Americans are disturbed by the conflict between big Russia and little Georgia, ostensibly driven by Russia's desire to use oil and gas as a way to control states formerly part of the Soviet Union - as well as Europe. Reactions demonstrating our worry about oil are misplaced
Republicans, tired of Bush/Cheney belligerence and mismanagement, have decided to go with someone else - a maverick called Senator John McCain. But is McCain different from Bush/Cheney? Of course, Democrats think they're alike. And so do many Republicans. Three prominent Republicans have recently switched in favor of Obama.
There has been lots of talk about energy lately, most of it off base. Because we are all focused on the high price of gas we scream for immediate action - such as drilling, tapping the energy reserve and "clean coal." Let's not worry about the price of gas. This high price is reducing gas use and thus reducing carbon emissions.
Republicans took to ridiculing Senator Obama over a remark he made about making sure our tires are inflated by passing out tire gauges. Really. Are Republicans that stupid? It's a fact that properly inflating your tires will save you about $800 per year -- and America about 50,000 barrels of oil per day.
Continue reading "McCain's Energy Gaffe" »
My local rag did a comparison of Obama's and McCain's tax plans today. It's interesting to note that the middle class will do much better under a President Obama.
Continue reading "Dueling Tax Plans" »
The final results are in on this historic November day. Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars he raised, Barack Obama has lost the 2008 presidential election. American voters have boldly spoken truth to arrogance. Turned out that all those pre-election opinion polls that showed Obama's inability to get over 50 percent support were prescient. Much of the public was never comfortable with Obama, though he clearly was so comfortable acting like he already was president.
Continue reading "Bye Bye Barry" »
NONPARTISAN? INDEPENDENT? With registered Independent voters now outnumbering Democratic or Republican registered voters, the words 'non-partisan' and 'independent' get misused and abused by partisan interests. Many voters don't trust words like these because of their abuse and misuse. It is understandable. Like everything else, these words are used by partisan groups and individuals for political advantage. Let's clear up some of the confusion.
Continue reading "Is There Such a Thing?" »
Once upon a time when governments no longer served most of their citizens it was the most economically disadvantaged that could be counted on to rebel against tyranny and injustice. Times have changed, for the worse, despite the spread of democracy.
Continue reading "Working Poor Unready to Revolt" »
With the doom and gloom hovering over consumers, the economy, Afghanistan, and corruption in government, it is important to revel in what good news comes our way. Otherwise, we risk becoming jaded and cynical, and that leads to apathy and inaction to improve what has gone wrong. There are various items of good news to cover. Let's take a look at this last week's worth.
Continue reading "Good News Should Not Be Ignored" »
Representative government fails when corrupt politicians mostly serve corporate and other special interests. Then it is crucial for citizens to have direct democracy opportunities. This means having the right to place initiatives or referenda on ballots that can make new laws, amend constitutions, recall elected officials, or control taxes and government spending.
Continue reading "We Need More Direct Democracy" »
How should the Republican platform address transportation policy in the 2008 party platform?
Continue reading "Transportation policy and the party platforms" »
Image via Wikipedia
Continue reading "Gas and Transportation" »
Obama supporters are spinning his recent drop in the polls as a response to a few negative comments and ads. Whoddathoughtit? Two or three ads can puncture the Obama hot-air balloon and send the high-flying superstar hurtling back to earth with us ordinary folks.
Continue reading "Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground" »
We need to build on the success given to us by the surge. We can be grateful that we didn't listen to the advice of the surge opponents a year ago, but maybe some of their current advice isn't so bad. A detailed timeline independent of developing condition in Iraq is just plain stupid, but an aspirational timeline, one that reiterates the U.S. desire to leave, may be a good idea.
Continue reading "Building on Our Success in Iraq" »
...Are in fact all provided by quotes from the candidate himself.
1) - The system isn't working...when communities are terrorized by ICE immigration raids, when nursing mothers are torn from their babies, when children come home from school to find their parents missing, WHEN PEOPLE ARE DETAINED WITHOUT ACCESS TO LEGAL COUNSEL..." - Speech to National Council of La Raza
Continue reading "The Top Ten Reasons Barack Obama Should Not Be President" »
