Windfall

President Obama has actualized his campaign promises. No one thought he could do it, but he did. He wanted to bring bipartisanship back to Washington. Last night, a vote on the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" was opposed in a bipartisan manner, 244-188 with 11 lonesome Democrats voting against the legislation. Republicans and Democrats, sharing a common purpose, holding hands across the aisle. He also promised the need for 'transparency'. This latest legislation is not only 647 pages of transparency, but the common citizen will find it a page turner and more understandable than the IRS tax codes.

In all seriousness, which when I actually contemplate what our 'representatives' are doing in Washington I immediately grab my blankie and start sucking my thumb curling up into the fetal position, I hope the Republican's stood their ground not just to oppose this new administration. I hope the Republican's finally stood their ground against principles contrary to the conservatives' beliefs who elected them. Did losing the majority, the White House, and the trust of us conservatives finally convince them to return to their roots and foundations of the Republican Party? Or are they just playing politics? Probably a little of both, but I'm glad they did.

This "Stimulus Package" is like the government lottery. Who's going to collect their windfall? Energy department's winning is $54 billion, Education's winning is $141 billion, Health Care's winning is $150 billion! This is not their total budget, this is on top of their allotted fiscal budget. But, they won't receive one lump sum. Actually, the legislation lottery calls for only 20% of the earnings to be shelled out in 2009, which seems contradictory to the Promo-Ads running on national news, starring Nancy Pelosi saying our economy needs 'swift' action and an immediate stimulant.

What are they thinking? Throwing money into a black hole won't make the bottom seem less distant. In early 2008 our economy needed a jump start, and the government promised that the $152 billion stimulus package would do the trick. Couple months later, the government is again promising that the $700 billion financial industry bail out would be more than enough. Now, we have to swallow a $820 billion stimulus package when smaller one's didn't work? And why would we trust the government with a bigger budget when they can't account for the already astronomical $700 billion bail outs? President Obama spoke often on the campaign trail about the 'trickle up' theory of economics. Giving more to the workers, which will stimulate the economy and 'trickle up'. How is giving the government and more businesses follow his 'trickle up theory'? It doesn't! If he truly was pushing this new concept, he would give the American people money to put towards their mortgages and credit card debt, which would stimulate the economy. But this isn't change? This is Bush's economic policies of the last year on steroids!

If you can't make it through the entire legislation, found here...

Look at the simplified break down of the 'stimulus package' here.

Mother Nature vs. Father Climate

This is a domestic dispute of epic proportions. A marriage destined for eternity, a relationship as solid as the ice caps, a bond stronger and greater than the equator. Yet, behind closed doors, their temperment fluctuates more than Oprah's scale. Mother Nature has turned a cold shoulder on her former ally, Father Climate, a.k.a Nobel Peace Prize winner, a.k.a. Oscar winner, a.k.a. former Vice President, a.k.a. Albert Gore. You would assume she would stay her ice-princess demeanor until after he addresses Congress in Washington about the deeply concerning Global Warming crisis. But her frigid revenge has fallen over the Capitol, providing the opposite atmosphere needed to validate Gore's urgent plea.

Will this once hot couple begin a smoldering affair once more? Or will our temperatures continue to decline, along with Mother Nature's passion towards her once summer fling? Father Climate will no doubt beg for her warmth once more. Will she give in to his plea's? Only time and your local meteorologist will tell.

New Era of Responsibility

The glow of the historic inauguration is dimming, our eyes adjusting to the reality of our country's current situation. President Barack Obama is done partying with the stars, and jumping in to the day to day grind that will be the next four years. They are collecting the thousands of port-a-potties off the D.C. Mall. Let's take their cue, and get back to business.

First on my agenda, Timothy Geithner. Oh, poor, remorseful, innocently mistaken, Timothy Geithner. Only days before he was named as President Obama's nominee for Secretary of Treasury, did he pay in full the remaining balance of the $34,000 he failed to pay in taxes from 2001-2004. He blamed TurboTax and his accountant for failing to "catch his error", these taxes being paid on his income he earned while working for the International Monetary Fund. Although most Senator's are hesitant in "sweeping his tax problems under the rug", they feel that Geithner is the only man for the job of healing the recession before us and a very fractured economy." (Senator Charles Grassley, Iowa, Rep.)

This entire debacle, which is making my ears bleed and head explode, reminds me of a few lines from President Obama's inaugural speech. Let's reflect back together:

"Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account...and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government."

