Soon as we got a Democrat in the White House, a bunch of Senators claiming to be Democrats rushed to show how independent they are, declaring they won’t necessarily vote in support of the President’s agenda that he was elected to enact. As a Hoosier, I’ll put Indiana’s Evan Bayh (pronounced “Bye” or “Buy”) at the top of the list.
Mr. Obama is right to allow politicians to vote their “consciences” (oxymoron is obvious). Where he’s wrong is in promising to raise money for them. I won’t give one penny to support ANY Senator who fails to toe the line and earnestly help the President do what he promised. Many promises were made. If they’re not kept because Democrats in the Senate support powerful banks and other lobbies against the people who support Mr. Obama’s agenda, then Bayh-Bayh to them come the primary.
If self-described Democrats in the Senate refuse to push through the President’s agenda, then it’s up to us to FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL. I won’t give money to or raise money for Evan Bayh or Arlen Spector or any of the approximately eight others who have declared themselves “independent” of this cause.
They want our money and votes only to betray us to the powerful lobbyists who own them. We need to start work right now finding better people to run against them in the primaries and start raising the money they’ll need to win.
We kept McCain and Palin out of the White House. We certain can put Bayh, Specter and those other eight “independent” Democrats OUT of the Senate. CHANGE is coming to America.
By Phil Kerpen Director of Policy, Americans for Prosperity
Promise #5: Sunlight Before Signing
What he said:
“Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days.” (http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ethics/)
What he did:
Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter bill, the SCHIP/cigarette tax hike, and the stimulus bill all with far less than a five-day waiting period that he promised–and continues to promise–on his campaign Web site.
READ THE NEXT 4 BROKEN PROMISES HERE http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/03/03/kerpen_obama_budget/
THE WHITE HOUSEOffice of the Press Secretary_____________________________________January 21, 2009MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIESSUBJECT: Transparency and Open GovernmentMy Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government.Government should be transparent. Transparency promotes accountability and provides information for citizens about what their Government is doing. Information maintained by the Federal Government is a national asset. My Administration will take appropriate action, consistent with law and policy, to disclose information rapidly in forms that the public can readily find and use. Executive departments and agencies should harness new technologies to put information about their operations and decisions online and readily available to the public. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public feedback to identify information of greatest use to the public.Government should be participatory. Pubic engagement enhances the Government's effectiveness and improves the quality of its decisions. Knowledge is widely dispersed in society, and public officials benefit from having access to that dispersed knowledge. Executive departments and agencies should offer Americans increased opportunities to participate in policymaking and to provide their Government with the benefits of their collective expertise and information. Executive departments and agencies should also solicit public input on how we can increase and improve opportunities for public participation in Government.Government should be collaborative. Collaboration actively engages Americans in the work of their Government. Executive departments and agencies should use innovative tools, methods, and systems to cooperate among themselves, across all levels of Government, and with nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individuals in the private sector. Executive departments and agencies should solicit public feedback to assess and improve their level of collaboration and to identify new opportunities for cooperation.I direct the Chief Technology Officer, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Administrator of General Services, to coordinate the development by appropriate executive departments and agencies, within 120 days, of recommendations for an Open Government Directive, to be issued by the Director of OMB, that instructs executive departments and agencies to take specific actions implementing the pinciples set forth in this memorandum. The independent agencies should comply with the Open Government Directive.This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by a party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.This memorandum shall be published in the Federal Register.BARACK OBAMA# # #
source: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1460623847
also see THE WHITE HOUSEhttp://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/TransparencyandOpenGovernment/
Dear President Obama:Today, January 19, 2009, I watched the Presidential Inauguration of John F. Kennedy (Jan. 20, 1961) on C-SPAN, which was broadcasting a special coverage of past Presidential Inaugurations as celebrated honor for your upcoming Inauguaration tomororow. I cannot tell you, Mr. President, in adequate words how very proud I am to have you as our 44th President of these United States - it is truly a remarkable and historical event. That you will not only do an exemplary job, but an outstanding one, I have no doubt whatsoever. But in viewing this tape of history played out on C-SPAN's cable network, I could not help but notice the vast difference between that time and our time, today.There was once a song that went .... "WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE"? Indeed, I ask myself that self same question now, as I view the archived broadcast tape of an America now distant and somewhat alien to its children. What happened to that America, the America of the 1960's, before that horrible event, and its suceeding ones, which transformed its natives into unrecognizeable carry-overs from a golden era? In looking back at the beautiful, well-kept, clean, neat, polite and moral people of that era, it is as if one is looking at the people of another planet. How did we all get so far away from who we really were and are as citizens of these United States? "Through a dark glass" I whimsically looked aghast - astounded - saddened, confused at a life now gone, seemingly vanished, shattered, scattered, torn, diffused ....
