Is BP oil disaster Obama's Katrina or Bush's second Katrina?

It has been close to two months since a British Petroleum's off-shore oil rig exploded, killing 11 workers and spilling millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. While the biggest concern at this point is stopping the leak, there is also the issue of how this will play out politically for the Obama Administration.

Before we get into the politics of this issue and whether or not our federal government has done enough to remedy the situation, I first must say that I hope this spill is a wake up call to Americans who are on the fence in terms of off-shore drilling, including the thick headed "Drill Baby Drill" thugs and our president, who supports "safe" off-shore drilling - as if there is such a thing. Since the oil has started flowing up on the shores of four U.S. states, it has been heartbreaking to see the oil soaked birds, gasping for breath, not being able to move. It would be nice, if nothing else, we could take the BP executives, give them a good old fashion tar and feathering, and parade them down the streets of New Orleans, where they may or may not be stoned to death by onlookers. But in a capitalistic society, where the rich are protected by our elected officials, such an act of justice will never occur.

It is sad that due to our dependency on fossil fuels and capitalism and corruption within the Bush Administration, we have had to subject our people and environment to such pain. But we can't turn back the clocks now, so all we can do is move forward and fix the problem and clean up the Gulf.

While the oil continues to billow into the Gulf, the biggest question, aside from stopping the leak, has been, "has President Obama shown enough emotion?" Not, "has the government done enough?," which in many ways it has because the president has had the best scientists and engineers in the country working on fixing the leak since it started - hell, he was even ahead of BP and the media in terms of responding. But the media is more concerned with how unemotional the president is, as if they are just now realizing that Obama is a thinker and not one that wears his emotions on his sleeve - we all know how that worked out the last eight years. This question of course is not necessarily a concern of the people, but rather some creation of the media, both on the left and right. I mean what do these bastards want, for Obama to fall down to his knees on the beaches of Louisiana, gripping oil soaked sand in his fists and screaming and crying at the heavens "Die BP Die!" I mean really people, the guy is more like Ghandi, and less like Randy Marsh. And maybe it is just me but I prefer a level headed leader, instead of some drama queen. But in a world ruled by reality television, it is no surprise that we now need crying and temper tantrums for our president to prove that he is upset over a specific event. And just because I don't expect the president to be someone he is not, does not mean I wouldn't like to see more pressure put on BP to fix the spill and clean up the mess. But we also can't lose sight of the fact that our president is dealing with a number of pertinent issues right now, including but not limited to: two wars, an unstable economy, high jobless rate, Iran's nuclear program, a potential civil war between North Korea and South Korea and Israel's strangle hold on Gaza.

But as the oil continues to pour into the Gulf, pundits are asking, "is this Obama's Katrina." While others, like Time Magazine columnist, Joe Klein, have pointed out that this is actually "Bush's second Katrina." While I would like to blame the spill on Bush, which would not be a long shot considering his utter lack of regulation over his friends in the oil industry, this is in fact President Obama's problem, even if it was the policies of the previous administration that paved the way for such a disaster to occur. And while the spill might in the end effect as many or more people's lives than Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 combined, to correlate an environmental disaster with the death of thousands to me is a long shot. The fact is Obama does not have the capabilities to stop the leak, only the oil companies, who possess the technology and research to contain such a spill, can fix the mess. While we can all sympathize with the 11 workers who died in the off-shore rig explosion that caused the spill, in reality it is incomparable to the loss of life we witnessed during Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. In the end the real victims of this disaster will be the animal life living in the Gulf. And while it is a great shame that so much animal life will die, and as painful as the images are to watch on TV, in the world in which we live, the mass loss of animal life and human life is incomparable. Because when 3,000 people die we mourn, hold candle light vigils and feel the pain of the loved ones they left behind. When 3,000 birds die, we say, "what a shame," and ask, "what's for dinner, chicken?" Like it or not, it's the truth.

In the end it may take decades to restore the Gulf to what it was prior to the spill, but it will be how the president responds to the clean up that will determine his fate in history, not the fact that the spill is still occurring or how he emotionally responded.

Currently, BP has made some progress at capping the leak, but it is now looking like it wont be stopped until August, when the relief wells are scheduled to be drilled. Earlier this week, the company successfully put a "top hat" over the leaking pipe and collected 11,000 gallons of oil in the first day, which they suspect is only one-third of the oil billowing out of the pipe. 

And while we would all like to see an emotional leader, we cant ask for someone to be something they're not. But what we do have in our president, if nothing else, is a thoughtful leader who I trust will do everything in his power to clean up the mess BP made once the spill is finally capped. And in the end that is what matters most. Well that and creating jobs.

Obama kills at White House Correspondents dinner

President Barack Obama took advantage of his chance to roast himself and critics last night at the annual White House Correspondents dinner.

The WHCA dinner has become a tradition since 1920, and 13 presidents have attended since Calvin Coolidge first attended in 1924. The event, that used to feature singing and big-name performers has since taken the form of a roast.

In recent years, the event has fallen short due to major national tragedies, such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the Siege at Waco, Texas, the Columbine shooting, and the Virginia Tech Massacre. Another tragedy almost marred this year's event, when New York City police discovered a car bomb in Times Square. The police were able to diffuse the bomb before it detonated.

Along with President Obama, Jay Leno performed a skit that many considered to pale in comparison to President Obama's. Above is the full-video of both President Obama and Jay Leno's stand-up at the dinner. Enjoy!

