Please Don't Give Any More Bailouts To Corporations. To hell with their vote. Let them fall and fail like the rest of us.
Keep your word and trust your military. Send more troops to Afghanistan, get Osama Biz Ladin and win that war so our boys can come home.
Pass Healthcare Reform and PLEASE GET EVERYBODY BACK TO WORK!
While reflecting on the tragic events of September 11, 2001, I couldn't help but miss the "We're All Americans" spirit. There's a noticeable void, where once was a sense of unity and pride. Hence, I have made a a cognizant decision to rethink my support for various organizations, causes and charities.
I have sent notice, to many charities, of my decision to discontinue any further support. If people elect to act like "animals", then that's exactly how I'll view and treat them. After some forty years of monthly support for such organizations as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the American Red Cross, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and various local churches and charities, (just to mention a few that I've been extremely loyal to) each has been notified of my decision and all automatic monthly contributions have been discontinued immediately.
When we can once again come together as "Americans", as a respectful society, then and only then will I reconsider my position.
Regretfully,
Peter
September 4, 2009
I am greatly disturbed and offended by the decision of the superintendent of schools in Nutley, New Jersey to preview a Presidential speech in an attempt to find “relevance”.
An address directed toward school children about education is unquestionably relevant. The address will not have anything to do with any academic curricula. The speech is to be a commentary on the importance of education. I am certain that President Obama will not attempt to brainwash or indoctrinate our children regarding health care reform or economic proposals.
The importance of staying in school, earning a diploma and/or a higher degree, learning a trade and being a responsible citizen, and similar concepts have been integral to President Obama’s position on education. While most children learn political20ideas from their parents, are these not values that all children should learn regardless of political orientation? Even if one does not agree with the President’s political ideas, it is nonetheless, beneficial for our children to hear differing opinions and ideas and discuss them. By not encouraging our children to listen to the Presidential address we are promoting censorship. We cannot pretend that his ideas and commentaries are irrelevant just because they may not coincide with our personal political agendas.
In my opinion, it is an egregious disregard for the President’s well intentioned attempt to inspire our children, and in essence, the future of our nation.
Sincerely,
Alicia RealmutoNutley, NJ
NJmortican@gmail.com
In 8 months, President Obama has accomplished more for our country than has been done in the past 50 years! There is much debate regarding the proposed health care plan. There may be issues resulting from lobbyists and Republicans fighting the proposal, but based on the history of the economy in the past 8 months, I have seen the property values increasing; I have seen gas prices lowering; I have seen groceries becoming more affordable; I have seen people finding jobs; and I have heard less about home foreclosures. So, based on this past 8 month history showing improvement we have not seen in the past 8 years, I believe the Obama health care plan will work. The issue is not the plan, but whether or not people will give the plan an opportunity to work. There are so many lies regarding the health care plan, that people are confused and fear tactics are working. But given the fact that I am now in a better financial situation than I was in January 2009, I am willing to give the plan an opportunity to work before I shoot it out of the water.
Americans are used to fast food service. We expect to snap our fingers and have results, rather than giving time an opportunity to prove results. We have waited for 8 years to see change. Now, Americans are stating our President is a failure because there was no immediate change 24 hours within his taking office. Friends, we cannot expect over night results. It has taken 8 years to create this financial disaster we are currently in, and it has taken much longer to create the problems we are currently facing in the field of health care. Give the man a chance to let his plan work! Stop snapping your fingers and expecting over night results. The problems didn't occur over night, and they won't go away over night.
I personally believe our President has not led us down a path to destruction, and I continue to support him. If you want real change, then give him the opportunity to make that change. There are a lot of entities, including media, who are bashing his efforts, and claiming failure, when he has only begun to make the changes he has promised. Change takes time. We allowed our former President 8 years to make changes, and no efforts were made to accomplish change. President Obama has been making every effort to effect the change we need, while some Americans are becoming impatient. They do not understand the opposition he is facing. They are also not helping to implement change by switching horses in midstream. Winning means you put your shoulder to that grindstone and push, no matter how hard it is! Change will not come over night. But don't give up. We have a President who WILL make those changes happen, if we all continue to support him. Stop listening to the media, and go to the Washington website and read what is being done to benefit YOU!. The media are about one agenda; becoming popular so they can get a bigger pay raise, so they expound on the negative to be on the top of the list for "breaking news." The media is biased. They all have an agenda to promote self. If you want facts, go to the source of the facts, and stop listening to biased media coverage. Stop going to websites that are bogus, filled with lies, inuendo, fear tactics, and confusion. Go to the source and read for yourself the facts as proposed by our President. http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/health_care/
President Obama, I support you! I back you 100%!!! I am patiently waiting. Health care is a vital issue with me, because I am a disabled widow. I am not senile, I am not ignorant, and I am educated. I know that over my lifetime, I have seen more effort made on my behalf since President Obama has been in office, than in the past 50 years, and that speaks volumes to me!
