The U.S. Senate and House passed health-care legislation that will be taken up after the new year to reconcile the two bills into one. The out come of their deliberations should be a health-care bill that truly brings about health-care reform for the better of all concerned and that enhances the quality of life for the people. The country will see if congress is able to discharge their responsibility.
The democrats who control both houses of congress have to move away from the republicans as they have shown they will oppose every thing coming out of the Obama administration. They also have to move away from the extremes on both sides concerning abortion language in the health-care legislation. This is a health-care bill not an abortion bill. The language that bans using federal funds for abortion does not have to be changed or altered as some of the so called blue dogs and republicans insist on. The leaders in the senate and house have to show leadership, courage and not be intimidated.
The final bill should not add to the federal deficit and should in fact reduce future deficits. The prescription drug benefit that was passed by the republican controlled congress during Bush's administration was paid for by deficit spending at a cost of $2 trillion over a 10 year period. The democrats can not repeat that mistake in their health-care bill. The republicans also gave the American people the donut hole that the present health-care bill will close.
President Obama and the democrats have a historic opportunity here. The President should urge the democrats to refuse any campaign funds from any special interest group during the upcoming merger debate of the two bills and the democrats should be willing to do so and devote their time to producing a good health-care final bill. Let the republicans take all the money they want. Too much special interest money has already been accepted by both sides of the isle. The democrats can set an example if they would announce this as their position and stick with it. Elected officials can not deny anyone free speech, but there is no law that says they have to accept campaign contributions.
The President should also ride herd over congress concerning the merger of the two bills to insure that the final bill will provide in the long run results that prove it was the right thing to do for the American people and the country.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Federal Stimulus At Work In Louisiana
The Times Picayune carried a story dated December 26 concerning the rebuilding of a section of Earhart Blvd., in New Orleans that will last one year. The section was originally a part of the State Economic and Development program which financed 4 other sections of
Earhart since 1999 and ran out of money in 2006.
The total cost is $12.4 million and all but $1.8 million will come from the stimulus and other federal funds. Jeff Roesel of the New Orleans Planning Commission said the "stimulus" was like manna from heaven. Jobs will be created for at least a year for the project and bring in added revenue for the city, state and private industry.
This is just another example how states are being helped by the stimulus regardless what the negative voices of state officials have been saying. The work created by the federal dollars will create jobs and help make the mayor and governor look good. The people who use this section of Earhart can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel which was snuffed out in 2006 by the lack of funds from the city and state.
Earhart since 1999 and ran out of money in 2006.
The total cost is $12.4 million and all but $1.8 million will come from the stimulus and other federal funds. Jeff Roesel of the New Orleans Planning Commission said the "stimulus" was like manna from heaven. Jobs will be created for at least a year for the project and bring in added revenue for the city, state and private industry.
This is just another example how states are being helped by the stimulus regardless what the negative voices of state officials have been saying. The work created by the federal dollars will create jobs and help make the mayor and governor look good. The people who use this section of Earhart can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel which was snuffed out in 2006 by the lack of funds from the city and state.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Governors Who Oppose Health Care Reform
The number of people without health care insurance has been increasing each year for a number of years. Businesses have cut back providing health insurance for their employees, discontinued it altogether or increased their premium share. Many small business people have no health insurance at all. The problem has affected people from every state. The issue is before congress and there are many governors who are in opposition.
So I have a question for those governors who are in opposition. Since the problem is not new, why have you failed to address the problem in your state yourself? After all it is your states problem and you seem to have all the answers as to what should be done. Are you afraid that the answer in part is that some taxes would have to be raised to pay for the legislation and you want no part of that. You only want to criticize others who have the courage to address the situation. Your ideology would have to give way to fact to take care of this problem and you do not have the courage to challenge your warped ideology. It would also mean hard choices for you and your state and you want no part of that either.
Some governors have also lied about the health care legislation before congress and some special interest groups have also done the same thing. If the opposition prevails maybe its time for congress to wash their hands of the matter and tell the governors and states to handle their own states problem without any help from the congress or federal government. That way the governors and states could do the job they are responsible for in the first place. As of the present time they deserve a big fat "F" on the subject.
So I have a question for those governors who are in opposition. Since the problem is not new, why have you failed to address the problem in your state yourself? After all it is your states problem and you seem to have all the answers as to what should be done. Are you afraid that the answer in part is that some taxes would have to be raised to pay for the legislation and you want no part of that. You only want to criticize others who have the courage to address the situation. Your ideology would have to give way to fact to take care of this problem and you do not have the courage to challenge your warped ideology. It would also mean hard choices for you and your state and you want no part of that either.
Some governors have also lied about the health care legislation before congress and some special interest groups have also done the same thing. If the opposition prevails maybe its time for congress to wash their hands of the matter and tell the governors and states to handle their own states problem without any help from the congress or federal government. That way the governors and states could do the job they are responsible for in the first place. As of the present time they deserve a big fat "F" on the subject.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
The State of Louisiana
Former President George Bush, U.S. Senator John McCain and many other republicans said over and over last year that "the U.S. economy was fundamentally sound," at a time when the economy was falling apart and job losses were at record levels. They were wrong and out of touch with reality. Louisiana Governor Jindal has joined the ranks of the republican ditto heads in not understanding the real problem facing the people of Louisiana because of his ideology. Elected officials who govern by ideology will not allow themselves to understand what is happening on the ground floor.
Jindal has been saying the state's economy has out performed the nation and the south. He points to the unemployment rate in Louisiana being lower than the national rate but is silent on the fact that the state unemployment rate is up almost two percentage points from last year. State sales taxes, corporate income taxes and individual income taxes are down and playing havoc with the state budget.
The latest report published in the Times Picayune dated 12/18, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said Louisiana posted the weakest showing of any state when it comes to personal income growth during the third quarter and declined by 0.4% from the second quarter. Louisiana was only one of four states that saw a decline during the third quarter. It was pointed out earlier in politidose that median household income in Louisiana dropped 7.8% in 2008 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The downward spiral continues. The Louisiana department of Social Services latest report shows the number of state households receiving food stamps has increased 24% over the last two years. The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the number of people collecting unemployment checks in Louisiana has more than doubled in the past year. None of these numbers are positive for the people of Louisiana despite Mr. Jindal's pronouncements.
Louisiana's fast talking governor has the same problem as the republican ditto heads, their priority is not the advancement of the quality of life for the working people. Trickle down economics failed for the third time under George W. Bush's administration and like Bush, Jindal has no real economic plan for the state because of his ideology. His administration has to keep adjusting the projected state budget deficits because he has no real plan to deal with the cause of the problem. Jindal will continue his record out of state visits to raise funds for a run at a national office and in the process fore-go any plans to really deal with the plight of the people.
Just in the last few days his administration discovered the present budget that ends June 30 has an additional deficit of $248 million that has to be closed. State colleges also reported they want to be free to raise school tuition on their own authority to the southern average. So called conservative republican officials have the same ditto head mentality. They continue to talk no new taxes and then stick it to the average worker a hundred different ways. The negative numbers show Jindal is succeeding in the continuation of the ditto head ideology at the expense of the average worker. That says it all.
Jindal has been saying the state's economy has out performed the nation and the south. He points to the unemployment rate in Louisiana being lower than the national rate but is silent on the fact that the state unemployment rate is up almost two percentage points from last year. State sales taxes, corporate income taxes and individual income taxes are down and playing havoc with the state budget.
The latest report published in the Times Picayune dated 12/18, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said Louisiana posted the weakest showing of any state when it comes to personal income growth during the third quarter and declined by 0.4% from the second quarter. Louisiana was only one of four states that saw a decline during the third quarter. It was pointed out earlier in politidose that median household income in Louisiana dropped 7.8% in 2008 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The downward spiral continues. The Louisiana department of Social Services latest report shows the number of state households receiving food stamps has increased 24% over the last two years. The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the number of people collecting unemployment checks in Louisiana has more than doubled in the past year. None of these numbers are positive for the people of Louisiana despite Mr. Jindal's pronouncements.
Louisiana's fast talking governor has the same problem as the republican ditto heads, their priority is not the advancement of the quality of life for the working people. Trickle down economics failed for the third time under George W. Bush's administration and like Bush, Jindal has no real economic plan for the state because of his ideology. His administration has to keep adjusting the projected state budget deficits because he has no real plan to deal with the cause of the problem. Jindal will continue his record out of state visits to raise funds for a run at a national office and in the process fore-go any plans to really deal with the plight of the people.
Just in the last few days his administration discovered the present budget that ends June 30 has an additional deficit of $248 million that has to be closed. State colleges also reported they want to be free to raise school tuition on their own authority to the southern average. So called conservative republican officials have the same ditto head mentality. They continue to talk no new taxes and then stick it to the average worker a hundred different ways. The negative numbers show Jindal is succeeding in the continuation of the ditto head ideology at the expense of the average worker. That says it all.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tea Parties: The Real Thing Or Just Decaff
The right wing republicans and journalists that have been promoting the tax and health care tea parties have no kick, nor do those that participate. Their rhetoric toward President Obama has been vile and un American. They share a problem with all those who oppose health care reform but not to the same right wing extent.
While Congress is debating health care and the regulation of financial institutions, the special interest groups sponsored by lobbyist and corporate America are spending billions of dollars on advertising and campaign contributions while Congress is debating the matter. They even lie in their advertising but the tea party supporters are silent to this buying of congress. Does the public really understand what has been taking place in our system of government? The people who are buying Congress are being given a free ride. We have already experienced first hand how the misuse of wealth has created the terrible economic conditions the country is faced with today.
The actions of the conservative right wing should be of great concern to all Americans because they want to see America fail under the Obama administration at all cost, even if it means more economic hardships for the people. It reminds me of the hatred the right wingers in Dallas openly displayed for President Kennedy on the day he arrived there on November 22, 1963.
The people need to think hard about what is happening. The future is on the line.
While Congress is debating health care and the regulation of financial institutions, the special interest groups sponsored by lobbyist and corporate America are spending billions of dollars on advertising and campaign contributions while Congress is debating the matter. They even lie in their advertising but the tea party supporters are silent to this buying of congress. Does the public really understand what has been taking place in our system of government? The people who are buying Congress are being given a free ride. We have already experienced first hand how the misuse of wealth has created the terrible economic conditions the country is faced with today.
The actions of the conservative right wing should be of great concern to all Americans because they want to see America fail under the Obama administration at all cost, even if it means more economic hardships for the people. It reminds me of the hatred the right wingers in Dallas openly displayed for President Kennedy on the day he arrived there on November 22, 1963.
The people need to think hard about what is happening. The future is on the line.
Exxon-Mobil Purchase of XTO Energy
Exxon-Mobil the worlds largest publicly traded oil company has agreed to purchase XTO Energy for $29 billion according to a report out of the Associated Press. XTO claims about 45 trillion cubic feet of natural gas much of it trapped in shale formations which Technology has made much cheaper to produce.
Exxon-Mobil is counting on natural gas to replace coal and other types of fuel to lower the environmental impact those other fuels have on the environment. Congress should step in and deny this purchase. If this buy out is allowed to go through it will allow Exxon-Mobil to eliminate competition and that will cause higher prices for the consumer.
Exxon bought Mobil in 1999 for $75 billion and that buy out did not result in one additional well being drilled or produced of the combined two companies. It simply eliminated competition, was a factor in $150 barrel oil and produced record bonuses for Exxon-Mobil executives. The major companies like Exxon-Mobil want to dominate the natural gas industry to keep prices high. Natural gas closed on 12/15 at $5.42, not long ago it was over $13. They want to get that price back up to take advantage of invironmental concerns so the big boys will continue to eliminate competition.
Boone Pickens, the oil man who spent lots of money advertising his wind farm idea to produce electricity and natural gas to run automobiles has for now shut down that project because he said the price of natural gas is too low. Remember this is the same Mr. Pickens who said gasoline should be selling for $4.00 gallon. Can anyone remember when natural gas was $13 and the fuel surcharge passed along on your utility bill was greater than the charge for the use of the utility.
XTO's chairman and founder Bob Simpson who retired as CEO in 2008 was compensated to the tune of $53.5 million last year, one of the highest paid executives in the United States the report also stated. The Congress can not let big oil do to natural gas what they have been doing to the price of oil and gasoline. Those people will create shortages when ever they want too and manipulate the price.
It is more important for America to go green more than ever before with alternate fuels. Congress should see to it that the oil and gas industry, the banking industry and the financial industry should not have the power of monopoly.
Exxon-Mobil is counting on natural gas to replace coal and other types of fuel to lower the environmental impact those other fuels have on the environment. Congress should step in and deny this purchase. If this buy out is allowed to go through it will allow Exxon-Mobil to eliminate competition and that will cause higher prices for the consumer.
Exxon bought Mobil in 1999 for $75 billion and that buy out did not result in one additional well being drilled or produced of the combined two companies. It simply eliminated competition, was a factor in $150 barrel oil and produced record bonuses for Exxon-Mobil executives. The major companies like Exxon-Mobil want to dominate the natural gas industry to keep prices high. Natural gas closed on 12/15 at $5.42, not long ago it was over $13. They want to get that price back up to take advantage of invironmental concerns so the big boys will continue to eliminate competition.
Boone Pickens, the oil man who spent lots of money advertising his wind farm idea to produce electricity and natural gas to run automobiles has for now shut down that project because he said the price of natural gas is too low. Remember this is the same Mr. Pickens who said gasoline should be selling for $4.00 gallon. Can anyone remember when natural gas was $13 and the fuel surcharge passed along on your utility bill was greater than the charge for the use of the utility.
XTO's chairman and founder Bob Simpson who retired as CEO in 2008 was compensated to the tune of $53.5 million last year, one of the highest paid executives in the United States the report also stated. The Congress can not let big oil do to natural gas what they have been doing to the price of oil and gasoline. Those people will create shortages when ever they want too and manipulate the price.
It is more important for America to go green more than ever before with alternate fuels. Congress should see to it that the oil and gas industry, the banking industry and the financial industry should not have the power of monopoly.
Monday, December 14, 2009
An Economic Turnaround: Job Creation and Fiscal Stability, There Is A Precedent
There is a part of our past that can be used to judge if our country has the capacity to turn around the economy, create new jobs and put our financial and fiscal house in order. We the people have had some bad times and some really bad, bad times like the great depression and the situation George Bush left the country in. WWII was a bad time but was not created by our own hand.
We were taught in school that the Dark Ages could best be described as that period "when learning seemed to stop." That could also apply when our leaders fail to learn from the past. We now find ourselves in a position where action has to be taken that is out of the norm for our usual problems. We don't usually have to bail out our financial institutions at a cost or $700 billion or spend $787 billion to stimulate the economy. That is not the norm for our country.
Learning from the past is the key to the future, so is precedent and that is where President Obama and his administration comes into play. If you are asking yourself why is that, the answer is because he is a democrat. Now before anyones nose gets out of joint let me offer an explaination. It is true that some of both democratic and republican Presidents of the past had administrations where the country and its people did not do so well. However, every piece of major legislation that advanced the quality of life for the people came out of a democratic administration.
Keep in mind that the best economy, best job creation, lowest unemployment, lowest crime rates, record budget surpluses, lowest drop in the poverty levels, the best stock market gains and largest increase in the average workers salary all took place on a democratic President's watch. The only two Presidents to balance the federal budget in the last 48 years were democrats. Medicare and Social Security are democratic programs, where would our seniors be today if that were not available? And yes, the democrats were also better at controlling federal spending. That fact was pointed out in a previous article.
So there is a precedent for President Obama to follow in dealing with the situation the country is faced with. That and learning from the past is Obama's road map to once again move the country and its people forward to new prosperity. With leadership, courage and the wisdom to understand and correct the mistakes of the past all can be accomplished.
We were taught in school that the Dark Ages could best be described as that period "when learning seemed to stop." That could also apply when our leaders fail to learn from the past. We now find ourselves in a position where action has to be taken that is out of the norm for our usual problems. We don't usually have to bail out our financial institutions at a cost or $700 billion or spend $787 billion to stimulate the economy. That is not the norm for our country.