President Obama makes surprise visit to Afghanistan

President Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, where he met with President Hamid Karzai and American troops earlier today.

The trip was Obama's first visit to Afghanistan, where he has heightened American military efforts in recent months by adding a surge of 30,000 American troops much along the same lines of the effort exhibited in Iraq during the Bush Administration. 

And the heightened effort by the America troops was one of the main reasons Obama made the trip,

"One of the main reasons I'm here is to just say thank you for the incredible efforts of our US troops and our coalition partners. They make tremendous sacrifices far away from home, and I want to make sure they know how proud their commander-in-chief is of them," Obama said.

Obama later spoke to approximately 2,000 soldiers in Bagram, thanking them for their service.

Obama also found time to speak with President Karzai for about 25-30 minutes. The administration has criticized Karzai's rule as corrupt and ineffective in the past. Karzai won reelection last August, in an election that was marred in fraud and corruption, making the administration wonder if he was capable of uniting the people of Afghanistan. 

It does appear that the president is keeping his eye on Karzai, especially since his decision to deploy additional troops to the war torn country. I do hope he is keeping Karzai on a short leash because if he can't control his own administration, how in the world is Obama gonig to entrust turning the country over to him? For it is he we are entrusting in rebuilding the military, uniting the people and running the country once we leave in July 2011, and right now it is not a promising prospect.

While the issue of Karzai's leadership is a major concern for every party involved in the war, it was good to see the commander-in-chief show up and support the troops for which he put in harms way.

Obama and Medvedev agree to nuclear arms reduction treaty

When President Barack Obama was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize last year, it was not because of his dealing with America's two wars or his inspiring rhetoric, but rather his vision of a world without nuclear weapons. And after the announcement of a historic nuclear arms reduction treaty between Russia and the United States yesterday, it appears President Obama has moved one step closer to a world free of nuclear weapons.

After the 1991 Start Treaty expired last December, officials from both countries had been trying to reach a deal. And now it appears the two superpowers have reached a breakthrough in relations that will significantly reduce each nations nuclear arsenals and delivery systems as the treaty is reported to call for a reduction to between 1,500 and 1,675 warheads and 500 to 1,100 delivery systems including missiles and bombers. The previous treaty permitted each side a maximum of 2,200 warheads and 1,600 launch vehicles.

White House officials are being cautious about touting President Obama's much needed foreign policy accomplishment before the two sides have actually met to sign the treaty. However, it is expected that President Obama and Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, will meet in the Czech capital of Prague in the next two weeks to sign the treaty into law. 

This is a major foreign policy success for President Obama, who during the election had been sharply criticized by the right for his lack of experience in the field. However, since then, the president has helped to amend the U.S. relationship with the rest of the world, had major successes in defeating the Taliban and al Qaeda in the War on Terror and has brought leaders from around the world together to help fight global warming. Following the signing of the historic health care bill and the annoucement of the nuclear arms reduction treaty this week, President Obama appears to have passed the first-year learning curve that all presidents encounter and is beginning to carve his own path as a great American president.

House passes historic health care bill; Tea Baggers threaten to blow up hosptials

So the long awaited day has finally arrived America, health care is now considered a right in our great country and not a privilege, after members of the House voted in favor of moving forward with President Barack Obama's historic health care legislation late Sunday night.

Just before the vote, Speaker Nancy Pelosi secured the remaining votes to ensure passage as Democrats voted 219-212 to send the legislation to the president's desk. Not a single Republican supported the measure.

"We will be joining those who established Social Security, Medicare and now, tonight, health care for all Americans," Pelosi told House members as she brought the debate to a close.

The bill, which was a life-long goal of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, will finally get rid of insurance companies right to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions, reduce the budget deficit by $1.3 trillion dollars over the next two decades and ensure health care for more than 30 million Americans through mandates and entitlement subsidies, among a number of other measures to ensure Americans of all ages can obtain quality, affordable health care. While Americans can expect to see many of the reforms enacted within the next three to six months, a number of other reforms will take three years to implement.

"This isn't radical reform, but it is major reform," Obama said after the House vote.

After all of the fear perpetrated by the Republican party has faded, I think we will remember this health care bill as one of the most important pieces of legislation in our country's history - for what could be more important than protecting our own people from the money-grubbing swine's who run the insurance companies. In terms of the angry opposition, which included  Tea Party activists shouting racial slurs and anti-gay remarks and spitting on Democratic Congressman over the weekend, we must remember that all of the great pieces of legislation in this country have been passed under harsh opposition from the right (i.e. Medicare, Social Security and Civil Rights) - all of which most Americans today could not imagine living with out.

While a many weak minded Americans will continue to oppose the health care bill, due to lies that have been perpetrated by Republicans and members of the nutty right-wing media, the rest of us finally will be able to know that our government will no longer allow big insurance companies to decide our fate through health care. No longer will 40,000 Americans have to die each year because they were denied health care or could not afford coverage. No longer will women and children be dropped because of preexisting conditions. These are not evil reforms, these are reforms that will help curb costs and make the system more efficient for all of us, even those that oppose it. And at the end of the day its about protecting every American from a broken health care system.

I think it is time for all Americans, even the Tea Party nuts, to take a step back and look through all the smoke screens and think about all of the lives, including their own, that will be saved because of this piece of legislation. Is the bill perfect, not by any means, but will it go along ways to curb costs and ensure health care is a right and not a privilege for all Americans, "you betcha."