I completely agree with you, Mr. President. I don't know about you, but Timothy Geithner's nomination would do the opposite of "restoring my vital trust of the government". Let me be fair. I will give him the benefit of doubt that his tax problems are what he says, "careless mistakes". Fine. There is the possibility that a man who's job is crunching numbers, working for financial firms, is confused by tax codes. Even I get lost. However, even if the mistakes were innocent and repaid, why on earth would we intrust our "fragile" economy in the hands of someone who can't keep his own books properly!? Secretary Paulson hasn't had any tax problems (that we know of) and he can't account for millions upon billions of dollars of the "Rescue Plan". (Which will be another, lengthy, post!) If President Obama is to lead by example, showing us that we need to first take responsibility for ourselves and our house, he should remove Geithner's nomination. As Geithner being the guy "who will manage public dollars", he needs to be "held to account" for his careless mistakes.

Check. Item one on my agenda, done! Moving on to the next....(any suggestions?)

Pomp and Circumstance

I have pulled myself away from ABC's minute-to-minute...actually second-to-second coverage of President Obama's inauguration to share some thoughts with you. I am completely fascinated with all the pomp and circumstance surrounding this four year event. The parades, the flags, the patriotic hymns, the ceremonial traditions, everything surrounding this timeless passing of the torch is rich with history and I am mesmorized. Inaugural speeches have lend us amazing phrases such as "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself" and "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". Each elected President has given an inaugural speech, beginning with our first, President George Washington. Their speeches give an insight into the mood and happenings of the United States when they took the oath of office.

In his humble auratory, he pleaded with the "Parent of the Human Race" that "since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend."

Abraham Lincoln faced an already divided country in his first inaugural address, and confronted the Southern issue of slavery head on. His profound words still ring true with our current crisis our country is in, "Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time. If there be an object to hurry any of you in hot haste to a step which you would never take deliberately, that object will be frustrated by taking time; but no good object can be frustrated by it."

After suffering from a bloody and still ensuing Civil War, President Lincoln faced a divided Union a second time with a much briefer message. He concluded his remarks saying, "With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."

Each inaugural address documents an era. President Obama introduced the "era of responsibility". This among other themes in his speech, I will go over more tomorrow. I must get back to my vigil, folding laundry and watching the procession and parties which follow the swearing in of the highest office in our country.

(If you would like to read each inaugural address, go here.)

Hiatus

There are many news-worthy stories that need to be dissected and discussed. (Gaza cease fire, Bush commuting border patrol sentences, Timothy Geithner's tax problem, The Bachelor, etc.) I will hopefully cover those after tomorrow. For the moment, I am thoroughly enjoying history being laid out before me. I am trying to set aside my policy disagreements, snarky commentary, and taking a deep breath. There are few events in your life where you know your kids will eventually ask you where you were, what you were doing, how you felt, when they happened. Today and tomorrow are those days.

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. day. As moms, we recognize that because our kids are out of school. But I hope we take a moment and recognize the transformation that has happened in our country over the past 200 years. It is amazing to me that it took 100 years after the Civil War, for the Civil Rights movement to make the changes the Emancipation Proclamation was geared towards. Over 100 years! Our parents grew up in segregation, "For Whites Only", or the "Separate but equal" era. And now less than 50 years later, we have elected a black President. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., I would like to highlight a few of our nation's "First's".

Hiram Rhodes Revels, Republican Mississippi, 1870

Joseph Rainey, Republican South Carolina, 1870

During the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, black Americans seemed to make advances within the political system, filling the first seats in the House and Senate to be held by black men. Hiram Rhodes Revels only served one term in the US Senate, beginning in 1870, as the first black Senator. Although he championed noble causes of equality, all were shot down or overturned. In the same year, Joseph Rainey was elected the US House of Representatives from South Carolina. He served four terms, yet had the same misfortune Revels did in accomplishing any civil rights legislation. After the Reconstruction era ended, blacks returned to their second-class status, practically eliminating them from politics all together.

It wasn't until 1928 when Oscar Stanton de Priest was elected as the first post-Reconstruction US Congressman, from Illinois. (representing the south side of Chicago, no less). He served three consecutive terms, pushing anti-discrimination bills. Many failed, for example the anti-lynching bill. Yet, he had small but meaningful successes, such as the bill which permitted a transfer of jurisdiction if a defendant believed he or she could not get a fair trial because of race or religion.

Edward Brooke was the first post-Reconstruction black man elected to the US Senate. His accomplishments are extensive, so I'll only enumerate several. He co-authored the 1968 Fair Housing Act, which prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin. He was the ranking Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, and also stood out as the first Republican to call for President Nixon's resignation, post-Watergate scandal. He not only fought for equality regarding race, but gender as well.

Thurgood Marshall was the first black man to serve in the US Supreme Court, appointed in 1967 by President Johnson. His resume preceded him, making huge strides within the Civil Rights movement. He laid the legal ground work, representing in landmark cases such as: Murray v. Pearson, Chambers v. Florida, and most famously Brown v. Board of Education. As a US Supreme Court Justice he took a strong stance against the death penalty and for the woman's right to abort. He served honorably for the next 24 years.

