Obama and India's Prime Minister (Forget the Salahis)

All weekend we have been seeing and reading how Michaele Salahi and her husband crashed the the Obama Administration's first State Dinner for the Prime Minister of India. We all know about the couple and their desire for stardom and to be famous.

Unfortunately, what we do not know is what agreements, if any, the USA and India made during the Prime Minister's visit.

Was Obama able to convince the Prime Minister to go easy on Pakistan, so that Pakistan can concentrate on attacking Taliban and al Qaeda strongholds, rather than stationing troops on their border with India?

Will India provide money to help the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan? I know Indian troops would not be welcomed, but gold is welcomed everywhere.

And what about trade agreements? Were deals made that will be favorable to American consumers and more importantly, the American worker?

This is the information I am looking for, not how some blond bombshell smiled her way past the Secret Service.

Our country is in major trouble and we should be focusing on bringing down debt and creating jobs, rather than the next reality star.

Its Common Sense!!

Iran and Nuclear Power

Iran announced its building at least ten more uranium processing plants. It appears that Ahmadinejad just gave the United Nations the finger. Okay, we know he is not the real power in Iran and that the old mullahs are calling the shots, but regardless of who is in charge, what is the United Nations and the rest of the world going to do?

Let's be honest, the government of Iran cannot be trusted. No one can believe that they are going to show UN inspectors anymore than they want to show. No one knows where they are as far as creating a nuclear weapon.

Sanctions and embargoes are talked about, yet Iran continues to get the materials they need to create these plants. Where are the materials coming from? Who is making a profit? Which nations and/or companies are ignoring the embargo/sanctions and using what ever means necessary to take millions from Iran?

Personally, I do not believe the United Nations can be trusted to serve as a vigilant watch dog. There is too much corruption in that organization and in many ways I believe it has out lasted its purpose. For the United Nations to be effective, it has to be reorganized, given some teeth, and the member nations have follow the rules.

Easier said than done I know.

Now the USA and the European Nations (not to mention Israel) will have to keep a careful watch on things by whatever means are available. The last thing the world needs is for Iran to build a dirty bomb and give it to al Quaeda or one of the other extremist terrorist groups.

Iran needs to be put down. The questions is how?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving! Traditionally today is the day we come together with friends and family to celebrate all we are thankful for. For a lot of people this year, like last year, finds them with less to be thankful for than normal.

Many families have one or more loved one fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq. Their prayer is for the safe return of that loved one.

Others find themselves depending on the aide of family or state or church agencies to help them eat this Thanksgiving because they fall in the category of the millions of unemployed.

Of course the fat cat bank executives have their fancy bonuses, so they'll be eating fine and I have a feeling very few of them will be helping out at local soup kitchens.

Congress is in recess and I am sure the Democrats and Republicans are getting ready to fight about Health Care, Social Security and the National Debt. Of course, they will also probably work in a raise for themselves even though they decided the elderly did not need the Social Security raised.

We all need to sit back and see what we are thankful for. for myself I am thankful for my wife, daughter, family and friends.

I am thankful that I am employed and in conditions to do a little to help others.

I am thankful that I live in a country where I can write a blog, criticize my government and not have to worry about imprisonment.

All of us have something to be thankful for. Let's celebrate today, and continue the fight tomorrow.

Its Common Sense!

Church verses State

This past week the Catholic Bishops of the United States let the US Senate know that they did not want abortion operations included as a procedure covered by the Health Care Bill. Evidently the bishops have enough influence that the Senate followed their request.

Earlier, the bishops had let Speaker of the House Pelosi, a "good" Catholic Italian girl know their thoughts on abortion. Congress's version of the bill does not cover the cost of abortions.

Being a "good" Catholic myself, I find it fascinating to see the influence the bishops have over our political leaders. We have heard of the "MORAL MAJORITY" for years, and this is usually linked with conservative/fundamentalist Protestant denominations. However, this vote shows just how much "quiet" influence the Catholic bishops have in this county. Evidently, more Catholics than one thinks vote according to the "suggestions" of their religious leaders.

Which raises interesting questions. If this country practices the concept of separation of Church and State, why do the religious groups have so much power?

The truth is that the ideal of separation is simply that, an ideal. The majority of people in this country, whether they admit it openly or not, are guided to some degree by the teachings and directives of their religious leaders.

In general that is for the good, but there are times when religious leaders are locked into mentalities of the pass and are not willing to adjust to changing thoughts and concepts.

