Here we go again.

A lot has happened since the last debate. The stock market has utterly collapsed.

McCain has had to defend Obama in Lakeville Minnesota.

The Federal Reserve is continuing to piss our grandchildren’s money away.

In that spirit, it’s time for another quality debate that will change all our minds right? I know I asked this before, but is anyone still undecided? Are there still people out there pretending like they still don’t know whether to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea? The candidates positions are very well known and published at their websites.

For your easy-clicking pleasure:

Obama

McCain

Now that we can all see their intents, do we really need them to lie at each other on stage and back-peddle when questioned?

2 minute warning…

I like the round-table deal.

As much as I’d like to focus on myself as a middle-class American, I’m tired of the candidates obsession. The tax cut will not make me rich or even make me solvent so let’s move on to issues that affect the entire country. Not the couple of bucks that get thrown my way.

McCain getting folksy but at least he’s finally learned to look at Obama. McCain claiming that the Plumber is going to get screwed on taxes in Obama’s plan. Let’s see how Obama responds. So far, he’s rambling. He really doesn’t address the issue directly.

I like the back and forth that this debate offers.

Why would we want to increase taxes? Because we need the money, and the rich can afford it. I’ve voted for every tax increase that’s been on a referendum and voted for every candidate that wanted to raise taxes. We need to cover our bills. Can I just take out more loans to cover my mortgage?

Move on guys.

Deficit question. How will you handle it? Obama answers first. As per usual, not really answering. Nondescript program cuts. “Federal budget, line by line” blah, blah, blah. President has no line item veto so therefore, no you won’t.

McCain answers about how “we” handled the Great Depression. Dating himself maybe? His actual answer, cut spending across the board. On what? Can we cut everything? Should my grandparents social security be cut? Maybe they’re spending too much on their oatmeal. They should probably get jobs. They’re only in their 90’s after all. Plenty of time before they retire.

Good response on the Bush obsession by McCain. Finally acting like an adult in a debate. However, he’s not answering Schieffer’s question. He’s just pushing back at Obama.

Standing up to the leaders of the Democratic party. Obama has a clear answer. Awesome! Very nice to see an occasional straight talk.

Schieffer addressing the negative campaigning issue. McCain going back to town hall B.S. The town hall format is a waste and has nothing to do with McCain being a prick. He would have been a prick no matter what. It’s Obama’s fault that McCain running a 100% negative campaign? He still hasn’t answered why he’s being negative.

Obama answering directly with straight answers. McCain disagrees directly. This an excellent format for a debate. This is how they are supposed to work. Back and forth until they stop going anywhere.

McCain responds directly as well. Unfortunately, McCain doesn’t look as bad has he has in this one. It’s too little, too late for me. Someone who used to really respect him.

What the hell is McCain talking about? When did anyone insinuate that McCain’s supporters were bad people? Obama was talking about Palin’s comments.

Obama returns to talking points. Not sure why. Switches to that we need to work together. McCain rebuts with negativity. Again, not sure why. Onto Ayers.

Good response from Obama on Ayers. Good response on ACORN as well.

Shut up McCain about Ayers and ACORN. This is idiotic. Very bad transition to talking points by McCain.

Schieffer moves to a new question. Onto running mates.

Obama on Biden: Blah blah blah. We all know Biden. We don’t need Obama to tell us about him. We can make our own conclusions. Ooh! Now he’s back on talking points!

McCain on Palin: Blinking like a crazy person. Everything he’s saying is lies. McCain wanted Lieberman for VP. He should have picked Tim Pawlenty. Instead, the party stuck him with no-nothing Palin and all her anti-American, secessionist, baggage.

Obama doesn’t bite on Schieffers question of Palins qualifications. Obama didn’t provide the media with any negatives on her. McCains response on Biden not too bad. Still foolish. Biden is wrong.

McCain transitions to Obama’s spending policies? What?

Schieffer straightens him out. Moves to energy policy.

McCain claims Obama is an extreme environmentalist? Since when? He’s far less of an environmentalist then most loggers and coal miners. I don’t think I can drink enough to get through this.

Obama getting rambly. Getting bored.

