http://usdebtclock.org/ 

COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF TAX HIKES IN SENATE GOVERNMENT HEALTH BILL: H.R. 3590

http://www.atr.org/breaking-full-list-tax-hikesbr-senate-a4227

Individual Mandate Tax-$8 billion (Page 324/Sec. 1501): Starting in 2014, anyone not buying “qualifying” health insurance must pay an income surtax according to the following schedule (capped at 8 percent of income):

                         Single          Single + 1          Single + 2<

2014                 $   95              $   190                   $   285

2015                 $ 350               $  700                   $ 1050

2016 etc.           $ 750              $ 1500                   $ 2250

Exemptions for religious objectors, undocumented immigrants, prisoners, those earning less than the poverty line, members of Indian tribes, and hardship cases (determined by HHS).

Employer Mandate Tax-$28 billion (Page 348/Sec. 1513): If an employer does not offer health coverage, and at least one employee qualifies for a health tax credit, the employer must pay an additional non-deductible tax of $750 for all full-time employees. Applies to all employers with 50 or more employees. If the employer requires a waiting period to enroll in coverage of 30-60 days, there is a $400 tax per employee ($600 if the period is 60 days or longer).

Excise Tax on Comprehensive Health Insurance Plans-$149.1 billion (Page 1979/Sec. 9001): Starting in 2013, new 40 percent excise tax on “Cadillac” health insurance plans ($8500 single/$23,000 family). Higher threshold ($9850 single/$26,000 family) for early retirees and high-risk professions. CPI +1 percentage point indexed. From 2013-2015, the 17 highest-cost states are 120% of this level.

Employer Reporting of Insurance on W-2 (Page 1996/Sec. 9002/Min$): Preamble to taxing health benefits on individual tax returns.

Medicine Cabinet Tax-$5 billion (Page 1997/Sec. 9003): No longer allowable to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin).

HSA Withdrawal Tax Hike-$1.3 billion (Page 1998/Sec. 9004): Increases additional tax on nonmedical early withdrawals from an HSA from 10 to 20 percent, disadvantaging them relative to IRAs and other tax-advantaged accounts, which remain at 10 percent.

FSA Cap-$14.6 billion (Page 1999/Sec. 9005): Imposes cap on FSAs of $2500 (now unlimited).

Corporate 1099-MISC Information Reporting-$17.1 billion (Page 1999/Sec. 9006): Requires businesses to send 1099-MISC information tax forms to corporations (currently limited to individuals), a huge compliance burden for small employers.

Excise Tax on Charitable Hospitals (Page 2001/Sec. 9007): $50,000 per hospital if they fail to meet new “community health assessment needs,” “financial assistance,” and “billing and collection” rules set by HHS.

Tax on Innovator Drug Companies-$22.2 billion (Page 2010/Sec. 9008/): $2.3 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to share of sales made that year.

 Tax on Medical Device Manufacturers-$19.3 billion (Page 2020/Sec. 9009): $2 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to shares of sales made that year. Exempts items retailing for <$100.

Tax on Health Insurers-$60.4 billion (Page 2026/Sec. 9010): $6.7 billion annual tax on the industry imposed relative to health insurance premiums collected that year.

Eliminate tax deduction for employer-provided retirement Rx drug coverage in coordination with Medicare Part D-$5.4 bil (Page 2034/Sec. 9012)

Raise “Haircut” for Medical Itemized Deduction from 7.5% to 10% of AGI-$15.2 billion (Page 2034/Sec. 9013): Waived for 65+ taxpayers in 2013-2016 only

Hike in Medicare Payroll Tax-$53.8 billion (Page 2040/Sec. 9015)

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tax Hike-$0.4 billion (Page 2044/Sec. 9016): The special tax deduction in current law for Blue Cross/Blue Shield companies would only be allowed if 85 percent or more of premium revenues are spent on clinical services

Tax on Cosmetic Medical Procedures-$5.8 billion (Page 2045/Sec. 9017): New 5% excise tax on elective cosmetic surgery to be paid by the surgery patient.

NOTE:  H. R. 3590 also  (1) Increases penalties for failure to file a partnership or S corporation tax return, and (2) amends the Corporate Estimated Tax Shift of 2009 to increase corporate estimated tax payments in the third quarter of 2014 by an additional 0.5%.

“Yes, we can”, Obama’s pasteboard everywhere, failed in New Jersey and Virginia where Republicans won the governorship. The first electoral test for Barack Obama went bad bacause Virginia was the state where the President of US got many points for his admission to the White House. Christopher J. Christie in New Jersey and Robert F. McDonnell in Virginia give Republicans back the political wand in a country on bended knee. Now the wind is blowing in another direction and this election day may be a test: Americans complain about weakness of economy and wait for resolutions. However, in my opinion, Democratics should think about it: Barack Obama is a very charismatic laeder, but the other candidates aren’t able to be his photocopy. If American Democratics turned into Obama’s icon party, it would be a big mistake.

Here in the U.S. we all have the right to our own opinions and the freedom of speech. There are some who use those rights for good and some for bad. What makes this world go round, what keeps the universe going is balance. I believe in balance. If there are people like my mother, who has dedicated her life to helping and educating the youth of this country and spreading love every chance she gets. Then there has to be people who choose the opposite. So when it comes to TV Networks such as CNN, do they have an obligation to drop “Lou Dobbs Tonight”? A show that undeniably spreads lies and fear.  His countless racially charged debates about immigration, Obama’s “documentation” and conspiracy theories, has gotten both liberals and conservatives very uncomfortable with his show. This video along with a petition for CNN to drop the show has been circling the internet. What do you all think? There are great programs on CNN. Aren’t they allowed one Right Wing nut to host a show? or Do they have more of a responsibility to viewers like me and you to drop shows that lack journalistic integrity? Sound off !!!

I am so interesting in what you all think, LEAVE A COMMENT!!

Here’s a link to the petition dropthehate

Who in the world is ACORN?

Well,  first of  all  ACORN is an acronym which stands for  the Association of  Community Organizations for Reform Now.  Hence…Acorn.   It is an organization which advocates for poor people.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/10-22-2004/0002292745&EDATE=

But what I did not understand was…

What was all the secrecy about some supposed cover-up scadal?

And why were certain news organization declaring-

“An Acorn cover-up.”

And who was covering up what?

And for what reason?

I had read some of this article below…and began wondering why…what scandal…and why was some organization named ‘Acorn’…in danger of of losing its funding?

http://news.aol.com/article/the-point-acorn-scandal-federal-funds/673000

So, of  course, I had to put on my old Sherlock Holmes hat and begin sniffing about.

To answer my first question….who was Acorn?

During the 2008 Presidential Election a community based organization whose home head-quarters  in New Orleans, LA…Acorn came into the spotlight as Republicans began to cry foul…if you can imagine that.   It is kind of like the pot calling the kettle ‘black’…if you get my drift. 

Well, they called ‘foul’ because Acorn…which had opened up numerous offices around the United States…began organizing and registering voters on Obama’s behalf.

Following the Primaries the Republicans started accusing Acorn at that time of using false and fraudulent tactics as alleging that Acorn was registering dead people…etc..etc.  And primarily these charges stemmed from actions in Florida.   

Because Florida and Michigan chose to break a rule set up the Democratic Committee that no state should hold a primary before a specific date…which both the State of Florida and Michigan ignored.  So,  they therefore lost the right to participate in the Democratic Primary Presidential Election…the race between Obama and Hillary Clinton.

But within states around the country a group emerged called Acorn which began organizing the urban communities…gearing them up for the final showdown.  The day in which Americans would entered into their ballot booths to cast their votes for who would become the  President of  this country for the next 4 years…of which Barack Obama won solidly over Bush.

Part 2 of  my question…about  Acorn and the questions surrounding its organization…and their current problems.

But it was during  the days leading up the ballot day that a little known organization called Acorn began popping up in the news, as the Republicans began slinging shots…and trying to throw whatever punches they could at the Obama campagin.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/exponentialchange/gGglzC

To find out more about the rule that Florida and Michigan failed to abide by prior to the Democratic Primary read the LINK BELOW.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080331134815AAtAORo

This controversy about Acorn has been brewing for quite some time now.   And of course, with Obama sweeping Nevanda, Colorado, New Mexico, California, Ohio, Virgina…and Florida…  could the contention and rage over his win get any greater?

The Republicans have only been trying to discredit Obama in any matter and way they can…as proven by Joe Wilson’s rude outburst, which I wrote about in blog on civility.  From trying to cliam that Obama is not legally an American citizen…to trying to disregard Hawai as being an offical state of this country (being the birthplace of  Obama)…to trying to rig and provide false papers which they claim to be Obama’s African birth certificate.  What they call…‘his real birth certificate.’

For years in this country black folks birth certificates have been messed with.  From writing down things properly…to not properly recording them…to not properly keep up with our records.  My birth name was messed up so bad…that my parents had to legally amend my birth certicate with a change of name shortly after my birth.  Not to mention that my grand-mother went to her grave not knowing her correct birth date…as is the case with our Aunt Kate, who is still very much alive today.   I suspect that if  she were to seek public office in this country…she would have a real problem.  Even though she was unquestionably born and raised here in America.  But racist practices in properly documenting black folk in the existed then…and still do.

And such allegation concerning the legitimacy of  Obama to President of this country…comes  from a group of people who out and out stole the 2004 Presidential Election right out from under Al Gore, the Democratic opponent of  George W. Bush.  And it had been done illegally… bogusly… and without fear of  any pentalty.   They just did it…didn’t care who saw…who knew…or who didn’t know.  And all of  America knew…it was not hard to miss. 

It had been the most outragous campaign of  all times…and of  any country.  Which is  why George W. Bush will certainly go down in history as a big fat question mark…for having been the most illegitimate President that the United States of  America has ever had.

And what a joke that election was.  What a farce.   And for the first time in American History…as we know it…an illegitimate cadidate took possession of  this country’s White House and made a mockery of  our entire political system…and country. 

And not only that…but sunk this country into the lowest levels of  political integrity…moral standing…and financial lossess…coupled by a fraudulent war which he conjured up.  A  war which
has cost this country vast resources, lives…and a waste of our political time and efforts.  A war that unleashed centuries of stored up hatred and antimosities…religious strife…and massive unrest in the Middle East.

http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2008Nov09/0,4670,ObamaMajority,00.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93869921

http://www.rove.com/election

http://www.presidentialelection.com/

During the 2004 it was widely known that the Republicans rigged the election…and hindered people in urbans from casting their votes.   They had various voting locations declare some legitimate voters as being dead…and others as ex-convicts in order to stop them from voting…as well as, other such tricks.   Such as, having voters stand for prolong periods of time out in the rain…provided urban areas with broken ballot machines…had women leave their pocketbooks outside…slowed up the balloting process that long lines gathered etc…  All to deter voters for the Democratic Party.  Not to mention the rigging of  ballots…mis-counting of  ballots…loosing and all those other in-side jobs which they easily arranged.   …hinged ballots…

 And this country sends people out to monitor the balloting procedures of  other countries?

