The current situation in Mexico merits significant attention. Not only has violence been ravaging the streets of multiple Mexican streets, but the violence is crossing the border into the United States and claiming the lives of innocent Americans. We need to actively pursue a means of securing the borer and ensuring that violence in Mexico does not spill over into our country. Furthermore, if he United States is going to serve as a hegemony, than we need to let our presence be known to our neighbors. We need to increase the pressure on Mexican authorities to better regulate their country and to quell violence. We also need to prevent the sale of guns to individuals who have criminal records, no citizenship, and who have not passed a thorough background check. If we fail to act now, bloodshed will become a reality in American cities.

I have difficulty getting to the computer regularly these days...weather, library closings(unexpected...), et al. I watched Obama's speech to Congress and was very impressed with it. He spoke to us all like we are the intelligent beings that we are and defined the problems we face and possible solutions well. I was relieved to hear him discuss Afghanistan further. I was pleased to hear a more thoughtful and nuanced analysis. I personally have been less than enthusiastic about the US being in Afghanistan in the first place...no country or empire that has ever gone to the area has ever been able to subjugate it and I do not see how it will be any different for the US. Jim Hightower's latest Lowdown highlights the issues surrounding Afghanistan including secret prisons and use of torture there. But Barack did mention a new look at the situation in Afghanistan to include economic development and help. I know that it is not easy to just leave once in...but, military might alone is not the answer.

Fundamental changes would have to occur in Afghanistan and Pakistan also. The Taliban(an offshoot of the Mujahadin the CIA organized)must be permanently defanged for everyone's sake...especially women!!! I would like to hear what anyone else thinks...and I will get back here when I can... Lee:-)   Read More »

This demographic is often overlooked, unappreciated, and definitely underfunded. Non-profit and community based organizations carry out the work in the local communities that is most helpful to the residents of the neighborhood. It is these organizations that have the time to provide individual attention for the American citizens in need. It is therefore imperative that politicians take into account the importance of having these institutions working in the community, and provide adequate funding and support. Often, these organizations carry out the work that city and state governments cannot be bothered to do, and the federal government would never undertake. These organizations need better funding in order to continue to provide the vast number of different services that they provide for local citizens. Without adequate funding, the organizations will have no choice but to lay-off employees, reduce available services, and unfortunately some will cease to exist. If this becomes the case, these organizations will take with them the services they provide for the community, and who will then step up to fill that void in our most hard-hit communities?

I hope that the new stimulus plan results in available money for the institutions and the people who are committed to ensuring an economic recovery actually occurs. Handing out money to organizations that refuse to put these finances to good use will only worsen the situation. We need to ensure that organizations like non-profit organizations, are receiving adequate funding in order to maintain the same high level of work in the local communities they service. These are the organizations that merit financial support, for they service the people at no cost and truly believe in helping the individuals who come into their offices. Handing money o these greedy organizations that do not but gobble it up and pay lucrative salaries to employees who serve the wealthy, goes against the intended purpose of this economic plan. I believe that President Obama needs to ensure that money is disseminated and put to use. Lets move away from the notion of "trickle-down" economics and move into the future with social-economic policies that better the lives of Americans and limit corporate greed. Big business cannot be the only concern of America. Whether we are red or blue, the most important color right now is green because it represents food, shelter, and livelihood. This plan needs to get green in the hands of those who need it most, not those who created this problem in the first place.

Hi everyone...I am back! I tried to log in to the site for some time and could not get in. So, I have been unable to post to my blog. Of course, clean energy has been in the news and the mess in Tennessee has been covered. It was a disaster just waiting to happen. As far as 'clean coal' goes...This is Reality has a new ad and it is great. I watch CNN a lot and have noticed the ad that the council for oil and gas exploration has run has changed. They do acknowledge wind and solar in their background now...how clever of them!!!

Global warming...critics are still trying to discredit it. The way they are trying to discredit it is very clever. Most people do not distinguish between "weather" and "climate". Global warming is long term CLIMATE change. Weather plays a part...but only a part. Also, since this is climate change...then one can experience excessive cold as well as excessive heat. Another factor to consider is that within a climate...there is variation. I am a native of New England and winter can vary from mild to very cold and/or snowy. This year we are having what used to be considered a 'normal' winter!!!!