McCain getting back on offshore drilling. Reminder for those that don’t remember. DRILLING WON’T REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR OIL BY 1 F’N CENT! Hell, I have no problem with offshore drilling. Drill all over the goddamn place. But it won’t help us, other then by adding generally to the supply.

McCain loves Columbia and wants to marry it. Obama stood Columbia up at the prom.

Obama has a good rebuttal to McCain. McCain responds with total BS and back to no-preconditions with terrorists.

On to health care. We know their plans. Don’t care what they say. They’ll probably just lie about each-other.

Joe the plumber what? Where the hell did this meme come from?

Obama responds with a solid hard response on Joe the plumbers employer-based health insurance.

How the hell is Joe the Plumber rich? McCain claims that the average cost of a health plan is $5800/year. McCains heath plan offers $5k per family. Not 5k per person.

McCain getting a little too worked up.

Abortion: Watershed issue? McCain responds well but blames democrats for something. Not sure what, got distracted by his blinking. Shutup Scheiffer, McCain answered the question. I’m not sure what you’re getting at.

Obama responds. A little wishy-washy. I actually like McCain’s answer better. That put’s a bad taste in my mouth but it’s true. A straight answer is always better. Man up Obama.

Partial birth abortion issue has nothing to do with the popular view of what partial birth abortion is. This is a nuanced issue. Third trimester abortion has to do with non-viable fetuses or instances in which the mothers life is in jeopardy.

Stop snuffing McCain. He needs to learn that his mic picks that up.

Why does McCain never say his adoptive childrens names?

Education. Somehow, I can’t bring myself to care about this issue right now. Economy is just too important. Of course, I’d like to get some controls on state college costs, but I just don’t see any president doing anything about it.

Don’t get the school voucher obsession. When you’re state/federal funded, what purpose does competition serve?

Warshington.

Closing arguments, McCain: Good and not negative. Claims he will make change.

Closing arguments, Obama: Getting a little negative, not happy about it. However, by McCain leading in as the “change” candidate, Obama was forced into it to avoid being the “me too” candidate. His closing, is not as polished. It almost sounds like he made it up on the fly.

Good solid handshake at the end. They finally got it right.

May I say again, “Holy Crap Michelle Obama is tall!”

To recap. Great debate, great moderator, great format, Joe the plumber is the winner.

Good evening all.

Tonight, I will be repeating my performance of a week ago by typing my “stream of consciousness” as I watch the Vice Presidential debates on C-Span. As before, I’ll be Tweeting at the same time.

Let me begin with my take on the media’s representation of this event. My feeling is that they have set up Palin for success tonight by bad-mouthing her all week. I’m sure everyone has noticed that the criticism of Palin has increased ten fold over the last few days. I suspect they did this to set everyone’s expectations low. This means that, when she doesn’t completely embarrass herself tonight, it will be viewed as a victory over Biden. We’ll find out momentarily…

Watching the CBS live stream.

I really don’t care what Katie Couric has to say.

Much more respect from Palin then McCain, see my thoughts on McCain’s performance. Better coaching?

Biden and Palin opening up with pure talking points. I think I’m going to hate this debate.

Palin has been *very* well coached. However, after seeing her off the cuff responses in past days/weeks, it’s very clear that all it is, is coaching. If I was completely uninformed, I’d view it differently.

Both Palin and Biden are much better actors then McCain and Obama. Neither of them are making faces at each-other.

This is a much more cordial debate.

Palins response on tax increases do not address that Obama’s tax plan gives tax cuts to the bottom, not the top.

It’s easy to cut taxes when you’re governor of a state that doesn’t have taxes!!!!!!!!!!!

As someone in the middle class, I like people focusing on me. However, what about the lower class? Does anybody care about them?

Palin is misunderstanding the Reagan quote about government being the problem. Reagan said that *Carter’s* government was the problem, and that his would be a new focus on independence. In the next paragraph of his inaugural address, he stated

“Well, this administration’s objective will be a healthy, vigorous, growing economy that provides equal opportunities for all Americans, with no barriers born of bigotry or discrimination”

Healthcare coverage *should* be mandated.

Palin is *very* well coached. Did I mention that?

Palin is somehow inferring that Biden wants us to spend more money on energy in other countries and not allow energy production in America. I’m not even sure how voting against drilling in ANWAR can possibly be construed to be against oil production in the United States.