Going back to Acorn…having been under the fire  for some time now…evidently their efforts were effective.  The did manage to register some 1.3 million new voters.   All the more reason why the other party would want to do away with them.

It kind of reminds me of when this country decided un the stern and ambiguous eye of the then House Leader, Newt Gingrich…who felt that  the National Endowment of the Arts grants were to liberal in their giving out of funds.  So, he moved to act upon limiting those funds from being given out to individuals…but to people like himself…and organization etc.  Today, you hardly hear much about those funds…though they still are given out but in a very different way and under far different circumstances.

Today, when you hear this guy talk…he sounds more like a summer breeze…as opposed to that typhoon he used to be.  I suspect that being taken down a notch or 2 can do that to you.

Now, definitely going back to Acorn.

It seems that some videographer enter into a couple of their offices for some reason or other.  This videographer along with a women…that he or she brought with them.  Supposedly, during these meetings the videograper was given by a worker…or workers at the organization (Acorn office)…to become not-for-profit and open up their own brothel…or in other words whore house…prostitution den.

Which if it is true…it would not reflect back on Obama…as he is not really tied to that organization other than it assisted in getting out the vote…which many other people also did too…and I was one of  them.

However, in any office…supposed office…or business…or supposed busines you are subject to fall upon some type of illegal activity.   Which does not necessarily mean that those in management or corporate heads know anything about.   You can, in fact, find out about how to do all kinds of  things while sitting in your workplace…including how to cheat on your husband or wife.  There are crooket…and bad people everywhere.  And they usually know right where to go…to run whatever game they are trying to run.

Recently, in my town they closed down a couple of used car dealerships…neither of  which I believe had anything to do Obama…or his being elected President.  But one was closed for selling drugs and using the dealership as front.  And the other…I guess you could say they were in the money laundrying business…using their used cars to thash cash.

I suspect that if  the Republicans could tie Obama to either of them…they would.  And heavens forbide if   somehow they could make a connect to both of  them…and Obama.

I hope Obama didn’t happen to buy a car at either of  those 2 dealerships.  You know…like he bought his house.  That was tied to some other alleged criminal.

Big Brother is watching.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,550602,00.html

Part of the problem is…is that the Republicans will not stop at  nothing to get their candidates in.   Nothing to taboo for them.   They play a political anything goes game in  order to win.   They cross state lines…double and triple voting wherever  they can.  During the primaries they sign up as Indedpendants seek ing  to swing elections towards cadidates that are weak and more favorable to them…in order to fix elections by giving their real cadidate of  choice  (a Republican) in the overall election a upper hand.  

I have no doubt..that they have and continue to  put people into place to do their will.  People who operate as fake agents …or workers  (if you will)…pertending to the opposite side.   When in fact…they were plants (Republican plants)… who went under-cover…crossed over to the other side…to do fraudulent work…create false documents…and to put bogus names  onto  lists. 

Hence, the real scandal…and the real cover-up.

Then the Republicans come around as they always do…wanting to look innocent…and appearing to be  the squeaky clean whistle blowers.  Crying ‘foul’…‘foul.’     When in fact…it is them who are the foul ones.

It is interest the way that the Republicans  always seemed to know exactly what the problems are…and where they lay. 

Why?

Because they put  certain people into place to purposely cause the problems and issues…which they later turn around and begin pointing out as being fraudulent.   These type of  games are old…and go way back  in  history…where many of  these  very schemes were first hatched…by other other political crooks.

It is such a shame that such a group operates in this country…who are clearly anti-American when they indulge in such under-handed  behavior…and deceitful practices.

Recently, Acorn  has requested an independant investigation into the actions of some of their employees.   The Senate to block  the Housing and Urban Development from giving grants to Acorn, along with the U.S. Census Bureau had dropped Acorn and its involvement in the 2010 national census.  And of course under these last allegation of  being a training ground for how to own and operate your own brothel…the White House has been forced to also move away from Acorn.

I barely got any sleep last night.

Well, for one thing…I love my hair style so much that I am refusing to mess it up.  Which means I have been trying to stay on my elbows since Saturday when I initially got the hair style.

And then the other reason is…is…

Well, those raccoons are back.   Not that they ever left…as I have yet to have the money to seal up the roof.  So, they are living in our attic.

But last night after getting in I stepped back out on the porch…and that is when I heard a noise.   I thought it was pesty neighborhood cat…which sometimes sits upon our porch waiting on my neice’s cat to come out.

So, I picked up the water hose and sprayed some water over in the direction of the noice.  And saw the thing move…and that is when I happened to catch a glimsp at what appeared to be 2 white circles around it’s eyes.

Not certain I went back into the house and got my flash light.  I opened the screen-door and shot the light over into the far corner of  my parent’s porch and there it was.   Yes…a raccoon.

It seemed to be trying to hide.  And appeared to indecisive.

So, I tried to talk it out of  corner and off  the porch…while I quickly punched in a call to our local police station.  As I talked on my cell…the raccoon quietly left the porch.  It seemed timid…mayold…possibly frighten.  And I felt bad for her…or him…or whatever it was. 

But they have got to go.  The thing was huge…and I am not exegerating.  I was at least a foot and half  long…not including it’s big and long tail.   And it was about a foot high in width.

No, that has got to go.  No matter how bad I feel for it.  I just don’t want them hurt.  But I have got to get them out of  our house and away from our home.  I have far too many young neices and nephews.  And I would hate to see anything happen to any of   them because I sat around doing nothing about our raccoon problem.

So, today I walked around the outside of our house checking to see exactly where it is that they are entering into and out of our property.  It is via our roof.  Some rotting has taken place along various portions of  our roof.   And as I walked around examing our weather beaten root… I was calling upon the name of  Jesus. 

Because those raccoons have got to go.

Well, hope you had a less eventful day and night.

http://www.animalcapture.com/pages/raccoons.htm

One thing I can say though…my neice’s cat is no fool. 

The raccoon which had gotten into kitchen…when I initally realized we had a problem…she chased out that raccoon…and up the stairs back into the attic.  But this raccoon…was much bigger than her.   Though she did go out on the porch…she never approached that corner…and got low to the ground the whole time she was out there.  And my neices cat is usually no joke…she is a real killer.

She must have been able to tell that  that raccoon was  a big one.

But I am going to have a talk with that…because she can’t be punking out on me.

And after I laid down and thought about…since I could not fall asleep.  The thought came to me…that with all the hermones and everything else put into our food…it is little wonder that that raccoon was so big.  She and others like her wander around the neighborhoods at night searching for scrapes to feed upon. 

And if the chemical put into food…in order to make it grown bigger…get fatter…effects our bodies…and that of  our children the way that it does.  Then what about whatever else that feeds upon anything that we eat?

I can everything becoming super-sized.  And I am not kidding.  

You would have had to seen the size of  that raccoon. 

We all need to consider what it is that we are doing to this planet…our food…produce…water ways etc…   And these animals are also being impacted by our lack of  good judgement.

That thing was huge.  

Oh, I know that some people believe they can escape to another planet.  But I have always been told-

“That 1 bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush.”

Just saw the below picture and just could not resist adding it.  It is so beautiful.  Put you in mind of  what we are in store for next…by way of weather.   I don’t know where you are…but it is cold here already.

Well, God bless…

Thank you for reading this blog…and  my others.  Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…”  www.bsmith101.wordpress.com  ©2009 

Healthcare debate’s next hurdle: abortion

Some Democrats opposed to abortion rights threaten to pull their support for the bill unless it includes language restricting taxpayer funds for the procedure.

By James Oliphant

July 28, 2009

Reporting from Washington — With House leaders struggling to reach agreement on healthcare legislation, aiming toward a possible vote this week, a new hurdle has emerged: abortion.

Some conservative Democrats are threatening to pull their support from the massive healthcare bill unless their concerns over potential federal funding of abortion procedures are met. They fear that the Obama administration will take advantage of an expanded government role in healthcare to increase the availability of abortions nationwide.

via Healthcare debate’s next hurdle: abortion – Los Angeles Times.

I just finished listening to the most hypocritical piece of garbage I have ever heard…or maybe I should say in a long time.  It has to do with some white woman announcer talking about First Lady Obama who recently paid a visit to a local D.C. school and began sharing with the young students about her earlier years growing up.  Being bright and well spoken the kids in her school and neighbor used to tell her that she ‘talked like a white person.’

This white woman announcer pounced all over that and began saying, “We have trash in the White House.”

Clearly, she is in need of loosing her job…besides having been way off the mark.

For some reason white people just can’t seem to get it right.  They think everything is about them.  They have no understanding of the black experience…yet want to say that they do.

Because we are the only group of people who came here in chains…there is no other group of fellow country men who can quite grasp this with any kind of clear understanding because they never went through it.  Sure, many groups were ostracized, joked about, called names, belittled and many hated…some more so than others…as they came here to this country in search of a better way of  life for them and their family…same as those who came before them.  But their experiences were still not the same as ours.

Having worked on a job…my last job with a bunch of black folks.  The first time in my life I had ever worked with all black people.  I must say it was the worst job I ever had.  They put me through the ringer…and it was all because…as I came to find out over time…because I had a highest level education than anyone else in the building including out of all the workers, other managers and upper management.

I did not talk like them…I did not swear…nor did I stand around telling nasty jokes…and I did my job far above average.   They hated me because I was not like them.   They hated my work ethics…everything about me.   To them…I have no doubt…they felt that I thought I was white.   Because this is something which many black folks have been called when they were smart, or well spoken…good workers… etc…etc…  Which for those of you who may be white…it means they thought that I thought…I was better than them.

So, that white woman radio announcer had not a clue of what she was talking about when she started to bite into Michelle Obama.  Because had she had a clue she would have known that Michelle Obama was telling the students in that class that it was okay to be smart and not to be ashamed of making good grades…and not to worry about what the other kids might call them.   This was indeed what Michelle Obama was telling those students…and vast numbers of African Americans, if not all, hearing that speech knew right off what the First Lady was saying without thinking twice about it.   She was not talking about some ‘white/black thing’…but a ‘black on black thing.’

But white people do not have a clue.  They feel they know us.  Have a handle on how we feel about things…how we operate…behave…and react.  But really…they do not have a clue.

Take for instance shock jock-Imus in the Morning.  He thought he was being funny…that what he was saying was cool and that he could get away with continually degrading and belittling black folks.  And he felt this because of  Pop culture…rapp music…rapp videos…and how the brotha’s talk in the streets.

But he failed to understand that there are other groups of black folks who felt that even the brotha’s and sista’s on the streets, in the videos etc…speak things we too find offensive and unacceptable.  Because the kids…the rappers etc…do not have clue…didn’t mean that Imus could also operate within that same clueless realm and feel it was okay…because as he said, “They say it.”

