Getting Weary of Politics

I'm sure this won't happen to Fair, but I'm starting to feel burned out by politics. I still totally LOVE Barack Obama - don't get me wrong. But the expectations set for him were impossibly high and now I gather that his ratings are starting to drop and the criticism of this decision or policy or that is rising . . . I'm just weary of it all. I hope this condition doesn't last for long - I want to care about everything, I still keep up with national news online and on TV - but . . . I guess it is the post-campaign let-down, just a bit delayed . . .

Local news - of course the Economic Stimulus is story one. My involvement is tangential - but for various reasons, including the "federal-aid eligible" characteristic of the transportation component of the stimulus package, I did work with DIT to change "my" website at www.michigan.gov/mdot - look under maps & publications, maps, and then - no longer NFC and NHS - who knows what they stand for - now it's "Federal-Aid Highways." So maybe it will be easier for that small town mayor or whatever to look for the answer to the question - Is my road eligible for federal-aid? Could I get Stimulus money? (probably not if you have only now begun to look into it, but anyway . . . )

'Unpatriotic'

Today I am writing about Rush Limbaugh.

Rush Limbaugh is an IDIOT and self-serving pain in my side . This guy was on the radio saying how he hoped the Obama team's stimulus package would be a complete failure.

Then what, moron (Limbaugh), we all stumble into a deep Bush-era recession?

Back in 2001 and 2002, many in the country questioned then-President Bush's decision to go to war. Those withing the far reaches of the right wing were very happy to label those questioning our then-Commander In Chief as 'unpatriotic.' To me, wishing on live radio that a program, for the benefit of our nation, fails is unpatriotic and un-American.

Hey Limbaugh... I hear they don't like constructive stimulus packages in Nicaragua - how about you report live from Nicaragua. Rush Limbaugh is a self centered a$$ that cares only for himself.

The Long Game

Obama is so cool and strategic, and in that, so different from all predecessors, that reporters and political opponents just don't get it! Three weeks in - and his bipartisan efforts have failed! Idiots! It's the long game, stupid. You play out your invites here, your cocktail parties there, your phone calls and meetings on the hill - this looks good to the voters, idiots! So you don't move votes from the opposing side? That makes the opposition look bad, not Obama who is patiently making the overtures.

So weren't you in Austin today or yesterday or something? Bill Clinton was there with his Global Initiative stuff - did you see him? ;->

Go Green

Congratulations to Michigan State's basketball team on their raunching of UMich!

Transit made it through

Good news about the stimulus: the US House/Senate conference committee funded mass transit at $8.4 billion; national high-speed rail (according to who's definition?) will get $9.3 billion.

I read from the AP that President Obama and Sen. Harry Reid pushed for the high-speed rail funding 'behind the scenes.'

And the republicans... they rallied for more Dept. of Defense spending, did additional complaining, and then didn't bother to support the bill. We should include contributions from republican Sens. Collins, Snowe and Specter - screw the remainder of them. Really.

The tax cuts of the Bush year's did so well for our country...

Obama is Long-winded but Good . . .

at first presser (stupid slang, but it is more concise). You're right Fair, about the lack of CSPAN time from the Michigan Delegation re the Stimulus. Although, repub Rep. Steve Hoekstra is in the news for using Twitter to reveal the presence of a Congressional Delegation in Iraq. Not a good reference, of course. Do you tweet?

I'll sure be glad when the Stimulus is enacted and we can move on to other things. "They" say that Obama has had an opportunity to learn good lessons from this process - when to take control of a congressional debate, when to use the bully pulpit, etc. Maybe . . . .

Guess what - I have a business meeting on MSU campus tomorrow. They want in on the stimulus projects and of course have few federal-aid eligible roads. I gather they want to build something new and/or realign Wilson on the east side, to serve the new Facility for Rare Isotope something or other. I'm supportive and will explain the technicalities but management here is not necessarily on board . . . How's San Antonio?

Missing mitten

During the negotiation chatter in the media, I haven't heard much commentary on what Michigan's Senators and Congressmen(women) are doing to aid the state in crafting the stimulus. I know my former Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich (Harrison Twp.), will probably be busy blocking passage.

Hopefully her blocking will lead to another block - her upcoming re-election!

Any word, Ing, on the Michigan representation?

Come to think of it, the Virginia folks have been quiet too. The closest I can think of is Maryland Sen. Barbara Mikulski's auto purchase tax credit proposal. Hmmm.

Oh thank heaven

Oh thank heaven for, well, of course 7/11, but also for Maine Sen. Susan Collins.

Yes, Ing, you have it right. The stimulus bill negotiations have shown which of the, gulp, republicans are worth listening to... Ohio's Voinovich, the Maine delegation, Specter and even in this case Sen. Huchison from the great country of Texas.

Newsflash - there are costs associated with our country. Roads and transit lines do not appear out of thin air. To many in the suburbs, driving is considered a right, and they don't wish to pay for it thank you very much. The stimulus package(s) is a chance to make critical investments in our infrastructure, most long overdue.

I'm having a Fair time so far in Texas, although I still am tired from the last few weeks. Central time is an easy adjustment, much more so than when I was in California a few months ago.

Racist Republicans Critique Obama

Okay - let me get this straight:

• Obama has been in office less than three weeks and right-wing blogger Malkin declares his presidency a disaster; Newt Gingrinch pronounces him Jimmy Carter the second
• Ex-Vice President Cheney implies that Obama is deliberately and ignorantly discarding Bush Administration measures and policies, which will result in increased danger to the U.S.
• Former Bush Chief of Staff Andrew Card declares that Obama's changed dress code for the Oval Office (shirtsleeves okay) shows a lack of respect for the dignity of the office

All of these criticisms are completely unprecedented in their scope, source and tone from any previously lodged against brand new Presidents in the past. All past Presidents have been white - Obama is black. Therefore, such criticisms must originate in the racism of the critics, i.e., these Republicans.

Okay - this may be a stretch. But think about it - Malkin is understandable because she is always filled with vitriol against Democrats of any hue. But Gingrinch and Card are mainstream - what is it about Obama that gives them license to spout off as they have? I wonder . . .

Very Sorry that Obama has lost Daschle

Former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle has withdrawn his name from consideration for the post of Secretary of Health and Human Services. The New York Times editorial this morning, calling for him to do so, influenced his decision, he said in an "emotional" interview with Andrea Mitchell (NBC).

This is very sad for numerous reasons. First, I believe that Daschle has been a very effective and supportive advisor to Obama for a number of years - I'm sad for Obama losing him in such a role. Second, I have always liked Tom Daschle - he seems to be very smart and to have a wry sense of humor, which is quite attractive. Third - I just don't think these income tax lapses are all that significant. Certainly the income and corresponding tax situations of Geithner, Daschle, and the other woman who withdrew today (from a made-up sounding post having to do with Performance Evaluation) are not anything I can relate to personally. But that doesn't matter to me - basically, Obama should be able to get who he wants unless it turns out the person is a total criminal (in which case, he would not have selected them).