Fluff

Obama leads a round of Happy Birthday for Teddy Kennedy at the Kennedy Center. As you might imagine, I am not the biggest Teddy fan, that is not to say I don't like teddy bears, just not Teddy Kennedy.

Short List
-fled the scene of an accident and doesn't report death of his passenger until after the body discovered the next day

Actually, that is about all I need to know to know I don't trust him. There are some actions demonstrating a such a complete void of ethics and character that when known should influence whether a person in fit for political office. That and the ACLU gave him a lifetime rating of 84 in 2009.

Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/A-Salute-to-Senator-Kennedy/

Strong Middle Class - Again

Well, apparently if Vice President Biden doesn't have anything new to post, he just recaps and has the team repost what he has already done, so that we can consider it again. So, today's post from the Strong Middle Class is the flashback episode. You know, a TV show doesn't get a flashback episode until after a successful season and then it is usually strategically placed a couple of episodes from the season finale. Does this "blog back" mean that the Strong Middle Class Task Force is about to a finale? Oh, I can only wish.

So, Biden is running this Middle Class Task Force with a special focus on green jobs as a pathway to a strong middle class. More specifics later, if you just can't wait check out the "blog back" at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/Green-Jobs-Watch-the-Panels/

Remembering Christopher Reeve

Excellent point! Christopher Reeve and his wife, Dana, were surely an inspiration.

Taken from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/Remembering-Christopher-Reeves/

"One of Christopher’s friends recalled that he hung a sign on the wall of the exercise room where he did his grueling regimen of physical therapy. It read: "For everyone who thought I couldn’t do it. For everyone who thought I shouldn’t do it. For everyone who said, ‘It’s impossible.’ See you at the finish line.""

Hear! Hear!

Stem Cell Research and Scientific Integrity

Today Obama signed an Executive Order lifting the ban on embryonic stem cell research and issued a Presidential Memorandum regarding increased scientific integrity in research. Embryonic stem cells can morph into any type of cell, the moral concern is that an embryo is life and shouldn't be used. This entry is a response to http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/09/A-debt-of-gratitude-to-so-many-tireless-advocates/ and will cover brirfly the morality of stem cell research, the Executive Order, and the Presidential Memorandum.

Morality
A primary source of embryos used are from embryos created for in vitro, where more eggs than are needed are available. Unfortunately, while research exists trying to extract stem cells without destroying the embryo, this technique is not yet viable. Pro-lifers believe that the destruction of an embryo is a breach of the sanctity of life. Following that thought process, they may see this destruction of an embryo as murder. Murder of the life that may have been if it had not been destroyed for scientific purpose. On the other side of the religious debate are those that feel that God charges us to care and endeavor to help others.

Me? I believe knowledge is a gift from God. I believe that we should be constantly vigilant in how we use that knowledge. In this instance, while the embryo could become life, the embryo isn't life yet. The embryo requires fertilization. Whether the woman chose to have those embryos fertilized through in vitro or if the woman chose to fertilize the egg the old-fashioned way, either way the embryo was fertilized through an active choice. In this instance, the choice is not to utilize for life but to learn about life. I don't see how this violates God's law.

The Executive Order - Breaking it Down
Basically, the Executive Orders says that we want to help people with disabling diseases and conditions, so let's not limit our ability to do research that may help people. So, let's use public funds to support embryonic stem cell research, which hasn't been allowed under George W. Bush for moral reasons. Obama allows public funding to be used. Don't worry though, the NIH will only be supporting responsibly conducted research that is scienficically worthy. What does that mean? Well, we will have to wait to find out since the Secretary fo Health and Human Services has 120 days to publish new guidance talking about what is responsible embryonic stem cell research.

Anyway, for me, once the moral issue has been resolved, I don't have a problem with public funding of scientific research.

The Presidential Memorandum - Breaking It Down
The Presidential Memorandum recognizes that science must be pursued with integrity and charges the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy with recommending for Presidential action principles to ensure Executive branch integrity surrounding scientific research, selection of candidates, whistleblower protections, guidelines for each agency to develop their own rules, credibility of science in policy decisions, increased transparency of findings.

