Mountain Sage

Not one Republican vote.  Which is fine since they weren’t needed.  You either have to lead, follow or get out of the way and it looks like the Republican Party will just have to get out of the way.
By Lori Montgomery
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 29, 2009; 6:09 PM
The Democratically controlled Congress today easily approved [...]

According to CNN Sen. Arlen Specter of PA has decided to switch parties.   The reason cited by Specter was that the Republican Party no longer defines who he is.  Oh, and he was going to lose in his Republican primary which is probably the real reason for the switch.
Once Al Franken is seated Specter’s switch [...]

High Court Poised To Closely Weigh Civil Rights Laws
The Supreme Court has an opportunity to reaffirm or reshape the nation’s civil rights laws as it faces a rare confluence of cases over the next two weeks, including a high-profile challenge brought by white firefighters who claim they lost out on promotions because of the “color [...]

Treasury to Detail Toxic Asset Plan
The Treasury Department today is unveiling details of its plan to try to relieve banks of their most troubled assets, a long-awaited signature piece of the government’s strategy for stabilizing the financial system. Under the plan, the government and private investors will together spend between $500 billion [...]

The Treasury Department has some explaining to do.
I’ve seldom seen the degree of anger from the American people as I am seeing now.  And much if not most of that anger is being directed at A.I.G., but the debacle with A.I.G. is just a symptom of the larger problem.   The idea that if it’s right [...]

Amazingly enough, some 50 banks are turning down TARP money now.  Banks that were supposedly on the verge of collapse have decided they don’t like the restrictions that go with the money and claim now they can turn a profit.  Makes one wonder if we were played…..how can a bank  be on the verge of [...]

Oh, waaaaaaaah.  Consider this:

A generation ago, top CEOs made 30 to 40 times the pay of average workers. Last year, CEO pay outpaced average worker pay by 344 times. ¹
As many as 43% of American workers in private industry don’t have paid sick days, according to 2007 data from the federal government²

American workers are [...]

If Spending Is Swift, Oversight May Suffer
The Obama administration’s economic stimulus plan could end up wasting billions of dollars by attempting to spend money faster than an overburdened government acquisition system can manage and oversee it, according to documents and interviews with contracting specialists.
Obama to Sign Stimulus in Denver Tuesday
The president plans to sign the [...]

Accepting the appointment from Blagojevich wasn’t very wise in my opinion.  With the cloud of scandal hanging over Blagojevich’s head the Burris appointment was bound to be questioned.  Burris came across as just a bit too desperate to get the senate seat.
CHICAGO – A Chicago minister told The Associated Press he and other black pastors [...]

Burris should have known that even a hint of impropriety would call an investigation down on his head.  Being appointed by Blagojevich was a guarantee that the appointment would be scrutinized.
By Peter Slevin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 16, 2009; Page A02
CHICAGO. Feb. 15 — Illinois Republicans called Sunday for a perjury investigation of Sen. Roland [...]