...The economy shrank at an annual pace of 6.1 percent from January to March, the Commerce Department reported this morning. That's a bit better than the 6.3 percent rate recorded in the last quarter of 2008, but it undermines economists' predictions that the rate of economic decline had begun to slow significantly. The report also shows that the U.S. economy suffered its worst six months since 1957-1958....
It would seem as though U.S. News and World Report found a silver lining to the continuing analysis that would find the economic 'deep recession' continuing.
If anyone told Barak Obama in 2006 when he started his campaign for President he would be facing the toughest challenges of any President in the history of the United States he wouldn't have believed it, but, it is my guess it would have caused him to run all the harder to be 'in place' to lead the USA to better days.
The economy wasn't the only bad news to this newly elected President, it was a global economic collapse that greeted him on arrival to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He never faultered and has been a dynamo ever since. I congratulate him and welcome his continued leadership with all the high ideals he seems to thrive on and emulates to the nation and its allies.
His accomplishments to date have been incredible. He added a rudder to the floundering USA with the economic stimulus, set a timeline for an exit to Iraq, reconcentrated efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, focused on Global Warming, opened up the 'real' possibilities of all the government agencies in DC, became a father to a Portugese Water Dog and began in a very open and honest modality to return the country to the people. I am more than pleased at President Obama's 100 days and look forward to 'more' from a very vital administration.
The economy would have been far worse had the 'stimulus' plan not been put in place. The only unfortunate aspect to it is the speed at which the state projects are being engaged. There are some 'lags' between the bill's passage and the start of actual deployment at least at the state level. But, the upside to that is the beginning of 2009 will be the worse of the picture. There is every indication that once the stimulus is in full swing subsequent funds for 10 years will continue to build a stronger, stable and far, far more sustainable economy than existed under previous administrations. For the first time in the history of the USA, the economy will actually be 'user friendly' of Earth and guaranteeing future generations a stable run at sustainable ventures for economic growth.
The 'contracture' as Wall Street would like to call it is more or less a restructuring of the USA into 'generational' friendly business ventures. President Obama has instituted wide sweeping 'ideals' to changes in energy, transportation, health and education. The changes aren't taking place overnight, but, they are significant and backed by strong legislation and legislative proposals that provide the permission, vehicle and funding for movement toward a country 'powered up' for the future and reaching for the gold ring.
On the agenda is the breaching of Climate Change with a willingness to be a 'state of the art' leader to bring a hot planet back to biotic peace and prosperity.
He has empowered the USA military to scale back on unnecessary 'warring' priorities while seeking better procurement procedures that 'spend wisely' rather than lavishly. President Obama has directed the USA military to disengage from the 'policing' of Iraq by turning more of the operations to Iraqi forces and leadership. He has retooled the efforts with Pakistan and Afghanistan which has returned hope to the Karzai leadership and a reinvigoration of the potential to the people.
Today, the Pakistani military is retaking portions of 'Taliban - al Qaeda occupied areas' to secure the well being of the people and better use of the land. Someday, Swat will be the tourist haven it was and the terrorist element will be gone. The reassertions of the Pakistanimilitary alone is a major accomplishment to this President as he and our military seek aggressive solutions to thwart further organization of terrorists while providing insight to the people of these countries to 'recommit' to democracy and hope.
The latest trip to the Americas Summit proved to be an opportunity to extend a friendly hand to our 'near border' neighbors. With plenty of 'photo ops' to be published in the newspapers of the perspective countries it will give the people a glimpse at an American President willing to 'try to come to compromise' to provide hope for better relations. We have a President who is not 'pretending' to be willing to go to war, so much as willing to be engaged. President Obama didn't provide obstruction to relations with any of the countries at the Summit and perhaps in days to come they will see the profit in opening up relations and 'settling' old hate.
There is no doubt Human Rights has a high regard by President Obama, as in the USA new health care initiatives are being handled with care to insure their passage. It is astounding to realize the vast difference between this adminisration who regards health care as a right, while the former administration saw it as an opportunity.
Imagine if babies could read a 'born into contract' whereby it stated, "You will be required to insure your health through whatever is available at your own expense."
How do people, such as Cheney, ever get the nerve to indulge in government provided health care while average citizens are spurned for lack of coverage. Averag citizens, by the way, that pay through taxes for Cheney's health care. At best these days when one has health insurance, it isn't insurance at all, but, a business seeking profits at the cost of treatment for fatal disease. That is an 'ideal' to be proud of? Wow.
To sum up the first 100 days of President Obama's adminisration one migh use the words, "A Country to be Proud Of." That in and of itself is a change worth noting.
There have been remarkable achievements across the spectrum of the USA, including the protection of a merchant ship from pirates and a Captain safely returned to his family. Remarkable. I look forward to the 'change' that is due the USA and its allies in the remaining 2820 days of the Obama Adminisration.
Oh. By the way. Welcome aboard Arlen Spector, any more converts? Amazing.
