The Unemployed

One of the great contradictions of our political system, is that so many Americans love to rail against big government, but as soon as things don't go their way, they ask and expect the Government to help. President Obama is being blamed by America according to the polls because they cannot find a job. There are fourteen million unemployed about three million more than what would be considered historically acceptable if they were working. So let's look at them for a minute. Most people believe that there is a surplus of workers and a scarcity of jobs. Actually, this is not the case. There is in fact a surplus of jobs and a scarcity of qualified people to fill them. I am talking about highly skilled job opportunities in science and engineering and technology. There are companies willing to hire but they cannot from the ranks of our unemployed, find people with the skills needed to fill these jobs successfully. We keep talking about a scarcity of jobs quite frankly in the lower skilled manufacturing, retail and service sectors. Our President since day one in office, spoke of the need to properly prepare Americans for the jobs of the future and the need to encourage training, education and corporate commitment to ready our citizens for such jobs. Too many people who penalize the President are just not understanding this sad reality. People need to re-train, re-educate and alter their priorities to fit the challenges that lie ahead. It certainly isn't easy, but it is better to support leaders who understand this tough to take and easy to understand reality. America is not prepared. Instead of supporting politicians that would be quite happy if 14 million job openings happened at McDonalds and WalMart and blaming government for this not happening, support those who respect science, education and the future. An untrained workforce is our own worst enemy. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

9-11

I grew up in NYC and went to school a few blocks from the catastrophe as a man in my early twenties. I live, eat and breathe NYC and therefore will not be watching a single broadcast, a single TV commemorative service or read a single recap about the ceremonies at Ground Zero and elswhere. Why? Because there is not a single New Yorker who will ever forget the experience and therefore needs not be reminded of it. There isn't a single American that will forget that we remove our shoes at airports and cannot bring shampoo on a plane because of 9-11. We do not need all these solemn rememberances and politicians attending. We do not need to relive the funerals or remind parents of their pain. It will live within each of us forever. I would rather watch football, reflect internally and hope that these same politicians deliver legislation to improve the economy and help my fellow citizens. 9-11 services and 24 hour coverage will not make it more important for me. In fact they may inflict more pain. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Wait and See

President Obama's eloquence and effectiveness as a speaker was evident again this evening. Despite the absence of a few republicans whose disrespect of the President was disgraceful, the decorum was appropriate and respectful inside the room. Putting all of these observable metrics behind us, there is a practical need to see what transpires. This Democratic President has called for spending cuts, entitlement reform and regulation decreases while holding to other basic core values of his party. There are still details to emerge but the tone was strong and correct, the call to action of Congress was forceful and the prospects of agreement and conciliation have marginally improved. The extent of the success will be directly tied to the President's selling of this proposal to the nation at large. He starts in enemy territory tomorrow and hopefully some sense of national unity of purpose will transcend our politics. I fear the worst but hope for the best. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Back To School

I am a teacher and after some time off, I go back to school tomorrow. I, along with my colleagues will do our best to instill knowledge and information in our students in an effort to best prepare them for the future. I teach Economics and Government and when I meet my students in a few days, their heads will not be filled with the basic knowledge that they will need to arm themselves for future success. They will not know the names of their representatives, nor will they understand why the nation is in economic distress. They will lack the basic knowledge of why the rights they take for granted are rights they have at all. They will not know the functions of the various branches of government, how to get accurate information from the media, how decisions they and their families make are tied to the economy and why their futures are so tied to having such information. I will work my butt off to insure that these lapses of knowledge are corrected and that I can help to arm them with the skill sets they will need to be ready to tackle the future. It is a challenge for all teachers, to prepare our youth for the daunting challenges that lie ahead. Regrettably all across our great nation, students are not prepared. Our politicians love to say they support education, but instead, they prey on the ignorant, promote an absence of the truth and tacitly encourage such ignorance in the name of re-election. This is a very sad state of affairs and must be changed. For anyone that has the opportunity to influence a young mind, please make sure that you demand educational excellence from each young person that you interact with. Make sure to help them find truth and to honestly explore both sides of an issue before making a judgement. Most of all, teach them not to solely listen to what their representative in government says. If they do, without checking the facts and without checking the backgrounds and performance of these officials, they will fail to understand the truth, be influenced incorrectly and make bad decisions for themselves and for their futures. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Labor Day

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of Summer. Beaches begin to close, people leave for home from their last weekend of vacation, and the slow doldrum of corporate effort during the months of July and August evolves into a more energetic and active engine of business activity. Traditionally, Labor Day marks the recognition of effort of workers across the country, traditionally, union workers. Unions have been vilified of late being blamed for all the ills of the economy. They are being stripped of collective bargaining rights and are shrinking both in number and political influence. In fact, if you want to score some political points as a Governor or Congressman, just blame the unions. America is on a path of abandonment of the Labor movement. The Republican party has successfully pitted union workers against other workers. They blame the allegedly high pension amounts, generous health benefits and other perks to anger and inflame everyone else. It works. The important thing to remember today, however, is that the same forces that are used against unions, are being used against other workers. Salary growth has been stagnant. Corportions still send jobs oversees because of the increased profitablility of doing so. American workers remain untrained to fit the jobs of the future. Layoffs abound so that productivity and stock prices can rise. The corporate coffers are filled with cash. So on this Labor Day, we ought not to be demagogueing one group, we ought not accept the strategy of divison amongst groups of workers, and we ought not be angry with or expect the President to find us a job. We ought to be demanding fairness, we ought to be voting out those who support corporate wealth interests above middle class interests, and we ought to realize that our 2010 election did more harm than good. The Republicans are succeeding in embarrassing and humiliating the President, but they are failing dismally in meeting the moral standards of fairness, creating American opportunity and working together with Democrats to do what is right for We the people. Summer is over. Speak with your votes, your voices, letters, emails and town hall meetings to make yourselves heard. Labor Day is a great day to start. Your Congres is failing you. Wake up. Thank you American workers. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Systematic Destruction of a President

In November of 2008, after the lies, the ineptitude and systematic destruction of our economy by W and Dick, it was time for a change. The oratorical prowess of Barack Obama and the timing of his election made for the perfect planetary alignment for his victory. A background such as his, was truly the American story but his race made his victory that much more stunning. Here was a man, brought up by working parents, struggling economically, learning the value of hard work and education, committing himself to one woman and the highest standards of family values who screams of American opportunity. His education and intellect is of the highest calibre we have seen in a while. His temperment and thoughtful approach to decision making is sensible and his willingness to take the Madisonian concept of compromise and promote it, should be refreshing to a centrist America. Under President Obama, we have seen Bin Laden killed, the economy rise from the abyss of poor performance, two wars begin to wind down, millions of jobs saved and a recognition of what is important for the future of our country...infrastructure improvement, educational excellence and talking about the important esoteric and practical issues for our future. I continue to admire him, support him and remain in awe of his incredible abilities. I feel very alone these days. Our current climate is rampant with hate, vitriol and a determined opposition wishing and coordinating for the President to fail, and the country with him. His soaring rhetoric remains an inspiration to me but his skillful opponents at all costs will do their best to destroy him. This is their stated goal, and all of their efforts are gearing up for such an outcome....Presidential failure. I believe race and prejudice has a lot to do with it, but if I am wrong, the problem may be even worse. We have a political party that will do all they can through parlimentary maneuvers, hypocritcal statements, inaccurate scare tactics and downright disrespect to put their interests well ahead of the interests of our nation. I only hope there is time to expose this deep rooted and vindictive plan and give the President the support he has earned. 8 years of killing our economy cannot be forgotten and expectations that any President can fix all the damage in two years is silly. The summer is ending and the real game begins. We need more players. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

They are Not Equal

The current debate over the timing of the President's address to the nation should be no surprise. To those that are following the continuous and expected mean spiritedness and hate of Congress toward our President this is just par for the course. The one infuriating misssing element, however, is that a Presidential request to address Congress regarding jobs and the economy, does not come close to matching the insignificance of a Pre Primary candidate debate. Only Obama and Congress have been elected to serve and to do the work for the people. They have the recognized and official jurisdiction to do so. Candidates are just wannabees, filled with platitudes and criticisms and infrequently, even suggestions, but they have no power, no recognizable or official role in writing, passing and enforcing law. Their gathering must take a back seat to the peoples' business. The media is treating this story as if both events are equal and that a war between equally armed sides is taking place. These two activities are not equal and the media must say so. Where are you Americans to reason and truth?

Note to George Will: Irene was the 10th largest storm ever. 45 are dead. 2 million still without power. Flooding and destruction continue. An overreaction by the media? Where is your good sense man?

