Why We Can't Move Forward

Today's top headlines:

- The Iraqi Shoe Guy... Again
- Rick Warren has made Gay folks mad
- Bill Clinton's donors to his foundation

What is not being talked about...
- Our mess of a health care system
- Our need to turn our economy green and save the planet
- Jobs!

This is the problem with the media and us (and our collective short attention span).

Obama is not even President and the news is looking for anything it can find to criticize and amplify. To make an issue out of a non-issue to key those ratings up.

Here is what we should be focused on in my opinion:
- How do we give everyone health care coverage. Should we take the profit out of health care and make it truly public, like libraries? Is health care a right? Are we slaves to our employers because of the health care coverage they offer? What dream job would you have if you did not have to worry about coverage?
- Why is Germany leading the World on green technologies? Why not America? Germany faced a massive economic problem during unification. All those East German's needed jobs and a lot of welfare to work programs. A big part of the effort was turning their economy green. Germany leads in wind power technology. Solar power is mainstream there. How come our country settles for a mediocre and old school approach to our energy needs?
- Jobs! How do we spur job growth in the US? We need to combine our push for saving the environment as a major way to grow the economy. America can not slip further behind the rest of the World. Get out of Iraq, make smart military decisions, and spend our tax money on projects that have a direct impact on job creation. Infrastructure, education and the like.

Lastly, tell anyone that says we CAN'T to F Off! We have had eight long years of the other way of doing things. It is our turn and we will not be distracted by the pettiness of the media sound bites.

Rip Off Report - Scams

Here are a list of free sites that are scams, so beware!

Free Site Alliance (www.freesitealliance.org aka FSA 2008) runs these and they are ALL scams:

www.freemacbookair.com
wii.freenintendos.com
www.freexbox360.com
www.freeiphone3g.org
www.freeipodtouch1.com
www.freearea51.com
www.freesonyplaystation.com
www.freeandroidphone.net
www.freeappletv.com
www.freerazr.com
www.freeintelimac.com

All these sites lead you to believe that you will get a cool product if you get enough referrals.

I have been successful with other sites like this in the past but this one, to my dismay, is a total scam. Read the full report at www.ripoffreport.com: LINK

And... if you can figure out where these Free Site Alliance people live, I will give you a reward. Just reply to this post to expose these rip off artists.

I will spend a little free time each week reporting these fools to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and other agencies.

Traitor Republicans

It is one thing to encourage competitiveness but another to slap American companies and workers directly in the face.

That is EXACTLY what GOP senators did last night by voting against the auto bailout.

I know that many blue collar workers support the GOP because of the social and gun issues but this is such a dishonorable and un-American thing to do. I suspect that it will not be forgotten anytime soon.

It is ironic that Bush may actually end his tenure by doing ONE wholly good thing in his eight years as president. Save the auto industry. Stranger things have not happened for a long time.

Prop 8 - The Musically

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Obama Address on Economy 12-6-08

Welcome Madame Secretary

Check out the Obama National Security team at Politico 44: link.

Announcement before Noon Monday.

Obama's Thanksgiving Address

Obama Holds 3rd Economic Presser, Bush Pardons Turkey

Today, Obama continues to take ownership of the economic recovery plan by announcing the formation of a new Economic Recovery Advisory Board headed by Paul Volcker.



Meanwhile, at the White House, Bush pardoned two turkeys named Pumpkin and Pecan.

Obama Economic Address

Obama's Second Weekly Address via YouTube

Sarah Palin During Turkey Slaughter - OMG!

The Slavery of Healthcare

What if you could take a chance and start your own business? Or be a consultant... or take a few months off for a break from working?

You might be able to but not if you have kids. Not if you have any type of health issue.

The current health system in the USA is squeezing innovation out of our economy. It increases risk related to venturing out and doing new things.

This is because you are afraid of losing your health care and all the negative impacts that could have on you and your family.

