Anyone seen the article in The National Review asking Palin to bow out? I know you all have subscriptions....
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDZiMDhjYTU1NmI5Y2MwZjg2MWNiMWMyYTUxZDkwNTE=
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Is the Economic Crisis a Good Thing?
Before you think I am nuts let it be known I am not saying it is. This is my first attempt to start a debate on this otherwise very quiet blog.
Today I was driving home from work listening to NPR (in between Tool and Disturbed songs) and amazing as this might sound there was a story about the federal bailout and the candidates. Shockingly, the two candidates sounds way too similar given the republican mantra of less government. $700 billion dollars from the feds is a big pill to swallow even for a left leaner like me, but coming from a conservative administration its almost to unreal to fathom. That got me thinking if this financial crisis can convince the most ardent backers of less government intervention to change its tune maybe not everything is bad.
1. Focus on Renewable Energy - The tree-huggers and Al Gore have been screaming for years that our dependence on fossil fuels was a bad thing. However, without any economic/fear incentive the talk was limited to, at times, a few small but vocal subset of the American Public. That has changed now with $4.00/gal and terrorism dominating the media. Suddenly, small cars are back in vogue, more people than ever are taking public transportation, and green is becoming profitable. Without, the economic incentive I doubt the debate on weaning ourselves from fossil fuels would be as politically prominent as it is today. Though 'Drill Baby Drill' is still a campaign slogan.
2. Restoring Checks and Balances - Though the current administration's answer to the financial crisis is to go to the American people and say trust us with another trillion dollars (see Iraq war) with no oversight or accountability (the bailout), I see both sides saying hold on a sec. Repubs and Dems are starting the question the administration on this and pushing back on the no oversight clause. The current executive branch has run rough shot over the constitution and hopefully we will see Congress take back some of that power. It BETTER. Even Mr. Deregulator McCain is saying more oversight is needed. We have to take small steps here since he also believes the Health Care system needs less oversight. Isn't the lack of oversight part of the problem?
3. Financial Awareness - Americans have been living beyond our means for years. Credit and debt were just means to sustain economic growth. Consumers had no idea the problems that come with a debtor society. We even had a President tell us to go out and buy stuff to avoid an economic slow-down after 911. Unfortunately we are all learning, the hard way, that at some point that debt has consequences. Then again if someone else bails us out will we learn the lesson.
4. Bipartisanship - In times of crisis, Americans tend to rally and come together. We came together after 911, can we do it again? Of course, that harmony quickly faded. Now we are in a new crisis and at times, though there are still big differences, the two candidates for prez can say some things that sound an awful lot like the other party. Just today, McCain and Obama said things you would rarely hear from their own parties. McCain is deriding executive pay and Obama is talking about cutting unnecessary government programs. There are many other examples. Of course, McCain has Carly Fiorina on his staff (she with the huge, multi-million dollar severance package from HP) and Obama has several new gov programs waiting in the wings as does McCain. If both campaigns are talking about change, then I guess we will just have to assume that the two nominees can agree on one thing...The Bush Presidency hasn't worked out so well.
I hope this will get the debate going. These are only four points and in the end I am not sure they stand up. I want to hear what you think. For the few conservatives on the list currently, you are welcome to invite others that share yours views to join the blog the same goes for everyone. I need to grant them access to make new posts and am happy to do so.
Today I was driving home from work listening to NPR (in between Tool and Disturbed songs) and amazing as this might sound there was a story about the federal bailout and the candidates. Shockingly, the two candidates sounds way too similar given the republican mantra of less government. $700 billion dollars from the feds is a big pill to swallow even for a left leaner like me, but coming from a conservative administration its almost to unreal to fathom. That got me thinking if this financial crisis can convince the most ardent backers of less government intervention to change its tune maybe not everything is bad.
1. Focus on Renewable Energy - The tree-huggers and Al Gore have been screaming for years that our dependence on fossil fuels was a bad thing. However, without any economic/fear incentive the talk was limited to, at times, a few small but vocal subset of the American Public. That has changed now with $4.00/gal and terrorism dominating the media. Suddenly, small cars are back in vogue, more people than ever are taking public transportation, and green is becoming profitable. Without, the economic incentive I doubt the debate on weaning ourselves from fossil fuels would be as politically prominent as it is today. Though 'Drill Baby Drill' is still a campaign slogan.
2. Restoring Checks and Balances - Though the current administration's answer to the financial crisis is to go to the American people and say trust us with another trillion dollars (see Iraq war) with no oversight or accountability (the bailout), I see both sides saying hold on a sec. Repubs and Dems are starting the question the administration on this and pushing back on the no oversight clause. The current executive branch has run rough shot over the constitution and hopefully we will see Congress take back some of that power. It BETTER. Even Mr. Deregulator McCain is saying more oversight is needed. We have to take small steps here since he also believes the Health Care system needs less oversight. Isn't the lack of oversight part of the problem?
3. Financial Awareness - Americans have been living beyond our means for years. Credit and debt were just means to sustain economic growth. Consumers had no idea the problems that come with a debtor society. We even had a President tell us to go out and buy stuff to avoid an economic slow-down after 911. Unfortunately we are all learning, the hard way, that at some point that debt has consequences. Then again if someone else bails us out will we learn the lesson.
4. Bipartisanship - In times of crisis, Americans tend to rally and come together. We came together after 911, can we do it again? Of course, that harmony quickly faded. Now we are in a new crisis and at times, though there are still big differences, the two candidates for prez can say some things that sound an awful lot like the other party. Just today, McCain and Obama said things you would rarely hear from their own parties. McCain is deriding executive pay and Obama is talking about cutting unnecessary government programs. There are many other examples. Of course, McCain has Carly Fiorina on his staff (she with the huge, multi-million dollar severance package from HP) and Obama has several new gov programs waiting in the wings as does McCain. If both campaigns are talking about change, then I guess we will just have to assume that the two nominees can agree on one thing...The Bush Presidency hasn't worked out so well.
I hope this will get the debate going. These are only four points and in the end I am not sure they stand up. I want to hear what you think. For the few conservatives on the list currently, you are welcome to invite others that share yours views to join the blog the same goes for everyone. I need to grant them access to make new posts and am happy to do so.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Welcome
Welcome everyone to my sleep deprived blog idea. I am still trying to get the blog structured and fully operational, but I am getting there. I would ask that anyone that has ideas for the blog as for content to please send me ideas. The RSS Feeds and Blog Lists on the right-hand side of the page are just a way to start adding content. If you have a particular site or blog you would like to add let me know.
I think all of you have rights to add posts, but to be honest I have no idea yet. Let me know if you have problems.
When adding a post, I only ask that you be respectful to others with differing opinions - No personal attacks.
Thanks and let the debate begin.
I think all of you have rights to add posts, but to be honest I have no idea yet. Let me know if you have problems.
When adding a post, I only ask that you be respectful to others with differing opinions - No personal attacks.
Thanks and let the debate begin.
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