tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67579912245582471522024-03-13T23:34:29.166-04:00Blog Obama '08News. Views. Video. Links.Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-25094150554791109362008-11-05T10:01:00.005-05:002008-11-05T10:59:02.225-05:00PRESIDENT OBAMA: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SRG1bIweLzI/AAAAAAAAAXU/unVdFHYVIqs/s1600-h/obamawin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SRG1bIweLzI/AAAAAAAAAXU/unVdFHYVIqs/s400/obamawin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265188917184704306" border="0" /></a><br />Last night, watching the results roll in, I spoke with a friend who commented that it feels like we are living <span style="font-style: italic;">within history</span>. Record numbers of Americans have chosen to stand up, make their voices heard, and shape the destiny of this country. Enough with waiting for our luck to change. Enough with excuses, cynicism, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">conspiracy</span> theories. Millions of individuals are ready and willing to unite, to take a higher path, and to steer this country toward its ideals. <br /><br />Now the challenge is getting to work. Where do we go from here?<br /><br />As jubilant as I am, my one fear is that Americans will be content to celebrate this victory, and to wait for change to come to them. But we cannot rest. A cornerstone of this campaign is responsibility for our country. As Barack Obama has routinely stated, government cannot fix our problems for us:<br /><p style="font-style: italic;">"Because loving your country shouldn't just mean watching fireworks on the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> of July; loving your country must mean accepting your responsibility to do your part to change it. And if you do stand up, I promise you that your life will be richer, and our country will be stronger.</p> <span style="font-style: italic;">We need your service, right now, in this moment - our moment - in history. I'm not going to tell you what your role should be; that's for you to discover. But I am going to ask you to play your part; ask you to stand up; ask you to put your foot firmly into the current of history. I am asking you to change history's course.</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Many Americans have already answered this call. If you actively serve in your community, now is the time to redouble your efforts. Find a friend or family member, and encourage them to do the volunteer with you. If you have never served, here are three easy, concrete ways to help:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=183"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meals on Wheels</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bgca.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Boys and Girls Club</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Wounded Warrior Project</span></a><br /><br />If you are interested in volunteering in another capacity, <a href="http://www.volunteermatch.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Volunteer Match</span></a> specializes in lining you up with thousands of community service projects across the country.<br /><br />Ask yourself: Are you really too busy? Could you find even one hour each week? Could you involve your family and friends?<br /><br />Who else is going to do it?<br /><br />My favorite Barack Obama quote: <span style="font-style: italic;">"We are the people we've been waiting for."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">Looking forward to this new era of promise, what steps will you take to make this country better?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-63355725570148242512008-11-04T07:30:00.007-05:002008-11-04T07:58:51.415-05:00ELECTION DAY: RISE AND SHINE!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SRBCYgzIEiI/AAAAAAAAAW8/RnxgL1cMvVI/s1600-h/indianaline.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SRBCYgzIEiI/AAAAAAAAAW8/RnxgL1cMvVI/s400/indianaline.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264780953284776482" border="0" /></a><br />I thought maybe we could beat the rush. <br /><br />To our surprise, at 5:55 a.m., there was a wait just to park at our local polling station, the Klondike Library here in West Lafayette, Indiana. More than 150 people had formed a line that wrapped around the building. According to public radio, similar lines were forming all across Tippecanoe County, before the polls had even opened.<br /><br />I didn't early vote because I enjoy the communal process of election day, and today was no disappointment. How many times have you heard this election described as historic? Over the last 20 months, that term seems to have been blunted. But on a morning like this, the sense of history was palpable. I had never seen anything like it--enthusiastic voters, young and old, walking out of the library with a look of pride on their faces.<br /><br />Polls will be at maximum capacity across the country today. These crowds can only mean good things for Obama. Let's face it, people don't wait in line for hours to put incumbent parties back in office. You could say that the voter turnout represents a thirst for change, but it's more than that--only anger would truly motivate voters to come out in such force. Americans want their country back.<br /><br />Regardless of who wins, this election has breathed new life into American democracy. This election will bring millions of people into local, state and federal politics for decades to come. The American electorate in 2008 is a broader, more fully realized cross-section of American values and identities, and for that, we should all be thankful. <br /><br />Many former red states will turn blue today. Here in West Lafayette, lines moved along smoothly. Voting took around 55 minutes. On the way out, the sun was rising on a beautiful Indiana morning.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SRBDjrRLaVI/AAAAAAAAAXM/NnGgJ030G6c/s1600-h/indianaline2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SRBDjrRLaVI/AAAAAAAAAXM/NnGgJ030G6c/s400/indianaline2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264782244585367890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">How was your experience at the polls? Where did you vote? How long did you have to wait? Any predictions from your state?</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/Chris/Documents/BlogObama08/indianaline.jpg" alt="" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-85200132625343141322008-11-03T07:23:00.007-05:002008-11-03T07:54:27.842-05:00TOMORROW WE FINALLY TURN THE PAGE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SQ70WOHbIyI/AAAAAAAAAW0/bjQoXngL-bU/s1600-h/obama+declares+candidacy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SQ70WOHbIyI/AAAAAAAAAW0/bjQoXngL-bU/s400/obama+declares+candidacy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264413677026222882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Last night, I got to thinking how I've spent my entire adult life, from age 18 to present day, under the Bush administration. It's difficult to wrap my head around how these past eight years have influenced my perspective on liberty and country. In 1999, when I graduated from high school, I entered college with an almost limitless sense of possibility. Since then, I've seen:<br /><br /><ul><li>A rigged and stolen election.</li><li>A terrorist attack on U.S. soil.