The president is expected to sign the bill Tuesday and it could take a week for Senate Democrats to pass amendments to the bill by the House through reconciliation. After that, millions of Americans will be able to sleep easier at night, knowing that their families are safe from bankruptcy and death, because our government decided to finally stand up for the people and not the insurance companies.

"We proved that we are still a people capable of doing big things," Obama said. "We proved that this government - a government of the people and by the people - still works for the people."

What the bill will do for you:

    * Small businesses will get tax credits to help them cover employees. Seniors will get rebates on prescription pills, closing the so-called donught holes in Medicare.

    * Within six months insurance companies will not be able to drop people who get sick. Children will be able to stay on parents insurance until they are 26, and can not be denied because of a preexisting condition.

    * Most people, who already have health insurance through their employers, will not be affected. Almost everyone who is uninsured will be required to buy coverage, or face penalties.

    * Low income people will get subsidies or be eligible for expanded Medicaid coverage.

    * Starting in 2014, people who don't have insurance through their jobs will be able to buy insurance in new state run insurance exchanges.

    * Premiums will be capped at a percentage of income ranging from 3 percent to 9.5 percent.

Rep. Murphy to vote "yes" on health care reform

Rep. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, who has been wavering on whether to vote in favor of the President Barack Obama's proposed health care reform bill, announced today that he would in fact vote "yes."

Murphy who voted against the prior bill introduced in the House, says he can support the president's version because it will help small businesses and families and reforms Medicare to protect against waste and fraud.

"I did read it all. That's the way I approach solving problems. This is an important issue. People deserve that from their representative. I was amazed as how many other people went out and could tell you how they were going to vote before it was even written," Murphy said.

Murphy's decision comes after local Democrats had amped up their support of the bill by protesting outside his office and making thousands of calls to the first-term congressman's office to pressure him into voting in favor of the bill.

The announcement comes as Speaker Nancy Pelosi fights to obtain the needed 216 votes to pass health care reform. President Obama is expected to meet with the House Democratic caucus Saturday, prior to an anticipated Sunday vote.

Obama: jobs bill a good start, but by no means enough

President Barack Obama signed a $38 billion jobs bill today that is intended to give the nation a jobs boost through $18 billion in tax breaks for small businesses and $20 billion in highway and transit programs.

The bill, which is the first of several jobs measures promised by Democrats this year, was hailed by Obama as essential, "but by no means enough."

Democrats are hopeful that the legislation could create around 250,000 jobs though the end of the year. There have been  $8.4 million jobs lost since the start of the recession.

"Many of them [small business owners] are on the fence right now about whether to bring on that extra worker or two, or whether to hire anyone at all," Obama said. "This jobs bill should help make their decision that much easier."

The bill was supported on a bipartisan basis with 11 Republicans among the 68 senators who voted in favor of the bill, which has to make many of one wonder who the 32 senators are that voted against putting Americans back to work.

Health care advocates "fired up" for reform

After hearing calls for health care reform "now," from a fired up President Barack Obama on Monday, pro-health care advocates fought back against insurance company executives at Dupont Circle in Washington, DC on Tuesday - leading a heated protest against the current deadlock that is holding up the proposed health care bill in Congress.

More than 1,000 protesters, including a representatives of organized labor, made up the mob as they made their way through the streets of our nation's Capitol. Joining them was former Governor of Vermont, Howard Dead, who told the crowd, "We deserve a vote! Are you for the insurance companies or are you for the American people?"

One protester called for a "citizens arrest" of lobbyists for their crimes against health care - more than 40,000 Americans die each year because of a lack of affordable health insurance.

While White House officials expect the House to pass the Senate's version of health care by March 18. No Republicans are expected to vote for the historic reform.

"The Republicans are ... proving themselves the party of 'no,' " Dean told protesters.

It's about time the American people, and liberals, started standing up for what is right in this health care debate. While only 25 percent of Americans currently support the bill, when Americans are asked if they support specific aspects of the bill they are overwhelmingly support it. The problem in terms of public opinion does not lie in whether people believe the bill is bad, but rather the process it has taken to get something passed. The same thing happened during the Clinton administration, where a majority of Americans supported health care reform at the beginning of the debate, public support started to wain as the debate went on and the bill was eventually abandoned. This same tedious process, along with heinous lies from the right, are what have led the American people into being manipulated into believing that health care reform is wrong for them, their family and America.

However, a little protesting as we all know can go a long way into gaining public support for an issue, even if people have no clue what it is about - just look at the Tea Baggers.

"Fired up, Ready to go!"

Looking to post some video of the protest later.

Obama describes 16 ways health care reform will help Americans

In his weekly address, President Barack Obama described 16 ways the proposed health care bill will help reform the broken system currently in place, if and when it passes.

Hold Insurance Companies Accountable:

1. Eliminate lifetime limits and restrictive annual limits on benefits in all new plans. (!!)
2. Prohibit rescissions of health insurance policies in all individual plans.
3. Prohibit pre-existing condition exclusions for children in all new plans. (!!)
4. Require premium rebates to enrollees from insurers with high administrative expenditures and require public disclosure of the percent of premiums applied to overhead costs.
5. Establish a process for the annual review of unreasonable increases in premiums, requiring State insurance commissioners to work with the HHS Secretary and States. (!!)

