President Unwilling to Compromise on Tax Rebates

Speaking of the Economic Stimulus Plan to Republican House leaders yesterday, the President said:

“Feel free to whack me over the head because I probably will not compromise on that part.”

Glad I’ll most likely be getting a stimulus check, not sure that was the best offer for the President to make however… as much as I would love to see the Secret Service take down some old Capitol Hill cronies in a slap fight.

This Day in History 1/28

On this day, January 28th, we celebrate and mark many similarities and successes in our past and present regarding war, peace, protection, equality and social responsibility and hope for greatness in our future:

1909 – United States troops leave Cuba with the exception of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base after being there since the Spanish-American War.
1915 – An act of the U.S. Congress creates the United States Coast Guard.
1916 – Louis D. Brandeis becomes the first Jew appointed to the United States Supreme Court.
1917 – Municipally owned streetcars take to the streets of San Francisco, California.
1921 – A symbolic Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is installed beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to honor the unknown dead of World War I.
1981 – Ronald Reagan lifts remaining domestic petroleum price and allocation controls in the United States helping to end the 1979 energy crisis
1985 – Supergroup USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa) records the hit single We Are the World, to help raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief.

Official Treasury Business

Treasury Secretary

Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner announced new rules that will prevent banks from lobbying for money set aside by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act.

These new rules restrict contact between bank lobbyists and Treasury officials, and restrict members of Congress from securing money on behalf of banks in their home districts.

Mr. Geithner had this to say:
“American taxpayers deserve to know that their money is spent in the most effective way to stabilize the financial system. Today’s actions reaffirm our commitment toward that goal.”

American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

President Obama spent some time this afternoon on Capitol Hill to listen to Republican ideas for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.

President Obama had this to say after his visit:
“There are some legitimate philosophical differences with parts of my plan that the Republicans have, and I respect that … I don’t expect a hundred percent agreement from my Republican colleagues, but I do hope that we can all put politics aside and do the American people’s business right now.”

Presidential Memoranda

From whitehouse.gov:

President Obama directed the Department of Transportation to establish higher fuel efficiency standards for carmakers’ 2011 model year. The current standard, known as Corporate Average Fuel Economy, was established in 1975 in the wake of the Arab Oil Embargo.

The second memo paves the way for California and more than a dozen other states to raise emissions standards above and beyond the national standard. They’d asked to do so before, but the Bush administration had denied the request.

“Instead of serving as a partner, Washington stood in their way,” President Obama said. “The days of Washington dragging its heels are over.”

Defense Secretary Speaks Out

Defense Secretary Robert Gates

Defense Secretary Robert Gates spoke to the Senate Armed Services Committee today and stated that missile strikes in Pakistan will continue in an effort to root out al Qaeda members and that our greatest military challenge is Afghanistan

Gates also supports the closing of Guantanamo and says setting a deadline is the only way to ensure facility is eventually closed.

Obama Tells Muslims, “Americans are not your enemy”

The President made his first fomal TV interview on an Arabic network to say “My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy … the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there’s no reason why we can’t restore that.”

This comes on the eve of Special Envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell arriving in the region with a visit that begins in Egypt and continues on to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Turkey and ends in Saudi Arabia.

Be Ordinary

On the very last page of my latest pickup from the local library, the author included the website of the nonprofit organization he created to help make a difference in our world. I’m including it here because I believe it’s so easy, anyone can do it!

ORDINARY PEOPLE CHANGE THE WORLD

Our Mission

“To strengthen.
To inspire.
To save.
And most important, to remind us that there is greatness inside all of us.
We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. And on remembering that we should never ever ever apologize for who we are.
Unless we’re real jackasses. Then apologize away.

Let me be as clear as I can here: I believe ordinary people change the world.

Is it idealistic? Yes. Is it naïve? Absolutely. But there’s no reason to apologize for who you are. I am idealistic, and I’m okay with being naïve and silly and kinda (mostly) soft. I learned that one from Mr. Rogers. When Mr. Rogers was a boy, he had allergies that were so bad, his parents made him spend the whole summer in the house. The only thing he had to entertain himself was his piano and a bunch of sock puppets. Freddy made the best of it.”