And finally, I will comment on the economy and Republican opposition to the proposed package. The Republicans want to deny most people a rebate because any number do not pay 'income tax'. Well, Social Security, Medicare, payroll taxes(Federal, State and in some cases, county/city tax), real estate tax(yes, even if you rent you do...how do you think the landlord is getting them paid...remember the landlord is trying to make $$$...he/she gets all the expenses paid through rent if possible!)and finally, SALES TAX!!! Sales tax is a truly regressive tax as poor people pay it on almost anything they buy. Only a few states exempt food and clothes(I live in one of those states...). There are other taxes that most of us pay(excise tax on cars, etc.)but, I have covered most of the biggies. When will the Republicans learn? They claim that they are going to reshape their party to be more responsive to the needs and concerns of the American people after the drubbing they have just taken in the last election. If the stated opposition to the latest stimulus package is any indication of the new Republican party...pleasssssssssssse.

I look forward to any comments you may have...

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. - Anon.

How long exactly are we going to remain on the ground in Iraq? Are we ever going to provide the necessary shift of troop strength from Iraq to Afghanistan? When are we going to allow the international community to take a greater role in affairs that are closer to their side of the world?

Essentially, I am interested in knowing if any changes in our foreign policy are going to take place or are we continuing failed policy. If we continue to ignore the issues that exist on a domestic level, choosing instead to focus on the international community, how are we ever going to rectify our problems here at home? Should we resign ourselves to a worldwide "policing" role? The last time I was abroad, which was fairly recent, I didn't get the sentiment that other nations were calling out for our assistance. Those that were, they needed aid, not military presence.

I have just finished reading a book...Obamanomics by John R Talbott. It is an excellent explanation of the current economic mess and what Obama will do if he can when he is President. I hope that some of you will read it and record your thoughts about the book.

I believe that the "shoe throwing" incident was a great example of the sentiment most Iraqi citizens have for our outgoing president and the wonderful decision he made over five years ago involving their country. The frustration of the Iraqi people is not easily dismissed by saying: "that guy has the right to do what he did because we brought freedom to their country." Did we? Even if we did, was it our place to invade a nation on the other side of the world for unfounded reasons and illegal justifications? I am sure many believe in the notion of America being the "protector of international community." I for one do not believe in this role and push others to move away from the notion, choosing instead to focus on the numerous domestic issues that merit our immediate attention.

Oh, one more thing, it was a shame that the journalist lacked the aim to plant one in between the eyes of Bush, that would have made for classic viral video material.

Marsha alerted me to a problem connecting to Obama's transition site...Change.gov. I checked the problem out and the link as it has been transmitted by Podesta and others adds a // in the middle of the URL. So, you have to type in the address box....http://www.change.gov.
I have not tried to post a comment on the blog there, but if any one else does try and has problems...please let me know or let the Obama Transition team know... -Lee

I was watching Bill Moyer's Journal last night and his featured guest(whose name I can't recall...) was discussing the sources of our food. It is an important issue and touches on everything else which is so important...health, energy use, global warming, the economy, national security...in essence, everything is really interconnected. Barack seems to be leaning toward a man who is in the pocket of Agribusiness. This is not good and a bit disturbing. Check out Bill Moyer's Journal at pbs.org.

SPREAD THE WEALTH, REBUILD AMERICA
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Posted by Jim Hightower

When Barack Obama said, "I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody," John McCain and his right-wing chorus blew a gasket and threw a hissy fit. He's a socialist, a Marxist, a "redistributionist" they screeched!

Obviously, they were more upset than the electorate was. Indeed, I think your average working stiffs perked up, high-fived one another, and said, "Oh, yeah â�" it's time to spread the wealth." After all, for the past three decades, Washington has been busily redistributing our wealth upward to the richest one percent of Americans.

Using everything from tax giveaways to trade scams, they've shoved practically all of the economic gains that everyone helped produce up to those at the top. Now, the top-heavy "tinkle-down" economy they created is crashing, bringing down the housing market, Wall Street banks, and a host of industries.

