Forget the First Term, Real Change Will Come In the Second Term.

When President Obama takes office we are all aware of the mess that has been left him by the Bush Mafia and a Republican Congress that gorged itself and it's patrons at the public troth for so many years. Two wars, an economy in shambles, loss of faith by the electorate, poor perception and outright mistrust from our allies. A new Senate that appears it will fall short of the needed 60 votes to override obstructionist GOP filibusters. President Obama in keeping his campaign promises will have to forge alliances and try to bring both parties together on issues that often divide partisans. President Obama, you are a better man then I and I would not want for all the riches in the world to be standing in your shoes.

Congress too must agree to take back it's constitutional authority and responsibility. That has been the greatest loss this nation has suffered, and during these next eight years we the people must also work and hold our Representatives responsible for their actions and/or inactions. Congressional Representatives in both the House and the Senate our, our voices eyes, and ears. WE have final judgment and say over what powers except those outlined in the Constitution, the Executive Branch may claim. My biggest regret and sorest issues with the Democrats is that they have not challenged the Bush Administration on it's illegal and unconstitutional claims. These should have gone immediately to court the minute one of George Bushie's little Prince's said "no" to a Congressional inquiry or subpoena. As result today we find that the Justice Department which seems to have forgotten totally the concept of Justice it was supposed to support, refused a Congressional subpoena for documents that may show the Justice Department engaged in criminal activity! Specifically the prosecution of Alabama's Governor Don Siegelman.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General Keith Nelson in a strangely, and at best garbled response to Chairman Conyers noted the following as reported in today's TPM:

In a letter sent Friday to Conyers, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Keith Nelson writes that DOJ won't produce the documents in question, consistent with a department policy of not providing internal prosecution materials to Congress. Nelson makes the contorted argument that even though such documents in fact have been given to Congress in the past, that would not affect the decision on the Siegelman documents, because of supposed uncertainty about the facts of the other cases:

If any of you can garner what this jackass just said please respond in the comment section below. To me he just admitted that "we won't supply anything to you because we acted illegally but we don't want to incriminate ourselves". A kind of Administrative Fifth Amendment plea. So besides those conflicts to add to what will be a big trouble spot for Obama is the story out today that Bush is "burrowing" political appointees into high level civil service career positions that are protected by government personnel rules. This folks are positioned in a way so as to sabotage President Obama's initiatives. This practice has been done over the years by many Administrations but the end result is that it is designed to thwart the will of the American people who voted overwhelmingly for change, and to block a new Administration from hitting the ground "running".

Most of the personnel shifts have been done on a case-by-case basis, but Interior Solicitor David L. Bernhardt moved to place six deputies in senior agency positions with one stroke, including two who have repeatedly attracted controversy. Robert D. Comer, who was Rocky Mountain regional solicitor, was named to the civil service post of associate solicitor for mineral resources. Matthew McKeown, who served as deputy associate solicitor for mineral resources, will take Comer's place in what is also a career post. Both had been converted from political appointees to civil service status.

In a report dated Oct. 13, 2004, Interior's inspector general singled out Comer in criticizing a grazing agreement that the Bureau of Land Management had struck with a Wyoming rancher, saying Comer used "pressure and intimidation" to produce the settlement and pushed it through "with total disregard for the concerns raised by career field personnel." McKeown -- who as Idaho's deputy attorney general had sued to overturn a Clinton administration rule barring road-building in certain national forests -- has been criticized by environmentalists for promoting the cause of private property owners over the public interest on issues such as grazing and logging.

One career Interior official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardize his position, said McKeown will "have a huge impact on a broad swath of the West" in his new position, advising the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service on "all the programs they implement." Comer, the official added, will help shape mining policy in his new assignment.

"It is an attempt by the outgoing administration to limit as much as possible [the incoming administration's] ability to put its policy imprint on the Department of Interior," the official said.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry While the Commoner Starves

And so the feasting and merry making continues at many of what once were America's premiere financial institutions. My article's title sounds almost socialist but it is not, however I do expect some oversight, responsibility, and accountability assigned to these all stars who after ruining my IRA and 401K plans continue on in their positions, living the same life style while millions of Americans lose their jobs, homes and dreams while at the same time any sparse income they earn minus health care is taxed, and that tax goes to ensure the continuation of a lavish lifestyle of the very same "golden guys" who brought to this point. At this point, being one who espouses civil order and decency I am ready to say to the peasants; here are some new pitchforks, you get the torches and let us grab some fat cats and slowly roast them. Being a nurse I would caution against basting to keep arteries clear and lower cholesterol levels. As for BS levels well.................



