Gotcha! Bet you thought this was all about South Carilina’s Sanford, huh? Wrong! It is little “Miss Golly”, Alaska’s Sarah Palin….that is right you heard me….Sarah Palin. What could she have done that would warrant a resignation?
But why would the “fair haired” gal of the GOP resign her office? Time may have the inside info in an article written by Jay Newton-Small:
Palin’s had a rough 2009 thus far, drawing headlines often more suitable for Britney Spears than for a serious politician and gracing the covers of more tabloids than news magazines. She’s picked heated public battles with Levi Johnston, the father of her teenage daughter’s baby, and with late night comedian David Letterman for crossing the line in mocking her daughter’s sex life. In the last week, she’s been eviscerated in a Vanity Fair article that has reduced the Republican Party into two camps, Palin supporters and detractors, who slug it out on the cable shows. She’s also rankled Republican insiders by accepting two high profile speaking engagements and then bailing out. And then she twice bolted a congressional dinner before finally agreeing to appear, but declining to speak. Such fickle behavior has not endeared her to many party stalwarts, and her name is consistently left off the list when reporters ask the likes of John McCain and former Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush for ideas on who could be the next leader of the party.
Perhaps because of these missteps, many GOP advisers have urged Palin to keep a low profile, to follow the Ronald Reagan trajectory by studying up on the issues, maybe do a listening tour and spend time building relationships behind the scenes.
“This is classic Sarah Palin, the mixture of the personal and political,” says Michael Carey, an Anchorage talk show host. “It’s all done ad hoc. There’s no strategic plan. It’s, ‘This is what I’m going to do, baby. Here we go,’ ” Carey said in a phone interview. A Washington friend with whom Palin spoke Friday morning said the soon-to-be ex-Governor of Alaska doesn’t have a concrete plan going forward but she plans on working on her book – bought by HarperCollin’s in May – and helping Republican candidates. The friend also said that Palin, who will step down July 25, had become increasingly unhappy with the media scrutiny, her battles with the state legislature, the 15 ethics complaints filed against her by outside progressive groups and politics as a whole.
Palin’s announcement caps a miserable few weeks for the Republican Party. Senator John Ensign, often mentioned as a potential 2012 candidate, resigned his leadership position after admitting to an affair, followed the next week by Governor Sanford’s admission of several indiscretions. “The way we are going, if you are the Junior Jaycees president in Memphis you could be in line for the nomination,” quipped Weaver. Indeed, many in the GOP must now be wondering whether being on the party’s 2012 shortlist is a blessing or a curse.
The FOX News had this report:
“And I’ll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and life,” she said in a news conference at her home in Wasilla. “I’ll work for and campaign for those proud to be American, and those who are inspired by our ideals and won’t deride them.”
Palin, 45, didn’t elaborate on how she’d achieve those goals, but she will have a variety of potential platforms, from writing books to hitting the public speaking circuit to working directly with the Republican Party to get candidates elected.
In the process, she’ll also have the ability to make a lot of money — far more than the $125,000 or so a year she has earned as governor. She already had a deal with publisher HarperCollins to produce her memoirs, with publication planned for next spring. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but six-figure book deals are common for high-profile political figures.
So is it about the money and not about the service to the people of Alaska? Go figure! With the Repubs it seems to be always about the money
Sanford gone…Ensign gone……Pawlenty iffy…….the GOP has few candidates right now….Huckabee, Crist and Mitt…what will they do…..God only knows…but the worst thing they could do was to turn to the Newt…his brand of hate and vile will do them no good.
A Daily Agitation
Today is the 4th of July, the day our country was founded and this day will be round two of the Obama bashing crowd known as the New Tea Party.
The first batch was suppose to be about the raise in taxes with the Obama plan, but it seems that there would be little raise in taxes for us normal people just those thieves that are making over $250,000, but that did not stop the protests but it made it into nothing but people bashing thew prez on everything—gun rights, nationality, etc. It was also billed as a non-partisan protest but most of the hour by hour coverage was from conservative media outlets and most of the speakers were conservatives trying to advance the agenda of “anti big government” that Onbama is standing for.
Round two is being billed as the same thing as round one–non partisan. As far as I have seen there will be “massive”, whgatever that means, protests in Texas and New Jersey. I am sure that there will be others, wherever people want to gather and bash a sitting president.