Written by Brad Meltzer on his site www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com

Please visit this website and see how $1 can make a difference.

From Mr. Meltzer:
“In this economy, we know it’s tough to give money. But if everyone who visits this site gives JUST $1, together we can make a difference. Our goal is to raise $100,000 for City Year to help kids get back on track.”

About the City Year organization:
“City Year unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world.

As tutors, mentors, and role models, these idealistic leaders make a difference in the lives of children, and transform schools and neighborhoods in 18 U.S. locations and Johannesburg, South Africa. Just as important, during their year of service corps members develop civic leadership skills they can use throughout a lifetime of community service.

Major corporations and businesses participate in our mission by serving as strategic partners, team sponsors, and national leadership sponsors.

Together we’re building a citizen service movement that is larger than our organization, our lifetime, and ourselves.”

You can even click here and search for or submit your own or your favorite charity to be a part of Mr. Meltzer’s site:

http://ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com/OneDay/Default.aspx

All the President’s Men

Timothy Geithner was confirmed by the House today by a vote of 60-34. This appointment almost completes the President’s cabinet with the only a few major appointments awaiting Senate approval.

Also, since the pseudo-resignation of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, the office of Secretary of Commerce is still up for grabs… in case anyone’s interested!

Penny-wise Post

A Penny Saved

Tax time is upon us! Whether you are anticipating a refund or expecting that you might owe Uncle Sam a few bucks, a great way to save money on tax preperation and filing is to use Tax Act. Tax Act offers free preperation, free printing and free filing of your FEDERAL tax returns! And state return preperation costs only $13.95 with free e-file!

http://www.taxact.com/

Hope this has you spending your refund in no time!!

In Auto Industry News…

President Obama is asking the EPA to reconsider California’s application to set their own auto emissions standards as a state making their standards more stringent than federally mandated emissions standards.

If granted, California will be allowed to require automakers to produce trucks and cars that get better mileage.

Thirteen other states could look to follow suit.

Opponents of the change are worried about further affecting the auto industry.

Reversal of the “Mexico City Policy”

The President released this official statement on Saturday:

It is clear that the provisions of the Mexico City Policy are unnecessarily broad and unwarranted under current law, and for the past eight years, they have undermined efforts to promote safe and effective voluntary family planning in developing countries. For these reasons, it is right for us to rescind this policy and restore critical efforts to protect and empower women and promote global economic development.

For too long, international family planning assistance has been used as a political wedge issue, the subject of a back and forth debate that has served only to divide us. I have no desire to continue this stale and fruitless debate.

It is time that we end the politicization of this issue. In the coming weeks, my Administration will initiate a fresh conversation on family planning, working to find areas of common ground to best meet the needs of women and families at home and around the world.

I have directed my staff to reach out to those on all sides of this issue to achieve the goal of reducing unintended pregnancies. They will also work to promote safe motherhood, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and increase educational and economic opportunities for women and girls.

In addition, I look forward to working with Congress to restore U.S. financial support for the U.N. Population Fund. By resuming funding to UNFPA, the U.S. will be joining 180 other donor nations working collaboratively to reduce poverty, improve the health of women and children, prevent HIV/AIDS and provide family planning assistance to women in 154 countries.

Copied from whitehouse.gov

Living in the Information Age

In keeping with his promise of transparency, the President announced that after a stimulus bill is passed, taxpayers will be able to see how their money is being spent by visiting the website www.recovery.gov

Holy good coolness, I love techonology!

Insider Opinions

Preisdent Obama made the remark that he wishes to create up to 4 million new jobs over the next two years. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, had this to say:

“I think we have to have some question about the number, simply because most of the models that determine you can create that number of jobs are based on the financial system working normally,”

Conrad did remark however that he thinks Obama’s stimulus plan is “wise”.

Mark Your Calendar

The House is set to vote on an $825 billion dollar stimulus bill on Wednesday.

Stay tuned…

How Does This Affect Me?