Palin is being asked about climate change. She’s dancing around the question completely. This is a standard Palin cyclical answer where she rambles from subject to subject. Where the hell is she going with this?!?

Biden is so much more calm then I expected him to be.

I’m glad that Biden isn’t waffling on same-sex marriage. I don’t recall the Constitution mentioning any definition of marriage.

I’m tired of the word “tolerant”. Why do you need to be “tolerant” of someone who’s not bothering or affecting you in any way. What the hell do you care who people exchange fluids with.

Palin did not understand the nuances of Biden’s non-support of gay marriage.

Palin’s comments on troop funding support is a good hit on Obama re: Biden’s comments. Let’s see how he responds….

Biden dances, but hit’s hard and redirects the focus. “What’s McCain’s plan?” He does not, however, explain his comments which he obviously believed in at the time. After all, he was running for the nomination.

Palin hits back with the “Why do you hate our troops?” response. What an asshole. I’m getting really F’n tired of that.

Cutting off funding for the troops is a ridiculous argument. Every senator has voted for and against funding depending on the budget requirements. Even Cheney voted “against our troops” at one point.

Palin: “Nukular”

Palin: Actually pronounces “Ahmadinejad” properly.

Shut up about pre-conditions regarding meetings. If you recognize a country as a sovereign nation, you should be willing to meet with them. Man-up. They’re allowed to hate us. If they hate us enough, we’ll bomb them. Bombing the shit out of someone is without conditions as well.

Good response Biden. Ahmadinejad does not control his own country!

Good call on the Spain issue Biden!!!!! I still feel this is very telling of McCain’s confusion and lack of vision.

They both love Israel. Hooray! Why is it so important that everyone love another country so much? Everyone needs to stop trying to out-love Israel. They are their own country, with their own problems. We’ve got our own problems too. Let’s fix those first.

Palin: “Nukular, First Blood part 2″

Don’t recall Obama saying that we’re killing civilians in Afghanistan. However, he did apparently say it, and factcheck.org says it is a true statement.

Surge, surge, surge, surge, surge, ad infinium….

Bosniaks? Editors Note: Apparently this is the proper terminology. You learn something every day. Wikipedia:Bosniaks

Not even sure if anyone is answering Ifill’s questions at all. They only say “Thank you for your question. Here’s what I’m talking about instead.”

Biden need to respond to the “voted for the war before he was against it” shit. Kerry ignored it, Biden needs to man up and say he was wrong, or counter appropriately.

Twitter is down.

Twitter is up.

Biden’s going to get his ass bitten on his claims that he agrees on all of Obama’s positions.

Shut up about being Mavericks(tm). You’re not Mavericks(tm). You’re More of the Same(tm).

Palin’s back on her Minnesota accent, down home, folksy bullshit. Let’s get this straight. Palin is not from the midwest, Bush is not from the south. Let’s hear some people with a neutral accent for once. I hate affected accents.

What does the Vice President do? Palin read a high-school civics textbook. Kickass!

Palin asked to define the VP position. Palin says, I’m Cheney part II. Fear my wrath! I shall smite thee!

Now she’s rambling.

Biden’s answer on the position of the Vice President is spot on.

Palin: “About times and Todd…” What the hell does that mean?

Biden has passion.

I hate Palin. I’m sorry, I can’t even try to be non-partisan. I just can’t stand her. I hate her voice, I hate her politics, I hate her glasses, I hate hate hate hate hate her. Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, etc.

What have you compromised on, Biden: Judges, Bort, something etc, not inspiring.

What have you compromised on, Palin: Cut taxes in a state that has no taxes. Lie, lie, lie, I hate her, did I mention that?

Palin’s closing statement are much better than McCain’s

Biden’s closing statement is rambling but meaningful.

Palin is far more respectful then McCain.

That is all. Time for bed. Love that Palin and Biden are talking after the debate instead of running away from each other like Obama and McCain.

As the markets collapse and we all fear for our life savings, jobs, and homes I’ve been putting some thought into the concepts and potential results of the bailout.

It seems to me that injecting $7.00×10^11 into the economy of the Democratic Peoples Republic of America(DPRA) is not going to amount to anything for the average hard working, tax paying, citizen. In the end, other then give a big bag of money to the assholes that screwed us over, what is the real result. The answer is nothing.