Shirley Chisholm was elected the first black woman to the US Congress in 1968, a democrat from New York. As a US Congresswoman she served on the Veteran's Affairs Committee, and Education and Labor Committee. In 1972 she ran for the Democratic Presidential Nomination in only 12 states, yet receiving 28 delegates during the Primaries. At the convention, Hubert Humphrey, who highly opposed McGovern, released his black delegates to Chisholm, which gave her a total of 152 delegates. Her comments regarding her bid, "in spite of hopeless odds, . . . I ran for office to demonstrate the sheer will and refusal to accept the status quo". The story which impressed me most was that of her visiting the infamous Governor George Wallace in the hospital after his assassination attempt. Her doing so, endeared him to her, which later helped her when she proposed a bill requiring a minimum wage for workers and needed his efforts persuading the southern congressmen.

There are so many more, including Douglas Wilder, first black Governor; Carol Moseley Braun, first black woman Senator; Colin Powell, first black Secretary of State, and now the first black President, Barack Obama. Have we realized Martin Luther King, Jr's dream of equality? Do we still find "the Negro still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land"? Has the "citizens of color" finally cashed the "check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice"? Have the "white people" realized "that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom"? Is today the day Dr. King saw when "all of God's children...will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Read the "I had a Dream" speech in it's entirety, here.

Environment at risk

Yesterday's crash landing of US Airways flight 1549 has sparked some controversy throughout the US Environmental Protection Agency, and PITA. The Bird Conservation wing of the EPA is investigating the slaughtering of a flock of geese which the US Airways pilot, and ex-fighter pilot, apparently targeted. Although the passengers and crew members on board are hailing him a hero for landing a plane safely in the Hudson River - keeping all 155 patrons on board safe, he hides a dark secret. He has long since despised birds, especially geese. While working as an instructor and safety chairman of the Air Line Pilots' Association, he was in charge of investigating malfunctions or plane crashes. The FAA reports that there have been 200 deaths linked to "bird strikes" since 1988. This statistic is the reasoning behind Pilot Chelsey Sullenberger's motto of "Move or Die" towards our friends of the skies.

EPA, Bird Conservation and PITA are not the only environmental agency's investigating the "Miracle on the Hudson" debacle. The Office of Water within the EPA has filed a "River of Emergency", asking for $13 billion of federal money to assist in clean-up and future river protection. "The Hudson River is widely known for it's water drinkability, aquatic health ratings, and overall environmental appeal. "One plane can be devastating," says Office of Water director Michael Gearhead. "Think of all the debris, gas, clothing, luggage, food, and sewage that is polluting the previously pristine Hudson River" Gearhead continued. The $13 billion will aid in the removal of all aquatic life currently inhabiting the Hudson River, and placing them in foster care until the river is deemed safe for return. More information will be released as the investigation continues.

An Unwritten Book

I stumbled upon PBS, which rarely happens. The Jim Lehrer News Hour was on, and he was interviewing Vice President Dick Cheney. I have seen impersonations of him, spoofs, and embarrassing comments caught on tape. It has been a long time since I have actually listened to an unspliced interview with the man that is 'a heart beat away from the Presidency'. My curiosity was piqued.

I jumped in just as Jim Lehrer asked him a question regarding what he is proud of accomplishing, as he is now leaving the office. He responded with this administrations typical "We have not been attacked since 9-11. We have prevented another homeland attack on our civilians." What a surprise, right? Jim Lehrer followed up with, a question something like "Have there been many attempts? Why have we not been aware of such attacks?" His next answer surprised me. Maybe because I have been one of the hundreds of millions of citizens who go about their day-to-day responsibilities unaware of our threats. Vice President Cheney then listed off a longer list than expected of thwarted terrorist attacks, I only committed several to memory. They were: a multi-plane attack departing from London's Heathrow Airport, an airplane attack similar to 9-11 on several of the west coast high rises in a populated area, dirty bombs being distributed throughout the mainland in a coordinated attacks, and an airplane attack over O'Hare Airport in Chicago.

I was shocked. I wanted to know more information about these possibly devastating events. What kind of book could our intelligence community, or even this administration write about things we didn't know. Was it for our safety that these attacks were never leaked? Would it have helped their public image if we knew all the difficult decisions they truly had to make for our own safety? Probably minimally. Were these plans thwarted because of access the government had through the Patriot Act? Will we ever know? Is this why President Bush is convinced his legacy will eventually be redeemed with 20-20 hindsight? Questions we may never have the answers to. But I for one, would love to know!