Whenever all these politicos and financial gurus break out these trilllion dollar figures and talk the national deficit, I wonder, “What does this REALLY mean to me??”. And now I have my answer:

From President Obama’s Saturday Internet Address:
“Our economy could fall $1 trillion short of its full capacity, which translates into more than $12,000 in lost income for a family of four.”

And being a family of 5… I’m sure it amounts to a tad more for me. NOT happy! $12,000 would definitely pay for a lot of things on my wants and needs list!

Good to know!

Saturday Internet Address

President Obama gave the first of what should be over 200 Saturday Internet Addresses yesterday. The economic recovery plan was the topic, as the President laid out the priorities he has for our Nation. The President opened his address by saying “I am pleased to say that both parties in Congress are already hard at work on this plan, and I hope to sign it into law in less than a month.”

American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan

Education:

-Renovate 10,000 schools by building state-of-the-art classrooms, libraries, and labs

-Triple the number of science fellowships (the long lost science geek in me is LOVING this!)

- Invest more in Pell Grants to make college affordable for seven million more students and provide a $2,500 college tax credit to four million students

Energy:

-Double our capacity to generate alternative sources of energy like wind, solar, and biofuels over the next three years

-Update our electric grid by laying more than 3,000 miles of transmission lines to convey this new energy from coast to coast.

-Weatherize 2.5 million homes and save the average working family $350 on their energy bills

-save taxpayers $2 billion a year by making 75% of federal buildings more energy efficient

Health Care

-Protect health insurance for more than 8 million Americans in danger of losing their coverage

- computerize the nation’s health record in five years, saving billions of dollars in health care costs and countless lives

National Security:

-Secure 90 major ports

-Repair and modernize thousands of miles of America’s roadways and provide new mass transit options for millions of Americans

-Protect America by securing 90 major ports and creating a better communications network for local law enforcement and public safety officials in the event of an emergency

My interest is officially piqued and I excitedly await next Saturday to hear Address #2!

Things That Make You Go Hmmmmm

President Barack Obama signed an order today ending the ban on dispersing federal money to international groups that perform abortions. Ronald Reagan established the “Mexico City policy” in 1984. Democrat Bill Clinton ended the ban in 1993, but Republican George W. Bush re-instituted it in 2001 as one of his first acts in office.

Personally, I don’t understand why this is on the top of everyone’s to do list… hmmmmmmmm…

Penny-wise Post

A Penny Saved

Since we are headed into the weekend, AND we are in a recession (thought I’d mention that little tidbit for those of you who are living in a cave) I thought this would be a good time to share some money saving entertainment tips!

On my agenda for tonight is either the Will Ferrell comedy Stepbrothers (Don’t forget earmuffs for the children) or Will Smith action flick Hancock. (I’m being told blindfolds might be in order as well… x’s 3 kids… this is getting expensive… Hancock it is!)

So in light of that, some money saving, penny-wise tips on DVD rentals:

-Netflix has plans starting as low as $4.99 a month and offers a free trial AND unlimited free movie/TV downloads to your PC or Mac with ANY paid plan

-Blockbuster has similar plans and offers on blockbuster.com

-Redbox rentals- easy $1 DVD rentals at over 12,000 locations like Wal-Mart and Walgreens. Sign up here for free rental codes by text message http://www.redbox.com/Help/Signup.aspx

-Head to your local library and find some free entertainment for tonight. While you are there, put a request in for more popular DVD titles and you can have them by next weekend!

-Tired of all the movies you already own? Swap with a friend or start a exchange program with a group of neighbors. Or try Craigs list if you are willing to part with some titles in a permanent swap.

USAID

USAID

Hillary Clinton is currently addressing USAID. Not knowing much about this organization, I did a quick web search and came up with this information:

The United States Agency for International Development (or USAID) is the United States federal government organization responsible for most non-military foreign aid. An independent federal agency, it receives overall foreign policy guidance from the United States Secretary of State.

USAID advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade; health; democracy, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance. It provides assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe.

Very cool.

To learn more about this organization:
http://www.usaid.gov/

For information about student internships:
http://www.usaid.gov/careers/studentprograms.html