One trillion dollars can buy a $3 latte for you and twenty-three generations of your children every day for life.

One trillion dollars is a lot of money. While I agree that we need stimulus packages and some bailouts (definitely not all), that means we need to be fiscally responsible in everything that we do. Every day, millions of dollars go to waste in nearly every form, from wasted water, food, energy, and human resources.

Over the next week or two, I’m going to show you exactly how much a trillion dollars really is, so you can see for yourself how much money we really are spending, and why it’s so important to start being more aware of money and why it’s important to be conservative in spending.

Stop Using This Photo

Various media agencies continue to use this photo, and better yet continue to talk about this stupid, over-covered issue. A tip to the media—let it go folks.

Obstructionism Continues

At a time of economic distress, two wars, and a health care reform effort stalled by political friction, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, (R-Mich.) is set to introduce a bill calling on Barack Obama to formally apologize to the Cambridge Police.

The Michigan Republican announced on Friday that he would introduce the resolution unless Obama apologized to Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley for criticizing Crowley’s handling of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s arrest last week.

The resolution is, as McCotter’s Democratic critics note, a political ploy and a waste of congressional time. The congressman undoubtedly has a full plate of issues with which he could concern himself, including his home state’s porous job market.

“Times are tough, people need jobs here at home, but instead of offering solutions, obstructionist Republicans like Congressman McCotter continue to put politics first,” said Ryan Rudominer, press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

I would just like to note two things. First, how the hell did this prick win a seat in the House? Secondly, he’s not the only one eagerly attempting to keep this controversy alive. Can you guess what party the others belong to? Hmm I think that question was too easy.

If conservatives get to call universal health care “socialized medicine,” I get to call private health care “soulless vampires making money off human pain.
Bill Maher

I don’t know which foreign banks got half of the trillion U.S dollars
Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman

At one point in his remarks Mr. Obama talked about a red pill and a blue pill. I suspect, though I’m not sure, that he was alluding to the scene in the movie “The Matrix” in which one pill brings ignorance and the other knowledge.

Well, in the case of health care, one pill means continuing on our current path — a path along which health care premiums will continue to soar, the number of uninsured Americans will skyrocket and Medicare costs will break the federal budget. The other pill means reforming our system, guaranteeing health care for all Americans at the same time we make medicine more cost-effective.

Which pill would you choose?

Paul Krugman

This is for you, Geithner.

Check out the Failed States Index 2009. Australia and Scandinavia have the right idea.

radarchive:

abbyjean:

According to Foreign Policy magazine’s annual review, a grand total of 37 countries are minimally stable this year.  The entire rest of the world is either borderline or in outright chaos. (mojo via amndaw)

RNC Playing Dirty

If you thought the Republicans were doing nothing, you’re wrong. They’re hard at work, scheming against Obama’s agenda, rather than attempting to debate the issues. Today it was revealed that the RNC distributed a private memo urging republicans to do anything to stop Obama’s health care bill:

A private memo distributed by the Republican National Committee calls for like-minded advocates to help defeat President Barack Obama’s health care proposals by delaying its consideration.

In particular, the 12-page memo makes the case that it is a Republican priority to slow down the consideration of health care reform before it can become codified.

“The Republican National Committee will engage in every activity we can to slow down this mad rush while promoting sensible alternatives that address health care costs and preserve quality,” the memo affirmatively declares.

Now I’m not sure what’s right for this country when it comes to health care, but I do know two things for a fact. First, what we have now doesn’t work. Second, the republicans are a fucking joke. They’ve turned into this massive roadblock (that’s made out of $100 bills), in the way of nearly anything that independents and democrats want to accomplish. If they don’t like other people’s ideas, why must they act in a way that does nothing but halt the democratic process instead of helping it?

Debate is necessary. The republicans apparently don’t think so.

Palin: #19

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Another ethics complaint was filed against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Monday – less than a week before her resignation – alleging she failed to submit complete gift disclosure forms in a timely manner.

Do I even need to say anything?