</li><li>A failed response to that terrorist attack.</li><li>Two mismanaged wars that have cost thousands of American and civilian lives.</li><li>Revelations of torture at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere.<br /></li><li>World perception of the U.S. fall to historic lows.</li><li>A shameful government response to Hurricane Katrina.</li><li>A presidential administration that has repeatedly violated civil liberties under the guise of the Patriot Act.</li><li>A president who circumvented the very foundations of our justice system by hiring and firing judges based on party favoritism.<br /></li><li>A Republican led economy that soared to new peaks on unprecedented corporate tax breaks and lack of regulation, only to crash to a generational low that will require more than a trillion dollars to fix.</li></ul>I could go on. These are just the first things that come to mind as I sip my coffee this morning. The surreal thing about the Bush administration is that they failed us in so many ways that it's difficult to see the trees through the forest. But as you head to the polls tomorrow, please don't forget that the failures of the GOP are not simply vaguely angering or disappointing, but rather a laundry list of specific, malicious, and unlawful acts that have put the Constitution and the country in jeopardy.<br /><br />Throughout the past eight years--somehow--I've managed to commit myself to optimism, and to the future. For three years, I taught high school English in a community on the U.S.-Mexico border. Presently, I continue to teach at a large University in the swing state of Indiana. It wasn't until Barack Obama ran for president that I found a canditate who shared my belief that if we can work together, we can affect profound change, tackling our most profound social challenges.<br /><br />Since February of 2007, I've blogged diligently on behalf of Obama. I can't imagine how many times over the last two years I've heard people tell me, and I'm talking Democrats here, "You really think Obama is going to be elected president?"<br /><br />Well, yes.<br /><br />Thankfully, millions of Americans now embrace this possibility. What was once unbridled optimism, even naivete, is now a distinct possibility. But we need your help.<br /><br />Please, call your friends and family, even those who are ardent Obama supporters, and make sure they vote! If they have already, please ask them to call their friends and family.<br /><br />Please, call your other friends and family, the red ones, even if those who are die-hard, lifelong Republicans, and give them your most impassioned argument in favor of a new era of American politics.<br /><br />I know that it's been an exhausting race, especially for those of us who have been doing this for going on two years, now. But please, make these last 24-hours count. Right now, the candidates are working harder than they ever have in their lives. The candidate whose supporters do the same will win this election.<br /><br />See you at the polls.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-45461785569017327502008-11-01T12:00:00.003-04:002008-11-01T12:11:44.680-04:00ELECTION NIGHT SURPRISES?These election night predictions are courtesy of the Washington Post's <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/31/AR2008103101514.html">"Topic A"</a>.<br /><br /><p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;" > <b style="font-size: 15px;">DICK MORRIS AND EILEEN MCGANN</b><br /><!-- BREAK --></span> </p> <p> <span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Dick Morris advised Bill Clinton</i><i>'s 1996 reelection campaign and is a contributor to Fox News</i><i>; Eileen McGann, a lawyer, is co-author with Morris of "Fleeced</i>"<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">"It does not matter how wide or narrow the gap is between the two candidates. What matters is how far above or below 49 percent Obama is in the final polls (49 percent assumes that Ralph Nader gets 1 to 2 points as he did in 2004). Right now, Obama is straddling the 49 percent mark; about half the polls put him over it and half under it. If the final polling numbers indicate that Obama is not convincingly north of 49 percent, we are in for a long night."</span></p><p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;" > <b style="font-size: 15px;">JAMES CARVILLE</b><br /><!-- BREAK --></span> </p> <p> <span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Manager of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign; CNN</i><i> political contributor</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Extraordinary youth turnout will surprise many, but it shouldn't. Young voters will vote overwhelmingly Democratic up and down the ballot in record numbers. As for a surprise on Tuesday, the combination of Ralph Nader and Bob Barr's votes will affect the outcome of the presidential election in one or more states.</span></p><p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;" > <b style="font-size: 15px;">HEATHER WILSON</b><br /><!-- BREAK --></span> </p> <p> <span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Republican representative from New Mexico</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Usually, the "undecideds" who show up in polling break pretty evenly when both candidates are well known. This year's "undecideds" are generally older, more rural, voted for Bush over Kerry, and they are concerned about Obama's inexperience and liberal views. The undecideds will break toward John McCain.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;" > <b style="font-size: 15px;">ED ROGERS</b><br /><!-- BREAK --></span> </p> <p> <span style="font-size:85%;"><i>White House staffer to Ronald Reagan</i><i> and George H.W. Bush</i><i>; group chairman of BGR Holding</i></span> </p> <p><span style="font-size:85%;"> By all accounts McCain is behind but closing in on Obama, who appears to be stronger in the electoral college than in the popular vote. It's not pretty for McCain, but it's not over. Three ingredients could be mixing to create an explosive comeback for McCain. No. 1: buyer's remorse and resentment of the media forecast. Voters are being lectured that the election is over. This might cause them to have regrets about Obama and resent being told what they had already decided. No. 2: presumptuousness by the Obama camp. More than once they have shown a tendency to act like they have won, to assume that the Oval Office is already theirs. Voters resent this and may be itching to show their independence. No. 3: Obama fatigue and classic American support for the underdog. Voters notice the number of ads, phone calls and gushing accounts of the giant Obama machine. Maybe the good old US of A instinct to support the underdog is working to McCain's benefit.<br /></span></p><p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;" > <b style="font-size: 15px;">MARY BETH CAHILL</b><br /><!-- BREAK --></span> </p> <p> <span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Manager of Sen. John Kerry</i><i>'s presidential campaign</i><i> and former chief of staff to </i>Sen. Edward Kennedy<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Smart incumbents are campaigning as though their lives depend on it. Tuesday night may well bring the defeat of long-serving politicians from heretofore safe districts and states. And it may be very late before we know the leadership and chairmen of the House and Senate.