Dealing with Pakistan

The call for the US to do more in Pakistan is an ever increasing sentiment on Capitol Hill. CIA Director Leon Panneta has blamed the Pakistani's for harboring terrorists that strike in neighboring Afghanistan , then flee back to Pakistan. China , meanwhile has become a "fast friend" to the Pakistani's and Islamabad. If we are to start holding Islamabad accountable for all their actions, we could definitely lose a valued ally in the global war on terror. Remember, Pakistan is not a backwater like Afghanistan, which by the way, we with our overwhelming military superiority, can't seem to control. How much harder then , would it be for us to control or conquer Pakistan? Remember, Pakistan has a bigger more well=equipped army, and , most importantly, Nuclear weapons from Pakistan's decades old battles with neighboring India, whom they got independence from years ago. But a modern nuclear-equipped army would be disastrous for us to go to war with. Our country(US) is already going broke from 10 years of fighting in the Middle East. We must slow down the rhetoric and take a deep breath and weigh the costs in lives , effort and dollars a war with Pakistan could have. I hope Washington hears us on this one....No More War!!!

Protesters More Organized than You Think

Second Chance For Democrats

This is a second chance for President Obama and the Democrats.  The occupy Wall St. protests continue and have begun to spread. President Obama wasted so much political capitol on "treating" the Wall St bankers so cordially the fist time around. He has a chance to put this protest into its proper and historic perspective. Just give the protesters the due coverage they deserve. Main St. media outlets either completely ignored  the the protesters or said they were nothing but a shamble of hippies protesting nothing.  But now 3 weeks in, they  can't be ignored so easily. Even NPR, that bastion of news coverage completely ignored the protesters for 9 days! Can you imagine?  Any other story that was ignored for that long people would've been surely wondering why. I still am wondering why?  This could be the biggest news story this decade if these protests continue to swell and gain momentum. We could be witnessing an historic event here.  Real change could take place. Or, like civil rights marches of the1960's , police could try to strong-arm the people and REALLY turn violent. Only time can tell. Russian TV was the only network even covering the protests that I saw.

But now President Obama and the Dems have a chance to turn up the heat on the GOP. All the things the protesters are fighting for are things the GOP is against.  Go Mr Obama!  Turn up the heat on those who want it business as usual as that isn't going to work.  We need fundamental change in our banking system immediately. It needs to be more fair for us on the lower end of the financial spectrum.  Lets hope the protests get things evened out!!   

Obama Pushes Jobs Bill

President Obama went back on the offensive today with a broadcast to nation at about Noon today.  Again he is pushing his so-called jobs bill which will immediately put police officers, teachers, and firefighters back to work.  Many of these jobs have been lost as states continue to cut jobs because of budget deficits.  The Republican response was,  to say it bluntly,  typical. Their claim this jobs bill would not have the desired effect of putting many first-responders back to work. I believe the real reasoning behind their negativity is they won't pass anything the President proposes despite the effect it could have on the economy.  They want the 2012 election to be about Obama's failure to help the country.  I only hope voters can see through the bull and see the GOP for what it is presently doing.  Strangling the economy.  This jobs bill even has a proposed way to pay for itself. A paltry tax hike of 5.6% on people making over $1,000,000 a year?  Not unreasonable. But of course , despite the fact the Republicans voted for all these same things before, they won't now.  They say President Obama is campaigning .  But what do the GOP propose? I hear nothing coming from Capitol Hill for a reasonable alternative.Voters wake up!! Hold your congressional representative to explain why he's against this bill. If he has an other theory on what to do, let him or her voice it.  Not just block the President.  The thing Republicans fear the most is an Obama plan that may stimulate the economy and actually work.

Meanwhile the occupy Wall St. protests have continued and are spreading to other cities . Philadelphia in particular. Also Trenton NJ. The protesters claim they will not leave till there is financial equality.  Probably the hardest equality there is to implement. Those in power and wealth are not about to give it up without a fight. President Obama mentioned the protesters for the first time as he says "I feel their pain".  Way to go President Obama.  Continue to stand for what you, and most of us, believe. The rich are getting away with murder and its time to make our voices heard!

