Life is a Carnival

The Senate might want to rethink its policy to broadcast debates on C-Span. It's become embarrassing. Lindsey Graham was at it again,"If this is bipartisanship, then this country's best days are behind us." Or Jim Imhofe on the caps of bankers' salaries,"This isn't America". The Senate has degenerated to a level below some of the worst house debates. But the House still retained its championship with Rep. Sessions statement that "the Republicans must learn from the Taliban."

Meanwhile Hapless Harry now is cautiously optimistic, having backed away from saying he had the votes. Actually he did. Now he's threatening to pull them in on Sunday. To these guys, this is a big deal. The entire country could be in flames and these guys will take off on weekends. In fact, McCain already did.

I haven't enjoyed political foodfights so much since Reagan. The conservative echo chamber continues to try and de-mean and diminish Obama. This was the great Karl Rove's contribution to political campaigning--belittle your opponent such as John Francois Kerry, who was actually ripe for this treatment. We have Andy Card calling on Obama to respect the decorum of the presidency by keeping his jacket and tie on. Naturally, every single President has worked in the Oval Office in shirtsleeves--Ronald Reagan in flannel shirts and Gerry Ford in turtlenecks, and yes even Junior. Obama's attempt to talk with the young Marine guarding the helicopter is sneered at because Obama didn't salute him. His speech--which was great-- to the House Democratic Caucus retreat--was said to be bumbling ( compared to whom?) because his teleprompter faltered and he had to adlib it. David Gergen tut-tutted its partisanship at the same time he needs Republican support. Now the "birthers" have found a retired Brigadier General of the Air Force to join suit for Obama to establish his credentials.

Meanwhile the "media" is trying to establish its authority to be accepted as the "filter" through which we are to interpret this Presidency. In fact, major stations have fired staff Democrats after executives claim they need to get "the President's approval ratings down". So we have an almost endless stream of Republican talking heads spouting off about the stimulus package. Obama's favorables have fallen an average of 4 points in two weeks--but compare them to any Republican--66 to an average of 21-25%. If anything the delay in the passage of the stimulus package has led to drops in everyone's approval ratings. I happen to believe that the media has ceased to be as important as it was.

There is justifiable anxiety and anguish on the right. The U.S. Government awards over $500 billion a year in contracts to the private sector. How much of this went to a range of companies and non-profits owned and manned by Bush supporters? That's a big rice bowl that is going to get broken. The religious right now has mounted an offensive against almost all the nominees for secondary posts in the Justice Department--one was an attorney for Playboy--therefore a pornographer--another was a lawyer for a pro-choice non-profit--ergo an abortionist. Also, they no longer have the monopoly over the faith-based initiatives. With the recent recurrence of cancer in Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the cultural warriors will be shreiking and demanding another Bush type judge. Sorry, folks, it isn't going to happen. Those days are over. And the most anxiety is among the corporate world, where they are facing re-regulation after years of party time.

Next we come to the case of Holda Solis, the first nominee for Secretary of Labor in my memory who is actually for labor. The Republicans are now zooming in on her husband's tax lien for $6,500, which he recently paid. She was absolutely nothing to do with this and the actual tax liability was on a dispute over Los Angeles property tax assessment for equipment in his business. But it doesn't matter. This will be the new Rubicon and I actually think the Administration might cave on this. They really shouldn't. If they do, I hope they nominate Jimmy Hoffa, Jr. as Labor Secretary just so heads explode.

There really is much more at stake here than is genuinely thought. There are tens of thousands of corporate welfare recipients who might lose their advantage, their entree, and ultimately their livelihood. The high decibel screaming one hears around the Beltway is choreographed by conservative think-tanks to prove their bona fides as Obama fighters so they can ensure their portion of the dwindling cash of their wealthy donors. There is no more Administration to wink and hint at donors to push funds in their direction. This is going to be fascinating to watch.

Because Obama favors Muslims and will prosecute Christians for "hate crimes" and take away the 2nd Amendment and heap generations of debt on our grandchildren--as yet unborn and who will probably be lost in abortion factories--conservatives in state legislatures are introducing bills declaring state sovereignty under the 10th Amendment. There are 9 states where these bills have been introduced; and another 12 states where legislators are thinking of introducing them. New Hampshire, once the site of a Libertarian movement to create a single state according to their ideals, has introduced legislation HCR6 which invokes state's rights as enumerating in Jefferson's Kentucky Resolution of 1798. For more, consult www.Resistnet.com
for the secessionist movement in your neighborhood.

Actually the most interesting possibility is Montana. According to the Montana Constitution, if the federal government rescinds the 2nd Amendment, then the whole state automatically leaves the union. With massive oil and gas finds in the state, this has been fueling those who want to leave the union. It's really tempting to join them.

But meanwhile, the U6 rate for unemployment is 13.9%.