stlouisinsite's Blog

    Not to bust any bubbles, but what are the bets on how soon an Obama presidency will bring up the genteel issue of reparations for our brethren victimized by the slave trade? 

    This golden goose holds far too many goodies to be dismissed lightly.  And the issue has never received a full hearing from the American people.

    But under an Obama presidency, it very well could.  Even if Obama himself has little taste for the issue, he could still be pressured by certain constituents to bring it up.  At the politically correct time, of course.

   The guess here is around the third year of his presidency might be the opportune time.  Of course, the issue will not be brought up during the current election campaign -- by either of the candidates.

   Part of the appeal of an Obama presidency is the unknown.  Many feel practically anything would be better than the current Republican reign. 

   One can only hope that the admitted newness of an Obama in the White House would prove beneficial.  Regardless of that hope, it will represent -- what else -- a 'change.'    

       So, ladies and gentlemen, place your bets. 

   After all, you may say, what do we stand to lose? 

     The master manipulators of the market and the media are on the march.  The Wall Street Greed-meisters, backed by President Bush, corrupt Congressional leaders and others, are practically demanding Americans fork over $700 billion so they can minimize their losses -- and once again, maximize their profits.

     Wisely, Congress -- including 90 Democrats and more than 100 Republicans -- has said 'no.'  For this exagerrated crisis is really about much more than economics -- it's about the freedoms Americans too often take for granted.  And these greedmeisters will take your freedom away as easily as they're now grabbing your wallets.

     This is a fight for freedom -- not in Iraq or Afghanistan or wherever else our 'leaders' may decide we need to go next -- but right here in America.  

     Democrats and Republicans do need to get together and come up with some answers -- and some serious backbone.  As Congress is now doing, this rush to pass legislation, along with the doomsday scenarios, needs to be seriously shoved right back at them.

     A solution, yes.  A sellout at the expense of our freedoms, no.

     We do not need government of the few (Treasury) calling the shots.  

     And since when do Americans need the Europeans to tell us what to do?  This stuff is getting seriously out of hand.  This is the Bush Second Act, with the Iraq War Ride to Nowhere being the first.

     This one is the Ride to Hell, from which there might be no coming back.

     Let's hope the congressmen who have opposed this shell game continue the fight.    

    It can safely be said that both presidential contenders performed up to, and probably beyond, their capabilities in the First Presidential Debate Friday.

    The debates serve an outstanding purpose in getting the candidates face to face, and in the fast-moving format, probably draw many viewers who perhaps up to this point have not played real close attention to either of the candidates. 

    Ironically, the strongest issues for each candidate may not be what most expect.  And these issues were on display during the debate.

    Sen. McCain displayed probably considerable more knowledge and depth than some had expected.  And it's perhaps the economy, not foreign affairs, that could provide the boost he needs to win the presidency.  For McCain has promised a massive thrust forward for the U.S. economy, propelled by the need for the nation to become much more energy independent.

    But that issue has been overshadowed in the past week by the cry from Wall Street that a massive bailout from the government is needed immediately to avert an economic Armageddon.  And that is not good news for the McCain campaign.  And McCain hardly mentioned Friday his plans to reinvigorate the economy, an issue that could prove potent for him.

    For Sen. Obama, foreign policy can still be a key positive issue for him.  In making the case for a somewhat less strident foreign policy, that will improve America's image -- and standing -- in the community of nations, Obama was at his strongest point in the debate Friday. 

    That point is Obama's issue, and one he perhaps feels most passionately about, and he scored on the issue.  Obama wants to project a friendlier face to the world -- and if he continues to stress this issue, it could prove crucial to his success.

    McCain, however, very deftly handled Obama's criticism of the war.  The war veteran correctly said the point now is how the nation will extricate itself honorably from the conflict, negating considerably Obama's point about American entry into the battle.        

         Obama must still also overcome doubts as to his readiness, toughness and real passion to handle the international terrorist threat. 

    For McCain, the issue could be he wishes to do too much.

     Let it never be said that President Bush lacks a bit of the common touch.  Without fast action to help the financial industry, the prez said yesterday, 'this sucker could go down.'

     Was the prez calling the financial industry a sucker?  Well, apparently, sort of.  Meanwhile, Secretary of the Treasury Paulson's massive bailout plan continues to rankle many, including leading Republicans like Newt Gingrich.  The Newtonian says another approach would be more productive, and does not foresee a '29 type crash should Congress fail to approve the Paulson Plan.