<br /></span></p><p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial,Helvetica;font-size:85%;" > <b style="font-size: 15px;">ROBERT SHRUM</b><br /><!-- BREAK --></span> </p> <p> <span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Senior adviser to the Gore and Kerry presidential campaigns; fellow at NYU's Wagner School of Public Service</i></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Obama's decision to forego public funding has enabled his Internet-fueled campaign to compete in states where he has potential but otherwise would have been forced to write off. We know what they are; look at the advertising buys. McCain has to carry a whole string of states where he is behind or effectively tied; Obama has to win in just a few. He has many routes to victory, McCain just one. Don't be surprised if some place we never thought would go Democratic does. The Obama campaign has signaled that several could -- and in the process left the other side constantly on the defensive.</span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Do you have any election night predictions?</span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-47980037875681176232008-11-01T11:52:00.000-04:002008-11-01T11:53:11.240-04:00Rearview Mirror<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ML2ki8xEj9c&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ML2ki8xEj9c&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-44904306801756853422008-10-31T10:40:00.002-04:002008-10-31T10:40:58.835-04:00THE HORROR! HELP FIGHT THE MCCAIN/PALIN ROBOTS!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mg56KbtmARc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mg56KbtmARc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-34138995699606110912008-10-29T10:20:00.001-04:002008-10-29T10:20:30.848-04:00OBAMA'S CLOSING ARGUMENT<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1X3eE18dfmE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1X3eE18dfmE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-46748424638416317672008-10-26T12:57:00.001-04:002008-10-26T12:59:05.774-04:00Obama on Bush-McCain Economics<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mBZwDqRNa3E&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mBZwDqRNa3E&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-51832092304536156932008-10-19T12:20:00.001-04:002008-10-19T12:21:42.283-04:00COLIN POWELL: "I WILL BE VOTING FOR BARACK OBAMA"<iframe height="339" width="425" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/27265490#27265490" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-62227866491011778142008-10-15T22:33:00.003-04:002008-10-15T22:40:09.463-04:00OBAMA VANQUISHES MCCAIN IN FINAL DEBATE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SPaoIOFqoJI/AAAAAAAAAWc/x3uSKScg-FE/s1600-h/lastdebate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SPaoIOFqoJI/AAAAAAAAAWc/x3uSKScg-FE/s400/lastdebate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257574474175914130" border="0" /></a><br />John McCain needed both a monumental performance and an Obama catastrophe to ignite a comeback. Instead, he appeared tired and agitated, while Obama delivered his strongest performance of the three debates.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ylq-LegkhPA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ylq-LegkhPA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-37311625246654238322008-10-14T09:15:00.000-04:002008-10-14T09:16:18.524-04:00OBAMA'S PLAN FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IxQcYiLKWqs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IxQcYiLKWqs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-42253550216731087252008-10-07T23:21:00.000-04:002008-10-07T23:22:18.282-04:00TUESDAY DEBATE: WHAT DON'T YOU KNOW AND HOW WILL YOU LEARN IT?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1ih8EItEc1M&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1ih8EItEc1M&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-68547317048163370932008-10-03T09:21:00.004-04:002008-10-03T09:26:34.252-04:00THE BUSH LEGACY: HYPERINFLATION?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SOYcgAKLA4I/AAAAAAAAAWM/cw1egvzVI9Y/s1600-h/hyperinflation.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 467px; height: 331px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SOYcgAKLA4I/AAAAAAAAAWM/cw1egvzVI9Y/s400/hyperinflation.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252917351498318722" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a look at the Federal Reserve balance sheet, essentially a measure of how much money is being printed, since 1996. See that huge vertical line at the end? That's the last two weeks.<br /><br />In the words of Lance Lewis, one of the terrific market commentators over at <a href="http://www.minyanville.com/">Minyanville</a>, "If that's not what hyperinflation looks like, then I'm a leprechaun."<div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-84635467248364120342008-10-03T08:57:00.003-04:002008-10-03T09:02:37.124-04:00CALIFORNIA DREAMIN': SCHWARZENEGGER TELLS PAULSON HE NEEDS $7 BILLION!<span style="font-weight: bold;">The LA Times obtained a letter from California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, requesting $7 billion in emergency funds from the federal treasury to sustain day to day operations in California.</span><br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-05178145675384102 visible" href="http://documents.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=6368516&access_key=key-pkr1w48b9tjgbww3mi&page=&version=1&auto_size=true&viewMode="></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-05178145675384102 visible ontop" href="http://documents.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=6368516&access_key=key-pkr1w48b9tjgbww3mi&page=&version=1&auto_size=true&viewMode="></a><object codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0" id="doc_837710666498790" name="doc_837710666498790" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" align="middle" width="100%" height="500"> <param name="movie" value="http://documents.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=6368516&access_key=key-pkr1w48b9tjgbww3mi&page=&version=1&auto_size=true&viewMode="> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="play" value="true"> <param name="loop" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="devicefont" value="false"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="menu" value="true"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="salign" value=""> <embed src="http://documents.scribd.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=6368516&access_key=key-pkr1w48b9tjgbww3mi&page=&version=1&auto_size=true&viewMode=" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" play="true" loop="true" scale="showall" wmode="opaque" devicefont="false" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="doc_837710666498790_object" menu="true" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" salign="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" align="middle" width="100%" height="500"></embed> </object><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/6368516/Schwarzenegger-Seeks-7-Billion-for-CA">Schwarzenegger Seeks $7 Billion for CA</a> - <a href="http://www.scribd.com/upload">Upload a Document to Scribd</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-46374398492985127012008-10-03T08:47:00.001-04:002008-10-03T08:47:51.153-04:00MAVERICK HE IS NOT!