Egypt needs change, but, President Mubarak is not a demon.

Egypt has always had visionaries and peace makers among its leaders.

Oct. 6, 1981

Then-Vice President Hosni Mubarak, left, and President Anwar Sadat, right, attend a military parade in Cairo with the president in 1981 to commemorate Victory Day. Moments later, a group of military Islamist fundamentalists with allegiance to the al-Jihad group killed Sadat in a shooting spree.

The Egyptian people do not have to hate their President to demand the change they want.  Th Egyptian people have a good history and one they can be proud of.  The people are seeking a better country for themselves and their children.  President Mubarak is doing the right thing for his people, at least he is trying to please them. 

Egypt in msny ways has been a 'reformer' country in the Middle East, along side of Jordon. 

I believe the concern, as next year's elections draw near, is whether or not Egypt leadership will represent the will of the people or take on the characyeristics of a monarchy.  There has to be some concern among all Egyptians to the 'opportunity' for diverse leadership.

Egypt's economy has faultered a bit since 2008, but, that is the case with any country that has tourism as an integrated part of its GDP.  Folliwing the investment banks failure of 2008, Egypt had paqlpable changes within its ecomy.  It was already experienced 11.7% inflation, but, it jumped to 16.2% in 2009.  Recentky the inflation rate in Egypt has fallen to 10%,  I am convinced this is a factor in the unrest in the country.  Presideny Mubarak had liitle to do in causing that, but, I am sure the people are unhappy he could not protect them.  The Egyptian unemployment rate during this time has remained 8 to 9 percent, so it the 2008 impact has been felt in the general economy and the cost of products primarily.

There is strife in Egypt and the people grow tired of it.  It is time for the country to change and embrace the will of its people.  There is no reason why the peope of Egypt have to hate their President in order to move more aggressivelt into the future,  This just the next step for Egypt.  The global community should continue to encourage President Mubarak to step aside and allow peaceful transition to occur.

Fear of unrest grows as soaring wheat prices strain Egypt's creaking economy  (click title to entry - thank you)

The Guardian, Saturday 12 April 2008

...Tempers flare outside a government bakery as the smell of hot baladi (country) bread wafts out from the ovens. There is pushing and shoving as a worker appears at the window to hand out plastic bags of the rough, round flat loaves - each weighing a standard 160 grams (5.5oz)- to customers.
"I've been here since before six and this is what I get," grumbles Umm Islam, her face contorted in fury. "My husband is retired and I have five children and it's not enough."
Others complain of their pitifully small incomes and shortages. In the last two months 11 people have died in bread queues, either from exhaustion, heart attacks, brawls or accidents....Ian Black in Cairo

More judicial activism on healthcare.

To state a federal law cannot mandate health insurance is one aspect of the law, BUT, to state the entire law has to be REPEALED 'if' the higher courts find this finding to be valid; provides no 'case law' or valid constitutional reason why the entire bill relies on one provision.

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson's decision is already flawed and completely obvious he threw caution to the wind.  It is an irresponsible decision from all perspectives.

“I must reluctantly conclude (click title to entry - thank you) that Congress exceeded the bounds of its authority in passing the Act with the individual mandate,” Vinson wrote in his decision. “Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire Act must be declared void.”

Where does it state it is NOT severable?  A parent's RIGHT to maintain health insurance for a dependant college student has nothing to do with an individual mandate.  THAT is already demonstrated in its early implementation. 

If the entire law revolved around an individual mandate then no aspect of it could be implemented independantly,

Then Judge Vinson introduces MORE FICTION into the decision by referring to a watchmaker.

Since when does Papa Gepetto sit on the bench?  If that is what decides the law then all a judge needs is a ruler.

It is all political theatrics.

Clyde Roger Vinson (click here)  is with US District Court for the northern district of Florida.. He joined the court in 1983 after being nominated by President Reagan. Vinson is serving on “senior status (semi-retired).” 

Vinson graduated from the Naval Academy with his Bachelor's Degree in 1962 then served six years on active duty on the US Navy as a Lieutenant from 1962 to 1968 during the Vietnam conflict before completing his JD at Vanderbilt University Law School in 1971.

Vinson spent his entire pre-judicial legal career as a Private practice attorney in the State of Florida from 1971 to 1983.

On the recommendation of U.S. Senator Paula Hawkins, Vinson was nominated by President Reagan on September 9, 1983 to a seat vacated by Lynn Higby whom at the time was assuming senior status. Vinson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 4, 1983 on a senate vote and received commission on October 5, 1983.  Vinson served as the chief judge from 1997 to 2004 before later assuming senior status on March 31, 2005.

Old faces dominate Mubarak's new government

An image grab taken from Egyptian state television Al Masriya shows members from Egypt's new cabinet being sworn in by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (right) in Cairo.

Image Credit: AFP

...Newcomers (click title to entry - thank you) to the government include Mahmoud Wagdi as Minister of the Interior; Jaber Asfour as Minister of Culture; Zahi Hawass, Egypt's chief archaeologist, as Minister of the newly created Ministry of Antiquities; Mohsin Al Noumani as Minister of Local Development; Ayman Abu Hadeed as Minister of Agriculture; Sarniha Syed as Minister of Trade and Industry; and Ebrahim Mana'a as Minister of Civil Aviation.

