BLUF: 4/5 stars - a must read.

Blueprint is a follow-up to his first book, "Pentagon's New Map” and offers some concrete steps to shrink the gap--those countries that remain disconnected from globalization. The ego-centric writing isn’t too bad this go around and once you get past it, his ideas are exceptional (though wordy)…however, I think political realities make it difficult to ever implement.   Read More »

Attended my first committee meeting...I'm a virgin no longer! It was interesting...but actually kinda frightening that this is how our National policy is formulated.

I'll give you a synopsis of the meeting followed by my personal insight into the process and recommendation for a way ahead.   Read More »

Sooooo...here's ethics in Congress for you:

"I was duped into placing that provision [aiding an Indian tribe who Abramoff was lobbying for] into legislation" - after of course a $100,000 trip to Scotland and a $30,000 campaign donation.
"I haven't done anything wrong."
"I have watched as the liberal establishment in Washington engaged in a coordinated smear campaign against me."
15 Sep 06 - Oh, by the way...I'm kinda guilty and will plead guilty to at least one criminal charge.
I f'in LOVE it!!!!

Of course, Congress has yet to do anything substantial when it comes to lobbying reform. The House passed a minimal band-aide measure on earmarks that applies only to the House and only until the end of the year. Senate bill 2349 is stalled in committee. So typical. Would you expect anything more of this lackluster Congress?!??!

Ready for a change?!?! Vote Democrat on 7 Nov 06.

I've really wrestled with this issue for quite some time, wavering from outrage that we're even in Iraq to a resolute feeling that we need to stay and finish what we started. I certainly feel that like every other major action this administration has undertaken, it has mismanaged the operations in Iraq on a variety of levels. It's really amazing that we continue to put up with this mismanagement at the top levels of leadership.

Having said that, I think that Biden's editorial piece in the Post last month gives a good outline for how we should proceed in Iraq.   Read More »

Read through the Congressional schedule and items of business on the table. What's more important to note is the list of what they WON'T be working on. That includes:
- Budget blueprint for spending/tax policy in 2007. Hmm...whatever happened to all those tax policy recommendations made by that commission Bush put together?!?! Any mention of reducing the deficit...the national debt...spending cuts...etc?? How about including the $90B+/year for Iraq and Afghanistan in the budget vice allowing supplementals that put us deeper into debt?!?!
- 8 of the 11 spending bills needed to fund federal government. No surprise here...get ready for another round of shut down the government scares...along with a host of new earmarks.
- Immigration and border security. Come on, this is way too contentious an issue in an election year!!! I think this will be the Republicans undoing. Seems that the conservatives are all up in arms about this. And...I wonder how many of the recommendations of the 9/11 commission are still not even being worked?!?! What a waste.
- Rules governing lobbying. Oh Lord don't get me started on how this has led to a host of fraud, waste, and abuse...Dems and Reps alike!! What happened to all that strong language after the Abramoff/Ney/Safavian/Cunningham, [put another name here], etc affair?!?!? Where's Hastert on this issue now?!?!
- Increase to the minimum wage. Well, pros and cons to this...haven't thought it entirely through yet...but if the poor are getting poorer and the top 5% are making over 40% of the money...seems something is out of whack.
- Estate tax. Repubs want deep cuts or to get rid of it. Well, of course...it's another perk for being fabulously wealthy and for all those donations!!!
- Medicare enrollment in prescription drug plans and changes to the benefit. I'd say wrap this up into a more comprehensive look at health care vice these band-aid applications (no pun intended).

I had to laugh when Rummy compared those who disagree with administration war policies with fascists. Webster defines fascism as "a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition." Hmmmmm...wonder who that sounds like?!?!

I think that education is one of the most important factors when it comes to ensuring America's success in the future. While the NCLB is a good start, it needs some work. The lack of full funding aside (the Bush administration has never fully funded the NCLB provisions), there are other areas where we can improve.

The original 2002 law struck a balance by requiring a major expansion of state testing programs but left the standard-setting to the states. This is a mistake. The lack of a national standard prevents the type of meaningful comparisons needed to improve education. The national standard needs to be comparable to international standards so that we can also track our progress and standing against other nations.   Read More »

So, read the Washington Post editorial today on "Perfect Storm for the Poor." Great read--basically (good news and bad):
- Proportion of Americans who are poor didn't change between 2004/2005.
- However, proportion who are VERY poor has risen.
- # of Americans without health insurance on the rise.
- Median income of middle class rose 1.1% (after 5 YEARS of decline and the 65 and over crowd accounts for the change)
- Top fifth of American households received 50.4% of all income last year (highest proportion since 1967).

So, it's good to be very rich and it really sucks being poor! This reflects the Republican mantra of supporting those with money and big business with the belief that trickle down economics will eventually benefit everyone. Didn't we learn during the Reagon years (and subsequently the antithesis to this during the Clinton years) that trickle down economics doesn't work?!?!

My recommendations:
- Tax reform. Whatever happened to those recommendations made by Bush's tax working group??? We need a progressive tax structure that favors those who need the money the most and can least afford to cover the expanding cost of government.
- Some tax reform ideas: no tax break for mortgages over $600,000, no mortgage deductions for vacation homes, and home equity credit for credit card consolidation.
- Decrease poverty through back to work and training programs, health care, and day care programs.
- Improve American output through education (have you seen how underfunded the No Child Left Behind Act is?!?! That's another topic), job training, job ladders, and a sensible health care plan.
- Budget discipline. Bring entitlement spending under control, cut the deficit, more transparency to earmarks.

At any rate, I just think we should be doing more...and instead this administration is content to spend, spend, spend...and in a lot of wrong places using funds from those who need it most.

Here's a great web site if you've been curious as to where some of that earmarked money is going: Link.   Read More »