I find it sad (although not surprising) that our political leaders once again putting their political futures above what is best for the people.

We need to let the Capital Hill gang know that they work for us and not the religious leaders of the country. What is best for the people is not what is always best for the people.

Its Common Sense!

Senator Mikulski on Bonuses for Bankers

Senator Mikulski responded to my concerns about bonuses for bankers. I find her response weak and it is evident Congress did not think things through before throwing out the bailout money.

Read her response and see if you agree with me.

Dear Mr. Wolfe:


Thank you for getting in touch with me about the bonuses being paid out to executives at financial companies receiving support from the government. I appreciate hearing from you about this issue.



The taxpayers need to see that the government is serious about being stewards of their money, and corporate America needs a clear message from Congress that they've got to get serious about working with President Obama to get this economy back on track.



People who played by the rules and trying to run a small business don't have access to credit. They're worried about keeping their jobs. They're losing their life savings. They're worried about holding on to their homes or their health insurance. They've seen irresponsible lending practices and watched Wall Street gamble on risky investments. And they've watched those same executives pay themselves lavish salaries.



My priorities for when the government uses taxpayer dollars are transparency, integrity, and accountability. We need to make sure the money is going to good use. I sent a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of AIG asking his employees to voluntarily give up the bonuses.



Knowing of your views is very helpful to me and I will keep them in mind. If you'd like to read more, I encourage you to visit my website where you can read the transcript of my floor statement on this issue and my letter to the CEO of AIG http://mikulski.senate.gov/Newsroom/PressReleases/index.cfm.




Again, thanks for contacting me. Please let me know if I can be of help to you in the future.


Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

Out Sourcing Workers

Remember when we complained about companies - especially banks - outsourcing jobs, especially in telemarketing. As far as certain industries like steel, productions of clothing, shoes, etc. the majority of that also went overseas where labor is a lot cheaper and there are less rules.

Now, not only are jobs being out sourced, American workers are out sourcing themselves to countries that are in need of their skills and abilities. Three countries opened for skilled labor and technicians are Brazil, Dubai and India, as well as several others along the Pacific Rim. Americans who have been unemployed for months are willing to take a wage drop to be employed. In some cases, based on their skill levels, wages are comparable to what they received in the USA.

Where are the jobs the Obama Administration promised to save and create?

Its a sad commentary that after years of complaining about the labor invasion from the South that our workers are now going to be the labor invasion from the North.

The President, Congress, the labor unions and businesses need to get together, compromise and get American workers working in America soon. If they do not, then we sadly will see the decline not only the decline of the US economy but the decline of the nation as well.

Its Common Sense!

Flu Shots for Prison Inmates

Friday I went to see my family doctor for my annual check up. As I near sixty, I am trying to be more attentive to my health needs because I want to reach at least one hundred.

During the course of the physical he asked if I had received a flu shot and I said yes. He knows I work for the Federal Government and he shook his head. The government, the big guys like Walgreen, Walmart and CVS all got plenty but small time practitioners like him are on waiting lists.

To be honest I thought it was only the swine flu shots that are in short supply, I did not realize it was regular flu shots as well.

And then I learned that doses are being sent to immunize inmates in State and Federal Prisons. According to reports its only for those in the danger category but it still irritates me.

I have felt for a long time that are correctional facilities are too easy on the inmates. Yes, they are locked behind bars and there are gang fights etc. But they are fed, they have better medical coverage than a lot of tax paying Americans - remember when an inmate was pushed to top of the line for a kidney transplant, even though he was a murderer? - air conditioning, cable tv and exercise equipment.

Does not sound too bad to me. Where is the punishment? Bring back the chain gang and have them provide work to the state that is housing them.

Anyway, I do not understand why anyone in prison is entitled to preferential treatment until all of the rule following citizens are taken care of. I have never heard of a massive flu outbreak in a prison - have you?

Get out the pen and let your representatives know that prisoners need to be last. Let's get the kids and elderly immunized first. Once all the "good" citizens are in the clear, then we can worry about those in prison.

Its Common Sense!

Medicare Fraud

Today came out the information that Medicare has been defrauded approximately $40 billion this past year. That sounds like a lot of money to me. I did not see how much, if any, of that money was recovered.

Articles like that is what has me scared about the government assuming even more control over the health care system. It is evident that Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid can not control or even get a hold on the fraud.

