the Republican rebuttal, looked kinda spooky. His walk to the microphone was so awkward, it looked like he was learning how to walk on new legs. His wide-eyed delivery and slow, simple oratory made him look like a Punjabi Mr. Rogers. This guy is a Rhodes scholar? And what was with the long tour guide opening? Many, many people have compared Jindal to Kenneth, the page on 30 rock. If you don't watch the show, you should. It's very funny. If you don't know Kenneth, here is a mash-up of some of his best lines.
The comparison to Kenneth will haunt Jindal for a long time, methinks. If this is the rising star that is favored to be a contender for the GOP nomination in 2012, the Democrats can sleep well.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Never had a helicopter
I know I have been skeptical of President Obama recently, but I do admire how the man operates. The Republicans keep trying to get under his skin and he never takes the bait.
In today's fiscal summit, Obama asked Sen. John McCain if he had any thoughts he would like to share on procurement. McCain sited Defense Department overruns, and pointed to the fleet of 28 new Marine One helicopters built by Lockheed Martin Corp. (a deal established during the Bush administration). McCain noted that the program is now over budget at $11.2 billion and will cost more than Air Force One. Obama responded that he had already instructed Defense Secretary Gates to review that program, and added, “The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me. Of course, I’ve never had a helicopter before, so, you know? Maybe I’ve been deprived and I didn’t know it." He got a good chuckle from the crowd. But, more importantly, he shut down that flatulent windbag from Arizona without the slightest hint of vitriol. This is how politics should be. Bravo, Mr. President.
In today's fiscal summit, Obama asked Sen. John McCain if he had any thoughts he would like to share on procurement. McCain sited Defense Department overruns, and pointed to the fleet of 28 new Marine One helicopters built by Lockheed Martin Corp. (a deal established during the Bush administration). McCain noted that the program is now over budget at $11.2 billion and will cost more than Air Force One. Obama responded that he had already instructed Defense Secretary Gates to review that program, and added, “The helicopter I have now seems perfectly adequate to me. Of course, I’ve never had a helicopter before, so, you know? Maybe I’ve been deprived and I didn’t know it." He got a good chuckle from the crowd. But, more importantly, he shut down that flatulent windbag from Arizona without the slightest hint of vitriol. This is how politics should be. Bravo, Mr. President.
Friday, February 20, 2009
President Obama...Nationalize Banks At Your Peril
The issue of nationalizing banks is getting more and more attention. Within the last week, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan have all suggested that nationalization should be looked at. Obama would be foolish to do so.
First, I agree with those who say that we should not rescue failing banks. There will be casualties in this financial crisis, and failing banks should be among them. We simply cannot continue to bail out companies that bankrupted themselves through unsound business practices, especially when to do so would add to the rapidly growing debt we are piling on our children. Furthermore, as near as I can tell from my research, Nationalization would be a bad idea. The best explanation of why that I have found is from the Motley Fool.
Second, if Obama nationalizes banks it will give the GOP and the RRR (Rabid Right Radio) enough ammo to really make a difference in the next election. Hannity, Beck, Limbaugh, and their servants in the GOP have already labeled Obama a socialist with scant evidence to back it up. Nationalizing banks would be the smoking gun they need and they will pound that topic into the ground.
Third, I don't think main street cares about the banks. Nationalization would be unpopular, and would be seen as just another examples of the Wall Street fat cats getting the money while the regular guys get the shaft.
Nationalization would be a long, costly process and two years from now the only result would be that those banks will not have failed. They won't have recovered by then, and will still be seen as propped up by the government. In the mean time the GOP will have made Obama look like a cross between Hugo Chavez and Eugene Debs. It will hurt the entire Liberal agenda for, I think, very little gain.
Obama has been silent on nationalization so far, so I think he understands the dangers here.
First, I agree with those who say that we should not rescue failing banks. There will be casualties in this financial crisis, and failing banks should be among them. We simply cannot continue to bail out companies that bankrupted themselves through unsound business practices, especially when to do so would add to the rapidly growing debt we are piling on our children. Furthermore, as near as I can tell from my research, Nationalization would be a bad idea. The best explanation of why that I have found is from the Motley Fool.
Second, if Obama nationalizes banks it will give the GOP and the RRR (Rabid Right Radio) enough ammo to really make a difference in the next election. Hannity, Beck, Limbaugh, and their servants in the GOP have already labeled Obama a socialist with scant evidence to back it up. Nationalizing banks would be the smoking gun they need and they will pound that topic into the ground.
Third, I don't think main street cares about the banks. Nationalization would be unpopular, and would be seen as just another examples of the Wall Street fat cats getting the money while the regular guys get the shaft.
Nationalization would be a long, costly process and two years from now the only result would be that those banks will not have failed. They won't have recovered by then, and will still be seen as propped up by the government. In the mean time the GOP will have made Obama look like a cross between Hugo Chavez and Eugene Debs. It will hurt the entire Liberal agenda for, I think, very little gain.
Obama has been silent on nationalization so far, so I think he understands the dangers here.
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