For want of a single vote

California, the eighth largest economy in the world, is in crisis.  Not only because of the general economic downturn, although that plays a role.  No, California’s crisis is in part self-inflicted.  The state has been without a budget since October 1.  Why?  Because of the rigidity of the positions in the state legislature.
Meanwhile, the state’s [...]

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Stimulus vote post-mortem

Each week my local paper encourages readers to have their say on a particular issue.  While it’s certainly not a scientific survey, it does provide some amusing and maddening reading.  Many of the same people voice their opinions on a weekly basis, and given the frequency with which their comments appear, I figure there aren’t [...]

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Message to the GOP

The GOP just doesn’t get it.  So, let me explain a few things to you.

Tax cuts are meaningless if you don’t have a job, or you don’t make enough to reach the threshold for paying taxes.
You complain that 40% of Americans don’t pay taxes. Why?  Is it because they don’t make enough? Or is [...]

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Job Creation: Spending v. tax cuts

There has been a lot of heat generated recently over the proposed stimulus package.  But let’s all take a deep breath and really look at what is proposed.  And let’s look at what most economists say is needed — jobs.  Tax cuts can be a short-term stimulus, but jobs provide a long-term stimulus effect.  That’s [...]

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No bluster, no swagger, no threats

I continue to be impressed with our new President.  He understands that communicating (both talking and listening) is a vital part of governance.  He is willing to compromise without sacrificing principle.  And he understands that power comes in many forms. He also seems to understand that influence is often more effective than raw power.
President Obama [...]

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Final thoughts on Gaza for now UPDATED

Both parties have declared their own cease-fires.  We wait to see what the final outcome may be.  It is interesting to note that by each side having declared a unilateral cease-fire, neither had to address the concerns of the other.  Israel got no assurances that the rocket attacks will stop.  Gaza got no assurances that [...]

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A time for talking… and for listening, too?

I see that PE Obama has indicated a willingness to talk to Hamas and is signaling that things will change in his administration as to how the US approaches the Middle East.  My first reaction is, “Well, it’s about time!”  And I’m delighted to learn that he intends to treat the region from Gaza to [...]

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Negotiating a compromise — now that’s a good thing

A couple of final thoughts about the bailout…

Text of what Congress will vote on has been posted here.
The individual tab doesn’t sound nearly as bad as the aggregate.  It’s actually less than $2300 per person.  When stacked up against what your 401(k) or pension or IRA or stock portfolio or your kid’s college fund has [...]

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