Eric Cantor

Most Americans do not even know who Eric Cantor is. He is the Republican Majority leader of the House of Representatives. He has been leading the charge for deficit reduction in such an irresponsible and superficial way that long term it is a strategy that will hurt his own district and his own state. His supporters still understand and respond to cliches....lower the deficit...let the job creators do their job....get government out of your life...and blah blah blah. However, his language has consequences and to put disaster relief within the scope of his idiocy, insensitivity and ridiculous notions of the reach of Government is one of the worst moves a politician can make. He is an immature, self-serving, egotistical and arrogant self promoter who doesn't deserve to serve this nation in such an important role. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Big Dick

No, Not Nixon. He got what he deserved. Forced resignation, only one in the history of our Presidency. Embarrassment and forced admission of guilt. Never rehabilitated and never fully forgiven. Yes, He got what he deserved. He wasn't The Big Dick. It is former Vice President Dick Cheney. This is a man who did more damage to our nation's credibility abroad than any in modern times. This is a man who perpetrated lie after lie after lie about the realities of our nation's foreign policy. This is a man who in his newly released book continues these lies and continues his arrogance and deceipt. In this memoir, he criticizes one of our nation's hereos, Colin Powell. This is a man who gave awful advice to our President, continues to support torture and although a public servant for many years deserving of some appreciation for that, does not deserve to be supported in any way and certainly is not entitled to his own manufactured facts nor a rewrite of history. There is nothing good about The Big Dick. He too, needs to get what he deserves. A total repudiation by us all of his evil ways. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Perry and the Storm

Today is the day to wish all Northeasterners well as they deal with Hurricane Irene. I myself have cleared deck furniture, plants, gutters and made some alterations to travel plans. Governor Christie has eloquently told residents to "get the hell off the beach" and many states prepare for the worst. Let's hope for maximum preparation, good sense, and minimal damage.

While this storm comes, Rick Perry continues to storm through the political process of Republican Presidential campaigning making himself ever more loved by his extremist, holier than thou base, but isolating himself from the national electorate in my judgement. Today, he is billing the Federal Government for costs Texas incurred in incarcerating illegals. How come he didn't do this during the Bush years? Texas brotherhood? Ignoring Oil company infractions in their hiring processes? Anyone's guess. The important thing to note, is that in two years President Obama has deported more illegals than Bush did in 8. Obama has levied more punishment on businesses that violate hiring practices than in all of Bush's 8. President Obama has increased the labor and committment to border security more than in all of bush's 8. If you read this blog as a Republican, I implore you to check my facts. Rick Perry is blind to Obama's successful record in this arena but since his supporters don't listen to a damn bit of truth, I guess it will work for him. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Yes, Our Politics Can Get Worse

Earthquakes and Hurricanes bring havoc to its victims, but they are regional in nature. We feel for our neighbors, but the pain is most severe for those in the line of fire. Our Politics, however, transcends all geography. Just when you think we have reached rock bottom, with the bickering and partisanship at its historic worst, with no regard for We the People, it gets even worse. 4 Key leaders from the Republican party have already come out against an extension of the payroll tax holiday. Most economists overwhelmingly support this program as the best way to increase the consumption power of our Middle Class. In fact, this has been touted in the past as a great Republican idea. The never ending obsession with the induced failure of our President has blinded Obama's opponents to anything that he suggests. No matter what. Good or not. Helpful or not. It doesn't matter. We have gone beyond the acceptable debate based on principles and legitimate differences of opinion. I do not know when or if my fellow citizens and friends, regardless of their points of view, will rally around the nation and force their leaders to put country first. If not, the future looks dim. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Asking for Government Help?

Wait a second. I thought that Rick Perry and the tea party and Republicans in Congress are running away from the Federal Government? In fact, Perry said he would make the Fed. totally inconsequential in our lives. Mitt says that the States must do it all, thus running from Health Care Reform with Federal involvement. Majority Leader Erik Cantor wants to cut, cut, cut, avoid any shared sacrifice involving the wealthy and condemned the stimulus and other government spending. Today, however, he went to his district saying the Federal Government has a role to play in fixing his district's problems from the earthquake and that "we will find the money". So what will he cut? He has just said he would raise the deficit so what are we to believe? Selfish, lying hypocrite. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Obama's Earthquake

While vacationing in Martha's Vineyard, President Obama caused a 5.9 instensity Earthquake in Virginia which resonated throughout the East Coast of America. According to John McCain, if the President had been focusing on the tectonic plates of our Nation instead of swimming and dealing with Libya, this could have all been avoided. Mitt Romney promised that if he were President, there would have been no Earthquake at all because the Corporations being deregulated, would have found it in their best interests to stop it. Rick Perry claimed that Obama's policies have burdened the nation with silly regulations and therefore the country could not avoid such disasters but this would change under a Perry Presidency. Michelle Bachmann quickly claimed that this Earthquake was as a result of Obama's decision to end Don't Ask Don't Tell thus bringing on the Quake as a punishment to gays. Meanwhile, the President's strategy in Libya seemed to be working but the Republicans faulted him for causing the Earthquake to occur here instead of in Libya, thus substantiating their view that Obama doesn't love America. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

CNBC

I do whatever I can to invest wisely. I teach Economics so I try very hard to remain up to date on the latest theories and trends in the discipline. I am also a student of politics and follow our political scene with more aggressiveness and interest than the average American. Currently, the blame game continues and the attempts at causing the failure of a Presidency persist. The President finds himself mired in a crisis only partly of his making and the games continue. CNBC is a fairly credible purveyor of the economic scene but for weeks, the talking heads come on and blame Washington DC for the crisis at the same time as begging for policies that favor business. Every day they scream about Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and point fingers. I haven't heard one of these experts ever offer any solution to the problem. Just a series of obvious platitudes with no depth. The reason is, they just don't know. I wish they would shut up. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

History and Hypocrisy

Two pronged post today. Too much happening for one rant. Senator Tom Coburn from Oklahoma comes from one of the those places in our great nation where diversity is minimal. Idaho, North Dakota, Wyoming and other very red states, do not pal around with or identify with Blacks. Their notion of the African American perspective and experience is tied to the stereotypes and mean spirited ignorance stemming from our history. It is therefore no wonder that this Senator had the audacity to use President Obama's black half as the reason for Presidential support of government programs. Coburn says that since Obama is part black, he was clearly advantaged by government services and therefore is inclined to support them. This is racist, pure and simple. Senator Coburn must now find every white person in his state who has benefited from a government program and tie them to political support of these programs based on their experience too. He may have a receptive racist audience in some parts of his constituency, but he does not fit the model that fair minded open Americans have of this great country. Shame on you Senator Coburn.

Shame on you too, hypocrite Mitt Romney. You are worth millions, own vacation homes, vacationed as Governor and know that the level of time off from this President pales in comparison to his immediate predecessor. You are so vacant of ideas, so hypocritical, so absent of any of your own solutions, so lacking in conviction toward anything other than Obama's defeat, that you resort to the ridiculousness and triviality of the President's vacation. You are a phony and a fool. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Another Idea

For those that continue to rail against Government, while accepting its help, here is another idea for job creation. Let the private sector step up to the plate without blaming Obama for being anti business, or Congress for its partisanship, or bitching about the future of legislative action causing your dormancy. Private business is sitting on trillions of dollars that can be spent tomorrow. Here are some possibilities. Take Transportation companies, whose sole reason for being is to transport goods from place to place. They use the highways. They drive in traffic wasting gas idling on roads in need of repair, missing deadlines, damaging vehicles on unpaved roads. If they used some of their own cash to repair these roads they can stimulate job growth and improve their productivity and profit picture in the long run. Don't wait for the Government, do it yourself. This is very capitalistic. What about airlines. They can save billions of dollars if an updated GPS system were to be installed in all air traffic control towers throughout the country. Why don't they hire people that know how to do this. It helps travelers, uses less fuel and puts people to work. How about Utility companies chipping in to update the electric grid throughout the country. This would have countless advantages to our ability to safely deliver energy in a more efficient manner and would put people to work. These are just three examples from hundreds of possibilities. Instead of bitching and complaining, step up and do it yourselves. If you criticize the government for not caring about our future, avoid the same criticism from being leveled against you. If you want to get Government off your backs, then stop waiting for it to act. Put your money where your mouths are. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Pursuit of Profit

Economists from both political perspectives, will tell you that there is mounting evidence that lower taxes is not the way to create jobs. Our free market system is the best in the world, but the pursuit of profit and continuous demands from business for more breaks and more loopholes does not stimulate job growth, it stimulates profit growth. These are two very separate notions. When Mitt Romney was in charge of Bain Capital, he advised and taught companies how to be more profitable and productive. One major way to do this, was through mergers and downsizing. Mitt was successful, but his business experience isn't tied to creating jobs, it is tied to creating profit. Rick Perry, as governor, created jobs through the advantages of oil price increases of which he had nothing to do with. He also had the advantage of a population increase. Even with these advantages, every state that borders Texas, has a lower unemployment rate than does Texas. One out of four children have no health insurance in Texas, its education system is one of the worst and one out of ten minimum wage jobs exist in Texas. Americans may like this, but the Governor as does Mitt, knows how to create profit for business, not good jobs for Americans. The pursuit of profit is not a bad thing, particularly for the stock holders of these companies who are advantaged by increased productivity, downsizing, acquisitions and economies of scale. When the party of profit tries to blame the government for a lack of job creation, it deliberately misses the mark, distorts the truth and unfortunately has a willing but stupid audience. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Thanks Mr. Buffett

Click on the Title.