Learning from the past is the key to the future, so is precedent and that is where President Obama and his administration comes into play. If you are asking yourself why is that, the answer is because he is a democrat. Now before anyones nose gets out of joint let me offer an explaination. It is true that some of both democratic and republican Presidents of the past had administrations where the country and its people did not do so well. However, every piece of major legislation that advanced the quality of life for the people came out of a democratic administration.
Keep in mind that the best economy, best job creation, lowest unemployment, lowest crime rates, record budget surpluses, lowest drop in the poverty levels, the best stock market gains and largest increase in the average workers salary all took place on a democratic President's watch. The only two Presidents to balance the federal budget in the last 48 years were democrats. Medicare and Social Security are democratic programs, where would our seniors be today if that were not available? And yes, the democrats were also better at controlling federal spending. That fact was pointed out in a previous article.
So there is a precedent for President Obama to follow in dealing with the situation the country is faced with. That and learning from the past is Obama's road map to once again move the country and its people forward to new prosperity. With leadership, courage and the wisdom to understand and correct the mistakes of the past all can be accomplished.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
The Rosetta Stone to Rush Limbaugh
The news media in every form, printed, radio and television has through the years produced journalists, writers, commentators and talk show hosts with successful careers. However successful, many never achieved respect, truthfulness or the ability to improve the quality of their own profession. Rush Limbaugh is one of those news media people.
Limbaugh is a person who can not relate to another human in a human way because one has to have understanding to do that. His only debating skill is to put people down and that identifies his real problem, that of an individual who is incapable of competing with facts and the truth. Part of Rush's problem is Rush himself because of his feelings of being inadequate. He exhibits traits of not liking himself because he has failed several times at staying in a married relationship.
Being a negative person is another sign of Rush feeling inadequate. Negative people never explain their rationale for being negative because they hide from the facts and the truths. That is the reason Rush attacked democrats during the 8 years George W. Bush ran the country. He could not find any accomplishments by Mr. Bush so his real character problem came out and his negative comments were aimed at democrats.
The loud outgoing volume of Rush's speech is to project confidence but it is to mask the low esteem he actually has for himself because of feeling inadequate. He appears to be getting more and more obese with every new picture shown. That is a tell tale sign of a man who is troubled with himself.
Many of Rush's comments have also been cruel toward other people. That is the ultimate sign of his weakness as a person and his inability to cope. Recently Rush called U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu a prostitute for adding money to health care legislation that would close a medicaid gap in Louisiana's health system. His use of the word is an indication that is how he feels about himself. Another example is accusing those democrats who did not support the unnecessary war in Iraq of cutting and running. Rush is familiar with the words cut and run because that is what he did during his generations war. It all comes back to his feeling of being inadequate and his lack of character.
The bottom line is Limbaugh has a popular show but has contributed very little for the audience he plays too and has been a negative voice in the news media, that form of communication that could do so much good and have a positive impact on people's lives for the better. That is truly a sad story about a sad person named Rush Limbaugh.
Limbaugh is a person who can not relate to another human in a human way because one has to have understanding to do that. His only debating skill is to put people down and that identifies his real problem, that of an individual who is incapable of competing with facts and the truth. Part of Rush's problem is Rush himself because of his feelings of being inadequate. He exhibits traits of not liking himself because he has failed several times at staying in a married relationship.
Being a negative person is another sign of Rush feeling inadequate. Negative people never explain their rationale for being negative because they hide from the facts and the truths. That is the reason Rush attacked democrats during the 8 years George W. Bush ran the country. He could not find any accomplishments by Mr. Bush so his real character problem came out and his negative comments were aimed at democrats.
The loud outgoing volume of Rush's speech is to project confidence but it is to mask the low esteem he actually has for himself because of feeling inadequate. He appears to be getting more and more obese with every new picture shown. That is a tell tale sign of a man who is troubled with himself.
Many of Rush's comments have also been cruel toward other people. That is the ultimate sign of his weakness as a person and his inability to cope. Recently Rush called U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu a prostitute for adding money to health care legislation that would close a medicaid gap in Louisiana's health system. His use of the word is an indication that is how he feels about himself. Another example is accusing those democrats who did not support the unnecessary war in Iraq of cutting and running. Rush is familiar with the words cut and run because that is what he did during his generations war. It all comes back to his feeling of being inadequate and his lack of character.
The bottom line is Limbaugh has a popular show but has contributed very little for the audience he plays too and has been a negative voice in the news media, that form of communication that could do so much good and have a positive impact on people's lives for the better. That is truly a sad story about a sad person named Rush Limbaugh.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Environment: Pollution, Global Warming, Coastal Erosion, Toxic Chemicals and etc.
Global warming is in the news and many countries around the world have already announced what they intend to do about it and in fact have already committed to reduce emissions that scientist say are causing the problem. And then we have those who do not believe in global warming and etc., and in fact want nothing to do with it. No caps, no new rules or regulations, no mandates or any thing else. The status quo should remain.
The debate going on has over looked the real problem. And that is holding those responsible and liable for polluting the atmosphere, the air we breathe and releasing toxic chemicals into the earth and water supply and coastal erosion. If none of those things have an impact on global warming so what? Those responsible should be required to install what ever equipment is necessary to take care of the problem. The debate should center on that issue.
We know for a fact that the building of oil and gas pipelines are the primary cause of coastal erosion and we also know as fact that emissions from chemical plants make people sick and are also fatal at times. Chemicals are leaked into peoples water system that are close to those plants. The standard answer from those industries liable are they can not afford the equipment necessary to make the plants safe. In other words that would take money away from paying those mega bonuses.
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade in an article published in the Times Picayune dated 12/7/09 reported the 10 largest refineries in Louisiana had 2116 accidents between 2005-2008 that resulted in the release of millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into the air and millions of gallons of polluted water into the states water courses. One third of the accidents could be contributed to hurricanes and other bad weather events. It should be noted that even an accident free plant releases toxic chemical into the atmosphere and air we breathe.
Emissions do have an effect on global warming and the environment and because science is involved in both, the polluters want the debate to focus on the uncertainty of science instead of their own liability and responsibility to the general public and the earth we live on. Our political leaders need to focus on enforcement and our environment and global warming will automatically be the beneficiary. Those industries have to be held accountable.
The debate going on has over looked the real problem. And that is holding those responsible and liable for polluting the atmosphere, the air we breathe and releasing toxic chemicals into the earth and water supply and coastal erosion. If none of those things have an impact on global warming so what? Those responsible should be required to install what ever equipment is necessary to take care of the problem. The debate should center on that issue.
We know for a fact that the building of oil and gas pipelines are the primary cause of coastal erosion and we also know as fact that emissions from chemical plants make people sick and are also fatal at times. Chemicals are leaked into peoples water system that are close to those plants. The standard answer from those industries liable are they can not afford the equipment necessary to make the plants safe. In other words that would take money away from paying those mega bonuses.
The Louisiana Bucket Brigade in an article published in the Times Picayune dated 12/7/09 reported the 10 largest refineries in Louisiana had 2116 accidents between 2005-2008 that resulted in the release of millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into the air and millions of gallons of polluted water into the states water courses. One third of the accidents could be contributed to hurricanes and other bad weather events. It should be noted that even an accident free plant releases toxic chemical into the atmosphere and air we breathe.
Emissions do have an effect on global warming and the environment and because science is involved in both, the polluters want the debate to focus on the uncertainty of science instead of their own liability and responsibility to the general public and the earth we live on. Our political leaders need to focus on enforcement and our environment and global warming will automatically be the beneficiary. Those industries have to be held accountable.
Some Good Economic News
The U.S. Labor Department announced that the unemployment rate for November was 10%. That was an unexpected drop from the 10.2% in October. That is not a great number but is welcomed and hopefully is a sign of better things to come. It was also announced that the economy lost 11,000 jobs in November, the fewest job cuts since the recession began in December 2007. Wall Street was expecting 130,000 lost jobs.
Another bit of good news was that job losses for September and October were 159,000 fewer than reported earlier for those months. That is a big improvement and coupled with the November numbers would indicate the major bleeding in job losses has been reduced significantly. Job creation is expected to still remain weak and that has to be reversed to sustain the good news in the latest report.
It should be noted that most of the $787 billion in stimulus funds have not yet been spent and are still available to use where needed to help in job creation and other areas of the economy. The nation has an active President in Obama who is dedicated to bringing the economy and jobs back on line. There are those who do not like an active President, however, we have seen first hand how Mr. Bush's lack of true engagement in the economy failed to have an active policy and role to deal with the reality of how serious the problem had become. The American people and the country has been living with the tragic aftermath.
When December is over we will have an idea just how much consumers spent this holiday season and perhaps we will look back and be able to say that was the true start of an economic turn around that will be sustained for many years to come.
Another bit of good news was that job losses for September and October were 159,000 fewer than reported earlier for those months. That is a big improvement and coupled with the November numbers would indicate the major bleeding in job losses has been reduced significantly. Job creation is expected to still remain weak and that has to be reversed to sustain the good news in the latest report.
It should be noted that most of the $787 billion in stimulus funds have not yet been spent and are still available to use where needed to help in job creation and other areas of the economy. The nation has an active President in Obama who is dedicated to bringing the economy and jobs back on line. There are those who do not like an active President, however, we have seen first hand how Mr. Bush's lack of true engagement in the economy failed to have an active policy and role to deal with the reality of how serious the problem had become. The American people and the country has been living with the tragic aftermath.
When December is over we will have an idea just how much consumers spent this holiday season and perhaps we will look back and be able to say that was the true start of an economic turn around that will be sustained for many years to come.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Bank of America: Pay Back Time For Uncle Sam
Bank of America announced in a surprise move it would pay back Uncle Sam (the taxpayer) the $45 billion in federal bailout money loaned to them under the federal TARP program, that according to a report out of the Associated Press. Also reported, Bank of America said it raised $19.29 billion from a securities offering that , along with cash would be used to repay the money. The action when completed will free Bank of America from limits on executive compensations and other government restrictions.
There is more good news for Uncle Sam. The Bank of America has paid $2.54 billion to the government so far in dividends on the TARP money. The government also received "warrants" in return for the bailout and could receive between $943 million or $2.5 billion for the "warrants" when repurchased by Bank of America the report also stated.
What is most important is that the federal government put this and future TARP money payback to good use and start balancing the federal budget and not create one more penny of debt. We have enough of that and now is the time to start putting our fiscal house back in order. Our economic future will be bright once again if we have the courage to take a stand on the issue.
The payback is proof once again the federal government can do things right with the correct approach and safe guards and the best safe guard is for the people to be involved and let their voices be known. The key is Presidential leadership with the courage to change the status quo. There is some good economic news out there, not much, but more than there has been and that is positive. With the right leadership from the President, any problems can be met head on and taken care of. Government itself is only a problem when elected officials make it so. That is not our destiny but our fate and as the first civilization and its people knew 5000 years ago we can change our fate at any time. It just takes leadership and courage to do so.
Note 1: I reported on destiny and fate in a commentary dated 12/31/08 titled "The U.S., Past, Present and Future.
There is more good news for Uncle Sam. The Bank of America has paid $2.54 billion to the government so far in dividends on the TARP money. The government also received "warrants" in return for the bailout and could receive between $943 million or $2.5 billion for the "warrants" when repurchased by Bank of America the report also stated.
What is most important is that the federal government put this and future TARP money payback to good use and start balancing the federal budget and not create one more penny of debt. We have enough of that and now is the time to start putting our fiscal house back in order. Our economic future will be bright once again if we have the courage to take a stand on the issue.
The payback is proof once again the federal government can do things right with the correct approach and safe guards and the best safe guard is for the people to be involved and let their voices be known. The key is Presidential leadership with the courage to change the status quo. There is some good economic news out there, not much, but more than there has been and that is positive. With the right leadership from the President, any problems can be met head on and taken care of. Government itself is only a problem when elected officials make it so. That is not our destiny but our fate and as the first civilization and its people knew 5000 years ago we can change our fate at any time. It just takes leadership and courage to do so.
Note 1: I reported on destiny and fate in a commentary dated 12/31/08 titled "The U.S., Past, Present and Future.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Civilian Court or Military Tribunal for Terrorists
The so called high powered republicans and their ally at the Fox News Network has lined up against President Obama's Justice Department's decision to try four terror suspects involved in the 9-11 attacks in civilian court. They are predicting a possible acquittal, exposure of CIA secrets concerning detention and torture and of course a big propaganda victory for Al Queda. They must have conveniently forgot about Abu Ghraib.
They want a military tribunal as the venue to try those cases but they forgot one thing. Military Tribunals have laws, rules and regulations to follow also. Now we find a judge in Guantanamo Bay's war crimes court has denied a request by military prosecutors to expand their case against a Sudanese detainee accused of being a body guard for Bin Laden. Air Force Lt. Col. Nancy Paul, the judge ruled that making significant additions to the charge sheet "fundamentally" alters the referred charges and would not be allowed. This from a military court.
Once again the anti Obama people opened their mouth too soon and followed their script of opposing anything coming out of the Obama administration. After seven years of failure by the Bush administration to bring those terrorists to justice, the present administration is doing something about it, that is why the republicans are so angry.
Civilian courts are no strangers to trying terrorists and handing down guilty verdicts. Military and civilian courts both have their advantages and disadvantages and in this case the Justice Department should be given the opportunity to pursue the matter to trial. The sooner the better.
I can see the republicans and the people at Fox News turning red when they read Lt. Col. Nancy Pauls's decision. They must have gone bananas.
They want a military tribunal as the venue to try those cases but they forgot one thing. Military Tribunals have laws, rules and regulations to follow also. Now we find a judge in Guantanamo Bay's war crimes court has denied a request by military prosecutors to expand their case against a Sudanese detainee accused of being a body guard for Bin Laden. Air Force Lt. Col. Nancy Paul, the judge ruled that making significant additions to the charge sheet "fundamentally" alters the referred charges and would not be allowed. This from a military court.
Once again the anti Obama people opened their mouth too soon and followed their script of opposing anything coming out of the Obama administration. After seven years of failure by the Bush administration to bring those terrorists to justice, the present administration is doing something about it, that is why the republicans are so angry.
Civilian courts are no strangers to trying terrorists and handing down guilty verdicts. Military and civilian courts both have their advantages and disadvantages and in this case the Justice Department should be given the opportunity to pursue the matter to trial. The sooner the better.
I can see the republicans and the people at Fox News turning red when they read Lt. Col. Nancy Pauls's decision. They must have gone bananas.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The National Debt: Betrayal and Devastation
This will conclude a number of commentaries I wrote on federal spending, deficit spending and the national debt during the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. See note 1 below concerning my previous commentaries.
The terrible economic, fiscal and financial situation taking place at this very hour is a result of the deficit spending and debt created by the reckless ideology of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 during the past 28 years. America is drowning in debt due to their desire to bankrupt the federal government. During those 28 years President Clinton was the only President who learned from the past and reversed the deficit spending of the Reagan-Bush 41 area. The below information on the debt they created along with Bush 43 tells the real story.
The national debt on 9/30/81, President Carter's last fiscal year budget stood at $999.8 billion. Eight years later when Reagan's last fiscal year budget ended on 9/29/89 the national debt stood at a whopping $2.857 trillion, an increase of $1.859 trillion or 186%. Reagan never balanced one federal budget during his two terms in office, he did not send one balanced budget to congress and his administration paid zero down on the national debt.
George H.W. Bush followed Reagan and four years later when his last fiscal budget year ended on 9/30/93 the national debt stood at $4.411 trillion, an increase of $1.554 trillion or 54%. Bush like Reagan never balanced one federal budget or sent one balanced budget to congress and his administration paid down zero on the national debt.
Bill Clinton followed Bush 41 and when his eight years ended with fiscal year budget 9/30/01 the national debt stood at $5.807 trillion, an increase of $1.395 trillion or 31%. Clinton reduced the deficit every year his first four years in office and then ran surpluses his last four years in office and ended up with a $62.8 billion surplus for his eight years. His administration also paid down $453 billion on the national debt.
George W. Bush followed Clinton and when his eight years ended with fiscal year budget 9/30/09 the national debt stood at $11.909 trillion, an increase of $6.102 trillion or 105%. Like Reagan and Bush 41, he did not balance any federal budgets in the eight years he served or sent one balanced budget to congress and his administration paid down zero on the national debt.