More than a dozen New Jersey communities have planned rallies. America’s Tea Party, to take place from 3pm to midnight on Independence Day, will feature a full lineup including nationally-known speakers and entertainment, plus games, vendors, prizes, food and drinks for purchase, a 21-minute fireworks program, and more. Speakers at the event will focus on the opportunity for every citizen to make a difference by standing up for liberty and working against further government expansion, bailouts and irresponsible elected officials.
The tea party groups are expected to protest the Cap and Trade bill containing a new federal policy that residential, commercial, and government buildings be retrofitted to increase energy efficiency. People will protest the economic stimulus bill Obama signed into law in February, so says the organizers.
Basically, this is a feeler for fundraising for the GOP. And nothing more than an opportunity to bash the current administration and its policies. I am sure that round two will be like round one–full of misinformation and out right lies.
I have been reading and writing about the economy and the problems and the solutions for a long time….recently I saw one of the dumbest things I have ever seen……Oklahoma state representative, Sally Kerns, has found a new way to make the GOP look more stupid and less in touch than anyone before her.
The state representative has taken it upon herself to create an “Oklahoma Citizen’s Proclamation for Morality,” which essentially blames the nation’s sinners (you know, like the gays and divorcees) on the economic recession. Here’s a snippet of the document, which can be read in its entirety here:
WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; andWHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and
WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and
WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and
WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior;
This woman has given a NEW meaning to the word religious zealot…..she has NOT done a service to her supporters. We do not need representatives that have this type of thinking….this will NOT solve our problem with the economy. This is a stupid person, by that I mean she is culivating ignorance.
This guy keeps getting further and further out there; he is seeing conspiracies everywhere.
Conservative talk radio’s fair haired boy, Rush has out done himself this time….on a recently show he spoke of the conspiracy of Obama to stay beyond 2016…..as usual …this guy is just an idiot……Rush’s big concern is that someone has authored a bill saying that the 22nd amendment should be repelled…he went on to say…….
You have to wonder if Obama is just trying to lay a foundation for not being a hypocrite when he tries to serve beyond 2016. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if in the next number of years there is a move on the 22nd Amendment, which term limits the President of the United States. He may not do it that way, he may not openly try to change the Constitution. But there might be this movement in the country from his cult-like followers to support the notion that a democratically-elected leader who is loved and adored has carte blanc once elected. Just serve as long as he wants because the people demand it, because the people want it, because the people love it.
And I’ll tell you folks, this business about running beyond 2016, you know, the thing that when you look at Obama’s followers – and we’ve discussed it here – they are a cult-like bunch and their attachment to him is not political, it’s not ideological, it is not issue-wise, it is cultish. It includes a wide percentage of minorities, by the way, who for different reasons, who will come to think that he simply cannot be replaced. Let him succeed with amnesty, for example, and all the illegal aliens who are instantly made citizens. He’ll be too important. Just like right now he’s too big to fail as far as the drive-bys are concerned, he’s too important to be replaced. No one else can lead the nation, they will say. And they won’t care a whit about the legalities that might be trampled. Half of the legalities if they don’t even know about them because they haven’t been properly educated. I think this situation in Honduras is very instructive. Anybody who thinks that he intends to just constitutionally go away in 2016 is nuts .
You know maybe Rush boy should check his info before he spouts crap. The issue in question was brought at least three other times and it was during the Bush admin. Also his conspiracy theory has another hole in it….even if the 22nd amendment was to be shit canned…I do not believe that Obama could sign it….conflict of interests and all that. I realize that Rush does not depend on truth very often but maybe he should…or at least his throngs of adoring morons should look for the truth and stop let this drug addict dictate their beliefs to them……Just a thought.
In a word…YES. But then it will really depend on what side of the health care issue you stand.
The debate is getting nasty over Obama’s health plan….fear is being used by Repubs…once again…it has proven to be a very lucrative technique for them. But the biggest weapon they have is their attacks on the costs of such a health plan. If you watch or listen to the news you have heard most of the arguments…..that it will cost our grandchildren trillions and lessen their quality of life because they must pay for the program. That is the biggest argument they have.
But first, these same Repubs did not have a problem with who will have to pay for the wars they have started…and the Dems allowed them to push it through Congress. It is easy to scare an ignorant electorate…..and for that reason I try to make things more clear about complex issues.