Get Scared

If you read Ryan Lizza's piece in the current issue of New Yorker about Michelle Bachmann, you should be riddled with fright. The people and issues that influenced her life are not the ones that the average American would experience. I respect those who are devoted to their faith but am frightened by those who announce that a higher power guides their decisions in life and as an extension, would as President. If Michelle Bachmann believes that homosexuality is enslavement and abhorrent, how can she be the President of all the people? If she believes that Christianity is the only way forward, how can she protect our first amendment rights? Rick Perry is no better with his evangelical furor that would undoubtedly too aggressively guide his decisions as President. I do not fear any individual who disagrees with me, but I do fear those who aspire to powerful positions of leadership without the secular perspective. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Can they be that Dumb?....Yes

I have consistently pined and waxed poetic as to the sorry state of knowledge of the American people. I never challenge peoples' right to have alternative points of view, I just get angry that people do not put in the time and effort to understand or formulate that point of view. As I always explain to my Government classes, the Founders had some concerns about the breadth of knowledge and the ability of the people to become informed, thus creating a republic with those who can better understand the complexity of the issues. In theory, to make informed judgments on our behalf. One might think that today, with all the coverage and spontaneity of information, that the people are better able to think and act on this thought with some degree of competence. This, however is regrettably not the case. As the Republican debate the other day showed, these Presidential wannabees continue to lie to the people and tell them things that are inaccurate because they recognize that they are ill informed as the Founders predicted. Instead of making the right decisions for our country, however, they use the ignorance for their own electoral advantage. James Madison et al would not have approved. Our Founders used their knowledge and depth of understanding to discuss, debate and hash out differences based on facts and truths. Not so today. The public, however, seems to be recovering and perhaps leaving some of the ignorance behind. Tea party support is down to 18%. Overwhelmingly, Americans call for shared sacrifice between the wealthy and the middle class. 60% of the nation does not blame President Obama for the economic circumstances, and candidates that hope for default are beginning to look silly. And yet, these Republican candidates continue to fly in the face of such polling. Those who were governors deny that compromise and revenues helped them be successful governors and instead they preach the Norquist gospel. Can they be that Dumb? Yes. This kind of demagoguery will help one of them win the primaries, but will not bode well in a National debate. I can't wait to shove it down their throats. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Another Governor from Texas

Rick Perry is running for President. He is the successor to George W. Bush. Just what we need, another Governor from Texas. At least W. did not court aggressively the sick, mean spirited and crazy preachers who are insane. At least W. didn't support Texas seceding from the Union, although at times I wish it would. At least W. supported some kind of education reform. At least W. was somewhat reasonable about immigration reform. As bad a President as I believe W. was, he was better in terms of beliefs than this crazy loon. Under Rick Perry, job growth in Texas has been derived through the lowest skilled and lowest paid jobs in our society. In fact, over the last few months, Texas has seen an increase in unemployment. Rick Perry is beholden to the oil industry, once was a Democrat, now is a kook. I am glad he is running. He makes the crazy field of Republican candidates even more crazy. Good luck Governor. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Failure in Wisconsin

We have to face it. 2 victories out of six tries does not cut it. No matter how much spin we hear today about going up against money, running in Republican districts, historic victories in two cases, the supporters of labor failed. What is clear, is that labor as an interest group no longer has the support of the nation. Demonizing the public sector works and this is a victory for those who believe that the public sector is our problem. The battles must be drawn differently in the future. It must be about business interests vs. public interests. It must be about poverty vs. wealth. It must be about fairness vs. inequity. This fight pitted unions against other workers and could not be successfully fought on those terms. It is a losing strategy. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Triple A Country

I have no concern about our ability to pay our debts. I see two trillion dollars of cash on the books of corporate America not being invested by private companies who continue to stress productivity over jobs. I see the price of gold on the rise and Fort Knox filled with gold bars. I see a nation with natural resources and assets that undeniably make us the richest nation on Earth. We may be a triple A country economically, but certainly not in human terms. We have the largest gap between rich and poor in our history. We have more people in poverty than any time in our history. We have a seriously challenged educational system. We have escalating prices in supermarkets, transportation, health care and energy. We have a crumbling infrastructure, an outdated electric grid and no modern rail system. We have embarrassing facilities to care for our senior citizens. We have municipalities firing teachers, police, garbage collectors and firemen because of corruption and reduced revenues. We have a political party demonizing public workers, destroying unions and playing chicken with our economy. We have military forces in areas that no longer need American military presence and we have policies that favor the wealthy while abandoning a shrinking Middle Class. This is not an AAA rating by any stretch of the imagination. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Crystal Clear

As the Dow drops and people all over America watch their net worth decline, continue to struggle finding a job, are burdened with the costs of healthcare and see their local governments do everything in their power to pass the financial difficulties on to the citizens, it is crystal clear who caused this. If Standard and Poors made their decision based on the difficulties in Washington, then in essence they were correct. Washington does not work on behalf of the people of this country. As President Obama presented options that would have been acceptable to S and P, he was rebuffed by his enemies. As he implored members of both parties to compromise and put all items on the table for discussion, his enemies walked away from the deals and from serious discussions. Even now, after some plan was passed to help and move us forward, the same vitriolic rhetoric only days after, continues. We have the Republicans blaming the tax and spend liberals ignoring all reality. We have Republican Senators going on Sunday talk shows blaming it all on Obama for lack of leadership. It is as if the recent crisis, the recent polling and the recent financial news never happened. It is crystal clear that Republican obstruction, deliberate, inflexible and orchestrated by its leaders, is the cause of all of our current financial national distress. The debt ceiling was a manufactured crisis by the tea party, with tacet acceptance by most of American politicians that need not have happened. While the discomfort of continued falling house values, 401k values and increased costs in our supermarkets, doctors' offices and toll roads persists, our Congress just won't get it nor do they care. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

End These Wars

I do not care about Afghanistan's government nor do I care about their future. I do not care about Iraq and its quest for its own stability. We have been in these wars for too long and for too little. We are not threatened by either of these countries. Our military technology can continue its drone campaigns taking out the terrorist infrastructure without committing tens of thousands of troops who can be put to better use protecting us from our own dysfunction. They can guard our borders, build our schools, catch the drug dealers, improve struggling cities, supplement law enforcement in financially troubled towns and continue to earn our thanks and our appreciation. Today's deadly loss of Navy Seals in this G-d forsaken place was an unnecessary loss of innocent life from the best of the best. I am not an isolationist but it is time to come home from these endless struggles with no end in sight and no great purpose. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Downgrade

Before we jump off the roof, let us be reminded that Standard and Poors is the same rating agency that gave the highest ratings possible to Fannie and Ginnie Mae mortgages immediately prior to the total collapse of housing in this country. Their credibility is suspect. Be that as it may, this shouldn't be a surprise and realistically, it does not indicate serious problems with our ability to safely pay our debt to holders of US Treasuries. It will, however, cause a marginal increase in interest rates over the next couple of years as we will need a slightly larger incentive for purchasers of our Government backed bonds and notes. We have our government to thank for this, particularly one side more than the other....you decide. As such, dysfunctionality trumps reality and now our deficit will grow even more. Thanks for nothing you ......(fill in the blank). Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Pundits Get It Wrong Again

The polls are in. Two days after the deficit bill was passed, guess what, overwhelmingly the Democrats support the deal, and Republicans don't. Wait a minute, I thought that Democrats felt abandoned and Republicans emboldened? Wrong again. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

There are Real Solutions

There are things that can be done to correct our course as a nation, but they won't get done because of our politics. Here are my suggestions:

1-Announce to the country that starting in 2020, all Social Security benefits will be reduced by 10 percent. People would have time to plan for this.

2-Beginning in 2018, 65 becomes the early age for collecting your benefit.

3-By executive order, the President instructs the Treasury Secretary immediately, to disburse funds to every state with a defined infrastructure need for the purpose of fixing and building. This is national emergency and the States would use Federal funds to hire the workers needed to complete the work.

4-Eliminate Medicare for all those Americans who earn 5 million dollars or more.

5-Sell enough gold to cover the next 5 years of interest payments on our debt so that the word default is eliminated from the vernacular of our politics.

6-The President should announce his support for a flat tax rate in this country. Eliminate all deductions. Set the rate at 15%. Reduce it to 10? in any year there is a surplus. Raise it to 20% in any year there is a deficit.