Finance Minister Yousuf Boutros Gali has been replaced by Jawdat Al Malat, who has headed the audit office and gained some popularity for addressing corruption, one source said....

At least I know what the tanks in the street are all about and it isn't the government.

An Egyptian Army soldier gestures to a crowd as he stands atop a tank in Cairo. (Reuters)

Change is coming to Egypt: El-Baradei (click here)

By AGENCIES

Published: Jan 30, 2011 23:48

Updated: Jan 30, 2011 23:48

CAIRO: Top dissident Mohamed El-Baradei told a sea of angry protesters in Cairo on Sunday that they were beginning a new era after six days of a deadly revolt against President Hosni Mubarak.

Nobel peace laureate El-Baradei, mandated by Egyptian opposition groups including the banned Muslim Brotherhood to negotiate with Mubarak's government, hailed "a new Egypt in which every Egyptian lives in freedom and dignity."
"We are on the right path, our strength is in our numbers," El-Baradei said in his first address to the protest epicenter on Cairo's Tahrir Square. "I ask you to be patient, change is coming."
Six days of nationwide protests have shaken Egypt and left at least 125 people dead. The president has sacked the government, appointed a vice president and a new prime minister. But that has failed to quell the protests.
Parliament Speaker Fathi Surour on Sunday made another concession, saying the results of last year's fraud-tainted parliamentary elections would be revised....


Ecumenical Prayer Service for the victims of Egypt’s New Year’s Eve church bombings (click here)

Christian denominations join for Ecumenical PrayerSservice at St Paul’s Cathedral then press conference at Federation Square for the victims of the Coptic Church bombings in Egypt

This Friday 7th January 2011 at 1pm, Australian Church leaders from all Christian denominations and notable dignitaries will gather at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne at an Ecumenical Prayer Service for the victims of Egypt’s New Year’s Eve church bombings which took place in the Northern City of Alexandria and claimed 23 lives and wounded over 80 Coptic Christians.

His Grace, Bishop Suriel, Head of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Melbourne and Affiliated Regions, has offered an open invitation to attend the Ecumenical Prayer Service, praying for peace within the church and for an end to the persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt and in the Middle East.  Along with Melbourne families of the victims, the congregation will together mourn the loss of life and pray for the injured.

“Over the past few years, religious persecution of Christians in the Middle East has reached extreme forms of human degradation with constant attacks not only on the minority Copts of Egypt, but all Christians throughout the region,” Bishop Anba Suriel said....

 

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian protesters (click here) turned to the army and to a retired diplomat to maintain momentum in efforts to unseat Hosni Mubarak, but as the president's Western backers called for change, he met with the generals who can keep him in power.

The outcome of six days of unrest, which has killed more than 100 people, rocked the Middle East and rattled global investors, hung in the balance. Troops have let Egyptians bellow their rage at Mubarak's 30 years of autocracy. But the generals have yet to show whether they will keep him on or ease him out....

TUNIS (Reuters) - Thousands of Tunisians (click here) turned out on Sunday to welcome home an Islamist leader whose return from 22 years of exile indicated that his party would emerge as a major force in Tunisia after the ousting of its president.

The reception for Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the Ennahda Party, at Tunis airport was the biggest showing by the Islamists in two decades, during which thousands of them were jailed or exiled by president Zine Al Abidine Ben Ali.

Ghannouchi was exiled in 1989 by Ben Ali, who was toppled on January 14 by popular protests that have sent tremors through an Arab world where similarly autocratic leaders have long sought to suppress Islamist groups.

Protesters in Egypt demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule have been inspired by the example of Tunisia. Egypt's main opposition group is also Islamist, but played no part in organising the protests there....

Corruption is also a concern of the Eqyptians.

...The fact that tycoons (click title to entry - thank you) close to the regime play an important role in politics is seen in Egypt as a sign of corruption, while Mubarak's son and previous heir apparent Gamal is also closely linked to the political-business milieu....

The USA can do very little to secure Egypt.  We aren't going to be invading, nor should the USA even think about it.  The best the USA can do is lend support to the people and demand the Egyptian government restrain from violence.

I believe Mr. El Baradei can be instrumental in reasonong with the people.  Confrontation should be minimized.  The people of Caoro cannot continue to destroy their city.

...As much as the U.S. (click here) would like to see protesters succeed in replacing Mubarak with a democracy, an Egyptian revolution, just like any revolution, would have to be organic and internal to be legitimate and successful....

The danger in Cairo is significant as Abrams tanks seem worthless and guns are randomly being used against the people.

The death toll (click title to entry - thank you) so far during Cairo's days of protests is much higher than reported in the news, according to doctors at one of Cairo's largest hospitals.

A resident doctor at the hospital who was assisting with surgeries yesterday told Al-Masry Al-Youm today that most of those admitted were not wounded, but dead. He estimated the number at more than 50....

...Deaths from live bullets aside, the use of rubber bullets can be just as serious. Shot from as close a range as the riot police were to protesters, they easily pierce the skin and organs. Furthermore, because police were shooting at the head, eyes, and chest, rather than at non-fatal body parts, casualties rose, according to the same doctor....