This is about the money that will be saved or not by any health reform issue.
A nationwide health insurance exchange that includes a Medicare-like government option could save $1.8 trillion more than if only private plans are offered, a prominent private U.S. health policy group said on Wednesday.Federal spending on health-related costs would still rise from 2010 to 2020, but they would be less with a plan that pays doctors and hospital rates similar to the Medicare program for the elderly and disabled, according to a report by the Commonwealth Fund.
Supporters say such an option would offer Americans an affordable alternative. Most people with health insurance in the United Stated get it through their employer or the government. But those who do not have coverage through work and do not qualify for Medicare or the Medicare program for the poor can face a tough time buying a policy.
The Commonwealth fund echoed those sentiments, saying private plans could lower premiums as more people seek insurance and that lower administrative costs with the government-run options may force private plans to streamline.
Overall, an exchange with a Medicare-like plan will save nearly $3 trillion through 2020, saving consumers up to $2,200 per household, Commonwealth found. About $2 trillion of that would come after about five to six years, it said.
In comparison, an exchange including a government plan with higher rates would save $1.97 trillion and a private plan-only exchange would save almost $1.2 trillion. Both options would save a household $1,600.
The increase in federal budget costs from 2010 to 2020 with the Medicare-like public plan would be $112 billion, it found. That is compared to $232 billion under the public plan with somewhat higher rates and $360 billion under a private plan-only exchange.
Some facts are not published where everybody can get to them…I am sure the Repubs have a report that says just the opposite….it will be the reader to decide which is more accurate than the other.
Peter Barnes in his book Capitalism 3.0 looks at health care.
Pooled risk sharing, or social insurance, has several advantages over individualized risk. One is universality: everyone is covered and assured a dignified existence. Another is fairness: when risks are individualized, some people fare well, but others do not. There are winners and losers, and the disparities can be great.
Social insurance principles have been applied in America to the risks of old-age poverty, temporary unemployment, and disability. In every other capitalist democracy, they’ve been applied to these risks and ill health. The United States provides universal health insurance only to people age sixty-five and older. Extending this coverage to all Americans would be another pillar of the commons sector and make us more of a national community.
Much has been said about the Canadian style health insurance…but there are a few facts that do not seem to make it out to the public.
First column is Canada….second is US
Est. per capita expenditures $3326 $6040
Percent spent on administration 10% 26%
Monthly premium for family of 4 $88 $1045
Male life expectancy (years) 77 75
Female life expectancy (years) 84 81
Infant mortality (per 1000 births) 4.7 6.4
The Canadian style does not seem to be that bad of an option.
Those are the facts…take it for what it is worth…personally….I think the public option would be the best option if your goal is to get health care for ALL Americans.
That has been the cry of the GOP in Washington….they keep saying that the deficit will go up by trillions if the stimulus plan is continued….and that is only the short version of the misinformation spread like manure on a field by Repubs and its supporters.
Shall we look at what is happening with the stimulus?
Stimulus Committed Spent
TARP (Bush Admin) $700 billion $367 billion
New Initiatives (Obama) $124 billion $0
Fed Reserve programs $6.2 trillion $1.4 trillion
Federal Stim of 2008 $1.1 trillion $234 billion
These are the big ticket programs that have been used to help stabilize the economy through this rough stretch.
If one takes a good look at the info above one will see that the money has NOT been spent yet….so of course it is not working…YET. You will see the cash by the Bush admin has been spent and that part o0f the recovery is not working yet.
My point is that to say that the efforts are not working is just plain silly…..of course it is not….one reason is that the stim money has not been spent….as usual the Repubs are lying, if you do not like that word, then they are misleading the people.
More notes that did not make it into posts….but they deserve to be out there for discussion.
1–Farah had the misfortune of dying the same wekl as MJ; she basically got kicked to the rear of the bus, as far as news coverage went.
2–Sanford–I have found over the years that those that are the most vocal have the most to hide….he was a Clinton critic and demanded that he resign because of his “loose: morals. He also need to shut the hell up, everytime he steps infront of a mic to apologize he puts his foot in another pile of manure that he needs to apologize for…..sit down and shut up!
3–New Swedish law will allow women to go topless in public swimming pools–i am sure that patronage will go up…..