    Paulson, of course, served as CEO for Goldman Sachs, a leading Wall St. financial services company, for seven years prior to becoming SecTreas.  ABC news reports Paulson was paid $140 million during that time, including a $38 million bonus at one point.  

    Upon accepting the SecTreas post, Paulson had to divest about $483 million worth of Goldman Sachs stock, ABC reports.  The company has spent $43 million on lobbying and campaign contributions to Congress since 1989, and is currently the largest single contributor to the presidential campaign of....Democrat Barack Obama.  (The company's bankers are also significant contributors to Republican John McCain's presidential campaign.)

    Meanwhile, the nation's First BOOGEDY, Massachusetts Congressman Barney 'Frankly-I'm-Gay' Frank, has emerged as the Democrat's chief spokesman for the Paulson measure.  The First BOOGEDY has been yelling 'foul' ever since McCain reappeared in Washington as the crisis continue.

    Hey, Barnes, chill.  As a senator, McCain outranks you, anyway.

    Perhaps the one positive from all this is the emergence of Frank as a nationally known figure.  For should Frank ever become identified as a spokesman for the gay lifestyle, it's likely the rest of the nation would be scared straight with one look at the guy.

     While Americans may recognize that as presidential timber the inexperienced Illinois senator Barack Obama is at best of average stock, given the exigencies of the moment, Barry 'O' may well be on his way to waltzing to the White House.

     Seeing a bunch of belaugured Wall Street honchos blithering to Congress about desparately needing a $700 billion handout hasn't helped the case of John McCain and the Republicans.

     The shrewd McCain has of course been backpedaling like an avalanche is headed his way since becoming the Repub's nominee, remaking himself as 'Maverick' McCain instead of the Washington insider he more commonly is seen as.

     And McCain has run from the Bush legacy faster than Brer Rabbit being chased by the big bad wolf.

     Indeed, the final legacy of the Bush administration, a $700  billion bailout of Wall Street, may be the last gasp of Big Money.  Looking worriedly in their rearview mirrors, they see Obama and the Dems bearing down on them.  In no way are the Dems, if they control both the presidency and Congress, likely to be nearly as friendly to Wall Street as the Bushies --  big business themselves -- have been.  

     The current financial crisis -- a mixture of fear, panic, and outright greed along with some real need -- seems made to order for the Democrats.  They can pull off their best shot at being for the people, pulling out all the rhetorical stops.

     Of course, about this time next year, Americans may be wondering just what we have gotten with this new group of left-leaning Demos.  

     And Hillary Clinton may have the rest of her life -- along with Al Gore -- to rue and wonder how their respective runs for the presidency came up just a little short.       

        Conductors on the George W. Bush Presidential Express Train to Nowhere apparently feel that once was not enough.

    Having taken the American public for a torturous and costly ride with the Iraq War, now, in the waning days of the Bush presidency, these same folks want one last time to take your money -- to the tune of about $700 billion.

    And Congressional lackeys, showing once more who their paymasters are, apparently can't wait to give it to them.

    This is the same hack-dog Congress that couldn't pass immigration reform or an energy  bill -- of any kind -- for over two years.  Suddenly the dysfunctional Congress springs into action, promising action within a week.

    This is totally outrageous.  THIS ACTION IS THE PROOF IN THE PUDDING THAT CONGRESS IS BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY THE WALL STREET/INTERNATIONAL MONEY INTERESTS! 

    This is the final chapter of the Bush Presidency's Ripoff Ride to Nowhere, sponsored by the high-powered money interests.  

    And once again Congressional 'watchdogs' can't wait to roll over and sell their constituents out, dancing to the tune of the Wall Street masters of the game!    

    And once more the average American taxpayer is being fleeced -- by a government that claims to be fighting for him.

    The lessons of our own history should have taught us by now that big isn't better, that centralized power won't help the most but the few.  

    And yet we here go again, for a fast ride on the Train to Nowhere, your excursion courtesy of George W. Bush.       

     Whoever wins the presidency this fall, one thing is for sure:  the road to the White House in 2008 apparently will be strewn with the battlefield corpses of blown-up Wall Street firms.

     While American intervention in Iraq resulted in an onslaught of terrorist attacks and bombings, Americans themselves now seem to be experiencing a form of economic terrorism at home, as daily reports file in about the carnage on Wall Street. 

     Change may be the mantra in this race, but it's becoming not exactly the type of change anyone predicted.  The change in the landscape rather reflects a growing economic uncertainty -- and that change becomes further reflected in a shifting, and unpredictable, political arena.