It reminds me of the Pink Floyd bricks in the wall music video... we have become slaves to this system.

I am just returning from a trip to Canada. I was greeted in the office with many friendly faces and it turned out that it was the day that people were getting flu shots at the office.

I thought that it was good timing because I sometimes have trouble making it to our flu shot sessions at work... so I got in line.

The process was quick and at the end I pulled out my wallet to pay the standard $30.

I got a strange look from the nurse... "no no sir, it is free".

This to me seems like the way it should be. Health care needs to be a public responsibility like roads, schools, police and fire fighting. Why should there be so much PROFIT in the American system.

Take out the profit and the cost goes down and more benefits can be provided.

Later on my trip I went to the local Real Canadian Super Store... right inside is a medical clinic. This seemed convenient. It was a busy place and there was a wait but again I thought that this seemed like the way it should be.

I took an evening trip to Niagra Falls and the major news story on the radio was about where a new clinic was being build in Ottawa. I wish we took our health care so seriously; that it was on the front burner rather than something only rarely talked about.

I am a creative person, a go getter and if I was not enslaved to corporate health care I would like nothing better to start my own business consultancy. With 4 kids and some special medical needs that is impossible. It is sad that in a country that prides itself on innovation that we have become trapped by the health care corporate barons and the politicians that support them.

From now on, when someone says beware of "socialized medicine" I am going to challenge the notion that this is a bad thing. We have "socialized" police and fire departments and that seems to work pretty good. I vote for socialized medicine... it certainly can not cost more then the lost innovation and real dollars taken out of my check every payday.

Obama YouTube Address

Welcome to 2009

President-elect Obama's office gave the media a new way to present him as Franklin Roosevelt 2.0 by announcing Friday that it will be posting weekly addresses - fireside chats for the web generation - on YouTube.

The first address will appear on Change.gov this Saturday, after it airs in audio. An Obama spokesperson says that this innovation is just the beginning of the digital, transparent presidency. The plan appears to be in the mold of what the campaign did with videos like "Four Days in Denver" and Campaign Manager David Plouffe's conversations on the state of the race. These videos allowed supporters to feel like they had a direct connection to the campaign, a connection that bypassed the media. Already, the Obama team has made good on the post-election plan. It posted a video from Valerie Jarrett, one of Obama's transition chairs, discussing plans for the new administration.

Dad in Chief

Nice to know that Obama can be a goofy dad too. My dad is goofy and I know my kids think I am goofy.

Bush & Obama

From today's meeting at the White House.

It just seems odd to see these two together.

Bush looks a bit fried. Obama looks fresh.

I don't think that January 20th can come soon enough.

New Adminstration Taking Shape

The Associated Press lists the top prospects for the highest ranking jobs in the Obama Administration here: LINK

Good news for Michigan. The Gov is sitting right next to the VP elect. This says that the auto industry is not only a key economic engine that will not be left to die but also key to the environmental and national security of the country (as in reliance on foreign oil).

A good start with some great minds... let's get the ball rolling!

Obama Radio Address #1

President Elect Obama's first radio address here: LINK

Obama's First Presser

Good Economic Analysis

Michelle Obama Painting

Michelle and Sasha Obama Listening to Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, August 2008

--- by Elizabeth Peyton.

O Team Hit Ground Running

Things move FAST for the O Team:

- O Team Ready to go under John Podesta
- Chief of Staff Emanuel accepts
- Communication Director Gibbs set up
- FBI briefing today in Chi Town
- Room 3E971 setup in Pentagon for O Transition Team
- President Elect Obama meets with Bush next week
- Economy Presser Tomorrow
- Change.GOV launches for transition transparency
- Still gets in 2-hour workout
- more we don't know about

PRESIDENT ELECT!

YES WE DID!

IMAGINE!

Imagine that you did not vote for Abraham Lincoln.

Imagine that you did not vote for FDR. Imagine that you did not vote for John F. Kennedy.