These thoughts seem to reflect our lost past, our shattered dreams of what was to be a new era, a Golden Era, the Dawn of a New Day for all the people .... our CAMELOT. This loss reflects upon our shattered souls as the tragic events of those long-gone days which followed, one after another, forever altered our very spirits, outlooks, morale and even judgements until, to this day, we are all part of the 'walking wounded', until to this very day we ALL carry a part of that lost and wonderful era within our very bones, which now cry out unceasingly for this New Era to be reborn again .... in YOU, Mr. President.The past, tragic as it was, has somehow fostered your presence, which is abundantly welcomed in the new century. We hail you, Mr. President, our new King, Healer of the Nations and Knight Supreme; Keeper of The Flame and the Promise that this great nation can once again rise from the ashes, like the age-old Phoenix ... rise from the ashes anew, in a different form and face, to once again be the great power it was always meant to be. And so, we all await your presence, we hail your coming, we long for you to ascend the Throne, recapture the Seat of Power and sing out a new phrase, a new promise that rings out loud, bold and clear ....... "YES WE CAN!" Change HAS come to America!
I know the way will be hard, the trials may be many, the path will be beset with thorns and barriers, but I and the people of these United States are soldily behind you, and we all, in unison, raise our cups and goblets on high in a single toast to you, as you rise to the Call of Battle to reign as our soverign Leader and beloved President! You are very welcome ... you are well received ... And now the task begins, to which we have no doubt you will rise to and solidly complete; your term as our new President soons begin; we have do doubt that you will carry out all the sworn duties of your office inimicably, and that you will be a President for ALL the people; that your sworn office and duties will be carried out to your fullest capacity and ability, and that these United States will truly become a rainbow expression, a new creation, a new unity for all people.Welcome, Mr. President; welcome.God bless you, Mr. President! And God Bless the United States of America!
The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
Here in Akron Ohio, My Partner and I waited 7 hours to vote, It wasn't even election day and we waited this Long.
Insight from Uganda:
http://www.independent.co.ug/index.php/column/105-guest-column/240-too-much-promise-in-obama.html
I'm sick to my stomach reading about Sarah Palin. We need to remember that the reason we are working so hard to elect Obama and Biden is not because we don't like the other candidates, but because we believe in the direction Obama and Biden have pledged to take this country. When you get a negative Palin story, counter it with a positive Obama one. It will make us all feel better and work harder for an America we can be proud of.
"And we are here -- we are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight…
It's a promise that says each of us has the freedom to make of our own lives what we will, but that we also have obligations to treat each other with dignity and respect… That's the promise of America, the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation, the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper...
If you don't have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters… If you don't have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things.
… At this moment, in this election, we must pledge once more to march into the future. Let us keep that promise, that American promise, and in the words of scripture hold firmly, without wavering, to the hope that we confess.”
Promise Powered by People Pride…Take America Forward
Pea’s are such a small seed. They can grow to an enormous stalk. They are a really great source of protein and can feed all the masses with the right care.
When you plant them in fertile soil and if you make sure to give it an appropriate environment. An environment that will have sufficient sunlight, the right range of heat and amount of rain. When fertilized adequately and you take away the weeds or other wild plants that may try to choke it out.
