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‘Perfect storm’ could give Dems ‘magic 60′ in Senate

October 8th, 2008 | by matt | politics

Oct
08

In the face of an economy in crisis and a deeply unpopular president, some analysts believe the situation is ripe to give Democrats a shot at a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority in the Senate in November.

It’s “the perfect storm,” said Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report. “You’ve got Republican voters angry at Republicans, many Americans just petrified about the future…wanting change. And right now change appears to be coming in the form of Democrats.”

Not so fast, say Republicans. And even Democrats admit it’s too early to say whether they can pick up the necessary seats.

According to Rebecca Fisher, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Republicans are confident that they will, at the very least, keep their current seats.

Of the 35 Senate seats on the line this year, 23 are held by Republicans. Five Republican senators are retiring: Pete Domenici of New Mexico, Wayne Allard of Colorado, John Warner of Virginia, Larry Craig of Idaho and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

Democrats control the Senate. Although it’s split evenly with 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans, two independents — Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joe Lieberman of Connecticut — caucus with the Democrats.

source

This really scares me, no matter which party it is. I like for the president and Congress to be at adds. This way, only the important laws get passed.

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What’s with the freaking winking?

October 6th, 2008 | by matt | politics

Oct
06

Sarah Palin

I’m terrible at hiding the fact that politician annoy the hell out of me. I didn’t get to see the debates live on TV so when I came home from softball, one of the things that my wife mentioned was all the freaking winking. “It was like it is a damn beauty pageant up there. ”

Now, my wife isn’t exactly the biggest republican fan this time around so I thought she might be a bit biased. I figured she may be reading too much into this and Sarah Palin just rubs my wife wrong.

But, as always, my wife is right. It was freaking annoying.

I don’t want to feel like you’re flirting with me, I want you to freaking LEAD dumbass. Not that I expect Joe Biden to be much of a leader, but at least I don’t think that he’s up there trying to use whatever he has (maybe he is good looking to the older ladies, I don’t know) to get my vote.

Here’s my advice to the people running for the two highest offices in the country.

Impress me with your brain. I want to know that you are smart as hell and nothing is going to get by you. I don’t care if it is a military operation, an economic crisis, a natural disaster, funding for our schools, policy on technology and innovation. I want to know that whatever is thrown at you, you’re going to come back with the right answer.
Inspire me. I want to know that no matter if the last person was the greatest President that the country has ever known. I want t know that you still believe that there is more that this country can achieve.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find me perfect candidate. Though I have a short list of people I like.

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Bailout Failure

September 29th, 2008 | by matt | politics

Sep
29

I have to say, I was a little shocked that the bailout plan failed today.

Not that I don’t think some version of it won’t pass in a few days. But there is outrage over this bill. People are pissed that our tax dollars, for generations to come, will be spent bailing out the greedy bastards on Wall Street. Apparently Congress was receiving calls from constituents at a rate of 9-1 disapproving of the bill. Congress failed to pass it, good for you. You listened to the people that are going to re-elect you.

So, let’s play a little game shall we. Let’s imagine that Congress figures out that this bill is crap and lets everything be for a bit. What does that really mean. Well, for one, the market is going to correct itself and there are certain companies that will go out of business. Big companies. REALLY big companies that own mortgages and insurance on mortgages. Does this mean that you’re going to lose your house? If you’re one of the millions that makes their monthly payments, probably not. If you do not meet your payments, are you surprised if you lose your house? You shouldn’t be. But, this also means that people will not be buying a lot of houses and the abundant supply of houses on the market are going to stay on the market for a long time. So I wouldn’t plan on moving anytime soon. I know that I’m not moving for at least 2 years, maybe more if this market keeps up.

So what happens if your mortgage company fails. Free house? No, that’s not going to happen. Someone will buy up the loans and you’ll start paying them instead.

What this really means is that people are going to have to be more financially responsible. It will be harder to get a loan for a small business, house or car. You’ll have to make sure that you have a good credit history. You remember that, the thing that people have been saying for years is something that you need to have.

In the coming months/years, the market will consolidate, re-group and start kicking ass again. It will be tough, jobs will be lost. The companies that do not have the strong financial backings will go out of business. These are companies that have been running in the red for years. Going out of business shouldn’t be that big of a surprise for them or you if you work for one of them.

Unfortunately, Congress will not let the correction happen. They’re going to step in and possibly make this a worse situation. They’re already busy regrouping and will probably be voting on another financial bailout on Wednesday or Thursday. Don’t worry folks, Congress will be sure to make this bill just as bad as the first.

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McCain helped create the BlackBerry?

September 16th, 2008 | by matt | politics

Sep
16

Sen. John McCain’s senior domestic policy adviser said Tuesday that the BlackBerry mobile e-mail device was a “miracle that John McCain helped create.”

Sen. John McCain “laughed” when he heard his adviser’s remark about the BlackBerry, another aide says.

The adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, discussing the nation’s economic woes with reporters, said that McCain — who has struggled to stress his economic credentials — did have experience dealing with the economy, pointing to his time on the Senate Commerce Committee.

Pressed to provide an example of what McCain had accomplished on that committee, Holtz-Eakin said the senator did not have jurisdiction over financial markets, then he held up his Blackberry, telling reporters: “He did this.”

“Telecommunications of the United States, the premiere innovation in the past 15 years, comes right through the Commerce Committee. So you’re looking at the miracle that John McCain helped create,” Holtz-Eakin said. “And that’s what he did. He both regulated and deregulated the industry.”

source

Wow, I really don’t know what to say to this one. I really hope that staffer no longer has a job. Saying John McCain helped create the blackberry because he was on a committee in Congress is a load of crap and is really a slap in the face to all the engineers that work day in and day out on creating innovative technology.

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Palin has foriegn policy experience

September 4th, 2008 | by matt | politics

Sep
04

Wow! Uh Cindy, that’s not the experience we were thinking of. That’s like saying I’m an expert on China because I eat at a Chinese restaurant for lunch once a week.

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