A Tale From Tomorrow.

The date is 2020. Republicans have succeeded in regaining the Senate and the House. The Public is behind their bid to reform Medicare and do tort reform. Unfortunately, a Democratic Minority, still stinging from the defeats of earlier in the last decade have decided, in a political strategy reminiscent of the Republican's own, to use their filibuster power to effectively stall the bill in Congress. There is no end in sight, even as the credit markets reel from American debt overruns and the sky-high cost of healthcare...

Naked Republican Power

Richard Shelby of Alabama has demonstrated how a single Republican senator, though a member of the minority party, can prevent the president of the U.S. from doing his job. Shelby used a hold to prevent the confirmation of not 1 but of 70 executive appointees merely to gain some pork for Alabama. An excellent example of the exercise of naked Republican power through obstructionism.

Republicans Fighting for Financial Bums

There are 2 major parties in the U.S.: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The Democrats, under the leadership of President Obama, are doing their utmost to solve the Depression the financial bums in Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and other financial powerhouses have plunged us into. At every turn, the Republicans are stymying the Democratic efforts. They are fighting FOR the financial bums and against the American people.

A Display of Astounding Ignorance

Did you know that lifting the ban on gays and lesbians openly serving in the military could cause widespread natural disasters such as earthquakes? And did you know that allowing proud, patriotic Americans to be open about who they are will cause a breakdown of our military, and open the door to a draft? If you were not aware of these things than you must not be paying attention to the stunning battle of wits being waged over President Obama’s recent promise to repeal DADT.

FBI Gets Further Information Out of Mirandized Xmas Bomber

It was the one thing I wanted to tell these people who were insisting that we would never get anything more out of the Hot Pants Bomber because he had been informed of his right to remain silent: just because a suspect shuts up at first, doesn't mean his lips are sealed for good.

How did they do it? They appealed to his family. And guess what? The fact we didn't beat the crap out of him to get more answers helped us there.

Bonuses for Economy Destroyers

Huge financial corporations, such as Goldman Sachs, have gambled away our money with financial transactions none of us understands. They outsmarted themselves and were on the verge of complete failure, when we, the people, bailed them out. This was done to prevent a total collapse of our economy. But these financial people still believe they are not ordinary people. They believe they deserve tens of million and even hundreds of millions of dollars in bonuses.

General Motors for President

Do you like any of the current Republican president-wannabe's, such as Romney and Pawlenty? Or do you prefer the great Teabagger Sarah Palin? None of these or other conservative people under consideration for the most important job in America are remotely as capable as General Motors.

Come on! This should be a No-Brainer.

I mean, really folks: voting for matching revenues to spending, whether there's substance to it or not, should be an easy measure for Republicans to be bipartisan on. After all, it will restrict government spending, keep those damn Democrats from spending the country into a hole. What's the upside of a party line vote that can be so easily used to portray Republicans as hypocrites on fiscal matters?

Sold, Sold, Sold to the Corporations

We have a Supreme Court that is supposed to interpret the Constitution and the laws of the land in a way that increases the democratic voice of all our people. What the Court has done in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case is nullify the voice of real people and amplify the voice of ersatz people: corporations. The Supreme Court sold our democracy to the corporations.

Weak or Strong, Mr. President?

The loss of Ted Kennedy’s former seat, a seat solidly Democratic for as long as anyone can remember, is the only chance President Obama may have of showing conviction in his beliefs. While many pundits will promote the notion that the loss of this long standing Democratic bastion signals a shift away from the Democrats, it is too early to jump to conclusions. While health care was a major contributing factor in the loss of the late Kennedy’s seat, I believe it is a sign that the President has been too weak, and people are starting to get fed up.

The Articles of Confederation, and Why Congress Has Majority Rule.

The Republicans will surely enjoy the advantage of being able to prevent bills from even coming to a vote, much less pass. But in carrying out this policy of permanent obstruction in the senate, they unwittingly follow the terrible example of our forefathers in post colonial times, the example which eventually forced them to rewrite the Articles of Confederation into the constitution, and make all but the most extraordinary of votes a majority rules affair.