Happy Birthday Mr. President

In honor of former President, Richard Nixon, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich celebrated by doing something President Nixon never did and avoided at all costs. Being impeached. Yes, Gov. Rod Blagojevich was impeached on Richard Nixon's birthday. In more words than, "I am not a crook", Blagojevich has stated that he "is not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing" and that all he was attempting as Governor was to fight for the people of Illinois and that is "not an impeachable offense." No, Rod, working for your constituents is not an impeachable offense. Being a pompous, bang fluffing, self-absorbed, egocentric jerk is not an impeachable offense. Abuse of power is an impeachable offense. Breaking state and federal laws are impeachable offenses. And in your own words, "willingness to barter official acts and taxpayer money for personal and political gain" are impeachable offenses.

Rod, because you are obviously so unaware of laws, legal precedents and proceedings, I will break it down for you. Impeach means to formally accuse or indict. After you are officially accused of a crime, or impeached, you will stand trial. One of the consequences, if you are found guilty of what you are accused, is to be thrown out of office. And possibly go to jail. With a 114-1 vote to be impeached, your chances of being found guilty by politicians who are trying to distance themselves from the train-wreck that you are, are extremely high. You will be removed from office. I envision the FBI pulling on your ankles in a desperate tug-of-war, while you are digging your claws into the Governor's desk, unwilling to let go. Hopefully you will come to your senses, but if not, you are building a strong case of mental incompetence if you have to stand criminal trial.

XXX Bail Out

Another multi-billion dollar industry is seeking a bail out from the U.S. government. The porn industry brings in an estimated $12 billion a year revenue, and has been suffering along with the rest of the country in this economic recession. Joe Francis, owner of Girls Gone Wild, and Larry Flynt, owner of Hustler Magazine, have come together to petition government for a financial bail out. "It's time for Congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America. The only way they can do this is by supporting the adult industry and doing it quickly," commiserated Larry Flint. They are preaching to the choir! Some members of Congress, and others in government, have proven to have an unhealthy sexual appetite. First White House interns, then Congressional pages, have taken their patriotic duty in sacrificing themselves before the altar of governmental sexual appetite. Is the porn industry too big to fail? Larry Flint continues in saying, "With all this economic misery and people losing all that money, sex is the farthest thing from their mind". Poor dirty old men who make money off promisculously naive barely-legal girls, suffering along with the rest of us.

When Harry Met Roland

Meet Harry. Meet Roland. When Harry finally met Roland.

Lover's quarrels are always deliciously salacious. Headlining news, rumors flying, 'he said'-'he said' accusations. The Senate Democrats were so disgusted with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's actions, they had commited to "not seat anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich". When Roland Burris showed up on Capitol Hill, incomplete certificate in hand, Sen. Reid refused to grant him his seat. Soon-to-be-Senator Burris held an impromptu press conference in the rain, winning him sympathy points. The Black Caucus in the Senate jumped ship, President-Elect Obama reportedly jumped ship, Sen. Fienstein jumped ship, leaving Sen. Reid "all by [him]self". The lonliness eventually forced him to abandon his morals and meet with Roland Burris. In a press conference afterwards, he assured the American public his refusal to seat Burris had nothing to do with race. This was in response to the claim 'a lot of people' were making. Thank you for clearing up the non-issue, Mr. Reid. The 'nonracialness' of this controversy has now been cleared up, and they can 'do what they can do' now. I am grateful they have kissed and made-up, and now we can get down to the dirty business of finances. The number one reason for couples separating are financial issues. Hope they can make it through.

Top 10 Best Selling Cars

The Top 10 Best Selling Cars of 2008 list has been released. They are:
1. Ford F-Series

2. Chevy Silverado

3. Toyota Camry

4. Honda Accord
5. Toyota Corolla

6. Honda Civic

7. Nissan Altima

8. Chevy Impala

9. Dodge Ram

10. Honda CR-V

My Take: WHAT?!?!? You mean that even over a year with record breaking gas prices, the fear of global warming, a recession, American's are still buying a gas-guzzling truck? Three trucks make the list and a mid-sized SUV? What happened to MSNBC's prediction of the Toyota Prius being the #1 sedan? Not on the list. If there was any year that hybrids or fuel efficient cars would logically be top sellers, it would be 2008! The demand is not there. For whatever reason, the buying public is not interested in the 'green' cars. When we looked at buying a sedan, my husband set up a spreadsheet to see how cost-efficient it would be for us to buy a Honda Civic Hybrid, as opposed to the regular (still semi-fuel efficient) model. He figured it would take us over 10 years to break even, figuring how much we spend on gas. Besides your home, buying a car is the next biggest investment, which purchase everyone considers all aspects seriously. I just found it post-worthy that the majority of American's are still willing to buy a large, fuel-inefficient truck. What do you think?