So once again, I am asking the US Congress to prove they can manage just Medicare, before they attempt to take over the majority of health care in the country. I think they need to adequately staff and train the Centers for medicare and Medicaid, teach them how to work with law enforcement and then turn them loose on the perpetrators of these frauds.

Once they can bring back the $40 billion, then I will be willing to listen to them talk about passing their health care bill.

Prove you have the power and ability to complete one job. Once you guys and gals on Capital Hill have accomplished that, then we will be willing to hear you talk about how you will run health care reform.

Its Common Sense!

9/11 Suspects to be tried in New York

The Obama Administration announced that mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees are going to New York City to be tried for their part in 9/11. Nothing like a speedy trial system.

Why has it taken so long for these men to be brought to trial? Why were they allowed to sit in Cuba, rather than face justice here in the United States where they perpetrated their crime?

Does the Justice Department only now have enough evidence? There are a lot of questions that need answers.

Word was also given that Abu al-Rahim al-Nashiri, the suspected mastermind of the attack on the US Cole is going to face a military tribunal. I wonder if he should not be tried by the World Court in the Hague. After all, his was an attack of terrorism, not war. Yemen has never declared war on the United States, and I do not believe you can be at war with a group of religious fundamentalists, which only leaves terrorism as the crime.

In truth, Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his "friends" should also be going to the World Court because the attack on the Twin Towers was not just an attack against New York and the United States, but against the entire world. All nations have a stake in seeing justice met, this needs to be on the world stage.

Now we will have to wait and see what transpires. Will the be demonstrations and acts of violence in New York? Will the proceedings of the military tribunal be opened or closed?

These men acted against all of us and I believe we have the right to see how they are dealt with and to insure that true justice is served.

Its Common Sense!

President Obama and Afghanistan

President Obama is not satisfied with any of the recommendations of his war council regarding what policy to follow in Afghanistan, so he has put a decision on hold. He is off on a trip to Asia and maybe when he gets back he will have a plan.

I have a few suggestions to make.

1) Tell Karzai it is time to get tough with the poppy growers and all drug traffic in Afghanistan. The Taliban wiped out the drug trade when they were in power, and revitalized it to supply the funding for their war. The Afghan military, not the USA & NATO, need to take the lead on the war on drugs.

2) Invite the Muslim nations of the world to send humanitarian aide, educators, doctors and construction personnel to aide in the rebuilding of Afghanistan. It would also help if they sent some militaryto assist in the training and building of the Afghan Army. That will USA and NATO troops free to concentrate on going after al Qaeda and the Taliban.

3) Following that thought,give our military a clear objective. Be it to go after al Qaeda and the Taliban or provide stability to Afghanistan. The truth of the matter is that our military presence is not big enough to do both. Which is why I think our troops should deal with al Qaeda which Muslim troops help train and support the Afghan military.

My opinion. We'll and wait and see if the President is thinking along the same lines.

Desperate measures for health Care Reform

Evidently Democratic leaders in the Senate are concerned about passing Health Care Reform even with some of their own members and so they decided to call out a big gun, Bill Clinton.

I find it interesting that President Obama went to Capital Hill to cajole Democratic House members to go along with the Health Care Reform Bill, but when it comes to the Senate the thought is Bill Clinton has more influence. Why?

That's something to keep an eye on. How dependent is the Obama Administration becoming on the former Clinton Administration? Where does the power lie?

As you know, I want answers before any final vote is taken on the bill. I hope all of you are asking for answers as well.

Its our tax dollars that will end up paying for all of this, let's make sure they are spent wisely.

Its Common Sense!

Credit Card Rage

I know there are a lot of important and pressing things going on in the world.

It is nice to remember that twenty years ago today the Berlin Wall came down and capitalism with all its positives and negatives engulfed the nations that had been "protected" by the Iron Curtain. Many things have happened in those twenty years and many more will follow.

However, today I want to vent about credit cards, or specifically the banks that control them. My only credit card is with CitiCard and today I received a letter informing me that starting in December my interest rate will be 19.99%. I have never been late with a payment, I rarely have a balance for more than a month, and I have been a faithful customer for fifteen years. This is my repayment, an interest rate jump of 8%.

We, the American taxpayer; bailed out the banks from collapse due to their greed and mismanagement and to show their thanks they decide its time to rip us off.

In addition, our thoughtless legislators in Washington D.C. are allowing this to happen and not doing any thing for the consumer. When is enough enough? It is almost to point where I want to tell the IRS where they can spend my tax money and where they can not use it.