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GP2JSgSkq8k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GP2JSgSkq8k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-21984982118139633112008-10-02T14:16:00.001-04:002008-10-02T14:16:24.543-04:00REGISTER SOMEONE!<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nsq-gHAcCEA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nsq-gHAcCEA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-74424812310478547332008-09-29T16:04:00.002-04:002008-09-29T16:17:56.613-04:00BAILOUT: HOUSE SAYS NO!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SOE08Uf4-tI/AAAAAAAAAV8/h0g0uq-OZjk/s1600-h/housesaysno.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SOE08Uf4-tI/AAAAAAAAAV8/h0g0uq-OZjk/s400/housesaysno.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251536851389971154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />I never thought I would write these words: Thank you, Republicans.<br /><br />The House defeated the proposed economic rescue package today, a bill that would have authorized unprecedented government intervention in the marketplace. While I agree that the U.S. needs a comprehensive plan to avert an economic disaster, common sense tells us that attempting to redesign U.S. capitalism in a little over a week--during an election season, no less--is absolute lunacy.<br /><br />While the Democrats delivered their promised votes in favor of the bill, stalwart Republicans from across the country <span style="font-style: italic;">actually listened to their constituents</span>, and defeated the bill. We are in uncharted territory in the financial markets, but rest assured, Democracy, at least, is still breathing.<br /><br />The following choice statements from the House debate are courtesy of <a href="http://www.wwj.com/House-Rejects--700B-Bailout-Plan/3050991">WWJ News Radio, Detroit.</a><br /><br /><b>Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C., said, "I wish we had a president that had enough communication skills and enough credibility with the American people to convince them there is a real problem. Unfortunately that burden hasn’t been carried sufficiently by the administration. But I'm convinced that the odds are bad enough that if we don’t do something today we will regret it for a long, long time."<br /><br />Standing in opposition to the bill, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., said the government intrusion into the free market marked would, like the Bolshevik slogan of "Peace, Land, and Bread," promise short-term prosperity at the sacrifice of liberty. "The people on Main Street have said they prefer their freedom, and I stand with them," McCotter said.<br /><br />Likewise, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., said the bill failed to address the root causes of the financial crisis by neglecting to provide, among other factors, foreclosure relief. "Stability should come from the bottom up," she said.<br /><br />"Why isn’t Wall Street paying for the mess they created?" Woolsey asked, suggesting a surcharge on stock trades. "We can raise $150 billion a year from those who caused this mess and profited from it."<br /><br />She also questioned the wisdom of giving discretion over the use of hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to the outgoing administration.<br /><br />"Why are we willing to even make available $700 billion to this administration? Bush and Paulson have been wrong from the start on just about everything. If you think they will be responsible with this money, think again."<br /><br />"Like the Iraq War and the Patriot Act, this bill is fueled by fear and hinges on haste," said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Tex., who noted the bill does not require Wall Street to pay even a dime in recompense. "All of us want to avoid further economic deterioration, but action or inaction today is a false choice.<br /><br />"The vultures have now come home to roost," Doggett said.<br /><br />Meanwhile, his fellow Texan, Republican John Culberson, blasted the legal protections impinging oversight of the Treasury Secretary's discretionary use of the funds. He suggested other means (including reducing the capital gains tax to zero) would work better.<br /><br />Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., who is opposed, said, "Just because this bill is unpopular doesn’t mean we have to pass it immediately."<br /><br />Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., who called the current crisis "the financial equivalent of a heart attack," said the bill is not popular but is necessary.<br /><br />"I know we're tempted to see this as just another train wreck of the Bush administration," said Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Penn., who said the crisis actually threatens constituents' 401(k)s, pension funds, the ability to borrow and establish businesses, and the security of community banks.<br /><br />Rep. Ted Poe, R-Tex., decried the bailout of "Wall Street moneygrabbers," and wondered why it is that, the bigger the business, the more government feels it should "swoop in and save them," whereas mom-and-pop business that make bad financial decisions just fail.<br /><br />"They expect Joe Six-Pack to buck it up and reward this nonsense," he said. "It's sad time to be an American taxpayer.<br /><br />"Wall Street should pay for Wall Street's mistakes," said Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill., who said she was reluctantly opposed to the bill.<br /><br />Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. denounced the "trickle-down" economics behind the bill, and called the mammoth funds involved "sort of like the financial surge strategy, and just like the surge going into Iraq we know it's not sustainable."<br /><br />He also said the golden parachutes for executives were merely switched for "camouflaged parachutes."<br /><br />"If we vote for this bill it is the end of the Reagan era," said Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.<br /><br />Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., who called the bill a gift to Secretary Paulson's "friends," said it was merely a stop-gap measure that did nothing to prevent further economic catastrophe.<br /><br />"This is a huge cow patty with a piece of marshmallow stuck in the middle of it and I'm not going to eat that cow patty."<br /><br />"I have no matching metaphor," Rep. Barney Frank responded.<br /><br />Rep. Maxine Waters D-Calif. said she was voting for the bill, but called for the prosecution of financial titans who violate the law and ignore their fiduciary responsibility. "We will tighten the screws on Wall Street."<br /><br />Rep. John Tanner, D-Tenn. said, "This is no longer about bailing out anyone; it is about trying to put together a plan that will do less harm than we would do otherwise by our inaction to every American's financial security."<br /><br />Rep, Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. said, "We cannot continue to bail out with borrowed money."<br /><br />Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tex. was angered that management of the assets purchased from failing banks would be outsourced "to the people who caused this problem.<br /><br />"Let’s save America from Congress."<br /><br />Many complained of the speed of the process, and the fact that hearings and committee deliberations were not held on the legislation. "We need to take out time on this," said Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick, D-Mich., who noted that the Senate will not be taking up the bill until later this week. "There is a better process. I hope that we can slow down this train. I urge a 'no' vote."