Stimulus Must be Zero Fail Mission

Everyone seems to have a opinion on the Federal Stimulus package, including yours truly.

You could be a:

Pro:
"Let's stimulate now to avoid even further financial disaster," or
"If we don't act we will be starring into the next great depression," or
"Start the money flowing and stop the bleeding," or
"We need spending on shovel ready jobs now."

Con:
"We are digging ourselves into a further financial hole" or
"We are borrowing from our future to pay for today" or
"Generations of future Americans will be paying for our financial decision of today" or
"An average American can't deficit spend themselves out of debt."

What we should all agree on is the severity of the problem. Now of course it does not pay to be an eternal pessimist doom and gloom guy but the American public should realize the gravity of the situation. Both a prolonged recession deepening into a depression and the proposed unchecked deficit spending has significant drawbacks. Each could have significant long term negative economic effects. The risk of doing nothing is a continuing of a financial "death spiral." The risk of doing something (deficit spending) is the negative financial effects that are shifted to future generations. Not to mention that deficit spending to stimulate the economy right now has a sort of artificial effect on the market place. Buoying certain sectors of the economy but not others. Surely, we are counting on the ripple effect but those have got to be some ripples. So it seems we have to make the best decision from the worst of options. The risks and stakes are high and there will be very little room for error. The newly elected President Barack Obama, Congress, and indeed all Americans and world citizens are on a mission for economic recovery. It's a zero-fail mission!

Inaugural Speech Equals Ambitious (Policy) Ideals

Inaugural Speech Equals Ambitious (Policy) Ideals
Quote: On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the
recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

Implication: Work with me new Congress!

Quote: We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish
things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry
forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the Godgiven
promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure
of happiness.

Implication: Equality for all in their chances for success.

Quote: “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”

Policy Implication: Federal Stimulus in the style of a Works Project Administration (WPA).

Quote: We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technologies wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost.

Policy Implication: Legalizing government funding for stem cell research and single payer health care.

Quote: We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.

Policy Implication: Promotion of green technologies.

Quote: Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate
wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful
eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors
only the prosperous.

Policy Implication: More regulation of free markets.

Quote: The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our
Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity
to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

Policy Implication: Re-distribution of wealth. Tax cuts for 95% of Americans. Tax increases for those in the top 5% income earning brackets.

Quote: Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and
tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone
cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power
grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of
our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

Policy Implication: A clear preference to diplomacy before any military action.

Quote: We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in
Afghanistan.

Policy Implication: War ends in Iraq. Transfer of power to Iraqi’s. Increase pressure in Afghanistan to finish the conflict effectively.

Quote: To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.
To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the
West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To
those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that
you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to
unclench your fist.

Policy Implication: Ending religious fanaticism, terror, and destruction the U.S. attempt to reach out and foster new relationships throughout the world.

Quote: To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and
let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.

Policy Implication: Increasing in foreign aide, likely through the United Nations.

Quote: For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the
American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the
levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose
their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a
stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides
our fate.

Policy Implication: Responsibility to family and community must re-emerge as societal virtues.

Ending Quote:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue
could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet
[it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember
these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure
what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we
refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on
the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it
safely to future generations.

Rolland Burris Should be Seated

Trust me I like clean government as much or more than anyone. Obviously, I don't condone Governor Blagojevich's actions. They may have him 'dead to rights' on the charge of corruption in attempting to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder but he is 'innocent until proven guilty.' He is still the current Governor of Illinois, at least for now, and therefore he still has the power and the right to appoint a successor.

Rolland Burris should be seated as any other duly appointed Senator. The seal and the signature on his certificate should be applied and he should occupy his seat immediately.