Due to my anger I called CitiCard. For ten minutes I listened to a recording telling me how much they valued me and the next available caller would attend me. Finally someone spoke and I guessed he was from the great Asian sub-continent, probably residing in Mumbai. He was pleasant and tried to understand my concerns. Unfortunately, due to his accent, I did not understand half of what he was saying.

To my credit I did not rant and rave at this young man. I know he has no power and that he is being paid chump change because no one in the USA would accept such a low salary. (More saving on the part of CitiBank, why not share with your customers?)

Anyway, I am now faced with a dilemma. Do I dump CitiBank and go to another financial institution? I did some looking and all the major players seem to charging the same rate - no help there. So, I think I will check out my credit union and see if they have something positive to offer.

One thing is certain, I will appear in the offices of my senators if these banks ever ask for a bailout again and stage a one man sit down strike.

Hopefully, many of you share my sentiment and will be join me in D.C.

Its Common Sense!

US Senate & Health Care Reform

As I promised yesterday, I attempted to read the House Health Reform Bill and got confused by all of the legalize. I do not understand why they cannot write these bills so that anyone other than an attorney can read them.

I am not satisfied with the explanation of how the bill will be paid. I think a lot of things are either implied or hidden very carefully.

So, I wrote to my senators asking them not to vote on the bill until they could explain to me in layman's terms just what the bill includes, what it doesn't include, how much it will really cost and where the money is coming from - what new taxes - to pay for it.

As always feel free to use all or any of the letter when you write to your senators.

Here's the letter.

Dear Senator

I attempted to read House Bill H.R. 3962 with little success. I wish you could generate a bill the common person could read without a legal expert.
That said I need you to clarify some items of the bill.
How is cutting Medicare by $400 billion over the next ten years going to help seniors, especially since the number of senior citizens on Medicare will be increasing greatly during that same time?
Currently the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is unable to deal with the amount of fraud perpetrated against Medicare. Recently a news program interviewed members of a special FBI task force in southern Florida who report that the amount being paid in Medicare fraud is more than what is being paid for illegal drugs.
How is the abuse going to be controlled? How will the fraud money be recovered? How are seniors going to be guaranteed their coverage?
Another question, what controls are in place so that private insurers cannot raise their premiums through the roof?
I am a Federal employee and the current rumor is our premiums will be raised anywhere from 8% to 20%. With no cost of living raise, that is a big.
(Imagine seniors with no COLA increase this year still having to pay higher premiums on their supplementary policies. Is any one really looking out for the seniors?)
Finally, where is the $1.2 trillion to pay for this legislation going to come from? Unemployment is at an all time high, meaning income tax revenues are down to an all time low. I do not see the new and saved jobs the stimulus was suppose to provide. Did the banks pay back interest on their bailout money? They seem to have plenty of bonus money available; I hope the government is getting its fair share.
What tax increases will we taxpayers be facing? I know a about the tax on those earning over $500,000.00 but how many fall in that category? What taxes are going to fund this Health Care Reform? (How much money are you borrowing from China to things going?)
Senator, please respond before voting on this people. The people who are going to have to pay for the legislation need to be guaranteed that is going to managed adequately, fairly and continually. There can be no loopholes and no favoritism.
Please show all the details in clear easy to read language.
Convince me that this legislation is the best thing for the country.
Thank you,
Michael Wolfe

Congress Health Care Bill

According to Speaker of the House Pelosi, the House Health Care Bill should pass anytime. Then its off to the Senate to see what they'll do. If the Senate follows suit it will get the President's signature.

Tomorrow I plan to write my senators and try to get some clarification. According to what I've read Medicare is going to be cut by $400 billion over the next ten years, and the new Health Care Bill is still going to cost around $1.2 trillion during the same period.

How is cutting benefits to senior citizens good? We know that there is rampant fraud committed against Medicare now. Does Congress really think the agency in charge of Medicare is suddenly going to regain control of the situation?

Of course the big questions is where this $1.2 trillion is going to come from? Taxes are going to need to be increased on categories other than those earning over $500,000.00 a year. (I imagine members of Congress who fall in that category will be exempt.)

I need some more specifics. All of us need to see what is really covered, who is covered and who is going to pay what.

I plan to try and read the House bill and write my senators. You all need to do the same.

An informed public is an enlightened public.

Its Common Sense!