There is looting going on, but not for stealing, but, for supplies to mosques.

Egypt in turmoil

A column of Abrams tanks lines 
(click here) the street as Egyptian demonstartors gather in Tahrir Square in Cairo on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Volunteers stored goods confiscated from looters inside a mosque in Cairo on Sunday.  (click here)

Barrack Obama in my backyard Keehi Lagoon part 2

The Obama victory will be again won at the grassroots.

Pawlenty begins his nationwide book tour with a "Macaw-caw" moment.

At the end of his book signing, our man from Comcast asks for his autograph.  Pawlenty looks up and states, "You just had that merger.  So how is that working out for you?" 

Pawlenty, of course, is referring the purchase of MSNBC by Comcast.

Pawlenty was looking not just for donations, but, conversion of Comcast to 'the dark side.'

 
Repuglicans just cannot help it.  Corrupt to the core and it just oozes out of their pores.  The statement comes in at the end of the hour long talk.  It isn't the Press Club video.  Sorry.  It was his first book stop on C-Span.

Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (click here for video).   Pawlenty talked about political issues. Topics included the policies of President Obama, jobs creation, health care, education, and the federal debt. He recently wrote his memoir, Courage to Stand. Following his speech he responded to written questions from ..

"Courage to Stand" book tour

Egyptians need to begin to honor the curfew, for very good reasons called self control and preservation.

CHAOS itself will become an enemy and harmful to the Egyptian people.

While the government does not want confrontation with its citizens, there will begin a level of disorder simply because of the demonstrations with huge masses of people.  The Egyptian government will see it their responsibility to return FUNCTION to social infrastructure and will move toward that end.  I sincerely hope th Egyptian government will continue to show great restraint during this time to allow citizens their understanding of how 'their self direction' back to discernable order is in their best interest regardless that differences may still exist.

...Through the day, (click title to entry - thank you) past the smoldering headquarters of Mr. Mubarak’s party and beside the travel agents who catered to tourists his government seemed to favor, youths took it upon themselves to organize traffic, snarled by the withdrawal of the despised police from the streets.
Young boys cleaned incinerated refuse from a night of looting that left more than a few ashamed. Others dragged makeshift barricades before the Egyptian museum, the receptacle of a glorious culture whose more modern incarnation has stagnated for decades. A few sweaty young men, fired by the euphoria of what they called a revolutionary moment, even dispensed water to the thirsty....

The Egyptian people have been heard.  The USA government is on a path now to address the stress and disress of the people.  The Egyptian people will not be abandoned, at least under this President.

The people of any country are not capable of changing the path they are on without outside influences from the global community,  With allies to Egypt witnessing the sincere concerns and problems of its people the dialogues will change and the well being of the Egyptian people will take a higher priority.

It is my hope the Egyptian people will consolidate their voice with represntatives of the people to 'dialogue' with the global community that will 'in turn' insist on change the people now demand,  I do not recall a time when Egyptian society wasn't highly valued and acclaimed in the Arab world as a leader to moral conduct and decency,  It is now time for allies to hear the cry of the Egptian people and respnd 'in kind' to their pleadings.

I am grateful the USA has a strong ans compassionate President that made it a priority to speak 'to the people' and connect with their ability to be heard in a peaceful manner.  I hope restraint will win the day and change is delivered to the Egyptian people.

..."This cycle of suspicion and discord (click here) must end," Obama said in a widely anticipated speech in one of the world's largest Muslim countries, an address designed to reframe relations after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the U.S.-led war in Iraq....

The change President Obama addressed must not end in tragedy for the Egyptian people.  That would be a mistake.

All the concern about Wall Street is nonsense.  The people of Egypt do not want to harm their country or their children's future,  the Egyptians want a better future for their chilldren, not one that rises from the ashes of war or civil conflict,  Egyptian assets will always be Egyptian assets.

Protesters Across US Offer Support to Egyptians

Egyptian people recieve support throughout global family,

In replacing the people's cabinet, President Mubarak must be mindful of Egyptian needs and not that of the West.

Protesters shout anti-goverment slogans during a demonstration in Cairo, Saturday. Thousands of angry Egyptians rallied in central Cairo to demand that President Hosni Mubarak resign and call on troops to come over to their side despite Mubarak's use of tactics reminiscent of Iran's in 2009.

Asmaa Waguih/Reuters

Focusing on terrorists have victimized the Egyptian people. 

President Mubarak in fearing more violence for the West and being a good friend to the West asked too much of his people.

Obama to Review Mideast Policy After Egyptian Protests (click title to entry - thank you)

Friday, January 28, 2011

Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) -- After decades of backing authoritarian regimes in the Mideast and North Africa as bulwarks against Muslim extremism, the U.S. faces an urgent challenge as popular uprisings sweep the region: how to defend U.S. economic and security interests while supporting democratic values....

President Mubarak was acting to protect the Egyptian people by also protecting the West.  His policies went to far.