Give our President time. He didn't win the election without fighting his way to the top. He needed our support then, and he needs it now! Don't bail in the middle of the war. We still have a hill to overtake. That hill is the opposition to the health care plan. The health care plan is not a drive through window at McDonalds. It's a full course meal, which takes time to prepare. Instead of complaining that the table is not set, get in the kitchen and go to work to help fix the meal. Continue your support for our President.
In 1965 Congress passed Medicare which is "Socialized Healthcare"
Then President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare legislation on former President Harry Truman's desk in Independence, Missouri.
Today, 58% of the people here St. Louis say that they wouldn't mind having medicare for all. No grandma or grandpa that I know of has ever had to be euthanize for medicare.
It is to my understanding that Healthcare Reform will eliminate health insurance discrimination against people with disabilities. I think they need to get rid of the fraud in our healthcare system. That would shore up some money. We can't afford to let these insurance companies get away with denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition, which will allow those with disabilities to receive the quality, affordable care.
The President should make those banks pay back that TARP money and use that TARP money to help pay for healthcare reform.
I think the President ought to look at Tort Reform too.
I am really encouraged by the progress being made with our Democratic Deliberation on the issue of Poverty in St. Louis. Our last meeting included a multi-cultural crowd who excited about change. So excited they are willing to work for it. We hope that more of you, who care about those who soiciety forgets will join us in our efforts. This Thursday at 6:00 p.m. we will have another meeting were we will discuss further actions and our mission statement. Please join in our efforts.
Democratic Deliberation on the issue of Poverty in St. Louis
Left Bank Books, 321 N. 10th Street (at the corner of 10th and Locust), 6:00p.m. Thursday July 23rd.
"You are me & I am you. We all have a stake in one specific future (OURS)"
--- Jordan J Fowlkes
EDUCATION is our primary tool to restructure the fractured based of America’s minority family. ENTERTAINMENT is the psychological tool to positive or negative peer pressure which instills confidence in our YOUTH to stand against or with the bureaucratic system of failure and vulnerability. BUSINESS is the development stone of success and prosperity or enslavement amongst the ignorant. So, WE must unify the entities of EDUCATION, ENTERTAINMENT, & BUSINESS positively to omit the robust crisis in our YOUTH COMMUNITY.
---- Jordan J Fowlkes
Living and working in St. Louis Mo. I encounter daily the social ills that is pervasive in this community, such as poverty, homelessness, a failing school system, and crime. In the past I would just ignore these huge blights in the city's landscape and would take a non-chalant attitude towards the sufferings of my neighbors. Now that I know more about my duties as a citizen of a free democracy and since I have taken the time to research why huge disparities exist in my community, I stand outraged! Therefore, I encourage other outraged activists who want to see change in our community on a grassroots level, to join us as we plan a community wide democratic deliberation on poverty in the St. Louis region.
Democratic Deliberation on Poverty in the St. Louis Region Planning session
Thurs, July 9th. 6:00 p.m.
Left Bank Books Downtown, 321 N. 10th street, at the corner of 10th and Locust.
We are at a turning point in our nation, we have suffered economic and social upheavel because of our mistakes and the mistakes of previous administrations. In St. Louis Missouri we have our own set of problems that we need to address. One problem is divisiveness on the organizing level. We are often divided in this city by race, class, politics and even neighborhoods. However, we are one region,one state, and one nation. We have so many different progressive activist organizations here, but who has taken the intitative in promoting collaboration? We at Left Bank Books have and will take this initiative. On Thursday July, 9th we encourage all of those who care about this community to join us as we plan for a democratic deliberation on the issue of poverty in this city. Our goal is to spark a grassroot discussion and planning on how we can encourage our city to develop a collabrative community based social plan on the issue of poverty in this area as they have done with their 10 year plan to eradicate chronic homelessness. We would also like to discuss ways we can work together on other issues so that we can "make change." Please join us in our efforts.