<br /><br />Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said he was offended when Paulson offered a three-page proposal asking for a bank account with $700 billion in it for him. "So what happened since then, we added 107 pages of taxpayer protection to this bill.<br /><br />"This bill offends my principles but I'm going to vote for it in order to preserve my principles, to preserve our financial system." He urged others to vote for it, even though, "We're one month away from an election &30151; we're all worried about losing out jobs."<br /><br />"The White House brought this to a crescendo, to a crisis, so that all eyes of the world are on Congress. It’s a heavy load to bear. We have to deal with this panic, we need to deal with this fear … and if we fail to do the right thing, heaven help us. If we fail to pass this, I fear the worst is yet to come."<br /><br />Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Fla., said taxpayers had a gun pointed to their heads. "This isn’t legislation, this is extortion.<br /><br />"Do you like ten trillion dollars of debt? With one stroke of the pen Congress will have extended that an additional trillion.<br /><br />"Make no mistake: a vote for this bailout is a vote to ratify business as usual in Washington."<br /><br />Like many speaking today, Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio, praised Rep. Frank (the key House member in demanding alterations to the administration proposal) for his "noble work in being handed a pile of garbage and making it better."<br /><br />But LaTourette said the taxpayer should pay for it. He also called for the repatriation of offshore funds.<br /><br />House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the "staggering" cost of the $700 billion package was "only a part of the cost of the failed Bush economic policies to our country.<br /><br />"They claim to be free market advocates when it is an 'anything goes' mentality," she said, saying the administration's budget recklessness turned around the budget surpluses of the Clinton administration, and if a crisis got so bad, "you will have a golden parachute and the taxpayer will bail you out.<br /><br />"Those days are over. The party is over in that respect."<br /><br />Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said $700 billion spent trying to save home could really stimulate the economy, "but that's not what this bill is about," as the Treasury secretary would not have power to stop foreclosures and keep people in their homes.<br /><br />Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., called the legislation "the biggest corporate welfare bill in history," and said fear was driving members away from reason.<br /><br />Rep. Joseph Crowley, R-N.Y., confessed, "Everyone is angry," but said companies and families will suffer from a lack of credit - and said financial executives should be given metal ankle bracelets and not golden parachutes.<br /><br />Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., said she "simply cannot stomach" transferring wealth from Colorado families to the benefit of Wall Street figures "whose avarice and greed put us in this situation in the first place."<br /><br />She also castigated Congress for failing to take seriously the crisis of gas prices this past summer, "and yet when Wall Street faced the consequences of its actions we worked around the clock" to bail them out.<br /><br />Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., said he was confident that the protections put in during negotiations would mean that taxpayers stand to get their money back.<br /><br />Bachus said he was not willing to take no action. "I'm not willing to put that bullet in the revolver and spin it. I'm not willing to take that gamble. I'm not willing to pull that trigger because I'm not willing to subject the American people to the worst-case scenario.<br /><br />"I will take the political risk but I will not take the risk on the American people and their future and their prosperity and their children and grandchildren."<br /><br />Rep. Rose DeLauro, D-Conn. said, with the prospect of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, "I have a responsibility to avert it."<br /><br />Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said, "If anything we may have overdone the oversight, but none of us want to have underdone the oversight."<br /><br />"When the markets go up, Wall Street cleans up; when the markets go down, Main Street gets cleaned out," said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. "We must protect Main Street across this country: Vote 'yes.'"<br /><br />In confronting the opposition to the bill, particularly from the left, and the compromise needed to Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said, "Meeting a national crisis does not give us the luxury of doing everything we want.<br /><br />"You have got to accept reality. I wish this was a bill that more reflected my priorities. I wish I could eat more and not gain weight.<br /><br />"The poor people will get nothing if we don’t compromise," he said. "This bill can put in the president's hands the power to do good; please don’t throw it out."<br /><br />Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio., admitted the unpopularity of the bill: "No one wants to be anywhere around it. I don’t want to be around it.<br /><br />"These are the votes that we have to look into our soul and understand and ask, 'What is in the best interest of our country?'<br /><br />"While imperfect, while not having everything everybody wants, I believe we have to vote for this bill and keep ourselves from the brink of an economic disaster that would harm all of our constituents."<br /><br />Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D- Md., called it "a day of consequence for the American people. This is a day of consequence to our country. This is a day when the Democratic leader, myself, rises to follow the Republican leader and they speak with one voice as America faces crisis. That’s what Americans want us to do.<br /><br />"Why should taxpayers loan out their own money to solve a crisis brought on by someone else's greed? Because when it comes to our economy, none of us is an island; we're all bound together, in boom or bust."<br /><br />"Inaction will result in greater pain for our people and our country," he said.<!-- sphereit end --></b><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-1722513089451773912008-09-28T10:52:00.002-04:002008-09-28T10:55:56.283-04:00BETTER BAILOUT? A SUMMARY OF DRAFT PROPOSAL<p><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What follows is the draft of the rescue agreement reached after hours of bipartisan negotiation this weekend. While it's certainly an improvement over the initial proposal, the devil, you could say, is still in the details. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">All emphasis in the following document is from the Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi.