The SoapBoxers

Last week, President Obama gave himself a B+. B+? Really? For what? Encouraging people to trade in vehicles that they owned just to have another monthly payment? Of course, I’m talking about the “Cash for Clunkers” program that just intended to bail out the car manufacturers. The funny thing is, most of the new cars sold were NOT American made, but Toyotas and others of the like. But I suppose all of the things he’s intended to do count. Right? I mean, that’s how he “earned” the Peace Prize.

Seems like this Administration is a system of intentions and giving. He intends to do this, intends to do that. I suppose we should be thankful that he actually did something this week … But one thing he actually did was insult the intelligence of every American this week by claiming that if the healthcare stimulus bill is not passed, that “the federal government will go bankrupt.” Really? We’ll go bankrupt if we don’t tax and spend more? I don’t know about you, but in my family budget, we don’t save more by spending more. But what do I know? I’m not a politician, just a working mother. Although I’m pretty sure that if Obama had ever taken an economics course in school, his former professors are doing a *head desk*.

Common sense is something this Administration needs to ask for this Christmas. Why encourage people to go into debt when we’re in a recession? Why claim that we will go bankrupt if we don’t spend more? Looks like common sense isn’t all that common anymore.

I know that Christmas is the time for giving … but not MY tax money. As the Grinch said, “Bleeding hearts of the world UNITE!” Not me. I work too hard to have my tax money given to those who refuse to work. I don’t want MY tax dollars spent to fund abortion. I don’t want MY tax dollars spent for free healthcare … something that I work for.

Bah Humbug. Obama Claus can go back to the North Pole the other 364 days of the year and keep his hands out of my pockets!

Seeing as my column will appear on this site on Thanksgiving, I thought it would only be appropriate to write about things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my children. Two wonderful, healthy boys who were not “ruined” by my decision to breastfeed, delay solids until 6 months, baby wear and vaccinate. (I know, a crazy combination!)

I am thankful for my parents. They raised me as a Democrat and showed me how to be compassionate. They also gave me common sense and ethics. Needless to say, I’m pretty sure that they voted Republican the last few elections.

I am thankful for my husband. A man who served in Iraq for nine months saving others lives (he’s a medic) so they may count their blessings this day. And yes, he saved Iraqi civilians as well as our soldiers.

I am thankful I still have the right to say “Merry Christmas”. I figured I’d better get that in before it’s taken away from me.

I am thankful that the Nobel Peace Prize has finally shown its true colors as a sham organization. This award actually used to hold some meaning when it was given to people who contributed to society for the better (Mother Teresa, Theodore Roosevelt, Jean Henri Dunant, Martin Luther King Jr, Norman Borlaug). Now it is given to people who give speeches and “hope” that things change (Barack Obama, United Nations, Jimmy Carter). Oh, and a little additional piece of information. In 1990, it was awarded to Mikhail Gorbachev for “helping to bring an end to the cold war”. Really? Cause I’m pretty sure Reagan could have nuked the heck out of the USSR if he wanted to. Where’s his peace prize? Maybe I could get one for letting someone in front of me on the freeway…but I guess that means I actually DID something to earn it. Oh well, back to scouring the “Cracker Jack” boxes. Maybe I’ll find one in there.

I am thankful that “manbearpig” I mean “Global Warming/Climate Change” has been exposed as the “greatest scandal in modern science”. Don’t believe me? Google it.

I am thankful that there is still a little common sense in the US Senate. Liebermann has said that he would not vote for a healthcare bill that has a public option. I guess that makes 40 people with common sense in the Senate (39 Republicans and Liebermann).

I am thankful that the “Obamaworship” has died down and that many Independents and Democrats are now regretting their vote. The grass isn’t always greener, is it?

I am thankful for 2010. This way we can give a nice retirement party to those who will vote for the healthcare bill.

I am thankful that 2012 is only 3 years away. I think Barack needs to spend a little more time in Chicago … as the FORMER President.

See, even if we don’t hold the House, Senate or Presidency, I sure have a lot to be thankful for.

Obama

We are past the 100 day mark in Barack Obama’s presidency. The country continues to find itself in a recession. The housing market slides further downward, and more Americans find themselves unemployed.  Detroit finds itself at the epicenter, with Chrysler filing for chapter 11 (reorganization) bankruptcy and GM taking drastic steps of its own – planning to shut down 16 of its 21 plants for 9 weeks during the summer and also planning to buy out 40% of its franchise agreements.

The country is divided on the job that the administration is doing. On Saturday, billionaire Warren Buffet said that he felt the government was taking the right steps to move out of the recession, although Buffett was not sure what the immediate future might hold.  On the other side, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh continues to criticize the vast majority of moves that the Obama administration makes.

The central them that I have observed, however, is that the discussion of the administration has been centering on the policies they are implementing or intending to implement.  The fact that our president is African-American – something that were were constantly reminded of during the election – appears to be completely lost in the melee.  For that, I am pleased.  I feel that this does not diminish the importance of this step in our country’s history, but instead enhances it.  I optimistically believe that we are judging the president on his merits (or perceived merits) with little regard to the color of his skin.

On an Obama tangent, singer LaShell Griffin, who sang for Obama on the campaign trail, is giving free concerts.  Griffin asks that concertgoers donate to the homeless instead.  I know absolutely nothing about this woman, but that sounds pretty cool.

Arlen Specter

Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania turned a few heads by switching parties and becoming a Democrat.  Specter had actually been a Democrat in long-ago days, but had been a Republican since 1966.  Assuming that Al Franken eventually prevails in the Minnesota senate race, and furthing assuming that all Democrats follow party lines on cloture votes, the Democrats would have a filibuster-proof majority, as 60 Senators can invoke cloture to end debate on a bill and force a vote.

The wife of a co-worker was quite disappointed in Specter, saying that this should not be allowed, as people had voted for him as a Republican, and were now getting a Democrat instead.  I am an unaffiliated voter, and would hope that people would have voted for Specter based on his stance on the issues, rather than simply his party (although I realize that this is hopelessly optimistic).

So, why did Specter switch parties?  Most likely, because he was afraid of losing a primary contest to Pat Toomey, who is considerably more conservative.  Pennsylvania has been trending more democratic lately, and his views are moderate enough to win as a Democrat but probably not conservative enough to win as  Republican.

Jim Bunning

In news that is likely to make Republicans happy, Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning (a former Major League pitcher who threw two no-hitters, including a Father’s Day perfect game) appears to retiring at the end of his term, choosing to support Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the Republican Primary.  Bunning has exhibited some erratic behavior in recent years, and the GOP leadership has been trying to get him to agree not to run in 2010 for fear of losing the seat that Bunning narrowly defended in the 2004 election.  He had responded by threatening to step down immediately (which would allow Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear (a Democrat)  to appoint his replacement.  Beshear would likely have appointed a Democrat.  It appears that Bunning has decided to take the high road.

Jack Kemp

Jack Kemp,  former MVP of the American Football league and longtime congressman from New York, has died of cancer at the age of 78.  Kemp was a long shot to ever have a meaningful football career, being drafted in the 17th round of the NFL draft and being cut by several other teams before landing with the Buffalo Bills of the AFL (a league that competed with the NFL before they eventually merged).  He led the Bills to titles in 1964 and 1965.  After retiring from football, he ran for congress.  He served 9 terms in the House of Representatives before serving as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President George H.W. Bush.  Kemp ran unsuccessfully for president in 1988 and vice president (with Bob Dole) in 1996.  For further information on the interesting life of Jack Kemp, check out his Wikipedia page.