Democratic Deliberation on Poverty in St. Louis
Thursday, July 9th at 6p.m.
Left Bank Books Downtown, 321 N. 10th street, St. Louis MO. 63033
for more info. contact Marc Carr 314-766-1305
The mortgage bailout still continues to fail. Copyrighted 2009, Andrew Liput. Andrew Liput is managing attorney at Liput Law Offices PC in NJ and is a consultant to the banking industry on legal and compliance issues. His website is at www.liputgroup.com
See the blog post below.
http://www.mortgageindustrytrends.net/bailout_helping_wall_street_not_main_street
For further information on financial matters for small business and consumers see my blog at
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/FinanceMatters
I don't think he would be on the scene if this administration would stop trying to nail the last administation to the cross for war crimes. We are supposed to be going forward (CHANGE), not living in the past.
First of all, the GOP has been very, very neagtive since day one, way before anything about the war crimes came out. I would have to agree with you, but after the disastrous last 8 years, Cheney should be ashamed of their record and quietly ride off into the sunset. He is a major factor in all the negativity against the new administration, as if his era was such a huge success.By the way, you're 100% correct. We are supposed to be going forward (CHANGE). That's what the Obama administration is trying to do. That's what the MAJORITY voted for ... OBAMA and CHANGE. Unfortunately, if you look at the GOP voting record, they're doing EVERYTHING in their power to derail any advances toward real change. If the "party of no" continues their arrogance, we will remain stagnant and we will ALL continue to suffer because of their arrogance and obstinacies.
I'm ashamed to admit I was a lifelong Republican. What the hell was I thinking????
We are trying to reach out to as many people who worked in President Obama's Campaign for Change as we can to come together on April 18 from 1 to 4pm at UMSL (click on link below for full details) in order to continue the campaign for change.Please pass this on and bring as many people as you can!
Steven Hollis has sent you an invitation to 'Peace, Education & Health Care for All!' -- click here to view the invitation and submit your response: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gptgzk---
Dear America,As your dreams start to unfold, life obstacles become a stream of gold. A taste of pain and a taste of sacrifice are included in the formula of success, but all you have to do is try your best. No man is perfect, but a man can strive for an excellent grade. Because of the striving man, his pain will start to decay. Like a brother and a friend, I have hope that we will both accomplish our noble dreams as hard as it may seem. Through our voices, the singers we are, at this time we do not need a fancy car. Stand strong America as our dreams start to unfold, life obstacles will continue to become a stream of gold.Jordan J Fowlkes
Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. President Obama has reached out to them to engage them in a process of uniting to create a recovery package that will work for the American people. They have chosen the path of obstructionism and obfuscation. They have good reason. Their political lives are at risk. However, the real shame is on US, the people of this nation. We continue to be led down the primrose path by our inability to see the truth about ourselves, our inability to know reality.
At this time of great national crisis, you would think that the American people would take a close look at the record over the last several decades (and that includes the era of Bill Clinton) to understand that "trickle down economics" is a sham that destroys good government and establishes a corporate welfare system that sustains the privileges of extremely rich people and tramples the lives of middle class and lower income people. The outcomes of such policy are now evident. Thousands are losing their jobs and their homes. The "American Dream" as it has been sold to us is now, for many, the "American Nightmare."
We learned yesterday from the New York Times online of the hardships being faced by those who might have to live on $500K annually, the failed CEO's who continue to take their bonuses after losing billions of dollars. What is completely remarkable, however, is the arrogance of the Republican minority. In the face of a strong mandate for change in the last election and the fact that the very foundations upon which they have built their political capital have collapsed into the sink hole that's swallowing our entire economy and destroying thousands of peoples' lives, they remain adamantly committed to the policies that are producing such destructive outcomes for all of us. And, we are giving them credence for God's sake!
The time for change has come. Nothing to be afraid of. It is what it is. We will learn, although our suffering will have to be great. The policies that our Republican friends say are the "solution to our country's economic meltdown," simply don't work. Yes, we can take some measure of learning from these policies - personal responsibility, good stewarship, an understanding that government can't solve all of our problems. These values are always in style; however, let's put away the voodoo economics, the favoring of the privileged, rich and well-connected, and the shaming of good government. These are not our nation's values and they certainly are bad policy.