There are many more suggestions but Congress in on vacation and the President is campaigning. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

It gets even worse

Just when you think it cannot get any worse, it does. Now that the debt ceiling bill has been passed and signed, it is evident that it neither controls spending nor stimulates the economy. While Congress patted itself on the back for reaching an agreement, it left town for 5 weeks without funding the FAA. 4000 workers are furloughed and the safety of flying, no matter what they may say, is less safe. More of the same. Yes, it can get worse. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

An Alternative Analysis

As the Congress and the blogosphere debate the debt ceiling bill, enormous criticism continues to come from the tea party but also from the extreme left. Paul Krugman gave a scathing opinion of the legislation and slammed the President for caving to the right by supporting this. Here is an alternative analysis. The President originally agreed to 4 trillion dollars of deficit reduction. 2.8 trillion in cuts and 1.2 trillion in revenues. He even supported reforms in entitlement programs a very anti progressive stance, particularly from a Democratic President. Speaker Boehner walked away from this. What are we likely to get? A program without revenues but with cuts that are in total less than the original plan. We will get significant cutbacks in military spending, a debt ceiling increase that will hold until after the Presidential election and a required bipartisan committee charged with further debt negotiations. In essence, this legislation is actually less severe than that which the President skillfully agreed to earlier. Now, we have very little in terms of current economy killing draconian cuts, some time not to have to put the country through this debacle near term and an opportunity for serious debate over these same issues. In fact, our Government is likely to fail us again, but I think it is unfair for Democrats to blame the President for giving away the store. He did not. He lead the nation to support compromise and will get his revenues when the Bush cuts expire next year. He will be able to campaign against extending cuts for the rich and can veto any pre-emptive legislation presented to him as an election strategy. Obama thinks long term and is not given enough credit for doing so. If our legislators prolong this self inflicted agony this afternoon with a negative vote, it won't be just the tea party that hurts America, it will be my party as well. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Mutual Assured Destruction

During the Cold War, the Russians and Americans agreed that if they ever used their stockpile of nuclear weapons on each other, it would assure mutual destruction. This element of deterrence seemed to keep us safe from a nuclear attack. This term however, has taken on a whole new meaning not involving nuclear weapons or violence. It involves our elected officials. The way they are doing their job, whether they compromise or not is appalling. These people, have given new life to the notion of "Mutually Assured Destruction". We won't need bomb shelters, we will need Food Shelters. And no matter what you try to say or how to spin it, The Republican leadership has released this tragedy upon our country. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Kentucky Schmuck

Harry Reid last year appropriately complained of the abuse by the Republicans regarding their use of the filibuster. Now Mitch McConnell is using the literal meaning of Reid's words to justify the filibustering of the Senate bill which if voted on could put an end to this fiasco. Reid complained that it has become difficult in the Senate because now every vote needs 60. McConnell knows what Reid meant but is playing his usual games. Can't give the President any cover. He has driven his poll numbers to 40 and Mitch won't be happy until they reach 10. There is no worse a person in our Government than he. The bill includes no revenues, 2.4 trillion in cuts, a two step approach to raising the debt ceiling and uses a McConnell recommended scam to do so. And still, he says NO. Where are you Americans for reason and truth. What a schmuck. All we need is 6 more reasonable Republicans to end the torture. Let's see who really cares.

Pizza

In my world, offer some pizza to someone and you get whatever you want. I guess ordering some pizza in Congress isn't enough to get things done. Too bad. Speaker Boehner went too heavy with the pepperoni I guess. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Congress Does Not Care About You

Your Congress does not care about you. They develop simple cliche talking points like "no new taxes". Sounds great. Tough to resist. You hear it, like it and continue to support anyone who says it. You never get the details or the real truth and they get your loyalty at the polls. This is what they want. Continued influence and power, not whether they are really doing something for you. Speaker Boehner had a compromise deal with the President, realized he couldn't get support from his caucus. As such, if he pushed too hard, Majority Leader Cantor would vie for the Speaker's job. Does Boehner do what is right? Nope. He caves and comes up with another plan that was hastily put together, filled with inaccurate numbers that now has to be re-written. He knows it will never make it to the President. He doesn't care about you, he cares about his job, not yours. Senate Minority Leader McConnell has an announced goal of defeating the President. He knows that compromise would be good for America, provide stability in the markets, keep us from the threat of default, but just as he seems reasonable, he says No. He wants to embarrass the President, even if it means default. He cares about his job, not about yours. These are dangerously complicated times and your Congress is playing Russian roulette with your finances, your job and your life. They do not care about you. Listen closely and be careful. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

VETO

The ratings agencies have already denounced the Boehner plan as not being acceptable, thus causing a potential downgrade of our debt. Today the Republicans are trying to position the debate as if the President would veto a debt ceiling extension if it is temporary. The House plan will not pass the Senate anyway, so this is moot. The Reid Senate plan does not include any revenue. Liberals are abandoning the President and this is where we are. Hold on. Give him a little more credit. Suppose a Senate type version of the Reid plan makes it to the President and has no revenues. The President knows, that by doing nothing, the Bush tax rates expire in 2012. An expiration of these rates would mean revenue. The only way to avoid this, is if Congress passes an extension of these cuts and the President signs it. This would make Republicans go in to the election campaigning on tax breaks for the rich. Not a good strategy. If the President gets a bill to extend these cuts then this is when he uses the VETO. There is a lot of the story yet to write. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

From the President's Playbook

On Friday when the debt ceiling talks broke down for the 7 trillionth time, President Obama made it to the lectern first. In an effective way he challenged politicians not to worry about some pledge they signed, not to worry about facing a primary challenge, not to worry about the next election. In the hours and days that followed, the public seemed to positively respond to these comments. The Republicans saw this and lo and behold, this morning's Republican attack dogs stole the strategy from Obama. Now the mantra is all about saying "President Obama is only looking toward the next election". What would a day be like without continuous vindictive, hateful rhetoric by the One Termers. Give me a break. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Selling Short

As our Government continues to show its inability to do anything that is good for the people, I suspect markets around the world will open down with some serious concern about the seriousness of the ineptitude of our Congress. These men and women, are deliberately refusing to work out a deal before the midnight hour causing concern amongst the middle class whose investment portfolios are designed to save their homes, pay for college and plan for retirement. Whereas the long term prospects may be better, short term people will be frightened and may make some irresponsbile decisions with their money, based on fear. The Congress does not care one bit for any of this, particularly the Republican extremists who have co-opted the moderates. Sell your Congress short. And, sell your portfolios short. These idiots just don't care about you.
Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Who has his Back?

When George Bush was President, he had the unwavering support of his party for all his budgets and agenda items. Now we can argue pretty forcefully that his Presidency was an historic failure and be critical of the Republicans for supporting him, but in our two party system, we have the other guys to stand up and yell, maneuver and give the opposing point of view. The Republicans had Bush's back. President Obama is facing a barrage of opposition so severe, so critical and so hateful, that the irresponsibility of extremist Republicans holding the country hostage has made it almost impossible to do what the polls tell us the people want....compromise. I have some discomfort with giving away the store in the name of compromise, but it is true that unless all items are on the table for future discussion, getting the deficit under control would be more of a challenge and frankly, as the economy turns better and revenues and jobs increase on their own, much of this nonsense will whither on the vine. My point...now is not the time for Democrats to fight the President in the name of long standing principle, but to have his back. Abandoning and fighting him while the enemy forces continue their assault, will weaken the nation even more. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

I am Getting a Migraine

Migraine headaches are no laughing matter. I have had one in my life, scary and unforgettable. Presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann, totally unqualified, eerily misinformed and totally incoherent with her pronouncements, disclosed today that she has migraine headaches. Any politician who tries and makes this an issue, is a big idiot. As much as Bachmann has moronic tendencies and scary viewpoints, her migraines are not a disqualifier. However, this whole national debate over the debt ceiling, supported 80 times in the last 20 years by Republicans and Democrats alike is giving me a huge one.
Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Already Spent

Thankfully, there are two politicians, Bill Clinton and Dick Durban who have been honest enough to explain that raising the debt ceiling is done to honor obligations and spending already voted on by Congress. The attempts by Republicans to convince Americans that it has to do with future spending have been largely successful, but are just another example of the lies and distortions that haters of this President will go to in an effort to defeat him. The debt ceiling when raised, will actually be done to even honor some spending commitments made by the previous Republican dominated deficit increasing Bush Congresses. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Yes, Let's Ask America

The Tea Party members of Congress (boy do I hate that inaccurate reference and label) are holding the moderates hostage with this new scheme to cap spending and call for a Constitutional Amendment to balance the budget. They keep yelling "ask America" "let us decide". This simpleton logic may sound great on the campaign trail but what are we asking? I say ask America these questions and take a vote on your ridiculous notion:
-If a balanced budget requirement means cutting Medicare reimbursements do you support one if you are elderly and very sick?
-If we need to go to war but a balanced budget amendment keeps us from putting trained troops and quality weaponry in the field do you support one?
-If you truly believe that health care is a right and private insurance companies make it unaffordable, but government may be able to subsidize the costs making it affordable but cannot due to a balanced budget requirement,do you support it?
-If our bridges and roads continue to fall apart but a balanced budget amendment keeps government from providing the needed investments, do you support it?
-If all of the programs in place to help you and your families are cut, and you benefit by them but they cannot continue due to a balanced budget amendment, do you support it?
-If you lose your job and the government helps to support training and education to make you more marketable, helping you to find work, but these programs stop due to a balanced budget amendment, do you support it?
Ask Americans these questions and then drink your lousy tea. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Ease of Stupidity

Perhaps because I am a teacher, I care more than the average person about getting it right. I never want to tell students something that is wrong or inaccurate and I am the first to apologize and correct, if I get it wrong.....(seldom happens). Anyway, it has become so easy to be wrong and to be inaccurate these days. With bloggers that do not check facts, newspapers and TV shows that stress entertainment value rather than journalistic standards, and 140 characters and the sound byte mentality, we are becoming a culture of superficiality. It is so easy to say "no new taxes" or "death panels will kill grandma" or "don't spend a dime helping others" or "send all the illegals home"...these kinds of statements resonate with a population that has neither the time, nor unfortunately the inclination to explore with the depth necessary to make informed judgments. The worst of it is that we have people running for high office that prey on such misinformation because they know the public will listen to a sound byte and respond. Our leaders have the responsibility for getting it right and of all the things that frustrate me the most, it is the stupidity and inaccuracies stated by our politicians. I was joking to myself last week about giving a test to all politicians before they are allowed to run for high office and lo and behold, David McCullough on Charlie Rose not so tongue in cheek, said the same thing. We need better, smarter and more knowledgeable people running Congress. In the past few months we have had candidates express with inaccuracy the realities of slavery during our founding, get the facts of our Revolution wrong, give inaccurate economic history regarding the realities of government spending, present dubious arguments about job creation and change positions on issues as frequently as the waving direction of the flag. Our system of government is and should be about debate and difference of opinion and some demagoguery will always be part of the dialogue, but we are now at a state when politicians with no knowledge of economics or any education on fact based opinions are putting our nation at risk. Getting votes by being stupid has short and long term consequences that we may not be able to recover from this time. Wake up people. Read a book, get some facts and listen closely....Let brains prevail. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Article One

Article One of our Constitution gives Congress the responsibility for borrowing money against the good faith and credit of the United States. This debt limit nonsense is and always has been Congress's job. It is nice to see the President engaged and acting responsibly, but for my money, let him stay the hell away from it. In the end, Congress will be damned as well they should be. Where are you Americans for Reason and Truth?