Those four Presidents added a total of $10.946 trillion to the national debt since President Carter's last fiscal year budget and Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 were responsible for $9.551 trillion of that total. Those three President were given 20 years to put the governments fiscal house in order and instead created un-precedented debt for America.
Now comes the real sad story. Interest paid on the national debt because of the money borrowed to finance deficit spending during the above time frame from fiscal 9/30/81 to fiscal 9/30/09 was approximately $8.4 trillion. Granted that some of the interest payments covered the previous $900 billion of debt before 9/30/81 but one can see the great majority of interest was created since then and the great majority on the republican watch, in fact 87%.
That $10.946 trillion in debt plus $8.4 trillion in interest adds up to $19.346 trillion. The $8.4 trillion paid in interest payments is wasted money that does not create one job or add to the quality of life for our people. Think of what that $8.4 trillion alone could have paid for. The country's defense budget is approximately $660 billion, social security approximately $640 billion and medicare approximately $500 billion. Those programs could have been extended a lot of years with that kind of money. Because of this massive debt and the terrible shape of the economy the CBO projects that by the year 2019 interest payments alone to service the debt will be $800 billion a year unless steps are taken to reduce the deficit spending and debt.
President Obama, our country and its people have been left with the worst economic, financial and fiscal situation since the great depression and now something has to give. It is time now for our leaders to lead with courage and do the right thing. If republicans keep up their opposition to every thing the Obama administration proposes to move the country forward the President should adopt one of President Truman's famous sayings: To Hell with them, when history is written, they will be the sons of bitches, not I.
Note l: Three part series with recap titled: " The U.S. Economy: Which Party Performs Best" dated 1-27-08, 2-17-08, 2-25-08 and 3-02-08: The Fiscal Legacy of George W. Bush dated 10-30-09 and Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth dated 10-31-09.
Note 2: National Debt and Interest numbers are taken from the Treasury Dept. on line information.
Note 3: The actual numbers on the national debt and interest paid are not exact. The numbers were rounded off to the first six digits so the numbers shown are lower than the acutal numbers.
Note 4: The $6.102 trillion of debt George W. Bush's administration added to the national debt in just eight short years should really tell the story of just what Mr. Bush did to the taxpayers of this country.
The terrible economic, fiscal and financial situation taking place at this very hour is a result of the deficit spending and debt created by the reckless ideology of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 during the past 28 years. America is drowning in debt due to their desire to bankrupt the federal government. During those 28 years President Clinton was the only President who learned from the past and reversed the deficit spending of the Reagan-Bush 41 area. The below information on the debt they created along with Bush 43 tells the real story.
The national debt on 9/30/81, President Carter's last fiscal year budget stood at $999.8 billion. Eight years later when Reagan's last fiscal year budget ended on 9/29/89 the national debt stood at a whopping $2.857 trillion, an increase of $1.859 trillion or 186%. Reagan never balanced one federal budget during his two terms in office, he did not send one balanced budget to congress and his administration paid zero down on the national debt.
George H.W. Bush followed Reagan and four years later when his last fiscal budget year ended on 9/30/93 the national debt stood at $4.411 trillion, an increase of $1.554 trillion or 54%. Bush like Reagan never balanced one federal budget or sent one balanced budget to congress and his administration paid down zero on the national debt.
Bill Clinton followed Bush 41 and when his eight years ended with fiscal year budget 9/30/01 the national debt stood at $5.807 trillion, an increase of $1.395 trillion or 31%. Clinton reduced the deficit every year his first four years in office and then ran surpluses his last four years in office and ended up with a $62.8 billion surplus for his eight years. His administration also paid down $453 billion on the national debt.
George W. Bush followed Clinton and when his eight years ended with fiscal year budget 9/30/09 the national debt stood at $11.909 trillion, an increase of $6.102 trillion or 105%. Like Reagan and Bush 41, he did not balance any federal budgets in the eight years he served or sent one balanced budget to congress and his administration paid down zero on the national debt.
Those four Presidents added a total of $10.946 trillion to the national debt since President Carter's last fiscal year budget and Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 were responsible for $9.551 trillion of that total. Those three President were given 20 years to put the governments fiscal house in order and instead created un-precedented debt for America.
Now comes the real sad story. Interest paid on the national debt because of the money borrowed to finance deficit spending during the above time frame from fiscal 9/30/81 to fiscal 9/30/09 was approximately $8.4 trillion. Granted that some of the interest payments covered the previous $900 billion of debt before 9/30/81 but one can see the great majority of interest was created since then and the great majority on the republican watch, in fact 87%.
That $10.946 trillion in debt plus $8.4 trillion in interest adds up to $19.346 trillion. The $8.4 trillion paid in interest payments is wasted money that does not create one job or add to the quality of life for our people. Think of what that $8.4 trillion alone could have paid for. The country's defense budget is approximately $660 billion, social security approximately $640 billion and medicare approximately $500 billion. Those programs could have been extended a lot of years with that kind of money. Because of this massive debt and the terrible shape of the economy the CBO projects that by the year 2019 interest payments alone to service the debt will be $800 billion a year unless steps are taken to reduce the deficit spending and debt.
President Obama, our country and its people have been left with the worst economic, financial and fiscal situation since the great depression and now something has to give. It is time now for our leaders to lead with courage and do the right thing. If republicans keep up their opposition to every thing the Obama administration proposes to move the country forward the President should adopt one of President Truman's famous sayings: To Hell with them, when history is written, they will be the sons of bitches, not I.
Note l: Three part series with recap titled: " The U.S. Economy: Which Party Performs Best" dated 1-27-08, 2-17-08, 2-25-08 and 3-02-08: The Fiscal Legacy of George W. Bush dated 10-30-09 and Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth dated 10-31-09.
Note 2: National Debt and Interest numbers are taken from the Treasury Dept. on line information.
Note 3: The actual numbers on the national debt and interest paid are not exact. The numbers were rounded off to the first six digits so the numbers shown are lower than the acutal numbers.
Note 4: The $6.102 trillion of debt George W. Bush's administration added to the national debt in just eight short years should really tell the story of just what Mr. Bush did to the taxpayers of this country.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The War Against Those Who Use Terror Tactics
That is a better name than the so called "War on Terror" coined by former President George W. Bush. The fight against those who use terror tactics has been going on now for many, many years and the worst terror attack against America was on September 11, 2001. For the past 8 years we have deployed thousands of our troops at enormous cost in lives and money to fight an enemy we can not see, identify or locate except when they make their actions known.
How many troops do the Taliban and Al Queda have? From everything I have read our government and military leaders don't really know. When we add the 30,000 more U.S. troops that will be deployed to Afghanistan the U.S. will have approximately 100,000 troops on the ground plus what our allies have which at last count was approximately 40,000. We are told the Taliban and Al Queda are hiding in a lawless area between Pakistan and Afghanistan, we do not know how many or exactly where they are hiding because if we did they would have been eliminated in the past 8 years. We say we have a good idea where they are but in many locations we need the help of Pakistan that is sometimes rejected.
Which is the best way to fight this enemy we can not always see or find. Is a massive amount of troops and billions of dollars the right answer. If we don't know how many terrorists we are fighting how do we know when the war is over? Remember terror is a tactic of surprise. That is why they lay dormant for a period of time, regroup, replan and wait for the right time to attack again by surprise. There is another problem that has been brought out many times by our military and other leaders who know Afghanistan. Many Taliban do not like Al Queda, do not work with them, do not like Karzai and would like to see all foreign troops gone from their country and have never been branded terrorists.
It appears to this writer our government officials and military leaders have no answers for these questions or a workable plan that will win this type of war we are faced with. Something seems to be fundamentally wrong if we need a massive amount of troops and money to fight this kind of war, especially being a super power. Our people are still being told by our military leaders we do not have the resources to fight another war at the present time. If that is the case something is even more fundamentally wrong the way we are going about fighting the war against those who use terror tactics.
How many troops do the Taliban and Al Queda have? From everything I have read our government and military leaders don't really know. When we add the 30,000 more U.S. troops that will be deployed to Afghanistan the U.S. will have approximately 100,000 troops on the ground plus what our allies have which at last count was approximately 40,000. We are told the Taliban and Al Queda are hiding in a lawless area between Pakistan and Afghanistan, we do not know how many or exactly where they are hiding because if we did they would have been eliminated in the past 8 years. We say we have a good idea where they are but in many locations we need the help of Pakistan that is sometimes rejected.
Which is the best way to fight this enemy we can not always see or find. Is a massive amount of troops and billions of dollars the right answer. If we don't know how many terrorists we are fighting how do we know when the war is over? Remember terror is a tactic of surprise. That is why they lay dormant for a period of time, regroup, replan and wait for the right time to attack again by surprise. There is another problem that has been brought out many times by our military and other leaders who know Afghanistan. Many Taliban do not like Al Queda, do not work with them, do not like Karzai and would like to see all foreign troops gone from their country and have never been branded terrorists.
It appears to this writer our government officials and military leaders have no answers for these questions or a workable plan that will win this type of war we are faced with. Something seems to be fundamentally wrong if we need a massive amount of troops and money to fight this kind of war, especially being a super power. Our people are still being told by our military leaders we do not have the resources to fight another war at the present time. If that is the case something is even more fundamentally wrong the way we are going about fighting the war against those who use terror tactics.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Another Unfair Property Tax Give-a-way
Another story is unfolding concerning questions about businesses paying its fair share of taxes. This time its Entergy Louisiana and concerns its Waterford 3 nuclear plant in Taft, Louisiana. (St Charles Parish)
In an article by Matt Scallan published in the Times Picayune on November 27 it was pointed out that St Charles Parish assessor Clyde Gisclair has filed a flurry of lawsuits against the Louisiana Tax Commission alleging Entergy is paying far too little tax on the Waterford 3 plant. Gisclair thinks Entergy's properties valuation is low as a whole and that Waterford 3 assessed value should be greater than what it presently is. Its present assessed value by the Commission is $118,405,280.00 and that the Parish's revenue generated by Waterford 3 is $13,532,539.00.
The article points out the Waterford 3 plant was put in operation in 1985 with a fair market value of $2.8 billion. The plant was exempt from property tax for the first 10 years till 1996 when its fair market value was reduced to $735,415,756.00, a 74% reduction and came on the St Charles Parish tax roll for the first time. The fair market value has been depreciating approximately $6 million each year since 1996 and that seems to be the basis of claim that the plant is under valued.
Entergy said should the courts decide the current process for valuing electric utility property must legally change, any resulting tax increase would wind up being paid by its customers through utility bills. Like as if they don't do that already.
The real story here is fair taxation for all. The 10 years exemption and the large drop in the fair market value of Waterford 3 indicates that Entergy was and is being subsidized by home owners and others who paid their property taxes when due. Businesses pass on the taxes they pay to their customers period. They do so in good times and bad times and when it comes to Entergy they also pass along the fuel surcharge to their customers even though those charges in many bills exceed the charge for the utility actually used.
The Tax Commission which is appointed by the governor sets the value for so called "public service" properties. However, Mr. Gisclair who is an assessor knows a little about the value of property. Fair taxation? You will not find it in Louisiana.
In an article by Matt Scallan published in the Times Picayune on November 27 it was pointed out that St Charles Parish assessor Clyde Gisclair has filed a flurry of lawsuits against the Louisiana Tax Commission alleging Entergy is paying far too little tax on the Waterford 3 plant. Gisclair thinks Entergy's properties valuation is low as a whole and that Waterford 3 assessed value should be greater than what it presently is. Its present assessed value by the Commission is $118,405,280.00 and that the Parish's revenue generated by Waterford 3 is $13,532,539.00.
The article points out the Waterford 3 plant was put in operation in 1985 with a fair market value of $2.8 billion. The plant was exempt from property tax for the first 10 years till 1996 when its fair market value was reduced to $735,415,756.00, a 74% reduction and came on the St Charles Parish tax roll for the first time. The fair market value has been depreciating approximately $6 million each year since 1996 and that seems to be the basis of claim that the plant is under valued.
Entergy said should the courts decide the current process for valuing electric utility property must legally change, any resulting tax increase would wind up being paid by its customers through utility bills. Like as if they don't do that already.
The real story here is fair taxation for all. The 10 years exemption and the large drop in the fair market value of Waterford 3 indicates that Entergy was and is being subsidized by home owners and others who paid their property taxes when due. Businesses pass on the taxes they pay to their customers period. They do so in good times and bad times and when it comes to Entergy they also pass along the fuel surcharge to their customers even though those charges in many bills exceed the charge for the utility actually used.
The Tax Commission which is appointed by the governor sets the value for so called "public service" properties. However, Mr. Gisclair who is an assessor knows a little about the value of property. Fair taxation? You will not find it in Louisiana.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Louisiana, Governor Jindal, Deficits, Unfair Taxation and Exemptions
The National Conference of State Legislatures ranked Louisiana No. 2 among states anticipating the largest percentage of decreased tax revenue for fiscal year 2010 which began in July. Angele Davis, Louisiana Commissioner of Administration told the Baton Rouge Press Club that in the next fiscal year Louisiana is facing a budget shortfall of $1 billion and in the fiscal year after that a shortfall close to $2 billion. This according to a published report in the Times Picayune of 11/10/09.
The study also pointed out Louisiana ranked first in the decline of personal income tax collections, second in the decline in sales tax revenue and fifth in decline of corporate income tax revenue. Governor Jindal tells the people Louisiana is doing so much better economically than the rest of the nation so how can the state rank so high in those three area's if the economy is doing so well in Louisiana?
There is another story told in a "point of view" editorial published in the Times Picayune on 11/26/09 of a recent nationwide study by the Washington DC based Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. The study reported low and middle income families in Louisiana pay a far higher share of their income in state and local taxes than do the states richest families. The breakdown: Families making under $15,000 a year pay 10.4% of their incomes in state and local taxes; those making between $29,000 and $46,000 pay 9.9% and the richest 1% of households with average incomes just over $1 million pay 5.7% of their income. Another problem pointed out was that there is an array of tax exemptions in this years budget projected to cost $6.5 billion in lost revenue. That includes tax exemptions for the Oil and Gas Industry.
Governor Jindal, some members of his administration along with some state officials say the problem is a shortfall in state revenues caused by the decline in the national economy that is causing the states large deficits. But they can not have it both ways saying Louisiana is doing so much better than the rest of the nation and give out exemptions in the billions of dollars and try to justify that on the basis of stimulating the economy. Unemployment is going up in Louisiana, not down. The latest unemployment number at the end of October is 7.1%. At the end of October 2008 it was 5.3%. That is a sizeable increase in unemployment over last year this time.
State governments are just as bad as the federal government when it comes to taxation and revenues that is needed to service the needs of the people. In both, taxation is not fair and too much revenue is given up which does nothing to help make the economy stronger. One would have to be an idiot not to know that tax loopholes and exemptions favor the wealthy.
No one likes to pay taxes even though they are necessary but the burden should be shared by everyone. Anyone who thinks the exemptions and corporate welfare given to the Oil and Gas Industry over the last 40 years is good for the economy and has made the U.S. and states less dependent on foreign oil has been brain dead. Meanwhile their CEO's are laughing all the way to the bank.
The Jindal administration thinks they can cut the budget deficits that are projected and balance the budget by simply cutting every thing and leaving in place an unfair tax structure with special interest exemptions. That dog will never hunt. People need to keep in mind even when budgets are in balance that still does not mean taxation is fair. That is why true tax reform has to be made, if not the past will keep repeating itself. That says it all.
The study also pointed out Louisiana ranked first in the decline of personal income tax collections, second in the decline in sales tax revenue and fifth in decline of corporate income tax revenue. Governor Jindal tells the people Louisiana is doing so much better economically than the rest of the nation so how can the state rank so high in those three area's if the economy is doing so well in Louisiana?
There is another story told in a "point of view" editorial published in the Times Picayune on 11/26/09 of a recent nationwide study by the Washington DC based Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. The study reported low and middle income families in Louisiana pay a far higher share of their income in state and local taxes than do the states richest families. The breakdown: Families making under $15,000 a year pay 10.4% of their incomes in state and local taxes; those making between $29,000 and $46,000 pay 9.9% and the richest 1% of households with average incomes just over $1 million pay 5.7% of their income. Another problem pointed out was that there is an array of tax exemptions in this years budget projected to cost $6.5 billion in lost revenue. That includes tax exemptions for the Oil and Gas Industry.