The investment banks are cash poor as, apparently, MBAs are not taught about the importance of cash flow. On top of that, it would seem that many companies finance their payroll and overhead through loans, possibly the worst thing a small business can do. We’re all being told that, unless we taxpayers bail out these sons of bitches, the economy will spiral into complete decay.

I say, let it happen.

We’ve been sucking at the teat of easy credit and fallacious economic policy for too long and, I’ll admit, I’ve taken my share. Enough is enough. We cannot continue basing our economy on pushing fictitious dollars around.

As such, I feel that we need to experience a depression in this generation. A complete collapse of the economy to remind us of what’s important.

After taking stock of my life, I realized yesterday it doesn’t matter what happens. What really matters, is that there is somewhere to go back to.

The most important thing, is to play out the scenario of what will happen when it’s all gone. Do you have a place to go home to that is owned by your family? This means family farms, homesteads, plot’s of land you can call your own. A place you can grow some vegetables, raise some livestock, or hunt for meat. A place that you can subsist regardless of money, power, or public utilities.

In my circumstances, should the worst occur, that place is the 90 acres of my childhood home in extreme Northern Minnesota. In the end I know that the land and water shall provide, and I can keep my family comfortable, warm, and fed as we wait out the systemic collapse of our economy.

I hate debates. Unless you are a complete buffoon (my apologies to the buffoons out there), we’ve already made up our minds. Ultimately, we’re all partisan hacks.

So what are we stuck with? Talking points and rambling.

I’m going to type a stream of consciousness of my thoughts below as I watch the debates. Shout out to Twitter for inspiration as I type. Unfortunately, I didn’t start watching until around 8:30pm:

Christ, John McCain blinks a lot. He has not made eye contact with Obama once.

Obama is much better in this debate then I expected.

Jim Lehrer is a good moderator and ensures that they stay on task.

I used to like John McCain. As a matter of fact, I would have voted for him if he had won the nomination in 2000. He needs to shut up about winning in Iraq. We’re not winning. It’s not our place to win. It’s the place of the Iraqi people to win. You cannot impose democracy. It must come from within.

I’m tired of the lies from the Neocons. Let me say this once and for all: I have no problem with Republican policies, it’s the Neocons that I can’t stand. How ’bout a little goddamn fiscal conservatism? Whatever happened to that. I’m so tired of the lies. I’d like to be rooting for McCain, but he’s become a lieing scumbag.

Of course the surge worked. No one said it wouldn’t work while the excess troops were there. However, have they left yet? No. When they leave, it will all go to shit again. The solution is change from within and making the Iraqis to take care of their own issues. I’d much rather throw money at them to help them resolve their own problems rather then lose even one more soldier.

Luksusowa=good vodka

I’m pleased with McCain admitting fault in allowing Afghanistan to be ignored. I’m also glad he acknowledged Obama’s rash comments about strikes in Pakistan. However, I’m not sure where he’s going with his statements as he’s not really saying anything about his strategy being better then Obama’s.

Decent response from Obama on McCain’s criticism about Pakistan policy.

Pleased with McCain’s criticism of Reagan. No problem with Gulf War I.

Now he’s playing on heartstrings about wearing the bracelet of a fallen soldier. Soldiers die. That’s their lot. And sometimes they die in wrong wars. That doesn’t make their service any less honorable. It just is.

Obama is making a point to pronounce words correctly. I like that. “Pahkistahn”!

Did I mention that Jim Lehrer is cool?

Could McCain stop blinking and, perhaps, look at Obama from time to time?

I feel that Iran is on the cusp of an internal revolution towards representative democracy. The worst thing we could do is attack them. That would only galvanize them. Patriotism can be dangerous. We all stood by Bush after 9/11, myself included. That’s what patriotism does. “Not in my house, not in my hood.”

“Preconditions” is bullshit. What the hell are preconditions? I feel that it is the duty of nations to have respect of any other nation. It doesn’t matter if they are assholes. You have to, at least, talk to them. What the hell does it solve to act like a spoiled child and not talk to people?

Spain!!! I forgot about that. Holy shit is McCain an idiot.

The focus on meeting without preconditions is idiotic. Just because you meet with someone doesn’t legitimize it. Has anyone asked Ahmadinejad not to be an asshole?