Fort Hood Tragedy

No commentary, no accusations, no questions.
Let's just take some time to pray and remember the dead, the wounded and their families.
May God grant the dead eternal rest, and may He give the rest of us the power to examine what happened calmly and rationally and then seek out responsible solutions so that it never happens again.

Amen!

Election 2009 - Who Cares?

Yesterday New Jersey and Virginia elected Republican Governors and the TV pundits are trying to explain what it means now and what it could foretell about the 2010 Congressional election.

I can tell them what its all about, the American people are pissed off at all of their leaders and are looking for fresh options.

Congress made us bailout the banks and financial markets with our tax dollars and are now allowing those same banks to pay exorbitant bonuses to the same jerks who put us in the crisis. In addition, these same banks are now upping credit card interest rates every two weeks, with some rates reaching the 40% range. Congress has a bill that would curb interest rate increases. Problem is, they were waiting for February 2010 to take effect. By then interest rates could be at 80%. (I heard this evening on the news that Congress is going to move that bill up, but established interest rates will not be touched.)

The USA is still fighting, after eight years, two wars, neither of which is promising to be resolved as a clear victory for the USA or the world over terrorism.

The government wants to take over even more of health care in this country. Its not enough that they are totally mismanaging MEDICARE and MEDICAID (there was a special recently about a special FBI unit in southern Florida combating MEDICARE fraud. According to their spokesperson, MEDICARE fraud is generating millions more dollars than the drug trade in what used to be the cocaine capital of the USA.)

Where are all the jobs Obama promised? Congress has extended unemployment benefits once again, although I am unclear where the money is coming from to pay for these benefits.

The swine flu pandemic is sweeping the nation and there isn't enough vaccination for the children, much less adults.

When you take all of this into account, its a wonder the reaction of the American public has been as calm and controlled as it has been.

That said, if the current Presidential Administration and Congressional majority don't get their act together and show some real concrete progress, then the independents who brought them to power are going to go seeking someone else who offers better hope.

Politicians in this country need to wake up to the fact that the independents are on the rise and they have no loyalty to either of the primary political parties. Independents are looking for truth, honestly and a square deal. They'll listen, they'll vote and if they feel they were mislead or lied to, they'll do it all again next time for somebody else.

Wake up Congress - its time to start doing your job and representing your constituents, not the power boys and lobbyists.

Its Common Sense!

Karzai - Second Term

Abdullah Abdullah evidently decided that even with UN inspectors monitoring the polling stations, that he would not get a fair vote count, and bowed out of Afghanistan's presidential race. His departure allowed the Election Committee to give President Karzai his second term.

USA President Obama congratulated Karzai but said that Karzai's actions would speak louder than words and would be very influential in what actions the USA takes over the next several months.

Why did Abdullah bow out? Okay, we know the first election was corrupt and rigged, but this time the hope was UN inspectors would make some kind of difference. If nothing else, a close contest would have put pressure on Karzai to focus on the Afghan people and his country, rather than himself and immediate family.

My fear is that Karzai will now consider himself invincible, becoming arrogant, aloof and a dangerous ally.

Hopefully I am wrong. Time will tell. In the meantime tens of thousands of American military service personnel are putting their lives on line to free Afghanistan of the Taliban and al Qaeda. If they do not receive the support they need - foremost from the Afghan people and government - then their mission will fail and the deaths of thousands (American and Afghan) will have been for nothing.

President Obama needs to watch President Karzai closely and insure the security of our military personnel. If Karzai betrays us, the the USA and NATO need to withdraw from Afghanistan and join with hunting down the Taliban and al Qaeda in Pakistan. Karzai will be left to his own devices, and maybe that desperate act will allow the Afghan people to have a true chance for freedom.

Its Common Sense!

Congress and Ethics

Congress leaks that several members are under ethics investigations. WOW!!
Is that a surprise? I think the surprise will be if anything happens to the members currently under investigation.

We have seen some of those names many times in the past, like my favorite, John Murtha of Pennsylvania. Why do the people keep reelecting him? Who has he paid off? Who does he have dirt on?

As for the others I'm sure we will find it is someone else's fault and that they are totally innocent.

The big question is why the investigations are such a big secret. And why was Congress so upset about the leak? Hell, we all know Congress leaks anything they want to, which makes any real investigation a true challenge.

Maybe what Congress needs is an outside, impartial, non-political watchdog group to handle their ethics violations. A group independently financed, owing nothing to no one. If Congress had that kind of ethic committee we just might see justice served.

Its Common Sense!