A Big Number

819,000,000,000. That is the number. Put a dollar sign in front of that and you get the amount of the stimulus bill that passed the House of Representatives earlier this week. Simply staggering. It passed, 244 to 188, with not one Republican voting in favor, and 11 Democrats voting against.

I've been reading the posts of my fellow Poughkeepsie Journal bloggers. Tom Kraft argues that its absurd that 188 members of congress would vote against this bill, and Jack Sine wants to bash Democrats. I'm more inclined to agree with Tom. Yes, there are things in the bill that I wish were not, but this is how our system works. Lumping unrelated things (like billions for family planning services, which were removed) into a bill to increase your ability to paint your opponent in a negative light has become as American as apple pie. I'm not defending it, I'm just living with the reality.

But these are serious times. There were over 100,000 jobs lost this week, and there are proposals in this bill that will help those effect as well as the economy, such as extending and increasing unemployment benefits, and increasing food stamps for families in need. Money isn't just being "thrown" at the problem, as some may argue. I hope that the bill can be compromised more in conference between the House and Senate, further removing unneeded provisions, and that there can be broad-based support for its passage.

Economics is not an exact science, and anyone who argues otherwise is misinformed. Economists make it up as they go! All they can do is look at what has worked in the past (or not), and try to go forward, and you can always find two who disagree. I'm not crazy about this bill, but there may be no good option. There may only be what there is.

44

Obviously, it goes without saying that Tuesday, January 20, 2009, was a historic day for the United States of America. Whether you voted for President Obama or not, it is hard to dismiss the significance of his inauguration as our 44th president. However, I want to caution everyone to not put more weight than is deserved on this event.

In a recent poll, a majority of African-Americans surveyed stated that they thought the inauguration of President Obama was the realization of Dr. King's dream. I disagree. I think that it is a huge step forward toward the realization of the dream, but King's ultimate dream was not the acquiring of power by minorities, but rather that skin color would no long matter. And unfortunately, just because we have an African-American president does not mean that all Americans no longer see each other in colors. But this is huge progress.

So, President Obama definitely has his plate full, with problems both real and symbolic. But I'm excited, and I've never been more hopeful for the future of our country. This is the first time in my life that I have been aware and conscious of the beginning of a new presidency. Couple that with the fact that I (along with many others my age) feel a certain connection with President Obama, and in a way I feel like I am taking this presidential journey with him. It may sound melodramatic or absurd, but I feel like I'm involved, even though I'm not part of the administration.

It has been said that campaigns are about promises and governing is about achievement. Let's get to work.

St. Francis Hospital

In the January 13 edition of the Poughkeepsie Journal, there appeared a Valley Views feature on the recent announcement of a reduction in mental health services by St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie. Bob Savage, president and CEO of St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers, defended the cuts, while Michael N. Kelsey, a member of the Mental Health Subcommittee of the Dutchess County Mental Hygiene Board, argued against the cuts.

I agree with Mr. Kelsey that the county needs more mental health services for the benefit of its citizens, especially with the rising local population. However, I have to ask: how are you going to pay for it? Look at the economic conditions around you! The state is serious trouble and is cutting back on assistance and services of all kinds. Gov. Paterson is about to turn the Hudson Valley Psychiatric Center into an all-inclusive resort/casino in order to help raise funds! And I don't have the ability to peruse the financial books at St. Francis Hospital, but Mr. Savage claims that the hospital simply cannot afford to stay afloat without reducing services, and he offers numbers to back it up. If you want to convince me of something, show me numbers.

Mr. Kelsey, one the other hand, doesn't offer numbers, but only attempts the moral high-ground. He offers no reasonable solution for the problem, but rather strives to shame the administration of St. Francis Hospital. This is decidedly unproductive, and doesn't sway me one bit.

The fact that hospitals -- public, private, for-profit or not -- have to worry about the bottom line does not sit well with me, but it unfortunately is the way the country works. As Mr. Savage wrote, "Saint Francis is not saying there is 'no more room at the inn,' Saint Francis is saying there may well be no inn unless necessary actions are taken." That is a tough statement to argue against, especially in this economic climate.

A Larger Issue

I am disgusted. Why? Because once again congressional Democrats have shown that they lack any semblance of a spine. A bunch of bumfuzzled buffoons. Or am I just talking about Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid?

Of course I'm writing in reference to the Roland Burris situation. Sen. Reid specifically came out and said nationally that Burris would not be seated, but what does he do soon after? He gives in. The senate majority leader went toe-to-toe with the embattled governor of Illinois and backed down without a fight. Pathetic.

Now, setting aside whether or not seating Roland Burris is the best political step, the whole situation highlights a larger issue: why aren't we out of Iraq? Why has the Democrat-controlled congress not passed more/any significant legislation on healthcare, education, or infrastructure? Why did the past 2 years see a congress with approval rating lower than President Bush? Because the leadership is inept.

Yesterday on CNN, Jack Cafferty asked viewers: why did Sens. Harry Reid and Dick Durbin cave on the issue of seating Roland Burris? One viewers response: "Habit." I couldn't agree more.

I'm just happy Harry Reid has never appeared on a New York ballot.

Happy New Year

A new year, a new congress, and soon a new president. 2009 is shaping up to be a barnburner. Let's touch on some of the most recent developments:

Roland Burris: The Senate should not seat Roland Burris. He may be qualified for the job, but aside from Gov. Blagojevich's compromised stature the very fact that he accepted the nomination either means that he is politically inept, or extremely suspect. Or both. Politics is perception, and simply by accepting Blagojevich's nomination, he forever gave up the image that he is clean. Is he tainted? I don't know. Are you willing to find out?

Al Franken: It appears that Al Franken has beat out incumbent Norm Coleman to be the next senator from Minnesota -- as if we needed more evidence that this was a crazy election cycle.

Bill Richardson: The massive Obama vetting-machine seems to have faltered. Oops. Well, I guess they can't get it all right all of the time. However you want to categorize Richardson's nomination and now withdrawal, let's move on. There's too much to get done to fixate on issues like this.

Israel And Hamas: We in the United States are in the very enviable spot of being largely protected by position. To the north is Canada, to the south is Mexico, and with the exception of the Cuba/Soviet relationship of the 1960s we have never been in a position to expect repeated, close homeland conflict with an enemy. Israel is not so lucky. We're a country surrounded (by and large) by friends. Israel is surrounded by enemies.