So where do we start? After reading the following article, I recalled so many independent stories of "business as usual" it caused me to stop and think where was the oversight promised when the 750 billion dollar bailout package was passed after dire warnings of what would happen if it was not passed. Apparently Treasury Secretary Paulson and his side kick Neel Kashkari ( tell me that doesn't sound like a communist socialist name) don't think anyone needs to know where our money is going. Well guess what guys, that little tidbit has escaped and filed for protection under the Federal Whistle Blowers Act. Champagne, caviar and manicures most be maintained for that elite privileged few. AIG one of the biggest offenders of excess and greed just got their bailout raised from $123 billion to $150 billion and guess what, AIG spent more, and more. No problem though they have a blank check credit card backed by the American taxpayers. Funny, isn't part of this crisis due to banks unwilling to lend money and offer credit?

As I mentioned earlier I am a nurse. Supposed your grandmother was in a hospital after having a mild heart attack and the doctor mistakenly wrote an order for 60 milligrams (mg) of potassium stat based on her electrolyte values seen from laboratory blood draws. I draw the order up and administer it. Whoo big mistake. the doctor forgot to include a simple letter "E" in that order (mEg vs. mg) and I have just given granny 100 times the amount of potassium she was supposed to get. That mild heart attack she came in for has just magnified to a major heart attack she will not survive. What happens to me and the physician? At minimum we lose alot of money (I'm smart and carry malpractice insurance). Worst case scenario is we both lose our license and are never able to practice again. So how about these whiz kids that are supposedly the brightest that led us to the financial brink we now face? Hey I killed granny by following a doctor's order (though nursing practice acts exempt me from fall out for failing to follow bad orders, I am still considered as a nurse as operating above my pay grade for issuing such a challenge). Where is the challenge to these industry smart guy leaders? Is there anyone out there willing to pay me several million for killing granny? Yet these executives who have so failed their share holders and the public expect to be compensated in bonuses for NOT DOING THEIR JOBS!?

I am a Democrat and a liberal one at that, but in some ways I wish Joe the Plumber were in charge of this bailout proposal. Henery Paulson, former CEO of Goldman Sachs is though in charge of the bailout and both Congress and the American public have been jumping to his every gesture and nod in hopes of at least mitigating the populace wide fallout from this situation. Read his Wikapedia page and you will note he was a big proponent of executive bonuses and compensation. Now he declines to comment on who is getting taxpayer relief. I drive a Honda Civic, a 2000 make and I am proud of my car. I see many going to work in D.C. driving similar compact models, yet the HOV lanes in Virginia are being sold to for profit toll operators who want to open up those HOV lanes to the wealthy merchants of influence peddling in D.C. so they can as usual bypass a model that promoted a healthy enviorment for all. I guess it was too much trouble for their limousines to stop and pick up one additional passenger so they could drive their car on the HOV lane. No worries right? The taxpayer will fund their tolls through bonuses and whatever. Can't let those peasants feel special can we? Might make them think they are above their station in life.

So where is the outrage? Hell, knowing FOX so called news channels interest in starting conflict I'd at least think they would be all over this. Where is NBC, ABC, CBS, or even MSNBC? Somehow this story was relegated to obscurity because it was more fun to continue highlight Sarah Palin as a dufus, something we demonstrated on November 4th we already knew. Want a real story guys? Look at the current person supposedly leading this economic recovery? Both he and his lap dog Neel Kashkari anotrher reject from a defunct Goldman Sachs are making sure that those most deserving don't suffer. We see the BIG 3 of the auto industry begging for taxpayer relief but does anyone recall why they need relief? Does anyone remember the ads for the Dodge Intimidator? I do but it's funny now should you go to Dodge's web site and try to bring up that model it doesn't exist. The same folks who brought you this economic crisis are the one's now placed in charge of correcting that crisis. We wonder aloud how corporations could allow such compensation but when you look at the Board of Directors (BOD) for these same corporations, you find a small club of individuals who serve on these said Boards.

