It is unfathomable to me (I love that word) that there is a serious possibility that there may be another voting issue in the state of Florida. Ever election I have voted in which is probably about 12 or so looking at national, state, and local elections, there has never, ever been a problem. When using both the old crank-style machines and the new optical scanners there has never been a problem in the state of CT...or any other state for that matter. There are two possible reasons for this.
1. Florida voters can't figure it out
2. Florida is run by completely incompetent officials, politicians, and bureaucrats.
Ding, ding, ding we have a winner...#2 by unanimous decision. Even a person with very little intelligence can figure out how to fill in a circle with a #2 pencil so I do not believe that Floridians are that dumb. That only leaves the incompetent officials that we came to know in love in the magical election year of 2000. Give them credit though...at least this time they are making it publicly known that there will be a screw up instead of it being a surprise.
To be serious for a moment...it is time for Florida to figure this crap out. Stop trying new fang-dangled techniques that have not been proven effective and use the same methods all the other states have successfully used. If a screw-up happens again there needs to be a serious punishment handed out to those in charge and a full investigation needs to conducted by the FBI not another politician that was in the bag for Bush in 2000.
Oh, and by the way Florida. If you do screw up maybe you should make sure that the problems don't just happen in districts with high minority populations. You don't want to look like you have committed voter fraud and violated the 15th amendment and by doing so revealing your racism do you? Do you?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Crisis vs. Campaign
This post will be short and sweet. I believe that both presidential candidates need to reveal who their secretary of the treasure will be. With such a looming crisis and such a large check (supposedly not a black one) being written to this post, the American people deserve to know who their candidate will give that position to. Hank Paulson only has less than 4 months left at the head of the treasury department and we all deserve to know who will fill the position on January 20th.
A Blessed Sight
It's a joy, honestly, to see and hear that Congressional Republicans are doing something that I believe in. Putting aside their ideologies and party agenda and really focusing on the impact their legislation will have on their constituents. A thank you goes out to those GOP house members who decided that this problem is too large and too important to be solved with the first solution that comes to their desks. It is also quite a relief to hear soundbites from Republicans that show some care on their part for middle class families and not for CEOs.
When it comes to the other side of the aisle all I can do is the same thing that I did yesterday when the Mets blew it...just hang my head. Speaker Pelosi came out and said "the party is over". HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Joe Scarborough nailed it on the head this morning when he mocked Pelosi for saying such a thing and then signing over $700 billion to bailout financial institutions. The Democrats messed this one up. They tried to pass this too quickly and didn't really think about any alternative plans.
So far on the financial crisis scoreboard. Republican - 1, Democrats - 0
When it comes to the other side of the aisle all I can do is the same thing that I did yesterday when the Mets blew it...just hang my head. Speaker Pelosi came out and said "the party is over". HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Joe Scarborough nailed it on the head this morning when he mocked Pelosi for saying such a thing and then signing over $700 billion to bailout financial institutions. The Democrats messed this one up. They tried to pass this too quickly and didn't really think about any alternative plans.
So far on the financial crisis scoreboard. Republican - 1, Democrats - 0
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Debate winner
Last night's debate was for the most part all it lived up to be. To begin Jim Lehrer was a terrible moderator. He was far too concerned with how he looked and sounded and couldn't formulate questions that either candidate could understand or answer. Here is my scorecard as I watched it:
Economic Crisis - Obama
Favor the Bailout - McCain
Lead out of crisis - Obama
Taxes - Obama
Priorities Delayed - McCain
Healthcare - Obama
Alternative Energy - Both
Iraq - McCain
Overall Appearance - Obama
Final Score: Obama - 6 McCain - 4
McCain received low marks because he repeatedly went back to the fact that he wants to cut spending, but never really offered up any substance other than things that the government has to spend money on (Defense and entitlements). Obama was much better when responding to McCain's statements and was quick to say that something was just plain wrong and did it in a very respectful way. I though a key moment in the debate is when McCain summed up all of the alternative energy ideas in 2 seconds and glossed over them to get to something he saw as more important. He gets the point for the excellend job he did of giving an overview of how nuclear energy would improve the country's energy resources.
