Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Is politics the only thing getting in the way of the U.S. debt ceiling crisis?
WARNING: THIS IS AN OPINION PIECE
When you stop and think of the facts for a minute, you wonder about why the Republicans are being so anal about the debt ceiling discussion.
The U.S. has raised its debt ceiling more then 102 times in its history, and everyone goes back to iconised Republican Ronald Reagan. He, if memory serves me well, he had to do it all of 17 times during his presidency. G. W. Bush had to do it seven times, and G. H. Bush four times.
The Republicans are bucking against raising taxes on the "job creators" (a.k.a. "the rich"), when even if the taxes are raised to the desired Democrat point, it will still not be the highest tax ever on the rich.
Isn't Obama the guy who 'killed' bin Laden? After G. W. spent seven years in office 'chasing' him? Would this not make Obama extremely popular in the U.S., even to the right-wing voters?
In my opinion, the refusal of the Republicans to let up and actually try to find a compromise is more of a political bid then anything else. They are trying to force Obama to use his right to veto (which I don't think a president ever has) so that he plumets in the public's perspective, and he remains a one-term president.
Well, if this is the case, I got a message for those politicians: STOP thinking about your own navels and think about the people you represent. You know, the people without whom you would not be where you are in the first place? Think about the people in its entirety for a change, and not just the wealthy.
See Jon Stewart's take on the economy during this episode of "The Daily Show".
Also, see an article discussing Obama's now declining popularity here.
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| A rally in Washington D.C. on July 28th to save social security and Medicare. Photo credit: Colin Campbell |
C. F. Pelletier
'I will beat this,' NDP leader Jack Layton says in vow to return to duties in September of 2011.
This was the scene yesterday on Monday, July 25th 2011:
"NDP Leader Jack Layton stunned Canada's political arena on Monday, announcing he is taking a temporary leave of absence to receive treatment after doctors discovered he has a new cancer.
The surprise announcement comes just over two months after Layton led his party to record gains in the federal election and Official Opposition status in the House of Commons.
Layton, speaking at times with a strained voice alongside his wife, NDP MP Olivia Chow, vowed to return to his position when Parliament resumes on Sept. 19.
[...]
Layton is considered the most popular federal leader among Canadians and is largely credited with his party's unprecedented success in May's general election, which saw the New Democrats become the second-largest party in the Commons, the Bloc Québécois decimated and the Liberals reduced to third-party status.
[...]
Layton, 61, who represents the Toronto-Danforth riding and has led the New Democrats since 2003, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late 2009 and went public with it in February 2010. He also underwent hip surgery earlier this year and used a cane during the recent federal election campaign." - CBC News.
"As NDP Leader Jack Layton announced he's facing his second bout of cancer in a year and a half, there are signs his party is rattled.
Layton said Monday he's taking time off to focus on treatment, though he wouldn't say what kind of cancer he now has. " - CBC News. (See the full article here).
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'Don't let them tell you it can't be done' |
Personally, I fear, due to how he said he found about this new cancer and his reluctance to tell the public what it is (although he is well within his rights to do so), is that it may be bone cancer.
Our thoughts go out to you, Jack. Get well soon. Canada needs you.
See Mr Layton's announcement and a joint article here.
See a "get well" tribute here.
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