When your children and grandchildren ask you years from now, "Did you vote for a great president?"

What will you say?

Will you say, "I had a chance to make history but I shrunk from the task".

Or that, "I was afraid that our country was not ready for such change."

Will those small eyes look up at you with admiration because you did the right thing, or will you always feel like you played a "ney sayer" part in the greatest election of our time?

Cheney Endorses McCain - VOTE OBAMA!

Who Said This?

"Throughout the nation men and women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government, look to us here for guidance and for more equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth… I pledge myself to a new deal for the American people. This is more than a political campaign. It is a call to arms.”

Was FDR a Solialist?

He only saved the America from the Great Depression... that's all.

Second Guessing the Democrat

What have Democrats everywhere been screaming for? 

What has been their complaint about candidates prior to Obama?

"They are not tough enough", "They do not staying on message", "Too many leaks in the campaign"... etc.

So here we are with only 6 days to go and we hear things like "media-saturation", "should he be attacking Palin?" and "the 30-minute over-kill ad buy".

Give me a BREAK!

Do you think Obama should to switch to "prevent" defense, to use a football term?

Hell no! In football, it is a good way to blow a lead and so, too, would be the case here.

The best defensive is always a solid, disciplined offense.

Prize fighters do not let up when they are about to get a knock out... they keep hitting.

McCain is down, and Obama needs to keep stinging him repeatedly until the contest is won. PERIOD!

McCain's Outsourcing Bias - A Case Study & True Story

One of the best stories to illustrate how McCain completely does not get the outsourcing crisis in America is a story he touts on the campaign trail. He calls it the "corrupt tanker deal" but there is a lot more to the story.

Living in the Air Capital (Wichita, KS) and having family in Washington state, I know how the airline manufacturing business can make or break a local economy.

Take some time and read the article at this link from Politico and you may be surprised at what McCain did to American workers: LINK

Finally Some Real Reporting on the Campaign

Denver - Goodness Gracious!

Are you ready for change?

Rally after rally with over 75,000 showing up.

People are ready for a better America.

Vote Obama!

This is What McCain is Protecting

The wealthiest fifth of U.S. households now take in 50 percent of all income, up from 44 percent in 1977.

So when you hear him say we should not spread the wealth around, these 5% of Americans are who he is protecting.

In my humble opinion, I can't see why he should get more than 5% of the vote.

Stunning Insensitivity of the McCain Campaign

Notice to all Republicans, you deserve better.

I have come to a conclusion that the McCain campaign no longer represents regular Republicans.

I talk politics all the time. I have lots of co-workers and friends that are loyal and life-long Republicans. They are hard working, patriotic and decent Americans. They have civil conversations about issues and at no time, in this great state of Kansas or elsewhere, have I heard any of these GOPers say anything resembling the awful, hate-filled rhetoric coming out of the McCain-Palin campaign.

Here are some recent examples:
- There is true disbelief from these conservatives that Palin spent what could buy a nice home on cloths at Richie Rich shops. $150,000 is 4-6 times what the average Kansan makes in a year. With everyone having trouble paying for groceries this seems VERY excessive.
- These GOPers showed compassion that Obama's grandmother has a broken hip and could die. My own great-grandmother died after she broke her hip. Yet, I just watched a McCain surrogate say that Obama should be ashamed to take his jet "to go visit grandma". This was Brad Blakeman. That is so heartless.
- I have never heard of these reasonable Republicans say that Obama is a terrorist.
- Even though all these folks are Pro-life, many were amazed when McCain said that "the health of the mother" was a ploy regarding the abortion issue in the last debate.
- Most of these GOPers were baptized in a church and are surprised that McCain never has been.

They may not agree with Obama but the more I think about the values that the McCain-Palin campaign has shown compared to Obama, Obama sounds more like the Republican.