Egypt Is Reaching a ‘Tipping Point,’ ElBaradei Tells Monocle (click here)

By Massoud A. Derhally - Jan 29, 2011 8:29 AM ET
Egypt is reaching a “tipping point,” opposition campaigner Mohamed ElBaradei said in an interview with Monocle.
“People are desperate and anxious for change to happen overnight,” ElBaradei, the former chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in the London-based monthly’s February edition. “I see that approaching. People say Egyptians are patient, but you go around the streets of Cairo and you’ll see that the tipping point coming.”
The West is “losing every ounce of credibility when it comes to convincing people here that it is serious about their basic values: democracy, freedom, justice, rule of law,” said ElBaradei, 68. “That fuels extremism. The West doesn’t realize that stability is not based on shortsighted security measures; stability will only come when people are empowered, when people are able to participate.”...

Budros, Palestine - Pictures of the .demonstrations are on Flicker (click title to entry - thank you)

A little known documentary regarding the success of passive resistence of the villagers of Budros has been an incredible model for the Arab world.

Plot Summary forBil'in Habibti (2006)

The Palestinian village of Bil'in is about to lose over a half of its territory to Israel. The residents of the village decide to embark on a struggle against the construction of the barrier. The film exposes the extraordinary relationship formed between the villagers and Shai, the director, who arrives with a group of Israeli peace activists and the conflict that arises between him, as a former soldier and the entire military organization. Written by Carmeli-Pollak, Shai

The Egyptian people will have their change of government without large scale violence.

The initial clashes where injury and death occurred has mostly ended.

The people do not want their cities tuned into war zones.  They have made stand in solidarity and their President has heard them  He will resign after a long career of loving the people of Egypt.  He'll do the best for the country and transition of power.

Mohamed ElBaradei: The Egyptian people have revolted  (click here – video)

29 January 2011 Last updated at 11:13 ET

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in Egypt on a fifth day of protests, despite President Mubarak appearing on TV on Friday to announce he was sacking his government.

In Cairo, police used rubber bullets and tear gas in clashes with protesters at the interior ministry and there have also been clashes in the cities of Alexandria and Ismailiya.

Speaking to the BBC's Jeremy Bowen, pro-democracy activist Mohamed ElBaradei said that "the Egyptian people have revolted against 58 years of repression"....

Obama warns Egypt against violence  (click here)

By Stephen Collinson (AFP) – 1 day ago

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama has called on Egyptian authorities not to use violence against raging political protests, and drove home his message in a 30-minute phone call to President Hosni Mubarak.
His warning came Friday as the United States toughened its line on Mubarak's government, a key Middle Eastern ally, warning it would review billions of dollars in aid to Egypt based on the behavior of the security forces.
Obama urged Mubarak to take "concrete" steps towards political reforms, saying he must turn "a moment of volatility" into "a moment of promise" after violent clashes in Egyptian cities, where the death toll has reached at least 35.
"I want to be very clear in calling upon the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protesters," Obama said, after aides said the White House was readying for any possible political scenarios in Egypt.
"The people of Egypt have rights that are universal. That includes the right to peaceful assembly and association. The right to free speech and the ability to determine their own destiny."...

There needs to be less military and more social aid to Egypt.

...Egypt receives close to $2bn in economic (click here)  and military aid every year, making it the second largest recipient of US foreign assistance after Israel. Of that, $1.3bn is devoted to military assistance, according to the Congressional Research Service, the public policy arm of the US congress....

I object to any monies spent on or with Egypt is acting to oppress the people.  We know and the global community knows radical agenda's in the MiddleEast breed extremists.  This social oppression of Egypt has to end, now.

...Writing for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 2009, Ahmad Al-Sayed El-Naggar said the money "does not aim to strengthen Egyptian military power against any external threat, as this would be contrary to the declared US objective of ensuring Israeli security and maintaining Israeli military supremacy over its Arab neighbors, including Egypt. Instead, this aid is devoted mainly to strengthening the regime's domestic security and its ability to confront popular movements"....

I am taking a few days away. Until later...

Peaceful protests are needed, the global community hears them.

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE MIDDLE EAST (click here)

 PEACEFUL  TRANSITIONS, Please.

Anti-Government demonstrations are good and gain the recognition of the global community.

Inspired by Tunisia and Egypt, Yemenis join in anti-government protests (click title to entry - thank you)

By Sudarsan Raghavan

Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, January 27, 2011; 7:26 AM

SANAA, YEMEN - Thousands of Yemenis took the streets Thursday demanding an end to the government of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has ruled this impoverished Middle Eastern nation for more than three decades....

Prominent Egyptian reform campaigner Mohamed ElBaradei talks to journalists before leaving Vienna to Cairo at the Vienna airport, January 27, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Heinz-Peter Bader

EXCLUSIVE - ElBaradei:time for Egypt leader Mubarak to go  (click here)

VIENNA | Thu Jan 27, 2011 6:41pm IST
VIENNA (Reuters) - Prominent Egyptian reform campaigner Mohamed ElBaradei said he expected large demonstrations across Egypt on Friday and that the time had come for President Hosni Mubarak to leave power....

The President is determined to unit the nation even if he has to do it himself.

President Obama is a brilliant man.  I congratulate him on hitting the EXACT tone for his State of the Union speech which reached across all potlical barriers.

That is amazing.

...This year, (click title to entry - thank you) 82 percent of those who watched the speech said they approve of the president's plans for the economy, up from 53 percent who approved before the speech. Eighty percent said they approved of Mr. Obama's plans for the deficit -- in contrast to 45 percent before the speech. Eighty-three percent approved of Mr. Obama's proposals regarding Afghanistan, which received only a 57 percent approval ...