</span></span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- Sept. 28, 2008</p> <p><strong>REINVEST, REIMBURSE, REFORM</strong></p> <p><strong>I</strong><strong>MPROVING THE FINANCIAL RESCUE LEGISLATION</strong></p> <p>Significant bipartisan work has built consensus around dramatic improvements to the original Bush-Paulson plan to stabilize American financial markets -- <strong>including cutting in half the Administration's initial request for $700 billion and requiring Congressional review for any future commitment of taxpayers' funds. If the government loses money, the financial industry will pay back the taxpayers.</strong></p> <p><strong>3 Phases of a Financial Rescue with Strong Taxpayer Protections</strong></p> <ul class="articleList"><li><strong>Reinvest</strong> in the troubled financial markets … to stabilize our economy and insulate Main Street from Wall Street</li><li><strong>Reimburse</strong> the taxpayer … through ownership of shares and appreciation in the value of purchased assets</li><li><strong>Reform</strong> business-as-usual on Wall Street … strong Congressional oversight and no golden parachutes</li></ul><p><strong>CRITICAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RESCUE PLAN</strong></p> <p>Democrats have insisted from day one on substantial changes to make the Bush-Paulson plan acceptable -- protecting American taxpayers and Main Street -- and these elements will be included in the legislation</p> <p><strong>Protection for taxpayers, ensuring THEY share IN ANY profits</strong></p> <ul class="articleList"><li>Cuts the payment of $700 billion in half and conditions future payments on Congressional review</li><li>Gives taxpayers an ownership stake and profit-making opportunities with participating companies</li><li>Puts taxpayers first in line to recover assets if participating company fails</li><li>Guarantees taxpayers are repaid in full -- if other protections have not actually produced a profit</li><li>Allows the government to purchase troubled assets from pension plans, local governments, and small banks that serve low- and middle-income families</li></ul><p><strong>Limits on excessive compensation for CEOs and executives</strong></p> <p>New restrictions on CEO and executive compensation for participating companies: </p> <ul class="articleList"><li><strong>No multi-million dollar golden parachutes</strong></li><li>Limits CEO compensation that encourages unnecessary risk-taking</li><li>Recovers bonuses paid based on promised gains that later turn out to be false or inaccurate</li></ul><p><strong>Strong independent oversight and transparency</strong></p> <p>Four separate independent oversight entities or processes to protect the taxpayer</p> <ul class="articleList"><li>A strong oversight board appointed by bipartisan leaders of Congress</li><li>A GAO presence at Treasury to oversee the program and conduct audits to ensure strong internal controls, and to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse</li><li>An independent Inspector General to monitor the Treasury Secretary's decisions</li><li>Transparency -- requiring posting of transactions online -- to help jumpstart private sector demand</li></ul><p>Meaningful judicial review of the Treasury Secretary's actions</p> <p><strong>Help to prevent home foreclosures crippling the American economy</strong></p> <ul class="articleList"><li>The government can use its power as the owner of mortgages and mortgage backed securities to facilitate loan modifications (such as, reduced principal or interest rate, lengthened time to pay back the mortgage) to help reduce the 2 million projected foreclosures in the next year</li><li>Extends provision (passed earlier in this Congress) to stop tax liability on mortgage foreclosures</li><li>Helps save small businesses that need credit by aiding small community banks hurt by the mortgage crisis—allowing these banks to deduct losses from investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac stocks</li></ul><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-81832426655852581742008-09-27T00:39:00.004-04:002008-09-27T01:19:40.787-04:00DARK DAYS: LEADERSHIP VACUUM AT FIRST DEBATE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SN3CZLNf_dI/AAAAAAAAAV0/uy-9vtFPqCk/s1600-h/firstdebate1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SN3CZLNf_dI/AAAAAAAAAV0/uy-9vtFPqCk/s400/firstdebate1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250566478345797074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was a simple question: What do you think of this bailout plan?<br /><br />Although the official subject of this first presidential debate was foreign policy and national security, let's not kid ourselves--Americans tuned in to hear at least one of the presidential candidates deliver a straight answer about how they intend lead this country--both Wall Street and Main Street--through the economic crisis.<br /><br />It could have been a defining moment for either candidate--a chance to demonstrate that they are indeed an Agent of Change, a Maverick, or whatever else they might claim to be. McCain could have proven that he does have mastery over basic economics. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Barack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Obama</span> could have proven that he is indeed a Washington outsider committed to reform.<br /><br />Instead, both McCain and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Obama</span> acted like dime-a-dozen, poll chasing politicians, afraid of making enemies or losing votes. They resorted to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sacharine</span> rhetoric and empty promises. <span style="font-style: italic;">Vote for me! I can lower taxes, improve and expand government programs, and save the economy!</span><br /><br />So what's next: All of the drinking fountains will pour chocolate milk?<br /><br />Safe to say I am not the only <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Obama</span> supporter who was sorely disappointed tonight. This was the moment he had been waiting for, a moment when his leadership was sorely needed, but instead, he took the safe bet. He leads in the polls--in particular on economic issues, and so he chose to take a soft stance on the bailout plan and hope for McCain to make a critical mistake.<br /><br />Well, here's a news flash--McCain didn't make a mistake. He may not have scored a touchdown, but he didn't fumble the ball, either. In a race this close, a draw is a win for McCain, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Barack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Obama</span> may have squandered one of his opportunities to break away in this race.<br /><br />As for the remainder of the debate, did either candidate say anything they haven't said a dozen times already?<br /><br />Tonight, the burden of proof was on John McCain. Millions of Americans tuned in expecting him to implode, expecting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Barack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Obama</span> to demonstrate that he can indeed be the leader America needs. The contrast between the two candidates should have been crystal clear. Instead, what we saw was a stubborn but experienced old man, and a young, overly confident upstart content to ride the polls. As different as they may be, both were a disappointment.<br /><br />The real loser tonight was the American voter.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-89827710428749779622008-09-26T12:53:00.007-04:002008-09-26T13:12:46.164-04:00HAS HE DONE HIS HOMEWORK? 4 QUESTIONS FOR JOHN MCCAIN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SN0TyOlVJoI/AAAAAAAAAVc/8jegtwiPhxM/s1600-h/mccain_obama.