Things we can agree on...
- Obama's stance on protection of rights of hunters and even expanding hunting areas.
- Obama's aggressive stance on reducing teen pregnancy.
- Obama's tax cut for the middle class.
- Obama's plan to make sure all children have health care.
- Obama's commitment to protect social security and Medicare.
- Obama's strong support of Israel.
- Obama's commitment to fathers stepping up and taking more responsibility in child rearing.
- Obama's insistence that parent turn off the TV and video games so kids can concentrate on education and other more productive activities
- Obama's support of faith-based initiatives.

There are more, but these are the highlights.

When you add the positive message of hope and lifting people up, verses the almost completely negative campaign of McCain-Palin; it really is no wonder why McCain's support is flirting with falling below 40% nationwide.

Ron Howard Video - Funny!

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Who Do You Trust

McCain has "Joe the Plumber".

Obama has Colin Powell.

One is a guy how failed to pay his taxes and made up a story about having enough money to buy his bosses business.

The other is a decorated general, winner of wars, Secretary of State, etc.

So, who do you trust more? Joe or Colin?

Go VOTE!

Sign Thief Caught In Act!

What Would Your Company Say If You Expensed Your Kids' Travel?

That is what Palin did. I would be fired if I did that at my job.

I think Palin is going to have a tougher re-election campaign once she gets back to Alaska.

So much for the being ethical... by the way. How does speading more on outfits then most "Average Joes" make in several years, make any sense? Are those cloths gifts?

McCain - Palin = More of the SAME!

This is What McCain is Proud Of

A Missouri TV reporter asks McCain about an RNC flyer that depicts a jumbo jet on its cover, followed by a photo of the Illinois Senator.

Mailer says Obama “thinks terrorists just need a good talking to” and is “not who you think he is.” Being mailed in Missouri and Virginia.

Asked if he is proud of it, McCain responds: "totally."
See the exchange here: LINK

Prayers with Obama's Grandmother, Madelyn Dunham

As you may have heard, Obama is heading to Hawaii tomorrow to be with his grandmother who has fallen extremely ill.

Our prayers are with her and the family.

Republicans should be ashamed of the horrible attacks on Barack's character. There is no doubt that he loves his family and this country.

Shame on all those Republicans for putting politics ahead of our basic humanity.

Define: "What's Wrong With America"

This woman defines what is wrong with America and why we are so polarized.

Her name is Michelle Bachmann and she currently represents Minnesota district 06 (MN-06) which included St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids.

Instead of tackling the tough issues we need to address as proud Americans. She thinks that there are "pro-America" and "anti-America" Americans.

See Harball interview below:


Well, Michelle Bachmann, and those that think like her. We are ALL Americans. And we all love the ideals that our country stands for. I would no sooner call her "Anti-American" and some of my most conservative friends that I disagree with very much.
We just happen to have a different view of what it takes to move the country in the correct direction.

It is this type of harmful rhetoric that has stopped us from achieving our biggest goals. When we are attacking each other about who is more "American" then we are distracted from the REAL challenges we face.

BTW - that is exactly how the status quo wants it. If we are fighting each other; we are not achieving energy independence, fixing our economy, building better schools, repairing our infrastructure, getting health care to everyone, etc, etc.

I do not agree with Ms. Bachmann, but she is a real American. It just so happen she is an American that need not be representing St Cloud, MN anymore. Please support her all-American Red, White & Blue opponent: El Tinklenberg LINK

Heck, I'm from Kansas and I sent him a small donation.

More Backing for Obama's Stimulus Plan

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke endorsed consideration of a fiscal stimulus package, citing the chance of a ``protracted slowdown'' and a ``weak'' outlook for the U.S. economy into next year.

This is something that Obama has been calling for for months: LINK

Kansas Turning Purple!

Count one more for Obama from Kansas.

Welcome Mr. Powell - Putting Country First

The former Bush Secretary of State crosses party lines to endorse Obama, calling him "a transformational figure" who could "not only electrify our country but electrify our world."

