Day: January 6, 2010

Nancy Pelosi Rejection Of C Span Request For Transparency A Bad Move

Ronald 2 Comments

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has made a major mistake by rejecting the request of C Span for transparency on the health care bill.

She claims that there has been total transparency on the legislation, but in actual fact, much of the bill, as passed in different forms in the House and Senate, is unknown, and by leaving doubt and refusing any GOP involvement in formal conference committee hearings in public, she feeds the “conspiracy” theory that the Freedom Works/ Tea Party has been promoting.

It is not my belief that anything untoward is happening, but the impression is left that there is something evil going on. Even if the GOP were to cause delays and obstruction, the worst that could happen is delay, and that would be better than to leave the image that the Democrats are trying to “pull the wool” over the eyes of the American people.

That kind of impression could cause the greater loss of seats in November. Let the GOP look bad, and it helps the Democrats. But let the Democrats look bad, and it helps the Republicans.

President Obama needs to push Congress to promote the transparency promised during the 2008 campaign. There is no need to rush this legislation, as long as it is accomplished this year. Don’t feed the Republican propaganda, Democrats! Do you hear? 🙁

Talk Show Host Ed Schultz For North Dakota Senator? Doubtful!

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With the announced retirement of North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan at the end of this year, the question that arises is what Democrat will run for that seat, with Earl Pomeroy, the House member, deciding to run again for his seat, with its 18 years of seniority.

So the rumor is spreading that talk show host Ed Schultz, a true fighter for the middle class, might leave his radio show and his nightly hour on MSNBC to run for the Senate.

Schultz tonight said he is far from a decision, and that he is not sure this is the right move for him, after years of building up his career in the media, which he would have to give up if he announced for the Senate.

It seems likely he will not leave his position, but he would be a great asset in a campaign and in the Senate, were he to decide to go for it. In any case, he does a great job on his talk show, so whether he runs or not for the Senate, the country benefits from his talents speaking for the progressive cause! 🙂

Important Initiative On Science And Math Education By The Obama Administration

Ronald 1 Comment

President Obama is to be applauded for promoting a joint public-private initiative on math and science education, which provides for $250 million to improve American students’ knowledge and interest in both areas, where the US ranks in the 20s worldwide, way behind many other nations.

The need for more math and science teachers is urgent, and the nation cannot advance if we do not have more young people go into both fields, both as teachers and as professionals.

Medicine, energy, and security are among the areas in which the country desperately needs more motivation and commitment if the nation is to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Connecticut Still A Blue State Despite Christopher Dodd’s Decision To Retire

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Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd has come under fire in the past two years for bad decisions as head of the Banking Committee, and his activism for health care reform, as well as his attempt to run for President in 2008.

Despite that, Dodd overall has an admirable record in his 30 years in the Senate and six years in the House of Representatives.

But the time has come for change, and the death of his good friend Ted Kennedy made him reconsider whether at age 65, he needed to go through a tough reelection race. He also had his own battle with prostate cancer, and lost a sister to cancer this past summer.

Fortunately, his state will remain “blue”, as long time Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who has wanted to go for a Senate seat but was stymied by the long service of Dodd and Joe Lieberman, has already announced for the Senate, and has sky high ratings. He is considered one of the very best state Attorney Generals in the nation, so the seat will remain Democratic.

The loss of Byron Dorgan and Christopher Dodd is a loss, as both contributed much to the history of the nation and the Senate. We should wish them both well!