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SN0TyOlVJoI/AAAAAAAAAVc/8jegtwiPhxM/s400/mccain_obama.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250374494212925058" border="0" /></a><br />Finished with his political theater, John McCain is now <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/26/AR2008092601944.html?hpid=topnews">ready to resume</a> his campaign. He will travel to Oxford, Mississippi to debate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Barack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Obama</span> tonight at 9 p.m. EST.<br /><br />McCain's decision earlier this week to "suspend" his campaign to address the financial crisis may prove to the largest misstep of his campaign thus far. I understand his intentions--and perhaps he was actually acting in good faith--but the notion that he had to be present to contribute to the talks in Washington is absurd, and only seemed to complicate matters.<br /><br />In trying to seem above politics, McCain ended up looking desperate and unprepared. If he suffers in tonight's debate, look for his campaign to justify his performance by claiming that he was "focused on what matters--the economy," or other such nonsense.<br /><br />If McCain was so integral to these talks, I'd like to see him answer these four questions tonight:<br /><br /><ol style="font-weight: bold;"><li>What is the number one risk of the proposed bailout plan?</li><li>What is the number one risk of <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> passing the proposed bailout plan?</li><li>What specific types of assets should the treasury purchase and why?<br /></li><li>What is your plan for protecting the long term strength of the U.S. dollar?</li></ol>If John McCain can speak specifically to these sorts of questions, then we will know that he was actually doing his homework this week. If not, then we know that the "suspension" of his campaign was a total sham. <br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Barack</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Obama</span> will be ready with the answers, guaranteed.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-78290726997046038832008-09-25T13:58:00.004-04:002008-09-25T14:04:16.855-04:00THE REAL TAXPAYER TAB: $1.8 TRILLION<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SNvSLLz0KuI/AAAAAAAAAVU/sNd_guhy-vg/s1600-h/bailouttab.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 459px; height: 527px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SNvSLLz0KuI/AAAAAAAAAVU/sNd_guhy-vg/s400/bailouttab.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250020880220957410" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-6533329502843234932008-09-22T23:01:00.007-04:002008-09-22T23:36:07.860-04:00NOW IS THE TIME: OBAMA MUST PROVE ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SNhjQDkxb9I/AAAAAAAAAVM/pVglFIsdZBA/s1600-h/ruinedbill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 265px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SNhjQDkxb9I/AAAAAAAAAVM/pVglFIsdZBA/s400/ruinedbill.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249054493188911058" border="0" /></a><br /><object width="425" height="344"><br /><br />Barack Obama's economic game plan is sound, but in the coming days he faces the most important vote of his Senate career--choosing whether to support or to oppose the Bush administration's <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN2229406520080922?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10112" target="_blank">$700 billion bailout plan</a> for Wall Street banks.<br /><br />Obama has <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/110578/Gallup-Daily-Obama-48-McCain-44.aspx" target="_blank">widened his lead</a> in the polls recently, as voters have increasingly placed their trust with him on economic issues. Understandably so. The GOP is profoundly out of touch with the Main Street economy. Even in recent days, as the U.S. economy teetered on the brink, the White House announced its opposition to "The Credit Cardholder's Bill of Rights," a <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE48M0TH20080923" target="_blank">house bill</a> that would limit the ability of credit card companies to raise interest rates on consumers.<br /><br />But the danger here is that Senator Obama will take advantage of his lead to take a soft stance on the massive, unprecedented bailout plan that not only adds a trillion dollars to the national deficit, but also undermines the very principles of free market capitalism.<br /><br />Contact the Obama campaign, toll-free, at</object> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(866) 675-2008</span>. Demand that these <object width="425" height="344">three common sense provisions be added to the bailout plan.<br /></object><ul><li>Executives of companies who seek government assistance should forfeit performance bonuses and "golden parachute" severance packages until the companies are stable enough to repurchase the "toxic" assets.<br /></li><li>Asset purchases by the U.S. Treasury must absolutely be subject to review by the courts.</li><li>Government assistance should be limited only to those companies headquartered in the U.S.<br /></li></ul>Forward this to any other supporters you know. Obama may have a comfortable lead over McCain on economic issues, but this is an opportunity for him to demonstrate true economic stewardship. The stakes could not be higher. Every one of Obama's ambitious policy plans, from tax relief to health care to public education, is contingent on a healthy federal budget. A $700 billion bailout for Wall Street would be the sort of budget buster that could cripple the Obama administration well into his second term.<br /><br />Click below for Barack Obama's blueprint for changing the economy. It's a good start, but now is the time for more than tough rhetoric.<br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09458319569264421 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM6zILb_FUU&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09458319569264421 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM6zILb_FUU&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09458319569264421 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM6zILb_FUU&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09458319569264421 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM6zILb_FUU&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09458319569264421 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM6zILb_FUU&hl=en&fs=1"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 0px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-09458319569264421 visible ontop" href="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM6zILb_FUU&hl=en&fs=1"></a><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM6zILb_FUU&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YM6zILb_FUU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-10588231776295535142008-09-19T16:41:00.006-04:002008-09-19T16:47:31.618-04:00VOTERS TURN TO OBAMA DURING ECONOMIC STORM<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SNQOjRNjn8I/AAAAAAAAAVE/ion8fIL-nk4/s1600-h/wallstreetturmoil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SNQOjRNjn8I/AAAAAAAAAVE/ion8fIL-nk4/s400/wallstreetturmoil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247835464871944130" border="0" /></a><br />Barack Obama has surged to a 5 point lead over John McCain in the latest <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/110533/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Now-Leads-McCain-Points.aspx">Gallup Daily poll</a>. Following one of the most volatile weeks in Wall Street history, voters clearly doubt McCain's ability to steer the U.S. economy toward a recovery.