It looks like we are getting ready to be spoon fed our pea’s…like them or not!
America is in the process of going forward. Whether we want the change, may still be out with the jury. But, court will soon be back in with the decision…November 4, 2008.
America is always going forward and we should never forget this. You can’t stop forward movement…progress is going to happen. Even when we are not ready for it, not sure about it or even have a fear of it.
All of America may not be ready for this movement but it is happening. Some may be down right resistant to it or maybe even angry to how it seems they must embrace it. Especially, because of this inevitable feeling they might be having, like, not having any control over it or lack of changing the outcome.
Do not loose control…just remember that all things we do not like are usually good for us. If that is any consolation to you at all. Think of when your mother, teacher or even your doctor has told you in the past to eat your pea’s because they really are good for you. Or better yet, didn’t they always have your best interest in mind and were always more knowledgeable than you. Yes, wiser! Or, at least, that’s what they always told you. Right!?!?
Well there are four and that’s about how many months we have to get used to them…like it or not…it looks like these pea's are here to stay!
Promise…Powered…People…Pride
It is fair to criticize the amount of experience Barack brings to this campaign. With service in the Illinois legislature and a partial term in the U.S. Senate, he isn't the most experienced candidate in the race. But while he is light on experience, he is long on promise. His judgment, his thoughtfulness and the way he interacts with people hold the promise of an effective administration that can change the status quo in meaningful ways.
John McCain is almost the mirror image of Barack. He is very long on experience having served in the U.S. congress for 36 years. Yet he comes up short on promise. He doesn't demonstrate thoughtfulness. (The Saddleback Civil Forum provided ample opportunities to answer questions thoughtfully, instead of impulsively, as McCain did.) Instead, with a record of supporting President Bush 95 percent of the time, he has demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to think independently. As a result, we get more of the same policies that have led us to this difficult place.
At times like this, when we confront very different problems from those we've worked though in the past, I'm voting promise over experience. Experience may be irrelevant to solving the problems of the 21st century, in the same way knowing how to use a slide rule is irrelevant to solving math problems in a spreadsheet program like Excel. Experience may even become a roadblock to the creative solutions we need to address environmental, energy and economic problems at home, and as we work to re-integrate ourselves internationally, by leading to ritualized approaches to defining problems and thinking through possible solutions.
I've never said anything negative on this site. I've always kept quiet though I had some growing concern about our candidate. And I'm writing what I'm writing now because I still believe that of the two major candidates, Barack Obama is our greater HOPE. BUT, I feel now is the time two voice at least a little of my concern.
First of all, today, Barack voted in favor of the new FISA Bill sponsored by George Bush and his cronies to protect the goverment and the abbetting telecoms currently participating in large scale illegal domestic spying. He had previously spoken out against any such bill offering this type of immunity. I am very upset. OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES MUST BE UPHELD! This is way out of character and election year pandering. As a friend who's never met you Mr. Obama, I suggest NOW is the time to apologize to your constiuents for this election year garbage. You ARE better than this.
The other issue over which I am concerned has to do with the election year funding. Early on Barack pledged to utilize public funding, resting on the idea that his ideas were more powerful than finances. Recently he aknowledged that unlike McCain he would not be doing this, citing his feeling that it would be unfair as he would not utilize PACs etc. in the way McCain would and would give him a significant disadvantage. I agree with him, to an extent. But a pledge is just that. We need you to stick by your concience even when it seems it will hurt you. That is the definition of leadership.
With that said, I just really hope and pray sir that this slide on your promises for political gain, doesn't compromise who you are. I pray it stops here. I'll be watching and hoping.