Obama knows countries!

Went get some food, what did I miss?

Russia huh? Why are they our problem and who cares if they attack Georgia. That’s their problem. Not ours. We’ve got enough wars.

McCain is an angry man. Is Belgium OK or should we invade them? Are we allowed to talk to them without “preconditions”?

Pleased with McCain not fear-mongering over another 9/11.

Missile defense is total fucking bullshit and doesn’t work. If anyone knows of a peer reviewed study that says it does, let me know.

Obama = Uniter, McCain = Divider is my take. McCain consistently criticizes Obama out of hand where Obama agrees with McCain from time to time. I haven’t seen McCain do anything but criticize. He’s negative about everything but the military.

Now McCain has dropped back to talking points and not answering the questions. Surge? Obama wasn’t even talking about it.

Obama is Kenyan. Apparently. He’s never mentioned that before. /sarcasm

Why the Christ doesn’t John McCain make eye contact with Obama?

Obama made the first move to shake John McCain’s hand after the debate.

Holy crap Michelle Obama is tall.

Here endeth the lesson.

P.S. OMG!!! Flag pin!!! LOLPONIES!!!!

OK, so here’s what’s going on right now:

McCain has suspended his campaign to “meet [in the senate] until this crisis is resolved.”. However, John McCain is not on the senate banking committee and has never been involved in setting economic policy.

So he pressures Bush to hold a Whitehouse meeting and then, out of nowhere, submits his own version of the bill that is completely different from the original in all regards. It is still unclear exactly what that bill is.

My suspicion, is that this was done to allow McCain to appear to be anti-Bush, and the savior of Democratic Peoples Republic of America.

However…

Here’s what else is going on right now:

The 3rd Infantry 1st Combat Brigade is being redeployed to the United States to act as a peacekeeping force. If you’re wondering what’s wrong with this, please Google “Posse Comitatus”. This means that now, instead of the National Guard helping state and local police in the event of a national disaster, the US Military is expected to do so. Apparently the National Guard is too busy guarding Iraq to take care of their mission here.

Here’s my super-paranoid view of what’s happening:

If John McCain is willing to suspend his campaign for a “time of crisis”, though Lincoln debated during the civil war and Roosevelt did also during WWII, is he also amenable to suspending elections? My fear is that McCain is working with Bush to develop a plan to declare martial law and suspend the election. This can be done, and though unconstitutional, is perfectly legal per Presidential Directive 51.

Could McCain’s interference be a method to keep the unrest going all the way to election day? Maybe it’s not just incompetant political posturing but the end of the free world? Perhaps were not going to become the DPRA but the Kingdom of America.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

I apologize for the commercial prior to the video (by the way, I love the flag pin. He must be the most patriotic guy ever!!! But why isn’t it bigger? I think John Robert’s pin is bigger. Couldn’t he be more patriotic? He’s only got one pin. Wouldn’t 2 pins be more patriotic? I think an American flag tie might help, but only a little.)

McCain must embrace Palin’s beliefs, evangelical leader says

I seem to recall a separation of church and State vaguely implied in the Constitution…

Oh Yeah! I remember!

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…

Now, I understand that though this does not explicitly guarantee “separation of church and state” it’s very clear what it implies. We have a secular government that does not meddle in the affairs of religion. What this means to me, as it relates to the Presidential elections, is that if a voter thinks that the religious beliefs of the President are important, that’s great! They are welcome to imagine what they are. However, as the President oversees a secular nation *regardless of who’s religion is the most popular today*, the Presidential candidate should shut the hell up about their religious beliefs.

I honestly don’t care if John McCain is a Muslim or if Barack Obama is a devout Atheist and it shouldn’t matter to the American people.

How are you Catholics feeling? Oppressed? How about Methodists? Are you under-represented? How about Snake Handlers? Feel the President isn’t fondling enough of them? Could the Middle East crisis be handled by groping a few more snakes? Oops, the Catholics want to handle the Russia issue through the President drinking the transubstantiated blood of a 2000 year old dead guy. Can we do both? Is there time? There’s a Vikings game on at noon and I don’t know if I can cope with missing kick-off. Maybe we should just go with a quick prayer to God to smite the poor un-saved Muslims and maybe put in a good word for the Vikes. They could use a win and, after all, I’ve got a ten spot riding on it.

