I know there’s a palpable fear out there about government getting too large, particularly in light of how the Bush administration has grown it since 9/11, but is there a possibility that we could be on the verge of another New Deal? This op-ed piece in Salon.com mentions the possibility, while talking about the “Crash of Republican Economics.” It’s pretty clear that the “hands-off” approach hasn’t worked, and the right-wing conservatives have given it several tries now. Voodoo Economics, indeed.

As I have come to understand (thanks to my fellow blogger here), what initially looks like a corporate bailout to Bear Stearns by the government is actually an attempt to stop a chain reaction, and could eventually make money for the Treasury in the long run.

With more and more US citizens seeing that trickle-down economics and runaway capitalism hasn’t worked, could there actually be a change of attitudes brewing where people start to realize that government can possibly have a positive impact on people’s lives? If corporations can have a safety blanket, why can’t people? But that’s not really what the article was about. As I’ve been mentioning for a long time now, it might be the time for a massive government investment in infrastructure revitalization that would create jobs and perform some much needed work across America. We have quickly forgotten about our crumbling bridges, and the rebuilding of our schools takes a back seat to declining home values, a credit crunch, and possible recession. When is the last time you heard about the percentage of bridges that are unsafe in this country? Perhaps two weeks after the Minneapolis bridge collapse back in 2007? At most? Just today, a huge section of I-95 going through Philadelphia is closed due to a massive crack in a key pillar. Another article I read noted that it was fortuitous that a bridge inspector noticed a small crack had expanded recently, and the bridge was closed off for repairs immediately. Now, take a look at that column. Is there any DOUBT that the bridge should be closed off??

Another bridge is bound to fall. Will that be the time for another New Deal? If the government is investing in business, why can’t it invest in its people? Now might be the time. The climate is changing. I’m not buying into all this “worst time since the Great Depression” talk, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take some drastic preemptive action before it gets here. To those of us in the middle class, it certainly is starting to seem like the walls are closing around us financially. Government in debt, dollar at an all time low resulting in higher prices on imported goods (and what isn’t imported these days?)… Fuel prices at an all time high, home values plummeting, infrastructure crumbling, banks reluctant to loan money in light of recent losses, causing an even greater housing slump… It just goes on and on. It’s time for something new, and if America will ever be ready for a New Deal II, if not now, when?

Campaign 2008, Policy | No Comments »

So, Obama has just released — for the *second* time — a list of his “earmarks,” i.e., those pet projects for local Illinois entities for which he sought funding. Earmarks are typically derided as pork barrel spending, although I don’t get that. Sure, if there’s a conflict of interest when seeking an earmark, that ain’t good. But otherwise, why shouldn’t our tax dollars be used to support hospitals, universities, etc.? Not to excess, but that strikes me as a better way to spend it than on, say, a rat hole out in the desert’s of the Middle East.

But whether good or ill, Obama has released his entire list, and explained any items that look questionable. He’s encouraged Hillary to do the same. She hasn’t. And I’m guessing she probably won’t. So typical of the Clintons. It’s rarely the facts that will cause political problems, but rather the attempts to prevent those facts from being made public. The Clintons — and I do hate bashing them, because I was and remain a huge supporter of Bill’s, and I’m happy to have Hillary in the Senate, but I gotta call ‘em as I see ‘em — are just reflexively secretive. Even when it doesn’t really matter, and even when they’re ultimately going to have to be forthcoming, so they might as well just bite the bullet and get it over with. This is one of the primary reasons why I’m not supporting her. Let’s have a president who’s a bit more forthcoming.

Campaign 2008 | No Comments »

Has Geraldine Ferraro lost her fucking mind?

First she says: “If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman of any color, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept.” I.e., his supporters are voting for him because he’s black. If that’s the case — if that’s the only reason that he is the leading candidate, and wouldn’t be if he were white — than how come we’re not coming to the end of the eight year term of President Al Sharpton? You moron.

Then, when Obama calls her on it, she says, “Every time that campaign is upset about something, they call it racist,” she said. “I will not be discriminated against because I’m white.”

Holy shit, where do you start with *that*? Obama has assiduously avoided playing the race card in any way in this campaign; much less terming anything “racist” because he’s upset about it. And his calling her on making a stupid racist comment means that he’s discriminating against her because she’s white? Someone explain the logic of that to me. Sweet heart, it’s time to lower your dose of premarin, because you’re losing your shit.

Campaign 2008 | No Comments »

Well isn’t this interesting. So first Florida IGNORES many many warnings from the DNC regarding its relocation of the Democratic Primary date, and now wants to piss and moan about not being represented at the Democratic Convention? Wha? When the DNC privately contacts each member of the Florida House and tells them, “we strongly urge you to oppose the measure that would move your primary because we will NOT be able to seat ANY of your delegates should you approve this,” the House ignores them?

The PDF document brings up a good point — isn’t the DNC entitled to choose its candidate in any way it sees fit to do so? Cries of disenfranchisement from Michigan and Florida don’t really enter into it. This isn’t a general election, it’s a party selection process. Is there equal protection mandated under a party’s selection process?

And now, Florida says, “Our House delegation is opposed to a mail-in campaign or any redo of any kind.” Apparently they want to seat the delegates as initially apportioned. How convenient for Hillary.

I think if they’re opposed to any do-over (probably partially because they don’t want to pay for one), we teach these jerks a lesson. Sit down and shut up, Florida. You had your say in 2000 and you messed it up for all of us. You want everything YOUR way? Too bad. Sit down, and shut up.

Campaign 2008 | No Comments »

From today’s NYT: Former Attorney General John Ashcroft responded angrily Tuesday to Congressional Democrats who suggested that a no-bid private contract directed to him by the Justice Department last year amounted to a “back-room sweetheart deal” worth tens of millions of dollars to his consulting firm.

“There is not a conflict; there is not an appearance of a conflict,” Mr. Ashcroft said at a hearing of a House Judiciary subcommittee exploring the circumstances of the contract.

I love this. The administration is up in arms over the Air Force’s granting a contract in a fair, arms length, contracting bidding process, to Airbus, because it’s not an American company. And yet they’re happy to give no-bid sweetheart deals to their cronies. We can’t shed these guys soon enough.

Campaign 2008 | No Comments »

George W. Bush stood in front of the press today to officially introduce the Republican Nominee for president, John McCain. Apart from entirely hogging the spotlight, he noted, “I’ve had my time in the Oval Office, and it’s been a fabulous experience, by the way.”

Not for us, Mr. Bush. Not for us.

Campaign 2008 | No Comments »