I am really upset with our Senators from Maine. While neither has made a public statement about how they will vote on the Obama budget, each has made statements that they are not supportive of the priorities in the budget.
First of all how can they vote against health care for all Americans when they have the very best health care plan paid for by us the taxpayers? Not only do they have it while they are in the Senate but they have it for life. Many of the people who are paying for their health care are not covered at all. They have no conscience at all in my mind if they do not support this health care plan.
Then there is the energy and environmental aspects of the budget. Since 1973 when the last energy crisis happened, we did not learn our lesson. The Republicans have been in power for a good portion of that time and have done nothing to solve the energy problem. Now that we have a proposal that would not only help us become energy independent but would create thousands of jobs they might not support this.
Now we come to education. The educational standing of the State of Maine continues to fall. The drop out rate has increased and fewer students go on to college because of the expense involved. If Senators Snowe and Collins really want to support their constituents they will support the educational portion of the budget.
Neither Senator will commit to supporting making the middle class tax cuts permanent. They will however support tax cuts for the wealthiest 5%. Where is the fairness in this? 25 hedge fund managers made 11.6 billion dollars in 2008 and will only pay a tax rate of 15% because of loopholes in the tax code. A person making $40,000.00 will pay a higher tax rate on their income than these very wealthy people. There are serious problems with our very complicated tax code and it needs to be addressed.
Why are we so afraid to make things fair in this country? Anyway, I have called the offices of Senators Snowe and Representative Pingree to urge them to support the Obama budget. I hope you will join me and make those calls.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The Fury of the American People
The people of this country are outraged at the fact that AIG and CitiBank and others have taken taxpayer dollars in bailout money and have awarded enormous bonuses and are redecorating offices, building baseball stadiums, sponsoring golf tournaments and heaven only knows what else.
There is anger about the money but the anger goes much deeper than that. It is the immorality and greed that hits at the very soul of the people. These corporations that have brought down our economy are basically thumbing their noses at the American people. Do they really think that we are that stupid that we won’t notice?
New York Times columnist, David Brooks, wrote the following in his column of March 2, 2009.
“The U.S. has never been a society riven by resentment. Yet the Obama budget is predicated on a class divide. The president issued a read-my-lips pledge that no new burdens will fall on 95 percent of the American people. All the costs will be borne by the rich and all benefits redistributed downward.”
Where has David Brooks been that he does not realize that there is class resentment and always has been.? It has been getting deeper over the last eight years when the burden of supporting this country’s programs has fallen on the middle class. Does he really believe that the poor are not resentful at the way they have been and are treated?
Certainly the wealthy have tax loopholes that none of us have. Corporations have taken their businesses off shore to avoid paying U.S. taxes. They have also taken their jobs off shore and left the people here jobless.
People who have had a decent standard of living are now living in tent cities or on the streets because of job losses and subprime mortgages that have forced well meaning people and their children onto the streets.
Journalists and Republicans can’t wait to criticize President Obama and his administration when Congress passed the TARP and the Bush Administration gave the money away with no restrictions. Where is the outrage over that? Our Congress is as much to blame as anyone. All of this has not happened since January 20, 2009. It has been coming on for years and no one and I mean NO ONE cared enough to do anything about it and believe me there were people in power who knew what was going on but as always greed ruled.
This situation needs to be rectified with more regulation and honest people to oversee all areas of government. Are there any honest people left in Washington? It will take a miracle to convince me that they are truly looking out for us, the American people.
There is anger about the money but the anger goes much deeper than that. It is the immorality and greed that hits at the very soul of the people. These corporations that have brought down our economy are basically thumbing their noses at the American people. Do they really think that we are that stupid that we won’t notice?
New York Times columnist, David Brooks, wrote the following in his column of March 2, 2009.
“The U.S. has never been a society riven by resentment. Yet the Obama budget is predicated on a class divide. The president issued a read-my-lips pledge that no new burdens will fall on 95 percent of the American people. All the costs will be borne by the rich and all benefits redistributed downward.”
Where has David Brooks been that he does not realize that there is class resentment and always has been.? It has been getting deeper over the last eight years when the burden of supporting this country’s programs has fallen on the middle class. Does he really believe that the poor are not resentful at the way they have been and are treated?
