Congress is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Wall Street

That's it. I think the title says it all. Enough said.

GOP Pressing Ideology over Jobs and Economy

The GOP made Jobs and the Economy their #1 talking points during the 2010 elections. However, now that they've won sweeping victories through much of the nation, they have instead put Ideology in the forefront. They are attacking on three major fronts: Middle and Lower Class entitlements and jobs; Killing Regulations/Funding that Protect Americans, but will help Corporate Interests; and Women's Rights.

On the Entitlements and Jobs front, their #1 goals seem to be Social Security and Union Busting, as seen in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and other places. However, their attacks on Health Care and the Environment will kill jobs also.

On the Regulations/Funding front, the republican held U.S. House passed H.R. 1 (the appropriations bill) that cuts $64 million in non-defense discretionary spending, but actually adds $5 Billion in defense spending. The cuts are basically social in nature (EPA, Education, etc.)

And on Women's Rights, they are doing all they can to cut funding (Planned Parenthood, etc.) and create new laws that will be a detriment to Women's Health and Reproduction Rights.

Non of the above items have anything to do with jobs (except to destroy them), and will have little impact on the economy (with the exception of making it worse).

Pro-Life or Anti-Abortion

Ah, the abortion debate (or debacle)! The button issue created by the Christian right to fire up their base to try to slowly turn the U.S. into a theocracy and turn the clock back so women are once again second-class citizens. They claim to be 'Pro-Life'. Yet, I find that most are just 'Anti-Abortion'.

What, you say you are protecting the sanctity of life? Well, here area few simple questions to think about and to help determine where you or others stand:

1. If fetus is 'life', should the mother be able to get free prenatal care, if she can't afford it, to ensure the health of the fetus/child?
2. If the mother's life is in danger, should she be allowed to abort?
3. -- If not, what if she has other children?
4. -- Should her other children be forced to loose their mother by not being able to abort?
5. Once the child is born, should the mother and child get free medical care, if they can't afford it, to ensure a healthy childhood?

If you answered 'No' to any of the above questions, you are just 'Anti-Abortion', not 'Pro-Life'. These questions can be expanded to include, but are not limited to:

1. If approx. 45,000 people died each year from lack of medical insurance, should they get free medical care?
2. With the U.S. having over 9100 (or 67% of all) murders by firearms in 2009, should we have more gun control to help save lives?

You can add other questions also: Old Age, War, etc. These all deal with 'Life'. Yet, it seems the so-called 'Pro-Lifers' think that these other preventable deaths are nothing more than mere statistics.

Oh, and if someone is thinking 'We believe in those things, but we just don't want the Government to intrude in- or control- our lives', then why is okay to have the Government control whether I can have an abortion or not?

Let's call this group by their proper name: 'Anti-Abortionists'.

The Madness of the 112th Congressional House

The new republican held House of Representatives is off to a smashing start. In their first month and a half (as of Feb. 20, 2011), they have managed to pass a whopping 4 bills.

H.R. 1 - Appropriations Bill
H.R. 2 - Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act
H.R. 359 - Termination of Taxpayer financing of Pres. election campaigns and party conventions
H.R. 514 - Extending the Patriot Act till Dec. 8 2011

You can search for all these bills at http://thomas.loc.gov/home/LegislativeData.php?&n=BSS&c=112

Overview:

1. H.R. 1 - Appropriations Bill. A Slash and Burn Bill that cuts $60 Million of expenditure by drastically cutting social/environmental departments/agencies and adds no income to the budget. This cuts programs from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - the people that inform you and your news channels of everything from sunny or rainy days, to tornadoes and hurricanes), the EPA (those that keep your water clean and drinkable, and the air around you clean and breathable), along with many other positions, departments, and programs. [I am waiting for a report from the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) to be able to give more details, especially about defense spending]
   
2. H.R. 2 - Repeals the Affordable Health Care Act. This is a truly partisan bill from the far right to placate the Tea Party and others. The CBO estimates an additional $200 Million added to the debt over the next 20 years. [This bill is a waste of taxpayers money and congressional time as it will doubtfully pass the senate, and will definitely be vetoed by the President].
   
3. H.R. 359 The option on your tax return to voluntarily set aside a portion of your taxes to fund the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. All funding will cease, and the current balance of approximately $195 Million will be transfered to the general Treasury fund. Saves approx. $617 Million over 20 years - does not increase tax revenues. [So much for the little guy to even have a chance to run - this just reinforces the two party system, with corporate backing.]
   
4. H.R. 514 - Extends the Patriot Act to Dec. 8, 2011. Renamed the FISA Sunset Extension Act. (Passed in the Senate) [Need I say more?]
   

Not to mention the new Speaker of the House, John Boehner, has granted an excellent working schedule: one week vacation for every two weeks worked, plus all their other holidays and days off. Yes, they call that week off 'constituency week', but it is still time away from actually governing. And at a minimum of $174,00/yr, plus perks, I certainly want my legislators legislating!

There has been nothing fiscally responsible here, nor are there any new jobs (one of the mantras of the conservatives this past election cycle). Both HR 1 and HR 2 cuts jobs, adds no income to the federal budget, and either kills or cuts parts of the government that actually protect and enhance our lives. H.R. 359, while it saves a small amount over a 20 year period, does nothing more than to force presidential candidates to be backed by big money, which, on the heels of the 'Citizens United' fiasco, deteriorates the entire election process even more.

Fiscal responsibility is not enacting draconian legislation, but trying to get the most from our money that actually improves American's lives. We are still waiting.

Back Again

Well, it's been several years since I last blogged here. However, with my frustration level with the U.S. Government at an all time high; the vitriol of politics sinking lower and lower into the abyss of fear and hatred; and the increasing pandering to special interests, corporations, and far right-wing ideologies; I can no longer sit back without voicing my concerns.

I will try my best to always link to facts and figures to backup my columns.

As to the frequency of actually blogging, well, that will depend on time and health constraints, but hopefully enough to stay timely and keep everyone interested. Stay tuned, and I hope you enjoy the ride.

Muskrats are new Terrorist Threat

The U.S. today has announced that Muskrats are now part of the 'Axis of Evil' nations. The president announced that the 'Muskrat Nation' has been under secret surveillance for years, but that after the harrowing attack by muskrats that caused the levee in Missouri to break, a new public crusade against these monsters will begin.

Secretary of defense Robert Gates said 'We will send in the Navy Seals to decimate these terrorist Muskrats'.

The coach of the Miami Dolphins was heard to say that 'we would go in ourselves to help, but we only like salt water'.

The Department of Homeland Security has called a special session to include a new 'rodent' level to the department's current 'terror threat level'.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff have stated 'We will do all we can to thwart this new danger. We can not afford to have a Muskrat Gap!'

In the meantime, the clothing store 'The Gap' has announced they will start carrying Muskrat Fur clothing in the near future.

Damn the Queen

I can't believe it. Queen Elizabeth is going to revoke President Robert Mugabe's honorary knighthood. Here I was, packing my bags to go to Zimbabwe to seduce Sir Robert. Could you imagine me being Lady Mugabe? The honor and prestige? How could she do this to me? Here's a man who is a self-centered, power-hungry, ruthless, megalomaniac. I mean, what else could a girl want? But now his knighthood is being revoked. I guess I will just have to unpack and start looking for someone else. Sigh.