Sorry folks but for me that doesn't fly. For those who want to prioritize their individual concerns, until you dissolve this ruling cabal that is sanctioned by the bought and paid for Congress it will continue.Look at Diane Feinstien (D-Calf), considered a liberal progressive except when it comes to telecom immunity. Her husband by chance is a BIG lobbyist for the telecoms. On November 4th this year the natives revolted to a degree and a good man was elected. His transition team has just placed tough restrictions on corporate lobbyist's involvement in his Administration. Yet the MSM still finds it more important in speculating who will get this position and who will be left out in the cold, rather then focusing on a real evolving story such as is the fox really the one placed in charge of guarding the hen house?

No Time Like the Present To Hold This Congress, and Our President Elect Feet to the Fire

This IMHO is an attrocity for President Elect Barack Obama has to step in and immediatly be called to whip the party into shape and take a possibly dangerous move that I am sure could have negative consequences. This is not his doing but it has been facilitated in part by the spineless Democrats in Congress. This additional corporate banking wealfare rule change was diaried earlier by AnakSeria here, but failed to explore implication of this article first reported this morning in the Washington Post. With my limited financial knowledge we will discuss the implications of this tax change which according to many in the tax field may in fact be illegal, just another example of Bush and Company ignoring the laws or reinteruptating them for their buddies benefit.

The change involves a little known section call Section 382 which was enacted twenty two years ago by Congress to close a tax shelter benefit for large companies who could hide the true nature of their profits by acquiring smaller, sometimes losing companies and writing of the acquisition as a lose claiming a tax deduction for said loss. This law in part is something the banking industry had long sought to overturn, but no one felt it could be. The reason being is the public outcry it would have created, and most experts think only Congress which specifically enacted the legislation to close this loop hole abused by corporations to hide profits in shell companies.

The financial world was fixated on Capitol Hill as Congress battled over the Bush administration's request for a $700 billion bailout of the banking industry. In the midst of this late-September drama, the Treasury Department issued a five-sentence notice that attracted almost no public attention.
But corporate tax lawyers quickly realized the enormous implications of the document: Administration officials had just given American banks a windfall of as much as $140 billion.
The sweeping change to two decades of tax policy escaped the notice of lawmakers for several days, as they remained consumed with the controversial bailout bill. When they found out, some legislators were furious. Some congressional staff members have privately concluded that the notice was illegal. But they have worried that saying so publicly could unravel several recent bank mergers made possible by the change and send the economy into an even deeper tailspin.
"Did the Treasury Department have the authority to do this? I think almost every tax expert would agree that the answer is no," said George K. Yin, the former chief of staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, the nonpartisan congressional authority on taxes. "They basically repealed a 22-year-old law that Congress passed as a backdoor way of providing aid to banks."

So Congress now being aware and outraged hid this change for fear it would spark public outcry and be declared illegal but create a financial problem for banks that had immediately sought to take over other less financially profitable banks, with an end result being it would cause a steeper decline economically then the crisis we already were in. This change called the "Wells Fargo Ruling" signed by Treasury Secretary Paulson is thought to have possibly been created to aide certain specific banks. The other proponent for this change that lobbyist had gained no traction at all with Congress to over turn for twenty plus years also was supported by the biotech industry, which routinely buys up small struggling innovative companies with one or two good ideas or patents. Somehow their tax burden is substantially decreased.