Certainly the wealthy have tax loopholes that none of us have. Corporations have taken their businesses off shore to avoid paying U.S. taxes. They have also taken their jobs off shore and left the people here jobless.
People who have had a decent standard of living are now living in tent cities or on the streets because of job losses and subprime mortgages that have forced well meaning people and their children onto the streets.
Journalists and Republicans can’t wait to criticize President Obama and his administration when Congress passed the TARP and the Bush Administration gave the money away with no restrictions. Where is the outrage over that? Our Congress is as much to blame as anyone. All of this has not happened since January 20, 2009. It has been coming on for years and no one and I mean NO ONE cared enough to do anything about it and believe me there were people in power who knew what was going on but as always greed ruled.
This situation needs to be rectified with more regulation and honest people to oversee all areas of government. Are there any honest people left in Washington? It will take a miracle to convince me that they are truly looking out for us, the American people.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Save The Date - April 3, 2009
Town Hall Meeting - There is a Town Hall Meeting April 3rd at Hannaford Hall at USM Portland 6:30 - that sounds really interesting. Below is a copy of a letter written by Sally Breen of Windham regarding the meeting. I plan to attend this meeting and will share information for those of you who might not attend.
"Town Hall Meeting
Below is a letter to the editor that will be published this Friday in the Windham Independent. I thought you would like to know about this Town Meeting, and I hope you will attend.
February 25, 2009
To the Editor:
Our state and nation are at a historic crossroads. The deepening recession has eroded the financial standing and optimism of a majority of Americans, nearly 2/3 of whom say that they have been hurt by the downturn. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost in recent weeks.
With the new administration, there is hope that we can close the divide between the rich and the poor. There is hope that we can address the energy crisis. There is hope that we can have a health care system that provides care for every citizen. There is hope that we can address the looming environmental crisis.
But hope alone leaves us hopeless. Therefore, knowing that change always comes from the people, a group representing 45 organizations, has organized a Town Hall Meeting for Friday, April 3, 2009 at Hannaford Hall on the USM Campus in Portland. Doors will open at 6:30 where tables of literature will be available. The program is scheduled from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Speakers confirmed are Representative Chellie Pingree, and State representative Hannah Pingree. Others invited are Representative Michael Michaud, and Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Microphones will be available for the audience to discuss their concerns.
Important future actions will be determined at this meeting. It can affect how our legislators vote on state and national issues. Attend and let your voice be heard.
Sally A. Breen"
"Town Hall Meeting
Below is a letter to the editor that will be published this Friday in the Windham Independent. I thought you would like to know about this Town Meeting, and I hope you will attend.
February 25, 2009
To the Editor:
Our state and nation are at a historic crossroads. The deepening recession has eroded the financial standing and optimism of a majority of Americans, nearly 2/3 of whom say that they have been hurt by the downturn. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost in recent weeks.
With the new administration, there is hope that we can close the divide between the rich and the poor. There is hope that we can address the energy crisis. There is hope that we can have a health care system that provides care for every citizen. There is hope that we can address the looming environmental crisis.
But hope alone leaves us hopeless. Therefore, knowing that change always comes from the people, a group representing 45 organizations, has organized a Town Hall Meeting for Friday, April 3, 2009 at Hannaford Hall on the USM Campus in Portland. Doors will open at 6:30 where tables of literature will be available. The program is scheduled from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Speakers confirmed are Representative Chellie Pingree, and State representative Hannah Pingree. Others invited are Representative Michael Michaud, and Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. Microphones will be available for the audience to discuss their concerns.
Important future actions will be determined at this meeting. It can affect how our legislators vote on state and national issues. Attend and let your voice be heard.
Sally A. Breen"
The Stimulus and You
Since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus package) it has become vital for all of us to keep track of where this money is going. It is our tax dollars after all so we have a vested interest in how the money is spent. There are two websites that are very important in keeping track of the flow of money. The most comprehensive site is the federal site http://www.recovery.gov There is a great deal of information there. You can read the entire bill, see the breakdown of how the money will be spent, a timeline showing progress, the ability to tell your recovery story and each state's progress and resources.
