PresidentsBlackberry

Showdown for Healthcare

2010-03-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

While I truly believe we need Healthcare reform, since I am confident that nobody has actually bothered to read the legislation, what assurances do we have that our government can tweak it once it passes. Are we creating a bigger mess then we currently have? I know these are my fears, but I also know that this giant ship we call the United States is heading towards an iceberg called entitlements we can no longer afford. Something must be done. Is this the right answer? Well Mr. President if this is the answer, you pass the legislation, and it works, you will be considered one of the best Presidents ever. Good luck to us all.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/top-10-reasons-why-voting_b_500562.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lincoln-mitchell/the-politics-of-passing-h_b_500813.html

Banking Oversight

2010-03-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

Where is the new legislation from our Government to make sure our banks no longer make the crazy investments they did in the last decade?
Aren't the big banks just re creating the same environment that got is into this mess to begin with?

Your thoughts?

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/32255149/wall_streets_bailout_hustle

Geithner Speaks - Markets Fall

2009-05-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Is the Dollar doomed with our current Treasury Secretary unable to realize the necessity to start controlling the runaway train wreck known as the US printing press. Isn't it time to begin the collection and retirement of TARP monies?

Today Geithner met with legislators and stated the following:

Geithner added that the way the bailout was designed, for each $1 that is paid back, $1 can be lent back out. "So it's your understanding that you have $700 billion to use permanently as you see fit?" DeMint asked incredulously. Geithner wouldn't take the bait. "I'm not quite sure 'permanently' is right," he said.

This is outrageous. It's no wonder our dollar is tanking and the stock market is so incredibly volatile. What is Geithner thinking?

Government Drug maker

2009-04-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Should the US government be in the drug business? Well, if they were wouldn't our drugs be much less expensive. Shouldn't drugs for illness be NOT for profit? If they were then no company would rush to invest billions in an attempt at profiting from the next wonder drug. Today Dendreon Corporation announced phase 3 trials for their colon cancer drug. Stock went from 7 to a high of 24. Greed drives drug companies.

http://www.healthsalon.org/63/a-cheap-and-simple-cure-for-cancer/

A simple cure for Cancer may be available, but since the drug cannot be patented no drug company will spend the money on testing it and putting it through our FDA trials.

So, should the United States Government establish a not for profit organization to resolve these otherwise conflicts of humanity? Shouldn't the good of the people override corporate greed? Or is this a socialist idea and not a truly capitalist notion?

White House is Open for Questions

2009-03-26T13:15:00.000-07:00

What is on your mind?
Obama is listening.

Log in at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/OpenForQuestions/

Let them know what is on your mind.

Is the stimulus plan a complete waste of time?

2009-02-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

STIMULUS PLAN EXPLAINED

Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics
professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you
explain it to me?"

The professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my
office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my
weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you." The student agreed.

At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's
house. The professor stated that the weekend project involved his
backyard pool.

They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the
student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said,
"First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water
as you can." The student did as he was instructed.

The professor then continued, "Follow me over to the shallow end, and
then dump all the water from your bucket into it." The student was
naturally confused, but did as he was told.

The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times,
and began walking back to the deep end of the pool.

The confused student asked, "Excuse me, but why are we doing this?"

The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the
shallow end much deeper.

The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but
figured that he would find out the real story soon enough.

However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end,
the student began to become worried that his economics professor had
gone mad. The student finally replied, "All we're doing is wasting
valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this
process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before,
so all you'll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could
have been truly productive action!"

The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile,
"Congratulations.. You now understand the stimulus bill."

Repatriate Corporate Earnings abroad....

2009-02-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

Should the US lower the tax rate for corporations temporarily on repatriated earnings?
John Mauldin writes:

"US companies have so much money squirreled away that Allen Sinai of Decision Economics concluded that, if the US lowered tax rates temporarily on repatriated earnings, companies would repatriate US$545 billion. There is a precedent for this: we saw US companies bring home $360 billion in 2004 as a result of the temporary 5% tax rate contained in the American Jobs Creation Act. (Sent to me by Louis Gave of GaveKal, whose work will be highlighted in next Monday's Outside the Box)
Why not set a 10% tax rate to simply bring the money home, and a 5% rate if they use it for capital spending or to create jobs? Now that is stimulus that would actually result in more taxable income! And that money did help to create a boom in 2004. On an aside, this just goes to show how out of balance the US corporate tax system is."

Should Obama create a "Bad Bank"?

2009-02-09T11:17:00.001-08:00

Would a "Bad Bank" help the financial system? Should Washington create such a behemoth and would it utltimately work?