He had good numbers last year as well, but, the message is always blurred by the Plutocratic lies to achieve political wins to favor policies that cause the country exploitation of its treasury.

...Last year, 83 percent of viewers approved of Mr. Obama's State of the Union remarks...

The Democrats need to take the State of the Union message, find their footing in political action committees, put people back to work themsselves in ways that carries that message into the electorate.  There have to be sincere and honest facts and figures that accompany the message that cannot be disputed.  In his State of the Union speech the President treats the country with the dignity it deserves and that should be the 'hallmark' of the Democratic effort to reclaim the country.  Make all the lawmakers live up to what is best for the country and the President obviously knows what that is.

Go, Democrats, Go.

FACTS need TWO VALID sources.

Don't let the President's tone and message become distorted EVER again.  The country needs this clarity and wants it.

January 26, 2011

Polls show rave reviews for SOTU  (click here)

By Politico Writer

Politico.com

Americans responded with overwhelming positivity to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech, two polls conducted after the Tuesday night speech found.

In a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll of people who watched the speech, 52 percent of respondents said they had a very positive reaction to Obama’s message. Another 32 percent said their reactions were somewhat positive. Just 15 percent responded negatively to the speech.

Last year, 78 percent of those surveyed after Obama’s State of the Union reported a positive reaction, while 21 percent said they perceived the speech negatively.

The speech, which included a roadmap for “winning the future,” also improved Americans’ outlook on the direction the country is headed. Before the speech, 61 percent of Americans said his policies would lead the country in the right direction. Afterward, 77 percent did....

According to 'healthy' skepticism, the deficit and debt may actually be larger and growing than the CBO stated.

The CBO predicts (click title to entry - thank you) a deficit of $1.5 trillion for 2011, but then steadily falling amounts through 2014. Good news? Not really. The CBO had to make assumptions about US policies its officials seem to have little faith will be implemented....

The President HAD a plan to BEGIN incredible deficit reduction which would 'in turn' begin to destroy the debt, BUT, "The Republicans" held the people making LESS than $250.000 per year hostage and demanded "The Bush Tax Cuts for The Wealthy" survive until 2012.

YES, we do.  And we know those 'tax HOLIDAYS' for the wealthy produce NO JOBS !Do we KNOW the 'Bush Tzx Cuts for the Wealthy" are hugely disproportionate to the people making LESS than $250,000 per year.Hello?

...With the economy recovering and some government spending programs ending, the 2012 shortfall will be $1.1 trillion, representing about 7 percent of US gross domestic product, say the CBO’s budgeteers. In 2013, those figures will be $704 billion and 4.3 percent of GDP, and in 2014 they’ll be $533 billion and 3.1 percent of GDP.

That’s what the CBO predicts, anyway. But here’s the interesting thing: the CBO does not appear to really trust its own deficit projections for 2012 and beyond.

Why is that? Because the CBO can only crunch numbers and make predictions based on existing law. And CBO officials sound as if they do not believe that Congress and the White House will permit a number of scheduled money-saving moves to happen....

It is time for all Democrats to start calling Republican lawmakers on Capital Hill and demanding they STOP catering to the wealthy.  The Congressional seats in the country where the Plutocracy was able to PLACE DOUBT in relation to Republican candidates having a NEW CREED in life and Conservative Democrats were ousted are especially important and we know exactly where that occurred from the 2010 elections.

The Democrats have to demand SERIOUS changes to the deficit and national debt by raising taxes on the wealthy and WINDFALL profits to bring down all the NECESSARY programs to date that stopped the economic slide of the country beginning with the investment banking collapse.

The other reason the Democrats need to make DAILY CALLS to their own lawmakers and soft Republican candidates is to demand JOB CREATION and STABILIZING the government budget at current levels for the next five years because we know that increasing jobs incresases the tax base and is serious deficit and debt reduction. 

It is upto nearly half the populous of the USA, the Democrats, to bring about the necessary pressure on the House in places where we know the 'hard core' corrupt are without sincere influence.  The electorate in 2006 and 2008 did the right thing by putting Democrats in the House in a majority, but, they were sadly deceived by the rhetoric of the Right in 2010 and we have to help them reclaim their country and protect the course President Obama has thoughtfully placed it on.

FORM POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES.

PUT YOURSELVES TO WORK doing the job the President desperately needs you to do.

GET THE JOB DONE !

So. To risk redundancy, but, not consolidation. A quick review.

Does throwing money at the wealthiest of any venacular create jobs in the USA? 

Let's see.

Do tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans create jobs?

No.

Do tax cuts for global corporations or those seeking to expand globally create jobs?

No.

Do tax breaks to USA corporations create jobs?

No.

Does Quanitative Easing create jobs?

No.

Are the wealthiest Americans entitled to a 'disproportionate' tax CLASS as they earn their wealth and deserve it?

No, that is like saying the remainder of Americans didn't earn their income.  Hello?

Is it moral to have tax breaks in the Tax Code that favor the wealthiest Americans while adding to the nation's deficit and debt?

No.

Is it corrupt to favor tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans when facing the challenge of reducing the national deficit and debt?