Keeping the Protest Message on Point

The recent protest marches in NYC and Wall St have spread to other cities nationwide.  Van Jones, the Green energy Czar, under President Obama , is heading a movement called Take Back the Dream. He lasted only 6 months at the post of Czar, but has found a new , and ,hopefully, better outlet for his talents.  The protesters have to remember 1 thing.  The Tea Party, while representing only a small percentage of American voters, managed to be very effective because they stayed mostly always on point. While the new protesters on Wall St. have momentum on their side, if they don't take a lesson from the Tea Partyers, they are at risk of losing their main message in a convoluted mixed up voice.  Everything from save the Earth,  to LGBT rights, to racial equality and more, will spill over into the protesters message and drown out the main message of financial fairness.  Stick to the message , I say.  The American people will get more and more involved,as we see happening,  now if they think the protests are effective and warrant our involvement.  First , the movement needs a name. . The Tea Party is a perfect example. All great movements need a similarly great name. The 99ers ( for being 99% of the population) to Take Back the Dream, and others have been thrown around.  Secondly a leader would help.  Whether or not Van Jones turns out to be that person remains to be seen.  The recent labor leaders involvement today is great help.  This message needs to be seen as one of the people, not a bunch of hippie , Pie-in-the-sky protesters. What ultimately happens to this protest could impact this country in great and profound way.  We can only hope the message doesn't get lost along the way.

Italy's credit rating dropped to A2

With the global economy continuing to worsen the euro has been particularly hit hard. According to the BBC Italy's credit rating has gone from A2A to A2.  Another drop in the Euro of 0.5% now places the Euro at  precarious low levels.  The drop in the Moody index rating couldn't have come at worse time for the Euro and the EU general financial outlook.  Even though Italy's need for borrowing may be low right now , this is still bad news for a global economy that can't seem to shrug off the stagnation. In the American market the Dow Jones was down around 400 points around 3 pm.  Luckily a late rally ended the Dow up about 180 points. Big late rally for the Dow. Germany in particular should be concerned about Italian downgrades as they , along with the Euro banks , will bear much of brunt of a collapsing Euros.  Germany cannot , however, nor should they be expected to, continue to bail out the European banks, countries and economies. These countries will have to stand on their own accord and give the Germans a break. They are being penalized for keeping their own house in order.

On the lighter side Tommiegriggz Band is going on a major tour starting in January. Lets give a little support to a south Jersey native.

Governer Christie Bows Out

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie officially bowed out of his rumored GOP run for the Presidency.  He said though he was flattered it "just wasn't his time".  Christie also commented on disparaging remarks about his weight.  Saying he's "heard them all before".  The GOP front runners will now have a clear path to the nomination. Mitt Romney has overtaken Gov Perry in some recent polls. Who ends up facing off against President Obama is still very much up in the air.  The Republicans don't seem to be satisfied with any of their own candidates, so it was hoped, by some, that Christie could "save the day".  Despite the Presidents weak approval ratings, the GOP has no "sure thing" to throw against him.
In the meantime we get ever closer the fabled double dip recession.  Someone please tell this writer when the first one officially ended as I've seen no recovery with unemployment still, as its been all along, over 9%.  If some of the poisonous rhetoric could just simmer down , maybe we could get something done.

GOP rheteoric getting more hateful

Michelle Bachman has apparently thanked a caller who say they'd vote for a serial killer over President Obama? Rick Perry says hes either the most ill-informed President in history or an "abject liar".  Hank Williams Jr . compares this man to Hitler?  What in the world has gone wrong?  What could make supposed intelligent people say such foolish things?  The hate is increasing.  The bitter divide is growing exponentially.  In my life I've never seen anything quite like this.  I know Dems and Republicans are supposed to be at odds but this is just ridiculous.  We have come to hate.  Hate those that are different ...in looks , ideas, religion, in beliefs.  Why? Fear. We fear what we don't understand.  The next logical step in how this turning out is violence.  I hope I'm wrong , but things are looking more dismal everyday.  We must get back to reason.  No matter what anyone thinks this is neither all Obama's fault or George Bush's . It's all our fault.  We have all lived beyond our means for a long time, and nobody wants to pay the bill.  Well now it's coming due with interest. Please, everyone slow down on the hate and blame and see what we can do to fix this thing.

Sorry folks....

I know I gave the Philadelphia Eagles as my lock of the week! Well next week is another try. For you gamblers, (and what true politico isn't) I promise to do better. In my defense they were up 23-3 in the 3rd quarter and I was counting this a victory blog winner. But they really chocked and not only didn't cover the 7/.5 points ..read but lost the game outright 24-23....Don't give up on me guys I am usually really quite good!!

Rick Perry's past comes back to haunt him

So the Rick Perry hunting ranch was called N*****head camp? At first the Perry team sought to downplay this open case of bigotry, as they "painted over" the offensive n- word.But is another Texas southern President we want?  Didn't we have enough with George W Bush?  Hopefully this really will sink this campaign as there is something about Perry I neither like or trust.Cain...what do we think about him? Has this country come far enough to have two Black Americans in the Presidential race?  I dont have the answer to this.We can only hope we are color blind and character judges.

Greece comes one step closer to defaulting.  Things have gotten so bad for the Greeks they said today they will fire 30,000 government workers by years end and still don't think it will be enough to stop from defaulting. If Greece goes , the EU is going to dragged down............then the IMF, .then the US is not far behind. People you may think a small island country like Greece couldn't effect us you are wrong.  Hard times are coming I'm afraid.

