Sooooo....Stimulus package.... wtf? I mean the Democrats provide a bloated bill. The Republicans bloat it more with tax cuts or rebates or some-such (that worked so well in 2008). The Democrats and republicans in the House of representatives basically give each other the finger. The Senate is about to approve it buy and almost similar party line vote with maybe a few Republicans supporting it...very few. This morning I woke up and got to hear the angry John Mc Cain. I thought we had left him behind in the election and that he had gone back to being the John Mc Cain I always liked, but this was angry, old John. According to The Arizona republic Newspaper:
“McCain, who for years has been the mastermind of cross-party alliances that often maddened his GOP colleagues, suggested that it is "Orwellian" to characterize the deal as "bipartisan" because it includes only two or possibly three Senate Republicans out of 40."I've been involved in a lot of bipartisan legislation around here . . . but I guarantee you, this is not bipartisan," McCain said.”
Yikes.
My favorite Republican Arlen Spector is going to vote for it. I love that guy. I do not know what to think about it. I know we have no ability or prospect of gaining an ability to pay for it. I know the economy is falling off a cliff. I pray this will not make it worse. My general feeling is if the government has to “create” jobs then we are likely beyond hope of a recovery in this administration.
I think that Obama tried to make a bill the Republicans like but he miscalculated the process. He should have proposed a bill that was all spending and let THEM add the tax cut part. By coming in with that, he raised the baseline of what they now are able to fight for. So much for Rahm Emmanuel's genius. This is another occasion calling for prayer. I truly believe that both sides are well intentioned and that in regard to how to get us out of this that neither side could find their own ass with both hands and a pack of dogs.
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My sources tell me that we will have our first local bank failing this month. I don’t know who yet but have a lot of ideas. On that same note Obama and his tax evading head of treasury are supposed to unveil their plan for the 2nd half of the TARP money. Apparently, despite my lobbying no one took my suggestion of The Casino And Race Track Assistance Program (CRAP) seriously. They need to do something more then shore up the big banks balance sheets. I like the idea of having a “bad bank” owned by the government buying up bad bank assets but I would argue that they need to have one for each of the big banks and then an additional one for ALL the smaller banks. These community banks are the backbone of the banking system and they have not generally been nearly as speculative and leveraged as their big brothers. In any case we need to do something. The FDIC will be overwhelmed by the losses of these local failing banks, very quickly. I predict at least 5 local bank failures this year. I hope I am wrong.
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About Daschle and the other tax cheats. He might have been a great cabinet member for health but between not paying his taxes and making 5 million off of the industry since leaving congress he stunk of business as usual for the guy who we are expecting to deliver change. Seriously, the Treasury guy should have quit too. And no more waivers for his new ethics policy because the unethical are too talented to pass up. That sounds like such bull shit to me. We have a country full of talented, successful people and he has to recycle many of the same hacks from the Clinton era that got us here. I feel like Obama is being poorly advised.
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Neither of the top rated four teams will win the National Championship
1. Connecticut (64) 21-1
2. Oklahoma (5) 22-1
3. North Carolina (3) 20-2
4. Duke
I am impressed by Oklahoma but... we will see. I am anxious for March. I have high hopes for Xavier, Memphis and Clemson and am looking for a Cinderella in Nebraska. They have an excellent 4 foot tall point guard. It will make a great story.
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Slum Dog Millionaire: Exhausting. What a great movie but between poverty, child abuse, torture, childhood sexual abuse, graphic violence and constant tension, I could have done without this one. As I said great movie. It should not be missed and is worth all of the nominations it has gotten. Do not go after a hard day of work when depressed about the economy.***
Neil Young's latest retrospective, “Sugar Mountain-Live At Canterbury House 1968” is heartbreakingly good. The song selection is awesome for the show which was put on in Toronto to an appreciative crowd. the track listing is as follows:
Disc: 1
1. On The Way Home
2. Mr. Soul
3. Expecting To Fly
4. The Last Trip To Tulsa
5. The Loner
6. Birds
7. Winterlong (excerpt)
8. Out Of My Mind
9. If I Could Have Her Tonight
10. Sugar Mountain
The greatest thing about the concert is the format with Neil and his guitar. he has never been a stellar (or even a good) acoustic player but always is heartfelt and somehow right on. What is so endearing about this CD is that he talks between song, cracks some jokes and is generally charming. I love the guy but seriously, Neil Young, charming? Who knew. Go buy this. It comes with a DVD of the show. I have not watched it yet... but I will.
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