Governor Jindal, some members of his administration along with some state officials say the problem is a shortfall in state revenues caused by the decline in the national economy that is causing the states large deficits. But they can not have it both ways saying Louisiana is doing so much better than the rest of the nation and give out exemptions in the billions of dollars and try to justify that on the basis of stimulating the economy. Unemployment is going up in Louisiana, not down. The latest unemployment number at the end of October is 7.1%. At the end of October 2008 it was 5.3%. That is a sizeable increase in unemployment over last year this time.
State governments are just as bad as the federal government when it comes to taxation and revenues that is needed to service the needs of the people. In both, taxation is not fair and too much revenue is given up which does nothing to help make the economy stronger. One would have to be an idiot not to know that tax loopholes and exemptions favor the wealthy.
No one likes to pay taxes even though they are necessary but the burden should be shared by everyone. Anyone who thinks the exemptions and corporate welfare given to the Oil and Gas Industry over the last 40 years is good for the economy and has made the U.S. and states less dependent on foreign oil has been brain dead. Meanwhile their CEO's are laughing all the way to the bank.
The Jindal administration thinks they can cut the budget deficits that are projected and balance the budget by simply cutting every thing and leaving in place an unfair tax structure with special interest exemptions. That dog will never hunt. People need to keep in mind even when budgets are in balance that still does not mean taxation is fair. That is why true tax reform has to be made, if not the past will keep repeating itself. That says it all.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The American Voter and Tax Cuts
Tax cuts are always welcome by the voters and of course Republicans try to use that issue to obtain votes. We have found out as fact tax cuts are not an economic policy or plan and never do the job we are told they would do. The best example is the $1.4 trillion tax cut of the Bush administration who told the people it would keep the economy humming and create lasting new jobs. We know as fact and living proof it did not happen and was just another fairytale.
We know now that money could have been better spent on keeping social security and medicare solvent and could have paid for 10 years or more of health-care reform since the present bill before congress on health-care is estimated to cost approximately $900 billion over 10 years. It also would have been better spent to reduce the federal debt or keep as an emergency fund to take care of situations we find ourselves in today.
We actually should have known those tax cuts would not produce the economic conditions we were led to believe. We should also know by now how Republican policies get into the tax payers pockets 100 different ways. Those who have not figured that out yet are probably the ones who are talking about voting Republican in the 2010 congressional elections. The people have paid a heavy price for this shell game of cutting taxes. It is only the wealthy who came out on top of the $1.4 trillion tax cut, ask the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs under the previous administration. And of course, it is the wealthy who are financing our elected officials campaigns through lobbyist to keep the special favors flowing.
Record job losses, record oil and gasoline prices, a collapsed economy, record federal deficits and debt, a decline in real wages for the average worker and list goes on and on. The $1.4 trillion tax cut was no economic plan plain and simple. It was just presented that way by the good old party boys to sell their ideology to bankrupt America. And now they are opposing everything President Obama is trying to do to reverse the damage they are responsible for. That says it all.
The past is the key to the future if we take time to look at the facts and learn.
We know now that money could have been better spent on keeping social security and medicare solvent and could have paid for 10 years or more of health-care reform since the present bill before congress on health-care is estimated to cost approximately $900 billion over 10 years. It also would have been better spent to reduce the federal debt or keep as an emergency fund to take care of situations we find ourselves in today.
We actually should have known those tax cuts would not produce the economic conditions we were led to believe. We should also know by now how Republican policies get into the tax payers pockets 100 different ways. Those who have not figured that out yet are probably the ones who are talking about voting Republican in the 2010 congressional elections. The people have paid a heavy price for this shell game of cutting taxes. It is only the wealthy who came out on top of the $1.4 trillion tax cut, ask the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs under the previous administration. And of course, it is the wealthy who are financing our elected officials campaigns through lobbyist to keep the special favors flowing.
Record job losses, record oil and gasoline prices, a collapsed economy, record federal deficits and debt, a decline in real wages for the average worker and list goes on and on. The $1.4 trillion tax cut was no economic plan plain and simple. It was just presented that way by the good old party boys to sell their ideology to bankrupt America. And now they are opposing everything President Obama is trying to do to reverse the damage they are responsible for. That says it all.
The past is the key to the future if we take time to look at the facts and learn.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Courage: A Lost Virtue
President John Kennedy thought courage was the most noble and important virtue a leader could possess. In fact he wrote a book, "Profiles in Courage" about those who had the courage to make decisions and the courage to propose change at critical times.
Although President over 40 years ago, Kennedy was correct in his conviction and he himself was courageous in his decisions and his desire to challenge and change the status quo. He refused to expand the U.S. commitment in Viet Nam beyond military advisers and decided to withdraw all Americans from that country if he was reelected President. He also had the courage to reject those voices who wanted nothing less than a military strike and invasion of Cuba during the Cuban Missile crisis.
Courage is what our political leaders have lacked for a number of years, this includes members of congress in both party. It has been the norm for some time now for decisions that are made to be driven by the news media and special interest groups interested only in their own pronouncements. Our political leaders have succumbed to this unAmerican process that they helped create.
There are many leaders and members of congress who are showing their lack of leadership concerning health-care and other issues before the nation. They look for any little excuse to justify their position and lack of courage. As for the news media, they have lost all courage to stand up and be counted as a force of good balance.
President Truman had the courage to fire General Douglas McArthur during the Korean war when McArthur challenged his authority on Korean policy. And today we hear people in authority say give the generals any thing they want in Afghanistan even before they know what policy President Obama will lay out for that war. President Truman was a leader with courage who made major decisions during his term in office. He is noted for a number of things he said. Two of his sayings are listed below and both are timely and speak about courage.
America was not built on fear, America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.
Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.
Today's leaders need to seek the leadership and courage of Presidents Truman and Kennedy because the past is the key to the future.
Although President over 40 years ago, Kennedy was correct in his conviction and he himself was courageous in his decisions and his desire to challenge and change the status quo. He refused to expand the U.S. commitment in Viet Nam beyond military advisers and decided to withdraw all Americans from that country if he was reelected President. He also had the courage to reject those voices who wanted nothing less than a military strike and invasion of Cuba during the Cuban Missile crisis.
Courage is what our political leaders have lacked for a number of years, this includes members of congress in both party. It has been the norm for some time now for decisions that are made to be driven by the news media and special interest groups interested only in their own pronouncements. Our political leaders have succumbed to this unAmerican process that they helped create.
There are many leaders and members of congress who are showing their lack of leadership concerning health-care and other issues before the nation. They look for any little excuse to justify their position and lack of courage. As for the news media, they have lost all courage to stand up and be counted as a force of good balance.
President Truman had the courage to fire General Douglas McArthur during the Korean war when McArthur challenged his authority on Korean policy. And today we hear people in authority say give the generals any thing they want in Afghanistan even before they know what policy President Obama will lay out for that war. President Truman was a leader with courage who made major decisions during his term in office. He is noted for a number of things he said. Two of his sayings are listed below and both are timely and speak about courage.
America was not built on fear, America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.
Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.
Today's leaders need to seek the leadership and courage of Presidents Truman and Kennedy because the past is the key to the future.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Fox News Network: Unfair, Unbalanced and UnAmerican
For the second time in the past two weeks Fox News showed footage of two separate events and passed them off to their viewers as a single event. It happened on Gregg Jarrett and Sean Hannity's watch. Jon Steward picked up the phony video on Hannity's show and exposed it for what it was, an out right lie.
Michael Clemente, Fox's Senior V.P. said the merging of the two video's as one event on Jarrett's show was unintentional and apologized. Sean Hannity also apologized. Jarrett's video covered an event for Sarah Palin and Hannity's video an event for Michele Bachmann. It was an attempt to convey to their viewing audience inflated attendance to promote what Bachmann and Palin were trying to sell.
Fox News has a habit of trying to mislead their viewers on purpose to foster their own warped ideology and then apologize if caught. That is how little they regard the people who watch the Fox network. They figure the poor suckers will accept their apology, believe they made an unintentional error and keep on watching Fox.
Rupert Murdoch, Fox's honcho dislikes the fact that the Obama administration understands Fox's programs are way out of balance, unfair and phony so what has been Murdoch's reaction? He says judge Fox News by its real news programs and not its other opinion shows. Yet, on Fox's opinion shows, (O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck and others) Fox flashes their fair and balanced propaganda sign on the screen.
The bottom line is The Fox News network is neither fair or balanced and often misleads the viewers on purpose. Its ideology is dangerous to the news media in our country. Nothing will change at Fox News despite the phony apology until the people tune them out. That says it all.
Michael Clemente, Fox's Senior V.P. said the merging of the two video's as one event on Jarrett's show was unintentional and apologized. Sean Hannity also apologized. Jarrett's video covered an event for Sarah Palin and Hannity's video an event for Michele Bachmann. It was an attempt to convey to their viewing audience inflated attendance to promote what Bachmann and Palin were trying to sell.
Fox News has a habit of trying to mislead their viewers on purpose to foster their own warped ideology and then apologize if caught. That is how little they regard the people who watch the Fox network. They figure the poor suckers will accept their apology, believe they made an unintentional error and keep on watching Fox.
Rupert Murdoch, Fox's honcho dislikes the fact that the Obama administration understands Fox's programs are way out of balance, unfair and phony so what has been Murdoch's reaction? He says judge Fox News by its real news programs and not its other opinion shows. Yet, on Fox's opinion shows, (O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck and others) Fox flashes their fair and balanced propaganda sign on the screen.
The bottom line is The Fox News network is neither fair or balanced and often misleads the viewers on purpose. Its ideology is dangerous to the news media in our country. Nothing will change at Fox News despite the phony apology until the people tune them out. That says it all.
The Health-Care Reform Issue
Sixteen years after Health-Care reform was sent to its death by the Medical Profession, Health Insurance Companies, The Pharmaceutical Industry and Republicans, the U.S. House has passed Health-Care legislation and the U.S. Senate is slated to take up their own version this week end in Congress. Those same negative voices sixteen years ago predicted doom and gloom and are predicting the same think once again. The only doom and gloom that has transpired in those sixteen years are millions of more Americans are without health insurance and the cost of health care has risen beyond the pale.
Those negative voices have also done nothing in the way of reforming the health-care system during that same period. It was recently announced name brand prescription drugs have increased 9% in the past 6 months while the consumer price index actually was in negative territory to the tune of -1.3%.
The negative voices are repeating the past which means they have not learned anything to guide our future. The CBO who reviewed both the House and Senate plans say both plans will lower the deficit and health care cost. The negative voices dare not debate the fine print in the health-care plans because it would show how their position would be one of opposition based on falsehoods and in some cases, out right lies.
Those industries opposed to health-care reform have proven over and over again they can not be trusted to reform health care themselves. Greed is the driving force behind their opposition and their inability to face up to the health of America.
Those negative voices have also done nothing in the way of reforming the health-care system during that same period. It was recently announced name brand prescription drugs have increased 9% in the past 6 months while the consumer price index actually was in negative territory to the tune of -1.3%.
The negative voices are repeating the past which means they have not learned anything to guide our future. The CBO who reviewed both the House and Senate plans say both plans will lower the deficit and health care cost. The negative voices dare not debate the fine print in the health-care plans because it would show how their position would be one of opposition based on falsehoods and in some cases, out right lies.
Those industries opposed to health-care reform have proven over and over again they can not be trusted to reform health care themselves. Greed is the driving force behind their opposition and their inability to face up to the health of America.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Mouths That Roar
Two know nothing Republicans Rudy Giuliani and U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra appeared Sunday on Fox News Sunday and Face the Nation. Both are against the five terrorists involved in planning the attack on 9-11 being tried in civilian court in New York as the U.S. Attorney General announced recently.
Giuliani said the trial would increase the security threat to the city of New York and give Islamists a platform to propagate their ideology. Hoekstra said the trial could expose the people of New York to years of propaganda from the defendants.
New York city Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it is fitting that the 9/11 suspects face justice near the World Trade Center site where so many New Yorkers were murdered. New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said holding the trial in the city most devastated by the 2001 attack is appropriate, and the Police department is prepared to meet any security challenge. These two men have much creditibility on the subject matter. Giuliani and Hoekstra have zero.
There are a few things that are important to remember about the issue. It is just another example of republican tactics to oppose any thing coming out of the Obama administration, especially bringing those people to justice. The Bush administration had 7 years to do so and did nothing.
Fifteen federal judges in Washington are hearing other cases in court in complying with a Supreme Court ruling last year. The Obama administration is pursuing those detainees from Guantanamo through the court system to bring those to trial where the evidence warrants. Republicans are also opposed to that process.
It should be noted that not all detainees will be tried in civilian court, some will be tried by a military commission. The Justice Department will seek what ever forum deemed best. It is time for America to prosecute every detainee case it can so the world can see American justice at its best. In the mean time, the public will be exposed more and more to the Republican noise machine. It is just another way to show they really have nothing of substance to talk about.
Giuliani said the trial would increase the security threat to the city of New York and give Islamists a platform to propagate their ideology. Hoekstra said the trial could expose the people of New York to years of propaganda from the defendants.
New York city Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it is fitting that the 9/11 suspects face justice near the World Trade Center site where so many New Yorkers were murdered. New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said holding the trial in the city most devastated by the 2001 attack is appropriate, and the Police department is prepared to meet any security challenge. These two men have much creditibility on the subject matter. Giuliani and Hoekstra have zero.
There are a few things that are important to remember about the issue. It is just another example of republican tactics to oppose any thing coming out of the Obama administration, especially bringing those people to justice. The Bush administration had 7 years to do so and did nothing.
Fifteen federal judges in Washington are hearing other cases in court in complying with a Supreme Court ruling last year. The Obama administration is pursuing those detainees from Guantanamo through the court system to bring those to trial where the evidence warrants. Republicans are also opposed to that process.
It should be noted that not all detainees will be tried in civilian court, some will be tried by a military commission. The Justice Department will seek what ever forum deemed best. It is time for America to prosecute every detainee case it can so the world can see American justice at its best. In the mean time, the public will be exposed more and more to the Republican noise machine. It is just another way to show they really have nothing of substance to talk about.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Republican Party's Lack Of Character
The health-care debate has exposed just how phony the Republican party is concerning this issue. The Democratic health-care plans have been out in the public's view for the past six or seven months. It has been debated on radio, television, town hall meetings, newspapers, public forums and you name it, so the American people have been exposed to the plans in a transparent way. That is the way it should be because the public has a right to know.
Now at the last minute the Republican party introduced their health-care plan just last week when the U.S. House took up the measure for a vote. The Democratic plan passed and the Republican plan failed. The Republican party did not expose their health plan to the public like the Democrats did theirs. Republicans like to keep the public in the dark about what they are really up to. That is a slap in the face to the American people. Their plan was phony like their actions so they did not want the news media or town hall meetings to dig into the substance of their plan.
I have written in past commentaries how I believe the Democratic party is more in touch with reality and that it is good for America when they some times disagree within their own party concerning issues the country faces. The Republicans in congress have become "ditto heads" and dare not stray from the phony conservatism they preach. Over 30 Democrats voted against their own party's health-care plan in the U.S. House vote. Only one Republican, Joseph Cao voted for the Democratic plan. The rest voted no with their "ditto heads."
The American people should understand that the country is paying a heavy price for a phony Republican ideology that opposes anything that is likely to move the country forward. Hopefully, the President and the Democratic party will use their leadership wisely and do those things that really matter and make a difference for the country and its people.
Now at the last minute the Republican party introduced their health-care plan just last week when the U.S. House took up the measure for a vote. The Democratic plan passed and the Republican plan failed. The Republican party did not expose their health plan to the public like the Democrats did theirs. Republicans like to keep the public in the dark about what they are really up to. That is a slap in the face to the American people. Their plan was phony like their actions so they did not want the news media or town hall meetings to dig into the substance of their plan.
I have written in past commentaries how I believe the Democratic party is more in touch with reality and that it is good for America when they some times disagree within their own party concerning issues the country faces. The Republicans in congress have become "ditto heads" and dare not stray from the phony conservatism they preach. Over 30 Democrats voted against their own party's health-care plan in the U.S. House vote. Only one Republican, Joseph Cao voted for the Democratic plan. The rest voted no with their "ditto heads."
