SOTU Wrap-up

SOTU Wrap-up, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

So much to talk about today, I mean besides CFhris Matthews being an outspoken idiot.

Nuff Said

Nuff Said, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

When Republicans do not applaud successful taxcuts, they show the world that partisanship overrides their own principles. Even Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich were not beyond civility.... To the angry opposition America says, "create jobs or get the hell out of the way."

Say Something

Say Something, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

I'll be watching.... Let's see what you've got.

Real Jobs for Real People

Real Jobs for Real People, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

Problem: A generation of the nation's youth know nothing about work. The military has to be selective in the post-Vietnam era world. The Civilian Conservation Corps filled the same gap in the early FDR years under George C. Marshall. Flash forward to today... Sounds like a job for Colin Powell.

Harsh Realities

Harsh Realities, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

Whether it is building railroads, caring for the elderly or educating children. Nothing gets done in this country without the deal making of those with so-called special interests. The Supreme Court has already decided that "empty pockets don't even make the grade." With that in mind, don't hate the players, hate the game.

Franchise Player

Franchise Player, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

There is nothing surprising about politics as usual. It is as old as the Republic itself.

That having been said, the Medicare plan we have today is far different than the one Congress passed in 1965. Winning in Washington sometimes means passing a framework now and improving it over time.

If you apply the 'reasonable man' standard to it, isn't a decent framework better than no plan at all?

It is 2010, nothing groundbreaking ever passes in a midterm election year.

Haiti Needs Ernst Reuter

Haiti Needs Ernst Reuter, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

The people covering Haiti are doing a good job. They are NOT putting together packages that show nothing but the bad and leaving out the good.

It is easy to blame the messenger sometimes. Journalism is the contemporary record that with time, becomes history.

Remember, those who do the work still believe their role is to go and see the things that matter and let you know what they saw.

After all, most of you are too busy living to go and see those things for yourselves.

Risking Change

Risking Change, originally uploaded by DeHoll.

Having sat around and listened patiently while well meaning-people screamed for a "winner take all" agenda, the pragmatist in me feels vindicated by unfortunate political developments.

In the end, we will need independents, Blue Dog Democrats and caring Republicans to keep a people-friendly national agenda from becoming a footnote of failed history.