Well the waiting is over and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is the winner of the 2016 Summer Olympics. With Brazil hosting the World Cup (Soccer Championship where teams from around the world compete in 2014, unlike American baseball's World Series which features two teams from the United States)Brazil will probably be in good shape. The recent discovery of two large oil fields will definitely help stimulate the economy and the building and tourist dollars will keep a lot of people employed in one form or another for the next decade.
Since my wife is Brazilian I am happy that Brazil gets to be the first South American country to ever host the Olympics.
Of course we have to comment on the whole process. Because the American President and First Lady got involved in lobbying for the city of Chicago, President Lula came to represent Rio de Janeiro, King Juan Carlos came for Madrid and members of the royal family put in an appearance for Tokyo.
The world is in an economic crisis and the leaders of the world decided that the priority is to promote sportsmanship and athletics, maybe to distract peoples' attention away from the fact that more than half the world is unemployed and living under the poverty level. I realize that competitions like the Olympics bring short term employment, but they can also bring long term debt and these factors need to be balanced and considered very carefully.
Personally, I think the mayors of the cities involved, along with their committees should have handled the presentations. The appearance of the heavy guns, especially in Chicago's case of the Obamas and the Oprah. My opinion is that they did more harm than good and we will wait and see if the members of the Olympic Board share their thoughts.
Anyway, the vote is done, now hopefully President Obama can get back to the White House and concentrate on the economy and health care.
Time will tell.
Its Common Sense!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Senator Cardin on the Bailout
Senator Cardin finally responded to my letter regarding bailouts. I find it interesting that he is responding now, just as a new fiscal year is starting for the US government and Congress is planning to spend some money in a variety of strange places.
More on that tomorrow. Here's Senator Cardin's view on the bailout and fiscal responsibility. Let me know what you think.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for contacting me about our nation's financial crisis. Please know that supporting Marylanders during this crisis is a top priority.
These are challenging times for our nation's economy and all Americans. We need to take strong action that will put Americans back to work and restore confidence in our future. If consumer spending sinks and financial markets continue to falter, more Americans risk losing their jobs and their homes. What began in the housing market and moved to the financial markets has turned into a serious world-wide economic recession. We must get the global financial system working again. It is essential for transactions from the purchase of an automobile or home, to starting a business or stabilizing the stock market.
Congress is working diligently to enact bipartisan reforms to ameliorate our nation's dire financial situation. In February 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery + Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a $789 billion stimulus package. ARRA will save 66,000 jobs in Maryland and more than 3.5 million jobs nationwide. I supported ARRA and I co-sponsored the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (S. 2636), which includes crucial measures to help families keep their homes.
I am committed to taking timely and targeted steps to lessen the severity of this recession. We must continue to take bipartisan action to restore confidence in our economy and must closely examine our financial system. Conservative, moderate, and liberal economists all agree that strong action, which will put Americans back to work and restore confidence in our future, is required.
Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue.
Please visit my website at http://cardin.senate.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter.
More on that tomorrow. Here's Senator Cardin's view on the bailout and fiscal responsibility. Let me know what you think.
Dear Mr. Wolfe:
Thank you for contacting me about our nation's financial crisis. Please know that supporting Marylanders during this crisis is a top priority.
These are challenging times for our nation's economy and all Americans. We need to take strong action that will put Americans back to work and restore confidence in our future. If consumer spending sinks and financial markets continue to falter, more Americans risk losing their jobs and their homes. What began in the housing market and moved to the financial markets has turned into a serious world-wide economic recession. We must get the global financial system working again. It is essential for transactions from the purchase of an automobile or home, to starting a business or stabilizing the stock market.
Congress is working diligently to enact bipartisan reforms to ameliorate our nation's dire financial situation. In February 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery + Reinvestment Act (ARRA), a $789 billion stimulus package. ARRA will save 66,000 jobs in Maryland and more than 3.5 million jobs nationwide. I supported ARRA and I co-sponsored the Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 (S. 2636), which includes crucial measures to help families keep their homes.
I am committed to taking timely and targeted steps to lessen the severity of this recession. We must continue to take bipartisan action to restore confidence in our economy and must closely examine our financial system. Conservative, moderate, and liberal economists all agree that strong action, which will put Americans back to work and restore confidence in our future, is required.
Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue.
Please visit my website at http://cardin.senate.gov to sign up for my e-newsletter.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Public Option
The Health Care Debate continues and now it is Democrat against Democrat in whether a Public or Government financed option needs to be part of the package. Rockefeller of West Virginia wants the government option to follow the payment plan set up for Medicare recipients. Schumer of New York wants to discuss options then come up with a formula.
Of course the big questions is - Who is going to pay for this? Where will the funding come from to initiate this government run Health Care Organization?
Those of us already satisfied with our health plans will not be in favor of our tax dollars, especially increased tax dollars, going to finance this option.