Sole Ownership

Yesterday, Senator McConnell went on conservative talk radio to respond to his critics. He said that he won't lead the Republican party into a situation that causes them to take co-ownership for a poor economy with the President. Hold on Mitch. You and your party have SOLE OWNERSHIP for this ailing economy. You spent like unrestrained drunken sailors. You cut taxes for the wealthy with no job creation as a result. You spent on wars without budgeting for them and you so deregulated banks and brokerage firms that there was no control over their excess. Nice try Mitch. Time for you and your friend Eric to grow up and tell the truth to America. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Unattainable

Republicans wanted to tie the standard practice of raising the debt ceiling to a deficit reduction bill against the wishes of the President who wanted a clean vote on the matter as had been done 7 times during the Bush Presidency. The President agreed to talk about this and privately agreed with John Boehner on a package. All of a sudden, the Republicans wanted a larger package to include entitlements. The President agreed and presented a 4 trillion dollar proposal with 75 percent in cuts and 25 percent in revenues from the richest. Republicans refused and went back to the smaller deal that they themselves wanted but then walked out on. The Republicans now want to give the President a clean vote without a deficit package which is what he wanted originally. We are back to square one. The Republican leadership is unable to control its caucus and is filled with lies, distortions and insults. McConnell in fact yesterday said that as long as Obama is President, a deal in unattainable. The obvious and undebatable reality is that the only goal for these people is to destroy Obama. Ridiculous language to use, particularly since the R's were offered a deal to their liking but they simply cannot say yes to anything the President tries to do in the name of compromise. As long as this current collection of clowns resides in the leadership roles of the Republican party, doing anything good for this country is unattainable. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Winning Strategy

President Obama must be doing something right. He is not only vehemently opposed by the Republicans as evidenced by today's disrespectful speeches against him by both Boehner and McConnell, but by much of his own caucus that will not accept any entitlement negotiation. Since America cannot ever get anything done outside of the hatefulness of our politics, everyday is a day to count votes. The President said yesterday that we need to put politics aside and get it done. Soon after, his rivals criticized him for looking at the election. There is no winning over the arrogant and totally inflexible Republican leaders who still believe that the voters support a widening gap between rich and poor and continued unfair tax advantages for the wealthy. There may be no winning over Democrats who simply believe that the country will never accept modification to their entitlement benefits. So where does this leave us? Americans revile Congress. Our support for them is under 20 percent. The President is more than twice as popular. As long as Congress continues to act irresponsibly and look stupid, a President willing to compromise and to do big things is the real winner. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Let's Go

As I blog today, I am watching the President give a news conference to explain the status and progress of deficit reduction talks. His mantra today is "Let's Go". I love it. The President has accepted the Republican notion that the payroll tax reduction is a key component for a continuous recovery and has stated he wants it to continue but the Republicans won't commit. So he says to them that he agrees with them...."Let's Go". The Republicans say to the President that he has to cut spending and the deficit in order to promote a strong economy. So he offers a 4 trillion dollar package of cuts and revenue increases and the Republicans seek a smaller plan. The President says to the Republicans, I agree with you about spending cuts so "Let's Go". The President has told his own caucus that compromise is a must and certain sacred cows must be part of the discussion, but many Democrats are unwilling to give in due to Republican intransigence. So the President continues to bend over backwards to reach a deal, to compromise and to prove to the American people that Washington DC can work and deliver for Americans. "Let's Go.". Let's see. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Only Conclusion

The President wants a larger deficit deal than the Republicans. The President wants to balance the cuts with some sacrifices from the richest amongst us. The public overwhelmingly supports tax increases on the richest without a doubt. The Republicans refuse to compromise outside of the extremist views supported by the tea party wing. The Democrats are willing to support reductions in spending as long as some balance of sacrifice exists. Republicans continue to balk at conciliation and constantly use the blame game against President Obama while completely showing a blind eye to their culpability for the economic crisis. The only conclusion that sensible people can come to is that the Republican party cares more about defeating the President than doing what is in the best interests of our country. What a terrible political reality we face. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

I'm Just Not Sure

Barry Eisengreen, Professor of Economics at Berkley was interviewed this morning on Bloomberg news. He said, and I paraphrase [he is hopeful that good common sense and doing the right thing without holding our nation hostage to the petulance and inflexibility of our leaders will prevail. He is hopeful that by August 2nd, a deal on the deficit and the debt will be reached.] From this blogger's persepctive, I'm just not sure. It seems to me that the only adult in the room is the President. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Advanced Placement Government and Politics

This is a personal post. I wish to congratulate the students from South River High School in New Jersey, 18 of them who took the Advanced Placement test in Government and Politics. As more and more polls indicate a frighteningly low level of knowledge about our history, our rights and our government, these students as seniors, hung in all year and in 16 cases distinguished themselves as exhibiting a passing grade in their AP test. Although I was their teacher, it isn't about me. It is about students who gave the effort required and prepared themselves all year for their test moment. Hopefully they will carry the important concepts that we discussed in class all year throughout their lives. We need more and more young people to distinguish themselves as knowledgeable, interested and active citizens. There is too much at stake for apathy to prevail. Good job kids. Good Luck. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Libertarian View

On this 4th of July, it is appropriate to give thought about our liberties and freedoms. There is a libertarian viewpoint that is subscribed to by Michelle Bachmann, Ron Paul and the Tea partyers that proclaims that Government is too big and has no business being in our lives to the degree that it is. An extremist libertarian would say that the only role for Government is to defend us. The people should be free of any other Government interference. About three years ago, on Hardball, Michelle Bachmann the darling of the tea party, suggested that the American people would like to investigate members of Congress who preach opposition to the Bush Wars. How can this lightweight preach a libertarian viewpoint while asking for investigations by the Government on those who oppose its leaders? Isn't this a contradiction? Sure is. I don't want this post to be about Bachmann who after solid showings next year in Iowa and South Carolina will fade like seat cushions in the sun. However, she is campaigning with tea party fanaticism on this easy to understand notion that small Government is better government. Therefore, I call on all such Americans who buy into this cliche to accept the following: No Medicare, no warning labels on cigarettes, no controls on our banks, no government regulated processes for food safety, allowing trans-fatty killers back in our foods, no minimum wage, no testing of drugs prior to them reaching our pharmacies, no child safety requirements on toys, putting lead back in our paint, leaded gasoline back in our tanks and no standards for education nor a requirement for going to school. You get my drift? All Government can do is make expensive weapons and fight wars in the name of defending us. This is the tea party plan. The sad thing is that many Americans do not even realize that this is what they really stand for if they are true to their stated values. One outcome would be we would all die younger, reducing the long term costs of health care. This is a great plan. Happy 4th. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

I'm Back Baby

If you are a Seinfeld devotee, you will remember when George gets his sexual drive back. His famous words "I'm back baby" delivered only as Costanza could, always brings a smile to my face. Well I am no George Costanza and by no means does this blog have anything to do with sexual drive, but after a few days off, "I'm back baby". I am sure very few if any will care, but I do enjoy my cathartic ramblings and today after some much needed rest, I post again. Upon my return, I see that Minnesota, home of Michelle Bachmann, has closed up shop. I see that the Chicago school board rescinded the raise negotiated for its teachers. I see that a usually credible journalist, Marc Halperin called the President a "dick" for confronting Republican do nothings while exciting his base. I see that John Boehner et al are continuing their resistance to any tax increases on the wealthiest among us while they try to position themselves as the party of Mr. and Mrs. America. Well, they don't speak for Main street. Our leaders will shut the doors of municipal government, take more and more away from the Middle class and do nothing to balance the scales of economic justice. You go away for a few days and look what happens? Not a damn thing. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Disappointed, Disgusted and Disallusioned