Like Imus…the kids are clueless.  The kids know nothing about the history behind much of what they say…nor take it, unfortunately, as being serious.   But those of us who know the history…know also the pain…and saw the cost…we know.  And not only take it seriously…but personal.

But…so isn’t that female announcer who would dared to want to call the First Lady of this country ‘trash.’ She is definitely quite clueless…and maybe so to a even higher level.

Would anyone dared to have called Barbara Bush that…and then felt that they could have gotten away with it?

How about Jacqueline Onassis-Kennedy?

Never.

And if you tried…everybody would be up in arms coming at you.

But you can get away with things when you are talking about black people or other minority groups that would never be acceptable or allowable when talking about  someone white who sits in such a high position as the Obamas…or anywhere.

After all the stuff that Bill Clinton did while he was in the White House with Monica…never once did anyone call him outside of  his name.  They may have went after Bill but they never called him anything but Bill Clinton…or Mr. President.

Two semesters ago in a communications class we had to read about the uproar about the making of a TV movie about Ronald Reagan.  The first part of the controversy was about the belittling of an American President…making him to appear erratic…and lost.

The second part of the argument had to do with party lines…the Republicans were staunchly against the TV mini-series about their beloved President Ronald Reagan claiming that the mostly liberal Democrats of the Production’s Executive Directors and writers were trying to tarnish the memory of an American hero, as well as, President…which should not be allowed.

I doubt that any of those people will stand up for First Lady Obama.  But clearly large groups of people should including the owners and affiliates of that radio station that she works for and the syndicated stations she airs on.

Not only did not the woman have a clue as to what she was talking about by trying to under-cut what the First Lady had said to the students…but she was also highly out of order and offensive…and racist.   There was an air about her tone which spoke…”I can say whatever I want about those n…..s and nobody will stop me.  Because they are just n…..s anyways.”

So, it is not Michelle Obama who has a problem.  No, but anyone who thinks and talks like this woman announcer.  CLICK the LINK BLOW…if you want to read more about what this woman had  to say…and you will also hear what it was that Michelle Obama said to the students.   This woman clearly did not have the slightest clue to the real meaning of…outside of possibly pushing up some negative ratings for her radio program.

http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2009/03/24/tammy-bruce-calls-the-first-family-trash-in-the-white-house/?icid=main|hp-laptop|dl5|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackvoices.com%2Fblogs%2F2009%2F03%2F24%2Ftammy-bruce-calls-the-first-family-trash-in-the-white-house%2F

I wish I were the Program Director or manager at that radio station…she would have been pulled immediately…and sent packing.

And oh, yes…I purposely did not call her by name.  Some people just are not worthy of the bother…I have given her more than enough play…(many of you might not understand that either…but I will let you try and figure it out). She is in dire need of a proper education.

This is America…and we do have freedom of speech.  But she went way overboard.  And for that there should be a penalty…as was in the case of  Imus.  And no appology will do.  We are in the 21st Century…when do people start to grow up?

I get so tired of people saying whatever they want to say whenever it comes to black people…and then have the nerve to feel that there should and will not be any reprecautions for doing so.

Still working on the web site.  I have to admit that it is really shaping up far better than anything I have done in the past.  God is so good…He has endowed me.

And oh, yes…the weather has turned again.  It is freeeeeeezzzzing.

God bless…

Thank you for reading this blog…and  my others.  Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on “

www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009

When it comes to watching a television show that illustrates a struggle between a good guy and bad guy who do you cheer? Basically I mean, if Lex Luther attacks Superman, do you find yourself cheering for Lex Luther sometimes? For many people, the answer is “No, I never cheer for the bad guy.” However, if you begin to question people in massive amounts, you find out that there are groups of people that cheer on evil.

Each person views life through their lens. The picture that is stored in their memory provides them with only one point of view. Even if the angle is changed, a person is only able to see life for one person.

This is why everyone is different and friendship advice varies based on the person dictating their wisdom.

Did you know that some television shows attempt to introduce concepts to change viewer’s perspective on certain subjects? By this I mean, some scripts incorporate effects of racism or classism, the importance of fathers not abandoning their children, or being a respectable husband or wife. The most popular subject that occurs on most shows is safe sex.

That’s great that some writer out there wants to change the world, but it may not truly work. My great-grandmother once said, “Not everyone thinks like you.” In other words, if a KKK member watches a television show that encourages the abolition of slavery, they will be less likely to care.

Those encouraging moments on television are not shifting the views of the racist, sexist, or evildoers.

I recently read Meghan McCain’s blog. For those of you who care less about Republicans, she is the daughter of John McCain. At first, I thought her blog contained a lot of jumble that no one cares about. However, my eyes opened when I realized that her crap was actually appealing to other young Republicans.

Meghan Obama’s Blog – Stop Lecturing Us Mr. President

The blog title by Meghan that managed to capture my attention was about her love life and how it was affected by the election. Reading the blog was like nails on a chalkboard for me, but I managed to get the gist of her perspective from the article.

Basically, the poor little girl just cannot find a man now that her father has run for presidency. The men she would like to date are either Obama fans, instant turn off, or hardcore McCain fans, another turnoff.

Her other articles were a bit more captivating and less dramatic. For example, one of her blogs discussed Obama’s political stance. Specifically, she spoke about her take on his dire need to change the principles that America was founded on.

Many times, Democrats have viewed the Republicans as the evildoers of political society. Rarely do Democrats admit that the opposing party may have morals.

Meghan McCain objects to the change that Obama so insistently promotes. She wants America to remain the same. This includes the troops at war, the foreign policies, and the businesses that try and fail.

She represents the segment of the community that feels the current state of the economy is a natural part of the fluctuation which occurs from time to time. Her lens captures life from a wealthy person’s perspective and she wants to represent her community properly.

Meghan is also a part of the new generation of Republicans that are young and technologically capable. Her blog allows her to spread her views as Obama did through Facebook and other means that are not apart of the “normalcy.”

Her views are obviously skewed, but so are everyone’s. Remember, you may change the angle of your camera, but the lens remains the same.

By the way, viva Obama!

I Giovani Democratici della Provincia di Ferrara eleggeranno il primo segretario della loro organizzazione sabato 28 febbraio 2009 alle ore 16.30, presso la sede dell’Unione Provinciale del Pd di Viale Krasnodar 25.
I GD invitano tutti coloro che sono interessati al progetto ad intervenire all’Assemblea Costituente Provinciale

In allegato nel BOX documenti è possibile trovare il regolamento ed il modulo per presentare la propria candidatura, che va presentata assolutamente entro il 27 Febbraio.

At last they have reached an agreement on the stimulus bill which will hopefully create  jobs and get this economy back up and running.  Though I must admit to not being one of those who was hit by the problems going on with the economy…I must always say that I am concerned about others.

Many people did suffer and are suffering because the economy took a deep plunge under George W. Bush.  I doubt whether gasoline prices will ever get back down to $.99…but it would be nice. 

Wouldn’t it?

We take so much for granted until it is gone.  We never knew just how good we had it until gas prices at the pump started getting over $3.00…and when they neared $4.00…and did hit $4.00 and over in some places…we suddenly realized the party was over.

Food prices went up…everything…you name it and it all went up…due to some lousy war in Iraq that nobody wanted in the first place but George Bush and his people.  If the after-effect could have been seen before hand I doubt that little ol’ George would have stood a chance at getting that war started.   Well…maybe I should take that back.

The fact is…is that there were some pretty greedy people pushing for that war.  You saw them at the Republican National Convention…they were holding up signs that read ‘prosperity.’  

You do remember seeing those signs all actively displayed around the
Republican National Convention floor this past August?   Many of those very people realized what the outcome was going to be…long before hand.  In fact, they were hoping for it.and began buying like crazy whatever they could on the stock market.   They care about nothing… but…   prosperity …at any cost. 

They went into the stock market and started buying up everything that had to do with heating, utility companies, insulating, home improving, coal mining, oil drilling,  trucking, food…etc.  Oh, they saw it coming…and they knew it would come big.  So, what did they do…they pushed for the war.

They were going to go into Iraq and squander it…rob it…pillage it…destroy those museums and take every artifact, painting, golden vessel and piece of pottery they could find…and smuggle it out of that country.

Then they were going to set themselves up as the saviors and peacekeepers of the place…while all the while looting it and the American taxpayers too with bogus invoices…and double billing ploys…while thousands of American people innocent sons and daughters lost their lives fighting in a senseless war brought about by greed.  

It did not make sense for the United States of America to arbitrarily begin a preempted strike on Iraq…when all the world was against it and most of the American people.   Iraq had not done anything to us.  Nor were we under threat by them.

What?

For a man and his 2 sons.  Two ton bombs were unleashed upon those people, their homes, their businesses, their infrastructure, their schools etc…night after night upon building after building. 

That could not have been about Saddam Hussein and his 2 boys.  It was greater than them…it had to be.  The expense and tally was too great to just desire to depose a tyrant and his sons.  

Could it have all been for profit?

As Barack Obama came into office as President of the United States…72 hours later Blackwater pulled out of Iraq…and the others are following.  And a country is being left in devastation.

I have heard somewhere about how ‘leaving something in a better state than when you found it.’

The state of the Iraqi people has changed…but many would argue whether or not it is a better state than when George Bush and his boys went into it.

So, yes…I am happy that the Senate has finally stopped hemming and hawing.  Everybody is trying to make some points…it is so…so…like politicians.  The Republicans held it up…so the Democrats couldn’t get the credit…when they knew all the time that they were going to have to pass the stimulus package or else face the music again come another election period.

You would think those dog gone Republicans would learn.

They can stop the band…but they can’t stop the music.

Hooray, for the passage of Obama’s stimulus package.  Now, maybe some of these companies will not have to continue to lay people off or fire them.  Jobs are very much needed…they help to pay the bills.   And they are good when you want to go somewhere…you’ll have money to do it with.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/congress_stimulus

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/us/politics/12stimulus.html_r=1&hp

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=11990303&ch=4226716&src=news

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/38970000/jpg/_38970537_203b_uday96_vt.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3089379.stm&usg=__zsRi

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3089379.stm

Well, First Lady Michelle Obama will grace the cover of Vogue magazine next month (March)…making her only the 2nd First Lady to do so.

I have been trying to find a picture somewhere on the internet…but alas…to no avail.

I has to be out on newsstands by now…not to mention out in the mailboxes of thousands who subscribe.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/10/AR2009021001579.html?hpid=topnews   

February is just one of those months…I suppose that much of it has to do with the passing of my mother during the first of this month some years ago…as to why I tend to be quiet and rarely have much to say.   I had been wondering why I had so much to do…and seemed to not want to do any of it.  I had forgotten that it was February.