Alexis de Toqueville said that in a democracy, the people get a government they deserve." Let's make sure that we get good government back and eliminate once and for all the thinking that says that "government is the problem" and if we keep unproductive rich people rich, things will be OK. Obama is right to fight for accountability and stewardship in government. Let's help him achieve this important goal - for our own sake and the sake of the future of our democracy.
See the article below from the New York Times online:
White House MemoAlready Back on the Trail, Now to Sell a Stimulus PlanBy JEFF ZELENYPublished: February 9, 2009President Obama will travel this week in an effort to build support for his economic stimulus plan.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/us/politics/09obama.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
My husband and I hosted our first House Meeting this month. We feel it was a success. I invited a banker who works for U.S. Bank. He answered many questions for us -especially those questions that dealt with the economic stimulus package.
I served cookies and punch; and we snacked, discussed economic and neighborhood issues. It was great. I believe our participation number will increase for our next meeting because everyone was so pleased with our first.
Mainly, my guests are concerned by the trickling of information about the economic stimulus package. It appears we're getting more information about earmarks from republicans -especially Fox News.
I believe transparency means clear, see through...see it for yourself. We can not allow negative republicans to paint a negative picture of this economic package because too many American people are hurting and the numbers are growing by the day.
I believe we need to get rid of earmarks (Pork). I personally don't agree with adding unnecessary spending to this economic stimulus package. For example: St. Louis, Missouri have no real need for a bike path. Cut it from the package unless it creates jobs for average citizens, or youths -no nepotism or friends knowing friends who get these jobs... which is what always happens to these jobs.
The United States is a land of opportunity. Most poor and low income people who are interested in ownership can get into the equity game by buying a home, increasing its value through hard work, neighborhood involvement, and, hopefully, taking advantage of an economy that is strong enough to increase the home’s value. This has been a recipe for success and a proven method for building the middle class throughout the the last half century.
If one believes in this “American Dream,” home-ownership has been a good bet for most people. Of course, we’ve seen that “dream” dashed by the greed and opportunism of a rapacious, unregulated financial sector that has preyed on the poor and the middle class for quick profits. They’ve just about destroyed our economy in the process with thousands of people losing their jobs and their homes.
The premise of people “buying into” the economy through homeownership, however, is still a good idea. When people have a stake in their own economic well-being and a place to be engaged in community-building, everyone wins. This is how the promise and responsibility of our democracy should be empowered.
A national housing trust fund is an idea whose time has come. Well, it has come already, but the government hasn’t seen fit to really fund it properly. In Missouri, the state Housing Trust Fund, created by a small amount of money that comes through every real estate transaction ($8, I believe) provides funding for affordable housing, transitional housing, renovation, and investments in Continuums of Care to End Homelessness. These efforts are badly needed in Missouri and throughout our nation. In addition to spurring the economy by rapidly disbursing funds for construction and housing-related jobs, a trust fund would strengthen the ability of local Continuums of Care to End Homelessness to create and operate transitional housing and permanent supportive housing for those in need, cutting our homeless populations, and saving taxpayers millions of dollars in spending on social services that are incurred when homeless people access emergency rooms and city services.
In Missouri, the Real Estate lobby has opposed increasing the $8 fee. They see it as a “tax” and have furiously and vociferously argued against any increase. I believe that if most people understood what these dollars are used for, they would gladly pay a much larger fee. As a part of a real estate transaction that may be worth 100’s of 1,000’s of dollars, what’s an additional few dollars when you understand that these dollars are going to programs that leverage and provide gap-funding for the homebuilding industry, supporting low-income and middle class people so that they can buy into the “American Dream.” The Real Estate industry is being short-sighted. These extra dollars build their business but they would rather play politics than do something that would be good for all of us, including their own sector.
The time has come for adequate funding of housing trust funds. Funding the National Housing Trust Fund through the stimulus package is one direction. Increasing the funding for the Missouri Housing Trust Fund is another.
Benjamin Franklin was right. Either we all hang together or we will assuredly all hang separately. Obama’s message of unity is needed now more than ever. Let’s work together to build new homes, strengthen the prospects of the poor and the middle class and rebuild our economy.
See the editorial below from the New York Times online:
EditorialA Stimulus for the Poor
Published: February 7, 2009Congress could help low-income Americans find homes — and create jobs doing it — by providing money in the stimulus package for the National Housing Trust Fund.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/07/opinion/07sat3.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
