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Week of November 9, 2008 - November 15, 2008

Secrets, Lies & Whispers, Bush Redux


Signs that the Bush Administration is still running the government. 
So here's what we're hearing that we haven't been hearing about the economic collapse:
1.  How it's determined which institutions get money from the taxpayer bailout
2,  Who is exactly getting how much
3   And -- just revealed -- taxbreaks to companies that buy troubled banks -- tax breaks that can greatly exceed the price paid for the troubled banks.
Banks Reap Big Tax Cuts

There are so many things to correct, so many of them urgent, that I'm constantly worried something major will be overlooked. 
But the transparency issue is of particular importance.  We've lived with secretive, sleazy and self-serving political control of our government for almost 8 years.  There's been no effective oversight, not from the Congress and not from the press.
(and as an aside:  1) this is the main reason I'm concerned about Larry Summers being appointed Sec. of the Treasury.  Sure, I don't like the comments he made about women and about toxic dumping in 3rd world countries.  But what I like even less is the evidence that he isn't open to ideas from other people; that he doesn't have a clue about what he doesn't know; that his ability to communicate with others is very limited.  Do we really want another person like that in a major leadership position in this country? and 2)  it's why Lieberman should be removed as chair of the Homeland Security committee -- we need real oversight).
 




Obama-Lieberman: faint praise


I'm reading the support for Lieberman from Obama a little differently than others seem to.  The key quote to me is:
"President-elect Obama looks forward to working with anyone to move the country forward," Cutter continued. "We'd be happy to have Sen. Lieberman caucus with the Democrats. We don't hold any grudges."
What this refers to is one of the things that Obama seems to be especially skilled at:  he can find common ground on specific issues with people who are not usually in alignment with his views.  Since Lieberman is reasonably liberal on a number of issues, I think Obama sees multiple opportunities to pull him in to an alliance and build a filibuster-proof majority for those issues.
What this statement does not say is that Lieberman has President-elect Obama's unconditional support.  I think the it leaves plenty of room for the Democratic Senate leadership to move Lieberman to a committee chairmanship that fits his "Democratic" side, and place a more appropriate person as chair of the Homeland Security commitee.
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Tamarat

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  • Location Suburban D.C.
  • Party Democratic, when they're good
  • Politics Progressive. Or. Old-Fashioned Liberal. whichever floats your boat...

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