Responsibility

The entire financial crisis began back in July of 2007 when there was a loss of confidence by investors in the value of mortgages in the United States. As a result, lawmakers hurried to inject a substantial amount of capital into the financial markets using the United States Federal Reserve Bank. Granted, no one can credit the current crisis to any one lawmaker or any one financial committee. The mess was bigger than anyone could have ever expected. But, many of the decisions made by lawmakers after the demise of the housing industry have only come to worsen an economy that was already sliding downward. That being said, I think it's time that Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Ben Bernanke, and Tim Geithner, and every other politician in Washington stop pointing fingers and own up to the mistakes that they have made during this grave situation. Because, it's not going to be government intervention that will solve our problems, but officials allowing time for the markets and industries to correct themselves. I think former President Herber Hoover put it best when speaking on this subject, "Economoic depression cannot be cured by legislative action or executive pronouncement. Economic wounds must be healed by the action of the cells of the economic body-the producers and consumers themselves."

Tough Times for President Obama

For maybe the first time in his political career, Obama is on the ropes! According to Rasmussen Reports, only 56% of Americans say that they approve of the President's performance so far, and only 35% of the folks believe that the country is heading in the right direction. Do these numbers sound similar to reports we were receiving during the end of the Bush Administration? You bet ya! Clearly, the President is worried by the diminishing poll numbers, the economy downfall, and the recent AIG developments. His solution...be a guest on the Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno! And to tell you the truth, maybe that isn't such a bad idea. Obama will work his smooth image that carried him through the election, and he'll answer softball questions while doing it. But, a few nights away from Corruptionville, USA isn't going to clean up an economic mess that would make the folks at Rumpke grimace. Clearly the country is on the backburner at the current time. And granted, he inherited a world of problems. But at the same time, he knew what he was getting into. Should things continue down this slipperly slope that Obama is creating, he will not be remebered as the change agent/FDR that he boasted he was during the campaign. Instead, he'll have to be likened to one of this country's finest fallen heros...Jimmy Carter...

The Voice of the GOP?

Is Conservative radio talk show giant Rush Limbaugh the voice of the GOP? After the Presidential Inauguration in January, Limbaugh buffed up his criticism of Obama saying that he hoped Obama would fail in office. Lately, many officials within the Obama White House, with special emphasis on Rahm Emanuel (Obama's Chief of Staff), have leveled attacks at Rush, clearly viewing him as a threat to the Democrats success in Washington. Michael Steele, the current RNC Chairman, went on CNN this past Saturday night calling many of Rush's remarks about Obama "ugly" and "incendiary." As a result of Steele's remarks, Rush goes on to blast Steele on his radio program Monday afternoon, and Steele ends up apologizing to Limbaugh for those orginal remarks. Talk about power. Now, let me insert that all of this criticism has driven Rush Limbaugh's ratings through the roof. This new wave of controversy has kept his faithful close and has allowed millions more, who usually don't listen to his program, to check out his show for the first time. So, there is no question that Rush wields great power, and right now, he probably possesses more power than any other Republican in the nation. Rush has more power than Michael Steele, Bobby Jindal, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sarah Palin, or John McCain could ever hope to come up with. So, to answer the question...yes, Rush Limbaugh is the mouthpiece of the grand ole party...