     Recent reports indicate perhaps as many as ten battleground states -- many in the midwest -- now up for grabs. 

     Given the new economic and political uncertainty, it could well be the candidate who can inspire the most confidence in a shaken electorate will be the one who takes the oath of office in Washington D.C. in January.       

     Part of the Barack Obama story is of course how after graduating from Harvard Law School, he turned down a lucrative Wall Street job so he could return to Chicago to make sure everyone was properly signed up for food stamps.  Now there's nothing wrong with helping our less fortunate neighbors in downtrodden neighborhoods get all the assistance they can.    

     And granted this is only part of the Barry Obama saga, but does all this neat stuff really resonate with a large portion of America?

     The answer, perhaps a sad one for Democrats, is a resounding 'no.'  As in 'no thanks, we respect you and all, but that's ok.'

     The reality of a presidential race is that it is also in large part a popularity contest.  Most of us don't know for sure who will actually be the best president.  Or, for that matter, what type of president a man (or woman) will be.  No one foresaw the Bush administration's eagerness to go to war in Iraq (no one that I know).

      But what we do know is whom we like, or whom we wish to put our trust in.  That's much easier.  Ok, so Barack Obama was a community organizer, then a state senator.  That's really pretty ho-hum stuff.  John McCain IS a war hero, and also a bomber pilot, prisoner of war, and U.S. senator for some three(?) terms.

      Sarah Palin is an attractive and likeable woman.  Joe Biden is an East Coast liberal whose popularity amongst voters in his 2008 presidential run was so imperceptible he withdrew after the initial Iowa primary.

      Personal popularity, while part and parcel of politics, also stands alone outside that realm.   

      The popularity/likeability index is one neither party can ignore.      

     Democrats may well be thinking about now it might be in their interest to come up with something like this -- anything, even a Jerry Springer-like tidbit -- to grab some headlines. 

     For John McCain and the Republicans are proving there are some benefits to being a Washington insider.  In his selection of Sarah Palin for vice president, McCain shows he has rightly divined one of the secrets of political success in America in 2008.

     You want coverage from the profit-driven media?  Then give them red meat, something new, something different, something they can put out to the public again and again.  And the unknown Republican governor of Alaska, a purpose driven woman, Sarah Palin, is that red meat.

     Because she is such an unknown, the media can probably pan for gold nuggets about this woman from now till at least Election Day.  That gives the Republicans that little extra press coverage they need. 

     And it totally detracts from the Obama phenomenon. 

     Real substance matters far, far less to the mainstream media than the real bottom line -- profits, viewers, and advertisers. And that's exactly why the Palin pick is working on all fronts -- including the polls.

     And, more good news for Repubs, the truth is Palin may even be somewhat a moderate Republican, a breath of fresh air for many tired of the radical conservatism of the George Bush administration.

     A USA Today headline today reads Palin 'governed from the center' and says her positions in regards to  Big Oil are closer to Sen. Obama's than McCain's.

     In fact, if the Republicans can stay on target, we may have a contest between the moderately liberal Democrats (particularly with 'Good Times Joe' Biden on the ticket), and two moderately conservative Republicans.

     That could be a welcome respite for weary voters.  

     What's next, bipartisan cooperation?      

     Three hijacked American passenger planes had already hit their targets, killing thousands and causing millions dollars of damages.

      A fourth hijacked airliner was still in the air, headed towards another target -- the very seat of the U.S. government, either the White House or the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.  Al Quaeda terrorists hoped this final blow would not only take more innocent lives, but perhaps demoralize and cripple America's will to fight.

      But on this Sept. 11, 2001, this final horrific blow would not take place.

      For America's heroes were about to step forward in the skies far above a Pennsylvania field, risking everything in the hope a final tragedy would be averted.

      On that day in the sky these American heroes had already heard from loved ones the news about some of the other hijackings that day.  And now, their craft, flying from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco, had also been hijacked, they knew.

      Their world, a world of work and family, of life and love, had been hijacked by radical terrorists of a different, and very dark, vision.  The American heroes' world of hopes and dreams, of  hard work and dedication, of family, had that day become enveloped by the darkness perpetrated by these criminals.

      And yet, despite the darkness, the despair being kept at bay by their love of country and nation, knowing their chances of success were slim, these American heroes decided to act.  Despite that darkness, they organized.  They rammed the cockpit door with food and drink carts, anything in their possession, to strike back at the terrorists who were attempting to destroy our world.