Yes.

Should those that 'practice' such corruption face ethics investigations and proceedings?

Yes.

Will such investigations and charges be brought?

No.  Not a chance.

What does that say about 'the ideologies' at work within the conservative belief system?  What does that say about justice in the USA?  What does that say about 'the value system' our young people and children are exposed to?

But.

More than that...when will the injustice and corruption end when it is obviously in PLAIN SIGHT of the electorate?  What incentives to the electorate continues to corrupt the electorate?  When are those incentives going to be separated from American elections, put into context and given a place within our cultures and society to permit 'the best choice' in elections prevail?

Never ?

What does that say to the rest of the world about the people of the USA and their priorities even among themselves?

Have a better day.

The money that was allocated by the federal government to the wealthy and corporations that do not provide USA jobs during the years before the economic collapse which increased the national debt is a CRIME.  Literally.

The Bush "Homeland Reinvestment Act"  (The actualy legislation is not readily found with the help of Google, otherwise, the link would be at the title to the entry.  Perhaps it will show up later.)


Tax Break for Profits Went Awry (click here)

By FLOYD NORRIS

Published: June 4, 2009

 

...The law specifically said the money could not be used to raise dividends or to repurchase shares....

...Now the most detailed analysis of what actually happened — using confidential government data as well as corporate reports — has estimated what happened to the $299 billion companies brought back from foreign subsidiaries. About 92 percent of it went to shareholders, mostly in the form of increased share buybacks and the rest through increased dividends....

So far, my objection to Mr. Bernanke's $600 billion Wall Street bailout is valid. I am not alone, either.

...Investors don’t have the same positive regard for the Federal Reserve’s actions, (click title to entry - thank you)  particularly the decision in November to inject $600 billion of stimulus into the financial system. A plurality of respondents, 35 percent, say that policy, know as quantitative easing, hasn’t had any significant effect on the economy; another 33 percent say the asset purchases risk a rise in inflation to dangerous levels. Just 27 percent say the plan to buy Treasuries is working as intended to help reduce unemployment and boost growth....

I am worried about inflation.  The tight monitoring of ANY indication has to be acted on and not simply reported.  The economic recovery of the USA is going well and sailing smoothly, there is no reason to rattle the path to success now.

When it snows it is global warming and when it doesn't it is global warming. Why?

Because 'climate' is grossly different in definition than weather and 'weather' is dominated by climate.  The subject seems to be beyond the capability in the USA to comprehend.  Pity.  Sort of like understanding the etiology of the Great Recession, there is a political divide in the USA that causes changes in cognition.

Unusually cold December weather in some places distracted attention from warmth elsewhere

2010 was the warmest year since global temperature records began in 1850 - although margins of uncertainty make it a statistical tie with 1998 and 2005. (click title to entry - thank you)

Arctic Oscillation Chills North America, Warms Arctic (click here)

Posted January 26, 2011

Snow fell in the U.S. Deep South, severe storms battered the East Coast, and International Falls, Minnesota, set a new temperature record: -46 degrees Fahrenheit (-43 degrees Celsius) on January 21. But in areas north of the United States and southern Canada, temperatures were above normal. In fact, unusual warmth forced residents of Iqaluit, capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, to cancel their New Year’s snowmobile parade....

 

President Obama gave a good speech and was very concise as he usually is with optimism in good measure.

The speech had imposing realities, but, the President managed to address those realities with dignity.

The President focused on aspriations to provide our nation's children with promising futures in a highly competitive world where currently the USA simply is not up to the task.

The President recognizes the need for all members of the House and Senate to work together to actually accomplish the needs of the nation.

His focus on jobs and the deficit was 'spot on.'  It was obvious, although not directly stated, the key to reducing the debt is by returning good jobs wtih longevity to Americans.  In establishing a vigorous 'job economy' the national debt will come into reach.  To shrink government for the sake of shrinking government is ideological and does not provide a better path for the country.

The President stated, the 'operating infrastructure' of the federal government is laborious and redundant.  It is 'aged' and 'outdated' without recognizing the technology that exists to modernize it.  I simply thought the 'Salmon Example' was wonderful.  It almost sounds as though the federal infrastructure operates as separate nations rather than a streamlined and concise form of administration.

The deficit reduction was well addressed.  The 'idea' that improving the Affordable Health Care Act was a priority where it is needed.  I thought Secretary Sebilius was not looking her best.  I thought she looked sad, but, that might have to do with the Congresswoman.  I am sure there are members of the government that feel the distress of the Gabby's circumstances more than others.  Perhaps with her background and focus Secretary Sebilius was effected and it showed.  I would love to hear her speak on the ongoing process her department is engaged in and how it is going.  Upto today, we only get snapshots of what the Department of Health and Human Services is undergoing to institute the changes to the nation as legislated under the new law.  I think it would be helpful if she spoke at length and/or issues an 'operational' statement specifically addressing 'facts' and 'figures' in these years of transition.  It would remove some of the mystery and myth that floats around the country.  At any rate, I hope she is doing well, her job is going smoothly and she is not hounded or harassed in her responsibilities.