The American people should understand that the country is paying a heavy price for a phony Republican ideology that opposes anything that is likely to move the country forward. Hopefully, the President and the Democratic party will use their leadership wisely and do those things that really matter and make a difference for the country and its people.
Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps
Today the U.S. Marine Corps is celebrating its 234th birthday. Established in 1775 by the Continental Congress, the Marines made their first amphibious landing at New Providence Island in the Bahamas on March 3, 1776. After almost two and a half centuries the Marine Corps continues to uphold its proud tradition.
The Marine Corps motto, "Semper Fidelis" means more than "Always Faithful." It represents commitment, love of country, honor, duty and ability to go the extra mile for your Marine brother and humankind. Marines in all walks of life who wore the Eagle, Globe and
Anchor all share the same common bond, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."
So today in this birthday message I would like to pass along the following tribute.
THE TITLE
It cannot be inherited
Nor can it ever be purchased,
You and no one alive
Can buy it for any price.
It is impossible to rent,
And it cannot be lent
You alone and our own
Have earned it with your
Sweat, Blood and lives
You own it forever.
THE TITLE
UNITED STATES MARINE
So to all my Marine brothers, Happy Birthday Marines, may all of you enjoy good health and a safe return home.
The Marine Corps motto, "Semper Fidelis" means more than "Always Faithful." It represents commitment, love of country, honor, duty and ability to go the extra mile for your Marine brother and humankind. Marines in all walks of life who wore the Eagle, Globe and
Anchor all share the same common bond, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."
So today in this birthday message I would like to pass along the following tribute.
THE TITLE
It cannot be inherited
Nor can it ever be purchased,
You and no one alive
Can buy it for any price.
It is impossible to rent,
And it cannot be lent
You alone and our own
Have earned it with your
Sweat, Blood and lives
You own it forever.
THE TITLE
UNITED STATES MARINE
So to all my Marine brothers, Happy Birthday Marines, may all of you enjoy good health and a safe return home.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
President Obama and Fiscal Stability
Unlike President George W. Bush who took over a government that was in top fiscal shape and then left in poor fiscal shape, the job now falls to President Obama to reverse the record deficit spending and debt of the past eight years. It will not be easy but it is a situation that has to be addressed and acted upon.
The most significant sign in the fight to get our fiscal house in order is that Obama said he will make fiscal responsibility a priority after he deals with the economy and gets back on track. The last three Republican Presidents never made a commitment to get our fiscal house in order and in fact never gave the problem any serious thought or effort.
It is more important now that President Obama keep his promise because the situation is now critical. The President said he would veto any health-care plan that adds to the deficit. That is a statement the President needs to back up with his veto pen if necessary. There can be no turning back from this problem and no excuses are allowed. Balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility will allow our nation to solve many of our problems without creating more debt and raising the cost of living for our people unnecessarlly.
The growth of federal expenditures can be controlled, the Clinton administration proved that and it did not damage our country or our people. There has to be a plan and the President needs to make sure the plan is sound, workable and enforced. The most important element now is to put our people back to work on a sustained basis so the consumer will once again get the economy moving. Jobs are the key and should continue to be the focus.
There will be a lot of distractions for the President, especially from those in Congress and the news media who will try to oppose every move he makes. It has already started. The American people will be in a position to judge the President's action when his term comes to a close. It won't be hard to document what progress was made on his watch. He deserves the chance to have enough time to turn things around for the better.
The unprecedented increase in the National Debt of over $6 trillion just in the eight years of the previous administration has put our country in jeopardy fiscally. President Obama needs to be decisive and firm in reversing this horrow story thrust on our country and its people.
The most significant sign in the fight to get our fiscal house in order is that Obama said he will make fiscal responsibility a priority after he deals with the economy and gets back on track. The last three Republican Presidents never made a commitment to get our fiscal house in order and in fact never gave the problem any serious thought or effort.
It is more important now that President Obama keep his promise because the situation is now critical. The President said he would veto any health-care plan that adds to the deficit. That is a statement the President needs to back up with his veto pen if necessary. There can be no turning back from this problem and no excuses are allowed. Balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility will allow our nation to solve many of our problems without creating more debt and raising the cost of living for our people unnecessarlly.
The growth of federal expenditures can be controlled, the Clinton administration proved that and it did not damage our country or our people. There has to be a plan and the President needs to make sure the plan is sound, workable and enforced. The most important element now is to put our people back to work on a sustained basis so the consumer will once again get the economy moving. Jobs are the key and should continue to be the focus.
There will be a lot of distractions for the President, especially from those in Congress and the news media who will try to oppose every move he makes. It has already started. The American people will be in a position to judge the President's action when his term comes to a close. It won't be hard to document what progress was made on his watch. He deserves the chance to have enough time to turn things around for the better.
The unprecedented increase in the National Debt of over $6 trillion just in the eight years of the previous administration has put our country in jeopardy fiscally. President Obama needs to be decisive and firm in reversing this horrow story thrust on our country and its people.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Louisiana Representative Steve Scalise: Another No Vote
Congress on 11/5/09 decisively approved an extension of unemployment benefits for almost two million people out of work nearly a year or more reported the Associated Press by the Times Picayune dated 11/6/09. The U.S. House cleared the measure 403-12 after unanimous support in the U.S. Senate.
La. Representative Scalise was the only Louisiana House member who voted against the measure along with 11 other Republicans who voted no. The legislation also covered the expansion of the tax credit for homebuyers. A no vote is nothing new for Scalise who opposes most every thing that comes out of the Obama administration. He was a subject of one of my commentaries on April 27.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission said that 6,829 Louisiana residents as of Nov. 2 would be eligible for the extra 14 weeks of benefits provided under the bill. Scalise said the cost of the bill will only cause more Americans to lose their jobs. Scalise and Republicans are familiar with job loses because their party has a dismal record when it comes to creating jobs. Just ask former President George Bush.
Representative Scalise will also oppose any health-care reform that comes out of Congress that Democrats are in favor of. He is proving to be the next Newt Gingrich of the Republican party. That is not very encouraging for the people of Louisiana. The Republican party would like to see Obama fail like they wanted to see Clinton fail. They hate to see a Democrat be successful in moving the country forward and they will become more negative as the economy improves. Keep an eye on Scalise, he is one of those "ditto heads" who has mastered the "no" word.
La. Representative Scalise was the only Louisiana House member who voted against the measure along with 11 other Republicans who voted no. The legislation also covered the expansion of the tax credit for homebuyers. A no vote is nothing new for Scalise who opposes most every thing that comes out of the Obama administration. He was a subject of one of my commentaries on April 27.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission said that 6,829 Louisiana residents as of Nov. 2 would be eligible for the extra 14 weeks of benefits provided under the bill. Scalise said the cost of the bill will only cause more Americans to lose their jobs. Scalise and Republicans are familiar with job loses because their party has a dismal record when it comes to creating jobs. Just ask former President George Bush.
Representative Scalise will also oppose any health-care reform that comes out of Congress that Democrats are in favor of. He is proving to be the next Newt Gingrich of the Republican party. That is not very encouraging for the people of Louisiana. The Republican party would like to see Obama fail like they wanted to see Clinton fail. They hate to see a Democrat be successful in moving the country forward and they will become more negative as the economy improves. Keep an eye on Scalise, he is one of those "ditto heads" who has mastered the "no" word.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Louisiana Medicaid and Lobbyist
The Times Picayune in its "Briefing Book" of November 1 published the following: The high powered Washington D.C., lobbying firm of Patton Boggs has been brought in to help Governor Jindal's administration to convince Congress to give Louisiana a break from a costly change in the Medicaid match rate. "We need representation up there that goes beyond our own delegation, Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine said." This is related to the issue that Louisiana may be forced to make deep cuts to its health care budget because the federal Medicaid match rate is scheduled to drop from 80% to 63% in January 2011.
State officials have argued for months that the formula that determines the match rate is unfair to Louisiana because the state's average personal income was artificially inflated after Katrina by the influx of federal relief dollars. The state can not legally hire a lobbying firm so Levine enlisted the help from private health-care providers who thru LRA Support Foundation hired the lobbying firm and is paying for it. It was noted in the article that the private health-care providers would be the biggest financial losers if the state is forced to make deep cuts to its health-care budget.
The state of Louisiana is represented in Congress to serve the people on issues such as this yet the state is getting involved with a lobbying group financed by the private health-care industry who will be looking out for their own well being and not the state and its people. In other words hire a lobbying firm instead of relying on the people's representation to handle the problem. How can lobbyist know more about the problem than our elected officials? The answer is they don't but money talks which is why our elected officials should be outraged if they have any character. Government for the people, by the people has become government for the lobbyist, by the lobbyist.
Maybe Governor Jindal does not have the time to go to Washington himself and speak on behalf of the people of Louisiana and the state because he spends so much of his time outside the state seeking campaign contributions. Leaders have to lead, that is why they are elected. Once again the people of our state come last. The status quo is alive and well. That says it all.
State officials have argued for months that the formula that determines the match rate is unfair to Louisiana because the state's average personal income was artificially inflated after Katrina by the influx of federal relief dollars. The state can not legally hire a lobbying firm so Levine enlisted the help from private health-care providers who thru LRA Support Foundation hired the lobbying firm and is paying for it. It was noted in the article that the private health-care providers would be the biggest financial losers if the state is forced to make deep cuts to its health-care budget.
The state of Louisiana is represented in Congress to serve the people on issues such as this yet the state is getting involved with a lobbying group financed by the private health-care industry who will be looking out for their own well being and not the state and its people. In other words hire a lobbying firm instead of relying on the people's representation to handle the problem. How can lobbyist know more about the problem than our elected officials? The answer is they don't but money talks which is why our elected officials should be outraged if they have any character. Government for the people, by the people has become government for the lobbyist, by the lobbyist.
Maybe Governor Jindal does not have the time to go to Washington himself and speak on behalf of the people of Louisiana and the state because he spends so much of his time outside the state seeking campaign contributions. Leaders have to lead, that is why they are elected. Once again the people of our state come last. The status quo is alive and well. That says it all.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Federal Spending, Facts vs. Myth
Conservative Republicans are still telling the people we need to go back to the Reagan era and control federal spending like he did. It was especially pronounced during the last Presidential campaign during the Republican debates. Romney and McCain talked about the Reagan legacy often even though they knew it was a fairy tale. Lets examine the spending record of the Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton and Bush 43 administrations and see who actually did the best job of controlling federal spending.
The below information covers the four year term of each President ending in that fiscal year. Source is taken from the Congressional Budget Office.
Jimmie Carter 1981 Total Federal Spending $2.232 Trillion
Ronald Reagan 1985 Total Federal Spending $3.352 Trillion Up $1.120 trillion or 50%
Ronald Reagan 1989 Total Federal Spending 4.203 Trillion Up $851 billion or 25%
George H.W. Bush 1993 Total Federal Spending $5.369 Trillion Up $1.166 trillion or 28%
Bill Clinton 1997 Total Federal Spending $6.140 Trillion Up $771 billion or 14%
Bill Clinton 2001 Total Federal Spending $ 7.007 Trillion Up $867 billion or 14%
George W. Bush 2005 Total Federal Spending $8.936 Trillion Up $1.929 trillion or 28%
George W. Bush 2009 Total Federal Spending $11.883 Trillion Up $2.947 trillion or 33%
The numbers show not only did federal spending increase much less under President Clinton for eight years, but the increase was at a steady 14% for each of his two terms. Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 do not even come close. The numbers indicate those three Presidents never had federal spending under control while Clinton did. Also Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 did not face the magnitude of deficit spending that Clinton had to face and take on and that makes Clinton's record even more impressive.
Bob Woodward pointed out in one of his books on Clinton that Clinton new more about the federal budget than members of Congress who had been dealing with budget matters for decades. That explains in part why Clinton was so successful in balancing the budget and bringing federal spending under control, and why he knew his deficit reduction and economic policies would work for America and its people.
Conservative Republican Presidents are champions when it comes to increasing federal spending. That is why you never heard a peep out of them during the 20 years of spending spree of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 and none of those three Presidents faced the fiscal disaster Clinton took over or the fiscal and economic disaster Bush 43 left President Obama.
President Reagan presided over the first trillion dollar budget. George Bush 43 presided over the first two and three trillion dollar budgets. It took the country 15 years to go from a one trillion dollar budget to a two trillion dollar budget. But it only took Bush 43 seven years to go from a two trillion dollar budget to a three trillion dollar budget.
Federal spending is made up of discretionary spending and non-discretionary spending. If anyone is interested go to the CBO site and you will find that Clinton was also the best at holding down spending in those two categories as well by a wide margin.
Conservative Republican Presidents are best at controlling federal spending????????? That is pure myth, the numbers speak loud and clear.
The below information covers the four year term of each President ending in that fiscal year. Source is taken from the Congressional Budget Office.
Jimmie Carter 1981 Total Federal Spending $2.232 Trillion
Ronald Reagan 1985 Total Federal Spending $3.352 Trillion Up $1.120 trillion or 50%
Ronald Reagan 1989 Total Federal Spending 4.203 Trillion Up $851 billion or 25%
George H.W. Bush 1993 Total Federal Spending $5.369 Trillion Up $1.166 trillion or 28%
Bill Clinton 1997 Total Federal Spending $6.140 Trillion Up $771 billion or 14%
Bill Clinton 2001 Total Federal Spending $ 7.007 Trillion Up $867 billion or 14%
George W. Bush 2005 Total Federal Spending $8.936 Trillion Up $1.929 trillion or 28%
George W. Bush 2009 Total Federal Spending $11.883 Trillion Up $2.947 trillion or 33%
The numbers show not only did federal spending increase much less under President Clinton for eight years, but the increase was at a steady 14% for each of his two terms. Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 do not even come close. The numbers indicate those three Presidents never had federal spending under control while Clinton did. Also Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 did not face the magnitude of deficit spending that Clinton had to face and take on and that makes Clinton's record even more impressive.
Bob Woodward pointed out in one of his books on Clinton that Clinton new more about the federal budget than members of Congress who had been dealing with budget matters for decades. That explains in part why Clinton was so successful in balancing the budget and bringing federal spending under control, and why he knew his deficit reduction and economic policies would work for America and its people.
Conservative Republican Presidents are champions when it comes to increasing federal spending. That is why you never heard a peep out of them during the 20 years of spending spree of Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 and none of those three Presidents faced the fiscal disaster Clinton took over or the fiscal and economic disaster Bush 43 left President Obama.
President Reagan presided over the first trillion dollar budget. George Bush 43 presided over the first two and three trillion dollar budgets. It took the country 15 years to go from a one trillion dollar budget to a two trillion dollar budget. But it only took Bush 43 seven years to go from a two trillion dollar budget to a three trillion dollar budget.
Federal spending is made up of discretionary spending and non-discretionary spending. If anyone is interested go to the CBO site and you will find that Clinton was also the best at holding down spending in those two categories as well by a wide margin.
Conservative Republican Presidents are best at controlling federal spending????????? That is pure myth, the numbers speak loud and clear.
Friday, October 30, 2009
The Fiscal Legacy Of President George W. Bush
The final numbers are in on President Bush's last budget for fiscal year ending 9/30/09. It showed another record federal deficit, this time to the tune of $1.42 trillion. Like Reagan and Bush 41 before him the President failed to balance the budget during his term in office. No Republican President has balanced the federal budget since Dwight Eisenhower in 1960. One would never believe that if you listen to the rhetoric coming from the conservatives in the news media or the Republican party. Below is the fiscal record of President Bush and the previous administration of President Clinton.
Fiscal Years Ending 9/30/
President Clinton
1994 $203.2 billion Deficit
1995 164.0 billion Deficit
1996 107.4 billion Deficit
1997 21.9 billion Deficit
1998 69.3 billion Surplus
1999 125.6 billion Surplus
2000 236.0 billion Surplus
2001 128.0 billion Surplus
Total Budget Surplus $62.8 billion
President George W. Bush
2002 $157.8 billion Deficit
2003 377.6 billion Deficit
2004 412.7 billion Deficit
2005 318.3 billion Deficit
2006 248.2 billion Deficit
2007 160.7 billion Deficit
2008 454.8 billion Deficit
2009 1.42 Trillion Deficit
Total Budget Deficits $3.53 Trillion
President Bush's final budget that ended 9/30/09 was sent to Congress on July 28, 2008 and contained a projected deficit of $482 billion. That was before the economic meltdown and the financial collapse. His budget message at the time contained the following information. "The nations economy has continued to expand and remains fundamentally resilient." One should remember at the same time the economy had lost jobs every month since December 2007. The administration was completly out of touch with the economic facts.
