1st debate of the Season- Round 1 Iowa

Tonight marks the official start to the Presidential race towards 2012. With 8 challengers striving to differentiate themselves from one another and state the case as to why they should be given the chance to face Obama for the prestigious honor of being President of the United States. Will it be conservative Firebrand Michele Bachmann, the constant Tea Party favorite or perhaps Mitt Romney the perceived front runner and favorite to face Obama. The debate will be interesting to see if any of the 8 candidates can seize on the recent financial events and perhaps offer a common sense approach to solving Americas woes. I am curious to see what the candidates with business backgrounds offer in terms of answers. There is good reason to believe that 2012 will be a very transitional and defining moment for the American Republic. I would be curious to play the what if game of alternative history and see if we would be in the same predicament if Hillary Clinton or John McCain had been elected President instead of Obama.

Lost that lovin feelin?

I've found it disturbing that Congress and the President have decieded that funding for scientific reserch is expendable while at the same time continuing to fund defense spending at an astronomical rate. According to a Fox News article, with the decomissioning of the U.S. Space shuttle program, the defunding of the Tevetron particle accelerator, the U.S. could be losing its edge in key science areas. Russia now posseses the only viable way of getting astronauts to the international space station. The U.S. also will be decontinuing its funding for a telescope that will be replacing the Hubble space telescope. I would certainly hope that the National Science Foundation and Science Board, as well as congress would reconsider funding key science initiatives rather than continuing to fund defense spending.

Get the Deal Done!

It is troubling that congress has been unable to find a solution to the debt ceiling issue. Perhaps the President should sign an executive order raising the debt ceiling by the august 2nd deadline if congress cant find a solution.

Sleepless in the Capitol

An epidemic is sweeping the nations capitol and its not who you think it is. I'm talking about the one-fifths of the House Freshman currently serving in Congress. Yes a recent trend has developed that more and more Congressmen and woman are sleeping in their offices in order to save money and uphold the concept that they are average people just like you and me who don't want to live in D.C. any more than anyone else. The trend of representatives sleeping in their offices dates back to the 1980s and 90s when House Majority Leader Dick Armey of Texas was known to sleep in his office. I think it is something to think about and to ponder while standing around the water cooler.

START= RED CHINA WINS

I recently saw an article discussing the fact that the final touches were being put on the START treaty before it goes into effect. I do to the bottom of my soul believe that the only one benefiting from the START treaty signed by RUSSIA and the U.S. is the Red Chinese. I think that in the future any arms reduction treaty that is signed must include the Peoples Republic of China. Congress owes the American people that much.

Budget Cuts= Buttered Bread

According to a recent Fox News article concerning a proposed 20 percent cut across the board to federal agencies, I was startled to learn that NASA may have to abandon the international space station. Abandon the International Space Station, are they crazy. I mean the United States is one of the chief supporters of the International Space Station along with other countries around the world and to quit now would not only send a bad message to the American People it would also send a message to the world that the US is no longer a serious player when it comes to technology and space exploration. I would rather see a decrease in defense spending than a decrease in NASA's budget. The day that congress gives up on the ISS is a day that will make Kennedy turn over in his grave.

Crisis in Cairo?

As we all know from the news stories coming out of Cairo and Egypt, the government of Murarak is on the verge of collapse as protesters have taken to the streets in mass. It is too soon to tell what will happen and not if but when the military decides that enough is enough and steps in to put a stop to the violence. I wonder what the outcome of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Clinton's influence's will be on whether or not the United States can calm down a rapidly deteriorating situation.

Winter Term

Winter Term is only 2 weeks in and there is much to be done. I'm excited with the classes that I have and will keep everyone informed on my progress. I am taking a Policy Analysis class and will be looking for a topic to choose so if anyone has any ideas than pleas let me know. I would like to take a moment of silence in honor of the Congress woman from Arizona.

New day has risen on the Political Horizon

There is change in the air as the new congress convened this week and with a new sense of leadership as House Speaker Boehner takes the helm from Congresswoman Pelosi. I for one am optimistic that Republicans have learned their lesson and will actually practice small government accountability rather than simply read the party platform pamplet. It is a new year so let liberty and optimism ring throughout the land.