Protect Consumers:

6. Provide grants to States to support health insurance consumer assistance and ombudsman programs to help consumers.
7. Ensure consumers have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal new insurance plan decisions. (!!)
8. Require all insurance plans to use uniform coverage documents so consumers can make easy comparisons when shopping for health insurance. (!!)
9. Establish an internet portal to assist Americans in identifying coverage options. (!!)
10. Prohibit insurers from discriminating in favor of highly compensated employees by charging them lower premiums.

Ensure Affordable Choices and Quality Care:

11. Provide immediate access to insurance for uninsured Americans who are uninsured because of a pre-existing condition through a temporary high-risk pool. (!!)
12. Create a temporary re-insurance program for early retirees. (!!)
13. Require new plans to cover an enrollee’s dependent children until age 26. (!!)
14. Require new plans to cover preventive services and immunizations without cost-sharing
15. Offer tax credits to small businesses to purchase coverage. (!!)
16. Facilitate administrative simplification to lower health system costs.

Source: The White House Blog

Obama shows no spine in considering military tribunal for 9/11 masterminds

President Barack Obama could be bending over to the same kind of fear mongering that has imprisoned the minds of Americans for close to a decade, after a senior White House adviser revealed earlier today that the administration is considering trying alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and four of his co-conspirators, in a  military court, instead of a civilian one in New York City.

If the president does decide to try the 9/11 terrorists in a military tribunal instead of civilian court, it would be a major blow to finding any kind of justice in the war on terror, not to mention American values.

"If the president flip-flops and retreats to the Bush military commissions, he will betray his campaign promise to restore the rule of law, demonstrate that his principles are up for grabs and lose all credibility with Americans who care about justice and the rule of law," Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, told CNN.

The fact is if we as a country decide to back down on Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to try these scumbags in civil court, we are basically saying that we don't believe in our justice system, and in many ways proves to the terrorists that good can not triumph over evil.

And if you don't think this is true, ask a native of a Middle Eastern country who has been victimized by terrorists themselves. I have had many eye-opening conversations with a friend from Pakistan who I met while writing an article about a family of Pakistani natives who had been forced to flee their country due to threats from terrorist organizations in their homeland. He told me that the only way we are going to show the terrorist "bastards" right from wrong, good from evil, is to show terrorists how a virtuous justice system can prosecute them and make them pay for their crimes. And he is right. For how are we supposed to make ourselves out to be the good guys if we are killing alleged terrorists without a proper trial. In many ways it lowers us to their level and gives terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda another recruiting tool to bolster their efforts.

“I would be deeply saddened if this thing would be reversed,” said retired Army Major General William L. Nash. “It would give aid to our enemies. It would lessen our relationship with allies who have been extremely happy with the reversal of course we have taken. This is not the time to be scared.”

Not only does trying these sick fucks in a civil court make us stronger and more just in our cause to defeat terrorism, but it is also proven that civilian courts have a higher conviction rate than military tribunals in terrorist trials. Civilian courts boast an 88 percent conviction rate on 828 trials, compared to a 15 percent conviction rate on 20 terrorist trials conducted in military tribunals - with two of the five convicted terrorists later being released.

The other major argument against trying the 9/11 attackers in a civilian court is the estimated $200 million price tag and the assumption that such a trial will make us more vulnerable to a terrorist attack. NEWS FLASH! Terrorists want to attack and kill Americans, not to mention if they are going to attack our nation again it is most likely going to occur in our largest and greatest city. And in terms of cost, it is going to cost us a fortune to hold these trials whether they are held in downtown Manhattan or rural Illinois.

In the end, if the president decides to try Mohammed and his co-conspirators in a military tribunal it will most likely have more to do with public opinion and other political leaders who object to such a trial than a fear that our justice system can not effectively try and convict the five terrorists. A recent public opinion poll shows that six in 10 Americans support using military tribunals to try non citizens charged with terrorism. However, six in 10 Americans also believe Mohammad and his co-conspirators should be tried on U.S. soil and not foreign soil.

However, while a small majority of Americans believe terrorists should be tried in military tribunals, September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, a group of more than 200 relatives of victims of the attacks, issued a statement saying they were “deeply troubled” by reports that the accused terrorists in the 9/11 plot might not receive a civilian trial after all.

“Civilian trials in federal courts have resulted in hundreds of successful terrorism prosecutions whereas military commissions are an illegitimate system that undermines the rule of law,” Donna O’Connor, a spokeswoman for the group, said.

But all I want to know is, 'what happened to the America where "there was nothing to fear but fear itself."' This country has faced far greater threats than terrorist attacks in our history, why now have we decided to act like spineless little bitches when it comes to showing the world that we are just and right in our cause in the world.

Grow some balls Mr. President, the right decisions are never the easy ones, for if they were we would all be terrorists. And as for my fellow Americans, stop being fearful of terrorists and start standing up to these bastards, because continuing to fear them means in the end they win.

Obama goes toe to toe with Republicans at health care summit

President Barack Obama's historic health care summit Thursday ended with Democrats realizing that if they are going to reform our nation's health care system they are going to have to do it alone - surprise, surprise!

In an impassioned last ditch effort plea to influence Republicans that health care is not a privilege but rather a right for all Americans, the nation's most powerful Democrats made the case for the most important issue not only facing the nation, but the party's political future.

