Time to Pass the Budget

As the nation is brought to the brink of a shutdown, some things are clear.

1. The Federal debt is spiraling out of control.


2. This debt is hampering the long-term success of America.


3. Even if the Republicans get the full cuts they wanted, we will still see our debt rise.


4. The Democrats have agreed to about 70% of all of the cuts that the Republicans asked for.


5. There is no way to balance the budget with out draconian cuts to basic government services, including Medicare and Social Security, unless they also address the revenue side.


6. Obama brokered a deal between the House and Senate bills, The numbers have been worked out.

The looming government shutdown is NOT about the budget; not about numbers that one could mark down on ledger paper, or enter into an Excel file.The Shutdown is over abortion and the EPA.

With over 800,000 people set to stop receiving paychecks, and ten of millions left without the services they depend on, the American government closing its doors is not an event that will serve us well. As Americans fight $4.00 gas prices, falling home prices, rising healthcare costs; we should not be held hostage by the far right's plan to end abortion. What ever your position is on that "Hot-Button" issue; clearly this is not the bill to address the matter. Keep in mind, the Hyde amendment already bans any federal money to be use to fund abortion. This last-minute rider sets to refund any woman's health service provider that, in addition to it's principle functions, also offers abortion services, even though NO government money goes to pay for that abortion. This bill will make it harder for many millions of woman to get checked for Cervical cancer, STDs, Rape counseling and birth control pills, (despite that fact that the birth control will reduce the number of abortions).

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer says "Democrats have compromised enough on the 2011 budget, and it’s time for the Republicans to give on social policies they want included in the spending package".


“It’s going to take some willingness on the other side to give a little bit,” Hoyer said. “We have given 70 percent towards the dollars that they wanted to reduce and they have not given an inch on the policies that they want included".


The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is the other target of the "Right". It would seem in a year that saw the BP oil spill and the unfolding nuclear disaster in Japan; the American people would welcome an agency that is there to help keep us safe. This is clear proof that the Koch brothers got what they paid for when they invested in the Tea Party.

When asked, Governor Daniels of Indiana said: ‘Look, make an agreement on numbers, let’s get that stabilized first — leave the social issues to other bills.’ That’s what we ought to do,” “The fact is that shutting down the government is a bad policy .

It is clear that the average American does not want to see the United States put out a "Closed" sign out on the door. By all accounts the two sides have reached a compromise on the budget, it is time for them to pass it and get back to work.

Cutting off funds for Planned Parenthood

The Middle-East is in turmoil as tens of thousands of people take to the streets. In Bahrain protests have been met with "Strong-Arm-tactics" leaving several dead which has only escalated the anti-government demonstrations. Violence was spreading at today's funeral processions in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen. Upheaval and uncertainty follows in the wake of revolts in Tunisia and Egypt. America is dependent on Oil, and we have troups fighting two wars from the reagion.

While America has stopped the horrific job losses of two years ago, With unemployment holding at 9 percent and millions out of work we are far from the "Healthy job market." Small business are struggling to stay open, while many big businesses are hording cash.

There is not a state that is not in a financial mess, many cutting back on critical services, at a time when they are desperately needed. Our cities are in debt, teacher layoffs are causing class sizes to spike. Health care costs are skyrocketing at more than twice the rate of inflation leaving more and more people without access to quality care.

Oh yea, the nation is going to run out of money and have to default on loans unless congress passes a new debt-ceiling.

So with all that on the table what did congress do today?

Rather than address any of the pressing issues listed above, they instead turned to the ideological topic of abortion. Yes, the House of Representatives voted 240-185 in favor of Rep. Mike Pence’s amendment cutting off funds for Planned Parenthood.

I understand the desire to "Throw Red-Meat" to the Tea Party; but with the government days away from shutting down, while our solders are in harms-way, why not focus on solving the very real problems that we face, rather than Abortion and National Public Radio?

Bristol Palin's "Shotgun-Wedding"

Sarah and Todd Palin have released the following statement in conjunction with the McCain campaign:

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us. Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned.
We’re proud of Bristol’s decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.
"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realize very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family. We ask the media to respect our daughter and Levi’s privacy as has always been the tradition of children of candidates."

All parents know that despite our best wishes, and most carefully crafted plans, often life throws you a curve. I am sure that watching their daughter, drop out of school, give up, or put on hold any plan of college; because she got pregnant, was not the film they played in their heads. But as a family they made choices based on their beliefs, values and priorities- and I respect their choices.
What upsets me is Sarah Palin unwillingness to let others have the power to make these tough choices according to their own belief set.

My wife and I discussed the "What if" question of Down Syndrome when she was pregnant, We did not have to face that heart-wrenching choice, but if we did- our decision would have been not to carry to term. If faced with our 17 year old child informing us that she was with child, we would not encourage her to get married; but instead to have an abortion or give the child up for adoption. If I had a 17 year old son that told us how he got his friend pregnant, I would not encourage him to marry the girl. Of course I would not tolerate him just "Walking-away"- but I could not in good conscience let him give up his dreams. He would be selling himself short, and living a life filled with regret, and what ifs that would tear him apart and result in him being an unhappy husband and father, which would make both the mother and child's lives both miserable.

But, maybe I'm wrong?
The point is, while I respect her right to follow her Beliefs and values; she wants to make it illegal for me to follow mine. That is what I object to - that is what gets me angry.

Sure I think we should respect the privacy of candidate's children; however
When you force others to follow your will, People have the right to call you on it.
during Sarah Palin's 2006 gubernatorial race, Palin again stated that she is against abortion unless a doctor determined that a mother's life would end due to the pregnancy. That even in the case of her own daughter being the victim of rape, she would still oppose the right to an abortion. These views are well outside the mainstream. I am sorry to say this, but, I cant help but feel that the impending marriage of her daughter,is less a tale of "Star-Crossed-Lovers" and more an example of old fashion "Shotgun-Wedding".
But that might be popular not just with Anti-Abortion crowd, but the NRA as well.

Larry Lubell