War & Peace: America’s Helpful Dichotomy

America’s response to the Haitian earthquake proves once again that it is a country capable of great acts of selflessness and compassion. In a time when government spending has become more scrutinized than ever, President Obama did not think twice about sending relief aid. This is commendable. It is important to keep in mind that we are only obligated to aid Haiti out of a shared sense of human compassion, nothing else. And despite our apparent “look-the-other-way” attitude on everyday human rights disasters around the globe, we at least helped out when a sudden massive tragedy unfolded.

One Hundred and Seventy Six

H1N1 strikes, but a Surgeon General nominee languishes. A Terrorist tries to strike on an airplane, but there is no top person at TSA.

Which of the other 176 nominees held up by Republicans will we need when the next crisis hits? What's going to be the next casualty of this pernicious strategy of mindless obstructionism?

Let Me Exploit the Disaster in Haiti...

...to discuss a very important issue for Americans: infrastructure.

The 7.0 earthquake in Haiti was about the same strength as the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, the one that struck San Francisco. We're hearing estimates of perhaps over 100,000 deaths in the more recent quake, whereas the quake in our country only killed 63 people. You'll guess that my position is that infrastructure is the difference. But there's a warning even there.

Could it be..... SATAN!?!?!?!

When the Church Lady said it on Saturday Night Live, it was a joke. When Pat Robertson says it, it tends not to be that funny. He joined Jerry Falwell in that infamous blaming of 9/11 on secularists, gays and other pet peeve populations of theirs. Well, let it never be said that he learned his lesson from that particular screwup. Now he says that Haiti's Earthquake is a result of a pact with Satan. And no, I'm afraid I'm not making it up.

Democrats - Almost Novices

Having pulled the curtain back exposing Republicans for their anti-America stance, it is the Democratic Party's turn to have their position exposed for what it is. The Democrats in the Congress are displaying ineptitude and lack of experience in Congressional leadership, and it is costing this nation its future. The majority of voting Americans in 2008 no doubt hoped that with the election of Obama and a Democratic Congress, our nation's problems would be addressed and solved. The disappointment is everywhere in today's political news coverage.

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Republicans Have Gone Anti-America

The Republican Party, also known as the Grand Old Party, or GOP, has evolved from a very pro-America Party in 1994, to an anti-America Party through the last decade, taking giant strides in that direction since Americans threw them out of power in 2008. Greed, duplicity, anger, vengeance, and paranoia have taken over the group think psychology of Republicans in Congress, as well as a great many of the remaining supporters the GOP. It is time the GOP be labeled for what its member's actions demonstrate.

Obama's Budget: Big Deficit: Big Picture

Pres. Obama submitted his budget for the next fiscal year starting in September. It is a record breaking 3.8 Trillion dollars. Of that 3.8 Trillion dollars, 1.3 Trillion is to be borrowed, representing the deficit for this new budget proposal. These are staggering numbers. However, there is a bigger short and long term picture to be appreciated here before marching off into tax payer suicide pacts. Let's examine these big pictures absent the political spin, B.S., and talking points.

SOTU. We Don't Quit. I Don't Quit !

The President's State of the Union (SOTU) speech was realistic, mostly accurate, and proscriptive. It was not a "feel good" speech. It accurately summarized where the nation is domestically, divided and behind schedule in addressing many of its most pressing issues. His speech pragmatically stipulated that he alone cannot bring the solutions to pass (a campaign refrain); Congress and the people have to carry their share of the load, the confidence, and responsibility.

Land of the Subsidized

Friday was an important day. A day when the US crossed a threshold that it is looking less likely to cross back the other way on. On Friday, January 22, 2010, the United States federal government put into full force of law its 2000th subsidy program.

Corporate Influence Over Elections

The Supreme Court, a conservative court on the belief that money is protected speech as far as elections are concerned, overturned a century of precedent and laws moving in the other direction. Republicans continue to sabotage America, even after being deposed from majority power to rule, via their Supreme Court activist judges. As usual, Republicans say one thing and do the opposite. For appearances they rail against activist judges, all the while appointing their own activist judges to the federal benches.