Part of the deficit problem that made it swell to $1.42 trillion was the $700 billion Bush asked Congress to pass to bail out the financial industry, plus federal revenue was down 16.6% from fiscal 2008. Also there was approximately $200 billion from Obama's $787 billion spent of the stimulus money. However, without the expenditures for the bail out and stimulus the budget deficit would still have been another record number around $600 billion plus.
When the above budget numbers are compared for Bush and Clinton one can see the tragic results of Bush's 8 years in office and the tremendous burden the American people are left with fiscally and economically and the challenge that falls to President Obama. President Clinton had a deficit reduction and economic plan and policy when he took office and the Democratic controlled Congress passed that plan in 1993 without one vote from the Republicans in Congress. They predicted doom and gloom but the opposite happened. Bush had no economic or fiscal policy to keep the budget in balance when he took office. Instead he continued the policy of trickle down economics which proved once again not to be a policy at all to deal with the economy and the nations fiscal health.
Clinton's policy reduced the budget deficit every year his first term in office and was in surplus every year his second term in office. The Clinton administration also paid down $453 billion on the public debt. The Bush administration paid down zero and added over $6 trillion to the national debt. Bush never got a hand on deficit spending because he lacked the fundamental knowledge of how to create a sound economy and how to use government policy wisely. The ideology of trickle down economics being the engine for growing the economy and jobs in the private sector is a fairy tale. There were over 22.7 million new jobs created during the Clinton administration and 91% came from the private sector. The highest in over 50 years. Clinton did it with an economic policy that created an even 11 million plus jobs in each of his terms. Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 talked, but it was Clinton who performed. In fact try this on for size. More new jobs were created under Clinton in 8 years than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they served. Their trickle down economics never got past the wealthy to the private sector.
When President Bush took office the governments fiscal health had never been better. In 8 years he managed to take the country and its people to the cleaners and it started in his very first year. If this is the conservatism that Republicans like to brag about, lets hope we never see another Republican President.
Coming next: Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth. Stay tuned.
Note l: The cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were handled outside the budget by the Bush administration. The cost of those wars are now handled within the budget by the Obama administration.
Note 2: National Debt number taken from Treasury Department.
Note 3: To read more why a policy of trickle down economics is not a policy at all read my three part series with conclusion titled: The U.S. Economy: Which Part Performs Best, dated 1/27/08/
Note 4: Budget Surplus and Deficits shown above taken from Congressional Budget Office Records.
Fiscal Years Ending 9/30/
President Clinton
1994 $203.2 billion Deficit
1995 164.0 billion Deficit
1996 107.4 billion Deficit
1997 21.9 billion Deficit
1998 69.3 billion Surplus
1999 125.6 billion Surplus
2000 236.0 billion Surplus
2001 128.0 billion Surplus
Total Budget Surplus $62.8 billion
President George W. Bush
2002 $157.8 billion Deficit
2003 377.6 billion Deficit
2004 412.7 billion Deficit
2005 318.3 billion Deficit
2006 248.2 billion Deficit
2007 160.7 billion Deficit
2008 454.8 billion Deficit
2009 1.42 Trillion Deficit
Total Budget Deficits $3.53 Trillion
President Bush's final budget that ended 9/30/09 was sent to Congress on July 28, 2008 and contained a projected deficit of $482 billion. That was before the economic meltdown and the financial collapse. His budget message at the time contained the following information. "The nations economy has continued to expand and remains fundamentally resilient." One should remember at the same time the economy had lost jobs every month since December 2007. The administration was completly out of touch with the economic facts.
Part of the deficit problem that made it swell to $1.42 trillion was the $700 billion Bush asked Congress to pass to bail out the financial industry, plus federal revenue was down 16.6% from fiscal 2008. Also there was approximately $200 billion from Obama's $787 billion spent of the stimulus money. However, without the expenditures for the bail out and stimulus the budget deficit would still have been another record number around $600 billion plus.
When the above budget numbers are compared for Bush and Clinton one can see the tragic results of Bush's 8 years in office and the tremendous burden the American people are left with fiscally and economically and the challenge that falls to President Obama. President Clinton had a deficit reduction and economic plan and policy when he took office and the Democratic controlled Congress passed that plan in 1993 without one vote from the Republicans in Congress. They predicted doom and gloom but the opposite happened. Bush had no economic or fiscal policy to keep the budget in balance when he took office. Instead he continued the policy of trickle down economics which proved once again not to be a policy at all to deal with the economy and the nations fiscal health.
Clinton's policy reduced the budget deficit every year his first term in office and was in surplus every year his second term in office. The Clinton administration also paid down $453 billion on the public debt. The Bush administration paid down zero and added over $6 trillion to the national debt. Bush never got a hand on deficit spending because he lacked the fundamental knowledge of how to create a sound economy and how to use government policy wisely. The ideology of trickle down economics being the engine for growing the economy and jobs in the private sector is a fairy tale. There were over 22.7 million new jobs created during the Clinton administration and 91% came from the private sector. The highest in over 50 years. Clinton did it with an economic policy that created an even 11 million plus jobs in each of his terms. Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 talked, but it was Clinton who performed. In fact try this on for size. More new jobs were created under Clinton in 8 years than were created under Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 in the 20 years they served. Their trickle down economics never got past the wealthy to the private sector.
When President Bush took office the governments fiscal health had never been better. In 8 years he managed to take the country and its people to the cleaners and it started in his very first year. If this is the conservatism that Republicans like to brag about, lets hope we never see another Republican President.
Coming next: Federal Spending: Facts vs. Myth. Stay tuned.
Note l: The cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were handled outside the budget by the Bush administration. The cost of those wars are now handled within the budget by the Obama administration.
Note 2: National Debt number taken from Treasury Department.
Note 3: To read more why a policy of trickle down economics is not a policy at all read my three part series with conclusion titled: The U.S. Economy: Which Part Performs Best, dated 1/27/08/
Note 4: Budget Surplus and Deficits shown above taken from Congressional Budget Office Records.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Treasury Department Slashes Executive Pay
The Associated Press reported that Kenneth Feinberg, the Treasury official leading the pay review told reporters that average salaries for the top 25 executives are being cut 90% starting next month. The action applies to the top executives at Bank of America Corp, AIG Group, Citigroup Inc., General Motors, Chrysler and Chrysler Financial.
The Federal Reserve unveiled a proposal that would police banks pay policies to ensure they don't encourage employees to take reckless gambles like those that contributed to the financial crisis. The Feds plan would cover thousands of banks. President Obama praised the action and urged Congress to pass legislation to give shareholders a voice in executive pay packages.
In this writers judgement, the above action was not only over due but necessary because the CEO's of Corporate America have proven by their past actions they are incapable of regulating their own greed. When executives make 400 times what the average worker makes and at the same time their companies are losing money, laying off workers, cutting back on health insurance only one word can describe that action. GREED.
The President and Congress need to make sure everything is in place that those companies who received bail outs pay back all the money they were loaned. Some years ago Chrysler and Mexico were the recepients of bail outs and they paid all money back plus interest. So Uncle Sam does have a record of doing something right. The President and Congress needs to keep that record intact.
The Federal Reserve unveiled a proposal that would police banks pay policies to ensure they don't encourage employees to take reckless gambles like those that contributed to the financial crisis. The Feds plan would cover thousands of banks. President Obama praised the action and urged Congress to pass legislation to give shareholders a voice in executive pay packages.
In this writers judgement, the above action was not only over due but necessary because the CEO's of Corporate America have proven by their past actions they are incapable of regulating their own greed. When executives make 400 times what the average worker makes and at the same time their companies are losing money, laying off workers, cutting back on health insurance only one word can describe that action. GREED.
The President and Congress need to make sure everything is in place that those companies who received bail outs pay back all the money they were loaned. Some years ago Chrysler and Mexico were the recepients of bail outs and they paid all money back plus interest. So Uncle Sam does have a record of doing something right. The President and Congress needs to keep that record intact.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Absence Of Competition
Competition is the engine that enables the public to have a say in obtaining products and services at a reasonable price. It has been known for some time that is not the case with government contracts, especially when it comes to Defense spending. It is also not the case outside the government in many instances. Cost over runs are a daily happening with defense contractors and the nations defense cost is over a half trillion dollars a year.
Rear Admiral William Landay, one of the Navy's top acaquisition officials promises that the Pentagon will do everything it can to foster competition and reduce prices for key shipbuilding projects. He was alluding to the fact that the six major shipyards are controlled by only two companies, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics and that is a major barrier. Landay said companies with shipbuilding contracts won't be guaranteed future contracts for newer models of the same boats. Landay added that cost overruns for Navy ships have been a big problem.
Monopolies have never worked for America and its people or the Pentagon. They work for their own greed by controlling prices. It plays into the hand of being another element in the failure of our economic well being. I wrote a commentary titled, "Innovation, Lost in America concerning how Corporate America has been transferring wealth from those who should share in it to those who already have it and having a monopoly is a sure way to do it. The few who control the financial industry in this country proved it just last year and now we are being told they are ready to announce billions of dollars of bonuses to their CEO's and executives once again. Greed has become a sickness with them and Congress has to address that problem.
The major oil companies in the past 20 or so years have bought most of the large independent oil companies and said the purchase would make them more efficient, drill more wells, produce more oil and increase production. Yet today the country is more dependent on foreign oil then ever before. What the buy outs did was increase the bonuses and other goodies of the CEO's and executives of the surviving major oil companies and they still own or lease millions of acres of land they have yet to drill on. That says it all.
Rear Admiral William Landay, one of the Navy's top acaquisition officials promises that the Pentagon will do everything it can to foster competition and reduce prices for key shipbuilding projects. He was alluding to the fact that the six major shipyards are controlled by only two companies, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics and that is a major barrier. Landay said companies with shipbuilding contracts won't be guaranteed future contracts for newer models of the same boats. Landay added that cost overruns for Navy ships have been a big problem.
Monopolies have never worked for America and its people or the Pentagon. They work for their own greed by controlling prices. It plays into the hand of being another element in the failure of our economic well being. I wrote a commentary titled, "Innovation, Lost in America concerning how Corporate America has been transferring wealth from those who should share in it to those who already have it and having a monopoly is a sure way to do it. The few who control the financial industry in this country proved it just last year and now we are being told they are ready to announce billions of dollars of bonuses to their CEO's and executives once again. Greed has become a sickness with them and Congress has to address that problem.
The major oil companies in the past 20 or so years have bought most of the large independent oil companies and said the purchase would make them more efficient, drill more wells, produce more oil and increase production. Yet today the country is more dependent on foreign oil then ever before. What the buy outs did was increase the bonuses and other goodies of the CEO's and executives of the surviving major oil companies and they still own or lease millions of acres of land they have yet to drill on. That says it all.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Rush Limbaugh Boomerang
The king of the "ditto heads" Rush Limbaugh who excels at personal attacks against those he dislikes just met his waterloo and blames others for being dropped from the group trying to buy the St. Louis Rams professional football franchise.
Rush who has mastered the game of blame is now blaming DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson for the Blues decision to exclude him from the groups bid. Rush said he's been made an example by a players union seeking leverage in talk over a new collective bargaining agreement according to wire reports. The king of blame also blamed President Obama's political clout for his sacking. (Nothing new there)
As usual, Rush is all over the lot. Here is a person who uses his position to destroy other people and their reputation and who is now crying wolf. I think it is safe to say that the NFL owners themselves played a key role in what took place. Why would any owner want a person like Rush to be part of an ownership of a NFL franchise.
This is a case where the wheel of justice was spun and came back around and pointed the finger at the king of blame and gave him a dose of his own medicine. The issue will give Rush and his ditto heads another subject to talk about for the duration of the season. His huffing and puffing will be louder than ever. One should remember those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. It will come back to bite you.
Rush who has mastered the game of blame is now blaming DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson for the Blues decision to exclude him from the groups bid. Rush said he's been made an example by a players union seeking leverage in talk over a new collective bargaining agreement according to wire reports. The king of blame also blamed President Obama's political clout for his sacking. (Nothing new there)
As usual, Rush is all over the lot. Here is a person who uses his position to destroy other people and their reputation and who is now crying wolf. I think it is safe to say that the NFL owners themselves played a key role in what took place. Why would any owner want a person like Rush to be part of an ownership of a NFL franchise.
This is a case where the wheel of justice was spun and came back around and pointed the finger at the king of blame and gave him a dose of his own medicine. The issue will give Rush and his ditto heads another subject to talk about for the duration of the season. His huffing and puffing will be louder than ever. One should remember those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. It will come back to bite you.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Nobel Peace Prize
President Barack Obama is the third sitting U.S. President to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The other two were Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson in 1919. The award brought immediate criticism from conservative republicans in Congress, conservative blogs and radio talk shows, along with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele who actually mocked the President.
The conservative reaction is the extension of the personal attacks started by the Republic Party against President Clinton after he was elected. Now, as I have written earlier, the conservative Republicans will oppose every thing that has to do with the President and that opposition will be personal attacks. They still can not articulate what they them selves stand for and are incapable of talking about the issues in a debate so they engage in personal attacks.
The Nobel Prize was awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey said the Nobel Peace Prize was honoring the country and that it is an award Americans should feel good about. Our country and its people over the years have with-stood many attacks from abroad and shall do the same from those attacks coming from within by those who feel so inadequate.
The conservative Republicans who ran the country the past eight years have shown their hand. They are not about moving the country forward during these hard economic times that their failed policies created. Their every calculated move is to regain power and finish the job of bankrupting America and the ideals America has stood for, for over 200 years. That says it all. Congratulation Mr. President.
The conservative reaction is the extension of the personal attacks started by the Republic Party against President Clinton after he was elected. Now, as I have written earlier, the conservative Republicans will oppose every thing that has to do with the President and that opposition will be personal attacks. They still can not articulate what they them selves stand for and are incapable of talking about the issues in a debate so they engage in personal attacks.
The Nobel Prize was awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey said the Nobel Peace Prize was honoring the country and that it is an award Americans should feel good about. Our country and its people over the years have with-stood many attacks from abroad and shall do the same from those attacks coming from within by those who feel so inadequate.
The conservative Republicans who ran the country the past eight years have shown their hand. They are not about moving the country forward during these hard economic times that their failed policies created. Their every calculated move is to regain power and finish the job of bankrupting America and the ideals America has stood for, for over 200 years. That says it all. Congratulation Mr. President.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Another Slap In The Public's Face
Journalists continue to feed the American public information from sources that have already been discredited. The sources are retired military officers and a U.S. Senator. On "Meet the Press" today, moderator David Gregory's topic was Afghanistan and what should be done about that war and what President Obama's decision might be. His guest were U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, retired Generals Barry McCaffrey and Richard Myers who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Bush administration and U.S. Senator Carl Levin.
Senator Graham and retired General McCaffrey and Myers who supported the war and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist and have no credibility when it comes to that war or the war in Afghanistan would support 40,000 additional U.S. troops and pretty much said both wars are comparable, are once again given the American people a rerun of the Iraq war. Graham went so far as to say give the generals any increase in troops they request.
Senator Levin said a request for more U.S. troops is not the answer to winning the war in Afghanistan and said training Afghans to secure their own country would be more productive. David Gregory asked the following stupid question and it showed how the news media is so tuned out to the real issue on the war. He asked, "Since President Obama is taking a long time to make his decision, should that be taken as the President being weak." Of course Gregory could not articulate why Obama's willingness to get broad advice from his advisers makes him a weak President. Bush never sought such advise and input from a broad section of people with experience before he ordered the invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and those wars are still going on while Bush has gone fishing. Obama now has to pick up the pieces and our men and women in uniform are still paying the ultimate price.