Even with these blogs by this time during a regular month I would have done at least 4 to 5 of them already…but this is only my second since the month has begun.  Oh, I am not as bad as I used to be…there was a time not so long ago either that every month and every day was just like the day she had passed.   Even my being able to form and shape the word ‘passed’…in my mouth or mind in connection to my mother is something new for me.  I could never put the 2 words together…’she passed’ for years upon years.

I never wanted to accept that she was…was…was gone.

I am who I am because I was given the very best of everything by God.  I had the best mother…and the best father. 

My parents never discussed with me the fact that I was gay.  There was never a mention of it…though they knew.  I had bought most of my girlfriends by the house…so, they had met some of them.  But they never discussed anything about gayness or gay people with me.  They never called anyone names…or talked negatively about anything.

When I called home from Chicago…to tell my mother that I was pregnant.   Yes…gay me…pregnant.  It is a rather long story…but in short it happened because I became depressed over loosing a lover.  I began thinking that maybe the life (gay life) was not for me.  So, I decided I would try the other side.  And the one time I did…BAM.   I was pregnant. 

Being gay I was very naive about straight life.  I would have never have thought about protection or anything like that…because…   Well, because I had never had a boyfriend…and had never dated in my life until I got into gay life…which was sometime during the age of 25.  And I had my son when I was 28.

I must say that I am a strong advocate for ‘pro-choice.’  Without choice I may have chosen differently.  I did think about abortion…even called the abortion hotline.  But when that lady started talking about ‘full anesthesia’ or ‘partial anesthesia.’   And I thought if it was going to hurt either way…then I might as well have the baby. 

So, much for my analytical process at that time.  But I thank God…I made the right choice.  I could not image life without my son…who is the best thing that ever happened to me.  And he is definitely a far better person than his mother…honestly. 

So, I called home and I tell my mother.  I don’t even know what I said…or how I phrased it or whether I just came right out and said it.  Nor can I remember what my mother said to me upon hearing that.  I am sure that perhaps she may have believed that I might not ever have any children…as I was gay.

Nor can I remember how long it took me to pick up the phone to call my parents to tell them that I was pregnant.  I had to have been months…because I knew that they would be disappointed. 

But I remember what my father said upon my arrival home during my 7th month of pregnancy…after my mother had sent one of my sisters to Chicago to bring me home.

My father said-

“Now, you will never be alone.”

That was the extent of it. 

“Now, you will never be alone.”

He was right.  I am not alone.  I am now the matriarch of our family…which continues to grow even in their absence.  And they would proud.

But during the entire period of my mother’s lifetime…I had never shown much interest as an older child or an adult child in church or church matters.  I rarely went…and was so happy when I finally moved out of my parent’s house…just so I wouldn’t have to continue going to church.

Today, the church is my whole focus.  I can’t imagine what my mother would say.  But I know she would smile and be happy.  Because it is true…it is what you put into your children that matters.  Yes, they may wander but somehow…what was pour into them when they were young will surface in their lives at some point.

It’s February…Black History Month…and as tears stream out of  my eyes as I write this thinking about my mother.  I am so thankful for those who walked before us…they poured something in…and today it has surfaced.  Many years of insults and degradation.  But today…the number one person in the world is a black man.   I am so happy…that my nieces, my nephews…my

 son…and us…we are all here to bare witness to this time in American History.  

Pictured above is…the grave stone of Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. George Washington Carver.   You can CLICK on the LINK right below to find out as to who they are, their accomplishments and those of other black people in American History.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cdcmaafa.org/images/pictures/famousinventors.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cdcmaafa.org/inventors.html&usg=__IuPSOBVxF7tkcjLbtwfssKU0l5U=&h=211&w=207&sz=14&hl=en&start=31&um=1&tbnid=W3F9JcICaeeMsM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpictures%2Bof%2Bfamous%2Bblack%2Bscientist%26start%3D20%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

It is February…

http://books.google.com/books?id=L2RMRwJ1IUsC&dq=pictures+of+black+people+in+african+american+history&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=imKTSY6QNJKasAOs_KC1Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=12&ct=result#PPA2007,M1

The weather has broken for a spell…and we are getting a break from the cold…the ice and the snow.  The sun has been shining for the past 2 days so lots of snow has been melting.  But today…was absolutely beautiful.  It felt like spring.  And the house has not been quite as cold.  I look forward to spring…I actually love all the seasons.   Winter…spring…summer…and fall…

Well, God bless…

Thank you for reading this blog…and  my others.  Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009  

CLICK LINK BELOVE to trailer to Michael Moore’s lastest film on the bank bailout.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-trailers/?g=f359d88a-4848-43c3-be13-bf505c57cc30>1=28101

        Sent packing Thursday following her lost to the number 46th seed woman in the tennis world, Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain, Venus Williams, rated number 6 in the world, was thought to be the woman most likely to emerge as winner on the Women’s  Singles side in the Australian Open…but following her 2-6, 6-3, 7- 5 whipping at the hands of the Spaniard in the second rounds of the tournament that brought an abrupt end to that hope and casted it totally into the wind…Venus…  Well, she took it hard and… 

It was all they wrote for Venus who has yet to win a single championship in the great ‘down under.’    But all may not yet be lost…as there is still the   Women’s Doubles…where Venus and Serena are a very strong team and are presently doing  quite well.

http://www.arcamax.com/sports/s-483219-454868?source=1930

http://www.nndb.com/people/229/000023160/

It is amazing how time truly flies…Venus is now 28 years old.  It seems like only yesterday that 2 little black girls stepped out on the world tennis stage leaving  tons of bodies in their wake…with white beads all in their hair beating them across their young gleeful faces while they overpowered the field female opponents, both young and old, with phantom speed and might.

Serena on the other hand moved right along until…   Well, she wasn’t sent packing…but her pride was a bit…   Well, she had to sweat through  her second round…6-3, 7-5 victory over Gisela Dulko of Argentina.

One year younger than my son, Serena having been born on the 26th of September 1981…who at the tender age  of 14 turned a professional tennis player.  My…amazing.  And she has already won the Australian Open 3 times…2003, 2005, 2007…seems she likes odd years.  She just may pull it off again.  Cha-ching!

And along with Venus…she too has her own line of clothes…that story is in one of the LINKS BELOW.

http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/668860.html

http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/nothing-patchy-about-serenas-win-20090120-7led.html

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=57&ContentID=120068

http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/cmatch/12wd.html

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gu-A1eCt0kuDKuY_MFbs6A_EhLLA

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus08/news/story?id=3195266&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24954548-16143,00.html

First it was those black folk who questioned Obama’s blacknesss.  Then those

 who didn’t want Obama talking on this or that.  Then there came the Tavis  Smiley Klann who want to hold Obama ‘accountable.‘

Accountable to what?

For what?

To who?

And why?

We didn’t create him.  We didn’t feed him.  We didn’t send him to college…didn’t sit with him and tell him-

“Boy, you better study.”

We never told him -

“I’ll be there for you, Barack.”

Now, you want to hold Obama ‘accountable’ to black folks because of what?

Because he is black?

I didn’t hear anybody say they wanted to make George Bush accountable for nothing.  And if ever there was a person that that should have been done to it was him.

Now, here comethe black brethren of the Cloth…upset because in his first speech to the nation during his inaugural…Obama said these words-

“…Christian, Muslim and non-believers.”

They are upset because ‘non-believers’ was included in that speech.  Rather than to have enjoyed one of the highest moments ever in Black  History and American History period…they sat around like a bunch of old hens knit picking.

How very sad for them.

That whole very beautiful event that took place this past Tuesday when a black man was sworn in as the 44th President of this country just totally flew over the top of their heads because of ‘non-believers’ being spoken.

When the #1 man in the world became a black man…they sat around poking out their lips and mumbling about 2 words…‘non-believer.’ 

The #1 man in the free world is a black man…Commander and Chief of our country and armed forces.  I am just curious as to what in world part of that  they fail to understand? 

Perhaps, they are too filled up with their own self-importance…or supposed importance to get to the real significance of this whole thing. 

He is the President.   Barack Obama…he is the President of the United States of America…he doesn’t take orders or anything else from anyone…and particularly a bunch of dis-satisfied and highly disenchanted old men sitting around looking for things to complain about…because somebody has reached a higher level than them. 

He is the President of the United States.  Barack Obama is President of the United States…and in case they don’t know…that is higher than any CEO…any CEEO…any board of Presiding Bishops…higher than anything outside of God.   And even God recognized the law of the land…and told us to ‘give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s.’   That includes respect.

 He is the President.  Not chump…whipping boy…or somebody those men should be sitting around trying to analyze every word in order to find fault.

I have never been able to understand people who try to bury their heads in the sand and want to pretend like something is not there…or does not exist.

Just who caused prayer to be taken out of our schools?

Who have had the court houses around this country remove from their walls, edifices and corridors  the 10 Commandments?

Who has been seeking to have removed from the face of American          currency “In God we trust?”

Yes, them.  Those people…those very people whom Barack Obama dared to make mention of in his inaugural speech.  They are real.  They do exist…and in growing numbers.  Those…those non-believers…atheist

Get your head out of the sand, gentlemen.  The world did not stop turning because President Obama included them in his speech.  They are here…and I suggest that you go after them not Obama if you really want to make a statement…and stop letting those people corrupt and change everything to suit themselves. 

You gentlemen are on the wrong side of the battle ground…but then I do understand.  There is only one Barack Obama…and tons of them.  Yes…I clearly understand.

On a higher note… Obama’s approval rating for his first couple of days in office is out…and he gets high marks.  Best since Kennedy.  You can read more on that…CLINK on the LINK BELOW.

http://news.aol.com/?feature=316834

http://news.aol.com/article/obamas-nonbeliever-nod-unsettlessome/316339

http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=13694

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text

 http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-090120-obama-inauguration-photogallery,0,7660072.photogallery

Well, God bless…

Thank you for reading this blog…and  my others.  Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2009  

20 gennaio 2009 INTERNAZIONALE – Copertina

La speranza, non la paura

E’ un giorno storico. Il mondo si è come fermato per seguire l’insediamento di Barack Obama, che dopo aver prestato giuramento sulla scalinata di Capitol Hill, a Washington, ha tenuto il suo primo discorso da Presidente degli Stati Uniti.
Il 20 gennaio 2009 è una data simbolica, una data storica. Perché come ha ricordato lo stesso Obama “60 anni fa un uomo di colore non sarebbe stato neanche servito in un bar”. Un discorso breve ma che ha toccato temi come la politica, estera, il valore della responsabilità, la libertà della scienza. Pubblichiamo la traduzione dell’intervento integrale .

di Alex.

