Demoskratos

Trying to get the facts wasn’t too hard but wasn’t easy either.  I just had to fight through the partisan rhetoric, the loose goose media intent on marketing the fight between Democrats and Republicans over the details and philosophical differences like a heavy weight boxing bout.  Needless to say, supporters are jumping in either attacking or defending Obama and the Democrats who are clearly in charge but show great restraint by not simply railroading the Republicans and others into more government spending.

Despite all the making for great theater, this writer is not clear if:

• Either Democratic Proposal or the Republican suggestions solve any problems we face as an economy.  Are they truly solutions or band aids to buy some time?
• Shouldn’t the President listen to both sides if he represents bi-partisanship?  Why is he beginning to jump into the mix and taking swings?  He needs to resist the temptation to do so despite the goading.  We need sustainable positive changes.
• Shouldn’t any problem be approached something to the effect of:

1. Properly define the problem.  (i.e. – How to reduce unemployment to 0%?)
2. Facts gathered, examined and analyzed regarding the defined problem.
3. Solutions proposed given resource availability and constraints.
4. Solutions defined based on all viable solutions proposed.
5. Define a plan to execute solution.
6. Plan solution is shared and discussed to gather support.
7. Sufficient support is obtained for execution.
8. Accountability assigned and transparency mechanisms setup for monitoring.
9. Final Review
10. Execute the plans

Sure a process is lengthy and perhaps we have great urgency, but Rome wasn’t built overnight but sure as heck can be burned down overnight if we’re not careful.  Democracy is lengthy process and autocracy is not.  It comes with the territory.  Further, it amazes me that there are no lessons learned from previous tax cuts and stimulus plans to use as benchmarks.  Do we really need to rethink matters every 4 years and go back and forth but overall move side ways for decades?  Is this really change or more of the same but with different actors?

So please check out the facts and then vote on what you believe in through our Commentators Poll below but only after you have read the proposal and not before.

President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Outline version and Summary Version courtesy of Reuters.

Poll the People:

[polldaddy poll=1307378]

Do what I say but not as I do!  I believe the term is hypocrite and that is on the respectable side of the description of what transpired.

President Obama on January 21st gave an executive decree to subject lobbyists to stricter guidelines such that small but powerful groups of people will not have any undue influence over the government before the interests of the citizens of the United States.  This was applauded by many including Senator John McCain.  Let’s see the video of President Obama.

January 21, 2008

However, less than 48 hours later, Obama’s administration gave an executive waiver to former defense lobbyist William Lynn who had previously represented Ratheon Corporation based in Massachusetts to become the next Deputy Secretary of Defense.  According to Raytheon SEC filing, Raytheon received $18.3 billion in government related businesses in 2007 and $17.0 billion in 2006.

Now, President Obama did retake the Oath of Office correctly the second time right?  Or, do we need further clarification from President Obama on what he means by “greater transparency”.  Cynic, nah, I’m just a confused taxpayer waiting to lose my job and have my government owned bank foreclose on me so the bank’s CEO can refurnish his office with a solid gold desk.

Speechless seems to be a common term these days to describe my reaction to political and economic news. An impeached two term Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich claims that the upcoming impeachment trial on Monday by the IL State Senate is unconstitutional and he is being denied a fair hearing.  He claims the “fix is in“.

In his press conference in Chicago, Blagojevich announced to national media that he can’t call certain witnesses in his trial and specifically naming twice Rahm Emanuel, current White House Chief of Staff and IL Congressperson Jesse Jackson, Jr. among other prominent political figures.  He’s saying there are “certain rules” in his trial which will prevent him from having a fair trial.

Further, the impeached Governor believes that the Illinois State Senators are surrounded by “industrial political complex of lobbyists and others” and are not fully representative of the citizens of Illinois and are conspiring to raise taxes in 2009.  Six term Mayor Daley of Chicago, after hearing Blagojevich’s claim has called the Governor, “cuckoo“, once again.  All this in a town bidding for the 2016 Olympics.  Who wants to watch the athletes?

Regardless of what we suspect or may have heard, any person in the United States deserves the right to a fair trial and to call to witness relevant figures so that transparency of justice is absolutely clear to all.  But let’s contemplate for a minute.  In one hand, we risk perhaps certain outstanding public figures smeared and distracted from their duties by the proceedings.  However, in another, we may interfere with true justice and fairness.  Which is greater danger?  It’s obvious for me.

At this point the impeachment is a formality.  Let’s just cut to the chase and deal with the criminal charges and stop wasting more tax payers’ money.

Impeached Illinois Two Term Governor Blagojevich Press Conference January 23, 2009 – Chicago, IL