During the live broadcast summit, it was clear early on that Republicans and Democrats had no real intention of trying to iron out a deal that would bring affordable health care to more than 40 million Americans currently living without it.While both sides conceded that they agreed on a majority of the measures in the Senate and House bills, neither would budge on a number of issues dividing the two parties on the the bill, including the Democratic bid to use the federal government to regulate health insurance, subsidize coverage for tens of millions of Americans and reshape the nation's health care system.

While both groups stuck to their talking points throughout the near eight hour summit, the vocabulary and depth of talking points on the Republican side made the group sound like a broken record as they continually attempted to convey their message to Democrats that Congress should just start over and pass measures "incrementally," instead of as one bill. Yes, you heard that correctly after a year of debate over heatlh care Congress should just start all over - makes a lot of sense especially considering both the House and Senate have already passed versions of a bill.

Democrats, however, argued that such an option would not work because the health care system is too big and everyone needed to be in one pool if the highly complicated system was going to work under the reforms. The late Sen. Ted Kennedy, who fought for health care reform up until the time of his death last year, wrote in his memoir, "True Compass," about how former President Jimmy Carter had wanted to pass health care in incremental steps, over time, instead of in one bill. In response to why this strategy would fail, Kennedy told Carter, "I don't think you can go to an elderly group and say, 'You're in...the second phase [of coverage], but if we pass the first [phase] and if hospitals keep their costs down and the economy doesn't go so much into a deficit, then you might be phased in."

Kennedy also made a point following the quote in which he said Carter had originally wanted a single payer, one bill system, but had decided to go against it because he felt, if successful, it would give Kennedy a platform to challenge him for the presidency. Kennedy explains though that Carter made a poor political calculation in this instance, because if they had passed comprehensive national health insurance together, Kennedy writes, it would have been a huge victory for Carter - making it harder for Kennedy to challenge him for the presidency, which he later did.

This leads us to a point that goes beyond a fundamental difference between how Republicans and Democrats view we should fix health care. And that point is that Republicans, no matter how much Democrats bend to their wishes, are not going to vote for health care reform, because they don't want to do anything that might help President Obama get reelected in 2012.

In the end, while the summit gives Democrats a specific instance too point to in terms of seeking bipartisan support for the bill, it sets the stage for Democrats to pursue a go-it-alone strategy that will include the House passing the Senate bill and the Senate making provisions to their bill through a budget procedure called reconciliation - which Republicans are already complaining about. Although, it should be noted that Republicans have enacted the procedure of reconciliation on a number of occasions in recent decades, most notably using it to pass the Bush tax cuts for the rich. But the Republicans challenge of the Democrats use of reconciliation should come as no surprise as the Republican motto has always been "do as I say, not as I do."

While the summit could be viewed as pure political theater, it does in fact signal that the end of the health care debate is in sight. While voters did not see lawmakers actually tackle a specific issue and come to an agreement, it did in many ways show that both parties have their own ideas, right or wrong, on how to ensure a better health care system for Americans. Either way, one thing is for sure, health care is going to be passed with or without Republican support, which should in the end be a huge win for Democrats and even a bigger win for the American people.

CNN Poll: Americans place blame on Republicans and Dems for partisan divide

While Republicans continue to point fingers at the White House for not doing enough to involve them in the legislative process, a new opinion poll conducted by CNN/Opinion Research Corporation shows two-thirds of Americans think that the Republicans in Congress are not doing enough to cooperate with President Barack Obama.

The poll, which had its results released Wednesday, showed 67 percent of people questioned in the survey think that the GOP is not doing enough to cooperate with the White House - a number that is up six points since last April. However, President Obama and Democrats are not completely left without blame in the poll, as 52 percent of people think the president is not doing enough to cooperate with the GOP, while 47 percent say he is doing enough to reach across the isle. The poll also shows that most Americans believe the Democrats should be the first ones to reach across the political isle to strike a deal.

"That's a big change from last spring, when Obama was still in the honeymoon phase of his first term," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland told CNN. "Congressional Republicans were familiar to Americans, but Obama was new to them, so his early attempts to reach out to the GOP continued to resonate even after it became clear that bipartisanship was not within easy reach."

To learn more about the poll, visit Full results (pdf)

President Obama unveils new health care bill

After focusing his attention on passing health care reform for nearly a year, President Obama has finally taken the bull by the horns and revealed his own health care plan.

The trillion dollar plan presented by Obama on Monday, is aimed at bridging the bills previously passed by the Senate and House last year. It intends to extend coverage to 31 million Americans currently living without health care, not to mention it will expand Medicare prescription drug coverage, increase federal subsidies to help people buy insurance and give the federal government new authority to block excessive rate hikes by health insurance companies.

Sadley, the bill does not include a public option, which many Democrats have proposed passing through reconciliation in recent weeks. But it does eliminate an unpopular provision in the Senate bill that exempted Nebraska from paying increased Medicaid expenses, in return for Sen. Ben Nelson's vote.

Administration officials expect the plan to cut the deficit by $100 billion over the next 10 years. The total cost of the bill is estimated at $950 billion over the next decade.

The release of Obama's bill sets the stage for the upcoming heatlh care summit with top Republicans on Thursday. Obama hopes the bill will force Republicans to come up with their own plan, instead of just bitching about plans proposed by Democrats. 

To learn more about President Obama's plan, visit www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting

What will the president's proposal mean for you?

Q: Will my premiums / costs go up because of health reform?

A: No.