Chris Christie may enter race for GOP nomination

The savior for the GOP is Chris Christie or so many in the Republican party would lead us to believe. Having lived in the great state of New Jersey all my life ,Christie has a certain persona about him most do not. Whether he would be good for the nation is questionable at best. He has lowered taxes or stabilized them. (property taxes in NJ are have to be seen to be believed) but hes done this at the expense of our schools, and many other services so many in NJ have come to rely on. Christie, after all, is a  republican. But governor Christie is a moderate sort on some social issues. He is against assault rifles , which anyone can tell you , is  a very hot topic for conservatives. Homosexuality is an unforgivable offense, but being able to shoot 30 rounds a second is a God given right.  Go figure. It seems to me , whether you want to sleep with someone of your sex doesn't seem to be as much of a danger as an AK 47.

The hot topic with some, believe it or not, is gov Christies weight. Having battled the bulge myself, I never was told I couldn't do a certain job. So the man may eat too much.  Lets judge him by his merits as a candidate , not his belt size!!

sympathy for the devil

Yes all, it is easy to label the Wall St bankers as devils or at least the bad guys. I guess if I was pulling down 7 figures people may resent me also. But come on Bank of America is now going to charge a monthly fee just to use our own money!! Aren't these banking wizards able to do anything with all that money they hold in all our accounts? Billions of dollars folks! they have all the inside information to invest that money as it comes in. To then charge an additional $5 per month is nothing short of greed.I say we make a run on Bank of America and any other bank that wants to play this game. Withdraw your money as fast as humanly possible. Let these big banks know they are here as a business service. Not a way to gouge as much cash as possible from the middle class. Cause lets face it people , millionaires who have tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars  either wont be charged at all or wont feel a paltry $5 a month.  But I will .Bet you , my readers will too!

The Channels to watch

We here in the West are not getting comprehensive news coverage from the major media suppliers. There has been a continuing protest,going on for days now, right near or on Wall St. Many people , including defenseless women, are getting pepper sprayed by over zealous police in NYC.  Their crime? Peaceful protest. Its not the protesting the police necessarily cant tolerate , its the location. Wall Street and money are God in this country and the banks despite their excesses cannot be even questioned .But , strangely, we heard very little of this tragedy. I found out about through watching RT on the Mind network of public broadcasting. Only after about 4 days did our news media even report of this. You can perhaps draw your own conclusions as to why. The big banks fiance half of the news media and negative publicity is not allowed. What do you think..........On the lighter side , may no one say I've done nothing for them.Take the Eagles tomorrow in the NFL games (if you so indulge). Lock of the week.

European finances

The EU has decided , along with the big EU banks , to once again bail-out Greece even though they don't exactly call it that. Its really Germany, the EU's biggest economy , that's doing the bailing. But with a debt of 120% of their GDP , can Greece really get itself out of this hole no matter how draconian the austerity measures are? The biggest threat to the global economy , right now, is if Italy, the EU's 3rd biggest economy, follows suite and also needs a bailout.(Which, by the way, is looking ever more likely). Whole countries are going belly-up now. This trend is a direct link to the West living well beyond its means for years now! Sure the 2008 economic meltdown hurt , but, this goes well beyond a dip in the stock market. Entitlements, slow downs of the work force and generally feeling as if the rest of the world should continue to support our lavish (by other countries standards) lifestyle. We all need to slow down!!! We are raping the earths natural resources as we try to consume our way out of worsening crisis.  Are you listening Washington ?

Obama and Boehner

Does anyone ,who has a brain, think these two aren't acting like two spoiled children who can't get their way?  It seems to me that Obama and the Dems are willing to negotiate , but, the GOP isn't willing to give an inch! Who doesn't think hedge fund managers and US billionaires should pay only 15% on there income?  How is it fair that a school-teacher or police officer or single parent making $15 an hour should pay a higher tax rate than people who make millions per year? What should WE do? Accept this ? Again I say no. Call your senator, especially if they are Republican, and ask WHY is this?  These people are not job creators they are rich. This topic should have the American people in uproar! This is not about class warfare ,As speaker Boehner says, this is about fairness and showing that we have as much right as they do!! Stay tuned for more .................

My Official First Post

The Western world is currently in a rapid state of decline. What has led us here? What forces drive our current political figures to do the seemingly stupid things they do? Why can't we , as the supposed " best " country in the world figure this thing out?  The answers are surprisingly both more simple, and at the same time more complex, than anyone wants to admit. Maybe the problems are just unsolvable?  Maybe we are expecting too much from elected officials?  I say no. Our elected servants are just that ....servants. Perhaps we as a people need to get going, tell them what we feel and need as a nation. Stay tuned for more soon.....................