Si sperava di avere una partenza miglire nel 2009 ma la questione morale sembra trascinare con se la bufera del Natale…Si tratta di fare una scelta di campo: è stato un Natale buono o cattivo? Perché da questa risposta dipenderà la Pasqua, secondo il proverbio ferrrarese….
Da Repubblica si legge: Veltroni vede l’incubo scissione”Qui salta tutto, non solo io”.
Azzz… Ma proprio ora che noi giovani e speranzosi stiamo partendo? Hanno commissariato molti circoli….oi forse è un bene…vuol dire che questo è un partito che non ha paura di misurarsi con i sui problemi. Ma qui non si può andare a fondo prima di partire…è questo il vero scandalo: che la gente non abbia più fiducia, o meglio che i tesserati stessi mettano in crisi lo stesso partito. Non è tempo di polemiche e scissioni, al massimo dovrebbe essere il tempo dei ripulisti. Spazzare la “cricca” ha senso e deve essere fatto per la salute del partito…Ammazzarci ora sarebbe come ammazzare un malato all’ospedale senza sapere se è possibile curarlo…
Io credo che l’investimento sui giovani debba essere il punto di svolta. Non c’è alternativa se vogliamo un partito sano. Troppe elite si stanno scannando nella stessa casa. Lo sapevamo anche prima che era difficile stare assieme, certo, ma caspita serve impegno!
Allora la domanda mia é: abbiamo passato un buon natale e Pasqua sarà peggio oppure il Natale pessimo fa sperare in una Pasqua migliore costellata di lavoro e di impegno nel risanare il partito??

 If they are not getting busted for fooling around on their wives…then its in a sting operation investigating fraud, shake-downs and/or corruption…and whatever else.

It seems that some politicians simply cannot learn.  They repeat the same old things over and over again.  From being caught with under aged male pages on Capitol Hill to sticking their feet into another man’s bathroom stall. 

What is the problem?

Democratics and Republicans alike…where are the morals?

Is there anyone who is not quilty?

I used to think that John Edwards was a decent stand-up guy…a good husband and family man. 

Well, that is what it seemed.  He also seemed ginuwine…and a person you could really believe. 

Boy, was I way off base there.

The guy was an out and out liar…deceiver and cheat to his wife who was ill and battling for her life against cancer.  And on top of it all…in video footage he calls himself “Ken”….of the Ken & Barbie doll thang.  And grinning no less…as he said it.  Grinning into a mirror while combing his hair.

Now, enter the Govenor of Illinois….Rod Blagojevich.

Was the guy stupid or something?

He gets busted trying to sell off Obama’s seat in the Senate. 

Did he really need money that bad?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081209/ap_on_re_us/blagojevich_corruption_probe

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=4226934&ch=4226736&src=news

The feds actually have audio tape of phone coversation of the Governor seeking financial gain for himself and his wife behind the sell of Obama’s Illinois Senate seat.  Now, that is just plain dumb.

The Bible says they have eyes to see but they see not.  They have ears to hear but they hear not.  If someone had told him that it was a bad idea…he probably would not have listened to the person.  Because he had ears but could not hear.  And though he had eyes…and has seen other politicians go down for various reasons…yet, he could not see how trying to sell off Obama’s Senate seat to the highest bidder was both wrong and illegal…and that he might get caught.

Though Governor Blagojevich had a supposed list of 5 probable candidates inclusive of Jessie Jackson’s son, Jessie Jackson, III.  But  he was apparently fishing for some other fishs to add to his list…who had some deep pockets.

http://www.npr.org/multimedia/2008/11/obama/index.html

http://www.npr.org/news/specials/election2008/2008-election-map.html#/president?view=race08

The question we should all ponder is-

“What causes people to want to just throw it all away?”

“Why do they want to just throw everything away?”

Bill Clinton did it not only with Monica Lewinski…but with all those other women he had been involved with before he even got to the White House as President of the United States.   He just continually kept risking it all.

Kwame Kilpatrick did it, the Mayor of Detroit...text messaging his aid whom he was having an intra-office affair with and was sending hot steamy text messages.

High level Democrats and Republicans  and small local politicians of both parties have been quilty of doing the same…be it was sex or other forms of illegal acts.

Some actors…some business people…some just plain ordinary people…have all ventured to just chuck everything away for something that you and I would classify as…nothing.  And it was for nothing considering who they were and what they had.

Countless governors have fallen from one sex problem after another over the past 2 years.

It seems that both sex and money are still seem still high on the charts as the number 1 and 2 down falls of people.   Sex and money continuously have been the number one and two corruptors of all times…even since the beginning of time.  Though I think that back in the earlier times ‘power‘ was also counted among money and sex.  But today it those with ‘power’ who keep falling into the pits…or some may say….the web of money and/or sex.

I understand the draw of sex…but I don’t know if I would let it sink my ship.  I can admit to this.  At one point in my life that sex was all I mostly thought about and desired. 

I am so happy now that I am  no longer in that trap.

I am now neither definded by sex…nor does it any longer rule me.

But then there is money…over a few dollars some people would give their lives…their profession…and their reputation.

Can money or sex have that much value…pull…or lure?

Can you be lured in by money or sex?

I have seen people get so far down with sickness where nothing…and I do mean nothing…nothing mattered.  Not the car…not the house…not the kids….not whatever situation they had been going through a month ago…nothing.

It is when you see these kinds of things…you come to realize what is really important in life. 

The Bible says a good name is worth more than rubies.  I believe this…I don’t have much money.  I have never worked with money as my focus…and I have said ‘no’ to money many times.  I also have given away alot of money.

I have been down to my last dime…walked out of a McDonald’s and seen someone who was hungry…and gave them both my bag of hot McDonald’s food and my drink.  All of which I had not touched.  But I figured they needed it more than I did. 

While I could go home and make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich…I realized that they could not….because they had no home.

No, I don’t value money. 

In a fire would you rush to get out…or would you rush to get you money stashed in the next room first?

I think in a fire…most people think about their lives first.  Everybody would vacate the house or building leaving most of their valuables inside.  Because as long as you live you can always make more money or obtain more valuables…get some more pictures etc.  It is true…whether you say so or not…at the end of the day you value your life over money or things.

That is why…when I have seen people get to the point where they are near death…I have also seen people to whom nothing else mattered outside of their current state.  This is how I have come to know the essence of life.  And it is not money…or things.

And a good name is worth more than rubies.  And the stupidity of what that Illinois Governor has done will haunt him for a long time.  As does anythig which we have done or will do foolishly.

Well, we finally have seen our first real snow.  Wasn’t much…but I did have to shovel.   But then it is winter.

Still haven’t gotten a new furance…and thank goodness it has not been overly cold.  But the furance is coming.  God worked it out…  I am so glad that I know Him.   And believe me when I say…He has never let me down.

…pass it on…’ www.bsmith101.wordpress.com

God bless…and thanks for reading ©2008

There is no doubt that the Republican Party has a real problem.  That problem really became evident during the fight that ensued following the Presidential Elections 2000.  Their problem is…they don’t know how to play fair.

The Republican Party is full of a bunch of cheats who don’t mind using a series of underhanded tricks to get their candidates in office.  And their games are just beginning.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27508967?GT1=43001

There is no doubt that tomorrow will be mared with lots of little maneuvers devised to keep certain voters from showing up at polling locations around America, and/or to give them a hard and fustrating time tomorrow at the polls. 

During the 2004 Elections between George Bush and John Kerry, in Ohio it was broken balloting booths which kept vast numbers of black voters standing in the rain for hours trying to wait on their turn to cast their vote.  Only to find that when they finally got inside the women were asked to leave their pocketbooks outside. 

What kind of nonsense was that? 

Yesterday while watching the political spin pundits on the various Sunday programs…it was stated that letters had gone out in various states informing people that the election was not going to be held on Tuesday, tomorrow…but on Wednesday instead.

Now, in Philly the black community is being hit with flyers telling them they will be arrested at the polling locations for having an unpaid parking ticket.

When I have gone to vote a couple of times…I have been told that I couldn’t because my name was not on the list.  Only to find out later that my name had been removed for a censuses form that was not returned.

These are the games they play.  And they are devised to created as many hangups, confusion and as much fustration to certain voters as they can…in order to have them turn around and leave without casting their vote.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who would be trying to keep the number of voters low on tomorrow.  I’ll give you one guess. 

Okay, then let me say it like this. 

Who would reap the most from such underhanded political pranks?

One thing is for such it is not the Obama campaign.

Yes, it is those underhanded, lying, cheating and cakniving thieves…known as the Republican Party.

Do yourself a favor and just drop by your voter registration office today and ensure that all your information is up to date.  It just may save you the headache of having to deal with some unexpected problems tomorrow.

It’s not fair…but sometimes you just got to learn how to out smart the crooks.

I’ll be looking for you tomorrow at the polling places from state to state.

…pass it on…’ www.bsmith101.wordpress.com

Ever since George Bush and the rest of the Republican Party forced their way into the White House by having virtually rigged the 2000 Presidential Election everyone in this country should have realized that we were going to be in for a rude awakening…and a long bumpy ride.

The most you can say about Bill Clinton was that he did his best to keep them out for as long as he could…but those rebellious little Republicans were on a roll and they were not going to let a little thing like Bill Clinton blocking the front door to the White House in order to wait on a final count of the Florida ballots and a Superior Court decision on the matter keep them out of the White House.  Oh, no….

For a man who stole his way into the White House in 2000 and then sat in the Oval Office doing everything a single person could possibly do to sabotage this country there is little wonder today why the Republican Party has ended up in the state it has finally fell to.  And has well deserved to.

Somewhere while growing up…or maybe while sitting in church, I heard it said several times, “That a thief cannot prosper.”

With Presidential Performance ratings the closest in history of any President of the United States, it would be safe to say that neither George W. Bush nor this country has prospered in the past 8 years.  In fact, since Bush went into the White House a millionaire, having to be able the reaped the benefit of coming from a wealthy oil family…and then not to mention his $400,000 annual salary per year as President of the United States, a rate that went up, doubled in fact, upon his entering into the White House over Bill Clinton’s measly $200,000.  The salary $200,000 was that of every U.S. President since 1969.

It is safe to say that Bush probably won’t be starving upon his departure from the White House this year, as he also receives a pension of over $100,000 per year.  But we cannot say the same about millions and millions of Americans whom his policies have financially devastated, personally injured and yes…many have died…all because of him. 

Under the Bush Administration foreclosure swept this country like wildfire, banks crashed, financial institutions had to be bailed out and government spending went through the roof putting this country into receivership. Instead of being the country that lent money to other countries, we became the country that started begging for money from other countries. 

We are now billions upon billions of dollars indebt to countries which used to seek out aid from us.  And some of those countries are Communists countries…like China for one.  Not to mention the overall financial disasters…diving stock markets, raging gas prices, high food and other consumer costs…that one would not have to argue were the direct ’cause and effect’ of 8 years of the Bush Administration’s poor ability to run this country properly.

There is little wonder that Bush was so invisible at the Republican Nomination Convention this past August.  And he has been the invisible man throughout the entire McCain campaign.

There had been a time in history when  had been considered the worst President in American History.  Now, Truman a man whom many thought was probably his own worst enemy…well, he can now rest in peace.  He has been topped by George W. Bush…who never got around to dropping an atomic bomb…perhaps it wasn’t for a lack of trying. 