Ahhh....I eagerly await the promulgation of more regulations. I am also interested in the whole transparency of scientific studies used in policy decisions. This could have some substantial reprecussions for the EPA, FDA and HHS, just off the top. I know, it is shocking to consider that we might actual be able to trace the origin and reasoning behind regulations. I have always personally imagined an attorney fresh from law school sitting in a cubicle made out of bankers boxers finally just making a decision and putting pen to paper or foot to ass, whatever.

March 7 Speech Recaps Week

From his March 7th speech....well, here we are a little early but basically Obama recaps the week: rising unemployment, focusing on jump starting the economy, implementation of recovery act, consumer spending initiative, and homeowner assistance. He mentions a consumer spending initiative, something with this terminology I am not familiar with, more definitely to come. Regulations are being promulgated to help borrowers and home loan lenders. Also, Obama talks about creating 3.5M jobs in the next two years but unemployment is already hit over 4.4M jobs, so is incidental growth expected, if so, what is that rate? I also don’t understand the discussion of the 2T deficit reduction if the deficit inherited was $1.3T and the proposed deficit in Obama’s budget for 2009 is over $1T.

Further investigation into this speech is definitely required. Perhaps I will consult my muse.

This entry is from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/Toward-a-Better-Day/

First Lady Adventures: Miriam's Kitchen

I admit a certain fascination with Michelle Obama. I keep waiting to see her personality, drive and intelligence revealed. I mean really, is she really June Cleaver meets Hillary Clinton? See, I think deep down Michelle is even more opinionated, driven and ambitious than Hillary. It is just a matter of time.

Anyway, in keeping with her role of spiritual rock of the Obama Movement, Michelle visited Miriam's Kitchen, a homeless shelter to remind us all to help one another. No complaints or further commentary is necessary. See blog: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/The-First-Lady-at-Miriams-Kitchen/

Federal Government Hobbles Along Until March 11

Obama signs a bill extending previous year funding levels so the federal government won't shut down. See text at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/President-Obama-signs-continuing-resolution/

I would like to think that the delay in passage is because there is going to be some serious thought to the pervasive pork in the 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act but I am not getting my hopes up. Apparently the unified stance by Republicans in delaying the passage is to given them a chance to propose more amendments. More on that early next week. We need a third party.

Compared to Washington?

Pictures (and text) can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/slideshow-forum-on-health-reform-and-next-steps/

White House Photographer Pete Souza is highlighted and recognized for pictures taken during the health reform launch. One photo specifically shows Obama in a similar position and a pose struck by George Washington in a painting in the background. Can't the Obama team make up their minds? Is Obama the next Lincoln, the next FDR or the next Kennedy? No, no, he is the next Washington. I would like to Mr. Souza cleverly photographing Obama at Mt. Rushmore as the Fifth Head. Just a suggestion.

Crime Fighting

This comment is based upon the following WHB entry: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/06/Rebuilding-America-town-by-town/

The Recovery Act provides funding to states to utilize in the fight against crime in the form of Justice Assistance Grants totalling $2B. Well, my federalist leanings are going to show themselves here. So, isn't this something that the state should be taking care of without federal intervention? You could volley back that the states are just accepting federal funding but still managing the crime fighting function. This is true but isn't the money the federal government is providing based upon taxpayer dollars? You see, why is it that the federal government takes all citizens of the United States but then redistributes, in this situation, based upon population and violent crime statistics. Couldn't states collect the money themselves and cut out the middle man, the federal government? Now, I can't fault Obama any more than any President who has redistributed federal monies to the states, which is pretty much everyone. The point I would make is that this plan isn't any different than everything tried by past Presidents, Republicans and Democrats. Maybe that's the point, no matter how many times you call the plan novel or call it change, this is not change. This plan continues the federal government's general approach of throwing money at the problem, haven't we learned from history that throwing money at a problem will not solve the problem? Apparently not.

There is some change. Obama, more than any other President past, embraces the modern marvels available for marketing and public relations.

