The State of Common Sense

I try to not blog about politics, but there are some evenings when that is not possible. Tonight I watched the President deliver his first State of the Union Address. This was the first time that I watched the speech with an honest non-partisan view. This was the first time that “my guy” wasn’t the giving the speech. This was the first time that I, an adult American, have actually felt and experienced the worries and woes that were mentioned and are felt across the nation.

I’ll be honest with you. I have no freaking idea what “Cap and Trade” means. I have no idea what the thousand page health care reform bill says. I have mixed feelings about the size (necessary or not) of our Federal Government. I am not comfortable with my recent opinions of Constitutional interpretation. I believe that we as a nation are not properly represented by our elected law makers. I believe it is our duty and given right to take a stand against a government that oppresses its citizenry. Is it time to fasten our bayonets and dust off our tri-cornered hats? No, not yet.

But despite my uncertainties and feelings towards a government that seems to turn a deaf ear, I do believe in our system. Even though I didn't vote for the guy I hold extreme respect for the office. Despite my thoughts concerning an out of control party system, misleading campaign finance laws, and a broken relationship of trust between the people and the law makers…I am comforted knowing that we live in the greatest country in the world with the best system of government ever seen.

So, to President Obama, I would like to thank you for the pep talk. You seem to "feel our pain." Now its time to get to work...all of us.

Stimulate This

I didn’t want to do this, but I feel it necessary. I am going to blog about politics.

I hadn’t watched the news all day. In fact, I haven’t watched the news since Thursday. I’m not going to hide the fact that I am a fan of The Fox News Channel. In my opinion they offer a broad spectrum of opinion. Glen Beck is a fantastic addition to the Fox News family. I encourage all of you to check him out.

Another show that I watch on a regular basis is Huckabee. Even though I find the show to be overly scripted with well timed puns, I enjoy the opinions of Gov. Mike Huckabee. But tonight I had a problem with his show. Tonight he spent 15 minutes making bad jokes about the $13 a week tax break in Obama’s stimulus package. He went to the trouble of giving three of his staffers $13 each and sending them out into NYC to see what they could buy. Of course, they couldn’t buy anything. One tried to take a sight seeing bus tour. One tried to get into a Broadway show. The third tried to buy a movie ticket. With the proper planning, the second staffer would be able to go to 7 (based on current Broadway deals) shows. That is more than the average Broadway fan. Certainly that would help to stimulate the economy! Gov Huckabee was attacking this tax cut with childish jabs. Here is another problem: The governor does not even qualify for this tax cut. HE MAKES TOO MUCH MONEY!

They are correct. $13 could not possible do much. Hold on . . . lets take a deeper look at the figures. This tax cut will allow you to KEEP about $13 a week from your paycheck that would normally be withheld for taxes. Depending on your payroll schedule, this will allow the average American who qualifies to keep $676 that would normally go straight to Uncle Sam. $676 is a figure with more spending possibilities than $13. Can you stimulate the economy with $676? I can. Wait….that is more than I got from W’s stimulus package. And W taxed me for that check!

Now, I have several problems with O’s stimulus package. But taking cheap shots at a measly tax cut is offensive to me. Huckabee should take the time to deal with the actual problems in the package.

I’ll leave my issues regarding 24/7 news coverage for another day.