Although I think the overall winner was Obama there was one point of interest that stood out to me. McCain did an excellend job of telling the American people to forget the mistake that he and others made by getting us into the Iraq mess, but instead to look ahead to see and think about how we should manage Iraq in the future. If Obama and his campaign staff don't turn around and start talking about the future insteas of the past McCain could capitalize on this issue.
Lastly, here is what really matters...its called the Kennedy/Nixon rating. What this means is simply how each candidate came off to the American people and how we see the candidates in our minds. Obama looked like someone who was truly offended when things were offered up as fact when they were not true. He didn't come off as a scolding mother (Clinton) or a as a academic looking down on the American people (Gore), instead he made sure he kept mentioning "middle class families" and sounded presidential.
McCain on the other hand, came off as you old uncle Mort. I say this because he kept making snide references and bad jokes after which he would give us this weird, awkward chuckle that all old relatives make when they think something is funny and no one else does. The more important mistake that he made might have flown under the radar. He said at one point that Obama's tax cuts would exclude people "that made as low as $42000 a year." I hate to tell you John, but to many voters in this country that is a normal middle class salary. If any liberal media, other news outlet, and hopefully the Obama campaign pick up on this faux-pas it could really hurt McCain's numbers in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia.
Economic Crisis - Obama
Favor the Bailout - McCain
Lead out of crisis - Obama
Taxes - Obama
Priorities Delayed - McCain
Healthcare - Obama
Alternative Energy - Both
Iraq - McCain
Overall Appearance - Obama
Final Score: Obama - 6 McCain - 4
McCain received low marks because he repeatedly went back to the fact that he wants to cut spending, but never really offered up any substance other than things that the government has to spend money on (Defense and entitlements). Obama was much better when responding to McCain's statements and was quick to say that something was just plain wrong and did it in a very respectful way. I though a key moment in the debate is when McCain summed up all of the alternative energy ideas in 2 seconds and glossed over them to get to something he saw as more important. He gets the point for the excellend job he did of giving an overview of how nuclear energy would improve the country's energy resources.
Although I think the overall winner was Obama there was one point of interest that stood out to me. McCain did an excellend job of telling the American people to forget the mistake that he and others made by getting us into the Iraq mess, but instead to look ahead to see and think about how we should manage Iraq in the future. If Obama and his campaign staff don't turn around and start talking about the future insteas of the past McCain could capitalize on this issue.
Lastly, here is what really matters...its called the Kennedy/Nixon rating. What this means is simply how each candidate came off to the American people and how we see the candidates in our minds. Obama looked like someone who was truly offended when things were offered up as fact when they were not true. He didn't come off as a scolding mother (Clinton) or a as a academic looking down on the American people (Gore), instead he made sure he kept mentioning "middle class families" and sounded presidential.
McCain on the other hand, came off as you old uncle Mort. I say this because he kept making snide references and bad jokes after which he would give us this weird, awkward chuckle that all old relatives make when they think something is funny and no one else does. The more important mistake that he made might have flown under the radar. He said at one point that Obama's tax cuts would exclude people "that made as low as $42000 a year." I hate to tell you John, but to many voters in this country that is a normal middle class salary. If any liberal media, other news outlet, and hopefully the Obama campaign pick up on this faux-pas it could really hurt McCain's numbers in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia.
A sad, sad day
We need to take some time to recognize the passing of not just a movie legend, but a man whom all of us should strive to be. Paul Newman was an actor, and activist, a businessman, a provider of aid, and institution, and a saint. A man who has used his noteriety to create consumer products whose proceeds would go to noble causes like camps for underpriveleged children and children with terminal illnesses. The world has lost an icon, and a man you lived by the credo made so famous by John F. Kennedy, "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
Rest in Peace Mr. Newman...you will be dearly missed.
Rest in Peace Mr. Newman...you will be dearly missed.
I can't believe it!