This blogger will be taking a few days off. I need it. I have in the last week watched my state legislature and arrogant Governor follow the lead of other states by bashing public workers, blaming them for all the economic ills of the country without an ounce of regard for the continuous benefits given to the wealthy at the expense of those in need. I have watched hypocritical petulant Republicans walk out of a budget negotiation because they didn't get everything they wanted. I have watched the President , who I support, continue his ridiculous stance on gay marriage saying his position is still evolving. I have seen the House Republicans vote against supporting our Commander in Chief as he participates in the Libyan operation, claiming a violation of War Powers Act provisions after spending 10 years ignoring it while supporting an immoral war based on lies. I have seen an ineffective Government put the interests of the people behind the interests of their re-election campaigns. I am to say the least, disappointed, disgusted and disallusioned. I hate feeling this way, but I do. I need a rest. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Heed the Chairman

Yesterday, Fed Chairman Bernanke gave his second press conference of the year. To most Americans, his words are geared toward the financial gurus, politicians and economic geeks out there. They are ripe with economic concepts and terms that seem like a foreign language to most people. I love these speeches and press conferences. I find them both interesting and fascinatingly important, but that's me. It is important for all of us to at least understand what he said and to encourage our Government to heed his warnings. In a few easy nutshells, Bernanke said the economy is recovering at a slower pace than expected. Unemployment is frustratingly high and banks continue to be reluctant to loan money having tightened criteria for seekers of loans. He said most the of the real estate price declines are coming from the foreclosed homes and not from resales which emphasized the need to clear foreclosures through the system. He said payrolls have gone from a negative to positive trend. He said that much of the slowness is temporary as a result of unexpected events such as the Tsunami. Most important, now listen please, he guided our government to be aggressive with the deficit but from a long term perspective. He cautioned against the political knee jerk reactions of cutting expenses too quickly and actually said this in his opinion would hurt job growth. Republicans do not want to listen because they know that stalling the economy helps them blame Obama, but all of us must listen to the Chairman. He gets it, and so must we all. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Ideas

As the Summer begins, most Americans tune out from politics and concentrate on other things. This should not be the case however, because there is a lot to worry about. Most pernicious these days, are our state governments with their Republican Legislative advantages, demonizing public workers but unwilling to ask business to pay its fair share. The likes of Governor Christie, popular outside of NJ for reasons that boggle the mind, are quietly contributing to the continuous advantages for the wealthy while blaming Obama for persistenty high unemployment. Job growth must be the number one agenda item for the Government and even though they will not listen to me, I am just as smart, maybe smarter than these self serving power grabbing vote getting politicians who care little about the rest of us. Here are two ideas. 1)- The President should set up a Federal Infrastructure Repair Account to be funded with every single dollar in savings that we get from a reduction of military commitment in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is making a speech about troop reduction tonight and all this money should go directly to this account for the sole purpose of hiring businesses and individuals to fix our crumbling roads, bridges, airports, schools, tunnels and rail tracks. 2)- Banks and other businesses are hoarding cash, waiting to see how much more of an advantage they can squeeze from Government. They know how to drive the economy, they just won't while they hold the Government hostage over tax breaks, incentives and deregulatory attitudes. My suggestion is that 25% of this cash go directly to employees in the form of a one time cash bonus, based on the percent that each person costs its company. We would have thousands of employees spending and stimulating the economy with their new found wealth, this would open up opportunities in other industries and it wouldn't cost the Government a dime. Unfortunately, greed will prevail and this will never happen. These are good ideas...about to fall into the abyss of all of history's good ideas. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The War Powers Act

Since the passing of the War Powers Act, legal experts from both sides of the political spectrum have challenged its constitutionality. It is treated like an annoying next door neighbor, leave him/her alone and you won't be bothered. The Congress and all Presidents since its passing have managed to avoid any major blowups over it and accept the Constitution's Commander in Chief powers. In 1990, John Boehner said....and I paraphrase [there may be Constitutional issues with it and Congress ought to do nothing that weakens the institution of the Presidency in its carrying out of our military actions]. This same speaker, whose sole goal is to see the President fail, is now lashing out, claiming a violation of the law and threatening to stop funding the Libyan operation. Typical Boehner. Figures that Americans don't listen anyway, so tell the war tired people that the President is violating the law...a law he so accepted under Bush. Well, this citizen listens. Where are your Americans for reason and truth?

The National Disparity

I listened to the Republicans bash Obama over the economy. Here is a challenge for them and for our President. Who is going to campaign on reducing the disparity between rich and poor in this country? Who will address the record corporate profits, exploding income increases on the richest one percent while the rest of us have barely seen any income increases and continue to find it difficult to find jobs? Who will address the lack of equity and fairness that our economic policies through decades have contributed to this growing, persistent and shameful reality? Who? My bet is no one. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Record

Since 2009, 8.7 trillion dollars of wealth has been restored to Americans.
There have been 15 consecutive months of job growth. The Automobile industry in America has been saved from bankruptcy. The Japanese Sunami had a negative impact on the sustainability of growth and unless Obama controlled the weather, this isn't his fault. The GDP has climbed up from its low level at the start of the recession. Lakshman Achuthan said that Obama's policies have made the recession less severe. 4 million jobs were shaved by business prior to any of the Obama policies taking effect and 2.1 million private sector jobs have been created under his watch. Reconcile these undisputable facts against the BS of last night...Gingrich.."the Obama Depression". What an ugly word to associate with this record. Romney "Obama made the recession worse". We aren't even in a recession anymore according to the economic experts. Bachmann claims that Health Care reform will cost 800,000 jobs, but she doesn't count the jobs that will be created as a result of it, offsetting and even exceeding the loss of jobs through obsolescence and technological advances. Before you allow these politicians to pile on the President with ridiculous claims and absence of a plan of their own, make sure you understand it all. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Nausea

Although the tone of my blog and the reality of my votes tend to move leftward, I am indeed an objective citizen who always listens and am sometimes swayed by the more centrist perspective. I listen to all sides before making an informed judgement. In that spirit, I followed the blog of this evening's Republican debate. At 8:44 after hypocrisy, misstatements of fact, self aggrandisement, denial of reality and unwarranted, inaccurate and relentless criticism of Obama, waves of nausea came over me. This is the best the other side has? Shameful, scary and sickening. Be careful Mr. President, one of these jackasses could just slip passed you and make us all sick. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Make No Mistake...She is Running

First a Bus Tour. Now a soon to be released flattering documentary on AMC, her tweets, her book written in her name, her exposure on FOX and her wily and cute answers to questions. Make no mistake, Sarah Palin is running for President. Gingrich is imploding, Santorum and Pawlenty have no name recongition and Bachmann is not as compelling a character. That leaves Romney...the money leader and favorite in a national campaign. Palin sees this and this is why her bus tour and recent comments are targeting his candidacy. Sarah Palin is totally unqualified for President, but she is being skillfully marketed. She looks good and appeals to a constituency that has in the past proven to be important in primaries and even in a national election. It is scary that such an incompetent could actually be perceived as possible Presidential timber but it is what it is. To fight her off, Democrats and Republicans need to be careful not to fall into the trap of appearing too educated and elite against the backdrop of Grizzly Moms. This crap sells. She is running, running hard and we all owe this potential disaster to John McCain. I hope this former maverick cares more about the country, than his loyalty to her past affiliation with his campaign. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Personal Responsibility

One of the banner slogans that the Republicans love to use is Personal Responsibility. Let people make their own decisions without much interference from the government. The wealthy corporate powerhouses will be there to help as long as we deregulate and allow it to work its magic with all the tax break dollars they get. If you look at the real numbers after ten years of the tax cuts put in place by President Bush and his puppet Congress it is clear that revenues for government did not rise as promised, but have hit 50 year lows. As such, the richest corporations did not create the kind of conditions needed for people to find jobs, get more education and training and to find their own affordable health care. Instead, the economic conditions deteriorated. Looking backward, and blaming the past is never a winning electoral strategy and the President is well advised to no longer do so. The new Democratic strategy must be to embrace personal responsibility. Not like the Republicans have hypocritically done to appease tea partiers and libertarians, but to create the conditions for it. Republicans cannot just be Obama bashers like Mitt Romeny, without a plan, like Mitt Romney, calling for personal responsibility and at the same time go against every model and plan to create the possibilities for people to take control of their lives. If you want people to get their own training and education for the jobs of the future, you cannot recommend cuts in education spending and loans. If you want people to buy affordable health care, you cannot dump on any idea that allows for universality of coverage. If you want people to make sound decisions for their families, you cannot oppose agencies and services that help to provide them with essential decision making guidance. It is so easy to say...cut spending, let people be responsible and get government out of our lives. However motivating this may be to the ears of some, it isn't a plan that meets the Republicans stated goal of personal responsibility. It is a false and disingenuous platitude. Democrats....this is your opportunity. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

What a Weiner

Our contempt as a people toward our Congress is understandable. It is apparent to us that they care more about preserving their power bases than doing what is right for the nation. The partisan divide continues to invade the institution and often times very little gets done or it is so watered down as to have no impact at all on our lives or our problems. We are, however a forgiving people and have come to accept, grudgingly perhaps, the failings of our elected officials particulaly when it comes to non predatory sexual deviance. What we cannot accept, is lying. Had Represenative Weiner said last week what he said yesterday, calls for his resignation would have been less severe and his apology over the weeks to follow would have probably been accepted. Representative Weiner did not do so. He lied, changed his story, and undertold the realities of his actions and frequency of his behavior. He is just another politician who believes he can hide the truth, lie about it, and not be caught. He was wrong like so many others. I do not trust him and my sympathy for him has been diminished as a result of his dishonesty. Too bad. The Democrats need to be discussing other more important things and avoid such distractions. Weiner must go. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Time to Come Home