• According to the independent and non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, people who get coverage through their employer today will likely see lower premiums.
• Reform will lower premiums by reducing administrative costs, increasing competition between insurance companies and creating a larger pool of insured Americans.
• And remember, the cost of doing nothing is high. In ten years, health care spending for each employee at an average big company will be $28,530.

Q: Will I be required to provide coverage that I can’t afford?

A: No.

• The President’s proposal  does not require that small businesses provide coverage to their employees. Instead, the President’s proposal  provides tens of billions of dollars in new tax-credits to small businesses to make it easier for them to provide coverage if they choose to do so.
• Today, small businesses pay up to 18 percent more than large firms for the same health insurance policy.  The independent and non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that with health insurance reform, premiums for small businesses will go down. 
• In addition, you will be protected from sudden, arbitrary rate hikes because a worker get sick;  because insurance companies will no longer be permitted to base the cost of coverage on health status.

Q: I have Medicare, will my benefits be cut?

A: No. 

• Your guaranteed Medicare benefits will not be cut. 
• In addition, you will have benefits you don’t have today:  Preventive services like cancer screenings at no cost, and a substantial reduction in prescription drug prices if you fall into that gap in coverage known as the “donut hole”.  Over time the bill closes this coverage gap completely.  And the Medicare Trust Fund will be extended for more than nine years, making sure that the Medicare program will be there for seniors now and in years to come.

Q: I don't have insurance, can I afford coverage?

A: Clearly, the system we have today is broken. If you don’t have health coverage, there’s no limit on how much insurance companies can charge you, and they can decide to refuse to sell you a policy at their whim. Health insurance reform will change all of that.

• For the first time in history, there will be limits on how much anyone will have to pay to receive health care coverage. And depending upon your income, you may be among the tens of millions of Americans who will get a tax credit to to help pay for your coverage. 
• And for the first time in history, insurance companies will no longer be allowed to simply tell you “no”. They will be required to offer coverage regardless of your health status, and they cannot jack up rates or drop you from your coverage when you get sick.

Q: I buy insurance, will I pay more than I am paying today?

A: No. 

• You will likely pay less---perhaps much less.  If you buy coverage like you have today on your own, premiums are expected to drop by 14 to 20 percent. If you get coverage through your job, premiums could decline by up to 3 percent.
• In addition, many Americans buying coverage in the individual market will qualify for tax credits that reduce their premiums by an average of nearly 60 percent – and they will get better coverage than what they have today.

Obama hails stimulus one year after its signing

While many right-wing politicians and pundits have relentlessly attacked the $787 billion economic stimulus bill over the past year, President Obama defended it today as he marked the one-year anniversary of signing the the controversial piece of legislation.

Upon signing the bill known as the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act last year, the legislation that the administration dubbed "the most sweeping economic recovery package in history", has added between 1.5 percent and 4 percent to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in each of the last three quarters of 2009, and is said to have created or saved $2.4 million jobs last year - although unemployment has increased from 8 percent to nearly 10 percent over that period. White House advisers say it is on track to create another 1.5 million jobs in 2010.

"One year later, it is largely thanks to the Recovery Act that a second depression is no longer a possibility," Obama told an audience of business owners and workers. "It is the main reason the economy has gone from shrinking by 6 percent to growing by about 6 percent."

Critics of the bill have argued that its cost was too great and hasn't been effective at creating jobs. However, most Independent economists agree that the stimulus package diverted the country from falling into another depression equal or greater to that of the Great Depression.

"You can argue rightly that we haven't made as much progress as we need to make when it comes to spurring job creation," Obama said. "That's part of the reason why I expect Congress to pass additional measures as quickly as possible that will help our small business owners create new jobs give them more of an incentive to hire."

The president also shot back at many of his political adversaries, saying that they enjoy chastising the bill every chance they get, but always show up at the ribbon cutting ceremonies to take credit for projects the stimulus package created

I think that if voters are going to hold anything against the president and his economic stimulus package it should be that it didn't go far enough in terms of spending, as many economists have already called for a second bail-out.

Whether the Tea Partiers, Republicans or Independents like it or not, sometimes you have to spend money to make money.

"A big part of the Recovery Act has been about investing in that future," Obama said. "Yes it created jobs now. Yes, it created business opportunities now. But more importantly, it's laying the foundation for where we need to go."

Obama's poll numbers rise

Since entering office with record poll numbers, President Barack Obama's approval rating has consistently dropped to levels below 50 percent. But following last week's State of the Union address and his question-and-answer session with Republicans, his numbers are starting to show an uptick as he enters his second year in office.

A recent Gallup daily tracking poll shows 50 percent of Americans approve of the job Obama is doing as president, while 44 percent disapprove. A Rasmussen daily tracking poll shows the president's approval rating is up four points from 45 percent of Americans approving of the job he is doing to 49 percent since Jan. 22. The number of Americans who disapprove of his job performance has also dropped five percentage points, leaving his disapproval rating at 50 percent.

It appears the president's recent performances have helped curve his poll numbers for the time being. While it has been a terrible month for the promising young president, his last week has certainly been the jump he has needed. He also appears to be retooling his message, which will either make or break the president in the polls in the coming weeks and months. Now the president just needs to get a legislative win.