Neither Harry Truman or Bush were good on economy, both were hawkish in their attitudes and an inability to manage the economy well.  But also there seemed to be a careless nature about them.  This is a character flaw that a President of any country simply cannot have.  It is just too costly.  And costly it was back in Truman’s time and has been now on us all.

It has in fact been so costly that even the Republican Party has spent much of this election season trying to distant itself from the shadow of a George W. Bush.  He has been the invisible man…the Invisible President.

With a disapproval rating of more than 70% would you have him out campaigning for you?

Or would want to be caught shaking his hand if you were trying to maintain your seat in Congress, the Senate or the House of Representatives?

I don’t think so.

But let this be a lesson for those of you who believe you can get it by cheating or stealing your way there…wherever your “there” is.

“A thief never prospers.”

The unfortunate part…is neither did we who allowed George Bush to rob his way into the White House in the first place…and then to be voted in the second place.  As sad as it may be…we are all paying for it now.

http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob.htm

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/27/opinion/polls/main1350874.shtml

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/01/bush.poll/

http://www.gallup.com/poll/106741/Bushs-69-Job-Disapproval-Rating-Highest-Gallup-History.aspx

http://www.gallup.com/poll/110806/Bushs-Approval-Rating-Drops-New-Low-27.aspx

Lets get out and vote CHANGE on Tuesday.  And let put a legitimate candidate into the White House…not someone who is heir apparent.  But the best possible choice for this country and all that she means to each and every one of us.  And all that she means for us and for our children, nieces, nephews etc…and for years to come.

There have been one too many black spots on this nation’s history.  Now, is the time to put this country on a new course and to seek to undo some of the harm that the Bush Administration has caused in this country and throughout all the world.

I’ll be looking for you at the polling places from state to state.

…pass it on…’ www.bsmith101.wordpress.com

Maybe you’ve been like me do not have enough time to watch television.  Due to my classes and other things I rarely watch TV. 

So, I therefore never knew when Obama’s program was going to be broadcasted. So, today I decided to Google for the date only to find out that it had all ready aired.   Well, if you were like me and missed it…here it is.  Just CLICK on the LINK below.

I don’t know if I think infomercials work. But if it gives you a chance for people to better understand who you are…and what you are concerned with as it lines up with the concerns of others…then perhaps it does work. It’s Saturday…and Tuesday is quickly rolling around. We cannot afford to make a mistake.

I was invited to lunch today. A Chinese student wanted to treat me because we do this exchange thing. She aids me with my Chinese and I aid her with learning English. 

Since I took the time this past week to aid her with her oral presentation she wanted to show me her appreciation by treating me to lunch. S o, we met this afternoon. We got on the subject of the Elections…and I asked her who was she going to vote for. She informed me that she could not vote because she is not a citizen.  She was also not familiar with who either Obama or McCain were.

But she said, “I know Bush. He like to fight. That not good.”

And I agreed.

A lot of what is wrong with America came about as soon as Bush first entered the White House…and in particular as soon as he decided to start dropping bombs on Iraq. That one act caused the gas prices to soar like we have never seen in this country.

That one act also caused everything else to also soar right along with it…food, utilities, clothing costs, traveling costs etc. We can’t afford to have anyone else sitting in the White House who does not consider what his or her actions will do to the average family or person in America.

That war is killing us all…one way or another. We have and are all suffering because of one foolish move which most people in this country and others aboard were all against from the very start…including Barrack Obama who voted against it. VOTE Tuesday…and let’s make a real change in the direction of this country. Everyday people count too…and we have voices too. And it is in the power of our votes. 

 I loved the video of Barrack dancing…though one of the girls in my class said she found it offensive.  Whereas she saw it as Obama being a joke…I saw it as Obama proving that he too has a sense of humor. And that he also is not afraid to show his human side.  If you want to see Obama dancing just stroll down to the bottom of this blog.

The thing about John Edwards that really bothered me…was that I believed he was for real.  To see him in that video talking about people seeing him as ‘Ken’ of the Ken & Barbie Dolls…none of us even had a clue as who he really was.  We all thought he was some sweet doting father and loving husband.  Edwards was a clear disappointment and gladly he has now dropped way off the radar screen. 

That is not to say that we don’t all make mistakes.  But his was more than a little mistake…it was out and out deception.  And he did it knowingly and without any remorse or fear of being caught. 

Indeed, Edwards was a master at his craft.  He was a real politician…who mostly all come out of the legal profession…lawyers, just like Edwards. 

And someone will say, “So, doesn’t Obama.”  

Yes, Obama does.  But thank goodness some people are not crooks, deceptive or liars…nor a bunch of thieves.  I am oh so thankful that there still is some degree of morality among us…a remnant.  But it beats none at all. I don’t see Obama trying to pretend to be anybody but who he is. And we have seen that every time we have seen him. He remembers his roots, his family ties, the lessons taught him, the struggles he has had…and though he has risen to levels you and I may never get to…he has not forgotten.

He doesn’t try to recreate himself based upon other people’s opinion of what is or is not right. He goes with what he feels is right.

How can you argue against that?

Get out and vote Tuesday.

I have to admit that since writing this blog I have been listening to the entire half hour segment by the Obama campaign…and you know what?

“It does work.”

It was money well spent.

Now CLICK TO SEE BARRACK DANCING on Ellen…and Michelle.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/28/cnn-rejected-obama-half-h_n_138687.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20081028/pl_mcclatchy/3085327

 The Presidential Election is so important.

Please be sure to share this blog site with your friends.

…pass it on…’ www.bsmith101.wordpress.com 

God bless…and thanks for reading  ©2008

I do hope that America pays close attention to a book written by Bruce Fein, the Harvard-educated constitutional lawyer who had the gumption, to up and quit and critisize the Bush administration for its crimes against the America and the Founding Document:  Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for our Constitution and Democracy.  Here’s part of a review at firedoglake:

While most of his fellow conservatives were defending anything and everything George Bush did, and most establishment Democrats were running away from these issues as fast as their scared little legs could carry them, Fein became one of the most eloquent and uncompromising defenders of our country’s constitutional values in the face of a coordinated onslaught led by Dick Cheney’s office and the Bush DOJ. Fein, to my knowledge, was the first prominent political figure to declare — in a December 27, 2005 Washington Times column that has aged exceptionally well — that Bush’s FISA lawbreaking was not only a threat to our republican principles, but was an impeachable offense, and he further argued that Congress had not the option, but the Constitutional duty, to impeach the President if the lawbreaking did not cease immediately:

Volumes of war powers nonsense have been assembled to defend Mr. Bush’s defiance of the legislative branch and claim of wartime omnipotence so long as terrorism persists, i.e., in perpetuity. Congress should undertake a national inquest into his conduct and claims to determine whether impeachable usurpations are at hand. As Alexander Hamilton explained in Federalist 65, impeachment lies for “abuse or violation of some public trust,” misbehaviors that “relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to the society itself. . . .

Congress should insist the president cease the spying unless or until a proper statute is enacted or face possible impeachment. The Constitution’s separation of powers is too important to be discarded in the name of expediency.

As further revelations of anti-democratic policies emerged — involving torture, rendition, due-process-less detentions and a whole slew of frivolous legal theories to shield the President’s behavior behind a wall of secrecy — Fein has remained one of the nation’s most relentless and tenacious critics of the Bush administration’s assault on our Constitution, as well as the inexcusable Congressional abdication in the face of this assault. He worked with Sen. Russ Feingold on the Wisconsin Senator’s resolution to censure Bush for violating FISA, and most of all, he has repeatedly urged that Congress fulfill its constitutional obligation by pursuing impeachment proceedings against this incomparably lawless President.

Fein has now made perhaps his most important contribution yet to the cause of defending the Constitution and the rule of law: his newly released book, Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy. As the title suggests, Fein argues and richly documents that, primarily as the result of the last eight years, America’s constitutional form of government is in imminent danger of extinction. Employing both his substantial constitutional expertise and his penchant for describing complex legal issues in clear and easy-to-understand terms, Fein details how the crux of our Constitutional guarantees have been gutted –not only by a lawless and power-grabbing administration, but also by a Congress that has allowed it to happen and, at least as much, by an American citizenry that has been tragically indifferent to safeguarding the liberties which the Founders guaranteed.

While other books have critiqued the Bush administration’s theories of executive power and chronicled its chronic lawbreaking, Fein very persuasively makes the case that, at this point, the blame is far more collective than suggested by those who simply heap blame on the White House. While the crimes of the Bush administration were originally conceived of and implemented in secret by a small group of executive branch officials, that is no longer the case. One by one, the criminal acts of the Bush administration has been revealed. Yet Congress has done virtually nothing in response, except to endorse the lawbreaking and immunize the criminals — as it did when it authorized the President’s detention and interrogation schemes with the 2006 bipartisan passage of the Military Commissions Act, as well as the 2008 enactment by the Democratic Congress of the FISA Amendments Act. And through it all, American citizens have expressed little outrage at the systematic evisceration of our core liberties.

The central project of Fein’s book is to examine the likelihood that these trends can be reversed. What, he asks, are the prospects for restoration of the Constitutional system that has served us so well for the last two centuries? The answer is one that most readers will be unhappy to hear, though there is little doubt that his answer is realistic. With a citizenry that has proven itself largely indifferent to these matters, a presidential election that has ignored them almost completely, and the general tendency of political officials — no matter how well-intentioned — to expand rather than contract their own power, Fein argues that, absent some unforeseeable and extraordinary changes, this erosion of our Constitution is likely to continue rather than abate, no matter who is in power.

Though pessimistic, Fein is not without hope — as evidenced by, at the very least, the fact that he has written this book, and has generally continued his forceful advocacy in defense of the rule of law. Within Fein’s grim assessment of where we are and are likely to go lies the template for persuading our fellow citizens of the urgency of these matters. As Fein recognizes, political institutions will respond to public will. It is that public will which must be galvanized, and Fein’s book is a vitally important tool in that cause.

Canadians and others would do well to read it too, since no constitution is immune from Bush-type revisions and regressive interpretations.  We are living through a huge threat to democracy every place it tries to grow.

I have always loved General Colin Powell…but I really really loved him on Sunday. 

I have admired his diligence in regard to all of his duties as a General in the Armed Forces, as Head of State, and even as a Republican. 

I have listen to and heard many black Republicans…most of whom have sounded like they some how had lost their way in this world… and forgot where they came from…and how they got to where they have gotten.  But most of all…they had forgotten what it is like to be…or to have been black in America.  But never Colin Powell.

I admire people who navigate their way through this life gracefully and caringly. 

I like to see people rise to high heights…but I especially really like those who can rise and still maintain a level of sure footing and humility.  And that is what Colin Powell showed Sunday on ‘Meet the Press.’

It is hard to come out against friends, party…your company…your church…whatever…but at times it is required.  But to be able to do it with dignity and grace is a good…and great thing.  And it takes strenght…an obvious grand quality within the fabric of General Powell.