Here’s an idea…

Worry about policy and historical votes/behaviour. Not what some asshole tells you they believe.

Now that the conventions are over and the blood and confetti has been washed from the streets, it’s time to look at some reals comparisons of the candidates. It can be hard to push through the rhetoric and just make the decision for yourself. Even at the candidates websites, their own detailed proposals are written in an overtly biased manner and spread out across multiple pages and categories.

John McCain has been pushing the oversimplified agenda of Obama = raise taxes, McCain = lower taxes. Unfortunately, it’s far more complicated on both sides. Please see the below for a quick comparison:

Look where Obama’s tax increases are and look where McCains tax cuts are. As you can see, there is a pretty obvious difference when it comes to income level. The most outstanding item, at first glance, is the tax increases in the Obama column on wage earners $600,000 and above. As it such a glaring difference, it might lead you to believe that McCain is correct about Obama being an evil “tax and spend” liberal. However, as none of you (well, at least 99% of you) are being affected by those tax increases, look at the rest of the graph.

If you cover up the top 2 tiers of the graph (less then 1% of wage earners) you can see where John McCains bread is buttered. The fact is, that the lower brackets will spend into the economy any tax breaks they receive, whereas the upper tax brackets will simply invest the funds in markets that will either harm the lower classes (i.e. fuel and farm commodity speculation) or possibly invest them in other markets or currencies doing better then the US at this stage there-by reducing our economic growth even more then before the tax cut. If anyone tells you that the average Joe will receive a penny of trickle-down from the rich, they’re blowing smoke up your ass.

Below is a table of the tax plans in detail. I think they speak for themselves. The biggest issue that affects the “Middle Class” is the removal of the cap on the Social Security tax in Obama’s plan. However, since it only affects families earning over $200,000, we’re only talking about 3% of wage earners. From the Tax Policy Center an easy to read analysis of McCain and Obama’s proposals.

Until Palin gave this speech, I didn’t realize how irritating she really was. Though I disagree with almost everything she stands for, I didn’t think she had the most annoying trait of all: A Minnesota accent. Though I am a Minnesotan, I find the stereotypical North Dakota/Minnesota accent extremely grating, even more then a strong southern drawl. That’s enough for me to hate her.

However, so as to not make this an entirely personal attack, below is a link to a detailed fact check of Palin’s speech last night by Mark Kleiman.

Palin V. Reality

Excerpts:

“PALIN: “In fact, I told Congress — I told Congress, ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ on that bridge to nowhere.”

REALITY: PALIN WAS FOR THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE BEFORE SHE WAS AGAINST IT.

October 2006” Palin Supported Bridge To Nowhere. In 2006, Palin was asked, “Would you continue state funding for the proposed Knik Arm and Gravina Island bridges?” She responded, “Yes. I would like to see Alaska’s infrastructure projects built sooner rather than later. The window is now–while our congressional delegation is in a strong position to assist.” [Anchorage, 10/22/06, republished 08/29/08]

2006: Palin: Don’t Allow “Spinmeisters” To Turn Bridge To Nowhere Project “Into Something That’s So Negative.” “Part of my agenda is making sure that Southeast is heard. That your projects are important. That we go to bat for Southeast when we’re up against federal
influences that aren’t in the best interest of Southeast.’ She cited the widespread negative attention focused on the Gravina Island crossing project. ‘We need to come to the defense of Southeast Alaska when proposals are on the table like the bridge and not allow the
spinmeisters to turn this project or any other into something that’s so negative,’ Palin said.” [Ketchikan Daily News, 10/2/06]“

“PALIN: “But we are expected to govern with integrity, and goodwill, and clear convictions…”

REALITY: PALIN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ABUSE OF POWER.