Gregory also had a panel of journalists on after to discuss the war. Bob Woodward of the Washington Post pointed out how Obama was consulting a wide range of advisers and asking tough questions to justify their recommendations and that is why Obama has not made his decision yet. Paul Gigot, editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal and a conservative himself showed by his facial expressions and his comments he is not a supporter of Obama concerning the war. Lindsey, Gigot, McCaffrey and Myers have learned nothing from the wars in those two countries, yet Gregory was willing to expose the American people to their ignorance once again and when it comes to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan some journalists could care less what propaganda is fed the American people. That is a sad note for our country and especially our men and women in uniform.
Senator Graham and retired General McCaffrey and Myers who supported the war and occupation of Iraq over WMD that did not exist and have no credibility when it comes to that war or the war in Afghanistan would support 40,000 additional U.S. troops and pretty much said both wars are comparable, are once again given the American people a rerun of the Iraq war. Graham went so far as to say give the generals any increase in troops they request.
Senator Levin said a request for more U.S. troops is not the answer to winning the war in Afghanistan and said training Afghans to secure their own country would be more productive. David Gregory asked the following stupid question and it showed how the news media is so tuned out to the real issue on the war. He asked, "Since President Obama is taking a long time to make his decision, should that be taken as the President being weak." Of course Gregory could not articulate why Obama's willingness to get broad advice from his advisers makes him a weak President. Bush never sought such advise and input from a broad section of people with experience before he ordered the invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and those wars are still going on while Bush has gone fishing. Obama now has to pick up the pieces and our men and women in uniform are still paying the ultimate price.
Gregory also had a panel of journalists on after to discuss the war. Bob Woodward of the Washington Post pointed out how Obama was consulting a wide range of advisers and asking tough questions to justify their recommendations and that is why Obama has not made his decision yet. Paul Gigot, editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal and a conservative himself showed by his facial expressions and his comments he is not a supporter of Obama concerning the war. Lindsey, Gigot, McCaffrey and Myers have learned nothing from the wars in those two countries, yet Gregory was willing to expose the American people to their ignorance once again and when it comes to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan some journalists could care less what propaganda is fed the American people. That is a sad note for our country and especially our men and women in uniform.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Latest Economic Numbers
The U.S. Labor Department announced that September unemployment rate rose to 9.8%, up from 9.7% in August. The economy lost 263,000 jobs that same month compared to the revised down figure for August which was 201,000 job losses. The Department also reported 15.1 million Americans are out of work and 7.2 million jobs have been lost since December 2007 when the recession began. Hourly earnings rose by a penny last month while weekly wages fell $1.54 to $616.11.
The latest numbers indicate the severe effects of the recession and that more time will pass before the country and its people will see job growth of any significant numbers. The American people are nervous and restless and are searching for over night solutions but none exist. There is too much wealth in too few hands for that to happen. The job losses in 2008 were averaging over 500,000 a month. That number has been reduced so far this year which means part of the stimulus is working.
Consumers are not spending freely yet because they are still unsure of the future. Consumer spending represents the largest part of the economy and once the job picture improves to where businesses are starting to hire again, the consumer will respond. The American people should also realize that there are those voices out there who prey on bad times and offer false information and preach despair. Many Americans affected by the recession have never experienced an economic collapse of our financial structure as severe as this one. President Roosevelt had to put the country in debt to put our people to work during WWII for the war effort. The WPA and other government programs were created to put our people to work and it worked well for America.
Those voices who are opposed to the stimulus spending and are now talking about deficit spending at the time the country is in an economic crisis were silent during the record deficit spending of President's Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 which totaled 20 years. None of those Presidents faced the severe economic problems the country faces today. In fact President Bush 43 inherited the greatest economy, job creation and balanced budgets and surpluses and turned all of that around. Those same voices were also silent the whole time wealth was being transferred from the average worker to the wealthy.
Patience is not easy to practice when you lose your job, your home and have to provide for your family or your own well being. However, the negative voices who have nothing to offer but blame and who stood on the side lines all the while the country was going into recession while supporting the status quo deserve to be tuned out.
America and its people will come out of these hard times and there will be a reason to feel good again. I would advise the people to stop and think for themselves, we the people are smart enough to figure out what is really going on and and act accordingly. We all need to be leaders instead of followers. Those who preach in the negative have a character problem that will not allow them to compete where common sense and intelligence rules.
The latest numbers indicate the severe effects of the recession and that more time will pass before the country and its people will see job growth of any significant numbers. The American people are nervous and restless and are searching for over night solutions but none exist. There is too much wealth in too few hands for that to happen. The job losses in 2008 were averaging over 500,000 a month. That number has been reduced so far this year which means part of the stimulus is working.
Consumers are not spending freely yet because they are still unsure of the future. Consumer spending represents the largest part of the economy and once the job picture improves to where businesses are starting to hire again, the consumer will respond. The American people should also realize that there are those voices out there who prey on bad times and offer false information and preach despair. Many Americans affected by the recession have never experienced an economic collapse of our financial structure as severe as this one. President Roosevelt had to put the country in debt to put our people to work during WWII for the war effort. The WPA and other government programs were created to put our people to work and it worked well for America.
Those voices who are opposed to the stimulus spending and are now talking about deficit spending at the time the country is in an economic crisis were silent during the record deficit spending of President's Reagan, Bush 41 and Bush 43 which totaled 20 years. None of those Presidents faced the severe economic problems the country faces today. In fact President Bush 43 inherited the greatest economy, job creation and balanced budgets and surpluses and turned all of that around. Those same voices were also silent the whole time wealth was being transferred from the average worker to the wealthy.
Patience is not easy to practice when you lose your job, your home and have to provide for your family or your own well being. However, the negative voices who have nothing to offer but blame and who stood on the side lines all the while the country was going into recession while supporting the status quo deserve to be tuned out.
America and its people will come out of these hard times and there will be a reason to feel good again. I would advise the people to stop and think for themselves, we the people are smart enough to figure out what is really going on and and act accordingly. We all need to be leaders instead of followers. Those who preach in the negative have a character problem that will not allow them to compete where common sense and intelligence rules.
Friday, October 2, 2009
The United States and Cuba
I have written a few commentaries concerning the U.S. and Cuba and that it was time for the U.S. to make a move to bring Cuba back to a diplomatic relationship with the U.S. and once again become an ally. My first commentary was dated 11/23/07, almost 2 years ago.
President Obama made the first move toward Cuba a few months ago and liberalized visits between the two countries and just this week it was reported that a senior U.S. Diplomat traveled to Havana and held high-level talks with Cuban officials, that according to our State Department. The visit lasted 6 days and our Diplomat even visited with Cuban opposition activists to discuss their political views.
Cuba, being only 90 miles from our shore should be given the opportunity with its people to establish a working relationship with the U.S. Cuba is a natural for commerce between both countries. A friendly Cuba with no military axe to grind would also enhance the security of our hemisphere.
Fifty plus years of embargo did nothing to oust Fidel Castro or change their communist rule. We live in a different time under very different conditions and the status quo has not made the U.S. any safer. Cuba, an island, is no military or political threat to the U.S. It is time for the President to see this thing through.
President Obama made the first move toward Cuba a few months ago and liberalized visits between the two countries and just this week it was reported that a senior U.S. Diplomat traveled to Havana and held high-level talks with Cuban officials, that according to our State Department. The visit lasted 6 days and our Diplomat even visited with Cuban opposition activists to discuss their political views.
Cuba, being only 90 miles from our shore should be given the opportunity with its people to establish a working relationship with the U.S. Cuba is a natural for commerce between both countries. A friendly Cuba with no military axe to grind would also enhance the security of our hemisphere.
Fifty plus years of embargo did nothing to oust Fidel Castro or change their communist rule. We live in a different time under very different conditions and the status quo has not made the U.S. any safer. Cuba, an island, is no military or political threat to the U.S. It is time for the President to see this thing through.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A Sickness At The Fox News Network
They think of themselves as the elite. Neoconservatives by their tell tale comments. They think they are better than any one else because of their self claimed conservatism but they represent a conservatism that is much different than America practices. I am speaking about Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly. Management at the Fox News represent the same warped ideology.
Brit Hume, Bill Kristol, Dennis Miller and Newt Gingrich are regular guest, Hume having retired not too long ago. They can be described as the seven "ditto heads" who feel so inadequate they have nothing of positive value to contribute to the broadcast media. They like patting each other on the back, it builds up their confidence and lack of esteem. I laugh when they point to Fox News being a top rated cable network. It reminds me of one of President Truman's famous quotes. "A President needs political understanding to run the government, but he may be elected without it." (end of quote)
The seven "ditto heads" hide behind conservatism because they can't compete with our American heritage that every ones opinion counts and that diversity does matter. Their lack of understanding and wisdom is a direct result of their inadequate feeling. It is a sickness that really showed during the Presidency of George Bush when they could not articulate what the President and conservatism accomplished so they spent 8 years attacking democrats. That sickness is still being played out now against President Obama and his administration.
Beck, O'Reilly and Hannity represent three hours of cable "spin." (not counting their reruns) What really ticks them off about most of the so called "liberals" they berate, is that many of those "liberals" served their country in uniform. When you feel insecure and inadequate, attack, attack, the usual conservative ploy. Fox news claims to be "fair and balanced" but that is exactly what is lacking the most in their broadcast. Just the other night Bernie Goldberg who is a frequent guest on Fox and usually agrees with their pronouncements pointed out to O'Reilly that Fox's coverage of the town hall meetings on health care and the so called tax tea party were not fair and balanced. O'Reilly got his nose out of joint and his dander up. O'Reilly and Fox do not like when some one throws a challenge at their double standard.
The sickness at Fox news of trying to destroy those who have different views is a threat to our freedom. Their cry baby attitude toward President Obama because he would not appear on their network and take part in their charade is evidence of how sick the network has become.
Brit Hume, Bill Kristol, Dennis Miller and Newt Gingrich are regular guest, Hume having retired not too long ago. They can be described as the seven "ditto heads" who feel so inadequate they have nothing of positive value to contribute to the broadcast media. They like patting each other on the back, it builds up their confidence and lack of esteem. I laugh when they point to Fox News being a top rated cable network. It reminds me of one of President Truman's famous quotes. "A President needs political understanding to run the government, but he may be elected without it." (end of quote)
The seven "ditto heads" hide behind conservatism because they can't compete with our American heritage that every ones opinion counts and that diversity does matter. Their lack of understanding and wisdom is a direct result of their inadequate feeling. It is a sickness that really showed during the Presidency of George Bush when they could not articulate what the President and conservatism accomplished so they spent 8 years attacking democrats. That sickness is still being played out now against President Obama and his administration.
Beck, O'Reilly and Hannity represent three hours of cable "spin." (not counting their reruns) What really ticks them off about most of the so called "liberals" they berate, is that many of those "liberals" served their country in uniform. When you feel insecure and inadequate, attack, attack, the usual conservative ploy. Fox news claims to be "fair and balanced" but that is exactly what is lacking the most in their broadcast. Just the other night Bernie Goldberg who is a frequent guest on Fox and usually agrees with their pronouncements pointed out to O'Reilly that Fox's coverage of the town hall meetings on health care and the so called tax tea party were not fair and balanced. O'Reilly got his nose out of joint and his dander up. O'Reilly and Fox do not like when some one throws a challenge at their double standard.
The sickness at Fox news of trying to destroy those who have different views is a threat to our freedom. Their cry baby attitude toward President Obama because he would not appear on their network and take part in their charade is evidence of how sick the network has become.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Health Care And Medicare
The health care issue being debated by congress has spilled over to the issue of medicare. Those who are opposed to President Obama's proposed health care plan have put up every road block they can including alleging that health care reform will destroy medicare that has been taken care of senior citizens for many years.
Medicare has been a saving staple for seniors and others who qualify for the program and any reduction in benefits would seriously impact those that receive the benefit. Seniors also pay a monthly premium through social security deductions for medicare. Medicare plays a significant role in the life of seniors and allows seniors to have a better quality of life. Theywould naturally have concern if medicare no longer provided the services they have come to depend on.
The U.S. House on September 24 voted 406-18 to eliminate all premimum increases for medicare Part B for next year. Medicare is a democratic created program that was opposed by the republican party. Many in the republican party still oppose medicare. The bottom line is that no democratic administration will do anything to undo those benefits that have been taking care of senior's need for over 30 years.
Medicare has been a saving staple for seniors and others who qualify for the program and any reduction in benefits would seriously impact those that receive the benefit. Seniors also pay a monthly premium through social security deductions for medicare. Medicare plays a significant role in the life of seniors and allows seniors to have a better quality of life. Theywould naturally have concern if medicare no longer provided the services they have come to depend on.
The U.S. House on September 24 voted 406-18 to eliminate all premimum increases for medicare Part B for next year. Medicare is a democratic created program that was opposed by the republican party. Many in the republican party still oppose medicare. The bottom line is that no democratic administration will do anything to undo those benefits that have been taking care of senior's need for over 30 years.
Iran, Threat Or Nuisance
Is Iran a real threat to the national security of the United States. Are they a real threat to the national security of Israel, or for the region. I have yet to hear a real debate about the issue. But there are some things we do know that is never discussed, so lets try and explore the issue here.
I can not think of any country Iran has threatened to attack or invade lately but I can think of a country who has threatened to attack Iran. Iran's history is not one that has attacked or invaded another country in my life time.
Iran has said the Jewish state should be destroyed, but never said that they would be the ones to do so, and for good reasons. They know their country would be destroyed along with their leaders. On the other hand, Israel has used its military power to preempt attacks on Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
Time will tell if Iran is developing nuclear weapons. If they do they are not going to launch an attack against Israel or the United States for the same reasons mentioned above and for the same reasons Russia never launched a nuclear attack against the U.S. in 40 years of a cold war. Iran would not pass nuclear weapons to terriorists for the same reasons.
The U.S. launched a war with Iraq over WMD that did not exist and our men and women in uniform paid dearly for that mistake. The nuclear inspection arm of the U.N. has been inspecting Iran's nuclear facilities since day one. Israel, India and Pakistan do not allow such inspections to its nuclear facilities. The case could be made that if any country starts a nuclear war in that part of the world it will be Pakistan, Israel or India since they are unchecked nuclear powers.
Iran gets under Israel's skin when they deny the holocaust but it is obvious the leaders and people of Iran know it happened. Iran taunts Israel just like Israel taunts Iran but that does not justify war. When a country uses its military power with impunity like Israel does the weak will do whatever they have to do to become strong.
The middle east is an unstable place and more so since the invasion of Iraq. Iraq attacked Iran and started a 10 year war during the 80's. The Reagan administration supported Saddam in that war and gave him intelligence on Iran's troop positions. Israel supported Iran in that war. In other words, two close allies, the U.S. and Israel supported opposite sides during that war. If that makes sense, I am not convinced.
Now on September 25th the nation has been told Iran has been operating a "secret" nuclear facility. The problem is it has not been "secret" to the intelligence community of the U.S., Briton or France. Their leaders have know about the facility for several years and say completion is anywhere from 18 months to 3 years away from being finished. The word "secret" is now being used to work up an appetite for a preemptive strike by those who love to send other peoples children off to war.
The Iran thing reminds me of what happened during the early year of President Kennedy's administration as reported in the book, "JFK and the Unspeakable." And I quote. JULY 20, 1961: At a national security meeting, the joint chiefs of staff and CIA director Allen Dulles presented a plan for a preemptive nuclear attack on the Soviet Union in late 1963, preceded by a period of heightened tensions." President Kennedy walked out of the meeting saying to Secretary of State Dean Rush, "And we call ourselves the human race."
President Kennedy had the wisdom to ignore that advise that would have killed millions on each side in an unnecessary nuclear war. Does the drum beat on Iran sound familiar.
I can not think of any country Iran has threatened to attack or invade lately but I can think of a country who has threatened to attack Iran. Iran's history is not one that has attacked or invaded another country in my life time.
Iran has said the Jewish state should be destroyed, but never said that they would be the ones to do so, and for good reasons. They know their country would be destroyed along with their leaders. On the other hand, Israel has used its military power to preempt attacks on Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
Time will tell if Iran is developing nuclear weapons. If they do they are not going to launch an attack against Israel or the United States for the same reasons mentioned above and for the same reasons Russia never launched a nuclear attack against the U.S. in 40 years of a cold war. Iran would not pass nuclear weapons to terriorists for the same reasons.
