Last week, President Barack Obama went on a tour of Japan, China, and South Korea. Conservatives criticized Obama for bowing to the Japanese Emperor.  This is not the first time the President has bowed. Shortly, after his inauguration he was spotted bowing to the Saudi King during a G-20 Summit. The bows are simple gestures that could ultimately lead to better foreign relations which depend on trust and friendship. Just look at the old guys face, he seems very pleased and at ease.

Lies Lies and the Fed by Daniel Goldberg

They said the recession was over.

They said the economy was bottoming out.

They said it was over.

They lied.

The recession continues.

The job market is in the pits.

Unemployment is up to 10.2% and under-employment is at 17.5%.

Links:

Nicholas Christoff compares healthcare and the war in Afghanistan. 

Lou Dobbs resigns from CNN.

 

 

"You Lie!"

Those are the words now made infamous by Rep. Joe Wilson(R-SC). He yelled them last week during President Barack Obama's healthcare address to Congress. The outburst did not go over so well and the House decided to "rebuke" the Congressmen for his actions. The rebuke is an official thumbs down from Congress.

Well Rep. Joe Wilson, I give you a thumbs up.

In the freest country in the world, the home of democracy, where we pride ourselves on our first amendment right to say almost anything, why is there so much uproar about a simple outburst? And that is exactly what it was, a simple outburst. Two words. "You Lie."

If our elected officials can't express themselves to the president, then who can? Are they not elected to represent us? And if we feel like the President is lying, then why can't we tell him that. At all the townhall meetings around the country over the last months, constituents have been explicitly expressing their feelings verbally to elected officials. If at any moment in the whole debate to stand up to the president, Wilson picked the best moment. 

There have been worse actions on the Senate floor. Remember when Dick Cheney told Senator Patrick Leahy to "Go F*** Yourself!" a few years back.

Seriously though, maybe Washington wouldn't be so uptight if they let out some aggression in a verbal sparring match occasionally. The British do it weekly with Prime Minister questions.  

Hey I got a great idea!

Lets carry guns at the next healthcare townhall meeting.

Oh wait, some one already beat me to it.

Yes, the sad truth is that someone has already beat me to it. Not only once though, it has happened a couple times. First it started out with a guy carrying a pistol(first picture below). Then it grew to someone with an assault rifle, an AR-15 (second picture below). Maybe next time it will be a bazooka.

So what were these people thinking?

Well of course it is our right as Americans. The second amendment to the United States Constitution states:

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Now I am for gun rights. Do not get me wrong. We as Americans have the right to own and bear arms. If I want to go out and buy a gun then I should be able to. I should also be able to buy as many bullets that I need or desire.

On the other hand though, I am not for carrying guns at presidential events. It is downright absurd. Too many bad things have happened when guns were brought near Presidents. Let me just remind you of the two Kennedy brothers. No matter how much you think it is your right, people must begin to use common sense.

Thousand Oaks demonstrated to us that in a peaceful community, even violence can erupt over political issues. Luckily no one had a gun there or the situation could have turned out a lot worse.

So the healtchare townhalls have taken a turn for the worse. On Wednesday night in Thousand Oaks, a health care rally turned violent or should we say Mike Tyson-ish. According to KTLA:

When someone from the pro-reform side crossed over to the anti-reform side, a fist fight ensued, which resulted in the man's pinky finger getting bitten off. ("Man's Finger Bitten Off At Healthcare Rally."KTLA. 2 Sept. 2009)

I have not attended any rallies but if I do, be sure I will be wearing one of those chain link mesh outsits, the ones divers use to protect from sharks. I really don't need any part of my body being bitten off.

Was anyone actually at the event?

Well the tide is turning and Democrats are now starting to turn on each other. Yesterday I reported on how the Blue Dog Democrats were scared that Obamacare would not be fiscally responsible.  Why? Of course over money and influence from special interest groups. The Wall Street Journal says:

"[Blue Dog Democrats] don't want private health insurers to compete with a federally funded plan, and seek to reduce the share of lower-income Americans who would receive health-care subsidies."

According to Paul Krugman the Blue Dogs might be the straw that breaks the camels back if they don't get on board.

The only thing I like about the whole healthcare plan is the public option. If you do not have insurance through an employer, you can always buy it from the government. Here no one will be turned away because of pre-existing conditions or rejected for care. Insurance companies are scared that this public option will run them out of business when in fact it should only promote business. Competition will force insurance companies to shape up or ship out.

Only time will tell if President Obama gets healthcare reform passed. One thing is for sure, the Democrats are starting to crumble. As they turn on each other, power will soon fade.