History Up Close: One year since Obama assumed historic presidency

Editors note: On Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama took the oath of office on the same bible his political hero, Abraham Lincoln, used for his own swearing in. Instead of doing another story highlighting the successes and failures of the Obama administration over the past year. I thought it would be more fun to post a first hand account of my own experience at the historic inauguration last year. This piece originally appeared in Saratoga TODAY Newspaper and an abridged version also appeared in The Prescription's "A New Hope" issue.

Washington D.C. - The streets of our nation's Capital are jam-packed with a vast array of men, women and children of all races, creeds and backgrounds as the dawn of a new era in American history is about to be ushered in with the swearing-in of the nation's first African-American president, Barack Obama, as I arrive in downtown Washington D.C. Tuesday morning.

Just a few hours prior, my friend Mark and I had sat patiently aboard a Wade Tours bus awaiting our arrival at RFK Stadium. Nearly two hours later we had arrived in the heart of our nations Capital via shuttle bus - joining the long sprawling lines of people who walked through the streets as if they were there on a mission from God.

Vendors selling an array of merchandise from shirts to handbags to dog collars all donning Barack Obama's name and/or face are being sold on every street corner. The man who started out as a virtual unknown to the American people a little more than a year ago has now risen to rock star status as people swarm each vendor buying up merchandise as if it were going out of style.

After more than a mile walk through the record-breaking crowds my friend and I somehow make it into the National Mall via a barrier we are able to force our way over. Getting into the Mall is just short of a miracle as it is nearly impossible to maneuver our way around the porta-potties that are covered with supporters trying to get the best vantage point possible. With little choice we find ourselves herded like cattle into a spot a few hundred yards to the right of the Washington Monument just as the booming voice of Charlie Brotman - the announcer of every inauguration since 1957 - comes echoing throughout the 1.2 mile long corridor.

The sea of people that stand before us is overwhelming as I am knocked around like a pinball in a machine. Movement is limited as the notion of unity and togetherness begins to take on a whole new meaning.

The energy from the people courses throughout the Mall like electricity through water as the commotion of the crowd of approximately two million people scream, talk and chant as the living presidents are introduced on stage. Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton receive exceptionally grand ovations, but the announcement of both George Bush Sr. and Jr. is a totally different story. Just the mention of their names causes the crowd to erupt in an angry frenzy of "boos" - President Bush rightfully taking the brunt of the exchange as the crowd enters into an animated chant of "Na na na na na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye!"
The song sparks one child in back of me to ask his mother, "Are they being serious?" to which she replies "unfortunately, yes."

Our reaction, however, is something that only the millions in attendance witness as a man standing by us announces that the major news stations failed to air the crowd's reaction on television.

While the crowd enjoys the opportunity to heckle the Bush's, it is President-elect Obama for whom the multi-generational crowd has gathered in Washington to support and honor on the day.

Although it is impossible for most of us standing at the back of the monument to view one of the many jumbo television screens located along the perimeter of the Mall - the voices of those speaking on the steps of the Capitol can for the most part be heard clearly echoing through the crowd. As nice as it would be to see as well as hear, it is not Obama's face that drew more than 60 million Americans to vote for him or millions of others to trek from sea to shining sea to see him take the oath of office but rather his message and inspiration of a better more prosperous America.

As it is hard to hear over some inconsiderate people who insist on talking - though they are scorned by others around us - for the most part people are focused on each inspirational, hopeful word as they eloquently roll off the new President's tongue during his inaugural address.  

"We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions -- that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America," Obama proclaims. 

As people of all different races stood by listening to Obama call upon the American people for a greater good, it is hard for some - especially the African Americans present - to hold back the overwhelming emotions of centuries of oppression. For at first it was hard for me to understand why so many parents had brought their children to such an overwhelming, potentially dangerous event, but I now realize it was the promise that their children could now realistically dream that they too could one day stand before the American people as the country's commander-in-chief that made them take the chance of bringing their children along. In many ways it was the reason that future generations of all races of children were present to witness the moment because whether you agree with him or not, Obama's rise to power truly proves that anything is possible in America. In his speech, Obama too acknowledged this notion and the historic nature of his nomination to America's highest office.

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed -- why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath," Obama remarks.

The inspiration and hope that Obama has brought to the American people can be seen glistening in the eyes of the people as he finishes his address and the crowd turns to peacefully exit the Mall. Unlike our entrance, our exit is less chaotic as people help each other pass through the dense crowd. People remark about the kindness of others as a group of people stop to allow an older couple or a mother with two small children to pass by.

Although chaotic and potentially dangerous due to the enormity of the crowd, at no point was there anything other than peace and kindness emulating from those in attendance.

As we make our way through the buzzing streets and back to the shuttle buses, I see the presidential helicopter fly low overhead to give Bush one last chance to wave goodbye. As the plane trails off over the horizon, I observe that most people in the streets hardly even took the time to look up let alone wave at the low flying plane - a symbol, at least to me, that people were ready to put the last eight years behind them and look to the future.

My arrival back at the bus close to two hours later marks the end of the historic day. As I sit there waiting for the buses' departure from the parking lot through the two-hour-long line, I overhear a woman in the back speaking on the phone. Her words sum up the whole historical experience.

"I have never seen so much love for one person in my life," the woman says. "It was everything I imagined and more...you just had to be there."

The Lost War in Afghanistan

President Obama announced his decision last night to send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan for a period of 18 months. His decision, while not surprising, is disheartening to a person who not only supported him from the beginning, but has given him the benefit of the doubt through a tough first year in office. While I am not ready to abandon all hope on our new president's failure to provide the type of change I had envisioned during his campaign, time is ticking on him to start moving this country in the right direction.

