Beeline2Beauty

Goodbye Ted Kennedy

Today was a sad day in the world of politics as the great Senator from Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy was laid to rest.  His funeral was well attended with past and present Presidential figures and dignitaries, and eulogized by current President and friend, Barack Obama.  This is a testament to the great man he was, and the many accomplishments he made throughout his life.  Ted Kennedy was a man of the people, and one who believed in standing up for the rights of all men.   One can simply look at the different legislation he stood behind to see that he was clear on what was right.  He  held a major role in the many  battles for civil rights.  He  fought for the disabled, and was a loud voice in the cause of human rights and democracy across the world.  He spoke up for minimum wage and reprimanded his fellow Senators when he felt they were trying to defeat a worthy cause.

Senator Kennedy worked hard his entire life to promote humanity, dignity and opportunity for all Americans.  His life is over,  but we can truly say, "Job well done."  May he rest in peace.

Cash For Clunkers Ends Today

The government sponsored, "Cash For Clunkers" program ends today.  The latest report puts the costs at 2.8 billion dollars.  Oh, how my stomach just turns at the thought of all that money being spent so quickly.  I personally think there are bigger fish to fry, like stabilizing the housing market.  This was a foolish and temporary fix for a real financial problem.   Why are we spending so much money, when our economy continues to tank, and jobs continue to be lost.  The program was developed to help the auto industry out of its current financial crisis.  I guess you could call it an auto industry bailout.  We don't have the money, or the resources for such a program.  This money is borrowed and must be paid back with interest.  Hmmh, what is interest on 2.8 billion dollars?  I think the government needs to refocus their efforts on the continuing mortgage crisis and job creation.  It doesn't take a Harvard education to know this.  I'm going to file this one under, "Oops I did it again."

Jobs Are Key to Recovery

 

I have been really stumped at why the speculators feel that the economy is recovering.  There can be no recovery until there is serious stabilization in the job market.  The last time I checked, jobs continue to be lost at record rates across the country.  It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out.    Last month alone, private employers cut 371,000 jobs.  I believe that is slightly less than the 463,000 job loss in June, but that is still a significant number.  371,000 people losing their jobs does not spell recovery.  As jobs continue to disappear, consumers will continue to hold tight to their money because of the uncertainty of job stability.  I don't know anyone who can guarantee their employment, or lifestle in this climate.  When you see job creation and stability, you will see the nearing of one of the worst recessions of our time.  I will file this one under, "I wish I had a crystal ball."

Freed at Last!

Following a visit to North Korea from former President, Bill Clinton, two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, were granted a special pardon and released from their 12 year sentence of hard labor.  The two journalists were arrested on the North Korea-China border in March and accused of illegal entry.   The two journalists were part of U.S. media outlet Current TV, which was co-founded by Al Gore.  Since their arrests, there has been no lack of public outcry for the journalists release, but I guess the dinner with North Korea's leader, Kim Jong il and  the former President of the U.S., Bill Clinton sealed the deal.  They indicate that this is showing their humanitarian and peaceloving nature.  Somehow, I think there is more to it than that.  