Mark Friday September 26th on your calendar. For the first time in almost 2 years the Senate Majority leader Harry Reid finally took a stand and used his power in an appropriate manner. Day after day, month after month Reid did nothing but to let things slide, not hold Bush accountable for anything, and act like a junior senator. Finally he comes out on the airwaves and denounces a republican who hampered progress. He repeated during his press conference "the insertion of presidential politics into this process has not been helpful...it has been helpful."
Congratulations Harry Reid. You have finally started to act like the Democratic Senate Majority Leader, but its too bad that in less than 40 days that position will be taken away from you due to your lackluster 2 years in that position. Do I hear Senate Majority Leader Clinton?
Congratulations Harry Reid. You have finally started to act like the Democratic Senate Majority Leader, but its too bad that in less than 40 days that position will be taken away from you due to your lackluster 2 years in that position. Do I hear Senate Majority Leader Clinton?
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Real Problem
Politicians, economists, Tv personalities and everyday Americans have been banging their heads against the wall all week to try and wrap their heads around this financial crisis. All of the options that have been proposed to try and stop a financial meltdown have ups and downs, and could probably all delay the problem from getting any worse. However, there is something far more important and far more dangerous that is at the heart of this recession and without it being fixed this country will never fully recover.
For the past 20 years this country has transformed from a country of consumers to a country of over-consumers. We are a country that is bombarded on a hourly basis with advertisements, slogans, and programs that reinforce the fact that you need to own not anything you can afford, but just plain old anything and everything. 20 years ago people weren't using credit cards or store cards for everything under the sun, they would use them for large purchases in lieu of large amounts of cash. Banks, credit card companies, and stores are more than willing to supply any joe six penny with a driver's license a line of credit just so they can end up charging them and interest rate of 30%. (This is absolutely criminal, but I'll save that for a later post)
TV is the greatest example. Ever since "reality shows" made their loud painful debut on television the American public is always shown how the better side lives and how we should want and try to live just like them. This encourages people to extend themselves outside their means and end up in a downward spiral of debt and depression. People with more than $10000 in credit card debt used to be frowned upon, but now someone with that much debt is seen as someone who needs to extend their credit limit.
The best way to solve this crisis is to really look at the heart of the problem. Banks, stores, and the heartless, guiltless, conscience-less credit card companies need to stop lending out money to just any consumer. Banks need to really look at the people who are trying to borrow and do a comprehensive job of finding out if they can really afford to process this loan. Bankers are too often just trying to make their customers happy instead of actually telling them that they can't afford this loan.
It's time to just bring people back down to reality and get this over-consuming done with. If this problem is not addresses the crisis will never really be averted...just postponed.
For the past 20 years this country has transformed from a country of consumers to a country of over-consumers. We are a country that is bombarded on a hourly basis with advertisements, slogans, and programs that reinforce the fact that you need to own not anything you can afford, but just plain old anything and everything. 20 years ago people weren't using credit cards or store cards for everything under the sun, they would use them for large purchases in lieu of large amounts of cash. Banks, credit card companies, and stores are more than willing to supply any joe six penny with a driver's license a line of credit just so they can end up charging them and interest rate of 30%. (This is absolutely criminal, but I'll save that for a later post)
TV is the greatest example. Ever since "reality shows" made their loud painful debut on television the American public is always shown how the better side lives and how we should want and try to live just like them. This encourages people to extend themselves outside their means and end up in a downward spiral of debt and depression. People with more than $10000 in credit card debt used to be frowned upon, but now someone with that much debt is seen as someone who needs to extend their credit limit.
The best way to solve this crisis is to really look at the heart of the problem. Banks, stores, and the heartless, guiltless, conscience-less credit card companies need to stop lending out money to just any consumer. Banks need to really look at the people who are trying to borrow and do a comprehensive job of finding out if they can really afford to process this loan. Bankers are too often just trying to make their customers happy instead of actually telling them that they can't afford this loan.
It's time to just bring people back down to reality and get this over-consuming done with. If this problem is not addresses the crisis will never really be averted...just postponed.