The State of Maine also has created a website that will allow us to know how the money allocated to Maine is being spent. Right now there are a number of documents giving beginning information as to how the funds are to be used and different reports that will be required. That site is http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/policy/Recovery2009.shtml
Another site that was sent to me by a friend that details the "shovel ready" projects submitted by mayors of major cities in the report of the 2008 National Mayors Conference. The mayors of Portland and Lewiston submitted 72 projects for consideration. This site is http://www.stimuluswatch.org
This site is interesting as it allows interested viewers of the site to vote on how important they feel the project is and it also allows viewers to comment on the projects.
So keep informed and check out the sites and see how your money is being spent.
The State of Maine also has created a website that will allow us to know how the money allocated to Maine is being spent. Right now there are a number of documents giving beginning information as to how the funds are to be used and different reports that will be required. That site is http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/policy/Recovery2009.shtml
Another site that was sent to me by a friend that details the "shovel ready" projects submitted by mayors of major cities in the report of the 2008 National Mayors Conference. The mayors of Portland and Lewiston submitted 72 projects for consideration. This site is http://www.stimuluswatch.org
This site is interesting as it allows interested viewers of the site to vote on how important they feel the project is and it also allows viewers to comment on the projects.
So keep informed and check out the sites and see how your money is being spent.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Lisa Ling's Report on Tent Cities
I don't know if you saw the Oprah Winfrey Show yesterday(Feb. 25) but Lisa Ling did a report on the tent cities that are springing up all over this country due to the recession. You need to go to http://www.oprah.com/ and watch the report. I support the Stimulus bill but it is not going to help the people who have lost jobs, homes and all of their belongings and are now forced to live in tent cities that are illegal where there are no services and cleanliness is next to impossible. Water is in short supply and it is difficult to keep clean and warm. Tax cuts do not help people who have no earnings. I have written to Barack Obama, Senators Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and John McCain to ask what they going to do about this situation.
We are supposedly the the most advanced country in the world and we have people living like this. It is disgusting! We pour billions into third world countries and then let our own people live in squalor. What is wrong with this picture.
One person cannot fix this. It is only government that can go into a place like this and help. There are families with small children living like this and no one seems to care. Children are being robbed of their education, health and a safe place to live.
People in Washington are so isolated that they have no clue as to the suffering of the people who are their constituents. This is a tragedy and no one seems to care. When people lose their jobs and are forced to leave their homes companies come in and clean out the house and all the personal belongings, furniture, computers, etc. are thrown in the trash. Supposedly agencies are overwhelmed with stuff. There has to be a central clearing house for these items as there are certainly people who can use the items. What a sad thing to have all of your belongings just thrown away because you have no place to take them.
Here we now have lobbyists planning campaigns that will cost millions of dollars to try and sabotage the plans for health care reform, education and climate change and subsidies. What a waste of money. Why can't they see that their millions could help regular people who are in dire straits. The rich fat cats of this country have had it too good for too long and I am furious that we allow this to happen in this country of plenty. I have asked the government to see that help is given to these unfortunate people. I am more than willing to do what I can but it takes a big organization to lead the effort.
I am asking all of my readers to go to http://www,oprah.com/ and watch Lisa Ling's report. If it does not move you to take action, I don't know what will. If we all act together maybe we can effect a change. Please join me in expressing your outrage.
We are supposedly the the most advanced country in the world and we have people living like this. It is disgusting! We pour billions into third world countries and then let our own people live in squalor. What is wrong with this picture.
One person cannot fix this. It is only government that can go into a place like this and help. There are families with small children living like this and no one seems to care. Children are being robbed of their education, health and a safe place to live.
People in Washington are so isolated that they have no clue as to the suffering of the people who are their constituents. This is a tragedy and no one seems to care. When people lose their jobs and are forced to leave their homes companies come in and clean out the house and all the personal belongings, furniture, computers, etc. are thrown in the trash. Supposedly agencies are overwhelmed with stuff. There has to be a central clearing house for these items as there are certainly people who can use the items. What a sad thing to have all of your belongings just thrown away because you have no place to take them.
Here we now have lobbyists planning campaigns that will cost millions of dollars to try and sabotage the plans for health care reform, education and climate change and subsidies. What a waste of money. Why can't they see that their millions could help regular people who are in dire straits. The rich fat cats of this country have had it too good for too long and I am furious that we allow this to happen in this country of plenty. I have asked the government to see that help is given to these unfortunate people. I am more than willing to do what I can but it takes a big organization to lead the effort.