His endorsement of Barack Obama…you could see had been done with much forethought, deliberation and reflection.  But he did what he felt he needed to do…and he did it well.  The points General Powell laid out regarding his choice of Barack Obama as President of the United States laid in Obama’s judgment, decisiveness, good temperament, great deduction skills and a believed ability that he will restore the respectability to this country that the past 8 years eroded, under George W. Bush.

I have long held and still hold…that when we look and listen to Barack Obama we are looking at destiny.  It is as much true destiny that at this time such a person as Obama has emerged.  Is destiny as much as Joseph was destined to wine up in Egypt and Moses to lead his people out of Egypt.  They had been predestinated for their times. 

No one wants to say Divine Providence…but that is what we are looking at.  And it is by Divine Providence…that we are here bearing witness to this phenomena this forthcoming November Election.  I can only wish my parents were here.  That my grandmother was here…that my great-grandmother was here…and all those hung…tarred and feathered…whipped, chained and killed in this country could bear witness to this.

 Even the little ones support Obama!

It gives me such hope for this country. 

There is no country like this country. 

There is no place like the United States of America.

Through all her adversities, contradictions…missteps…and fall downs…American is great.  And she is beautiful…though there have times in her history when people, Presidents, groups didn’t always act justly, fairly or truthfully.                                                                             But through it all she has maintained her beauty…and she is worth everything we

can do to save her.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-powell20-2008oct20,0,4586523.story

In closing…let me take this time to clarify. 

Barack Obama is not just a phenomena because he is black. 

No, it greater than that.  

He is a phenomena because he is who he is.  

That is what America has much to be proud of…because he is a product of her.  It has taken us much and a long time to get here.  But we are here.  And at the end of the day…it does matter.  It really really does…for everyone’s sake.

Please be sure to share this blog site with all your friends…family…just….just….everyone!

Have a beautiful day…and thank you for reading.

…pass it on…’ www.bsmith101.wordpress.com 

God bless…and thanks for reading ©2008

Linda Larkin. That’s a very 1960’s Marvel’s Comics kind of name.

Linda Larkin is a Well Known Stage Actress. Yawn.

Cute enough. But you probably know her better when she’s dressed like this:

Linda Larkin was the voice of Princess Jasmine. Funny, she doesn't look middle-eastern. Linda Larkin, I mean. Very in-authentic. Of Disney.

Apparently there’s an Obama Tax Calculator so we can calculate the tax cut we might theoretically get, if doesn’t turn out that the Democratics just need to raise all our taxes because of how bad things really are, which is how it usually works. Must’ve come up in the debate that was on while I was busy flossing my toes.

You’re searching up a storm, all of a sudden, on the term ‘litmus test‘. Fair enough. But what is a real litmus test, anyway? Haven’t you ever asked yourself that question?

There are apparently so many of you thinking they are saying “lipness test” that you are searching for a lipness test. Lipness. That’s just sad, Internets. Truly said.

The Answer to The Great Debate question of Supreme Court litmus tests? Abortion is bad, but Obama likes ‘em better than McCain, because McCain likes babies and Obama thinks women should get to choose their womb contents. Concise, done, next topic.

Amazingly, there was a lot of looking up of the word repudiate during the debate. Seriously, you don’t know what repudiate means? Damn, we need ourselves some of those charter schools, like they busy kickin’ it wit’ in DC.

They could at least get us some school vouchers or sumtin’.

During the Great Debate that happened at some point in the recent past of tonight when I’m writing this, McTame called The Obamarama “Senator Government“. Which is a great frickin’ line. Democratic blogs I’ve been reading think it was an accident, and maybe it wuz, but I hope it was on purpose. Good line. 

Senator Government is clearly going to become the new in-slam to throw down at Obama. It’s already cropping up all over.

You’re also looking up “Sarah Palin Autism”, cuz you either think McCain was saying Palin’s youngest child has autism (he does not) and wanted to go nyah-nyah on him, or you think Sarah Palin has autism. She does not.

This guy is named Dr. Goo, and the autism thing pissed him off. Everything McCain said pissed him off. But then, his name is Dr. Goo, why do we care what frickin’ pissed this jackhole off?

I like the line about how he almost punched his mother’s big screen TV. The more kids that live at home and live off their parents indefinitely, the more Democratics we’re going to have in this country. Bye-bye, country.

On the Border Line: This is a dark sad day ladies and gentlemen.. The reality here is that they will be back for more, that’s what socialist pigs do.

It always makes me chuckle when we get a full dose of unadulterated disaster capitalism the NeoCrybabies  call it socialist. No, this bailout is full blown capitalism folks. One can certainly argue the bailout is NOT constitutional (which it is not) or that it is NOT conservative, but it is capitalist through and through.

Those elitist, no good, liberals who sold out the American people for some foreign banks are not socialist.  Yes, folks that was a real problem with the first bill it did not bail out enough foreign banks.  I don’t know if it was bailing out the foreign banks that got more Republican votes, or Obama strong arming the Congressional Black Congress, but either way it put the bill over the top.

So, where would a socialist stand on this bailout. As I said in an earlier post a “true conservative” and a socialist actually agree when it comes to graft, bailouts, and corporate welfare. Here is what a real life, un apologetic, socialist said on the Senate floor.

Wall Street Bailout – 10/01/2008

The Senate approved a $700 billion Wall Street bailout.  Senator Bernie Sanders voted against the bill that would put Wall Street’s burden on the backs of the American middle class. “The bailout package is far better than the absurd proposal originally presented to us by the Bush administration, but is still short of where we should be,” Sanders said. “If a bailout is needed, if taxpayer money must be placed at risk, if we are going to bail out Wall Street, it should be those people who have caused the problem, those people who have benefited from President Bush’s tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, those people who have taken advantage of deregulation who should pick up the tab, not ordinary working people.”

Sanders proposed a five-year, 10 percent surtax on  families with incomes of more than $1 million  year and individuals earning over $500,00 to raise $300 billion to help bankroll the bailout.  Senators, however, set aside the amendment on a voice vote.

In a Senate floor speech, Sanders elaborated on the bailout bill’s flaws:

“This country faces many serious problems in the financial market, in the stock market, in our economy. We must act, but we must act in a way that improves the situation. We can do better than the legislation now before Congress.

“This bill does not effectively address the issue of what the taxpayers of our country will actually own after they invest hundreds of billions of dollars in toxic assets. This bill does not effectively address the issue of oversight because the oversight board members have all been hand picked by the Bush administration. This bill does not effectively deal with the issue of foreclosures and addressing that very serious issue, which is impacting millions of low- and moderate-income Americans in the aggressive, effective way that we should be. This bill does not effectively deal with the issue of executive compensation and golden parachutes. Under this bill, the CEOs and the Wall Street insiders will still, with a little bit of imagination, continue to make out like bandits.

“This bill does not deal at all with how we got into this crisis in the first place and the need to undo the deregulatory fervor which created trillions of dollars in complicated and unregulated financial instruments such as credit default swaps and hedge funds. This bill does not address the issue that has taken us to where we are today, the concept of too big to fail. In fact, within the last several weeks we have sat idly by and watched gigantic financial institutions like the Bank of America swallow up other gigantic financial institutions like Countrywide and Merrill Lynch. Well, who is going to bail out the Bank of America if it begins to fail? There is not one word about the issue of too big to fail in this legislation at a time when that problem is in fact becoming even more serious.

“This bill does not deal with the absurdity of having the fox guarding the hen house. Maybe I’m the only person in America who thinks so, but I have a hard time understanding why we are giving $700 billion to the Secretary of the Treasury, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, who along with other financial institutions, actually got us into this problem. Now, maybe I’m the only person in America who thinks that’s a little bit weird, but that is what I think.

“This bill does not address the major economic crisis we face: growing unemployment, low wages, the need to create decent-paying jobs, rebuilding our infrastructure and moving us to energy efficiency and sustainable energy.

“There is one issue that is even more profound and more basic than everything else that I have mentioned, and that is if a bailout is needed, if taxpayer money must be placed at risk, whose money should it be? In other words, who should be paying for this bailout which has been caused by the greed and recklessness of Wall Street operatives who have made billions in recent years?

“The American people are bitter. They are angry, and they are confused. Over the last seven and a half year, since George W. Bush has been President, 6 million Americans have slipped out of the middle class and are in  poverty, and today working families are lining up at emergency food shelves in order to get the food they need to feed their families. Since President Bush has been in office, median family income for working-age families has declined by over $2,000.  More than seven million Americans have lost their health insurance.  Over four million have lost their pensions. Consumer debt has more than doubled. And foreclosures are the highest on record. Meanwhile, the cost of energy, food, health care, college and other basic necessities has soared.

“While the middle class has declined under President Bush’s reckless economic policies, the people on top have never had it so good. For the first seven years of Bush’s tenure, the wealthiest 400 individuals in our country saw a $670 billion increase in their wealth, and at the end of 2007 owned over $1.5 trillion in wealth. That is just 400 families, a $670 billion increase in wealth since Bush has been in office.

“In our country today, we have the most unequal distribution of income and wealth of any major country on earth, with the top 1 percent earning more income than the bottom 50 percent and the top 1 percent owning more wealth than the bottom 90 percent.  We are living at a time when we have seen a massive  transfer of wealth from the middle class to the very wealthiest people in this country, when, among others, CEOs of Wall Street firms received unbelievable amounts in bonuses, including $39 billion in bonuses in the year 2007 alone for just the five major investment houses. We have seen the incredible greed of the financial services industry manifested in the hundreds of millions of dollars they have spent on campaign contributions and lobbyists in order to deregulate their industry so that hedge funds and other unregulated financial institutions could flourish. We have seen them play with trillions and trillions dollars in esoteric financial instruments, in unregulated industries which no more than a handful of people even understand. We have seen the financial services industry charge 30 percent interest rates on credit card loans and tack on outrageous late fees and other costs to unsuspecting customers. We have seen them engaged in despicable predatory lending practices, taking advantage of the vulnerable and the uneducated. We have seen them send out billions of deceptive solicitations to almost every mailbox in America.

“Most importantly, we have seen the financial services industry lure people into mortgages they could not afford to pay, which is one of the basic reasons why we are here tonight.

“In the midst of all of this, we have a bailout package which says to the middle class that you are being asked to place at risk $700 billion, which is $2,200 for every man, woman, and child in this country. You’re being asked to do that in order to undo the damage caused by this excessive Wall Street greed. In other words, the “Masters of the Universe,” those brilliant Wall Street insiders who have made more money than the average American can even dream of, have brought our financial system to the brink of collapse.  Now, as the American and world financial systems teeter on the edge of a meltdown, these multimillionaires are demanding that the middle class, which has already suffered under Bush’s disastrous economic policies, pick up the pieces that they broke. That is wrong, and that is something that I will not support.

