Congress

Let me get this straight - Congress has funded 9/11 rescue workers' health care, ratified the START treaty, repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and renewed the Bush tax cuts, while renewing unemployment benefits, all in the last month?

Maybe we need to have elections more frequently?

I Give Up

Another great Daily Show clip...

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
I Give Up - 9/11 Responders Bill
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Fox News Hurts My Head

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The Big Bang Treaty
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Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Healthcare Reform

I have no idea if the healthcare reform bill is the right type of reform for the problems the system faces. I am certain that this does not mean the end of the current system, or the economy, as the Republicans would have us believe. Is this bill as important as those that established Medicare or Social Security? Probably not, but it's pretty substantial and the thing that impressed me most about this bill is that despite all the negativity (mostly misleading information) this bill was passed anyway. Congress has had such a problem getting things done despite the large Democratic majority, and yet this bill made it through.

The entire debate was pretty sad. Many would say it's a "big vs small government" debate, but I'm not sure if that can explain how emotional it was. Why did Republicans who don't want "government controlled medicine" also say they didn't want changes to Medicare? Don't people realize that Medicare / Medicaid make up nearly 45% of all healthcare spending already? That means the government already controls half of medical spending.

So now we'll see what happens. I'm glad that Democrats decided to vote with their beliefs and not worry about the polls. Meanwhile the Republicans threaten Democrats with the idea that they'll lose big in November. Maybe, but I suspect by November there will be new issues to be angry about. Better to lose with something you believe in than to win by doing nothing.

Tom Tomorrow

I don't feel like posting every This Modern World cartoon to Facebook, but I like this entry.

http://www.salon.com/comics/tomo/2009/09/22/tomo/index.html?source=rss

People Who Should Not Be Senators, Part 1 of Many

#1 - Curt Schilling

Clinton Goes to North Korea

Psychologists must have some sort of field day whenever they think about North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. The way he has his country practice diplomacy is so odd and appears childish and he always seems to relish any sort of gesture that appears to elevate his status. Case in point - Bill Clinton's surprise, "private" visit to N. Korea to help free two imprisoned journalists. I'm glad the two young women get to go home, despite the fact that I'm sure some will criticize the journey as placating North Korea. Nobody must be buying the assertion that this was a "private" trip - who meets with Kim Jong-il and not talk to the President? Especially when your wife is the Secretary of State! But regardless, North Korea's press agency released this photo of the two leaders, what do you think was going through Bill Clinton's mind when they took this? This type of thing has to be somewhat awkward for any politician.

Obama's Honorary Degrees

People associated with Notre Dame are upset that the school honored Barack Obama with an honorary degree because of his views on stem cell research and abortion. Similarly, the Daily Show recently featured a story where Arizona State University students also were upset about conferring an honorary degree to the President.

Aren't honorary degrees sort of a silly formality anyway? It's not like it changes anything about the honoree. Do we call someone "doctor" if they get an honorary doctorate? Ultimately who cares?

Furthermore, aren't there going to be pro-choice students getting actual degrees at Notre Dame this year? Based on this logic, they should be prevented from getting their actual degrees?

Finally, I saw an article where the President was referred to as "the worst baby killer in the nation." Do we really need all the exaggeration? Last I checked, the President does not perform abortions, have the power to make laws about abortion or have the power to overturn abortion legislation.

Shoe Thrown at Bush

While I don't like George Bush, it made me think of Austin Powers: Who throws a shoe? Honestly!

More on the Automotive Industry

Mitt Romney wrote an Op-Ed piece for the NY Times today that states that the government should just let the auto industry in Detroit fail. Kind of an interesting opinion from the same man who said he would bring jobs back to Michigan during the primaries.

I've Got The Scars To Prove It

John McCain often says, "I've stood against my party and I've got the scars to prove it!" What does he mean by this?

Near as I can tell, he's been affected very little by standing up to his party. Standing against other Republicans has raised his public profile and image in general. It also hasn't hurt him enough with Republicans because he's still their Presidential nominee!

It seems to me there's actually a clause missing in the middle of this statement where he means to say, "I've stood against my party, fought in a war, and I've got the scars to prove it."

Tested? How has John McCain Been Tested?

John McCain says, "America will not have a president who needs to be tested. I’ve been tested my friends.”

How exactly has McCain been tested? He's never had to make any decisions that affect the lives of millions of people? Obama hasn't either but he's not claiming to have greater experience in this arena than his opponent, just better judgment.

Todd Palin and Alaskan Independence

If Barack Obama's meetings with Bill Ayers are concerning to voters, shouldn't Todd Palin's association with the Alaskan Independence Party also be in question? After all, isn't it Sarah Palin who is challenging that certain people in the country are not "pro-America?" What would be less pro-America than voting on leaving the Union?

W (the movie)

Oliver Stone has a new movie coming out about George W Bush called "W." But I'm wondering who the audience is for this movie. Those in the 20% or so who currently still approve of the President's job will not want to see this film that will undoubtedly put the President in negative light. Do the rest of us, who are frustrated with the way the President has done things really want to re-live the last 7+ years worth of criticism? It seems unlikely to me. Maybe Stone was just hoping to put in his input for the upcoming election by timing the movie so close to the Election Day, but it seems to me that it's just a bit too soon to be making this film.

Town Hall Debate

The most disappointing thing to me about the "town hall debate" that occurred last Tuesday is the fact that it seemed no different than any of the other debates that have happened up to now. All we get are the same questions (this time, just posed by "regular people") and the same answers (that don't necessarily answer the posed question). The candidates just echo and parrot their usual schtick with no original material.

Certainly questions on the economy are important at this time, but it seemed like the same old thing - apparently both candidates will have the right tax cuts for me, while the other will not.

I was also shocked when John McCain said it would be easy to "fix" Social Security. The entitlements have been a supposed problem for years that nobody's been able to fix. If it was so easy, then why hasn't he fixed it in his 26 yrs in the Senate?

VP Debate

So far, about 50 minutes into the 90 minute debate, I want to rip off my ears. The debate is completely incoherent. Sarah Palin is just making vague comments and reiterating typical McCain talking points, and not providing any new information. Meanwhile, Joe Biden is overexplaining everything and also becoming ridiculous. I hope the next 40 minutes are better but I'm not very hopeful.

Bye bye, 401K

Thank you Congress, for getting nothing done yet again and giving my 401K a nice kick in the balls.

On Being Liberal

Bob Herbert had a great column in the NY Times the other day about being proud to be liberal. Frankly, hearing the word "liberal" used in a negative fashion makes me think of some old guy in a rocking chair who is complaining and it infuriates me. Obviously liberals can't be credited with everything good that's ever happened, but a lot of major important changes are the result of liberals!

Double Standards

No additional comment from me necessary.

Sarah Palin is a Female Version of Clarence Thomas

McCain is going to try and lure women with Sarah Palin, but Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin are as similar as Clarence Thomas and Thurgood Marshall. I think the biggest impact that this will have is that conservative women will be more energized. Those women who are extreme liberal won't compromise their social causes for her and she may ultimately be too conservative for the moderate wing. It does give McCain some much needed buzz, especially after Obama's speech. I wonder if the Republican convention will be as watched as the Democrats'.