Reduce Washington Staff

2009-02-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

Should Obama do as Wall Street and require our Congress and Senate to reduce themselves and staff? Big business cuts all the time, why not our Sentors and Congressmen. It is estimated that a savings of 8 Billion dollars could come if we cut the number of congress and senate by half. Shouldn't they be held to the same standard as the rest of the country?
Let me know your thoughts.

Should Guantanamo be shut down?

2009-01-22T12:15:00.000-08:00

Will the shutting down of Guantanamo Bay facility help the country in the eyes of the world? Should we be closing down this prison?

President gets to keep his Blackberry

2009-01-22T12:10:00.000-08:00

Obama views the connection to the outside world as vital, seeing it as a tool to help him “stay in touch with the flow of everyday life,” he said on NBC’s “Today” show recently.

Initially, it seemed, the president was going to give up the device once he took office because of security and legal issues. The Presidential Records Act puts correspondence, including e-mails, in the official record and available for public review. Presidential e-mails also can be subpoenaed.

We will continue to post items of importance to the American People.

Should President Bush Pardon the flip flop throwing Iraqi?

2008-12-15T07:16:00.000-08:00

A farewell gesture from the Iraqi press, not one but two flying shoes directly at the head.

"Shoe-throwing Iraqi journalist Muntadar al-Zaidi, a reporter with Cairo-based network Al Baghdadia Television, had experienced first-hand the brutal violence that consumed Iraq last year, reports the Washington Post:

Zaidi, colleagues said, was kidnapped by Shiite militiamen last year and was later released.

In an eyewitness account of the shoe-throwing incident, Modest Bee reporter Adam Ashton reports that Bush and Maliki had just finished their speeches and were preparing to take questions from the Iraqi media, who "have never had a chance to ask a question to the American president" when "the shoes started flying." Now the questions is:

Should George Bush Pardon Muntadar al-Zaidi?

Smoking in 2008

2008-12-12T14:03:00.003-08:00

Given the fact that over 500,000 US citizens die each year to smoking related illness, how do you feel about Obama smoking?

Big 3 Automakers

2008-12-12T11:51:00.000-08:00

Should the Big 3 Automakers receive help from the US government?
Why?

Given the massive losses by the US automakers, why should the US government spend good taxpayer money to help these companies stay in business?

Wouldn't chapter 11 Bankruptcy help these companies re-establish themselves and not be strangled?

What are your thoughts?

Five Minutes alone with the President of the United States...What would you ask him?

2008-12-03T09:45:00.001-08:00

Clock is ticking. Be concise. What issue are you most passionate about? What do you want him to know? What issue needs his attention?

How much would you pay for the privilege? We have your in, if you have the money...

As of now you have 7 days, 2 hours and 23 minutes to bid on meeting President Elect Obama during the Inauguration, as offered up on Charity Buzz.

Starting rate is $47,500, and - as of now - the next maximum bid is $52,500.

Apparently meeting Obama is worth a cool $80,000. Plus, the cash given for this oh-so exclusive opportunity goes directly to charity so you can have a guilt-free meet-and-greet.

What this all entail exactly - after the jump.

**Attendees must be legal US residents. Convicted felons are not eligible to attend.**

You and your honored guest will attend the 2009 Presidential Inauguration, Presidential Inauguration Balls and the events surrounding them. The week-long events take place January 15-January 20, 2009.

With national voter turnout breaking records, we are proud to offer an historic opportunity to become part of history. Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States and his Inauguration will be truly historic. This package includes:

- Exclusive VIP seating at the Inauguration

- A chance to meet the newly-elected President and Vice President

- Photo opportunities with the newly elected President and Vice President

- Invitation only private, sponsored corporate functions the week of the Inauguration

- Invitation-only various private Republican and Democratic events the week of the Inauguration

- Photo opportunities and social events with members of the Senate, Congress and various VIP's

- Meals that are served during scheduled events

- An autograph of the newly elected President

- Transportation to and from your hotel and scheduled events during the January 15-January 20 time period

- Attendance at various Inauguration Week Balls including: Democracy Ball, Stars and Stripes Ball, Patriot Ball, Independence Ball, Constitution Ball, Commander-In-Chief Ball, Freedom Ball, and Liberty Ball.

- Package winner must be a legal resident of the US and submit to a police background check and be approved by the United States Secret Service. Convicted felons or anyone on the no fly list will not be allowed to attend. Please note that since many of the balls take place simultaneously, the winner will make selections as to which ball they wish to attend.