      And somehow they succeeded.  They fought the terrorists right there, in a jet airliner cockpit high above a Pennsylvania field.  They fought for their loved ones at home, for their nation, for their American birthright, for their American way of life.

      And they won.  For that airliner never reached its intended target in the nation's capitol, instead crashing in rural Pennsylvania.

      No government body, no boss, no directive told these American heroes to act.  And yet they acted with a simple, direct courage. 

      These American heroes acted in the true spirit of the American nation that day.  

     Sen. Barry 'Barack' Obama at this point has only one real chance to win the U.S. presidency:  take off the gloves, step into the ring, and start swinging.  And swinging hard.  Because right now, Obama is going down, down, down.

     Many Democrats, perhaps including Obama, seem strangely oblivious to the threat bearing down upon them.  The threat is Sen. John McCain and the Republicans running the road full speed ahead in a diesel truck and headed straight for the Obama/Sen. Joe Biden ticket. This isn't just swiftboating; it's an all-out assault.    

     McCain and the Republicans took off the gloves in this campaign a long time ago.  And it's paying nice dividends.  They've attacked and exposed Obama in every way possible.  Repubs probably feel Obama is a softer target than Biden;  thus far not many arrows have been shot that way.

     The truth is, Obama has only one real issue he can make waves with -- and that one issue, the Iraq War, is a gamble as well.

     The Democrats policy on energy is laughable, if not non-existent.  With the nation held hostage to Arab oil, Democrats ridiculously put politics above all else, and hold back drilling.

     And Americans know too well a Democratic victory is likely to mean two other things:  more government social programs and higher taxes.  Neither will prove a winner with voters.  

     And apparently it's not just the abortion issue that is above Obama's paygrade.  Many major issues the nation faces seem to be above the greenhorn senator's paygrade.  His education policy speech delivered today -- called by many almost Republican-like -- calls for changes like firing some teachers and aiding  more charter schools. Hardly new stuff. 

     Obama could step up and make the Iraq War his issue.  He was the candidate who did oppose the war from the beginning, although he was wrong about the surge.  And even though, through dogged determination and a refusal to quit, America is achieving success in Iraq, what about the costs?  The costs of many thousands dead, and billions upon billions spent?

     Republicans could still be vulnerable on the war. Has the war been worth it?  Would McCain, an admitted hawk, be likely to start a new conflict?  

     On the war, Obama can legitimately claim to be ahead of the curve.  On many other issues, however, the Democrats, still clinging to an outmoded insistence that government can cure any social ill (disproved by the Great Society), seem to be behind the curve of the American people.

     It's the Democrats, not the Republicans, who too often seem out of touch with the American people.

     If nothing else, even if bringing up the war issue doesn't deliver the White House, a healthy debate spurred by Obama could spur some new thought.

     Perhaps Democrats fear criticizing the war would bring up the unpatriotic charge.  But in his stirring acceptance speech, at times ringing with real fervor, Obama effectively seemed to prove his own patriotic credentials.   

     Democrats seem to be stuck in the quicksand at this point.  If they cannot soon regain the initiative -- effectively stolen by the Republicans with Gov. Sarah Palin and the convention -- perhaps by bringing the war issue to the forefront this campaign could be over well before Nov. 7.      

      You have to admire the Republicans' honesty.

      One of the harshest criticism's of the George W. administration has been the 'two oil men in the White House' line.  And that criticism has been nearly impossible for Republicans to entirely refute.

     Now come John McCain/Sarah Palin.  The mantra of this campaign could well be 'Drill Baby Drill.'  These two promise the American people:  you ain't seen nothing yet,  baby.         

            Talk about standing the Democrats on their heads (at least it's not off with their heads!)

     The further irony here is massive American drilling/exploration could also be at least part of a fix for the economy.  If it's not 'Buy American' it's at least 'Drill American.'  Harnessing the expertise/resources of the Big Boys of Oil (American style) could well give a needed jumpstart to the America economy (now with a 6.1 unemployment rate).

     McCain/Palin say let's ride that horse, and ride it hard!

     And the feeling here is the Big Boys of Oil will quite willingly bear that burden.  (Read: mo' money!)

     If all this ends with Americans not having to enrich Sheik Abdullah (or send Americans to their rescue), all the better.

     Repubs are betting this is a message that, combined with also developing nuclear, wind, clean coal, geothermal and other energy sources, could resonate with the American people come poll time in November.

     It all could leave Barry Obama/Joe Biden no liftoff as they stand on the ground flapping their wings needlessly, watching an election win fading into the sunset.    

