Consumer Price Index and Inflation

A report that came out this week, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20100219/us-credit-markets/, stated that the consumer price index rose only 0.2 percent.  This was a smaller increase than expected.  Of course this was after food and energy costs were stripped out.  This always amazes me that the things people rely on are stripped out of the index.  It is my feeling, and I am no economist, that this is very unfair especially as social security increases are based on this as are the pay increases of many folks especially those who work in the public sector such as teachers and municipal and state workers.
I don't know about you folks but the costs of my groceries has gone up and I am just one person.  I can just imagine what it has done to young families with children.  My natural gas from Maine Natural Gas went up by 10% in January and will go up another 12% in December.  I just got a notice from the Portland Water District that they are applying for a rate increase through the Public Utilities Commission.  Time Warner Cable raises their rates whenever they want as they are not controlled by the PUC.  Now I know I can give up cable TV.  Many consider that a luxury but that is my entertainment.  I rarely go out to eat, I don't smoke and drink only 1 glass of wine a day.  The cost of gasoline for the car goes up and down.  The cost of health care keeps going up.  Right here in Maine Anthem/Blue Cross is trying to increase rates by 23%.  How are people to afford these increases when salaries do not keep up.?
It annoys me that these costs are not taken into consideration when Social Security increases are considered. It is disgusting that in this country of wealth and prosperity that we have so many folks going hungry or without medication that could save their lives or without heat to keep them warm.  We are the only industrialized country in the world that does not provide health care for their people. How much of a raise is Congress getting this year. If you have the answer to that question let me know.  Let's try to change some of these things.

Big Disappointments

Sometimes I can't believe our government.  I have been a loyal Democrat for as long as I have been able to vote but I am so disappointed in the actions of Congress, The White House, The Department of Justice and everyone else in government.  I am disgusted by the depth of corruption and greed that permeates government and business.
Here the majority of the people want a public option in the Health Care Reform Bill but very few Senators are listening.  I admire the courage of those Senators who have put their names on a letter to Harry Reid asking that the public option be a part of the bill and be adopted through the reconciliation process.  Where is the presidential leadership on this issue?  The Congress has the best health care available but they would deny their constituents the same opportunity.  How can this be happening?  The lack of concern for the ordinary citizen is unbelievable.
Then today the Department of Justice overrides a two year investigative report on the authorization of torture and claims that the attorneys involved are only guilty of poor judgment.  This is wrong.  Then Dick Cheney admits to being in favor of water boarding which is a war crime but will anything happen to him?  Of course not.  Where is the rule of law and why is it not being applied?  If it was an ordinary citizen they would be in jail!
I could go on and on but it is too trying.  Then the Democrats will wonder why people won't vote in the mid term elections.  One reason is because we are so disappointed that the change we voted for is far from happening and very few elected people are standing up for what is right for the people and the country.  To put it bluntly this country is in a mess and I don't see how we are going to put it right.  How very sad and  depressing.

Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation

In January of 2010 a severe ice storm hit the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.  Electricity and water systems were devastated.  People were without heat and water and food in a very cold time of year.  Did you hear about this????  No, because the media and the politicians do not pay any attention to the plight of our Native Americans.  To my knowledge the only national media comment on this was done by Keith Olbermann on Countdown on MSNBC.  In just over 72 hours his viewers raised over $270,000.00 to support the Sioux as they try to rebuild their water system and get power back.  This money also provided blankets, food and water.
As reported by the tribe, this money arrived before any FEMA money.  There was no information on the website of the Indian Affairs Agency.  One of the colleges in South Dakota advertised "Bring Your Sole to the Game" asking people to bring shoes that could be donated to the tribe.
Now I don't begrudge the money sent to Haiti as that was surely a tragedy but I do resent the fact that our government and we as their brothers and sisters treat the Native Americans as though they are less than equal.  We need to do for them what we have done Hispanics and African Americans.  We keep them on reservations and in poverty.
I have written to Huffington Post to ask where was their coverage of this event.  I have written to President Obama and Senator Olympia Snowe asking why there is not a better response to this situation.  Of course there was no response.  Where is the heart of this nation?  We can send money all over the world but we neglect some of our own.
This is a time when I wish I had the resources and the knowledge to set up a charitable organization to help the downtrodden in our society.  But each of us must take the responsibility to advocate for all of those who have nothing when we have so much.  I have included links to the page where donations can be made to this particular cause and a link to the website of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
http://www.razoo.com/story/Cheyenne-River-Sioux-Tribe-Storm-Relief-Emergency-Assistance
www.sioux.org/English/CRST_2010_Disaster_Relief.php

Are You Sick and Tired of the Lies and Stalling?

I am!  I am so disappointed in our elected leaders.  The Democrats are afraid of their shadow and can't take the steps they need to get business done.  The Republicans just tell lies and say no!  Nothing is getting done in Washington as our elected leaders pander to the bid banks and corporate interests so they will get more money donated to their reelection campaigns.

It has become increasingly evident that they are not there to do the country's business or to serve the people who elected them.  Those who voted no on the stimulus take credit for it in their home districts when stimulus money comes their way.  At least Rachel Maddow had the courage to call Congressman Schock on it on Meet the Press this week.  It is hypocrisy at its worst.

It will take a huge effort to make any changes and I hope anyone who reads this will write to their elected Senators and Congressmen and tell them that they need to be working for us or they will not be elected no matter how much money they get from big corporations.

Let's take our country back and make it work for the people.