Thank you,
Jacob Kelly
Once again college has gotten in the way of me having time to work on helping out this campaign! Luckily some of my classes shall be ending soon, and at the very least I can find time to write in to several newspapers around here! I love college, but I sometimes do not love that it is in modesto (can anyone say "conservative haven")? I cannot tell you how many odd looks I get when walking around campus, black blazer, fedora, rainbow earrings and scarf, with my messenger bag, and long black skirt. But that's just normal, what's really getting all the looks is the obama button I have pinned to my bag, and fedora. Yes, yes, this semi out there conservatively dressed, lesbian, pro gun, NRA supporter, and avid Anime fan, with wiccan/christian, beliefs, transcendental views, and somewhat of a feminist agenda, supports Obama! I just thought I'd also add that because you, among many many others all have different backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Even the way you dress, or the music you listen to, the people you associate with, what part of the class system you are in society, even what level of education you've had......dosn't matter when we talk about one man: Obama.
I shall leave you with that thought for today, and I do believe I'll be back to write quite a bit more later. For now, I bid thee farewell, peace out, god bless, merry part and merry meet again, or for others who text like me ttyl.
-K.M. Dailey
Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had not made my mind up as to who I was going to vote for in this election; when I listened to Obama speak, I heard him speak from the heart. I did not hear him throw a bunch of rhetoric and words that are designed to fool the American people. I heard him speak the truth. I heard him speak for the middle-class, the class of American's whom have been forgotten about.
That is my family. A hard working family who is struggling because of high healthcare costs, outragious gas prices and housing that is simply not affordable.
My family is one of the lucky ones some would say, we have health insurance, a plan that is considered great by most standards. Yeah, it was great when I found myself having to have emergency surgery on my back. My 'great' insurance place paid for a lot of the medical attention that I needed. Until the co-pays killed us. Thousands of dollars in co-pays we are responsible for, and we simply can not afford it.
It has often been said that the only way out of poverty is through education. Ok, but education is not affordable, I am struggling to to complete my BA degree so I can have a higher paying job, the job I worked prior to my surgery I am not able to do. I can not afford to take the few classes left to finish because of my co-pays.
I am one of many people in the same situation, my husband and I have worked all our lives only to have everything gone because of todays economy.
I firmly believe that Obama will work for us, and the others who have found themselves not able to afford something that we all deserve and work for. Obama is the only candidate who truly knows what we need and the only candidate whom I TRUST to pull through for the average American.
As an American living abroad, I am very concerned about the role the United States has in the world. From Barack Obama's own lifetime experiences and his policy proposals, he gives hope to restore America's image. He gives hope to enable the US to fulfill the great promise it offers to the rest of the world, the promise of delivering people from oppression and giving them a voice to improve their own lives. In this promise, the US will seriously address the problems the world faces and make it a better place to live.
I believe Barack Obama understands that the promise for a better world that the United States of America offers cannot be delivered down the barrel of a gun, but rather, by America restoring its moral standing. He will put the shame of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo behind us. Under his leadership, the US can once again respect international law and institutions it has been so fundamental in creating. He understands that the US can only be appreciated and respected in the world if it lives up to its own values.
Barack Obama also understands that the US role in the world depends on restoring its position as a leader instead of being dragged along as a reluctant follower. For example, he supports American ingenuity to address climate change and to be an active part of international efforts to solve this problem.
Finally, with his father being an immigrant to the US and his own childhood experience of living abroad, Obama understands that part of what has made the United States a great nation is its openness to new people, new ideas and diversity. America has taken pride in being a nation of immigrants. My own mother, who passed away in March 2007, was British - born in India, and lived in many places around the world. She spent the second half of her life in the United States and, with the worldview she had, she contributed to her community in many ways. I believe Barack Obama offers the opportunity to put that kind of understanding of the world into the White House, to make America once again the beacon of hope it has been and has the potential to be again.
As an American abroad, I want to do all I can to support the Movement Barack Obama leads. I want to be a part of that movement and hope others will join with me. I will be working towards getting as many Americans in Spain, in my home state of New Mexico, and elsewhere to vote for Barack Obama and support his campaign for hope and change. I welcome any opinions to the views I have expressed in this blog.