People just don't understand
I heard a theory today that stated "Why don't we just give every household $56000 instead of $700 billion to the banks"? People just don't understand that his problem is not that the country is in debt and people are loosing money. The problem that the banking system is the backbone of this country. Although I would love to have that $56000, here is why that money has to go to the banks instead of us taxpayers.
This country runs on the credit system. Cars, houses, TVs, refrigerators, everything in this country can and are bought using credit cards, store cards, and bank cards. But that is far less important than the real problem...entreprenurehip. Without lending money to the banks there is no way to encourage new investments in brash new technologies or ground breaking companies. Everyone hates to admit when something essentially runs their lives, but we live in a society that is run by banks whether we like it or not.
This "bailout" (which is the worst name ever....can't the Bush administration appoint someone who can sell something to the American public) will save the American economy for about 5 years. After that 5 years, if this country is not moving in a totally different direction I see no reason not to believe that a crisis like this won't happen again.
This country runs on the credit system. Cars, houses, TVs, refrigerators, everything in this country can and are bought using credit cards, store cards, and bank cards. But that is far less important than the real problem...entreprenurehip. Without lending money to the banks there is no way to encourage new investments in brash new technologies or ground breaking companies. Everyone hates to admit when something essentially runs their lives, but we live in a society that is run by banks whether we like it or not.
This "bailout" (which is the worst name ever....can't the Bush administration appoint someone who can sell something to the American public) will save the American economy for about 5 years. After that 5 years, if this country is not moving in a totally different direction I see no reason not to believe that a crisis like this won't happen again.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Keating 5
You know it still blows my mind that John McCain is not being chastised for his near-criminal involvement in the Keating 5 scandal in the late 1980s. The current debate and conversation about McCain's lack of experience and knowledge when dealing with the economy is a good one because it is both his biggest weakness and the country's biggest looming problem. When it comes to the economy the largest blip on his radar is a scandal that almost destroyed the economy 20 years ago.
If you aren't familiar with it here is a brief summary. McCain took large contributions from an investment banker who was a constituent of his, Mr. Keating. He also received numerous "perks" like vacations and free jet flights for free from Mr. Keating. McCain was never convicted of any wrong-doing, but was reprimanded by the senate ethics committee for acting with poor judgement. This story needs to be focused on more in the following weeks, why it is not is a mystery to me.
If you aren't familiar with it here is a brief summary. McCain took large contributions from an investment banker who was a constituent of his, Mr. Keating. He also received numerous "perks" like vacations and free jet flights for free from Mr. Keating. McCain was never convicted of any wrong-doing, but was reprimanded by the senate ethics committee for acting with poor judgement. This story needs to be focused on more in the following weeks, why it is not is a mystery to me.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Palin vs. Pizza Hut
Despite my feelings on the beliefs held by vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin I can not effectively judge her because I don't know enough about her. Since I am not from Alaska I have only known her for about a month, and in that time she has not been vetted and certainly has not been put through any tough interviews (Hannity...even you could have done better you brown-noser). I will not fully judge her until the vice-presidential debates are conducted, in which I fully believe that Biden should be able to prove his worth. However, there is once conclusion we can reach.
John McCain chose Palin as his running mate in less time than it takes Pizza Hut to deliver your pizza. A 15 minute phone call was all John McCain needed to choose his running mate. What this says is that John "The Maverick" McCain is such an independent thinker that he chose her in such a short amount of time.
Wait...sorry. It means that just like Bush he is being told what to do by Republicans so that he can have a name on the ticker that would probably tell Jesus Christ to put more clothes on. Mark my words if McCain/Palin win this country will reach its lowest, most conservative, most depressing period in history.
John McCain chose Palin as his running mate in less time than it takes Pizza Hut to deliver your pizza. A 15 minute phone call was all John McCain needed to choose his running mate. What this says is that John "The Maverick" McCain is such an independent thinker that he chose her in such a short amount of time.
