Million Dollar March

Now that the Dems have 60 votes in the Senate you would think they could get off their asses and push through some serious reforms, like oh say in health care for example. Unfortunately, it would appear that some of the more conservative democrats (I can't even BELIEVE I am writing those two words together) seem to have other plans. And their efforts are being aided by the fact that the health care industry is spending at least ONE MILLION DOLLARS a day on lobbying Congress to squash any serious health care reform.

Well gosh guys, thanks for looking out for the little people.

What is wrong with this picture? I mean I thought the country voted for some change last November. It seemed to me that the majority spoke that they wanted the Democrats to make some change in Washington, and not continue down the path of lining the pockets of corporate America like the Republicans did for eight years. Health care should not be a for-profit industry. Why should corporations get rich off the backs of the average American living or dying? They make more money by keeping us sick then they do by healing us. It just all stinks if you ask me.

You Need a Plan

First it was Wall Street, then it was the credit card companies, and now the American auto industry is hitting up taxpayers for a bailout.

I say let 'em fail. And please dear god, take their Hummers with them.

Apparently Congress has told the Big Three, no money without a plan. All of which sounds logical to me. After grad school I briefly answered phones for a local branch of the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC). While I didn't learn much, aside from the fact that the guy in the cube next to me liked to look at porn online at work, I was struck by the rigorous paperwork that was involved in starting up your own business through the Center.

The SBTDC was all about people having a plan for starting, maintaining and growing their businesses. I say, what is good enough for your local coffee shop or service station should be more than good enough for Ford, Chrysler and GM. But then what do I know, three of my four cars have been made outside the U.S. of A. much to my father's chagrin.

(And don't get me started on the money the CEO's of the three spent flying their three private jets to testify in front of Congress. Talk about a flagrant waste of money at a time when those dudes should have been hoofing it. Furthermore, I have heard from several places now that some auto workers are getting paid $40 to $70 an hour—depending on if you factor in the value of their benefits. Yep, that is $83,000 to $145,000 a year for jobs that don't require college degrees for the most part. Listen, I am not against someone making a fair wage, but I have SIX years of higher education and I am not making in that range. Something doesn't seem kosher there. Welcome to the real world, folks.)

Congress will eventually cave, but when that time comes, I sure hope they have made the auto industry create some sort of plan to straighten up and fly right. Until then, me and my Mini are going to keep cruising into the sunset . . .

A Supreme Ruling

Justice Kennedy penned today's 5-4 court decision ruling that the Gitmo detainees have the right to challenge their detention in U.S. civilian courts.

Yes folks that is one for the Constitution.

And this makes the third time the high court has ruled in the favor of these suspected terrorists rights to a trial. Both previous times, Congress and the Bush administration had to come up with new trial procedures. This decision from the court says those still aren't good enough.

The Court declared that Section 7 of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 was unconstitutional because it wanted to get rid of habeas corpus, despite the fact that our Constitution says this can only be done in cases of rebellion or invasion.

Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Alito, Scalia and Thomas were the dissenters. I will pause while you get over your shock.

Here is Salon's news item on the decision. Glenn Greewald also has more about the decision at Salon.com.