Also says McCain's negative campaigning has "gone too far" and he's concerned about his choice of Palin as running mate.

*** UPDATE ***

CBS' Bob Schieffer says that Powell "Is saying aloud what a lot of republicans...saying privately"

100,000 Show Up In the Show Me State... WOW!

Another 75,000 show up in Kansas City: LINK

Even BIGGER Endorsements for Obama

The Chicago Tribune, which has not endorsed a Democrat since its founding in 1847, is endorsing Obama.

Also, Michael Smerconish, a very conservative talk show host, is endorsing Obama.

These, along with the Washington Post endorsement, are simply amazing.

As an example, Smerconish served in the senior Bush's administration and was the Master of Ceremonies for George W. Bush's inauguration.

Now I am REALLY interested to see what Colin Powell does on Sunday's Meet the Press.

LINK

Palin Likes to Visit "Pro-America" Areas of the Country???

What the F*** does that mean?

Does it mean if you are not a rabid Republican, screaming to kill the other guy that you are not "Pro-American".

Anyone remember Joseph McCarthy... calling out the "Reds"? Scary!

This coming from someone that spoke at a secessionist party's convention in Alaska of which her creepy husband is affiliated with.

This women REALLY needs to get off my TV.

Enough with Palin... goodbye! LINK

BIG Endorsement - The Washington Post

This is not some liberal "rag". This is one of the most respected publication out there.

They endorsed Obama for several reasons but I find the most telling here, "Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building."

Read the whole thing here: LINK

Who is More Presidential?

At first, I thought this was a doctored photo but it is actually real.

Reuters reports on it here: LINK

Pray for the Change We Need

Sad, Sad, Sad Conservatives

William F. Buckley was let go at the National Review (a VERY conservative magazine founded by his father) for praising Obama for “having a first-class temperament and a first-class intellect” while opining that McCain has taken “a once-first class temperament has become irascible and snarly; his positions change, and lack coherence; he makes unrealistic promises, such as balancing the federal budget ‘by the end of my first term.’ Who, really, believes that?”

When conservative turn on their own, it can get very ugly. By the way, does anyone REALLY believe McCain is a conservative? All my friends at college that were "real" conservatives can not recognize Bush or McCain as true to the conservative values they would extol in college. Things like non-intrusive government, anti-federal bailouts of private industry, huge government debt, etc.

In many ways, Obama is more "conservative" than McCain.

Here is the whole article on Bill Buckley's departure: LINK

Obama on XBox 360 - Now That is Micro-targeting

Leaving no rock unturned, Obama is going for the youth vote but also he is going to pick up more than that. I know that many of my late-30s / early 40s friends play a heck of a lot of XBox Live and other games. This is just plain good marketing and a creative way to get your message out.

PLUS... NHL Hockey, the Red Wings and Obama... 3 of my favorite things!

Best Quote of the Day

On 10-14-08 in Ohio... introducing Joe Biden was AFL-CIO secretary treasurer Rich Trumpka, who said that for a middle class voter to vote for McCain “is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders, and if the Republicans get in, you’re gonna get plucked!”

Fun Facts - History of that Donkey

They say Andrew Jackson had been labeled a jackass by his opponents during the intense mudslinging that occurred during the presidential race of 1828.

This reminds me of when I was running for student government president and one of my opponents called our supporters a bunch of "ants". He did not mean it in a nice way but we just "went with it" and proceeded to print t-shirts with a bunch of "ants" building a better campus.

So there you go... turn a negative into a positive!

Many people don't know that the rooster has also been the symbol of the Democrats.

The rooster was used in Midwestern states.

Read more about the donkey and rooster here: LINK

Classic Palin - Confused

From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

(RICHMOND, VA.) - Protesters at Sarah Palin’s rallies can always expect to be shot down with some choice words from the candidate. But at a rally here today, the confused Alaska governor mistakenly issued a stern rebuke to her own supporters.