Wait...sorry. It means that just like Bush he is being told what to do by Republicans so that he can have a name on the ticker that would probably tell Jesus Christ to put more clothes on. Mark my words if McCain/Palin win this country will reach its lowest, most conservative, most depressing period in history.
Oh the hypocrisy!
So far this week Lehman Bros., AIG, WAMU, and Merrill Lynch have all undergone what is being called an economic crisis. I have to agree with that statement, and I also agree that more will still fail or be bought out in the coming weeks and maybe montsh because the market still has 18 months until it really starts to rally again. The business world and wall street financials especially are suffering from something that they themselves created. The housing crisis which was caused by banks taking on mortgages that they knew would eventually fail, is responsible for all of this. So how do we solve this crisis that not only has slaughtered the housing market, but virtually all aspects of the economy?
How about a housing credit to all new home-buyers to help them get back on their feet just like Gerald Ford did in the late 70s and was castrated for at the time. How about a cut in interest rates by good old Ben Bernanke because in his Princeton educated mind he must realize that something needs to be done. How about the SEC actually does its job and enforces the rules it wrote for itself to help protect companies and all those with money in the market.
Instead, the government (which the last time I checked is still capitalist in nature) has decided to either just let companies fail or bail them out for the bargain price of $85 billion. This country was formed on the notion that business could thrive as long as the government stayed out of the economy. However, in this day and age that only means that in good times the government should leave the economy alone, but when the good old boys that run these companies screw everything up because they can't see past their bonuses they come crying to the government. Bailouts!!!! This is not the Soviet Union, this is Adam Smith's dream of a democratic capitalist nation. But when the business world makes its own bed, the government has to jump in with the economy and make things even worse.
My message is that this country needs to wake up and realize that "Reaganomics" or trickle-down economics does not, has not, and will never work. The only way to revitalize the economy is to help out those at the bottom and it just so happens we are at the perfect time to do so. We can't rely on Whitless Ben because his favorite thing to do is to perpetuate the status quo. So, just in time for the holiday season you enact a new stimulus giving people money in their pockets that without a doubt will be recirculated into the economy. No more bailouts, no more economic intervention, and no more relying on trickly-down policy. If the general public is energized for the holiday season the economy will rebound like to economist could or is willing to predict.
Won't happen, but there is always hope.
How about a housing credit to all new home-buyers to help them get back on their feet just like Gerald Ford did in the late 70s and was castrated for at the time. How about a cut in interest rates by good old Ben Bernanke because in his Princeton educated mind he must realize that something needs to be done. How about the SEC actually does its job and enforces the rules it wrote for itself to help protect companies and all those with money in the market.
Instead, the government (which the last time I checked is still capitalist in nature) has decided to either just let companies fail or bail them out for the bargain price of $85 billion. This country was formed on the notion that business could thrive as long as the government stayed out of the economy. However, in this day and age that only means that in good times the government should leave the economy alone, but when the good old boys that run these companies screw everything up because they can't see past their bonuses they come crying to the government. Bailouts!!!! This is not the Soviet Union, this is Adam Smith's dream of a democratic capitalist nation. But when the business world makes its own bed, the government has to jump in with the economy and make things even worse.
My message is that this country needs to wake up and realize that "Reaganomics" or trickle-down economics does not, has not, and will never work. The only way to revitalize the economy is to help out those at the bottom and it just so happens we are at the perfect time to do so. We can't rely on Whitless Ben because his favorite thing to do is to perpetuate the status quo. So, just in time for the holiday season you enact a new stimulus giving people money in their pockets that without a doubt will be recirculated into the economy. No more bailouts, no more economic intervention, and no more relying on trickly-down policy. If the general public is energized for the holiday season the economy will rebound like to economist could or is willing to predict.
Won't happen, but there is always hope.
Welcome
Greetings to those interested in politics, economics, and other news. This blog is dedicated to those who want the truth and want the facts from an everyday man just like you. The news media has become too bogged down with rediculous facts and is biased beyond belief (cough, fox, cough). My only goal is to educate and to encourage debate because arguments and disagreements are what makes change...and clearly this country needs change.
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