Mass. Election. Independents and Anti-Incumbents!

For years, I have advocated for independent voters to unite around the ant-incumbent strategy. Pres. Obama won as the challenger to the Bush/Republican years, riding the wave of disapproving independent voters. He won with 53% of the vote, and his approval rating remains in that ball park, depending on what poll you look at. The off-year gubernatorial races in 2009 were dominated by anti-incumbent independent voters. And now, in an historically Democratic State, Democrats lost and a Republican shall take the late Ted Kennedy's seat. Are the Parties acknowledging this wake up call?

Slowly Goes Our Constitution

How does one know when you have too much democracy and not enough Republic? Look to the many programs run by the federal government. The federal government, aka Corpocracy, wants to control every facet of your life. The Corpocracy needs control of government in order to control you. You can often see the tentacles stretching for more power and control in the way federal programs are administered.

Political Decisions

Political decisions must, by definition in a diverse society, alienate some in that society. This truism is dictated by the concept of opportunity cost. For those without business school backgrounds, opportunity cost is the cost of not having selected the other choices. Every decision anyone ever makes, carries an opportunity cost. Example: The wife takes the shortest route to work. In doing so, she avoids alternative longer routes which may make her drive more interesting, less hazardous as the lesser traveled routes, or less fortuitous in passing up the opportunity to give Bill Gates a ride after his HumV broke down, which he appreciates with a sizable thank you check of a million dollars.

Today's Populist Rant

As usual, about the only positive information a populist can relate to is a few new high tech gadgets. You can now access the Internet and ‘tweet’ through your cars dashboard. Other than that, all the information I’ve perused today qualifies as a criminal offense.

Sunday Morning Breakdown

Recently someone posted that I shouldn’t ‘hate’ President Obama for this or that position he is taking. Made me feel bad about myself. So, being in tune with the New Year I thought I would express myself in platitudes more in line with my true feelings.

Witness Iranian Courage

I have been following the second Iranian revolution since last June and it’s been an amazing thing to witness. Although it’s hard to believe this tense situation could be ratcheted up any further, it has. The Iranian people have become even more brazen, even more fearless and the nature of their actions signal that they truly have nothing left to lose anymore. They are fighting for their freedom with their lives. Something all Americans should respect.

Divided We Stand

Was watching C-span this morning where two seniors were being interviewed. One, I believe was a Dan Thomasson harking back to the days of Lyndon Johnson and, Steve from the Heritage Foundation who perhaps served in the Eisenhower administration. I immediately noticed their proclivity in viewing the world in historical perspective as opposed to a strategic or tactical view.

The Pakistani People Are Going Insane!

Most of you know that Pakistan is undergoing extreme internal strife, but do you know who they blame for their suffering? I don’t mean to ask you who the Pakistanis blame for the regional predicament this newborn nuclear power finds itself in. I mean to ask you who the Pakistanis blame for physically bombing and murdering Pakistani civilians with their own hands. They blame Americans.

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OBE - Overtaken by Events

We rarely solve big problems; we just go beyond them, usually by redefining our goals and priorities and often by employing knowledge and technologies that were unavailable when the problem was initially defined. In other words, our vision of solutions for the future is often limited because those solutions have not been invented yet. We have a phase “overtaken by events” (OBE’D). It refers to facts, ideas or plans that are invalidated by subsequent events. Most problems are not really solved; they are just OBE’D.

A Bright American Future

People have been saying that America was in decline ever since - even before - we became an independent nation. I got a different viewpoint at a discussion on American demographics and the book ”The Next 100 Million: America in 2050” with author Joel Kotkin followed by panel of experts chaired by Michael Barone.