The outdoor crowd was so massive that many were unable to hear Palin speak, so about midway through the Alaska governor’s remarks, some of them tried to take matters into their own hands, shouting in unison, “We can’t hear you!”

When that didn’t get the candidate’s attention, they tried a new tactic.

“Louder!” they shouted.

Palin appeared flustered as she stopped reading from the prepared remarks, which were coming across her teleprompter.

“I would hope at least that those protesters have the courage and the honor of thanking our veterans for giving them the right to protest!” she admonished the confused crowd.

Palin’s husband Todd tried to put an end to the awkward episode by approaching his wife on stage and telling her, “They just can’t hear you back there. That’s it.”

Palin responded, “OK. I’m doing that,” and then continued with her stump speech.

The Source of the BOGUS "Obama is a Muslim Claims"

The man behind the whispers about Obama is a crazy anti-Semite bastard named Andy Martin.

There is an article all about this nut job right here by the NY Times: LINK

Here is a link to his profile on Wikipedia: LINK

Please read up then forward links to as many people as possible.

This is REAL Voter Suppression in 2008

This is how, in 2008, you keep people from voting. This person is made to take a day off of work to prove that they are a citizen. Who do you think can afford that more? The rich, the poor???

That is total crap, racist and discriminatory!

This should NEVER happen in our country.

It is a complete outrage. Here is a link to the whole CBS News story --> link

Now is Not the Time for Fear

This is how a president talks...

“This is not a time for ideology–- it’s a time for common sense and a politics of pragmatism…. I believe that we can steer ourselves out of this crisis because I believe in this country.”

This is what we need.

Look at what McMean offers as he implements his "How to lose an election in 25 days plan". People are concerned about jobs and their children's futures and all the McCain camp is doing is attacking Obama with outlandish claims.

This may have worked in the past, but not this time. Americans can see right through these desperate attempts to wreck Obama.

Obama is a good man. He has never slept around on his wife like McCain did to his first wife. He is not an angry old man like McCain. He is smart, unlike McCain. He expects far more of us than McCain and that is what real leadership has always been made of... helping people rise up and realize their potential.

Some Facts on McCain's Health Care Plan

From CNN's fact checking group:

Fact Check: Are business groups critical of McCain's health plan?

Posted: 08:15 AM ET

Sen. Obama criticized McCain's health care plane Tuesday night.

The Statement
At a presidential debate Tuesday, Oct. 7, in Nashville, Tennessee, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama criticized the health-care plan of Republican opponent Sen. John McCain. "In fact, just today, business organizations like the United States Chamber of Commerce, which generally are
pretty supportive of Republicans, said that this would lead to the unraveling of the employer-based health care system," Obama said.

The Facts
McCain's health plan includes a $2,500 tax credit for individuals, or $5,000 for families, but also would end the tax-free status that employer-provided health plans currently have. The McCain campaign says that "families will be able to choose the insurance provider that suits them best and the money would be sent directly to the insurance provider."

Obama's comments appear to refer to an Oct. 7 New York Times article in which R. Bruce Josten, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's executive vice president for government affairs, called elements of McCain's health plan "very discomforting" to some in the business community. "The private marketplace, in my opinion, is ill-prepared today with an infrastructure for an individual-based health insurance system," he said in the article.

The article paraphrases officials from groups like the Chamber, the Business Roundtable and the National Federation of Independent Businesses saying that eliminating the income-tax exclusion would "accelerate the erosion of employer-sponsored health insurance and do little to reduce the number of
uninsured from 45 million."

Josten says there is a "huge question" whether the $2,500 for individuals or $5,000 for families would be enough to buy the same kind of coverage. According to the article, officials with eight business trade groups contacted by the Times predicted the McCain plan would raise costs and force some employers to stop providing health benefits.

Verdict: True. Obama accurately expresses the tone and content of the news article.