Health Care for Special Needs

2008-12-03T09:42:00.001-08:00

Given the incredible financial burden on families with special needs children: autism specifically; what is the federal government doing about finding a cure and helping those families already affected by this debilitating disease?

****More than half a million U.S. children have autism with costly health care needs that often put an unprecedented financial strain on their families, national data show.
Compared with parents whose youngsters have chronic health care needs but not autism, those with autistic children are three times more likely to have to quit their jobs or reduce work hours to care for their kids. They pay more for their kids' health needs, spend more time providing or arranging for that care, and are more likely to have money difficulties, the study found.
"This is the first national survey that looked at the impact on families of having kids with special health care needs," said lead author Michael Kogan, a researcher with the government's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
The results are from a nationally representative 2005-06 survey of nearly 40,000 children with special health care needs. These children have a broad range of chronic conditions, including physical and mental illness, requiring more extensive than usual medical care.

Dr. Condoleezza Rice -

2008-12-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

Dr. Condoleezza Rice has done a phenomenal job as Secretary of State and in all of her roles working for George W. Bush. Given her talents and dedication to our country, where could she best serve after Obama enters office? What suggestions do you have?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/ricebio.html

Which Republicans to use in the Cabinet?

2008-11-29T11:19:00.000-08:00

Where is Newt Gingrich and how can an Obama Presidency use him?

How can Colin Powell be used in this new Administration?

Who else would you like to see work for the Democrats in our country's time of need?

http://www.republicansforobama.org/?q=consider

Cuba ban lifted?

2008-11-29T10:58:00.000-08:00

Should Obama lift the ban on Cuba? Should US citizens once again be allowed to visit the communist nation? "On January 1 1959, Cuba went from a dictatorship palatable to the United States in Fulgencio Batista to one that has been a nagging thorn in every president's side since Eisenhower in Fidel Castro."

Now is an opportunity to change policy towards Cuba. Is the US ready?

When Obama reached out yesterday to congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen (and finally got her on the phone after she hung up on him, twice) She asked Obama to work with Bob Menendez and Albio Sire to discuss Cuba policy.

There is hope that change is on the horizon.

Health Care

2008-11-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

Health Care in America...What needs to be done to overhaul the health care system without becoming a socialist state?

Social Security and your 401k...

2008-11-28T18:22:00.000-08:00

With the stock market tanking and 401ks in the toilet, how's anyone supposed to retire on Social security alone? Mr. President, what can you do?

Another Forum for Presidential discussions...

2008-11-28T18:20:00.001-08:00

If you just can't get enough check out CNN.

http://theforum.cnn.com/

Education in America

2008-11-28T18:12:00.000-08:00

With the public school system in the United States in disarray, what's a President to do?

Nearly 50 million students are heading off to approximately 97,000 public elementary and secondary schools for the fall term, and before the school year is out, an estimated $489 billion will be spent related to their education. To maintain supremacy as the leader of the free world we can no longer accept our educational system as it is. The entire system must be overhauled. What are the answers?
Educational vouchers? Paying teachers more money? Teaching teachers to be better teachers? How can our teachers become better at their jobs? What needs to be done?

Decrease Government while Increasing Economic Stimulus???

2008-11-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

President Clinton seemed to be able to do it. How can we achieve what otherwise seem like conflicting goals?

How should the United States make peace with Russia?

2008-11-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

Is hardline attitude towards Russia, North Korea, and other countries the way to go?

Robert Gates staying on...

2008-11-28T18:01:00.001-08:00

How do you feel about Robert Gates staying on as Defense Secretary?

Paul Volcker

2008-11-28T17:54:00.000-08:00

Is the appointment of Paul Volcker former head of the Fed a step in the right direction? How can the US avoid an extended recession?

NO Blackberry? What's a President to do?

2008-11-28T17:51:00.001-08:00

Without a Blackberry, how can President Elect keep in touch with the world? People around him? The US at large?

Should General Petreaus stay on???

2008-11-28T17:50:00.000-08:00

Iraq vs Afganistan????

2008-11-28T17:48:00.000-08:00

Which country requires more attention from the United States?

Should the US leave Iraq and devote more time in Afganistan?

How would you feel about Hillary as Secretary of State?

2008-11-28T10:27:00.001-08:00

With rumors swirling of Hillary becoming the new Secretary of State, Do you think she is the right choice? Why? Bill Richardson's name had been floated as a contender and now he is rumored to be our new Commerce Secretary. Would Bill been a better choice?

President Elect's Team

2008-11-28T10:21:00.000-08:00