Much Ado About Nothing

Gay marriage is an issue kept alive by activists on the wings of the political spectrum that just is not worth the fuss. The District of Columbia has the largest number gay couples, where 14 out of 1000 couples are gay, 1.4% of the total. The U.S. average is only 0.47% (of course most are not “legally” couples). Ever since Kinsey’s flawed studies, there has been a lot of controversy about numbers. Recent research indicates that that gay people make up only 2-4% of the population and few of them really want to get married. Legalizing gay marriage would change very little. So what is the problem?

The American Nation is Greater than the American Government

We get the impression that some people think nothing happens except at the direction of government. America is criticized for its foreign aid, for example, which although massive in absolute numbers is a small percentage of GDP in terms of official government aid. Paradoxically, we also hear that the American involvement around the world is too big. Both those statements are false, but the reason that the same people can utter them w/o obvious thoughts of inconsistency is that the American nation is not the same as the American government.

Spending Matters

Deficits matter, but total spending may matter even more. Anyway, Obama will give us both with absolutely no end in sight. It is a truly astonishing situation, so big, ironically, that we almost cannot see it for the problem it is. If President Obama’s proposals become law spending will have increased by 29% since 2008.

With friends like this . . .

I know it's terribly, terribly insensitive of me, but I can't help being amused by Osama Bin Laden's latest diatribe, warning against the disastrous potential consequences of global warming and blaming--who else?--the United States for "climate change" and all other horrors environmental (Bin Laden blasts US for climate change ). I wonder if Al Gore will be meeting with bin Laden to enlist his further cooperation in the fight to prevent armageddon. After all, the earth itself is in the balance . . .

College Cost Conundrum

College costs too much and President Obama’s student loan forgiveness proposals will not help. C&J know a lot about this. We both worked through college and had a pile of loans to pay off at the end. We are proud that we paid and still are paying for our kids to go to college, w/o any student aid. We are grateful, BTW, for the state college system and we are in favor of devoting some of the taxes we pay to support college education. It is a good investment. But like all investments, it depends on who, what, how and how much.

Obama Wises Up on Terror … a Little; Holder Still Hopeless

President Obama has bowed to political realities, if not common sense, in ordering Holder to find a new venue for the KSM trial. Holder still wants to stay the course and needlessly spend money while giving Al Qaeda a propaganda victory & intelligence bonanza by trying the guy in civilians court. Of course, he guaranteed a conviction, an interesting variation on that “fair trial” concept he claims to be flogging.

Compared to What?

They say that misery loves company, but that is just an uncharitable way to put it. Comparisons are useful because they provide insight into problems and possible solutions. For example, you should be a lot more willing to change your habits if you see that you are doing poorly while everybody else prospers but if you are part of the larger trend learning from the experience of others might be less immediately useful. The Economist shows graphically how rich countries have fared in the recent recession.

Obamacare fails...

...America wins! (Thank you Scott Brown.)

"61% Say It’s Time for Congress To Drop Health Care" And with that, it's time to move on to other America destroying legislation.

America NOT Going Down the Toilet

I was worried a year ago. I feared our country had reached a turning point where Americans wanted to grow government and give it a bigger role in their lives. I was wrong and I am glad of that. You have to go to question #40 to find it, but a recent Washington Post Poll showed that 58% of Americans favor a smaller government with fewer services; only 38% want a bigger Washington footprint on their backs, down from 43% last year. Couple this with the Republican enthusiasm factor and I think things will be okay.

What We Have Gained and What We Have Lost

Leave aside the effectiveness of particular methods; it was a big mistake not to turn over the underpants bomber to military-terrorist specialist interrogators. After the man nearly emasculated himself with his fiery diaper, he was talking like mad. But was he being asked the right questions?

Corporate Free Speech

The Supreme Court's decision on legal limitations on corporate free speech has created a debate as virulent as the one on health care in the aftermath of this week's Massachusetts senatorial election.

Less Alarming if the IPCC Tells the Truth

You can't trust much of what comes out of the UN (except a few excellent specialty organizations such as WHO) and anything that gets even vaguely into the political realm gets covered in so much BS that you can't tell the facts from the crap. So it is with climate change. It seems that IPCC claims about melting glaciers were as credible as a Syfi original mini-series.