Stumping for Transportation

Check out the blog this comment is based upon at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/05/Public-Transit-Gets-a-Boost/

Hey, I will admit that I like Ray LaHood. Today's news talking about the $8.4 billion for infrastructure projects in the Recovery Act. This blog seems to be about reminding people about this. I do have to say it is a little difficult to tell what projects, specifically, this money is going toward. The blog redirects you to the Department of Transportation press release, which includes a link to recovery.gov (if I had stuck with the WHB to the end, I could have directly gone to the recovery.gov). From there I picked "more info" then I chose a state, "Illinois" which yielded a simple table of money distributed by region, then I chose the other link, which allowed me to look at a PDF/picture of a letter from the Governor of Illinois certifying the use of federal funds. Then I had to manually type in the web address to the Illinois government website. At this point I find myself looking at the extensive transportation reports prepared by Illinois. I am sure that sifting those extensive reports I will then have a clear idea of the specific projects the Recovery money is going toward. I hope.

Live-Blogging on Health Care Reform

Please enjoy the live blogging on the health care reform launch (http://www.healthreform.gov/) today at the White House. http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/05/Live-blogging-the-White-House-Forum-on-Health-Reform/

Well, I personally enjoyed the blow-by-blow provided to readers by Rebecca Adelman. Other than working for HHS, we don't know her context. She was tremendously descriptive about when people came into the room and other such important details. I can't help but wonder where does transparency end and a glut of distracting information about mundane actions actually detracting from transparency begin?

As a sidenote, Joe Biden has a blog for the Strong Middle Class. Other websites I am aware of are recovery.gov and healthreform.gov. It is good to keep up on the websites and places to look to transparently see into the inner workings of the government.

Gov Locke Nominated for Secretary of Commerce

The following comment is based off the White House Blog (WHB) entry http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/05/The-Locke-President-Obama-Picked/

Well, Governor Locke has been nominated by Obama as the third choice for Secretary of Commerce, remember Bill Richardson and Judd Gregg? All in all, this doesn't seem like a bad appointment. While we will probably hear quite a bit how Locke is Chinese American and was the first Chinese American governor of Washington, his background is admittedly a little different than the last few people in this position. Many of the previous Secretary's have had actual business management experience or business administration experience. That isn't to say that being Governor of a state isn't a qualifying position or being on the House Appropriations Committee before he was governor. It just seems he is a little weak on actual business management experience. I can't help but ask, is he really qualified. But then again, what does the Secretary of Commerce do? Right, he is supposed to forster commerce domestically and abroad. Does his appointment forshadow a closer economic relationship with China? Also, he originally supported Hillary. Bonus: Locke was an Eagle Scout.

Also of interest is the first two choices prior to landing on the Eagle Scout. First, Bill Richardson was put forward who ultimately withdrew after federal investigations into his political activity came to light. Gregg resigned due to conflictes regarding the recovery act and other policy issues. I am more interested in the political ramifications of choosing Gregg. If Gregg had been chosen, as he is largely an independent, his replacement, if a democrat, would have given the Senate Democrats a super majority. Perhaps we should be glad we landed on the Eagle Scout.

WHB March 4, 2009 - Priorities

Priorities are the Budget, PAYGO and Procurement

The following is taken from the White House blog. The comments in red are my thoughts critically examining these communications, which are in black.

-Kleio
........................................................................................................................
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Priorities -- Not lining the pockets of contractors
Last week the President laid out the foundation of a new vision for our budget and the way government does business. It is a vision based not on ideology, but on the idea that we can and must invest boldly in our future while also making the hard choices and being vigilant to bring in a new era of fiscal responsibility.

[Clicking on the “new era of fiscal responsibility” link will take you the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) where one can read the president’s address to the budget. The budget itself is also available here.] Anyway, around page 2 on this address Obama proclaims that “ours is a market economy.” Well, as economists will tell you, a pure market economy does not exist. Usually, a market economy exists where supply and demand set the prices as opposed to a planned economy where the government sets prices. A pure market economy does not exist if some government intervention exists. Government regulation affects the price set by the market and is definitely government intervention. When an economy has government intervention but that intervention is not so extensive and pervasive to make it a planned economy, then the market is called a mixed economy. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that ours is a mixed economy, after all the government is certainly intervening.

Also, in this address, Obama says, “We need to put tired ideologies aside, and ask not whether our Government is too big or too small, or whether it is the problem or the solution, but whether it is working for the American people.”