Today, 5 Americans were killed in Iraq. This protracted, seemingly endless war let us not forget was fought under false pretenses by the Bush administration. Enough lives have been lost and injuries sustained. Let us not forget that for all the progress made by the Iraqis, this remains a dangerous and in many places, very violent country. We have done our work. The new version of this war was to help Iraq become a democracy. We have done all we can do. It is time to bring them ALL home. If combat troops have left, these remaining troops as evidenced by today's loss of life still remain in perilous situations. The Iraqi people must fix their own mess at this point. We have other perilous issues to deal with. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Paul Revere

We all make verbal gaffes. Most of the time these are careless mistakes that are not as a result of stupidity, but simply a neuron or two not firing. When a Presidential candidate says things that are just plain wrong or moronic, this cannot be apologized for by claiming a simple verbal gaffe. Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann just don't know the history of this country and whereas this isn't a sin, they are always referencing our Founding fathers and Amercans principles and liberty to ignite their base, but they just do not understand what they are saying. Yesterday, Mrs. Palin said that Paul Revere warned the British. Bachmann claimed the Concord battlefield was in New Hampshire. These inaccuracies are so profound that I wonder who the people that support these two geniuses really are? Not the best and the brightest for sure. Wake up America. Time to raise the bar. It's fine for me however. The worse they are, the better it is for the President. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Meaningless

Since the killing of Bin Laden, the devistating tornadoes, changes in the defense department, visits abroad by Secretary Clinton and the President, the sexual assault by the IMF head and the other many things that have distracted us away from politics as usual, Congress is at it again. Today, in the House, there was a totally meaningless and symbolic vote to appease the tea party radicals not to raise the debt ceiling without cuts. This sounds like music to the ears of these fanatics, but does nothing for our nation, still struggling to dig out of economic distress. Everyone knows that the debt ceiling will be raised so as not to put our financial debt obligations into a tailspin, and everyone knows it will happen at the midnight of deadline day. Our politicians claiming they are only listening to the people, are deaf, dumb and blind to our needs. Meaningless votes mean meaningless attempts at nothing. Sad. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Just Say No....too bad.

All politicians agree that Medicare must be reformed. All politicians believe that the deficit should be reduced. All politicians believe that job creation is important and all politicians believe that extremist views get in the way of doing what is right. Having said this, the problems can be fixed if these same politicians cared more about what is right, than in defeating, beating, embarrassing, opposing and destroying, their political opponents in the other party. We have multiple Republican candidates running for office who have agreed with Obama on mandates for health insurance, contiguous borders for a two state solution based on previous borders between Israel and the Palestinians and stimulus for the economy, but these same individuals, namely Newt and Mitt, are so hell bent on destruction of the enemy along with Congressional Republicans, that they shamefully say no just to say no. Nancy Reagan's campaign...Just Say No to fight against drugs was well intentioned and appropriate at its time, but it seems as if it has become the slogan of mean spirited do nothing politicians. These folks do not regard anything important except for their egos, quest for power and personal benefit. Too bad. They are treating our problems and our citizens like pawns on a chess board. It's not a game. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

A Kerfuffle for Nothing

“No country can be expected to negotiate with a terrorist organization sworn to its destruction,” Obama said. “We will continue to demand that Hamas accept the basic responsibilities of peace: recognizing Israel’s right to exist, rejecting violence, and adhering to all existing agreements,” he said to enthusiastic applause.

"I am a partner to President Obama's wish to promote peace and I appreciate his efforts in the past and present to achieve this goal. I am determined to work with President Obama to find ways to renew peace talks."
Benyamin Netanyahu

Let's see how much more Newt and Mitt Jew baiting we get. No Chanukah presents from me to those idiots. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

More B.S.

Romney, Pawlenty, Bachmann, Gingrich and Palin, that illustrious crowd of buffoons,unable to get any footing as credible opponents to the President wait everyday for a speech or an issue to attack. These are 5 morons who couldn't care one iota for Israel. They care only about fear, prejudice, and taking advantage of the ignorant. To listen to all of them come out with statements regarding Israel is an affront to me as an American Jew. Israel is high on my list of priorities and its safety and security is sacrosanct. And yes, this is what the President said yesterday. What if the commitments we make to Israel are better able to insure her security with reduced geography? What if behaviors by its enemies after this potential realignment are actually better? What if violations of Israel's borders in the future along with terrorist attacks continue? This may lead to a world opinion that is more conciliatory and sympathetic to Israel coupled with responses that are so tough, they would jeopardize any assistance that may be given to Israel's neighbors. It is just possible that there is a wider and more deep thought process that the President is engaged in that goes much farther than these Republican imbeciles can understand. There still MUST BE DECLARED RECOGNITION STATED BY HAMAS OR NO DEAL. While this unfolds, there is more B.S. from each of these hypocrites each day. Lastly, when is the last time American politicians embraced a foreign leader in an attempt to embarrass a President? Unheard of. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Recognition of the Right to Exist

President Obama will be making a speech today about the Middle East. Again, there will be U.S. encouragement for democracy and for a re-start of Palestinian/Israeli dialogue. I hope his message is this...Without recognition of Israel, the only real democracy in the region, and its right to exist among nations, without respect for its sovereignty, there can be no Peace. Israel is a willing partner for peace, but not at the expense of its existence and security. No other message or nuance or beating around the bush can be acceptable. The new coalition in Palestine includes a group that swears to the destruction of Israel. The only real American goal must be to eliminate the existential threat to our ally before real talks begin. This is what is right, moral and imperative. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Pandering Newt

It is very interesting to watch the evolution of a declared candidate's strategy. Today Newt tried to look like a man who will challenge his party while sucking up to the senior citizens of this country. He slammed his party's social security program, proposed by Paul Ryan. Boy, Newt, that really takes some testicular fortitude. How brave of you to try and get the elderly to vote for you along with the extreme birthers from Iowa. What a coalition. Let's include the adulterers and liars and you may be on to something. All kidding aside, this type of slow and steady attempt at putting together enough primary voters to stay viable may work for a while, but Newt, you are on the path to ruin as a pandering fool. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Audacity of Nope

Newt Gingrich is known for his utter gaul. He cheated on his wife while she was ill and today is blaming his love of country for causing the mistakes he made in his life. He is responsible for two failed and hurtful shutdowns in government during the Clinton years. He has switched his ideas on foreign policy and the economy more times than there are days in a year just to suit the political pendulum. He is obnoxiously rude and disrespectful toward the President and although he is bright, he just does not resonate, nor should he, with decent Americans. To think he is a hopeful and positive possibility for the Presidency is sad and those who may support him ought to re think their own criteria for decency and character. President Obama wrote a book about hope, Gingrich is a sad and loud example of nope. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Pakistan and Gingrich

Two stories today. The audacity of Pakistan to threaten the U.S. with "full force" if we again breach their sovereignty. Such bluster and fluffery is a joke. This government harbored our enemy, denies it, outs our CIA operative, takes our money and trains terrorists. They are no ally. They are an inept government with terrorist connections and we must rethink our relationship with them. If they cannot do more, then the money we give them can be better spent. The only thing more audacious and laughable in today's news, is the adulterer Gingrich planning his Presidential candidacy. He is one of the most disliked politicians in my time from my perspective and I hope his failed campaign teaches him the lesson he so richly deserves...that he is an ass in every respect. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Unity

There are times when our nation unifies around a cause or a situation. Usually for a natural disaster or a military success. Obviously Bin Laden's death has sparked one of these rare moments. It is easy to unify under these circumstances but in reality, these examples mean nothing. They are poppycock, feel good, transient moments without any long term staying power. How about this....unity of purpose for job creation, unity of purpose around the increasingly troubling gap between rich and poor, unity of purpose around bringing troops out of harms way, unity of purpose on really working to fix what is broken. I fear, and it is already happening, that the recent feel good moment is about to pass and we are back to the divisive and unproductive political and social intransigence that so negatively affects our culture and our future. We really haven't seen the kind of unity of spirit and purpose that we truly need. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

All A Big Joke

So Seth Meyers and the President had some great one liners last night at the White House Correspondent's dinner and once again, Trump got the attention he craves as much as a vampire craves blood. The jokes were funny, the event is supposed to be funny and the Donald was exposed, but it doesn't mean a damn thing. It is no joke to be out of work, it is no joke for your house to be underwater, it is no joke to watch political immobility, it is no joke to watch brainless side show animals such as Trump, trivialize the Presidency and it is no joke to see hundreds of thousands of Americans still deployed in the dangerous Middle East. The laughs may be on all of us pretty soon. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Happy 65th anniversary mom and dad. I love you.