     Democrats have fielded a strong ticket this year, certainly more formidable than the Kerry/Edwards try in '04, perhaps their best since Bill Clinton/Al Gore in 1996.  The ticket has youth and experience, some glitz and glamor -- which doesn't hurt -- and a definite liberal tinge, but the Obama/Biden combo is not in any real way out there on the radical fringe. 

     The Republicans have John McCain, and the character of John McCain.  Sarah Palin, overall, will perhaps prove to be not too much of a factor.  Her positives and negatives will probably balance out, provided she doesn't deliver any bombs in her convention speech.

     And, with McCain as the Republican nominee, if the Democrats think they have the war issue, they could end up being badly disappointed by the time the election results of 2008 roll in. 

     The real challenge for the Democrats in this campaign, however, will not be John McCain.  They will not be able to challenge the character of McCain, and probably will not even try.  No, the challenge for Democrats will be to convince the American people they can end the war in Iraq in an HONORABLE manner.

     Because it's unlikely the American people will settle for anything less.

     Folksy former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson last night put it this way:  we don't want someone for president that we have to ask ourselves who he is, or if we can trust him fully in the presidency.  And that trust issue applies as well to America's war in Iraq.

     Many times, the American people have elected the man they trusted rather than someone with slick-sounding answers.  Think Harry Truman over Tom Dewey in 1948, Lyndon Johnson over Barry Goldwater in 1964, Ronald Reagan slamming Walter Mondale in 1984.    

     This is not the Vietnam years.  Americans have lost 3,000 lives in the 9/11 attack, and over 4,000 soldiers in Iraq. 

     Obama's record on the Iraq War is not good.  That's discounting the fact he initially opposed the war (while not in the U.S. Senate at that time).  That's not the issue today -- in fact, at this point, the rightness or wrongness of the American invasion of Iraq is perhaps more of an issue for historians.

     But Obama was among a group of Democrats who hoped to end the war by cutting off funding for the war, and has criticized the surge, which has worked.

     A policy of  just getting out of Iraq obviously will not be enough for Democrats.  The challenge will be to forumulate a policy on the war that will prove acceptable to the American electorate.

    If Democrats cannot convince the public they will be just stewards of the American fight in Iraq, they will not win the White House in November.  

     John McCain, by any standard, has lived a very successful life in his 72 years.  And time and again, McCain has shown he is possessed of a maverick, gambling spirit -- from flying American bomber planes over North Vietnam, to entering political life, and in two runs for the presidency.

     If there is any doubt McCain is at least a bit of maverick -- and probably more than a bit -- those have been erased in his selection of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential selection.

     Whether McCain will be shot down in his presidential bid, and how much Palin will help the ticket, remain of course to be seen.  But after hearing her speak here on streaming myfoxstl.com today, there should be little doubt Mrs. Palin is indeed a very creditable candidate, with a strong independent message of her own.

     And, that message is one of reform.

     Palin's message that people should only be in politics for the right reason -- to serve the people -- is not necessarily a new one, but is an issue that appears authentic in her case.  Palin also said she wants to see government keep a focus on the most important issues it can address -  and not so much perhaps in some areas.

     If the Palin selection can help ignite a debate on the true function of government in American society, that in itself will be a positive.

     The Democrats closed their convention stronger, more united, and with a formidable ticket in Obama and Biden. 

     Now it's the Republicans turn to show what they can do. 

     Yes, Irene, politicking American style is indeed in season. 

     Did John McCain pick a candidate who is even less qualified to be president that Barry Obama?

     Well, yeah.  Hey, you got inexperience and youth, so do we.

     Did McCain pick a candidate with an attractive family alongside?

     Well, yeah.  Hey, you got family, we got family.

     Did John McCain pick someone who can lay claim to being a reformer?

            Well, yeah.  Hey, you got reform, we got reform.

     Did John McCain make a bold selection?

     Uh, yeah.  You got bold, we got bold.

     The McCain gamble may prove to be a shrewd move, as it does seem to neutralize some of the strengths of the Democrtic ticket.  It could also backfire, however, if some Republican-leaning Dems look at the move as too obvious to attract their votes.

     The McCain gambit does nothing to alter the essential choice here, however.  Although both tickets now balance inexperience with experience, relative youth with seasoned 'pros,' the contest still is basically conservative versus liberal, with some moderate leanings from both sides.

     The past week has been full of political happenings, and next week promises to be more of the same.  And although it's new and exciting, in another sense it's more of the same.  Politics is as old as the nation is. 

     To paraphrase John McCain, "my friends, this too will pass."