No one in the Treasury informed the tax-writing committees of Congress about this move, which could reduce revenue by tens of billions of dollars. Legislators learned about the notice only days later.
DeSouza, the Treasury spokesman, said Congress is not normally consulted about administrative guidance.
Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member on the Finance Committee, was particularly outraged and had his staff push for an explanation from the Bush administration, according to congressional aides.
In an off-the-record conference call on Oct. 7, nearly a dozen Capitol Hill staffers demanded answers from Solomon for about an hour. Several of the participants left the call even more convinced that the administration had overstepped its authority, according to people familiar with the conversation.
But lawmakers worried about discussing their concerns publicly. The staff of Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Finance Committee, had asked that the entire conference call be kept secret, according to a person with knowledge of the call.
"We're all nervous about saying that this was illegal because of our fears about the marketplace," said one congressional aide, who like others spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. "To the extent we want to try to publicly stop this, we're going to be gumming up some important deals."
Grassley and Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) have publicly expressed concerns about the notice but have so far avoided saying that it is illegal. "Congress wants to help," Grassley said. "We also have a responsibility to make sure power isn't abused and that the sensibilities of Main Street aren't left in the dust as Treasury works to inject remedies into the financial system."
Carol Guthrie, spokeswoman for the Democrats on the Finance Committee, said it is in frequent contact with the Treasury about the financial rescue efforts, including how it exercises authority over tax policy.
Lawmakers are considering legislation to undo the change. According to tax attorneys, no one would have legal standing to file a lawsuit challenging the Treasury notice, so only Congress or Treasury could reverse it. Such action could undo the notice going forward or make it clear that it was never legal, a move that experts say would be unlikely.
But several aides said they were still torn between their belief that the change is illegal and fear of further destabilizing the economy.
"None of us wants to be blamed for ruining these mergers and creating a new Great Depression," one said.

.
Several legal experts in the story liken it to the war authorization bill for Iraq. There are under the radar objections, but like after 9/11 "no one wanted to be called unpatriotic" and we all know where that has gotten us. This little change is so commonplace for the Bush Administration. It is characteristic of how it has operated for eight years with no oversight being offered by Congress. After the elections of 2006 a Democratic Congress still failed to do anything more rather then offer letters of "outrage" or "strongly worded" letters of protest. Nancy Pelosie in my opinion is as responsible for this current financial debacle as George Bush after she blocked impeachment hearings.

So as I mentioned in my title and opening it is time for "we the people of change" to begin demanding that our Congress, and President Elect hit the ground running with guns blazing to undo many of these illegal policy changes. What makes this little change so dangerous and embarrassing is no one can say the full extent of the revenue loss to the government which is drowning in debt that large companies have created through their huge greed and lack of oversight that the American taxpayer is asked to fund.

Rebirth Or The Raising Of Zombies?

I held off commentary yesterday as I went to work with a mild hangover from celebrating the historic election that took place on November 4, 2008. Not only was this a first for our nation, but it was a historical first for the western world, and the world rocked. So now not meaning to be late I offer my most sincere and glad congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama. I join so many others in saying I am truly proud once again of my country after the past eight years of dark leadership that try as they might, the opposition cannot place at the feet of the 9/11 terrorists. In this one day of the election, this country and it's citizens did more to restore this country's standing in the world, than any other single act it could have done.

That being said, it is now November 11, 2008 and we must get back to work and begin the rebirth and rebuilding of a nation. One would think that after the humiliating loses the Republican party faced in these past two elections there might be a rebirth there, and hopefully there will be. I will rejoice at the cleansing of the Republican party of it's ideologues that were so narrowly focused that the party lost sight of it's base and catered to a small group of single issue voters governed by a theocratic ideology, and financed by the top one percent of the populace, making them slaves to a small but vocal minority. A minority the Founding Father's tried to warn us about in the creation of the Constitution, which might explain the total shredding of the principals that guided previously until eight years ago.

With the review of the headlines yesterday and today one might think this would be the case for Republicans, yet there still seems to be a small power hungry group, more like a fringe group that wants to hang on and continue taking the Republican party down it's current path of self destructiveness. It's leader, John Boehner (R-OH) who was the Minority Leader in the House has been voice of divisiveness, dissension, disaster, and obstructionism. In short he has been the leading chickenhawk in the House of Representatives and appears to have a clutch driven brain which he often forgets to engage before he puts his mouth into gear. I have written about this previously here. In the news once again we find this spineless individual begging his Party to let him retain his job. Yet while arguing he should retain his leadership position, he continues to openly admit he will continue the failed policies and politics that drove his party down.

America remains a center-right country. Democrats should not make the
mistake of viewing Tuesday's results as a repudiation of conservatism or a
validation of big government. Neither should we. Instead of throwing in the
towel, as our opponents demand, we must redouble our efforts to develop
forward-looking solutions to the challenges Americans face - solutions rooted in
the enduring principles of reform that define us as a party. We need to focus on
winning the issues, one by one, and presenting principled, superior alternatives
that reflect the center-right priorities of the American people, rather than the
self-serving priorities of Washington.