4–Good ole Bernie Madoff gets 150 years–personally would have preferred a crucifixion, a physical one, not the lip service he is getting….or let his victims decide his punishment.
5–BTW—-Jacko is STILL Dead! His will has been found, so that drama can be avoided. But there is more……it seems that his kids are not biologically his kids nor his ex wife eithe..and oh yeah….they were never legally adapted. This story is gonna be a huge media circus that will put the Ana Nicole thing to shame.
6–Al Franken has been awarded the senatorship of MN by the state’s supreme court….8 months after the election.
It started in 2006 when the Dems made real progress in the House at securing a majority….they went work and got absolutely nothing accomplished…..issue after issue was nullified…but at least they tried.
Then came the election of 2008…the country wanted change it had had enough of the Bush BS and all its people. The Senate and the House both got a long awaited majority and now with a new president of the same party they could get things done.
The centrists and the independents are looking forward to some real chganges in the way the middle class is treated. So far they have got nothing….Wall Street is trumping Main Street….would have been no different with a Repub winning the last election.
Some minor bones were thrown at the middle class…but the REAL money has been served up to Wall Street like a fine banquet and Wall Street has shown its appreciation by turning on the middle class and making their lives unbearable.
So yes the Dems are playing with fire….not only is the Congress a spineless bunch of millionaires but the prez is cowering to the business of Wall Street. Those centrist and independents that saw such hope with Obama, will no doubt leave him high and dry and vote for the next worthless lump of crap that promises change.
The Dems have a majority in the Senate and the House and yet they still cannot get anything done….they have been impotent for the last decade and now they more so and spineless. If the energy bill, or health care or on and on….were as important as all Dems pretend it is…they would pass each and every measure and not worry about what the trash barge known as the GOP was accusing them of doing.
Unless something goes seriously right, then the Dems will start losing their advantage in 2010 and the next round of elections. Spineless will lose every time in Washington. Is it their concern for campaign funds or is it the concern for the people.
Unfortunately, the Dems are showing that they are the cowards they have always been, even when they have an unbeatable majority, they still cannot bring themselves to do the right thing. For this reason the voter will look to someone else to make idle promises. The Dems are pissing away a perfect opportunity to pass programs they have wanted for decades, but they just cannot do it. Weaklings each and every one.
The boogey man is in the closet…….many economists are debating whether we will have inflation or deflation……who is right?
CNN Money is reporting that some fear inflation while others fear the opposite. Which will it be?
Should the Federal Reserve be more worried about the threat of inflation on the long-term horizon, or deflation in the short-term?
Those who fear inflation argue that the recent rise in oil prices, the dollar’s loss of value and the recent rise in yields on U.S. Treasurys are all signs that consumers could soon be grappling with higher prices for lots of goods and services.
These economists say the seeds for inflation have been sown by the Fed’s extraordinary efforts to keep the economy afloat over the past year.
But others argue the economy is still so weak that deflation, or a drop in prices, is the more serious threat. The Consumer Price Index, the government’s key inflation measure, posted its largest 12-month drop since 1950 in May.
This year-over-year decline in prices, coupled with rising unemployment and low factory utilization, could be signs that prices are likely to keep falling. And while lower prices might sound like a positive to consumers with budgets stretched to the breaking point, economists are in general agreement that deflation is far more destructive to the economy than inflation.
Businesses unable to make a profit in an environment of declining prices will likely cut production and lay off more workers. That could cause a deflationary spiral. The Great Depression and Japan’s so-called Lost Decade of economic stagnation are both well-documented examples of the damage that deflation can cause.
When the Fed wraps up its two day policy meeting Wednesday, it is virtually certain that it will leave its key interest rate near zero. What will be watched more closely is whether its statement has language warning of greater risk from rising or falling prices in the future.
In its last statement, the Fed said it “expects that inflation will remain subdued.” It also rang a deflationary warning bell, indicating that “inflation could persist for a time below rates that best foster economic growth and price stability in the longer term.”
I know…I know……so what will it be , Professor?
Back in the “dark ages” of my investing there was a sure sign of approaching inflation, that was the price of gold…if it went up then inflation was expected and investors were trying to get ahead of it. At last I saw gold was at $900+ per ounce. Take that for what it is worth.