Isn’t that the fundamental ideology that should guide the spending practices of this our government? If we set aside this argument, we as a people are abdicating power. If we follow Obama’s advice we would set aside an issue which prompts a very important question. We must ask and continue to ask, should the federal government provide the solution to this problem. If we fail to ask this question and simply focus on allowing the federal government to address any problem or social ill, we as people have given away the very power our Constitution and founding fathers sought to preserve. This is the basic idea of federal power versus state power. Those who generically say that the government is too big generally favor state’s rights and less government intervention. This is not an ideological argument to be left behind but rather a fundamental tenet of our governmental structure.

Finally, I have included for your convenience the last paragraph of Obama’s address, please take a moment to first read through this.

“Finally, while we have inherited record budget deficits and needed to pass a massive recovery and reinvestment plan to try to jump-start our economy out of recession, we cannot lose sight of the long-run challenges that our country faces and that threaten our economic health—specifically, the trillions of dollars of debt that we inherited, the rising costs of health care, and the growing obligations of Social Security. Therefore, while our Budget will run deficits, we must begin the process of making the tough choices necessary to restore fiscal discipline, cut the deficit in half by the end of my first term in office, and put our Nation on sound fiscal footing.”

Now, consider this: deficit is calculated on a yearly basis and debt is a cumulative total. When I skimmed this I marveled at how after inheriting trillions of dollars of debt, Obama has a plan to cut that in half by the end of his first term. Not true and that isn’t what he said. No, he has said that he will, on a yearly basis have a budget deficit rather than a budget surplus. Obama promises to cut the deficit in half during the re-election year. Presumably after putting together a $1 trillion deficit, in four years Obama anticipates only needing a $500 billion deficit. It is interesting to note that Obama is pledging in the re-election year to budget $581 billion, this is still about $100 million more than George W. Bush allocated in his budget for the 2008 election year. Of course, debt isn’t going to be decreased by 50%, no, it is apparently going to increase by about 23.6% or about $2.6 trillion. This compares G.W. Bush’s 2009 budget to Obama’s 2012 budget.

Last week began with the fiscal responsibility summit, where the President and members of Congress came together to generate ideas to get the country on a sustainable long-term track. One of the exchanges that got the most attention was between the President and Senator John McCain, who discussed the idea of procurement overruns, in Defense Department contracts in particular.

Well, the gist with this is to return to the PAYGO system of the 90’s. Ah, the PAYGO system, where new spending or tax changes must not add to the federal deficit. I feel compelled to reminisce on the 90’s. George HW Bush was President from 1989-1992. The PAYGO system was first applied to the FY1991 budget. At first PAYGO worked well until Congress started around 1998 to creatively circumvent the PAYGO rules. Using means like advance appropriations and emergency designations. By 2001, emergency spending was not considered a measure of whether PAYGO was being applied. Did I mention that Bill Clinton was President from 1993-2001? In the end, the erosion to PAYGO that began in 1998 culminated when PAYGO was allowed to lapse. Naturally, I would suspect that a new PAYGO system will close the loopholes that made PAYGO ultimately unsuccessful.

Today Sen. McCain joined the President again to develop that idea further, along with Senators Carl Levin and Claire McCaskill and Representatives Edolphus Towns and Peter Welch. The President signed a Presidential Memorandum that will reform government contracting by strengthening oversight and management of taxpayer dollars, ending unnecessary no-bid and cost-plus contracts and maximizing the use of competitive procurement processes, and clarifying rules prescribing when outsourcing is and is not appropriate. The OMB will be tasked with giving guidance to every agency on making sure contracts serve the taxpayers, not the contractors.

Well, there is nothing bad about improving the efficiency of federal government spending. In this Presidential Memorandum [see similar abbreviated remarks included in the remainder of the blog], Obama names various agency heads and charges them with the responsibility of “[issuing by] July 1, 2009, Government-wide guidance to assist agencies in reviewing, and creating processes for ongoing review of, existing contracts in order to identify contracts that are wasteful, inefficient, or not otherwise likely to meet the agency's needs, and to formulate appropriate corrective action in a timely manner” Well, we’ll have to eagerly await July 1 to provide further interpretation. For the entire March 4, 2009 blog, please click below.


http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/04/priorities_not-lining-the-Pockets-of-Contractors/