<br /><br />Legislators will meet next week to push through a <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/us-readies-broad-rescue-plan/story.aspx?guid=%7BCA415F28-F709-4E06-900B-57619A4DE34D%7D&dist=msr_8">multi-pronged government rescue effort</a> aimed at calming markets and restoring investor confidence.<br /><br />In the meantime, the Republican administration has essentially put free-market capitalism on a time out, bringing billions of dollars of private enterprise onto the U.S. balance sheet, and outlawing short sales of financial companies.<br /><br />We'll see next week if this last-gasp effort on behalf of regulators helps soothe the markets.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-7501628651751177022008-09-17T09:34:00.002-04:002008-09-17T09:39:36.120-04:00OBAMA ON THE ECONOMIC CRISIS<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HlZt5iN96iM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HlZt5iN96iM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Listen to Barack Obama speak at length on the U.S. economy. <br /><br />Meanwhile, McCain <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/16/AR2008091603732.html?hpid=topnews">flip-flops</a> on bedrock Republican economic principals.<br /><br />Do you feel better of now than you did eight years ago?<div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
News. Views. Video. Links.
www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6757991224558247152.post-88100729678336498002008-09-14T18:14:00.004-04:002008-09-14T18:30:21.317-04:00David Foster Wallace on the Trail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SM2O4FEAntI/AAAAAAAAAU8/QKlpi6_1zPw/s1600-h/davidfosterwallacers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VEkyyVw2JrU/SM2O4FEAntI/AAAAAAAAAU8/QKlpi6_1zPw/s400/davidfosterwallacers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246006235039309522" border="0" /></a><br />Tributes are cheesy--and it's easy to imagine David Foster Wallace rolling his eyes at the slew of tributes being rolled out online and off today, but I just want to share some of the man's thoughts on the political process. If you make time for anything today, please read his 2000 Rolling Stone article, <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18420304/the_weasel_twelve_monkeys_and_the_shrub">"The Weasel, Twelve Monkeys, and the Shrub: Seven Days in the Life of the Late, Great John McCain."</a><br /><br />For those of you unfamiliar with DFW's prose, it may be a tedious read, but give it a chance, and I assure you that you will have a more empathetic, clear-eyed view of the 21st century political process. <br /><br />DWF, a sworn enemy of the sound bite, would certainly not appreciate his writing being taken out of its original structure, but it's been happening all day, so if you're pressed for time, here are some brief excerpts:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">...If you are demographically a Young Voter, it is again worth a moment of your valuable time to consider the implications of the techs' point. If you are bored and disgusted by politics and don't bother to vote, you are in effect voting for the entrenched Establishments of the two major parties, who are not dumb and are </span><em style="font-style: italic;">keenly</em><span style="font-style: italic;"> aware that it's in their interests to keep you disgusted and bored and cynical and to give you every possible psychological reason to stay at home doing one-hitters and watching MTV </span><em style="font-style: italic;">Spring Break</em><span style="font-style: italic;"> on Primary Day. By all means stay home if you want, but don't bullshit yourself that you're not voting. In reality, there is </span><em style="font-style: italic;">no such thing as not voting</em><span style="font-style: italic;">: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some Diehard's vote.</span>..<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">...Obviously, a real leader isn't just somebody who has ideas you agree with, nor is it just somebody you happen to think is a good guy. A real leader is somebody who, because of his own particular power and charisma and example, is able to inspire people, with "inspire" being used here in a serious and non-cliché way. A real leader can somehow get us to do certain things that deep down we think are good and want to be able to do but usually can't get ourselves to do on our own. It's a mysterious quality, hard to define, but we always know it when we see it, even as kids. You can probably remember seeing it in certain really great coaches, or teachers, or some extremely cool older kid you "looked up to" (interesting phrase) and wanted to be just like. Some of us remember seeing the quality as kids in a minister or rabbi, or a Scoutmaster, or a parent, or a friend's parent, or a supervisor in a summer job. And yes, all these are "authority figures," but it's a special kind of authority. If you've ever spent time in the military, you know how incredibly easy it is to tell which of your superiors are real leaders and which aren't, and how little rank has to do with it. A leader's real "authority" is a power you voluntarily give him, and you grant him this authority not with resentment or resignation but happily; it feels right. Deep down, you almost always like how a real leader makes you feel, the way you find yourself working harder and pushing yourself and thinking in ways you couldn't ever get to on your own...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">...Now you have to pay close attention to something that's going to seem real obvious. There is a difference between a great leader and a great salesman. Because a salesman's ultimate, overriding motivation is his own self-interest. If you buy what he's selling, the salesman profits. So even though the salesman may have a very powerful, charismatic, admirable personality, and might even persuade you that buying really is in </span><em style="font-style: italic;">your</em><span style="font-style: italic;"> interest (and it really might be) — still, a little part of you always knows that what the salesman's ultimately after is something for himself. And this awareness is painful ? although admittedly it's a tiny pain, more like a twinge, and often unconscious. But if you're subjected to enough great salesmen and salespitches and marketing concepts for long enough — like from your earliest Saturday-morning cartoons, let's say — it is only a matter of time before you start believing deep down that everything is sales and marketing, and that whenever somebody seems like they care about you or about some noble idea or cause, that person is a salesman and really ultimately doesn't give a shit about you or some cause but really just wants something for himself...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D.F.W.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">1962-2008</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Visit BlogObama08!
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www.blogobama08.org</div>Christopher Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01232408188868349998noreply@blogger.com