“If we are going to bail out Wall Street, it should be those people who have caused the problem, those people who have benefited from Bush’s tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, those people who have taken advantage of deregulation, those people are the people who should pick up the tab, and not ordinary working people. I introduced an amendment which gave the Senate a very clear choice. We can pay for this bailout of Wall Street by asking people all across this country, small businesses on Main Street, homeowners on Maple Street, elderly couples on Oak Street, college students on Campus Avenue, working families on Sunrise Lane, we can ask them to pay for this bailout. That is one way we can go. Or, we can ask the people who have gained the most from the spasm of greed, the people whose incomes have been soaring under president bush, to pick up the tab.

“I proposed to raise the tax rate on any individual earning $500,000 a year or more or any family earning $1 million a year or more by 10 percent. That increase in the tax rate, from 35 percent to 45 percent, would raise more than $300 billion in the next five years, almost half the cost of the bailout. If what all the supporters of this legislation say is correct, that the government will get back some of its money when the market calms down and the government sells some of the assets it has purchased, then $300 billion should be sufficient to make sure that 99.7 percent of taxpayers do not have to pay one nickel for this bailout.

“Most of my constituents did not earn a $38 million bonus in 2005 or make over $100 million in total compensation in three years, as did Henry Paulson, the current secretary of the Treasury, and former CEO of Goldman Sachs. Most of my constituents did not make $354 million in total compensation over the past five years as did Richard Fuld of Lehman Brothers. Most of my constituents did not cash out $60 million in stock after a $29 billion bailout for Bear Stearns after that failing company was bought out by J.P. Morgan Chase. Most of my constituents did not get a $161 million severance package as E. Stanley O’Neill, former CEO Merrill Lynch did.

“Last week I placed on my Web site, www.sanders.senate.gov, a letter to Secretary Paulson in support of my amendment. It said that it should be those people best able to pay for this bailout, those people who have made out like bandits in recent years, they should be asked to pay for this bailout. It should not be the middle class. To my amazement, some 48,000 people cosigned this petition, and the names keep coming in. The message is very simple: “We had nothing to do with causing this bailout. We are already under economic duress. Go to those people who have made out like bandits. Go to those people who have caused this crisis and ask them to pay for the bailout.”

“The time has come to assure our constituents in Vermont and all over this country that we are listening and understand their anger and their frustration. The time has come to say that we have the courage to stand up to all of the powerful financial institution lobbyists who are running amok all over the Capitol building, from the Chamber of Commerce to the American Bankers Association, to the Business Roundtable, all of these groups who make huge campaign contributions, spend all kinds of money on lobbyists, they’re here loud and clear. They don’t want to pay for this bailout, they want middle America to pay for it.”

JOSEPH BIDEN

                      Winner!

 Breakdown:

 Biden…   1.  Very strong factual information

                   2.  Plenty of statistical facts to backup topics

                  3.  Presented future Obama plans with force and clear understanding 

                  4.  Clearly cited his goals and job as Vice President

                 5.  Talked firmly about terrorist, Bin Linden and foreign Policy

                 6.   Clear understanding of problems facing America, American Policies and the world 

Palin…     1.  Never looked Vice Presidential

                 2.  Joked and kidded around a bit too much

                 3.  Failed to fully layout or explain any explicit plans or goals McCain had for the country

                 4.  Kept off topic a lot

                5.  Responses were rehearsed and quite orchestrated

                6.  Never explained anything fully and failed to use facts or figures to back up much of what she said

PALIN…Finding her legs

I have to admit to being somewhat impressed by Sarah Palin last night during the VP debate.  She did hold her own even though I could tell that much of what she had said had been heavily rehearsed.  But one thing about her…she gave it that old school girl try.  Vastly out of her element…and to a very large degree knowing it as oftentimes even voiced by her during the debate…I have to say I admire her. 

She was giddy and girlish through most of the debate…but you know what?  I’m the same way when I’m nervous. 

She is clearly not ready to become Vice President of the United States but that is not her fault.  The scenario reminded me about one of my earlier blogs, ‘On the taboo subject’… where I wrote about a guy who wanted to be a lesbian.  In the blog I made mention that he…well, she…but really he was nominated to become a board member of Sala Soul Sisters, an all women of color lesbian organization.  He…well, she…but really he was nice and a very good worker.  But there was one problem.  He wasn’t really a woman. 

I always thought it was unfair that one of the Sala Soul Sisters had nominated him for a position which she clearly knew he…well, she…no he couldn’t possibly fill.  When the membership at large of Sala Soul Sisters heard of it they all came racing into a Sala Soul meeting one night and demanded to have an emergency meeting on the matter.  They riled and argued…and finally voted on the matter of whether this person should be allowed on the board of Sala.  Of course, the vote was against him…or her…  But I always felt sorry for him…because he sat through it…that meeting where they talked about him…then voted that no one but a woman born biologically woman could ever sit on the board of Sala Soul Sisters.  And I must say I agreed…but felt that she…well, he never should have  been put through that. 

He never came back to Sala after that…whereas he had not missed a meeting or any events or becoming actively involved in the organization.  It was rather sad…but I felt the Sala Soul Sister who knowing that he was actually a male should never have nominated him in the first place.  And that is kind of the way I feel about Sarah Palin.

McCain having chosen a woman who was not perpared to hit centre stage…and I am talking about becoming Vice President of the United States or possible President of the United States should anything happen to McCain…and I certainly do not mean it meanly either.  She was neither polished, nor really had the credentials for the position that McCain had propelled her into. 

If McCain could have made this kind of a huge mistake what other mistakes might he make if he were to become President of the United States?  That job is one where…mistakes cost us all…and simply cannot be willingly made.   We really can’t afford someone who is not thought out…or believes ‘he’s just being a maverick’…when he is actually just being foolish.

One cannot blame Sarah Palin really for any flumbs or gaffs…McCain is to fault.  Because he put her in place where it is clearly not her time.  Besides, the fact that Palin is a mother of 5 children still at home, with one still very much an infant…really should have gave McCain reason to pause before even considering her.  But it was his own selfishness and blind ambition which lead him to pick someone whom he felt could give his campaign the boast that it so direly needed.  And for a while she did.

But reality is reality…Sarah Palin is not ready.  And I say this coming out of the debates liking her.  Because I can truly admire her for attempting to do it…and not feeling that it was or is impossible.  It speaks to human strenght and depth of character.  So, clearly she is to be applauded…not joked or laughed at.  But then…perhaps it was equally…Palin’s blind ambitions which have also gotten her here. 

I have oftentimes wanted to do something…but knew I needed to learn something or do some other things before I would be ready to execute what it was that I was considering.  I am not one for under-rating yourself…or over-rating yourself.  I don’t like letting myself down or others.  When I have stepped through the door to do something…I have always stepped through it knowing that no one worked as hard as I had…to do what I do.  I guess you can say that I am wired to excell…never to under achieve…and always to give 101 percent.  And you can’t do that unless you have first prepared and worked hard to gather the skills and expertise it takes to fill a job.  Real success on any job or in any field cannot be done with in a few weeks and a crash course.  

As we get nearer and near to November…please keep in mind that your vote does count.  Your participation in this up coming election is curcial.  If we don’t do something to set the country back on course we will all loose…rich or poor…advantaged or disadvantaged…Main Street and Wall Street…from shore to shore.

Definitely hope that you are registerd for this upcoming Presidential Election.  It is so important…and may be the most important election of this century.   

God bless…and thanks for reading  ©2008

BARACK OBAMA

                                     Winner!

 Breakdown:

 Obama…   1.  Strong factual base

                   2.  Statistical facts to backup topics

                  3.  Presented actual future plans

                  4.  Clearly cited his goals as President

                 5.  Talk firmly about terrorist and Bin Linden

                 6.   Clearly defined past judgments which had been the right call

McCain…   1.  Never looked Presidential

                   2.  Joked and kidded around a bit too much

                  3.  Failed to fully layout or explain any explicit plans or goals he had as President

                 4.  Kept reminiscing too much and kept conjuring up Reagan’s name far too often

                5.  Failed to looked firm or tough…and refused to ever look Obama dead in the face or eye

               6.  Never explained anything fully or used facts or figures to back up much of what he said

PALIN…Paling

Perhaps she once was an almost Miss Something or other…and maybe she will probably end up being an almost VP of the USA…but one thing is really certain Palin is paling.  And some might even say that she is down right ailing.

Out of the articulate, polished and informed women in the Republican Party what did McCain pick?

Republican women should really be outraged and angry.  Another beauty queen over smarts…this really should have enraged feminist everywhere.

First of all the woman has five (5) kids…who’s home with her infant baby and seeing after her other children?  At some point children need their mother.  And at the ages her children are…these are those years.  It is one thing to have grown children but entirely another when you are the mother of an infant child trying to convince folks how you can help to run the United States of America with a baby hanging off your shoulder.  The job is just too demanding and any employer would say ‘no.’  Because they realize that young children take up a lot of time…they get sick, there is school stuff…like conferences with teachers, going to pick up or see about children if there is a problem at school…trying to make sure you invest some quality time into your children…trying to balance work and family…etc.   And if you are any kind of mother…you are going to chose family…your children.

So, for Sarah Palin to say when John McCain asked her to become his running mate as the Vice President of this country and she says-

“I didn’t blink…I didn’t have to think twice about it.”

You have to wonder what kind of a mother is she?

I understand about working moms and women of the 20^th and 21^st century…but I don’t know one who would not have stopped and stepped back to consider what such a huge responsibility as being the Vice President of the United States of America would mean in terms of her family life and as being a mother to her children…or how it would impact her schedule and family.  And since Palin is a mother of 5 it is not likely she is not accustom to at some point in her life having to step back and to consider such a thing as-

“How am I going to work this out?”

“How can I rearrange my schedule?”

“Who can I get to baby-sit?”

“Are my family responsibilities right now too great for me to take on that now?”

“Do I have the time?”

A woman with a 7 month old infant, a very young daughter of 3 or 4, and 3 other children…she could not have been thinking about this country at all when she said that she didn’t blink when she was asked by  McCain to become his running mate…and neither was John McCain.

It will be interesting to see just how Palin performs tonight during the debates.  But all I can think about is all this time since getting on the ticket with McCain…she has been taking away from her family.  Now she is locked up in seclusion  at McCain’s estate trying to gear herself up for the debate…far from the cry’s of her baby’s and his midnight feedings.

If you want to see just how committed Palin will be to her duties as ‘would be VP’…all you really have to do is look at  how committed she has been to her family…as a mother and wife.  As a supposed woman of God…then she would know that it is God first and family second…and everything else falls into place after that.

A person who is committed is committed in all things.

If she can’t even be a mother to her own children…how in the world is she going to Vice President of the United States?

Definitely hope you are registered…this upcoming Presidential Election is so important.

Please be sure to share this blog site with your friends.

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God bless…and thanks for reading  ©2008