The majority of people who will opt for this option are low income, or unemployed, so they will not be able to pay premiums. (At least Medicare recipients have their Medicare premium deducted from their monthly Social Security check.)
Without increasing taxes I do not believe the government plan will have the funding it needs. All the savings by tightening down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud will not be seen for years, if they ever actually appear.
I agree that all people need health coverage. But let's be honest and say the truth. For health care reform to work all the American public is going to have to pay. There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that will finance this reform. The only pot of gold is the one from our pay checks, those of us who are lucky enough to be working these days.
The liberals can ask for everything under the sun. What they need to do is explain simply and clearly how they plan on paying for the reform.
Its Common Sense!
Of course the big questions is - Who is going to pay for this? Where will the funding come from to initiate this government run Health Care Organization?
Those of us already satisfied with our health plans will not be in favor of our tax dollars, especially increased tax dollars, going to finance this option.
The majority of people who will opt for this option are low income, or unemployed, so they will not be able to pay premiums. (At least Medicare recipients have their Medicare premium deducted from their monthly Social Security check.)
Without increasing taxes I do not believe the government plan will have the funding it needs. All the savings by tightening down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud will not be seen for years, if they ever actually appear.
I agree that all people need health coverage. But let's be honest and say the truth. For health care reform to work all the American public is going to have to pay. There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that will finance this reform. The only pot of gold is the one from our pay checks, those of us who are lucky enough to be working these days.
The liberals can ask for everything under the sun. What they need to do is explain simply and clearly how they plan on paying for the reform.
Its Common Sense!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
G8 to G20
This week there was a meeting first in New York with the leaders of the world at the United Nations, and then later in the week there was a meeting of the G20 in Pittsburgh.
Remember when it was the G8? Things are changing, especially in the world economy, and if the USA is not careful, although we will always be a consumer nation, what kind of producer we are will be up for grabs.
After all, the name of the game is look for cheap labor, which means out sourcing. That practice has helped India and China to rise on the world economic field and others are following suit.
As world competition grows, it is time for companies in the USA, as well as the labor unions, to begin rethinking their partnerships and come up with ways for American products built in America be on the top of the field.
When you go into a store, just how many items do you find that say "Made in the USA"?
Let's face it, China has us beat hands down, and products from other countries are rising. Our stores may sell the products, but they are not products made here by our labor force.
America needs to get producing, or we are headed on a down hill ride that will eventually lead to third world status.
Its Common Sense!
Remember when it was the G8? Things are changing, especially in the world economy, and if the USA is not careful, although we will always be a consumer nation, what kind of producer we are will be up for grabs.
After all, the name of the game is look for cheap labor, which means out sourcing. That practice has helped India and China to rise on the world economic field and others are following suit.
As world competition grows, it is time for companies in the USA, as well as the labor unions, to begin rethinking their partnerships and come up with ways for American products built in America be on the top of the field.
When you go into a store, just how many items do you find that say "Made in the USA"?
Let's face it, China has us beat hands down, and products from other countries are rising. Our stores may sell the products, but they are not products made here by our labor force.
America needs to get producing, or we are headed on a down hill ride that will eventually lead to third world status.
Its Common Sense!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Democratic Power
I see that Vice-President Biden swore in Paul Kirk as temporary Senator of Massachusetts, giving the Democrats their 60 seats in the Senate.
Frankly, I am not happy that the Obama Administration used the Kennedy influence to insure he has enough votes to ram Health Care Reform through the Congress if the Republicans do not get any of the compromises they are seeking.
The state of Massachusetts decided years ago on a policy to replace a US Senator and I feel that policy should be respected. If the citizens of Massachusetts want to change the policy, then there should be a state referendum and a decision made by the people, not some lawmakers looking for payback at a later date.
Between asking the governor of New York not to run, and pushing for the governor of Massachusetts to give them a friendly man for the Senate, I think the Obama Administration are stepping out of bounds.
Blatant interference is not the way to inspire the confidence of the people.
These actions are a disappointment. Obama, and especially his team need to be a little more considerate of the feelings of the American public or they just might discover they are in for a short time in Washington.
Its Common Sense!
Frankly, I am not happy that the Obama Administration used the Kennedy influence to insure he has enough votes to ram Health Care Reform through the Congress if the Republicans do not get any of the compromises they are seeking.
The state of Massachusetts decided years ago on a policy to replace a US Senator and I feel that policy should be respected. If the citizens of Massachusetts want to change the policy, then there should be a state referendum and a decision made by the people, not some lawmakers looking for payback at a later date.
Between asking the governor of New York not to run, and pushing for the governor of Massachusetts to give them a friendly man for the Senate, I think the Obama Administration are stepping out of bounds.
Blatant interference is not the way to inspire the confidence of the people.
These actions are a disappointment. Obama, and especially his team need to be a little more considerate of the feelings of the American public or they just might discover they are in for a short time in Washington.
Its Common Sense!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