The U.S. launched a war with Iraq over WMD that did not exist and our men and women in uniform paid dearly for that mistake. The nuclear inspection arm of the U.N. has been inspecting Iran's nuclear facilities since day one. Israel, India and Pakistan do not allow such inspections to its nuclear facilities. The case could be made that if any country starts a nuclear war in that part of the world it will be Pakistan, Israel or India since they are unchecked nuclear powers.
Iran gets under Israel's skin when they deny the holocaust but it is obvious the leaders and people of Iran know it happened. Iran taunts Israel just like Israel taunts Iran but that does not justify war. When a country uses its military power with impunity like Israel does the weak will do whatever they have to do to become strong.
The middle east is an unstable place and more so since the invasion of Iraq. Iraq attacked Iran and started a 10 year war during the 80's. The Reagan administration supported Saddam in that war and gave him intelligence on Iran's troop positions. Israel supported Iran in that war. In other words, two close allies, the U.S. and Israel supported opposite sides during that war. If that makes sense, I am not convinced.
Now on September 25th the nation has been told Iran has been operating a "secret" nuclear facility. The problem is it has not been "secret" to the intelligence community of the U.S., Briton or France. Their leaders have know about the facility for several years and say completion is anywhere from 18 months to 3 years away from being finished. The word "secret" is now being used to work up an appetite for a preemptive strike by those who love to send other peoples children off to war.
The Iran thing reminds me of what happened during the early year of President Kennedy's administration as reported in the book, "JFK and the Unspeakable." And I quote. JULY 20, 1961: At a national security meeting, the joint chiefs of staff and CIA director Allen Dulles presented a plan for a preemptive nuclear attack on the Soviet Union in late 1963, preceded by a period of heightened tensions." President Kennedy walked out of the meeting saying to Secretary of State Dean Rush, "And we call ourselves the human race."
President Kennedy had the wisdom to ignore that advise that would have killed millions on each side in an unnecessary nuclear war. Does the drum beat on Iran sound familiar.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Median Income In Louisiana Down
Business writer Jaquetta White of the Times Picayune reported that median household income in Louisiana dropped 7.8% in 2008 compared to the previous year according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau report released earlier this month. The report also showed that residents in all but 11 states and D.C., experienced a drop in income over the year, but that Louisiana had one of the sharpest income declines with just seven states performing worse.
Louisiana median income for 2008 was $39,563.00, down from $42,900.00 in 2007. The U.S. median income for 2008 was $50,303.00 down from $52,163.00 in 2007. In 1998 the Louisiana median income was $41,863.00 and in 2008 $39,563.00. That 10 year period saw a drop of 5.4% in Louisiana median income.
In the article local demographers were not surprised as they say it reflects a resetting of a part of the economy since hurricane Katrina. Demographer Elliot Stonecipher said the 10 year decline is not surprising since there has been a trend in Lojuisiana since at least the early 1990s of an outflow of high-paying jobs and an increase in low-wage ones. Our job base, the concentration of jobs in the service sector, means generally we do fit into that broad definition of a state without any evidence of industries that are higher income.
During that 10 year period mentioned above the Louisiana median income was almost $10,000.00 less per year than the U.S. median income. That would seem to confirm Mr. Stonecipher above comment. It would be nice if a report would be made during the same 10 year period concerning the median incomes of CEO's and executives of the business community. I think a report would show what I have written about on many occasions concerning the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy.
Louisiana gives away millions of dollars to new and existing businesses in the form of tax breaks, financing for new plants, buying land for business, etc., etc., and the latest report above shows that the state has made no progress in bringing good paying jobs to Louisiana and the state in that 10 year period made no headway in closing the gap between the median income in Louisiana compared to the median income in the U.S.
Priority in Louisiana seems to be, take care of the business community and trickle down economics will lift the average worker up. Unfortunately, that is pure nonsense with a capital N.
Louisiana median income for 2008 was $39,563.00, down from $42,900.00 in 2007. The U.S. median income for 2008 was $50,303.00 down from $52,163.00 in 2007. In 1998 the Louisiana median income was $41,863.00 and in 2008 $39,563.00. That 10 year period saw a drop of 5.4% in Louisiana median income.
In the article local demographers were not surprised as they say it reflects a resetting of a part of the economy since hurricane Katrina. Demographer Elliot Stonecipher said the 10 year decline is not surprising since there has been a trend in Lojuisiana since at least the early 1990s of an outflow of high-paying jobs and an increase in low-wage ones. Our job base, the concentration of jobs in the service sector, means generally we do fit into that broad definition of a state without any evidence of industries that are higher income.
During that 10 year period mentioned above the Louisiana median income was almost $10,000.00 less per year than the U.S. median income. That would seem to confirm Mr. Stonecipher above comment. It would be nice if a report would be made during the same 10 year period concerning the median incomes of CEO's and executives of the business community. I think a report would show what I have written about on many occasions concerning the transfer of wealth from the middle class to the wealthy.
Louisiana gives away millions of dollars to new and existing businesses in the form of tax breaks, financing for new plants, buying land for business, etc., etc., and the latest report above shows that the state has made no progress in bringing good paying jobs to Louisiana and the state in that 10 year period made no headway in closing the gap between the median income in Louisiana compared to the median income in the U.S.
Priority in Louisiana seems to be, take care of the business community and trickle down economics will lift the average worker up. Unfortunately, that is pure nonsense with a capital N.
Monday, September 21, 2009
What Is Next For The Economy
There have been a number of reports in the past few weeks dealing with the economy. Most reports have been up beat, although modest. Housing construction rose in August and the number of Americans who lost their jobs was down two months in a row. Applications for building permits rose 2.7% in August.
The Labor Department reports initial claims for unemployment benefits declined for the third time in the last four weeks. Ben Bernanke, the Fed Chairman said the worst recession since the 1930's is probably over. Household debt for the second quarter is slightly down from the first quarter.
Business is starting to hire again but not at a pace to reverse the job losses of the past 18 months. Job creation and putting America back to work is the key to a sustained economic recovery and a sustained economy. Personal spending is the engine to economic growth.
The key lesson for President Obama is to truly learn from the tragic mistakes of the previous administration, understand how corporate greed played a large part in the economic meltdow by the excesses of Wall Street and the Financial Industry and take real workable measures to safeguard against a repeat performance. The President must also understand how the massive deficit spending and debt of the last three republican administrations have weakened our position and ability to take a hit when the economy falls onto hard times. The question, can corporate America regulate litself, has already been answered with a resounding NO. Their past record is confirmation.
Most of the $787 billion stimulus money will be spent in the fiscal year that begins October 1, 2009 so the states will still be receiving money to help put people to work. It is important that states spend that money wisely on those things that really matter and make a difference for the economy and the people.
The President needs to insist on putting America's house back in operation with sound fiscal policies that eliminate deficit spending. Democratic administrations have done it in the past and can do it again. This has to be a priority and fall in line with bringing the economy back to life. I have reported many times in past articles that balancing the federal budget with sound fiscal policies will allow our country and its people to address what ever problems come along. The past is still the key to the future if we truly take the time to learn from it.
The Labor Department reports initial claims for unemployment benefits declined for the third time in the last four weeks. Ben Bernanke, the Fed Chairman said the worst recession since the 1930's is probably over. Household debt for the second quarter is slightly down from the first quarter.
Business is starting to hire again but not at a pace to reverse the job losses of the past 18 months. Job creation and putting America back to work is the key to a sustained economic recovery and a sustained economy. Personal spending is the engine to economic growth.
The key lesson for President Obama is to truly learn from the tragic mistakes of the previous administration, understand how corporate greed played a large part in the economic meltdow by the excesses of Wall Street and the Financial Industry and take real workable measures to safeguard against a repeat performance. The President must also understand how the massive deficit spending and debt of the last three republican administrations have weakened our position and ability to take a hit when the economy falls onto hard times. The question, can corporate America regulate litself, has already been answered with a resounding NO. Their past record is confirmation.
Most of the $787 billion stimulus money will be spent in the fiscal year that begins October 1, 2009 so the states will still be receiving money to help put people to work. It is important that states spend that money wisely on those things that really matter and make a difference for the economy and the people.
The President needs to insist on putting America's house back in operation with sound fiscal policies that eliminate deficit spending. Democratic administrations have done it in the past and can do it again. This has to be a priority and fall in line with bringing the economy back to life. I have reported many times in past articles that balancing the federal budget with sound fiscal policies will allow our country and its people to address what ever problems come along. The past is still the key to the future if we truly take the time to learn from it.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Change In College Aid
The Times Picayune reported the U.S. House of Representatives voted to remove private lenders from the student loan business and put the government in charge. The vote was 253-171 in favor of the proposal. Only six republicans voted in favor and four democrats voted against the bill. According to the report the bill fulfills nearly all of President Obama's campaign promise for higher education.
The measure ends subsidies for private lenders and allows the government to send the money direct to students. The report pointed out the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) says that when administration cost and market conditions are considered the savings from switching to direct government lending would be $47 billion. Republicans said the bill could end up costing the government more money and republican John Kline said the numbers just don't add up. Mr. Kline offered no numbers or explaination to refute the CBO numbers, just the usual conservative rhetoric.
Republicans also argued against putting the government in control of student lending. The fact is private lenders can still make student loans if they want to, they just don't receive federal subsidies for doing so. This writer, a veteran, went to college on the G.I. bill and my check came direct from the government.
Members of Louisiana's republican delegation in congress who voted against the bill were; Bustany, Alexander, Cassidy, Fleming and Scalise. Republican Cao and democrat Melacon voted with the majority and for the bill. Representative Cao, who has been in congress only eight months once again showed his maturity over his republican college with his yes vote. The gang of five who voted against the measure were once again willing to walk the party line and oppose anything coming out of the Obama administration.
The people of Louisiana should take note.
The measure ends subsidies for private lenders and allows the government to send the money direct to students. The report pointed out the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) says that when administration cost and market conditions are considered the savings from switching to direct government lending would be $47 billion. Republicans said the bill could end up costing the government more money and republican John Kline said the numbers just don't add up. Mr. Kline offered no numbers or explaination to refute the CBO numbers, just the usual conservative rhetoric.
Republicans also argued against putting the government in control of student lending. The fact is private lenders can still make student loans if they want to, they just don't receive federal subsidies for doing so. This writer, a veteran, went to college on the G.I. bill and my check came direct from the government.
Members of Louisiana's republican delegation in congress who voted against the bill were; Bustany, Alexander, Cassidy, Fleming and Scalise. Republican Cao and democrat Melacon voted with the majority and for the bill. Representative Cao, who has been in congress only eight months once again showed his maturity over his republican college with his yes vote. The gang of five who voted against the measure were once again willing to walk the party line and oppose anything coming out of the Obama administration.
The people of Louisiana should take note.
Friday, September 18, 2009
A Wise Foreign Policy Decision
As reported in the Times Picayune, President Obama announced Thursday September 18 he cancelled former President Bush's plans to install a missile defense shield in the Czech Republic and in Poland. Instead the U.S. will deploy smaller interceptors by 2011. The President said the new system will provide stronger, smarter and swifter defenses of U.S. forces and America's allies to meet a changing threat from Iran.
The President said the new assesment of the Iranian threat required a different system using existing technology and that the new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack.
Republican critics do what they always do. They said the President caved in to Russia. They are so out of touch they did not even try to rebut the reasons given by the President for the action he took. The republican response is only the beginning of their opposition to everything Obama does concerning foreign and domestic policy.
President Obama's decision was a wise one. He knew the proposed missile shield if installed in Russia's back yard would start a new arms race with that country. Who needs a new arms race when the U.S. and other peaceful nations are looking to stop the spread of weapons of war. There is no need for the U.S. because of misjudgement to make Russia stronger than they already are.
The U.S. does not need another costly missile system at this time in our history. The people of our country need a new approach concerning our foreign policy and the President deserves a chance at changing the status quo. This decision by the President does not endanger our national security because the change in policy will rely on proven military technology as the President said. Costly new systems play into the hands of the Military-Industrial complex and those who love to talk tough.
As for the threat from Iran, that will be covered in a future commentary coming soon.
The President said the new assesment of the Iranian threat required a different system using existing technology and that the new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack.
Republican critics do what they always do. They said the President caved in to Russia. They are so out of touch they did not even try to rebut the reasons given by the President for the action he took. The republican response is only the beginning of their opposition to everything Obama does concerning foreign and domestic policy.
President Obama's decision was a wise one. He knew the proposed missile shield if installed in Russia's back yard would start a new arms race with that country. Who needs a new arms race when the U.S. and other peaceful nations are looking to stop the spread of weapons of war. There is no need for the U.S. because of misjudgement to make Russia stronger than they already are.
The U.S. does not need another costly missile system at this time in our history. The people of our country need a new approach concerning our foreign policy and the President deserves a chance at changing the status quo. This decision by the President does not endanger our national security because the change in policy will rely on proven military technology as the President said. Costly new systems play into the hands of the Military-Industrial complex and those who love to talk tough.
As for the threat from Iran, that will be covered in a future commentary coming soon.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
A Letter From U.S. Senator, David Vitter
U.S. Senator David Vitter sent a letter addressed to "Dear Fellow American." The letter is about the health care issue before congress and has an attached questionaire ballot concerning the subject matter. The covering letter leaves no doubt that Vitter is opposed to the President's proposal on health care reform.
In his letter he calls the ballot a "Confidential Ballot and that he mailed only a few nationwide so it is very important that I receive your response to get accurate and ample results." How can accurate results be obtained by sending out a "few" ballots?
Mr. Vitter also states in his letter and I quote. "And don't worry, your confidential ballot is just that, it is 100% confidential. No union official or lobbyist will know anything about your response. Neither wil anyone at the White House." (end of quote). The following questions are on the ballot.
1. Do you oppose creating a new government-run health insurance provider?
2. Do you support this legislation forcing politicians to live by the health reforms they
pass?
3. Are you in favor of preventing tax dollars from funding abortions?
4. Are you against creating new health care entitlements for illegal aliens?
5. Would you want your representatives and senators to vote AGAINST Obama health
care take over plan?
One can easily see by the questions what Vitter's game is all about on health care. The usual slanted conservative word play gives him away, especially the abortion and illegal alien questions which will not be a part of the President's health care plan. People who are really concerned about health care should be outraged at these questions because they do nothing to explain the plan. It is just another reason why conservatism, as preached by many republicans in congress is an un American ideology. Vitter said the answer from the "few" will be combined with others giving me a clear picture of where the American people stand on the issue. Vitter did not take the time to mention who are the others he will combine his "few" with or if the same questions were asked.
I have often written that part of the conservative republicans problem is that they feel inadequate about themselves and that is why they have nothing to offer except personal attacks on the opposition. Rubber stamping George Bush's failed policies for 8 years and Mr. Vitters feeling of being inadequate is indeed very sad.
In his letter he calls the ballot a "Confidential Ballot and that he mailed only a few nationwide so it is very important that I receive your response to get accurate and ample results." How can accurate results be obtained by sending out a "few" ballots?
Mr. Vitter also states in his letter and I quote. "And don't worry, your confidential ballot is just that, it is 100% confidential. No union official or lobbyist will know anything about your response. Neither wil anyone at the White House." (end of quote). The following questions are on the ballot.
1. Do you oppose creating a new government-run health insurance provider?
2. Do you support this legislation forcing politicians to live by the health reforms they
pass?
3. Are you in favor of preventing tax dollars from funding abortions?
4. Are you against creating new health care entitlements for illegal aliens?
5. Would you want your representatives and senators to vote AGAINST Obama health
care take over plan?
One can easily see by the questions what Vitter's game is all about on health care. The usual slanted conservative word play gives him away, especially the abortion and illegal alien questions which will not be a part of the President's health care plan. People who are really concerned about health care should be outraged at these questions because they do nothing to explain the plan. It is just another reason why conservatism, as preached by many republicans in congress is an un American ideology. Vitter said the answer from the "few" will be combined with others giving me a clear picture of where the American people stand on the issue. Vitter did not take the time to mention who are the others he will combine his "few" with or if the same questions were asked.
I have often written that part of the conservative republicans problem is that they feel inadequate about themselves and that is why they have nothing to offer except personal attacks on the opposition. Rubber stamping George Bush's failed policies for 8 years and Mr. Vitters feeling of being inadequate is indeed very sad.
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