Our new president will likely soon sign the biggest financial swindle ever put over by the US government on its people. If you want to know where your money is going, you may want to
It’s searchable, too. Type in “highway” or “bridge” or whatever floats your boat and see what they’re spending money on. Also interesting to see the “most comments” section for what other people are talking about.
Bailout: I hate it. I think it’s a terrible idea. When the problem is too many loans, too many bad loans, too many loans that can’t be paid back, etc., the last thing the government should be doing is giving money to banks so they can keep making loans. We don’t need more loans, we need less; and we need more savings.
Below is a video by an economic guy named Peter Schiff. I don’t know much about him, but I like what I know. Here’s a long video of him that apparently includes clips from 2006 and 2007. I’ve only watched the very first quote he gives (goes up to the 1:15 mark or so), and he is spot on:
“Sometimes medicine tastes bad, but you gotta swallow it.” Agreed.
Schiff, by the way, was an economic adviser to Ron Paul during this year’s campaign.
I had no idea, but it’s apparently true that U.S. presidents aren’t allowed to send email. Lifehacker has an article about how Barack Obama is being forced to give up his Blackberry for security reasons:
President-elect Barack Obama will have to give up the BlackBerry that he’s had literally by his side (clipped to his belt, a surprising fashion faux pas by the normally quite fashionable candidate). Because of security concerns, the chief executive is not allowed to send emails.
The article also links to a New York Times blog post in which President Bush talks about wanting to start using email again when he’s out of office.
Amazing. I had no idea. But I suppose it makes sense.
Now if only we could get all those Nigerian princes to stop sending email…..
I did not vote for Obama. I also did not vote for McCain. I’m not overly thrilled nor disappointed with the results last night. I think it’s fantastic that the country will finally have an African-American president, even if Obama isn’t the one I’d have preferred to become the first. I’m very happy for my Obama-supporting friends and for all Obama supporters, in fact, who are filled with hope and elation today. (After listening to them belly-ache for the past 6 years, I’m glad they’re in a better mood finally.)
I think Obama is probably the Democratic Party’s version of Ronald Reagan: Completely inexperienced, but a born leader; a highly skilled communicator and motivator of people, incredibly polished on the outside (some say too polished/slick, and they may turn out to be right), and a politician who came along at the right time: when just about the entire country considered the incumbent a failure. If Obama follows through on his mostly centrist campaign promises, and if the Congress lets him stay in the center, I think we’ll be fine.
The only thing that scares me about Obama is his followers. Well, some of them. I’m a big fan of hope, but it’s not healthy when people are breaking into tears and passing out when a politician walks into a room. Obama’s events were often like The Beatles first time in the U.S. There’s a portion of Obama-nation that seems to equate him with the second coming of Jesus Christ, and that’s scary. (I did, in fact, read one quote online last night where an Obama supporter said, “He’s our Moses.”)
Our government works best when citizens take a critical, evaluative role in the process. It’s our duty to examine everything our government proposes. Respect authority, but question it. When I watch Obama rallies on TV, I see plenty of the former, but I don’t see a lot of people capable of the latter. I hope I’m wrong.
(Note: This is not posted because I think you care how I feel about politics. It’s not posted to get a political debate going. It’s posted for my own benefit, so that I have a record of what’s running through my mind during what everyone seems to be describing as a “new era” for the country. We’ll see.)
I know I’m supposed to appreciate and respect the fact that, in America, anyone can run for political office. That’s one of the basic freedoms we share, and one of the great things about our democratic system.
But … it also means you end up with some real freaking lunatics on the ballot when you’re still in the primaries.
You’ve heard of the “Dream Team,” right? Well, in Washington, we could end up with the “Nightmare Team.” Depending on how things go in this month’s primary and then in the general election, here’s a look at who might end up running the state for the next few years:
One candidate proposes to force Boeing to convert from aircraft production into a company that produces solar and wind power equipment. This same candidate also wants to ban single-occupant vehicles (except in places where there’s no public transportation).
Another candidate proposes helping the economy by encouraging construction of homes made of strawbale, wood, and clay. (Those homes would be cheaper, the candidate says, and we wouldn’t have such mortgage problems like we have now.)
Another candidate lists as his “elected experience” the fact that he’s served nine years on the board of directors of a national hotel chain.
That’s better than another candidate, whose sole elected experience is being voted Treasurer at his local Moose Lodge.
A fifth candidate lists as his significant career experience the fact that he’s created an “air engine” that can power cars, and will let us stop relying on fossil fuels while ending global warming.
And those are the more normal options. The winner of this competition is a candidate who:
It’s possible that this office could be in the hands of a gentleman whose Candidate Statement begins with the exhortation, Viva Chavez! Yes, as in Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. He goes on to accuse the media of lying, and says “we’re at war with our own government” and with corporate America. Oh, and he calls Bill Gates a “software terrorist.”
This is my local district. One of the candidates believes an across-the-board 10% income tax will fund all levels of government. He wants the Federal, State, and Local governments to each receive 3.33% of that 10% tax … as if funding a military costs the same as cleaning up the park down the street from me.
One of the candidates lists “Poker pro” as his occupation.
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So there you have it. Should be an interesting primary, and with the way people on the other side of the mountains often vote, it could be an interesting general election, too!
I think it’s sweet that the Republicans and Democrats are in the “holiday” spirit today. The GOP is offering a half-dozen Valentine’s Day e-cards that you can send to a friend. They feature Hillary and Barack sharing some pretty funny Valentine wishes for your loved one. Here’s a sample:
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee has put together a romantic little video about George Bush and John McCain. It’s a minute long – have a look:
Whatever party you support, I hope you’re having a happy Valentine’s Day, too. 🙂