Economic Fix

President Obama ran on a platform that focused on fixing our economy.  It is almost six months in office, and we see no real key factors to indicate that the economy is doing anything but getting worse.  While the President makes speeches on our children and education, the states budgets are collapsing and some universities cannot even accept students for the upcoming semester/quarter.  The idea that we defer education for a later time is preposterous and unacceptable.  It appears that the stimulus money is merely closing some of the gaps within the states budget.  Instead of laying off teachers, it has allowed many to retain their jobs for another year.  This is good, but it doesn't help those children who need to go to college and it doesn't build the so-called state of the art schools that we heard about during the election.  It doesn't enhance math and science education, and it certainly does not hire new teachers.  I have said on many occasions that his plan with regard to the mortgage crisis and the bank bailouts was flawed at the onset.  The government sent a luxury ship to save the banks, yet the average person has received little to no help in recovering from what is sure to go down in history as one of the worst economic crisis.  His plan to give billions of dollars to the banks and then allow them to voluntarily help homeowers has been a farce.  Although some have benefitted from the program, it is far reaching and has produced the desired effect.  Many banks have taken the money and put up the middle finger, while they post better than expected profits from hording money and being greedy.  Another problem is the current home valuation.   Home values have dropped considerably, while foreclosures are still on the rise.  Do I blame all of this on the President - No.  I think he dropped into a mess that was far more than he thought it was.  That said, I also believe that his stimulus package should have been directed at truly fixing the mortgage crisis by dropping the principle on homes to fair market rate+ 10% (the average home value has dropped 30-50%), which still leaves the banks with a gain.  I also believe he should have reduced the interest rates to 4% across the board.  Whoever could not maintain would go into foreclosure.  This would free up some consumer cash and automatically boost consumer confidence and start up a spending and buying trend.  Okay, enough bashing.  His ratings are still very high, but slipping.  Yes, former President, Bush has left us with a mess that is no easy fix.  Let's file this one under "wait and see."

Bonus Money for AIG

  Bonuses, I think NOT!!!

Well, unless you're hiding under a rock somewhere in the Ozarks, you are aware of the current bonus scam regarding AIG, the insurance giant.  It appears that bonuses which were promised to certain executives, prior to the government bailout, are well on their way to being realized.  To this I say, if the government let's this go through, they are penny smart and pound foolish.  AIG is subsized and partly owned by the government.  Were it not for the bailout money, they would have been out of business months ago.  Now, let's see.  If the company had went defunct, there would be no bonuses and typically bonuses are tied to productivity, which is tied to someone's spreadsheet.  This stinks to high heaven.   The problem again comes from a government fraught with problems and simple thinking.  How could you not make any stipulations to a corporation that requires billions of tax dollars to stay in business?  I'm no financial wizard, but that's common sense.   The President is attempting to legally block the bonuses, but we'll see.  AIG is the same company that took part of the $89 billion bailout money and went on a lavish retreat.  There is something so wrong with all this. 

Rush Limbaugh - New Chairman of the Republican Party

Wow, I had to chime in on this new war of words between Rush Limbaugh and the newly appointed Chairman of the National Republican party, Michael Steele.  It appears that Mr. Steele had the audacity to say that Rush's style was ugly and incendiary.  Rush in turn blasted Mr. Steele on his talk show.  I normally listen in to see what Rush is up to (no good usually), but I missed this particular show.  We all know that Rush is an entertainer who is extremely incendiary, but he seems to appeal to those on the extreme left, whose views and agendas seem to only serve a certain segment of the population.  Rush indicated at CPAC that the good Republicans want everyone to have an equal shot, but to my recollection, under Republican watch, the poor class grew, the middle class shrank, and the rich got richer.  I think that Rush is maybe taking too many painkillers.  He probably needs a personal session with Dr. Phil, because some of his recent comments are a bit off kilter.  He says that he wants the President's agenda to fail.  Hmmh, I pause in disbelief.  What American has ever wished the demise of a President, or his policies.  Even when ding dong Bush was in office, I certainly did not want him to fail.  Although he did a fabulous job of it.  It is the divisiveness that Limbaugh offers that America has already said, we don't want.  Rush seems to now be the voice of the party.  This is insanity.

Now, let's talk about this Michael Steele character.  First off, he is African American.  He is obviously bright, educated and  probably (???) well intentioned.  However, I find it a bit strange that they would elect him right after President Obama gets elected.  Coincidence.....I think not.   Mr. Steele made a comment as the leader of the Republican Party, which he felt was accurate.  He indicated that Rush is a mere talk show host.  He said that Rush is incendiary and I personally agree.  Then the Wuss apologizes.   Oh, grab your seats and wine glass and sit down.  He lated recanted and stated that Rush is a national conservative leader.  I didn't see the gun in the room, but I know it was there, and I know it was loaded.  This man is STU-PID, and he is the Chairman of the Republican party.  When I stop laughing, I think I am going to cry real, real hard, because this is UN-believable.  You can file this one under, "say what you mean and mean what you say."