Not that I or anyone else should be surprised at the move to send more troops to Afghanistan, considering he said throughout the campaign that he intended to focus our military efforts on the war, including the growing threat of terrorism in Pakistan for that matter. So it is hard to get upset or say, as some people have suggested, that he stole their vote. I think many people just wanted to hear what they wanted to hear when it came to Obama during the election and missed a lot of the substance.

But when I think of all the wasted lives and money, I can't help but know this is the wrong decision. Plus while President Obama uses many of the same arguments George W. Bush once did (i.e. attacks of 9/11, threat of al Qaeda) to sell the war, I just don't understand how we can think fighting a war in a third world country, against an enemy that couldn't even be picked out of a police line-up, is going to make America more safe. If anything our presence in Afghanistan, and our lack of focus on domestic issues at home, is what is making our nation more vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

What we should be doing is withdrawing from the Middle East, re-energizing our military at home, putting money into strengthening our boarders, but not to a degree where it jeopardizes our freedoms, because as Patrick Henry so famously proclaimed "give me liberty or give me death," and focusing our efforts on reducing the deficit, creating jobs, investing in energy and funding domestic programs like education and health care to ensure the future prosperity of America. If president Obama was to see this type of "change" then we could be on a road to prosperity and not constantly defending our interests against our fears of the world - for "there is nothing to fear but fear itself."

Not that I don't understand the president's reasoning and refusal to allow America to fail in a country that harbors the type of monsters that are the biggest threat to American security. Plus I know he doesn't feel President Bush ever did enough to make America successful in Afghanistan in the first place and Obama wants to give us the chance to win the war. As he said during the campaign "I am not against all wars, but I am against dumb wars."

While the number of additional troops is a problem for most Democrats, Republicans have a problem with the 18 month time table that intends to start withdrawing troops in the summer of 2011. This on the other hand is probably the one aspect of the plan that pleases most Democrats, because it sets a date we would like to believe will signal the end of the war. Of course, that withdrawl date hinders on how things are going on the ground, but you have to imagine if Obama expects to get re-elected in 2012 he will be withdrawing those troops no later than the summer of that year.

While this is a major blow to all of us Democrats, we have to give the president we elected a chance to do what he thinks is right for our nation. For if you were listening during the campaign you would have realized then that he intended to focus our efforts on the war in Afghanistan. Not that it makes his decision right, but if we are going to get through this the president has one right idea, we must be "united." And that is why I am giving the president my full-support until the summer of 2011. But if the troops aren't starting to come home at that time, then I have to withdraw my vote on election day 2012.

What I am thankful for this Thanksgiving

Before you run off to stuff your face full of delectable's this Thanksgiving, I figured I would leave you with a list of all the things I am thankful for in the past year in politics. Above, you will also find one of my favorite moments from last thanksgiving - "Sarah Palin pardons a thanksgiving turkey as others die around her." Classic Palin! But that's why we love her!

What I am thankful for:

President Barack Obama
He is off to a rough start and it might get even rougher after Tuesday's announcement that he will  commit more than 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, but in a decade that is already being deemed the "Decade from Hell," Obama has been one of the only high-points. Obama, not only captured our votes, but he also captured our hearts by promising hope in a time when Americans had all but lost it. For a short period of time Obama brought out the best in us, well most of us at least, and hopefully by next year that campaign magic will be back and so will the economy. 

Sarah Palin
I know, I know, I hate Sarah Palin as much as the next liberal, but thanks to her the 2008 election went from being a tight-race to a virtual landslide for Barack Obama. Plus, whether you like her or not, she always seems to make people laugh.

Health Care reform
We are not out of the woods concerning health care reform yet, but we are well on our way after the House approved a new health bill and the Senate voted in favor of moving forward with debate over the bill that includes a public option. It's not looking like the bill will get passed by the end of this year, but it has at least created a heated debate over health care and how to ensure it's a right and not a privilege.

The Dead reunite for Barack Obama
Couldn't resist this moment. While Barack Obama mania was sweeping the nation last year, three out of four of the members of legendary rock group, The Grateful Dead, reunited to perform a concert titled "Deadheads for Obama '08" at San Francisco's Warfield Theater in the young politicians honor. A few months later all four of the living members, including the Allman Brothers Band, performed another benefit at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University, which I had the honor of attending. Better yet, the reunion shows led to a 23 show run by the band for the first time since 2004 this past spring. And if you know me, there is nothing I am more grateful for than The Dead!

The end of the Bush Administration 
Who isn't thankful for the end of the Bush Administration, which saw the worst attacks ever launched on American soil, two unnecessary wars, a failure to adequately help our own people after Hurricane Katrina and the total annihilation of the economy and most of our basic human rights. If that wasn't enough, we also had to put up with the Idiot and Chief himself, not to mention the rest of the freaks in his administration (Cheney still won't seem to go away) for eight whole years. But it's all over now and we should all be thankful for that - even if we did get Sarah Palin in exchange. 

The Soldiers
And last but not least, the thing I am most thankful for is all the brave men and women who are overseas this holiday fighting to keep our country safe. While I don't agree with the wars, never have, never will, and I am fearful of the continuation of a lost war in Afghanistan, you have, and always will have, my full support, respect and appreciation.