Secretary Gates had an ear to ear smile at the beginning of the evening.  Hillary looked good.  Secretary of Energy was his dashing self.  His department was highlighted tonight with young entrepreneurs leading innovation in alternative energies for the nation.

The mised seating was refreshing.  At some points in the speech there seemed to be a great deal of discussion going on in the house.  I didn't notice Chief Justice Roberts among the Justices and of course Scalia and Alito saw no reason to attend.  At least one of them can't contain his political activism at these events, so rather than being impeachable he decided to make money at a speaking engagement instead.  That was probably a wise career choice.

My complete impression is that I am in agreement with all if not everything the President stated on all subjects including mass transit.  It was good to hear how we weren't expanding war, but, ending it.  The soldiers are coming home with dignity except for nearly 5000 that didn't make it back home alive from Iraq.  Of course, Afghanistan is an ongoing concern.  I really believe Afghanistan is more a NATO and UN agenda item rather than a USA priority.  The trouble is more a 'regional' problem with fluid borders and odd economic dynamics.  The Taliban is a problem.  It is primarily the Taliban that remains the problem and that is a global focus, especially since they are actively seeking to disrupt entire important cities such as Punjab.

It was a good speech.

I listened to Mr. Ryan's response.  He made some deliberate 'mis-statements' such as the EPA has a Cap and Trade agenda.  That is a gross error in what the EPA is engaged in and what their authority is to even consider such hideous notions.  I wish the Republicans would not interject lies to their point of view. It was grossly out of step with bipartisan objectives. 

Rep. Bachman really was in opposition to most of what Mr. Ryan had to say and it only proves how divided the GOP sincerely has become.  There really are two parties regardless of the Bachman statements otherwise.  She almost needed Rove's White Board for all the 'structural' differences and rhetoric she engaged in.

I simply hope the House will find a way to be 'real' and 'reasonable' and keep the future of our children in mind to rebuild this country.  The national debt is a concern, but, addressing it dysfunctionally would only create more problems for our children and not less.

I believe the President did a remarkable job in addressing all the 'topics' circulating in the country with his usual concise focus and good sense of humor.  Well done.

Michelle was her usual lovely self and gracious hostess to all the guests.

Unlike Wall Street, the States need to 'produce' more income to 'reinfuse' their pension funds.

No BAILOUTS for the States.  They actually have a lot of power to move their investments to higher earnings.  It is the 'RISK' that needs to be monitored.

The pensions to public employees are actually some of the reason why their wages are a lower cost to consumers.  It is DELAYED gratification.  In all honesty, this is a FIDUCIARY promise to the public employees and it needs to be respected.

The one thing that bothers me and I am sure Bernanke and the Fed are looking at it, is the small inflation in the economy due to higher oil and gas costs (Production costs), including food. 

The States need to get their act together, which isn't easy in a hostile political environment and FUND their pensions soon, before The Fed is forced to start raising interest rates to stem inflation that might be hidden in the energy costs.

...“Private equity fundraising should pick up this year,” said Joncarlo Mark, senior portfolio manager at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the largest U.S. public pension plan, with $226 billion of assets. “Other asset classes may outperform their benchmarks, but public plans still need the extra pop from private equity to get out of the holes they’re in.”...

The fastest growing JOB as of 2009 is the Registered Nurse with good salaries. What was that about the health care job destroying bill?

Fastest-growing jobs have low pay (click title to entry - thank you)

August 31, 2010|By Property of The OC Register

Four of the five fastest-growing job categories from 2006 to 2009 paid less than the U.S. median wage of $15.95 an hour, reports the Economic Policy Institute....

Cutting government payrolls ACTUALLY equates to higher costs to consumers !!!

Public employees AND their unions are not interested in gouging taxpayers.  They are taxpayers, too.

...Keefe offered some suggestions (click here) for why these public employees are often perceived to be overcompensated. For starters, public sector workers are, as a group, more highly educated, work in more highly paid occupations and they tend to work moderately fewer hours than those in the private sector. In addition, it is frequently noted that public employees earn more in benefits such as health care and pensions: therefore, a simple wage comparison will not accurately capture difference in total compensation. Nonetheless, after controlling for multiple factors including level of education, hours worked and non-cash compensation, Keefe found that, on average, full-time state and local employees are undercompensated compared to “otherwise similar private-sector workers.”...

Private sector job growth depends on increased demand for services.  The 'opportunity' to grow those jobs depends on CAPITAL available 'TO EVEN GO THERE.'

I always have to laugh when I hear how cutting government SPENDING is going to increase jobs and income to the business sector.  Really?  Where EXACTLY is the 'capital' coming from to increase the ABILITY for small businesses to increase their production, increase jobs and increase the tax base? 

EXACTLY WHERE?

Where?

From the EXACT place that prints the currency and distributes the funds THROUGH GOVERNMENT SPENDING, that's where.

The BANKS are getting FUNDING from the GOVERNMENT to facilitate increased opportunity for increased productivity, job growth and increased tax base THAT WILL PAY THE DEBT.  Now, everyone want to try this AGAIN?  Without the nonsense, this time!

A full year ago this MEASURE was proposed and then acted on by a majority Democratic legislature.  It is NOW taking effect. 

Hello?

Nothing happens overnight except sex.