It's Official

It's official. President Obama is an American. For the rising number of doubters, a birth certificate was produced. This puts the controversy to rest and now we can discuss real business....right? Hold on, wait a minute, is Hawaii really a state? Isn't it a tropical island somewhere in the Pacific, like near Guam or Madagascar? And if it is not a state, then he isn't a qualified American and therefore is in the office against Constitutional provisions. So maybe the birthers have it right after all. Maybe the President is simply an alien Muslim extremist intending to do us harm. He isn't really one of us. After all, he didn't earn his way into college, he slipped in as a slick Black man, using affirmative action programs of our welfare state to get his education while the rest of us real people earned our stripes. Obama, what kind of name is that anyway? Sounds strange. He can't be an American. We are being overrun by this sham of a man, a communist trying to take down our system of government. 2012 cannot come soon enough so we can expose this fake for once and for all. What about medicare? The deficit, what is that? War, where are we at war? All I know is that the President is a fake and nothing else matters. I have no job and no education and gas prices are high and it is all Hussein Obama's fault. SADLY THERE ARE THOSE OUT THERE THAT STILL BELIEVE THIS STUFF. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

It's Getting Tougher

These days it is getting tougher and tougher to be a blogger. Particularly when you are an unknown and minimally read one. I try to hit on the right issues, consistent with my theme of reason and truth but it is getting tougher. Why, because there is so much out there that is unreasonable and untruthful that our mainstream media seems to propel forward. Trump now challenging the President's school record, Fox criticizing the President for not making an Easter proclamation {nor did Bush or Reagan}, Republicans abandoning their ideas because they have been embraced by the enemy, birthers co-opting sanity, governors giving up money to build rail systems, gas prices being blamed on reduced drilling in the gulf, and on and on and on. One can lose heart and lose momentum. One can be discouraged and I am. It is tough, but not impossible. I will find the strength to do my part to expose idiocy for what it is. Please join me. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

We the People

So it seems as if "We the People" are restive and unhappy. Today's polls have us hating Congress, hating the President, hating the direction of our country and just about fed up with everything. So I ask, WHY? Would a Dow at 8000 be better? Would a collapsed domestic car industry be better? Would losing jobs be better? Would a shrinking economy be better? Would more troops in Iraq be better? Would a higher payroll tax be better? Would negative consumer confidence be better? Would a 10.3 percent unemployment rate be better? Would private sector earnings misses be better? Now I am the first to admit there are still some fundamental concerns for the world and for our nation, but if you think the current direction is wrong, do you really want to go back a year and a half? If you do, then "We the People" are idiots. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Standard and Poors

Isn't this the same company that in 2008 gave a thumbs up to all those mortgage backed securities that caused the most calamitous recession in decades? Yup. Their reliability and credibility is very questionable. If this is a ploy to spur our politicians to action then perhaps their motives are good, but tampering with people's portfolios at a time of slow recovery is dangerous. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Chris Christie

I am a teacher and a NJ resident. I have avoided any targeting in my blog of my Governor. I believe him when he says he isn't ready to be President and I believe that all the hype about his straight talk is due to the fact that at least he is avoiding the nonsensical extremist rhetoric about birth certificates and Trumpesque ridiculousness. It is however time to call him out and to expose him for what he really is. A politician beholden to the interests of big business and the rich. His mean spiritedness toward teacher unions has gained some populist enthusiasm and no matter how he tries to convince us that he loves teachers, his persistent demonization of evaluation processes and benefit spending sticks to us teachers like glue. Having spent decades in the private sector Mr. Governor, I can tell you that mediocrity doesn't exist because of tenure, it exists because of mismanagement and poor leadership in all aspects of commerce and industry, both public and private. If the Governor loses the Abbott case and he probably will, he is already threatening the budget axe on Medicaid and using the usual Republican fear strategy. He won't however, support a small one percent tax on Millionaires claiming the supply side Paul Ryan brand of economic folly. Thanks for nothing Mr. Christie. You are who you are, a smooth talker in KOCH Brothers clothing. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Message War

For decades, the Democrats have been losing the message war on taxes. No matter how unfair or unevenly distributed the burden, every time Republicans say Democrats will raise your taxes, they are heard. Democrats always are on the defensive on this issue. Even under President Obama where 95% of Americans saw a decrease in their taxes, incredulously polls suggest that the people favor the Republicans on tax policy. Unless the President and the Democrats shout more loudly and make the case, it will be a losing issue again. So here is what they should say....It is wrong that the greatest tax breaks go the those with the least need. In order to cut our deficit and save the middle class from further program cuts, we are asking the richest Americans to help the rest of us. That's it. Taxes on the rich are too low and this message can sell. Now go sell it Democrats. Where are you Americans for reason and truth.

What is Worth Fighting For?

The recent budget fight ain't worth spit. It was fought on a level so small and so insignificant, it wasn't worth the attention it received. Now the real fight begins. Debate over the debt ceiling, something that most of us do not for a moment understand or comprehend. It will make a great tea party cliche, but the reality is that long term financial credibility and stability of the American economy is at stake when you lower our quotient for lending to foreign nations. The reality is that our debt will only be reduced when job creation and tax revenues reach the levels needed for sustained growth. In the midst of our recovery, now is not the time to politicize our global credit rating. Now is the time to decide what is really worth fighting for. Shared sacrifice is worth fighting for. This does not mean that Exxon and General Electric can avoid all corporate taxes while Mr. Main street earning 40 grand pays his fair share. It does not mean telling seniors that their health is too expensive and their insurance needs to be reduced so that private health care companies get another market to take advantage of. It does not mean that Wall Street forks over 11% in taxes while the rest of us approach 20% It does not mean that the average worker's rail services are reduced, fares are increased, college loan money is made less available and the neediest amongst us suffers while the richest in the nation continue to get tax breaks. These facts simply do not represent what is truly Shared Sacrifice. This is the battle worth fighting for and darn it, we better do it soon. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Government Failure

This is a two post day.

Our Government is an absolute and complete embarrassment. 15 Trillion in debt and arguments over 30 billion, not even a statistical blip. Arguing over womens' health care support and Public broadcasting. The politics of this all smells worse than any other time in my adult life. Our leaders, R and D and the President who I admire so much, are abject failures in this budgetary fiasco. Shameful, one and all. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Donald

Donald Trump was born in the ancient civilization of Mesopitamia and died in the year 2000 BC. He was mummified by a volcanic eruption and recently his mummified remains were discovered. After treatment by current day archaeologists, his DNA was used to clone him and thus, the Donald we see is this clone, or clown if you prefer. Since the cloning process was performed in a lab in downtown London, at the Institute for Genetic reconstruction, there is a real Constitutional issue with his eligibility to run for President. In addtion, his hair was taken from the ass of a camel and his face has been treated with Botox thus giving him this surreal look. Too bad that such a distinguished and competent American may not be able to run for the highest office in the land. Damn the Constitution. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Answer is No

President Obama is again meeting this evening with leaders of Congress to cut a budget deal. Mr. President, those of us who remain your most ardent supporters have some advice...Say No. You have given too much already in the name of compromise. Planned Parenthood, NPR, huge breaks for the rich, and meeting the level of spending cuts originally called for by the Republicans. No more to give. You must say NO. You are our leader, now lead. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

Paul Ryan's Path to Prosperity

A catchy phrase for sure. Tough to argue. We would all, after all, love a path to prosperity, for ourselves and for our nation. When you hear Representative Ryan promise to reduce the deficit by 6.2 trillion dollars, you think to yourselves that finally government will shrink. When the gory details of his plan reach Main Street, the path won't feel so prosperous and the support for a nice slogan, will begin to face the realities of our lives. If you look at the plan there are the same tired assumptions about corporations driving job creation and the wealthy spending more on investment with the huge tax breaks and incentives that exist, even in the suggestions for tax law reform that he includes. When you hear the words about the poor and aged getting to choose their health plans through private offerings, this is code for significantly eroding the only health plans that work in our country with some degree of efficiency. Yes, they are expensive and can be curbed, but Ryan believes in their dismantling and wants states to manage them. States, by the way, that cannot manage their own current budgets. As long as the assumptions driven by support for the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us prevail in Republican budget planning, we will have a path to prosperity for a small minority of our people. The rest of us will suffer the rath of their prosperity. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Laugh of the Day

No, not Charlie Sheen. The laugh of the day are the Republican candidates for President, that illustrious bunch of boobs, criticizing Obama's record on jobs. The last times Republicans controlled Congress we were losing 600,000 jobs a month and now we are averaging 124,000 new jobs while municipalities slash government jobs. So who should be criticized? Just see who gets the last laugh. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

The Boehner Dilemma

As the latest threat to shut government down looms, we have a further reduction in unemployment and a continuous improvement in job creation. We are far from out of the woods, but the trends look good. Instead of embracing the good news and seizing upon mutual opportunities for continued progress, the tea party movement continues to hold the Republican party hostage to a set of economic values that are embedded in failure. Historically, cutting programs that help to educate, improve health and protect the disadvanataged, have proven to be good for the soul of our nation. Irresponsible and unreasonable cuts for a set of principles founded in bigotry and failed past policies are not helpful to our nation. Speaker Boehner is a decent man. He understands the need for compromise and understands political realities. He also understands how government has a role in lifting the spirit and reality of opportunity for us all. He was elected to lead his party. Not to follow the extremists. Time to lead Mr. Speaker. There is no dilemma. There is only doing what is right. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?