Former State Official Accused Palin, Palin’s Former Chief of Staff and Current Ted Stevens Campaign Manager and Palin’s Husband Of Pressuring Him to Fire Trooper. In July 2008, former state official Walt Monegan accused Palin, Palin’s former Chief of Staff and current Stevens’ campaign manager Mike Tibbles and husband Todd Palin of pressuring him to fire Palin sister’s ex-husband Mike Wooten. [Anchorage Daily News, 07/18/08]

July 2008: Special Counsel Appointed Last Month to Investigate Palin Abuse of Power Claim. In July 2008, the Alaska State Legislator voted 12-0 to approve $100,000 for a special investigator to begin an investigation into claims Palin fired a former state official because he would not fire a state trooper who was involved in a bitter custody battle with Palin’s sister. The legislator’s intent was to investigate the events surrounding the termination of former Dept. of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan and potential abuses of power and improper action by Palin and her administration. [KTVA 11, 07/28/08]“

“PALIN: “ But listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform – not even in the state senate.”

REALITY: OBAMA PASSED THE MOST SWEEPING REFORMS SINCE WATERGATEIN BOTH THE ILLINOIS AND US SENATES, AMONG OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Obama Helped Pass The 2007 Ethics Reform Law, Which Curbed The Influence Of Lobbyists And Was Described As The “Most Sweeping Since Watergate.” In the first week of the 110th Congress, Obama joined with Senator Feingold to introduce a “Gold Standard” ethics package. Many of the Obama/Feingold bill’s most important provisions were included in the final ethics reform package passed by the Senate in late January: a full ban on gifts and meals from lobbyists including those paid by the firms that employ lobbyists; an end to subsidized travelon corporate jets; full disclosure of who’s sponsoring earmarks and for what purpose; additional restrictions to close the revolving door between public service and lobbying to ensure that public service isn’t all about lining up a high-paying lobbying job; and requiring lobbyists to disclose the contributions that they “bundle” – that is, collect or arrange – for members of Congress, candidates, and partycommittees. In January 2007, the Washington Post wrote in aneditorial that “…Mr. Reid, along with Sens. Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), deserves credit for assembling and passing this package.” In September 2007, the AP reported, “President Bushsigned a bill Friday that will require lawmakers to disclose more about their efforts to fund pet projects and raise money from lobbyists, a measure that backers call the biggest ethics reform in decades…Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. who had pushed for the bundlingprovisions and was one of four lawmakers who participated in a Democratic conference call to reporters said the measure marks “themost sweeping ethics reform since Watergate.” [S. 230, 110thCongress; S.1, Became Public Law 109-110-81, 9/14/07; AP, 9/15/07;TheWashington Post, Editorial, 1/21/07]

Obama Passed Illinois State Gift Ban Act “Heralded As the MostSweeping Good-Government Legislation in Decades.” In 1998, Obama passed the Illinois Gift Ban that prohibited legislators, state officers and employees, and judges from soliciting or receiving gifts from a person or entity with interests affected by government. The Chicago Tribune wrote, “Gov. Jim Edgar signed into law Wednesday anethics and campaign finance package heralded as the most sweeping good-government legislation in decades.” The law also required greater campaign finance disclosure and limited the uses for which raisedmoney could be spent. Obama said, “I have seen a general cynicism from taxpayers about government. They believe they have no influence on the process since they don’t have the money of special interest groups. With the gift ban and the ban on Springfield fund-raisers that are contained in this legislation, I think at least some of thisconfidence will be restored.” [HB672, 3R P 52-4-1, 5/22/98; PA90-0737, 8/12/98; Chicago Tribune, 8/13/98; Chicago Independent Bulletin, 6/4/98]

Ø Illinois Ethics Bill Most Far Reaching Since Watergate,Product Of Bipartisan Work. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote ofObama’s bill, “The ethics restrictions would be the most far-reaching since the Watergate-era campaign financial disclosure law. They are the product of months of negotiations among two lawmakers of each party, other state officials and Mike Lawrence. He is an aide toformer Sen. Paul Simon, a Democrat, and used to be an aide to Edgar, a Republican.” [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 5/24/98]…”

Biden on 9/10/01 warned the ‘real threat’ may come in ‘the belly of a plane’

“We will have diverted all that money to address the least likely threat while the real threats come into this country in the hold of a ship, or the belly of a plane, or are smuggled into a city in the middle of the night in a vial in a backpack.”

I’m shocked that I haven’t heard this quote before. Especially in that Condoleezza Rice received so much criticism for ignoring the “Bin Laden determined to attack” memo. Wouldn’t it be nice to be forward looking instead of locking the barn door after the horse has been stolen? Now we’re pushing missile defense again.

Sigh…