Of course, Washington reacted by rushing to bailout the bankers and the speculators who caused the crash. That hasn't seemed to benefit anyone but â�" surprise! â�" the elites. So, yeah, let's spread the wealth into the grassroots economy, so ordinary workaday folks can lift our country up.

One way to do this is with a massive, nationwide "Rebuild America" program, similar to what Obama has proposed, only bigger and bolder. Let's enlist millions of Americans to repair our deteriorating roads, bridges, schools, parks, etc. â�" while also developing conservation programs, solar and wind power, plug-in hybrid cars, high-speed trains, and other essentials for a new green economy.

Yes, this will be costly, but â�" unlike the gabillion dollar giveaway to Wall Street hucksters â�" this is a sensible investment that'll produce tangible results for every American and restore our nation's economic strength. Think about it: Money is like manure â�" it only works if you spread it around.

Lee ;-)((fist bump))
I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours.-Barack Obama

Hi everyone...I just started a new group, The Next Four Years. Now that Barack Obama is our new president on Jan. 20, 2009, I feel it is important that we continue the discussion on the issues and how you feel they should be addressed. I invite you to join this group and let the discussion begin!

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. -Alexander Graham Bell

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I attempted a copy and paste to 'We did it!' forgetting that I did the body of the message first and the signature second...so, here is the body of the message I intended to have in 'We did it!'.

We did it!

Barack stepped up and asked for our help and we answered the call. I am so happy that this campaign has succeeded …this movement, as Bill Schneider of CNN put it. This movement has opened up a dialogue among people who held similar views and concerns who were not speaking to each other. We united and spoke not only to each other, but also to those who tried to suppress our voices. But the work (and we have put in so much work already) has only just begun. There is so much to work on…

 The Economy
 Fix our crumbling infrastructure
 Quality healthcare for all
 Ending outsourcing of jobs
 Ending our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels in general
 Development and implementation of truly alternative energy sources-solar, wind, hydro and biofuel
 Working on global warming
 Improving our image abroad-engaging in diplomacy…not unilateral military action…getting out of Iraq…targeting real terrorism
 More fairness in the tax burden to all
 Revoke the PATRIOT Act and restore privacy

These issues/priorities are all interrelated. The economy can not stay balanced when you cut the revenue coming in and increase spending at the same time. The incursion into Iraq is costing $10 to $12 billion a month and this does not count Afghanistan or the $$$ sent to terrorist nation for oil imports. The threat of terrorism, increase in global warming and its terrible impact on all of us (the world) is heightened due to our reliance on fossil fuels. Development and implementation of truly alternative energy lessens the effects of global warming, lowers the threat of terrorism, and helps to create jobs here that will help our economy. Fixing our crumbling infrastructure helps us to live better and safer and again, provides jobs. We can not continue to have jobs outsourced to other countries because it is cheaper for the corporations without regard for the citizens of this country. Also, large corporations and the truly wealthy need to pay their fair share of taxes and not put the burden on the faltering middle class and middle income folks. Quality healthcare for all…it makes for a better quality of life, we are happier and healthier and able to do more. We feel less threatened and more secure. If all of this can be accomplished, then our government will not need to spy on and keep such close tabs on us citizens. We will be happier, more secure and less afraid.

For the first time in a long time, I am proud to be a citizen of the United States of America and am PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!

Lee ;-)((fist bump))
I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours.-Barack Obama

What can I say? I voted for Obama and then practically held my breath as the results came in. I watched with 2 friends and we had major sugar highs...we ate candy pumpkins every time Obama won a state...and also, when a new Dem senator was announced. I do not want to look at candy for the rest of the week!!! Of course, I am still wondering about Al Franken in Minn....that race is so close. I watched everything and went to bed late...I am so tired....but so happy and relieved. I think we have a chance to really change and fix this country...our economy...and achieve real peace and more fairness in the world.

Yet another Republican has endorsed Obama....William Weld, former Republican governor of MA! If McCain is declared the winner on Nov. 5 or later....it will be yet another stolen election.