Howard Dean Goes Against The Grain

Howard Dean is urging Senators to reject the current health care bill because he sees it as "an insurance company bailout." Howard Dean is the former Democratic Party Chairman, and is also a registered physician. Democrats have been urged to vote along party lines and pass the bill, which is what happened in the House. So to have a high-ranking Democrat speaking out against the bill is a major blow to the Democrats' efforts. I wasn't a big fan of a national health care bill to begin with, and I think it would be better served as a mandate, with the specifics being left up to the state. Either way, I'm fairly sure this won't pass the Senate. It's too controversial to gain enough support...

Howard Dean Speaks Out

House Passes Jobs Plan

The House just passed a $174 billion plan to create jobs and help out state and local governments. The article states that $50 billion is going to create public works jobs and $50 billion is going to state and local governments. Uh, excuse me, where's the other $74 billion going...? Anyone? Anyone? Ok, guess there's no answere there. The vote passed 217-212, after Pelosi had to work some magic. There's no way this is going to pass the Senate. Just wait and see.

House Passes $174 Billion Jobs Plan

Obama vs. Bush

President Barack Obama's approval rating has officially dropped to 47%. It's still not as low as Bush's, but then again, when over half the country doesn't approve of you, you know something's gone awry. It's interesting to note that over 50% of the people were needed to vote him in, and now the people are starting to switch their views back towards the more conservative end (55% of people agree that we need a troop surge in Afghanistan). Hmmm..can the American population not be content with any current administration?

Obama's Approval Ratings Dropping

Operation Bailout: Success (so far...)

Bank of America recently announced that they have paid back all of the bailout money they received under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Citigroup plans to soon do the same. Two down, a lot more to go. But hey, at least these two vital companies have made enough money to pay the American public back. That's a good sign during this recession, right?

Bank of America repays bailout money

Celebrity Deathmatch

Sarah Palin and Al Gore are in a battle for the ages. Palin is urging Obama to skip the Copenhagen Climate Change summit, and Gore is now tearing into Palin. Palin is arguing that experts on climate change are manipulating data to make the problem appear worse than it is, to which Gore replied that people like her were living in "an era of unreality." Ok, so I'm no crazy environmentalist, but you can't deny that the world is getting hotter (and whether this is man-made or just a natural part of the heating/cooling phase of the world, I have yet to make up my mind). Either way, Sarah, you're way out of your league. Al Gore, I declare you the winner.

Celebrity Showdown

Obama Forging Ahead

President Obama was on Capitol Hill today, urging his fellow party members to do their part and pass the health care legislation. The more I hear about this, the more uneasy I get. And thanks to Coit's video in class on Friday, I'm pretty sure that I'm not a fan of government-run health care anymore. (Thank you, Canada, for the bacon. But you can keep your health care system north of our borders. That does not look like a fun system to try to navigate at all.)

Obama on Capitol Hill

(Sorry, I couldn't find the video Coit showed in class!)

Another Politician, Another Affair

Well, looks like Senator John Ensign was caught red-handed. A close family friend searching through his wife's texts found a message from the senator talking about the affair ("How wonderful it is...Scared, but excited.") According to the friend, Doug Hampton, Senator Ensign cried like a little boy when confronted about it. Glad to know the men making our laws are true men...way to stay strong, Senator. (Not.)

Senator John Ensign's Affair

Sorry, Cheney!

In a recent poll of 804 Republicans, only 1 person thought former VP Dick Cheney reflects the GOP's values. Sorry Cheney, even your own party is disowning you. Maybe you can cope by shooting another lawyer in the face. Or maybe chillin' with Scooter Libby...


Cheney Not Liked by GOP

Huckabee Under Fire

Mike Huckabee is under fire recently because of his decision to approve the release of Maurice Clemmons in 2000. Clemmons is accused of gunning down four Lakewood, Washington police officers last week. Huckabee released a statement earlier stating "Should he be found to be responsible for this horrible tragedy, it will be the result of a series of failures in the criminal justice system in both Arkansas and Washington state." Ok, really Huckabee? You're the one that let this guy go. He had a 95 year prison sentence that you commuted. And it was obvious that this guy was a threat after he was picked up and released again in 2004. This severely hurts Huckabee's chances for a 2012 Presidential bid. This tragic event is turning into another Dukakis scenario, only this time, four heroic lives were lost.


Check out the video pertaining to this topic here.

Obama's Own Fireside Chat

President Obama is giving a speech Tuesday night about his plan for dealing with Afghanistan and a possible troop increase. He's already given his first order, sending out an extra group of Marines by Christmas. Finally, he's getting clearer on his plan, but not as clear as he could be. The one thing about Bush is he didn't dilly-dally (even though that screwed him over in the end). Come on, Obama, start making decisions and stop wasting time. You are the Commander-in-Chief, after all. (Oh, and as far as your plan for the war? I approve as of now, even if it is a little vague.)

Obama's Afghan Plan

More of the Same

Two teenagers (one 17, one under 16) in Afghanistan have come forward saying they were mistreated and abused at a U.S. military base. Practices against them include forcing them to watch porn, depriving them of sleep, and sexual misconduct. I thought we had gotten rid of this after Bush had packed his bags and headed back to Texas...hmmm.

Afghan Teens Allege Abuse

Couple Sneeks Into White House

I've been meaning to blog for awhile, but it's been pretty hectic, so I'm finally getting around to it. I had been thinking about that couple who snuck into the White House during the State Dinner with the president (prime minister? Something like that) of India. I just have to say, that couple has some guts. But then again, some people will do anything to get publicity (cough cough ballon boy's parents cough cough). Either way, their now facing a slew of civil charges, so they got what was coming.