Is this the face of a reborn Republican party, or just the raising of a zombie like shell of old ideas soundly rejected by the American public two days ago? According to Boehner such a change; "It ain't gonna happen. It must not happen." This is reminiscent of a Party that nominated Sarah Palin, a know nothing from Alaska for Vice President on a losing ticket (which many voters blamed for their not getting their support) that was, and still remains embroiled in political controversy. When I say she was a "know nothing", Fox News today reported she did not that Africa was a continent. Forget all her other failures of simple knowledge that most third graders know. In Boehner's statement today he was trying to resurrect a Republican party that campaigned on hate, fear and single issues such as abortion or gay marriage. A party that many believe the biblical story of the arrival of man instead of the scientific fact of evolution. John Boehner represents a belief that you can cut taxes but increase expenditures. His tax cuts are for the upper five percent of the income bracket while leaving everyone else to get by on their own, or better yet to do without.

Just A Simple Reminder Should You Think The Voting Lines Are Too Long

We can't let this happen again. No more, not ever, no way.


VOTE!

An Open Call for All Americans On November 4th

Ok, so your American and proud. So be it so get off your fat ass and vote. Both candidates have spoken to the need for their supporters to do what they can, and provide support for their belief's. I second this call, something both candidates agree on. However, I add this caviot to the voting populace. Look at the campaigns for the past few weeks and I will add the current sleaze that has been allowed on the airwaves over the past weekend.The McSame camp in their desperation has tried everything to discredit Obama in calling him a "communist, socialist, fascist, and unAmerican." They have labeled their opponent as everything but most strongly tried to paint him as a bogyman to everything this country supposedly represents.



Interesting since the fear tactics employed by the Rethugs appear to want to drive us away from our responsibility. If you are undecided then don't vote. If you are for Obama then be careful, because we will imprison you. But the lingering quote that seems to hang out there is are you a "patriot?" Well lemme see here. Does Patrick Henry's famous speech of "give me liberty or give me death" count? What about alleged voter suppression? Do you really think there wouldn't be a true ID check on anyone showing up as "Micky Mouse"wouldn't be checked? How does someone like that vote? Do you support a true recount if election results seem so close that it is truly hard for the polling officials to count the vote ?



I make no apologies in voicing my support for Barack Obama, I only feel sorry for those who seem to think fear is a legitimate tactic to win an election. Hell, I am American and I am not afraid of anything. I fought against overwhelming odds in WWI. Maybe, after having my whole Pacific fleet destroyed by a Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor? I fought and won against what seemly were insurmountable odds, a war in Europe, and a war in the Pacific. I as the author of this blog fought in a losing war, but I wasn't afraid because I knew eventually my country would support me, because I as a serviceman fought at the behest of the citizens. Later, when the citizens said "no" to more war my country bowed to the Democratic principals it was founded upon and brought me, and my brethren home. I never fought in fear, I fought with pride, yet I hear those who have NEVER put their lives on the line for this country call it's Iraq veterans chickens, and the current candidate for President a "chickenshit" when that coward has never shed a drop of sweat, much less a drop of blood for his country?



This then is the politics of fear and confusion. Take the time to research the messages between the two campaigns and see who talks about the issues we face. Yes, we face another possibility of a terrorist attack. Who though supported Pakistan's declaring a safe zone for areas that Osama bin Laden has been hiding in? Kinda makes you think that Republican claims about Obama being in favor of appeasement of terrorist seem inconsequential doesn't it? So then what do you want?

Fiscal Management and Responsibility: My Letter To Sen. Webb On the Economy

Recently there have been several purposals coming from Nancy Pelosie and the Democratic leadership (to me this is an oxymoron) on another stimulus package for the tax payer. To me in all honesty, a good Democrat this seems like cheap election pandering and does nothing for our financial situation except dig the whole a little deeper. We have such a huge defecit now and to increase it with monies we may need just to pay the interest on our debt, seems to be we are only digging ourselves into a deeper hole. We need to promote growth, but rather than promoting growth in intangible things such as offered by the service industry, we need to build and manufactor our own widgets so growth is based on a tangible product that will not disappear into the thin air created by intangibles, or in simpler terms, nothing.