I am asking all of my readers to go to http://www,oprah.com/ and watch Lisa Ling's report. If it does not move you to take action, I don't know what will. If we all act together maybe we can effect a change. Please join me in expressing your outrage.
Monday, February 23, 2009
A Response to a Post by Sudburiensis
I am so in tune with what my friend Sudburiensis on his blog, http://sudburiensis.blogspot.com/ , wrote and I have thought the very same things myself. He discussed the fact that Bernie Maddoff and Alan Stanford are out free when they should be in jail. He also talked about the bankers who knew what they were doing and misled the public.
You and I know that the bankers and Wall Street fat cats knew what they were doing and they are walking scott free. I also think people in power who are voted to represent the people also knew what was going on and they didn't tell us so we all suffered huge losses and our retirements are no longer secure.I could go on and on but I guess the ranting doesn't really help.
I have always had a great deal of admiration for Tom Daschle but if you and I made a much smaller mistake on our taxes the IRS would have been after us in no time and we would not have been treated very well.
Then tonight I listened to Chris Matthews on MSNBC who said that the Dow Jones is Obama's score card. I don't believe that should be the scorecard. The American people are the scorecard and right now they approve of Obama's actions by 67%. My financial analyst told me today that it will take time for the stimulus money to have an effect on the economy. The markets are afraid that the banks will go under and maybe they will. How can they blame Obama when he inherited the whole mess from the very worst president we have had in modern times. At least the new adminsitration is attempting to do something and we should give him a chance.
You and I know that the bankers and Wall Street fat cats knew what they were doing and they are walking scott free. I also think people in power who are voted to represent the people also knew what was going on and they didn't tell us so we all suffered huge losses and our retirements are no longer secure.I could go on and on but I guess the ranting doesn't really help.
I have always had a great deal of admiration for Tom Daschle but if you and I made a much smaller mistake on our taxes the IRS would have been after us in no time and we would not have been treated very well.
Then tonight I listened to Chris Matthews on MSNBC who said that the Dow Jones is Obama's score card. I don't believe that should be the scorecard. The American people are the scorecard and right now they approve of Obama's actions by 67%. My financial analyst told me today that it will take time for the stimulus money to have an effect on the economy. The markets are afraid that the banks will go under and maybe they will. How can they blame Obama when he inherited the whole mess from the very worst president we have had in modern times. At least the new adminsitration is attempting to do something and we should give him a chance.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What Are We Doing To Our Children?
Tonight on the news a feature story was about Tweens and Teens having Spa Days! Two of the children were boys ages 7 and 10. They went to the spa to get their hair lightened. These kids should be outdoors playing and being the children they are.
It showed young girls getting their lips injected to look fuller, having their eyebrows waxed and even going in for bikini waxes. It reported that more and more teens are having plastic surgery and even using Botox.
What has happened to parenting? We are sending the wrong messages to our children that appearance is the most important thing. Whatever happened to allowing children to be children. We are allowing and encouraging our children to become small adults who do not have the emotional, intellectual or physical skills to act like adults. There is a reason for the stages of development and we are doing our children a disservice when we allow or promote the use of such appearance enhancing activities such as spa visits.
We as adults need to act like adults and set priorities and boundaries for our children. This means allowing age appropriate activities.
I believe that having the media show this story during what we might call family time is just putting more bad ideas into the minds of children and parents. This is not news we need to see.
It showed young girls getting their lips injected to look fuller, having their eyebrows waxed and even going in for bikini waxes. It reported that more and more teens are having plastic surgery and even using Botox.
What has happened to parenting? We are sending the wrong messages to our children that appearance is the most important thing. Whatever happened to allowing children to be children. We are allowing and encouraging our children to become small adults who do not have the emotional, intellectual or physical skills to act like adults. There is a reason for the stages of development and we are doing our children a disservice when we allow or promote the use of such appearance enhancing activities such as spa visits.
We as adults need to act like adults and set priorities and boundaries for our children. This means allowing age appropriate activities.
I believe that having the media show this story during what we might call family time is just putting more bad ideas into the minds of children and parents. This is not news we need to see.
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