Banks to Get $30 Billion for Small Business Loans  (CLICK HERE)

Treasury says its new fund, an idea in the 2010 State of the Union address, will soon start pumping capital into community banks

Policy January 24, 2011, 2:50PM EST

During his last State of the Union, President Barack Obama trumpeted a new $30 billion fund designed to boost small business lending....

...Now the money from the Small Business Lending Fund is about to start flowing, with investments expected to be made in the first quarter, according to Jason Tepperman, the Treasury program's director...

SPECIFICS, not rhetoric. "Cut and Grow.' Huh?

We have heard the rhetoric before.  It always comes WITHOUT specifics.  WHERE are the jobs going to SPROUT from when government jobs are cut?

Where are there MORE jobs when government JOBS are cut?

Where IS our 'tax base' going to increase that will provide for more income to PAY DOWN THE DEBT when AN EXISTING TAX BASE of government employees lose their jobs? 

What will occur with unemployment and the NEWLY unemployed?

When rhetoric 'takes over' the dialogue in the media the result are responses to past experience that has proven TO BE TRUE. 

Where is THE LONG TERM COMMITMENT by businesses to ADD jobs to the USA economy that will actually provide for deficit reduction and debt payment? 

SPECIFICS, not rhetoric.  We want facts and figures and solid CONTRACTURAL promises and not MANIPULATION of 'heart strings' placed in 'faux hopes' that end up in heartache and disappointment.

...Wealthy business (click title to entry - thank you) is not passing down the wealth by hiring more people, (middle class) workers. They are putting all their savings by this policy into their own pockets.

The tax cuts only profit their companies, giving them more profits. Without these taxes, they are not contributing the money needed for a good education for out future generations, and health care, which they can afford the very best, but the middle and low income cannot. They don't want any regulations on big business — let them pollute anything and everything.

Let the rich keep filling their pockets only, not ours....

Raising the age of 'eligibility' to SSI is more than just a legislative agenda item.

This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) paper, (click title to entry - thank you)  prepared at the request of the Committee on Ways and Means minority, provides material relevant to that debate. In particular, it contains new information about the characteristics, circumstances, and financial resources of men and women who began receiving Social Security benefits at age 62 or 63 in recent years. In accordance with CBO's mandate to provide objective and impartial analysis, this paper contains no recommendations....

This is the measure that raised the age in 1999 to 65 for FULL benefits.  There is 'merit' to the idea, however, it is not without problems that will cause citizens 'legitimate' concerns.

To begin, whenever the age of full eligibility is raised THAT means, there has to be MORE JOBS in the economy to accommodate the 'continuation'of income by those still ABLE to work.  In a struggling economy that needs 'permanent' jobs developed; that pay 'good wages;' that is nearly impossible to 'realize.' 

So, the proposal has to be accompanied by a strict understanding as to what the 'joblessness' rate is in the USA and the demographics of that rate.

Simply put, when people stay in jobs longer they tend to be paid more than 'new' employees to government or the private sector. THAT is a paradigm shift that impacts THE YOUNG PEOPLE entering the job market AND the advancement of existing employees, the 'bottom line' of the companies and the cost to government.

THERE IS A LOT TO IT.

When the eligibility of SSI increases by one month per year for the next thirty-six years that is a 'soft landing' for that paradigm shift, HOWEVER, the shift will occur and there needs to be an understanding as to the 'definition' of that paradigm shift.  AND how it impacts labor, business, government and ultimately the 'quality of life' of Americans.

When retriement is postponed there is also a huge impact on the tourism economy and 'service workers.' 

To simply state moving the age of eligibility by one month per year for the next thirty-six years will FIX the SSI entitlement problems is NOT addressing the larger dynamic at work that it will impact.

That is a simplistic idea that is NOT acceptable in any way, especially in the year 2011 when there is a 'soft economy' in the USA.

Working to the benefit of raising the FULL benefit eligibility age will also take on the dynamic of an ever increasing 'disability' benefit payout as a percentage of older adults will be unable to continue to the age of 68.  That means the eligibility of Medicare and Medicaid will be effected as well and it might even push some older adults into a disability benefit if they thought they could 'see it through' to the full benefit age of 65.

There are a lot of 'variables' in this equation and all that needs to be PRESENTED the correct way to allow the legislature to make intelligent decisions about the 'proper' deployment of such a paradigm shift.

No one wants to force older adults to lose their savings or homes or assets of any nature simply because the federal government decided to 'play politics' with their 'eligibility.' 

So. 

That said, what EXACTLY are "The Pauls' talking about.

If one wants to understand Europe than read about Europe everyday. The European INFLUENCE globally is exceptionally interesting.

The 'seat' of current Free World culture began there. 

This is from The Internatinoal Herald Tribune.  I read that paper daily for years and I still have my notes.  They used to 'feature' a country and/or a peoples and/or a culture daily on what used to be Page 2 or 3. 

At any rate, today President Sarkozy casts a light on the struggles in Tunisia and why France has to stand down from the dynamics that might be viewed as 'a liberation.'

...“France did not take the full measure (click title to entry - thank you) of the despair of the Tunisian people,” Mr. Sarkozy said. “We in France probably underestimated the aspirations of the Tunisian people for freedom.” He argued that France had to act “with a certain reserve” regarding its former colonies....