This Is My Country

For all our mistakes and errors over the past few years, for all our waste and avarice, for all our weaknesses, our strengths still outweigh those flawed human traits we all share as members of the human race. As many probably already know Obama held a rally in St. Louis, Missouri yesterday and over one hundred thousand turned out to hear and see this bright young leader. Forget the historical implications due to race, just the size of the crowd alone is historical in it's turnout to hear a politician speak, and never before in America. But then again this my America and I have a right to be proud of her at moments like this:

Crowd for Obama: My America

Not This: Pictured below are Joseph McCarthy who in the 1950's led the witch hunt as portrayed in Arthur Miller's The Crucible, and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachman who called for investigations of Congress and the Senate to determine "who was pro American, and who was not". Both represent the antithesis to democracy and at best fascists.

This is not America, or American

One must wonder looking at this photo of Michele Bachman, how much crystal meth she was on when she gave this interview to Chris Matthews. Let's call for an investigation into her appearance as a substance abuser, ok?

PhD & Former Fundamentalist Rips Palin

I just read this diary in the DailyKos and had to post this here. It is submitted by a diarist known as Save Ohio Now, and had permission to post it from Marlene Winell, the letter's author. I could not find an email to request permission to reprint the entire diary so I will start you with her opening and link you to the rest of the diary. This is one of the finest posts I have ever read anywhere online.


Read the rest of this Diary

To Kill and Injure A Population Over Corporate Greed

A while back I cross posted an article from my blog about the Bush Administration secretly trying to loosen enviormental controls on exposures to chemicals and atmospheric toxins. Though I did not recieve alot of responses or comments here, I was pleasantly surprised when at the blog site I had a few responses from Occupational Health Nurses, my collegues so to speak as I too am an Occupational Health Nurse, which were appreciative of the article. Today I find another disturbing Bush/Cheney back door sneak attack to create bigger loop holes for corperations to short change the public, and not be held accountable if you or another member of your inner personal circle are killed or injured because GM or Ford wanted to leave out a few safety devices like say......back seat seatbelts.

So in the great tradition of Chinese manufacturing Bush is trying to make rules that the next Administration won't find so easy to overturn to allow corperations escape any consumer liability. You'd think he had learned something about how dangerous deregulation was from the financial sector, but it seems not.

In a story in today's Wall Street Journal, there is an outline of George Bush's plan to almost exempt companies fro product safety suits. In this plan, not only would certain federal regulations be rewritten, but language aimed at pre-empting product liability suits would also be included in the rules. The final action on these changes awaits the outcome of a Supreme Court case that will be heard next month involving the principals of pre-emption.

This year, lawsuit-protection language has been added to 10 new regulations, including one issued Oct. 8 at the Department of Transportation that limits the number of seatbelts car makers can be forced to install and prohibits suits by injured passengers who didn't get to wear one.

Imagine not being able to secure a child safety seat in the back of your car because automobile makers decided the cushion of the front seat was all passengers in the back seats needed. To make matters worse, the next President might not be able to reverse those rules so easily because;

These new rules can't quickly be undone by order of the next president. Federal rules usually must go through lengthy review processes before they are changed. Rulemaking at the Food and Drug Administration, where most of the new pre-emption rules have appeared, can take a year or more.

In my previous diary I had noted that Clinton prior to leaving office had signed a lot of safety regulations that applied to the work place and were much needed. George Bush within his first week in office nullified those regulations and appointed agency managers that represented the corporations that these agencies were supposed to regulate. One of the worst offenses Bush committed in this area IMHO was he immediately deregulated the OSHA requirements for crane safety, and over the past several years we have seen the tragic results of that. Just like his deregulation of the financial sector. Jay Leftkowitz, a domestic policy advisor to Bush noted these pre-emptive changes were discussed early on in the Administration. Rather then try to amend rules through Congress;

Mr. Lefkowitz said the administration decided not to press its pre-emption agenda in Congress, where it might lose. "There was already authority within federal government statutes and regulations to start the reform process without legislation," he said. "Using that and legal briefs, we proceeded."