P.S. In the words of Jay Leno, "The last couple that weren't welcome that entered the White House? Stayed there for 8 years."

Obama Crashers (The Not-So-Glamorous Side)

Two Doors, One Building

Once again, I was on msn.com, and I was looking for something to blog about. There's a couple of places popping up around the country that have an interesting idea. There are two doors that lead to one place. One door is for people with insurance, and the other is for people who pay upfront with cash. Doctors, when hired, are told not to tell patients about the opposite door. Those who pay with cash are treated much better than those with insurance, and get friendlier service, a shorter wait time, and a more comfortable experience. I never knew doctors could be THAT callous (I mean, they're still getting paid either way!). Ridiculous.

Oh yeah, here's the link to that story.
Two Doors

Salazar is Pretty Cool, I guess

So on Saturday, Representative Salazar met with my mom in Fruita. They were discussing health care (shocker!). I really have no clue how this ties into political parties or government (besides maybe making the stretch of him representing everyone and gathering opinions at the local level), but I just think it's cool my mom knows him. Apparently they hugged (watch out, Dad!)

What Are They Thinking?

Ok, so on MSN.com (where, if you've noticed by now, I get basically all my news), I saw this article about one of the five al-Qaida members being tried in the U.S. for their parts in the Sept. 11 attacks. While I was mildy upset about them being tried in civilian court, I'm more upset to learn that Zacarias Moussaoui escaped the death penalty. I know I'm supposed to be against the death penalty, seeing as that's what Sister Grace told me in fourth grade, but seriously? This man is responsible for the worst attack on American soil. He's responsible for over 3,000 American deaths. Apparently, the US court system is going to let one wretched life go unharmed while thousands were trapped in hijacked planes and burning buildings because of this a**hole. I mean, really? Where's the justice that is supposed to be upheld? What about all those families who lost loved ones on 9/11, who were counting on the US court system to deliver a just punishment? I just don't see the justice in this. I've heard of getting away with murder, but getting away with over 3,000 murders?!

Also, I don't really know a whole lot about the five being tried now, but I'm assuming they are not U.S. citizens, so why are they being tried in CIVILIAN courts? And, according to the article, Massaoui was expected to make anti-US tirades when in the courtroom (although he didn't). I feel like this man has made a mockery of the US (court system and all). I know America is the land of second chances, but this guy has to be on his third or fourth. When's it going to end? When he gets released for good behavior?

Obama's Approach to Afghanistan

So I was just reading on MSN about Obama's stance on the War in Afghanistan. According to Defense Secretary Robbert Gates, a decision is to be made this week concerning a possible troop increase in the Taliban-run country. Obama said in March that he was going to come up with a better strategy for the war, but he has done little to fulfill that promise, and people are getting antsy. He was presented with four plans, but rejected all of them. He asked for them to be revised and combine the best elements from all of them. All plans call for a troop increase and a solid exit strategy.

Usually I'm not a big fan of wars, but in this case, I'd like Obama to stop wasting time. He's had 8 months to come up with a plan. It's me belief that this should have been a top priority directly after 9/11, as the Taliban in Afghanistan poses quite a threat. However, I think we should enter with a responsible, plausible plan in order to minimize troop loss and the amount of time spent there. So while I'm happy Obama is testing the waters and predicting possible downfalls of each plan, it's time to jump on the boat and get something done. Let's stop wasting time, and eliminate the threat ASAP.

Here's a link to the article from MSN:
Obama's Afghan Decision Sends Messages

Call Me Crazy, But There's Got To Be A Better Way

So I was searching the NBC Nightly News website for inspiration for a blog post, and I ran across the segment about Grand Junction that aired last Wednesday. It was all about health care and how we make it work here in Happy Valley. One of the doctors from St. Mary's said that we can't just "pick up what works here and stamp it somewhere else." I had been thinking about this for some time, and I was happy such a knowledgeable man shared my thinking. Although I support the idea of health care reform, I'm not a fan of a national blanket approach. Here in Grand Junction, we've found a method that works for us. So why can't we stick with it? What if, instead of a national health care policy, lawmakers delegate the power to the states? Because I do think that quality health care should be available for everyone, I like the idea of it being available on a national basis. But I don't like the uniformity involved. What if instead lawmakers issued a mandate, like they did for the drinking age? If the states want money, they need to supply affordable health care for everyone. The states can choose to provide the public option or not. They can require a certain amount of coverage required, or not. That way, health care can be readily available for everyone, but places like Grand Junction can keep the system that works for them? Come on, Washington. Let's compromise on this.

See for yourself. Here's the link to the NBC Nightly News Video:
Grand Junction, CO

Josh Penry Pulls Out of Governor's Race

I just found out that Republican Josh Penry pulled out of the race for Governor Bill Ritter's seat. Penry cited the lack of funding for his campaign as well as the fact that he doesn't want to split the vote when it comes to making sure a Republican maintains the governor's seat as his reasons for dropping out of the race (this all according to The Denver Post and KJCT News Channel 8). While I'm not sure I want to see the Republicans keep the position of governor, I do know that I would prefer not to see the incumbent keep his seat. Governor Ritter did try to avoid making cuts to education, reducing the $1 billion cut to only $260 million, but at the same time, he voted to reduce the number of natural gas drilling permits in the state of Colorado. Now I guess I'll have to pull for Scott McInnis to receive the Republican nomination, seeing as he can accurately represent our interests here on the Western Slope.