~~By InsightAnalytical-GRL
At the start of the week, before all the hoopla over the first 100 Days of Obama Hell, it seems that a pesky group of moderate Democrats were a little bit edgy. Via Kenosha Marge:
Cap and trade hits speed bumps
Supporters of legislation to address climate change expected last week’s rollout of a cap-and-trade energy plan — complete with Earth Day events and an Al Gore appearance on Capitol Hill — would boost their efforts.
Instead, what they got was an earful from a group of moderate Democratic lawmakers, many of whom represent competitive seats, who said the policy would set their already-economically hard-hit districts even further back.
MORE
But the upset isn’t limited to those in competitive, targeted seats. Some Democrats in safe seats are also concerned about the possibility of sending more manufacturing jobs overseas as well as huge increases in energy costs in areas which depend on coal for energy.
Energy costs will go up for everyone, of course, so this may not be a bad idea. I saw an article several years ago on “small houses” in one of those Sunday magazine inserts, but this may be the time for this idea! Checkout the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company:
Philosophy
Dream Big. Build Small.
My name is Jay Shafer and since 1997 I have been living in a house smaller than some people’s closets. I call the first of my little hand built houses Tumbleweed. My decision to inhabit just 89 square feet arose from some concerns I had about the impact a larger house would have on the environment, and because I do not want to maintain a lot of unused or unusable space. My houses have met all of my domestic needs without demanding much in return. The simple, slower lifestyle my homes have afforded is a luxury for which I am continually grateful.
Shafer has plans for houses from 65 to 837 square feet and testimonials, plans, as well as pictures and videos of houses that have been built are at the site. They are really very nice! Can you imagine if all the “McMansions” were replaced by these little places?
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As Obama’s spending plans balloon, here’s a very succinct rundown of the problems that may be down the road. Again, via Kenosha Marge:
Obama’s Plans May Be Doomed by Unchecked Spending: Albert Hunt
Commentary by Albert R. Hunt
April 27 (Bloomberg) — “A hundred million there, a hundred million here, pretty soon, even in Washington, it adds up to real money,” President Barack Obama declared last week, paraphrasing a line attributed to the late Republican Senate leader, Everett Dirksen.
Hunt provides a list of the political realities of all these dreams. For example:
Social Security: The Obama administration knows that curbing the growth of entitlements is critical and that Social Security is an easier target than Medicare.
Former President George W. Bush’s attempt to institute private accounts was ill-conceived. The stock market crash has killed that approach for the foreseeable future.
Not That Hard
Yet a Social Security “fix,” which should command support from the center of both parties, isn’t very elusive. It could involve progressive indexation of benefits so wealthier retirees get less, small tax increases, and a gradual increase in the retirement-eligibility age as Americans live longer.
Many congressional Democrats, including the leaders, are as rigid in resisting this as Republicans are on taxes. They have told the White House: Don’t even think about setting up a commission to deal with Social Security or other entitlements.
On each of these measures, supporters avoid discussion of the fiscal costs and wrap themselves in buzzwords: family farms, small businesses, the “death tax,” protecting seniors. “Most of it is about labeling,” Reischauer says.
The small stuff, such as Obama’s directive to his agencies to cut a total of $100 million from their budgets, may score political points for the president. He’s talked a good game on some of the bigger-ticket items, while showing no inclination to fight for them. His apologists say he has higher priorities.
If it persists, this will produce one of two train wrecks: decimating his health-care and energy initiatives or imperiling a long term, fiscally sound economy.
This is a sobering read that even Obots could understand…
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THE PAST WEEK
*By Kenosha Marge
**By Grail Guardian
Saturday Sanity: The Antidote to the Madness (May 2, 2009) ORIOLES!
While Obama Blows Off Women’s Freedom as He Celebrates His First 100 Days, the Saudis He Bows to Clamp Down on Women Even More (UPDATE 1X – Souter Leaving Supreme Court)
*Holding Out for a Hero
**Spring Finally Arrives in New York! Hurray! Photos from Highland Park (Near Rochester)
Money Matters: “Banker to the Poor” In Impoverished Countries Now Lending in U.S.; “Money Goddess” Advises Obama Administration; IMF Bonds Update
The Past Week: April 19-25, 2009 (Pakistani Women Pushing Back; French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde Speaks; Doubts About Toxic Asset Plan; UK Blogs)
Filed under: Current Politics | Tagged: "moderate Democrats", Al Gore, Albert Hunt, Barack Obama, cap-and-trade energy plan, congressional Democrats, Earth Day, energy plans, Evertt Dirksen, George W. Bush, health-care plans, Jay Shafer, McMansions, Obots, Social Security, the economoy, Tumableweed Tiny House Company | 4 Comments »
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